Eight cousins : or, The aunt-hill

40 EIGHT COUSINS.emn wag of the funereal bonnet, which she refusedto remove, being afflicted with a chronic catarrh."Now, it is my ojDinion that the dear thing onlywants freedom, rest, and care. There is a look in hereyes that goes to my heart, for it shows that she feelsthe need of what none of us can give her, — a mother,"said Aunt Jessie, with tears in her own brighteyes atthe thought of her boys being left, as Rose was, to thecare of others.Uncle Alec, who had listened silently as each spoke,turned quickly toward the last sister, and said, with adecided nod of approval, —" You 've got it, Jessie ; and, with you to help me, Ihope to make the child feel that she is not quite fatherlessand motherless."" I '11 do my best. Alec ; and I think you iinll needme, for, wise as you are, you cannot understand a tender,timid little creature like Rose as a woman can,"said Mrs. Jessie,smiling back at him with a heart fullof motherly good-will."I cannot help feeling that 7", who have had adaughter of my own, can best bring up a girl ; and Iam very much surprised that George did not intrusther to me," observed Aunt Myra, with an air of melancholyimportance, for she was the only one who hadgiven a daughter to the family, and she felt that shehad distinguished herself, though ill-natured peoplesaid that she had dosed her darling to death." I never blamed him in the least, when I rememberthe perilous experiments you tried with poor Carrie,"began Mrs. Jane, in her hard voice." Jane Campbell, I will not hear a word ! Mysainted