\"Hemighthave,andhurthimverymuch。Ouractionsareinourownhands,buttheconsequencesofthemarenot。Rememberthat,mydear,andthinktwicebeforeyoudoanything。\"
\"Yes,\'m,Iwill\";andJillcomposedherselftoconsiderwhatmissionariesusuallydidwhenthenativeshurledtomahawksandboomerangsatoneanother,anddefiedtherulersoftheland。
Mrs。Minotwroteonepageofanewletter,thenstopped,pushedherpapersabout,thoughtalittle,andfinallygotup,saying,asifshefounditimpossibletoresisttheyearningofherheartforthenaughtyboy,\"IamgoingtoseeifJackiscoveredup,heissohelpless,andliabletotakecold。Don\'tstirtillIcomeback。\"
\"No,\'m,Iwon\'t。\"
AwaywentthetenderparenttofindhersonstudyingCaesarfordearlife,andallthemoreamiableforthelittlegustwhichhadblownawaythetemporaryirritability。Thebrotherswereoftencalled\"ThunderandLightning,\"becauseFrankloweredandgrowledandwasagoodwhileclearingup,whileJack\'stempercameandwentlikeaflash,andtheairwasalltheclearerfortheescapeofdangerouselectricity。OfcourseMammahadtostopanddeliveralittlelecture,illustratedbysadtalesofpetulantboys,andpunctuatedwithkisseswhichtookofftheedgeoftheseafflictingnarratives。
Jillmeantimemeditatedmorallyonthesuperiorityofherowngoodtemperoverthehastyoneofherdearplaymate,andjustwhenshewasfeelingunusuallyupliftedandsecure,alas！likesomanyofus,shefell,inthemostdeplorablemanner。
Glancingabouttheroomforsomethingtodo,shesawasheetofpaperlyingexactlyoutofreach,whereithadflutteredfromthetableunperceived。AtfirsthereyerestedonitascarelesslyasitdidonthestraystampFrankhaddropped;then,asifonethingsuggestedtheother,shetookitintoherheadthatthepaperwasFrank\'scomposition,or,betterstill,anotetoAnnette,forthetwocorrespondedwhenabsenceorweatherpreventedthedailymeetingatschool。
\"Wouldn\'titbefuntokeepittillhegivesbackJack\'sstamps？Itwouldplaguehimsoifitwasanote,andIdobelieveitis,forcompo\'sdon\'tbeginwithtwowordsononeside。I\'llgetit,andJackandIwillplansomewaytopayhimoff,crossthing！\"
Forgettingherpromisenottostir,alsohowdishonorableitwastoreadotherpeople\'sletters,Jillcaughtupthelong—handledhook,ofteninusenow,andtriedtopullthepapernearer。Itwouldnotcomeatonce,foraseaminthecarpetheldit,andJillfearedtotearorcrumpleitifshewasnotverycareful。Thehookwasratherheavyandlongforhertomanage,andJackusuallydidthefishing,soshewasnotveryskilful;andjustasshewasgivingaparticularlyquickjerk,shelostherbalance,felloffthesofa,anddroppedthepolewithabang。
\"Oh,myback！\"wasallshecouldthinkorsayasshefeltthejarallthroughherlittlebody,andacorrespondingfearinherguiltylittlemindthatsomeonewouldcomeandfindoutthedoublemischiefshehadbeenat。Foramomentshelayquitestilltorecoverfromtheshock,thenasthepainpassedshebegantowonderhowsheshouldgetback,andlookedabouthertoseeifshecoulddoitalone。Shethoughtshecould,asthesofawasnearandshehadimprovedsomuchthatshecouldsitupalittleifthedoctorwouldhavelether。Shewasgatheringherselftogetherfortheeffort,when,withinarm\'sreachnow,shesawthetemptingpaper,andseizeditwithglee,forinspiteofherpredicamentshedidwanttoteaseFrank。Aglanceshowedthatitwasnotthecompositionnoranote,butthebeginningofaletterfromMrs。Minottohersister,andJillwasabouttolayitdownwhenherownnamecaughthereye,andshecouldnotresistreadingit。Hardwordstowriteofonesoyoung,doublyhardtoread,andimpossibletoforget。
\"DearLizzie,Jackcontinuestodoverywell,andwillsoonbeupagain。Butwebegintofearthatthelittlegirlispermanentlyinjuredintheback。Sheishere,andwedoourbestforher;butI
neverlookatherwithoutthinkingofLucindaSnow,who,youremember,wasbedriddenfortwentyyears,owingtoafallatfifteen。PoorlittleJaneydoesnotknowyet,andIhope\"——Thereitended,and\"poorlittleJaney\'s\"punishmentfordisobediencebeganthatinstant。Shethoughtshewasgettingwellbecauseshedidnotsufferallthetime,andeveryonespokecheerfullyabout\"byandby。\"Nowsheknewthetruth,andshuthereyeswithashiverasshesaid,low,toherself,\"Twentyyears！Icouldn\'tbearit;oh,Icouldn\'tbearit！\"
AverymiserableJilllayonthefloor,andforawhiledidnotcarewhocameandfoundher;thenthelastwordsoftheletter——\"I
hope\"——seemedtoshineacrosstheblacknessofthedreadful\"twentyyears\"andcheerherupabit,fordespairneverliveslonginyounghearts,andJillwasabravechild。
\"ThatiswhyMammysighssowhenshedressesme,andeveryoneissogoodtome。PerhapsMrs。Minotdoesn\'treallyknow,afterall。
ShewasdreadfullyscaredaboutJack,andheisgettingwell。I\'dliketoaskDoctor,buthemightfindOutabouttheletter。Oh,dear,whydidn\'tIkeepstillandletthehorridthingalone！\"
Asshethoughtthat,Jillpushedthepaperaway,pulledherselfup,andwithmuchpainfuleffortmanagedtogetbacktohersofa,whereshelaidherselfdownwithagroan,feelingasifthetwentyyearshadalreadypassedoverhersinceshetumbledoff。
\"I\'vetoldalie,forIsaidIwouldn\'tstir。I\'vehurtmyback,I\'vedoneameanthing,andI\'vegotpaidforit。AnicemissionaryIam;I\'dbetterbeginathome,asMammytoldmeto\";andJillgroanedagain,rememberinghermother\'swords。\"NowI\'vegotanothersecrettokeepallalone,forI\'dbeashamedtotellthegirls。IguessI\'llturnroundandstudymyspelling;thennoonewillseemyface。\"
Jilllookedthepictureofagood,industriouschildasshelaywithherbacktothelargetable,herbookheldsothatnothingwastobeseenbutonecheekandapairoflipsmovingbusily。Fortunately,itisdifficultforlittlesinnerstoactapart,and,evenifthefaceishidden,somethinginthebodyseemstobetraytheinternalremorseandshame。Usually,Jilllayflatandstill;nowherbackwasbentinapeculiarwayassheleanedoverherbook,andonefootwaggednervously,whileonthevisiblecheekwasaSpanishstampwithawoman\'sfacelookingthroughtheblackbars,verysuggestively,ifshehadknownit。Howlongtheminutesseemedtillsomeonecame,andwhataqueerlittlejumpherheartgavewhenMrs。
Minot\'svoicesaid,cheerfully,\"Jackisallright,and,Ideclare,soisJill。Ireallybelievethereisatelegraphstillworkingsomewherebetweenyoutwo,andeachknowswhattheotherisaboutwithoutwords。\"
\"Ididn\'thaveanyotherbookhandy,soIthoughtI\'dstudyawhile,\"
answeredJill,feelingthatshedeservednopraiseforherseemingindustry。
Shecastasidelongglanceasshespoke,andseeingthatMrs。
Minotwaslookingfortheletter,hidherfaceandlaysostillshecouldheartherustleofthepaperasitwastakenfromthefloor。Itwaswellshedidnotalsoseethequicklooktheladygaveherassheturnedtheletterandfoundaredstampstickingtotheunderside,forthisunluckylittlewitnesstoldthestory。
Mrs。Minotrememberedhavingseenthestamplyingclosetothesofawhenshelefttheroom,forshehadhadhalfamindtotakeittoJack,butdidnot,thinkingFrank\'splanhadsomeadvantages。
Shealsorecollectedthatapaperflewoffthetable,butbeinginhasteshehadnotstoppedtoseewhatitwas。Now,thestampandthelettercouldhardlyhavecometogetherwithouthands,fortheylayayardapart,andhere,also,ontheunwrittenportionofthepage,wasthemarkofasmallgreenthumb。Jillhadbeenwindingwoolforastripeinhernewafghan,andthegreenballlayonhersofa。ThesesignssuggestedandconfirmedwhatMrs。Minotdidnotwanttobelieve;sodidthevoice,attitude,andairofJill,allveryunlikeherusualopen,alertways。
Thekindladycouldeasilyforgivethereadingofherlettersincethegirlhadfoundsuchsadnewsthere,butthedangersofdisobediencewereseriousinhercase,andaglanceshowedthatshewassufferingeitherinmindorbody——perhapsboth。
\"Iwillwaitforhertotellme。Sheisanhonestchild,andthetruthwillsooncomeout,\"thoughtMrs。Minot,asshetookacleansheet,andJilltriedtostudy。
\"ShallIhearyourlesson,dear？Jackmeanstorecitehislikeagoodboy,sosupposeyoufollowhisexample,\"shesaid,presently。
\"Idon\'tknowasIcansayit,butI\'lltry。\"
Jilldidtry,andgotonbravelytillshecametotheword\"permanent\";thereshehesitated,rememberingwhereshesawitlast。
\"Doyouknowwhatthatmeans？\"askedherteacher,thinkingtohelpheronbydefiningtheword。
\"Always——foragreatwhile——orsomethinglikethat;doesn\'tit？\"
falteredJill,withatightfeelinginherthroat,andthecolorcomingup,asshetriedtospeakeasily,yetfeltsoshame—strickenshecouldnot。
\"Areyouinpain,mychild？Nevermindthelesson;tellme,andI\'lldosomethingforyou。\"
Thekindwords,thesofthandonherhotcheek,andthepityintheeyesthatlookedather,weretoomuchforJill。Asobcamefirst,andthenthetruth,toldwithhiddenfaceandtearsthatwashedtheblushaway,andsetfreethehonestlittlesoulthatcouldnothideitsfaultfromsuchafriend。
\"Iknewitallbefore,andwassureyouwouldtellme,elseyouwouldnotbethechildIloveandliketohelpsowell。\"
Then,whileshesoothedJill\'strouble,Mrs。Minottoldherstoryandshowedtheletter,wishingtolessen,ifpossible,somepartofthepainithadgiven。
\"Slyoldstamp！TogoandtellonmewhenImeanttoownup,antigetsomecreditifIcould,afterbeingsomeanandbad,\"saidJill,smilingthroughhertearswhenshesawthetell—talewitnessesagainsther。
\"Youhadbetterstickitinyourbooktoremindyouofthebadconsequencesofdisobedience,thenperhapsthislessonwillleaveapermanentimpressiononyourmindandmemory,answeredMrs。
Minot,gladtoseehernaturalgayetycomingback,andhopingthatshehadforgottenthecontentsoftheunfortunateletter。Butshehadnot;andpresently,whenthesadaffairhadbeentalkedoverandforgiven,Jillasked,slowly,asshetriedtoputonabravelook,\"PleasetellmeaboutLucindaSnow。IfIamtobelikeher,Imightaswellknowhowshemanagedtobearitsolong。\"
\"I\'msorryyoueverheardofher,andyetperhapsitmayhelpyoutobearyourtrial,dear,whichIhopewillneverbeasheavyaoneashers,ThisLucindaIknewforyears,andthoughatfirstIthoughtherfatethesaddestthatcouldbe,Icameatlasttoseehowhappyshewasinspiteofheraffliction,howgoodandusefulandbeloved。\"
\"Why,howcouldshebe？Whatdidshedo？\"criedJill,forgettingherowntroublestolookupwithanopen,eagerfaceagain。
\"Shewassopatient,otherpeoplewereashamedtocomplainoftheirsmallworries;socheerful,thatherowngreatonegrewlighter;soindustrious,thatshemadebothmoneyandfriendsbyprettythingssheworkedandsoldtohermanyvisitors。And,bestofall,sowiseandsweetthatsheseemedtogetgoodoutofeverything,andmakeherpoorroomasortofchapelwherepeoplewentforcomfort,counsel,andanexampleofapiouslife。So,yousee,Lucindawasnotsoverymiserableafterall。\"
\"Well,ifIcouldnotbeasIwas,I\'dliketobeawomanlikethat。
Only,IhopeIshallnot！\"answeredJill,thoughtfullyatfirst,thencomingoutsodecidedlywiththelastwordsthatitwasevidentthelifeofabedriddensaintwasnotatalltohermind。
\"SodoI;andImeantobelievethatyouwillnot。Meantime,wecantrytomakethewaitingasusefulandpleasantaspossible。Thispainfullittlebackwillbeasortofconsciencetoremindyouofwhatyououghttodoandleaveundone,andsoyoucanbelearningobedience。Then,whenthebodyisstrong,itwillhaveformedagoodhabittomakedutyeasier;andmyLucindacanbeasweetexample,evenwhilelyinghere,ifshechooses。\"
\"CanI？\"andJill\'seyeswerefullofsoftertearsasthecomfortable,cheeringwordssankintoherheart,toblossomslowlybyandbyintoherlife,forthiswastobealonglesson,hardtolearn,butveryusefulintheyearstocome。
Whentheboysreturned,aftertheLatinwasrecitedandpeacerestored,JackshowedherarecoveredstamppromptlypaidbyFrank,whowasasjustashewassevere,andJillaskedfortheoldredone,thoughshedidnottellwhyshewantedit,norshowitputawayinthespelling—book,alittlesealuponapromisemadetobekept。
MerryandMollyNowletusseehowtheothermissionariesgotonwiththeirtasks。
FarmerGrantwasathrifty,well—to—doman,anxioustogivehischildrengreateradvantagesthanhehadenjoyed,andtoimprovethefineplaceofwhichhewasjustlyproud。Mrs。Grantwasanotablehousewife,asambitiousandindustriousasherhusband,buttoobusytospendanytimeontheelegancicsoflife,thoughalwaysreadytohelpthepoorandsicklikeagoodneighborandChristianwoman。Thethreesons——Tom,Dick,andHarry——werebigfellowsofseventeen,nineteen,andtwenty—one;thefirsttwoonthefarm,andtheelderinastorejustsettingupforhimself。
Kind—heartedbutrough—manneredyouths,wholovedMerryverymuch,butteasedhersadlyabouther\"fineladyairs,\"astheycalledherdaintywaysandloveofbeauty。
Merrywasathoughtfulgirl,fullofinnocentfancies,refinedtastes,andromanticdreams,inwhichnoonesympathizedathome,thoughshewasthepetofthefamily。Itdidseem,toanoutsider,asifthedelicatelittlecreaturehadgottherebymistake,forshelookedverylikeatea—roseinafieldofcloveranddandelions,whosehighestaiminlifewastofeedcowsandhelpmakerootbeer。
Whenthegirlstalkedoverthenewsociety,itpleasedMerryverymuch,andshedecidednotonlytotryandloveworkbetter,buttoconvertherfamilytoalikingforprettythings,asshecalledherownmorecultivatedtastes。
\"Iwillbeginatonce,andshowthemthatIdon\'tmeantoshirkmyduty,thoughIdowanttobenice,\"thoughtshe,asshesatatsupperonenightandlookedabouther,planningherfirstmove。
Notaverycheeringprospectforaloverofthebeautiful,certainly,forthebigkitchen,thoughasneataswax,hadnothinglovelyinit,exceptaredgeraniumbloomingatthewindow。Norwerethepeopleallthatcouldbedesired,insomerespects,astheysataboutthetableshovellinginporkandbeanswiththeirknives,drinkingteafromtheirsaucers,andlaughingoutwithahearty\"Haw,haw,\"
whenanythingamusedthem。Yettheboyswerehandsome,strongspecimens,thefarmerahale,benevolent—lookingman,thehousewifeapleasant,sharp—eyedmatron,whoseemedtofindcomfortinlookingoftenatthebrightfaceatherelbow,withthebroadforehead,cleareyes,sweetmouth,andquietvoicethatcamelikemusicinamongtheloudmasculineones,orthequick,nervoustonesofawomanalwaysinahurry。
Merry\'sfacewassothoughtfulthateveningthatherfatherobservedit,for,whenathome,hewatchedherasonewatchesakitten,gladtoseeanythingsopretty,young,andhappy,atitsplay。
\"Littledaughterhasgotsomethingonhermind,Imistrust。Comeandtellfatherallaboutit,\"hesaid,withasoundingslaponhisbroadkneeasheturnedhischairfromthetabletotheuglystove,wherethreepairsofwetbootssteamedunderneath,andagreatkettleofciderapple—saucesimmeredabove。
\"WhenI\'vehelpedclearup,I\'llcomeandtalk。Now,mother,yousitdownandrest;RoxyandIcandoeverything,\"answeredMerry,pattingtheoldrocking—chairsoinvitinglythatthetiredwomancouldnotresist,especiallyaswatchingthekettlegaveheranexcuseforobeying。
\"Well,Idon\'tcareifI\'do,forI\'vebeenonmyfeetsincefiveo\'clock。Besureyoucoverthingsup,andshutthebutterydoor,andputthecatdowncellar,andsiftyourmeal。I\'llseetothebuckwheatslastthingbeforeIgotobed。\"
Mrs。Grantsubsidedwithherknitting,forherhandswereneveridle;Tomtiltedhischairbackagainstthewallandpickedhisteethwithhispen—knife;Dickgotoutalittlepotofgrease,tomakethebootswater—tight;andHarrysatdownatthesmalltabletolookoverhisaccounts,withanimportantair——foreveryoneoccupiedthisroom,andtheworkwasdoneintheout—kitchenbehind。
Merryhatedclearingup,butdutifullydideverydistastefultask,andkepthereyeoncarelessRoxytillallwasinorder;thenshegladlywenttoperchonherfather\'sknee,seeinginallthefacesaboutherthesilentwelcometheyalwaysworeforthe\"littleone。
\"Yes,Idowantsomething,butIknowyouwillsayitissilly,\"shebegan,asherfatherpinchedherbloomingcheek,withthewishthathispeacheswouldeverlookhalfaswell。
\"Shouldn\'twonderifitwasadollnow\";andMr。Grantstrokedherheadwithanindulgentsmile,asifshewasaboutsixinsteadoffifteen。
\"Why,father,youknowIdon\'t！Ihaven\'tplayedwithdolliesforyearsandyears。No;Iwanttofixupmyroompretty,likeJill\'s。I\'lldoitallmyself,andonlywantafewthings,forIdon\'texpectittolookasniceashers。\"
IndignationgaveMerrycouragetostateherwishesboldly,thoughsheknewtheboyswouldlaugh。Theydid,andhermothersaidinatoneofsurprise,\"Why,child,whatmorecanyouwant？I\'msureyourroomisalwaysasneatasanewpin,thankstoyourbringingup,andItoldyoutohaveafiretherewheneveryouwantedto。\"
\"Letmehavesomeoldthingsoutofthegarret,andI\'llshowyouwhatIwant。Itisneat,butsobareanduglyIhatetobethere。Idosolovesomethingprettytolookat！\"andMerrygavealittleshiverofdisgustassheturnedhereyesawayfromthelargegreasybootDickwasholdinguptobesureitwaswelllubricatedallround。
\"SodoI,andthat\'safact。Icouldn\'tgetonwithoutmyprettygirlhere,anyway。Why,shetouchesuptheoldplacebetterthanadozenflower—potsinfullblow,\"saidthefarmer,ashiseyewentfromthescarletgeraniumtothebrightyoungfacesonearhisown。
\"IwishIhadadozeninthesitting—roomwindow。Mothersaystheyarenottidy,butI\'dkeepthemneat,andIknowyou\'dlikeit,\"
brokeinMerrry,gladofthechancetogetoneofthelong—desiredwishesofherheartfulfilled。
\"I\'llfetchyousomenexttimeIgoovertoBallad\'s。Tellmewhatyouwant,andwe\'llhaveaposybedsomewhereround,seeifwedon\'t,\"saidherfather,dimlyunderstandingwhatshewanted。
\"Now,ifmothersaysImayfixmyroom,Ishallbesatisfied,andI\'lldomychoreswithoutabitoffuss,toshowhowgratefulIam,\"
saidthegirl,thankingherfatherwithakiss,andsmilingathermothersowistfullythatthegoodwomancouldnotrefuse。
\"Youmayhaveanythingyoulikeoutofthebluechest。There\'salotofthingstherethatthemothsgotatafterGrandmadied,andI
couldn\'tbeartothroworgive\'emaway。Trimupyourroomasyoulike,andmindyoudon\'tforgetyourpartofthebargain,\"answeredMrs。Grant,seeingprofitintheplan。
\"Iwon\'t;I\'llworkallthemorningto—morrow,andintheafternoonI\'llgetreadytoshowyouwhatIcallanice,prettyroom,\"
answeredMerry,lookingsopleaseditseemedasifanotherflowerhadblossomedinthelargebarekitchen。
Shekeptherword,andtheverystormyafternoonwhenJillgotintotrouble,Merrywasworkingbusilyatherlittlebower。Inthebluechestshefoundavarietyoftreasures,andignoringthemothholes,usedthemtothebestadvantage,tryingtoimitatethesimplecomfortwithatouchofelegancewhichprevailedinMrs。Minot\'sbackbedroom。
Threefadedred—moreencurtainswentupatthewindowsoverthechillypapershades,givingapleasantglowtothebarewalls。Aredquiltwithwhitestars,rathertheworseformanywashings,coveredthebed,andagaycloththetable,whereajudiciousarrangementofbooksandbasketsconcealedthespots。Thelittleair—tightstovewasbanished,andapairofancientandironsshoneinthefire—light。
Grandma\'slastandlargestbraidedruglayonthehearth,andherbrasscandlesticksadornedthebureau,overthemirrorofwhichwasfestoonedawhitemuslinskirt,tiedupwithMerry\'sredsash。
Thispieceofelegancegavethelasttouchtoherroom,shethought,andshewasveryproudofit,settingforthallhersmallstoreoftrinketsinalargeshell,withanemptyscentbottle,andacleantidyoverthepincushion。Onthewallsshehungthreeold—fashionedpictures,whichsheventuredtoborrowfromthegarrettillbettercouldbefound。Oneamourningpiece,withaverytallladyweepingonanurninagroveofwillows,andtwosmallboysinkneebreechesandfunnylittlesquaretailstotheircoats,lookinglikecherubsinlargefrills。Theotherwasasgoodasabonfire,beinganeruptionofVesuvius,andveryluridindeed,fortheBayofNapleswasboilinglikeapot,theredskyrainingrocks,andafewdistractedpeoplelyingflatupontheshore。ThethirdwasareallyprettysceneofchildrendancingroundaMay—pole,forthoughnearlyahundredyearsold,thelittlemaidssmiledandtheboysprancedasgaylyasiftheflowerstheycarriedwerestillaliveandsweet。
\"NowI\'llcallthemalltosee,andsaythatitispretty。ThenI\'llenjoyit,andcomeherewhenthingslookdismalandbareeverywhereelse,\"saidMerry,whenatlastitwasdone。Shehadworkedalltheafternoon,andonlyfinishedatsuppertime,sothecandleshadtobelightedthatthetoilettemightlookitsbest,andimpressthebeholderswithanideaoftrueelegance。Unfortunately,thefiresmokedalittle,andawindowwassetajartocleartheroom;anevildisposedgustblewin,waftingthethindraperywithinreachofthelight,andwhenMerrythrewopenthedoorproudlythinkingtodisplayhersuccess,shewashorrifiedtofindtheroominablaze,andhalfherlaborallinvain。
Theconflagrationwasoverinaminute,however,fortheboystoredownthemuslinandstampedoutthefirewithmuchlaughter,whileMrs。Grantbewailedthedamagetohercarpet,andpoorMerrytookrefugeinherfather\'sarms,refusingtobecomfortedinspiteofhiskindcommendationof\"Grandma\'sfixins。\"
Thethirdlittlemissionaryhadthehardesttimeofall,andherfirsteffortswerenotmuchmoresatisfactorynorsuccessfulthantheothers。Herfatherwasawayfrommorningtillnight,andthenhadhispapertoread,bookstokeep,or\"amantoseedowntown,\"sothat,afterahastywordattea,hesawnomoreofthechildrentillanotherevening,astheywereseldomupathisearlybreakfast。Hethoughttheywerewelltakencareof,forMissBathshebaDaweswasanenergetic,middle—agedspinsterwhenshecameintothefamily,andhadbeentherefifteenyears,sohedidnotobserve,whatawomanwouldhaveseenatonce,thatMissBatwasgettingoldandcareless,andeverythingaboutthehousewasatsixesandsevens。Shetookgoodcareofhim,andthoughtshehaddoneherdutyifshegotthreecomfortablemeals,nursedthechildrenwhentheywereill,andsawthatthehousedidnotburnup。SoMariaLouisaandNapoleonBonapartegotonastheycould,withoutthetendercaresofamother。Mollyhadbeenahappy—go—luckychild,contentedwithherpets,herfreedom,andlittleBootolove;butnowshewasjustbeginningtoseethattheywerenotlikeotherchildren,andtofeelashamedofit。
\"Papaisbusy,butMissBatoughttoseetous;sheispaidforit,andgoodnessknowsshehasaneasytimenow,forifIaskhertodoanything,shegroansoverherbones,andtellsmeyoungfolksshouldwaitonthemselves。ItakeallthecareofBoooffherhands,butIcan\'twashmyownthings,andhehasn\'tadecenttrousertohisblessedlittlelegs。I\'dtellpapa,butitwouldn\'tdoanygood;
he\'donlysay,\'Yes,child,yes,I\'llattendtoit,\'andneverdoathing。\"
ThisusedtobeMolly\'slament,whensomeespeciallytryingeventoccurred,andifthegirlswerenottheretocondolewithher,shewouldretiretotheshed—chamber,callherninecatsabouther,and,sittingintheoldbushelbasket,pullherhairaboutherears,andscoldallalone。Thecatslearnedtounderstandthishabit,andnoblydidtheirbesttodispelthegloomwhichnowandthenobscuredthesunshineoftheirlittlemistress。Someofthemwouldcreepintoherlapandpurrtillthecomfortablesoundsoothedherirritation;thesedateelderssatatherfeetblinkingwithsuchwiseandsympatheticfaces,thatshefeltasifhalfadozenSolomonsweregivingherthesagestadvice;whilethekittensfriskedabout,cuttinguptheirdrollestcaperstillshelaughedinspiteofherself。
Whenthelaughcame,theworstofthefitwasover,andshesooncheeredup,dismissingtheconsolerswithapatallround,afeastofgoodthingsfromMissBat\'slarder,andtheusualspeech:
\"Well,dears,it\'sofnousetoworry。Iguessweshallgetalongsomehow,ifwedon\'tfret。\"
Withwhichwiseresolution,MollywouldleaveherretreatandfreshenupherspiritsbyarowontheriverorarompwithBoo,whichalwaysfinishedthecase。Now,however,shewasboundtotrythenewplananddosomethingtowardreformingnotonlytheboy\'scondition,butthedisorderanddiscomfortofhome。
\"I\'llplayitisSiam,andthisthehouseofanative,andI\'mcometoshowthefolkshowtolivenicely。MissBatwon\'tknowwhattomakeofit,andIcan\'ttellher,soIshallgetsomefunoutofit,anyway,\"thoughtMolly,asshesurveyedthedining—roomthedayhermissionbegan。
Theprospectwasnotcheering;and,ifthenativesofSiamliveinsuchconfusion,itishightimetheywereattendedto。Thebreakfast—tablestillstoodasitwasleft,withslopsofcoffeeonthecloth;bitsofbread,egg—shells,andpotato—skinslayabout,andonelonelysausagewascastawayinthemiddleofalargeplatter。Thefurniturewasdusty,stoveuntidy,andthecarpetlookedasifcrumbshadbeenscatteredtochickenswhodeclinedtheirbreakfast。Boowassittingonthesofa,withhisarmthroughaholeinthecover,huntingforsomelosttreasureputawaythereforsafekeeping,likealittlemagpieashewas。Mollyfanciedshewashedanddressedhimwellenough;butto—daysheseemedtoseemoredearly,andsighedasshethoughtofthehardjobinstoreforherifshegavehimthethoroughwashingheneeded,andcombedoutthatcurlymopofhair。
\"I\'llclearupfirstanddothatbyandby。Ioughttohaveanicelittletubandgoodtowels,likeMrs。Minot,andIwill,too,ifIbuythemmyself,\"shesaid,pilingupcupswithanenergythatthreateneddestructiontohandles。
MissBat,whowastrailingaboutthekitchen,withherheadpinnedupinalittleplaidshawl,wassosurprisedbythedemandforapanofhotwaterandfourcleantowels,thatshenearlydroppedhersnuff—box,chiefcomfortofherlazysoul。
\"Whatnewwhimseynow？Generally,thedishesstandroundtillI
havetimetopick\'emup,andyouareoffcoastingorcareeringsomewhere。Well,thistidyfitwon\'tlastlong,soImayaswellmakethemostofit,\"saidMissBat,asshehandedouttherequiredarticles,andthenpushedherspectaclesfromthetipofhersharpnosetohersharperblackeyesforagoodlookatthegirlwhostoodprimlybeforeher,withacleanaprononandherhairbraidedupinsteadofflyingwildlyabouthershoulders。
\"Umph！\"wasallthecommentthatMissBatmadeonthisunusualneatness,andshewentonscrapinghersaucepans,whileMollyreturnedtoherwork,verywellpleasedwiththeeffectofherfirststep,forshefeltthatthebewildermentofMissBatwouldbeaconstantinspirationtofreshefforts。
Anhourofhardworkproducedanagreeablechangeintheabodeofthenative,forthetablewascleared,roomsweptanddusted,firebrightened,andtheholesinthesofa—coveringwerepinneduptilltimecouldbefoundtomendthem。Tobesure,rollsoflintlayincorners,smearsofasheswereonthestovehearth,andduststilllurkedonchairroundsandtablelegs。Buttoomuchmustnotbeexpectedofanewconvert,sotheyoungmissionarysatdowntorest,wellpleasedandreadyforanotherattemptassoonasshecoulddecideinwhatdirectionitshouldbemade。ShequailedbeforeBooasshelookedattheunconsciousinnocentpeacefullyplayingwiththespotteddog,nowbereftofhistail,andthelonesausagewithwhichhewasattemptingtofeedthehungryanimal,whoseredmouthalwaysgapedformore。
\"Itwillbeanawfuljob,andheissohappyIwon\'tplaguehimyet。
GuessI\'llgoandputmyroomtorightsfirst,andpickupsomecleanclothestoputonhim,ifheisaliveafterIgetthroughwithhim,\"thoughtMolly,foreseeingastormypassagefortheboy,whohatedabathasmuchassomepeoplehateatripacrosstheAtlantic。
Upshewent,andfindingthefireoutfeltdiscouraged,thoughtshewouldrestalittlemore,soretiredundertheblanketstoreadoneoftheChristmasbooks。Thedinner—bellrangwhileshewasstillwanderinghappilyin\"Nelly\'sSilverMine,\"andsherandowntofindthatBoohadlaidoutarailroadallacrossherneatroom,usingbitsofcoalforsleepersandbooksforrails,overwhichhewasdraggingtheyellowsledladenwithadismayedkitten,thetaillessdog,andtheremainsofthesausage,evidentlyonitswaytothetomb,forBootookbitesatitnowandthen,nootherlunchbeingofferedhim。
\"Ohdear！whycan\'tboysplaywithoutmakingsuchamess,\"
sighedMolly,pickingupthefeathersfromthedusterwithwhichBoohadbeentryingtomakea\"cocky—doo\"ofthehaplessdog。\"I\'llwashhimrightafterdinner,andthatwillkeephimoutofmischiefforawhile,\"shethought,astheyoungengineerunsuspiciouslyproceededtoornamenthisalreadycrockycountenancewithsquash,cranberrysauce,andgravy,tillhelookedmorelikeaFijichiefinfullwar—paintthanaChristianboy。
\"Iwanttwopailsofhotwater,please,MissBat,andthebigtub,\"