His order was obeyed promptly; but George’s appetite was taken away the next moment by Dolly’s exclaiming, as he looked up from his damaged coat, with a scandalized face:
“You’ve put your foot in it now, old boy! that’s Morton, Mr Bhaer’s crack man. Knows everything, no end of a ‘dig’, and bound to carry off all the honours. You won’t hear the last of it in a hurry.” And Dolly laughed so heartily that a spoonful of ice flew upon the head of a lady sitting below him, and got him into a scrape also.
Leaving them to their despair, let us listen to the whispered chat of two girls comfortably seated in a recess waiting till their escorts were fed.
“I do think the Laurences give lovely parties. Don’t you enjoy them?” asked the younger, looking about her with the eager air of one unused to this sort of pleasure.
“Very much, only I never feel as if I was dressed right. My things seemed elegant at home, and I thought I’d be over over-dressed if anything; but I look countrified and dowdy here. No time or money to change now, even if I knew how to do it,” answered the other, glancing anxiously at her bright pink silk gown, trimmed with cheap lace.
“You must get Mrs Brooke to tell you how to fix your things. She was very kind to me. I had a green silk, and it looked so cheap and horrid by the side of the nice dresses here I felt regularly unhappy about it, and asked her how much a dress like one Mrs Laurence had would cost. That looked so simple and elegant I thought it wouldn’t be costly; but it was India mull and Valenciennes lace, so, of course, I couldn’t have it. Then Mrs Brooke said: ‘Get some muslin to cover the green silk, and wear hops or some white flowers, instead of pink, in your hair, and you will have a pretty suit.’ Isn’t it lovely and becoming?” And Miss Burton surveyed herself with girlish satisfaction; for a little taste had softened the harsh green, and hop-bells became her red hair better than roses.
“It’s sweet: I’ve been admiring it. I’ll do mine so and ask about my purple one. Mrs Brooke has helped me to get rid of my headaches, and Mary Clay’s dyspepsia is all gone since she gave up coffee and hot bread.”
“Mrs Laurence advised me to walk and run and use the gymnasium to cure my round shoulders and open my chest, and I’m a much better figure than I was.”
“Did you know that Mr Laurence pays all Amelia Merrill’s bills? Her father failed, and she was heartbroken at having to leave college; but that splendid man just stepped in and made it all right.”
“Yes, and Professor Bhaer has several of the boys down at his house evenings to help them along so they can keep up with the rest; and Mrs Bhaer took care of Charles Mackey herself when he had a fever last year. I do think they are the best and kindest people in the world.”
“So do I, and my time here will be the happiest and most useful years of my life.”
And both girls forgot their gowns and their suppers for a moment to look with grateful, affectionate eyes at the friends who tried to care for bodies and for souls as well as minds.
Now come to a lively party supping on the stairs, girls like foam at the top, and a substratum of youths below, where the heaviest particles always settle. Emil, who never sat if he could climb or perch, adorned the newel-post; Tom, Nat, Demi, and Dan were camped on the steps, eating busily, as their ladies were well served and they had earned a moment’s rest, which they enjoyed with their eyes fixed on the pleasing prospect above them.
“I’m so sorry the boys are going. It will be dreadfully dull without them. Now they have stopped teasing and are polite, I really enjoy them,” said Nan, who felt unusually gracious tonight as Tom’s mishap kept him from annoying her.
“So do I; and Bess was mourning about it today, though as a general thing she doesn’t like boys unless they are models of elegance. She has been doing Dan’s head, and it is not quite finished. I never saw her so interested in any work, and it’s very well done. He is so striking and big he always makes me think of the Dying Gladiator or some of those antique creatures. There’s Bess now. Dear child, how sweet she looks tonight!” answered Daisy, waving her hand as the Princess went by with Grandpa on her arm.
“I never thought he would turn out so well. Don’t you remember how we used to call him ‘the bad boy’ and be sure he would become a pirate or something awful because he glared at us and swore sometimes? Now he is the handsomest of all the boys, and very entertaining with his stories and plans. I like him very much; he’s so big and strong and independent. I’m tired of mollycoddles and bookworms,” said Nan in her decided way.
“Not handsomer than Nat!” cried loyal Daisy, contrasting two faces below, one unusually gay, the other sentimentally sober even in the act of munching cake. “I like Dan, and am glad he is doing well; but he tires me, and I’m still a little afraid of him. Quiet people suit me best.”
“Life is a fight, and I like a good soldier. Boys take things too easily, don’t see how serious it all is and go to work in earnest. Look at that absurd Tom, wasting his time and making an object of himself just because he can’t have what he wants, like a baby crying for the moon. I’ve no patience with such nonsense,” scolded Nan, looking down at the jovial Thomas, who was playfully putting macaroons in Emil’s shoes, and trying to beguile his exile as best he could.
“Most girls would be touched by such fidelity. I think it’s beautiful,” said Daisy behind her fan; for other girls sat just below.
“You are a sentimental goose and not a judge. Nat will be twice the man when he comes back after his trip. I wish Tom was going with him. My idea is that if we girls have any influence we should use it for the good of these boys, and not pamper them up, making slaves of ourselves and tyrants of them. Let them prove what they can do and be before they ask anything of us, and give us a chance to do the same. Then we know where we are, and shall not make mistakes to mourn over all our lives.”
“Hear, hear!” cried Alice Heath, who was a girl after Nan’s own heart, and had chosen a career, like a brave and sensible young woman. “Only give us a chance, and have patience till we can do our best. Now we are expected to be as wise as men who have had generations of all the help there is, and we scarcely anything. Let us have equal opportunities, and in a few generations we will see what the judgement is. I like justice, and we get very little of it.”
“Still shouting the battle-cry of freedom?” asked Demi, peering through the banisters at this moment. “Up with your flag! I’ll stand by and lend a hand if you want it. With you and Nan to lead the van, I think you won’t need much help.”
“You are a great comfort, Demi, and I’ll call on you in all emergencies; for you are an honest boy, and don’t forget that you owe much to your mother and your sisters and your aunts,” continued Nan. “I do like men who come out frankly and own that they are not gods. How can we think them so when such awful mistakes are being made all the time by these great creatures? See them sick, as I do, then you know them.”
“Don’t hit us when we are down; be merciful, and set us up to bless and believe in you evermore,” pleaded Demi from behind the bars.
“We’ll be kind to you if you will be just to us. I don’t say generous, only just. I went to a suffrage debate in the Legislature last winter; and of all the feeble, vulgar twaddle I ever heard, that was the worst; and those men were our representatives. I blushed for them, and the wives and mothers. I want an intelligent man to represent me, if I can’t do it myself, not a fool.”
“Nan is on the stump. Now we shall catch it,” cried Tom, putting up an umbrella to shield his unhappy head; for Nan’s earnest voice was audible, and her indignant eye happened to rest on him as she spoke.
“Go on, go on! I’ll take notes, and put in ‘great applause’ liberally,” added Demi, producing his ball-book and pencil, with his Jenkins air.
Daisy pinched his nose through the bars, and the meeting was rather tumultuous for a moment, for Emil called: “Avast, avast, here’s a squall to win’dard” Tom applauded wildly; Dan looked up as if the prospect of a fight, even with words
, pleased him, and Nat went to support Demi, as his position seemed to be a good one. At this crisis, when everyone laughed and talked at once, Bess came floating through the upper hall and looked down like an angel of peace upon the noisy group below, as she asked, with wondering eyes and smiling lips:
“What is it?”
“An indignation meeting. Nan and Alice are on the rampage, and we are at the bar to be tried for our lives. Will Your Highness preside and judge between us?” answered Demi, as a lull at once took place; for no one rioted in the presence of the Princess.
“I’m not wise enough. I’ll sit here and listen. Please go on.” And Bess took her place above them all as cool and calm as a little statue of Justice, with fan and nosegay in place of sword and scales.
“Now, ladies, free your minds, only spare us till morning; for we’ve got a german to dance as soon as everyone is fed, and Parnassus expects every man to do his duty. Mrs President Giddy-gaddy has the floor,” said Demi, who liked this sort of fun better than the very mild sort of flirtation which was allowed at Plumfield, for the simple reason that it could not be entirely banished, and is a part of all education, co-or otherwise.
“I have only one thing to say, and it is this,” began Nan soberly, though her eyes sparkled with a mixture of fun and earnestness. “I want to ask every boy of you what you really think on this subject. Dan and Emil have seen the world and ought to know their own minds. Tom and Nat have had five examples before them for years. Demi is ours and we are proud of him. So is Rob. Ted is a weathercock, and Dolly and George, of course, are fogies in spite of the Annex, and girls at Girton going ahead of the men. Commodore, are you ready for the question?”
“Ay, ay, skipper.”
“Do you believe in Woman’s Suffrage?”
“Bless your pretty figger head! I do, and I’ll ship a crew of girls any time you say so. Aren’t they worse than a press-gang to carry a fellow out of his moorings? Don’t we all need one as pilot to steer us safe to port? and why shouldn’t they share our mess afloat and ashore since we are sure to be wrecked without ’em?”
“Good for you, Emil! Nan will take you for first mate after that handsome speech,” said Demi, as the girls applauded, and Tom glowered.
“Now, Dan, you love liberty so well yourself, are you willing we should have it?”
“All you can get, and I’ll fight any man who’s mean enough to say you don’t deserve it.”
This brief and forcible reply delighted the energetic President, and she beamed upon the member from California, as she said briskly:
“Nat wouldn’t dare to say he was on the other side even if he were, but I hope he has made up his mind to pipe for us, at least when we take the field, and not be one of those who wait till the battle is won, and then beat the drums and share the glory.”
Mrs Giddy-gaddy’s doubts were most effectually removed, and her sharp speech regretted, as Nat looked up blushing, but with a new sort of manliness in face and manner, saying, in a tone that touched them all:
“I should be the most ungrateful fellow alive if I did not love, honour, and serve women with all my heart and might, for to them I owe everything I am or ever shall be.”
Daisy clapped her hands, and Bess threw her bouquet into Nat’s lap, while the other girls waved their fans, well pleased; for real feeling made his little speech eloquent.
“Thomas B. Bangs, come into court, and tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, if you can,” commanded Nan, with a rap to call the meeting to order.
Tom shut the umbrella, and standing up raised his hand, saying solemnly:
“I believe in suffrage of all kinds. I adore all women, and will die for them at any moment if it will help the cause.”
“Living and working for it is harder, and therefore more honourable. Men are always ready to die for us, but not to make our lives worth having. Cheap sentiment and bad logic. You will pass, Tom, only don’t twaddle. Now, having taken the sense of the meeting we will adjourn, as the hour for festive gymnastics has arrived. I am glad to see that old Plum has given six true men to the world, and hope they will continue to be staunch to her and the principles she has taught them, wherever they may go. Now, girls, don’t sit in draughts, and, boys, beware of ice-water when you are warm.”
With this characteristic close Nan retired from office, and the girls went to enjoy one of the few rights allowed them.
CHAPTER 6
LAST WORDS
THE NEXT day was Sunday, and a goodly troop of young and old set forth to church—some driving, some walking, all enjoying the lovely weather and the happy quietude which comes to refresh us when the work and worry of the week are over. Daisy had a headache; and Aunt Jo remained at home to keep her company, knowing very well that the worst ache was in the tender heart struggling dutifully against the love that grew stronger as the parting drew nearer.
“Daisy knows my wishes, and I trust her. You must keep an eye on Nat, and let him clearly understand that there is to be no ‘lovering’, or I shall forbid the letter-writing. I hate to seem cruel, but it is too soon for my dear girl to bind herself in any way,” said Mrs Meg, as she rustled about in her best grey silk, while waiting for Demi, who always escorted his pious mother to church as a peace-offering for crossing her wishes in other things.
“I will, dear; I’m lying in wait for all three boys today, like an old spider; and I will have a good talk with each. They know I understand them, and they always open their hearts sooner or later. You look like a nice, plump little Quakeress, Meg; and no one will believe that big boy is your son,” added Mrs Jo, as Demi came in shining with Sunday neatness, from his well-blacked boots to his smooth brown head.
“You flatter me, to soften my heart toward your boy. I know your ways, Jo, and I don’t give in. Be firm, and spare me a scene by and by. As for John, as long as he is satisfied with his old mother, I don’t care what people think,” answered Mrs Meg, accepting with a smile the little posy of sweet peas and mignonette Demi brought her.
Then, having buttoned her dove-coloured gloves with care, she took her son’s arm and went proudly away to the carriage, where Amy and Bess waited, while Jo called after them, just as Marmee used to do:
“Girls, have you got nice pocket-handkerchiefs?” They all smiled at the familiar words, and three white banners waved as they drove away, leaving the spider to watch for her first fly. She did not wait long. Daisy was lying down with a wet cheek on the little hymn-book out of which she and Nat used to sing together; so Mrs Jo strolled about the lawn, looking very like a wandering mushroom with her large buff umbrella.
Dan had gone for a ten-mile stroll; and Nat was supposed to have accompanied him, but presently came sneaking back, unable to tear himself away from the Dovecote or lose a moment of nearness to his idol that last day. Mrs Jo saw him at once, and beckoned him to a rustic seat under the old elm, where they could have their confidences undisturbed, and both keep an eye on a certain white-curtained window, half hidden in vines.
“Nice and cool here. I’m not up to one of Dan’s tramps today—it’s so warm, and he goes so like a steam-engine. He headed for the swamp where his pet snakes used to live, and I begged to be excused,” said Nat, fanning himself with his straw hat, though the day was not oppressive.
“I’m glad you did. Sit and rest with me, and have one of our good old talks. We’ve both been so busy lately, I feel as if I didn’t half know your plans; and I want to,” answered Mrs Jo, feeling sure that though they might start with Leipzig they would bring up at Plumfield.
“You are very kind, and there’s nothing I’d like better. I don’t realize I’m going so far—suppose I shan’t till I get afloat. It’s a splendid start, and I don’t know how I can ever thank Mr Laurie for all he’s done, or you either,” added Nat, with a break in his voice; for he was a tender-hearted fellow, and never forgot a kindness.
“You can thank us beautifully by being and doing all we hope and expect of you, my dear. In the n
ew life you are going to there will be a thousand trials and temptations, and only your own wit and wisdom to rely on. That will be the time to test the principles we have tried to give you, and see how firm they are. Of course, you will make mistakes—we all do; but don’t let go of your conscience and drift along blindly. Watch and pray, dear Nat; and while your hand gains skill, let your head grow wiser, and keep your heart as innocent and warm as it is now.”
“I’ll try, Mother Bhaer, my very best to be a credit to you. I know I shall improve in my music—can’t help it there; but I never shall be very wise, I’m afraid. As for my heart, you know, I leave it behind me in good keeping.”
As he spoke, Nat’s eyes were fixed on the window with a look of love and longing that made his quiet face both manly and sad—plainly showing how strong a hold this boyish affection had upon him.
“I want to speak of that; and I know you will forgive what seems hard, because I do most heartily sympathize with you,” said Mrs Jo, glad to have her say.
“Yes, do talk about Daisy! I think of nothing but leaving and losing her. I have no hope—I suppose it is too much to ask; only I can’t help loving her, wherever I am!” cried Nat, with a mixture of defiance and despair in his face that rather startled Mrs Jo.
“Listen to me and I’ll try to give you both comfort and good advice. We all know that Daisy is fond of you, but her mother objects, and being a good girl she tries to obey. Young people think they never can change, but they do in the most wonderful manner, and very few die of broken hearts.” Mrs Jo smiled as she remembered another boy whom she had once tried to comfort, and then went soberly on while Nat listened as if his fate hung upon her lips.
“One of two things will happen. You will find someone else to love, or, better still, be so busy and happy in your music that you will be willing to wait for time to settle the matter for you both. Daisy will perhaps forget when you are gone, and be glad you are only friends. At any rate it is much wiser to have no promises made; then both are free, and in a year or two may meet to laugh over the little romance nipped in the bud.”