`` Thank you , my dear , '' said the innocent gentleman , looking much pleased at the unexpected honour . `` Oh , come ; that 's not fair , '' began Charlie . But Rose cut him short by saying , as she made him a fine courtesy , `` You said ` Old Mac , ' and though it was very disrespectful , I did it . That was your last chance , sir , and you 've lost it . '' He certainly had , for , as he spoke , Rose pulled down the mistletoe and threw it into the fire , while the boys jeered at the crestfallen Prince , and exalted quick-witted Rose to the skies . `` What 's the joke ? '' asked young Mac , waked out of a brown study by the laughter , in which the elders joined . But there was a regular shout when , the matter having been explained to him , Mac took a meditative stare at Rose through his goggles , and said in a philosophical tone , `` Well , I do n't think I should have minded much if she had done it . '' That tickled the lads immensely , and nothing but the appearance of a slight refection would have induced them to stop chaffing the poor Worm , who could not see anything funny in the beautiful resignation he had shown on this trying occasion . Soon after this , the discovery of Jamie curled up in the sofa corner , as sound asleep as a dormouse , suggested the propriety of going home , and a general move was made . They were all standing about the hall lingering over the good-nights , when the sound of a voice softly singing `` Sweet Home , '' made them pause and listen . It was Phebe , poor little Phebe , who never had a home , never knew the love of father or mother , brother or sister ; who stood all alone in the wide world , yet was not sad nor afraid , but took her bits of happiness gratefully , and sung over her work without a thought of discontent . I fancy the happy family standing there together remembered this and felt the beauty of it , for when the solitary voice came to the burden of its song , other voices took it up and finished it so sweetly , that the old house seemed to echo the word `` Home '' in the ears of both the orphan girls , who had just spent their first Christmas under its hospitable roof . Chapter 21 -- A Scare `` Brother Alec , you surely do n't mean to allow that child to go out such a bitter cold day as this , '' said Mrs. Myra , looking into the study , where the Doctor sat reading his paper , one February morning . `` Why not ? If a delicate invalid like yourself can bear it , surely my hearty girl can , especially as she is dressed for cold weather , '' answered Dr. Alec with provoking confidence . `` But you have no idea how sharp the wind is . I am chilled to the very marrow of my bones , '' answered Aunt Myra , chafing the end of her purple nose with her sombre glove . `` I do n't doubt it , ma'am , if you will wear crape and silk instead of fur and flannel . Rosy goes out in all weathers , and will be none the worse for an hour 's brisk skating . ''
`` Well , I warn you that you are trifling with the child 's health , and depending too much on the seeming improvement she has XXXXX this year .
come cut felt finished going knew lingering made stare tickled