Chapter 10 - Rose's Sacrifice

by Louisa May Alcott

　　There certainly were "larks" on Campbell's Island next day, as Charlie hadforetold, and Rose took her part in them like one intent on enjoying everyminute to the utmost. There was a merry breakfast, a successful fishingexpedition, and then the lobsters came out in full force, for even AuntJessie appeared in red flannel. There was nothing Uncle Alec could not doin the water, and the boys tried their best to equal him in strength andskill, so there was a great diving and ducking, for every one was bent ondistinguishing himself.Rose swam out far beyond her depth, with uncle to float her back; AuntJessie splashed placidly in the shallow pools, with Jamie paddling near bylike a little whale beside its mother; while the lads careered about,looking like a flock of distracted flamingoes, and acting like the famousdancing party in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."Nothing but chowder would have lured them from their gambols in the brinydeep; that time-honoured dish demanded the concentrated action of severalmighty minds; so the "Water Babies" came ashore and fell to cooking.It is unnecessary to say that, when done, it was the most remarkablechowder ever cooked, and the quantity eaten would have amazed the world ifthe secret had been divulged. After this exertion a siesta was consideredthe thing, and people lay about in tents or out as they pleased, the boyslooking like warriors slumbering where they fell.The elders had just settled to a comfortable nap when the youngsters rose,refreshed and ready for further exploits. A hint sent them all off to thecave, and there were discovered bows and arrows, battle clubs, old swords,and various relics of an interesting nature. Perched upon a commandingrock, with Jamie to "splain" things to her, Rose beheld a series ofstirring scenes enacted with great vigour and historical accuracy by hergifted relatives.Captain Cook was murdered by the natives of Owhyhee in the most thrillingmanner. Captain Kidd buried untold wealth in the chowder kettle at the deadof night, and shot both the trusting villains who shared the secret of thehiding place. Sinbad came ashore there and had manifold adventures, andnumberless wrecks bestrewed the sands.Rose considered them by far the most exciting dramas she had everwitnessed; and when the performance closed with a grand ballet of FeejeeIslanders, whose barbaric yells alarmed the gulls, she had no words inwhich to express her gratification.Another swim at sunset, another merry evening on the rocks watching thelighted steamers pass seaward and the pleasure-boats come into port, endedthe second day of the camping out, and sent everyone to bed early that theymight be ready for the festivities of the morrow."Archie, didn't I hear uncle ask you to row home in the morning for freshmilk and things?""Yes, why?""Please, may I go too? I have something of great importance to arrange; youknow I was carried off in a hurry," Rose said in a confidential whisper asshe was bidding her cousins good night."I'm willing, and I guess Charlie won't mind.""Thank you; be sure you stand by me when I ask leave in the morning, anddon't say anything till then, except to Charlie. Promise," urged Rose, soeagerly, that Archie struck an attitude and cried dramatically"By yonder moon I swear!""Hush! it's all right, go along"; and Rose departed as if satisfied."She's a queer little thing, isn't she, Prince?""Rather a nice little thing, I think. I'm quite fond of her."Rose's quick ears caught both remarks, and she retired to her tent, sayingto herself with sleepy dignity"Little thing, indeed! Those boys talk as if I was a baby. They will treatme with more respect after to-morrow, I guess."Archie did stand by her in the morning, and her request was readilygranted, as the lads were coming directly back. Off they went, and Rosewaved her hand to the islanders with a somewhat pensive air, for an heroicpurpose glowed within her, and the spirit of self-sacrifice was about to beillustrated in a new and touching manner.While the boys got the milk Rose ran to Phebe, ordered her to leave herdishes, to put on her hat, and take a note back to Uncle Alec, which wouldexplain this somewhat mysterious performance. Phebe obeyed, and when shewent to the boat Rose accompanied her, telling the boys she was not readyto go yet, but they could, some of them, come for her when she hung a whitesignal on her balcony."But why not come now? What are you about, miss? Uncle won't like it,"protested Charlie, in great amazement."Just do as I tell you, little boy; uncle will understand and explain.Obey, as Phebe does, and ask no questions. I can have secrets as well asother people"; and Rose walked off with an air of lofty independence thatimpressed her friends immensely."It's some plot between uncle and herself, so we won't meddle. All right,Phebe? Pull away, Prince"; and off they went to be received with muchsurprise by the islanders.This was the note Phebe bore:"Dear Uncle, I am going to take Phebe's place to-day, and let her have allthe fun she can. Please don't mind what she says, but keep her, and tellthe boys to be very good to her for my sake. Don't think it is easy to dothis; it is very hard to give up the best day of all, but I feel so selfishto have all the pleasure and Phebe none, that I wish to make thissacrifice. Do let me, and don't laugh at it; I truly do not wish to bepraised, and I truly want to do it. Love to all from"Rose.""Bless the little dear, what a generous heart she has! Shall we go afterher, Jessie, or let her have her way?" said Dr. Alec, after the firstmingled amusement and astonishment had subsided."Let her alone, and don't spoil her little sacrifice. She means it, I know,and the best way in which we can show our respect for her effort is to givePhebe a pleasant day. I'm sure she has earned it"; and Mrs. Jessie made asign to the boys to suppress their disappointment and exert themselves toplease Rose's guest.Phebe was with difficulty kept from going straight home, and declared thatshe should not enjoy herself one bit without Miss Rose."She won't hold out all day, and we shall see her paddling back beforenoon, I'll wager anything," said Charlie; and the rest so strongly inclinedto his opinion that they resigned themselves to the loss of the littlequeen of the revels, sure that it would be only a temporary one.But hour after hour passed, and no signal appeared on the balcony, thoughPhebe watched it hopefully. No passing boat brought the truant back, thoughmore than one pair of eyes looked out for the bright hair under the roundhat; and sunset came, bringing no Rose but the lovely colour in the westernsky."I really did not think the child had it in her. I fancied it was a bit ofsentiment, but I see she was in earnest, and means that her sacrifice shallbe a true one. Dear little soul! I'll make it up to her a thousand timesover, and beg her pardon for thinking it might be done for effect," Dr.Alec said remorsefully, as he strained his eyes through the dusk, fancyinghe saw a small figure sitting in the garden as it had sat on the keg thenight before, laying the generous little plot that had cost more than hecould guess."Well, she can't help seeing the fireworks, any way, unless she is gooseenough to think she must hide in a dark closet and not look," said Archie,who was rather disgusted at Rose's seeming ingratitude."She will see ours capitally, but miss the big ones on the hill, unlesspapa has forgotten all about them," added Steve, cutting short the harangueMac had begun upon the festivals of the ancients."I'm sure the sight of her will be better than the finest fireworks thatever went off," said Phebe, meditating an elopement with one of the boatsif she could get a chance."Let things work; if she resists a brilliant invitation we give her shewill be a heroine," added Uncle Alec, secretly hoping that she would not.Meanwhile Rose had spent a quiet, busy day helping Dolly, waiting on AuntPeace, and steadily resisting Aunt Plenty's attempts to send her back tothe happy island. It had been hard in the morning to come in from thebright world outside, with flags flying, cannon booming, crackers popping,and everyone making ready for a holiday, and go to washing cups, whileDolly grumbled and the aunts lamented. It was very hard to see the day goby, knowing how gay each hour must have been across the water, and how aword from her would take her where she longed to be with all her heart. Butit was hardest of all when evening came and Aunt Peace was asleep, AuntPlenty seeing a gossip in the parlor, Dolly established in the porch toenjoy the show, and nothing left for the little maid to do but sit alone inher balcony and watch the gay rockets whizz up from island, hill, and city,while bands played and boats laden with happy people went to and fro in thefitful light.Then it must be confessed that a tear or two dimmed the blue eyes, andonce, when a very brilliant display illuminated the island for a moment,and she fancied she saw the tents, the curly head went down on the railing,and a wide-awake nasturtium heard a little whisper"I hope someone wishes I was there!"The tears were all gone, however, and she was watching the hill and islandanswer each other with what Jamie called "whizzers, whirligigs andbusters," and smiling as she thought how hard the boys must be working tokeep up such a steady fire, when Uncle Mac came walking in upon her, sayinghurriedly"Come, child, put on your tippet, pelisse, or whatever you call it, and runoff with me. I came to get Phebe, but aunt says she is gone, so I want you.I've got Fun down in the boat, and I want you to go with us and see myfireworks. Got them up for you, and you mustn't miss them, or I shall bedisappointed.""But, uncle," began Rose, feeling as if she ought to refuse even a glimpseof bliss, "perhaps ""I know, my dear, I know; aunt told me; but no one needs you now so much asI do, and I insist on your coming," said Uncle Mac, who seemed in a greathurry to be off, yet was unusually kind.So Rose went and found the little Chinaman with a funny lantern waiting tohelp her in and convulse her with laughter trying to express his emotionsin pigeon English. The city clocks were striking nine as they got out intothe bay, and the island fireworks seemed to be over, for no rocket answeredthe last Roman candle that shone on the Aunt-hill."Ours are done, I see, but they are going up all round the city, and howpretty they are," said Rose, folding her mantle about her, and surveyingthe scene with pensive interest."Hope my fellows have not got into trouble up there," muttered Uncle Mac,adding with a satisfied chuckle, as a spark shone out, "No; there it goes!Look, Rosy, and see how you like this one; it was ordered especially inhonour of your coming."Rose looked with all her eyes, and saw the spark grow into the likeness ofa golden vase, then green leaves came out, and then a crimson flowerglowing on the darkness with a splendid lustre."Is it a rose, uncle?" she asked, clasping her hands with delight as sherecognised the handsome flower."Of course it is! Look again, and guess what those are," answered UncleMac, chuckling and enjoying it all like a boy.A wreath of what looked at first like purple brooms appeared below thevase, but Rose guessed what they were meant for, and stood straight up,holding by his shoulder, and crying excitedly"Thistles, uncle, Scotch thistles! There are seven of them one for eachboy! Oh, what a joke!" and she laughed so that she plumped into the bottomof the boat and stayed there till the brilliant spectacle was quite gone."That was rather a neat thing, I flatter myself," said Uncle Mac, in highglee at the success of his illumination. "Now, shall I leave you on theIsland or take you home again, my good little girl?" he added, lifting herup with such a tone of approbation in his voice that Rose kissed him on thespot."Home, please uncle; and I thank you very very much for the beautifulfirework you got up for me. I'm so glad I saw it; and I know I shall dreamabout it," answered Rose steadily, though a wistful glance went toward theIsland, now so near that she could smell powder and see shadowy figuresflitting about.Home they went; and Rose fell asleep saying to herself, "It was harder thanI thought, but I'm glad I did it, and I truly don't want any reward butPhebe's pleasure."