雙語譯林·小婦人 第二十三章　姑婆解決問題 AUNT MARCH SETTLES THE QUESTION

第二十三章　姑婆解決問題

第二天，母女幾個圍著馬奇先生團(tuán)團(tuán)轉(zhuǎn)，宛如蜜蜂簇?fù)碇渫?。她們把一切都拋到腦后，只管伺候這位新到的病人，注視著他，聽他說話，使他招架不住，真是好心也殺人。他仰臥在貝絲坐的沙發(fā)旁邊的一把大椅子里，其他三個姑娘圍在身邊，漢娜不時地探頭進(jìn)來，偷偷地看一眼親人，大家其樂融融，一切都顯得完美無缺。可家里就是缺了點什么，大人們都覺察到了，不過誰都不愿承認(rèn)。馬奇夫婦用目光追隨著美格，焦躁地面面相覷。喬有時突然嚴(yán)肅起來，還看到她對著布魯克先生留在過道里的傘揮拳頭。美格心不在焉，羞得一言不發(fā)，一聽到門鈴響就心驚肉跳，一聽到約翰的名字就滿臉通紅。艾美說：“大家好像都在等什么，坐立不安，這就奇怪了，爸爸都已經(jīng)平安到家了。”貝絲天真地納悶，她家的鄰居怎么突然不來了。

下午勞里路過，看到美格坐在窗邊，仿佛一下子心血來潮，單膝跪在雪地上，捶胸扯發(fā)，還哀求地抱拳，猶如乞討什么恩典。美格叫他放尊重一點，命他走開，他又用手帕絞出幾滴假淚，然后搖搖晃晃轉(zhuǎn)身而去，仿佛傷心欲絕。

“那憨頭鵝是什么意思？”美格笑著明知故問。

“他在向你示范，你的約翰以后會怎么做。感人吧？”喬奚落道。

“別說我的約翰，這不禮貌，也并非事實。”但美格的聲音卻戀戀不舍這幾個字，仿佛聽起來很悅耳，“請不要煩我了，喬，跟你說過的，我對他并沒有怎么，這事也沒什么可說的，還像以前一樣朋友來往。”

“我們可辦不到啊，都已經(jīng)說出口了的。對于我來說，勞里的惡作劇已毀了你。我看出來了，媽媽也一樣。你一點也不像過去的你，似乎離我那么遙遠(yuǎn)。我不想煩你，而且會像男子漢一樣承受此事，但我很想把它解決掉。我痛恨等待，所以如果你真有意的話，就請抓緊時間，趕快了斷。”喬沒好氣地說。

“他不開口，我可沒法亂說亂動，而他不會說的，因為爸爸說我還太小。”美格一面說，一面低著頭做活，臉上露出一絲異樣的微笑，表明在這一點上不茍同父親的意見。

“要是他真的開口了，你會不知道怎么說好，只會哭鼻子，臉紅，讓他遂心如意，而不是好好地、堅決地說一聲‘不’。”

“我可不是你想象的那么傻，那么軟弱。我知道該說什么的，已經(jīng)計劃好了，免得措手不及。誰也不知道會發(fā)生什么事，我希望自己有備無患。”

看到姐姐不知不覺擺出一副煞有介事的神氣，就像臉頰上兩朵美麗的紅暈，變幻不定，十分好看，喬禁不住微笑起來。

“不介意告訴我你會說什么嗎？”喬肅然起敬地問。

“不介意。你也十六歲了，完全可以參與我的心事，再說你以后要碰到這種事情，我的經(jīng)驗或許會對你有用。”

“不打算碰到的。看別人談情說愛倒是挺帶勁的，但自己墜入情網(wǎng)時，我會覺得愚不可及。”喬說。想到這，她不覺驚恐萬狀。

“我看不會的，如果你很喜歡一個人，而他也喜歡你的話。”美格仿佛在自言自語，說完向外面的小巷望去。夏日黃昏時，她常?？吹綉偃藗冊谶@里雙雙散步的。

“我想你是準(zhǔn)備把這番話告訴那個男人吧。”喬不客氣地打斷姐姐的遐想。

“哦，我只會平靜、干脆地說：‘謝謝你，布魯克先生，你的心意我領(lǐng)了，但我和爸爸都認(rèn)為我還太年輕，目前不宜訂婚。此事請不要再提，咱們還是一樣做朋友吧。'”

“哼！真夠剛強(qiáng)、夠漂亮！我不信你會這樣說，我看即使說了他也不會甘心。如果他像小說里頭那些失戀者一樣糾纏不休，你就會答應(yīng)他，而不愿傷害他的感情。”

“不會的。我會告訴他我主意已定，然后很有尊嚴(yán)地退出房間。”

美格說著站起來，正準(zhǔn)備排練那尊嚴(yán)告退的一幕，過道里卻傳來腳步聲。她飛快地坐到座位上，做起了針線活，仿佛有人給規(guī)定了時間，要縫完才能活命。見到這個突變，喬強(qiáng)忍著笑。聽到有人輕輕地敲門，喬板著臉開了門，那樣子很不客氣。

“下午好。我來拿傘——也順便看看你爸今天怎樣了。”布魯克先生說，看著兩張愛憎分明的臉，心里有點迷惑不解。

“很好，爸爸在擱架上，我去拿，跟傘說你來了。”喬回答時把父親和雨傘張冠李戴了。她悄悄溜出房，讓美格有機(jī)會表明心跡、保持尊嚴(yán)?？墒?，喬一走，美格就側(cè)身往門口走，低聲說：“媽媽想見你，請坐，我去叫她。”

“請別走，你怕我嗎，瑪格麗特？”布魯克先生一副痛心的神情，以致美格以為自己一定做了很無禮的事。她立刻滿臉通紅，布魯克從來都不叫她瑪格麗特的，同時也感到驚奇萬分，怎么聽他叫會這么自然，這么動聽。她急于顯得友好、自在，伸手做了個信賴的姿勢，感激地說：“你對爸爸那么好，我怎么會怕呢？只想著要好好謝你呢。”

“要不要告訴你怎么謝嗎？”布魯克問，雙手一把抓住美格的小手，低頭看著她，棕色的眼睛里充滿了濃濃的愛意。美格心跳得厲害，她既想逃開，又想留下來聽個明白。

“不要，請別這樣——還是別告訴吧。”她說著試圖把手抽回來。盡管她不承認(rèn)，可還是顯得很害怕。

“我不會找你麻煩的，美格，只想知道，你是不是對我有點好感。乖乖，我是那么愛你。”接著布魯克含情脈脈地說。

到時候了，該冷靜地說那番正經(jīng)話了，可美格沒開口。她已經(jīng)忘得一干二凈，只低著頭回答：“不知道呀。”說得那么輕，約翰不得不彎下腰才能聽見這傻乎乎的回答。

他似乎覺得這個麻煩很值得，滿意地顧自笑了笑，感激地緊握那只胖乎乎的手，誠摯地勸道：“你愿意設(shè)法弄明白嗎？我很想知道，要弄清楚我最終能否得到獎賞，才能安心工作。”

“我太小了。”美格支支吾吾地說，納悶怎么會這么心緒不寧，可心里還是暗自高興。

“我可以等，與此同時，你可以學(xué)會喜歡我。這門課程是否很難呢，乖乖？”

“如果想學(xué)就不難，不過——”

“那就學(xué)吧，美格。我樂意教，這可比德語容易。”約翰打斷她，把她另一只手也握住，這樣她的臉便無處可藏，他可以彎下腰來端詳了。

他的口氣簡直在懇求了，但美格含羞偷偷看了他一眼，卻看到那含情脈脈的眼睛里藏著快活，臉上一絲胸有成竹的微笑，十分得意。這使美格不覺惱火起來。此刻，她的腦海里浮現(xiàn)出安妮·莫法特教給她的愚蠢的賣俏邀寵課程，沉睡于大部分小婦人內(nèi)心深處的支配欲在心中幡然覺醒，令她失去自制。她感到激動，她感到古怪，一時手足無措，仿佛心血來潮，竟把雙手抽出，大驚小怪地說：“我不想學(xué)。請走開。別煩我！”

可憐的布魯克先生大驚失色，仿佛他那漂亮的空中樓閣在耳邊轟然倒塌。他以前從來沒見過美格發(fā)這樣的脾氣，心中不覺糊涂起來。

“你說的是真話？”他焦急地問，一邊跟著拔腿就走的美格。

“不假。我不想為這種事煩惱。爸爸說我沒必要。太早了，我還不想。”

“請問，你會慢慢改變主意嗎？我會等，等你考慮考慮再說。別戲弄我，美格。我想你也不會那樣的。”

“對我千萬別抱什么想法。”美格說。一句話既逞了自己的威風(fēng)，又考驗了情郎的耐心，她心中產(chǎn)生一股淘氣的滿足感。

他臉色陰沉下來，變得煞白，神態(tài)極像她所崇拜的小說主人公，但他既沒有學(xué)他們拍額頭，也沒有在房間里踱步。他只是癡癡站在那兒，溫情脈脈地看著她，她心里不由得軟了下來。如果不是馬奇姑婆在這有趣的當(dāng)兒一瘸一拐地走進(jìn)來，接下來會發(fā)生什么，就不得而知了。

老太太在戶外透氣，碰到了勞里，得知馬奇先生已經(jīng)回來了，她忍不住要看看侄子，就馬上乘馬車來看他。一家人都在后屋忙碌，她輕手輕腳地進(jìn)來，希望給他們一個冷不防。她確實使其中的兩位頗感意外，美格仿佛看到了鬼，嚇了一跳，布魯克先生則馬上退入書房。

“天哪，這到底是怎么回事？”老太太看看臉色蒼白的年輕人，又瞧瞧滿臉通紅的美格，把手杖一叩，大聲喊道。

“那是爸爸的朋友。我被您嚇了一跳！”美格結(jié)結(jié)巴巴地說，覺得自己這下又要好好地被訓(xùn)一頓了。

“顯而易見的嘛。”姑婆邊坐下邊回答，“可你爸爸的朋友說了什么，讓你臉紅得像朵牡丹？里面肯定有鬼，我一定要搞清楚。”手杖又敲了一下。

“我們只是在聊天。布魯克先生是來拿傘的。”美格開口了，但愿布魯克先生已經(jīng)拿著傘平安地走了。

“布魯克？就是那男孩的家庭教師？啊，我明白了。我什么都知道了。喬在讀你爸爸的一封信時，無意中說漏了嘴，我讓她說了出來。孩子，你還沒有答應(yīng)他吧？”姑婆生氣地喊道。

“噓！他會聽到的。要我把媽媽叫來嗎？”美格心煩意亂地說。

“還不用。我要跟你說些事，必須一吐為快。告訴我，你想嫁給這個庫克[1]？要是真的，我可一分錢都不會傳給你。記住了，放明白一點。”老太太威嚴(yán)地說。

姑婆擅長激起那些溫順之人的逆反心理，并以此為樂。我們多數(shù)人骨子里都有一點任性，年輕的戀人們更是如此。如果姑婆懇求美格，要她接受約翰·布魯克，美格可能會宣布她連考慮都不會考慮?？梢怯腥藬嗳灰笏灰矚g約翰，她卻馬上會鐵了心要喜歡他。傾慕加上任性使美格輕易就做出了決定。美格顯得非常激動，以非凡的勇氣拒絕了老太太。

“我愛嫁誰就嫁給誰，姑婆，把錢愛傳誰就傳給誰吧。”她說著堅定地點點頭。

“放肆！我可是好意，你就這樣對我，小姐？到草房里做你的愛情夢去吧，你會明白什么叫失敗，到時會后悔莫及的。”

“總不會比豪宅業(yè)主的愛情差吧？”美格反駁道。

姑婆戴上眼鏡，仔細(xì)地端詳美格，從沒見過這姑娘這樣生氣過。美格也幾乎不認(rèn)識自己了，只覺得自己是那么勇敢、自立——能維護(hù)約翰，隨意宣示自己愛他的權(quán)利，令她很高興。姑婆發(fā)現(xiàn)自己出師不利，沉默片刻之后，她又另起爐灶，盡量溫和地說：“好了，美格，好孩子，別亂來，聽我的話。我是為你好，不想看到你第一步走錯，毀了一生。你要嫁個有錢人，幫幫你的家。嫁給有錢人，是你的責(zé)任，你應(yīng)該刻骨銘心。”

“爸爸媽媽不會這么想的。他們知道約翰沒錢，可還是喜歡他。”

“我的寶貝，你父母跟小孩子一樣，不懂什么世故。”

“我就喜歡這樣。”美格決不屈服。

姑婆沒在意，繼續(xù)開導(dǎo)她：“這個魯克沒錢，連個有錢的親戚都沒有，是吧？”

“是的，可他有很多熱心的朋友。”

“你們不能光靠朋友度日。試試看吧，朋友會變得多么冷淡。他沒職業(yè)，對嗎？”

“還沒有。勞倫斯先生會幫他的。”

“這不是什么長久之計。詹姆斯·勞倫斯是個喜怒無常的怪老頭，不可靠。那你打算跟這么個人結(jié)婚啰？一個沒錢、沒地位也沒職業(yè)的人。你打算干得比現(xiàn)在更苦啊。其實，聽我的話，好好做人，日子會過得很舒服的！美格，我原來以為你是明白人。”

“哪怕等上下半輩子，我也無法更好地做人！約翰很聰明，是個人才，勤勞肯干，肯定能干一番事業(yè)。他精力充沛，而且敢作敢為，大家都喜歡他，尊重他。我一個小姑娘家，沒錢，什么都不懂，可他喜歡我，我感到很自豪。”美格說話真摯，顯得比以往更加美麗動人。

“他可知道你有闊親戚的，孩子，我猜，這是他喜歡你的奧秘。”

“姑婆，你怎么敢這么說？約翰不會這么卑鄙，要是你再這么說，我可不聽了。”美格憤怒地喊道，這時她已忘記了一切，腦海里只有老太太不公正的猜測，“我的約翰不會為了錢結(jié)婚，我也不會。我們都肯干，愿意等。沒錢我不怕，你看，我現(xiàn)在不是一直很幸福嘛。我相信，跟他在一起會幸福，因為他愛我，我——”

美格沒有說下去，突然想起自己還未下決心，她剛才已經(jīng)要“她的約翰”走開。他可能無意中會聽到自己前后矛盾的話。

姑婆十分懊惱，她一心要為漂亮的侄孫女找一份美滿姻緣，可姑娘年輕開心的臉上的神情使老太太感到傷心，氣不打一處來。

“好吧，這事我可撒手不管了！你這個任性的丫頭。盡做蠢事，你失去了很多，有些你甚至還不知道。不，我不耽擱了。對你很失望，沒心思再看你爸爸了。出嫁時就別指望了，我什么都不給。你的布克先生有那么多朋友，他們會照顧你的。我跟你到此完了。”

然后，姑婆當(dāng)著美格的面把門砰地關(guān)上，怒氣沖沖地驅(qū)車走了。她仿佛把美格的全部勇氣也卷走了，姑娘獨自一個人站著發(fā)呆，不知道該笑還是哭。她還沒回過神來，布魯克先生就一把抱住她，一口氣說道：“我不是有意偷聽，美格。謝謝你替我說話。我也要謝謝馬奇姑婆，她證實了你真的有點喜歡我。”

“要是她不罵你，我也不知道我是多么喜歡你的。”美格說。

“我不用再走了吧，可以留下來快活嗎，乖乖？”

這時本來又是一個好機(jī)會，美格可以發(fā)表決定性的講話，然后體面地開脫。但美格從來都沒有想過這么做，只是把臉靠在布魯克的馬甲上，溫順地喃喃道：“行，約翰。”這使她在喬面前永遠(yuǎn)都抬不起頭來。

在姑婆離去一刻鐘之后，喬輕輕走下樓梯，在大廳門口站一下，聽到里頭沒有聲音，便滿意地點點頭，笑著自語道：“她已按計劃把他打發(fā)走了，此事已經(jīng)了斷。讓我去聽聽這件趣事，痛痛快快笑一場。”

不過，可憐的喬永遠(yuǎn)也沒笑成，她剛踏上門檻便怔住了。眼前的情景，使她的嘴巴張得巨大，圓瞪著的眼睛也幾乎有那么大。她本來要進(jìn)去為退敵而歡慶一番，稱贊姐姐意志堅強(qiáng)，把要不得的情郎逐出家門，不料，卻看見那位仇敵安詳?shù)刈谏嘲l(fā)上，而意志堅強(qiáng)的姐姐則端坐在他的膝上，臉上是一副天底下最卑鄙的百依百順的表情。真是觸目驚心啊。喬猛吸了一口冷氣，猶如一盆冷洗澡水劈頭潑下——形勢急轉(zhuǎn)直下，實在出乎意料，她不禁呼吸急促起來。聽到奇怪的響聲，那對戀人回過頭來，看到了她。美格跳起來，神情既驕傲又靦腆，但那個男人，喬這樣稱呼他，竟自笑了起來，吻了吻驚得目瞪口呆的不速之客，冷靜地說道：“喬妹妹，祝賀我們吧！”

這無異于傷害又加侮辱——實在太過分了——喬惱羞成怒，兩手狠狠一甩，一聲不吭地消失了。她跑上樓，闖進(jìn)房間，痛心疾首地大叫，把兩位病人嚇了一跳：

“哎喲，誰快下樓來呀。約翰·布魯克在做見不得人的事，美格還很高興！”

馬奇夫婦飛快地沖出房間。喬撲倒在床上，一邊痛哭一邊痛罵著，把這個可怕的消息告訴貝絲和艾美。不過，兩位小妹妹卻覺得這是件快事，還很有趣。喬未得到她們的同情，便躲上了閣樓，把滿腹的牢騷向幾只小老鼠傾訴。

沒人知道那天下午客廳里發(fā)生的事?？纱蠹伊牧嗽S多，一向不善言語的布魯克先生滔滔不絕，這使朋友們都頗感詫異。他還熱切地求婚，講了他的打算，又說服大家一切都按他的想法來辦。

喝茶的鈴聲響了，布魯克還沒講完，正在描繪自己設(shè)想為美格創(chuàng)造的樂園。他自豪地陪同美格入席吃晚飯，兩人都顯得無比幸福。喬無心嫉妒，也無心沮喪。艾美被約翰的真情和美格的高貴深深地打動。貝絲遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)地望著他們笑，馬奇夫婦滿意地、深情地審視著這對年輕人，毫無疑問，姑婆稱他們“一對不懂事的孩子”一點沒錯。大家都吃得不多，可都顯得興高采烈。家里有了第一件羅曼史，簡直蓬蓽生輝。

“現(xiàn)在，你不能說高興事從來不進(jìn)家門了吧，美格？”艾美一邊問，一邊盤算構(gòu)思，如何把這對戀人雙雙畫進(jìn)畫中。

“對，肯定不能這樣說。我說這話以來，發(fā)生了多少事情啊！好像是一年前的事了吧。”美格回答。她此刻正在做著遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)超越了面包黃油這類俗物的美夢。

“這次是歡樂緊跟悲傷而來，我倒以為轉(zhuǎn)機(jī)開始出現(xiàn)了。”馬奇太太說，“很多家庭不時會遇上多事之秋，這一年便發(fā)生了許多事情，但畢竟結(jié)局總算不錯。”

“但愿來年的結(jié)局更好。”喬咕噥道?？吹矫栏癞?dāng)著她的面迷戀一個陌生人，她心里難以接受。喬對一些人愛得頗深，唯恐會失去他們的愛，唯恐情意會淺下去。

“我希望從今年開始的第三年會有一個更好的結(jié)局。我看這是勢在必行的，只要我能夠?qū)嵤┳约旱挠媱潯?rdquo;布魯克先生笑微微地望著美格說，仿佛現(xiàn)在對于他來說，一切都成為可能的了。

“等三年是不是太久了？”艾美問，恨不得婚禮立即舉行。

“我還有許多東西要學(xué)，還嫌準(zhǔn)備時間顯得太短呢。”美格回答，甜甜的臉上露出一種前所未有的嚴(yán)肅勁。

“等著就行了，活嘛我來干。”約翰說干就干，撿起美格的餐巾，臉上的表情令喬直搖腦袋。這時，前門砰地響了一聲，喬松了一口氣，自忖道：“勞里來了。我們終于可以談點正經(jīng)事了。”

但喬想錯了。只見勞里心花怒放地跑進(jìn)來，手里捧著一大束喜花送給“約翰·布魯克太太”。他顯然還執(zhí)迷不悟，錯把自己的乖巧張羅當(dāng)成了這樁好事的促成要素。

“我早就知道，布魯克一定心想事成的，他一向如此。只要他下定決心要做一件事，天塌下來也能做好。”勞里把花和祝詞獻(xiàn)上。

“承蒙夸獎，不勝感激。我把這話當(dāng)作一個好兆頭，這里就邀請你參加婚禮。”布魯克先生答。他待人一向平和，連調(diào)皮搗蛋的學(xué)生也不例外。

“我即使遠(yuǎn)在天邊也要趕回來參加，單單喬那天的臉色就值得我長途跋涉回來一看的啦。你好像不大高興呢，小姐。怎么回事？”勞里一面問，一面跟著喬，和眾人一起來到客廳一角迎接勞倫斯先生。

“我不贊成這婚配，但我已決定把它忍下來，一句壞話也不說。”喬嚴(yán)肅地說。“你不會明白的，失去美格有多么難受，”她接著說，聲音微微顫抖。

“你并不是失去她，只是與人分享而已。”勞里安慰道。

“再也不會一樣了。我失去了至親至愛的朋友。”喬嘆息道。

“但你有我呢。你看，我雖一事無成，但一定會和你在一起的，一生一世。一定！我發(fā)誓！”勞里說話算話的。

“我知道你一定會的，我千恩萬謝。你總是給我?guī)砟蟮陌参浚氐稀?rdquo;喬答道，感激地握著勞里的手。

“好了，別愁眉苦臉的啦，好孩子。這事其實并沒有什么不好。美格感到幸福，布魯克跑動一下，很快就能安定下來的。爺爺會照顧他。看到美格住自己的小窩，該是多么快活。她走后我們會過得十分開心的。我很快就讀完大學(xué)的，屆時我們結(jié)伴出國，好好游覽一下。這樣你心里舒服了吧？”

“但愿如此。但誰知道這三年里會發(fā)生什么事情呢。”喬心事重重地說。

“那倒是的。難道你不想向前看，想象一下我們大家到那時有什么進(jìn)展嗎？我可想的。”勞里回答。

“不看也罷，我怕看到傷心事?，F(xiàn)在大家都這么高興，我想將來也不會更上一層樓的。”喬說著把房間慢慢掃視一遍，眼睛隨之一亮，那邊是風(fēng)景獨好。

父母親坐在一起，靜靜地重溫約二十年前初戀時的情景。艾美正在為那對情侶作畫，他們坐在一邊，沉醉在自己的美妙世界里，臉上閃著上帝恩寵的光輝，這是小畫家所不能描摹的。貝絲躺在沙發(fā)上，與老朋友愉快地交談。勞倫斯先生握著她的小手，覺得它好像具有一股力量，能引導(dǎo)他與她平靜地同行。喬懶洋洋地躺在她最喜歡的矮椅子上，神色黯然而平靜，這恰好是她自己的風(fēng)格。勞里靠在她的椅子背上，下巴貼著喬的鬈發(fā)，笑容可掬，面對映著兩人的長鏡子，朝喬點點頭。

人物聚齊，可以落幕，美格、喬、貝絲和艾美的故事也告一段落。帷幕是否再次拉起，全仰仗各位讀者是否接受《小婦人》這部家庭劇的第一幕了。

* * *

[1]這里馬奇姑婆由于生氣，一下忘了布魯克的名字，把它說成了庫克，下文的魯克、布克也是如此。

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 needed 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 one another with an anxious expression, as their eyes followed Meg. Jo had sudden fits of sobriety, and was seen to shake her fist at Mr. Brooke's 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 suddenly 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 boon. And when Meg told him to behave himself and go away, he wrung imaginary tears out of his handkerchief, and staggered round 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 Jo 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, Jo, I've told you I don't care much about him, and there isn't to be anything 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 are 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 Jo 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 giving 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 unawares; there's no knowing what may happen, and I wished to be prepared.”

Jo couldn't help smiling at the important air which Meg had unconsciously assumed and which was as becoming as the pretty color varying in her cheeks.

“Would you mind telling me what you'd say? ” asked Jo more respectfully.

“Not at all. You are sixteen now, quite old enough to be my confident, 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 philander, but I should feel like a fool doing it myself, ” said Jo, 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 at the lane where she had often seen lovers walking together in the summer twilight.

“I thought you were going to tell your speech to that man, ” said Jo, 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.'”

“Hum, 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 in 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 begin to sew as fast as if her life depended on finishing that particular seam in a given time. Jo smothered a laugh at the sudden change, and when someone gave a modest tap, opened the door with a 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 it you are here.”And having jumbled her father and the umbrella well together in her reply, Jo 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 sidle 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 looked so hurt that Meg thought she must have 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 have been so kind to 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 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, pressed 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 chose to learn it, but—”

“Please choose to learn, Meg. I love to teach, and this is easier than German, ” broke in 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 nettled her. Annie Moffat's foolish lessons in coquetry 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 hands, 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 before, 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 needn't, it's too soon and I'd rather not.”

“Mayn't I hope you'll change your mind by-and-by? I'll wait and say nothing till you have had more time. Don't play with me, Meg. I didn't think that of you.”

“Don't think of me at all. I'd rather you wouldn't, ” said Meg, taking a naughty satisfaction in trying her lover's 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. 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 part of the house, 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 had seen a ghost, and Mr. Brooke vanished into the study.

“Bless me, what's all this? ” cried the old lady with a rap 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 make you look like a peony? There's mischief going on, and I insist upon knowing what it is, ” with another rap.

“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 now. I know all about it. Jo blundered into a wrong 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. Shan't I call Mother? ” said Meg, much troubled.

“Not yet. I've 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 in the gentlest people, and enjoyed doing it. The best of us have a spice of perversity in us, especially when we are young and in love. 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 peremptorily 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.

“Highty-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 a worse one than some people 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.”

“Father and Mother don't think so.They like John though he is 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 lecture. “This Rook is poor and hasn't got any rich relations, has he? ”

“No, but he 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. Laurence is going to help him.”

“That won't last long. James Laurence 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 so energetic and brave. Everyone likes and respects him, and I'm proud to think he cares for me, though I'm so poor and young and silly, ” said Meg, looking prettier than ever in her earnestness.

“He knows you have got rich relations,child.That's the secret of his liking, I suspect.”

“Aunt March, how dare you say such a thing? John is above such meanness, and I won't listen to you a minute if you talk so, ” cried Meg indignantly, forgetting everything but the injustice of the old lady's suspicions. “My John wouldn't marry for money, any more than I would. We are willing to work and we mean to wait. I'm not afraid of being poor, for I've been happy so far, and I know I shall be with him because he loves me, and I—”

Meg stopped there, remembering all of a sudden that she hadn't made up her mind, that she had told “her John” to go away, and that he might be overhearing her inconsistent remarks.

Aunt March was very angry, for she had set her heart on having her pretty niece make a fine match, and something in the girl's happy young face made the lonely old woman feel both sad and sour.

“Well, I wash my hands of the whole affair! You are a willful child, and you've lost more than you know by this piece of folly. No, I won't stop. I'm disappointed in you, and haven't spirits to see your father now. Don't expect anything from me when you are married. Your Mr. Brooke's friends must take care of you. I'm done with you forever.”

And slamming the door in Meg's face, Aunt March drove off in high dudgeon. 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. Brooke, 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 Jo's eyes by meekly whispering, “Yes, John, ” and hiding her face on Mr. Brooke's waistcoat.

Fifteen minutes after Aunt March's departure, Jo 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 Jo 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 in to exult over a fallen enemy and to praise a strong-minded sister for the banishment of an objectionable lover, it certainly was a shock to behold the aforesaid enemy serenely sitting on the sofa, with the strongminded sister enthroned upon his knee and wearing an expression of the most abject submission. Jo 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 Jo called him, actually laughed and said coolly, as he kissed the astonished newcomer, “Sister Jo, congratulate us! ”

That was adding insult to injury—it was altogether too much—and making some wild demonstration with her hands, Jo 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 Mrs. March left the room with speed, and casting herself upon the bed, Jo cried and scolded tempestuously as she told the awful news to Beth and Amy. The little girls, however, considered it a most agreeable and interesting event, and Jo 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 the 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 in to supper, both looking so happy that Jo 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 Mrs. 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 Mrs. 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 Jo, who found it very hard to see Meg absorbed in a stranger before her face, for Jo loved a few persons very dearly and dreaded to have their affection lost or lessened in any way.

“I hope the third year from this will end 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 am to do the work, ” said John beginning his labors by picking up Meg's napkin, with an expression which caused Jo 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 Jo was mistaken, for Laurie came prancing in, overflowing with good spirits, bearing a great bridal-looking bouquet for “Mrs. John Brooke”, and evidently laboring under the delusion that the whole affair had been brought about by his excellent management.

“I knew Brooke would have it 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 Jo's face alone on that occasion would be worth a long journey. You don't look festive, ma'am, what's the matter? ” asked Laurie, following her into a corner of the parlor, whither all had adjourned to greet Mr. Laurence.

“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 Jo solemnly. “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 dearest friend, ” sighed Jo.

“You've got me, anyhow. I'm not good for much, I know, but I'll stand by you, Jo, 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 Jo, 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 round and get settled immediately, Grandpa will attend to him, and it will be very jolly to see Meg in her own little house. We'll have capital times after she is gone, for I shall be through college before long, and then we'll go abroad on some nice trip or other. Wouldn't that console you? ”

“I rather think it would, but there's no knowing what may happen in three years, ” said Jo thoughtfully.

“That's true. Don't you wish you could take a look forward and see where we shall all be then? I do, ” returned Laurie.

“I think not, for I might see something sad, and everyone looks so happy now, I don't believe they could be much improved.” And Jo'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. Jo lounged in her favorite low seat, with the grave quiet look which best became her, and Laurie, leaning on the back of her chair, his chin on a level with her curly head, smiled with his friendliest aspect, and nodded at her in the long glass which reflected them both.

So grouped, the curtain falls upon Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Whether it ever rises again, depends upon the reception given the first act of the domestic drama called Little Women.