Chapter 16 - Bread and Button-Holes

by Louisa May Alcott

　　"What in the world is my girl thinking about all alone here, with such asolemn face?" asked Dr. Alec, coming into the study, one November day, tofind Rose sitting there with folded hands and a very thoughtful aspect."Uncle, I want to have some serious conversation with you, if you havetime," she said, coming out of a brown study, as if she had not heard hisquestion."I'm entirely at your service, and most happy to listen," he answered, inhis politest manner, for when Rose put on her womanly little airs he alwaystreated her with a playful sort of respect that pleased her very much.Now, as he sat down beside her, she said, very soberly"I've been trying to decide what trade I would learn, and I want you toadvise me.""Trade, my dear?" and Dr. Alec looked so astonished that she hastened toexplain."I forgot that you didn't hear the talk about it up at Cosey Corner. Yousee we used to sit under the pines and sew, and talk a great deal all theladies, I mean and I liked it very much. Mother Atkinson thought thateveryone should have a trade, or something to make a living out of, forrich people may grow poor, you know, and poor people have to work. Hergirls were very clever, and could do ever so many things, and Aunt Jessiethought the old lady was right; so when I saw how happy and independentthose young ladies were, I wanted to have a trade, and then it wouldn'tmatter about money, though I like to have it well enough."Dr. Alec listened to this explanation with a curious mixture of surprise,pleasure, and amusement in his face, and looked at his little niece as ifshe had suddenly changed into a young woman. She had grown a good deal inthe last six months, and an amount of thinking had gone on in that younghead which would have astonished him greatly could he have known it all,for Rose was one of the children who observe and meditate much, and now andthen nonplus their friends by a wise or curious remark."I quite agree with the ladies, and shall be glad to help you decide onsomething if I can," said the Doctor seriously. "What do you incline to? Anatural taste or talent is a great help in choosing, you know.""I haven't any talent, or any especial taste that I can see, and that iswhy I can't decide, uncle. So, I think it would be a good plan to pick outsome very useful business and learn it, because I don't do it for pleasure,you see, but as a part of my education, and to be ready in case I'm everpoor," answered Rose, looking as if she rather longed for a little povertyso that her useful gift might be exercised."Well, now, there is one very excellent, necessary, and womanlyaccomplishment that no girl should be without, for it is a help to rich andpoor, and the comfort of families depends upon it. This fine talent isneglected nowadays, and considered old-fashioned, which is a sad mistake,and one that I don't mean to make in bringing up my girl. It should be apart of every girl's education, and I know of a most accomplished lady whowill teach you in the best and pleasantest manner.""Oh, what is it?" cried Rose eagerly, charmed to be met in this helpful andcordial way."Housekeeping!" answered Dr. Alec."Is that an accomplishment?" asked Rose, while her face fell, for she hadindulged in all sorts of vague, delightful dreams."Yes; it is one of the most beautiful as well as useful of all the arts awoman can learn. Not so romantic, perhaps, as singing, painting, writing,or teaching, even; but one that makes many happy and comfortable, and homethe sweetest place in the world. Yes, you may open your big eyes; but it isa fact that I had rather see you a good housekeeper than the greatest bellein the city. It need not interfere with any talent you may possess, but itis a necessary part of your training, and I hope that you will set about itat once, now that you are well and strong.""Who is the lady?" asked Rose, rather impressed by her uncle's earnestspeech."Aunt Plenty.""Is she accomplished?" began Rose in a wondering tone, for this great-auntof hers had seemed the least cultivated of them all."In the good old-fashioned way she is very accomplished, and has made thishouse a happy home to us all, ever since we can remember. She is notelegant, but genuinely good, and so beloved and respected that there willbe universal mourning for her when her place is empty. No one can fill it,for the solid, homely virtues of the dear soul have gone out of fashion, asI say, and nothing new can be half so satisfactory, to me at least.""I should like to have people feel so about me. Can she teach me to do whatshe does, and to grow as good?" asked Rose, with a little prick of remorsefor even thinking that Aunt Plenty was a commonplace old lady."Yes, if you don't despise such simple lessons as she can give. I know itwould fill her dear old heart with pride and pleasure to feel that anyonecared to learn of her, for she fancies her day gone by. Let her teach youhow to be what she has been a skilful, frugal, cheerful housewife; themaker and the keeper of a happy home, and by and by you will see what avaluable lesson it is.""I will, uncle. But how shall I begin?""I'll speak to her about it, and she will make it all right with Dolly, forcooking is one of the main things, you know.""So it is! I don't mind that a bit, for I like to mess, and used to try athome; but I had no one to tell me, so I never did much but spoil my aprons.Pies are great fun, only Dolly is so cross, I don't believe she will everlet me do a thing in the kitchen.""Then we'll cook in the parlour. I fancy Aunt Plenty will manage her, sodon't be troubled. Only mind this, I'd rather you learned how to make goodbread than the best pies ever baked. When you bring me a handsome,wholesome loaf, entirely made by yourself, I shall be more pleased than ifyou offered me a pair of slippers embroidered in the very latest style. Idon't wish to bribe you, but I'll give you my heartiest kiss, and promiseto eat every crumb of the loaf myself.""It's a bargain! it's a bargain! Come and tell aunty all about it, for I'min a hurry to begin," cried Rose, dancing before him toward the parlor,where Miss Plenty sat alone knitting contentedly, yet ready to run at thefirst call for help of any sort, from any quarter.No need to tell how surprised and gratified she was at the invitation shereceived to teach the child the domestic arts which were her onlyaccomplishments, nor to relate how energetically she set about her pleasanttask. Dolly dared not grumble, for Miss Plenty was the one person whom sheobeyed, and Phebe openly rejoiced, for these new lessons brought Rosenearer to her, and glorified the kitchen in the good girl's eyes.To tell the truth, the elder aunts had sometimes felt that they did nothave quite their share of the little niece who had won their hearts longago, and was the sunshine of the house. They talked it over togethersometimes, but always ended by saying that as Alec had all theresponsibility, he should have the larger share of the dear girl's love andtime, and they would be contented with such crumbs of comfort as they couldget.Dr. Alec had found out this little secret, and, after reproaching himselffor being blind and selfish, was trying to devise some way of mendingmatters without troubling anyone, when Rose's new whim suggested anexcellent method of weaning her a little from himself. He did not know howfond he was of her till he gave her up to the new teacher, and often couldnot resist peeping in at the door to see how she got on, or stealing slylooks through the slide when she was deep in dough, or listening intentlyto some impressive lecture from Aunt Plenty. They caught him at it now andthen, and ordered him off the premises at the point of the rolling-pin; or,if unusually successful, and, therefore, in a milder mood, they lured himaway with bribes of ginger-bread, a stray pickle, or a tart that was notquite symmetrical enough to suit their critical eyes.Of course he made a point of partaking copiously of all the delectablemesses that now appeared at table, for both the cooks were on their mettle,and he fared sumptuously every day. But an especial relish was given to anydish when, in reply to his honest praise of it, Rose coloured up withinnocent pride, and said modestly"I made that, uncle, and I'm glad you like it."It was some time before the perfect loaf appeared, for bread-making is anart not easily learned, and Aunt Plenty was very thorough in her teaching;so Rose studied yeast first, and through various stages of cake and biscuitcame at last to the crowning glory of the "handsome, wholesome loaf." Itappeared at tea-time, on a silver salver, proudly borne in by Phebe, whocould not refrain from whispering, with a beaming face, as she set it downbefore Dr. Alec"Ain't it just lovely, sir?""It is a regularly splendid loaf! Did my girl make it all herself?" heasked, surveying the shapely, sweet-smelling object with real interest andpleasure."Every particle herself, and never asked a bit of help or advice fromanyone," answered Aunt Plenty, folding her hands with an air of unmitigatedsatisfaction, for her pupil certainly did her great credit."I've had so many failures and troubles that I really thought I nevershould be able to do it alone. Dolly let one splendid batch burn up becauseI forgot it. She was there and smelt it, but never did a thing, for shesaid, when I undertook to bake bread I must give my whole mind to it.Wasn't it hard? She might have called me at least," said Rose,recollecting, with a sigh, the anguish of that moment."She meant you should learn by experience, as Rosamond did in that littleaffair of the purple jar, you remember.""I always thought it very unfair in her mother not to warn the poor thing alittle bit; and she was regularly mean when Rosamond asked for a bowl toput the purple stuff in, and she said, in such a provoking way, 'I did notagree to lend you a bowl, but I will, my dear.' Ugh! I always want to shakethat hateful woman, though she was a moral mamma.""Never mind her now, but tell me all about my loaf," said Dr. Alec, muchamused at Rose's burst of indignation."There's nothing to tell, uncle, except that I did my best, gave my mind toit, and sat watching over it all the while it was in the oven till I wasquite baked myself. Everything went right this time, and it came out anice, round, crusty loaf, as you see. Now taste it, and tell me if it isgood as well as handsome.""Must I cut it? Can't I put it under a glass cover and keep it in theparlor as they do wax flowers and fine works of that sort?""What an idea, uncle! It would mould and be spoilt. Besides, people wouldlaugh at us, and make fun of my old-fashioned accomplishment. You promisedto eat it, and you must; not all at once, but as soon as you can, so I canmake you some more."Dr. Alec solemnly cut off his favourite crusty slice, and solemnly ate it;then wiped his lips, and brushing back Rose's hair, solemnly kissed her onthe forehead, saying, heartily"My dear, it is perfect bread, and you are an honour to your teacher. Whenwe have our model school I shall offer a prize for the best bread, and youwill get it.""I've got it already, and I'm quite satisfied," said Rose, slipping intoher seat, and trying to hide her right hand which had a burn on it.But Dr. Alec saw it, guessed how it came there, and after tea insisted oneasing the pain which she would hardly confess."Aunt Clara says I am spoiling my hands, but I don't care, for I've hadsuch good times with Aunt Plenty, and I think she has enjoyed it as much asI have. Only one thing troubles me, uncle, and I want to ask you about it,"said Rose, as they paced up and down the hall in the twilight, the bandagedhand very carefully laid on Dr. Alec's arm."More little confidences? I like them immensely, so tell away, my dear.""Well, you see I feel as if Aunt Peace would like to do something for me,and I've found out what it can be. You know she can't go about like AuntyPlen, and we are so busy nowadays that she is rather lonely, I'm afraid. SoI want to take lessons in sewing of her. She works so beautifully, and itis a useful thing, you know, and I ought to be a good needlewoman as wellas housekeeper, oughtn't I?""Bless your kind little heart, that is what I was thinking of the other daywhen Aunt Peace said she saw you very seldom now, you were so busy I wantedto speak of it, but fancied you had as much on your hands as you couldmanage. It would delight the dear woman to teach you all her delicatehandicraft, especially button-holes, for I believe that is where youngladies fail; at least, I've heard them say so. So, do you devote your mindto button-holes; make 'em all over my clothes if you want something topractice on. I'll wear any quantity."Rose laughed at this reckless offer, but promised to attend to thatimportant branch, though she confessed that darning was her weak point.Whereupon Uncle Alec engaged to supply her with socks in all stages ofdilapidation, and to have a new set at once, so that she could run theheels for him as a pleasant beginning.Then they went up to make their request in due form, to the great delightof gentle Aunt Peace, who got quite excited with the fun that went on whilethey would yarn, looked up darning needles, and fitted out a nice littlemending basket for her pupil.Very busy and very happy were Rose's days now, for in the morning she wentabout the house with Aunt Plenty attending to linen-closets andstore-rooms, pickling and preserving, exploring garret and cellar to seethat all was right, and learning, in the good old-fashioned manner, to lookwell after the ways of the household.In the afternoon, after her walk or drive, she sat with Aunt Peace plyingher needle, while Aunt Plenty, whose eyes were failing, knitted and chattedbriskly, telling many a pleasant story of old times, till the three weremoved to laugh and cry together, for the busy needles were embroidering allsorts of bright patterns on the lives of the workers, though they seemed tobe only stitching cotton and darning hose.It was a pretty sight to see the rosy-faced little maid sitting between thetwo old ladies, listening dutifully to their instructions, and cheering thelessons with her lively chatter and blithe laugh. If the kitchen had provedattractive to Dr. Alec when Rose was there at work, the sewing-room wasquite irresistible, and he made himself so agreeable that no one had theheart to drive him away, especially when he read aloud or spun yarns."There! I've made you a new set of warm night-gowns with four button-holesin each. See if they are not neatly done," said Rose, one day, some weeksafter the new lessons began."Even to a thread, and nice little bars across the end so I can't tear themwhen I twitch the buttons out. Most superior work, ma'am, and I'm deeplygrateful; so much so, that I'll sew on these buttons myself, and save thosetired fingers from another prick.""You sew them on?" cried Rose, with her eyes wide open in amazement."Wait a bit till I get my sewing tackle, and then you shall see what I cando.""Can he, really?" asked Rose of Aunt Peace, as Uncle Alec marched off witha comical air of importance."Oh, yes, I taught him years ago, before he went to sea; and I suppose hehas had to do things for himself, more or less, ever since; so he has kepthis hand in."He evidently had, for he was soon back with a funny little work-bag, out ofwhich he produced a thimble without a top; and, having threaded his needle,he proceeded to sew on the buttons so handily that Rose was much impressedand amused."I wonder if there is anything in the world that you cannot do," she said,in a tone of respectful admiration."There are one or two things that I am not up to yet," he answered, with alaugh in the corner of his eye, as he waxed his thread with a flourish."I should like to know what?""Bread and button-holes, ma'am."