第62章

I always take your part and say it is a pity other girls haven't as sensible an education, for I don't know one who is as satisfactory on the whole as you are.""Much obliged.You may also tell people I gave up gaiety because I value health more.But I haven't forsworn everything of the kind, Kit.I go to concerts and lectures, and all sorts of early things, and have nice times at home, as you know.I like fun as well as ever, but I'm getting on, you see, and must be preparing a little for the serious part of life.One never knows when it may come," said Rose, thoughtfully as she pasted a squirrel upside down on the pink cotton page before her.

"That reminds me of what I wanted to say.If you'll believe me, my dear, Steve has got that very idea into his head! Did you or Mac put it there?"asked Kitty, industriously clashing her shears.

"No, I've given up lecturing the boys lately­they are so big now they don't like it, and I fancy I'd got into a way that was rather tiresome.""Well, then, he is 'turning pious' too.And what is very singular, I like it.Now don't smile­I really do­and I want to be getting ready for the 'serious part of life,' as you call it.That is, I want to grow better as fast as I can, for Steve says he isn't half good enough for me.Just think of that!"Kitty looked so surprised and pleased and proud that Rose felt no desire to laugh at her sudden fancy for sobriety but said in her most sympathetic tone: "I'm very glad to hear it, for it shows that he loves you in the right way.""Is there more than one way?"

"Yes, I fancy so, because some people improve so much after they fall in love, and others do not at all.Have you never observed that?""I never learned how to observe.Of course I know that some matches turn out well and some don't, but I never thought much about it.""Well, I have, for I was rather interested in the subject lately and had a talk with Aunt Jessie and Uncle about it.""Gracious! You don't talk to them about such things, do you?""Yes, indeed.I ask any questions I like, and always get a good answer.

It is such a nice way to learn, Kitty, for you don't have to pore over books, but as things come along you talk about them and remember, and when they are spoken of afterward you understand and are interested, though you don't say a word," explained Rose.

"It must be nice, but I haven't anyone to do so for me.Papa is too busy, and Mama always says when I ask question, 'Don't trouble your head with such things, child,' so I don't.What did you learn about matches turning out well? I'm interested in that, because I want mine to be quite perfect in all respects.""After thinking it over, I came to the conclusion that Uncle was right, and it is not always safe to marry a person just because you love him," began Rose, trying to enlighten Kitty without betraying herself.

"Of course not­if they haven't money or are bad.But otherwise Idon't see what more is needed," said Kitty wonderingly.

"One should stop and see if it is a wise love, likely to help both parties and wear well, for you know it ought to last all one's lifetime, and it is very sad if it doesn't.""I declare it quite scares me to think of it, for I don't usually go beyond my wedding day in making plans.I remember, though, that when Iwas engaged the first time­you don't know the man; it was just after you went away, and I was only sixteen­someone very ill-naturedly said I should 'marry in haste and repent at leisure,' and that made me try to imagine how it would seem to go on year after year with Gustavus­who had a dreadful temper, by the way­and it worried me so to think of it that I broke the engagement, and was so glad ever afterward.""You were a wise girl­and I hope you'll do it again if you find, after a time, that you and Steve do not truly trust and respect as well as love one another.If you don't, you'll be miserable when it is too late, as so many people are who do marry in haste and have a lifetime to repent it.Aunt Jessie says so, and she knows.""Don't be solemn, Rose.It fidgets me to think about life-times, and respecting, and all those responsible things.I'm not used to it, and Idon't know how to do it."

"But you must think, and you must learn how before you take the responsibility upon yourself.That is what your life is for, and you mustn't spoil it by doing a very solemn thing without seeing if you are ready for it.""Do you think about all this?" asked Kitty, shrugging up her shoulders as if responsibility of any sort did not sit comfortably on them.

"One has to sometimes, you know.But is that all you wanted to tell me?" added Rose, anxious to turn the conversation from herself.

"Oh, dear, no! The most serious thing of all is this.Steve is putting himself in order generally, and so I want to do my part, and I must begin right away before my thoughts get distracted with clothes and all sorts of dear, delightful, frivolous things that I can't help liking.Now I wish you'd tell me where to begin.Shouldn't I improve my mind by reading something solid?" And Kitty looked over at the well-filled bookcase as if to see if it contained anything large and dry enough to be considered "solid.""It would be an excellent plan, and we'll look up something.What do you feel as if you needed most?""A little of everything I should say, for when I look into my mind there really doesn't seem to be much there but odds and ends, and yet I'm sure I've read a great deal more than some girls do.I suppose novels don't count, though, and are of no use, for, goodness knows, the people and things they describe aren't a bit like the real ones.""Some novels are very useful and do as much good as sermons, I've heard Uncle say, because they not only describe truly, but teach so pleasantly that people like to learn in that way," said Rose, who knew the sort of books Kitty had read and did not wonder that she felt rather astray when she tried to guide herself by their teaching.

"You pick me out some of the right kind, and I'll apply my mind to them.

Then I ought to have some 'serious views' and 'methods' and 'principles.'