第80章

WHICH WAS IT?

Rose did read and digest, and found her days much richer for the good company she kept, for an introduction to so much that was wise, beautiful, and true could not but make that month a memorable one.It is not strange that while the young man most admired "Heroism" and "Self-Reliance," the girl preferred "Love" and "Friendship," reading them over and over like prose poems, as they are, to the fitting accompaniment of sunshine, solitude, and sympathy, for letters went to and fro with praiseworthy regularity.

Rose much enjoyed this correspondence, and found herself regretting that it was at an end when she went home in September, for Mac wrote better than he talked, though he could do that remarkably well when he chose.

But she had no chance to express either pleasure or regret, for the first time she saw him after her return the great change in his appearance made her forget everything else.Some whim had seized him to be shaven and shorn, and when he presented himself to welcome Rose, she hardly knew him.The shaggy hair was nicely trimmed and brushed, the cherished brown beard entirely gone, showing a well-cut mouth and handsome chin and giving a new expression to the whole face.

"Are you trying to look like Keats?" she asked, after a critical glance, which left her undecided whether the change was an improvement or not.

"I am trying not to look like Uncle," answered Mac coolly.

"And why, if you please?" demanded Rose in great surprise.

"Because I prefer to look like myself, and not resemble any other man, no matter how good or great he may be.""You haven't succeeded then, for you look now very much like the young Augustus," returned Rose, rather pleased on the whole to see what a finely shaped head appeared after the rough thatch was off.

"Trust a woman to find a comparison for everything under the sun!" laughed Mac, not at all flattered by the one just made."What do you think of me, on the whole?" he asked a minute later, as he found Rose still scrutinizing him with a meditative air.

"Haven't made up my mind.It is such an entire change, I don't know you, and feel as if I ought to be introduced.You certainly look much more tidy, and I fancy I shall like it when I'm used to seeing a somewhat distinguished-looking man about the house instead of my old friend Orson,"answered Rose, with her head on one side to get a profile view.

"Don't tell Uncle why I did it, please­he thinks it was for the sake of coolness and likes it, so take no notice.They are all used to me now, and don't mind," said Mac, roving about the room as if rather ashamed of his whim after all.

"No, I won't, but you mustn't mind if I'm not as sociable as usual for a while.I never can be with strangers, and you really do seem like one.

That will be a punishment for your want of taste and love of originality,"returned Rose, resolved to punish him for the slight put upon her beloved uncle.

"As you like.I won't trouble you much anyway, for I'm going to be very busy.May go to L?this winter, if Uncle thinks best, and then my 'originality'

can't annoy you."

"I hope you won't go.Why, Mac, I'm just getting to know and enjoy you, and thought we'd have a nice time this winter reading something together.

Must you go?" And Rose seemed to forget his strangeness, as she held him still by one button while she talked.

"That would be nice.But I feel as if I must go­my plans are all made, and I've set my heart on it," answered Mac, looking so eager that Rose released him, saying sadly: "I suppose it is natural for you all to get restless and push off, but it is hard for me to let you go one after the other and stay here alone.Charlie is gone, Archie and Steve are wrapped up in their sweethearts, the boys away, and only Jamie left to 'play with Rose.'""But I'll come back, and you'll be glad I went if I bring you my­"began Mac with sudden animation, then stopped abruptly to bite his lips, as if he had nearly said too much.

"Your what?" asked Rose curiously, for he neither looked nor acted like himself.

"I forgot how long it takes to get a diploma," he said, walking away again.

"There will be one comfort if you go­you'll see Phebe and can tell me all about her, for she is so modest, she doesn't half do it.I shall want to know how she gets on, if she is engaged to sing ballads in the concerts they talk of for next winter.You will write, won't you?""Oh, yes! No doubt of that," and Mac laughed low to himself as he stooped to look at the little Psyche on the mantelpiece."What a pretty thing it is!" he added soberly as he took it up.

"Be careful.Uncle gave it to me last New Year, and I'm very fond of it.She is just lifting her lamp to see what Cupid is like, for she hasn't seen him yet," said Rose, busy putting her worktable in order.

"You ought to have a Cupid for her to look at.She has been waiting patiently a whole year, with nothing but a bronze lizard in sight," said Mac with the half-shy, half-daring look which was so new and puzzling.

"Cupid fled away as soon as she woke him, you know, and she had a bad time of it.She must wait longer till she can find and keep him.""Do you know she looks like you? Hair tied up in a knot, and a spiritual sort of face.Don't you see it?" asked Mac, turning the graceful little figure toward her.