双语译林·小妇人 第二十三章 姑婆解决问题 AUNT MARCH SETTLES THE QUESTION
- 第二十三章 姑婆解决问题
- CHAPTER 23 AUNT MARCH SETTLES THE QUESTION
第二十三章 姑婆解决问题
第二天，母女几个围着马奇先生团团转，宛如蜜蜂簇拥着蜂王。她们把一切都抛到脑后，只管伺候这位新到的病人，注视着他，听他说话，使他招架不住，真是好心也杀人。他仰卧在贝丝坐的沙发旁边的一把大椅子里，其他三个姑娘围在身边，汉娜不时地探头进来，偷偷地看一眼亲人，大家其乐融融，一切都显得完美无缺。可家里就是缺了点什么，大人们都觉察到了，不过谁都不愿承认。马奇夫妇用目光追随着美格，焦躁地面面相觑。乔有时突然严肃起来，还看到她对着布鲁克先生留在过道里的伞挥拳头。美格心不在焉，羞得一言不发，一听到门铃响就心惊肉跳，一听到约翰的名字就满脸通红。艾美说：“大家好像都在等什么，坐立不安，这就奇怪了，爸爸都已经平安到家了。”贝丝天真地纳闷，她家的邻居怎么突然不来了。
下午劳里路过，看到美格坐在窗边，仿佛一下子心血来潮，单膝跪在雪地上，捶胸扯发，还哀求地抱拳，犹如乞讨什么恩典。美格叫他放尊重一点，命他走开，他又用手帕绞出几滴假泪，然后摇摇晃晃转身而去，仿佛伤心欲绝。
“那憨头鹅是什么意思？”美格笑着明知故问。
“他在向你示范，你的约翰以后会怎么做。感人吧？”乔奚落道。
“别说我的约翰，这不礼貌，也并非事实。”但美格的声音却恋恋不舍这几个字，仿佛听起来很悦耳，“请不要烦我了，乔，跟你说过的，我对他并没有怎么，这事也没什么可说的，还像以前一样朋友来往。”
“我们可办不到啊，都已经说出口了的。对于我来说，劳里的恶作剧已毁了你。我看出来了，妈妈也一样。你一点也不像过去的你，似乎离我那么遥远。我不想烦你，而且会像男子汉一样承受此事，但我很想把它解决掉。我痛恨等待，所以如果你真有意的话，就请抓紧时间，赶快了断。”乔没好气地说。
“他不开口，我可没法乱说乱动，而他不会说的，因为爸爸说我还太小。”美格一面说，一面低着头做活，脸上露出一丝异样的微笑，表明在这一点上不苟同父亲的意见。
“要是他真的开口了，你会不知道怎么说好，只会哭鼻子，脸红，让他遂心如意，而不是好好地、坚决地说一声‘不’。”
“我可不是你想象的那么傻，那么软弱。我知道该说什么的，已经计划好了，免得措手不及。谁也不知道会发生什么事，我希望自己有备无患。”
看到姐姐不知不觉摆出一副煞有介事的神气，就像脸颊上两朵美丽的红晕，变幻不定，十分好看，乔禁不住微笑起来。
“不介意告诉我你会说什么吗？”乔肃然起敬地问。
“不介意。你也十六岁了，完全可以参与我的心事，再说你以后要碰到这种事情，我的经验或许会对你有用。”
“不打算碰到的。看别人谈情说爱倒是挺带劲的，但自己坠入情网时，我会觉得愚不可及。”乔说。想到这，她不觉惊恐万状。
“我看不会的，如果你很喜欢一个人，而他也喜欢你的话。”美格仿佛在自言自语，说完向外面的小巷望去。夏日黄昏时，她常常看到恋人们在这里双双散步的。
“我想你是准备把这番话告诉那个男人吧。”乔不客气地打断姐姐的遐想。
“哦，我只会平静、干脆地说：‘谢谢你，布鲁克先生，你的心意我领了，但我和爸爸都认为我还太年轻，目前不宜订婚。此事请不要再提，咱们还是一样做朋友吧。'”
“哼！真够刚强、够漂亮！我不信你会这样说，我看即使说了他也不会甘心。如果他像小说里头那些失恋者一样纠缠不休，你就会答应他，而不愿伤害他的感情。”
“不会的。我会告诉他我主意已定，然后很有尊严地退出房间。”
美格说着站起来，正准备排练那尊严告退的一幕，过道里却传来脚步声。她飞快地坐到座位上，做起了针线活，仿佛有人给规定了时间，要缝完才能活命。见到这个突变，乔强忍着笑。听到有人轻轻地敲门，乔板着脸开了门，那样子很不客气。
“下午好。我来拿伞——也顺便看看你爸今天怎样了。”布鲁克先生说，看着两张爱憎分明的脸，心里有点迷惑不解。
“很好，爸爸在搁架上，我去拿，跟伞说你来了。”乔回答时把父亲和雨伞张冠李戴了。她悄悄溜出房，让美格有机会表明心迹、保持尊严。可是，乔一走，美格就侧身往门口走，低声说：“妈妈想见你，请坐，我去叫她。”
“请别走，你怕我吗，玛格丽特？”布鲁克先生一副痛心的神情，以致美格以为自己一定做了很无礼的事。她立刻满脸通红，布鲁克从来都不叫她玛格丽特的，同时也感到惊奇万分，怎么听他叫会这么自然，这么动听。她急于显得友好、自在，伸手做了个信赖的姿势，感激地说：“你对爸爸那么好，我怎么会怕呢？只想着要好好谢你呢。”
“要不要告诉你怎么谢吗？”布鲁克问，双手一把抓住美格的小手，低头看着她，棕色的眼睛里充满了浓浓的爱意。美格心跳得厉害，她既想逃开，又想留下来听个明白。
“不要，请别这样——还是别告诉吧。”她说着试图把手抽回来。尽管她不承认，可还是显得很害怕。
“我不会找你麻烦的，美格，只想知道，你是不是对我有点好感。乖乖，我是那么爱你。”接着布鲁克含情脉脉地说。
到时候了，该冷静地说那番正经话了，可美格没开口。她已经忘得一干二净，只低着头回答：“不知道呀。”说得那么轻，约翰不得不弯下腰才能听见这傻乎乎的回答。
他似乎觉得这个麻烦很值得，满意地顾自笑了笑，感激地紧握那只胖乎乎的手，诚挚地劝道：“你愿意设法弄明白吗？我很想知道，要弄清楚我最终能否得到奖赏，才能安心工作。”
“我太小了。”美格支支吾吾地说，纳闷怎么会这么心绪不宁，可心里还是暗自高兴。
“我可以等，与此同时，你可以学会喜欢我。这门课程是否很难呢，乖乖？”
“如果想学就不难，不过——”
“那就学吧，美格。我乐意教，这可比德语容易。”约翰打断她，把她另一只手也握住，这样她的脸便无处可藏，他可以弯下腰来端详了。
他的口气简直在恳求了，但美格含羞偷偷看了他一眼，却看到那含情脉脉的眼睛里藏着快活，脸上一丝胸有成竹的微笑，十分得意。这使美格不觉恼火起来。此刻，她的脑海里浮现出安妮·莫法特教给她的愚蠢的卖俏邀宠课程，沉睡于大部分小妇人内心深处的支配欲在心中幡然觉醒，令她失去自制。她感到激动，她感到古怪，一时手足无措，仿佛心血来潮，竟把双手抽出，大惊小怪地说：“我不想学。请走开。别烦我！”
可怜的布鲁克先生大惊失色，仿佛他那漂亮的空中楼阁在耳边轰然倒塌。他以前从来没见过美格发这样的脾气，心中不觉糊涂起来。
“你说的是真话？”他焦急地问，一边跟着拔腿就走的美格。
“不假。我不想为这种事烦恼。爸爸说我没必要。太早了，我还不想。”
“请问，你会慢慢改变主意吗？我会等，等你考虑考虑再说。别戏弄我，美格。我想你也不会那样的。”
“对我千万别抱什么想法。”美格说。一句话既逞了自己的威风，又考验了情郎的耐心，她心中产生一股淘气的满足感。
他脸色阴沉下来，变得煞白，神态极像她所崇拜的小说主人公，但他既没有学他们拍额头，也没有在房间里踱步。他只是痴痴站在那儿，温情脉脉地看着她，她心里不由得软了下来。如果不是马奇姑婆在这有趣的当儿一瘸一拐地走进来，接下来会发生什么，就不得而知了。
老太太在户外透气，碰到了劳里，得知马奇先生已经回来了，她忍不住要看看侄子，就马上乘马车来看他。一家人都在后屋忙碌，她轻手轻脚地进来，希望给他们一个冷不防。她确实使其中的两位颇感意外，美格仿佛看到了鬼，吓了一跳，布鲁克先生则马上退入书房。
“天哪，这到底是怎么回事？”老太太看看脸色苍白的年轻人，又瞧瞧满脸通红的美格，把手杖一叩，大声喊道。
“那是爸爸的朋友。我被您吓了一跳！”美格结结巴巴地说，觉得自己这下又要好好地被训一顿了。
“显而易见的嘛。”姑婆边坐下边回答，“可你爸爸的朋友说了什么，让你脸红得像朵牡丹？里面肯定有鬼，我一定要搞清楚。”手杖又敲了一下。
“我们只是在聊天。布鲁克先生是来拿伞的。”美格开口了，但愿布鲁克先生已经拿着伞平安地走了。
“布鲁克？就是那男孩的家庭教师？啊，我明白了。我什么都知道了。乔在读你爸爸的一封信时，无意中说漏了嘴，我让她说了出来。孩子，你还没有答应他吧？”姑婆生气地喊道。
“嘘！他会听到的。要我把妈妈叫来吗？”美格心烦意乱地说。
“还不用。我要跟你说些事，必须一吐为快。告诉我，你想嫁给这个库克[1]？要是真的，我可一分钱都不会传给你。记住了，放明白一点。”老太太威严地说。
姑婆擅长激起那些温顺之人的逆反心理，并以此为乐。我们多数人骨子里都有一点任性，年轻的恋人们更是如此。如果姑婆恳求美格，要她接受约翰·布鲁克，美格可能会宣布她连考虑都不会考虑。可要是有人断然要求她不要喜欢约翰，她却马上会铁了心要喜欢他。倾慕加上任性使美格轻易就做出了决定。美格显得非常激动，以非凡的勇气拒绝了老太太。
“我爱嫁谁就嫁给谁，姑婆，把钱爱传谁就传给谁吧。”她说着坚定地点点头。
“放肆！我可是好意，你就这样对我，小姐？到草房里做你的爱情梦去吧，你会明白什么叫失败，到时会后悔莫及的。”
“总不会比豪宅业主的爱情差吧？”美格反驳道。
姑婆戴上眼镜，仔细地端详美格，从没见过这姑娘这样生气过。美格也几乎不认识自己了，只觉得自己是那么勇敢、自立——能维护约翰，随意宣示自己爱他的权利，令她很高兴。姑婆发现自己出师不利，沉默片刻之后，她又另起炉灶，尽量温和地说：“好了，美格，好孩子，别乱来，听我的话。我是为你好，不想看到你第一步走错，毁了一生。你要嫁个有钱人，帮帮你的家。嫁给有钱人，是你的责任，你应该刻骨铭心。”
“爸爸妈妈不会这么想的。他们知道约翰没钱，可还是喜欢他。”
“我的宝贝，你父母跟小孩子一样，不懂什么世故。”
“我就喜欢这样。”美格决不屈服。
姑婆没在意，继续开导她：“这个鲁克没钱，连个有钱的亲戚都没有，是吧？”
“是的，可他有很多热心的朋友。”
“你们不能光靠朋友度日。试试看吧，朋友会变得多么冷淡。他没职业，对吗？”
“还没有。劳伦斯先生会帮他的。”
“这不是什么长久之计。詹姆斯·劳伦斯是个喜怒无常的怪老头，不可靠。那你打算跟这么个人结婚啰？一个没钱、没地位也没职业的人。你打算干得比现在更苦啊。其实，听我的话，好好做人，日子会过得很舒服的！美格，我原来以为你是明白人。”
“哪怕等上下半辈子，我也无法更好地做人！约翰很聪明，是个人才，勤劳肯干，肯定能干一番事业。他精力充沛，而且敢作敢为，大家都喜欢他，尊重他。我一个小姑娘家，没钱，什么都不懂，可他喜欢我，我感到很自豪。”美格说话真挚，显得比以往更加美丽动人。
“他可知道你有阔亲戚的，孩子，我猜，这是他喜欢你的奥秘。”
“姑婆，你怎么敢这么说？约翰不会这么卑鄙，要是你再这么说，我可不听了。”美格愤怒地喊道，这时她已忘记了一切，脑海里只有老太太不公正的猜测，“我的约翰不会为了钱结婚，我也不会。我们都肯干，愿意等。没钱我不怕，你看，我现在不是一直很幸福嘛。我相信，跟他在一起会幸福，因为他爱我，我——”
美格没有说下去，突然想起自己还未下决心，她刚才已经要“她的约翰”走开。他可能无意中会听到自己前后矛盾的话。
姑婆十分懊恼，她一心要为漂亮的侄孙女找一份美满姻缘，可姑娘年轻开心的脸上的神情使老太太感到伤心，气不打一处来。
“好吧，这事我可撒手不管了！你这个任性的丫头。尽做蠢事，你失去了很多，有些你甚至还不知道。不，我不耽搁了。对你很失望，没心思再看你爸爸了。出嫁时就别指望了，我什么都不给。你的布克先生有那么多朋友，他们会照顾你的。我跟你到此完了。”
然后，姑婆当着美格的面把门砰地关上，怒气冲冲地驱车走了。她仿佛把美格的全部勇气也卷走了，姑娘独自一个人站着发呆，不知道该笑还是哭。她还没回过神来，布鲁克先生就一把抱住她，一口气说道：“我不是有意偷听，美格。谢谢你替我说话。我也要谢谢马奇姑婆，她证实了你真的有点喜欢我。”
“要是她不骂你，我也不知道我是多么喜欢你的。”美格说。
“我不用再走了吧，可以留下来快活吗，乖乖？”
这时本来又是一个好机会，美格可以发表决定性的讲话，然后体面地开脱。但美格从来都没有想过这么做，只是把脸靠在布鲁克的马甲上，温顺地喃喃道：“行，约翰。”这使她在乔面前永远都抬不起头来。
在姑婆离去一刻钟之后，乔轻轻走下楼梯，在大厅门口站一下，听到里头没有声音，便满意地点点头，笑着自语道：“她已按计划把他打发走了，此事已经了断。让我去听听这件趣事，痛痛快快笑一场。”
不过，可怜的乔永远也没笑成，她刚踏上门槛便怔住了。眼前的情景，使她的嘴巴张得巨大，圆瞪着的眼睛也几乎有那么大。她本来要进去为退敌而欢庆一番，称赞姐姐意志坚强，把要不得的情郎逐出家门，不料，却看见那位仇敌安详地坐在沙发上，而意志坚强的姐姐则端坐在他的膝上，脸上是一副天底下最卑鄙的百依百顺的表情。真是触目惊心啊。乔猛吸了一口冷气，犹如一盆冷洗澡水劈头泼下——形势急转直下，实在出乎意料，她不禁呼吸急促起来。听到奇怪的响声，那对恋人回过头来，看到了她。美格跳起来，神情既骄傲又腼腆，但那个男人，乔这样称呼他，竟自笑了起来，吻了吻惊得目瞪口呆的不速之客，冷静地说道：“乔妹妹，祝贺我们吧！”
这无异于伤害又加侮辱——实在太过分了——乔恼羞成怒，两手狠狠一甩，一声不吭地消失了。她跑上楼，闯进房间，痛心疾首地大叫，把两位病人吓了一跳：
“哎哟，谁快下楼来呀。约翰·布鲁克在做见不得人的事，美格还很高兴！”
马奇夫妇飞快地冲出房间。乔扑倒在床上，一边痛哭一边痛骂着，把这个可怕的消息告诉贝丝和艾美。不过，两位小妹妹却觉得这是件快事，还很有趣。乔未得到她们的同情，便躲上了阁楼，把满腹的牢骚向几只小老鼠倾诉。
没人知道那天下午客厅里发生的事。可大家聊了许多，一向不善言语的布鲁克先生滔滔不绝，这使朋友们都颇感诧异。他还热切地求婚，讲了他的打算，又说服大家一切都按他的想法来办。
喝茶的铃声响了，布鲁克还没讲完，正在描绘自己设想为美格创造的乐园。他自豪地陪同美格入席吃晚饭，两人都显得无比幸福。乔无心嫉妒，也无心沮丧。艾美被约翰的真情和美格的高贵深深地打动。贝丝远远地望着他们笑，马奇夫妇满意地、深情地审视着这对年轻人，毫无疑问，姑婆称他们“一对不懂事的孩子”一点没错。大家都吃得不多，可都显得兴高采烈。家里有了第一件罗曼史，简直蓬荜生辉。
“现在，你不能说高兴事从来不进家门了吧，美格？”艾美一边问，一边盘算构思，如何把这对恋人双双画进画中。
“对，肯定不能这样说。我说这话以来，发生了多少事情啊！好像是一年前的事了吧。”美格回答。她此刻正在做着远远超越了面包黄油这类俗物的美梦。
“这次是欢乐紧跟悲伤而来，我倒以为转机开始出现了。”马奇太太说，“很多家庭不时会遇上多事之秋，这一年便发生了许多事情，但毕竟结局总算不错。”
“但愿来年的结局更好。”乔咕哝道。看到美格当着她的面迷恋一个陌生人，她心里难以接受。乔对一些人爱得颇深，唯恐会失去他们的爱，唯恐情意会浅下去。
“我希望从今年开始的第三年会有一个更好的结局。我看这是势在必行的，只要我能够实施自己的计划。”布鲁克先生笑微微地望着美格说，仿佛现在对于他来说，一切都成为可能的了。
“等三年是不是太久了？”艾美问，恨不得婚礼立即举行。
“我还有许多东西要学，还嫌准备时间显得太短呢。”美格回答，甜甜的脸上露出一种前所未有的严肃劲。
“等着就行了，活嘛我来干。”约翰说干就干，捡起美格的餐巾，脸上的表情令乔直摇脑袋。这时，前门砰地响了一声，乔松了一口气，自忖道：“劳里来了。我们终于可以谈点正经事了。”
但乔想错了。只见劳里心花怒放地跑进来，手里捧着一大束喜花送给“约翰·布鲁克太太”。他显然还执迷不悟，错把自己的乖巧张罗当成了这桩好事的促成要素。
“我早就知道，布鲁克一定心想事成的，他一向如此。只要他下定决心要做一件事，天塌下来也能做好。”劳里把花和祝词献上。
“承蒙夸奖，不胜感激。我把这话当作一个好兆头，这里就邀请你参加婚礼。”布鲁克先生答。他待人一向平和，连调皮捣蛋的学生也不例外。
“我即使远在天边也要赶回来参加，单单乔那天的脸色就值得我长途跋涉回来一看的啦。你好像不大高兴呢，小姐。怎么回事？”劳里一面问，一面跟着乔，和众人一起来到客厅一角迎接劳伦斯先生。
“我不赞成这婚配，但我已决定把它忍下来，一句坏话也不说。”乔严肃地说。“你不会明白的，失去美格有多么难受，”她接着说，声音微微颤抖。
“你并不是失去她，只是与人分享而已。”劳里安慰道。
“再也不会一样了。我失去了至亲至爱的朋友。”乔叹息道。
“但你有我呢。你看，我虽一事无成，但一定会和你在一起的，一生一世。一定！我发誓！”劳里说话算话的。
“我知道你一定会的，我千恩万谢。你总是给我带来莫大的安慰，特迪。”乔答道，感激地握着劳里的手。
“好了，别愁眉苦脸的啦，好孩子。这事其实并没有什么不好。美格感到幸福，布鲁克跑动一下，很快就能安定下来的。爷爷会照顾他。看到美格住自己的小窝，该是多么快活。她走后我们会过得十分开心的。我很快就读完大学的，届时我们结伴出国，好好游览一下。这样你心里舒服了吧？”
“但愿如此。但谁知道这三年里会发生什么事情呢。”乔心事重重地说。
“那倒是的。难道你不想向前看，想象一下我们大家到那时有什么进展吗？我可想的。”劳里回答。
“不看也罢，我怕看到伤心事。现在大家都这么高兴，我想将来也不会更上一层楼的。”乔说着把房间慢慢扫视一遍，眼睛随之一亮，那边是风景独好。
父母亲坐在一起，静静地重温约二十年前初恋时的情景。艾美正在为那对情侣作画，他们坐在一边，沉醉在自己的美妙世界里，脸上闪着上帝恩宠的光辉，这是小画家所不能描摹的。贝丝躺在沙发上，与老朋友愉快地交谈。劳伦斯先生握着她的小手，觉得它好像具有一股力量，能引导他与她平静地同行。乔懒洋洋地躺在她最喜欢的矮椅子上，神色黯然而平静，这恰好是她自己的风格。劳里靠在她的椅子背上，下巴贴着乔的鬈发，笑容可掬，面对映着两人的长镜子，朝乔点点头。
人物聚齐，可以落幕，美格、乔、贝丝和艾美的故事也告一段落。帷幕是否再次拉起，全仰仗各位读者是否接受《小妇人》这部家庭剧的第一幕了。
* * *
[1]这里马奇姑婆由于生气，一下忘了布鲁克的名字，把它说成了库克，下文的鲁克、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.
