Eight Cousins (Bedtime Story) Chapter 23

Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott is a heartwarming coming-of-age novel first published in 1875. It tells the story of Rose Campbell, a shy and delicate orphaned girl, who goes to live with her wealthy aunts in Boston. The novel follows her journey of personal growth as she adjusts to life with her large, loving, and somewhat chaotic extended family. Rose's life changes dramatically when her seven lively male cousins, the "eight cousins" of the title, enter her life. Under the guardianship of her progressive and caring Uncle Alec, Rose is encouraged to embrace a healthy lifestyle, develop her individuality, and become more self-reliant. Uncle Alec's unconventional approach to parenting contrasts with the strict, traditional expectations of Rose's other relatives, providing her with the freedom to flourish.

Transcript

Chapter 23 Peacemaking ''Steve,

I want you to tell me something,

'' said Rose to Dandy,

Who was making faces at himself in the class,

While he waited for an answer to the note he brought from his mother to Aunt Blenty.

''Perhaps I will,

And perhaps I won't.

But is it?

Haven't Arch and Charlie quarrelled?

'' ''Daresay,

We fellows are always having little rows,

You know.

I do believe a stye is coming on my starboard eye,

And Steve faked it to be absorded in a survey of his yellow lashes.

'' ''No,

That won't do.

I want to know all about it,

For I'm sure something more serious than a little row is the matter.

Come,

Please tell me,

Steeny.

There's a deer!

'' ''Buteration!

You don't want me to turn Tell-A-Tale,

Do you?

'' growled Steve,

Pulling his topknot,

As he always did when perlexed.

''Yes,

I do.

As Rose's decided answer,

For she saw from his manner that she was right,

And determined to have the secret out of him if coaxing would do it.

I don't wish you to tell things to everyone,

Of course,

But to me you may,

And you must,

Because I have a right to know.

You boys need somebody to look after you,

And I'm going to do it,

For girls are nice peacemakers and know how to manage people.

Uncle said so,

And he is never wrong.

'' He was about to indulge in a derisive hoot at the idea of her looking after them,

But a sudden thought restrained him,

And suggested a way in which he could satisfy Rose and better himself at the same time.

''What will you give me if I'll tell you every bit about it?

'' he asked,

With a sudden red in his cheeks and an uneasy look in his eyes,

For he was half ashamed of the proposition.

''What do you want?

'' and Rose looked up rather surprised at his question.

''I'd like to borrow some money.

I shouldn't think of asking you,

Only Mac never has a cent since he's set up his old chemical shop,

Where he'll blow himself to bits some day,

And you and Uncle will have the fun of putting him together again,

'' and Stevie tried to look as if the idea amused him.

''I'll lend it to you with pleasure,

So tell away,

'' said Rose,

Bound to get at the secret.

Evidently much relieved by the promise,

Steve set up his stock not cheerfully erect again,

And briefly stated the case,

''As you say,

It is all right to tell you,

But don't let the boys know I blabbered,

Or Prince will take my head off.

You see,

Archie don't like some of them fellows,

Charlie Gorswith and Cotsam.

That makes Prince mad,

And he holds on just to Blake Arch,

So they don't speak to one another,

If they can help it.

And that's the row.

'' ''Are those boys bad?

'' asked Rose anxiously.

''Guess not,

Only rather wild.

They are older than our fellows,

But they like Prince,

He's such a jolly boy,

Sings so well,

Dances,

Jigs,

And breakdowns,

You know,

And plays any game that is going.

He beat Morse at billiards,

And that's something to brag of,

For Morse thinks he knows everything.

I saw the match,

And it was great fun.

'' Steve got quite excited over the prowess of Charlie,

Who he admired immensely,

And tried to imitate.

Rose did not know half the danger of such gifts and tasters as Charlie's,

But felt instinctively that something must be wrong if Archie disapproved.

''If Prince likes any billiard-playing boy better than Archie,

I don't think much of his sense,

'' she said severely.

''Of course he doesn't,

But you see,

Charlie and Archie are both as proud as they can be,

And won't give in,

I suppose Archie's right,

But I don't blame Charlie a bit for liking to be with the others sometimes.

They are such a jolly set,

'' and Steve shook his head morally,

Even while his eye twinkled over the memory of some of the exploits of the jolly set.

''Oh dear me,

'' sighed Rose,

''I don't see what I can do about it,

But I wish the boys would make up,

For Prince can't come to any harm with Archie.

He's so good and sensible.

That is the trouble.

Arch preaches,

And Prince won't stand it.

He told Arch he was a prick and parson,

And Arch told him he wasn't a gentleman.

My boots weren't they both mad,

Though.

I thought for a minute they'd pitch in to one another and have it out.

I wish they had,

And not gone stalking round stiff and glum ever since.

Mac and I settle our rows with a bath or so over the head,

And then we are all right.

'' Rose couldn't help laughing as Steve sparred a wave at the fat sofa pillow to illustrate his meaning,

And having given it several scientific whacks,

He put down his cuffs and smiled upon her,

It being pity for her feminine ignorance of this summery way of settling a quarrel.

''What troll things boys are,

'' she said,

With a mix of admiration and perplexity in her face,

Which Steve accepted as a compliment to his sex.

''Business,

'' he added.

''How about that bit of money you were going to lend me,

I've told.

Now you pay up.

'' ''Of course I will.

How much do you want?

'' And Rose pulled out her purse.

''Could you spar five dollars?

I want to pay a little debt of honour.

That is rather pressing.

'' And Steve put on a mannish air that was comical to see.

''Aren't all debts honourable?

'' Asked innocent Rose.

''Yes,

Of course,

But this is a bet I made,

And it ought to be settled up at once.

'' Began Steve finding it awkward to explain.

''Oh,

Don't bet.

It is not right,

And I know your father wouldn't like it.

Promise he won't do so again.

Please promise.

'' And Rose hold fast the hat into which she had just put the money.

''Well,

I won't.

It's worth me a good deal,

But I was choked into it.

Much obliged,

Cousin.

I'm all right now.

'' And Steve departed hastily.

Having decided to be a peacemaker,

Rose waited for an opportunity,

And very soon it came.

She was spending the day with Aunt Clara,

Had been entertaining some young guests,

And invited Rose to meet them,

For she thought it high time.

Her niece conquered her bashfulness and saw a little of society.

Dinner was over,

And everyone had gone.

Aunt Clara was resting before going out to an evening party,

And Rose was waiting for Charlie to come and take her home.

She sat alone in the elegant drawing-room,

Feeling particularly nice and pretty,

For she had her best frock on,

A pair of gold bands her aunt had just given her,

And a tea-rose butt in her sash,

Like the beautiful Miss Van Tassel,

Who everyone admired.

She had spread out her little skirt to the best advantage,

And had leaned in back in a luxurious chair,

Sat admiring her own feet in new slippers,

Which were sets almost as big as Elias.

Presently Charlie came lounging in,

Looking rather sleepy and queer,

Rose thought.

On seeing her,

However,

He roused up and said with a smile that ended in a gape,

''I thought you were with mother,

So I took forty winks after I cut those skirts off.

Now I am at your service,

Rosamunda,

Whenever you like.

You look as if your head ached.

If it does,

Don't mind me.

I am not afraid to run home alone.

It is so early,

'' answered Rose,

Observing the flushed cheeks and heavy eyes of her cousin.

''I think I see myself letting you do it.

Champagne always makes my headache,

But the air will set me up.

'' ''Why do you drink it,

Then?

'' asked Rose anxiously.

''Can't help it,

When I'm host.

Now don't you begin to lecture.

I've had enough of Archie's old-fashioned notions,

And don't want any more.

'' Charlie's tone was decidedly cross,

And his whole manner so unlike his usual merry-good nature that Rose felt crushed,

And answered meekly,

''I wasn't going to lecture.

Only when people like other people,

They can bear to see them suffer pain.

'' That brought Charlie round at once,

For Rose's lips trembled a little,

Though she tried to hide it by smelling the flowers she pulled from her chash.

''I am a regular bear,

And I beg your pardon for being so cross,

Rosie,

'' he said in the old Frank way.

''That was so winning.

I wish you'd beg Archie's too,

And be good friends again.

You never were cross when he was your chum,

'' Rose said,

Looking up at him.

As he bent toward her from the low chimney-piece where he had been leaning his elbows,

In an instant he stood as stiff and straight as ramrod,

And the heavy eyes kindled with an angry spark as he said,

In his high and mighty manner,

''You'd better not meddle with what you don't understand,

Cousin.

But I do understand,

And it troubles me very much to see you so cold and stiff to one another.

You always used to be together,

And now you hardly speak.

You are so ready to beg my pardon.

I don't see why you can't beg Archie's,

If you are in the wrong.

I am not.

This was so short and sharp,

'' that Rose startled,

And Charlie added in a calmer but still very haughty tone,

''A gentleman always begs pardon when he has been rude to a lady,

But one man doesn't apologize to another man who has insulted him.

Oh,

My heart,

What a pepperpot,

'' thought Rose,

And hoping to make him laugh,

She added slyly,

''I was not talking about men but boys,

And one of them,

A prince,

Who ought to set a good example to his subjects.

'' But Charlie would not relent,

And tried to turn the subject by saying rarely as he unfastened the little gold ring from his watchguard,

''I have broken my word,

So I want to give this back and free you from the bargain.

I'm sorry,

But I think it a foolish promise,

And don't intend to keep it.

Here's a pair of earrings to suit yourself.

As my forfeit,

You have a right to wear them now.

No,

I can only wear one,

And that is no use,

For Archie will keep his word,

I'm sure.

'' Rose was so mortified and grieved at this downfall of her hopes that she spoke sharply and would not take the ring the deserter offered her.

He shrugged his shoulders and threw it into her lap,

Trying to look cool and careless,

But failing entirely,

For he was ashamed of himself.

Rose wanted to cry,

But pride would not let her,

And being very angry,

She relieved herself by talking instead of tears.

Looking pale and excited,

She rose out of her chair,

Cast away the ring,

And said in a voice that she vainly tried to keep steady,

''You are not at all the boy I thought you were,

And I don't respect you one bit.

I've tried to help you be good,

But you won't let me,

And I shall not try any more.

You talk a great deal about being a gentleman,

But you are not,

For you've broken your word,

And I can never trust you again.

I don't wish you to go home with me.

I'd rather have Mary.

'' And with that last dreadful blow,

Rose walked out of the room,

Leaving Charlie as much astonished as if one of his pet pigeons had flown in his face and pecked at him.

She was so seldom angry that when her temper did get the better of her,

It made a deep impression on the lads,

For it was generally a righteous sort of indignation,

But some injustice or wrongdoing,

Not childish passion.

Her little thunderstorm cleared off in a sob or two,

As she put on her things in the entry closet,

And when she emerged,

She looked the brighter for the shower,

A hasty goodnight to Aunt Clara,

Now under the hands of the hair-dresser,

And then she crept down to fight Mary the maid,

But Mary was out,

So was the man,

And Rose slipped away by the back door,

Flattering herself that she had escaped the awkwardness of having Charlie for escort.

There she was mistaken,

However,

For the gate had hardly closed behind her,

When a well-known trap was heard,

And the prince was beside her,

Saying in a tone of beneathent politeness,

That banished Rose's wrath like magic.

You needn't to speak to me if you don't choose,

But I must see you safely home,

Cousin.

She turned at once,

Put out her hand,

And answered heartily,

I was the cross one,

Please forgive me,

And let's be friends again.

Now that was better than a dozen sermons.

On the beauty of forgiveness did Charlie more good,

For it showed him how sweet humility was,

And proved that Rose practiced as she preached.

He shook the hand warmly,

Then threw it through his arm,

And said,

As if anxious to recover the good opinion with the loss of,

Which he had been threatened,

Look here,

Rosie,

I put the ring back,

And I'm going to try again,

But you don't know how hard it is to stand being laughed at.

Yes I do,

Ariadne plagues me every time I see her,

Because I don't wear earrings,

After all the trouble I had getting ready for them.

Oh,

But her twaddle isn't half as bad as the shuffling I get.

It takes a deal of pluck to hold out when you are told you are tied to an apron string,

And all that sort of thing,

Said Charlie.

I thought you had a deal of pluck,

As you call it.

The boys all say you are the bravest of the seven,

Said Rose.

So I am about some things,

But I cannot bear to be laughed at.

It is hard,

But if one is right,

Won't that make it easier?

But to me,

It might do a piteous parson like arch.

Please don't call him names.

I guess he has what is called moral courage,

And you physical courage.

Uncle explained the difference to me,

And moral is the best,

Though often it doesn't look so,

Said Rose thoughtfully.

Charlie didn't like that,

And answered quickly,

I don't believe he'd stand it any better than I do,

If he had those fellows at him.

Perhaps that is why he keeps out of the way,

And wants you to.

Rose had him there,

And Charlie felt it,

But would not give in just yet,

Though he was going fast,

For somehow in the dark he seemed to see things clearer than in the light,

And found it very easy to be confidential when it was only Rose.

If he was my brother now,

He'd have some right to interfere,

Began Charlie in an injured tone.

I wish he was,

Cried Rose.

So do I,

Answered Charlie,

And then they both laughed at his inconsistency.

The laugh did them good,

And when Prince spoke again,

It was in a different tone vensive,

Not proud or perversive,

Or pervasive.

You see,

It is hard upon me that I have no brothers and sisters.

The others are better off and needed to go abroad for chums if they don't like.

I am all alone,

And I'd be thankful even for a little sister.

Rose thought that very pathetic,

And overlooking the uncomplimentary word even,

In that last sentence,

She said with a timid sort of earnestness that conquered her cousin at once,

Play,

I was a little sister.

I know I am silly,

But perhaps I am better than nothing,

And I'd dearly love to do it.

So should I,

And we will,

For you are not silly,

My dear,

The very sensible girl,

We will think,

And I am proud to have you for a sister there now,

And Charlie looked down at the curly head bobbing alongside him with a real affection in his face.

Rose gave a skip of pleasure,

And laid one seal-skin mitten over the other on his arm.

As she said happily,

That is so nice of you.

Now you needn't be lonely any more,

And I'll try to fill Archie's place till he comes back,

For I know he will,

As soon as you let him.

Well,

I don't mind telling you that,

While he was my mate,

I never missed brothers and sisters,

Or wanted anyone else,

But since he cast me off I'll be hanged if I don't feel as forlorn as old Crusoe before Friday turned up.

This burst of confidence confirmed Rose in her purpose of winning Charlie's mentor back to him,

But she said no more,

Contended to have done so well.

They parted excellent friends,

And Prince went home,

Wondering why a fellow didn't mind saying things to a girl or woman which they would die before they'd own to another fellow.

Rose also had some sage reflections upon the subject,

And fell asleep thinking that there were a great many curious things in this world,

And a feeling that she was beginning to find out some of them.

Next day she had trucked up the hill to see Archie,

And having told him as much as she thought best about her talk with Charlie,

Begged him to forget and forgive.

I've been thinking that perhaps I ought to,

Though I am in the right.

I'm no end fond of Charlie,

And he is the best-hearted lad alive,

But he can't say no,

And that will play the mid-chief with him if he does not take care,

Said Archie in his grave-kind way.

While father was home I was very busy with him,

So Prince got in to set I don't like.

They try to be fast,

And I think it's manly,

And they flatter him,

And lead him on to do all sort of things,

Play for money and bet,

And loathe about.

I hate to have him do so,

And try to stop it,

But went to work the wrong way,

So we got in to a mess.

He is all ready to make up if you don't say much,

For he owned to me he was wrong,

But I don't think he will own it to you in words,

Began Rose.

I don't care for that.

If he'll just drop those road-eyes and come back,

I'll hold my tongue and not preach.

I wonder if he owes those fellows money,

And so doesn't like to break off till he can pay it.

I hope not,

But don't dare to ask,

Though perhaps Steve knows.

He is always after Prince,

Most pity,

And Archie looked anxious.

I think Steve does know,

For he talked about debts of honour the day I gave him.

There Rose stopped short and turned scarlet,

But Archie ordered her to fess,

And had the whole story in five minutes,

For none dared disobey the chief.

He completed her affliction by putting in a five-dollar bill into her pocket by main force,

Looking both indignant and resolute as he said,

Never do so again,

But send Steve to me if he is afraid to go his farther.

Charlie had nothing to do with that.

He wouldn't borrow a penny of a girl,

I don't think it,

But that's the harm he does,

Steve,

Who adores him and tries to be like him in all things.

Don't say a word.

I'll make it all right,

And no one shall blame you.

Oh,

Me!

I always make trouble by trying to help,

And then letting out the wrong thing,

Sighed Rose,

Much depressed by her slip of tongue.

Archie comforted her with the novel remark that it was always best to tell the truth,

And made her quite cheerful by promising to heal the breach with Charlie as soon as possible.

He kept his word so well that the very next afternoon,

As Rose looked out of the window,

She beheld the joyful spectacle of Archie and Prince coming up the avenue,

Arm in arm,

As of old,

Talking away,

As if to make up for the unhappy silence of the past weeks.

Rose dropped her work,

Hurried to the door,

And opening it wide,

Stood there smiling down upon them so happily that the faces of the lads brightened as they ran up the steps eager to show that all was well with them.

Here is our little peacemaker,

Said Archie,

Shaking hands with vigor.

But Charlie added,

With a look that made Rose very proud and happy,

And my little sister.

Reviews

Tough but important work, peacekeeping/making— we need more of it in this world!
Thank you 🙏🏽❤️