Of course

　　"Of course, we choose to stay! Wouldn't miss our Saturday hightea for anything," said the Chief, as he restored order among hismen with a nod, a word, and an occasional shake.
　　"What is up? a court-martial?" asked Charlie, looking at theassembled ladies with affected awe and real curiosity, for thesefaces betrayed that some interesting business was afloat.
　　Dr. Alec explained in a few words, which he made as brief andcalm as he could; but the effect was exciting, nevertheless, foreach of the lads began at once to bribe, entice, and wheedle "ourcousin" to choose his home.
　　"You really ought to come to us for mother's sake, as a relish, youknow, for she must be perfectly satiated with boys," began Archie,using the strongest argument he could think of at the moment.
　　"Ah! yes," she thought, "he wants me most! I've often longed togive him something that he wished for very much, and now I can."So, when, at a sudden gesture from Aunt Peace, silence fell, Rosesaid slowly, with a pretty colour in her cheeks, and a beseechinglook about the room, as if asking pardon of the boys"It's very hard to choose when everybody is so fond of me;therefore I think I'd better go to the one who seems to need memost.""No, dear, the one you love the best and will be happiest with,"said Dr. Alec quickly, as a doleful sniff from Aunt Myra, and amurmur of "My sainted Caroline," made Rose pause and look thatway.
　　"Take time, cousin; don't be in a hurry to make up your mind, andremember, 'Codlin's your friend,' " added Charlie, hopeful still.
　　"I don't want any time! I know who I love best, who I'm happiestwith, and I choose uncle. Will he have me?" cried Rose, in a tonethat produced a sympathetic thrill among the hearers, it was so fullof tender confidence and love.
　　If she really had any doubt, the look in Dr. Alec's face banished itwithout a word, as he opened wide his arms, and she ran into them,feeling that home was there.
　　No one spoke for a minute, but there were signs of emotion amongthe aunts, which warned the boys to bestir themselves before thewater-works began to play. So they took hands and began toprance about uncle and niece, singing, with sudden inspiration, thenursery rhyme"Ring around a Rosy!"Of course that put an end to all sentiment, and Rose emergedlaughing from Dr. Alec's bosom, with the mark of a waistcoatbutton nicely imprinted on her left cheek. He saw it, and said witha merry kiss that half effaced it, "This is my ewe lamb, and I haveset my mark on her, so no one can steal her away."That tickled the boys, and they set up a shout of"Uncle had a little lamb!"But Rose hushed the noise by slipping into the circle, and makingthem dance prettily like lads and lasses round a May-pole; whilePhebe, coming in with fresh water for the flowers, began to twitter,chirp, and coo, as if all the birds of the air had come to join in thespring revel of the eight cousins.
　　For the sequel, see "The Rose in Bloom."