Chapter 9 - Phebe's Secret

by Louisa May Alcott

　　"Why do you keep smiling to yourself, Phebe?" asked Rose, as they wereworking together one morning, for Dr. Alec considered house-work the bestsort of gymnastics for girls; so Rose took lessons of Phebe in sweeping,dusting and bed-making."I was thinking about a nice little secret I know, and couldn't helpsmiling.""Shall I know it, sometime?""Guess you will.""Shall I like it?""Oh, won't you, though!""Will it happen soon?""Sometime this week.""I know what it is! The boys are going to have fireworks on the fourth, andhave got some surprise for me. Haven't they?""That's telling.""Well, I can wait; only tell me one thing is uncle in it?""Of course he is; there's never any fun without him.""Then it's all right, and sure to be nice."Rose went out on the balcony to shake the rugs, and, having given them avigorous beating, hung them on the balustrade to air, while she took a lookat her plants. Several tall vases and jars stood there, and a month of Junesun and rain had worked wonders with the seeds and slips she had planted.Morning-glories and nasturtiums ran all over the bars, making haste tobloom. Scarlet beans and honeysuckles were climbing up from below to meettheir pretty neighbours, and the woodbine was hanging its green festoonswherever it could cling.The waters of the bay were dancing in the sunshine, a fresh wind stirredthe chestnut-trees with a pleasant sound, and the garden below was full ofroses, butterflies and bees. A great chirping and twittering went on amongthe birds, busy with their summer house-keeping, and, far away, thewhite-winged gulls were dipping and diving in the sea, where ships, likelarger birds, went sailing to and fro."Oh, Phebe, it's such a lovely day, I do wish your fine secret was going tohappen right away! I feel just like having a good time; don't you?" saidRose, waving her arms as if she was going to fly."I often feel that way, but I have to wait for my good times, and don'tstop working to wish for 'em. There, now you can finish as soon as the dustsettles; I must go do my stairs," and Phebe trudged away with the broom,singing as she went.Rose leaned where she was, and fell to thinking how many good times she hadhad lately, for the gardening had prospered finely, and she was learning toswim and row, and there were drives and walks, and quiet hours of readingand talk with Uncle Alec, and, best of all, the old pain and ennui seldomtroubled her now. She could work and play all day, sleep sweetly all night,and enjoy life with the zest of a healthy, happy child. She was far frombeing as strong and hearty as Phebe, but she was getting on; the once palecheeks had colour in them now, the hands were growing plump and brown, andthe belt was not much too loose. No one talked to her about her health, andshe forgot that she had "no constitution." She took no medicine but Dr.Alec's three great remedies, and they seemed to suit her excellently. AuntPlenty said it was the pills; but, as no second batch had ever followed thefirst, I think the old lady was mistaken.Rose looked worthy of her name as she stood smiling to herself over ahappier secret than any Phebe had a secret which she did not know herselftill she found out, some years later, the magic of good health."'Look only,' said the brownie,'At the pretty gown of blue,At the kerchief pinned about her head,And at her little shoe,"'said a voice from below, as a great cabbage-rose came flying against hercheek."What is the princess dreaming about up there in her hanging-garden?" addedDr. Alec as she flung back a morning-glory."I was wishing I could do something pleasant this fine day; something verynew and interesting, for the wind makes me feel frisky and gay.""Suppose we take a pull over to the Island? I intended to go thisafternoon; but if you feel more like it now, we can be off at once.""I do! I do! I'll come in fifteen minutes, uncle. I must just scrabble myroom to rights, for Phebe has got a great deal to do."Rose caught up the rugs and vanished as she spoke, while Dr. Alec went in,saying to himself, with an indulgent smile"It may upset things a trifle, but half a child's pleasure consists inhaving their fun when they want it."Never did duster flap more briskly than the one Rose used that day, andnever was a room "scrabbled" to rights in such haste as hers. Tables andchairs flew into their places as if alive; curtains shook as if a gale wasblowing; china rattled and small articles tumbled about as if a youngearthquake was playing with them. The boating suit went on in a twinkling,and Rose was off with a hop and a skip, little dreaming how many hours itwould be before she saw her pretty room again.Uncle Alec was putting a large basket into the boat when she arrived, andbefore they were off Phebe came running down with a queer, knobby bundledone up in a water-proof."We can't eat half that luncheon, and I know we shall not need so manywraps. I wouldn't lumber the boat up so," said Rose, who still had secretscares when on the water."Couldn't you make a smaller parcel, Phebe?" asked Dr. Alec, eyeing thebundle suspiciously."No, sir, not in such a hurry," and Phebe laughed as she gave aparticularly large knob a good poke."Well, it will do for ballast. Don't forget the note to Mrs. Jessie, I begof you.""No, sir. I'll send it right off," and Phebe ran up the bank as if she hadwings to her feet."We'll take a look at the lighthouse first, for you have not been thereyet, and it is worth seeing. By the time we have done that it will bepretty warm, and we will have lunch under the trees on the Island."Rose was ready for anything, and enjoyed her visit to the lighthouse on thePoint very much, especially climbing up the narrow stairs and going insidethe great lantern. They made a long stay, for Dr. Alec seemed in no hurryto go, and kept looking through his spy-glass as if he expected to discoversomething remarkable on sea or land. It was past twelve before they reachedthe Island, and Rose was ready for her lunch long before she got it."Now this is lovely! I do wish the boys were here. Won't it be nice to havethem with us all their vacation? Why, it begins to-day, doesn't it? Oh, Iwish I'd remembered it sooner, and perhaps they would have come with us,"she said, as they lay luxuriously eating sandwiches under the oldapple-tree."So we might. Next time we won't be in such a hurry. I expect the lads willtake our heads off when they find us out," answered Dr. Alec, placidlydrinking cold tea."Uncle, I smell a frying sort of a smell," Rose said, pausing suddenly asshe was putting away the remains of the lunch half an hour later."So do I; it is fish, I think."For a moment they both sat with their noses in the air, sniffing likehounds; then Dr. Alec sprang up, saying with great decision"Now, this won't do! No one is permitted on this island without askingleave. I must see who dares to fry fish on my private property."Taking the basket on one arm and the bundle on the other, he strode awaytowards the traitorous smell, looking as fierce as a lion, while Rosemarched behind under her umbrella."We are Robinson Crusoe and his man Friday going to see if the savages havecome," she said presently, for her fancy was full of the dear old storiesthat all children love so well."And there they are! Two tents and two boats, as I live! These rascals meanto enjoy themselves, that's evident.""There ought to be more boats and no tents. I wonder where the prisonersare?""There are traces of them," and Dr. Alec pointed to the heads and tails offishes strewn on the grass."And there are more," said Rose, laughing, as she pointed to a scarlet heapof what looked like lobsters."The savages are probably eating their victims now; don't you hear theknives rattle in that tent?""We ought to creep up and peep; Crusoe was cautious, you know, and Fridayscared out of his wits," added Rose, still keeping up the joke."But this Crusoe is going to pounce upon them, regardless of consequences.If I am killed and eaten, you seize the basket and run for the boat; thereare provisions enough for your voyage home."With that Uncle Alec slipped round to the front of the tent and, casting inthe big bundle like a bomb-shell, roared out, in a voice of thunder"Pirates, surrender!"A crash, a shout, a laugh, and out came the savages, brandishing knives andforks, chicken bones, and tin mugs, and all fell upon the intruder,pommelling him unmercifully as they cried"You came too soon! We are not half ready! You've spoilt it all! Where isRose?""Here I am," answered a half-stifled voice, and Rose was discovered sittingon the pile of red flannel bathing clothes, which she had mistaken forlobsters, and where she had fallen in a fit of merriment when shediscovered that the cannibals were her merry cousins."You good-for-nothing boys! You are always bursting out upon me in someridiculous way, and I always get taken in because I'm not used to suchpranks. Uncle is as bad as the rest, and it's great fun," she said, as thelads came round her, half scolding, half welcoming, and wholly enjoying thedouble surprise."You were not to come till afternoon, and mamma was to be here to receiveyou. Everything is in a mess now, except your tent; we got that in orderthe first thing, and you can sit there and see us work," said Archie, doingthe honours as usual."Rose felt it in her bones, as Dolly says, that something was in the wind,and wanted to be off at once. So I let her come, and should have kept heraway an hour longer if your fish had not betrayed you," explained UncleAlec, subsiding from a ferocious Crusoe into his good-natured self again."As this seat is rather damp, I think I'll rise," said Rose, as theexcitement lessened a little.Several fishy hands helped her up, and Charlie said, as he scattered thescarlet garments over the grass with an oar"We had a jolly good swim before dinner, and I told the Brats to spreadthese to dry. Hope you brought your things, Rose, for you belong to theLobsters, you know, and we can have no end of fun teaching you to dive andfloat and tread water.""I didn't bring anything " began Rose, but was interrupted by the Brats(otherwise Will and Geordie), who appeared bearing the big bundle, so muchdemoralised by its fall that a red flannel tunic trailed out at one end anda little blue dressing-gown at the other, while the knobs proved to be atoilet-case, rubbers, and a silver mug."Oh, that sly Phebe! This was the secret, and she bundled up those thingsafter I went down to the boat," cried Rose, with sparkling eyes."Guess something is smashed inside, for a bit of glass fell out," observedWill, as they deposited the bundle at her feet."Catch a girl going anywhere without a looking-glass. We haven't got oneamong the whole lot of us," added Mac, with masculine scorn."Dandy has; I caught him touching up his wig behind the trees after ourswim," cut in Geordie, wagging a derisive finger at Steve, who promptlysilenced him by a smart rap on the head with the drum-stick he had justpolished off."Come, come, you lazy lubbers, fall to work, or we shall not be ready formamma. Take Rose's things to her tent, and tell her all about it, Prince.Mac and Steve, you cut away and bring up the rest of the straw; and yousmall chaps, clear off the table, if you have stuffed all you can. Please,uncle, I'd like your advice about the boundary lines and the best place forthe kitchen."Everyone obeyed the chief, and Rose was escorted to her tent by Charlie,who devoted himself to her service. She was charmed with her quarters, andstill more so with the programme which he unfolded before her as theyworked."We always camp out somewhere in vacation, and this year we thought we'dtry the Island. It is handy, and our fireworks will show off well fromhere.""Shall we stay over the Fourth? Three whole days! Oh, me! what a frolic itwill be!""Bless your heart, we often camp for a week, we big fellows; but this yearthe small chaps wanted to come, so we let them. We have great larks, asyou'll see; for we have a cave and play Captain Kidd, and have shipwrecks,and races, and all sorts of games. Arch and I are rather past that kind ofthing now, but we do it to please the children," added Charlie, with asudden recollection of his sixteen years."I had no idea boys had such good times. Their plays never seemed a bitinteresting before. But I suppose that was because I never knew any boysvery well, or perhaps you are unusually nice ones," observed Rose, with anartless air of appreciation that was very flattering."We are a pretty clever set, I fancy; but we have a good many advantages,you see. There are a tribe of us, to begin with; then our family has beenhere for ages, and we have plenty of 'spondulics,' so we can rather lord itover the other fellows, and do as we like. There, ma'am, you can hang yoursmashed glass on that nail and do up your back hair as fine as you please.You can have a blue blanket or a red one, and a straw pillow or an aircushion for your head, whichever you like. You can trim up to any extent,and be as free and easy as squaws in a wigwam, for this corner is set apartfor you ladies and we never cross the line uncle is drawing until we askleave. Anything more I can do for you, cousin?""No, thank you. I think I'll leave the rest till auntie comes, and go andhelp you somewhere else, if I may.""Yes, indeed, come on and see to the kitchen. Can you cook?" asked Charlie,as he led the way to the rocky nook where Archie was putting up asail-cloth awning."I can make tea and toast bread.""Well, we'll shew you how to fry fish, and make chowder. Now you just setthese pots and pans round tastefully, and sort of tidy up a bit, for AuntJessie insists on doing some of the work, and I want it to be decent here."By four o'clock the camp was in order, and the weary workers settled downon Lookout Rock to watch for Mrs. Jessie and Jamie, who was never far frommamma's apron string. They looked like a flock of blue-birds, all being insailor rig, with blue ribbon enough flying from the seven hats to have setup a milliner. Very tuneful blue-birds they were, too, for all the ladssang, and the echo of their happy voices reached Mrs. Jessie long beforeshe saw them.The moment the boat hove in sight up went the Island flag, and theblue-jackets cheered lustily, as they did on every possible occasion, liketrue young Americans. This welcome was answered by the flapping of ahandkerchief and the shrill "Rah! Rah! Rah!" of the one small tar who stoodin the stern waving his hat manfully, while a maternal hand clutched himfirmly in the rear.Cleopatra landing from her golden galley never received a heartier greetingthan "Little Mum" as she was borne to her tent by the young folk, for loveof whom she smilingly resigned herself to three days of discomfort; whileJamie immediately attached himself to Rose, assuring her of his protectionfrom the manifold perils which might assail them.Taught by long experience that boys are always hungry, Aunt Jessie soonproposed 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 triedto be as handy as Phebe, though the peculiar style of table she had to setmade it no easy task. It was accomplished at last, and a very happy partylay about under the trees, eating and drinking out of anyone's plate andcup, and quite untroubled by the frequent appearance of ants and spiders inplaces which these interesting insects are not expected to adorn."I never thought I should like to wash dishes, but I do," said Rose, as shesat in a boat after supper lazily rinsing plates in the sea, and rockingluxuriously as she wiped them."Mum is mighty particular; we just give 'em a scrub with sand, and dust 'emoff 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 shecouldn't spare her. I'm sorry, for we all like the Phebe bird, and she'dchirp like a good one out here, wouldn't she?""She ought to have a holiday like the rest of us. It's too bad to leave herout."This thought came back to Rose several times that evening, for Phebe wouldhave added much to the little concert they had in the moonlight, would haveenjoyed the stories told, been quick at guessing the conundrums, andlaughed with all her heart at the fun. The merry going to bed would havebeen the best of all, for Rose wanted someone to cuddle under the blueblanket with her, there to whisper and giggle and tell secrets, as girlsdelight to do.Long after the rest were asleep, Rose lay wide awake, excited by thenovelty of all about her, and a thought that had come into her mind. Faraway she heard a city clock strike twelve; a large star like a mild eyepeeped in at the opening of the tent, and the soft plash of the wavesseemed calling her to come out. Aunt Jessie lay fast asleep, with Jamierolled up like a kitten at her feet, and neither stirred as Rose in herwrapper 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 aheart full of the innocent sentiment of her years. Fortunately, Dr. Alecsaw her before she had time to catch cold, for coming out to tie back thedoor-flap of his tent for more air, he beheld the small figure perched inthe moonlight. Having no fear of ghosts, he quietly approached, and, seeingthat she was wide awake, said, with a hand on her shining hair"What is my girl doing here?""Having a good time," answered Rose, not at all startled."I wonder what she was thinking about with such a sober look.""The story you told of the brave sailor who gave up his place on the raftto the woman, and the last drop of water to the poor baby. People who makesacrifices are very much loved and admired, aren't they?" she asked,earnestly."If the sacrifice is a true one. But many of the bravest never are known,and get no praise. That does not lessen their beauty, though perhaps itmakes them harder, for we all like sympathy," and Dr. Alec sighed a patientsort of sigh."I suppose you have made a great many? Would you mind telling me one ofthem?" asked Rose, arrested by the sigh."My last was to give up smoking," was the very unromantic answer to herpensive question."Why did you?""Bad example for the boys.""That was very good of you, uncle! Was it hard?""I'm ashamed to say it was. But as a wise old fellow once said, 'It isnecessary to do right; it is not necessary to be happy.' "Rose pondered over the saying as if it pleased her, and then said, with aclear, bright look"A real sacrifice is giving up something you want or enjoy very much, isn'tit?""Yes.""Doing it one's own self because one loves another person very much andwants her to be happy?""Yes.""And doing it pleasantly, and being glad about it, and not minding thepraise if it doesn't come?""Yes, dear, that is the true spirit of self-sacrifice; you seem tounderstand it, and I dare say you will have many chances in your life totry the real thing. I hope they won't be very hard ones.""I think they will," began Rose, and there stopped short."Well, make one now, and go to sleep, or my girl will be ill to-morrow, andthen the aunts will say camping out was bad for her.""I'll go good night!" and throwing him a kiss, the little ghost vanished,leaving Uncle Alec to pace the shore and think about some of theunsuspected sacrifices that had made him what he was.