"What'sthe joke?" asked young Mac, waked winterboots for women saleout of a brown study by the laughter, in which the elders joined.
Butthere was a regular shout when, the matter having been explained tohim, Mac took a meditative stare at Rose through his goggles, andsaid in a philosophical tone, "Well, I don't think Ishould have minded much if she had done it."
Thattickled the lads immensely, and nothing but the appearance of aslight refection would have induced them to stop walkingwaterproof bootschaffing the poor Worm, who could not see anything funny in thebeautiful resignation he had shown on this trying occasion.
Soonafter this, the discovery of Jamie curled up in the sofa corner, assound asleep as a dormouse, suggested the propriety of going home,andjordanshosea general move was made.
Theywere all standing about the hall lingering over the good-nights, whenthe sound of a voice softly singing "Sweet Home," made thempause and listen. It was Phebe, poor little Phebe, who never had ahome, never knew the love of father or mother, brother or sister; whoboyswaterproof hiking bootsstood all alone in the wide world, yet was not sad nor afraid, buttook her bits of happiness gratefully, and sung over her work withouta thought of discontent.
Ifancy the happy family standing there together remembered this andfelt the beauty of it, for when the solitary voice came to the burdenof its song, other voices took it up and finished hikingboots with red laces itso sweetly, that the old house seemed to echo the word "Home"in the ears of both the orphan girls, who had just spent their firstChristmas under its hospitable roof.
"BrotherAlec, you surely don't mean to allow that child to go out such abitter cold day as bootstores this,"said Mrs. Myra, looking into the study, where the Doctor sat readinghis paper, one February morning.
"Whynot? If a delicate invalid like yourself can bear it, surely myhearty girl can, especially as she is dressed for cold weather,"answeredtroubledboys boot camp Dr. Alec with provoking confidence.
"Butyou have no idea how sharp the wind is. I am chilled to the verymarrow of my bones," answered Aunt Myra, chafing the end of herpurple nose with her sombre glove.
"Idon't doubt it, ma'am, if you will wear bootslippers for boys crapeand silk instead of fur and flannel. Rosy goes out in all weathers,and will be none the worse for an hour's brisk skating."
"Well,I warn you that you are trifling with the child's health, anddepending too much on the seeming improvement she has made this year.She is a delicate creature for all that, andleatherhiking bootswill drop away suddenly at the first serious attack, as her poormother did," croaked Aunt Myra, with a despondent wag of the bigbonnet.
"I'llrisk it," answered Dr. Alec, knitting his brows, as he alwaysdid when any allusion was made to that other Rose.
"Markmy words, you will repent it," and with that awful prophecy,Aunt Myra sandalboot departedlike a black shadow.
Nowit must be confessed that among the Doctor's failings and he had hisshare was a very masculine dislike of advice which was thrust uponhim unasked. He always listened with respect to the great-aunts, andoften consulted Mrs. Jessie; but the other three ladies tried hispatience sorely, by constant warnings, complaints airjordan shoes andcounsels.
