双语译林·小妇人 第四十三章 惊喜不断 SURPRISES
- 第四十三章 惊喜不断
- CHAPTER 43 SURPRISES
第四十三章 惊喜不断
黄昏中，乔独自一个人躺在旧沙发上，盯着炉火，陷入了沉思。她最喜欢这样度过傍晚时分的。没人打搅，她喜欢躺在贝丝的红色小枕头上，构思小说，做梦，有时也满怀深情地想念妹妹，仿佛妹妹就在附近。她显得神情憔悴，神色黯然，非常悲伤。明天就是生日，她正在感叹时光如梭。一晃几年过去了，她渐渐变老，可似乎一无所成。就快满二十五岁了，可她却没什么值得炫耀的。乔这么想是错了，慢慢地她发现其实有很多东西可以炫耀，并对此感激不尽。
“我就要成为老姑娘了。一个喜欢文学的老处女，以笔为夫婿，以小说当孩子，也许二十年之后会小有名气，像可怜的约翰逊那样。但我老了时，不能享受名气之乐了，仍然会感到孤单。没人可以分享快乐，已不求人，也用不着名气了。哎呀，我不必去做乖戾的圣徒，或者只顾自己的罪人。我敢说，老姑娘们习惯了独身生活，会心安理得的，可是——”想到此，乔叹了口气，仿佛前景并不诱人。
首先，这前景是难以诱人的。二十五岁的人，到了三十岁便万事休矣。然而，事情并不是看上去那样糟。如果自身有了什么靠山，便能过得相当幸福。到了二十五岁，姑娘们便开始谈起做老姑娘了，但却暗下决心，绝不做老姑娘。上了三十，她们便不再提及此事，而是默默地接受事实。如果有见识，就会想到，还有二十多年有用的幸福时光，可以学会优雅地度过老年生活，聊以自慰。亲爱的姑娘们，别去笑话那些老处女。因为，朴素衣裙下默默翕动的心里，往往隐藏着非常温柔的苦恋罗曼史，而由于默默地牺牲掉青春、健康、抱负，乃至爱情本身，失色的芳容却在上帝眼里臻于美丽了。即便是悲哀、乖戾的姐妹们，也应加以善待，不为别的理由，就为了她们错过了人生最甜蜜的一段。妙龄姑娘应该同情她们，不应鄙视她们。应该记住，自己也可能会错过花好月圆的时光，红颜易老，秀发生银丝，假以时日，善意与敬老的礼遇，将和现在的爱情与仰慕同样甜蜜。
先生们，我是说男孩子们，对老姑娘们礼貌一点吧，别管她们多贫穷、多难看、多古板。因为，唯一值得拥有的骑士精神，便是随时敬老扶弱，服务妇女。别管她们的地位、年龄及肤色，回想一下那些好阿姨就行。她们不仅教训人，一惊一乍，而且也照顾、宠爱人，况且往往出力不讨好。想想看，她们帮你们排忧解困，从并不多的积蓄中拿出一部分给你们做零用，她们手指衰老，却不厌其烦为你们缝缝补补。想想她们心甘情愿迈动老迈的双脚为你们奔忙吧，知恩图报地给那些可亲的老太太们献上一点点的殷勤吧，只要她们还活着，就喜欢别人献殷勤的。心明眼亮的姑娘很快就会看出这种品格，并会因此而更喜爱你们。唯一能分开母与子的力量也就是死亡罢了，假如死亡夺去了母亲，你们肯定会在某个普里西拉阿姨[1]那里得到亲切的欢迎和慈母的爱抚，因为在她孤寂的老龄心坎里，始终为“世上最好的外甥”保留着最温暖的一角。
乔肯定睡着了（我敢说，读者对于刚才的小小说教，只能打瞌睡了），因为突然劳里的幽灵好像站了在她面前——一个很逼真、实实在在的幽灵——弯腰看着她，那种表情就像他以前感慨万千，可又不愿表现出来时一样。不过，就像情歌中的珍妮：
她万万没料到是他。
她躺着，抬头望着他，惊讶得说不出话来。他弯下腰亲吻她，她这才看清是他，跳了起来，高兴地叫道：
“我的特迪呀！我的特迪呀！”
“亲爱的乔，见到我很高兴，是吧？”
“很高兴！福气的男孩！太高兴了，不知道该说什么好。艾美在哪里？”
“你妈妈把她留在了美格家里。来的路上，我们在那里停了一下。她们抓住我的妻子，我也没办法。”
“你的什么人？”乔喊道。劳里不经意间得意地说出了两个字，泄露了秘密。
“哎呀！坏了！这下闯祸了！”他显得非常内疚，乔马上冲着他发火了。
“你居然结婚了！”
“是的，请原谅！可我永远都不会再干了。”他跪下，紧握双手，一副悔恨的样子，满脸淘气、高兴和胜利的神情。
“真的结婚了？”
“差不多啦，谢谢。”
“天哪！下面你还会做出什么可怕的事？”乔哀叹着瘫倒在椅子上。
“你的祝福有特点，可就是不太客气。”劳里答道，还是一副可怜巴巴的样子，可脸上满意地笑了。
“你像个贼，偷偷地溜进来，又那样就露了馅，你吓着人家了。你还想怎么样？起来，你这怪小子，把事情都跟我说说。”
“一个字都不说，除非让我坐到老地方，答应不设障碍。”
乔听了大笑起来，她已经很久没这么笑了。她一边拍拍沙发邀请他坐下，一边诚恳地说：“旧枕头在阁楼上，现在我们不需要了。好了，来吧，快坦白，特迪。”
“听你叫‘特迪’真顺耳！除了你，没人那么叫我。”劳里极满意地坐下。
“艾美怎么叫你？”
“老爷。”
“像是她叫的。还好，你也蛮像的。”从乔的眼神可以清楚地看到，她发现她的男孩更英俊了。
枕头没了，可还是有一个障碍——一个天然的障碍，由时间、分离和心的变化所造成的隔阂。他们俩都意识到了，面面相觑了片刻，似乎这个无形的障碍给他们笼罩了一层阴影。可很快这层阴影就消失了。劳里试图摆出一副架子，可没用。他说：
“难道我不像一个结了婚的人，不像一家之主？”
“一点都不像，你永远都不会像。个子长大了，人也长漂亮了，可你和以前一样是个调皮鬼。”
“行了，真的，乔，应该对我尊重些。”劳里回答，可心里却对一切很受用。
“我怎么也做不到，一想到你结婚、成家，忍不住要笑，我严肃不了！”乔答道。她满脸笑容，引得两人都不由得哈哈大笑起来。接着，他们坐下来畅谈，气氛仍像以前一样令人愉快。
“你没必要大冷天出去接艾美，她们马上就过来的。我等不及了，早就想亲口告诉你这个大大的惊喜。我要抢到第一块，以前抢吃奶油的时候，不是这么说的吗？”
“你当然抢到了啦，你的故事开头就颠倒，结果毁了全局。好了，拨乱反正，告诉我怎么回事，我太想知道了。”
“好吧，我这么做是为了让艾美高兴。”劳里说着眨眨眼，弄得乔大声喊道：
“天大的胡扯。艾美这么做是为了让你高兴。行的话，说下去，说实话，先生。”
“哎呀，她开始用小姐的口气说话了。难道听她说话不是很开心？”劳里对着炉火说。熊熊燃烧的炉火闪闪发光，似乎表示赞成。“都一样，要知道，她和我都成了一体。一个多月前，我们本来打算和卡罗尔一家一起回来，可她们突然变卦，决定在巴黎再待个冬天。可爷爷想回家，他去就是为了让我开心，我不能让他独自回来，可又不能丢下艾美。卡罗尔太太有些英国人的观念，小姐需要有监护人之类的无聊东西，不肯让艾美跟我们一起回国。我说：‘让我们结婚吧，那样就可以随心所欲了。’就把问题解决了。”
“你当然行，总是那么顺。”
“也不一定。”劳里的话有弦外之音，乔听了，赶紧说：
“你们怎么让婶婶答应的？”
“真的很难。可别说出去，我们有很多理由，终于说服了她。来不及写信征得你们的同意，但我想你们会高兴的，而且早就慢慢答应了。像我妻子说的那样，只是‘抓住时间的后腿嘛’。”
“难道我们不为那些话感到自豪吗？难道我们不喜欢这样说吗？”乔插话说，这回轮到她对着炉火说。她高兴地注视着，看到他的双眼中仿佛点燃了幸福的火花，而她上次看到的却是一双忧郁悲伤的眼睛。
“也许只是小事一桩。她这个小妇人非常迷人，我不由得为她感到自豪。接着，有婶婶夫妻俩当监护人，而我们两个深深相爱，不在一起，根本就不行的。这种绝妙的安排使各方面都变得很容易，所以我们就结婚了。”
“什么时候？什么地点？怎么结？”乔问，女儿家的狂热好奇心被唤起了，而她自己根本就没有意识到。
“六个礼拜前，在美国驻巴黎领事馆。当然婚礼很安静，因为我们在幸福的时候，也没忘记亲爱的小贝丝。”
说着，劳里握住了乔伸过来的手，轻轻地抚平红色的小枕头，他对它记忆犹新的。
他们默默地坐了片刻。“事后为什么不告诉我们呢？”乔问道，声音更轻了。
“本来想给你们一个惊喜的。原先想直接回家，可等我们一结婚，这位亲爱的老先生觉得，他至少得一个月才能准备好。他就让我们去度蜜月，到哪里随我们的便。艾美说过，玫瑰谷确是个度蜜月的好地方，我们就去了那里。我们过得非常幸福，毕竟一生只有一次。没错，爱情不就在玫瑰花丛中！”
劳里一时似乎忘掉了乔。乔感到很高兴，这样随便、自然地跟她讲这些，使她确信他已然不念旧恶了。她试图抽出手来，但他好像猜到了该模糊不自觉冲动背后的想法，反而握紧了她的手。他带着她不曾见过的男子汉的严肃神情说道：
“乔，乖乖，我想说件事，然后我们就把它永远丢开吧。我曾经写信提到，艾美一直对我很好，正如信中所说的，我绝不会停止对你的爱。但那种爱已经变了，我已经懂得了随遇而安。艾美和你在我心中变换了位置，就这么回事。我想，事情本来就是这样安排的，假如我按照你的话耐心去等待，这件事也会水到渠成的。可是我根本捺不下性子，所以得了心疼病。那时我是个孩子，固执狂暴，需要经过硬邦邦的教训我才能认识到那错误。乔，正如你说的，那确是个错误。我当了回傻瓜，才明白这一点。信我的话，有一段时间我脑子里乱糟糟的，不清楚自己最爱的是谁，是你还是艾美，我试图两人都爱，但做不到。在瑞士见到艾美时，一切似乎立刻明朗了。当你俩各就各位时，我确信，旧爱完全消失了，这才开始了新欢。因此，我能够诚实地与乔妹妹及妻子艾美交心，同时深深地爱着两人。你愿意相信吗？愿意回到我们初识时那段幸福的时光吗？”
“我愿意相信，没有半点保留。但是，特迪，我们再也不是男孩女孩了。昔日的好日子不可能重来，我们不能这样企盼。现在我们是男人和女人，有正经的事情要做。游戏时期已经结束，必须停止嬉闹了。我相信你也感到了这一点。我在你身上看到了变化，你也会在我身上看到的。我会怀念我的小伙子，但会同样爱那个男人，更加赞赏他，因为他打算做我希望他做的人。我们不可能再当小玩伴了，但会成为兄弟姐妹的，一辈子都会互爱互助，对不对，劳里？”
他没有开口，却握住了伸过来的手，将脸贴在上面放了一会儿。他感到，从孩子气激情的坟墓中，升腾起一种美丽的牢不可破的友情，给两人带来福气。乔不愿使亲人回国变成不快的事，过了一会儿，她便愉快地说：“我还是不能确信，两个孩子真的结了婚，要开始居家过日子了。哎呀，我替艾美扣围裙扣子，你开玩笑时我拽你的头发，好像还是昨天的事。天哪，时间过得真快！”
“两个孩子中有一个比你大呢，不用说话像奶奶那样。我自诩已经是个‘长大的先生’，像佩格蒂说大卫·科波菲尔[2]的那样。看到艾美时，你会发现她是个相当早熟的孩子。”劳里说。他看着她那副母亲的神气感到好笑。
“你岁数可能比我大一点，可是我感情上比你老成得多，特迪。女人总是这样的。而且这一年过得那样艰难，我感到自己都奔四了呢。”
“可怜的乔！我们丢下你，让你独自承受，而自己却在玩乐。你是老了些。这里有条皱纹，那里还有一条。除了笑时，你的眼神都透着悲哀。刚才我摸过枕头，发现上面有泪滴。你承受了那么多，而且不得不独自忍受。我是个多么自私的家伙！”劳里面带悔恨，拽着自己的头发。
然而，乔只是把那泄露秘密的枕头翻过去，尽量轻松愉快地答道：“不对，我有爸妈帮我，有可爱的婴孩安慰我，还想到你和艾美安全、幸福，这些都使这里的麻烦容易忍受些了。有的时候，我是感到孤独，可是，我敢说那对我有好处，而且——”
“你再也不会孤独了。”劳里打断她。他用胳膊拢住她，仿佛要挡住人间的一切不幸。“我和艾美没有你没法生活的，所以你必须来教‘两个孩子’管家，就像以前那样，凡事均对半分。让我们爱你，大家在一起幸福美满，友好相处。”
“假如我不碍事的话，那敢情好了。我又开始感到年轻了，你一来我所有的麻烦似乎都飞走了。你总是让人感到安慰，特迪。”乔将头靠到了劳里的肩上，就像几年前贝丝生病躺在那里，劳里让她抓住他那样。
他低头看看她，想知道她是否还记得那个时候。但是乔顾自笑着，仿佛他的到来真的使麻烦全都消失了。
“你还是那个乔，一下掉泪，一下笑的。现在你看着有点顽皮，想什么呢，奶奶？”
“我在想你和艾美在一起过得怎样。”
“过得像天使一样快乐！”
“那当然。开始是这样，可是谁说了算呢？”
“我不介意告诉你，现在是她说了算，至少我让她这么认为——你看，这样她高兴。将来我们会轮流的。据说，婚姻中均分权力会使责任加倍。”
“你会一发而不可收拾的，艾美会一辈子统治你的。”
“咳，她做得那样不知不觉，我想我不会太在乎的。她这种妇人知道如何统治好男人的。事实上，我倒挺喜欢那样。她就像绕一束丝绸一般，轻柔漂亮地将你绕在她手指上，左右你，却使你感到仿佛她始终在给你帮忙。”
“居然让我看到你成为妻管炎的丈夫，真惬意！”乔举起双手叫道。
只见他挺起肩膀，带着男子汉的蔑视神情对那讥讽一笑置之。他“神气活现”地回答：“艾美有教养，不会那样做的，我也不是那种屈从的人。我们互相尊重，不会强横霸道，也不会争吵的。”
乔喜欢这样，认为新出现的尊严很适宜。不过，那男孩仿佛很快在长大成人，使她快乐之中夹杂着遗憾。
“那肯定。你和艾美从来不像我们俩那样争吵。她是那寓言故事里的太阳，我是风。记得吗？太阳对付男人最灵。”
“她既能让他屈服，也能照耀他。”劳里笑了，“我在尼斯受了什么样的训话啊！我保证，那比你任何一次责骂都厉害得多——刺激可大了。改日我来告诉你——她绝不会告诉你的，因为她告诉我，说她看不起我，为我感到羞耻。话刚说完，她便爱上了那卑鄙的家伙，并嫁给了那个窝囊废。”
“那么下贱啊！好吧，假如她骂你，找我好了，我来保你。”
“看来我需要有人来保的，是不是？”劳里说着站起来摆出架子，这时，传来了艾美的声音：“她在哪里？我亲爱的乔在哪里？”劳里的威严神态旋即转为狂喜了。
全家人列队进入，大家又都拥抱、亲吻了一遍。好不容易，三个漂泊者最后坐定，让大家都看着他们，表达高兴。劳伦斯先生还是那么精神矍铄，和另外两人一样，出国旅行改善了他的精神面貌，固执的脾气似乎也一扫而光，他那传统的礼节也得到了提升，显得更加和蔼可亲。他叫这对新人“我的孩子们”。他对他们的笑真叫怡人。更妙的是，艾美待老人像女儿一样孝顺亲热，使老人心满意足。最妙的是，劳里围着他团团转，欣赏着这一老一少组成的美景，好像永远都看不够。
美格的目光一落到艾美身上，便意识到自己的服装没有巴黎人的风味。小劳伦斯太太会使小莫法特太太都黯然失色的，那位女士可是个地地道道、非常优雅有风度的妇人。乔观察着这对新人，想着：“他俩在一起看着多么般配啊！我做对了，劳里找到了美丽、出色的女孩。她比笨拙的老乔更适合他的家庭，她会成为他的骄傲，而不是他的烦恼。”马奇太太和丈夫面露喜色，他们相互点头微笑着。他们看到小女儿做得很好，不仅待人接物入情入理，而且也得到了爱情、自信、幸福这些更好的财富。
艾美的脸庞柔和文静，神采奕奕，显示出内心的宁静。她的声音里新添了一种柔情，冷漠拘谨的仪表变成了文雅端庄、妩媚动人。小巧的装饰并没有影响她整体的气质，热诚美好的举止，显得比以前的优雅或者新婚的美貌更为迷人，因为它立刻明白无误地使她印上了一个真正的淑女标记，以前她多么希望这样啊。
“爱情使我们的小女儿变了许多。”妈妈和蔼地说。
“她一生都有个好榜样，亲爱的。”马奇先生低声回答，他深情地看了一眼身旁那张神情憔悴的脸和头发灰白的头。
戴茜的眼睛离不开她的“漂良（亮）阿姨”，于是就像巴儿狗似的把自己系在了那充满了诱惑的神奇女主人身上。戴米先是顾盼着，怔怔地考虑这新出现的关系，后来便性急地接受了贿赂，归降了。诱人的贿赂是从伯尔尼带来的一组木熊玩具。然而，一阵侧翼包抄迫使他无条件地就范了，因为劳里知道怎样对付他。
“小伙子，第一次有幸认识你时，就打我的脸。现在我要求绅士般的决斗。”说着，高个子姨父便着手将小外甥抛着、揉着，那动作既破坏了他雅士的尊严，也逗乐了他孩子般的内心。
“哎呀，她从头到脚穿着丝绸！你看她坐在那儿神采扬扬（飞扬），听大家管小艾美叫劳伦斯太太，真有趣的场面！”老汉娜咕哝着。她一边在绝对胡乱地摆着桌子，一边忍不住频频透过滑门朝里张望。
天哪，瞧他们是怎么说话的！你一言，我一语，接着大家一起七嘴八舌起来，都想在半个钟头内把三年的事情讲完。幸好茶点准备好了，为大家提供了喘息机会，叫做茶歇。再那样说下去，他们都会嗓子沙哑，头昏眼花的。一队人马鱼贯进入了小餐厅，真是非常愉快的队列！马奇先生自豪地护送着劳伦斯太太，马奇太太则同样骄傲地依在新女婿的臂上。老先生对乔耳语道：“现在你得当我女儿了。”他拉着她的手，瞥了一眼炉火边那个空角落，乔双唇颤抖着低声回答：“我会尽量填补她的位置的，先生。”
那对双胞胎在后面欢跳着。他们感到千禧年就在眼前，因为大家都忙着应酬新来的人，丢下他俩任意狂欢。可以确信的是，机会难得，他们不会错过。君不见，他们偷偷呷了几口茶，随意把姜饼装进嘴巴，每人拿了一个热松饼。登峰造极的是，他们每人往小口袋里塞了一个诱人的果酱馅饼，结果馅饼粘在那里，捣乱地变成了碎屑，这开导了他们，原来人性和馅饼都很脆弱。他们兜里藏着馅饼，心中不安，担心乔乔姨锐利的眼睛会穿透那薄薄的麻纱布衣和美利奴绒线衣，里面可隐藏着赃物。所以，小罪人们紧贴着没有戴眼镜的“外东（公）”。艾美刚才像点心似的被大伙儿传来传去，这时靠着劳伦斯爸爸的肩臂，回到客厅，其余的人像方才进去一样捉对出来了。这样一来只剩下乔没了伴儿。当时她没在意，因为她滞留在餐厅，回答着汉娜急切的询问。
“艾美小姐要坐那四轱辘马车吗？要用那边储藏的漂亮银盘子吃饭吗？”
“要是她驾着六匹白马，天天用金盘子吃饭，戴钻石戒指，穿针绣花边衣，也不奇怪。特迪认为怎么善待她都不过分。”乔心满意足地回答。
“那我无题可问！你早饭吃杂烩还是鱼丸子？”汉娜问。她巧妙地将诗歌和散文混在了讲话里。
“我随便。”乔关上了门。她感到此时食物是个不投机的话题。乔站了片刻，看着那群人上楼消失。随着戴米穿着格子呢裤子，迈着短腿，吃力地爬上最后一级楼梯，她心头突然涌上一股强烈的孤独感。她眼睛模糊了，环视四周，似乎要寻找可以依靠的东西，因为连特迪都离她而去了。如果她知道，随着时间一分分逝去，有件令她惊喜的生日礼物正在向她靠近，她就不会想：“等我上床后，再稍微哭一下。现在哭丧着脸还不行。”然后，她用手擦了一下眼睛——这是她的一个习惯，颇具男孩风格，从来都不知道手帕在哪里——她刚装出一副笑脸，大门上就传来敲门声。
她好客地急忙开门，不禁吓了一跳，仿佛又来了个幽灵，令她惊喜不已。门口站着一位先生，高个子，络腮胡，在黑暗中冲着她笑，俨然午夜的太阳。
“啊，巴尔先生。见到你真的高兴！”乔一把抓住他喊道，仿佛唯恐他还没被请进来，就被黑夜吞噬了。
“我来见马希小姐——不，你们有聚会——”听到楼上传来说话声和跳舞声，教授便停住了。
“不是的，都是家里人。我妹妹和几个朋友刚回国，我们都很高兴。进来吧，和我们一起玩。”
虽然是个爱交际的人，可我想巴尔先生还是会知趣地走开，改天再来。这时，乔躲在他身后关上了门，夺下他的帽子，他又怎么走呢？也许她的笑容起了特别的作用，见到他，乔忘了掩饰内心的喜悦，于是便坦率地表露。这对这位孤独的先生具有不可抵抗的诱惑力，欢迎仪式远远超出了他最大胆的想象。
“要是我不是‘多余先生’的话，倒很高兴见见大家。你生病了，朋友？”
他突然提出这个问题。乔替他挂衣服时，灯光照到她脸上，他注意到了些许变化。
“没有病，倒是累，还有点伤心。离开你以后，我们遇到了麻烦。”
“啊，是，我知道。听说那事，我很伤心！”他又和她握握手，一脸同情，从那双和蔼的眼睛和温暖大手的握力，乔感受到无比宽慰。
“爸爸，妈妈，这是我的朋友，巴尔教授。”她介绍说，神情和口吻里都有一种不可抑制的自豪和喜悦，不亚于吹着喇叭、载歌载舞地开门迎接。
陌生人若是对自己会受到的接待起先没有底，受到热忱迎接后，疑虑便烟消云散了。每个人都亲切地问候他，起先是看在乔的分上，可不久便喜欢上了他。她们不由自主，因为他身上的法宝，能让所有人都敞开心胸。这些淳朴的人立刻对他热情起来，因为他贫穷，她们反而感到更加友好。贫穷使生活小康的人们更加富有，是使他们真正表现出好客的万能钥匙。巴尔先生坐着，环顾四周，仿佛是一个旅行者敲开了陌生人家的大门，等门打开，却发现自己回到了家。孩子们围着他，就像蜜蜂围着蜜罐。两个孩子一条腿上坐一个，童年无忌，上去搜他的口袋，拔他的胡子，摆弄他的表，想引起他的注意。女人们互递眼色，表示赞许，马奇先生找到了知音，为他的客人打开了话匣子，述说他最精辟的话题。沉默寡言的约翰听着，欣赏这番谈话，只是一个字都没说。劳伦斯先生发现，要去睡觉是不可能的了。
要不是乔在忙着，她会被劳里的表现逗乐的。一阵轻微的刺痛，不是出于忌妒，而是出于些许怀疑，这位先生一时超然，带着兄长般的慎重观察新来者，但为时不长。后来他不由自主地产生了兴趣，不知不觉被吸引进那一圈人中。在这样亲切的氛围里，巴尔先生的口才充分发挥了出来。他极少对劳里说话，却常看他。他看着风华正茂的年轻人，脸上便会掠过一丝阴影，仿佛为自己失去的青春遗憾。然后，他的眼睛便会渴望地转向乔。假如乔看到了他的眼神，肯定会回答那无声的询问。可是乔得管住自己的双眼，觉得不能放任。她谨慎地让眼睛盯着正在织的小袜子，像是个模范的独身姑妈。
乔不时地偷看一眼，就像风尘仆仆赶路之后饮几口清水一样，这很提神，因为在侧面扫视中，几个吉兆露头了。第一，巴尔先生的脸上丢弃了心不在焉的表情，他精神抖擞，兴致勃勃。她认为，眼前的这位绅士还颇为年轻英俊呢。她忘了将他和劳里比较，对陌生人她通常这样做，这对他们大为不利。第二，巴尔似乎很有灵感，虽然谈话转到了古人的丧葬习俗。无论如何，这不能看做是令人兴奋的话题。当特迪在一场争论中被驳得哑口无言时，乔得意得脸上放光。她看着爸爸神情专注的脸，心里想道：“每天都有教授这样的谈友，该有多乐啊！”最后，巴尔先生穿着黑色新西服，这样一来，显得分外像绅士。浓密的头发剪了，梳理得很整齐，可好景不长，他一激动起来，便故态复萌，把它弄得滑稽不堪。比起平整的头发，乔更喜欢他头发乱竖着，她认为那样使他漂亮的额头带上了朱庇特[3]式的样子。可怜的乔，她是怎样赞美着那个其貌不扬的人哪！她坐在那儿，默默地织着袜子，但什么也没逃脱她的眼睛，她甚至注意到巴尔先生洁净的袖口上有着金光闪闪的扣子。
“亲爱的老兄！哪怕去求婚，他也不可能更精心地装扮自己了。”乔心里想着。这句话突然使她灵魂深处一闪念，她的脸陡然红了起来，只好将线团丢下，弯腰去拣，借机遮住脸。
然而，这个小动作并不像她预期的那样成功，因为，用比喻的说法，教授正在为火葬堆点火呢，见状放下了火把，躬身去捡那蓝色小线团。当然，他们两人的头猛地撞到了一起，撞得眼冒金星。两个人红着脸直起身来，大笑，都没有拾到线团。他们回到了各自的座位，心里后悔不该离座。
没有谁意识到夜已深了，汉娜早就巧妙地挪走了孩子。他们打着盹，就像两朵粉红的罂粟花。劳伦斯先生回家休息了。剩下的人围炉而坐，不停地谈着，完全不顾时间的流逝。后来，美格的母性脑袋里产生了坚定的信念：戴茜肯定摔到床下去了，戴米想必在研究着火柴的结构，睡衣定是被点着了。于是她动身回家了。
“歌得唱吧，就像以前那样，为我们的团聚。”乔说。她觉得，引吭高歌可以尽情而又稳妥地宣泄自己心中的喜悦之情。
其实，并不是人人都到齐了，可是没有谁觉得乔的话没头没脑，不正确。因为贝丝似乎还在他们中间，无形却无处不在。她甚至比以前更亲爱。爱使家庭同盟坚不可摧，死亡也不能将其拆散。那张小椅子放在老地方，整洁的工作篮还放在惯常的架子上，篮子里装着她因缝衣针“很重”而没完成的针线活，那张心爱的钢琴没有移动地方，现在很少有人去碰它。贝丝安详的笑脸就在钢琴上方，像以前那样，俯视着他们，仿佛在说：“快乐一点吧，我就在这里。”
“弹点什么吧，艾美。让大家听听你有了多大的长进。”劳里说。他对他有出息的学生满怀自豪，这情有可原。
可是艾美噙着热泪，转动着那张褪了色的琴凳，低声说：“今晚不弹了，亲爱的。今晚我不能炫耀。”
然而，她确实露了一手，这一手比才华或琴艺更好，她唱起贝丝常唱的歌来。声音里充满柔情，这是最好的老师也教不出来的。任何其他的灵感都不能赋予她更甜美的震撼力量，它打动了听者的心弦。唱到贝丝最喜欢的赞美诗中最后一句时，那清亮的歌声突然卡住了，屋子里非常安静。很难说出口：
“人世间没有天堂治愈不了的痛苦。”
艾美靠在站在她身后的丈夫身上，她感到没有贝丝的亲吻，她回国接风仪式便不完美。
“好了，我们以《米娘之歌》结束吧，巴尔先生会唱的。”没等艾美的停顿使人难受起来，乔赶紧说。巴尔先生喜悦地清清嗓子，哼了一声。他走到乔站着的角落说：
“你和我一起合唱好吗？我俩配合非常好。”
顺便说一句，这可是个可爱的谎话，因为，乔对音乐一窍不通，哪怕拉一只蚂蚱合唱也不过如此。但是，即便教授提议唱整个一出歌剧，乔也会同意的。她颤声唱了起来，喜悦中也不管是否合拍合调。这没多大关系，巴尔先生像个真正的德国人那样起劲地唱着，他唱得不错。很快，乔的声音便降为轻柔的低哼了，这样她便可以听着那似乎专为她唱的圆润歌声。
你知道那个香橼盛开的国家吗？
这曾经是教授最喜欢的一句歌词，因为那个国家对他来说，指的是德国。但是，现在他却似乎带着特别热情和旋律，拖长了下面的歌词：
那里，哦，那里，我愿和你一起，
我亲爱的，去吧。
这深情的邀请，使一个听众激动不已，她极想说，她真的知道那个国家，只要他愿意，她随时欣然前往。
歌唱得非常成功，演唱者载誉而退。可是，几分钟后，他瞪眼看着艾美戴上帽子，完全忘记了礼貌，因为乔只简单地介绍她为“自己的妹妹”。从他进屋起，没有谁叫她的新名字。后来他更加忘乎所以了，因为劳里在告别时，以他最优雅的风度说道：
“我和我妻子为见到你深感荣幸，先生。别忘了，我们随时欢迎你大驾光临。”
于是，教授由衷地向他致谢，满怀喜悦，神采飞扬。劳里认为教授是他见过的最令人愉快、感情外露的老兄。
“我也该走了。不过亲爱的太太，如果您允许的话，我会乐意再来的。我城里有点小事务，将在这里逗留几天。”
他对马奇太太说着话，眼睛却看着乔。妈妈的声音和女儿的眼色都真心诚意地表示同意。不像莫法特太太设想的那样，马奇太太并非不明白家里孩子们的心事。
“我觉得那人很聪明。”等客人们都走了，马奇先生站在炉火边的地毯上评论道。他平心静气，带着满足感。
“看得出来，他是个好人。”马奇太太一边给时钟上发条，一边赞许地补充道，显得很肯定。
“我早就觉得你们会喜欢他的。”乔就说了这一句，说完便溜走睡觉去了。
她感到奇怪，什么事让巴尔先生来到这个城里，最后断定他是被指派到某地担任某个要职，可他很谦虚，不愿说出真相。他回到了自己的房间，肯定没人看见了。他看着相片中的年轻小姐，头发浓密，神情严肃、古板，她仿佛忧郁地凝视着未来。她要是看到他这时的神色，特别是当他吹灯后，在黑暗中亲吻这张相片，她一切都会明白的。
* * *
[1]狄更斯的小说人物。
[2]狄更斯小说人物，保姆和小主人关系。
[3]罗马神话中的主神。
CHAPTER 43 SURPRISES
JO WAS ALONE in the twilight, lying on the old sofa, looking at the fire, and thinking. It was her favorite way of spending the hour of dusk. No one disturbed her, and she used to lie there on Beth's little red pillow, planning stories, dreaming dreams, or thinking tender thoughts of the sister who never seemed far away. Her face looked tired, grave, and rather sad, for tomorrow was her birthday, and she was thinking how fast the years went by, how old she was getting, and how little she seemed to have accomplished. Almost twenty-five, and nothing to show for it. Jo was mistaken in that. There was a good deal to show, and by-and-by she saw, and was grateful for it.
“An old maid, that's what I'm to be. A literary spinster, with a pen for a spouse, a family of stories for children, and twenty years hence a morsel of fame, perhaps; when, like poor Johnson, I'm old and can't enjoy it, solitary, and can't share it, independent, and don't need it. Well, I needn't be a sour saint nor a selfish sinner, and, I dare say, old maids are very comfortable when they get used to it, but—” And there Jo sighed, as if the prospect was not inviting.
It seldom is, at first, and thirty seems the end of all things to five-and-twenty. But it's not as bad as it looks, and one can get on quite happily if one has something in one's self to fall back upon. At twenty-five, girls begin to talk about being old maids, but secretly resolve that they never will be. At thirty they say nothing about it, but quietly accept the fact, and if sensible, console themselves by remembering that they have twenty more useful, happy years, in which they may be learning to grow old gracefully. Don't laugh at the spinsters, dear girls, for often very tender, tragic romances are hidden away in the hearts that beat so quietly under the sober gowns, and many silent sacrifices of youth, health, ambition, love itself, make the faded faces beautiful in God's sight. Even the sad, sour sisters should be kindly dealt with, because they have missed the sweetest part of life, if for no other reason. And, looking at them with compassion, not contempt, girls in their bloom should remember that they too may miss the blossom time. That rosy cheeks don't last forever, that silver threads will come in the bonnie brown hair, and that, by-and-by, kindness and respect will be as sweet as love and admiration now.
Gentlemen, which means boys, be courteous to the old maids, no matter how poor and plain and prim, for the only chivalry worth having is that which is the readiest to pay deference to the old, protect the feeble, and serve womankind, regardless of rank, age, or color. Just recollect the good aunts who have not only lectured and fussed, but nursed and petted, too often without thanks; the scrapes they have helped you out of, the tips they have given you from their small store, the stitches the patient old fingers have set for you, the steps the willing old feet have taken, and gratefully pay the dear old ladies the little attentions that women love to receive as long as they live. The bright-eyed girls are quick to see such traits, and will like you all the better for them; and if death, almost the only power that can part mother and son, should rob you of yours, you will be sure to find a tender welcome and maternal cherishing from some Aunt Priscilla, who has kept the warmest corner of her lonely old heart for “the best nevvy in the world”.
Jo must have fallen asleep (as I dare say my reader has during this little homily), for suddenly Laurie's ghost seemed to stand before her—a substantial, lifelike ghost—leaning over her with the very look he used to wear when he felt a good deal and didn't like to show it. But, like Jenny in the ballad—
She could not think it he,
and lay staring up at him in startled silence, till he stooped and kissed her. Then she knew him, and flew up, crying joyfully—
“Oh my Teddy! Oh my Teddy! ”
“Dear Jo, you are glad to see me, then? ”
“Glad! My blessed boy, words can't express my gladness. Where's Amy? ”
“Your mother has got her down at Meg's. We stopped there by the way, and there was no getting my wife out of their clutches.”
“Your what? ” cried Jo, for Laurie uttered those two words with an unconscious pride and satisfaction which betrayed him.
“Oh, the dickens! Now I've done it.” And he looked so guilty that Jo was down on him like a flash.
“You've gone and got married! ”
“Yes, please, but I never will again.” And he went down upon his knees, with a penitent clasping of hands, and a face full of mischief, mirth, and triumph.
“Actually married? ”
“Very much so, thank you.”
“Mercy on us. What dreadful thing will you do next? ” And Jo fell into her seat with a gasp.
“A characteristic, but not exactly complimentary, congratulation, ”returned Laurie, still in an abject attitude, but beaming with satisfaction.
“What can you expect, when you take one's breath away, creeping in like a burglar, and letting cats out of bags like that? Get up, you ridiculous boy, and tell me all about it.”
“Not a word, unless you let me come in my old place, and promise not to barricade.”
Jo laughed at that as she had not done for many a long day, and patted the sofa invitingly, as she said in a cordial tone, “The old pillow is up garret, and we don't need it now. So, come and fess, Teddy.”
“How good it sounds to hear you say ‘Teddy! ' No one ever calls me that but you.” And Laurie sat down with an air of great content.
“What does Amy call you? ”
“My lord.”
“That's like her. Well, you look it.” And Jo's eye plainly betrayed that she found her boy comelier than ever.
The pillow was gone, but there was a barricade, nevertheless—a natural one, raised by time, absence, and change of heart. Both felt it, and for a minute looked at one another as if that invisible barrier cast a little shadow over them. It was gone directly, however, for Laurie said, with a vain attempt at dignity—
“Don't I look like a married man and the head of a family? ”
“Not a bit, and you never will. You've grown bigger and bonnier, but you are the same scapegrace as ever.”
“Now really, Jo, you ought to treat me with more respect, ” began Laurie, who enjoyed it all immensely.
“How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can't keep sober! ” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
“It's no use your going out in the cold to get Amy, for they are all coming up presently. I couldn't wait; I wanted to be the one to tell you the grand surprise, and have ‘first skim' as we used to say when we squabbled about the cream.”
“Of course you did, and spoiled your story by beginning at the wrong end. Now, start right, and tell me how it all happened. I'm pining to know.”
“Well, I did it to please Amy, ” began Laurie, with a twinkle that made Jo exclaim—
“Fib number one. Amy did it to please you. Go on, and tell the truth, if you can, sir.”
“Now she's beginning to marm it. Isn't it jolly to hear her? ” said Laurie to the fire, and the fire glowed and sparkled as if it quite agreed. “It's all the same, you know, she and I being one. We planned to come home with the Carrols, a month or more ago, but they suddenly changed their minds, and decided to pass another winter in Paris. But Grandpa wanted to come home. He went to please me, and I couldn't let him go alone, neither could I leave Amy, and Mrs. Carrol had got English notions about chaperons and such nonsense, and wouldn't let Amy come with us. So I just settled the difficulty by saying, ‘Let's be married, and then we can do as we like.'”
“Of course you did. You always have things to suit you.”
“Not always.” And something in Laurie's voice made Jo say hastily—
“How did you ever get Aunt to agree? ”
“It was hard work, but between us, we talked her over, for we had heaps of good reasons on our side. There wasn't time to write and ask leave, but you all liked it, had consented to it by-and-by, and it was only‘taking time by the fetlock, ' as my wife says.”
“Aren't we proud of those two words, and don't we like to say them? ”interrupted Jo, addressing the fire in her turn, and watching with delight the happy light it seemed to kindle in the eyes that had been so tragically gloomy when she saw them last.
“A trifle, perhaps, she's such a captivating little woman I can't help being proud of her. Well, then Uncle and Aunt were there to play propriety. We were so absorbed in one another we were of no mortal use apart, and that charming arrangement would make everything easy all round, so we did it.”
“When, where, how? ” asked Jo, in a fever of feminine interest and curiosity, for she could not realize it a particle.
“Six weeks ago, at the American consul's, in Paris; a very quiet wedding of course, for even in our happiness we didn't forget dear little Beth.”
Jo put her hand in his as he said that, and Laurie gently smoothed the little red pillow, which he remembered well.
“Why didn't you let us know afterward? ” asked Jo, in a quieter tone, when they had sat quite still a minute.
“We wanted to surprise you. We thought we were coming directly home, at first, but the dear old gentleman, as soon as we were married, found he couldn't be ready under a month, at least, and sent us off to spend our honeymoon wherever we liked. Amy had once called Valrosa a regular honeymoon home, so we went there, and were as happy as people are but once in their lives. My faith! Wasn't it love among the roses! ”
Laurie seemed to forget Jo for a minute, and Jo was glad of it, for the fact that he told her these things so freely and so naturally assured her that he had quite forgiven and forgotten. She tried to draw away her hand, but as if he guessed the thought that prompted the half-involuntary impulse, Laurie held it fast, and said, with a manly gravity she had never seen in him before—
“Jo, dear, I want to say one thing, and then we'll put it by forever. As I told you in my letter when I wrote that Amy had been so kind to me, I never shall stop loving you; but the love is altered, and I have learned to see that it is better as it is. Amy and you changed places in my heart, that's all. I think it was meant to be so, and would have come about naturally, if I had waited, as you tried to make me; but I never could be patient, and so I got a heartache. I was a boy then, headstrong and violent; and it took a hard lesson to show me my mistake.For it was one,Jo,as you said,and I found it out, after making a fool of myself. Upon my word, I was so tumbled up in my mind, at one time, that I didn't know which I loved best, you or Amy, and tried to love you both alike. But I couldn't, and when I saw her in Switzerland, everything seemed to clear up all at once. You both got into your right places, and I felt sure that it was well off with the old love before it was on with the new; that I could honestly share my heart between sister Jo and wife Amy, and love them dearly. Will you believe it, and go back to the happy old times when we first knew one another? ”
“I'll believe it, with all my heart, but, Teddy, we never can be boy and girl again: the happy old times can't come back, and we mustn't expect it. We are man and woman now, with sober work to do, for playtime is over, and we must give up frolicking. I'm sure you feel this. I see the change in you, and you'll find it in me. I shall miss my boy, but I shall love the man as much, and admire him more, because he means to be what I hoped he would. We can't be little playmates any longer, but we will be brother and sister, to love and help one another all our lives, won't we, Laurie? ”
He did not say a word, but took the hand she offered him, and laid his face down on it for a minute, feeling that out of the grave of a boyish passion, there had risen a beautiful, strong friendship to bless them both. Presently Jo said cheerfully, for she didn't want the coming home to be a sad one, “I can't make it true that you children are really married, and going to set up housekeeping. Why, it seems only yesterday that I was buttoning Amy's pinafore, and pulling your hair when you teased. Mercy me, how time does fly! ”
“As one of the children is older than yourself, you needn't talk so like a grandma. I flatter myself I'm a ‘gentleman growed' as Peggotty said of David, and when you see Amy, you'll find her rather a precocious infant, ”said Laurie, looking amused at her maternal air.
“You may be a little older in years, but I'm ever so much older in feeling, Teddy. Women always are, and this last year has been such a hard one that I feel forty.”
“Poor Jo! We left you to bear it alone, while we went pleasuring. You are older.Here's a line,and there's another.Unless you smile,your eyes look sad, and when I touched the cushion, just now, I found a tear on it. You've had a great deal to bear, and had to bear it all alone. What a selfish beast I've been! ” And Laurie pulled his own hair, with a remorseful look.
But Jo only turned over the traitorous pillow, and answered, in a tone which she tried to make more cheerful, “No, I had Father and Mother to help me, and the dear babies to comfort me, and the thought that you and Amy were safe and happy,to make the troubles here easier to bear.I am lonely, sometimes, but I dare say it's good for me, and—”
“You never shall be again, ” broke in Laurie, putting his arm about her, as if to fence out every human ill. “Amy and I can't get on without you, so you must come and teach ‘the children' to keep house, and go halves in everything, just as we used to do, and let us pet you, and all be blissfully happy and friendly together.”
“If I shouldn't be in the way, it would be very pleasant. I begin to feel quite young already, for somehow all my troubles seemed to fly away when you came. You always were a comfort, Teddy.” And Jo leaned her head on his shoulder, just as she did years ago, when Beth lay ill and Laurie told her to hold on to him.
He looked down at her, wondering if she remembered the time, but Jo was smiling to herself,as if,in truth,her troubles had all vanished at his coming.
“You are the same Jo still, dropping tears about one minute, and laughing the next. You look a little wicked now. What is it, Grandma? ”
“I was wondering how you and Amy get on together.”
“Like angels! ”
“Yes, of course, but which rules? ”
“I don't mind telling you that she does now, at least I let her think so—it pleases her, you know. By-and-by we shall take turns, for marriage, they say, halves one's rights and doubles one's duties.”
“You'll go on as you begin, and Amy will rule you all the days of your life.”
“Well, she does it so imperceptibly that I don't think I shall mind much. She is the sort of woman who knows how to rule well. In fact, I rather like it, for she winds one round her finger as softly and prettily as a skein of silk, and makes you feel as if she was doing you a favor all the while.”
“That ever I should live to see you a henpecked husband and enjoying it! ” cried Jo, with uplifted hands.
It was good to see Laurie square his shoulders, and smile with masculine scorn at that insinuation, as he replied, with his “high and mighty” air, “Amy is too well-bred for that, and I am not the sort of man to submit to it. My wife and I respect ourselves and one another too much ever to tyrannize or quarrel.”
Jo liked that, and thought the new dignity very becoming, but the boy seemed changing very fast into the man, and regret mingled with her pleasure.
“I am sure of that. Amy and you never did quarrel as we used to. She is the sun and I the wind, in the fable, and the sun managed the man best,you remember.”
“She can blow him up as well as shine on him, ” laughed Laurie. “Such a lecture as I got at Nice! I give you my word it was a deal worse than any of your scoldings—a regular rouser.I'll tell you all about it sometime—she never will, because after telling me that she despised and was ashamed of me, she lost her heart to the despicable party and married the good-for-nothing.”
“What baseness! Well, if she abuses you, come to me, and I'll defend you.”
“I look as if I needed it, don't I? ” said Laurie, getting up and striking an attitude which suddenly changed from the imposing to the rapturous, as Amy's voice was heard calling, “Where is she? Where's my dear old Jo? ”
In trooped the whole family, and everyone was hugged and kissed all over again, and after several vain attempts, the three wanderers were set down to be looked at and exulted over. Mr. Laurence, hale and hearty as ever, was quite as much improved as the others by his foreign tour, for the crustiness seemed to be nearly gone, and the old-fashioned courtliness had received a polish which made it kindlier than ever. It was good to see him beam at “my children”, as he called the young pair. It was better still to see Amy pay him the daughterly duty and affection which completely won his old heart, and best of all, to watch Laurie revolve about the two, as if never tired of enjoying the pretty picture they made.
The minute she put her eyes upon Amy, Meg became conscious that her own dress hadn't a Parisian air, that young Mrs. Moffat would be entirely eclipsed by young Mrs. Laurence, and that “her ladyship” was altogether a most elegant and graceful woman. Jo thought, as she watched the pair, “How well they look together! I was right, and Laurie has found the beautiful, accomplished girl who will become his home better than clumsy old Jo, and be a pride, not a torment to him.” Mrs. March and her husband smiled and nodded at each other with happy faces, for they saw that their youngest had done well, not only in worldly things, but the better wealth of love, confidence, and happiness.
For Amy's face was full of the soft brightness which betokens a peaceful heart, her voice had a new tenderness in it, and the cool, prim carriage was changed to a gentle dignity, both womanly and winning. No little affectations marred it, and the cordial sweetness of her manner was more charming than the new beauty or the old grace, for it stamped her at once with the unmistakable sign of the true gentlewoman she had hoped to become.
“Love has done much for our little girl, ” said her mother softly.
“She has had a good example before her all her life, my dear, ” Mr. March whispered back, with a loving look at the worn face and gray head beside him.
Daisy found it impossible to keep her eyes off her “pitty aunty”, but attached herself like a lap dog to the wonderful chatelaine full of delightful charms. Demi paused to consider the new relationship before he compromised himself by the rash acceptance of a bribe, which took the tempting form of a family of wooden bears from Berne. A flank movement produced an unconditional surrender, however, for Laurie knew where to have him.
“Young man, when I first had the honor of making your acquaintance you hit me in the face: now I demand the satisfaction of a gentleman, ” and with that the tall uncle proceeded to toss and tousle the small nephew in a way that damaged his philosophical dignity as much as it delighted his boyish soul.
“Blest if she ain't in silk from head to foot; ain't it a relishin' sight to see her settin' there as fine as a fiddle, and hear folks calling little Amy, Mis. Laurence? ” muttered old Hannah, who could not resist frequent peeks through the slide as she set the table in a most decidedly promiscuous manner.
Mercy on us, how they did talk! First one, then the other, then all burst out together, trying to tell the history of three years in half an hour. It was fortunate that tea was at hand, to produce a lull and provide refreshment, for they would have been hoarse and faint if they had gone on much longer. Such a happy procession as filed away into the little dining room! Mr. March proudly escorted Mrs. Laurence. Mrs. March as proudly leaned on the arm of “my son”. The old gentleman took Jo, with a whispered, “You must be my girl now, ” and a glance at the empty corner by the fire, that made Jo whisper back, “I'll try to fill her place, sir.”
The twins pranced behind, feeling that the millennium was at hand, for everyone was so busy with the newcomers that they were left to revel at their own sweet will, and you may be sure they made the most of the opportunity. Didn't they steal sips of tea, stuff gingerbrea
