"'No "Rose Atherton" ever was what country people call "buxom"! I'm
_not_ countrified!' I said, half expecting to be scolded, but Uncle
John put his arm around me, and drew me closer as he said:

"'Indeed you are not, unless fresh color, and dimples, mean countrified,
when I should think the term a compliment.' Then he turned to Great
Aunt Rose.

"'I have endeavored, ever since I have had little Rose under my care,
to keep her much in the open air, and she has gained strength from
sunshine and breeze,' he said.

"'I knew it! I knew it!' she said, springing from the sofa, and looking
dreadfully excited, 'and that is the reason for my call. You'll have
her tanned with the sun, and her complexion ruined by the wind, and
she'll look like anything but an Atherton by the time she's a young
lady!

"'You must let her return to the old Atherton house with me, and in
its quiet, refining influence she will regain the delicate appearance
that was so charming.

"'Rose, will you come with me?'

"She put out her hand as if she meant to take me, whether I wanted to
go with her or not, and for the moment I forgot that Uncle John was
big enough, and brave enough, to keep me with him.

"I screamed, and ran from the room, and oh, I know it was rude, and