sisters shook hands and welcomed him with bright faces and glad
hearts. Rose was nearly crushed flat behind a door in that
dangerous passage from pew to porch; but Uncle Mac rescued her,
and put her into the carriage for safe keeping.

"Now, girls, I want you to come and dine with Alec; Mac also, of
course. But I cannot ask the boys, for we did not expect this dear
fellow till tomorrow, you know, so I made no preparations. Send
the lads home, and let them wait till Monday, for really I was
shocked at their behaviour in church," said Aunt Plenty, as she
followed Rose.

In any other place the defrauded boys would have set up a howl; as
it was, they growled and protested till Dr. Alec settled the matter
by saying

"Never mind, old chaps, I'll make it up to you to-morrow, if you
sheer off quietly; if you don't, not a blessed thing shall you have
out of my big boxes."



Chapter 4 - Aunts

All dinner-time Rose felt that she was going to be talked about,
and afterward she was sure of it, for Aunt Plenty whispered to her
as they went into the parlour

"Run up and sit awhile with Sister Peace, my dear. She likes to
have you read while she rests, and we are going to be busy."