Rose, meantime, was trying to find out what the sentiment was with
which she regarded her cousin Mac. She could not seem to reconcile the
character she had known so long with the new one lately shown her, and
the idea of loving the droll, bookish, absentminded Mac of former times
appeared quite impossible and absurd, but the new Mac, wide awake, full
of talent, ardent and high-handed, was such a surprise to her, she felt
as if her heart was being won by a stranger, and it became her to study
him well before yielding to a charm which she could not deny.
Affection came naturally, and had always been strong for the boy; regard
for the studious youth easily deepened to respect for the integrity of
the young man, and now something warmer was growing up within her; but
at first she could not decide whether it was admiration for the rapid
unfolding of talent of some sort or love answering to love.
As if to settle that point, Mac sent her on New Year's Day a little book
plainly bound and modestly entitled Songs and Sonnets. After reading
this with ever-growing surprise and delight, Rose never had another
doubt about the writer's being a poet, for though she was no critic, she
had read the best authors and knew what was good. Unpretentious as it
was, this had the true ring, and its very simplicity showed conscious
power for, unlike so many first attempts, the book was not full of “My
Lady,” neither did it indulge in Swinburnian convulsions about
“The lilies and languors of peace,
The roses and raptures of love.”;
or contain any of the highly colored medieval word pictures so much
in vogue. “My book should smell of pines, and resound with the hum of
insects,” might have been its motto, so sweet and wholesome was it with
a springlike sort of freshness which plainly betrayed that the author
had learned some of Nature's deepest secrets and possessed the skill to
tell them in tuneful words. The songs went ringing through one's memory
long after they were read, and the sonnets were full of the subtle
beauty, insight, and half-unconscious wisdom, which seem to prove that
“genius is divine when young.”
Many faults it had, but was so full of promise that it was evident Mac
had not “kept good company, read good books, loved good things, and
cultivated soul and body as faithfully as he could” in vain. It all
told now, for truth and virtue had blossomed into character and had a
language of their own more eloquent than the poetry to which they were
what the fragrance is to the flower. Wiser critics than Rose felt and
admired this; less partial ones could not deny their praise to a first
effort, which seemed as spontaneous and aspiring as a lark's song; and,
when one or two of these Jupiters had given a nod of approval, Mac found
himself, not exactly famous, but much talked about. One set abused, the
other set praised, and the little book was sadly mauled among them, for
it was too original to be ignored, and too robust to be killed by hard
usage, so it came out of the fray none the worse but rather brighter, if
anything, for the friction which proved the gold genuine.
This took time, however, and Rose could only sit at home reading all the
notices she could get, as well as the literary gossip Phebe sent
her, for Mac seldom wrote, and never a word about himself, so Phebe
skillfully extracted from him in their occasional meetings all the
personal news her feminine wit could collect and faithfully reported it.
It was a little singular that without a word of inquiry on either side,
the letters of the girls were principally filled with tidings of their
respective lovers. Phebe wrote about Mac; Rose answered with minute
particulars about Archie; and both added hasty items concerning their
own affairs, as if these were of little consequence.
Phebe got the most satisfaction out of the correspondence, for soon
after the book appeared Rose began to want Mac home again and to be
rather jealous of the new duties and delights that kept him. She was
immensely proud of her poet, and had little jubilees over the beautiful
fulfillment of her prophecies, for even Aunt Plenty owned now with
contrition that “the boy was not a fool.” Every word of praise was
read aloud on the housetops, so to speak, by happy Rose; every adverse
criticism was hotly disputed; and the whole family was in a great state
of pleasant excitement over this unexpectedly successful first flight of
the Ugly Duckling, now generally considered by his relatives as the most
promising young swan of the flock.
Aunt Jane was particularly funny in her new position of mother to a
callow poet and conducted herself like a proud but bewildered hen when
one of her brood takes to the water. She pored over the poems, trying
to appreciate them but quite failing to do so, for life was all prose to
her, and she vainly tried to discover where Mac got his talent from. It
was pretty to see the new respect with which she treated his possessions
now; the old books were dusted with a sort of reverence; scraps of paper
were laid carefully by lest some immortal verse be lost; and a certain
shabby velvet jacket fondly smoothed when no one was by to smile at
the maternal pride with filled her heart and caused her once severe
countenance to shine with unwonted benignity.
Uncle Mac talked about “my son” with ill-concealed satisfaction, and
evidently began to feel as if his boy was going to confer distinction
upon the whole race of Campbell, which had already possessed one poet.
Steve exulted with irrepressible delight and went about quoting Songs
and Sonnets till he bored his friends dreadfully by his fraternal
raptures.
Archie took it more quietly, and even suggested that it was too soon to
crow yet, for the dear old fellow's first burst might be his last, since
it was impossible to predict what he would do next. Having proved that
he could write poetry, he might drop it for some new world to conquer,
quoting his favorite Thoreau, who, having made a perfect pencil, gave
up the business and took to writing books with the sort of indelible ink
which grows clearer with time.
The aunts of course had their “views,” and enjoyed much prophetic gossip
as they wagged their caps over many social cups of tea. The younger boys
thought it “very jolly,” and hoped the Don would “go ahead and come
to glory as soon as possible,” which was all that could by expected of
“Young America,” with whom poetry is not usually a passion.
But Dr. Alec was a sight for “sair een,” so full of concentrated
contentment was he. No one but Rose, perhaps, knew how proud and pleased
the good man felt at this first small success of his godson, for he had
always had high hopes of the boy, because in spite of his oddities he
had such an upright nature, and promising little, did much, with the
quiet persistence which foretells a manly character. All the romance
of the doctor's heart was stirred by this poetic bud of promise and
the love that made it bloom so early, for Mac had confided his hopes to
Uncle, finding great consolation and support in his sympathy and advice.
Like a wise man, Dr. Alec left the young people to learn the great
lesson in their own way, counseling Mac to work and Rose to wait till
both were quite certain that their love was built on a surer foundation
than admiration or youthful romance.
Meantime he went about with a well-worn little book in his pocket,
humming bits from a new set of songs and repeating with great fervor
certain sonnets which seemed to him quite equal, if not superior, to
any that Shakespeare ever wrote. As Rose was doing the same thing, they
often met for a private “read and warble,” as they called it, and while
discussing the safe subject of Mac's poetry, both arrived at a pretty
clear idea of what Mac's reward was to be when he came home.
He seemed in no hurry to do this, however, and continued to astonish his
family by going into society and coming out brilliantly in that line.
It takes very little to make a lion, as everyone knows who has seen what
poor specimens are patted and petted every year, in spite of their bad
manners, foolish vagaries, and very feeble roaring. Mac did not want to
be lionized and took it rather scornfully, which only added to the charm
that people suddenly discovered about the nineteenth cousin of Thomas
Campbell, the poet. He desired to be distinguished in the best sense
of the word, as well as to look so, and thought a little of the polish
society gives would not be amiss, remembering Rose's efforts in that
line. For her sake he came out of his shell and went about seeing and
testing all sorts of people with those observing eyes of his, which saw
so much in spite of their nearsightedness. What use he meant to make of
these new experiences no one knew, for he wrote short letters and,
when questioned, answered with imperturbable patience: “Wait till I get
through; then I'll come home and talk about it.”
So everyone waited for the poet, till something happened which
produced a greater sensation in the family than if all the boys had
simultaneously taken to rhyming.
Dr. Alec got very impatient and suddenly announced that he was going to
L to see after those young people, for Phebe was rapidly singing herself
into public favor with the sweet old ballads which she rendered so
beautifully that hearers were touched as well as ears delighted, and her
prospects brightened every month.
“Will you come with me, Rose, and surprise this ambitious pair who are
getting famous so fast they'll forget their homekeeping friends if we
don't remind them of us now and then?” he said when he proposed the trip
one wild March morning.
“No, thank you, sir I'll stay with Aunty; that is all I'm fit for and
I should only be in the way among those fine people,” answered Rose,
snipping away at the plants blooming in the study window.
There was a slight bitterness in her voice and a cloud on her face,
which her uncle heard and saw at once, half guessed the meaning of, and
could not rest till he had found out.
“Do you think Phebe and Mac would not care to see you?” he asked,
putting down a letter in which Mac gave a glowing account of a concert
at which Phebe surpassed herself.
“No, but they must be very busy,” began Rose, wishing she had held her
tongue.
“Then what is the matter?” persisted Dr. Alec.
Rose did not speak for a moment, and decapitated two fine geraniums with
a reckless slash of her scissors, as if pent-up vexation of some kind
must find a vent. It did in words also, for, as if quite against her
will, she exclaimed impetuously: “The truth is, I'm jealous of them
both!”
“Bless my soul! What now?” ejaculated the doctor in great surprise.
Rose put down her water pot and shears, came and stood before him with
her hands nervously twisted together, and said, just as she used to do
when she was a little girl confessing some misdeed: “Uncle, I must tell
you, for I've been getting very envious, discontented, and bad lately.
No, don't be good to me yet, for you don't know how little I deserve it.
Scold me well, and make me see how wicked I am.”
“I will as soon as I know what I am to scold about. Unburden yourself,
child, and let me see all your iniquity, for if you begin by being
jealous of Mac and Phebe, I'm prepared for anything,” said Dr. Alec,
leaning back as if nothing could surprise him now.
“But I am not jealous in that way, sir. I mean I want to be or do
something splendid as well as they. I can't write poetry or sing like a
bird, but I should think I might have my share of glory in some way. I
thought perhaps I could paint, and I've tried, but I can only copy I've
no power to invent lovely things, and I'm so discouraged, for that is
my one accomplishment. Do you think I have any gift that could be
cultivated and do me credit like theirs?” she asked so wistfully that
her uncle felt for a moment as if he never could forgive the fairies who
endow babies in their cradles for being so niggardly to his girl. But
one look into the sweet, open face before him reminded him that the good
elves had been very generous and he answered cheerfully: “Yes, I do, for
you have one of the best and noblest gifts a woman can possess. Music
and poetry are fine things, and I don't wonder you want them, or that
you envy the pleasant fame they bring. I've felt just so, and been ready
to ask why it didn't please heaven to be more generous to some people,
so you needn't be ashamed to tell me all about it.”
“I know I ought to be contented, but I'm not. My life is very
comfortable, but so quiet and uneventful, I get tired of it and want to
launch out as the others have, and do something, or at least try. I'm
glad you think it isn't very bad of me, and I'd like to know what my
gift is,” said Rose, looking less despondent already.
“The art of living for others so patiently and sweetly that we enjoy it
as we do the sunshine, and are not half grateful enough for the great
blessing.”
“It is very kind of you to say so, but I think I'd like a little fun and
fame nevertheless.” And Rose did not look as thankful as she ought.
“Very natural, dear, but the fun and the fame do not last, while the
memory of a real helper is kept green long after poetry is forgotten and
music silent. Can't you believe that, and be happy?”
“But I do so little, nobody sees or cares, and I don't feel as if I was
really of any use,” sighed Rose, thinking of the long, dull winter, full
of efforts that seemed fruitless.
“Sit here, and let us see if you really do very little and if no one
cares.” And, drawing her to his knee, Dr. Alec went on, telling off each
item on one of the fingers of the soft hand he held.
“First, an infirm old aunt is kept very happy by the patient, cheerful
care of this good-for-nothing niece. Secondly, a crotchety uncle, for
whom she reads, runs, writes, and sews so willingly that he cannot get
on without her. Thirdly, various relations who are helped in various
ways. Fourthly, one dear friend never forgotten, and a certain cousin
cheered by praise which is more to him than the loudest blast Fame could
blow. Fifthly, several young girls find her an example of many good
works and ways. Sixthly, a motherless baby is cared for as tenderly as
if she were a little sister. Seventhly, half a dozen poor ladies made
comfortable; and, lastly, some struggling boys and girls with artistic
longings are put into a pleasant room furnished with casts, studies,
easels, and all manner of helpful things, not to mention free lessons
given by this same idle girl, who now sits upon my knee owning to
herself that her gift is worth having after all.”
“Indeed, I am! Uncle, I'd no idea I had done so many things to please
you, or that anyone guessed how hard I try to fill my place usefully.
I've learned to do without gratitude now I'll learn not to care for
praise, but to be contented to do my best, and have only God know.”
“He knows, and He rewards in His own good time. I think a quiet life
like this often makes itself felt in better ways than one that the world
sees and applauds, and some of the noblest are never known till they
end, leaving a void in many hearts. Yours may be one of these if you
choose to make it so, and no one will be prouder of this success than I,
unless it be Mac.”
The clouds were quite gone now, and Rose was looking straight into her
uncle's face with a much happier expression when that last word made
it color brightly and the eyes glance away for a second. Then they came
back full of a tender sort of resolution as she said: “That will be
the reward I work for,” and rose, as if ready to be up and doing with
renewed courage.
But her uncle held her long enough to ask quite soberly, though his eyes
laughed: “Shall I tell him that?”
“No, sir, please don't! When he is tired of other people's praise, he
will come home, and then I'll see what I can do for him,” answered Rose,
slipping away to her work with the shy, happy look that sometimes came
to give to her face the charm it needed.
“He is such a thorough fellow, he never is in a hurry to go from one
thing to another. An excellent habit, but a trifle trying to impatient
people like me,” said the doctor and, picking up Dulce, who sat upon
the rug with her dolly, he composed his feelings by tossing her till she
crowed with delight.
Rose heartily echoed that last remark, but said nothing aloud, only
helped her uncle off with dutiful alacrity and, when he was gone, began
to count the days till his return, wishing she had decided to go too.
He wrote often, giving excellent accounts of the “great creatures,” as
Steve called Phebe and Mac, and seemed to find so much to do in various
ways that the second week of absence was nearly over before he set a
day for his return, promising to astonish them with the account of his
adventures.
Rose felt as if something splendid was going to happen and set her
affairs in order so that the approaching crisis might find her fully
prepared. She had “found out” now, was quite sure, and put away all
doubts and fears to be ready to welcome home the cousin whom she was
sure Uncle would bring as her reward. She was thinking of this one day
as she got out her paper to write a long letter to poor Aunt Clara, who
pined for news far away there in Calcutta.
Something in the task reminded her of that other lover whose wooing
ended so tragically, and opening a little drawer of keepsakes, she took
out the blue bracelet, feeling that she owed Charlie a tender thought in
the midst of her new happiness, for of late she had forgotten him.
She had worn the trinket hidden under her black sleeve for a long time
after his death, with the regretful constancy one sometimes shows in
doing some little kindness all too late. But her arm had grown too round
to hide the ornament, the forget-me-nots had fallen one by one,
the clasp had broken, and that autumn she laid the bracelet away,
acknowledging that she had outgrown the souvenir as well as the
sentiment that gave it.
She looked at it in silence for a moment, then put it softly back and,
shutting the drawer, took up the little gray book which was her pride,
thinking as she contrasted the two men and their influence on her life
the one sad and disturbing, the other sweet and inspiring “Charlie's was
passion Mac's is love.”
“Rose! Rose!” called a shrill voice, rudely breaking the pensive
reverie, and with a start, she shut the desk, exclaiming as she ran to
the door: “They have come! They have come!”