Good evening,
Dear,
Dear ones,
And welcome to tonight's reading of Little Women.
As always,
Arriving in your bed,
In this space,
Taking some moments now to stretch out your body,
Allowing your muscles to relax,
Maybe taking a big yawn,
Relaxing through the jaw and the face and beginning to lengthen your breath,
Making your inhales and exhales longer.
There is nowhere that you have to be and nothing more that you have to do today.
It is time for rest,
And when you are ready,
We will continue with our story.
Chapter 5.
Being Neighbourly What in the world are you going to do now,
Jo?
Asked Meg one snowy afternoon,
As her sister came tramping through the hall in rubber boots,
Old slack and hood,
With a broom in one hand and a shovel in the other.
I'm going out for exercise,
Answered Jo,
With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
I should think two long walks this morning would have been enough.
It's cold and dull out and I advise you to stay warm and dry by the fire,
As I do,
Said Meg with a shiver.
Never take advice.
Can't keep still all day and not being a pussycat,
I don't like to doze by the fire.
I like adventures and I'm going to find some.
Meg went back to toast her feet and read Ivanhoe,
And Jo began to dig paths with great energy.
The snow was light and with her broom,
She soon swept a path all round the garden,
For Beth to walk in when the sun came out and the invalid dolls needed air.
Now the garden separated the March's house from that of Mr Lawrence.
Both stood in a suburb of the city,
Which was still country-like,
With groves and lawns,
Large gardens and quiet streets.
A low hedge parted the two estates.
On one side was an old brown house,
Looking rather bare and shabby.
Robbed of the vines that in summer covered its walls and the flowers which then surrounded it.
On the other side was a stately stone mansion,
Plainly betokening every sort of comfort and luxury.
From the big coach house and well-kept grounds to the conservatory and the glimpses of lovely things one caught between the rich curtains.
Yet it seemed a lonely,
Lifeless sort of house,
For no children frolicked on the lawn,
No motherly face ever smiled at the windows,
And very few people went in and out except the old gentleman and his grandson.
To Joe's lively fancy,
This fine house seemed a kind of enchanted palace,
Full of splendors and delights which no one enjoyed.
She had long wanted to behold these hidden glories,
And to know the Lawrence boy,
Who looked as if he would like to be known,
If only he knew how to begin.
Since the party,
She had been more eager than ever,
And had planned many ways of making friends with him.
But he had not been seen lately,
And Joe began to think he had gone away.
When one day spied a brown face at an upper window,
Looking wistfully down into their garden,
Where Beth and Amy were snowballing one another.
That boy is suffering for society and fun,
She said to herself.
His grandpa does not know what's good for him,
And keeps him shut up all alone.
He needs a party of jolly boys to play with,
Or somebody young and lively.
I've a great mind to go over and tell the old gentleman so.
The idea amused Joe,
Who liked to do daring things,
And was always scandalizing Meg by her queer performances.
The plan of going over was not forgotten,
And when the snowy afternoon came,
Joe resolved to try what could be done.
She saw Mr.
Lawrence drive off,
And then sallied out to dig her way down to the hedge,
Where she paused and took a survey.
All quiet,
Curtains down at the lower windows,
Servants out of sight,
And nothing human visible but a curly black head leaning on a thin hand at the upper window.
There he is,
Thought Joe.
Poor boy,
All alone and sick this dismal day.
It's a shame.
I'll toss up a snowball and make him look out,
And then say a kind word to him.
Up went a handful of soft snow,
And the head turned at once,
Showing a face which lost its listless look in a minute,
As the big eyes brightened and the mouth began to smile.
Joe nodded and laughed,
And flourished her broom as she called out,
How do you do?
Are you sick?
Laurie opened the window and croaked out as hoarsely as a raven.
Better,
Thank you.
I've had a bad cold and been shut up for a week.
I'm sorry.
What do you amuse yourself with?
Nothing.
It's dull as tombs up here.
Don't you read?
Not much.
They won't let me.
Can't somebody read to you?
Grandpa does sometimes,
But my books don't interest him,
And I hate to ask Brooke all the time.
Have someone come and see you then?
There isn't anyone I'd like to see.
Boys make such a row,
And my head is weak.
Isn't there some nice girl who'd read and amuse you?
Girls are quiet and like to play nurse.
I don't know any.
You know us,
Began Joe,
Then laughed and stopped.
So I do.
Will you come,
Please?
Cried Laurie.
I'm not quiet and nice,
But I'll come if Mother will let me.
I'll go ask her.
Shut the windows like a good boy and wait till I come.
With that,
Joe shouldered her broom and marched into the house,
Wondering what they would all say to her.
Laurie was in a flutter of excitement at the idea of having company and flew about to get ready,
For as Mrs March said,
He was a little gentleman and did honour to the coming guest by brushing his curly pate,
Putting on a fresh colour and trying to tidy up the room,
Which,
In spite of half a dozen servants,
Was anything but neat.
Presently,
There came a loud ring,
Then a decided voice,
Asking for Mr Laurie,
And a surprised-looking servant came running up to announce a young lady.
All right,
Show her up,
It's Miss Joe,
Said Laurie,
Going to the door of his little parlour to meet Joe,
Who appeared looking rosy and quite at ease,
With a covered dish in one hand and Beth's three kittens in the other.
Here I am,
Bag and baggage,
She said briskly.
Mother sent her love and was glad if I could do anything for you.
Meg wanted me to bring some of her blancmange,
She makes it very nicely,
And Beth thought her cats would be comforting.
I knew you'd laugh at them,
But I couldn't refuse,
She was so anxious to do something.
It so happened that Beth's funny loan was just the thing,
For in laughing over the kittens,
Laurie forgot his bashfulness and grew sociable at once.
That looks too pretty to eat,
He said,
Smiling with pleasure,
As Joe uncovered the dish and showed the blancmange,
Surrounded by a garland of green leaves and the scarlet flowers of Amy's pet geranium.
It isn't anything,
Only they all felt kindly and wanted to show it.
Tell the girl to put it away for your tea,
It's so simple you can eat it,
And being soft it will slip down without hurting your sore throat.
What a cosy room this is.
It might be if it was kept nice,
But the maids are lazy and I don't know how to make them mind.
It worries me though,
I'll write it up in two minutes.
Things made straight on the mantelpiece,
And the books put here,
And the bottles there,
And your sofa turned from the light,
And the pillows plumped up a little.
Now then,
You're fixed.
And so he was,
For as she laughed and talked,
Joe had whisked things into place and given quite a different air to the room.
Laurie watched her in respectful silence,
And when she beckoned him to his sofa,
He sat down with a sigh of satisfaction,
Saying gratefully,
How kind you are.
Yes,
That's what it wanted.
Now please take the big chair and let me do something to amuse my company.
No,
I came to amuse you.
Shall I read aloud?
And Joe looked affectionately towards some inviting books nearby.
Thank you.
I've read all those.
And if you don't mind,
I'd rather talk,
Answered Laurie.
Not a bit.
I'll talk all day if you'll only set me going.
Beth says I never know when to stop.
Is Beth the rosy one who stays at home a good deal and sometimes goes out with a little basket?
Ask Laurie with interest.
Yes,
That's Beth.
She's my girl.
And a regular good one she is too.
The pretty one is Meg and the curly haired one is Amy,
I believe.
How did you find that out?
Laurie coloured up but answered frankly.
Why,
You see,
I often hear you calling to one another and when I'm alone up here I can't help looking over at your house.
You always seem to be having such good times.
I beg your pardon for being so rude but sometimes you forget to put down the curtain at the window where the flowers are and when the lamps are lighted it's like looking at a picture to see the fire and you all around the table with your mother.
Her face is right opposite and it looks so sweet behind the flowers that I can't help watching it.
I haven't got any mother,
You know.
And Laurie poked the fire to hide a little twitching of the lips that he could not control.
The solitary,
Hungry look in his eyes went straight to Jo's warm heart.
She had been so simply taught that there was no nonsense in her head and at 15 she was as innocent and frank as any child.
Laurie was sick and lonely and feeling how rich she was in home and happiness she gladly tried to share it with him.
Her face was very friendly and her sharp voice unusually gentle as she said We'll never draw that curtain anymore and I give you leave to look as much as you like.
I just wish,
Though,
Instead of peeping you'd come over and see us.
Mother is so splendid.
She'd do you heaps of good and Beth would sing to you if I begged her to and Amy would dance.
Meg and I would make you laugh over our funny stage properties and we'd have jolly times.
Wouldn't your grandpa let you?
I think he would,
If your mother asked him.
He's very kind,
Though he does not look so and he lets me do what I like,
Pretty much Only he's afraid I might be a bother to strangers began Laurie,
Brightening more and more.
We are not strangers,
We are neighbours and you needn't think you'd be a bother.
We want to know you and I've been trying to do it this ever so long.
We haven't been here a great while,
You know but we have got acquainted with all our neighbours but you.
You see,
Grandpa lives among his books and doesn't mind much what happens outside.
Mr Brook,
My tutor,
Doesn't stay here and I have no one to go about with me so I just stop at home and get on as I can.
That's bad.
You ought to make an effort and go visiting everywhere you are asked.
Then you'll have plenty of friends and pleasant places to go.
Never mind being bashful,
It won't last long if you keep going.
Laurie turned red again but wasn't offended at being accused of bashfulness for there was so much goodwill in Jo.
It was impossible not to take her blunt speeches as kindly as they were meant.
Do you like your school?
Asked the boy,
Changing the subject.
After a little pause,
During which he stared at the fire and Jo looked about her.
I don't go to school.
I'm a businessman,
Girl I mean.
I go to wait on my great aunt and a dear cross old soul she is too,
Answered Jo.
Laurie opened his mouth to ask another question but remembering just in time that it wasn't manners to make too many inquiries into people's affairs,
He shut it again and looked uncomfortable.
Jo liked his good breeding and didn't mind having a laugh at Aunt March so she gave him a lively description of the fidgety old lady,
Her fat poodle,
The parrot that talked Spanish and the library where she reveled.
Laurie enjoyed that immensely and when she told him about the prim old gentleman who came once to woo Aunt March and in the middle of a fine speech how Paul had tweaked his wig off to his great dismay.
The boy lay back and laughed until the tears ran down his cheeks and a maid popped her head in to see what was the matter.
Oh,
That does me no end of good.
Tell on,
Please,
He said taking his face out of the sofa cushion red and shining with merriment.
Much elated with her success Jo did tell on all about their plays and plans their hopes and fears for father and the most interesting events of the little world in which the sisters lived.
Then they got to talking about books and to Jo's delight she found that Laurie loved them as well as she did and had read even more than herself.
If you like them so much come down and see ours.
Grandfather is out so you needn't be afraid said Laurie getting up.
I'm not afraid of anything returned Jo with a toss of the head.
I don't believe you are exclaimed the boy looking at her with much admiration though he privately thought she would have good reason to be a trifle afraid of the old gentleman if she met him in some of his moods.
The atmosphere of the whole house being summer-like Laurie led the way from room to room letting Jo stop to examine whatever struck her fancy and so,
At last they came to the library where she clapped her hands and pranced as she always did when especially delighted.
It was lined with books and there were pictures and statues and distracting little cabinets full of coins and curiosities and sleepy hollow chairs and queer tables and bronzes and best of all a great open fireplace with quaint tiles all around it.
Oh what richness sighed Jo sinking into the depth of her velour chair and gazing about her with an air of intense satisfaction.
Theodore Lawrence you ought to be the happiest boy in the world she added impressively.
A fellow can't live on books said Laurie shaking his head as he perched on a table opposite.
Before he could more a bell rang and Jo flew up exclaiming with alarm Mercy me,
It's your grandpa.
Well,
What if it is?
You are not afraid of anything,
You know returned the boy looking wicked.
I think I am a little bit afraid of him but I don't know why I should be.
Mommy said I might come and I don't think you're any the worse for it said Jo composing herself though she kept her eyes on the door.
I'm a great deal better for it and ever so much obliged.
I'm only afraid you are very tired of talking to me it was so pleasant I couldn't bear to stop said Laurie gratefully.
The doctor to see you sir said the maid would you mind if I left you for a minute I suppose I must see him said Laurie don't mind me I'm happy as a cricket here answered Jo.
Laurie went away and his guest amused herself in her own way.
She was standing before a fine portrait of the old gentleman when the door opened again and without turning she said decidedly I'm sure now that I shouldn't be afraid of him for he's got kind eyes though his mouth is grim and he looks as if he had a tremendous will of his own he isn't as handsome as my grandfather but I like him.
Thank you mom said a gruff voice behind her and there to her great dismay stood old Mr Lawrence poor Jo blushed till she couldn't blush any redder and her heart began to beat uncomfortably fast as she thought what she had said for a minute a wild desire to run away possessed her but that was cowardly and the girls would laugh at her so she resolved to stay and get out of the scrape as she could a second look showed her that the living eyes under the bushy eyebrows were kinder even than the painted ones and there was a sly twinkle in them which lessened her fear a good deal the gruff voice was gruffer than ever as the old gentleman said abruptly after the dreadful pause so you are not afraid of me hey?
Not much sir and you don't think me as handsome as your grandfather not quite sir and I've got a tremendous will have I?
I only said I thought so but you like me in spite of it yes I do sir that answer pleased the old gentleman he gave a short laugh shook hands with her and putting his finger under her chin turned up her face examined it gravely and let it go saying with a nod you've got your grandfather's spirit if you haven't his face he was a fine man my dear but what is better he was a brave and an honest one and I was proud to be his friend thank you sir and Jo was quite comfortable after that for it suited her exactly what have you been doing to this boy of mine eh?
Was the next question sharply put only trying to be neighbourly sir and Jo told how her visit came about you think he needs cheering up a bit do you?
Yes sir he seems a little lonely and young folks would do him good perhaps we are only girls but we should be glad to help if we could for we don't forget the splendid Christmas present you sent us said Jo eagerly that was the boy's affair how is the poor woman?
Doing nicely sir and off went Jo talking very fast as she told all about the Hummels in whom her mother had interested richer friends than they were just her father's way of doing good I shall come and see your mother some fine day tell her so there's the tea bell we have it early on the boy's account come down and go on being neighbourly if you'd like to have me sir I shouldn't ask you if I didn't and Mr Lawrence offered her his arm with old fashioned courtesy what would Meg say to this?
Thought Jo as she was marched away while her eyes danced with fun as she imagined herself telling the story at home what the dickens has come to the fellow?
Said the old gentleman as Laurie came running downstairs and brought up with a start of surprise at the astounding sight of Jo arm in arm with his grandfather I didn't know you'd come sir he began as Jo gave him a triumphant little glance that's evident by the way you rack it downstairs come to your tea sir and behave like a gentleman and having pulled the boy's hair by way of a caress Mr Lawrence walked on while Laurie went through a series of comic evolutions behind their backs which nearly produced an explosion of laughter from Jo the old gentleman did not say much as he drank his four cups of tea but he watched the young people who soon chatted away like old friends and the change in his grandson did not escape him there was colour,
Light and life in the boy's face now vivacity in his manner and genuine merriment in his laugh she's right,
The lad is lonely I'll see what these little girls can do for him thought Mr Lawrence as he looked and listened he liked Jo for her odd,
Blunt ways suited him and she seemed to understand the boy almost as well as if she had been one herself if the Lawrences had been what Jo called prim and pokey she would not have got on at all for such people always made her shy and awkward but finding them free and easy she was so herself and made a good impression when they rose,
She proposed to go but Laurie said he had something more to show her and took her away to the conservatory which had been lighted for her benefit it seemed quite fairy-like to Jo as she went up and down the walks enjoying the blooming walls on either side the soft light the damp,
Sweet air and the wonderful vines and trees that hung about her while her new friend cut the finest flowers till his hands were full then he tied them up saying,
With the happy look that Jo liked to see please give these to your mother and tell her I like the medicine she sent me very much they found Mr Lawrence standing before the fire in the great drawing room but Jo's attention was entirely absorbed by a grand piano which stood open do you play?
She asked turning to Laurie with a respectful expression sometimes,
He answered modestly please do now,
I want to hear it so I can tell Beth won't you first?
I don't know how,
I'm too stupid to learn but I love music dearly so Laurie played and Jo listened with her nose luxuriously buried in heliotrope and tea roses her respect and regard for the Lawrence boy increased very much for he played remarkably well and didn't put on any airs she wished Beth could hear him but she did not say so only praised him till he was quite abashed and his grandfather came to his rescue that will do,
That will do young lady too many sugar plums are not good for him his music isn't bad but I hope he will do as well in more important things are you going?
Well,
I'm much obliged to you and I hope you'll come again give my respects to your mother good night Dr.
Jo he shook hands kindly but looked as if something did not please him when they got into the hall Jo asked Laurie if she had said something amiss he shook his head no,
It was me he doesn't like to hear me play why not?
I'll tell you someday John is going home with you as I can't no need of that I'm not a young lady and it's only a step take care of yourself,
Won't you?
Yes,
But you will come again I hope if you promise to come and see us after you are well I will good night Laurie good night Jo,
Good night when all the afternoon's adventures had been told the family felt inclined to go visiting in a body for each found something very attractive in the big house on the other side of the hedge Mrs.
March wanted to talk of her father with the old man who had not forgotten him Meg longed to walk in the conservatory Beth sighed for the grand piano and Amy was eager to see the fine pictures and statues Mother,
Why didn't Mr.
Lawrence like to have Laurie play?
Asked Jo,
Who was of an inquiring disposition I am not sure but I think it was because his son,
Laurie's father married an Italian lady,
A musician which displeased the old man,
Who is very proud the lady was good and lovely and accomplished but he did not like her and never saw his son after he married they both died when Laurie was a little child and then his grandfather took him home I fancy the boy,
Who was born in Italy,
Is not very strong and the old man is afraid of losing him which makes him so very careful Laurie comes naturally by his love of music for he is like his mother and I dare say his grandfather fears that he may want to be a musician at any rate,
His skill reminds him of the woman he did not like and so he glowed,
As Jo said Dear me,
How romantic!
Exclaimed Meg How silly,
Said Jo let him be a musician if he wants to and not plague his life out sending him to college when he hates to go that's why he has such handsome black eyes and pretty manners,
I suppose Italians are always nice,
Said Meg who was a little sentimental What do you know about his eyes and his manners?
You never spoke to him hardly,
Cried Jo who was not sentimental I saw him at the party and what you tell shows that he knows how to behave That was a nice little speech about the medicine mother sent him he meant the blancmange,
I suppose How stupid you are,
Child he meant you,
Of course Did he?
And Jo opened her eyes as if it had never occurred to her before I never saw such a girl You don't know a compliment when you get it,
Said Meg with the air of a young lady who knew all about the matter I think they are a great nonsense and I'll thank you not to be silly and spoil my fun Laurie's a nice boy and I like him and I won't have any sentimental stuff about compliments and such rubbish We'll all be good to him because he hasn't got any mother and he may come over and see us Mayn't he,
Mommy?
Yes,
Jo,
Your little friend is very welcome and I hope Meg will remember that children should be children as long as they can I don't call myself a child and I'm not in my teens yet,
Observed Amy What do you say,
Beth?
I was thinking about our pilgrim's progress answered Beth,
Who had not heard a word how we got out of the slow and through the wicked gate by resolving to be good and up the steep hill by trying and that maybe the house over there full of splendid things is going to be our palace beautiful We have got to get by the lions first said Jo,
As if she rather liked the prospect
