旧式女孩 英文版 An Old-fashioned Girl
露意莎.梅.奥尔科特 Louisa May Alcott
CHAPTER X BROTHERS AND SISTERS Page 2
"Well, this is cheerful," he said, as the clock struck eight, and hisfourth cigar came to an end. "Trix is mad, and Fan in the dumps,so I 'll take myself off. Guess I 'll go round to Polly's, and ask Willto drive out with me, and save him the walk, poor chap. Mightbring Midget home, it will please her, and there 's no knowingwhen the governor will be back."
With these thoughts in his head, Tom leisurely got under way, andleft his horse at a neighboring stable, for he meant to make a littlecall, and see what it was Maud enjoyed so much.
"Polly is holding forth," he said to himself, as he went quietly upstairs, and the steady murmur of a pleasant voice came down tohim. Tom laughed at Polly's earnest way of talking when she wasinterested in anything. But he liked it because it was so differentfrom the coquettish clatter of most of the girls with whom hetalked. Young men often laugh at the sensible girls whom theysecretly respect, and affect to admire the silly ones whom theysecretly despise, because earnestness, intelligence, and womanlydignity are not the fashion.
The door was ajar, and pausing in the dark entry Tom took asurvey before he went in. The prospect was not dazzling, buthome-like and pleasant. The light of a bright fire filled the littleroom, and down on a stool before it was Maud tending Puttel, andwatching with deep interest the roasting of an apple intended forher special benefit. On the couch lounged Will, his thoughtful eyesfixed on Polly, who, while she talked, smoothed the broadforehead of her "yellow-haired laddie" in a way that Tom thoughtan immense improvement on Maud's performance. They hadevidently been building castles in the air, for Polly was saying inher most impressive manner, "Well, whatever you do, Will, don'thave a great, costly church that takes so much money to build andsupport it that you have nothing to give away. I like the plain,old-fashioned churches, built for use, not show, where people metfor hearty praying and preaching, and where everybody made theirown music instead of listening to opera singers, as we do now. Idon't care if the old churches were bare and cold, and the seatshard, there was real piety in them, and the sincerity of it was felt inthe lives of the people. I don't want a religion that I put away withmy Sunday clothes, and don't take out till the day comes roundagain; I want something to see and feel and live by day-by-day, andI hope you 'll be one of the true ministers, who can teach byprecept and example, how to get and keep it."
"I hope I shall be, Polly, but you know they say that in families, ifthere is a boy who can't do anything else, they make a minister ofhim. I sometimes think I ain't good for much, and that seems to methe reason why I should n't even try to be a minister," said Will,smiling, yet looking as if with all his humility he did have faith inthe aspirations that came to him in his best moments.
"Some one said that very thing to father once, and I remember heanswered, 'I am glad to give my best and brightest son to theservice of God.' "
"Did he say that?" and Will's color rose, for the big, book-lovingfellow was as sensitive as a girl to the praise of those dearest tohim.
"Yes," said Polly, unconsciously giving the strongest stimulus toher brother's hope and courage. "Yes, and he added, 'I shall let myboys follow the guide that is in them, and only ask of them to usetheir gifts conscientiously, and be honest, useful men.' "
"So we will! Ned is doing well out West, and I 'm hard at it here. Iffather does his best to give us the chance we each want, the leastwe can do is to work with a will."
"Whatever you do, you can't help working with a Will," cried Tom,who had been so interested, that he forgot he was playingeavesdropper.
Polly flew up, looking so pleased and surprised, that Tomreproached himself for not having called oftener.
"I 've come for Maud," he announced, in a paternal tone, whichmade that young lady open her eyes.
"I can't go till my apple is done; besides, it is n't nine yet, and Willis going to take me along, when he goes. I 'd rather have him."
"I 'm going to take you both in the cutter. The storm is over, but itis heavy walking, so you 'll drive out with me, old man?" saidTom, with a nod at Will.
"Of course he will; and thank you very much. I 've been trying tokeep him all night; Miss Mills always manages to find a corner forstray people, but he insists on going, so as to get to work earlyto-morrow," said Polly, delighted to see that Tom was taking offhis coat, as if he meant to wait for Maud's apple, which Pollyblessed for being so slow to cook.
Putting her guest into the best chair, Polly sat down and beamed athim with such hospitable satisfaction, that Tom went up severalpegs in his own estimation.
"You don't come very often, so we are rather over-powered whenyou do honor us," she said, demurely.
"Well, you, know we fellows are so busy, we have n't much time toenjoy ourselves," answered Tom.
"Ahem!" said Will, loudly.
"Take a troche," said Tom.
Then they both burst out laughing, and Polly, fully understandingthe joke, joined them, saying, "Here are some peanuts, Tom; doenjoy yourself while you can."
"Now I call that a delicate compliment!" And Tom, who had notlost his early relish for this sort of refreshment, though he seldomindulged his passion nowadays, because peanuts are consideredvulgar, fell to cracking and munching with great satisfaction.
"Do you remember the first visit I made at your house, how yougave me peanuts, coming from the depot, and frightened me out ofmy wits, pretending the coachman was tipsy?" asked Polly.
"Of course I do, and how we coasted one day," answered Tom,laughing.
"Yes, and the velocipede; you 've got the scar of that yet, I see."
"I remember how you stood by me while it was sewed up; that wasvery plucky, Polly."
"I was dreadfully afraid, but I remember I wanted to seem verybrave, because you 'd called me a coward."
"Did I? Ought to have been ashamed of myself. I used to rough youshamefully, Polly, and you were so good-natured, you let me doit."
"Could n't help myself," laughed Polly. "I did use to think you werean awful boy, but seems to me I rather liked it."
"She had so much of it at home, she got used to it," put in Will,pulling the little curl behind Polly's ear.
"You boys never teased me as Tom did, that 's the reason it amusedme, I suppose; novelty hath charms, you know."
"Grandma used to lecture Tom for plaguing you, Polly, and heused to say he 'd be a tip-top boy, but he was n't," observed Maud,with a venerable air.
"Dear old grandma; she did her best, but I 'm a bad lot," said Tom,with a shake of the head and a sober face.
and every one knows that persuasive influences.
"It always seems as if she must be up in her rooms, and I can't getused to finding them empty," added Polly, softly.
"Father would n't have anything moved, and Tom sits up theresometimes; it makes him feel good, he says," said Maud, who hada talent for betraying trifles which people preferred should not bementioned in public.
"You 'd better hurry up your apple, for if it is n't done pretty soon,you 'll have to leave it, Pug," said Tom, looking annoyed.
"How is Fan?" asked Polly, with tact.
"Well, Fan is rather under the weather; says she 's dyspeptic, whichmeans cross."
"She is cross, but she 's sick too, for I found her crying one day,and she said nobody cared about her, and she might as well bedead," added Maud, having turned her apple with tender care.
"We must try to cheer her up, among us. If I was n't so busy I 'dlike to devote myself to her, she has done so much for me," saidPolly, gratefully.
"I wish you could. I can't understand her, for she acts like aweathercock, and I never know how I 'm going to find her. I hate tohave her mope so, but, upon my life, I don't know what to do," saidTom; but as he uttered the words, something was suggested by thesight before him. Chairs were few, and Polly had taken half ofWill's when they drew round the fire. Now she was leaning againsthim, in a cosy, confiding way, delightful to behold, while Will'sstrong arm went round her with a protecting air, which said, asplainly as any words, that this big brother and small sister knewhow to love and help one another. It was a pleasant little picture,all the pleasanter for its unconsciousness, and Tom found it bothsuggestive and agreeable.
affection could not be very difficult ofdemonstration,
"Poor old Fan, she don't get much petting; maybe that 's what shewants. I 'll try it and see, for she stands by me like a trump. If shewas a rosy, cosy little woman, like Polly, it would come easier,though," thought Tom, as he meditatively ate his last nut, feelingthat fraternal affection could not be very difficult ofdemonstration, to brothers blessed with pretty, good-temperedsisters.
"I told Tom about the bad fellow who blew up the professor, andhe said he knew him, slightly; and I was so relieved, because I hada kind of a feeling that it was Tom himself, you and Will laughedso about it."
Maud had a queer way of going on with her own thoughts, andsuddenly coming out with whatever lay uppermost, regardless oftime, place, or company. As this remark fell from her, there was ageneral smile, and Polly said, with mock solemnity, "It was a sadthing, and I 've no doubt that misguided young man is very sorryfor it now."
"He looked perfectly bowed down with remorse last time I sawhim," said Will, regarding Tom with eyes full of fun, for Will wasa boy as well as a bookworm, and relished a joke as well asscatter-brained Tom.
"He always is remorseful after a scrape, I 've understood, for he isn't a very bad fellow, only his spirits are one too many for him, andhe is n't as fond of his book as another fellow I know."
"I 'm afraid he 'll he expelled if he don't mind," said Polly,warningly.
"Should n't wonder if he was, he 's such an unlucky dog," answeredTom, rather soberly.
"I hope he 'll remember that his friends will be very muchdisappointed if he is. He might make them so proud and happy;that I guess he will, for he is n't half as thoughtless as he makeshimself out," said Polly, looking across at Tom with such friendlyeyes that he was quite touched, though of course he did n't show it.
"Thank you, Polly; he may pull through, but I have my doubts.Now old man, let us 'pud' along; it 's getting late for the chicken,"he added, relapsing into the graceful diction with which a classicaleducation gifts its fortunate possessor.
Taking advantage of the moment while Will was wrestling withhis boots in the closet, and Maud was absorbed in packing herapple into a large basket, Polly said to Tom in a low tone, "Thankyou very much, for being so kind to Will."
"Bless your heart, I have n't done anything; he 's such a proudfellow he won't let me," answered Tom.
"But you do in many little ways; to-night, for example. Do youthink I don't know that the suit of clothes he 's just got would havecost a good deal more, if your tailor had n't made them? He 's onlya boy, and don't understand things yet; but I know your way ofhelping proud people; so that they don't find it out, and I do thankyou, Tom, so much."
"Oh, come, Polly, that won't do. What do you know about tailorsand college matters?" said Tom, looking as much confused as ifshe had found him out in something reprehensible.
"I don't know much, and that 's the reason why I 'm grateful foryour kindness to Will. I don't care what stories they tell about you,I 'm sure, you won't lead him into trouble, but keep him straight,for my sake. You know I 've lost one brother, and Will takesJimmy's place to me now."
dyspeptic, whichmeans .
The tears in Polly's eyes as she said that made Tom vow atremendous vow within himself to stand by Will through thick andthin, and "keep him straight for Polly's sake"; feeling all the timehow ill-fitted he was for such a task.
"I 'll do my best," he said, heartily, as he pressed the hand Pollygave him, with a look which assured her that he felt the appeal tohis honor, and that henceforth the country lad was safe from all thetemptations Tom could have offered him.
"There! now I shall give that to mamma to take her pills in; it 'sjust what she likes, and it pleases her to be thought of," said Maud,surveying her gift with complacency, as she put on her things.
"You 're a good little soul, to remember poor mum, said Tom, withan approving nod.
"Well, she was so pleased with the grapes you brought her, Ithought I 'd try something, and maybe she 'd say 'Thank you,darling,' to me too. Do you think she will?" whispered Maud, withthe wistful look so often seen on her little plain face.
"See if she don't;" and to Maud's great surprise Tom did n't laughat her project.
"Good night, dear; take care of yourself, and keep your mufflerround your mouth going over the bridge, or you 'll be as hoarse as acrow to-morrow," said Polly, as she kissed her brother, whoreturned it without looking as if he thought it "girl's nonsense"Then the three piled into the sleigh and drove off, leave Pollynodding on the doorstep.
much of it at home, she got used to it," put in Will,pulling the.
Maud found the drive altogether too short, but was consoled by thepromise of a longer one if the sleighing lasted till next Saturday:and when Tom ran up to bid his mother good-by, and give her ahint about Maud's gift, she stayed below to say, at the last minute,in unconscious imitation of Polly.
"Good night; take care of yourself, my dear."
Tom laughed, and was about to pinch the much enduring littlenose; but, as if the words reminded him of something, he gave hera kiss instead, a piece of forbearance which almost took Maud'sbreath away with surprise and gratification.
He was not much given to reflection, but occasionally indulgedwhen something gave him a turn in that direction, and at suchtimes he was as sober and sincere as could be desired. Any onemight have lectured him for an hour without doing as much goodas that little call and the chat that grew out of it, for, thoughnothing very wise or witty was said, many things were suggested,and every one knows that persuasive influences are better than anyamount of moralizing. Neither Polly nor Will tried to do anythingof the sort, and that was the charm of it. Nobody likes to be talkedto, but nobody can resist the eloquence of unconscious preaching.With all his thoughtlessness, Tom was quick to see and feel thesethings, and was not spoilt enough yet to laugh at them. The sight ofWill and Polly's simple affection for one another reminded him ofa neglected duty so pleasantly, that he could not forget it. Talkingof early days made him wish he could go back and start again,doing better. Grandma's name recalled the tender memory thatalways did him good, and the thought that Polly trusted her dearestbrother to his care stirred up a manful desire to deserve theconfidence. Tortures would n't have drawn a word of all this fromhim, but it had its effect, for boys don't leave their hearts andconsciences behind them when they enter college, and little thingsof this sort do much to keep both from being damaged by the fouryears' scrimmage which begins the battle of life for most of them.