only looked up, saying very wistfully: "Then it
has been a happy night for you as well as for us."

"The happiest of my life, and the hardest," answered Phebe briefly as
she looked away from the questioning eyes.

"You should have let us come nearer and help you through. I'm afraid you
are very proud, my Jenny Lind."

"I have to be, for sometimes I feel as if I had nothing else to keep
me up." She stopped short there, fearing that her voice would prove
traitorous if she went on. In a moment she asked in a tone that was
almost hard: "You think I did well tonight?"

"They all think so, and were so delighted they wanted to come in a body
and tell you so, but I sent them home because I knew you'd be tired out.
Perhaps I ought not to have done it and you'd rather have had a crowd
about you than just me?"

"It was the kindest thing you ever did, and what could I like better
than 'just you,' my darling?"

Phebe seldom called her that, and when she did her heart was in the
little word, making it so tender that Rose thought it the sweetest in
the world, next to Uncle Alec's "my little girl." Now it was almost
passionate, and Phebe's face grew rather tragical as she looked down at
Rose. It was impossible to seem unconscious any longer, and Rose said,
caressing Phebe's cheek, which burned with a feverish color now: "Then
don't shut me out if you have a trouble, but let me share it as I let
you share all mine."

"I will! Little mistress, I've got to go away, sooner even than we
planned."

"Why, Phebe?"

"Because Archie loves me."

"That's the very reason you should stay and make him happy."

"Not if it caused dissension in the family, and you know it would."

Rose opened her lips to deny this impetuously, but checked herself and
answered honestly: "Uncle and I would be heartily glad, and I'm sure
Aunt Jessie never could object if you loved Archie as he does you."

"She has other hopes, I think, and kind as she is, it would be a
disappointment if he brought me home. She is right, they all are, and I
alone am to blame. I should have gone long ago I knew I should, but it
was so pleasant, I couldn't bear to go away alone."

"I kept you, and I am to blame if anyone, but indeed, dear Phebe, I
cannot see why you should care even if Aunt Myra croaks and Aunt Clara
exclaims or Aunt Jane makes disagreeable remarks. Be happy, and never
mind them," cried Rose, so much excited by all this that she felt the
spirit of revolt ris