Off with you ! '' said Uncle Alec , with a look and a gesture that made Rose scurry away as fast as she could go . Anxious to please him , she raced round the beds till she came back to the porch where he stood , and , dropping down upon the steps , she sat panting , with cheeks as rosy as the rigolette on her shoulders . `` Very well done , child ; I see you have not lost the use of your limbs though you are in your teens . That belt is too tight ; unfasten it , then you can take a long breath without panting so . '' `` It is n't tight , sir ; I can breathe perfectly well , '' began Rose , trying to compose herself . Her uncle 's only answer was to lift her up and unhook the new belt of which she was so proud . The moment the clasp was open the belt flew apart several inches , for it was impossible to restrain the involuntary sigh of relief that flatly contradicted her words . `` Why , I did n't know it was tight ! it did n't feel so a bit . Of course it would open if I puff like this , but I never do , because I hardly ever run , '' explained Rose , rather discomfited by this discovery . `` I see you do n't half fill your lungs , and so you can wear this absurd thing without feeling it . The idea of cramping a tender little waist in a stiff band of leather and steel just when it ought to be growing , '' said Dr. Alec , surveying the belt with great disfavour as he put the clasp forward several holes , to Rose 's secret dismay , for she was proud of her slender figure , and daily rejoiced that she was n't as stout as Luly Miller , a former schoolmate , who vainly tried to repress her plumpness . `` It will fall off if it is so loose , '' she said anxiously , as she stood watching him pull her precious belt about . `` Not if you keep taking long breaths to hold it on . That is what I want you to do , and when you have filled this out we will go on enlarging it till your waist is more like that of Hebe , goddess of health , and less like that of a fashion-plate the ugliest thing imaginable . '' `` How it does look ! '' and Rose gave a glance of scorn at the loose belt hanging round her trim little waist . `` It will be lost , and then I shall feel badly , for it cost ever so much , and is real steel and Russia leather . Just smell how nice . ''
`` If it is XXXXX I 'll give you a better one .
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