English
JowasthefirsttowakeinthegraydawnofChristmasmorning.
Nostockingshungatthefireplace,andforamomentshefeltasmuchdisappointedasshedidlongago,whenherlittlesockfelldownbecauseitwascrammedsofullofgoodies.
Thensherememberedhermother'spromiseand,slippingherhandunderherpillow,drewoutalittlecrimson–coveredbook.
Sheknewitverywell,foritwasthatbeautifuloldstoryofthebestlifeeverlived,andJofeltthatitwasatrueguidebookforanypilgrimgoingonalongjourney.
ShewokeMegwitha"MerryChristmas,"andbadeherseewhatwasunderherpillow.
Agreen–coveredbookappeared,withthesamepictureinside,andafewwordswrittenbytheirmother,whichmadetheironepresentverypreciousintheireyes.
PresentlyBethandAmywoketorummageandfindtheirlittlebooksalso,onedove–colored,theotherblue,andallsatlookingatandtalkingaboutthem,whiletheeastgrewrosywiththecomingday.
Inspiteofhersmallvanities,Margarethadasweetandpiousnature,whichunconsciouslyinfluencedhersisters,especiallyJo,wholovedherverytenderly,andobeyedherbecauseheradvicewassogentlygiven.
"Girls,"saidMegseriously,lookingfromthetumbledheadbesidehertothetwolittlenight–cappedonesintheroombeyond,"Motherwantsustoreadandloveandmindthesebooks,andwemustbeginatonce.
Weusedtobefaithfulaboutit,butsinceFatherwentawayandallthiswartroubleunsettledus,wehaveneglectedmanythings.
Youcandoasyouplease,butIshallkeepmybookonthetablehereandreadalittleeverymorningassoonasIwake,forIknowitwilldomegoodandhelpmethroughtheday."
Thensheopenedhernewbookandbegantoread.Joputherarmroundherand,leaningcheektocheek,readalso,withthequietexpressionsoseldomseenonherrestlessface.
"HowgoodMegis!Come,Amy,let'sdoastheydo.
I'llhelpyouwiththehardwords,andthey'llexplainthingsifwedon'tunderstand,"whisperedBeth,verymuchimpressedbytheprettybooksandhersisters'example.
"I'mgladmineisblue,"saidAmy.andthentheroomswereverystillwhilethepagesweresoftlyturned,andthewintersunshinecreptintotouchthebrightheadsandseriousfaceswithaChristmasgreeting.
"WhereisMother?"askedMeg,assheandJorandowntothankherfortheirgifts,halfanhourlater.
"Goodnessonlyknows.Somepoorcreetercamea–beggin',andyourmawentstraightofftoseewhatwasneeded.
Thereneverwassuchawomanforgivin'awayvittlesanddrink,clothesandfirin',"repliedHannah,whohadlivedwiththefamilysinceMegwasborn,andwasconsideredbythemallmoreasafriendthanaservant.
"Shewillbebacksoon,Ithink,sofryyourcakes,andhaveeverythingready,"saidMeg,lookingoverthepresentswhichwerecollectedinabasketandkeptunderthesofa,readytobeproducedatthepropertime.
"Why,whereisAmy'sbottleofcologne?"
sheadded,asthelittleflaskdidnotappear.
"Shetookitoutaminuteago,andwentoffwithittoputaribbononit,orsomesuchnotion,"repliedJo,dancingabouttheroomtotakethefirststiffnessoffthenewarmyslippers.
"Hownicemyhandkerchiefslook,don'tthey?
Hannahwashedandironedthemforme,andImarkedthemallmyself,"saidBeth,lookingproudlyatthesomewhatunevenletterswhichhadcosthersuchlabor.
"Blessthechild!She'sgoneandput'Mother'ontheminsteadof'M.March'.Howfunny!"criedJo,takingoneup.
"Isn'tthatright?Ithoughtitwasbettertodoitso,becauseMeg'sinitialsareM.M.,andIdon'twantanyonetousethesebutMarmee,"saidBeth,lookingtroubled.
"It'sallright,dear,andaveryprettyidea,quitesensibletoo,fornoonecanevermistakenow.Itwillpleaseherverymuch,Iknow,"saidMeg,withafrownforJoandasmileforBeth.
"There'sMother.Hidethebasket,quick!"criedJo,asadoorslammedandstepssoundedinthehall.
Amycameinhastily,andlookedratherabashedwhenshesawhersistersallwaitingforher.
"Wherehaveyoubeen,andwhatareyouhidingbehindyou?"askedMeg,surprisedtosee,byherhoodandcloak,thatlazyAmyhadbeenoutsoearly.
"Don'tlaughatme,Jo!Ididn'tmeananyoneshouldknowtillthetimecame.
Ionlymeanttochangethelittlebottleforabigone,andIgaveallmymoneytogetit,andI'mtrulytryingnottobeselfishanymore."
Asshespoke,Amyshowedthehandsomeflaskwhichreplacedthecheapone,andlookedsoearnestandhumbleinherlittleefforttoforgetherselfthatMeghuggedheronthespot,andJopronouncedher'atrump',whileBethrantothewindow,andpickedherfinestrosetoornamentthestatelybottle.
"YouseeIfeltashamedofmypresent,afterreadingandtalkingaboutbeinggoodthismorning,soIranroundthecornerandchangedittheminuteIwasup,andI'msoglad,formineisthehandsomestnow."
Anotherbangofthestreetdoorsentthebasketunderthesofa,andthegirlstothetable,eagerforbreakfast.
"MerryChristmas,Marmee!Manyofthem!Thankyouforourbooks.Wereadsome,andmeantoeveryday,"theyallcriedinchorus.
"MerryChristmas,littledaughters!I'mgladyoubeganatonce,andhopeyouwillkeepon.
ButIwanttosayonewordbeforewesitdown.
Notfarawayfromhereliesapoorwomanwithalittlenewbornbaby.
Sixchildrenarehuddledintoonebedtokeepfromfreezing,fortheyhavenofire.
Thereisnothingtoeatoverthere,andtheoldestboycametotellmetheyweresufferinghungerandcold.
Mygirls,willyougivethemyourbreakfastasaChristmaspresent?"
Theywereallunusuallyhungry,havingwaitednearlyanhour,andforaminutenoonespoke,onlyaminute,forJoexclaimedimpetuously,"I'msogladyoucamebeforewebegan!"
"MayIgoandhelpcarrythethingstothepoorlittlechildren?"askedBetheagerly.
"Ishalltakethecreamandthemuffings,"addedAmy,heroicallygivingupthearticleshemostliked.
Megwasalreadycoveringthebuckwheats,andpilingthebreadintoonebigplate.
"Ithoughtyou'ddoit,"saidMrs.March,smilingasifsatisfied."Youshallallgoandhelpme,andwhenwecomebackwewillhavebreadandmilkforbreakfast,andmakeitupatdinnertime."
Theyweresoonready,andtheprocessionsetout.Fortunatelyitwasearly,andtheywentthroughbackstreets,sofewpeoplesawthem,andnoonelaughedatthequeerparty.
Apoor,bare,miserableroomitwas,withbrokenwindows,nofire,raggedbedclothes,asickmother,wailingbaby,andagroupofpale,hungrychildrencuddledunderoneoldquilt,tryingtokeepwarm.
Howthebigeyesstaredandthebluelipssmiledasthegirlswentin.
"Ach,meinGott!Itisgoodangelscometous!"saidthepoorwoman,cryingforjoy.
"Funnyangelsinhoodsandmittens,"saidJo,andsetthemtolaughing.
Inafewminutesitreallydidseemasifkindspiritshadbeenatworkthere.
Hannah,whohadcarriedwood,madeafire,andstoppedupthebrokenpaneswitholdhatsandherowncloak.
Mrs.Marchgavethemotherteaandgruel,andcomfortedherwithpromisesofhelp,whileshedressedthelittlebabyastenderlyasifithadbeenherown.
Thegirlsmeantimespreadthetable,setthechildrenroundthefire,andfedthemlikesomanyhungrybirds,laughing,talking,andtryingtounderstandthefunnybrokenEnglish.
"Dasistgut!""DieEngel–kinder!"
criedthepoorthingsastheyateandwarmedtheirpurplehandsatthecomfortableblaze.
Thegirlshadneverbeencalledangelchildrenbefore,andthoughtitveryagreeable,especiallyJo,whohadbeenconsidereda'Sancho'eversinceshewasborn.
Thatwasaveryhappybreakfast,thoughtheydidn'tgetanyofit.
Andwhentheywentaway,leavingcomfortbehind,IthinktherewerenotinallthecityfourmerrierpeoplethanthehungrylittlegirlswhogaveawaytheirbreakfastsandcontentedthemselveswithbreadandmilkonChristmasmorning.
"That'slovingourneighborbetterthanourselves,andIlikeit,"saidMeg,astheysetouttheirpresentswhiletheirmotherwasupstairscollectingclothesforthepoorHummels.
Notaverysplendidshow,buttherewasagreatdealoflovedoneupinthefewlittlebundles,andthetallvaseofredroses,whitechrysanthemums,andtrailingvines,whichstoodinthemiddle,gavequiteanelegantairtothetable.
"She'scoming!Strikeup,Beth!Openthedoor,Amy!ThreecheersforMarmee!"criedJo,prancingaboutwhileMegwenttoconductMothertotheseatofhonor.
Bethplayedhergayestmarch,Amythrewopenthedoor,andMegenactedescortwithgreatdignity.
Mrs.Marchwasbothsurprisedandtouched,andsmiledwithhereyesfullassheexaminedherpresentsandreadthelittlenoteswhichaccompaniedthem.
Theslipperswentonatonce,anewhandkerchiefwasslippedintoherpocket,wellscentedwithAmy'scologne,therosewasfastenedinherbosom,andthenicegloveswerepronouncedaperfectfit.
Therewasagooddealoflaughingandkissingandexplaining,inthesimple,lovingfashionwhichmakesthesehomefestivalssopleasantatthetime,sosweettorememberlongafterward,andthenallfelltowork.
Themorningcharitiesandceremoniestooksomuchtimethattherestofthedaywasdevotedtopreparationsfortheeveningfestivities.
Beingstilltooyoungtogooftentothetheater,andnotrichenoughtoaffordanygreatoutlayforprivateperformances,thegirlsputtheirwitstowork,andnecessitybeingthemotherofinvention,madewhatevertheyneeded.
Verycleverweresomeoftheirproductions,pasteboardguitars,antiquelampsmadeofold–fashionedbutterboatscoveredwithsilverpaper,gorgeousrobesofoldcotton,glitteringwithtinspanglesfromapicklefactory,andarmorcoveredwiththesameusefuldiamondshapedbitsleftinsheetswhenthelidsofpreservepotswerecutout.
Thebigchamberwasthesceneofmanyinnocentrevels.
Nogentlemanwereadmitted,soJoplayedmalepartstoherheart'scontentandtookimmensesatisfactioninapairofrussetleatherbootsgivenherbyafriend,whoknewaladywhoknewanactor.
Theseboots,anoldfoil,andaslasheddoubletonceusedbyanartistforsomepicture,wereJo'schieftreasuresandappearedonalloccasions.
Thesmallnessofthecompanymadeitnecessaryforthetwoprincipalactorstotakeseveralpartsapiece,andtheycertainlydeservedsomecreditforthehardworktheydidinlearningthreeorfourdifferentparts,whiskinginandoutofvariouscostumes,andmanagingthestagebesides.
Itwasexcellentdrillfortheirmemories,aharmlessamusement,andemployedmanyhourswhichotherwisewouldhavebeenidle,lonely,orspentinlessprofitablesociety.
Onchristmasnight,adozengirlspiledontothebedwhichwasthedresscircle,andsatbeforetheblueandyellowchintzcurtainsinamostflatteringstateofexpectancy.
Therewasagooddealofrustlingandwhisperingbehindthecurtain,atrifleoflampsmoke,andanoccasionalgigglefromAmy,whowasapttogethystericalintheexcitementofthemoment.
Presentlyabellsounded,thecurtainsflewapart,andtheoperatictragedybegan.
"Agloomywood,"accordingtotheoneplaybill,wasrepresentedbyafewshrubsinpots,greenbaizeonthefloor,andacaveinthedistance.
Thiscavewasmadewithaclotheshorseforaroof,bureausforwalls,andinitwasasmallfurnaceinfullblast,withablackpotonitandanoldwitchbendingoverit.
Thestagewasdarkandtheglowofthefurnacehadafineeffect,especiallyasrealsteamissuedfromthekettlewhenthewitchtookoffthecover.
Amomentwasallowedforthefirstthrilltosubside,thenHugo,thevillain,stalkedinwithaclankingswordathisside,aslouchinghat,blackbeard,mysteriouscloak,andtheboots.
Afterpacingtoandfroinmuchagitation,hestruckhisforehead,andburstoutinawildstrain,singingofhishatredforRoderigo,hisloveforZara,andhispleasingresolutiontokilltheoneandwintheother.
ThegrufftonesofHugo'svoice,withanoccasionalshoutwhenhisfeelingsovercamehim,wereveryimpressive,andtheaudienceapplaudedthemomenthepausedforbreath.
Bowingwiththeairofoneaccustomedtopublicpraise,hestoletothecavernandorderedHagartocomeforthwithacommanding,"Whatho,minion!Ineedthee!"
OutcameMeg,withgrayhorsehairhangingaboutherface,aredandblackrobe,astaff,andcabalisticsignsuponhercloak.
HugodemandedapotiontomakeZaraadorehim,andonetodestroyRoderigo.
Hagar,inafinedramaticmelody,promisedboth,andproceededtocallupthespiritwhowouldbringthelovephilter.
Hither,hither,fromthyhome,
Airysprite,Ibidtheecome!
Bornofroses,fedondew,
Charmsandpotionscanstthoubrew?
Bringmehere,withelfinspeed,
ThefragrantphilterwhichIneed.
Makeitsweetandswiftandstrong,
Spirit,answernowmysong!
Asoftstrainofmusicsounded,andthenatthebackofthecaveappearedalittlefigureincloudywhite,withglitteringwings,goldenhair,andagarlandofrosesonitshead.Wavingawand,itsang...
HitherIcome,
Frommyairyhome,
Afarinthesilvermoon.
Takethemagicspell,
Anduseitwell,
Oritspowerwillvanishsoon!
Anddroppingasmall,gildedbottleatthewitch'sfeet,thespiritvanished.
AnotherchantfromHagarproducedanotherapparition,notalovelyone,forwithabanganuglyblackimpappearedand,havingcroakedareply,tossedadarkbottleatHugoanddisappearedwithamockinglaugh.
Havingwarbledhisthanksandputthepotionsinhisboots,Hugodeparted,andHagarinformedtheaudiencethatashehadkilledafewofherfriendsintimespast,shehadcursedhim,andintendstothwarthisplans,andberevengedonhim.
Thenthecurtainfell,andtheaudiencereposedandatecandywhilediscussingthemeritsoftheplay.
Agooddealofhammeringwentonbeforethecurtainroseagain,butwhenitbecameevidentwhatamasterpieceofstagecarpenteryhadbeengotup,noonemurmuredatthedelay.Itwastrulysuperb.
Atowerrosetotheceiling,halfwayupappearedawindowwithalampburninginit,andbehindthewhitecurtainappearedZarainalovelyblueandsilverdress,waitingforRoderigo.
Hecameingorgeousarray,withplumedcap,redcloak,chestnutlovelocks,aguitar,andtheboots,ofcourse.
Kneelingatthefootofthetower,hesangaserenadeinmeltingtones.
Zararepliedand,afteramusicaldialogue,consentedtofly.Thencamethegrandeffectoftheplay.
Roderigoproducedaropeladder,withfivestepstoit,threwuponeend,andinvitedZaratodescend.
Timidlyshecreptfromherlattice,putherhandonRoderigo'sshoulder,andwasabouttoleapgracefullydownwhen"Alas!AlasforZara!"sheforgothertrain.
Itcaughtinthewindow,thetowertottered,leanedforward,fellwithacrash,andburiedtheunhappyloversintheruins.
Auniversalshriekaroseastherussetbootswavedwildlyfromthewreckandagoldenheademerged,exclaiming,"Itoldyouso!Itoldyouso!"
Withwonderfulpresenceofmind,DonPedro,thecruelsire,rushedin,draggedouthisdaughter,withahastyaside...
"Don'tlaugh!Actasifitwasallright!"
and,orderingRoderigoup,banishedhimfromthekingdomwithwrathandscorn.
Thoughdecidedlyshakenbythefallfromthetoweruponhim,Roderigodefiedtheoldgentlemanandrefusedtostir.ThisdauntlessexamplefiredZara.
Shealsodefiedhersire,andheorderedthembothtothedeepestdungeonsofthecastle.
Astoutlittleretainercameinwithchainsandledthemaway,lookingverymuchfrightenedandevidentlyforgettingthespeechheoughttohavemade.
Actthirdwasthecastlehall,andhereHagarappeared,havingcometofreetheloversandfinishHugo.
Shehearshimcomingandhides,seeshimputthepotionsintotwocupsofwineandbidthetimidlittleservant,"Bearthemtothecaptivesintheircells,andtellthemIshallcomeanon."
TheservanttakesHugoasidetotellhimsomething,andHagarchangesthecupsfortwootherswhichareharmless.
Ferdinando,the'minion',carriesthemaway,andHagarputsbackthecupwhichholdsthepoisonmeantforRoderigo.
Hugo,gettingthirstyafteralongwarble,drinksit,loseshiswits,andafteragooddealofclutchingandstamping,fallsflatanddies,whileHagarinformshimwhatshehasdoneinasongofexquisitepowerandmelody.
Thiswasatrulythrillingscene,thoughsomepersonsmighthavethoughtthatthesuddentumblingdownofaquantityoflongredhairrathermarredtheeffectofthevillain'sdeath.
Hewascalledbeforethecurtain,andwithgreatproprietyappeared,leadingHagar,whosesingingwasconsideredmorewonderfulthanalltherestoftheperformanceputtogether.
ActfourthdisplayedthedespairingRoderigoonthepointofstabbinghimselfbecausehehasbeentoldthatZarahasdesertedhim.
Justasthedaggerisathisheart,alovelysongissungunderhiswindow,informinghimthatZaraistruebutindanger,andhecansaveherifhewill.
Akeyisthrownin,whichunlocksthedoor,andinaspasmofrapturehetearsoffhischainsandrushesawaytofindandrescuehisladylove.
ActfifthopenedwithastormyscenebetweenZaraandDonPedro.
Hewisheshertogointoaconvent,butshewon'thearofit,andafteratouchingappeal,isabouttofaintwhenRoderigodashesinanddemandsherhand.
DonPedrorefuses,becauseheisnotrich.
Theyshoutandgesticulatetremendouslybutcannotagree,andRodrigoisabouttobearawaytheexhaustedZara,whenthetimidservantenterswithaletterandabagfromHagar,whohasmysteriouslydisappeared.
ThelatterinformsthepartythatshebequeathsuntoldwealthtotheyoungpairandanawfuldoomtoDonPedro,ifhedoesn'tmakethemhappy.
Thebagisopened,andseveralquartsoftinmoneyshowerdownuponthestagetillitisquiteglorifiedwiththeglitter.Thisentirelysoftensthesternsire.
Heconsentswithoutamurmur,alljoininajoyfulchorus,andthecurtainfallsupontheloverskneelingtoreceiveDonPedro'sblessinginattitudesofthemostromanticgrace.
Tumultuousapplausefollowedbutreceivedanunexpectedcheck,forthecotbed,onwhichthedresscirclewasbuilt,suddenlyshutupandextinguishedtheenthusiasticaudience.
RoderigoandDonPedroflewtotherescue,andallweretakenoutunhurt,thoughmanywerespeechlesswithlaughter.
TheexcitementhadhardlysubsidedwhenHannahappeared,with"Mrs.March'scompliments,andwouldtheladieswalkdowntosupper."
Thiswasasurpriseeventotheactors,andwhentheysawthetable,theylookedatoneanotherinrapturousamazement.
ItwaslikeMarmeetogetupalittletreatforthem,butanythingsofineasthiswasunheardofsincethedeparteddaysofplenty.
Therewasicecream,actuallytwodishesofit,pinkandwhite,andcakeandfruitanddistractingfrenchbonbonsand,inthemiddleofthetable,fourgreatbouquetsofhothouseflowers.
Itquitetooktheirbreathaway,andtheystaredfirstatthetableandthenattheirmother,wholookedasifsheenjoyeditimmensely.
"Isitfairies?"askedAmy.
"SantaClaus,"saidBeth.
"Motherdidit."AndMegsmiledhersweetest,inspiteofhergraybeardandwhiteeyebrows.
"AuntMarchhadagoodfitandsentthesupper,"criedJo,withasuddeninspiration.
"Allwrong.OldMr.Laurencesentit,"repliedMrs.March.
"TheLaurenceboy'sgrandfather!Whatintheworldputsuchathingintohishead?Wedon'tknowhim!"exclaimedMeg.
"Hannahtoldoneofhisservantsaboutyourbreakfastparty.
Heisanoddoldgentleman,butthatpleasedhim.
Heknewmyfatheryearsago,andhesentmeapolitenotethisafternoon,sayinghehopedIwouldallowhimtoexpresshisfriendlyfeelingtowardmychildrenbysendingthemafewtriflesinhonoroftheday.
Icouldnotrefuse,andsoyouhavealittlefeastatnighttomakeupforthebread–and–milkbreakfast."
"Thatboyputitintohishead,Iknowhedid!
He'sacapitalfellow,andIwishwecouldgetacquainted.
Helooksasifhe'dliketoknowusbuthe'sbashful,andMegissoprimshewon'tletmespeaktohimwhenwepass,"saidJo,astheplateswentround,andtheicebegantomeltoutofsight,withohsandahsofsatisfaction.
"Youmeanthepeoplewholiveinthebighousenextdoor,don'tyou?"askedoneofthegirls.
"MymotherknowsoldMr.Laurence,butsayshe'sveryproudanddoesn'tliketomixwithhisneighbors.
Hekeepshisgrandsonshutup,whenheisn'tridingorwalkingwithhistutor,andmakeshimstudyveryhard.
Weinvitedhimtoourparty,buthedidn'tcome.
Mothersayshe'sverynice,thoughheneverspeakstousgirls."
"Ourcatranawayonce,andhebroughtherback,andwetalkedoverthefence,andweregettingoncapitally,allaboutcricket,andsoon,whenhesawMegcoming,andwalkedoff.
Imeantoknowhimsomeday,forheneedsfun,I'msurehedoes,"saidJodecidedly.
"Ilikehismanners,andhelookslikealittlegentleman,soI'venoobjectiontoyourknowinghim,ifaproperopportunitycomes.
Hebroughttheflowershimself,andIshouldhaveaskedhimin,ifIhadbeensurewhatwasgoingonupstairs.
Helookedsowistfulashewentaway,hearingthefrolicandevidentlyhavingnoneofhisown."
"It'samercyyoudidn't,Mother!"laughedJo,lookingatherboots."Butwe'llhaveanotherplaysometimethathecansee.Perhapshe'llhelpact.Wouldn'tthatbejolly?"
"Ineverhadsuchafinebouquetbefore!Howprettyitis!"AndMegexaminedherflowerswithgreatinterest.
"Theyarelovely.ButBeth'srosesaresweetertome,"saidMrs.March,smellingthehalf–deadposyinherbelt.
Bethnestleduptoher,andwhisperedsoftly,"IwishIcouldsendmybunchtoFather.I'mafraidheisn'thavingsuchamerryChristmasasweare."
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