Louisa Alcott - EIGHT COUSINS & ROSE IN BLOOM

Louisa May Alcott

A Story of Rose Campbell (Children's Classics)

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2017 OK Publishing

ISBN 978-80-7583-980-0

Eight Cousins; or, The Aunt-Hill Eight Cousins; or, The Aunt-Hill Table of Contents Chapter 1—Two Girls Chapter 2—The Clan Chapter 3—Uncles Chapter 4—Aunts Chapter 5—A Belt and a Box Chapter 6—Uncle Alec's Room Chapter 7—A Trip to China Chapter 8—And what came of it Chapter 9—Phebe's Secret Chapter 10—Rose's Sacrifice Chapter 11—Poor Mac Chapter 12—"The Other Fellows" Chapter 13—Cosey Corner Chapter 14—A Happy Birthday Chapter 15—Ear-Rings Chapter 16—Bread and Button-Holes Chapter 17—Good Bargains Chapter 18—Fashion and Physiology Chapter 19—Brother Bones Chapter 20—Under The Mistletoe Chapter 21—A Scare Chapter 22—Something to do Chapter 23—Peace-Making Chapter 24—Which?

Rose in Bloom: A Sequel to Eight Cousins

Table of Contents Table of Contents Eight Cousins; or, The Aunt-Hill Eight Cousins; or, The Aunt-Hill Table of Contents Chapter 1—Two Girls Chapter 2—The Clan Chapter 3—Uncles Chapter 4—Aunts Chapter 5—A Belt and a Box Chapter 6—Uncle Alec's Room Chapter 7—A Trip to China Chapter 8—And what came of it Chapter 9—Phebe's Secret Chapter 10—Rose's Sacrifice Chapter 11—Poor Mac Chapter 12—"The Other Fellows" Chapter 13—Cosey Corner Chapter 14—A Happy Birthday Chapter 15—Ear-Rings Chapter 16—Bread and Button-Holes Chapter 17—Good Bargains Chapter 18—Fashion and Physiology Chapter 19—Brother Bones Chapter 20—Under The Mistletoe Chapter 21—A Scare Chapter 22—Something to do Chapter 23—Peace-Making Chapter 24—Which? Rose in Bloom: A Sequel to Eight Cousins

Chapter 1—Two Girls

Chapter 2—The Clan

Chapter 3—Uncles

Chapter 4—Aunts

Chapter 5—A Belt and a Box

Chapter 6—Uncle Alec's Room

Chapter 7—A Trip to China

Chapter 8—And what came of it

Chapter 9—Phebe's Secret

Chapter 10—Rose's Sacrifice

Chapter 11—Poor Mac

Chapter 12—"The Other Fellows"

Chapter 13—Cosey Corner

Chapter 14—A Happy Birthday

Chapter 15—Ear-Rings

Chapter 16—Bread and Button-Holes

Chapter 17—Good Bargains

Chapter 18—Fashion and Physiology

Chapter 19—Brother Bones

Chapter 20—Under The Mistletoe

Chapter 21—A Scare

Chapter 22—Something to do

Chapter 23—Peace-Making

Chapter 24—Which?

The Author is quite aware of the defects of this little story, many of which were unavoidable, as it first appeared serially. But, as Uncle Alec's experiment was intended to amuse the young folks, rather than suggest educational improvements for the consideration of the elders, she trusts that these shortcomings will be overlooked by the friends of the Eight Cousins, and she will try to make amends in a second volume, which shall attempt to show The Rose in Bloom.

L.M.A.

Table of Contents

Rose sat all alone in the big best parlor, with her little handkerchief laid ready to catch the first tear, for she was thinking of her troubles, and a shower was expected. She had retired to this room as a good place in which to be miserable; for it was dark and still, full of ancient furniture, sombre curtains, and hung all around with portraits of solemn old gentlemen in wigs, severe-nosed ladies in top-heavy caps, and staring children in little bob-tailed coats or short-waisted frocks. It was an excellent place for woe; and the fitful spring rain that pattered on the window-pane seemed to sob, "Cry away: I'm with you."

Rose really did have some cause to be sad; for she had no mother, and had lately lost her father also, which left her no home but this with her great-aunts. She had been with them only a week, and, though the dear old ladies had tried their best to make her happy, they had not succeeded very well, for she was unlike any child they had ever seen, and they felt very much as if they had the care of a low-spirited butterfly.

They had given her the freedom of the house, and for a day or two she had amused herself roaming all over it, for it was a capital old mansion, and was full of all manner of odd nooks, charming rooms, and mysterious passages. Windows broke out in unexpected places, little balconies overhung the garden most romantically, and there was a long upper hall full of curiosities from all parts of the world; for the Campbells had been sea-captains for generations.

Aunt Plenty had even allowed Rose to rummage in her great china closet a spicy retreat, rich in all the "goodies" that children love; but Rose seemed to care little for these toothsome temptations; and when that hope failed, Aunt Plenty gave up in despair.

Gentle Aunt Peace had tried all sorts of pretty needle-work, and planned a doll's wardrobe that would have won the heart of even an older child. But Rose took little interest in pink satin hats and tiny hose, though she sewed dutifully till her aunt caught her wiping tears away with the train of a wedding-dress, and that discovery put an end to the sewing society.

Then both old ladies put their heads together and picked out the model child of the neighbourhood to come and play with their niece. But Ariadne Blish was the worst failure of all, for Rose could not bear the sight of her, and said she was so like a wax doll she longed to give her a pinch and see if she would squeak. So prim little Ariadne was sent home, and the exhausted aunties left Rose to her own devices for a day or two.

Bad weather and a cold kept her in-doors, and she spent most of her time in the library where her father's books were stored. Here she read a great deal, cried a little, and dreamed many of the innocent bright dreams in which imaginative children find such comfort and delight. This suited her better than anything else, but it was not good for her, and she grew pale, heavy-eyed and listless, though Aunt Plenty gave her iron enough to make a cooking-stove, and Aunt Peace petted her like a poodle.

Seeing this, the poor aunties racked their brains for a new amusement and determined to venture a bold stroke, though not very hopeful of its success. They said nothing to Rose about their plan for this Saturday afternoon, but let her alone till the time came for the grand surprise, little dreaming that the odd child would find pleasure for herself in a most unexpected quarter.

Before she had time to squeeze out a single tear a sound broke the stillness, making her prick up her ears. It was only the soft twitter of a bird, but it seemed to be a peculiarly gifted bird, for while she listened the soft twitter changed to a lively whistle, then a trill, a coo, a chirp, and ended in a musical mixture of all the notes, as if the bird burst out laughing. Rose laughed also, and, forgetting her woes, jumped up, saying eagerly,

"It is a mocking-bird. Where is it?"

Running down the long hall, she peeped out at both doors, but saw nothing feathered except a draggle-tailed chicken under a burdock leaf. She listened again, and the sound seemed to be in the house. Away she went, much excited by the chase, and following the changeful song, it led her to the china-closet door.