It is a pleasure to hear you , for you read remarkably well , '' was the answer that filled her heart with pride and pleasure . `` Do you really think so , uncle ? I 'm so glad ! Papa taught me , and I read for hours to him , but I thought perhaps , he liked it because he was fond of me . '' `` So am I ; but you really do read unusually well , and I 'm very glad of it , for it is a rare accomplishment , and one I value highly . Come here in this cosy , low chair ; the light is better , and I can pull these curls if you go too fast . I see you are going to be a great comfort as well as a great credit to your old uncle , Rosy . '' And Dr. Alec drew her close beside him with such a fatherly look and tone that she felt it would be very easy to love and obey him , since he knew how to mix praise and blame so pleasantly together . Another chapter was just finished , when the sound of a carriage warned them that Aunt Jane was about to depart . Before they could go to meet her , however , she appeared in the doorway looking like an unusually tall mummy in her waterproof , with her glasses shining like cat 's eyes from the depths of the hood . `` Just as I thought ! petting that child to death and letting her sit up late reading trash . I do hope you feel the weight of the responsibility you have taken upon yourself , Alec , '' she said , with a certain grim sort of satisfaction at seeing things go wrong . `` I think I have a very realising sense of it , sister Jane , '' answered Dr. Alec , with a comical shrug of the shoulders and a glance at Rose 's bright face . `` It is sad to see a great girl wasting these precious hours so . Now , my boys have studied all day , and Mac is still at his books , I 've no doubt , while you have not had a lesson since you came , I suspect . '' `` I 've had five to-day , ma'am , '' was Rose 's very unexpected answer . `` I 'm glad to hear it ; and what were they , pray ? '' Rose looked very demure as she replied , `` Navigation , geography , grammar , arithmetic , and keeping my temper . '' `` Queer lessons , I fancy ; and what have you learned from this remarkable mixture , I should like to know ? ''
A naughty sparkle XXXXX into Rose 's eyes as she answered , with a droll look at her uncle , `` I ca n't tell you all , ma'am , but I have collected some useful information about China , which you may like , especially the teas .
Come Do came feel keeping learned pray realising suspect warned