Jo's Boys

I wouldn't have believed it,' said Mrs Jo to Mrs Meg, as they sat on the piazza at

no nobler monument than the college he so generously endowed; and a home like this will keep Au

't it seem as if mine had been really granted at last? Money, fame, and plenty of the work I love,' said Mrs

ar Marmee, John, and Beth were here, it would be quite perfect,' added M

nt for a little while, surveying the pleasant scen

and a prosperous air it had not worn when riotous boys swarmed everywhere and it was rather difficult for the Bhaers to make both ends meet. On the hill, where kites used to be flown, stood the fine college which Mr Laurence's

rd Laurie's white-pillared mansion glittered in the sunshine; for when the rapid growth of the city shut in the old house, spoilt Meg's n

d dream beautifully realized. The sisters divided the care of the young people among them, each taking the part that suited her best. Meg was the motherly friend of the young women, Jo the confidante and defender of all the youths, and Amy the lady Bou

rters of the earth to tell their various experiences, laugh over the pleasures of the past, and face the duties of the present with fresh courage; for such home-comings keep

n kinsman gave him a good chance in his ships; so the lad was happy. Dan was a wanderer still; for after the geological researches in South America he tried sheep-farming in Australia, and was now in California looking up mines. Nat was busy with music at the Conservatory, preparing for a year or two in Germany to finis

e seemed to see all the faults, whims, aspirations, and fun of her own youth in a new shape. With his tawny locks always in wild confusion, his long legs and arms, loud voice, and continual activity, Ted was a prominent figure at Plumfield. He had his moods of gloom, and fell into the Slough of Despond about once a week,

caused the dear woman much disappointment by deciding to try a journalist's career. It was a blow; but she knew that young minds cannot be driven, and that experience is the best teacher; so she let him follow his own inclinations, still hoping to see him in the pulpit. Aunt Jo raged when she found that there was to be a reporter in the family, and called him 'Jenkins' on the spot. She liked his

community was naughty Nan; for, like so many restless, wilful children, she was growing into a woman full of the energy and promise that suddenly blossoms when the ambitious seeker finds the work she is fitted to do well. Nan began to study medicine at sixteen, and at twenty was getting on bravely; for now, thanks to other intelligent women, colleges and hospitals were open to her. She had never wavered in her purpose from the childish days when she shocked Daisy in the old willow by saying: 'I don't want any family to fuss over. I shall have an office, with bottles and pestle things in it, and drive round and

her sake alone, having no taste for it, and a decided fancy for a mercantile life. But Nan was firm, and Tom stoutly kept on, devoutly hoping he might not kill many of hi

was walking briskly along the pleasant road alone, thinking over a case that interested her, and Tom was pegging on behind

ll of vigour, with her broad shoulders well back, arms swinging freely, and the elasticity of youth and health in every motion. The few people she met turned to look at her, as if it was a pleasant si

eeze, and pausing, with an effort to look surpr

that y

be walking out today'; and Tom's

d Nan in her professional tone, which w

The effect of that prescription was wonderfu

e you. If sugar or milk can cure diphtheria in this remarkable manner, I'

the merry pair laughed at one another just as they did in the old

re up some excuse for a call at the office. You are so despe

. Really, Tom, if you don't give your mind to your

ust. 'A fellow must lark a bit after dissecting corpuses all day. I can'

foolish thing, you know,' said Nan, with a trace of anxiety in the keen ey

look delicate, but I've a deep-seated heart complaint, and it will carry me of

both comic and pathetic; for he was in earnest, and kept on

was used to it, and k

; but a more refractory patient never live

d

urself to pret

her the who

e on that suscepti

e, forgot to feed her, and gave a sigh of r

e, and note the symptoms. I predict

it doesn't suit

e. Obey orde

octor,'

f contention was forgotten in the pleasant recollect

ou remember how you tumbled out of the big n

as a fine mahogany colour, and Aunt Jo wailed over my

u set the h

off for you

say "Thunder-

er call you "

thing, I haven't s

and he said she was keepin

keeper; and you couldn't do better than make your bow to her, if you can

ou. Another name is engraved upon my heart as indelibly as the blue anchor on my

but we shall do nothing of the kind. How well Parnassus looks

are if she could see the changes here?' answered Tom, as they both pa

hawthorn, and sat there laughing like a witch. A pretty little lass she was, with curly dark hair, bright eyes, and a very expressive face. Her hat was at

book, and I will have it,' called Josie from her perc

s in others. 'What's the matter, dear?' she asked, pinning up the longest rip, while Josie examined the scratches on her hands. 'I was studying my part in the willow, and Ted came slyly up and poked the book o

, delivered Claude Melnotte's famous speech in a lackadaisical way that was irresistibly funny, ending with 'Dost like

four in hand and Nan was the best horse in the team. Rosy, breathless, and merry, they greeted the ladies and sat down on the steps to rest, Aunt Meg sewi

y and eat 'em; Daisy's never

y he's so fat,' added Josie, with a withering g

to lance it. I'll tea at college,' answered Nan, feeling in her

ised to touch them up for him. Save a doctor's fee and be good practice for me.

your work. Muffins suit us better'; and Ted grinned sw

the Commodore

my boys together, and have begged the wanderers to come to Thank

Even Jack will risk losing a dollar for the sak

eed him well; and he's "swellin' wisibly", bless his drumsticks!' said Te

well frolic for him. I suppose the dear old Chirper wil

h a quick breath; but she answered placidly: 'Uncle Laurie says he has real talent, and after th

ng,' said Mrs Meg with a sigh. 'If our children are good and useful men and women, we

p is the king of the yard, he's so smart; crows loud enough to wake the Seven Sleepers; but the handsome one croaks, and is no end of a coward. I ge

s", and at twenty-five he is still roaming about the world without a

me I see a change for the better, and never lose my faith in him. He may never do anything great, or get rich; but

be swells. You see if he doesn't do something to be proud of and take the wind out of their sails,' adde

into Niagara, or finding a big nugget. That's his way of sowing wild oats, and perhaps it's better than ours,' said Tom

ons, with nothing to do but waste time, money, and health, as so many are left. Dan has to work his way, and that teaches him courage, patience, an

s of things, from sermons to prize-fights,' asked Tom, who thought that sort of

m, and these experiences will be useful to him when he begins to write, as I'm sure he will in time

paper,' cried Tom, as a fresh-faced, brown-eyed young m

nded! Powder-mill explosion, and great strike of the Latin School boys!' roa

nd as soon as he can get off,' called Demi, with 'a nice derangeme

ed from hand to hand that each eye might rest on the plea

ively yarns. I saw him, jolly and tarry and brown as a coffee-berry. Had a good run, an

' said Nan to herself, with a

anz?' ask

name is Ludmilla Heldegard Blumenthal; good family, well-off, pretty, and of course an angel. The dear old b

all is right, I shall feel as if Franz was off my mind,' said Mrs Jo, folding her hands contentedly; f

hat a fellow needs to keep him steady; and it's the duty o

especially in New England; which accounts for the high state of culture we are in, perhaps,' an

and it is well that mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters love their duty and do it so well, or you would perish off the face of the earth,' said Mrs Jo s

these helpless men and their families. I see that more clearly every day, and am very gla

t word caused Tom to groa

elpful women in the world. I sometimes feel as if I've missed my vocation and ought to have remained single; but my dut

added Ted, with a filial hug which caused both to disappear behind th

Never mind, my precious touslehead, better grass stains and dirt than no cuddlings at all'; and Mrs Jo emerged from th

h with a smothered shriek, and gave Juliet's speech in the tomb so effectively that the boys a

did anything so well, not even the Witch's Curse,' said Mrs Jo, casting a bouquet of many-colour

Now I know how dear Marmee felt when I begged to be an actress. I never can c

which made Demi pick up his sister with a gentle shake,

nded kitten. Being set on her feet, she made a splendid courtesy, and dramatically proclaiming, 'Mrs Woffington's

e it lively for me. If ever she turns prim, I'm off; so mind how you nip her in the bu

all peace and mine all Bedlam. Now I must go and tell Laurie the news. Come with me, Meg, a little stroll will do us good'; and sticking Ted's straw hat on her head, Mrs J