EIGHT COUSINS & ROSE IN BLOOM. Луиза Мэй Олкотт

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EIGHT COUSINS & ROSE IN BLOOM - Луиза Мэй Олкотт


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       Louisa May Alcott

      EIGHT COUSINS & ROSE IN BLOOM

      A Story of Rose Campbell (Children's Classics)

      Published by

      Books

      - Advanced Digital Solutions & High-Quality eBook Formatting -

       [email protected]

      2017 OK Publishing

      ISBN 978-80-7583-980-0

       Eight Cousins; or, The Aunt-Hill

       Rose in Bloom: A Sequel to Eight Cousins

       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?

      Preface

      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.

      Chapter 1—Two Girls

       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,


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