Little Women

fternoon, as her sister came tramping through the hall, in rubber boots

' answered Jo, with a misc

n enough! It's cold and dull out; and I advise you to stay w

not being a pussy-cat, I don't like to doze by the

ich 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

nce boy', who looked as if he would like to be known, if he only 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

what's good for him, and keeps him shut up all alone. He needs a party of jolly boys to play

wy afternoon came, Jo resolved to try what could be done. She saw Mr. Laurence drive off, and then sallied out to dig her way down to the hedge, where she paused and took a

k this dismal day. It's a shame! I'll toss up a snowball,

ch lost its listless look in a minute, as the big eyes brightened and the mouth b

you do? Ar

ndow, and croaked out

I've had a bad cold, a

hat do you amus

's as dull as

't you

h; they wo

omebody re

y books don't interest him and I

ne come and s

ike to see. Boys make such

o'd read and amuse you? Girls ar

't kno

began Jo, then la

you come, pleas

other will let me. I'll go ask her. Shut that

ady; 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 collar, and trying to tidy up the room, which, in spite of

s little parlour to meet Jo, who appeared, looking rosy and kind and quite at

for you. Meg wanted me to bring some of her blancmange; she makes it very nicely, and Beth thought her cats

the thing; for, in laughing over the kits, Laurie

Jo uncovered the dish, and showed the blancmange, surrounded by a g

girl to put it away for your tea; it's so simple, you can eat it; and, being so

he maids are lazy, and I don't know how t

things made straight on the mantelpiece, so - and the books put here and the bottles there, a

ven quite a different air to the room. Laurie watched her in respectful silence; and when

wanted. Now please take the big chair, an

ad aloud?' and Jo looked affectionatel

ose, and if you don't mind I'd

if you'll only set me going. Bet

a good deal, and sometimes goes out with a

's my girl, and a regula

g, and the curly-haired

you find

don 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 round the table with your mo

her head, and at fifteen she was as innocent and frank as any child. Laurie was sick and lonely; and, feeling how rich she was in home

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

es not look so; and he lets me do what I like, pretty much, only he's afrai

want to know you, and I've been trying to do it this ever so long. We haven't been her

ens outside. Mr. Brooke, my tutor, doesn't stay here, you know, and I hav

ou are asked; then you'll have plenty of friends, and pleasant places to

f bashfulness; for there was so much goodwill in Jo, it was impos

he subject, after a little pause, during which he star

l, I mean. I go to wait on my great-aunt, and a

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 revelled. Laurie enjoyed that immensely; and when she told about the prim old gentleman

please,' he said, taking his face out of the

, and the most interesting events of the little world in which the sisters lived. Then they got to talking about bo

nd see ours. Grandpa is out, so you need

ything,' returned Jo, w

admiration, though he privately thought she would have good reason to be

he 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

nd gazing about her with an air of intense satisfaction. `Theodore Lauren

said Laurie, shaking his head, a

ang, and Jo flew up, exclaiming with

ot afraid of anything, you know,'

d be. Marmee said I might come, and I don't think you're any the worse f

I'm only afraid you are very tired talking to me; it was so

ou, sir,' and the maid

you for a minute? I suppose

as happy as a cricke

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, t

oice behind her; and there, to her g

she thought what she had said. For a minute a wild desire to run away possessed her; but that was cowa

ed ones; and there was a sly twinkle in them which lessened her fear a good deal. The gruff voice was gruffe

much,

ink me as handsome

quite

t a tremendous

said I t

ike me, in s

, I do

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 be

this boy of mine, hey?' was t

hbourly, sir'; and Jo tol

needs cheering u

erhaps. We are only girls, but we should be glad to help if we could, for w

was the boy's affair.

fast, as she told all about the Hummels, in whom he

other some fine day. Tell her so. There's the tea-bell; we have it

like to ha

; and Mr. Laurence offered her hi

was marched away, while her eyes danced with fun

n, as Laurie came running downstairs, and brought up with a start of surpris

sir,' he began, as Jo gave hi

h 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

ught Mr. Laurence, as he looked and listened. He liked Jo, for her odd, blunt ways suite

he had something more to show her, and took her away to the conservatory, which had been lighted for her benefit. It seemed quite fairylike 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 w

in the great drawing room, but Jo's attention was e

d, turning to Laurie with

,' he answer

I want to hear it

't you

o stupid to learn, bu

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 the rescue. `That will do, that will do, young lady. Too many sugar-plums ar

not please him. When they got into the hall, Jo asked

he doesn't like

hy n

day. John is going hom

ung lady, and it's only a step. T

ou will come

o come and see us a

I w

night,

ght, Jo, g

ttractive 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 forgott

ike to have Laurie play?' asked Jo,

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 careful.

ow romantic!'

n, if he wants to, and not plague his life ou

nd pretty manners, I suppose. Italians are alway

his manners? You never spoke to him, ha

ws that he knows how to behave. That was a nice

he blancmange

are, child! He mea

her eyes as if it had ne

mpliment when you get it,' said Meg, with the a

e boy, and I like him, and I won't have any sentimental stuff about compliments and such rubbish. We'll

ome, and I hope Meg will remember that chil

nd I'm not in my teens yet,' obse

out of the Slough and through the Wicket Gate by resolving to be good, and up the steep hill by tryi

lions, first,' said Jo, as if