36 Little Women Read By Stephanie Poppins

Following the female stoic theme, this novel focuses on love, family, morality, and personal growth.
Meg, the eldest, is drawn to marriage and domestic life.
Jo, the headstrong and tomboyish one, pursues her passion for writing.
Beth, the quiet and gentle one, finds solace in music and is tragically affected by illness.
Amy, the youngest and most artistic, navigates her path, ultimately finding success in the art world.

In this episode, Laurie has some explaining to do.

Performed by Stephanie Poppins
Music by Jean-Miles Carter
Published by Neworld Books

Transcript

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 21 Continued Is Mr Lawrence in? Asked Jo of a housemaid who was coming downstairs. Yes, Miss, But I don't believe he's able just yet. Why not? Is he ill? No, Miss, But he's had a scene with Mr Lorry. He's in one of his tantrums about something which fixes the old gentleman, So I darescome know him. Where is Lorry? Shut up in his room, And he won't answer. There'll be a tapping. I don't know what's become of the dinner before it's ready, And there's no one to eat it. I'll go and see what the matter is. I'm not afraid of either of them, Said Jo, And up she went, Knocking on the door smartly. Stop that, Or I'll open the door and make you, Called the old gentleman. Jo immediately knocked again. The door flew open, And in she bounced before Lorry could recover from his surprise. Seeing that he really was out of temper, Jo, Who knew how to manage him, Assumed a contrite expression and, Going artistically down upon her knees, Said meekly, Please forgive me, Lorry, For being so cross. I came to make it up, And I can't go away until I have. It's all right, Get up, And don't be such a goose, Jo, Was the cavalier reply. Thank you, I will. Could I ask what's the matter? You don't look exactly as though you're in your mind. I've been shaken, And I won't bear it, Growled Lorry indignantly. Who did it, Demanded Jo. Grandfather. If it had been anyone else, I'd have. . . And the injured youth finished his sentence by an energetic gesture of the right arm. That's nothing, I often shake you, And you don't mind, Said Jo soothingly. You're a girl, And it's fun, But I'll allow no man to shake me. I don't think anyone would care to try it if you looked so much like a thundercloud as you do now, Said Jo. Why were you treated so? Just because I wouldn't say what your mother wanted me for. I promised not to tell, And of course I wasn't going to break my word. Could you satisfy your grandpa in another way? No, He would have the truth, The whole truth, And nothing but the truth. I'd have told my part of the scrape if I could without bringing Meg in, But as I couldn't, I held my tongue and bore the scolding to the old gentleman collar me, And I got angry and bolted for fear I'd forget myself. It wasn't nice, But he's sorry, I know, So go down and make up, Said Jo. I'll help you. And if I do, I'm not going to be lectured and pummeled by everyone just for a bit of a frolic. I was sorry about Meg and begged pardon like a man, But I won't do it again when I wasn't even in the wrong. He didn't know that. He ought to trust me and not act as if I was a baby. It's no use, Jo. I've just got to learn I'm able to take care of myself. I don't need anyone's apron strings to hold on by. What pepper pots you are, Sighed Jo. How do you mean to settle this affair? Well, He ought to beg pardon and believe me when I say I can't tell him what the fuss is about. But he won't do that. I won't go down till he does. Teddy, Be sensible. Just let this pass and I'll explain what I can. You can't stay here, So what's the use of being melodramatic? I don't intend to stay long anyway. I'll slip off and take a journey somewhere, And when Grandpa misses me he'll come round fast enough. I dare say, But you ought not to go and worry him. Don't preach, Jo. I'll go to Washington and see Brooke. It's gay there and I'll enjoy myself after the troubles. What fun you'd have, I wish I could run off too, Said Jo, Forgetting her part of mentoring lively visions of martial life at the Capitol. Come on then, Why not? You go and surprise your father and I'll stir up old Brooke. It'll be a glorious joke. Let's do it, Jo. We'll leave a letter saying we're all right and trot off at once. I've got money enough. It'll do you good anyway and be no harm as you go to your father. For a moment, Jo looked as if she would agree. For wild as the plan was, It just suited her. She was tired of care and confinement, Longed for change and thoughts of her father blending temptingly with the novel charms of camps and hospitals, Liberty and fun. Her eyes kindled as they turned wistfully toward the window, But they fell on the old house opposite, And she shook her head with sorrowful decision. If I was a boy, We'd run away together and have a Capitol time. But as I'm a miserable girl, I must be proper and stop at home. Don't tempt me, Teddy, It's a crazy plan. That's the fun of it, Began Laurie, Who had got a willful fit on him and was possessed to break out of bounds in some way. Hold your tongue, Cried Jo, Covering her ears. Prunes and prisms are my doom and I may as well make up my mind to it. I came here to moralise, Not to hear about things that might make me skip to think of. I know Meg would wet-blank such a proposal, But I thought you had more spirit, Yanned Laurie insinuatingly. Bad boy, Be quiet. Sit down and think of your own sins. Don't go making me add to mine. If I get Grandpa to apologise for the shaking, Will you give up running away? Asked Jo seriously. Yes, But she won't do it, Answered Laurie, Who wished to make up but felt his outraged dignity must be appeased first. If I can manage the young one, I can the old one, Said Jo. And she left Laurie bent over a railroad map, With his head propped up on both hands. Come in, Said Miss Lawrence's gruff voice as she tapped at his door. It's only me, Sir. Come to return a book, She said blandly as she entered. Want any more? Asked the old gentleman, Looking grim and vexed but trying not to show it. Yes, Please. I like old Sam so well, I think I'll try the second volume, She returned. His shaggy eyebrows unbent a little as he rolled the steps toward the shelf, Where the Johnsonian literature was placed. Jo skipped up, And sitting on the top step, Affected to be searching for her book, But was really wondering how best to introduce the dangerous object of her visit. Mr Lawrence seemed to suspect something was brewing, For after taking several brisk turns about the room, He faced round on her. What has that boy been about? Don't try to shield him. I know he's been in mischief by the way he acted when he came home. I can't get a word from him, And when I threatened to shake the truth out of him, He bolted upstairs. He did do wrong, But we forgave him and all promised not to say a word to anyone, Said Jo reluctantly. That won't do. He shall not shelter himself behind a promise from you soft-hearted girls. If Laurie has done anything amiss, He shall confess, Beg pardon and be punished. Now out with it, I won't be kept in the dark. Mr Lawrence looked so alarming and spoke so sharply, That Jo would gladly have run away if she could, But she was perched aloft on the steps, And he stood at the foot, A lion in the path, So she had to stay and brave it out. Indeed sir, I cannot tell. Mother forbade it. Laurie has confessed, Asked pardon and been punished quite enough. We don't keep silence to shield him, But someone else, And it will make more trouble if you interfere. Please don't. It was partly my fault. But it's all right now, So let's forget it and talk about the Rambler or something pleasant, Shall we? Hang the Rambler! Come down and give me your word that this harum-scarum boy of mine hasn't done anything ungrateful or impertinent. If he has, After all your kindness to him, I'll thrash him with my own hands. The threat sounded awful, But it did not alarm Jo, For she knew the irascible old gentleman would never lift a finger against his grandson, Whatever he might say to the contrary. She obediently descended and made light of the prank as she could, Without betraying Meg or forgetting the truth. Well, Said the old gentleman at last, If he held his tongue as he promised and not from obstinacy, I'll forgive him. He's a stubborn fellow and hard to manage. So am I, Said Jo, But a kind word will govern me when all the king's horses and king's men couldn't. You think I'm not kind to him, Hey? Was the sharp answer. No, Sir, You're rather too kind sometimes. And then just a trifle hasty when he tries your patience. Don't you think you are? Jo was determined to have it out now and tried to look quite placid, Though she quaked a little after her bold speech. To her great relief and surprise, The old gentleman threw his spectacles onto the table with a rattle and exclaimed, You're right, Girl, I am. I love the boy, But he tries my patience past bearing. I don't know how it'll end if we go on so. I'll tell you how it'll end. He'll run away, Said Jo. She was sorry for that speech the minute it was made. She meant to warn him Laurie would not bear much restraint, And she hoped he would be more forbearing with the lad. Then Mr Lawrence's ruddy face changed and he sat down with a troubled glance at the picture of a handsome man which hung over his table. It was Laurie's father who had run away in his youth and married against the imperious old man's will. Jo fancied he remembered and regretted the past and she wished she had held her tongue. He won't come, Sir. He feels badly because you didn't believe him when he said he couldn't tell. I think the shaking hurt his feelings very much. I don't think he will come to dinner. Jo tried to look pathetic, But she must have failed for Mr Lawrence began to laugh and she knew the day was won. I'm sorry for that. I ought to thank him, I suppose, For not shaking me. What the dickens does the fellow expect? Then the old gentleman looked a trifle ashamed of his own testiness. If I were you, I'd write him an apology, Sir. He says he won't come down till he has one and he talks about Washington and goes on and on in an absurd way. A formal apology will make him see how foolish he is and bring him down quite amiable. Try it. He likes fun and this way is better than talking. I'll carry it up and teach him his duty. Mr Lawrence gave Jo a sharp look. Hmm, You're a sly one, He said, But I don't mind being managed by you and Beth. Here, Give me a piece of paper and let us have done with this nonsense. The note was written in the terms which one gentleman would use to another after offering some deep insult. Jo dropped a kiss on the top of Mr Lawrence's bald head and ran up to slip the apology under Laurie's door, Advising him through the keyhole to be submissive, Decorous and a few other agreeable impossibilities. Finding the door locked again, She left the note to do its work and was going quietly away when the young gentleman slid down the banisters and waited for her at the bottom. What a good fellow you are, Jo. Did I get you blown up? He asked, Laughing. It was pretty mild on the whole, Said Jo. I got it all around. Even you cost me off over there and I feel just ready to go to the juice, He began apologetically. Don't talk in that way, Laurie. Now turn over a new leaf and begin again. I keep turning over new leaves and spoiling them as I used to spoil my copy books. I make so many beginnings there'll never be an end, He said, Dolefully. Go and eat your dinner, Said Jo. You'll feel better after that. Men always croak when they're hungry. Then she whisked out at the front door. That's a label on my sect, Answered Laurie, Quoting Amy as he went to partake of humble pie dutifully with his grandfather, Who was quite saintly in temper and overwhelmingly respectful in manner all the rest of the day. Everyone thought the matter ended and the little cloud blown over. But the mischief was done, For though others forgot it, Meg remembered. She never alluded to a certain person, But she thought of him a good deal, Dreamed dreams more than ever. And once Jo, Rummaging her sister's desk for stamps, Found a piece of paper scribbled over with the words, Mrs. John Brooke. Whereat she groaned tragically and cast it into the fire, Feeling that Laurie's prank had hastened the evil day for her.