Eight Cousins (Bedtime Story) Part 6

"Eighth Cousins" is a novel by Louisa May Alcott that follows the story of Rose Campbell, a young orphan girl who is sent to live with her uncle, Dr. Alec, after the death of her parents. Dr. Alec is determined to raise Rose healthily and unconventionally, promoting physical activity, nutritious food, and a balanced education.

As Rose grows up with her seven male cousins, she learns important life lessons and navigates the challenges of growing up. The novel explores themes of family, gender roles, and the importance of independence and self-discovery. Ultimately, Rose emerges as a strong and independent young woman, ready to face the world on her terms.

Transcript

Chapter 6 Uncle Alec's Room Soon after dinner,

And before she had got acquainted with half her new possessions,

Dr.

Alec proposed a try to carry round the first installment gifts to the aunts and cousins.

Rose was quite ready to go,

Being anxious to try a certain set of burnouts from the box which not only possessed a most engaging little hood,

But had funny tassels popping in all directions.

The big carriage was full of parcels,

And even Ben's seat was loaded with Indian war clubs,

A Chinese kite of immense size,

And a pair of polished oxhorns from Africa.

Uncle Alec,

Very blue as to his clothes,

Was very brown as to his face,

Sat bolt upright,

Serving well-known places with interest,

While Rose,

Feeling unusually elegant and comfortable,

Leaned back folded in her soft mantle,

And played she was an Eastern princess making a royal progress among her subjects.

A tree of the places their calls were brief,

For Aunt Myra's Qatar,

Was unusually bad,

Aunt Clara had a room full of company,

And Aunt Jane showed such a tendency to discuss the population,

Productions,

And politics of Europe,

Asia,

And Africa,

That even Dr.

Alec was dismayed,

And got away as soon as possible.

Now we will have a good time,

I do hope the boys will be at home,

Said Rose,

As they wound yet higher up the hill to Aunt Jessie's.

I left this carriage for the last call,

So that we might find the lads just in from school.

Yes,

There is Jamie on the gate,

Watching for hours,

Now you see the clan gather,

They are always warming about together.

The instant Jamie saw the approaching guest,

He gave a shrill whistle,

Which was answered by echoes from meadow,

House,

And barn,

As the cousins came running from all directions,

Shouting,

Hooray for Uncle Alec!

They went at the carriage like highwaymen,

Rubbed it,

Every parcel,

Took the occupant's prisoners,

And marched them into the house with great exultation.

Little mum,

Little mum,

Here they are with lots of goodies,

Come down and see the fun right away,

Quick,

Bawled Will and Geordie,

Amidst a general ripping of papers and a reckless cutting of strings,

That soon turned the tidy room into a chaos.

Down came Aunt Jessie with her pretty cap half on,

But such a beaming face below it,

That one rather thought the fly-away headgear an improvement than otherwise.

She had hardly time to greet Rose and the doctor before the boys were about her,

Each clamoring for her to see his gift and rejoice over it with him,

For little mum went halves in everything.

The great horns skirmished about her,

As if to toss her to the ceiling.

The war-cups huddled over her head,

As if to annihilate her.

An amazing medley from the four quarters of the globe fit her lap,

And seven excited boys all talked to her at once.

But she liked it,

Oh dear yes,

And sat smiling,

Admiring and explaining,

Quite untroubled by the din which made Rose cover up her ears,

And Dr.

Allet threat an instant flight,

If the riot was not quelled.

That threat produced a lull,

And while the uncle received thanks in one corner,

The aunt had some little confidences made to her in the other.

Well dear,

And how are things going with you now?

Better I hope than they were a week ago.

And Jessie,

I think I am going to be very happy.

Now uncle has come.

He does the queerest things,

But he is so good to me,

I cannot help loving him.

And nestling closer to little mum,

Rose thought all that had happened,

Ending with a rapturous account of the splendid box.

I am very glad,

Dear,

But Rose,

I must warn you of one thing.

Don't let uncle spoil you.

But I like to be spoiled,

Auntie.

I don't doubt it,

But if you turn up badly when the year is over,

He will be blamed and his experiment prove a failure.

That would be a pity,

Wouldn't it,

When he wants to do so much for you,

And can do it if his kind heart does not get in the way of his good judgment.

I never thought of that,

And I will try not to be spoiled.

But how can I help it,

Asked Rose anxiously,

By not complaining of the wholesome things he wants you to do,

By giving him cheerful obedience as well as love,

And even making some small sacrifices for his sake?

I will try,

I truly will,

And when I get in a worry about things may I come to you,

Uncle told me to,

And I feel as if I shouldn't be afraid.

You may,

Darling.

This is the place where little troubles are best cured,

And this is what mothers are for,

I fancy,

And aunt Jessie threw the curly head to her shoulder with a tender look that proved how well she knew what medicine the child most needed.

It was so sweet and comfortable that Rose sat still,

Enjoying it till a little voice said,

Mama,

Don't you think Poki would like some of my shells?

Rose gave Phoebe some of her nice things,

And it was very good of her,

Can I?

Who is Poki?

Asked Rose,

Popping up her head,

Attracted by the odd name.

My dolly,

Do you want to see?

Asked Jamie,

Who had been much impressed by the tale of adoption.

He had overheard.

Yes,

I am fond of dollies,

Only don't tell the boys or they will laugh at me.

They don't laugh at me,

And they play with my dolly a great deal,

But she likes me the best,

And Jamie ran away to produce his pet.

I brought my old doll,

But I keep her hidden because I am too big to play with her,

And yet I can't bear to throw her away.

I am so fond of her,

Said Rose,

Continuing her confidences,

In a whisper.

You can come and play with Jamie's whenever you like,

For we believe in dollies up here,

Began Aunt Jessie,

Smiling to herself as if something amused her.

Just then Jamie came back,

And Rose understood the smile,

For his dolly proved to be a pretty four-year-old little girl,

Who trotted in as fast as her fat legs would carry her,

And making straight for the shelves,

Scrambled up,

Unful,

Saying,

With a laugh that showed her little white teeth,

For Dimmie and me,

That is my dolly,

Isn't she a nice one?

Asked Jamie,

Proudly serving his pet,

With his hands behind him and his short legs rather far apart,

A manly attitude copied from his brother's.

She is a real dolly,

But why call her pokey?

Asked Rose,

Child with the new plaiting.

She is such an inquisitive little body,

She is always poking that mite of her nose into everything,

And as pale bry did not suit,

The boys failed to call her pokey,

Not a pretty name,

But very expressive.

It certainly was,

For having examined the shelves,

The busy tot laid hold of everything she could find,

And continued her research,

Till Archie caught her sucking his carved ivory jasmine,

To see if they were not barley sugar.

Rice paper pictures were also discovered,

Crumpled in her tiny pocket,

And she nearly smashed Will's ostrich egg,

By trying to sit upon it.

Here,

Jim,

Take her away,

She is worse than the puppies,

And we can't have her around,

Commanded the older brother,

Picking her up and handing her over to the little fellow,

Who received her with open arms and a warning remark.

You'd better mind what you do,

For I am going to adopt Pokey like Rose did with Phoebe,

And then you will have to be very good to her,

You big fellows.

Adopt away,

Baby,

And I'll give you a cage to keep her in,

Or you won't have her long,

For she is getting worse than a monkey,

And Archie went back his mates,

While Aunt Jessie foreseeing a crisis,

Posed that Jamie should take his dolly home,

As she was borrowed,

And it was time her visit ended.

My dolly is better than yours,

Isn't she?

Because she can walk and talk and sing and dance,

And yours can't do anything,

Can she?

Asked Jamie with pride,

As he recorded his Pokey,

Who just then had been moved to excute a funny little chick and a whirlpool,

The well-known couplet.

Pustat,

Pustat,

Where have you been?

I have been running to sow a tweed.

After which,

Super display,

She retired,

Escorted by Jamie,

Both making a fearful din,

Lowing on conch shells.

We must hear ourself away,

Rose.

Because I want to get you home before sunset.

Will you come for a drive,

Jessie?

Said Dr.

Alec,

As the music died away in the distance.

No thank you,

But I see the boys want to scamper,

So if you don't mind,

They may escort you home,

But not to go in.

That is only allowed on holidays.

The words were hardly out of Jessie's mouth when Archie said,

In a tone of command,

Pass the word,

Lads,

Boot and saddle,

And be quick about it.

All right,

And in a moment not a vestige of boy remained but the litter on the floor,

The cavalcade went down the hill at a pace that made Rose cling to her uncle's arm,

While the fat old horses got excited by the antics of the ponies catering all about them,

And went as fast as they could pelt with a gay dog cart rattling in front for Archie and Charlie's corn shelties,

Since this magnificent eco-podge had been set up.

Ben enjoyed the fun,

And the lads cut up capers till Rose declared that the circus was the proper name for them after all.

When they reached the house they dismounted and stood three on each side of the steps in martial attitudes,

While her ladyship was handed out with great elegance by Uncle Alec.

Then the clan saluted,

Mounted a word of command,

And with a wide whoop tore down the avenue in what way they considered the true Arab style.

It was splendid.

Now it is safely ended,

Said Rose,

Skipping up the steps with her head over her shoulder to watch the deer-tassels bob about.

I shall get you a pony as soon as you are a little stronger,

Said Dr.

Alec,

Watching her with a smile.

Oh,

I couldn't write one of those horrid frisky little beasts.

They roll their eyes and bounce about so.

I should die of fright,

Cried Rose,

Clasping her hands tragically.

Are you a coward?

About horses,

I am.

Never mind then.

Come and see my new room.

And he led the way upstairs without another word.

As Rose followed she remembered her promise to Aunt Jessie,

And was sorry she had objected so decidedly.

She was a great deal more sorry,

Five minutes later,

And well she might be.

Now take a good look and tell me what you think of it,

Said Dr.

Alec,

Opening the door and letting her enter before him,

While Phoebe was seen risking down the back stairs with a dustpan.

Rose walked to the middle of the room,

Stood still and gazed about her with eyes that frightened as they looked,

For all was changed.

This chamber had been built out over the library to suit some fancy,

And had been unused for years,

Except at Christmas times,

When the old house overflowed.

It had three windows,

One to the east,

That overlooked the bay,

One to the south,

Where the horse chestnuts fed their green fans,

And one to the west,

Towards the hill and the evening sky.

A ruddy sunset burned there now,

Filling the room with an enchanted glow.

The soft murmur of the sea was heard,

And a robin chirped,

Good night,

Among the budding trees.

Rose saw and heard these things first,

And felt their beauty with a charged quick instinct.

Then her eye took in the altered aspect of the room,

Once so shrouded,

Still and solitary,

Now so full of light and warmth and simple luxury.

The amethyne covered the floor with a gay rug here and there,

The antique andredons shown on the white hearth,

Where a cheesy blaze dispelled the dampness of the long-closed room.

Bamboo lounges and chairs stood about,

And quaint little tables in cosy corners,

One bearing a pretty basket,

One a desk,

And on a third lay several familiar-looking books.

In a recess stood a narrow white bed,

With a lovely Madonna hanging over it.

The Japanese queen half-folded,

Back showed a delicate toilet service,

Of blue and white,

Set forth on a marble slab,

And nearby was a great bat-pan,

With Turkish towels,

And a sponge as big as Rose's head.

Uncle must love cold water like a duck,

She thought with a shiver.

Then her eye went to the tall cabinet,

Where a half-opened door revealing a tempting array of the drawers,

Shelves,

And cubby-holes,

Which so delight the hearts of children.

What a grand place for my new things,

She thought,

Wondering what her uncle kept set on retreat.

Oh,

Me,

What a sweet toilet-table,

Was her next mental exclamation,

As she approached this inviting spot.

A round old-fashioned mirror hung over it,

With a gilt eagle atop,

Holding in his beak the knot of a blue ribbon that tied up a curtain of muslin,

Falling on either side of the table,

Where appeared little ivory-handled brushes,

Two slender silver candlesticks,

A porcelain match-box,

Several pretty trays for small matters,

And most imposing of all,

A plump blue silk cushion,

Coquettishly trimmed with lace,

And pink rose buds at the corners.

That cushion rather astonished Rose,

In fact,

The whole table did,

And she was just thinking,

With a sly smile,

Uncle is a dandy,

But I never should have guessed it,

When he opened the door of a large closet,

Saying with a careless wave of the hand,

Men like plenty of room for their rattle-traps,

Don't you think that ought to satisfy me?

Rose peeped in and gave a start,

Though all she saw was what one usually finds in closets,

Clothes and boots,

Boxes and bags,

Oh,

But you see these clothes were small black and white frocks,

The row of little boots that stood below had never been on Dr.

Alex's feet,

The green band-box had a grey wheel straying out of it,

And yes,

The bag hanging on the door was certainly her own peace-bag with a hole in one corner.

She gave a quick look round the room and understood now why it had seemed so dandy for a man,

Why her testament and prayer-book were on the table by the bed,

And what those rose buds meant on the blue cushion.

It came upon her in one delicious burst that this little paradise was all for her,

And not knowing how else to express her gratitude,

She caught Dr.

Alex round the neck,

Saying impatiently,

Oh,

Uncle,

You are too good to me,

I will do anything you ask me,

Ride white horses and take freezing baths and eat bad-tasting messes,

And let my clothes hang on me,

To show how much I thank you for this dear,

Sweet,

Lovely room.

You like it then?

But why do you think it is yours,

My lass?

Asked Dr.

Alex,

As he sat down looking well-pleased and drew his excited little knees to his knee.

I don't think,

I know it is for me,

I see it in your face,

And I feel as if I didn't half deserve it.

And Jessie said,

You would spoil me,

And I must not let you.

I am afraid this looks like it.

And perhaps,

Oh me,

Perhaps I ought not to have this beautiful room after all.

And Rose tried to look as if she could be heroic,

Enough to give it up if it was the best.

I owe Mrs.

Jessie one for that,

Said Dr.

Alex,

Trying to frown,

Though in his secret soul he felt that she was quite right.

Then he smiled that courteous smile,

Which was like sunshine on his brown face,

As he said,

This is part of the cure,

Rose,

And I put you here that you might take my three great remedies in the best and easiest way,

Plenty of sun,

Fresh air,

And good water,

Also cheerful surroundings and some work,

For Phoebe is to show you how to take care of this room,

And be your little maid as well,

As a friend and a teacher.

Does that sound hard and disagreeable to you,

Dear?

No,

Sir,

Very,

Very pleasant,

And I will do my best to be a good patient.

But I really don't think anyone could be sick in this delightful room,

She said with a long sigh of happiness,

As her eyes went from one pleasant object to another.

Then you like my sort of medicine better than Aunt Myra's,

And don't want to throw it out of the window,

Hey?

Rose sighed.

She looked around her beautiful new room and thought,

All is well.

Reviews

How gorgeous… love this room for her…🙏🏽❤️ thanks!