Books: Jo\'s Boys

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'I'm so sorry the boys are going. It will be dreadfully dull without
them. Now they have stopped teasing and are polite, I really enjoy
them,' said Nan, who felt unusually gracious tonight as Tom's
mishap kept him from annoying her.

'So do I; and Bess was mourning about it today, though as a
general thing she doesn't like boys unless they are models of
elegance. She has been doing Dan's head, and it is not quite
finished. I never saw her so interested in any work, and it's very
well done. He is so striking and big he always makes me think of
the Dying Gladiator or some of those antique creatures. There's
Bess now. Dear child, how sweet she looks tonight!' answered
Daisy, waving her hand as the Princess went by with Grandpa on
her arm.

'I never thought he would turn out so well. Don't you remember
how we used to call him "the bad boy" and be sure he would
become a pirate or something awful because he glared at us and
swore sometimes? Now he is the handsomest of all the boys, and
very entertaining with his stories and plans. I like him very much;
he's so big and strong and independent. I'm tired of mollycoddles
and book-worms,' said Nan in her decided way.

'Not handsomer that Nat!' cried loyal Daisy, contrasting two faces
below, one unusually gay, the other sentimentally sober even in the
act of munching cake. 'I like Dan, and am glad he is doing well;
but he tires me, and I'm still a little afraid of him. Quiet people suit
me best.'

'Life is a fight, and I like a good soldier. Boys take things too
easily, don't see how serious it all is and go to work in earnest.
Look at that absurd Tom, wasting his time and making an object of
himself just because he can't have what he wants, like a baby
crying for the moon. I've no patience with such nonsense, scolded
Nan, looking down at the jovial Thomas, who was playfully
putting macaroons in Emil's shoes, and trying to beguile his exile
as best he could.

'Most girls would be touched by such fidelity. I think it's beautiful,'
said Daisy behind her fan; for other girls sat just below.

'You are a sentimental goose and not a judge. Nat will be twice the
man when he comes back after his trip. I wish Tom was going with
him. My idea is that if we girls have any influence we should use it
for the good of these boys, and not pamper them up, making slaves
of ourselves and tyrants of them. Let them prove what they can do
and be before they ask anything of us, and give us a chance to do
the same. Then we know where we are, and shall not make
mistakes to mourn over all our lives.'

'Hear, hear!' cried Alice Heath, who was a girl after Nan's own
heart, and had chosen a career, like a brave and sensible young
woman. 'Only give us a chance, and have patience till we can do
our best. Now we are expected to be as wise as men who have had
generations of all the help there is, and we scarcely anything. Let
us have equal opportunities, and in a few generations we will see
what the judgement is. I like justice, and we get very little of it.'

'Still shouting the battle-cry of freedom?' asked Demi, peering
through the banisters at this moment. 'Up with your flag! I'll stand
by and lend a hand if you want it. With you and Nan to lead the
van, I think you won't need much help.'

'You are a great comfort, Demi, and I'll call on you in all
emergencies; for you are an honest boy, and don't forget that you
owe much to your mother and your sisters and your aunts,'
continued Nan. 'I do like men who come out frankly and own that
they are not gods. How can we think them so when such awful
mistakes are being made all the time by these great creatures? See
them sick, as I do, then you know them.'

'Don't hit us when we are down; be merciful, and set us up to bless
and believe in you evermore,' pleaded Demi from behind the bars.
'We'll be kind to you if you will be just to us. I don't say generous,
only just. I went to a suffrage debate in the Legislature last winter;
and of all the feeble, vulgar twaddle I ever heard, that was the
worst; and those men were our representatives. I blushed for them,
and the wives and mothers. I want an intelligent man to represent
me, if I can't do it myself, not a fool.'

'Nan is on the stump. Now we shall catch it,' cried Tom, putting up
an umbrella to shield his unhappy head; for Nan's earnest voice
was audible, and her indignant eye happened to rest on him as she
spoke.

'Go on, go on! I'll take notes, and put in "great applause" liberally,'
added Demi, producing his ball-book and pencil, with his Jenkins
air.

Daisy pinched his nose through the bars, and the meeting was
rather tumultuous for a moment, for Emil called: 'Avast, avast,
here's a squall to wind'ard'; Tom applauded wildly; Dan looked up
as if the prospect of a fight, even with words, pleased him, and Nat
went to support Demi, as his position seemed to be a good one. At
this crisis, when everyone laughed and talked at once, Bess came
floating through the upper hall and looked down like an angel of
peace upon the noisy group below, as she asked, with wondering
eyes and smiling lips:

'What is it?'

'An indignation meeting. Nan and Alice are on the rampage, and
we are at the bar to be tried for our lives. Will Your Highness
preside and judge between us?' answered Demi, as a lull at once
took place; for no one rioted in the presence of the Princess.

'I'm not wise enough. I'll sit here and listen. Please go on.' And
Bess took her place above them all as cool and calm as a little
statue of Justice, with fan and nosegay in place of sword and
scales.

'Now, ladies, free your minds, only spare us till morning; for we've
got a german to dance as soon as everyone is fed, and Parnassus
expects every man to do his duty. Mrs President Giddy-gaddy has
the floor,' said Demi, who liked this Sort of fun better than the very
mild sort of flirtation which was allowed at Plum-field, for the
simple reason that it could not be entirely banished, and is a part of
all education, co or

otherwise.

'I have only one thing to say, and it is this,' began Nan soberly,
though her eyes sparkled with a mixture of fun and earnestness. 'I
want to ask every boy of you what you really think on this subject.
Dan and Emil have seen the world and ought to know their own
minds. Tom and Nat have had five examples before them for
years. Demi is ours and we are proud of him. So is Rob. Ted is a
weathercock, and Dolly and George, of course, are fogies in spite
of the Annex, and girls at Girton going ahead of the men.
Commodore, are you ready for the question?'

'Ay, ay, skipper.'

'Do you believe in Woman's Suffrage?'

'Bless your pretty figger head! I do, and I'll ship a crew of girls any
time you say so. Aren't they worse than a press-gang to carry a
fellow out of his moorings? Don't we all need one as pilot to steer
us safe to port? and why shouldn't they share our mess afloat and
ashore since we are sure to be wrecked without 'em?'

'Good for you, Emil! Nan will take you for first mate after that
handsome speech,' said Demi, as the girls applauded, and Tom
glowered. 'Now, Dan, you love liberty so well yourself, are you
willing we should have it?'

'All you can get, and I'll fight any man who's mean enough to say
you don't deserve it.'

This brief and forcible reply delighted the energetic President, and
she beamed upon the member from California, as she said briskly:

'Nat wouldn't dare to say he was on the other side even if he were,
but I hope he has made up his mind to pipe for us, at least when
we take the field, and not be one of those who wait till the battle is
won, and

rii~n IJ~ ~ ~ ~n‡l share the glory.'

Mrs Giddy-gaddy's doubts were most effectually removed, and her
sharp speech regretted, as Nat looked up blushing, but with a new
sort of manliness in face and manner, saying, in a tone that
touched them all:

'I should be the most ungrateful fellow alive if I did not love,
honour, and serve women with all my heart and might, for to them
I owe everything I am or ever shall be.'

Daisy clapped her hands, and Bess threw her bouquet into Nat's
lap, while the other girls waved their fans, well pleased; for real
feeling made his little speech eloquent.

'Thomas B. Bangs, come into court, and tell the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth, if you can,' commanded Nan, with
a rap to call the meeting to order.

Tom shut the umbrella, and standing up raised his hand, saying
solemnly:

'I believe in suffrage of all kinds. I adore all women, and will die
for them at any moment if it will help the cause.'

'Living and working for it is harder, and therefore more
honourable. Men are always ready to die for us, but not to make
our lives worth having. Cheap sentiment and bad logic. You will
pass, Tom, only don't twaddle. Now, having taken the sense of the
meeting we will adjourn, as the hour for festive gymnastics has
arrived. I am glad to see that old Plum has given six true men to
the world, and hope they will continue to be staunch to her and the
principles she has taught them, wherever they may go. Now, girls,
don't sit in draughts, and, boys, beware of ice-water when you are
warm.'

With this characteristic close Nan retired from office, and the girls
went to enjoy one of the few rights allowed them.

Chapter 6 LAST WORDS

The next day was Sunday, and a goodly troop of young and old set
forth to church some driving, some walking, all enjoying the
lovely weather and the happy quietude which comes to refresh us
when the work and worry of the week are over. Daisy had a
headache; and Aunt Jo remained at home to keep her company,
knowing very well that the worst ache was in the tender heart
struggling dutifully against the love that grew stronger as the
parting drew nearer.

'Daisy knows my wishes, and I trust her. You must keep an eye on
Nat, and let him clearly understand that there is to be no
"lovering", or I shall forbid the letter-writing. I hate to seem cruel,
but it is too soon for my dear girl to bind herself in any way,' said
Mrs Meg, as she rustled about in her best grey silk, while waiting
for Demi, who always escorted his pious mother to church as a
peace-offering for crossing her wishes in other things.

'I will, dear; I'm lying in wait for all three boys today, like an old
spider; and I will have a good talk with each. They know I
understand them, and they always open their hearts sooner or later.
You look like a nice, plump little Quakeress, Meg; and no one will
believe that big boy is your son,' added Mrs Jo, as Demi came in
shining with Sunday neatness, from his well-blacked boots to his
smooth brown head.

'You flatter me, to soften my heart toward your boy. I know your
ways, Jo, and I don't give in. Be firm, and spare me a scene by and
by. As for John, as long as he is satisfied with his old mother, I
don't care what people think,' answered Mrs Meg, accepting with a
smile the little posy of sweet peas and mignonette Demi brought
her.

Then, having buttoned her dove-coloured gloves with care, she
took her son's arm and went proudly away to the carriage, where
Amy and Bess waited, while Jo called after them, just as Marmee
used to do:

'Girls, have you got nice pocket-handkerchiefs?' They all smiled at
the familiar words, and three white banners waved as they drove
away, leaving the spider to watch for her first fly. She did not wait
long. Daisy was lying down with a wet cheek on the little
hymnbook out of which she and Nat used to sing together; so Mrs
Jo strolled about the lawn, looking very like a wandering
mushroom with her large buff umbrella.

Dan had gone for a ten-mile stroll; and Nat was supposed to have
accompanied him, but presently came sneaking back, unable to
tear himself away from the Dovecote or lose a moment of nearness
to his idol that last day. Mrs Jo saw him at once, and beckoned him
to a rustic seat under the old elm, where they could have their
confidences undisturbed, and both keep an eye on a certain
white-curtained window, half hidden in vines.

'Nice and cool here. I'm not up to one of Dan's tramps today it's so
warm, and he goes so like a steam-engine. He headed for the
swamp where his pet snakes used to live, and I begged to be
excused,' said Nat, fanning himself with his straw hat, though the
day was not oppressive.

'I'm glad you did. Sit and rest with me, and have one of our good
old talks. We've both been so busy lately, I feel as if I didn't half
know your plans; and I want to,' answered Mrs Jo, feeling sure that
though they might start with Leipzig they would bring up at
Plumfielcj,

'You are very kind, and there's nothing I'd like better. I don't realize
I'm going so far suppose I shan't till I get afloat. It's a splendid
start, and I don't know how 1 can ever thank Mr Laurie for all he's
done, or you either,' added Nat, with a break in his voice; for he
was a tender-hearted fellow, and never forgot a kindness.

'You can thank us beautifully by being and doing all we hope and
expect of you, my dear. In the new life you are going to there will
be a thousand trials and temptations, and only your own wit and
wisdom to rely on. That will be the time to test the principles we
have tried to give you, and see how firm they are. Of course, you
will make mistakes we all do; but don't let go of your conscience
and drift along blindly. Watch and pray, dear Nat; and while your
hand gains skill, let your head grow wiser, and keep your heart as
innocent and warm as it is now.'

'I'll try, Mother Bhaer, my very best to be a credit to you. I know I
shall improve in my music can't help it there; but I never shall be
very wise, I'm afraid. As for my heart, you know, I leave it behind
me in good keeping.'

As he spoke, Nat's eyes were fixed on the window with a look of
love and longing that made his quiet face both manly and sad
plainly showing how strong a hold this boyish affection had upon
him.

'I want to speak of that; and I know you will forgive what seems
hard, because I do most heartily sympathize with you,' said Mrs Jo,
glad to have her say.

'Yes, do talk about Daisy! I think of nothing but leaving and losing
her. I have no hope I suppose it is too much to ask; only I can't
help loving her, wherever I am!' cried Nat, with a mixture of
defiance and despair in his face that rather startled Mrs Jo.

'Listen to me and I'll try to give you both comfort and good advice.
We all know that Daisy is fond of you, but her mother objects, and
being a good girl she tries to obey. Young people think they never
can change, but they do in the most wonderful manner, and very
few die of broken hearts.' Mrs Jo smiled as she remembered
another boy whom she had once tried to comfort, and then went
soberly on while Nat listened as if his fate hung upon her lips.

'One of two things will happen. You will find someone else to
love, or, better still, be so busy and happy in your music that you
will be willing to wait for time to settle the matter for you both.
Daisy will perhaps forget when you are gone, and be glad you are
only friends. At any rate it is much wiser to have no promises
made; then both are free, and in a year or two may meet to laugh
over the little romance nipped in the bud.'

'Do you honestly think that?' asked Nat, looking at her so keenly
that the truth had to come; for all his heart was in those frank blue
eyes of his.

'No, I don't!' answered Mrs Jo. 'Then if you were in my place, what
would you do?' he added, with a tone of command never heard in
his gentle voice before.

'Bless me! the boy is in dead earnest, and I shall forget prudence in
sympathy I'm afraid,' thought Mrs Jo, surprised and pleased by the
unexpected manliness Nat showed.

'I'll tell you what I should do. I'd say to myself:

"I'll prove that my love is strong and faithful, and make Daisy's
mother proud to give her to me by being not only a good musician
but an excellent man, and so command respect and confidence.
This I will try for; and if I fail, I shall be the better for the effort,
and find comfort in the thought that I did my best for her sake."'

'That is what I meant to do. But I wanted a word of hope to give
me courage,' cried Nat, firing up as if the smouldering spark was
set ablaze by a breath of encouragement. 'Other fellows, poorer
and stupider than I, have done great things and come to honour.
Why may not I, though I'm nothing now? I know Mrs Brooke
remembers what I came from, but my father was honest though
everything went wrong; and I have nothing to be ashamed of
though I was a charity boy. I never will be ashamed of my people
or myself, and I'll make other folks respect me if I can.'

'Good! that's the right spirit, Nat. Hold to it and make yourself a
man. No one will be quicker to see and admire the brave work
than my sister Meg. She does not despise your poverty or your
past; but mothers are very tender over their daughters, and we
Marches, though we have been poor, are, I confess, a little proud
of our good family. We don't care for money; but a long line of
virtuous ancestors is something to desire and to be proud of.'

'Well, the Blakes are a good lot. I looked 'em up, and not one was
ever in prison, hanged, or disgraced in any way. We used to be rich
and honoured years ago, but we've died out and got poor, and
father was a street musician rather than beg; and I'll be one again
before I'll do the mean things some men do and pass muster.'

Nat was so excited that Mrs Jo indulged in a laugh to calm him,
and both went on more quietly.

'I told my sister all that and it pleased her. I am sure if you do well
these next few years that she will relent and all be happily settled,
unless that wonderful change, which you don't believe possible,
should occur. Now, cheer up; don't be lackadaisical and blue. Say
good-bye cheerfully and bravely, show a manly front, and leave a
pleasant memory behind you. We all wish you well and hope much
for you. Write to me every week and I'll send a good, gossipy
answer. Be careful what you write to Daisy; don't gush or wail, for
sister Meg will see the letters; and you can help your cause very
much by sending sensible, cheery accounts of your life to us all.'

'I will; I will; it looks brighter and better already, and I won't lose
my one comfort by any fault of my own. Thank you so much,
Mother Bhaer, for taking my side. I felt so ungrateful and mean
and crushed when I thought you all considered me a sneak1 whc
had no business to love such a precious girl as Daisy. No one said
anything, but I knew how you felt, and that Mr Laurie sent me off
partly to get me out of the way. Oh dear, life is pretty tough
sometimes, isn't it?' And Nat took his head in both hands as if it
ached with the confusion of hopes and fears, passions and plans
that proved boyhood was past and manhood had begun.

'Very tough, but it is that very struggle with obstacles which does
us good. Things have been made easy for you in many ways, but
no on‡ can do evcrything. You must paddle your own canoe now,
and learn to avoid the rapids and steer straight to the port you want
to reach. I don't know just what your temptatiQflS will he~ for you
have n~ bad habits and seem to

love music so well, nothing can lure you from it. I only hope you
won't work too hard.'

'I feel as if I could work like a horse, I'm so eager to get on; but I'll
take care. Can't waste time being sick, and you've given me doses
enough to keep me all right, I guess.' Nat laughed as he
remembered the book of directions Mrs Jo had written for him to
consult on all occasions.

She immediately added some verbal ones on the subject of foreign
messes, and having mounted one of her pet hobbies, was in full
gallop when Emil was seen strolling about on the roof of the old
house, that being his favourite promenade; for there he could fancy
himself walking the deck, with only blue sky and fresh air about
him.

'I want a word with the Commodore, and up there we shall be nice
and quiet. Go and play to Daisy: it will put her to sleep and do you
both good. Sit in the porch, so I can keep an eye on you as I
promised'; and with a motherly pat on the shoulder Mrs Jo left Nat
to his delightful task and briskly ascended to the house- top, not up
the trellis as of old but by means of the stairs inside.

Emerging on the platform she found Emil cutting his initials afresh
in the wood-work and singing 'Pull for the Shore', like the tuneful
mariner he was.

'Come aboard and make yourself at home, Aunty,' he said, with a
playful salute. 'I'm just leaving a P.P.C. in the old place, so when
you fly up here for refuge you'll remember me.'

'Ah, my dear, I'm not likely to forget you. It doesn't need E. B. H.
cut on all the trees and railings to remind me of my sailor boy'; and
Mrs Jo took the seat nearest the blue figure astride the balustrade,
not quite sure how to begin the little sermon she wanted to preach.

'Well, you don't pipe your eye and look squally when I sheer off as
you used to, and that's a comfort. I like to leave port in fair weather
and have a jolly send-off all round. Specially this time, for it will
be a year or more before we drop anchor here again,' answered
Emil, pushing his cap back, and glancing about him as if he loved
old Plum and would be sorry never to see it any more.

'You have salt water enough without my adding to it. I'm going to
be quite a Spartan mother, and send my sons to battle with no
wailing, only the command:

"With your shield or on it",' said Mrs Jo cheerfully, adding after a
pause: 'I often wish I could go too, and some day I will, when you
are captain and have a ship of your own as I've no doubt you will
before long, with Uncle Herman to push you on.'

'When I do I'll christen her the Jolly Jo and take you as first mate.
It would be regular larks to have you aboard, and I'd be a proud
man to carry you round the world you've wanted to see so long and
never could,' answered Emil, caught at once by this splendid
vision.

'I'll make my first voyage with you and enjoy myself immensely in
spite of seasickness and all the stormy winds that blow. I've always
thought I'd like to see a wreck, a nice safe one with all saved after
great danger and heroic deeds, while we clung like Mr Pillicoddy
to main-top jibs and lee scuppers.'

'No wrecks yet, ma'am, but we'll try to accommodate customers.
Captain says I'm a lucky dog and bring fair weather, so we'll save
the dirty weather for you if you want it,' laughed Emil, digging at
the ship in full sail which he was adding to his design.

'Thanks, I hope you will. This long voyage will give you new
experiences, and being an officer, you will have new duties and
responsibilities. Are you ready for them? You take everything so
gaily, I've been wondering if you realized that now you will have
not only to obey but to command also, and power is a dangerous
thing. Be careful that you don't abuse it- or let it make a tyrant of
you.'

'Right you are, ma'am. I've seen plenty of that, and have got my
bearings pretty well, I guess. I shan't have very wide swing with
Peters over me, but I'll see that the boys don't get abused when he's
bowsed up his jib. No right to speak before, but now I won't stand
it.'

'That sounds mysteriously awful; could I ask what nautical torture
"bowsing jibs" is?' asked Mrs Jo, in a tone of deep interest.

'Getting drunk. Peters can hold more grog than any man I ever saw;
he keeps right side up, but is as savage as a norther, and makes
things lively all round. I've seen him knock a fellow down with a
belaying pin, and couldn't lend a hand. Better luck now, I hope.'
And Emil frowned as if he already trod the quarter-deck, lord of all
he surveyed.

'Don't get into trouble, for even Uncle Herman's favour won't cover
insubordination, you know. You have proved yourself a good
sailor; now be a good officer, which is a harder thing, I fancy. It
takes a fine character to rule justly and kindly; you will have to put
by your boyish ways and remember your dignity. That will be
excellent training for you, Emil, and sober you down a bit. No
more skylarking except here, so mind your ways, and do honour to
your buttons,' said Mrs Jo, tapping one of the very bright brass
ones that ornamented the new suit Emil was so proud of.

'I'll do my best. I know my time for skirmshander (chaff) is over,
and I must steer a straighter course; but don't you fear, Jack ashore
is a very different craft from what he is with blue water under his
keel. I had a long talk with Uncle last night and got my orders; I
won't forget 'em nor all I owe him. As for you, I'll name my first
ship as I say, and have your bust for the figurehead, see if I don't;
and Emil gave his aunt a hearty kiss to seal the vow, which
proceeding much amused Nat, playing softly in the porch of the

Dovecote.

'You do me proud, Captain. But, dear, I want to say one thing and
then I'm done; for you don't need much advice of mine after my
good man has spoken. I read somewhere that every inch of rope
used in the British Navy has a strand of red in it, so that wherever a
bit of it is found it is known. That is the text of my little sermon to
you. Virtue, which means honour, honesty, courage, and all that
makes character, is the red thread that marks a good man wherever
he is. Keep that always and everywhere, so that even if wrecked by
misfortune, that sign shall still be found and recognized. Yours is a
rough life, and your mates not all we could wish, but you can be a
gentleman in the true sense of the word; and no matter what
happens to your body, keep your soul clean, your heart true to
those who love you, and do your duty to the end.'

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