Chapter 12 Camp Laurence

　　Beth was postmistress, for, being most at home, she could attend to it regularly, and dearly liked the daily task of unlocking the little door and distributing the mail. One July day she came in with her hands full, and went about the house leaving letters and parcels like the penny post.

　　`Here's your posy, Mother! Laurie never forgets that,' she said, putting the fresh nosegay in the vase which stood in `Marmee's corner', and was kept supplied by the affectionate boy.

　　`Miss Meg March, one letter and a glove,' continued Beth, delivering the article to her sister, who sat near her mother, stitching wristbands.

　　`Why, I left a pair over there, and here is only one,' said Meg looking at the grey cotton glove. `Didn't you drop the other in the garden?'

　　`No, I'm sure I didn't; for there was only one in the office.'

　　`I hate to have odd gloves! Never mind, the other may be found. My letter is only a translation of the German song I wanted; I think Mr. Brooke did it, for this isn't Laurie's writing.'

　　Mrs. March glanced at Meg, who was looking very pretty in her gingham morning gown, with the little curls blowing about her forehead, and very womanly, as she sat sewing at her little work-table, full of tiny white rolls; so unconscious of the thought in her mother's mind as she sewed and sung, while her fingers flew, and her thoughts were busied with girlish fancies as innocent and fresh as the pansies in her belt, that Mrs. March smiled, and was satisfied.

　　`Two letters for Doctor Jo, a book, and a funny old hat, which covered the whole post-office, stuck outside,' said Beth, laughing, as she went into the study, where Jo sat writing.

　　`What a sly fellow Laurie is! I said I wished bigger hats were the fashion, because I burn my face every hot day. He said, `Why mind the fashion? Wear a big hat and be comfortable!' I said I would if I had one, and he has sent me this to try me. I'll wear it, for fun, and show him I don't care for the fashion'; and hanging the antique broad-brim on a bust of Plato, Jo read her letters.

　　One from her mother made her cheeks glow and her eyes fill, for it said to her:

　　My Dear - I write a little word to tell you with how much satisfaction I watch your efforts to control your temper. You say nothing about your trials, failures, or successes, and think, perhaps, that no one sees them but the friend whose help you daily ask, if I may trust the well-worn cover of your guide book. I, too, have seen them all, and heartily believe in the sincerity of your resolution, since it begins to bear fruit. Go on, dear, patiently and bravely, and always believe that no one sympathises more tenderly with you than your loving

　　MOTHER

　　`That does me good! that's worth millions of money and pecks of praise. Oh, Marmee, I do try! I will keep on trying, and not get tired, since I have you to help me.'

　　Laying her head on her arm, Jo wet her little romance with a few happy tears, for she had thought no one saw and appreciated her efforts to do good; and this assurance was doubly precious, doubly encouraging, because unexpected, and from the person whose commendation she most valued. Feeling stronger than ever to meet and subdue her Apollyon, she pinned the note inside her frock, as a shield and a reminder, lest she be taken unawares, and proceeded to open her other letter, quite ready for either good or bad news. In a big, dashing hand, Laurie wrote:

　　Dear Jo,

　　What ho!

　　Some English girls and boys are coming to see me tomorrow, and I want to have a jolly time. If it's fine, I'm going to pitch my tent in Longmeadow, and row up the whole crew to lunch and croquet - have a fire, make messes, gipsy fashion, and all sorts of larks. They are nice people, and like such things. Brooke will go, to keep us boys steady, and Kate Vaughn will play propriety for the girls. I want you all to come; can't let Beth off at any price, and nobody shall worry her. Don't bother about rations - I'll see to that, and everything else - only do come, there's a good fellow!

　　In a tearing hurry,

　　Yours ever, LAURIE

　　`Here's richness!' cried Jo, flying in to tell the news to Meg. `Of course we can go, Mother? it will be such a help to Laurie, for I can row, and Meg see to the lunch, and the children be useful in some way.'

　　`I hope the Vaughns are not fine, grown-up people. Do you know anything about them, Jo?' asked Meg.

　　`Only that there are four of them. Kate is older than you, Fred and Frank (twins) about my age, and a little girl (Grace), who is nine or ten. Laurie knew them abroad, and liked the boys; I fancied, from the way he primmed up his mouth in speaking of her, that he didn't admire Kate much.'

　　`I'm so glad my French print is clean; it's just the thing, and so becoming!' observed Meg complacently. `Have you anything decent, Jo?'

　　`Scarlet and grey boating suit, good enough for me. I shall row and tramp about, so I don't want any starch to think of. You'll come, Betty?'

　　`If you won't let any of the boys talk to me.'

　　`Not a boy!'

　　`I like to please Laurie; and I'm not afraid of Mr. Brooke, he is so kind; but I don't want to play, or sing, or say anything. I'll work hard and not trouble anyone; and you'll take care of me, Jo, so I'll go.'

　　`That's my good girl; you do try to fight off your shyness, and I love you for it. Fighting faults isn't easy, as I know; and a cheery word kind of gives a lift. Thank you, Mother,' and Jo gave the thin cheek a grateful kiss, more precious to Mrs. March than if it had given back the rosy roundness of her youth.

　　`I had a box of chocolate drops, and the picture I wanted to copy,' said Amy, showing her mail.

　　`And I got a note from Mr. Laurence asking me to come over and play to him tonight before the lamps are lighted, and I shall go,' added Beth, whose friendship with the old gentleman prospered finely.

　　`Now let's fly round and do double duty today, so that we can play tomorrow with free minds,' said Jo, preparing to replace her pen with a broom.

　　When the sun peeped into the girls' room early the next morning, to promise them a fine day, he saw a comical sight. Each had made such preparation for the f阾e as seemed necessary and proper. Meg had an extra row of little curl papers across her forehead, Jo had copiously anointed her afflicted face with cold cream, Beth had taken Joanna to bed with her to atone for the approaching separation, and Amy had capped the climax by putting a clothes-pin on her nose, to uplift the offending feature. It was one of the kind artists used to hold the paper on their drawing-boards, therefore quite appropriate and effective for the purpose to which it was now put. This funny spectacle appeared to amuse the sun, for he burst out with such radiance that Jo woke up, and roused all her sisters by a hearty laugh at Amy's ornament.

　　Sunshine and laughter were good omens for a pleasure party, and soon a lively bustle began in both houses. Beth, who was ready first, kept reporting what went on next door, and enlivened her sisters' toilets by frequent telegrams from the window.

　　`There goes the man with the tent! I see Mrs. Barker doing up the lunch in a hamper and a great basket. Now Mr. Laurence is looking up at the sky and the weathercock; I wish he would go too. There's Laurie, looking like a sailor - nice boy! Oh, mercy me! here's a carriage full of people - a tall lady, a little girl, and two dreadful boys. One is lame; poor thing, he's got a crutch. Laurie didn't tell us that. Be quick, girls! it's getting late. Why, there is Ned Moffat, I do declare. Look, Meg, isn't that the man who bowed to you one day when we were shopping?'

　　`So it is. How queer that he should come. I thought he was at the Mountains. There is Sallie; I'm glad she's got back in time. Am I all right, Jo?' cried Meg, in a flutter.

　　`A regular daisy. Hold up your dress and put your hat straight; it looks sentimental tipped that way, and will fly off at the first puff. Now then, come on!'

　　`Oh, Jo, you are not going to wear that awful hat? It's too absurd! You shall not make a guy of yourself,' remonstrated Meg, as Jo tied down, with a red ribbon, the broad-brimmed old-fashioned Leghorn Laurie had sent for a joke.

　　`I just will, though, for it's capital - so shady, light, and big. It will make fun; and I don't mind being a guy if I'm comfortable.' With that Jo marched straight away, and the rest followed - a bright little band of sisters, all looking their best, in summer suits, with happy faces under the jaunty hat-brims.

　　Laurie ran to meet and present them to his friends in the most cordial manner. The lawn was the reception room, and for several minutes a lively scene was enacted there. Meg was grateful to see that Miss Kate, though twenty, was dressed with a simplicity that American girls would do well to imitate; and she was much flattered by Mr. Ned's assurances that he came especially to see her. Jo understood why Laurie `primmed up his mouth' when speaking of Kate, for that young lady had a stand-off-don't-touch-me air, which contrasted strongly with the free and easy demeanour of the other girls. Beth took an observation of the new boys, and decided that the lame one was not `dreadful', but gentle and feeble, and she would be kind to him on that account. Amy found Grace a well-mannered, merry little person; and after staring dumbly at one another for a few minutes, they suddenly became very good friends.

　　Tents, lunch, and croquet utensils had been sent on beforehand, the party was soon embarked, and the two boats pushed off together, leaving Mr. Laurence waving his hat on the shore. Laurie and Jo rowed one boat; Mr. Brooke and Ned the other; while Fred Vaughn, the riotous twin, did his best to upset both by paddling about in a wherry like a disturbed water-bug. Jo's funny hat deserved a word of thanks, for it was of general utility; it broke the ice in the beginning, by producing a laugh; it created quite a refreshing breeze, flapping to and fro as she rowed, and would make an excellent umbrella for the whole party if a shower came up, she said. Kate looked rather amazed at Jo's proceedings, especially as she exclaimed `Christopher Columbus!' when she lost her oar; and Laurie said, `My dear fellow, did I hurt you?' when he tripped over her feet in taking his place. But after putting up her glass to examine the queer girl several times, Miss Kate decided that she was `odd, but rather clever', and smiled upon her from afar.

　　Meg, in the other boat, was delightfully situated, face to face with the rowers, who both admired the prospect, and feathered their oars with uncommon `skill and dexterity'. Mr. Brooke was a grave, silent young man, with handsome brown eyes and a pleasant voice. Meg liked his quiet manners, and considered him a walking encyclopedia of useful knowledge. He never talked to her much, but he looked at her a good deal, and she felt sure that he did not regard her with aversion. Ned, being in college, of course put on all the airs which freshmen think it their bounden duty to assume; he was not very wise, but very good-natured, and altogether an excellent person to carry on a picnic. Sallie Gardiner was absorbed in keeping her white piqu* dress clean, and chattering with the ubiquitous Fred, who kept Beth in constant terror by his pranks.

　　It was not far to Longmeadow; but the tent was pitched and the wickets down by the time they arrived. A pleasant green field, with three wide-spreading oaks in the middle, and a smooth strip of turf for the croquet.

　　`Welcome to Camp Laurence!' said the young host, as they landed, with exclamations of delight.

　　`Brooke is commander-in-chief; I am commissary-general; the other fellows are staff-officers; and you, ladies, are company. The tent is for your especial benefit, and that oak is your drawing room; this is the messroom, and the third is the camp-kitchen. Now, let's have a game before it gets hot, and then we'll see about dinner.'

　　Frank, Beth, Amy, and Grace sat down to watch the game played by the other eight. Mr. Brooke chose Meg, Kate, and Fred; Laurie took Sallie, Jo, and Ned. The Englishers played well; but the Americans played better, and contested every inch of the ground as strongly as if the spirit of '76 inspired them. Jo and Fred had several skirmishes, and once narrowly escaped high words. Jo was through the last wicket, and had missed the stroke, which failure ruffled her a good deal. Fred was close behind her, and his turn came before hers; he gave a stroke, his ball hit the wicket, and stopped an inch on the wrong side. No one was very near; and running up to examine, he gave it a sly nudge with his toe, which put it just an inch on the right side.

　　`I'm through! Now, Miss Jo, I'll settle you, and get in first,' cried the young gentleman, swinging his mallet for another blow.

　　`You pushed it! I saw you; it's my turn now,' said Jo, sharply.

　　`Upon my word, I didn't move it; it rolled a bit, perhaps, but that is allowed; so stand off, please, and let me have a go at the stake.'

　　`We don't cheat in America, but you can, if you choose, said Jo, angrily.

　　`Yankees are a deal the most tricky, everybody knows. There you go!' returned Fred, croqueting her ball far away.

　　Jo opened her lips to say something rude, but checked herself in time, coloured up to her forehead, and stood a minute hammering down a wicket with all her might, while Fred hit the stake, and declared himself out with much exultation. She went off to get her ball, and was a long time finding it among the bushes; but she came back, looking cool and quiet, and waited her turn patiently. It took several strokes to regain the place she had lost; and, when she got there, the other side had nearly won, for Kate's ball was the last but one, and lay near the stake.

　　`By George, it's all up with us! Good-bye, Kate. Miss Jo owes me one, so you are finished,' cried Fred, excitedly, as they all drew near to see the finish.

　　`Yankees have a trick of being generous to their enemies,' said Jo, with a look that made the lad redden, `especially when they beat them,' she added, as, leaving Kate's ball untouched, she won the game by a clever stroke.

　　Laurie threw up his hat; then remembering that it wouldn't do to exult over the defeat of his guests, he stopped in the middle of a cheer to whisper to his friend: `Good for you, Jo! He did cheat, I saw him; we can't tell him so, but he won't do it again, take my word for it.'

　　Meg drew her aside, under pretence of pinning up a loose braid, and said approvingly: `It was dreadfully provoking; but you kept your temper, and I'm so glad, Jo.'

　　`Don't praise me, Meg, for I could box his ears this minute. I should certainly have boiled over if I hadn't stayed among the nettles till I got my rage under enough to hold my tongue. It's simmering now, so I hope he'll keep out of my way,' returned Jo, biting her lips, as she glowered at Fred from under her big hat.

　　`Time for lunch,' said Mr. Brooke, looking at his watch. `Commissary-general, will you make the fire and get water, while Miss March, Miss Sallie and I spread the table? Who can make good coffee? `

　　`Jo can!' said Meg, glad to recommend her sister. So Jo, feeling that her late lessons in cookery were to do her honour, went to preside over the coffee-pot, while the children collected dry sticks, and the boys made a fire, and got water from a spring near by. Miss Kate sketched, and Frank talked to Beth, who was making little mats of braided rushes to serve as plates. The commander-in-chief and his aides soon spread the tablecloth with an inviting array of eatables and drinkables, prettily decorated with green leaves. Jo announced that the coffee was ready, and everyone settled themselves to a hearty meal; for youth is seldom dyspeptic, and exercise develops wholesome appetites. A very merry lunch it was; for everything seemed fresh and funny, and frequent peals of laughter startled a venerable horse who fed near by. There was a pleasing inequality in the table, which produced many mishaps to cups and plates; acorns dropped into the milk, little black ants partook of the refreshments without being invited, and fuzzy caterpillars swung down from the tree to see what was going on. Three white-headed children peeped over the fence, and an objectionable dog barked at them from the other side of the river with all his might and main.

　　`There's salt here, if you prefer it,' said Laurie, as he handed Jo a saucer of berries.

　　`Thank you, I prefer spiders,' she replied, fishing up two unwary little ones who had gone to a creamy death. `How dare you remind me of that horrid dinner-party, when yours is so nice in every way?' added Jo, as they both laughed, and ate out of one plate, the china having run short.

　　`I had an uncommonly good time that day, and haven't got over it yet. This is no credit to me, you know; I don't do anything; it's you and Meg and Brooke who make it go, and I'm no end obliged to you. What shall we do when we can't eat any more?' asked Laurie, feeling that his trump card had been played when lunch was over.

　　`Have games till it's cooler. I brought "Authors", and I dare say Miss Kate knows something new and nice. Go and ask her; she's company, and you ought to stay with her more.

　　`Aren't you company, too? I thought she'd suit Brooke; but he keeps talking to Meg, and Kate just stares at them through that ridiculous glass of hers. I'm going, so you needn't try to preach propriety, for you can't do it, Jo.'

　　Miss Kate did know several new games; and as the girls would not, and the boys could not, eat any more, they all adjourned to the drawing room to play `Rigmarole'.

　　`One person begins a story, any nonsense you like, and tells as long as he pleases, only taking care to stop short at some exciting point, when the next takes it up and does the same. It's very funny when well done, and makes a perfect jumble of tragical comical stuff to laugh over. Please start it, Mr. Brooke,' said Kate with a commanding air, which surprised Meg, who treated the tutor with as much respect as any other gentleman.

　　Lying on the grass at the feet of the two young ladies, Mr. Brooke obediently began the story, with the handsome brown eyes steadily fixed upon the sunshiny river.

　　`Once upon a time a knight went out into the world to seek his fortune, for he had nothing but his sword and his shield. He travelled a long while, nearly eight-and-twenty years, and had a hard time of it, till he came to the palace of a good old king, who had offered a reward to any who would tame and train a fine but unbroken colt of which he was very fond. The knight agreed to try, and got on slowly but surely; for the colt was a gallant fellow, and soon learned to love his new master, though he was freakish and wild. Everyday, when he gave his lessons to this pet of the king's, the knight rode him through the city; and, as he rode, he looked everywhere for a certain beautiful face, which he had seen many times in his dreams, but never found. One day, as he went prancing down a quiet street, he saw at the window of a ruinous castle the lovely face. He was delighted, inquired who lived in this old castle, and was told that several captive princesses were kept there by a spell, and spun all day to lay up money to buy their liberty. The knight wished intensely that he could free them; but he was poor, and could only go by each day, watching for the sweet face, and longing to see it out in the sunshine. At last he resolved to get into the castle and ask how he could help them. He went and knocked; the great door flew open, and he beheld——'

　　`A ravishingly lovely lady, who exclaimed, with a cry of rapture, "At last! at last"', continued Kate, who had read French novels, and admired the style. `"'Tis she!" cried Count Gustave, and fell at her feet in an ecstasy of joy. "Oh, rise!" she said, extending a hand of marble fairness. "Never! till you tell me how I may rescue you," swore the knight, still kneeling. "Alas, my cruel fate condemns me to remain here till my tyrant is destroyed." "Where is the villain!" "In the mauve salon. Go, brave heart, and save me from despair." `I obey, and return victorious or dead!" With these thrilling words he rushed away, and flinging open the door of the mauve salon, was about to enter, when he received——'

　　`A stunning blow from the big Greek lexicon, which an old fellow in a black gown fired at him,' said Ned. `Instantly Sir What's his-name recovered himself, pitched the tyrant out of the window, and turned to join the lady victorious, but with a bump on his brow; found the door locked, tore up the curtains, made a rope ladder, got half way down when the ladder broke, and he went head first into the moat, sixty feet below. Could swim like a duck, paddled round the castle till he came to a little door guarded by two stout fellows; knocked their heads together till they cracked like a couple of nuts, then, by a trilling exertion of his prodigious strength, he smashed in the door, went up a pair of stone steps covered with dust a foot thick, toads as big as your fist, and spiders that would frighten you into hysterics, Miss March. At the top of these steps he came plump upon a sight that took his breath away and chilled his blood——'

　　`A tall figure, all in white, with a veil over its face, and a lamp in its wasted hand,' went on Meg. `It beckoned, gliding noiselessly before him down a corridor as dark and cold as any tomb. Shadowy effigies in armour stood on either side, a dead silence reigned, the lamp burned blue, and the ghostly figure ever and anon turned its face towards him showing the glitter of awful eyes through its white veil. They reached a curtained door, behind which sounded lovely music; he sprang forward to enter, but the spectre plucked him back, and waved threateningly before him a——'

　　`Snuff-box,' said Jo, in a sepulchral tone, which convulsed the audience. `"Thankee," said the knight, politely, as he took a pinch, and sneezed seven times so violently that his head fell off. "Ha! ha!" laughed the ghost; and having peeped through the keyhole at the princesses spinning away for dear life, the evil spirit picked up her victim and put him in a large tin box, where there were eleven other knights packed together without their heads, like sardines, who all rose and began to——'

　　`Dance a hornpipe,' cut in Fred, as Jo paused for breath; `and, as they danced, the rubbishy old castle turned to a man-of-war in full sail. "Up with the jib, reef the tops'l halliards, helm hard a-lee, and man the guns!" roared the captain, as a Portuguese pirate hove in sight, with a flag black as ink flying from her foremast. "Go in and win my hearties!" says the captain; and a tremendous fight began. Of course the British beat; they always do.'

　　`No, they don't,' cried Jo, aside.

　　`Having taken the pirate captain prisoner, sailed slap over the schooner, whose decks were piled with dead, and whose leescuppers ran blood, for the order had been "Cutlasses, and die hard!" "Bosun's mate, take a bright of the flying jib sheet, and start this villain if he don't confess his sins double quick," said the British captain. The Portuguese held his tongue like a brick, and walked the plank, while the jolly tars cheered like mad. But the sly dog dived, came up under the man-of-war, scuttled her, and down she went, with all sail set, "To the bottom of the sea, sea, sea," where——'

　　`Oh, gracious! what shall I say?' cried Sallie, as Fred ended his rigmarole, in which he had jumbled together, pell-mell, nautical phrases and facts out of one of his favourite books. `Well, they went to the bottom, and a nice mermaid welcomed them, but was much grieved on finding the box of headless knights, and kindly pickled them in brine, hoping to discover the mystery about them, for, being a woman, she was curious. By and by, a diver came down, and the mermaid said, "I'll give you this box of pearls if you can take it up"; for she wanted to restore the poor things to life, and couldn't raise the heavy load herself. So the diver hoisted it up, and was much disappointed to find no pearls. He left it in a great lonely field, where it was found by a——'

　　`Little goosegirl, who kept a hundred fat geese in the field,' said Amy, when Sallies invention gave out. `The little girl was sorry for them, and asked an old woman what she should do to help them. "Your geese will tell you, they know everything," said the old woman. So she asked what she should use for new heads, since the old ones were lost, and all the geese opened their hundred mouths and screamed——'

　　`"Cabbages!"' continued Laurie, promptly. `"Just the thing," said the girl, and ran to get twelve fine ones from her garden. She put them on, the knights revived at once, thanked her, and went on their way rejoicing, never knowing the difference, for there were so many other heads like them in the world that no one thought anything of it. The knight in whom I'm interested went back to find the pretty face, and learned that the princesses had spun themselves free, and all gone to be married but one. He was in a great state of mind at that; and mounting the colt, who stood by him through thick and thin, rushed to the castle to see which was left. Peeping over the hedge, he saw the queen of his affections picking flowers in her garden. "Will you give me a rose?" said he. "You must come and get it. I can't come to you; it isn't proper," said she, as sweet as honey. He tried to climb over the hedge, but it seemed to grow higher and higher; then he tried to push through, but it grew thicker and thicker and he was in despair. So he patiently broke twig after twig till he had made a little hole, through which he peeped, saying imploringly, "Let me in! let me in." But the pretty princess did not seem to understand, for she picked her roses quietly, and left him to fight his way in. Whether he did or not, Frank will tell you.'

　　`I can't; I'm not playing, I never do,' said Frank, dismayed at the sentimental predicament out of which he was to rescue the absurd couple. Beth had disappeared behind Jo, and Grace was asleep.

　　`So the poor knight is to be left sticking in the hedge, is he?' asked Mr. Brooke, still watching the river and playing with the wild rose in his buttonhole.

　　`I guess the princess gave him a posy, and opened the gate after a while,' said Laurie, smiling to himself, as he threw acorns at his tutor.

　　`What a piece of nonsense we have made! With practice we might do something quite clever. Do you know "Truth"?' asked Sallie, after they had laughed over their story.

　　`I hope so,' said Meg, soberly.

　　`The game, I mean?'

　　`What is it?' said Fred.

　　`Why, you pile up your hands, choose a number, and draw out in turn, and the person who draws at the number has to answer truly any questions put by the rest. It's great fun.'

　　`Let's try it,' said Jo, who liked new experiments.

　　Miss Kate and Mr. Brooke, Meg, and Ned declined, but Fred, Sallie, Jo, and Laurie piled and drew; and the lot fell to Laurie.

　　`Who are your heroes?' asked Jo.

　　`Grandfather and Napoleon.'

　　`Which lady here do you think prettiest?' said Sallie.

　　`Margaret.'

　　`Which do you like best?' from Fred.

　　`Jo, of course.'

　　`What silly questions you ask!' and Jo gave a disdainful shrug, as the rest laughed at Laurie's matter-of-fact tone.

　　`Try again; Truth isn't a bad game,' said Fred.

　　`It's, a very good one for you,' retorted Jo, in a low voice.

　　Her turn came next.

　　`What is your greatest fault?' asked Fred, by way of testing in her the virtue he lacked himself.

　　`A quick temper.'

　　`What do you most wish for?' said Laurie.

　　`A pair of boot-lacings,' returned Jo, guessing and defeating his purpose.

　　`Not a true answer; you must say what you really do want most.'

　　`Genius; don't you wish you could give it to me, Laurie?' and she slyly smiled in his disappointed face.

　　`What virtues do you most admire in a man?' asked Sallie.

　　`Courage and honesty.'

　　`Now my turn,' said Fred, as his hand came last.

　　`Let's give it to him,' whispered Laurie to Jo, who nodded, and asked at once: `Didn't you cheat at croquet?'

　　`Well, yes, a little bit.'

　　`Good! Didn't you take your story out of The Sea-Lion?' said Laurie.

　　`Rather.'

　　`Don't you think the English nation perfect in every respect?' asked Sallie.

　　`I should be ashamed of myself if I didn't.'

　　`He's a true John Bull. Now, Miss Sallie, You shall have a chance without waiting to draw. I'll harrow up your feelings first by asking if you don't think you are something of a flirt,' said Laurie, as Jo nodded to Fred, as a sign that peace was declared.

　　`You impertinent boy! of course I'm not,' exclaimed Sallie, with an air that proved the contrary.

　　`What do you hate most?' asked Fred.

　　`Spiders and rice-pudding.'

　　`What do you like best?' asked Jo.

　　`Dancing and French gloves.'

　　`Well, I think Truth is a very silly play; let's have a sensible game of Authors, to refresh our minds,' proposed Jo.

　　Ned, Frank, and the little girls joined in this, and while it went on the three elder sat apart talking. Miss Kate took out her sketch again, and Margaret watched her, while Mr. Brooke lay on the grass, with a book which he did not read.

　　`How beautifully you do it! I wish I could draw,' said Meg, with mingled admiration and regret in her voice.

　　`Why don't you learn? I should think you had taste and talent for it,' replied Miss Kate, graciously.

　　`I haven't time.'

　　`Your mamma prefers other accomplishments, I fancy. So did mine; but I proved to her that I had talent by taking a few lessons privately, and then she was quite willing I should go on. Can't you do the same with your governess?'

　　`I have none.'

　　`I forgot; young ladies in America go to school more than with us. Very fine schools they are, too, papa says. You go to a private one, I suppose?'

　　`I don't go at all; I am a governess myself.'

　　`Oh, indeed!' said Miss Kate; but she might as well have said, `Dear me, how dreadful!' for her tone implied it, and something in her face made Meg colour, and wish she had not been so frank.

　　Mr. Brooke looked up, and said quickly, `Young ladies in America love independence as much as their ancestors did, and are admired and respected for supporting themselves.'

　　`Oh, yes; of course it's very nice and proper in them to do so. We have many most respectable and worthy young women who do the same, and are employed by the nobility, because, being the daughters of gentlemen, they are both well-bred and accomplished, you know,' said Miss Kate in a patronising tone, that hurt Meg's pride, and made her work seem not only more distasteful, but degrading.

　　`Did the German song suit, Miss March?' inquired Mr. Brooke, breaking an awkward pause.

　　`Oh yes; it was very sweet, and I'm much obliged to whoever translated it for me'; and Meg's downcast face brightened as she spoke.

　　`Don't you read German?' asked Miss Kate, with a look of surprise.

　　`Not very well. My father, who taught me, is away, and I don't get on very fast alone, for I've no one to correct my pronunciation.'

　　`Try a little now; here is Schiller's Mary Stuart, an a tutor who loves to teach,' and Mr. Brooke laid his book on her lap, with an inviting smile.

　　`It's so hard, I'm afraid to try,' said Meg, grateful, but bashful in the presence of the accomplished young lady beside her.

　　`I'll read a bit to encourage you'; and Miss Kate read one of the most beautiful passages in a perfectly correct but perfectly expressionless manner.

　　Mr. Brooke made no comment as she returned the book to Meg, who said innocently:

　　`I thought it was poetry.'

　　`Some of it is. Try this passage.'

　　There was a queer smile about Mr. Brooke's mouth as he opened at poor Mary's lament.

　　Meg, obediently following the long grass blade which her new tutor used to point with, read slowly and timidly, unconsciously making poetry of the hard words by the soft intonation of her musical voice. Down the page went the green guide, and presently forgetting her listener in the beauty of the sad scene Meg read as if alone, giving a little touch of tragedy to the words of the unhappy queen. If she had seen the brown eyes then, she would have stopped short; but she never looked up, and the lesson was not spoiled for her.

　　`Very well indeed!' said Mr. Brooke, as she paused, quite ignoring her many mistakes, and looking as if he did, indeed, `love to teach'.

　　Miss Kate put up her glass, and having taken a survey of the little tableau before her, shut her sketch-book, saying, with condescension:

　　`You've a nice accent, and in time will be a clever reader. I advise you to learn, for German is a valuable accomplishment to teachers. I must look after Grace, she is romping'; and Miss Kate strolled away adding to herself, with a shrug, `I didn't come to chaperone a governess, though she is young and pretty. What odd people these Yankees are; I'm afraid Laurie will be quite spoilt among them.'

　　`I forgot that English people rather turn up their noses at governesses, and don't treat them as we do,' said Meg, looking after the retreating figure with an annoyed expression.

　　`Tutors, also, have rather a hard time of it there, as I know to my sorrow. There's no place like America for us workers, Miss Margaret', and Mr. Brooke looked so contented and cheerful, that Meg was ashamed to lament her hard lot. `I'm glad I live in it, then. I don't like my work, but I get a good deal of satisfaction out of it after all, so I won't complain; I only wish I liked teaching as you do.'

　　`I think you would if you had Laurie for a pupil. I shall be very sorry to lose him next year,' said Mr. Brooke, busily punching holes in the turf.

　　`Going to college, I suppose?' Meg's lips asked that question, but her eyes added, `And what becomes of you?'

　　`Yes; it's high time he went, for he is ready; and as soon as he is off I shall turn soldier. I am needed.'

　　`I am glad of that!' exclaimed Meg. `I should think every young man would want to go; though it is hard for the mothers and sisters who stay at home,' she added, sorrowfully.

　　`I have neither, and very few friends, to care whether I live or die,' said Mr. Brooke, rather bitterly, as he absently put the dead rose in the hole he had made and covered it up, like a little grave.

　　`Laurie and his grandfather would care a great deal, and we should all be very sorry to have any harm happen to you,' said Meg, heartily.

　　`Thank you; that sounds pleasant,' began Mr. Brooke, looking cheerful again; but before he could finish his speech, Ned, mounted on the old horse, came lumbering up to display his equestrian skill before the young ladies, and there was no more quiet that day.

　　`Don't you love to ride?' asked Grace of Amy, as they stood resting, after a race round the field with the others, led by Ned.

　　`I dote upon it; my sister Meg used to ride when papa was rich but we don't keep any horses now, except Ellen Tree,' added Amy, laughing.

　　`Tell me about Ellen Tree; is it a donkey?' asked Grace, curiously.

　　`Why, you see, Jo is crazy about horses, and so am I, but we've only got an old side-saddle, and no horse. But in our garden is an apple-tree, that has a nice low branch; so Jo put the saddle on it, fixed some reins on the part that turns up, and we bounce away on Ellen Tree whenever we like.'

　　`How funny!' laughed Grace. `I have a pony at home, and ride nearly every day in the park, with Fred and Kate; it's very nice, for my friends go too, and the Row is full of ladies and gentlemen.'

　　`Dear, how charming! I hope I shall go abroad some day; but I'd rather go to Rome than the Row,' said Amy, who had not the remotest idea what the Row was, and wouldn't have asked for the world.

　　Frank, sitting just behind the little girls, heard what they were saying, and pushed his crutch away from him with an impatient gesture, as he watched the active lads going through all sorts of comical gymnastics. Beth, who was collecting the scattered Author-cards, looked up, and said, in her shy yet friendly way:

　　`I'm afraid you are tired; can I do anything for you?'

　　`Talk to me, please; it's dull, sitting by myself,' answered Frank, who had evidently been used to being made much of at home.

　　If he had asked her to deliver a Latin oration, it would not have seemed a more impossible task to bashful Beth; but there was no place to run to, no Jo to hide behind now, and the poor boy looked so wistfully at her, that she bravely resolved to try.

　　`What do you like to talk about?' she asked, fumbling over the cards, and dropping half as she tried to tie them up.

　　`Well, I like to hear about cricket and boating and hunting,' said Frank, who had not yet learnt to suit his amusements to his strength.

　　`My heart! what shall I do? I don't know anything about them,' thought Beth; and, forgetting the boy's misfortune in her flurry, she said, hoping to make him talk, `I never saw any hunting, but I suppose you know all about it.'

　　`I did once; but I can never hunt again, for I got hurt leaping a confounded five-barred gate; so there are no more horses and hounds for me,' said Frank, with a sigh that made Beth hate herself for her innocent blunder.

　　`Your deer are much prettier than our ugly buffaloes,' she said, turning to the prairies for help, and feeling glad that she had read one of the boy's books in which Jo delighted.

　　Buffaloes proved soothing and satisfactory; and, in her eagerness to amuse another, Beth forgot herself, and was quite unconscious of her sisters' surprise and delight at the unusual spectacle of Beth talking away to one of the dreadful boys, against whom she had begged protection.

　　`Bless her heart! She pities him, so she is good to him,' said Jo, beaming at her from the croquet ground.

　　`I always said she was a little saint,' added Meg, as if there could be no further doubt about it.

　　`I haven't heard Frank laugh so much for ever so long,' said Grace to Amy, as they sat discussing dolls, and making tea-sets out of the acorn-cups.

　　`My sister Beth is a very fastidious girl when she likes to be,' said Amy, well pleased at Beth's success. She meant `fascinating', but as Grace didn't know the exact meaning of either word `fastidious' sounded well, and made a good impression. An impromptu circus, fox and geese, and an amicable game of croquet finished the afternoon. At sunset the tent was struck, hampers packed, wickets pulled up, boats loaded, and the whole party floated down the river, singing at the tops of their voices. Ned, getting sentimental, warbled a serenade with the pensive refrain:

　　`Alone, alone, ah! woe, alone,'

　　and at the lines:

　　`We each are young, we each have a heart, Oh, why should we thus stand coldly apart,'

　　he looked at Meg with such a lackadaisical expression that she laughed outright and spoilt his song.

　　`How can you be so cruel to me?' he whispered, under cover of a lively chorus. `You've kept close to that starched-up English woman all day, and now you snub me.'

　　`I didn't mean to; but you looked so funny I really couldn't help it,' replied Meg, passing over the first part of his reproach; for it was quite true that she had shunned him, remembering the Moffat party and the talk after it.

　　Ned was off ended, and turned to Sallie for consolation, saying to her, rather pettishly, `There isn't a bit of flirt in that girl, is there?'

　　`Not a particle; but she's a dear,' returned Sallie, def ending her friend, even while confessing her shortcomings.

　　`She's not a stricken deer, anyway,' said Ned, trying to be witty, and succeeding as well as very young gentlemen usually do. On the lawn, where it had gathered, the little party separated, with cordial good nights and good-byes, for the Vaughns were going to Canada. As the four sisters went home through the garden, Miss Kate looked after them, saying, without the patronising tone in her voice, `In spite of their demonstrative manners, American girls are very nice when one knows them.'

　　`I quite agree with you,' said Mr. Brooke.

 

贝思是个女邮政局长，因为她在家的时间最多，可以定时收寄邮件，而且她也十分喜欢每天打开那扇小门，分派信件。七月的一天，她双手捧得满满地走进来，像邮递员一样，满屋子派发信件包裹。

“这是您的花，妈妈！劳里总是把这事记在心上，”她边说边把鲜花插进摆在“妈咪角"的花瓶里。那位感情细腻的男孩子每天都要送上一束鲜花供她们插瓶。

“梅格·马奇小姐，一封信和一只手套。”贝思继续把邮件递给坐在妈妈身边缝衣袖口的姐姐。

“咦，我在那边丢了一双，怎么现在只有一只？”梅格望望灰色的棉手套。”你是不是把另一只丢在园子里头了？”“没有，我保证没有，因为邮箱里就只有一只。 “我讨厌单只手套！不过不要紧，另一只会找到的，我的信只是我要的一首德语歌的译文。我想是布鲁克写的，因为不是劳里的字迹。”马奇太太瞅一眼梅格，只见她穿着一袭方格花布晨衣，额前的小鬈发随风轻轻飘动，显得美丽动人，娇柔可爱。她坐在堆满整整齐齐的白布匹的小工作台边哼着歌儿飞针走线，脑子里只顾做着五彩斑斓、天真无邪的少女美梦、一点也没有觉察到妈妈的心事。马奇太太笑了，感到十分满意。

“乔博士有两封信，一本书，还有一顶趣怪的旧帽子，把整个邮箱都盖住了，还伸出外面，”贝里边说边笑着走进书房，乔正坐在书房里写作。

“劳里真是个狡猾的家伙。我说如果流行大帽子就好了，因为我每到天热就会把脸晒焦。他说：'何必管它流行不流行？

就戴一顶大帽，别难为了自己！'我说如果我有就会戴，他就送了这顶来试我。我偏要戴上它，跟他闹着玩，让他知道我不在乎流行不流行的。”乔把这顶旧式阔边帽子挂到柏拉图的半身像上，开始读信。

一封是妈妈写的，她读着便飞红了双颊，眼睛也潮湿了，因为信上说 -亲爱的：我写几句话告诉你，看到你为控制自己的脾气作出了巨大的努力，我感到多么高兴。你对自己的痛苦、失败、或成功只字不提，可能以为除了那位每天给你帮助的"朋友”外（我敢相信是你那本封面卷了角的指导书），没有人注意到这一切。不过，我也一一看在眼里，而且完全相信你的诚意和决心，因为你的决心已经开始结果了。继续努力吧，亲爱的，耐着性子，鼓足勇气，记住有一个人比任何人都更关心你，更爱护你，他就是你亲爱的妈妈“这些话对我很有好处，这封信抵得上万千金钱和无数溢美之辞。噢，妈咪，我确实是在努力！在您的帮助下，我一定不屈不挠地坚持下去。”乔把头埋在双臂上，为这小小的罗曼史洒下几滴热泪。她原以为没有人看到和欣赏她的努力，现在却意外地受到了母亲的赞扬，她一向最敬重母亲的话，因此这封信显得更加珍贵、更加鼓舞人心。她把纸条当作护身符别在上衣里面，以便时刻提醒自己，更增加了征服困难的信心。她接着打开另一封信，准备接受这个不知是好是坏的消息，展现在眼前的是劳里龙飞凤舞的大字--亲爱的乔，嗬！

几个英国女孩和男孩明天来看望我，我想好好玩玩。如果天气好，我准备在长草坪上搭帐篷，全班人马划船过去吃午饭，玩槌球游戏 点篝火，野餐，自由戏耍，享受天然野趣。布鲁克也一起去，看管我们这班男孩子，凯特·沃恩则看管女孩子。恳请你们各位光临，无论如何不能漏了贝思，没有人会烦扰她的。不用担心野餐食物--一切由我来负责--千万出席这才是好朋友呢！

请恕行笔匆匆。

你永远的劳里

“好消息！”乔叫道，冲进去向梅格报讯。

“我们当然可以去，妈妈，对吧？这样还可以帮劳里的大忙呢，因为我会划船，梅格可以做午饭，两个妹妹也多少可以帮点忙。”“我希望沃恩姐弟不是拘泥古板、成熟老到这一类人。你了解他们吗，乔？”梅格问。

“只知道他们是四姐弟。凯特年纪比你大，弗雷德和弗兰克（双胞胎）年纪跟我差不多，还有个小姑娘（格莱丝）约莫十岁。劳里是在国外认识他们的，他喜欢那两个男孩子；我想，他不怎么赞赏凯特，因为他谈起她便一本正经地抿起嘴巴。”“我真高兴我的法式印花布服装还干干净净，这种场合穿正合适，又好看！“梅格喜滋滋地说，”你有什么出得场面的吗，乔？”“红、灰两色的划艇衣就够好了。我要划船，到处跑动，只想穿随便一点。你也来吧，贝蒂？”“那你得别让那些男孩子跟我说话。”“一个也不让！”“我想让劳里高兴，我也不怕布鲁克先生，他是个大好人；但是我不想玩，不想唱，也不想说话。我会埋头干活，不打扰别人。你来照看我，乔，那我就去。”“这才是我的好妹妹，你在努力克服自己的害羞心理呢，我真高兴。改正缺点并不容易，这我知道，而一句鼓励的话儿就能使人精神一振。谢谢您，妈妈，”乔说着感激地吻了一下母亲瘦削的脸庞，这一吻对于马奇太太来说比任何东西都要宝贵。

“我收到一盒巧克力糖和我想要的图画，”艾美说着把邮件打开给大家看。

“我收到劳伦斯先生一张字条，叫我今晚点灯前过去弹琴给他听，我会去的，“贝思接着说，她跟老人的友谊进展得非常快。

“我们马上行动起来吧，今天干双倍活，明天就可以玩得无忧无虑了，”乔说道，准备放下笔杆，拿起扫帚。

第二天一早，当太阳把头探进姑娘们的闺房向她们预告好天气时，他看到了一幅妙趣横生的景象：姐妹们个个下足功夫，为野营盛会做好充分准备。梅格的前额排列着一排小卷发纸；乔在晒焦了的脸上厚厚地涂了一层冷霜；贝思因为即将和乔安娜分离，把她带到床上共寝以弥补损失；艾美更是令人叫绝，她用衣夹夹住鼻子，试图把令人烦恼的扁鼻梁托高。这种夹子正是艺术家们用来在画板上夹画纸的那种，因此用在这里尤其合适。这幅滑稽图显然把太阳公公逗乐了，他笑得喷出万道金光，把乔照醒。看到艾美这付尊容，她禁不住大笑出声，遂把众姐妹闹醒了。

阳光和笑声是野营盛会的吉兆。两家屋子的人开始活跃忙碌起来。贝思第一个准备停当，她靠在窗前不断报告邻居的新动态，把正在梳妆打扮的三姐妹弄得越发紧张忙碌。

“一个人带着帐篷出来了！我看到巴克太太把午饭放到一个盖箱和大篓里。现在劳伦斯先生仰头望望天空和风标；但愿他也一起去。那是劳里，打扮得像个水手-- 帅小伙子！噢，啊呀！一整车的人--一个高个女士，一个小姑娘，还有两个可怕的男孩子。一个跛了腿：可怜的人！他拄着支拐杖。劳里没跟我们说过。快点，姑娘们！时间不早了。呀，那是内德·莫法特，没错。瞧，梅格，这不是那天我们上街时向你行礼的那个人吗？”“果然不错。他怎么也来了？我还以为他在山里头呢。那是莎莉；太好了，她回来得正是时候。你看我这样行吗，乔？”梅格焦急地问道。

“漂亮极了。提起裙子，把帽子戴正，这样斜翘着看上去有种感伤情调，而且风一吹便要飞走了。好了，我们出发吧！”“噢，乔，你不是要戴这顶糟帽子去吧？这太荒唐了，你不该把自己弄得像个男人，”梅格规劝道。此时乔正把劳里开玩笑送来的旧式阔边意大利草帽用一根红丝带围系起来。

“我正是要戴着去，它棒极了--又挡荫，又轻，又大。

戴上它更添情趣，再说，只要舒服，我不在乎做个男人，”乔说罢迈步就走，姐妹们紧跟其后--每人穿一身夏装，戴一顶逍遥自在的帽子，春风满脸，十分好看，俨然一支活泼快乐的小队伍。

劳里跑上前来迎接她们，十分热情地把她们介绍给各位朋友。草坪成了会客厅，大家在那里逗留了几分钟，气氛十分活跃。梅格看到凯特小姐虽然年方二十，穿着打扮却相当简扑，心里松了一口气，因为这种风格美国姑娘不费吹灰之力就能学会。她听内德先生一再声明自己特为见她一面而来，心里更加受用。乔终于明白劳里为什么一提到凯特就"一本正经地抿起嘴巴"，因为这位女士神态孤高冷傲，不像其他姑娘那样无拘无束、轻松随和。贝思观察了一下新来的男孩子，认为跛足这位并不"可怕"，反倒温顺柔弱，她因此想善待他。

艾美觉得格莱丝是个举止优雅、活泼快乐的小人儿，她俩默默对视了几分钟后，马上成了十分要好的朋友。

帐篷、午饭、槌球游戏用具等先行送走后，大家随即登上小艇。两叶轻舟并驾齐驱，岸上只剩下挥着帽子的劳伦斯先生一人。劳里和乔共划一艘艇，布鲁克先生和内德先生划另一艘，而淘气反叛的双胞胎兄弟弗雷德·沃恩则使劲划着一只单人赛艇，像只受了惊的水蝽一样在两叶小舟之间乱冲乱撞。乔那顶风趣的帽子用途十分广泛，值得击掌鸣谢：它一开始便打破隔膜，逗得众人笑一来，她划船时帽子上下摆动，扇出阵阵清风，如果下起雨来它还可以给全班人马当作一把大伞使用，她说。凯特对乔的一举一动都觉得十分新奇，她丢了桨时大叫一声" 我的妈哟！”；而劳里就坐时不小心在她脚上绊了一下，他说：“我的好伙伴，弄痛了你没有？”这些更叫她纳罕不已。戴上眼镜把这位奇怪的姑娘审视几遍后，凯特小姐认定乔"古怪，但挺聪明"，于是远远对着她微笑起来。

另一只艇上的梅格舒舒服服地坐在两个荡桨手的对面，两个小伙子喜之不尽，各自使出不一般的"技巧和机敏"，把艇划得十分稳当。布鲁克先生是个严肃、沉默寡言的年青人，声音悦耳动听，一对棕色的眼睛明亮有神。梅格喜欢他性格沉静，把他看作是一部活百科全书，里头装满了各种有用的知识。他跟她不大说话，但眼光却常常落在她身上，梅格肯定他对自己并不反感。内德是大学新生，当然摆足派头。他并不特别聪明，但性情随和，不失为野营活动的好伙伴。莎莉·加德纳一面打足精神护着自己的白裙子，以免被水平脏，一面和到处乱冲乱撞的弗雷德交谈。弗雷德不断做出各式各样的恶作剧，把贝思吓得心惊胆战。

长草坪相隔并不远，他们到达时帐篷已搭好了，三柱门也支了起来。这是一片令人心旷神怡的绿地，中间挺立着三棵枝繁叶茂的橡树，还有一块玩槌球用的平滑狭长的草坪。

“欢迎光临劳伦斯营地！”大家登上绿地，高兴得发出阵阵赞叹的时候，年轻主人说道。

“布鲁克任总指挥，我任军需官，其他各位男士任参谋官，而你们，女士们，则是陪同。这个帐篷专为你们而搭，那棵橡树是你们的客厅，第二棵是餐室，第三棵是营地厨房。好了，天未热我们先玩个游戏，然后再来做饭。”弗兰克、贝思、艾美和格莱丝坐下观看其他八人玩游戏。

布鲁克选了梅格、凯特和弗雷德；劳里则选了莎莉、乔和内德。英国孩子打得不错，但美国孩子打得更好，而且冲劲十足。乔和弗雷德发生了几次小冲突，一次还几乎吵了起来。乔过最后一道三柱门时失了一球，很是光火。弗雷德紧跟其后，这回先轮到他发球，接着才轮到乔。他把球一击，球打在三柱门上，然后停了下来，离球门仅有一英寸之距。大家离得较远，于是跑上来看个究竟。他狡猾地用脚指头把球轻轻一碰，球便刚好滑进了球门。

“我进了！哈，乔小姐，我要把你击败，第一个进球，”年轻人挥舞着球棍叫道，准备再击一球。

“你推了球，我亲眼看见的；这回轮到我，”乔厉声说。

“我发誓，我没动它；球也许是滚了一点，但这并不犯规；还是请站开一点，让我好好击球吧。”“我们美国人不作弊，但你们可以，如果你们喜欢。”乔十分生气。

“美国佬最有手段，这谁不知道。去你的球吧！”弗雷德回击道，把她的球打出老远。

乔张口要骂，却又忍住了，只觉得热血直冲脑门，她怔了一会，用尽全力把一个三柱门捶倒，而弗雷德则击中目标，狂喜地宣布自己胜出。乔走开去拾球，好一会功夫才在矮树丛里把球找到。但她走回来，神态冷静，一言不发，耐心地等着发球。她打了好几球才追回到原来的位置；当她追上时，对方差不多就要赢了，因为凯特的球是倒数第二个，正停在目标旁边。

大家围上前来观看最后一战，弗雷德紧张地叫道：“啊呀，我们完蛋了！不用打了，凯特。乔小姐欠我一球，因此你完了。”“美国佬的手段是对敌人宽宏大量，“乔说着看了他一眼，小伙子脸上腾地红了起来。”尤其是当他们打败敌人的时候，“她接着说，并不去动凯特的球，而是把自己的球漂亮一击，赢了比赛。

劳里把自己的帽子向空中一扔，却突然想起败方是自己的客人，不可太露轻狂，于是赶紧收住喊出嘴边的喝彩声，悄悄跟自己的朋友说：“做得对，乔！他确实是作弊，我也看到了；但我们不能跟他直说，不过他下回不敢再犯了，相信我吧。”梅格把她拉过一边，假装帮她夹起一绺松脱下来的辫子，赞赏地说：“这事叫人怒不可遏，但你竟忍住了，没有发脾气，我真高兴，乔。”“别夸我，梅格，我这会还想赏他一个耳光呢。我刚才在蓖麻树丛里呆了许久，压下一腔怒火才没有出声，要不，早就火冒三丈了。我的火这会还热着呢，所以他最好离我远点，“乔答道，紧咬双唇，从那顶大帽子下面悻悻地瞪了弗雷德一眼。

“该吃午饭了，”布鲁克先生看看手表说，”军需官，你去生火、打水，我跟马奇小姐、莎莉小姐一起布置饭桌，怎么样？哪位擅长煮咖啡？”“乔会。”梅格高兴地推荐妹妹。乔知道自己新近学会的烹饪技术不会给自己丢脸，便走过去摆弄咖啡壶，两个小姑娘捡来干树枝，男孩子生气火，从附近一个水泉打来清水。凯特小姐写生，贝思编结灯心草小垫子来做盘子，弗兰克在一旁跟她拉话儿。

总指挥和他的助手们很快便在桌布上摆满了各式诱人的食物和饮料，并用绿叶点缀得十分雅致。乔宣布咖啡已经煮好，众人各就各位，坐下饱吃一顿。年青人消化能力强，加上做了运动，所以胃口特别好。这顿午餐吃得十分愉快，一切都似乎新鲜有趣，大家谈笑风生，惊动了在近处吃草的一匹老马。饭桌凹凸不平，常常弄得杯碟东倒西歪，十分逗趣，橡树子掉进牛奶里头，小黑蚂蚁不请自来，一起分享美点，爱管闲事的毛虫从树上晃荡下来，想看看发生了什么事。三个白发小童隔着篱笆探头探脑，一只讨厌的狗在河对面向他们汪汪狂吠。

“这里有盐，要不要来一点？”劳里给乔递上一碟草莓，说。

“多谢了，我倒宁可要蜘蛛，”她答着，挑起两只不小心被奶油淹死了的小蜘蛛。”你还敢提那次糟糕透顶的宴会？你自己的办得有声有色，倒来取笑我？”乔又说，于是两人都笑起来，由于瓷碟不够，便凑着一个碟子一起吃。

“我那天玩得特别开心，至今仍意犹未荆这顿午饭我可不敢贪功，你知道，我什么也没做，都是你和梅格、布鲁克他们做的，我对你们真感激不尽呢。我们吃饱后该干什么？”劳里问。吃罢午饭，他觉得下面没棋了。

“玩游戏，直到天凉下来，我带来了'作者'游戏卡。凯特小姐也一定有些好玩的新花样。去问问她吧；她是客人，你该多陪陪她。”“你就不是客人了？我原以为她和布鲁克合得来，但他却老跟梅格说话，凯特只是透过她那副怪眼镜一个劲地瞪着他们。我去了，你也不用跟我谈什么礼节规矩，因为你自己就做不来，乔。“凯特确实知道几种新游戏，因姑娘们不愿再吃，男孩们又不能再吃，大家便移到“客厅"玩"废话连篇"的游戏。

“一人起个头，给大家讲故事，内容不拘、长短不限，但要注意一到紧要关头便得停下，第二个人立即接上，如法炮制。如果玩得好，这个游戏十分有趣，里头故事杂乱无章，或悲或喜，令人捧腹。请起个头，布鲁克先生，”凯特用一种命令式的语气说。梅格对这位私人教师十分敬重，把他跟其他几位男士一样看待，见状不禁大为惊讶。

草地上，布鲁克先生躺在两位年青小姐的脚边遵命起头，漂亮的棕色眼睛凝视着披满阳光的小河。

“从前，一个武士穷得只剩下一把剑和一张盾，于是出去闯世界。他历尽艰辛，周游了差不多二十八年，最后来到一个好心的老国王的宫殿。老国王有一匹心爱的小马，漂亮无比，但尚未驯服，他颁令如有人把这骑马驯好，将获得一笔丰厚的酬金。武士同意试一试，这匹雄壮骁勇的马儿很快就和新主人建立了感情，虽然它性子暴烈，狂野不羁，但还是慢慢被驯服了。每天训练时武士都骑着国王的宝马穿过闹市，边走边四面寻找一张在他梦中出现过无数次的漂亮脸孔，但一直没有找到。一天，当他策马走过一条寂静无人的街道时，他在一座废弃的城堡的窗口里看到了那张动人的脸孔。他惊喜万分，便询问是谁住在这座旧城堡里头，原来是几个被掳来的公主，她们被施了魔咒，关在里头，夜以继日地纺纱织布，以蓄钱赎取自由。武士非常希望能把她们解救出来，但他一贫如洗，只能每天走到那里，盼望着那张美丽的脸孔能再次出现，期望公主能够出来走到阳光下面。最后他决定闯进城堡，看看怎样才能帮助她们。他走过去敲门，大门马上拉开，他看到了- ”“一位绝色佳人，她狂喜地大叫一声，高呼：'盼到啦！盼到啦！'”凯特接上故事，她读过法国小说，喜欢那种风格。

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'啊，起来！'她伸出纤纤玉手说道。'不！除非你告诉我怎样才能把你救出樊牢，”武士跪在那里发誓。'呵，残酷的命运把我囚在这里，暴君不死，我就没有出头之日。''恶棍在哪里？''在紫红色的大厅里。去吧，勇敢的爱人，快把我救出绝境。''遵命，我一定与他决一死战！'说完这几句豪言壮语后，他冲出去，砰的一声打开紫红色大厅的大门，正要走进去，却遭到 ”“一下痛击，一个披黑衣的老家伙向他下了手，”内德说，”某某爵士马上回过神来，把暴君丢出窗外，转身去与佳人相会，顶着眉头上的大包，凯旋而归；但却发现门被锁上了，只好撕破窗帘做成一张绳梯，下到半途绳梯突然断裂，他一头栽进六十英尺下面的护城河。他熟谙水性，涉水绕城堡而行，最后来到一扇有两壮汉守着的小门，把两个脑袋互相对碰，直碰得格格作响，接着，大力士毫不费劲便破门而入，走上一段石阶，上面积满了一英尺厚的灰尘，癞蛤蟆跟你的拳头一样大，蜘蛛准把你吓得歇斯底里尖叫，马奇小姐。在石阶上头，他蓦地看到了一东西，令他大惊失色，毛骨悚然，他看到 ”“一个高高的身影，穿着一身白衣服，脸上蒙了０一条脸纱