Taught by long experience that boys are always hungry , Aunt Jessie soon proposed supper , and proceeded to get it , enveloped in an immense apron , with an old hat of Archie 's stuck atop of her cap . Rose helped , and tried to be as handy as Phebe , though the peculiar style of table she had to set made it no easy task . It was accomplished at last , and a very happy party lay about under the trees , eating and drinking out of anyone 's plate and cup , and quite untroubled by the frequent appearance of ants and spiders in places which these interesting insects are not expected to adorn . `` I never thought I should like to wash dishes , but I do , '' said Rose , as she sat in a boat after supper lazily rinsing plates in the sea , and rocking luxuriously as she wiped them . `` Mum is mighty particular ; we just give 'em a scrub with sand , and dust 'em off with a bit of paper . It 's much the best way , I think , '' replied Geordie , who reposed in another boat alongside . `` How Phebe would like this ! I wonder uncle did not have her come . '' `` I believe he tried to , but Dolly was as cross as two sticks , and said she could n't spare her . I 'm sorry , for we all like the Phebe bird , and she 'd chirp like a good one out here , would n't she ? '' `` She ought to have a holiday like the rest of us . It 's too bad to leave her out . '' This thought came back to Rose several times that evening , for Phebe would have added much to the little concert they had in the moonlight , would have enjoyed the stories told , been quick at guessing the conundrums , and laughed with all her heart at the fun . The merry going to bed would have been the best of all , for Rose wanted someone to cuddle under the blue blanket with her , there to whisper and giggle and tell secrets , as girls delight to do . Long after the rest were asleep , Rose lay wide awake , excited by the novelty of all about her , and a thought that had come into her mind . Far away she heard a city clock strike twelve ; a large star like a mild eye peeped in at the opening of the tent , and the soft plash of the waves seemed calling her to come out . Aunt Jessie lay fast asleep , with Jamie rolled up like a kitten at her feet , and neither stirred as Rose in her wrapper crept out to see how the world looked at midnight . She found it very lovely , and sat down on a cracker keg to enjoy it with a heart full of the innocent sentiment of her years . Fortunately , Dr. Alec saw her before she had time to catch cold , for coming out to tie back the door-flap of his tent for more air , he beheld the small figure perched in the moonlight . Having no fear of ghosts , he quietly approached , and , seeing that she was wide awake , said , with a hand on her shining hair , `` What is my girl doing here ? ''
`` Having a good time , '' answered XXXXX , not at all startled .
Alec Archie Geordie Jamie Rose cracker door-flap evening midnight years