Chapter 22 - Something to do

by Louisa May Alcott

　　Whatever danger there might have been from the effects of that suddenchill, it was soon over, though, of course, Aunt Myra refused to believeit, and Dr. Alec cherished his girl with redoubled vigilance and tendernessfor months afterward. Rose quite enjoyed being sick, because as soon as thepain ended the fun began, and for a week or two she led the life of alittle princess secluded in the Bower, while every one served, amused, andwatched over her in the most delightful manner. But the doctor was calledaway to see an old friend, who was dangerously ill, and then Rose felt likea young bird deprived of its mother's sheltering wing; especially on oneafternoon when the aunts were taking their naps, and the house was verystill within while snow fell softly without."I'll go and hunt up Phebe, she is always nice and busy, and likes to haveme help her. If Dolly is out of the way we can make caramels and surprisethe boys when they come," Rose said to herself, as she threw down her bookand felt ready for society of some sort.She took the precaution to peep through the slide before she entered thekitchen, for Dolly allowed no messing when she was round. But the coast wasclear, and no one but Phebe appeared, sitting at the table with her head onher arms apparently asleep. Rose was just about to wake her with a "Boo!"when she lifted her head, dried her wet eyes with her blue apron, and fellto work with a resolute face on something she was evidently much interestedin. Rose could not make out what it was, and her curiosity was greatlyexcited, for Phebe was writing with a sputtering pen on some bits of brownpaper, apparently copying something from a little book."I must know what the dear thing is about, and why she cried, and then sether lips tight and went to work with all her might," thought Rose,forgetting all about the caramels, and, going round to the door, sheentered the kitchen, saying pleasantly"Phebe, I want something to do. Can't you let me help you about anything,or shall I be in the way?""Oh, dear no, miss; I always love to have you round when things are tidy.What would you like to do?" answered Phebe, opening a drawer as if about tosweep her own affairs out of sight; but Rose stopped her, exclaiming, likea curious child"Let me see! What is it? I won't tell if you'd rather not have Dolly know.""I'm only trying to study a bit; but I'm so stupid I don't get on much,"answered the girl reluctantly, permitting her little mistress to examinethe poor contrivances she was trying to work with.A broken slate that had blown off the roof, an inch or two of pencil, anold almanac for a reader, several bits of brown or yellow paper ironedsmoothly and sewn together for a copy-book, and the copies sundry receiptswritten in Aunt Plenty's neat hand. These, with a small bottle of ink and arusty pen, made up Phebe's outfit, and it was little wonder that she didnot "get on" in spite of the patient persistence that dried the despondingtears and drove along the sputtering pen with a will."You may laugh if you want to, Miss Rose, I know my things are queer, andthat's why I hide 'em; but I don't mind since you've found me out, and Iain't a bit ashamed except of being so backward at my age," said Phebehumbly, though her cheeks grew redder as she washed out some crookedcapitals with a tear or two not yet dried upon the slate."Laugh at you! I feel more like crying to think what a selfish girl I am,to have loads of books and things and never remember to give you some. Whydidn't you come and ask me, and not go struggling along alone in this way?It was very wrong of you, Phebe, and I'll never forgive you if you do soagain," answered Rose, with one hand on Phebe's shoulder, while the othergently turned the leaves of the poor little copy-book."I didn't like to ask for anything more when you are so good to me all thetime, miss, dear," began Phebe, looking up with grateful eyes."O you proud thing! just as if it wasn't fun to give away, and I had thebest of it. Now, see here, I've got a plan and you mustn't say no, or Ishall scold. I want something to do, and I'm going to teach you all I know;it won't take long," and Rose laughed as she put her arm around Phebe'sneck, and patted the smooth dark head with the kind little hand that soloved to give."It would be just heavenly!" and Phebe's face shone at the mere idea; butfell again as she added wistfully, "Only I'm afraid I ought not to let youdo it, Miss Rose. It will take time, and maybe the Doctor wouldn't likeit.""He didn't want me to study much, but he never said a word about teaching,and I don't believe he will mind a bit. Anyway, we can try it till hecomes, so pack up your things and go right to my room and we'll begin thisvery day; I'd truly like to do it, and we'll have nice times, see if wedon't!" cried Rose eagerly.It was a pretty sight to see Phebe bundle her humble outfit into her apron,and spring up as if the desire of her heart had suddenly been made a happyfact to her; it was a still prettier sight to see Rose run gaily on before,smiling like a good fairy as she beckoned to the other, singing as she went"The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,And many are the curious things I'll show you when you're there.Will you, will you walk in, Phebe dear?""Oh, won't I!" answered Phebe fervently, adding, as they entered the Bower,"You are the dearest spider that ever was, and I'm the happiest fly.""I'm going to be very strict, so sit down in that chair and don't say aword till school is ready to open," ordered Rose, delighted with theprospect of such a useful and pleasant "something to do."So Phebe sat demurely in her place while her new teacher laid forth booksand slates, a pretty inkstand and a little globe; hastily tore a bit offher big sponge, sharpened pencils with more energy than skill, and when allwas ready gave a prance of satisfaction that set the pupil laughing."Now the school is open, and I shall hear you read, so that I may know inwhich class to put you, Miss Moore," began Rose with great dignity, as shelaid a book before her scholar, and sat down in the easy chair with a longrule in her hand.Phebe did pretty well, only tripping now and then over a hard word, andpronouncing identical "identickle," in a sober way that tickled Rose,though never a smile betrayed her. The spelling lesson which followed wasrather discouraging; Phebe's ideas of geography were very vague, andgrammar was nowhere, though the pupil protested that she tried so hard to"talk nice like educated folks" that Dolly called her "a stuck-up piece whodidn't know her place.""Dolly's an old goose, so don't you mind her, for she will say 'nater,''vittles,' and 'doos' as long as she lives, and insist that they are right.You do talk very nicely, Phebe, I've observed it, and grammar will helpyou, and show you some things are right and others ain't are not, I mean,"added Rose, correcting herself, and feeling that she must mind her ownparts of speech if she was to serve as an example for Phebe.When the arithmetic came, the little teacher was surprised to find herscholar quicker in some things than herself, for Phebe had worked away atthe columns in the butcher's and baker's books till she could add soquickly and correctly that Rose was amazed, and felt that in this branchthe pupil would soon excel the teacher if she kept on at the same pace. Herpraise cheered Phebe immensely, and they went bravely on, both getting sointerested that time flew unheeded till Aunt Plenty appeared, exclaiming,as she stared at the two heads bent over one slate"Bless my heart, what is going on now?""School, aunty. I'm teaching Phebe, and it's great fun!" cried Rose,looking up with a bright face.But Phebe's was brighter, though she added with a wistful look"Maybe I ought to have asked leave first; only when Miss Rose proposedthis, I was so happy I forgot to. Shall I stop, ma'am?""Of course not, child; I'm glad to see you fond of your book, and to findRose helping you along. My blessed mother used to sit at work with hermaids about her, teaching them many a useful thing in the good old fashionthat's gone by now. Only don't neglect your work, dear, or let the booksinterfere with the duties."As Aunt Plenty spoke, with her kind old face beaming approvingly upon thegirls, Phebe glanced at the clock, saw that it pointed to five, knew thatDolly would soon be down, expecting to find preparations for supper underway, and, hastily dropping her pencil, she jumped up, saying"Please, can I go? I'll clear up after I've done my chores.""School is dismissed," answered Rose, and with a grateful "Thank you, heapsand heaps!" Phebe ran away singing the multiplication table as she set thetea ditto.That was the way it began, and for a week the class of one went on withgreat pleasure and profit to all concerned; for the pupil proved a brightone, and came to her lessons as to a feast, while the young teacher did herbest to be worthy the high opinion held of her, for Phebe firmly believedthat Miss Rose knew everything in the way of learning.Of course the lads found out what was going on, and chaffed the girls aboutthe "Seminary," as they called the new enterprise; but they thought it agood thing on the whole, kindly offered to give lessons in Greek and Latingratis, and decided among themselves that "Rose was a little trump to givethe Phebe-bird such a capital boost."Rose herself had some doubts as to how it would strike her uncle, andconcocted a wheedlesome speech which should at once convince him that itwas the most useful, wholesome, and delightful plan ever devised. But shegot no chance to deliver her address, for Dr. Alec came upon her sounexpectedly that it went out of her head entirely. She was sitting on thefloor in the library, poring over a big book laid open in her lap, and knewnothing of the long-desired arrival till two large, warm hands met underher chin and gently turned her head back, so that someone could kiss herheartily on either cheek, while a fatherly voice said, half reproachfully,"Why is my girl brooding over a dusty Encyclopedia when she ought to berunning to meet the old gentleman who couldn't get on another minutewithout her?""O uncle! I'm so glad! and so sorry! Why didn't you let us know what timeyou'd be here, or call out the minute you came? Haven't I been home-sickfor you? and now I'm so happy to have you back I could hug your dear oldcurly head off," cried Rose, as the Encyclopedia went down with a bang, andshe up with a spring that carried her into Dr. Alec's arms, to be keptthere in the sort of embrace a man gives to the dearest creature the worldholds for him.Presently he was in his easy chair with Rose upon his knee smiling up inhis face and talking as fast as her tongue could go, while he watched herwith an expression of supreme content, as he stroked the smooth roundcheek, or held the little hand in his, rejoicing to see how rosy was theone, how plump and strong the other."Have you had a good time? Did you save the poor lady? Aren't you glad tobe home again with your girl to torment you?""Yes, to all those questions. Now tell me what you've been at, littlesinner? Aunty Plen says you want to consult me about some new andremarkable project which you have dared to start in my absence.""She didn't tell you, I hope?""Not a word more expect that you were rather doubtful how I'd take it, andso wanted to 'fess' yourself and get round me as you always try to do,though you don't often succeed. Now, then, own up and take theconsequences."So Rose told about her school in her pretty, earnest way, dwelling onPhebe's hunger for knowledge, and the delight it was to help her, adding,with a wise nod"And it helps me too, uncle, for she is so quick and eager I have to do mybest or she will get ahead of me in some things. To-day, now, she had theword 'cotton' in a lesson and asked all about it, and I was ashamed to findI really knew so little that I could only say that it was a plant that grewdown South in a kind of a pod, and was made into cloth. That's what I wasreading up when you came, and to-morrow I shall tell her all about it, andindigo too. So you see it teaches me also, and is as good as a generalreview of what I've learned, in a pleasanter way than going over it alone.""You artful little baggage! that's the way you expect to get round me, isit? That's not studying, I suppose?""No, sir, it's teaching; and please, I like it much better than having agood time by myself. Besides, you know, I adopted Phebe and promised to bea sister to her, so I am bound to keep my word, am I not?" answered Rose,looking both anxious and resolute as she waited for her sentence.Dr. Alec was evidently already won, for Rose had described the old slateand brown paper copy-book with pathetic effect, and the excellent man hadnot only decided to send Phebe to school long before the story was done,but reproached himself for forgetting his duty to one little girl in hislove for another. So when Rose tried to look meek and failed utterly, helaughed and pinched her cheek, and answered in that genial way which addssuch warmth and grace to any favour"I haven't the slightest objection in the world. In fact, I was beginningto think I might let you go at your books again, moderately, since you areso well; and this is an excellent way to try your powers. Phebe is a brave,bright lass, and shall have a fair chance in the world, if we can give itto her, so that if she ever finds her friends they need not be ashamed ofher.""I think she has found some already," began Rose eagerly."Hey? what? has anyone turned up since I've been gone?" asked Dr. Alecquickly, for it was a firm belief in the family that Phebe would prove tobe "somebody" sooner or later."No, her best friend turned up when you came home, uncle," answered Rosewith an approving pat, adding gratefully, "I can't half thank you for beingso good to my girl, but she will, because I know she is going to make awoman to be proud of, she's so strong and true, and loving.""Bless your dear heart, I haven't begun to do anything yet, more shame tome! But I'm going at it now, and as soon as she gets on a bit, she shall goto school as long as she likes. How will that do for a beginning?""It will be 'just heavenly,' as Phebe says, for it is the wish of her lifeto 'get lots of schooling,' and she will be too happy when I tell her. MayI, please? it will be so lovely to see the dear thing open her big eyes andclap her hands at the splendid news.""No one shall have a finger in this nice little pie; you shall do it allyourself, only don't go too fast, or make too many castles in the air, mydear; for time and patience must go into this pie of ours if it is to turnout well.""Yes, uncle, only when it is opened won't 'the birds begin to sing?"'laughed Rose, taking a turn about the room as a vent for the joyfulemotions that made her eyes shine. All of a sudden she stopped and askedsoberly"If Phebe goes to school who will do her work? I'm willing, if I can.""Come here and I'll tell you a secret. Dolly's 'bones' are getting sotroublesome, and her dear old temper so bad, that the aunts have decided topension her off and let her go and live with her daughter, who has marriedvery well. I saw her this week, and she'd like to have her mother come, soin the spring we shall have a grand change, and get a new cook andchamber-girl if any can be found to suit our honoured relatives.""Oh, me! how can I ever get on without Phebe? Couldn't she stay, just so Icould see her? I'd pay her board rather than have her go, I'm so fond ofher."How Dr. Alec laughed at that proposal, and how satisfied Rose was when heexplained that Phebe was still to be her maid, with no duties except suchas she could easily perform between school-hours."She is a proud creature, for all her humble ways, and even from us wouldnot take a favour if she did not earn it somewhere. So this arrangementmakes it all square and comfortable, you see, and she will pay for theschooling by curling these goldilocks a dozen times a day if you let her.""Your plans are always so wise and kind! That's why they work so well, Isuppose, and why people let you do what you like with them. I really don'tsee how other girls get along without an Uncle Alec!" answered Rose, with asigh of pity for those who had missed so great a blessing.When Phebe was told the splendid news, she did not "stand on her head withrapture," as Charlie prophesied she would, but took it quietly, because itwas such a happy thing she had no words "big and beautiful enough to thankthem in," she said; but every hour of her day was brightened by thisgranted wish, and dedicated to the service of those who gave it.Her heart was so full of content that if overflowed in music, and the sweetvoice singing all about the house gave thanks so blithely that no otherwords were needed. Her willing feet were never tired of taking steps forthose who had smoothed her way; her skilful hands were always busy in somelabour of love for them, and on the face fast growing in comeliness therewas an almost womanly expression of devotion, which proved how well Phebehad already learned one of life's great lessons gratitude.