Welcome to Sleep Stories with Steph,
Your go-to podcast that offers you a calm and relaxing transition into a great night's sleep.
It is time to relax and fully let go.
There is nothing you need to be doing now and nowhere you need to go.
Close your eyes and feel yourself sink into the support beneath you and let all the worries of the day drift away.
This is your time and your space.
Take a deep breath in through your nose and let it out with a long sigh.
There is nothing you need to be doing now and nowhere you need to go.
Happy listening.
Chapter 14 continued.
Now where's your secret,
Teddy?
Play fair or I'll never believe you again,
Said Joe.
I may get into a scrape for telling,
Said Laurie,
But I didn't promise not to,
So I will,
For I never feel easy in my mind till I've told you every plummy bit of news I get.
I know where Meg's glove is.
Is that all?
Said Joe,
Looking disappointed.
It's quite enough for the present,
As you'll agree when I tell you where.
Tell me then.
Laurie bent and whispered three words in Joe's ear,
Which produced a comical change.
She stood and stared at him for a full minute.
How do you know?
I saw it.
Where?
Pocket.
All this time?
Yes,
Isn't that romantic?
No,
It's horrid.
Don't you like it?
Of course I don't.
It's ridiculous and it won't be allowed.
What did Meg say?
You're not to tell anyone.
I didn't promise.
That was understood,
Joe,
And I trusted you.
I won't for the present anyway,
But I'm disgusted and I wish you hadn't told me.
I thought you'd be pleased.
The idea of anybody coming to take Meg away?
No thanks.
They all feel better about it when somebody comes to take you away.
I'd like to see anyone try it.
So should I.
Laurie chuckled at the idea.
I don't think secrets agree with me.
I feel rumpled up in my mind since you told me that,
Said Joe rather ungratefully.
Race down this hill with me and you'll be all right,
Suggested Laurie.
No one was in sight.
The smooth road sloped invitingly before her.
And finding the temptation irresistible,
Joe darted away,
Soon leaving hat and comb behind her and scattering hairpins as she ran.
Laurie reached the goal first and was quite satisfied with the success of his treatment,
For his Atlanta came panting up with flying hair,
Bright eyes,
Ruddy cheeks and no signs of dissatisfaction in her face.
I wish I was a horse.
Then I could run for miles in this splendid air and not lose my breath,
Said Joe,
Dropping down under a maple tree which was carpeting the bank with crimson leaves.
Laurie leisurely departed to recover the lost property and Joe bundled up her braids hoping no one would pass by till she was tidy again.
But someone did pass by.
And who should it be but Meg,
Looking particularly ladylike in her state and festive suit,
For she'd been making calls.
What in the world are you doing here?
She asked,
Regarding her dishevelled sister with well-bred surprise.
Getting leaves,
Meekly answered Joe,
Sorting the rosy handful she'd just swept up.
And hairpins,
Added Laurie,
Throwing half a dozen into Joe's lap.
They grow on this road,
Meg,
Soda combs and brown straw hats.
You've been running,
Joe,
How could you?
When will you be stopping such romping ways,
Said Meg reprovingly.
Never till I'm stiff and old and I have to use a crutch.
Don't try to make me grow old before my time,
Meg.
It's hard enough to have you change all of a sudden.
Let me be a girl as long as I can.
As she spoke,
Joe bent over the leaves to hide the trembling of her lips.
For lately she'd felt that Margaret was fast getting to be a woman.
And Laurie's secret made her dread the separation which must surely come sometime,
And now seemed very near.
He saw the trouble in her face and drew Meg's attention from it by asking,
Where have you been calling all so fine?
At the gardener's,
And Sally's been telling me all about Belle Moffat's wedding.
It was very splendid.
They've gone to spend the winter in Paris.
Just think how delightful that must be.
Do you envy her,
Meg?
Said Laurie.
I'm afraid I do.
I'm glad of it,
Muttered Joe tying on her hat with a jerk.
Why?
Asked Meg.
Because if you care so much about riches,
You'll never go and marry a poor man,
Said Joe,
Frowning at Laurie who was mutely warning her to mind what she said.
I shall never go and marry anyone,
Observed Meg,
Walking on with great dignity while the others followed.
Laughing,
Whispering,
Skipping stones and behaving like children,
As Meg said to herself,
Though she might have been tempted to join them if she had not had her best dress on.
For a week or two,
Joe behaved so queerly that her sisters were quite bewildered.
She rushed to the door when the postman rang,
Was rude to Mr.
Brook whenever they met,
Would sit looking at Meg with a woe-begone face,
Occasionally jumping up to shake,
Then to kiss her in a very mysterious manner.
Laurie and she were always making signs to one another and talking about spread eagles,
Till the girls declared they had both lost their wits.
On the second Saturday after Joe got out of the window,
Meg,
As she sat sewing at her window,
Was scandalised by the sight of Laurie chasing Joe all over the garden and finally capturing her in Amy's bower.
What went on there Meg could not see,
But shrieks of laughter were heard,
Followed by the murmur of voices and a great flapping of newspapers.
What shall we do with that girl?
She'll never behave like a young lady,
Sighed Meg,
As she watched the race with a disapproving face.
I hope she won't.
She's so funny and dear as she is,
Said Beth,
Who had never betrayed that she was a little hurt at Joe's having secrets with anyone but her.
It's very trying,
But we can never make her comme il le faut,
Added Amy,
Who sat making some new frills for herself with her curls tied up in a very becoming way,
Two agreeable things which made her feel unusually elegant and ladylike.
In a few minutes Joe bounced in,
Laid herself on the sofa and affected to read.
Have you anything interesting there?
Asked Meg with condescension.
Nothing but a story.
Won't amount to much I guess,
Returned Joe,
Keeping the name of the paper out of sight.
You'd better read it aloud,
That'll amuse us and keep you out of mischief,
Said Amy in her most grown up tone.
What's the name?
Asked Beth.
The Rival Painters.
That sounds well.
Read it,
Said Meg.
With a loud ahem and a long breath,
Joe began to read very fast.
The girls listened with interest,
For the tale was romantic and somewhat pathetic,
As most of the characters died in the end.
I like that about the splendid picture,
Was Amy's approving remark as Joe paused.
I remember the lovering part.
Viola and Angelo are two of our favourite names,
Isn't that queer?
Said Meg,
Wiping her eyes.
Who wrote it?
Asked Beth.
Then the readers suddenly sat up,
Cast away the paper,
Displaying a flushed countenance,
And with a funny mixture of solemnity and excitement replied in a loud voice.
Your sister.
You!
Cried Meg,
Dropping her work.
It's very good,
Said Amy.
I knew it!
I knew it!
Oh my Joe,
I'm so proud,
Said Beth.
She began to hug her sister and exult over this splendid success.
Dear me,
How delighted they all were to be sure.
How Meg wouldn't believe it till she saw the words Miss Josephine March actually printed in the paper.
How graciously Amy criticised the artistic parts of the story and offered hints for a sequel,
Which unfortunately couldn't be carried out as the hero and heroine were dead.
How Beth got excited and skipped and sung with joy.
How Hannah came in to exclaim,
Sykes alive,
Will I never!
In great astonishment at that Joe's doings.
And how proud Mrs March was when she knew it.
Tell us all about it.
When did it come?
How much did you get for it?
What will father say?
Won't Laurie laugh?
Cried the family in one breath.
All right,
Stop jabbering girls,
Said Joe.
Then after having told how she disposed of her tales,
She added,
And when I went to get my answer,
The man said he liked them both.
But he didn't pay beginners,
Only let them print in his paper.
And he said it was good and I should write more and he's going to get the next paid for.
And I am so happy for in time I may be able to support myself and you.
Then Joe's breath gave out and wrapping her head in the paper,
She betewed her little story with a few natural tears for to be independent and earn the praise of those she loved with the dearest wishes of her heart.
And this seemed to be the first step towards that happy end.
