\"That\'syou,\"whisperedJack,throwingthewhitecarnationatJill,andshethrewbacktheredone,withherfingeronherlips,forthetalewasveryinterestingnow。
\"Shedidnotsuffermuchafteratime,butshescoldedandcried,andcouldnotberesigned,becauseshewasaprisoner。Thequeentriedtohelpher,butshecouldnotdomuch;theprinceswerekind,buttheyhadtheirbooksandplays,andwereawayagooddeal。
Somefriendsshehadcameoftentoseeher,butstillshebeatherwingsagainstthebars,likeawildbirdinacage,andsoonherspiritswereallgone,anditwassadtoseeher。\"
\"WherewasyourSaintLucy？Ithoughtitwasabouther,askedJack,whodidnotliketohaveJill\'spasttroublesdweltupon,sincehiswerenot。
\"Sheiscoming。Saintsarenotborn——theyaremadeaftermanytrialsandtribulations,\"answeredhismother,lookingatthefireasifithelpedhertospinherlittlestory。\"Well,thepoorchildusedtosingsometimestowhileawaythelonghours——sadsongsmostly,andoneamongthemwhichthequeentaughtherwas\'SweetPatience,Come。\'
\"Thissheusedtosingagreatdealafterawhile,neverdreamingthatPatiencewasanangelwhocouldhearandobey。Butitwasso;
andonenight,whenthegirlhadlulledherselftosleepwiththatsong,theangelcame。Nobodysawthelovelyspiritwithtendereyes,andavoicethatwaslikebalm。Nooneheardtherustleofwingsasshehoveredoverthelittlebedandtouchedthelips,theeyes,thehandsofthesleeper,andthenflewaway,leavingthreegiftsbehind。Thegirldidnotknowwhy,butafterthatnightthesongsgrewgayer,thereseemedtobemoresunshineeverywherehereyeslooked,andherhandswerenevertiredofhelpingothersinvariouspretty,useful,orpleasantways。Slowlythewildbirdceasedtobeatagainstthebars,butsatinitscageandmademusicforallinthepalace,tillthequeencouldnotdowithoutit,thepoormothercheeredup,andtheprincescalledthegirltheirnightingale。\"
\"Wasthatthemiracle？\"askedJack,forgettingallabouthisslippers,ashewatchedJill\'seyesbrightenandthecolorcomeupinherwhitecheeks。
\"Thatwasthemiracle,andPatiencecanworkfargreateronesifyouwilllether。\"
\"Andthegirl\'snamewasLucy？\"
\"Yes;theydidnotcallherasaintthen,butshewastryingtobeascheerfulasacertaingoodwomanshehadheardof,andsothequeenhadthatnameforher,thoughshedidnotletherknowitforalongtime。\"
\"That\'snotbadforaSundaystory,buttheremighthavebeenmoreabouttheprinces,seemstome,\"wasFrank\'scriticism,asJilllayverystill,tryingtohideherfacebehindthecarnation,forshehadnowordstotellhowtouchedandpleasedshewastofindthatherlittleeffortstobegoodhadbeenseen,remembered,andnowrewardedinthisway。
Thereismore。
\"Thenthestoryisn\'tdone？\"criedJack。
\"Ohdear,no;themostinterestingthingsaretocome,ifyoucanwaitforthem。\"
\"Yes,Isee,thisisthemoralpart。Nowkeepstill,andletushavetherest,\"commandedFrank,whiletheotherscomposedthemselvesforthesequel,suspectingthatitwasrathernice,becauseMamma\'ssoberfacechanged,andhereyeslaughedastheylookedatthefire。
\"Theelderprincewasveryfondofdrivingdragons,forthepeopleofthatcountryusedthesefierymonstersashorses。\"
\"Andgotrunawaywith,didn\'the？\"laughedJack,adding,withgreatinterest,\"Whatdidtheotherfellowdo？\"
\"Hewentaboutfightingotherpeople\'sbattles,helpingthepoor,andtryingtodogood。Buthelackedjudgment,soheoftengotintotrouble,andwasinsuchahurrythathedidnotalwaysstoptofindoutthewisestway。Aswhenhegaveawayhisbestcoattoabeggarboy,insteadoftheoldonewhichheintendedtogive。
\"Isay,thatisn\'tfair,mother！Neitherofthemwasnew,andtheboyneededthebestmorethanI\'did,andIworetheoldoneallwinter,didn\'tI？\"askedJack,whohadratherexultedoverFrank,andwasnowtakendownhimself。
\"Yes,youdid,mydear;anditwasnotaneasythingformydandiprattodo。Nowlisten,andI\'lltellyouhowtheybothlearnedtobewiser。Theelderprincesoonfoundthatthebigdragonsweretoomuchforhim,andsetabouttraininghisownlittleone,whonowandthenranawaywithhim。ItsnamewasWill,agoodservant,butabadmaster;sohelearnedtocontrolit,andintimethisgavehimgreatpoweroverhimself,andfittedhimtobeakingoverothers。\"
\"Thankyou,mother;I\'llremembermypartofthemoral。NowgiveJackhis,\"saidFrank,wholikedthedragonepisode,ashehadbeenwrestlingwithhisownoflate,andfoundithardtomanage。
\"Hehadafineexamplebeforehiminafriend,andhefolloweditmorereasonablytillhegrewabletousewiselyoneofthebestandnoblestgiftsofGod——benevolence。\"
\"Nowtellaboutthegirl。Wastheremoretothatpartofthestory？\"
askedJack,wellpleasedwithhismoral,asittookEdinlikewise。
\"Thatisthebestofall,butitseemsasifInevershouldgettoit。
AfterPatiencemadeLucysweetandcheerful,shebegantohaveacuriouspoweroverthoseabouther,andtoworklittlemiraclesherself,thoughshedidnotknowit。Thequeenlearnedtolovehersodearlyshecouldnotlethergo;shecheeredupallherfriendswhentheycamewiththeirsmalltroubles;theprincesfoundbrighteyes,willinghands,andakindheartalwaysattheirservice,andfelt,withoutquiteknowingwhy,thatitwasgoodforthemtohaveagentlelittlecreaturetocarefor;sotheysoftenedtheirroughmanners,loudvoices,andcarelessways,forhersake,andwhenitwasproposedtotakeherawaytoherownhometheycouldnotgiveherup,butsaidshemuststaylonger,didn\'tthey？\"
\"I\'dliketoseethemsayinganythingelse,\"saidFrank,whileJacksatuptodemandfiercely,\"WhotalksabouttakingJillaway？\"
\"Lucy\'smotherthoughtsheoughttogo,andsaidso,butthequeentoldherhowmuchgooditdidthemalltohaveherthere,andbeggedthedearwomantoletherlittlecottageandcomeandbehousekeeperinthepalace,forthequeenwasgettinglazy,andlikedtositandread,andtalkandsewwithLucy,betterthantolookafterthings。\"
\"Andshesaidshewould？\"criedJill,claspingherhandsinheranxiety,forshehadlearnedtolovehercagenow。
\"Yes。\"Mrs。Minothadnotimetosaymore,foroneoftheredslippersflewupintheair,andJackhadtoclapbothhandsoverhismouthtosuppressthe\"hurrah！\"thatnearlyescaped。Franksaid,\"That\'sgood！\"andnoddedwithhismostcordialsmileatJillwhopulledherselfupwithcheeksnowasrosyastheredcarnation,andalittlecatchinherbreathasshesaidtoherself,\"It\'stoolovelytobetrue。\"
\"That\'safirst—rateendtoaverygoodstory,\"beganJack,withgravedecision,asheputonhisslipperandsatuptopatJill\'shand,wishingitwasnotquitesolikealittleclaw。
\"That\'snottheend\";andMamma\'seyeslaughedmorethaneverasthreeastonishedfacesturnedtoher,andthreevoicescriedout,\"Stillmore？\"
\"Theverybestofall。Youmustknowthat,whileLucywasbusyforothers,shewasnotforgotten,andwhenshewasexpectingtolieonherbedthroughthesummer,planswerebeingmadeforallsortsofpleasantchanges。Firstofall,shewastohaveanicelittlebracetosupportthebackwhichwasgrowingbettereveryday;
then,asthewarmweathercameon,shewastogoout,orlieonthepiazza;andbyandby,whenschoolwasdone,shewastogowiththequeenandtheprincesforamonthortwodowntothesea—side,wherefreshairandsaltwaterweretobuildherupinthemostdelightfulway。There,now！isn\'tthatthebestendingofall？\"andMammapausedtoreadheranswerinthebrightfacesoftwoofthelisteners,forJillhidhersinthepillow,andlayquitestill,asifitwastoomuchforher。
\"Thatwillberegularlysplendid！I\'llrowyouallabout——boatingissomucheasierthanriding,andIlikeitonsaltwater,\"saidFrank,goingtositonthearmofthesofa,quiteexcitedbythecharmsofthenewplan。
\"AndI\'llteachyoutoswim,androllyouoverthebeach,andgetsea—weedandshells,andnoendofnicethings,andwe\'llallcomehomeasstrongaslions,\"addedJack,scramblingupasifabouttosetoffatonce。
\"Thedoctorsaysyouhavebeendoingfinelyoflate,andthebracewillcometo—morrow,andthefirstreallymilddayyouaretohaveabreathoffreshair。Won\'tthatbegood？\"askedMrs。Minot,hopingherstoryhadnotbeentoointeresting。
\"Isshecrying？\"saidJack,muchconcernedashepattedthepillowinhismostsoothingway,whileFrankliftedonecurlafteranothertoseewhatwashiddenunderneath。
Nottears,fortwoeyessparkledbehindthefingers,thenthehandscamedownlikecloudsfrombeforethesun,andJill\'sfaceshoneoutsobrightandhappyitdidone\'sheartgoodtoseeit。
\"I\'mnotcrying,\"shesaidwithalaughwhichwasfullerofblithemusicthananysongshesung。\"Butitwassosplendid,itsortoftookmybreathawayforaminute。IthoughtIwasn\'tanybetter,andnevershouldbe,andImadeupmymindIwouldn\'task,itwouldbesohardforanyonetotellmeso。NowIseewhythedoctormademestandup,andtoldmetogetmybasketsreadytogoa—Maying。Ithoughthewasinfun;didhereallymeanIcouldgo？\"askedJill,expectingtoomuch,forawordofencouragementmadeherashopefulasshehadbeendespondentbefore。
\"No,dear,notsosoonasthat。Itwillbemonths,probably,beforeyoucanwalkandrun,asyouusedto;buttheywillsoonpass。Youneedn\'tmindaboutMay—day;itisalwaystoocoldforflowers,andyouwillfindmorehereamongyourownplants,thanonthehills,tofillyourbaskets,\"answeredMrs。Minot,hasteningtosuggestsomethingpleasanttobeguilethetimeofprobation。
\"Icanwait。Monthsarenotyears,andifI\'mtrulygettingwell,everythingwillseembeautifulandeasytome,\"saidJill,layingherselfdownagain,withthepatientlookshehadlearnedtowear,andgatheringupthescatteredcarnationstoenjoytheirspicybreath,asifthefairieshiddentherehadtaughthersomeoftheirsweetsecrets。
\"Dearlittlegirl,ithasbeenalong,hardtrialforyou,butitiscomingtoanend,andIthinkyouwillfindthatithasnotbeentimewasted,Idon\'twantyoutobeasaintquiteyet,butIamsureagentlerJillwillriseupfromthatsofathantheonewholaydownthereinDecember。\"
\"HowcouldIhelpgrowingbetter,whenyouweresogoodtome？\"
criedJill,puttingupbotharms,asMrs。MinotwenttotakeFrank\'splace,andheretiredtothefire,theretostandsurveyingthescenewithcalmapproval。
\"Youhavedonequiteasmuchforus;soweareeven。Iprovedthattoyourmother,andsheisgoingtoletthelittlehouseandtakecareofthebigoneforme,whileIborrowyoutokeepmehappyandmaketheboysgentleandkind。Thatisthebargain,andwegetthebestofit,\"saidMrs。Minot,lookingwellpleased,whileJackadded,\"That\'sso！\"andFrankobservedwithanairofconviction,\'Wecouldn\'tgetonwithoutJill,possibly。\"
\"CanIdoallthat？I\'didn\'tknowIwasofanyuse。Ionlytriedtobegoodandgrateful,fortheredidn\'tseemtobeanythingelseIcoulddo,\"saidJill,wonderingwhytheywereallsofondofher。
\"Norealtryingiseverinvain。Itislikethespringrain,andflowersaresuretofollowingoodtime。ThethreegiftsPatiencegaveSaintLucywerecourage,cheerfulness,andlove,andwiththeseonecanworkthesweetestmiraclesintheworld,asyousee,\"andMrs。
Minotpointedtotheprettyroomanditshappyinmates。
\"AmIreallytheleastbitlikethatgoodLucinda？Itriedtobe,butI
didn\'tthinkIwas,\"askedJillsoftly。
\"Youareverylikeherinallwaysbutone。Shedidnotgetwell,andyouwill。\"
Ashortanswer,butitsatisfiedJilltoherheart\'score,andthatnight,whenshelayinbed,shethoughttoherself:\"HowcuriousitisthatI\'vebeenasortofmissionarywithoutknowingit！Theyallloveandthankme,andwon\'tletmego,soIsupposeImusthavedonesomething,butIdon\'tknowwhat,excepttryingtobegoodandpleasant。\"
Thatwasthesecret,andJillfounditoutjustwhenitwasmostgratefulasarewardforpastefforts,mosthelpfulasanencouragementtowardtheconstantwell—doingwhichcanmakeevenalittlegirlajoyandcomforttoallwhoknowandloveher。
Chapter16UpatMerry\'s\"Nowflyround,child,andgetyoursweepingdoneupsmartandearly。\"
\"Yes,mother。\"
\"Ishallwantyoutohelpmeaboutthebaking,byandby。\"
\"Yes,mother。\"
\"Roxyiscleaningthecellar—closets,soyou\'llhavetogetthevegetablesreadyfordinner。Fatherwantsaboileddish,andIshallbesobusyIcan\'tseetoit。\"
\"Yes,mother。\"
Acheerfulvoicegavethethreeanswers,butitcostMerryanefforttokeepitso,forshehadcertainlittleplansofherownwhichmadetheworkbeforeherunusuallydistasteful。Saturdayalwayswasatryingday,for,thoughshelikedtoseeroomsinorder,shehatedtosweep,asnospeckescapedMrs。Grant\'seye,andonlythegoodold—fashionedbroom,wieldedbyapairofstrongarms,wasallowed。Bakingwasanothertrial:shelovedgoodbreadanddelicatepastry,butdidnotenjoyburningherfaceoverahotstove,daubingherhandswithdough,orspendinghoursrollingoutcookiesfortheboys;whilea\"boileddinner\"washerespecialhorror,asitwasnotelegant,andthewashingofvegetableswasajobshealwaysshirkedwhenshecould。
However,havingmadeuphermindtodoherworkwithoutcomplaint,sheranupstairstoputonherdust—cap,tryingtolookasifsweepingwasthejoyofherlife。
\"Itissuchalovelyday,I\'didwanttorakemygarden,andhaveawalkwithMolly,andfinishmybooksoIcangetanother,\"shesaidwithasigh,assheleanedoutoftheopenwindowforabreathoftheunusuallymildair。
Downintheten—acrelottheboyswerecartingandspreadingloam;
outinthebarnherfatherwasgettinghisplowsready;overthehillrosethesmokeofthedistantfactory,andtheriverthatturnedthewheelswasglidingthroughthemeadows,wheresoontheblackbirdswouldbesinging。OldBesspawedtheground,eagertobeoff;thegrayhenswerescratchingbusilyallabouttheyard;
eventhegreenthingsinthegardenwerepushingthroughthebrownearth,softenedbyAprilrains,andtherewasashimmerofsunshineoverthewidelandscapethatmadeeveryfamiliarobjectbeautifulwithhintsofspring,andtheactivityitbrings。
SomethingmadetheoldnurseryhymncomeintoMerry\'shead,andhummingtoherself,\"InworksoflabororofskillIwouldbebusytoo,\"
shetiedonhercap,shoulderedherbroom,andfelltoworksoenergeticallythatshesoonsweptherwaythroughthechambers,downthefrontstairstotheparlordoor,leavingfreshnessandorderbehindherasshewent。
Shealwaysgroanedwhensheenteredthatapartment,andgotoutofitagainassoonaspossible,foritwas,likemostcountryparlors,aprimandchillyplace,withlittlebeautyandnocomfort。
Blackhorse—hairfurniture,veryslipperyandhard,stoodagainstthewall;thetablehaditsgiftbooks,albums,worstedmatanduglylamp;themantel—pieceitschinavases,pinkshells,andclockthatneverwent;thegaycarpetwaskeptdistressinglybrightbyclosedshutterssixdaysoutoftheseven,andageneralairofgo—to—
meetingsolemnitypervadedtheroom。Merrylongedtomakeitprettyandpleasant,buthermotherwouldallowofnochangethere,sothegirlgaveupherdreamsofrugsandhangings,finepicturesandtastefulornaments,anddutifullyaired,dusted,andshutupthisawfulapartmentonceaweek,privatelyresolvingthat,ifsheeverhadaparlorofherown,itshouldnotbeasdismalasatomb。
Thedining—roomwasaverydifferentplace,forhereMerryhadbeenallowedtodoassheliked,yetsogradualhadbeenthechange,thatshewouldhavefounditdifficulttotellhowitcameabout。Itseemedtobeginwiththeflowers,forherfatherkepthiswordaboutthe\"posypots,\"andgotenoughtomakequitealittleconservatoryinthebay—window,whichwassufficientlylargeforthreerowsallround,andhanging—basketsoverhead。Beingdiscouragedbyherfirstfailure,Merrygaveuptryingtohavethingsniceeverywhere,andcontentedherselfwithmakingthatonenooksoprettythattheboyscalledither\"bower。\"EvenbusyMrs。Grantownedthatplantswerenotsomessyassheexpected,andthefannerwasnevertiredofwatching\"littledaughter\"asshesatatworkthere,withherlowchairandtablefullofbooks。
Thelamphelped,also,forMerrysetupherown,andkeptitsowelltrimmedthatitburnedclearandbright,shiningonthegreenarchofivyoverhead,andonthenasturtiumvinesframingtheoldglass,andpeepingattheirgaylittlefaces,andattheprettyyounggirl,sopleasantlythatfirstherfathercametoreadhispaperbyit,thenhermotherslippedintorestontheloungeinthecorner,andfinallytheboyshoveredaboutthedoorasifthe\"settin\'—room\"hadgrownmoreattractivethanthekitchen。
Buttheopenfiredidmorethananythingelsetowinandholdthemall,asitseldomfailstodowhentheblackdemonofanairtightstoveisbanishedfromthehearth。Aftertheroomwascleanedtillitshone,Merrybeggedtohavethebrassandironsputin,andofferedtokeepthemasbrightasgoldifhermotherwouldconsent。Sothegreatlogswerekindled,andtheflameswentdancingupthechimneyasifgladtobesetfreefromtheirprison。
Itchangedthewholeroomlikemagic,andnoonecouldresistthedesiretoenjoyitscheerycomfort。Thefarmer\'sthree—corneredleathernchairsoonstoodononeside,andmother\'srockerontheother,astheytoastedtheirfeetanddozedorchattedinthepleasantwarmth。
Theboys\'slipperswerealwaysreadyonthehearth;andwhenthebigbootswereonceoff,theynaturallysettleddownaboutthetable,wherethetalllamp,withitsprettyshadeofpressedautumnleaves,burnedbrightly,andthebooksandpaperslayreadytotheirhandsinsteadofbeingtuckedoutofsightinthecloset。Theywerebeginningtoseethat\"Merry\'snotions\"hadsomesenseinthem,sincetheyweremadecomfortable,andgood—naturedlytooksomepainstopleaseherinvariousways。Tombrushedhishairandwashedhishandsnicelybeforehecametotable。Dicktriedtolowerhisboisterouslaughter,andHarryneversmokedinthesitting—room。EvenRoxyexpressedherpleasureinseeing\"thingskindofsprucedup,\"andMerry\'sgentletreatmentofthehard—workingdrudgewonherheartentirely。
Thegirlwasthinkingofthesechangesasshewateredherflowers,dustedthefurniture,andlaidthefirereadyforkindling;and,whenallwasdone,shestoodaminutetoenjoythepleasantroom,fullofspringsunshine,freshair,andexquisiteorder。Itseemedtogiveherheartformoredistastefullabors,andshefelltoworkatthepiesascheerfullyasifshelikedit。
Mrs。Grantwasflyingaboutthekitchen,gettingtheloavesofbrownandwhitebreadreadyforthebigoven。Roxy\'svoicecameupfromthecellarsinging\"BoundingBillows,\"withaswashingandscrubbingaccompanimentwhichsuggestedthatshewasactuallyenjoyinga\"lifeontheoceanwave。\"Merry,inherneatcapandapron,stoodsmilingoverherworkasshedeftlyrolledandclipped,filledandcovered,findingacertainsortofpleasureindoingitwell,andaddinginteresttoitbycrimpingthecrust,makingprettydeviceswithstripsofpasteandstar—shapedprickingsofthefork。
\"Good—willgivethskill,\"saystheproverb,andevenparticularMrs。
Grantwassatisfiedwhenshepausedtoexaminethepastrywithherexperiencedeye。
\"Youareahandychildandacredittoyourbringingup,thoughI
dosayit。ThoseareasprettypiesasI\'dwishtoeat,iftheybakewell,andthere\'snoreasonwhytheyshouldn\'t。\"
\"MayImakesometartsorrabbitsofthesebits？Theboyslikethem,andIenjoymodellingthissortofthing,\"saidMerry,whowastryingtomouldabird,asshehadseenRalphdowithclaytoamuseJillwhilethebustwasgoingon。
\"No,dear;there\'snotimeforknick—knacksto—day。Thebeetsoughttobeonthisminute。Runandget\'em,andbesureyouscrapethecarrotswell。\"
PoorMerryputawaythedelicatetaskshewasjustbeginningtolike,andtakingapanwentdowncellar,wishingvegetablescouldbegrownwithoutearth,forshehatedtoputherhandsindirtywater。AwordofpraisetoRoxymadethatgratefulscrubberleaveherworktopokeaboutintheroot—cellar,choosing\"sechaswasprettymuchofamuchness,elsetheywouldn\'tbileeven\";soMerrywassparedthatpartofthejob,andwentuptoscrapeandwashwithoutcomplaint,sinceitwasforfather。Shewasrepaidatnoonbytherelishwithwhichheenjoyedhisdinner,forMerrytriedtomakeevenaboileddishprettybyarrangingthebeets,carrots,turnips,andpotatoesincontrastingcolors,withthebeefhiddenunderthecabbageleaves。
\"Now,I\'llrestandreadforanhour,thenI\'llrakemygarden,orrundowntowntoseeMollyandgetsomeseeds,\"shethoughttoherself,assheputawaythespoonsandglasses,whichshelikedtowash,thattheymightalwaysbeclearandbright。
\"Ifyou\'vedoneallyourownmending,there\'saheapofsockstobelookedover。ThenI\'llshowyouaboutdarningthetablecloths。IdohatetohaveastitchofworkleftovertillMonday,\"saidMrs。
Grant,whonevertooknaps,andpridedherselfonsittingdowntoherneedleat3P。M。everyday。
\"Yes,mother\";andMerrywentslowlyupstairs,feelingthatapartofSaturdayoughttobeaholidayafterbooksandworkalltheweek。Asshebraidedupherhair,hereyefelluponthereflectionofherownfaceintheglass。Notahappynoraprettyonejustthen,andMerrywassounaccustomedtoseeinganyother,thatinvoluntarilythefrownsmootheditselfout,theeyeslosttheirwearylook,thedroopinglipscurvedintoasmile,and,leaningherelbowsonthebureau,sheshookherheadatherself,saying,halfaloud,assheglancedatIvanhoelyingnear,\"Youneedn\'tlooksocrossanduglyjustbecauseyoucan\'thavewhatyouwant。Sweeping,baking,anddarningarenotsobadasbeingplaguedwithloversandcarriedoffandburntatthestake,soIwon\'tenvypoorRebeccaherjewelsandcurlsandromantictimes,butmakethebestofmyown。\"
Thenshelaughed,andthebrightfacecamebackintothemirror,lookinglikeanoldfriend,andMerrywentondressingwithcare,forshetookpleasureinherownlittlecharms,andfeltasenseofcomfortinknowingthatshecouldalwayshaveoneprettythingtolookatifshekeptherownfacesereneandsweet。Itcertainlylookedsoasitbentoverthepileofbigsockshalfanhourlater,andbrightenedwitheachthatwaslaidaside。Hermothersawit,and,guessingwhysuchwistfulglanceswentfromclocktowindow,kindlyshortenedthetaskoftable—clothdarningbydoingagoodbitherself,beforeputtingitintoMerry\'shands。
Shewasagoodandlovingmotherinspiteofherstrictways,andknewthatitwasbetterforherromanticdaughtertobelearningallthehousewiferylessonsshecouldteachher,thantobereadingnovels,writingverses,orphilanderingaboutwithherheadfullofgirlishfancies,quiteinnocentinthemselves,butnotthestufftoliveon。Soshewiselytaughtthehandsthatpreferredtopickflowers,trimuproomsandmouldbirds,toworkwellwithneedle,broom,androlling—pin;putareceipt—bookbeforetheeyesthatlovedtolaughandweepovertendertales,andkepttheyoungheadandheartsafeandhappywithwholesomeduties,usefulstudies,andsuchharmlesspleasuresasgirlsshouldlove,insteadoflettingthemwastetheirfreshnessinvaguelongings,idledreams,andfrivolouspastimes。
Butitwasoftenhardtothwartthedocilechild,andlatelyshehadseemedtobegrowingupsofastthathermotherbegantofeelanewsortoftendernessforthissweetdaughter,whowasalmostreadytotakeuponherselfthecares,aswellastriumphsanddelights,ofmaidenhood。Somethinginthedroopofthebrownhead,andthequickmotionofthebusyhandwithalittleburnonit,madeitdifficultforMrs。GranttokeepMerryatworkthatday,andhereyewatchedtheclockalmostasimpatientlyasthegirl\'s,forshelikedtoseetheyoungfacebrightenwhenthehourofreleasecame。
\"Whatnext？\"askedMerry,asthelaststitchwasset,andshestifledasighonhearingtheclockstrikefour,forthesunwasgettinglow,andthelovelyafternoongoingfast,\"Onemorejob,ifyouarenottootiredforit。IwantthereceiptfordietdrinkMissDawespromisedme;wouldyouliketorundownandgetitforme,dear？\"
\"Yes,mother！\"andthatanswerwasasblitheasarobin\'schirp,forthatwasjustwhereMerrywantedtogo。
Awaywentthimbleandscissors,andinfiveminutesawaywentMerry,skippingdownthehillwithoutacareintheworld,forahappyheartsatsingingwithin,andeverythingseemedfullofbeauty。
ShehadacapitaltimewithMolly,calledonJill,didhershoppinginthevillage,andhadjustturnedtowalkupthehill,whenRalphEvanscametrampingalongbehindher,lookingsopleasedandproudaboutsomethingthatshecouldnothelpaskingwhatitwas,fortheyweregreatfriends,andMerrythoughtthattobeanartistwasthemostgloriouscareeramancouldchoose。
\"Iknowyou\'vegotsomegoodnews,\"shesaid,lookingupathimashetouchedhishatandfellintostepwithher,seemingmorecontentedthanbefore。
\"Ihave,andwasjustcominguptotellyou,forIwassureyouwouldbeglad。Itisonlyahope,achance,butitissosplendidI
feelasifImustshoutanddance,orflyoverafenceortwo,toletoffsteam。\"
\"Dotellme,quick;haveyougotanorder？\"askedMerry,fullofinterestatonce,forartisticvicissitudeswereveryromantic,andshelikedtohearaboutthem。
\"Imaygoabroadintheautumn。\"
\"Oh,howlovely！\"
\"Isn\'tit？DavidGermanisgoingtospendayearinRome,tofinishastatue,andwantsmetogoalong。Grandmaiswilling,ascousinMariawantsherforalongvisit,soeverythinglookspromisingandIreallythinkImaygo。\"
\"Won\'titcostagreatdeal？\"askedMerry,who,inspiteofherlittleelegancies,hadagooddealofherthriftymother\'scommonsense。
\"Yes;andI\'vegottoearnit。ButIcan——IknowIcan,forI\'vesavedsome,andIshallworkliketenbeaversallsummer。Iwon\'tborrowifIcanhelpit,butIknowsomeonewhowouldlendmefivehundredifIwantedit\";andRalphlookedaseagerandsecureasiftheearningoftwicethatsumwasameretriflewhenallthelongingofhislifewasputintohisdailytasks。
\"Iwish1hadittogiveyou。Itmustbesosplendidtofeelthatyoucandogreatthingsifyouonlyhavethechance。Andtotravel,andseeallthelovelypicturesandstatues,andpeopleandplacesinItaly。Flowhappyyoumustbe！\"andMerry\'seyeshadthewistfullooktheyalwaysworewhenshedreameddreamsoftheworldshelovedtolivein。
\"Iam——sohappythatI\'mafraiditneverwillhappen。IfIdogo,I\'llwriteandtellyouallaboutthefinesights,andhowIgeton。
Wouldyoulikemeto？\"askedRalph,beginningenthusiasticallyandendingratherbashfully,forheadmiredMerryverymuch,andwasnotquitesurehowthisproposalwouldbereceived。
\"IndeedIshould！I\'dfeelsograndtohavelettersfromParisandRome,andyou\'dhavesomuchtotellitwouldbealmostasgoodasgoingmyself,\"shesaid,lookingoffintothedaffodilsky,astheypausedaminuteonthehill—toptogetbreath,forbothhadwalkedasfastastheytalked。
\"Andwillyouanswertheletters？\"askedRalph,watchingtheinnocentface,whichlookedunusuallykindandbeautifultohiminthatsoftlight。
\'Why,yes;I\'dloveto,onlyIshallnothaveanythinginterestingtosay。WhatcanIwriteabout？\"andMerrysmiledasshethoughthowdullherletterswouldsoundaftertheexcitingdetailshiswoulddoubtlessgive。
\"Writeaboutyourself,andalltherestofthepeopleIknow。
Grandmawillbegone,andIshallwanttohearhowyougeton。\"
Ralphlookedveryanxiousindeedtohear,andMerrypromisedshewouldtellallabouttheotherpeople,adding,assheturnedfromtheeveningpeaceandlovelinesstothehouse,whencecametheclatterofmilk—pansandthesmellofcooking,\"Inevershouldhaveanythingverynicetotellaboutmyself,forI
don\'tdointerestingthingsasyoudo,andyouwouldn\'tcaretohearaboutschool,andsewing,andmessingroundathome。\"