A great chirping and twittering went on among the birds, busy with their summer house-keeping, and, far away, the white-winged gulls were dipping and diving in the sea, where ships, like larger birds, went sailing to and fro.
"Oh, Phebe, it's such a lovely day, I do wish your fine secret was going to happen right away! I feel just like having a good time; don't you ?" said Rose, waving her arms as if she was going to fly.
"I often feel that way, but I have to wait for my good times, and don't stop working to wish for 'em.

There, now you can finish as soon as the dust settles; I must go do my stairs," and Phebe trudged away with the broom, singing as she went.
Rose leaned where she was, and fell to thinking how many good times she had had lately, for the gardening had prospered finely, and she was learning to swim and row, and there were drives and walks, and quiet hours of reading and talk with Uncle Alec, and, best of all, the old pain and ennui seldom troubled her now.

She could work and play all day, sleep sweetly all night, and enjoy life with the zest of a healthy, happy child.

She was far from being as strong and hearty as Phebe, but she was getting on; the once pale cheeks had colour in them now, the hands were growing plump and brown, and the belt was not much too loose.
No one talked to her about her health, and she forgot that she had "no constitution." She took no medicine but Dr.Alec's three great remedies, and they seemed to suit her excellently.

Aunt Plenty said it was the pills; but, as no second batch had ever followed the first, I think the old lady was mistaken.
Rose looked worthy of her name as she stood smiling to herself over a happier secret than any Phebe had a secret which she did not know herself till she found out, some years later, the magic of good health.
"'Look only,' said the brownie, 'At the pretty gown of blue, At the kerchief pinned about her head, And at her little shoe,"' said a voice from below, as a great cabbage-rose came flying against her cheek.
"What is the princess dreaming about up there in her hanging-garden ?" added Dr.Alec as she flung back a morning-glory.
"I was wishing I could do something pleasant this fine day; something very new and interesting, for the wind makes me feel frisky and gay." "Suppose we take a pull over to the Island?
I intended to go this afternoon; but if you feel more like it now, we can be off at once." "I do! I do! I'll come in fifteen minutes, uncle.