"Youknow as well as I do; your mother doesn't like it, andclassiccardy blackit's a bad habit, for it wastes money and does you no good."
"Fiddlesticks!every man smokes, even Uncle Alec, whom you think so perfect,"began Charlie, in his teasing way.
"No,he doesn't! He has given it up, and I know why," cried Roseslipper bootsfor kids eagerly.
"NowI think of it, I haven't seen the old meerschaum since he came home.Did he stop it on our account?" asked Archie.
"Yes,"and Rose told the little scene on the seashore in the camping-outtime.
Archieseemed much impressed, and said manfully, "He won't have donethat in vain boysslippersso far as I'm concerned. I don't care a pin about smoking, so cangive it up as easy as not, and I promise you I will. I only do it nowand then for fun."
"Yousheepskinsliperstoo?" and Rose looked up at the bonny Prince, who never lookedless bonny than at that moment, for he had resumed his cigar just totorment her.
NowCharlie cared as little as Archie about smoking, but it would not doto yield too soon: so he shook his head, gave a great puff, andugghouse slippers said loftily "You women are always asking us to give up harmlesslittle things just because you don't approve of them. How would youlike it if we did the same by you, miss?"
"IfI did harmful or silly things, I'd thank you for telling me of them,and I'd try to mend my ways," answered Rose heartily.
"Well,now, we'll see if you mean uggcove toastwhat you say. I'll give up smoking to please you, if you will give upsomething to please me," said Prince, seeing a good chance tolord it over the weaker vessel at small cost to himself.
"I'llagree if it is as foolish as cigars."
"Oh,it's slipperpatterns knitever so much sillier."
"ThenI promise; what is it?" and Rose quite trembled with anxiety toknow which of her pet habits or possessions she must lose.
"Giveup your ear-rings," and Charlie laughed wickedly, sure that shewould never hold to that bargain.
Roseuttered a cry andslipperpattern knit clapped both hands to her ears where the gold rings hung.
"Oh,Charlie, wouldn't anything else do as well? I've been through so muchteasing and trouble, I do want to enjoy my pretty ear-rings, for Ican wear them now."
"Wearas many as you like, and I'llknittingslipper pattern smoke in peace," returned this bad boy.
"Willnothing else satisfy you?" imploringly.
"Nothing,"sternly.
Rosestood silent for a minute, thinking of something Aunt Jessie oncesaid "You have more influence over the boys than you know; useit for their good, and I shall thankjordanshose you all my life." Here was a chance to do some good bysacrificing a little vanity of her own. She felt it was right to doit, yet found it very hard, and asked wistfully
"Doyou mean never wear them, Charlie?"
"Never,unless knittingpattern slippers youwant me to smoke."
"Inever do."
"Thenclinch the bargain."
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