English
"ThefirstofJune!TheKingsareofftotheseashoretomorrow,andI'mfree.
Threemonths'vacation––howIshallenjoyit!"
exclaimedMeg,cominghomeonewarmdaytofindJolaiduponthesofainanunusualstateofexhaustion,whileBethtookoffherdustyboots,andAmymadelemonadefortherefreshmentofthewholeparty.
"AuntMarchwenttoday,forwhich,oh,bejoyful!"saidJo.
"Iwasmortallyafraidshe'daskmetogowithher.
Ifshehad,IshouldhavefeltasifIoughttodoit,butPlumfieldisaboutasgayasachurchyard,youknow,andI'dratherbeexcused.
Wehadaflurrygettingtheoldladyoff,andIhadafrighteverytimeshespoketome,forIwasinsuchahurrytobethroughthatIwasuncommonlyhelpfulandsweet,andfearedshe'dfinditimpossibletopartfromme.
Iquakedtillshewasfairlyinthecarriage,andhadafinalfright,forasitdroveof,shepoppedoutherhead,saying,'Josyphine,won'tyou––?'
Ididn'thearanymore,forIbaselyturnedandfled.
Ididactuallyrun,andwhiskedroundthecornerwhereIfeltsafe."
"PooroldJo!Shecameinlookingasifbearswereafterher,"saidBeth,asshecuddledhersister'sfeetwithamotherlyair.
"AuntMarchisaregularsamphire,isshenot?"observedAmy,tastinghermixturecritically.
"Shemeansvampire,notseaweed,butitdoesn'tmatter.It'stoowarmtobeparticularaboutone'spartsofspeech,"murmuredJo.
"Whatshallyoudoallyourvacation?"askedAmy,changingthesubjectwithtact.
"Ishalllieabedlate,anddonothing,"repliedMeg,fromthedepthsoftherockingchair.
"I'vebeenroutedupearlyallwinterandhadtospendmydaysworkingforotherpeople,sonowI'mgoingtorestandreveltomyheart'scontent."
"No,"saidJo,"thatdozywaywouldn'tsuitme.I'velaidinaheapofbooks,andI'mgoingtoimprovemyshininghoursreadingonmyperchintheoldappletree,whenI'mnothavingl––––"
"Don'tsay'larks!'"imploredAmy,asareturnsnubforthe'samphire'correction.
"I'llsay'nightingales'then,withLaurie.That'sproperandappropriate,sincehe'sawarbler."
"Don'tletusdoanylessons,Beth,forawhile,butplayallthetimeandrest,asthegirlsmeanto,"proposedAmy.
"Well,Iwill,ifMotherdoesn'tmind.Iwanttolearnsomenewsongs,andmychildrenneedfittingupforthesummer.Theyaredreadfullyoutoforderandreallysufferingforclothes."
"Maywe,Mother?"askedMeg,turningtoMrs.March,whosatsewinginwhattheycalled'Marmee'scorner'.
"Youmaytryyourexperimentforaweekandseehowyoulikeit.IthinkbySaturdaynightyouwillfindthatallplayandnoworkisasbadasallworkandnoplay."
"Oh,dear,no!Itwillbedelicious,I'msure,"saidMegcomplacently.
"Inowproposeatoast,asmy'friendandpardner,SairyGamp',says.Funforever,andnogrubbing!"criedJo,rising,glassinhand,asthelemonadewentround.
Theyalldrankitmerrily,andbegantheexperimentbyloungingfortherestoftheday.
Nextmorning,Megdidnotappeartillteno'clock.
Hersolitarybreakfastdidnottastegood,andtheroomseemedlonelyanduntidy,forJohadnotfilledthevases,Bethhadnotdusted,andAmy'sbookslayscatteredabout.
Nothingwasneatandpleasantbut'Marmee'scorner',whichlookedasusual.
AndthereMegsat,to'restandread',whichmeanttoyawnandimaginewhatprettysummerdressesshewouldgetwithhersalary.
JospentthemorningontheriverwithLaurieandtheafternoonreadingandcryingoverTheWide,WideWorld,upintheappletree.
Bethbeganbyrummagingeverythingoutofthebigclosetwhereherfamilyresided,butgettingtiredbeforehalfdone,sheleftherestablishmenttopsy–turvyandwenttohermusic,rejoicingthatshehadnodishestowash.
Amyarrangedherbower,putonherbestwhitefrock,smoothedhercurls,andsatdowntodrawunderthehoneysuckle,hopingsomeonewouldseeandinquirewhotheyoungartistwas.
Asnooneappearedbutaninquisitivedaddy–longlegs,whoexaminedherworkwithinterest,shewenttowalk,gotcaughtinashower,andcamehomedripping.
Atteatimetheycomparednotes,andallagreedthatithadbeenadelightful,thoughunusuallylongday.
Meg,whowentshoppingintheafternoonandgota'sweetbluemuslin',haddiscovered,aftershehadcutthebreadthsoff,thatitwouldn'twash,whichmishapmadeherslightlycross.
Johadburnedtheskinoffhernoseboating,andgotaragingheadachebyreadingtoolong.
Bethwasworriedbytheconfusionofherclosetandthedifficultyoflearningthreeorfoursongsatonce,andAmydeeplyregrettedthedamagedoneherfrock,forKatyBrown'spartywastobethenextdayandnowlikeFloraMcFlimsey,shehad'nothingtowear'.
Buttheseweremeretrifles,andtheyassuredtheirmotherthattheexperimentwasworkingfinely.
Shesmiled,saidnothing,andwithHannah'shelpdidtheirneglectedwork,keepinghomepleasantandthedomesticmachineryrunningsmoothly.
Itwasastonishingwhatapeculiaranduncomfortablestateofthingswasproducedbythe'restingandreveling'process.
Thedayskeptgettinglongerandlonger,theweatherwasunusuallyvariableandsoweretempers;anunsettledfeelingpossessedeveryone,andSatanfoundplentyofmischieffortheidlehandstodo.
Astheheightofluxury,Megputoutsomeofhersewing,andthenfoundtimehangsoheavily,thatshefelltosnippingandspoilingherclothesinherattemptstofurbishthemupalaMoffat.
Joreadtillhereyesgaveoutandshewassickofbooks,gotsofidgetythatevengood–naturedLauriehadaquarrelwithher,andsoreducedinspiritsthatshedesperatelywishedshehadgonewithAuntMarch.
Bethgotonprettywell,forshewasconstantlyforgettingthatitwastobeallplayandnowork,andfellbackintoheroldwaysnowandthen.
Butsomethingintheairaffectedher,andmorethanoncehertranquilitywasmuchdisturbed,somuchsothatononeoccasionsheactuallyshookpoordearJoannaandtoldhershewas'afright'.
Amyfaredworstofall,forherresourcesweresmall,andwhenhersisterslefthertoamuseherself,shesoonfoundthataccomplishedandimportantlittleselfagreatburden.
Shedidn'tlikedolls,fairytaleswerechildish,andonecouldn'tdrawallthetime.
Teapartiesdidn'tamounttomuch,neitherdidpicnics,unlessverywellconducted.
"Ifonecouldhaveafinehouse,fullofnicegirls,orgotraveling,thesummerwouldbedelightful,buttostayathomewiththreeselfishsistersandagrown–upboywasenoughtotrythepatienceofaBoaz,"complainedMissMalaprop,afterseveraldaysdevotedtopleasure,fretting,andennui.
Noonewouldownthattheyweretiredoftheexperiment,butbyFridaynighteachacknowledgedtoherselfthatshewasgladtheweekwasnearlydone.
Hopingtoimpressthelessonmoredeeply,Mrs.March,whohadagooddealofhumor,resolvedtofinishoffthetrialinanappropriatemanner,soshegaveHannahaholidayandletthegirlsenjoythefulleffectoftheplaysystem.
WhentheygotuponSaturdaymorning,therewasnofireinthekitchen,nobreakfastinthediningroom,andnomotheranywheretobeseen.
"Mercyonus!Whathashappened?"criedJo,staringaboutherindismay.
Megranupstairsandsooncamebackagain,lookingrelievedbutratherbewildered,andalittleashamed.
"Motherisn'tsick,onlyverytired,andshesayssheisgoingtostayquietlyinherroomalldayandletusdothebestwecan.
It'saveryqueerthingforhertodo,shedoesn'tactabitlikeherself.
Butshesaysithasbeenahardweekforher,sowemustn'tgrumblebuttakecareofourselves."
"That'seasyenough,andIliketheidea,I'machingforsomethingtodo,thatis,somenewamusement,youknow,"addedJoquickly.
Infactitwasanimmenserelieftothemalltohavealittlework,andtheytookholdwithawill,butsoonrealizedthetruthofHannah'ssaying,"Housekeepingain'tnojoke."
Therewasplentyoffoodinthelarder,andwhileBethandAmysetthetable,MegandJogotbreakfast,wonderingastheydidwhyservantsevertalkedabouthardwork.
"IshalltakesomeuptoMother,thoughshesaidwewerenottothinkofher,forshe'dtakecareofherself,"saidMeg,whopresidedandfeltquitematronlybehindtheteapot.
Soatraywasfittedoutbeforeanyonebegan,andtakenupwiththecook'scompliments.
Theboiledteawasverybitter,theomeletscorched,andthebiscuitsspeckledwithsaleratus,butMrs.MarchreceivedherrepastwiththanksandlaughedheartilyoveritafterJowasgone.
"Poorlittlesouls,theywillhaveahardtime,I'mafraid,buttheywon'tsuffer,anditwilldothemgood,"shesaid,producingthemorepalatableviandswithwhichshehadprovidedherself,anddisposingofthebadbreakfast,sothattheirfeelingsmightnotbehurt,amotherlylittledeceptionforwhichtheyweregrateful.
Manywerethecomplaintsbelow,andgreatthechagrinoftheheadcookatherfailures.
"Nevermind,I'llgetthedinnerandbeservant,youbemistress,keepyourhandsnice,seecompany,andgiveorders,"saidJo,whoknewstilllessthanMegaboutculinaryaffairs.
Thisobligingofferwasgladlyaccepted,andMargaretretiredtotheparlor,whichshehastilyputinorderbywhiskingthelitterunderthesofaandshuttingtheblindstosavethetroubleofdusting.
Jo,withperfectfaithinherownpowersandafriendlydesiretomakeupthequarrel,immediatelyputanoteintheoffice,invitingLaurietodinner.
"You'dbetterseewhatyouhavegotbeforeyouthinkofhavingcompany,"saidMeg,wheninformedofthehospitablebutrashact.
"Oh,there'scornedbeefandplentyofpoatoes,andIshallgetsomeasparagusandalobster,'forarelish',asHannahsays.We'llhavelettuceandmakeasalad.Idon'tknowhow,butthebooktells.
I'llhaveblancmangeandstrawberriesfordessert,andcoffeetoo,ifyouwanttobeelegant."
"Don'ttrytoomanymesses,Jo,foryoucan'tmakeanythingbutgingerbreadandmolassescandyfittoeat.
Iwashmyhandsofthedinnerparty,andsinceyouhaveaskedLaurieonyourownresponsibility,youmayjusttakecareofhim."
"Idon'twantyoutodoanythingbutbeciviltohimandhelptothepudding.You'llgivemeyouradviceifIgetinamuddle,won'tyou?"askedJo,ratherhurt.
"Yes,butIdon'tknowmuch,exceptaboutbreadandafewtrifles.YouhadbetteraskMother'sleavebeforeyouorderanything,"returnedMegprudently.
"OfcourseIshall.I'mnotafool."AndJowentoffinahuffatthedoubtsexpressedofherpowers.
"Getwhatyoulike,anddon'tdisturbme.
I'mgoingouttodinnerandcan'tworryaboutthingsathome,"saidMrs.March,whenJospoketoher.
"Ineverenjoyedhousekeeping,andI'mgoingtotakeavacationtoday,andread,write,govisiting,andamusemyself."
TheunusualspectacleofherbusymotherrockingcomfortablyandreadingearlyinthemorningmadeJofeelasifsomeunnaturalphenomenonhadoccurred,foraneclipse,anearthquake,oravolcaniceruptionwouldhardlyhaveseemedstranger.
"Everythingisoutofsorts,somehow,"shesaidtoherself,goingdownstairs."There'sBethcrying,that'sasuresignthatsomethingiswronginthisfamily.IfAmyisbothering,I'llshakeher."
Feelingverymuchoutofsortsherself,JohurriedintotheparlortofindBethsobbingoverPip,thecanary,wholaydeadinthecagewithhislittleclawspatheticallyextended,asifimploringthefoodforwantofwhichhehaddied.
"It'sallmyfault,Iforgothim,thereisn'taseedoradropleft.Oh,Pip!Oh,Pip!HowcouldIbesocrueltoyou?"criedBeth,takingthepoorthinginherhandsandtryingtorestorehim.
Jopeepedintohishalf–openeye,felthislittleheart,andfindinghimstiffandcold,shookherhead,andofferedherdominoboxforacoffin.
"Puthimintheoven,andmaybehewillgetwarmandrevive,"saidAmyhopefully.
"He'sbeenstarved,andheshan'tbebakednowhe'sdead.
I'llmakehimashroud,andheshallbeburiedinthegarden,andI'llneverhaveanotherbird,never,myPip!
forIamtoobadtoownone,"murmuredBeth,sittingonthefloorwithherpetfoldedinherhands.
"Thefuneralshallbethisafternoon,andwewillallgo.Now,don'tcry,Bethy.
It'sapity,butnothinggoesrightthisweek,andPiphashadtheworstoftheexperiment.
Maketheshroud,andlayhiminmybox,andafterthedinnerparty,we'llhaveanicelittlefuneral,"saidJo,beginningtofeelasifshehadundertakenagooddeal.
LeavingtheotherstoconsoleBeth,shedepartedtothekitchen,whichwasinamostdiscouragingstateofconfusion.
Puttingonabigapron,shefelltoworkandgotthedishespiledupreadyforwashing,whenshediscoveredthatthefirewasout.
"Here'sasweetprospect!"mutteredJo,slammingthestovedooropen,andpokingvigorouslyamongthecinders.
Havingrekindledthefire,shethoughtshewouldgotomarketwhilethewaterheated.
Thewalkrevivedherspirits,andflatteringherselfthatshehadmadegoodbargains,shetrudgedhomeagain,afterbuyingaveryyounglobster,someveryoldasparagus,andtwoboxesofacidstrawberries.
Bythetimeshegotclearedup,thedinnerarrivedandthestovewasred–hot.
Hannahhadleftapanofbreadtorise,Meghadworkeditupearly,setitonthehearthforasecondrising,andforgottenit.
MegwasentertainingSallieGardinerintheparlor,whenthedoorflewopenandafloury,crocky,flushed,anddisheveledfigureappeared,demandingtartly...
"Isay,isn'tbread'riz'enoughwhenitrunsoverthepans?"
Salliebegantolaugh,butMegnoddedandliftedhereyebrowsashighastheywouldgo,whichcausedtheapparitiontovanishandputthesourbreadintotheovenwithoutfurtherdelay.
Mrs.Marchwentout,afterpeepinghereandtheretoseehowmatterswent,alsosayingawordofcomforttoBeth,whosatmakingawindingsheet,whilethedeardepartedlayinstateinthedominobox.
Astrangesenseofhelplessnessfelluponthegirlsasthegraybonnetvanishedroundthecorner,anddespairseizedthemwhenafewminuteslaterMissCrockerappeared,andsaidshe'dcometodinner.
Nowthisladywasathin,yellowspinster,withasharpnoseandinquisitiveeyes,whosaweverythingandgossipedaboutallshesaw.
Theydislikedher,buthadbeentaughttobekindtoher,simplybecauseshewasoldandpoorandhadfewfriends.
SoMeggavehertheeasychairandtriedtoentertainher,whilesheaskedquestions,critsizedeverything,andtoldstoriesofthepeoplewhomsheknew.
Languagecannotdescribetheanxieties,experiences,andexertionswhichJounderwentthatmorning,andthedinnersheservedupbecameastandingjoke.
Fearingtoaskanymoreadvice,shedidherbestalone,anddiscoveredthatsomethingmorethanenergyandgoodwillisnecessarytomakeacook.
Sheboiledtheasparagusforanhourandwasgrievedtofindtheheadscookedoffandthestalksharderthanever.
Thebreadburnedblack;forthesaladdressingsoaggravatedherthatshecouldnotmakeitfittoeat.
Thelobsterwasascarletmysterytoher,butshehammeredandpokedtillitwasunshelledanditsmeagerproportionsconcealedinagroveoflettuceleaves.
Thepotatoeshadtobehurried,nottokeeptheasparaguswaiting,andwerenotdoneatthelast.
Theblancmangewaslumpy,andthestrawberriesnotasripeastheylooked,havingbeenskilfully'deaconed'.
"Well,theycaneatbeefandbreadandbutter,iftheyarehungry,onlyit'smortifyingtohavetospendyourwholemorningfornothing,"thoughtJo,assherangthebellhalfanhourlaterthanusual,andstood,hot,tired,anddispirited,surveyingthefeastspreadbeforeLaurie,accustomedtoallsortsofelegance,andMissCrocker,whosetattlingtonguewouldreportthemfarandwide.
PoorJowouldgladlyhavegoneunderthetable,asonethingafteranotherwastastedandleft,whileAmygiggled,Meglookeddistressed,MissCrockerpursedherlips,andLaurietalkedandlaughedwithallhismighttogiveacheerfultonetothefestivescene.
Jo'sonestrongpointwasthefruit,forshehadsugareditwell,andhadapitcherofrichcreamtoeatwithit.
Herhotcheekscooledatrifle,andshedrewalongbreathastheprettyglassplateswentround,andeveryonelookedgraciouslyatthelittlerosyislandsfloatinginaseaofcream.
MissCrockertastedfirst,madeawryface,anddranksomewaterhastily.
Jo,whorefused,thinkingtheremightnotbeenough,fortheydwindledsadlyafterthepickingover,glancedatLaurie,buthewaseatingawaymanfully,thoughtherewasaslightpuckerabouthismouthandhekepthiseyefixedonhisplate.
Amy,whowasfondofdelicatefare,tookaheapingspoonful,choked,hidherfaceinhernapkin,andleftthetableprecipitately.
"Oh,whatisit?"exclaimedJo,trembling.
"Saltinsteadofsugar,andthecreamissour,"repliedMegwithatragicgesture.
Joutteredagroanandfellbackinherchair,rememberingthatshehadgivenalasthastypowderingtotheberriesoutofoneofthetwoboxesonthekitchentable,andhadneglectedtoputthemilkintherefrigerator.
Sheturnedscarletandwasonthevergeofcrying,whenshemetLaurie'seyes,whichwouldlookmerryinspiteofhisheroicefforts.
Thecomicalsideoftheaffairsuddenlystruckher,andshelaughedtillthetearsrandownhercheeks.
Sodideveryoneelse,even'Croaker'asthegirlscalledtheoldlady,andtheunfortunatedinnerendedgaily,withbreadandbutter,olivesandfun.
"Ihaven'tstrengthofmindenoughtoclearupnow,sowewillsoberourselveswithafuneral,"saidJo,astheyrose,andMissCrockermadereadytogo,beingeagertotellthenewstoryatanotherfriend'sdinnertable.
TheydidsoberthemselvesforBeth'ssake.
Lauriedugagraveunderthefernsinthegrove,littlePipwaslaidin,withmanytearsbyhistender–heartedmistress,andcoveredwithmoss,whileawreathofvioletsandchickweedwashungonthestonewhichborehisepitaph,composedbyJowhileshestruggledwiththedinner.
HereliesPipMarch,
Whodiedthe7thofJune;
Lovedandlamentedsore,
Andnotforgottensoon.
Attheconclusionoftheceremonies,Bethretiredtoherroom,overcomewithemotionandlobster,buttherewasnoplaceofrepose,forthebedswerenotmade,andshefoundhergriefmuchassuagedbybeatingupthepillowsandputtingthingsinorder.
MeghelpedJoclearawaytheremainsofthefeast,whichtookhalftheafternoonandleftthemsotiredthattheyagreedtobecontentedwithteaandtoastforsupper.
LaurietookAmytodrive,whichwasadeedofcharity,forthesourcreamseemedtohavehadabadeffectuponhertemper.
Mrs.Marchcamehometofindthethreeoldergirlshardatworkinthemiddleoftheafternoon,andaglanceattheclosetgaveheranideaofthesuccessofonepartoftheexperiment.
Beforethehousewivescouldrest,severalpeoplecalled,andtherewasascrambletogetreadytoseethem.
Thenteamustbegot,errandsdone,andoneortwonecessarybitsofsewingneglecteduntilthelastminute.
Astwilightfell,dewyandstill,onebyonetheygatheredontheporchwheretheJuneroseswerebuddingbeautifully,andeachgroanedorsighedasshesatdown,asiftiredortroubled.
"Whatadreadfuldaythishasbeen!"beganJo,usuallythefirsttospeak.
"Ithasseemedshorterthanusual,butsouncomfortable,"saidMeg.
"Notabitlikehome,"addedAmy.
"Itcan'tseemsowithoutMarmeeandlittlePip,"sighedBeth,glancingwithfulleyesattheemptycageaboveherhead.
"Here'sMother,dear,andyoushallhaveanotherbirdtomorrow,ifyouwantit."
Asshespoke,Mrs.Marchcameandtookherplaceamongthem,lookingasifherholidayhadnotbeenmuchpleasanterthantheirs.
"Areyousatisfiedwithyourexperiment,girls,ordoyouwantanotherweekofit?"
sheasked,asBethnestleduptoherandtherestturnedtowardherwithbrighteningfaces,asflowersturntowardthesun.
"Idon't!"criedJodecidedly.
"NorI,"echoedtheothers.
"Youthinkthen,thatitisbettertohaveafewdutiesandlivealittleforothers,doyou?"
"Loungingandlarkingdoesn'tpay,"observedJo,shakingherhead."I'mtiredofitandmeantogotoworkatsomethingrightoff."
"Supposeyoulearnplaincooking.That'sausefulaccomplishment,whichnowomanshouldbewithout,"saidMrs.March,laughinginaudiblyattherecollectionofJo'sdinnerparty,forshehadmetMissCrockerandheardheraccountofit.
"Mother,didyougoawayandleteverythingbe,justtoseehowwe'dgeton?"criedMeg,whohadhadsuspicionsallday.
"Yes,Iwantedyoutoseehowthecomfortofalldependsoneachdoinghersharefaithfully.
WhileHannahandIdidyourwork,yougotonprettywell,thoughIdon'tthinkyouwereveryhappyoramiable.
SoIthought,asalittlelesson,Iwouldshowyouwhathappenswheneveryonethinksonlyofherself.
Don'tyoufeelthatitispleasantertohelponeanother,tohavedailydutieswhichmakeleisuresweetwhenitcomes,andtobearandforbear,thathomemaybecomfortableandlovelytousall?"
"Wedo,Mother,wedo!"criedthegirls.
"Thenletmeadviseyoutotakeupyourlittleburdensagain,forthoughtheyseemheavysometimes,theyaregoodforus,andlightenaswelearntocarrythem.
Workiswholesome,andthereisplentyforeveryone.
Itkeepsusfromennuiandmischief,isgoodforhealthandspirits,andgivesusasenseofpowerandindependencebetterthanmoneyorfashion."
"We'llworklikebees,andloveittoo,seeifwedon't,"saidJo."I'lllearnplaincookingformyholidaytask,andthenextdinnerpartyIhaveshallbeasuccess."
"I'llmakethesetofshirtsforfather,insteadoflettingyoudoit,Marmee.
IcanandIwill,thoughI'mnotfondofsewing.
Thatwillbebetterthanfussingovermyownthings,whichareplentyniceenoughastheyare."saidMeg.
"I'lldomylessonseveryday,andnotspendsomuchtimewithmymusicanddolls.
Iamastupidthing,andoughttobestudying,notplaying,"wasBeth'sresolution,whileAmyfollowedtheirexamplebyheroicallydeclaring,"Ishalllearntomakebuttonholes,andattendtomypartsofspeech."
"Verygood!ThenIamquitesatisfiedwiththeexperiment,andfancythatweshallnothavetorepeatit,onlydon'tgototheotherextremeanddelvelikeslaves.
Haveregularhoursforworkandplay,makeeachdaybothusefulandpleasant,andprovethatyouunderstandtheworthoftimebyemployingitwell.
Thenyouthwillbedelightful,oldagewillbringfewregrets,andlifebecomeabeautifulsuccess,inspiteofpoverty."
"We'llremember,Mother!"andtheydid.
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