Under the Lilacs

by Louisa May Alcott

  CHAPTER XIII

  SOMEBODY RUNS AWAY

  "'School is done, Now we'll have fun,"

  Sung Bab and Betty, slamming down their books as if they never meant totake them up again, when they came home on the last day of June.

  Tired teacher had dismissed them for eight whole weeks, and gone away torest; the little school-house was shut up, lessons were over, spiritsrising fast, and vacation had begun. The quiet town seemed suddenlyinundated with children, all in such a rampant state that busy motherswondered how they ever should be able to keep their frisky darlings outof mischief; thrifty fathers planned how they could bribe the idle handsto pick berries or rake hay; and the old folks, while wishing the youngfolks well, secretly blessed the man who invented schools.

  The girls immediately began to talk about picnics, and have them, too;for little hats sprung up in the fields like a new sort ofmushroom,--every hillside bloomed with gay gowns, looking as if theflowers had gone out for a walk; and the woods were full of featherlessbirds chirping away as blithely as the thrushes, robins, and wrens.

  The boys took to base-ball like ducks to water, and the common was thescene of tremendous battles, waged with much tumult, but littlebloodshed. To the uninitiated, it appeared as if these young men hadlost their wits; for, no matter how warm it was, there they were,tearing about in the maddest manner, jackets off, sleeves rolled up,queer caps flung on any way, all batting shabby leather balls, andcatching the same, as if their lives depended on it. Every one talkingin his gruffest tone, bawling at the top of his voice, squabbling overevery point of the game, and seeming to enjoy himself immensely, inspite of the heat, dust, uproar, and imminent danger of getting eyes orteeth knocked out.

  Thorny was an excellent player, but, not being strong enough to show hisprowess, he made Ben his proxy; and, sitting on the fence, acted asumpire to his heart's content. Ben was a promising pupil, and made rapidprogress; for eye, foot, and hand had been so well trained, that theydid him good service now; and Brown was considered a first-rate"catcher".

  Sancho distinguished himself by his skill in hunting up stray balls, andguarding jackets when not needed, with the air of one of the Old Guardon duty at the tomb of Napoleon. Bab also longed to join in the fun,which suited her better than "stupid picnics" or "fussing over dolls;"but her heroes would not have her at any price; and she was obliged tocontent herself with sitting by Thorny, and watching with breathlessinterest the varying fortunes of "our side."

  A grand match was planned for the Fourth of July; but when the club met,things were found to be unpropitious. Thorny had gone out of town withhis sister to pass the day, two of the best players did not appear, andthe others were somewhat exhausted by the festivities, which began atsunrise for them. So they lay about on the grass in the shade of the bigelm, languidly discussing their various wrongs and disappointments.

  "It's the meanest Fourth I ever saw. Can't have no crackers, becausesomebody's horse got scared last year," growled Sam Kitteridge, bitterlyresenting the stern edict which forbade free-born citizens to burn asmuch gunpowder as they liked on that glorious day.

  "Last year Jimmy got his arm blown off when they fired the old cannon.Didn't we have a lively time going for the doctors and getting himhome?" asked another boy, looking as if he felt defrauded of the mostinteresting part of the anniversary, because no accident had occurred.

  "Ain't going to be fireworks either, unless somebody's barn burns up.Don't I just wish there would," gloomily responded another youth who hadso rashly indulged in pyrotechnics on a former occasion that aneighbor's cow had been roasted whole.

  "I wouldn't give two cents for such a slow old place as this. Why, lastFourth at this time, I was rumbling though Boston streets on top of ourbig car, all in my best toggery. Hot as pepper, but good fun looking inat the upper windows and hearing the women scream when the old thingwaggled round and I made believe I was going to tumble off, said Ben,leaning on his bat with the air of a man who had seen the world and feltsome natural regret at descending from so lofty a sphere.

  "Catch me cuttin' away if I had such a chance as that!" answered Sam,trying to balance his bat on his chin and getting a smart rap across thenose as he failed to perform the feat.

  "Much you know about it, old chap. It's hard work, I can tell you, andthat wouldn't suit such a lazy-bones. Then you are too big to begin,though you might do for a fat boy if Smithers wanted one," said Ben,surveying the stout youth, with calm contempt.

  "Let's go in swimming, not loaf round here, if we can't play," proposeda red and shiny boy, panting for a game of leap-frog in Sandy pond.

  "May as well; don't see much else to do," sighed Sam, rising like ayoung elephant.

  The others were about to follow, when a shrill "Hi, hi, boys, hold on!"made them turn about to behold Billy Barton tearing down the street likea runaway colt, waving a long strip of paper as he ran.

  "Now, then, what's the matter?" demanded Ben, as the other came upgrinning and puffing, but full of great news.

  "Look here, read it! I'm going; come along, the whole of you," pantedBilly, putting the paper into Sam's hand, and surveying the crowd with aface as beaming as a full moon.

  "Look out for the big show," read Sam. "Van Amburgh & Co.'s New GreatGolden Menagerie, Circus and Colosseum, will exhibit at Berryville, July4th, at 1 and 7 precisely. Admission 50 cents, children half-price.Don't forget day and date. H. Frost, Manager."

  While Sam read, the other boys had been gloating over the enticingpictures which covered the bill. There was the golden car, filled withnoble beings in helmets, all playing on immense trumpets; the twenty-fourprancing steeds with manes, tails, and feathered heads tossing inthe breeze; the clowns, the tumblers, the strong men, and the ridersflying about in the air as if the laws of gravitation no longer existed.But, best of all, was the grand conglomeration of animals where thegiraffe appears to stand on the elephant's back, the zebra to be jumpingover the seal, the hippopotamus to be lunching off a couple ofcrocodiles, and lions and tigers to be raining down in all directionswith their mouths, wide open and their tails as stiff as that of thefamous Northumberland House lion.

  "Cricky! wouldn't I like to see that," said little Cyrus Fay, devoutlyhoping that the cage, in which this pleasing spectacle took place, was avery strong one.

  "You never would, it's only a picture! That, now, is something like,"and Ben, who had pricked up his ears at the word "circus," laid hisfinger on a smaller cut of a man hanging by the back of his neck with achild in each hand, two men suspended from his feet, and the thirdswinging forward to alight on his head.

  "I 'm going," said Sam, with calm decision, for this superb array ofunknown pleasures fired his soul and made him forget his weight.

  "How will you fix it?" asked Ben, fingering the bill with a nervousthrill all through his wiry limbs, just as he used to feel it when hisfather caught him up to dash into the ring.

  "Foot it with Billy. It's only four miles, and we've got lots of time,so we can take it easy. Mother won't care, if I send word by Cy,"answered Sam, producing half a dollar, as if such magnificent sums wereno strangers to his pocket.

  "Come on, Brown; you'll be a first-rate fellow to show us round, as youknow all the dodges," said Billy, anxious to get his money's worth.

  "Well, I don't know," began Ben, longing to go, but afraid Mrs. Mosswould say "No!" if he asked leave.

  "He's afraid," sneered the red-faced boy, who felt bitterly toward allmankind at that instant, because he knew there was no hope of his going.

  "Say that again, and I'll knock your head off," and Ben faced round witha gesture which caused the other to skip out of reach precipitately.

  "Hasn't got any money, more likely," observed a shabby youth, whosepockets never had any thing in them but a pair of dirty hands.

  Ben calmly produced a dollar bill and waved it defiantly before thisdoubter, observing with dignity:

  "I've got money enough to treat the whole crowd, if I choose to, which Idon't." />
  "Then come along and have a jolly time with Sam and me. We can buy somedinner and get a ride home, as like as not," said the amiable Billy,with a slap on the shoulder, and a cordial grin which made it impossiblefor Ben to resist.

  "What are you stopping for?" demanded Sam, ready to be off, that theymight "take it easy."

  "Don't know what to do with Sancho. He'll get lost or stolen if I takehim, and it's too far to carry him home if you are in a hurry," beganBen, persuading himself that this was the true reason of his delay.

  "Let Cy take him back. He'll do it for a cent; won't you, Cy?" proposedBilly, smoothing away all objections, for he liked Ben, and saw that hewanted to go.

  "No, I won't; I don't like him. He winks at me, and growls when I touchhim," muttered naughty Cy, remembering how much reason poor Sanch had todistrust his tormentor.

  "There 's Bab; she'll do it. Come here, sissy; Ben wants you," calledSam, beckoning to a small figure just perching on the fence.

  Down it jumped and Came fluttering up, much elated at being summoned bythe captain of the sacred nine.

  "I want you to take Sanch home, and tell your mother I'm going to walk,and may be won't be back till sundown. Miss Celia said I Might do what Ipleased, all day. You remember, now."

  Ben spoke without looking up, and affected to be very busy buckling astrap into Sanch's collar, for the two were so seldom parted that thedog always rebelled. It was a mistake on Ben's part, for while his eyeswere on his work Bab's were devouring the bill which Sam still held, andher suspicions were aroused by the boys' faces.

  "Where are you going? Ma will want to know," she said, as curious as amagpie all at once.

  "Never you mind; girls can't know every thing. You just catch hold ofthis and run along home. Lock Sanch up for an hour, and tell your motherI'm all right," answered Ben, bound to assert his manly supremacy beforehis mates.

  "He's going to the circus," whispered Fay, hoping to make mischief.

  "Circus! Oh, Ben, do take me!" cried Bab, falling into a state of greatexcitement at the mere thought of such delight.

  "You couldn't walk four miles," began Ben.

  "Yes, I could, as easy as not."

  "You haven't got any money."

  "You have; I saw you showing your dollar, and you could pay for me, andMa would pay it back."

  "Can't wait for you to get ready."

  "I'll go as I am. I don't care if it is my old hat," and Bab jerked iton to her head.

  "Your mother wouldn't like it."

  "She won't like your going, either."

  "She isn't my missis now. Miss Celia wouldn't care, and I'm going, anyway."

  "Do, do take me, Ben! I'll be just as good as ever was, and I'll takecare of Sanch all the way," pleaded Bab, clasping her hands and lookinground for some sign of relenting in the faces of the boys.

  "Don't you bother; we don't want any girls tagging after us," said Sam,walking off to escape the annoyance.

  "I'll bring you a roll of chickerberry lozengers, if you won't tease,"whispered kind-hearted Billy, with a consoling pat on the crown of theshabby straw hat.

  "When the circus comes here you shall go, certain sure, and Betty too,"said Ben, feeling mean while he proposed what he knew was a hollowmockery.

  "They never do come to such little towns; you said so, and I think youare very cross, and I won't take care of Sanch, so, now!" cried Bab,getting into a passion, yet ready to cry, she was so disappointed.

  "I Suppose it wouldn't do--" hinted Billy, with a look from Ben to thelittle girl, who stood winking hard to keep the tears back.

  "Of Course it wouldn't. I'd like to see her walking eight miles. Idon't mind paying for her; it's getting her there and back. Girls aresuch a bother when you want to knock round. No, Bab, you can't go.Travel right home and don't make a fuss. Come along, boys; it 's mosteleven, and we don't want to walk fast."

  Ben spoke very decidedly; and, taking Billy's arm, away they went,leaving poor Bab and Sanch to watch them out of sight, one sobbing, theother whining dismally.

  Somehow those two figures seemed to go before Ben all along the pleasantroad, and half spoilt his fun; for though he laughed and talked, cutcanes, and seemed as merry as a grig, he could not help feeling that heought to have asked leave to go, and been kinder to Bab.

  "Perhaps Mrs. Moss would have planned somehow so we could all go, if I'dtold her, I'd like to show her round, and she's been real good to me. Nouse now. I'll take the girls a lot of candy and make it all right."

  He tried to settle it in that way and trudged gayly off, hoping Sanchowouldn't feel hurt at being left, wondering if any of "Smithers's lot"would be round, and planning to do the honors handsomely to the boys.

  It was very warm; and just outside of the town they paused by a waysidewatering-trough to wash their dusty faces, and cool off before plunginginto the excitements of the afternoon. As they stood refreshingthemselves, a baker's cart came jingling by; and Sam proposed a hastylunch while they rested. A supply of gingerbread was soon bought; and,climbing the green bank above, they lay on the grass under a wildcherry-tree, munching luxuriously, while they feasted their eyes at thesame time on the splendors awaiting them; for the great tent, with allits flags flying, was visible from the hill.

  "We'll cut across those fields,--it 's shorter than going by the road,--andthen we can look round outside till it's time to go in. I want tohave a good go at every thing, especially the lions," said Sam,beginning on his last cookie.

  "I heard 'em roar just now;" and Billy stood up to gaze with big eyes atthe flapping canvas which hid the king of beasts from his longing sight.

  "That was a cow mooing. Don't you be a donkey, Bill. When you hear areal roar, you'll shake in your boots," said Ben, holding up hishandkerchief to dry, after it had done double duty as towel and napkin.

  "I wish you'd hurry up, Sam. Folks are going in now. I see 'em!" andBilly pranced with impatience; for this was his first circus, and hefirmly believed that he was going to behold all that the picturespromised.

  "Hold on a minute, while I get one more drink. Buns are dry fodder,"said Sam, rolling over to the edge of the bank and preparing to descendwith as little trouble as possible.

  He nearly went down head first, however; for, as he looked before heleaped, he beheld a sight which caused him to stare with all his mightfor an instant, then turn and beckon, saying in an eager whisper,"Look here, boys,--quick!"

  Ben and Billy peered over, and both suppressed an astonished "Hullo!"for there stood Bab, waiting for Sancho to lap his fill out of theoverflowing trough.

  Such a shabby, tired-looking couple as they were! Bab with a face as redas a lobster and streaked with tears, shoes white with dust, playfrocktorn at the gathers, something bundled up in her apron, and one shoedown at the heel as if it hurt her. Sancho lapped eagerly, with his eyesshut; all his ruffles were gray with dust, and his tail hung wearilydown, the tassel at half mast, as if in mourning for the master whom hehad come to find. Bab still held the strap, intent on keeping her chargesafe, though she lost herself; but her courage seemed to be giving out,as she looked anxiously up and down the road, seeing no sign of the threefamiliar figures she had been following as steadily as a little Indianon the war-trail.

  "Oh, Sanch, what shall I do if they don't come along? We must have goneby them somewhere, for I don't see any one that way, and there isn't anyother road to the circus, seems to me."

  Bab spoke as if the dog could understand and answer; and Sancho lookedas if he did both, for he stopped drinking, pricked up his cars, and,fixing his sharp eyes on the grass above him, gave a suspicious bark.

  "It's only squirrels; don't mind, but come along and be good; for I 'mso tired, I don't know what to do!" sighed Bab, trying to pull him afterher as she trudged on, bound to see the outside of that wonderful tent,even if she never got in.

  But Sancho had heard a soft chirrup; and, with a sudden bound, twitchedthe strap away, sprang up the bank, and landed directly on Ben's back ashe
lay peeping over. A peal of laughter greeted him; and, having got thebetter of his master in more ways than one, he made the most of theadvantage by playfully worrying him as he kept him down, licking hisface in spite of his struggles, burrowing in his neck with a ticklishnose, snapping at his buttons, and yelping joyfully, as if it was thebest joke in the world to play hide-and-seek for four long miles.

  Before Ben could quiet him, Bab came climbing up the bank, with such afunny mixture of fear, fatigue, determination, and relief in her dirtylittle face, that the boys could not look awful if they tried.

  "How dared you come after us, miss?" demanded Sam, as she looked calmlyabout her, and took a seat before she was asked.

  "Sanch would come after Ben; I couldn't make him go home, so I had tohold on till he was safe here, else he'd be lost, and then Ben wouldfeel bad."

  The cleverness of that excuse tickled the boys immensely; and Sam triedagain, while Ben was getting the dog down and sitting on him.

  "Now you expect to go to the circus, I suppose."

  "Course I do. Ben said he didn't mind paying, if I could get therewithout bothering him, and I have; and I'll go home alone. I ain'tafraid. Sanch will take care of me, if you won't," answered Bab,stoutly.

  "What do you suppose your mother will say to you?" asked Ben, feelingmuch reproached by her last words.

  "I guess she'll say you led me into mischief; and the sharp childnodded, as if she defied him to deny the truth of that.

  "You'll catch it when you get home, Ben; so you'd better have a goodtime while you can," advised Sam, thinking Bab great fun, since none ofthe blame of her pranks would fall on him. "What would you have done ifyou hadn't found us?" asked Billy, forgetting his impatience in hisadmiration for this plucky young lady.

  "I'd have gone on and seen the circus, and then I'd have gone home againand told Betty all about it," was the prompt answer.

  "But you haven't any money."

  "Oh, I'd ask somebody to pay for me. I 'm so little, it wouldn't bemuch."

  "Nobody would do it; so you'd have to stay outside, you see."

  "No, I wouldn't. I thought of that, and planned how I'd fix it if Ididn't find Ben. I'd make Sanch do his tricks, and get a quarter thatway; so, now! answered Bab, undaunted by any obstacle.

  "I do believe she would! You are a smart child, Bab; and if I had enoughI'd take you in myself," said Billy, heartily; for, having sisters ofhis own, he kept a soft place in his heart for girls, especiallyenterprising ones.

  "I'll take care of her. It was very naughty to come, Bab; but, so longas you did, you needn't worry about any thing. I'll see to you; and youshall have a real good time," said Ben, accepting his responsibilitieswithout a murmur, and bound to do the handsome thing by his persistentfriend.

  "I thought you would;" and Bab folded her arms, as if she had nothingfurther to do but enjoy herself.

  "Are you hungry?" asked Billy, fishing out several fragments ofgingerbread.

  "Starving!" and Bab ate them with such a relish that Sam added a smallcontribution; and Ben caught some water for her in his hand, where thelittle spring bubbled up beside a stone.

  "Now, you wash your face and spat down your hair, and put your hat onstraight, and then we'll go," commanded Ben, giving Sanch a roll on thegrass to clean him.

  Bab scrubbed her face till it shone; and, pulling down her apron to wipeit, scattered a load of treasures collected in her walk. Some of thedead flowers, bits of moss, and green twigs fell near Ben, and oneattracted his attention,--a spray of broad, smooth leaves, with abunch of whitish berries on it.

  "Where did you get that?" he asked, poking it with his foot.

  "In a swampy place, coming along. Sanch saw something down there; and Iwent with him, 'cause I thought may be it was a musk-rat, and you'd likeone if we could get him."

  "Was it?" asked the boys all at once, and with intense interest.

  "No; only a snake, and I don't care for snakes. I picked some of that,it was so green and pretty. Thorny likes queer leaves and berries, youknow," answered Bab, "spatting," down her rough locks.

  "Well, he won't like that, nor you either; it's poisonous, and Ishouldn't wonder if you'd got poisoned, Bab. Don't touch it!Swamp-sumach is horrid stuff,--Miss Celia said so;" and Ben lookedanxiously at Bab, who felt her chubby face all over, and examined herdingy hands with a solemn air, asking, eagerly,--

  "Will it break out on me 'fore I get to the circus?"

  "Not for a day or so, I guess; but it's bad when it does come."

  "I don't care, if I see the animals first. Come quick, and never mindthe old weeds and things," said Bab, much relieved; for present blisswas all she had room for now in her happy little heart.