English
Bethwaspostmistress,for,beingmostathome,shecouldattendtoitregularly,anddearlylikedthedailytaskofunlockingthelittledooranddistributingthemail.
OneJulydayshecameinwithherhandsfull,andwentaboutthehouseleavinglettersandparcelslikethepennypost.
"Here'syourposy,Mother!Laurieneverforgetsthat,"shesaid,puttingthefreshnosegayinthevasethatstoodin'Marmee'scorner',andwaskeptsuppliedbytheaffectionateboy.
"MissMegMarch,oneletterandaglove,"continuedBeth,deliveringthearticlestohersister,whosatnearhermother,stitchingwristbands.
"Why,Ileftapairoverthere,andhereisonlyone,"saidMeg,lookingatthegraycottonglove."Didn'tyoudroptheotherinthegarden?"
"No,I'msureIdidn't,fortherewasonlyoneintheoffice."
"Ihatetohaveoddgloves!Nevermind,theothermaybefound.MyletterisonlyatranslationoftheGermansongIwanted.IthinkMr.Brookedidit,forthisisn'tLaurie'swriting."
Mrs.MarchglancedatMeg,whowaslookingveryprettyinherginghammorninggown,withthelittlecurlsblowingaboutherforehead,andverywomanly,asshesatsewingatherlittleworktable,fulloftidywhiterolls,sounconsciousofthethoughtinhermother'smindasshesewedandsang,whileherfingersflewandherthoughtswerebusiedwithgirlishfanciesasinnocentandfreshasthepansiesinherbelt,thatMrs.Marchsmiledandwassatisfied.
"TwolettersforDoctorJo,abook,andafunnyoldhat,whichcoveredthewholepostofficeandstuckoutside,"saidBeth,laughingasshewentintothestudywhereJosatwriting.
"WhataslyfellowLaurieis!IsaidIwishedbiggerhatswerethefashion,becauseIburnmyfaceeveryhotday.Hesaid,'Whymindthefashion?Wearabighat,andbecomfortable!'
IsaidIwouldifIhadone,andhehassentmethis,totryme.
I'llwearitforfun,andshowhimIdon'tcareforthefashion."
Andhangingtheantiquebroad–brimonabustofPlato,Joreadherletters.
Onefromhermothermadehercheeksglowandhereyesfill,foritsaidtoher...
MyDear:
IwritealittlewordtotellyouwithhowmuchsatisfactionIwatchyoureffortstocontrolyourtemper.
Yousaynothingaboutyourtrials,failures,orsuccesses,andthink,perhaps,thatnooneseesthembuttheFriendwhosehelpyoudailyask,ifImaytrustthewell–worncoverofyourguidebook.
I,too,haveseenthemall,andheartilybelieveinthesincerityofyourresolution,sinceitbeginstobearfruit.
Goon,dear,patientlyandbravely,andalwaysbelievethatnoonesympathizesmoretenderlywithyouthanyourloving...
Mother
"Thatdoesmegood!That'sworthmillionsofmoneyandpecksofpraise.Oh,Marmee,Idotry!Iwillkeepontrying,andnotgettired,sinceIhaveyoutohelpme."
Layingherheadonherarms,Jowetherlittleromancewithafewhappytears,forshehadthoughtthatnoonesawandappreciatedhereffortstobegood,andthisassurancewasdoublyprecious,doublyencouraging,becauseunexpectedandfromthepersonwhosecommendationshemostvalued.
FeelingstrongerthanevertomeetandsubdueherApollyon,shepinnedthenoteinsideherfrock,asashieldandareminder,lestshebetakenunaware,andproceededtoopenherotherletter,quitereadyforeithergoodorbadnews.Inabig,dashinghand,Lauriewrote...
DearJo,Whatho!
SomeenglishgirlsandboysarecomingtoseemetomorrowandIwanttohaveajollytime.
Ifit'sfine,I'mgoingtopitchmytentinLongmeadow,androwupthewholecrewtolunchandcroquet––haveafire,makemesses,gypsyfashion,andallsortsoflarks.
Theyarenicepeople,andlikesuchthings.
Brookewillgotokeepusboyssteady,andKateVaughnwillplayproprietyforthegirls.
Iwantyoualltocome,can'tletBethoffatanyprice,andnobodyshallworryher.
Don'tbotheraboutrations,I'llseetothatandeverythingelse,onlydocome,there'sagoodfellow!
Inatearinghurry,Yoursever,Laurie.
"Here'srichness!"criedJo,flyingintotellthenewstoMeg.
"Ofcoursewecango,Mother?ItwillbesuchahelptoLaurie,forIcanrow,andMegseetothelunch,andthechildrenbeusefulinsomeway."
"IhopetheVaughnsarenotfinegrown–uppeople.Doyouknowanythingaboutthem,Jo?"askedMeg.
"Onlythattherearefourofthem.Kateisolderthanyou,FredandFrank(twins)aboutmyage,andalittlegirl(Grace),whoisnineorten.
Laurieknewthemabroad,andlikedtheboys.
Ifancied,fromthewayheprimmeduphismouthinspeakingofher,thathedidn'tadmireKatemuch."
"I'msogladmyFrenchprintisclean,it'sjustthethingandsobecoming!"observedMegcomplacently."Haveyouanythingdecent,Jo?"
"Scarletandgrayboatingsuit,goodenoughforme.Ishallrowandtrampabout,soIdon'twantanystarchtothinkof.You'llcome,Betty?"
"Ifyouwon'tletanyboystalktome."
"Notaboy!"
"IliketopleaseLaurie,andI'mnotafraidofMr.Brooke,heissokind.
ButIdon'twanttoplay,orsing,orsayanything.
I'llworkhardandnottroubleanyone,andyou'lltakecareofme,Jo,soI'llgo."
"That'smygoodgirl.Youdotrytofightoffyourshyness,andIloveyouforit.
Fightingfaultsisn'teasy,asIknow,andacheerywordkindofgivesalift.
Thankyou,Mother,"AndJogavethethincheekagratefulkiss,moreprecioustoMrs.Marchthanifithadgivenbacktherosyroundnessofheryouth.
"Ihadaboxofchocolatedrops,andthepictureIwantedtocopy,"saidAmy,showinghermail.
"AndIgotanotefromMr.Laurence,askingmetocomeoverandplaytohimtonight,beforethelampsarelighted,andIshallgo,"addedBeth,whosefriendshipwiththeoldgentlemanprosperedfinely.
"Nowlet'sflyround,anddodoubledutytoday,sothatwecanplaytomorrowwithfreeminds,"saidJo,preparingtoreplaceherpenwithabroom.
Whenthesunpeepedintothegirls'roomearlynextmorningtopromisethemafineday,hesawacomicalsight.
Eachhadmadesuchpreparationforthefeteasseemednecessaryandproper.
Meghadanextrarowoflittlecurlpapersacrossherforehead,Johadcopiouslyanointedherafflictedfacewithcoldcream,BethhadtakenJoannatobedwithhertoatonefortheapproachingseparation,andAmyhadcappedtheclimaxbyputtingaclothespinonhernosetouplifttheoffendingfeature.
Itwasoneofthekindartistsusetoholdthepaperontheirdrawingboards,thereforequiteappropriateandeffectiveforthepurposeitwasnowbeingput.
Thisfunnyspectacleappearedtoamusethesun,forheburstoutwithsuchradiancethatJowokeupandrousedhersistersbyaheartylaughatAmy'sornament.
Sunshineandlaughterweregoodomensforapleasureparty,andsoonalivelybustlebeganinbothhouses.
Beth,whowasreadyfirst,keptreportingwhatwentonnextdoor,andenlivenedhersisters'toiletsbyfrequenttelegramsfromthewindow.
"Theregoesthemanwiththetent!IseeMrs.Barkerdoingupthelunchinahamperandagreatbasket.
NowMr.Laurenceislookingupattheskyandtheweathercock.Iwishhewouldgotoo.
There'sLaurie,lookinglikeasailor,niceboy!Oh,mercyme!
Here'sacarriagefullofpeople,atalllady,alittlegirl,andtwodreadfulboys.
Oneislame,poorthing,he'sgotacrutch.Lauriedidn'ttellusthat.Bequick,girls!It'sgettinglate.Why,thereisNedMoffat,Idodeclare.
Meg,isn'tthatthemanwhobowedtoyouonedaywhenwewereshopping?"
"Soitis.Howqueerthatheshouldcome.Ithoughthewasatthemountains.ThereisSallie.I'mgladshegotbackintime.AmIallright,Jo?"criedMeginaflutter.
"Aregulardaisy.Holdupyourdressandputyourhatonstraight,itlookssentimentaltippedthatwayandwillflyoffatthefirstpuff.Nowthen,comeon!"
"Oh,Jo,youarenotgoingtowearthatawfulhat?It'stooabsurd!
Youshallnotmakeaguyofyourself,"remonstratedMeg,asJotieddownwitharedribbonthebroad–brimmed,old–fashionedleghornLauriehadsentforajoke.
"Ijustwill,though,forit'scapital,soshady,light,andbig.
Itwillmakefun,andIdon'tmindbeingaguyifI'mcomfortable."
WiththatJomarchedstraightawayandtherestfollowed,abrightlittlebandofsisters,alllookingtheirbestinsummersuits,withhappyfacesunderthejauntyhatbrims.
Laurierantomeetandpresentthemtohisfriendsinthemostcordialmanner.
Thelawnwasthereceptionroom,andforseveralminutesalivelyscenewasenactedthere.
MegwasgratefultoseethatMissKate,thoughtwenty,wasdressedwithasimplicitywhichAmericangirlswoulddowelltoimitate,andwhowasmuchflatteredbyMr.Ned'sassurancesthathecameespeciallytoseeher.
JounderstoodwhyLaurie'primmeduphismouth'whenspeakingofKate,forthatyoungladyhadastandoff–don't–touch–meair,whichcontrastedstronglywiththefreeandeasydemeanoroftheothergirls.
Bethtookanobservationofthenewboysanddecidedthatthelameonewasnot'dreadful',butgentleandfeeble,andshewouldbekindtohimonthataccount.
AmyfoundGraceawell–mannered,merry,littleperson,andafterstaringdumblyatoneanotherforafewminutes,theysuddenlybecameverygoodfriends.
Tents,lunch,andcroquetutensilshavingbeensentonbeforehand,thepartywassoonembarked,andthetwoboatspushedofftogether,leavingMr.Laurencewavinghishatontheshore.
LaurieandJorowedoneboat,Mr.BrookeandNedtheother,whileFredVaughn,theriotoustwin,didhisbesttoupsetbothbypaddlingaboutinawherrylikeadisturbedwaterbug.
Jo'sfunnyhatdeservedavoteofthanks,foritwasofgeneralutility.
Itbroketheiceinthebeginningbyproducingalaugh,itcreatedquitearefreshingbreeze,flappingtoandfroassherowed,andwouldmakeanexcellentumbrellaforthewholeparty,ifashowercameup,shesaid.
MissKatedecidedthatshewas'odd',butratherclever,andsmileduponherfromafar.
Meg,intheotherboat,wasdelightfullysituated,facetofacewiththerowers,whobothadmiredtheprospectandfeatheredtheiroarswithuncommon'skillanddexterity'.
Mr.Brookewasagrave,silentyoungman,withhandsomebrowneyesandapleasantvoice.
Meglikedhisquietmannersandconsideredhimawalkingencyclopediaofusefulknowledge.
Henevertalkedtohermuch,buthelookedatheragooddeal,andshefeltsurethathedidnotregardherwithaversion.
Ned,beingincollege,ofcourseputonalltheairswhichfreshmenthinkittheirboundendutytoassume.
Hewasnotverywise,butverygood–natured,andaltogetheranexcellentpersontocarryonapicnic.
SallieGardinerwasabsorbedinkeepingherwhitepiquedresscleanandchatteringwiththeubiquitousFred,whokeptBethinconstantterrorbyhispranks.
ItwasnotfartoLongmeadow,butthetentwaspitchedandthewicketsdownbythetimetheyarrived.
Apleasantgreenfield,withthreewide–spreadingoaksinthemiddleandasmoothstripofturfforcroquet.
"WelcometoCampLaurence!"saidtheyounghost,astheylandedwithexclamationsofdelight.
"Brookeiscommanderinchief,Iamcommissarygeneral,theotherfellowsarestaffofficers,andyou,ladies,arecompany.
Thetentisforyourespecialbenefitandthatoakisyourdrawingroom,thisisthemessroomandthethirdisthecampkitchen.
Now,let'shaveagamebeforeitgetshot,andthenwe'llseeaboutdinner."
Frank,Beth,Amy,andGracesatdowntowatchthegameplayedbytheothereight.Mr.BrookechoseMeg,Kate,andFred.LaurietookSallie,Jo,andNed.
TheEnglishplayedwell,buttheAmericansplayedbetter,andcontestedeveryinchofthegroundasstronglyasifthespiritof'76inspiredthem.
JoandFredhadseveralskirmishesandoncenarrowlyescapedhighwords.
Jowasthroughthelastwicketandhadmissedthestroke,whichfailureruffledheragooddeal.
Fredwasclosebehindherandhisturncamebeforehers.
Hegaveastroke,hisballhitthewicket,andstoppedaninchonthewrongside.
Noonewasverynear,andrunninguptoexamine,hegaveitaslynudgewithhistoe,whichputitjustaninchontherightside.
"I'mthrough!Now,MissJo,I'llsettleyou,andgetinfirst,"criedtheyounggentleman,swinginghismalletforanotherblow.
"Youpushedit.Isawyou.It'smyturnnow,"saidJosharply.
"Uponmyword,Ididn'tmoveit.Itrolledabit,perhaps,butthatisallowed.So,standoffplease,andletmehaveagoatthestake."
"Wedon'tcheatinAmerica,butyoucan,ifyouchoose,"saidJoangrily.
"Yankeesareadealthemosttricky,everybodyknows.Thereyougo!"returnedFred,croquetingherballfaraway.
Joopenedherlipstosaysomethingrude,butcheckedherselfintime,coloreduptoherforeheadandstoodaminute,hammeringdownawicketwithallhermight,whileFredhitthestakeanddeclaredhimselfoutwithmuchexultation.
Shewentofftogetherball,andwasalongtimefindingitamongthebushes,butshecameback,lookingcoolandquiet,andwaitedherturnpatiently.
Ittookseveralstrokestoregaintheplaceshehadlost,andwhenshegotthere,theothersidehadnearlywon,forKate'sballwasthelastbutoneandlaynearthestake.
"ByGeorge,it'sallupwithus!Goodbye,Kate.MissJoowesmeone,soyouarefinished,"criedFredexcitedly,astheyalldrewneartoseethefinish.
"Yankeeshaveatrickofbeinggeneroustotheirenemies,"saidJo,withalookthatmadetheladredden,"especiallywhentheybeatthem,"sheadded,as,leavingKate'sballuntouched,shewonthegamebyacleverstroke.
Lauriethrewuphishat,thenrememberedthatitwouldn'tdotoexultoverthedefeatofhisguests,andstoppedinthemiddleofthecheertowhispertohisfriend,"Goodforyou,Jo!Hedidcheat,Isawhim.
Wecan'ttellhimso,buthewon'tdoitagain,takemywordforit."
Megdrewheraside,underpretenseofpinningupaloosebraid,andsaidapprovingly,"Itwasdreadfullyprovoking,butyoukeptyourtemper,andI'msoglad,Jo."
"Don'tpraiseme,Meg,forIcouldboxhisearsthisminute.
IshouldcertainlyhaveboiledoverifIhadn'tstayedamongthenettlestillIgotmyrageundercontrolenoughtoholdmytongue.
It'ssimmeringnow,soIhopehe'llkeepoutofmyway,"returnedJo,bitingherlipsasshegloweredatFredfromunderherbighat.
"Timeforlunch,"saidMr.Brooke,lookingathiswatch."Commissarygeneral,willyoumakethefireandgetwater,whileMissMarch,MissSallie,andIspreadthetable?Whocanmakegoodcoffee?"
"Jocan,"saidMeg,gladtorecommendhersister.
SoJo,feelingthatherlatelessonsincookeryweretodoherhonor,wenttopresideoverthecoffeepot,whilethechildrencollecteddrysticks,andtheboysmadeafireandgotwaterfromaspringnearby.
MissKatesketchedandFranktalkedtoBeth,whowasmakinglittlematsofbraidedrushestoserveasplates.
Thecommanderinchiefandhisaidessoonspreadthetableclothwithaninvitingarrayofeatablesanddrinkables,prettilydecoratedwithgreenleaves.
Joannouncedthatthecoffeewasready,andeveryonesettledthemselvestoaheartymeal,foryouthisseldomdyspeptic,andexercisedevelopswholesomeappetites.
Averymerrylunchitwas,foreverythingseemedfreshandfunny,andfrequentpealsoflaughterstartledavenerablehorsewhofednearby.
Therewasapleasinginequalityinthetable,whichproducedmanymishapstocupsandplates,acornsdroppedinthemilk,littleblackantspartookoftherefreshmentswithoutbeinginvited,andfuzzycaterpillarsswungdownfromthetreetoseewhatwasgoingon.
Threewhite–headedchildrenpeepedoverthefence,andanobjectionabledogbarkedatthemfromtheothersideoftheriverwithallhismightandmain.
"There'ssalthere,"saidLaurie,ashehandedJoasaucerofberries.
"Thankyou,Ipreferspiders,"shereplied,fishinguptwounwarylittleoneswhohadgonetoacreamydeath.
"Howdareyouremindmeofthathorriddinnerparty,whenyoursissoniceineveryway?"
addedJo,astheybothlaughedandateoutofoneplate,thechinahavingrunshort.
"Ihadanuncommonlygoodtimethatday,andhaven'tgotoverityet.
Thisisnocredittome,youknow,Idon'tdoanything.
It'syouandMegandBrookewhomakeitallgo,andI'mnoendobligedtoyou.
Whatshallwedowhenwecan'teatanymore?"
askedLaurie,feelingthathistrumpcardhadbeenplayedwhenlunchwasover.
"Havegamestillit'scooler.IbroughtAuthors,andIdaresayMissKateknowssomethingnewandnice.Goandaskher.She'scompany,andyououghttostaywithhermore."
"Aren'tyoucompanytoo?Ithoughtshe'dsuitBrooke,buthekeepstalkingtoMeg,andKatejuststaresatthemthroughthatridiculousglassofhers.
I'mgoing,soyouneedn'ttrytopreachpropriety,foryoucan'tdoit,Jo."
MissKatedidknowseveralnewgames,andasthegirlswouldnot,andtheboyscouldnot,eatanymore,theyalladjournedtothedrawingroomtoplayRig–marole.
"Onepersonbeginsastory,anynonsenseyoulike,andtellsaslongashepleases,onlytakingcaretostopshortatsomeexcitingpoint,whenthenexttakesitupanddoesthesame.
It'sveryfunnywhenwelldone,andmakesaperfectjumbleoftragicalcomicalstufftolaughover.
Pleasestartit,Mr.Brooke,"saidKate,withacommandingair,whichsurprisedMeg,whotreatedthetutorwithasmuchrespectasanyothergentleman.
Lyingonthegrassatthefeetofthetwoyoungladies,Mr.Brookeobedientlybeganthestory,withthehandsomebrowneyessteadilyfixeduponthesunshinyriver.
"Onceonatime,aknightwentoutintotheworldtoseekhisfortune,forhehadnothingbuthisswordandhisshield.
Hetraveledalongwhile,nearlyeight–and–twentyyears,andhadahardtimeofit,tillhecametothepalaceofagoodoldking,whohadofferedarewardtoanyonewhocouldtameandtrainafinebutunbrokencolt,ofwhichhewasveryfond.
Theknightagreedtotry,andgotonslowlybutsurely,forthecoltwasagallantfellow,andsoonlearnedtolovehisnewmaster,thoughhewasfreakishandwild.
Everyday,whenhegavehislessonstothispetoftheking's,theknightrodehimthroughthecity,andasherode,helookedeverywhereforacertainbeautifulface,whichhehadseenmanytimesinhisdreams,butneverfound.
Oneday,ashewentprancingdownaquietstreet,hesawatthewindowofaruinouscastlethelovelyface.
Hewasdelighted,inquiredwholivedinthisoldcastle,andwastoldthatseveralcaptiveprincesseswerekepttherebyaspell,andspunalldaytolayupmoneytobuytheirliberty.
Theknightwishedintenselythathecouldfreethem,buthewaspoorandcouldonlygobyeachday,watchingforthesweetfaceandlongingtoseeitoutinthesunshine.
Atlastheresolvedtogetintothecastleandaskhowhecouldhelpthem.Hewentandknocked.
Thegreatdoorflewopen,andhebeheld..."
"Aravishinglylovelylady,whoexclaimed,withacryofrapture,'Atlast!Atlast!'"
continuedKate,whohadreadFrenchnovels,andadmiredthestyle."'Tisshe!'
criedCountGustave,andfellatherfeetinanecstasyofjoy.'Oh,rise!'
shesaid,extendingahandofmarblefairness.'Never!
TillyoutellmehowImayrescueyou,'sworetheknight,stillkneeling.
'Alas,mycruelfatecondemnsmetoremainheretillmytyrantisdestroyed.''Whereisthevillain?''Inthemauvesalon.
Go,braveheart,andsavemefromdespair.''Iobey,andreturnvictoriousordead!'
Withthesethrillingwordsherushedaway,andflingingopenthedoorofthemauvesalon,wasabouttoenter,whenhereceived..."
"AstunningblowfromthebigGreeklexicon,whichanoldfellowinablackgownfiredathim,"saidNed.
"Instantly,SirWhat's–his–namerecoveredhimself,pitchedthetyrantoutofthewindow,andturnedtojointhelady,victorious,butwithabumponhisbrow,foundthedoorlocked,toreupthecurtains,madearopeladder,gothalfwaydownwhentheladderbroke,andhewentheadfirstintothemoat,sixtyfeetbelow.
Couldswimlikeaduck,paddledroundthecastletillhecametoalittledoorguardedbytwostoutfellows,knockedtheirheadstogethertilltheycrackedlikeacoupleofnuts,then,byatriflingexertionofhisprodigiousstrength,hesmashedinthedoor,wentupapairofstonestepscoveredwithdustafootthick,toadsasbigasyourfist,andspidersthatwouldfrightenyouintohysterics,MissMarch.
Atthetopofthesestepshecameplumpuponasightthattookhisbreathawayandchilledhisblood..."
"Atallfigure,allinwhitewithaveiloveritsfaceandalampinitswastedhand,"wentonMeg.
"Itbeckoned,glidingnoiselesslybeforehimdownacorridorasdarkandcoldasanytomb.
Shadowyeffigiesinarmorstoodoneitherside,adeadsilencereigned,thelampburnedblue,andtheghostlyfigureeverandanonturneditsfacetowardhim,showingtheglitterofawfuleyesthroughitswhiteveil.
Theyreachedacurtaineddoor,behindwhichsoundedlovelymusic.
Hesprangforwardtoenter,butthespecterpluckedhimback,andwavedthreateninglybeforehima..."
"Snuffbox,"saidJo,inasepulchraltone,whichconvulsedtheaudience."
'Thankee,'saidtheknightpolitely,ashetookapinchandsneezedseventimessoviolentlythathisheadfelloff.'Ha!Ha!'
laughedtheghost,andhavingpeepedthroughthekeyholeattheprincessesspinningawayfordearlife,theevilspiritpickeduphervictimandputhiminalargetinbox,wheretherewereelevenotherknightspackedtogetherwithouttheirheads,likesardines,whoallroseandbeganto..."
"Danceahornpipe,"cutinFred,asJopausedforbreath,"and,astheydanced,therubbishyoldcastleturnedtoaman–of–warinfullsail.
'Upwiththejib,reefthetops'lhalliards,helmhardalee,andmantheguns!'
roaredthecaptain,asaPortuguesepiratehoveinsight,withaflagblackasinkflyingfromherforemast.'Goinandwin,myhearties!'
saysthecaptain,andatremendousfightbegan.
OfcoursetheBritishbeat––theyalwaysdo."
"No,theydon't!"criedJo,aside.
"Havingtakenthepiratecaptainprisoner,sailedslapovertheschooner,whosedeckswerepiledhighwithdeadandwhoseleescuppersranblood,fortheorderhadbeen'Cutlasses,anddiehard!'
'Bosun'smate,takeabightoftheflying–jibsheet,andstartthisvillainifhedoesn'tconfesshissinsdoublequick,'saidtheBritishcaptain.
ThePortugueseheldhistonguelikeabrick,andwalkedtheplank,whilethejollytarscheeredlikemad.
Buttheslydogdived,cameupundertheman–of–war,scuttledher,anddownshewent,withallsailset,'Tothebottomofthesea,sea,sea'where..."
"Oh,gracious!WhatshallIsay?"
criedSallie,asFredendedhisrigmarole,inwhichhehadjumbledtogetherpell–mellnauticalphrasesandfactsoutofoneofhisfavoritebooks.
"Well,theywenttothebottom,andanicemermaidwelcomedthem,butwasmuchgrievedonfindingtheboxofheadlessknights,andkindlypickledtheminbrine,hopingtodiscoverthemysteryaboutthem,forbeingawoman,shewascurious.
By–and–byadivercamedown,andthemermaidsaid,'I'llgiveyouaboxofpearlsifyoucantakeitup,'forshewantedtorestorethepoorthingstolife,andcouldn'traisetheheavyloadherself.
Sothediverhoisteditup,andwasmuchdisappointedonopeningittofindnopearls.
Heleftitinagreatlonelyfield,whereitwasfoundbya..."
"Littlegoosegirl,whokeptahundredfatgeeseinthefield,"saidAmy,whenSallie'sinventiongaveout.
"Thelittlegirlwassorryforthem,andaskedanoldwomanwhatsheshoulddotohelpthem.
'Yourgeesewilltellyou,theyknoweverything.'saidtheoldwoman.
Sosheaskedwhatsheshouldusefornewheads,sincetheoldoneswerelost,andallthegeeseopenedtheirhundredmouthsandscreamed..."
"'Cabbages!'"continuedLauriepromptly."
'Justthething,'saidthegirl,andrantogettwelvefineonesfromhergarden.
Sheputthemon,theknightsrevivedatonce,thankedher,andwentontheirwayrejoicing,neverknowingthedifference,forthereweresomanyotherheadslikethemintheworldthatnoonethoughtanythingofit.
TheknightinwhomI'minterestedwentbacktofindtheprettyface,andlearnedthattheprincesseshadspunthemselvesfreeandallgoneandmarried,butone.
Hewasinagreatstateofmindatthat,andmountingthecolt,whostoodbyhimthroughthickandthin,rushedtothecastletoseewhichwasleft.
Peepingoverthehedge,hesawthequeenofhisaffectionspickingflowersinhergarden.'Willyougivemearose?'saidhe.'Youmustcomeandgetit.
Ican'tcometoyou,itisn'tproper,'saidshe,assweetashoney.
Hetriedtoclimboverthehedge,butitseemedtogrowhigherandhigher.
Thenhetriedtopushthrough,butitgrewthickerandthicker,andhewasindespair.
Sohepatientlybroketwigaftertwigtillhehadmadealittleholethroughwhichhepeeped,sayingimploringly,'Letmein!Letmein!'
Buttheprettyprincessdidnotseemtounderstand,forshepickedherrosesquietly,andlefthimtofighthiswayin.
Whetherhedidornot,Frankwilltellyou."
"Ican't.I'mnotplaying,Ineverdo,"saidFrank,dismayedatthesentimentalpredicamentoutofwhichhewastorescuetheabsurdcouple.BethhaddisappearedbehindJo,andGracewasasleep.
"Sothepoorknightistobeleftstickinginthehedge,ishe?"askedMr.Brooke,stillwatchingtheriver,andplayingwiththewildroseinhisbuttonhole.
"Iguesstheprincessgavehimaposy,andopenedthegateafterawhile,"saidLaurie,smilingtohimself,ashethrewacornsathistutor.
"Whatapieceofnonsensewehavemade!Withpracticewemightdosomethingquiteclever.DoyouknowTruth?"
"Ihopeso,"saidMegsoberly.
"Thegame,Imean?"
"Whatisit?"saidFred.
"Why,youpileupyourhands,chooseanumber,anddrawoutinturn,andthepersonwhodrawsatthenumberhastoanswertrulyanyquestionputbytherest.It'sgreatfun."
"Let'stryit,"saidJo,wholikednewexperiments.
MissKateandMr.Brooke,Meg,andNeddeclined,butFred,Sallie,Jo,andLauriepiledanddrew,andthelotfelltoLaurie.
"Whoareyourheroes?"askedJo.
"GrandfatherandNapoleon."
"Whichladyheredoyouthinkprettiest?"saidSallie.
"Margaret."
"Whichdoyoulikebest?"fromFred.
"Jo,ofcourse."
"Whatsillyquestionsyouask!"AndJogaveadisdainfulshrugastherestlaughedatLaurie'smatter–of–facttone.
"Tryagain.Truthisn'tabadgame,"saidFred.
"It'saverygoodoneforyou,"retortedJoinalowvoice.Herturncamenext.
"Whatisyourgreatestfault?"askedFred,bywayoftestinginherthevirtuehelackedhimself.
"Aquicktemper."
"Whatdoyoumostwishfor?"saidLaurie.
"Apairofbootlacings,"returnedJo,guessinganddefeatinghispurpose.
"Notatrueanswer.Youmustsaywhatyoureallydowantmost."
"Genius.Don'tyouwishyoucouldgiveittome,Laurie?"Andsheslylysmiledinhisdisappointedface.
"Whatvirtuesdoyoumostadmireinaman?"askedSallie.
"Courageandhonesty."
"Nowmyturn,"saidFred,ashishandcamelast.
"Let'sgiveittohim,"whisperedLaurietoJo,whonoddedandaskedatonce...
"Didn'tyoucheatatcroquet?"
"Well,yes,alittlebit."
"Good!Didn'tyoutakeyourstoryoutofTheSeaLion?"saidLaurie.
"Rather."
"Don'tyouthinktheEnglishnationperfectineveryrespect?"askedSallie.
"IshouldbeashamedofmyselfifIdidn't."
"He'satrueJohnBull.Now,MissSallie,youshallhaveachancewithoutwaitingtodraw.
I'llharrrowupyourfeelingsfirstbyaskingifyoudon'tthinkyouaresomethingofaflirt,"saidLaurie,asJonoddedtoFredasasignthatpeacewasdeclared.
"Youimpertinentboy!OfcourseI'mnot,"exclaimedSallie,withanairthatprovedthecontrary.
"Whatdoyouhatemost?"askedFred.
"Spidersandricepudding."
"Whatdoyoulikebest?"askedJo.
"DancingandFrenchgloves."
"Well,IthinkTruthisaverysillyplay.Let'shaveasensiblegameofAuthorstorefreshourminds,"proposedJo.
Ned,Frank,andthelittlegirlsjoinedinthis,andwhileitwenton,thethreeelderssatapart,talking.
MissKatetookouthersketchagain,andMargaretwatchedher,whileMr.Brookelayonthegrasswithabook,whichhedidnotread.
"Howbeautifullyyoudoit!IwishIcoulddraw,"saidMeg,withmingledadmirationandregretinhervoice.
"Whydon'tyoulearn?Ishouldthinkyouhadtasteandtalentforit,"repliedMissKategraciously.
"Ihaven'ttime."
"Yourmammaprefersotheraccomplishments,Ifancy.
Sodidmine,butIprovedtoherthatIhadtalentbytakingafewlessonsprivately,andthenshewasquitewillingIshouldgoon.
Can'tyoudothesamewithyourgoverness?"
"Ihavenone."
"IforgotyoungladiesinAmericagotoschoolmorethanwithus.Veryfineschoolstheyare,too,Papasays.Yougotoaprivateone,Isuppose?"
"Idon'tgoatall.Iamagovernessmyself."
"Oh,indeed!"saidMissKate,butshemightaswellhavesaid,"Dearme,howdreadful!"forhertoneimpliedit,andsomethinginherfacemadeMegcolor,andwishshehadnotbeensofrank.
Mr.Brookelookedupandsaidquickly,"YoungladiesinAmericaloveindependenceasmuchastheirancestorsdid,andareadmiredandrespectedforsupportingthemselves."
"Oh,yes,ofcourseit'sveryniceandproperinthemtodoso.
Wehavemanymostrespectableandworthyyoungwomenwhodothesameandareemployedbythenobility,because,beingthedaughtersofgentlemen,theyarebothwellbredandaccomplished,youknow,"saidMissKateinapatronizingtonethathurtMeg'spride,andmadeherworkseemnotonlymoredistasteful,butdegrading.
"DidtheGermansongsuit,MissMarch?"inquiredMr.Brooke,breakinganawkwardpause.
"Oh,yes!Itwasverysweet,andI'mmuchobligedtowhoevertranslateditforme."AndMeg'sdowncastfacebrightenedasshespoke.
"Don'tyoureadGerman?"askedMissKatewithalookofsurprise.
"Notverywell.Myfather,whotaughtme,isaway,andIdon'tgetonveryfastalone,forI'venoonetocorrectmypronunciation."
"Tryalittlenow.HereisSchiller'sMaryStuartandatutorwholovestoteach."AndMr.Brookelaidhisbookonherlapwithaninvitingsmile.
"It'ssohardI'mafraidtotry,"saidMeg,grateful,butbashfulinthepresenceoftheaccomplishedyoungladybesideher.
"I'llreadabittoencourageyou."AndMissKatereadoneofthemostbeautifulpassagesinaperfectlycorrectbutperfectlyexpressionlessmanner.
Mr.BrookemadenocommentasshereturnedthebooktoMeg,whosaidinnocently,"Ithoughtitwaspoetry."
"Someofitis.Trythispassage."
TherewasaqueersmileaboutMr.Brooke'smouthasheopenedatpoorMary'slament.
Megobedientlyfollowingthelonggrass–bladewhichhernewtutorusedtopointwith,readslowlyandtimidly,unconsciouslymakingpoetryofthehardwordsbythesoftintonationofhermusicalvoice.
Downthepagewentthegreenguide,andpresently,forgettingherlistenerinthebeautyofthesadscene,Megreadasifalone,givingalittletouchoftragedytothewordsoftheunhappyqueen.
Ifshehadseenthebrowneyesthen,shewouldhavestoppedshort,butsheneverlookedup,andthelessonwasnotspoiledforher.
"Verywellindeed!"saidMr.Brooke,asshepaused,quiteignoringhermanymistakes,andlookingasifhedidindeedlovetoteach.
MissKateputupherglass,and,havingtakenasurveyofthelittletableaubeforeher,shuthersketchbook,sayingwithcondescension,"You'veaniceaccentandintimewillbeacleverreader.
Iadviseyoutolearn,forGermanisavaluableaccomplishmenttoteachers.
ImustlookafterGrace,sheisromping."
AndMissKatestrolledaway,addingtoherselfwithashrug,"Ididn'tcometochaperoneagoverness,thoughsheisyoungandpretty.WhatoddpeopletheseYankeesare.
I'mafraidLauriewillbequitespoiledamongthem."
"IforgotthatEnglishpeopleratherturnuptheirnosesatgovernessesanddon'ttreatthemaswedo,"saidMeg,lookingaftertheretreatingfigurewithanannoyedexpression.
"Tutorsalsohaveratherahardtimeofitthere,asIknowtomysorrow.
There'snoplacelikeAmericaforusworkers,MissMargaret."
AndMr.BrookelookedsocontentedandcheerfulthatMegwasashamedtolamentherhardlot.
"I'mgladIliveinitthen.Idon'tlikemywork,butIgetagooddealofsatisfactionoutofitafterall,soIwon'tcomplain.IonlywishedIlikedteachingasyoudo."
"IthinkyouwouldifyouhadLaurieforapupil.Ishallbeverysorrytolosehimnextyear,"saidMr.Brooke,busilypunchingholesintheturf.
"Goingtocollege,Isuppose?"Meg'slipsaskedthequestion,buthereyesadded,"Andwhatbecomesofyou?"
"Yes,it'shightimehewent,forheisready,andassoonasheisoff,Ishallturnsoldier.Iamneeded."
"Iamgladofthat!"exclaimedMeg."Ishouldthinkeveryyoungmanwouldwanttogo,thoughitishardforthemothersandsisterswhostayathome,"sheaddedsorrowfully.
"Ihaveneither,andveryfewfriendstocarewhetherIliveordie,"saidMr.Brookeratherbitterlyasheabsentlyputthedeadroseintheholehehadmadeandcovereditup,likealittlegrave.
"Laurieandhisgrandfatherwouldcareagreatdeal,andweshouldallbeverysorrytohaveanyharmhappentoyou,"saidMegheartily.
"Thankyou,thatsoundspleasant,"beganMr.Brooke,lookingcheerfulagain,butbeforehecouldfinishhisspeech,Ned,mountedontheoldhorse,camelumberinguptodisplayhisequestrianskillbeforetheyoungladies,andtherewasnomorequietthatday.
"Don'tyoulovetoride?"askedGraceofAmy,astheystoodrestingafteraraceroundthefieldwiththeothers,ledbyNed.
"Idoteuponit.Mysister,Meg,usedtoridewhenPapawasrich,butwedon'tkeepanyhorsesnow,exceptEllenTree,"addedAmy,laughing.
"TellmeaboutEllenTree.Isitadonkey?"askedGracecuriously.
"Why,yousee,JoiscrazyabouthorsesandsoamI,butwe'veonlygotanoldsidesaddleandnohorse.
Outinourgardenisanappletreethathasanicelowbranch,soJoputthesaddleonit,fixedsomereinsonthepartthatturnsup,andwebounceawayonEllenTreewheneverwelike."
"Howfunny!"laughedGrace."Ihaveaponyathome,andridenearlyeverydayintheparkwithFredandKate.It'sverynice,formyfriendsgotoo,andtheRowisfullofladiesandgentlemen."
"Dear,howcharming!IhopeIshallgoabroadsomeday,butI'drathergotoRomethantheRow,"saidAmy,whohadnottheremotestideawhattheRowwasandwouldn'thaveaskedfortheworld.
Frank,sittingjustbehindthelittlegirls,heardwhattheyweresaying,andpushedhiscrutchawayfromhimwithanimpatientgestureashewatchedtheactiveladsgoingthroughallsortsofcomicalgymnastics.
Beth,whowascollectingthescatteredAuthorcards,lookedupandsaid,inhershyyetfriendlyway,"I'mafraidyouaretired.CanIdoanythingforyou?"
"Talktome,please.It'sdull,sittingbymyself,"answeredFrank,whohadevidentlybeenusedtobeingmademuchofathome.
IfheaskedhertodeliveraLatinoration,itwouldnothaveseemedamoreimpossibletasktobashfulBeth,buttherewasnoplacetorunto,noJotohidebehindnow,andthepoorboylookedsowistfullyatherthatshebravelyresolvedtotry.
"Whatdoyouliketotalkabout?"sheasked,fumblingoverthecardsanddroppinghalfasshetriedtotiethemup.
"Well,Iliketohearaboutcricketandboatingandhunting,"saidFrank,whohadnotyetlearnedtosuithisamusementstohisstrength.
Myheart!WhatshallIdo?
Idon'tknowanythingaboutthem,thoughtBeth,andforgettingtheboy'smisfortuneinherflurry,shesaid,hopingtomakehimtalk,"Ineversawanyhunting,butIsupposeyouknowallaboutit."
"Ididonce,butIcanneverhuntagain,forIgothurtleapingaconfoundedfive–barredgate,sotherearenomorehorsesandhoundsforme,"saidFrankwithasighthatmadeBethhateherselfforherinnocentblunder.
"Yourdeeraremuchprettierthanouruglybuffaloes,"shesaid,turningtotheprairiesforhelpandfeelinggladthatshehadreadoneoftheboys'booksinwhichJodelighted.
Buffaloesprovedsoothingandsatisfactory,andinhereagernesstoamuseanother,Bethforgotherself,andwasquiteunconsciousofhersisters'surpriseanddelightattheunusualspectacleofBethtalkingawaytooneofthedreadfulboys,againstwhomshehadbeggedprotection.
"Blessherheart!Shepitieshim,sosheisgoodtohim,"saidJo,beamingatherfromthecroquetground.
"Ialwayssaidshewasalittlesaint,"addedMeg,asiftherecouldbenofurtherdoubtofit.
"Ihaven'theardFranklaughsomuchforeversolong,"saidGracetoAmy,astheysatdiscussingdollsandmakingteasetsoutoftheacorncups.
"MysisterBethisaveryfastidiousgirl,whenshelikestobe,"saidAmy,wellpleasedatBeth'ssuccess.
Shemeant'facinating',butasGracedidn'tknowtheexactmeaningofeitherword,fastidioussoundedwellandmadeagoodimpression.
Animpromptucircus,foxandgeese,andanamicablegameofcroquetfinishedtheafternoon.
Atsunsetthetentwasstruck,hamperspacked,wicketspulledup,boatsloaded,andthewholepartyfloateddowntheriver,singingatthetopsoftheirvoices.
Ned,gettingsentimental,warbledaserenadewiththepensiverefrain...
Alone,alone,ah!Woe,alone,
andatthelines...
Weeachareyoung,weeachhaveaheart,
Oh,whyshouldwestandthuscoldlyapart?
helookedatMegwithsuchalackadiasicalexpressionthatshelaughedoutrightandspoiledhissong.
"Howcanyoubesocrueltome?"hewhispered,undercoverofalivelychorus."You'vekeptclosetothatstarched–upEnglishwomanallday,andnowyousnubme."
"Ididn'tmeanto,butyoulookedsofunnyIreallycouldn'thelpit,"repliedMeg,passingoverthefirstpartofhisreproach,foritwasquitetruethatshehadshunnedhim,rememberingtheMoffatpartyandthetalkafterit.
NedwasoffendedandturnedtoSallieforconsolation,sayingtoherratherpettishly,"Thereisn'tabitofflirtinthatgirl,isthere?"
"Notaparticle,butshe'sadear,"returnedSallie,defendingherfriendevenwhileconfessinghershortcomings.
"She'snotastrickendeeranyway,"saidNed,tryingtobewitty,andsucceedingaswellasveryyounggentlemenusuallydo.
Onthelawnwhereithadgathered,thelittlepartyseparatedwithcordialgoodnightsandgood–bys,fortheVaughnsweregoingtoCanada.
Asthefoursisterswenthomethroughthegarden,MissKatelookedafterthem,saying,withoutthepatronizingtoneinhervoice,"Inspiteoftheirdemonstrativemanners,Americangirlsareverynicewhenoneknowsthem."
"Iquiteagreewithyou,"saidMr.Brooke.
Share this article to
FINISH