Sleep Story: Little Women Ch 23

Enjoy this sleep story to help you drift off into a peaceful slumber. Tonight we read chapter 23 of the timeless classic, Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott. This final chapter in Part 1 describes Meg discovering her feelings about her patient suitor. 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 23,

Aunt March settles the question Like bees swarming after their queen Mother and daughters hovered about Mr.

March the next day Neglecting everything to look at,

Wait upon,

And listen to the new invalid Who was in a fair way to be killed by kindness,

As he sat propped up in a big chair by Beth's sofa with the other three close by and Hannah popping in her head now and then to peek at the dear man Nothing seemed to complete their happiness But something was needed and the elder ones felt it Though none confessed the fact Mr.

And Mrs.

March looked at each other with an anxious expression as their eyes followed Meg Joe had sudden fits of sobriety and was seen to shake her fist at Mr.

Brooks umbrella Which had been left in the hall Meg was absent-minded shy and silent Started when the bell rang and Colored when John's name was mentioned Amy said Everyone seemed waiting for something and couldn't settle down which was queer since father was safe at home and Beth innocently wondered why their neighbors didn't run over as usual Laurie went by in the afternoon and seeing Meg at the window seemed subtly possessed with a melodramatic fit For he fell down on one knee in the snow beat his breast tore his hair and clasped his hands imploringly as if begging some boom and When Meg told him to behave himself and go away he wrung imaginary tears out of his handkerchief and Staggered around the corner as if in utter despair What does the goose mean said Meg?

Laughing and trying to look unconscious He's showing you how your John will go on by and by Touching isn't it?

Answered Joe scornfully Don't say my John it isn't proper or true But Meg's voice lingered over the words as if they sounded pleasant to her Please don't plague me Joe I've told you I don't care much about him and there isn't anything to be said But we are all to be friendly and go on as before We can't for something has been said and Laurie's mischief has spoiled you for me.

I See it and so does mother You're not like your old self a bit and seem ever so far away from me.

I Don't mean to plague you and will bear it like a man,

But I do wish it was all settled.

I Hate to wait.

So if you mean ever to do it make haste and have it over quickly said Joe pettishly I Can't say anything till he speaks and he won't because father said I was too young began Meg Bending over her work with a queer little smile Which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point if he did speak You wouldn't know what to say,

But would cry or blush or let him have his own way Instead of a good Decided no I'm not so silly and weak as you think I know just what I should say for I've planned it all So I needn't be taken awares There's no knowing what may happen and I wish to be prepared Joe couldn't help smiling at the important air which Meg had unconsciously assumed and Which was becoming as the pretty color bearing in her cheeks Would you mind telling me what you'd say?

Asked Joe more respectfully Not at all You're 16 now quite old enough to be my confidant and my experience will be useful to you By and by perhaps in your own affairs of this sort Don't mean to have any it's fun to watch other people flander But I should feel like a fool doing it myself Said Joe Looking alarmed at the thought.

I think not if you liked anyone very much and he liked you Meg spoke as if to herself and Glanced out in the lane where she had often seen lovers Walking together in the summer twilight.

I Thought you were gonna tell your speech to that man said Joe rudely shortening her sister's little reverie.

Oh I should merely say quite calmly and decidedly Thank You.

Mr.

Brooke You are very kind,

But I agree with father that I am too young to enter into any engagement at present So,

Please say no more,

But let us be friends as we were Hmm that's stiff and cool enough.

I don't believe you'll ever say it and I know he won't be satisfied if you do If he goes on like the rejected lovers and books you'll give in rather than hurt his feelings No,

I won't I shall tell him I've made up my mind and shall walk out of the room with dignity Meg rose as she spoke and was just going to rehearse the dignified exit When a step in the hall made her fly into her seat and began to sew as fast as her life Depended on finishing that particular scene in a given time Joe's mother to laugh at the sudden change and when someone gave the modest tap Opened the door with the grim aspect which was anything but hospitable Good afternoon.

I Came to get my umbrella that is to see how your father finds himself today Said mr.

Brooke getting a trifle confused as his eyes went from one telltale face to the other It's very well.

He's in the rack.

I'll get him and tell him you are here and Having jumbled her father in the umbrella well together in her reply Joe slipped out of the room to give Meg a chance to make her speech and air her dignity But the instant she vanished Meg began to idle toward the door murmuring Mother will like to see you pray sit down.

I'll call her Don't go Are you afraid of me Margaret?

And mr.

Brooke looks so hurt that Meg thought she had done something very rude She blushed up to the little curls on her forehead for he had never called her Margaret before and She was surprised to find how natural and sweet it seemed to hear him say it Anxious to appear friendly and at her ease She put out her hand with a confiding gesture and said gratefully How can I be afraid when you've been so kind father?

I?

Only wish I could thank you for it Shall I tell you how asked mr.

Brooke?

Holding the small hand fast in both of his own and looking down at Meg With so much love in the brown eyes that her heart began to flutter And she both longed to run away and to stop and listen.

Oh No,

Please don't I'd rather not she said trying to withdraw her hand and looking frightened in spite of her denial I Won't trouble you.

I Only want to know if you care for me a little Meg.

I Love you so much dear Added mr.

Brooke tenderly This was the moment for the calm proper speech,

But Meg didn't make it.

She forgot every word of it hung her head and answered I Don't know so softly that John had to stoop down to catch the foolish little reply He seemed to think it was worth the trouble for he smiled to himself as if quite satisfied Press the plump hand gratefully and said in his most persuasive tone Will you try and find out I want to know so much for I can't go to work With any heart until I learn whether I am to have my reward in the end or not I'm too young faltered Meg Wondering why she was so fluttered yet rather enjoying it I'll wait and in the meantime You could be learning to like me Would it be a very hard lesson dear?

Not if I choose to learn it,

But Please choose to learn Meg.

I Love to teach and this is easier than German broken John Getting possession of the other hand so that she had no way of hiding her face as he bent to look into it His tone was properly beseeching but stealing a shy look at him Meg saw that his eyes were merry as well as tender and that he wore the satisfied smile of one who had no doubt of his success this meddled her and Moffat's foolish lessons came into her mind and the love of power Which sleeps in the bosoms of the best of little women?

Woke up all of a sudden and took possession of her She felt excited and strange and not knowing what else to do followed a capricious impulse and Withdrawing her hand said petulantly.

I don't choose Please go away and let me be Poor mr.

Brooke looked as if his lovely castle in the air was tumbling about his ears For he had never seen Meg in such a mood and it rather bewildered him Do you really mean that he asked anxiously?

Following her as she walked away Yes,

I do.

I don't want to be worried about such things Father says I need it.

It's too soon and I'd rather not May and I hope you change your mind by and by I'll wait and say nothing till you've had more time Don't play with me Meg.

I don't think that of you Don't think of me at all.

I'd rather you wouldn't said Meg Taking a naughty satisfaction and trying her lovers patience and her own power He was grave and pale now and looked decidedly more like the novel heroes whom she admired But he neither slapped his forehead nor tramped about the room as they did.

He just stood looking at her so wistfully So tenderly that she found her heart relenting in spite of herself Well,

What would have happened next I cannot say if Aunt March had not come hobbling in at this interesting minute The old lady couldn't resist her longing to see her nephew For she had met Laurie as she took her airing and hearing of mr.

March's arrival Drove straight out to see him the family were all busy in the back and She had made her way quietly in hoping to surprise them She did surprise two of them so much that Meg started as if she'd seen a ghost and mr.

Brooke vanished into the study Bless me.

What's all this?

Cried the old lady with a wrap of her cane as she glanced from the pale young gentleman to the scarlet young lady It's father's friend.

I'm so surprised to see you Stammered Meg Feeling that she was in for a lecture now That's evident returned aunt March sitting down But what is father's friend saying to you to make you look like a peony?

There's mischief going on and I insist upon knowing what it is with another wrap.

We were only talking Mr.

Brooke came for his umbrella began Meg wishing that mr.

Brooke and the umbrella were safely out of the house Brooke that boy's tutor ah I Understand it now.

I know all about it Joe blundered into a wrongful message in one of your father's letters and I made her tell me You haven't gone and accepted him child cried aunt March looking scandalized Hush he'll hear Shannon,

I call mother Said Meg much trouble Not yet.

I've got something to say to you and I must free my mind at once Tell me do you mean to marry this cook?

If you do not one penny of my money ever goes to you Remember that and be a sensible girl Said the old lady impressively Now aunt March possessed in perfection the art of rousing the spirit of opposition and the gentlest people and enjoy doing it the best of us have a spice of perversity in us especially when we are young and in love and If aunt March had begged Meg to accept John Brooke,

She would probably have declared she couldn't think of it But as she was Preemptorily ordered not to like him.

She immediately made up her mind that she would inclination as well as Perversity made the decision easy and being already much excited Meg opposed the old lady with unusual spirit I shall marry whom I please aunt March and you can leave your money to anyone you like She said nodding her head with a resolute air Heidi tighty is that the way you take my advice miss?

You'll be sorry for it by and by when you've tried love in a cottage and found it a failure It can't be worse than one some find in big houses retorted Meg Aunt March put on her glasses and took a look at the girl for she did not know her in this new mood Meg hardly knew herself She felt so brave and independent so glad to defend John and assert her right to love him if she liked Aunt March saw that she had begun wrong and after a little pause made a fresh start Saying as mildly as she could Now Meg my dear be reasonable and take my advice I mean it kindly and don't want you to spoil your whole life by making a mistake at the beginning You ought to marry well and help your family It's your duty to make a rich match and it ought to be impressed upon you Mother and father don't think so.

They like John though.

He's poor Your parents my dear have no more worldly wisdom than a pair of babies I'm glad of it cried Meg stoutly Aunt March took no notice but went on with her life This rook is poor and hasn't got any rich relations.

Has he?

Nobody has many warm friends You can't live on friends.

Try it and see how cool they'll grow He hasn't any business.

Has he?

Not yet Mr.

Lawrence is going to help him That won't last long James Lawrence is a crotchety old fellow and not to be depended on So you intend to marry a man without money position or business and go on working harder than you do now When you might be comfortable all your days by minding me and doing better I thought you had more sense Meg I couldn't do better if I waited half my life John is good and wise He's got heaps of talent.

He's willing to work and sure to get on He's smart and he's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man He's a good man.

He's a good man Aunt March drove off in high dungeon.

She seemed to take all the girl's courage with her For when,

Left alone,

Meg stood for a moment,

Undecided whether to laugh or cry Before she could make up her mind,

She was taken possession of by Mr.

Brook Who said all in one breath I couldn't help hearing Meg,

Thank you for defending me And Aunt March for proving that you do care for me A little bit I didn't know how much till she abused you,

Began Meg And I needn't go away,

But may stay and be happy,

May I dear Here was another fine chance to make the crushing speech and the stately exit But Meg never thought of doing either And disgraced herself forever in Joe's eyes by meekly whispering Yes,

John And hiding her face on Mr.

Brook's waistcoat Fifteen minutes after Aunt March's departure,

Joe came softly downstairs Paused an instant at the parlor door And hearing no sound within Nodded and smiled with a satisfied expression Saying to herself She has seen him away as we planned And that affair is settled I'll go and hear the fun and have a good laugh over it But poor Joe never got her laugh For she was transfixed upon the threshold by a spectacle Which held her there Staring with her mouth nearly as wide open as her eyes Going into exult over a fallen enemy And to praise a strong-minded sister For the banishment of a lover It certainly was a shock to behold The aforesaid enemy serenely sitting on the sofa With the strong-minded sister enthroned upon his knee And wearing an expression of the most abject submission Joe gave a sort of gasp As if a cold shower bath had suddenly fallen upon her For such an unexpected turning of the tables actually took her breath away At the odd sound the lovers turned and saw her Meg jumped up looking both proud and shy But that man,

As Joe called him,

Actually laughed and said coolly As he kissed the astonished newcomer Sister Joe,

Congratulate us That was adding insult to injury It was altogether too much And making some wild demonstration with her hands Joe vanished without a word Rushing upstairs she startled the invalids by exclaiming tragically As she burst into the room Oh,

Do somebody go down quick John Brooke is acting dreadfully and Meg likes it Mr.

And Miss March left the room with speed And casting herself upon the bed Joe cried and scolded as she told the awful news to Beth and Amy The little girls,

However,

Considered it a most agreeable and interesting event And Joe got little comfort from them So she went up to her refuge in the garret And confided her troubles to the rats Nobody ever knew what went on in that parlor that afternoon But a great deal of talking was done And quiet Mr.

Brooke astonished his friends By the eloquence and spirit with which he pleaded his suit Told his plans and persuaded them to arrange everything just as he wanted it The tea bell rang before he had finished describing the paradise Which he meant to earn for Meg And he proudly took her into supper Both looking so happy that Joe hadn't the heart to be jealous or dismal Amy was very much impressed by John's devotion and Meg's dignity Beth beamed at them from a distance While Mr.

And Miss March surveyed the young couple with such tender satisfaction That it was perfectly evident Aunt March was right In calling them as unworldly as a pair of babies No one ate much,

But everyone looked very happy And the old room seemed to brighten up amazingly When the first romance of the family began there You can't say nothing pleasant ever happens now,

Can you Meg?

Said Amy,

Trying to decide how she would group the lovers in a sketch she was planning to make No,

I'm sure I can't How much has happened since I said that?

It seems a year ago,

Answered Meg Who was in a blissful dream,

Lifted far above such common things as bread and butter The joys come close upon the sorrows this time And I rather think the changes have begun,

Said Miss March In most families there comes,

Now and then,

A year full of events This has been such a one,

But it ends well after all Hope the next will end better,

Muttered Joe Who found it very hard to see Meg absorbed in a stranger before her face For Joe loved a few persons very dearly And dreaded to have their affection lost or lessened in any way I hope the third year will be even better I mean it shall,

If I live to work out my plans,

Said Mr.

Brooke Smiling at Meg as if everything had become possible to him now Doesn't it seem very long to wait?

Asked Amy Who was in a hurry for the wedding I've got so much to learn before I shall be ready It seems a short time to me,

Answered Meg With a sweet gravity in her face never seen there before You have only to wait I'm going to do the work,

Said John Beginning his labours by picking up Meg's napkin With an expression which caused Joe to shake her head And then say to herself with an air of relief as the front door banged Here comes Laurie Now we shall have some sensible conversation But Joe was mistaken For Laurie came prancing in Overflowing with good spirits Bearing a great bridal-looking bouquet for Miss John Brooke And evidently labouring under the delusion that the whole affair Had been brought about by his excellent management I knew Brooke would have all his own way He always does For when he makes up his mind to accomplish anything It's done though the sky falls,

Said Laurie When he had presented his offering and his congratulations Much obliged for that recommendation I take it as a good omen for the future And invite you to my wedding on the spot,

Answered Mr.

Brooke Who felt at peace with all mankind Even his mischievous pupil I'll come if I'm at the ends of the earth For the sight of Joe's face alone on that occasion Would be worth a long journey You don't look festive,

Ma'am What's the matter?

Said Laurie Following her into the corner of the parlour Whither all had adjourned to meet Mr.

Lawrence I don't approve of the match But I've made up my mind to bear it And shall not say a word against it,

Said Joe You can't know how hard it is for me to give up Meg She continued with a little quiver in her voice You don't give her up You only go halves,

Said Laurie consolingly It can never be the same again I've lost my dear friend,

Said Joe You've got me,

Anyhow I'm not good for much,

I know But I'll stand by you,

Joe,

All the days of my life Upon my word I will And Laurie meant what he said I know you will And I'm ever so much obliged You are always a great comfort to me,

Teddy Returned Joe,

Gratefully shaking hands Well now,

Don't be dismal,

There's a good fellow It's all right,

You see Meg is happy Brooke will fly around and get settled immediately Grandpa will attend to him And it will be a very jolly time to see Meg in her own little house We'll have capital times after she's gone For I shall be through college before long And then we'll go abroad on some nice little trip Wouldn't that console you?

I'd rather think it would But there's no knowing what may happen in three years,

Said Joe thoughtfully That's true Don't you wish you could take a look forward And see what we shall all be doing then?

I do,

Returned Laurie I think not For I might see something sad And everyone looks so happy now And I don't believe They could be much improved And Joe's eyes went slowly round the room Brightening as they looked For the prospect was a pleasant one Father and mother sat together Quietly reliving the first chapter of the romance Which for them began some twenty years ago Amy was drawing the lovers Who sat apart in a beautiful world of their own The light of which touched their faces With a grace the little artist could not copy Beth lay on her sofa Talking cheerily with her old friend Who held her little hand as if He felt that it possessed the power To lead him along the peaceful way she walked Joe lounged in her favorite low seat With the grave quiet look which best became her And Laurie,

Leaning on the back of the chair His chin on the level with her curly head Smiled with his friendliest aspect And nodded at her In the long glass which reflected them both So the curtain falls upon Meg,

Joe,

Beth and Amy Whether it ever rises again Depends upon the reception given the first act Of the domestic drama called Little Women And that is the end of part one of Little Women And that is the end of our story this evening Until next time Sweet dreams

Reviews

Fantastic any read this so beautifully. Thank you very very much