`` I 'll go down on my knees and beg her pardon for treating her as if she was a child . Do n't it make her mad , though ? Come to think of it , she 's only two years or so younger than I am . But she is so small and pretty , she always seems like a dolly to me , '' and the Prince looked down from his lofty height of five feet five as if Rose was indeed a pygmy beside him . `` That dolly has got a real good little heart , and a bright mind of her own , you 'd better believe . Mac says she understands some things quicker than he can , and mother thinks she is an uncommonly nice girl , though she do n't know all creation . You need n't put on airs , Charlie , though you are a tall one , for Rose likes Archie better than you ; she said she did because he treated her respectfully . '' `` Steve looks as fierce as a game-cock ; but do n't you get excited , my son , for it wo n't do a bit of good . Of course , everybody likes the Chief best ; they ought to , and I 'll punch their heads if they do n't . So calm yourself , Dandy , and mend your own manners before you come down on other people 's . '' Thus the Prince with great dignity and perfect good nature , while Archie looked modestly gratified with the flattering opinions of his kinsfolk , and Steve subsided , feeling he had done his duty as a cousin and a brother . A pause ensued , during which Aunt Jane appeared in the other room , accompanied by a tea-tray sumptuously spread , and prepared to feed her big nestling , as that was a task she allowed no one to share with her . `` If you have a minute to spare before you go , child , I wish you 'd just make Mac a fresh shade ; this has got a berry stain on it , and he must be tidy , for he is to go out to-morrow if it is a cloudy day , '' said Mrs. Jane , spreading toast in a stately manner , while Mac slopped his tea about without receiving a word of reproof . `` Yes , aunt , '' answered Rose , so meekly that the boys could hardly believe it could be the same voice which had issued the stern command , `` Out of this room , every one of you ! '' not very long ago . They had not time to retire , without unseemly haste , before she walked into the parlour and sat down at the work-table without a word . It was funny to see the look the three tall lads cast at the little person sedately threading a needle with green silk . They all wanted to say something expressive of repentance , but no one knew how to begin , and it was evident , from the prim expression of Rose 's face , that she intended to stand upon her dignity till they had properly abased themselves . The pause was becoming very awkward , when Charlie , who possessed all the persuasive arts of a born scapegrace , went slowly down upon his knees before her , beat his breast , and said , in a heart-broken tone , `` Please forgive me this time , and I 'll never do so any more . '' It was very hard to keep sober , but Rose managed it and answered gravely , `` It is Mac 's pardon you should ask , not mine , for you have n't hurt me , and I should n't wonder if you had him a great deal , with all that light and racket , and talk about things that only worry him . ''
`` XXXXX you really think we 've hurt him , cousin ? ''
Do beat issued know looked looks retire spreading subsided wonder