As Rose stood looking in discount uggs for women that direction, and wondering if a rat hadgot shut in, the door of the case swung slowly open, and with agreat start she saw a bony arm lifted, and a bony finger beckon toher. For a minute she was frightened, and ran to the study doorwith a fluttering heart, but just as she touched the handle a queer,stifled sort of giggle made her stop short and turn red with anger.
     　　She paused an instant to collect herself, and then went softlytoward the bony beckoner. A nearer look revealed black threadstied to the arm and cheap uggs online fingers, the ends of threads disappearingthrough holes bored in the back of the case. Peeping into the darkrecess, she also caught sight of the tip of an elbow covered with arough gray cloth which she knew very well.
     　　Quick as a flash she understood the joke, her fear vanished, andwith a wicked smile, she whipped out her scissors, cut the threads,and the bony arm dropped with a rattle. Before she could say,"Come out, Charlie, and let my skeleton alone," a sudden irruptionof boys, all in a high state of discount ugg boots tickle, proclaimed to the hidden roguethat his joke was a failure.
     　　"I told him not to do it, because it might give you a start,"explained Archie, emerging from the closet.
     　　"I had a smelling bottle all ready if she fainted away," added Steve,popping up from behind the great chair.
     　　"It's too bad of you not to squawk and run; we depended on it, it'ssuch fun to howl after you," said Will and Geordie, rolling outfrom under the sofa in a promiscuous heap.
     　　"You are getting altogether too strong-minded, Rose; most girlswould have cheap moncler jackets for women been in a jolly twitter to see this old fellow wagglinghis finger at them," complained Charlie, squeezing out from histight quarters, dusty and disgusted.
     　　"I'm used to your pranks now, so I'm always on the watch andprepared. But I won't have Brother Bones made fun of. I knowuncle wouldn't like it, so please don't," began Rose just as Dr. Aleccame in, and, seeing the state of the case at a glance, he saidquietly"Hear how I got that skeleton, and then I'm sure you will treat itwith respect."The boys settled discount ugg boots down at once on any article of furniture that wasnearest and listened dutifully.
     　　"Years ago, when I was in the hospital, a poor fellow was broughtthere with a rare and very painful disease. There was no hope forhim, but we did our best, and he was so grateful that when he diedhe left us his body that we might discover the mysteries of hiscomplaint, and so be able to help others afflicted in the same way.