So,aftermuchdiscussion,itwasdecidedthatsheshouldhaveherwayinallthingsandthefamilycontentthemselveswithapplaudingfromthefront。
\"We\'llblisterourhandseverymanofus,andcarryyouhomeinachariotandfourseeifwedon\'t,youperverseprimadonna！\"threatenedSteve,notatallsatisfiedwiththesimplicityoftheaffair。
\"AchariotandtwowillbeveryacceptableassoonasI\'mdone。Ishallbequitesteadytillmypartisallover,andthenImayfeelalittleupset,soI\'dliketogetawaybeforetheconfusionbegins。Indeed,Idon\'tmeantobeperverse,butyouareallsokindtome,myheartisfullwheneverIthinkofit,andthatwouldn\'tdoifI\'mtosing,\"saidPhebe,droppingoneofthetearsonthelittlefrillshewasmaking。
\"Nodiamondcouldhaveadorneditbetter,\"Archiethoughtashewatcheditshinethereforamoment,andfeltlikeshakingStevefordaringtopatthedarkheadwithanencouraging\"Allright。I\'llbeonhandandwhiskyouawaywhiletherestaresplittingtheirgloves。Nofearofyourbreakingdown。Ifyoufeeltheleastbitlikeit,though,justlookatmeandI\'llglareatyouandshakemyfist,sincekindnessupsetsyou。\"
\"Iwishyouwould,becauseoneofmyballadsisrathertouchingandIalwayswanttocrywhenIsingit。Thesightofyoutryingtoglarewillmakemewanttolaughandthatwillsteadymenicely,sositinfront,please,readytoslipoutwhenIcomeoffthelasttime。\"
\"Dependuponme！\"Andthelittlemandeparted,takinggreatcredittohimselfforhisinfluenceovertall,handsomePhebe。
Ifhehadknownwhatwasgoingoninthemindofthesilentyounggentlemanbehindthenewspaper,Stevewouldhavebeenmuchastonished,forArchie,thoughapparentlyengrossedbybusiness,wasfathomsdeepinlovebythistime。NoonesuspectedthisbutRose,forhedidhiswooingwithhiseyes,andonlyPhebeknewhoweloquenttheycouldbe。Hehaddiscoveredwhatthematterwaslongagohadmademanyattemptstoreasonhimselfoutofit,but,findingitahopelesstask,hadgivenuptryingandlethimselfdriftdeliciously。Theknowledgethatthefamilywouldnotapproveonlyseemedtoaddardortohisloveandstrengthtohispurpose,forthesameenergyandpersistencewhichhebroughttobusinesswentintoeverythinghedid,andhavingoncemadeuphismindtomarryPhebe,nothingcouldchangethisplanexceptawordfromher。
Hewatchedandwaitedforthreemonths,sothathemightnotbeaccusedofprecipitation,thoughitdidnottakehimonetodecidethatthiswasthewomantomakehimhappy。Hersteadfastnature,quiet,busyways,andthereservedpowerandpassionbetrayedsometimesbyaflashoftheblackeyes,aquiverofthefirmlips,suitedArchie,whopossessedmanyofthesameattributeshimself。Theobscurityofherbirthandisolationofherlot,whichwouldhavedeterredsomelovers,notonlyappealedtohiskindlyheart,buttouchedthehiddenromancewhichranlikeaveinofgoldthroughhisstrongcommonsenseandmadepractical,steady—goingArchieapoetwhenhefellinlove。IfUncleMachadguessedwhatdreamsandfancieswentonintheheadbentoverhisledgers,andwhatemotionswerefermentinginthebosomofhisstaid\"right—handman,\"hewouldhavetappedhisforeheadandsuggestedalunaticasylum。TheboysthoughtArchiehadsobereddowntoosoon。Hismotherbegantofearthattheairofthecountingroomdidnotsuithim,andDr。Alecwasdeludedintothebeliefthatthefellowreallybeganto\"thinkofRose,\"hecamesooftenintheevening,seemingquitecontenttositbesideherworktableandsniptapeordrawpatternswhiletheychatted。
Nooneobservedthat,thoughhetalkedtoRoseontheseoccasions,helookedatPhebe,inherlowchaircloseby,busybutsilent,forshealwaystriedtoeffaceherselfwhenRosewasnearandoftenmournedthatshewastoobigtokeepoutofsight。Nomatterwhathetalkedabout,Archiealwayssawtheglossyblackbraidsontheothersideofthetable,thedamaskcheekcurvingdownintothefirmwhitethroat,andthedarklashes,liftednowandthen,showingeyessodeepandsofthedarednotlookintothemlong。Eventheswiftneedlecharmedhim,thelittlebroochwhichroseandfellwithherquietbreath,theplainworkshedid,andthetidywayshegatheredherbitsofthreadintoatinybag。Heseldomspoketoher;nevertouchedherbasket,thoughheravagedRose\'sifhewantedstringorscissors;
veryrarelyventuredtobringhersomecuriousorprettythingwhenshipscameinfromChinaonlysatandthoughtofher,imaginedthatthiswashisparlor,thisherworktable,andtheytwosittingtherealoneahappymanandwife。
Atthisstageofthelittleeveningdramahewouldbeconsciousofsuchastrongdesiretodosomethingrashthathetookrefugeinanewformofintoxicationandproposedmusic,sometimessoabruptlythatRosewouldpauseinthemiddleofasentenceandlookathim,surprisedtomeetacuriouslyexcitedlookintheusuallycoolgrayeyes。
ThenPhebe,foldingupherwork,wouldgotothepiano,asifgladtofindaventfortheinnerlifewhichsheseemedtohavenopowerofexpressingexceptinsong。Rosewouldfollowtoaccompanyher,andArchie,movingtoacertainshadycornerwhencehecouldseePhebe\'sfaceasshesang,wouldgivehimselfuptounmitigatedraptureforhalfanhour。Phebeneversangsowellasatsuchtimes,forthekindlyatmospherewaslikesunshinetoabird,criticismswerefewandgentle,praisesheartyandabundant,andshepouredouthersoulasfreelyasaspringgushesupwhenitshiddensourceisfull。
InmomentssuchasthesePhebewasbeautifulwiththebeautythatmakesaman\'seyebrightenwithhonestadmirationandfillshisheartwithasenseofwomanlynobilityandsweetness。Littlewonder,then,thatthechiefspectatorofthisagreeabletableaugrewnightlymoreenamored,andwhiletheeldersweredeepinwhist,theyoungpeoplewereplayingthatstillmoreabsorbinggameinwhichheartsarealwaystrumps。
Rose,havingDummyforapartner,soondiscoveredthefactandlatelyhadbeguntofeelasshefanciedWallmusthavedonewhenPyramuswooedThisbethroughitschinks。Shewasalittlestartledatfirst,thenamused,thenanxious,thenheartilyinterested,aseverywomanisinsuchaffairs,andwillinglycontinuedtobeamedium,thoughsometimesshequitetingledwiththeelectricitywhichseemedtopervadetheair。Shesaidnothing,waitingforPhebetospeak,butPhebewassilent,seemingtodoubtthetruthtilldoubtbecameimpossible,thentoshrinkasifsuddenlyconsciousofwrongdoingandseizeeverypossiblepretextforabsentingherselffromthe\"girls\'corner,\"astheprettyrecesswascalled。
Theconcertplanaffordedexcellentopportunitiesfordoingthis,andeveningaftereveningsheslippedawaytopracticehersongsupstairswhileArchiesatstaringdisconsolatelyattheneglectedworkbasketandmutepiano。Rosepitiedhimandlongedtosayawordofcomfort,butfeltshyhewassuchareservedfellowsolefthimtoconducthisquietwooinginhisownway,feelingthatthecrisiswouldsoonarrive。
Shewassureofthisasshesatbesidehimontheeveningoftheconcert,forwhiletherestofthefamilynoddedandsmiled,chattedandlaughedingreatspirits,Archiewasasmuteasafishandsatwithhisarmstightlyfolded,asiftokeepinanyunrulyemotionswhichmightattempttoescape。
Heneverlookedattheprogram,butRoseknewwhenPhebe\'sturncamebythequickbreathhedrewandtheintentlook,soabsentbefore,thatcameintohiseyes。
Butherownexcitementpreventedmuchnoticeofhis,forRosewasinaflutterofhopeandfear,sympathyanddelight,aboutPhebeandhersuccess。
Thehousewascrowded;theaudiencesufficientlymixedtomakethegeneralopinionimpartial;andthestagefulloflittleorphanswithshiningfaces,amosteffectivereminderoftheobjectinview。
\"Littledears,hownicetheylook！\"\"Poorthings,soyoungtobefatherlessandmotherless。\"\"Itwillbeadisgracetothecityifthosegirlsarenottakenpropercareof。\"\"Subscriptionsarealwaysinorder,youknow,andprettyMissCampbellwillgiveyouhersweetestsmileifyouhandherahandsomecheck。\"\"I\'veheardthisPhebeMoore,andshereallyhasadeliciousvoicesuchapityshewon\'tfitherselfforopera！\"\"Onlysingsthreetimestonight;that\'smodest,I\'msure,whenshe\'sthechiefattraction,sowemustgiveheranencoreaftertheItalianpiece。\"\"Theorphansleadoff,Isee。Stopyourearsifyoulike,butdon\'tfailtoapplaudortheladieswillneverforgiveyou。\"
Chatofthissortwentonbrisklywhilefanswaved,programsrustled,andushersflewaboutdistractedly,tillanimportantgentlemanappeared,madehisbow,skippedupontheleader\'sstand,andwithawaveofhisbatoncausedageneraluprisingofwhitepinaforesastheorphansledoffwiththatmuch—enduringmelody\"America\"inshrillsmallvoices,butwithcreditableattentiontotimeandtune。Pityandpatriotismproducedagenerousroundofapplause,andthelittlegirlssatdown,beamingwithinnocentsatisfaction。
Aninstrumentalpiecefollowed,andthenayouthfulgentleman,withhishairinpicturesqueconfusion,andwhathisfriendscalleda\"musicalbrow,\"boundedupthestepsand,clutchingarollofmusicwithapairoftightlyglovedhands,proceedtoinformtheaudience,inahuskytenorvoice,that\"Itwasalovelyviolet。\"
Whatelsethesongcontainedinthewayofsenseorsentimentitwasimpossibletodiscoverasthethreepagesofmusicappearedtoconsistofvariationsuponthatoneline,endingwithaprolongedquaverwhichflushedthemusicalbrowandlefttheyouthquitebreathlesswhenhemadehisbow。
\"Nowshe\'scoming！Oh,Uncle,myheartbeatsasifitweremyself！\"
whisperedRose,clutchingDr。Alec\'sarmwithalittlegaspasthepianowasrolledforward,theleader\'sstandpushedback,andalleyesturnedtowardtheanteroomdoor。
SheforgottoglanceatArchie,anditwasaswellperhaps,forhisheartwasthumpingalmostaudiblyashewaitedforhisPhebe。Notfromtheanteroom,butoutamongthechildren,whereshehadsatunseenintheshadowoftheorgan,camestatelyPhebeinherwine—coloreddress,withnoornamentbutherfinehairandawhitefloweratherthroat。Verypale,butquitecomposed,apparently,forshesteppedslowlythroughthenarrowlaneofupturnedfaces,holdingbackherskirtslesttheyshouldrudelybrushagainstsomelittlehead。Straighttothefrontshewent,bowedhastily,and,withagesturetotheaccompanist,stoodwaitingtobegin,hereyesfixedonthegreatgiltclockattheoppositeendofthehall。
Theyneverwanderedfromthatpointwhileshesang,butassheendedtheydroppedforaninstantonaneager,girlishcountenancebendingfromafrontseat;then,withherhastylittlebow,shewentquicklybackamongthechildren,whoclappedandnoddedasshepassed,wellpleasedwiththeballadshehadsung。
Everyonecourteouslyfollowedtheirexample,buttherewasnoenthusiasm,anditwasevidentthatPhebehadnotproducedaparticularlyfavorableimpression。
\"Neversangsobadlyinherlife,\"mutteredCharlieirefully。
\"Shewasfrightened,poorthing。Givehertime,givehertime,\"saidUncleMackindly。
\"Iknowshewas,andIglaredlikeagorgon,butsheneverlookedatme,\"addedSteve,smoothinghisglovesandhisbrowsatthesametime。
\"Thatfirstsongwasthehardest,andshegotthroughmuchbetterthanIexpected,\"putinDr。Alec,boundnottoshowthedisappointmenthefelt。
\"Don\'tbetroubled。Phebehascourageenoughforanything,andshe\'llastonishyoubeforetheevening\'sover,\"prophesiedMacwithunabatedconfidence,forheknewsomethingtherestdidnot。
Rosesaidnothing,butundercoverofherburnousgaveArchie\'shandasympatheticsqueeze,forhisarmswereunfoldednow,asifthestrainwasover,andonelayonhiskneewhilewiththeotherhewipedhishotforeheadwithanairofrelief。
FriendsaboutthemmurmuredcomplimentaryfibsandaffectedgreatdelightandsurpriseatMissMoore\'s\"charmingstyle,\"\"exquisitesimplicity,\"
and\"undoubtedtalent。\"Butstrangersfreelycriticized,andRosewassoindignantatsomeoftheirremarks,shecouldnotlistentoanythingonthestage,thoughafineoverturewasplayed,amanwitharemarkablebassvoicegrowledandroaredmelodiously,andtheorphanssangalivelyairwithachorusof\"Tra,la,la,\"whichwasagreatrelieftolittletonguesunusedtolongsilence。
\"I\'veoftenheardthatwomen\'stongueswerehunginthemiddleandwentatbothendsnowI\'msureofit,\"whisperedCharlie,tryingtocheerherupbypointingoutthecomicaleffectofsomeseventy—fiveopenmouthsineachofwhichtheunrulymemberwaswaggingbriskly。
Roselaughedandlethimfanher,leaningfromhisseatbehindwiththedevotedairhealwaysassumedinpublic,butherwoundedfeelingswerenotsoothedandshecontinuedtofrownatthestoutmanontheleftwhohaddaredtosaywithashrugandaglanceatPhebe\'snextpiece,\"ThatyoungwomancannomoresingthisItalianthingthanshecanfly,andtheyoughtnottoletherattemptit。\"
Phebedid,however,andsuddenlychangedthestoutman\'sopinionbysingingitgrandly,fortheconsciousnessofherfirstfailureprickedherprideandspurredhertodoherbestwiththecalmsortofdeterminationwhichconquersfear,firesambition,andchangesdefeattosuccess。ShelookedsteadilyatRosenow,ortheflushed,intentfacebesideher,andthrowingallhersoulintothetask,lethervoiceringoutlikeasilverclarion,fillingthegreathallandsettingthehearers\'blooda—tinglewiththeexultingstrain。
ThatsettledPhebe\'sfateasacantatrice。Theapplausewasgenuineandspontaneousthistimeandbrokeoutagainandagainwiththegenerousdesiretoatoneforformercoldness。Butshewouldnotreturn,andtheshadowofthegreatorganseemedtohaveswallowedherup,fornoeyecouldfindher,nopleasantclamorwinherback。
\"NowIcandiecontent,\"saidRose,beamingwithheartfeltsatisfactionwhileArchielookedsteadfastlyathisprogram,tryingtokeephisfaceinorder,andtherestofthefamilyassumedatriumphantair,asiftheyhadneverdoubtedfromthefirst。
\"Verywell,indeed,\"saidthestoutmanwithanapprovingnod。\"Quitepromisingforabeginner。Shouldn\'twonderifintimetheymadeasecondCaryorKelloggofher。\"
\"Nowyou\'llforgivehim,won\'tyou？\"murmuredCharlieinhiscousin\'sear。
\"Yes,andI\'dliketopathimonthehead。Buttakewarningandneverjudgebyfirstappearancesagain,\"whisperedRose,atpeacenowwithallmankind。
Phebe\'slastsongwasanotherballad;shemeanttodevotehertalenttothatmuchneglectedbutalwaysattractivebranchofherart。Itwasagreatsurprise,therefore,toallbutonepersoninthehallwhen,insteadofsinging\"AuldRobinGrey,\"sheplacedherselfatthepiano,and,withasmilingglanceoverhershoulderatthechildren,brokeoutintheoldbirdsongwhichfirstwonRose。Butthechirping,twittering,andcooingwerenowtheburdentothreeversesofacharminglittlesong,fullofspringtimeandtheawakeninglifethatmakesitlovely。Aripplingaccompanimentflowedthroughitall,andaburstofdelightedlaughterfromthechildrenfilledupthefirstpausewithafittinganswertothevoicesthatseemedcallingtothemfromthevernalwoods。
Itwasverybeautiful,andnoveltylentitscharmtothesurprise,forartandnatureworkedaprettymiracleandthecleverimitation,firstheardfromakitchenhearth,nowbecamethefavoriteinacrowdedconcertroom。Phebewasquiteherselfagain;colorinthecheeksnow;eyesthatwanderedsmilingtoandfro;andlipsthatsangasgailyandfarmoresweetlythanwhenshekepttimetoherblithemusicwithascrubbingbrush。
Thissongwasevidentlyintendedforthechildren,andtheyappreciatedthekindlythought,forasPhebewentbackamongthem,theyclappedecstatically,flappedtheirpinafores,andsomecaughtherbytheskirtswithaudiblerequeststo\"Doitagain,please;doitagain。\"
ButPhebeshookherheadandvanished,foritwasgettinglateforsuchsmallpeople,severalofwhom\"laysweetlyslumberingthere\"tillrousedbytheclamorroundthem。Theelders,however,werenottobedeniedandapplaudedpersistently,especiallyAuntPlenty,whoseizedUncleMac\'scaneandpoundedwithitasvigorouslyas\"Mrs。Nubbles\"attheplay。
\"Nevermindyourgloves,Steve;keepituptillshecomes,\"criedCharlie,enjoyingthefunlikeaboywhileJamielosthisheadwithexcitementand,standingup,called\"Phebe！Phebe！\"inspiteofhismother\'sattemptstosilencehim。
Eventhestoutmanclapped,andRosecouldonlylaughdelightedlyassheturnedtolookatArchie,whoseemedtohavelethimselflooseatlastandwasstampingwithadoggedenergyfunnytosee。
SoPhebehadtocome,andstoodtheremeeklybowing,withamovedlookonherfacethatshowedhowgladandgratefulshewas,tillasuddenhushcame;then,asifinspiredbythememoryofthecausethatbroughtherthere,shelookeddownintotheseaoffriendlyfacesbeforeher,withnotraceoffearinherown,andsangthesongthatneverwillgrowold。
Thatwentstraighttotheheartsofthosewhoheardher,fortherewassomethinginexpressiblytouchinginthesightofthissweet—voicedwomansingingofhomeforthelittlecreatureswhowerehomeless,andPhebemadehertunefulpleairresistiblebyanalmostinvoluntarygestureofthehandswhichhadhunglooselyclaspedbeforehertill,withthelastechoofthebelovedword,theyfellapartandwerehalfoutstretched,asifpleadingtobefilled。
Itwasthetouchofnaturethatworkswonders,foritmadefullpursessuddenlyweighheavilyinpocketsslowtoopen,broughttearstoeyesunusedtoweep,andcausedthatgroupofred—gownedgirlstogrowverypatheticinthesightoffathersandmotherswhohadleftlittledaughterssafeasleepathome。ThiswasevidentfromthestillnessthatremainedunbrokenforaninstantafterPhebeended;andbeforepeoplecouldgetridoftheirhandkerchiefsshewouldhavebeengoneifthesuddenappearanceofamiteinapinafore,climbingupthestairsfromtheanteroomwithagreatbouquetgraspedinbothhands,hadnotarrestedher。
Upcamethelittlecreature,intentonperformingthemissionforwhichrichbribesofsugarplumshadbeenpromised,andtrottingbravelyacrossthestage,sheheldupthelovelynosegay,sayinginherbabyvoice,\"Disforyou,ma\'am。\"Then,startledbythesuddenoutburstofapplause,shehidherfaceinPhebe\'sgownandbegantosobwithfright。
AnawkwardminuteforpoorPhebe,butsheshowedunexpectedpresenceofmindandleftbehindheraprettypictureoftheoldestandyoungestorphanasshewentquicklydownthestep,smilingoverthegreatbouquetwiththebabyonherarm。
Nobodymindedtheclosingpiece,forpeoplebegantogo,sleepychildrentobecarriedoff,andwhispersgrewintoabuzzofconversation。InthegeneralconfusionRoselookedtoseeifStevehadrememberedhispromisetohelpPhebeslipawaybeforetherushbegan。No,therehewasputtingonKitty\'scloak,quiteoblivioustoanyotherduty。TurningtoaskArchietohurryout,Rosefoundthathehadalreadyvanished,leavinghisglovesbehindhim。
\"Haveyoulostanything？\"askedDr。Alec,catchingaglimpseofherface。
\"No,sir,I\'vefoundsomething,\"shewhisperedback,givinghimtheglovestopocketalongwithherfanandglass,addinghastilyastheconcertended,\"Please,Uncle,tellthemallnottocomewithus。Phebehashadenoughexcitementandoughttorest。\"
Rose\'swordwaslawtothefamilyinallthingsconcerningPhebe。Sowordwaspassedthatthereweretobenocongratulationsuntiltomorrow,andDr。Alecgothispartyoffassoonaspossible。Butallthewayhome,whileheandAuntPlentywereprophesyingabrilliantfutureforthesinger,Rosesatrejoicingoverthehappypresentofthewoman。ShewassurethatArchiehadspokenandimaginedthewholescenewithfemininedelighthowtenderlyhehadaskedthemomentousquestion,howgratefullyPhebehadgiventhedesiredreply,andnowhowbothwereenjoyingthatdelicioushourwhichRosehadbeengiventounderstandnevercamebutonce。Suchapitytoshortenit,shethought,andbeggedheruncletogohomethelongestwaythenightwassomild,themoonlightsoclear,andherselfsoinneedoffreshairaftertheexcitementoftheevening。
\"IthoughtyouwouldwanttorushintoPhebe\'sarmstheinstantshegotdone,\"saidAuntPlenty,innocentlywonderingatthewhimsgirlstookintotheirheads。
\"SoIshouldifIconsultedmyownwishes,butasPhebeaskedtobeletaloneIwanttogratifyher,\"answeredRose,makingthebestexcuseshecould。
\"Alittlepiqued,\"thoughtthedoctor,fancyingheunderstoodthecase。
Astheoldlady\'srheumatismforbadetheirdrivingabouttillmidnight,homewasreachedmuchtoosoon,Rosethought,andtrippedawaytowarntheloverstheinstantsheenteredthehouse。Butstudy,parlor,andboudoirwereempty;and,whenJaneappearedwithcakeandwine,shereportedthat\"MissPhebewentrightupstairsandwishedtobeexcused,please,beingverytired。\"
\"Thatisn\'tatalllikePhebeIhopesheisn\'till,\"beganAuntPlenty,sittingdowntotoastherfeet。
\"Shemaybealittlehysterical,forsheisaproudthingandrepressesheremotionsaslongasshecan。I\'llstepupandseeifshedoesn\'tneedasoothingdraftofsomesort。\"AndDr。Alecthrewoffhiscoatashespoke。
\"No,no,she\'sonlytired。I\'llrunuptohershewon\'tmindmeandI\'llreportifanythingisamiss。\"
AwaywentRose,quitetremblingwithsuspense,butPhebe\'sdoorwasshut,nolightshoneunderneath,andnosoundcamefromtheroomwithin。
Shetappedandreceivingnoanswer,wentontoherownchamber,thinkingtoherself:\"Lovealwaysmakespeoplequeer,I\'veheard,soIsupposetheysettleditallinthecarriageandthedearthingranawaytothinkaboutherhappinessalone。I\'llnotdisturbher。Why,Phebe！\"saidRose,surprised,for,enteringherroom,therewasthecantatrice,busyaboutthenightlyservicesshealwaysrenderedherlittlemistress。
\"I\'mwaitingforyou,dear。Wherehaveyoubeensolong？\"askedPhebe,pokingthefireasifanxioustogetsomecolorintocheeksthatwereunnaturallypale。
TheinstantshespokeRoseknewthatsomethingwaswrong,andaglanceatherfaceconfirmedthefear。Itwaslikeadashofcoldwaterandquenchedherhappyfanciesinamoment;butbeingadelicate—mindedgirl,sherespectedPhebe\'smoodandaskednoquestions,madenocomments,andleftherfriendtospeakorbesilentasshechose。
\"IwassoexcitedIwouldtakeaturninthemoonlighttocalmmynerves。
Oh,dearestPhebe,Iamsoglad,soproud,sofullofwonderatyourcourageandskillandsweetwaysaltogetherthatIcannothalftellyouhowIloveandhonoryou！\"shecried,kissingthewhitecheekswithsuchtenderwarmththeycouldnothelpglowingfaintlyasPhebeheldherlittlemistressclose,surethatnothingcoulddisturbthisinnocentaffection。
\"Itisallyourwork,dear,becausebutforyouImightstillbescrubbingfloorsandhardlydaretodreamofanythinglikethis,\"shesaidinheroldgratefulway,butinhervoicetherewasathrillofsomethingdeeperthangratitude,andatthelasttwowordsherheadwentupwithagestureofsoftprideasifithadbeennewlycrowned。
Roseheardandsawandguessedatthemeaningofbothtoneandgesture,feelingthatherPhebedeservedboththesinger\'slaurelandthebride\'smyrtlewreath。Butsheonlylookedup,sayingverywistfully:\"Thenithasbeenahappynightforyouaswellasforus。\"
\"Thehappiestofmylife,andthehardest,\"answeredPhebebrieflyasshelookedawayfromthequestioningeyes。
\"Youshouldhaveletuscomenearerandhelpyouthrough。I\'mafraidyouareveryproud,myJennyLind。\"
\"Ihavetobe,forsometimesIfeelasifIhadnothingelsetokeepmeup。\"Shestoppedshortthere,fearingthathervoicewouldprovetraitorousifshewenton。Inamomentsheaskedinatonethatwasalmosthard:\"YouthinkIdidwelltonight？\"
\"Theyallthinkso,andweresodelightedtheywantedtocomeinabodyandtellyouso,butIsentthemhomebecauseIknewyou\'dbetiredout。
PerhapsIoughtnottohavedoneitandyou\'dratherhavehadacrowdaboutyouthanjustme？\"
\"Itwasthekindestthingyoueverdid,andwhatcouldIlikebetterthan\'justyou,\'mydarling？\"
Phebeseldomcalledherthat,andwhenshedidherheartwasinthelittleword,makingitsotenderthatRosethoughtitthesweetestintheworld,nexttoUncleAlec\'s\"mylittlegirl。\"Nowitwasalmostpassionate,andPhebe\'sfacegrewrathertragicalasshelookeddownatRose。Itwasimpossibletoseemunconsciousanylonger,andRosesaid,caressingPhebe\'scheek,whichburnedwithafeverishcolornow:\"Thendon\'tshutmeoutifyouhaveatrouble,butletmeshareitasIletyoushareallmine。\"
\"Iwill！Littlemistress,I\'vegottogoaway,soonereventhanweplanned。\"
\"Why,Phebe？\"
\"BecauseArchielovesme。\"
\"That\'stheveryreasonyoushouldstayandmakehimhappy。\"
\"Notifitcauseddissensioninthefamily,andyouknowitwould。\"
Roseopenedherlipstodenythisimpetuously,butcheckedherselfandansweredhonestly:\"UncleandIwouldbeheartilyglad,andI\'msureAuntJessienevercouldobjectifyoulovedArchieashedoesyou。\"
\"Shehasotherhopes,Ithink,andkindassheis,itwouldbeadisappointmentifhebroughtmehome。Sheisright,theyallare,andIaloneamtoblame。IshouldhavegonelongagoIknewIshould,butitwassopleasant,Icouldn\'tbeartogoawayalone。\"
\"Ikeptyou,andIamtoblameifanyone,butindeed,dearPhebe,I
cannotseewhyyoushouldcareevenifAuntMyracroaksandAuntClaraexclaimsorAuntJanemakesdisagreeableremarks。Behappy,andnevermindthem,\"criedRose,somuchexcitedbyallthisthatshefeltthespiritofrevoltriseupwithinherandwasreadytodefyeventhatawe—inspiringinstitution\"thefamily\"forherfriend\'ssake。
ButPhebeshookherheadwithasadsmileandanswered,stillwiththehardtoneinhervoiceasifforcingbackallemotionthatshemightseeherdutyclearly:\"Youcoulddothat,butInevercan。Answermethis,Rose,andanswertrulyasyouloveme。Ifyouhadbeentakenintoahouse,afriendless,penniless,forlorngirl,andforyearsbeenheapedwithbenefits,trusted,taught,loved,andmade,oh,sohappy！couldyouthinkitrighttostealawaysomethingthatthesegoodpeoplevaluedverymuch？Tohavethemfeelthatyouhadbeenungrateful,haddeceivedthem,andmeanttothrustyourselfintoahighplacenotfitforyouwhentheyhadbeengenerouslyhelpingyouinotherways,farmorethanyoudeserved。
Couldyouthensayasyoudonow,\'Behappy,andnevermindthem\'？\"
PhebeheldRosebytheshouldersnowandsearchedherfacesokeenlythattheothershrankalittle,fortheblackeyeswerefulloffireandtherewassomethingalmostgrandaboutthisgirlwhoseemedsuddenlytohavebecomeawoman。Therewasnoneedforwordstoanswerthequestionsoswiftlyasked,forRoseputherselfinPhebe\'splaceinthedrawingofabreath,andherownpridemadehertruthfullyreply:\"NoIcouldnot！\"
\"Iknewyou\'dsaythat,andhelpmedomyduty。\"AndallthecoldnessmeltedoutofPhebe\'smannerasshehuggedherlittlemistressclose,feelingthecomfortofsympathyeventhroughthebluntsincerityofRose\'swords。
\"IwillifIknowhow。Now,comeandtellmeallaboutit。\"And,seatingherselfinthegreatchairwhichhadoftenheldthemboth,Rosestretchedoutherhandsasifgladandreadytogivehelpofanysort。
ButPhebewouldnottakeheraccustomedplace,for,asifcomingtoconfession,shekneltdownupontherugand,leaningonthearmofthechair,toldherlovestoryinthesimplestwords。
\"Ineverthoughthecaredformeuntilalittlewhileago。Ifancieditwasyou,andevenwhenIknewhelikedtohearmesingIsupposeditwasbecauseyouhelped,andsoIdidmybestandwasgladyouweretobeahappygirl。Buthiseyestoldthetruth。ThenIsawwhatIhadbeendoingandwasfrightened。Hedidnotspeak,soIbelieved,whatisquitetrue,thathefeltIwasnotafitwifeforhimandwouldneveraskme。ItwasrightIwasgladofit,yetIwasproudand,thoughIdidnotaskorhopeforanything,IdidwanthimtoseethatIrespectedmyself,rememberedmyduty,andcoulddorightaswellashe。Ikeptaway。IplannedtogoassoonaspossibleandresolvedthatatthisconcertIwoulddosowell,heshouldnotbeashamedofpoorPhebeandheronegift。\"
\"Itwasthisthatmadeyousostrange,then,preferringtogoaloneandrefusingeverylittlefavoratourhands？\"askedRose,feelingverysurenowaboutthestateofPhebe\'sheart。
\"Yes,Iwantedtodoeverythingmyselfandnotoweonejotofmysuccess,ifIhadany,toeventhedearestfriendI\'vegot。Itwasbadandfoolishofme,andIwaspunishedbythefirstdreadfulfailure。Iwassofrightened,Rose！Mybreathwasallgone,myeyessodizzyIcouldhardlysee,andthatgreatcrowdoffacesseemedsonear,Idarednotlook。IfithadnotbeenfortheclockInevershouldhavegottenthrough,andwhenIdid,notknowingintheleasthowI\'dsung,onelookatyourdistressedfacetoldmeI\'dfailed。\"
\"ButIsmiled,PhebeindeedIdidassweetlyasIcould,forIwassureitwasonlyfright,\"protestedRoseeagerly。
\"Soyoudid,butthesmilewasfullofpity,notofpride,asIwantedittobe,andIrushedintoadarkplacebehindtheorgan,feelingreadytokillmyself。HowangryandmiserableIwas！Isetmyteeth,clenchedmyhands,andvowedthatIwoulddowellnexttimeorneversinganothernote。Iwasquitedesperatewhenmyturncame,andfeltasifIcoulddoalmostanything,forIrememberedthathewasthere。I\'mnotsurehowitwas,butitseemedasifIwasallvoice,forIletmyselfgo,tryingtoforgeteverythingexceptthattwopeoplemustnotbedisappointed,thoughIdiedwhenthesongwasdone。\"
\"Oh,Phebe,itwassplendid！Inearlycried,Iwassoproudandgladtoseeyoudoyourselfjusticeatlast。\"
\"Andhe？\"whisperedPhebe,withherfacehalfhiddenonthearmofthechair。
\"Saidnotaword,butIsawhislipstrembleandhiseyesshineandIknewhewasthehappiestcreaturethere,becauseIwassurehedidthinkyoufittobehiswifeanddidmeantospeakverysoon。\"
Phebemadenoanswerforamoment,seemingtoforgetthesmallsuccessinthegreateronewhichfollowedandtocomforthersoreheartwiththeknowledgethatRosewasright。
