Eight Cousins (Bedtime Story) Chapter 16

"Eight Cousins" is a novel by Louisa May Alcott, published in 1875. The story follows the adventures of Rose Campbell, a kind 13-year-old girl who has been sent to live with her uncle, eccentric Alec Campbell.

Rose also has seven boy cousins living close by and they become great friends. Throughout the book, Alcott explores themes of family, identity, and personal growth as Rose finds her place among the Campbell's and learns to overcome her fears and insecurities. The novel is a heartwarming tale of childhood, love, and self-discovery that is sure to delight readers of all ages.

Transcript

CHAPTER XVI BREAD AND BUTTONHOLES What in the world is my girl thinking about all alone here,

With such a solemn face?

Asked Dr.

Alec,

Coming into the study,

One November day,

To find Rose sitting there with folded hands and a very thoughtful aspect.

Uncle,

I want to have a some serious conversation with you,

If you have time,

She said,

Coming out of a brown study,

As if she had not heard his question.

I am entirely at your service,

And most happy to listen.

He answered in his politest manner,

For when Rose put on her womanly little airs,

He always treated her with a playful sort of respect that pleased her very much.

Now as he sat down beside her,

She said,

Very soberly,

I have been trying to decide what trade I would learn,

And I want you to advise me.

Indeed,

My dear,

And Dr.

Alec looked so astonished,

That she hastened to explain,

I forgot that you didn't hear the talk about it up at Cosy Corner.

You see,

We used to sit under the pines and soup,

And talk a great deal all the ladies.

I mean,

And I liked it very much.

Mother Atkinson thought that everyone should have a trade,

Or something to make a living out of it.

For rich many people grow poor,

You know,

And poor people have to work.

Her girls were very clever,

And I could do ever so many things.

And Aunt Jessie thought the old lady was right.

So when I saw how happy and independent those young ladies were,

I wanted to have a trade.

And then it wouldn't matter about money,

Though.

I like to have it well enough.

Dr.

Alec listened to this explanation with a curious mixture of surprise,

Pleasure and amusement in his face,

And looked at his little niece as if she had suddenly changed into a young woman.

She had grown a good deal in the last six months,

And an amount of thinking had gone on in that young head which would have astonished him greatly,

Could he have known it all.

Dr.

Rose was one of the children who observe and meditate much,

And now and then nonplussed their friends by a wise or curious remark.

I quite agree with the ladies,

And shall be glad to help you decide on something if I can.

Said Dr.

Seriously,

What do you incline to?

A natural taste or talent is a great help in choosing,

You know.

I haven't any talent or any special taste that I can see,

And that is why I cannot decide,

Uncle.

So I think it would be a good plan to pick out some very useful business and learn it,

Because I don't do it for pleasure,

You see,

But as a part of my education,

And to be ready in case I'm ever poor,

Answered Rose,

Looking as if she rather longed for a little poverty so that her useful gift might be exercised.

Well now,

There is one very excellent,

Necessary,

And womanly accomplishment that no girl should be without,

For it is to help the rich and poor,

And the comfort of family depends upon it.

This fine talent is neglected nowadays,

And considered old-fashioned,

Which is a sad mistake,

And one that I don't mean to make in bringing up my girl.

It should be a part of every girl's education,

And I know of a most accomplished lady who will teach you in the best and pleasant manner.

Oh,

What is it?

Frightened Rose eagerly,

Jumped to be met in this helpful and courteous way.

Housekeeping,

Answered Dr.

Alec.

Is that an accomplishment?

Yes,

It is one of the most beautiful as well as useful of all the arts a woman can learn.

Not so romantic,

Perhaps,

As singing,

Painting,

Writing,

Or teaching even,

But one that makes many happy and comfortable.

And home the sweetest place in the world.

Yes,

You may open your big eyes,

But it is a fact that I had rather see you a good housekeeper than the greatest belle in the city.

It need not interfere with any talent you may possess,

But it is a necessary part of your training,

And I hope that you will set about it at once,

Now that you are well and strong.

Who is the lady?

Asked Rose rather impressed by her uncle's earnest speech.

At plenty.

Is she accomplished?

Asked Rose in a wondering tone,

For this great aunt of hers had seemed the least cultivated of all of them.

In the good old-fashioned way,

She is very accomplished,

And has made this house a happy home to us all ever since we can remember.

She is not elegant,

But genuinely good,

And so beloved and respected that there will be universal mourning for her when her place is empty.

No one can fill it,

For the solid homely virtues of the dear soul have gone out of fashion,

As I say,

And nothing new can be half so satisfactory,

To me at least.

I should like to have people feel so about me.

Can she teach me to do what she does,

And to grow as good?

Asked Rose with a little prick of remorse for even thinking that Aunt Plenty was a commonplace old lady.

Yes,

If you don't despise such simple lessons as she can give.

I know it would fill her dear old heart with pride and pleasure to feel that anyone cared to learn of her,

For she fancies her day gone by.

Let her teach you how to be what she has been a skillful,

Frugal,

Cheerful housewife,

The maker and the keeper of happy home,

And by and by you will see what a valuable lesson that is.

I will,

Uncle,

But how shall I begin?

I'll speak to her about it,

And she will make it all right with Dolly,

For cooking is one of the main things,

You know.

So it is,

I don't mind that for a bit,

For I like to mess,

And I used to try it at home,

But I had no one to tell me,

So I never did much but spoil my aprons.

Pies are great fun.

Only Dolly is so cross.

I don't believe she will ever let me do a thing in the kitchen.

Anne will cook in the parlor.

I fancy Aunt Blendy will manage her,

So don't be troubled.

Only mind this,

I'd rather you learned how to make good bread than the best pies ever baked.

When you bring me a handsome,

Wholesome loaf entirely made by yourself,

I shall be more pleased than if you ever offered me a pair of slippers embroidered in the very latest style.

I don't wish to bribe you,

But I'll give you my hardest kiss and promise to eat every crumb of the loaf myself.

It's a bargain,

It's a bargain.

Come and tell auntie all about it,

For I am in a hurry to begin,

' cried Rose,

Dancing before him toward the parlor where Miss Blendy sat along knitting contently,

Yet ready to run at the first call for help of any sort from any quarter.

No need to tell how surprised and gratified she was at the invitation she received to teach the child the domestic arts,

Which were her only accomplishments,

Nor to relate how energetically she set about her pleasant task.

Dolly dared not to crumble,

For Miss Blendy was the one person who she obeyed.

And Phoebe openly rejoiced what these new lessons brought Rose nearer to her,

And glorified the kitchen in the good girl's eyes.

Tell the truth,

The elder aunts had sometimes felt that they did not have quite their share of the little niece who had won their hearts long ago,

And was the sunshine of the house.

They talked it over together sometimes,

But always ended by saying that as Alec had all the responsibility,

He should have the larger share of the dear girl's love and time,

And they would be contented with such crumbs of comforts as they could get.

Dr.

Alec had found out this little secret,

And after reproaching himself for being blind and selfish,

Was trying to devise some way of mending matters without troubling anyone.

When Rose's new whim suggested an excellent method of weaning her little from himself,

He did not know how fond he was of her till he gave her up to the new teacher,

And often could not resist peeping in at the door to see how she got on,

Or stealing sly looks through the slide when she was deep in dough,

Or listening intently some impressive lecture from Aunt Plenty.

They caught him at it now and then,

And ordered him off the premises.

At the point of the rolling pin,

Or if unusually successful,

And therefore in a milder mood,

They lured him away with bribes of gingerbread,

A stray pickle,

Or a tart that was not quite symmetrical enough to suit their critical eyes.

Of course he made a point of partaking copiously of all the delectable messes that now appeared at table,

For both the cooks were on their metal,

And he fared every day but an especial relish was given to any dish when,

In reply to his honest praise of it,

Rose colored up with innocent pride and said modestly,

I made that,

Uncle,

And I am glad you liked.

It was some time before the perfect loaf appeared,

For bread-making is an art not easily learned,

And Aunt Plenty was very thorough in her teachings.

So Rose studied yeast first,

And through various stages of cake and biscuit came,

At last,

To the crowning glory of hand some wholesome loaf.

It appeared at tea-time on a silver salver,

Proudly borne in by Phoebe,

Who could not refrain from whispering,

With a beaming face,

As she said it down before Dr.

Alec,

Ain't it just lovely,

Sir?

It is a regularly splendid loaf.

Did my girl make it all herself?

He asked,

Surveying the shapely,

Sweet-smelling object with real interest and pleasure.

To particle herself,

And never ask a bit of help or advice from anyone,

Answered Aunt Plenty,

Holding her hands with an air of unmistakable satisfaction,

For her pupil certainly did her great credit.

I've had so many failures and troubles that I really thought I never should be able to do it alone,

To only let one splendid batch burn up because I forgot it.

She was there and smelt it,

But never did a thing,

For she said,

When I undertook to bake bread,

I must give my whole mind to it.

Wasn't it hard?

She might have caught me at least,

Said Rose recollecting,

With a sigh,

The anguish of that moment.

She meant you should learn by experience,

As Rosamund did in that little affair of the purple jar,

You remember.

I always thought it very unfair in her mother not to warn the poor thing a little bit,

And she was regularly mean when Rosamund asked for a bowl to put the purple stuff in,

And she said in such a provoking way,

I did not agree to lend you a bowl,

But I will,

My dear.

Oof!

I always want to shake that hateful woman,

Though she was a moral mama.

Never mind her now,

But tell me all about my loaf,

Said Dr.

Alec,

Much amused at Rose's burst of indignation.

There's nothing to tell,

Uncle,

Except that I did my best,

Gave my mind to it,

And sat watching over it all the while it was in the oven,

Till I was quite baked myself.

Everything went right this time,

And it came out nice,

Round,

Crusty loaf as you see.

Now taste it and tell me if it is good as well as handsome.

Must I cut it?

Can I put it under a glass cover and keep it in the parlor,

As they do wax flowers and vine artworks of that sort?

What an idea,

Uncle!

It would mold and be spoiled.

Besides,

People would laugh at us and make fun of my old-fashioned accomplishments.

You promised to eat it,

And you must.

Not all at once,

But as soon as you can,

So I can make you some more.

Dr.

Alec solemnly cut off his favorite crusty slice and solemnly ate it,

Then wiped his lips and brushing back Rose's hair,

Solemnly kissed her on the forehead,

Saying heartily,

My dear,

It is perfect bread,

And you are an honor to your teacher.

When we have our model school,

I shall offer a prize for the best bread,

And you will get it.

I've got it already,

And I am quite satisfied,

Said Rose,

Slipping into her seat and trying to hide her right hand,

Which had burn on it.

But Dr.

Alec saw it,

Guessed how it came there,

And after tea insisted on easing the pain,

Which he would hardly confess.

Aunt Clara says I am spoiling my hands,

But I don't care,

For I've had such good times with Aunt Plenty,

And I think she has enjoyed it as much as I have.

Only one thing troubles me,

Uncle,

And I want to ask you about it,

Said Rose,

As they paced up and down the hall in the twilight.

The bandaged hand very carefully laid on Dr.

Alec's arm.

More little confidences.

I like them immensely,

So tell away,

My dear.

Well,

You see,

I feel as if Aunt Peace would like to do something for me,

And I've found out what it can be.

You know she can't go about like Aunt Plen,

And we are so busy nowadays that she is rather lonely,

I'm afraid,

So I want to take lessons in sewing of her.

She works so beautifully,

And it is a useful thing,

You know,

And I ought to be good needlewoman as well as a housekeeper,

Shouldn't I?

Bless your kind little heart,

That is what I was thinking of the other day when Aunt Peace said she saw you very seldom now.

You were so busy I wanted to speak of it,

But fancied you had as much on your hands as you could manage.

It would delight the dear woman to teach you all her delicate handicraft,

Especially buttonholes,

For I believe that is where young ladies fell,

At least.

I've heard them say so.

So do you devote your mind to buttonholes?

Make them all wear my clothes if you want something to practice on.

I'll wear any quantity.

Rose laughed at this reckless offer,

But promised to attend to that important branch,

Though she confessed that darning was her weak point,

Whereupon Uncle Alec engaged to supply her with socks in all stages of dilapidation and to have a new set at once,

So that she could run their heels for him as a pleasant beginning.

Then they went up to make their request in due form to the great delight of gentle Aunt Peace,

Who got quite excited with the fun that went on while they would yarn,

Looked up darning needles,

And fitted out a nice little mending basket for the pupil.

Very busy and very happy were Rose's days now,

For in the forming she went about the house with Aunt Plenty attending to linen closets and storerooms,

Tweaking and preserving,

Exploring garret and cellar to see that all was right,

And learning in the good old-fashioned manner to look well after the ways of the household.

In the afternoon,

After her walk or drive,

She sat with Aunt Peace plying her needle,

While Aunt Plenty,

Whose eyes were failing,

Knitted and shattered briskly,

Telling many a pleasant story of old times,

Till the three were moved to laugh and cry together,

For the busy needles were embroidering all sort of bright patterns on the lives of the workers,

Though they seemed to be only stitching cotton and darning hose.

It was a pretty sight to see the rosy-faced little maid sitting between the two old ladies,

Listening dutifully to their instructions,

And cheering the lessons with her lively chatter and light laugh.

If the kitchen had proved attractive to Dr.

Alec,

When Rose was there at work,

The sewing room was quite irresistible,

And he made himself so agreeable that no one had the heart to drive him away,

Especially when he read aloud or spun yarns.

''There,

I've made you a new set of warm nightgowns,

With four button-holes in each.

See if they are not neatly done,

'' said Rose one day,

Some weeks after new lessons began.

''Even to a thread and nice little bars across the end,

So I can't tear them when I twitch the buttons out.

More superior work,

Ma'am,

And I'm deeply grateful so much so,

That I will sew on these buttons myself,

And save those tired fingers from another brick.

'' ''You sewed them on,

'' cried Rose,

With her eyes wide open in amazement.

''Wait a bit till I get my sewing tackle,

And then you shall see what I can do.

'' ''Can he really?

'' asked Rose of Aunt Pease,

As Uncle Alec marched off with a comical air of importance.

''Oh yes,

I taught him years ago,

Before he went to the sea,

And I suppose he has had to do things for himself,

More or less ever since,

So he has kept his hand in.

He evidently had,

For he was soon back with a funny little work-bag,

Out of which he produced a thimble without a top,

And having threaded his needle,

He proceeded to sew on the buttons so handily,

That Rose was much impressed and amused.

''I wonder if there is anything in the world that you can not do?

'' she said in a tone of respectful admiration.

''There are one or two things that I am not up to yet,

'' he answered with a laugh in the corner of his eye,

As he waxed his thread with a flourish.

''I should like to know what?

''

Reviews

So sweet, though boys should learn those skills also!
Thank You!🙏🏼❤️