"There, I've done my best! If this won't suit I shall have to wait till I can do better."
185 Lying back on the sofa, she read the manuscript carefully through, making dashes here and there, and putting in many exclamation4 points, which looked like little balloons; then she tied it up with a smart red ribbon, and sat a minute looking at it with a sober, wistful expression, which plainly showed how earnest her work had been. Jo's desk up here was an old tin kitchen, which hung against the wall. In it she kept her papers and a few books, safely shut away from Scrabble, who, being likewise of a literary turn, was fond of making a circulating library of such books as were left in his way, by eating the leaves. From this tin receptacle Jo produced another manuscript; and, putting both in her pocket, crept quietly down stairs, leaving her friends to nibble5 her pens and taste her ink.
She put on her hat and jacket as noiselessly as possible, and, going to the back entry window, got out upon the roof of a low porch, swung herself down to the grassy6 bank, and took a roundabout way to the road. Once there, she composed herself, hailed a passing omnibus, and rolled away to town, looking very merry and mysterious.
If any one had been watching her, he would have thought her movements decidedly peculiar8; for, on alighting, she went off at a great pace till she reached a certain number in a certain busy street; having found the place with some difficulty, she went into the door-way, looked up the dirty stairs, and, after standing9 stock still a minute, suddenly dived into the street, and walked away as rapidly as she came. This man?uvre she repeated several times, to the great amusement of a black-eyed young gentleman lounging in the window of a building opposite. On returning for the third time, Jo gave herself a shake, pulled her hat over her eyes, and walked up the stairs, looking as if she were going to have all her teeth out.
There was a dentist's sign, among others, which adorned10 the entrance, and, after staring a moment at the pair of artificial jaws11 which slowly opened and shut to draw attention to a fine set of teeth, the young gentleman put on his coat, took his hat, and went down to post himself in the opposite door-way, saying, with a smile and a shiver,—
"It's like her to come alone, but if she has a bad time she'll need some one to help her home."
186 In ten minutes Jo came running down stairs with a very red face, and the general appearance of a person who had just passed through a trying ordeal12 of some sort. When she saw the young gentleman she looked anything but pleased, and passed him with a nod; but he followed, asking with an air of sympathy,—
"Did you have a bad time?"
"Not very."
"You got through quickly."
"Yes, thank goodness!"
"Why did you go alone?"
"Didn't want any one to know."
"You're the oddest fellow I ever saw. How many did you have out?"
Jo looked at her friend as if she did not understand him; then began to laugh, as if mightily13 amused at something.
"There are two which I want to have come out, but I must wait a week."
"So are you. What were you doing, sir, up in that billiard saloon?"
"Begging your pardon, ma'am, it wasn't a billiard saloon, but a gymnasium, and I was taking a lesson in fencing."
"I'm glad of that."
"Why?"
"You can teach me, and then when we play Hamlet, you can be Laertes, and we'll make a fine thing of the fencing scene."
Laurie burst out with a hearty15 boy's laugh, which made several passers-by smile in spite of themselves.
"I'll teach you whether we play Hamlet or not; it's grand fun, and will straighten you up capitally. But I don't believe that was your only reason for saying 'I'm glad,' in that decided7 way; was it, now?"
"No, I was glad that you were not in the saloon, because I hope you never go to such places. Do you?"
"Not often."
"I wish you wouldn't."
187 "It's no harm, Jo. I have billiards17 at home, but it's no fun unless you have good players; so, as I'm fond of it, I come sometimes and have a game with Ned Moffat or some of the other fellows."
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry, for you'll get to liking18 it better and better, and will waste time and money, and grow like those dreadful boys. I did hope you'd stay respectable, and be a satisfaction to your friends," said Jo, shaking her head.
"Can't a fellow take a little innocent amusement now and then without losing his respectability?" asked Laurie, looking nettled20.
"That depends upon how and where he takes it. I don't like Ned and his set, and wish you'd keep out of it. Mother won't let us have him at our house, though he wants to come; and if you grow like him she won't be willing to have us frolic together as we do now."
"Won't she?" asked Laurie anxiously.
"No, she can't bear fashionable young men, and she'd shut us all up in bandboxes rather than have us associate with them."
"Well, she needn't get out her bandboxes yet; I'm not a fashionable party, and don't mean to be; but I do like harmless larks21 now and then, don't you?"
"Yes, nobody minds them, so lark22 away, but don't get wild, will you? or there will be an end of all our good times."
"I'll be a double-distilled saint."
"I can't bear saints: just be a simple, honest, respectable boy, and we'll never desert you. I don't know what I should do if you acted like Mr. King's son; he had plenty of money, but didn't know how to spend it, and got tipsy and gambled, and ran away, and forged his father's name, I believe, and was altogether horrid23."
"You think I'm likely to do the same? Much obliged."
"No, I don't—oh, dear, no!—but I hear people talking about money being such a temptation, and I sometimes wish you were poor; I shouldn't worry then."
"Do you worry about me, Jo?"
"A little, when you look moody24 or discontented, as you sometimes do; for you've got such a strong will, if you once get started wrong, I'm afraid it would be hard to stop you."
Laurie walked in silence a few minutes, and Jo watched him, wishing 188 she had held her tongue, for his eyes looked angry, though his lips still smiled as if at her warnings.
"Are you going to deliver lectures all the way home?" he asked presently.
"Of course not; why?"
"Because if you are, I'll take a 'bus; if you are not, I'd like to walk with you, and tell you something very interesting."
"I won't preach any more, and I'd like to hear the news immensely."
"Very well, then; come on. It's a secret, and if I tell you, you must tell me yours."
"I haven't got any," began Jo, but stopped suddenly, remembering that she had.
"You know you have,—you can't hide anything; so up and 'fess, or I won't tell," cried Laurie.
"Is your secret a nice one?"
"Oh, isn't it! all about people you know, and such fun! You ought to hear it, and I've been aching to tell it this long time. Come, you begin."
"You'll not say anything about it at home, will you?"
"Not a word."
"And you won't tease me in private?"
"I never tease."
"Yes, you do; you get everything you want out of people. I don't know how you do it, but you are a born wheedler25."
"Thank you; fire away."
"Well, I've left two stories with a newspaper man, and he's to give his answer next week," whispered Jo, in her confidant's ear.
"Hurrah for Miss March, the celebrated27 American authoress!" cried Laurie, throwing up his hat and catching28 it again, to the great delight of two ducks, four cats, five hens, and half a dozen Irish children; for they were out of the city now.
"Hush29! It won't come to anything, I dare say; but I couldn't rest till I had tried, and I said nothing about it, because I didn't want any one else to be disappointed."
"It won't fail. Why, Jo, your stories are works of Shakespeare, 189 compared to half the rubbish that is published every day. Won't it be fun to see them in print; and sha'n't we feel proud of our authoress?"
Jo's eyes sparkled, for it is always pleasant to be believed in; and a friend's praise is always sweeter than a dozen newspaper puffs30.
"Where's your secret? Play fair, Teddy, or I'll never believe you again," she said, trying to extinguish the brilliant hopes that blazed up at a word of encouragement.
"I may get into a scrape for telling; but I didn't promise not to, so I will, for I never feel easy in my mind till I've told you any plummy bit of news I get. I know where Meg's glove is."
"Is that all?" said Jo, looking disappointed, as Laurie nodded and twinkled, with a face full of mysterious intelligence.
"It's quite enough for the present, as you'll agree when I tell you where it is."
"Tell, then."
Laurie bent31, and whispered three words in Jo's ear, which produced a comical change. She stood and stared at him for a minute, looking both surprised and displeased32, then walked on, saying sharply, "How do you know?"
"Saw it."
"Where?"
"Pocket."
"All this time?"
190 "Yes; isn't that romantic?"
"No, it's horrid."
"Don't you like it?"
"Of course I don't. It's ridiculous; it won't be allowed. My patience! what would Meg say?"
"You are not to tell any one; mind that."
"I didn't promise."
"That was understood, and I trusted you."
"Well, I won't for the present, any way; but I'm disgusted, and wish you hadn't told me."
"I thought you'd be pleased."
"At the idea of anybody coming to take Meg away? No, thank you."
"You'll feel better about it when somebody comes to take you away."
"I'd like to see any one try it," cried Jo fiercely.
"I don't think secrets agree with me; I feel rumpled34 up in my mind since you told me that," said Jo, rather ungratefully.
"Race down this hill with me, and you'll be all right," suggested Laurie.
No one was in sight; the smooth road sloped invitingly36 before her; and finding the temptation irresistible37, Jo darted away, soon leaving hat and comb behind her, and scattering38 hair-pins as she ran. Laurie reached the goal first, and was quite satisfied with the success of his treatment; for his Atalanta came panting up, with flying hair, bright eyes, ruddy cheeks, and no signs of dissatisfaction in her face.
191 "I wish I was a horse; then I could run for miles in this splendid air, and not lose my breath. It was capital; but see what a guy it's made me. Go, pick up my things, like a cherub39 as you are," said Jo, dropping down under a maple-tree, which was carpeting the bank with crimson40 leaves.
Laurie leisurely41 departed to recover the lost property, and Jo bundled up her braids, hoping no one would pass by till she was tidy again. But some one did pass, and who should it be but Meg, looking particularly ladylike in her state and festival suit, for she had been making calls.
"What in the world are you doing here?" she asked, regarding her dishevelled sister with well-bred surprise.
"And hair-pins," added Laurie, throwing half a dozen into Jo's lap. "They grow on this road, Meg; so do combs and brown straw hats."
"You have been running, Jo; how could you? When will you stop such romping44 ways?" said Meg reprovingly, as she settled her cuffs45, and smoothed her hair, with which the wind had taken liberties.
"Never till I'm stiff and old, and have to use a crutch46. Don't try to make me grow up before my time, Meg: it's hard enough to have you change all of a sudden; let me be a little girl as long as I can."
As she spoke47, Jo bent over the leaves to hide the trembling of her lips; for lately she had felt that Margaret was fast getting to be a woman, and Laurie's secret made her dread19 the separation which must surely come some time, and now seemed very near. He saw the trouble in her face, and drew Meg's attention from it by asking quickly, "Where have you been calling, all so fine?"
"At the Gardiners', and Sallie has been telling me all about Belle48 Moffat's wedding. It was very splendid, and they have gone to spend the winter in Paris. Just think how delightful49 that must be!"
"Do you envy her, Meg?" said Laurie.
"I'm afraid I do."
"I'm glad of it!" muttered Jo, tying on her hat with a jerk.
192 "Why?" asked Meg, looking surprised.
"Because if you care much about riches, you will never go and marry a poor man," said Jo, frowning at Laurie, who was mutely warning her to mind what she said.
"I shall never 'go and marry' any one," observed Meg, walking on with great dignity, while the others followed, laughing, whispering, skipping stones, and "behaving like children," as Meg said to herself, though she might have been tempted50 to join them if she had not had her best dress on.
For a week or two, Jo behaved so queerly that her sisters were quite bewildered. She rushed to the door when the postman rang; was rude to Mr. Brooke whenever they met; would sit looking at Meg with a woe-begone face, occasionally jumping up to shake, and then to kiss her, in a very mysterious manner; Laurie and she were always making signs to one another, and talking about "Spread Eagles," till the girls declared they had both lost their wits. On the second Saturday after Jo got out of the window, Meg, as she sat sewing at her window, was scandalized by the sight of Laurie chasing Jo all over the garden, and finally capturing her in Amy's bower51. What went on there, Meg could not see; but shrieks52 of laughter were heard, followed by the murmur53 of voices and a great flapping of newspapers.
"What shall we do with that girl? She never will behave like a young lady," sighed Meg, as she watched the race with a disapproving54 face.
"I hope she won't; she is so funny and dear as she is," said Beth, who had never betrayed that she was a little hurt at Jo's having secrets with any one but her.
"It's very trying, but we never can make her commy la fo," added Amy, who sat making some new frills for herself, with her curls tied up in a very becoming way,—two agreeable things, which made her feel unusually elegant and ladylike.
Jo laid herself on the sofa and affected to read
"Have you anything interesting there?" asked Meg, with condescension56.
193 "Nothing but a story; won't amount to much, I guess," returned Jo, carefully keeping the name of the paper out of sight.
"You'd better read it aloud; that will amuse us and keep you out of mischief," said Amy, in her most grown-up tone.
"What's the name?" asked Beth, wondering why Jo kept her face behind the sheet.
"The Rival Painters."
"That sounds well; read it," said Meg.
With a loud "Hem16!" and a long breath, Jo began to read very fast. The girls listened with interest, for the tale was romantic, and somewhat pathetic, as most of the characters died in the end.
"I like that about the splendid picture," was Amy's approving remark, as Jo paused.
"I prefer the lovering part. Viola and Angelo are two of our favorite names; isn't that queer?" said Meg, wiping her eyes, for the "lovering part" was tragical57.
"Who wrote it?" asked Beth, who had caught a glimpse of Jo's face.
The reader suddenly sat up, cast away the paper, displaying a flushed countenance58, and, with a funny mixture of solemnity and excitement, replied in a loud voice, "Your sister."
"You?" cried Meg, dropping her work.
194 "It's very good," said Amy critically.
"I knew it! I knew it! O my Jo, I am so proud!" and Beth ran to hug her sister, and exult59 over this splendid success.
Dear me, how delighted they all were, to be sure! how Meg wouldn't believe it till she saw the words, "Miss Josephine March," actually printed in the paper; how graciously Amy criticised the artistic60 parts of the story, and offered hints for a sequel, which unfortunately couldn't be carried out, as the hero and heroine were dead; how Beth got excited, and skipped and sung with joy; how Hannah came in to exclaim "Sakes alive, well I never!" in great astonishment61 at "that Jo's doin's;" how proud Mrs. March was when she knew it; how Jo laughed, with tears in her eyes, as she declared she might as well be a peacock and done with it; and how the "Spread Eagle" might be said to flap his wings triumphantly62 over the House of March, as the paper passed from hand to hand.
"Tell us all about it." "When did it come?" "How much did you get for it?" "What will father say?" "Won't Laurie laugh?" cried the family, all in one breath, as they clustered about Jo; for these foolish, affectionate people made a jubilee63 of every little household joy.
"Stop jabbering64, girls, and I'll tell you everything," said Jo, wondering if Miss Burney felt any grander over her "Evelina" than she did over her "Rival Painters." Having told how she disposed of her tales, Jo added, "And when I went to get my answer, the man said he liked them both, but didn't pay beginners, only let them print in his paper, and noticed the stories. It was good practice, he said; and when the beginners improved, any one would pay. So I let him have the two stories, and to-day this was sent to me, and Laurie caught me with it, and insisted on seeing it, so I let him; and he said it was good, and I shall write more, and he's going to get the next paid for, and I am so happy, for in time I may be able to support myself and help the girls."
Jo's breath gave out here; and, wrapping her head in the paper, she bedewed her little story with a few natural tears; for to be independent, and earn the praise of those she loved were the dearest wishes of her heart, and this seemed to be the first step toward that happy end.
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1
chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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promenaded
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| v.兜风( promenade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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scribbled
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| v.潦草的书写( scribble的过去式和过去分词 )；乱画；草草地写；匆匆记下 | |
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4
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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nibble
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| n.轻咬，啃；v.一点点地咬，慢慢啃，吹毛求疵 | |
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grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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14
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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billiards
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| n.台球 | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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nettled
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| v.拿荨麻打，拿荨麻刺（nettle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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larks
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| n.百灵科鸟（尤指云雀）( lark的名词复数 )；一大早就起床；鸡鸣即起；（因太费力而不想干时说）算了v.百灵科鸟（尤指云雀）( lark的第三人称单数 )；一大早就起床；鸡鸣即起；（因太费力而不想干时说）算了 | |
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lark
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| n.云雀，百灵鸟；n.嬉戏，玩笑；vi.嬉戏 | |
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horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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moody
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| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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wheedler
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| 行骗者 | |
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hurrah
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| int.好哇，万岁，乌拉 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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30
puffs
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| n.吸( puff的名词复数 )；（烟斗或香烟的）一吸；一缕（烟、蒸汽等）；（呼吸或风的）呼v.使喷出( puff的第三人称单数 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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rumpled
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| v.弄皱，使凌乱( rumple的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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invitingly
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| adv. 动人地 | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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38
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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cherub
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| n.小天使，胖娃娃 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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41
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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43
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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44
romping
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| adj.嬉戏喧闹的，乱蹦乱闹的v.嬉笑玩闹( romp的现在分词 )；（尤指在赛跑或竞选等中）轻易获胜 | |
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45
cuffs
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| n.袖口( cuff的名词复数 )v.掌打，拳打( cuff的第三人称单数 ) | |
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46
crutch
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| n.T字形拐杖；支持，依靠，精神支柱 | |
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47
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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48
belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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49
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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50
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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51
bower
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| n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽 | |
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52
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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53
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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54
disapproving
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| adj.不满的，反对的v.不赞成( disapprove的现在分词 ) | |
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55
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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56
condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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57
tragical
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| adj. 悲剧的, 悲剧性的 | |
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58
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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59
exult
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| v.狂喜，欢腾；欢欣鼓舞 | |
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60
artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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61
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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62
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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63
jubilee
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| n.周年纪念；欢乐 | |
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64
jabbering
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| v.急切而含混不清地说( jabber的现在分词 )；急促兴奋地说话；结结巴巴 | |
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