Chapter 15 - Ear-Rings

by Louisa May Alcott

　　Rose's sprain proved to be a serious one, owing to neglect, and Dr. Alecordered her to lie on the sofa for a fortnight at least; whereat shegroaned dismally, but dared not openly complain, lest the boys turn uponher with some of the wise little sermons on patience which she haddelivered for their benefit.It was Mac's turn now, and honourably did he repay his debt; for, as schoolwas still forbidden, he had plenty of leisure, and devoted most of it toRose. He took many steps for her, and even allowed her to teach him toknit, after assuring himself that many a brave Scotchman knew how to "clickthe pricks." She was obliged to take a solemn vow of secrecy, however,before he would consent; for, though he did not mind being called"Giglamps," "Granny" was more than his boyish soul could bear, and at theapproach of any of the Clan his knitting vanished as if by magic, whichfrequent "chucking" out of sight did not improve the stripe he was doingfor Rose's new afghan.She was busy with this pretty work one bright October afternoon, all nicelyestablished on her sofa in the upper hall, while Jamie and Pokey (lent forher amusement) were keeping house in a corner, with Comet and Rose's olddoll for their "childerns."Presently, Phebe appeared with a card. Rose read it, made a grimace, thenlaughed and said"I'll see Miss Blish," and immediately put on her company face, pulled outher locket, and settled her curls."You dear thing, how do you do? I've been trying to call every day sinceyou got back, but I have so many engagements, I really couldn't manage ittill to-day. So glad you are alone, for mamma said I could sit awhile, andI brought my lace-work to show you, for it's perfectly lovely." cried MissBlish, greeting Rose with a kiss, which was not very warmly returned,though Rose politely thanked her for coming, and bid Phebe roll up the easychair."How nice to have a maid!" said Ariadne, as she settled herself with muchcommotion. "Still, dear, you must be very lonely, and feel the need of abosom friend.""I have my cousins," began Rose, with dignity, for her visitor'spatronising manner ruffled her temper."Gracious, child! you don't make friends of those great boys, do you? Mammasays she really doesn't think it's proper for you to be with them so much.""They are like brothers, and my aunts do think it's proper," replied Rose,rather sharply, for it struck her that this was none of Miss Blish'sbusiness."I was merely going to say I should be glad to have you for my bosomfriend, for Hatty Mason and I have had an awful quarrel, and don't speak.She is too mean to live, so I gave her up. Just think, she never paid backone of the caramels I've given her, and never invited me to her party. Icould have forgiven the caramels, but to be left out in that rude way wasmore than I could bear, and I told her never to look at me again as long asshe lived.""You are very kind, but I don't think I want a bosom friend, thank you,"said Rose, as Ariadne stopped to bridle and shake her flaxen head over thedelinquent Hatty Mason.Now, in her heart Miss Blish thought Rose "a stuck-up puss," but the othergirls wanted to know her and couldn't, the old house was a charming placeto visit, the lads were considered fine fellows, and the Campbells "are oneof our first families," mamma said. So Ariadne concealed her vexation atRose's coolness, and changed the subject as fast as possible."Studying French, I see; who is your teacher?" she asked, flitting over theleaves of "Paul and Virginia," that lay on the table."I don't study it, for I read French as well as English, and uncle and Ioften speak it for hours. He talks like a native, and says I have aremarkably good accent."Rose really could not help this small display of superiority, for Frenchwas one of her strong points, and she was vain of it, though she usuallymanaged to hide this weakness. She felt that Ariadne would be the betterfor a little crushing, and could not resist the temptation to patronise inher turn."Oh, indeed!" said Miss Blish, rather blankly, for French was not herstrong point by any means."I am to go abroad with uncle in a year or two, and he knows how importantit is to understand the languages. Half the girls who leave school can'tspeak decent French, and when they go abroad they are so mortified. I shallbe very glad to help you, if you like, for, of course, you have no one totalk with at home."Now Ariadne, though she looked like a wax doll, had feelings within herinstead of sawdust, and these feelings were hurt by Rose's lofty tone. Shethought her more "stuck up" than ever, but did not know how to bring herdown, yet longed to do it, for she felt as if she had received a box on theear, and involuntarily put her hand up to it. The touch of an ear-ringconsoled her, and suggested a way of returning tit for tat in a tellingmanner."Thank you, dear; I don't need any help, for our teacher is from Paris, andof course he speaks better French than your uncle." Then she added, with agesture of her head that set the little bells on her ears to tingling: "Howdo you like my new ear-rings? Papa gave them to me last week, and everyonesays they are lovely."Rose came down from her high horse with a rapidity that was comical, forAriadne had the upper hand now. Rose adored pretty things, longed to wearthem, and the desire of her girlish soul was to have her ears bored, onlyDr. Alec thought it foolish, so she never had done it. She would gladlyhave given all the French she could jabber for a pair of golden bells withpearl-tipped tongues, like those Ariadne wore; and, clasping her hands, sheanswered, in a tone that went to the hearer's heart"They are too sweet for anything! If uncle would only let me wear some, Ishould be perfectly happy.""I wouldn't mind what he says. Papa laughed at me at first, but he likesthem now, and says I shall have diamond solitaires when I am eighteen,"said Ariadne, quite satisfied with her shot."I've got a pair now that were mamma's, and a beautiful little pair ofpearl and turquoise ones, that I am dying to wear," sighed Rose."Then do it. I'll pierce your ears, and you must wear a bit of silk in themtill they are well; your curls will hide them nicely; then, some day, slipin your smallest ear-rings, and see if your uncle don't like them.""I asked him if it wouldn't do my eyes good once when they were red, and heonly laughed. People do cure weak eyes that way, don't they?""Yes, indeed, and yours are sort of red. Let me see. Yes, I really thinkyou ought to do it before they get worse," said Ariadne, peering into thelarge clear eye offered for inspection."Does it hurt much?" asked Rose, wavering."Oh dear, no; just a prick and a pull, and it's all over. I've done lots ofears, and know just how. Come, push up your hair and get a big needle.""I don't quite like to do it without asking uncle's leave," faltered Rose,when all was ready for the operation."Did he ever forbid it?" demanded Ariadne, hovering over her prey like avampire."No, never!""Then do it, unless you are afraid," cried Miss Blish, bent onaccomplishing the deed.That last word settled the matter, and, closing her eyes, Rose said"Punch!" in the tone of one giving the fatal order "Fire!"Ariadne punched, and the victim bore it in heroic silence, though sheturned pale and her eyes were full of tears of anguish."There! Now pull the bits of silk often, and cold-cream your ears everynight, and you'll soon be ready for the rings," said Ariadne, well pleasedwith her job, for the girl who spoke French with "a fine accent" lay flatupon the sofa, looking as exhausted as if she had had both ears cut off."It does hurt dreadfully, and I know uncle won't like it," sighed Rose, asremorse began to gnaw. "Promise not to tell, or I shall be teased todeath," she added, anxiously, entirely forgetting the two little pitchersgifted with eyes as well as ears, who had been watching the wholeperformance from afar."Never. Mercy me, what's that?" and Ariadne started as a sudden sound ofsteps and voices came up from below."It's the boys! Hide the needle. Do my ears show? Don't breathe a word!"whispered Rose, scrambling about to conceal all traces of their iniquityfrom the sharp eyes of the Clan.Up they came, all in good order, laden with the proceeds of a nuttingexpedition, for they always reported to Rose and paid tribute to theirqueen in the handsomest manner."How many, and how big! We'll have a grand roasting frolic after tea, won'twe?" said Rose, plunging both hands into a bag of glossy brown nuts, whilethe Clan "stood at ease" and nodded to Ariadne."That lot was picked especially for you, Rosy. I got every one myself, andthey are extra whackers," said Mac, presenting a bushel or so."You should have seen Giglamps when he was after them. He pitched out ofthe tree, and would have broken his blessed old neck if Arch had not caughthim," observed Steve, as he lounged gracefully in the window seat."You needn't talk, Dandy, when you didn't know a chestnut from a beech, andkept on thrashing till I told you of it," retorted Mac, festooning himselfover the back of the sofa, being a privileged boy."I don't make mistakes when I thrash you, old Worm, so you'd better mindwhat you are about," answered Steve, without a ray of proper respect forhis elder brother."It is getting dark, and I must go, or mamma will be alarmed," saidAriadne, rising in sudden haste, though she hoped to be asked to remain tothe nut-party.No one invited her; and all the while she was putting on her things andchatting to Rose the boys were telegraphing to one another the sad factthat someone ought to escort the young lady home. Not a boy felt heroicenough to cast himself into the breach, however; even polite Archie shirkedthe duty, saying to Charlie, as they quietly slipped into an adjoining room"I'm not going to do all the gallivanting. Let Steve take that chit homeand show his manners.""I'll be hanged if I do!" answered Prince, who disliked Miss Blish becauseshe tried to be coquettish with him."Then I will," and, to the dismay of both recreant lads, Dr. Alec walkedout of the room to offer his services to the "chit."He was too late, however, for Mac, obeying a look from Rose, had alreadymade a victim of himself, and trudged meekly away, wishing the gentleAriadne at the bottom of the Red Sea."Then I will take this lady down to tea, as the other one has found agentleman to go home with her. I see the lamps are lighted below, and Ismell a smell which tells me that auntie has something extra nice for usto-night."As he spoke, Dr. Alec was preparing to carry Rose downstairs as usual; butArchie and Prince rushed forward, begging with penitent eagerness for thehonour of carrying her in an arm-chair. Rose consented, fearing that heruncle's keen eye would discover the fatal bits of silk; so the boys crossedhands, and, taking a good grip of each curly pate, she was borne down instate, while the others followed by way of the banisters.Tea was ordered earlier than usual, so that Jamie and his dolly could havea taste, at least, of the holiday fun, for they were to stay till seven,and be allowed twelve roasted chestnuts apiece, which they were under bondsnot to eat till next day.Tea was despatched rapidly, therefore, and the party gathered round thewide hearth in the dining-room, where the nuts were soon dancing gaily onhot shovels or bouncing out among the company, thereby causing delightfulpanics among the little ones."Come, Rosy, tell us a story while we work, for you can't help much, andmust amuse us as your share," proposed Mac, who sat in the shade prickingnuts, and who knew by experience what a capital little Scheherazade hiscousin was."Yes, we poor monkeys can't burn our paws for nothing, so tell away,Pussy," added Charlie, as he threw several hot nuts into her lap and shookhis fingers afterwards."Well, I happen to have a little story with a moral to it in my mind, and Iwill tell it, though it is intended for younger children than you,"answered Rose, who was rather fond of telling instructive tales."Fire away," said Geordie, and she obeyed, little thinking what adisastrous story it would prove to herself."Well, once upon a time, a little girl went to see a young lady who wasvery fond of her. Now, the young lady happened to be lame, and had to haveher foot bandaged up every day; so she kept a basketful of bandages, allnicely rolled and ready. The little girl liked to play with this basket,and one day, when she thought no one saw her, she took one of the rollswithout asking leave, and put it in her pocket."Here Pokey, who had been peering lovingly down at the five warm nuts thatlay at the bottom of her tiny pocket, suddenly looked up and said, "Oh!" ina startled tone, as if the moral tale had become intensely interesting allat once.Rose heard and saw the innocent betrayal of the small sinner, and went onin a most impressive manner, while the boys nudged one another and winkedas they caught the joke."But an eye did see this naughty little girl, and whose eye do you think itwas?""Eye of Dod," murmured conscience-stricken Pokey, spreading two chubbylittle hands before the round face, which they were not half big enough tohide.Rose was rather taken aback by this reply, but, feeling that she wasproducing a good effect, she added seriously"Yes, God saw her, and so did the young lady, but she did not say anything;she waited to see what the little girl would do about it. She had been veryhappy before she took the bandage, but when it was in her pocket she seemedtroubled, and pretty soon stopped playing, and sat down in a corner lookingvery sober. She thought a few minutes, and then went and put back the rollvery softly, and her face cleared up, and she was a happy child again. Theyoung lady was glad to see that, and wondered what made the little girl putit back.""Tonscience p'icked her," murmured a contrite voice from behind the smallhands pressed tightly over Pokey's red face."And why did she take it, do you suppose?" asked Rose, in a school-marmishtone, feeling that all the listeners were interested in her tale and itsunexpected application."It was so nice and wound, and she wanted it deffly," answered the littlevoice."Well, I'm glad she had such a good conscience. The moral is that peoplewho steal don't enjoy what they take, and are not happy till they put itback. What makes that little girl hide her face?" asked Rose, as sheconcluded."Me's so 'shamed of Pokey," sobbed the small culprit, quite overcome byremorse and confusion at this awful disclosure."Come, Rose, it's too bad to tell her little tricks before everyone, andpreach at her in that way; you wouldn't like it yourself," began Dr. Alec,taking the weeper on his knee and administering consolation in the shape ofkisses and nuts.Before Rose could express her regret, Jamie, who had been reddening andruffling like a little turkey-cock for several minutes, burst outindignantly, bent on avenging the wound given to his beloved dolly."I know something bad that you did, and I'm going to tell right out. Youthought we didn't see you, but we did, and you said uncle wouldn't like it,and the boys would tease, and you made Ariadne promise not to tell, and shepunched holes in your ears to put ear-rings in. So now! and that's muchbadder than to take an old piece of rag; and I hate you for making my Pokeycry."Jamie's somewhat incoherent explosion produced such an effect that Pokey'ssmall sin was instantly forgotten, and Rose felt that her hour had come."What! what! what!" cried the boys in a chorus, dropping their shovels andknives to gather round Rose, for a guilty clutching at her ears betrayedher, and with a feeble cry of "Ariadne made me!" she hid her head among thepillows like an absurd little ostrich."Now she'll go prancing round with bird cages and baskets and carts andpigs, for all I know, in her ears, as the other girls do, and won't shelook like a goose?" asked one tormentor, tweaking a curl that strayed outfrom the cushions."I didn't think she'd be so silly," said Mac, in a tone of disappointmentthat told Rose she had sunk in the esteem of her wise cousin."That Blish girl is a nuisance, and ought not to be allowed to come herewith her nonsensical notions," said the Prince, feeling a strong desire toshake that young person as an angry dog might shake a mischievous kitten."How do you like it, uncle?" asked Archie, who, being the head of a familyhimself, believed in preserving discipline at all costs."I am very much surprised; but I see she is a girl, after all, and musthave her vanities like all the rest of them," answered Dr. Alec, with asigh, as if he had expected to find Rose a sort of angel, above all earthlytemptations."What shall you do about it, sir?" inquired Geordie, wondering whatpunishment would be inflicted on a feminine culprit."As she is fond of ornaments, perhaps we had better give her a nose-ringalso. I have one somewhere that a Fiji belle once wore; I'll look it up,"and, leaving Pokey to Jamie's care, Dr. Alec rose as if to carry out hissuggestion in earnest."Good! good! We'll do it right away! Here's a gimlet, so you hold her,boys, while I get her dear little nose all ready," cried Charlie, whiskingaway the pillow as the other boys danced about the sofa in true Fiji style.It was a dreadful moment, for Rose could not run away she could only graspher precious nose with one hand and extend the other, crying distractedly"O uncle, save me, save me!"Of course he saved her; and when she was securely barricaded by his strongarm, she confessed her folly in such humiliation of spirit, that the lads,after a good laugh at her, decided to forgive her and lay all the blame onthe tempter, Ariadne. Even Dr. Alec relented so far as to propose two goldrings for the ears instead of one copper one for the nose; a proceedingwhich proved that if Rose had all the weakness of her sex for jewellery, hehad all the inconsistency of his in giving a pretty penitent exactly whatshe wanted, spite of his better judgment.