An awkward minute for poor Phebe, but she showed unexpected presence of mind and left behind her a pretty picture of the oldest and youngest orphan as she went quickly down the step, smiling over the great bouquet with the baby on her arm.
Nobody minded the closing piece, for people began to go, sleepy children to be carried off, and whispers grew into a buzz of conversation.In the general confusion Rose looked to see if Steve had remembered his promise to help Phebe slip away before the rush began.No, there he was putting on Kitty's cloak, quite oblivious to any other duty.Turning to ask Archie to hurry out, Rose found that he had already vanished, leaving his gloves behind him.
"Have you lost anything?" asked Dr.Alec, catching a glimpse of her face.
"No, sir, I've found something," she whispered back, giving him the gloves to pocket along with her fan and glass, adding hastily as the concert ended, "Please, Uncle, tell them all not to come with us.Phebe has had enough excitement and ought to rest."Rose's word was law to the family in all things concerning Phebe.So word was passed that there were to be no congratulations until tomorrow, and Dr.Alec got his party off as soon as possible.But all the way home, while he and Aunt Plenty were prophesying a brilliant future for the singer, Rose sat rejoicing over the happy present of the woman.She was sure that Archie had spoken and imagined the whole scene with feminine delight­how tenderly he had asked the momentous question, how gratefully Phebe had given the desired reply, and now how both were enjoying that delicious hour which Rose had been given to understand never came but once.Such a pity to shorten it, she thought, and begged her uncle to go home the longest way­the night was so mild, the moonlight so clear, and herself so in need of fresh air after the excitement of the evening.
"I thought you would want to rush into Phebe's arms the instant she got done," said Aunt Plenty, innocently wondering at the whims girls took into their heads.
"So I should if I consulted my own wishes, but as Phebe asked to be let alone I want to gratify her," answered Rose, making the best excuse she could.
"A little piqued," thought the doctor, fancying he understood the case.
As the old lady's rheumatism forbade their driving about till midnight, home was reached much too soon, Rose thought, and tripped away to warn the lovers the instant she entered the house.But study, parlor, and boudoir were empty; and, when Jane appeared with cake and wine, she reported that "Miss Phebe went right upstairs and wished to be excused, please, being very tired.""That isn't at all like Phebe­I hope she isn't ill," began Aunt Plenty, sitting down to toast her feet.
"She may be a little hysterical, for she is a proud thing and represses her emotions as long as she can.I'll step up and see if she doesn't need a soothing draft of some sort." And Dr.Alec threw off his coat as he spoke.
"No, no, she's only tired.I'll run up to her­she won't mind me­and I'll report if anything is amiss."Away went Rose, quite trembling with suspense, but Phebe's door was shut, no light shone underneath, and no sound came from the room within.
She tapped and receiving no answer, went on to her own chamber, thinking to herself: "Love always makes people queer, I've heard, so I suppose they settled it all in the carriage and the dear thing ran away to think about her happiness alone.I'll not disturb her.Why, Phebe!" said Rose, surprised, for, entering her room, there was the cantatrice, busy about the nightly services she always rendered her little mistress.
"I'm waiting for you, dear.Where have you been so long?" asked Phebe, poking the fire as if anxious to get some color into cheeks that were unnaturally pale.
The instant she spoke Rose knew that something was wrong, and a glance at her face confirmed the fear.It was like a dash of cold water and quenched her happy fancies in a moment; but being a delicate-minded girl, she respected Phebe's mood and asked no questions, made no comments, and left her friend to speak or be silent as she chose.
"I was so excited I would take a turn in the moonlight to calm my nerves.
Oh, dearest Phebe, I am so glad, so proud, so full of wonder at your courage and skill and sweet ways altogether that I cannot half tell you how I love and honor you!" she cried, kissing the white cheeks with such tender warmth they could not help glowing faintly as Phebe held her little mistress close, sure that nothing could disturb this innocent affection.
"It is all your work, dear, because but for you I might still be scrubbing floors and hardly dare to dream of anything like this," she said in her old grateful way, but in her voice there was a thrill of something deeper than gratitude, and at the last two words her head went up with a gesture of soft pride as if it had been newly crowned.
Rose heard and saw and guessed at the meaning of both tone and gesture, feeling that her Phebe deserved both the singer's laurel and the bride's myrtle wreath.But she only looked up, saying very wistfully: "Then it has been a happy night for you as well as for us.""The happiest of my life, and the hardest," answered Phebe briefly as she looked away from the questioning eyes.
"You should have let us come nearer and help you through.I'm afraid you are very proud, my Jenny Lind.""I have to be, for sometimes I feel as if I had nothing else to keep me up." She stopped short there, fearing that her voice would prove traitorous if she went on.In a moment she asked in a tone that was almost hard: "You think I did well tonight?""They all think so, and were so delighted they wanted to come in a body and tell you so, but I sent them home because I knew you'd be tired out.
