Papa named this place the Aunt-hill, and now I see why." Phebe laughed with her as she said encouragingly, "Everyone calls it so, and it's a real good name, for all the Mrs.
Campbells live handy by, and keep coming up to see the old ladies." "I could stand the aunts, but there are dozens of cousins, dreadful boys all of them, and I detest boys! Some of them came to see me last Wednesday, but I was lying down, and when auntie came to call me I went under the quilt and pretended to be asleep.

I shall have to see them some time, but I do dread it so." And Rose gave a shudder, for, having lived alone with her invalid father, she knew nothing of boys, and considered them a species of wild animal.
"Oh! I guess you'll like 'em.

I've seen 'em flying round when they come over from the Point, sometimes in their boats and sometimes on horseback.

If you like boats and horses, you'll enjoy yourself first-rate." "But I don't! I'm afraid of horses, and boats make me ill, and I hate boys!" And poor Rose wrung her hands at the awful prospect before her.
One of these horrors alone she could have borne, but all together were too much for her, and she began to think of a speedy return to the detested school.
Phebe laughed at her woe till the beans danced in the pan, but tried to comfort her by suggesting a means of relief.
"Perhaps your uncle will take you away where there ain't any boys.

Debby says he is a real kind man, and always bring heaps of nice things when he comes." "Yes, but you see that is another trouble, for I don't know Uncle Alec at all.