Sleep Story: Little Women Ch 21

Enjoy this sleep story to help you drift off into a peaceful slumber. Tonight we read chapter 21 of the timeless classic, Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott. This chapter describes Laurie creating mischief over Meg. This audio is perfect for children or adults who want to relax, discover magic or find adventure before a great night's sleep.
This beautiful photo was captured in Colorado by Oliver Pierce.

Transcript

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Chapter 21 Laurie makes mischief and Joe makes peace Joe's face was a study next day For the secret rather weighed upon her and she found it hard not to look mysterious and important Meg observed it but did not trouble herself to make inquiries For she had learned that the best way to manage Joe was by the law of Contraries,

So she felt sure of being told everything if she did not ask She was rather surprised therefore when the silence remained unbroken and Joe assumed a patronizing air which decidedly Aggravated Meg who in turn assumed an air of dignified reserve and devoted herself to her mother This left Joe to her own devices for Miss March had taken her place as nurse and Bade her rest Exercise and amuse herself after her long confinement Amy being gone Laurie was her only refuge and Much as she enjoyed his society She rather dreaded him just then For he was an incorrible tease and she feared he would coax the secret from her She was quite right for the mischief-loving lad no sooner suspected a mystery than he set himself to find it out and Led Joe a trying life of it He wheedled,

Bribed,

Ridiculed,

Threatened,

Scolded Threatened,

Scolded,

Affectionate indifference that he might surprise the truth from her Declared he knew then that he didn't care and at last by dint of perseverance He satisfied himself that it concerned Meg and Mr.

Brooke Feeling indignant that he was not taken into his tutors confidence He set his wits to work to devise some proper retaliation for the slight Meg meanwhile had apparently forgotten the matter and was absorbed in preparations for her father's return But all of a sudden a change seemed to come over her and for a day or two.

She was quite unlike herself She started when spoken to,

Blushed when looked at,

Was very quiet and sat over her sewing with a timid troubled look on her face To her mother's inquiry she answered that she was quite well And Joe she silenced by begging to be let alone She fills it in the air Love I mean and she's going very fast She's got most of the symptoms is Twittery and cross doesn't eat lies awake and mopes in corners.

I Caught her singing that song he gave her and once she said John as you do and then turned as red as a poppy Whatever shall we do said Joe looking ready for any measures however violent Nothing,

But wait let her alone be kind and patient and Father's coming will settle everything replied her mother Here's a note to you Meg all sealed up How odd Teddy never seals mine Said Joe next day as she distributed the contents of the little post office Miss March and Joe were deep in their own affairs When a sound from Meg made them look up to see her staring at her note with a frightened face My child what is it?

Cried her mother returning to her while Joe tried to take the paper Which had done the mischief?

It's all a mistake.

He didn't send it.

Oh Joe.

How could you do it and?

Meg hid her face in her hands crying as if her heart were quite broken Me I've done nothing.

What's she talking about?

Cried Joe bewildered Meg's mild eyes kindled with anger as she pulled a crumpled note from her pocket and threw it at Joe Saying reproachfully you wrote it and that bad boy helped you How could you be so rude so mean and so cruel to us both?

Joe hardly heard her for she and her mother were reading the note which was written in a peculiar hand My dearest Margaret I can no longer restrain my passion and must know my fate before I return I Dare not tell your parents yet,

But I think they would consent if they knew that we adored one another Mr.

Lawrence will help me to some good place and then my sweet girl You will make me happy.

I implore you to say nothing to your family yet,

But to send one word of hope through Laurie to your devoted John Oh The little villain that's the way he meant to pay me for keeping my word to mother I'll give him a hearty scolding and bring him over to beg pardon cried Joe burning to execute immediate justice But her mother held her back saying with a look she seldom wore Stop Joe you must clear yourself first You have played so many pranks that I'm afraid you've had a hand in this On my word mother.

I haven't I never saw that note before and don't know anything about it as true as I live Said Joe so earnestly that they believed her if I hadn't So earnestly that they believed her if I had taken part in it I'd have done a better job than this and have written a sensible note.

I Should think you'd have known mr.

Brooke wouldn't write such stuff as that She added scornfully tossing down the paper It's like his writing faltered Meg comparing it with the note in her hand Oh Meg you didn't answer it cried miss March quickly Yes,

I did and Meg hit her face again overcome with shame Here's a scrape do let me bring that wicked boy over to explain and be lectured I can't rest till I get a hold of him and Joe made for the door again Hush,

Let me handle this for it is worse than I thought Margaret tell me the whole story Commanded miss March sitting down by Meg yet keeping hold of Joe lest she should fly off.

I Received the first letter from Laurie who didn't look as if he knew anything about it began Meg without looking up I was worried at first and meant to tell you then I remembered how you liked mr Brooke,

So I thought you wouldn't mind if I kept my little secret for a few days I'm so silly that I'd like to think no one knew and while I was deciding what to say I felt like the girls in the books who have such things to do Forgive me mother.

I'm paid for my silliness now.

I can never look him in the face again What did you say to him ask miss March I Only said I was too young to do anything about it yet that I didn't wish to tell you But I didn't wish to have secrets from you and he must speak to father.

I Was very grateful for his kindness and would be his friend,

But nothing more for a long while Miss March smiled as if well-pleased and Joe clapped her hands exclaiming with a laugh You are almost equal to Caroline Percy who was a pattern of prudence Tell on Meg.

What did he say to that?

He writes in a different way entirely telling me that he never sent any love letter at all and Is so very sorry that my roguish sister Joe should take liberties with our names It's very kind and respectful,

But think how dreadful for me Meg leaned against her mother looking the image of despair and Joe tramped about the room calling Laurie's names All of the sudden she stopped caught up the two notes and after looking at them closely said decidedly.

I Don't believe Brooke ever saw either of these letters Teddy wrote both and keeps yours to crow over me because I wouldn't tell him my secret Don't have any secrets Joe Tell it to mother and keep out of trouble as I should have done said Meg warningly bless you child mother told me That will do Joe all comfort Meg while you go and get Laurie I shall sift the matter to the bottom and put a stop to such pranks at once Away ran Joe and Miss March gently told Meg Mr.

Brooks real feelings Now dear What are your own?

Do you love him enough to wait till he can make a home for you?

Or will you keep yourself quite free for the present?

I've been so scared and worried.

I don't want to have anything to do with lovers for a long while perhaps never Answered Meg petulantly if John doesn't know anything about this nonsense Don't tell him and make Joe and Laurie hold their tongues I won't be deceived and plagued and made a fool of it's a shame It's a shame seeing Meg's usual gentle temper was roused and her pride hurt by this mischievous joke Miss March soothed her by promises of entire silence and great discretion for the future The instant Laurie's step was heard in the hall Meg fled into the study and Miss March received the culprit alone Joe had not told him why he was wanted fearing he wouldn't come But he knew the minute he saw Miss March's face and stood twirling his hat with a guilty air which convicted him at once Joe was dismissed but chose to march up and down the hall like a sentinel Having some fear that the prisoner might bolt The sound of voices in the parlor rose and fell for half an hour But what happened during the interview the girls never knew When they were called in Laurie was standing by their mother with such a penitent face that Joe forgave him on the spot But did not think it wise to betray the fact Meg received his humble apology and was much comforted by the assurance that Brooke knew nothing of the joke I'll never tell him to my dying day wild horses shan't drag it out of me So you'll forgive me Meg and I'll do anything to show how out and out sorry I am He added looking very much ashamed of himself I'll try but it was a very ungentlemanly thing to do I didn't think you could be so sly and malicious Laurie replied Meg trying to hide her maidenly confusion under a gravely reproachful air It was altogether abominable and I don't deserve to be spoken to for a month But you will though won't you and Laurie folded his hands together with such an imploring gesture As he spoke in his irresistibly persuasive tone that it was impossible to frown upon him in spite of his scandalous behavior Meg pardoned him and Miss March's grave face relaxed in spite of her efforts to keep sober When she heard him declare that he would atone for his sins by all sorts of penances and abase himself like a worm before the injured damsel Joe stood aloof meanwhile trying to harden her heart against him and succeeding only in primming up her face into an expression of entire disapprobation Laurie looked at her once or twice but as she showed no sign of relenting he felt injured and turned his back on her till the others were done with him when he made her a low bow and walked off without a word As soon as he had gone she wished she had been more forgiving and when Meg and her mother went upstairs she felt lonely and longed for Teddy After resisting for some time she yielded to the impulse and armed with a book to return went over to the big house Is Mr.

Lawrence in?

Asked Joe of a housemaid who was coming downstairs Yes miss but I don't believe he's seeable just yet Why not is he ill?

La no miss but he's had a scene with Mr.

Laurie who's in one of his tantrums about something which vexes the old gentleman so I durst not nigh him Where is Laurie?

Shut up in his room and he won't answer though I've been a-tappin' I don't know what's to become of him for dinner for 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 Up went Joe and knocked smartly on the door of Laurie's little study Stop that or I'll open the door and make you called out the young gentleman in a threatening tone Joe immediately knocked again The door flew open and in she bounced before Laurie could recover from his surprise Seeing that he really was out of temper Joe who knew how to manage him assumed a contrite expression And going artistically down upon her knees said meekly Please forgive me for being so cross I came to make it up and can't go away till I have It's all right get up and don't be a goose Joe was the cavalier reply to her petition Thank you I will Can I ask what's the matter?

You don't look exactly easy in your mind I've been shaken and I won't bear it growled Laurie indignantly Who did it demanded Joe?

Grandfather if it had been anyone else I'd have And the injured youth finished his sentence with an energetic gesture of the right arm That's nothing I often shake you and you don't mind said Joe soothingly Pooh 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 as much like a thundercloud as you do now Why were you treated so?

Just because I wouldn't say what your mother wanted for me I'd promise not to tell And of course I wasn't going to break my word Couldn't you satisfy your grandpa in any other 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 As I couldn't I held my tongue and bore the scolding till the old gentleman collared me Then I bolted for fear I should forget myself It wasn't nice but he's sorry I know so go down and make up I'll help you Hanged 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 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 Joe he's got to learn that I'm able to take care of myself And I don't need anyone's apron string to hold on to What pepper pots you are sighed Joe 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 about what the fuss is about Bless you you know he won't do that I won't go down till he does Now Teddy be sensible let it 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 here long anyways 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 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 Joe For getting her part of mentor in lively visions of martial life at the capital Come on then why not you go and surprise your father and I'll stir up old Brooke It would be a glorious joke let's do it Joe We'll leave a letter saying we are alright and trot off at once I've got money enough it will do you good and no harm as you go to see your father For a moment Joe 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 blended 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 capital 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 Joe covering her ears Prunes and prisms are my doom and I may as well make up my mind to do it I came here to moralize not to hear things that would make me skip to think of I know Meg would wet blanket such a proposal but I thought you had more spirit Began Laurie bad boy be quiet sit down and think of your own sins Don't go making me add to mine If I get your grandpa to apologize for the shaking will you give up running away Asked Joe seriously yes but you won't do it answered Laurie Who wished to make up but felt that his outraged dignity must be appeased first If I can manage the young one I can the old one muttered Joe As she walked away leaving Laurie bent over a railroad map With his head propped up on both hands Come in and Mr.

Lawrence's gruff voice sounded gruffer than ever As Joe 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 Returned Joe hoping to persuade him by accepting a second dose of Boswell's Johnson As he had recommended that lively work The shaggy eyebrows unbent a little as he rolled the steps toward the shelf Where the Johnsonian literature was placed Joe 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 that something was brewing in her mind For after taking several brisk turns about the room He faced round on her speaking so abruptly That Rosellus tumbled face forward on the floor 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 and locked himself into his room He did wrong but we forgave him And all promised not to say a word to anyone began Joe reluctantly That won't do he shall not shelter himself behind a promise from you soft-hearted girls If he's done anything amiss he shall confess beg pardon and be punished Out with it Joe I won't be kept in the dark Mr.

Lawrence looked so alarming and spoke so sharply That Joe would have gladly 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 Hang the rambler come down and give me your word that this Harem 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 did not alarm Joe 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 as light of the prank as she could Without betraying Meg or forgetting the truth Hum hum well if the boy held his tongue because he promised And not from obstinacy I'll forgive him He's a stubborn fellow and hard to manage said Mr.

Lawrence Rubbing up his hair till it looked as if he'd been out in the gale And smoothing the frown from his brow with an air of relief So am I but a kind word will govern me when all the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't said Joe Trying to say a kind word for her friend who seemed to get out of one scrape only to fall in another You think I'm not kind to him was the sharp answer Oh dear no sir you are rather too kind sometimes And then just a trifle hasty when he tries your patience Don't you think you are Joe is determined to have it out now And try to look quite placid though she quaked a little after her bold speech To her great relief and surprise the old gentleman only threw his spectacles onto the table with a rattle And exclaimed frankly you're right girl I am I love the boy but he tries my patience past bearing And I know how it will end if we go on so I'll tell you he'll run away Joe was sorry for that speech the minute it was made She meant to warn him that Laurie would not bear such restraint And hoped he would be more forbearing with the lad Mr.

Lawrence's ruddy face changed suddenly and he sat down with a troubled glance at the picture of the handsome man which hung over his table It was Laurie's father who had ran away in his youth and married against the imperious old man's will Joe fancy he remembered and regretted the past and she wished she had held her tongue He won't do it unless he's very much worried and only threatens it sometimes when he gets tired of studying I often think I should like to especially since my hair was cut so if you ever miss us you may advertise for the two boys and look among the ships bound for India She laughed as she spoke and Mr.

Lawrence looked relieved evidently taking the whole as a joke You hussy how dare you talk in that way where's your respect for me and your proper bringing up Bless the boys and girls what torments they are yet we can't go without them He said pinching her cheeks good humoredly Go and bring that boy down to his dinner tell him it's all right and advise him to not put on tragedy airs with his grandfather I won't bear it 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 Joe tried to look pathetic but must have failed for Mr.

Lawrence began to laugh and she knew the day was won I'm sorry for that and ought to thank him for not shaking me I suppose What the dickens does the fellow expect and the old man 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 talks about Washington and goes on in an absurd way A formal apology will make him see how foolish he is and bring him back down quite amiable Try it he likes fun and this way is better than talking I'll carry it up and teach him to his duty Mr.

Lawrence gave her a sharp look and put on his spectacles saying slowly You're a sly puss but I don't mind being managed by you and Beth here give me a bit of paper and let us have done with this nonsense The note was written in terms which one gentleman would use to another after offending some deep insult Joe 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 banister And waited for her at the bottom saying with his most virtuous expression of countenance What a good fellow you are Joe did you get blown up he added laughing No he was pretty mild on the whole ah I got it all around even you cast me off over there and I felt just ready to go to the deuce he began apologetically Don't talk that way turn over a new leaf and begin again Teddy my son I keep turning over new leaves and spoiling them as I used to spoil my copy books And I make so many beginnings there's never gonna be an end he said dolefully Go and eat your dinner you'll feel better after it men always croak when they're hungry And Joe whisked out at the front door after that 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 dream dreams more than ever and once Joe rummaging her sister's desk for stamps Found a bit of paper scribbled over with the words Miss John Brooke Where at she groaned tragically and cast it in the fire feeling that Laurie's prank had hastened the evil day for her And that is the end of our story this evening Until next time sweet dreams

Reviews

The reader and the book are my middle of the night friends 🙏❤️

Thanks Hilary. This must be my 6th listen in the middle of the night. Still awake but never mind as fell asleep on the previous 5! Now for another tale to drift with. 🙏🏼❤️

I read the grafic novel and doesn't Beth get leukemia?

Thank you Hilary! So lovely. Middle of the night and I’m unfortunately awake so going to listen to this again. 🤗💖