`` Better than his own brother , hey ? '' cut in Archie , finding relief for his own regret in the delinquencies of another . `` Well , you need n't preach ; you did n't any of you do any more , and you might have , for Mac likes you better than he does me . I always fret him , he says , and it is n't my fault if I am a quiddle , '' protested Steve , in self-defence . `` We have all been selfish and neglected him , so we wo n't fight about it , but try and do better , '' said Archie , generously taking more than his share of blame , for he had been less inattentive than either of the others . `` Rose has stood by him like a good one , and it 's no wonder he likes to have her round best . I should myself if I was down on my luck as he is , '' put in Charlie , feeling that he really had not done `` the little thing '' justice . `` I 'll tell you what it is , boys we have n't been half good enough to Rose , and we 've got to make it up to her somehow , '' said Archie , who had a very manly sense of honour about paying his debts , even to a girl . `` I 'm awfully sorry I made fun of her doll when Jamie lugged it out ; and I called her ` baby bunting ' when she cried over the dead kitten . Girls are such geese sometimes , I ca n't help it , '' said Steve , confessing his transgressions handsomely , and feeling quite ready to atone for them if he only knew how . `` I 'll go down on my knees and beg her pardon for treating her as if she was a child . Do n't it make her mad , though ? Come to think of it , she 's only two years or so younger than I am . But she is so small and pretty , she always seems like a dolly to me , '' and the Prince looked down from his lofty height of five feet five as if Rose was indeed a pygmy beside him . `` That dolly has got a real good little heart , and a bright mind of her own , you 'd better believe . Mac says she understands some things quicker than he can , and mother thinks she is an uncommonly nice girl , though she do n't know all creation . You need n't put on airs , Charlie , though you are a tall one , for Rose likes Archie better than you ; she said she did because he treated her respectfully . '' `` Steve looks as fierce as a game-cock ; but do n't you get excited , my son , for it wo n't do a bit of good . Of course , everybody likes the Chief best ; they ought to , and I 'll punch their heads if they do n't . So calm yourself , Dandy , and mend your own manners before you come down on other people 's . ''
Thus the Prince with great dignity and perfect good nature , while Archie looked modestly gratified with the flattering opinions of his kinsfolk , and XXXXX subsided , feeling he had done his duty as a cousin and a brother .
Charlie Chief Dandy Mac Prince Rose Steve delinquencies self-defence years