The maiden female is a Miss Norton, wealthy, cultivated, and sort. She spoke to me at dinner these days (for I went to desk again, it's such a laugh to look at humans), and asked me to return and spot her at her room. She has excellent books and pics, is aware of exciting persons, and appears pleasant, so I shall make myself agreeable, for I do need to get into desirable society, handiest it isn't the equal type that Amy likes.
I became in our parlor remaining night while Mr. Bhaer came in with a few newspapers for Mrs. Kirke. She wasn't there, however Minnie, who is a little antique woman, delivered me very prettily. "This is Mamma's friend, Miss March."
"Yes, and she or he's jolly and we love her plenty," added Kitty, who is an 'enfant horrible'.
We each bowed, after which we laughed, for the prim creation and the blunt addition had been rather a comical assessment.
"Ah, yes, I pay attention those naughty ones visit vex you, Mees Marsch. If so once more, call at me and I come," he said, with a threatening frown that overjoyed the little wretches.
I promised I might, and he departed, however it appears as though I turned into doomed to see a good deal of him, for these days as I passed his door on my way out, via twist of fate I knocked towards it with my umbrella. It flew open, and there he stood in his dressing gown, with a large blue sock on one hand and a darning needle inside the other. He failed to seem at all ashamed of it, for after I defined and moved quickly on, he waved his hand, sock and all, pronouncing in his loud, joyful manner...
"You haf a nice day to make your stroll. Bon voyage, Mademoiselle."
I laughed all of the way downstairs, but it changed into a little pathetic, additionally to think about the negative guy having to mend his own garments. The German gentlemen embroider, I recognize, but darning hose is any other thing and not so pretty.
Saturday
Nothing has took place to jot down approximately, besides a call on Miss Norton, who has a room complete of quite matters, and who was very fascinating, for she showed me all her treasures, and asked me if I might sometimes go together with her to lectures and concerts, as her escort, if I enjoyed them. She placed it as a favor, but I'm sure Mrs. Kirke has informed her approximately us, and she or he does it out of kindness to me. I'm as proud as Lucifer, but such favors from such human beings don't burden me, and I widespread gratefully.
When I got back to the nursery there has been such an uproar in the parlor that I regarded in, and there has been Mr. Bhaer down on his arms and knees, with Tina on his returned, Kitty leading him with a jump rope, and Minnie feeding small boys with seedcakes, as they roared and ramped in cages built of chairs.
"We are playing nargerie," explained Kitty.
"Dis is mine effalunt!" introduced Tina, holding on via the Professor's hair.
"Mamma usually lets in us to do what we like Saturday afternoon, when Franz and Emil come, does not she, Mr. Bhaer?" said Minnie.
The 'effalunt' sat up, looking as much in earnest as any of them, and said soberly to me, "I gif you my wort it is so, if we make too massive a noise you shall say Hush! To us, and we go extra softly."
I promised to accomplish that, but left the door open and enjoyed the a laugh as much as they did, for a more wonderful frolic I in no way witnessed. They performed tag and squaddies, danced and sang, and when it began to develop darkish all of them piled onto the sofa approximately the Professor, even as he advised fascinating fairy tales of the storks on the chimney tops, and the little 'koblods', who journey the snowflakes as they fall. I desire Americans had been as easy and natural as Germans, do not you?
I'm so fond of writing, I should pass spinning on for all time if reasons of economic system did not forestall me, for although I've used thin paper and written nice, I tremble to think of the stamps this long letter will want. Pray ahead Amy's as quickly as you could spare them. My small information will sound very flat after her splendors, but you'll like them, I know. Is Teddy reading so hard that he cannot discover time to write to his pals? Take precise care of him for me, Beth, and inform me all approximately the toddlers, and deliver thousands of love to anyone. From your devoted Jo.
P.S. On studying over my letter, it moves me as rather Bhaery, but I am usually inquisitive about strange people, and I certainly had nothing else to put in writing approximately. Bless you!
DECEMBER
My Precious Betsey,
As that is to be a scribble-scrabble letter, I direct it to you, for it can amuse you, and come up with some concept of my goings on, for although quiet, they are as an alternative fun, for which, oh, be completely satisfied! After what Amy might call Herculaneum efforts, within the manner of intellectual and ethical agriculture, my young ideas start to shoot and my little twigs to bend as I could want. They aren't so thrilling to me as Tina and the men, but I do my responsibility by them, and they may be keen on me. Franz and Emil are jolly little lads, quite after my very own heart, for the combination of German and American spirit in them produces a regular country of effervescence. Saturday afternoons are riotous times, whether or not spent in the residence or out, for on great days they all pass to stroll, like a seminary, with the Professor and myself to preserve order, and then such amusing!
We are superb pals now, and I've all started to take lessons. I without a doubt couldn't assist it, and all of it took place in this kind of droll way that I ought to inform you. To start at the start, Mrs. Kirke called to me one day as I exceeded Mr. Bhaer's room in which she became rummaging.
"Did you ever see this type of den, my dear? Just come and help me put these books to rights, for I've turned the whole lot the wrong way up, trying to find out what he has completed with the six new handkerchiefs I gave him no longer long in the past."
I went in, and whilst we worked I seemed approximately me, for it changed into 'a den' to be sure. Books and papers everywhere, a broken meerschaum, and an antique flute over the mantlepiece as if done with, a ragged chicken with none tail chirped on one window seat, and a field of white mice decorated the opposite. Half-completed boats and bits of string lay most of the manuscripts. Dirty little boots stood drying earlier than the fireplace, and traces of the dearly beloved boys, for whom he makes a slave of himself, have been to be seen all over the room. After a grand rummage three of the missing articles were located, one over the chicken cage, one blanketed with ink, and a third burned brown, having been used as a holder.
"Such a person!" laughed correct-natured Mrs. K., as she placed the relics inside the rag bag. "I suppose the others are torn as much as rig ships, bandage cut hands, or make kite tails. It's dreadful, however I can't scold him. He's so absent-minded and goodnatured, he lets the ones boys ride over him roughshod. I agreed to do his washing and mending, but he forgets to offer out his matters and I forget about to look them over, so he involves a sad pass from time to time."
"Let me mend them," said I. "I do not mind it, and he needn't realize. I'd want to, he is so kind to me about bringing my letters and lending books."
So I even have got his things in order, and knit heels into two pairs of the socks, for they had been boggled out of form together with his queer darns. Nothing was stated, and I was hoping he would not find it out, but sooner or later last week he stuck me at it. Hearing the training he gives to others has fascinated and amused me a lot that I took a flowery to examine, for Tina runs inside and out, leaving the door open, and I can pay attention. I were sitting close to this door, finishing off the remaining sock, and seeking to apprehend what he said to a new scholar, who is as silly as I am. The woman had long gone, and I idea he had also, it was so still, and I became busily gabbling over a verb, and rocking to and fro in a most absurd manner, while a bit crow made me appearance up, and there has been Mr. Bhaer searching and laughing quietly, at the same time as he made symptoms to Tina not to betray him.
"So!" he stated, as I stopped and stared like a goose, "you peep at me, I peep at you, and this isn't terrible, but see, I am not pleasanting when I say, haf you a wa
nt for German?"
"Yes, but you are too busy. I am too stupid to study," I blundered out, as red as a peony.
"Prut! We will make the time, and we fail no longer to find the sense. At efening I shall gif a touch lesson with plenty gladness, for appearance you, Mees Marsch, I haf this debt to pay." And he pointed to my work 'Yes,' they are saying to one another, these so type women, 'he's a silly antique fellow, he's going to see no longer what we do, he will never look at that his sock heels go not in holes any extra, he will think his buttons grow out new when they fall, and agree with that strings make theirselves.' "Ah! But I haf an eye, and I see a whole lot. I haf a heart, and I experience thanks for this. Come, a little lesson then and now, or—no extra accurate fairy works for me and mine."
Of path I couldn't say some thing after that, and because it really is a great opportunity, I made the good deal, and we began. I took four instructions, after which I caught fast in a grammatical lavatory. The Professor was very affected person with me, but it should were torment to him, and now after which he'd have a look at me with such an expression of moderate despair that it was a toss-up with me whether to chuckle or cry. I attempted each approaches, and whilst it came to a sniff or utter mortification and woe, he simply threw the grammar on to the floor and marched out of the room. I felt myself disgraced and deserted all the time, however did not blame him a particle, and changed into scrambling my papers collectively, meaning to hurry upstairs and shake myself hard, while in he came, as brisk and beaming as if I'd blanketed myself in glory.
"Now we shall try a new way. You and I will study those pleasant little marchen together, and dig no more in that dry e-book, that is going within the corner for making us trouble."
He spoke so kindly, and opened Hans Anderson's fairy stories so invitingly earlier than me, that I become greater ashamed than ever, and went at my lesson in a neck-or-not anything fashion that regarded to amuse him immensely. I forgot my bashfulness, and pegged away (no different word will specific it) with all my may, tumbling over lengthy words, pronouncing in keeping with thought of the minute, and doing my very great. When I finished studying my first web page, and stopped for breath, he clapped his hands and cried out in his hearty manner, "Das ist intestine! Now we go well! My turn. I do him in German, gif me your ear." And away he went, rumbling out the phrases along with his robust voice and a enjoy which became top to look in addition to listen. Fortunately the story changed into The Constant Tin Soldier, which is droll, you recognize, so I may want to snigger, and I did, even though I failed to recognize 1/2 he examine, for I couldn't help it, he changed into so earnest, I so excited, and the whole lot so comical.
After that we were given on higher, and now I read my lessons quite properly, for this manner of studying suits me, and I can see that the grammar receives tucked into the testimonies and poetry as one gives tablets in jelly. I love it very a whole lot, and he does not appear bored with it yet, which is superb of him, isn't always it? I mean to offer him something on Christmas, for I dare now not provide money. Tell me something quality, Marmee.
I'm happy Laurie appears so glad and busy, that he has given up smoking and we could his hair develop. You see Beth manages him higher than I did. I'm now not jealous, dear, do your satisfactory, only do not make a saint of him. I'm afraid I could not like him with out a spice of human naughtiness. Read him bits of my letters. I have not time to write down plenty, and as a way to do just as properly. Thank Heaven Beth keeps so cozy.
JANUARY
A Happy New Year to you all, my dearest family, which of direction consists of Mr. L. And a younger guy by way of the name of Teddy. I cannot inform you how plenty I loved your Christmas bundle, for I didn't get it until night time and had given up hoping. Your letter got here inside the morning, but you said nothing about a parcel, that means it for a surprise, so I became disenchanted, for I'd had a 'sort of feeling' which you would not neglect me. I felt a touch low in my mind as I sat up in my room after tea, and whilst the big, muddy, battered-searching package changed into introduced to me, I just hugged it and pranced. It changed into so homey and clean that I sat down at the floor and study and looked and ate and laughed and cried, in my usual absurd manner. The things had been simply what I wanted, and all of the higher for being made in preference to sold. Beth's new 'ink bib' become capital, and Hannah's field of hard gingerbread may be a treasure. I'll make sure and wear the excellent flannels you despatched, Marmee, and read cautiously the books Father has marked. Thank you all, lots and heaps!
Speaking of books strikes a chord in my memory that I'm getting rich in that line, for on New Year's Day Mr. Bhaer gave me a quality Shakespeare. It is one he values tons, and I've often prominent it, set up inside the area of honor with his German Bible, Plato, Homer, and Milton, so that you may additionally consider how I felt while he delivered it down, with out its cover, and confirmed me my personal call in it, "from my buddy Friedrich Bhaer".
"You say frequently you wish a library. Here I gif you one, for between those lids (he intended covers) is many books in one. Read him well, and he will help you a great deal, for the look at of man or woman on this e-book will assist you to examine it in the global and paint it along with your pen."
I thanked him in addition to I may want to, and talk now approximately 'my library', as though I had a hundred books. I never knew how tons there has been in Shakespeare before, but then I in no way had a Bhaer to give an explanation for it to me. Now do not giggle at his horrid name. It isn't said either Bear or Beer, as human beings will say it, however something between the 2, as most effective Germans can deliver it. I'm satisfied you each like what I inform you about him, and hope you will recognise him some day. Mother might recognize his heat heart, Father his clever head. I respect both, and feel wealthy in my new 'friend Friedrich Bhaer'.
Not having tons money, or understanding what he'd like, I were given numerous little matters, and put them approximately the room, where he could discover them unexpectedly. They had been beneficial, pretty, or humorous, a new standish on his desk, a bit vase for his flower, he always has one, or a piece of inexperienced in a tumbler, to preserve him clean, he says, and a holder for his blower, so that he need not burn up what Amy calls 'mouchoirs'. I made it like the ones Beth invented, a large butterfly with a fat frame, and black and yellow wings, worsted feelers, and bead eyes. It took his fancy immensely, and he positioned it on his mantlepiece as an editorial of virtue, so it changed into alternatively a failure after all. Poor as he's, he did not neglect a servant or a baby within the residence, and not a soul here, from the French laundrywoman to Miss Norton forgot him. I turned into so happy of that.
They were given up a masquerade, and had a homosexual time New Year's Eve. I didn't suggest to go down, having no dress. But on the final minute, Mrs. Kirke remembered some vintage brocades, and Miss Norton lent me lace and feathers. So I dressed up as Mrs. Malaprop, and sailed in with a masks on. No one knew me, for I disguised my voice, and no one dreamed of the silent, haughty Miss March (for they suppose I am very stiff and cool, maximum of them, and so I am to whippersnappers) may want to dance and get dressed, and burst out into a 'excellent derangement of epitaphs, like an allegory at the banks of the Nile'. I loved it very tons, and when we unmasked it turned into a laugh to see them stare at me. I heard one of the young guys inform another that he knew I'd been an actress, in truth, he concept he remembered seeing me at one of the minor theaters. Meg will savour that shaggy dog story. Mr. Bhaer became Nick Bottom, and Tina changed into Titania, a super little fairy in his arms. To see them dance become 'pretty a landscape', to apply a Teddyism.
I had a very satisfied New Year, after all, and after I notion it over in my room, I felt as though I become getting on a touch regardless of my many disasters, for I'm cheerful all the time now, work with a will, and take greater hobby in other humans than I used to, that is exceptional. Bless you all! Ever your loving... Jo
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
FRIEND
>
Though very glad inside the social environment about her, and very busy with the day by day work that earned her bread and made it sweeter for the attempt, Jo nevertheless discovered time for literary labors. The reason which now took ownership of her turned into a natural one to a terrible and formidable girl, but the way she took to gain her end were no longer the pleasant. She noticed that money conferred power, money and electricity, consequently, she resolved to have, no longer to be used for herself alone, but for the ones whom she loved more than life. The dream of filling domestic with comforts, giving Beth the entirety she desired, from strawberries in winter to an organ in her bedroom, going overseas herself, and always having extra than enough, so that she may indulge inside the luxurious of charity, were for years Jo's maximum cherished castle within the air.
Little Women Page 43