In the cold grey dawn the sisters lit their lamp, and read their chapter with an earnestness never felt before; for now the shadow of a real trouble had come, the little books were full of help and comfort; and, as they dressed, they agreed to say good-bye cheerfully and hopefully, and send their mother on her anxious journey unsaddened by tears or complaints from them. Everything seemed very strange when they went down - so dim and still outside, so full of light and bustle within.
Breakfast at that early hour seemed odd, and even Hannah’s familiar face looked unnatural as she flew about her kitchen with her night-cap on. The big trunk stood ready in the hall, Mother’s cloak and bonnet lay on the sofa, and Mother herself sat trying to eat, but looking so pale and worn, with sleeplessness and anxiety, that the girls found it very hard to keep their resolution. Meg’s eyes kept filling in spite of herself; Jo was obliged to hide her face in the kitchen roller more than once; and the little girls wore a grave, troubled expression, as if sorrow was a new experience to them.
Nobody talked much, but as the time drew very near, and they sat waiting for the carriage, Mrs. March said to the girls, who were all busied about her, one folding her shawl, another smoothing out the strings of her bonnet, a third putting on her overshoes, and a fourth fastening up her travelling bag:
Children, I leave you to Hannah’s care and Mr. Laurence’s protection. Hannah is faithfulness itself, and our good neighbour will guard you as if you were his own. I have no fears for you, yet I am anxious that you should take this trouble rightly. Don’t grieve and fret when I am gone, or think that you can comfort yourselves by being idle and trying to forget. Go on with your work as usual, for work is a blessed solace. Hope and keep busy; and whatever happens, remember that you never can be fatherless.’
Meg, dear, be prudent, watch over your sisters, consult Hannah, and, in any perplexity, go to Mr. Laurence. Be patient, Jo, don’t get despondent or do rash things; write to me often, and be my brave girl, ready to help and cheer us all. Beth, comfort yourself with your music, and be faithful to the little home duties; and you, Amy, help all you can, be obedient, and keep happy safe at home.’
The rattle of an approaching carriage made them all start and listen. That was the hard minute, but the girls stood it well; no one cried, no one ran away or uttered a lamentation, though their hearts were very heavy as they sent loving messages to Father, remembering, as they spoke, that it might be too late to deliver them. They kissed their mother quietly, clung about her tenderly, and tried to wave their hands cheerfully when she drove away.
Laurie and his grandfather came over to see her off, and Mr. Brooke looked so strong and sensible and kind that the girls christened him `Mr. Greatheart’ on the spot.
读书笔记
是否公开
10
-
“再见,宝贝们!上帝保佑大家平平安安!”马奇太太轻声说。她在每张小脸上逐一亲亲,然后快步登上马车。
读书笔记
是否公开
10
-
Good-bye, my darlings! God bless and keep us all!’ whispered Mrs. March, as she kissed one dear little face after the other, and hurried into the carriage.
As she rolled away, the sun came out, and, looking back, she saw it shining on the group at the gate, like a good omen. They saw it also, and smiled and waved their hands; and the last thing she beheld, as she turned the corner, was the four bright faces, and behind them, like a bodyguard, old Mr. Laurence, faithful Hannah, and devoted Laurie.
I don’t see how they can help it,’ returned Mr. Brooke, laughing so infectiously that Mrs. March could not help smiling; and so the long journey began with the good omens of sunshine, smiles, and cheerful words.
读书笔记
是否公开
14
-
劳里和爷爷回去吃早饭,姑娘们留在家里稍作休息,邻居一走,乔便说:“我觉得好像经历了一场地震。”
读书笔记
是否公开
14
-
I feel as if there had been an earthquake,’ said Jo, as their neighbours went home to breakfast, leaving them to rest and refresh themselves.
读书笔记
是否公开
15
-
“屋子也仿佛变得空空荡荡的,”梅格凄凄切切地接着说。
读书笔记
是否公开
15
-
It seems as if half the house was gone,’ added Meg, forlornly.
Beth opened her lips to say something, but could only point to the pile of nicely minded hose which lay on Mother’s table, showing that even in her last hurried moments she had thought and worked for them. It was a little thing, but it went straight to their hearts; and, in spite of their brave resolutions, they all broke down and cried bitterly.
读书笔记
是否公开
17
-
罕娜也不去劝,任由她们尽情地释放自己的感情,看她们昏天黑地哭得差不多了,便手持咖啡壶走过来救驾。
读书笔记
是否公开
17
-
Hannah wisely allowed them to relieve their feelings, and, when the shower showed signs of clearing up, she came to the rescue, armed with a coffee-pot.
读书笔记
是否公开
18
-
“好了,年轻女士们,记住你们阿妈说过的话,不要伤心。都来喝杯咖啡,然后动身干活,为这个家争口气。”
读书笔记
是否公开
18
-
Now, my dear young ladies, remember what your ma said, and don’t fret. Come and have a cup of coffee all round, and then let’s fall to work and be a credit to the family.’
Coffee was a treat, and Hannah showed great tact in making it that morning. No one could resist her persuasive nods, or the fragrant invitation issuing from the nose of the coffee-pot. They drew up to the table, exchanged their handkerchiefs for napkins, and in ten minutes were all right again.
"Hope and keep busy", that’s the motto for us, so let’s see who will remember it best. I shall go to Aunt March, as usual. Oh, won’t she lecture though!’ said Jo, as she sipped with returning spirit.
读书笔记
是否公开
21
-
“我也要上金斯家去,不过我倒宁愿呆在家里做家务,”梅格说道,很后悔自己把眼睛哭红了。
读书笔记
是否公开
21
-
I shall go to my Kings, though I’d much rather stay at home and attend to things here,’ said Meg, wishing she hadn’t made her eyes so red.
读书笔记
是否公开
22
-
“用不着。我和贝思可以把家管理得井井有条,”艾美郑重其事地插话说。
读书笔记
是否公开
22
-
No need of that, Beth and I can keep house perfectly well,’ put in Amy, with an important air.
读书笔记
是否公开
23
-
贝思赶紧拿出洗碗刷和洗碗盘说:“罕娜会教我们怎样做,你们回来的时候我们会把一切都弄得好好的。”
读书笔记
是否公开
23
-
Hannah will tell us what to do, and we’ll have everything nice when you come home,’ added Beth, getting out her mop and dish-tub without delay.
读书笔记
是否公开
24
-
“我觉得忧思挺有趣儿,”艾美沉思着边吃糖边说。
读书笔记
是否公开
24
-
I think anxiety is very interesting,’ observed Amy, eating sugar, pensively.
读书笔记
是否公开
25
-
大家全忍不住笑起来,心里也好受多了。梅格则对这位可以在糖碗里找到安慰的年轻小姐摇摇脑袋。
读书笔记
是否公开
25
-
The girls couldn’t help laughing, and felt better for it, though Meg shook her head at the young lady who could find consolation in a sugar-bowl.
The sight of the turnovers made Jo sober again; and when the two went out to their daily tasks, they looked sorrowfully back at the window where they were accustomed to see their mother’s face. It was gone; but Beth had remembered the little household ceremony, and there she was, nodding away at them like a rosy-faced mandarin.
That’s so like my Beth!’ said Jo, waving her hat, with a grateful face. `Good-bye, Meggy; I hope the Kings won’t trail today. Don’t fret about Father, dear,’ she added, as they parted.
And I hope Aunt March won’t croak. Your hair is becoming, and it looks very boyish and nice,’ returned Meg, trying not to smile at the curly head, which looked comically small on her tall sister’s shoulders.
读书笔记
是否公开
29
-
“这是我唯一的安慰。”乔摸摸劳里送她的大帽子,转身而去,觉得自己就像一头在瑟瑟寒风中被剪了毛的羊。
读书笔记
是否公开
29
-
That’s my only comfort’; and, touching her hat, * la Laurie, away went Jo, feeling like a shorn sheep on a wintry day.
News from their father comforted the girls very much; for, though dangerously ill, the presence of the best and tenderest of nurses had already done him good. Mr. Brooke sent a bulletin every day, and, as the head of the family, Meg insisted on reading the dispatches, which grew more and more cheering as the week passed. At first, everyone was eager to write, and plump envelopes were carefully poked into the letter-box by one or other of the sisters, who felt rather important with their Washington correspondence. As one of these packets contained characteristic notes from the party, we will rob an imaginary mail, and read them:
My Dearest Mother - It is impossible to tell you how happy your last letter made us, for the news was so good we couldn’t help laughing and crying over it. How very kind Mr. Brooke is, and how fortunate that Mr. Laurence’s business detains him near you so long, since he is so useful to you and Father. The girls are all as good as gold. Jo helps me with the sewing, and insists on doing all sorts of hard jobs. I should be afraid she might overdo, if I didn’t know that her `moral fit’ wouldn’t last long. Beth is as regular about her tasks as a clock, and never forgets what you told her. She grieves about Father, and looks sober except when she is at her little piano. Amy minds me nicely, and I take great care of her. She does her own hair, and I am teaching her how to make buttonholes, and mend her stockings. She tries very hard, and I know you will be pleased with her improvement when you come. Mr. Laurence watches over us like a motherly old hen, as Jo says; and Laurie is very kind and neighbourly. He and Jo keep us merry, for we get pretty blue sometimes, and feel like orphans, with you so far away. Hannah is a perfect saint; she does not scold at all, and always calls me Miss `Margaret’, which is quite proper, you know, and treats me with respect. We are all well and busy; but we long day and night to have you back. Give my dearest love to Father, and believe me, ever your own.
This note, prettily written on scented paper, was a great contrast to the next, which was scribbled on a big sheet of thin foreign paper, ornamented with blots and all manner of flourishes and curly-tailed letters:
My precious Marmee: Three cheers for dear Father! Brooke was a trump to telegraph right off, and let us know the minute he was better. I rushed up garret when the letter came, and tried to thank God for being so good to us, but I could only cry, and say, “I’m glad! I’m glad!” Didn’t that do as well as a regular prayer? For I felt a great many in my heart. We have such funny times, and now I can enjoy them, for everyone is so desperately good, it’s like living in a nest of turtledoves. You’d laugh to see Meg head the table and try to be motherish. She gets prettier every day, and I’m in love with her sometimes.
The children are regular archangels, and I—well, I’m Jo, and never shall be anything else. Oh, I must tell you that I came near having a quarrel with Laurie. I freed my mind about a silly little thing, and he was offended. I was right, but didn’t speak as I ought, and he marched home, saying he wouldn’t come again till I begged pardon. I declared I wouldn’t and got mad. It lasted all day. I felt bad and wanted you very much. Laurie and I are both so proud, it’s hard to beg pardon. But I thought he’d come to it, for I was in the right. He didn’t come, and just at night I remembered what you said when Amy fell into the river. I read my little book, felt better, resolved not to let the sun set on my anger, and ran over to tell Laurie I was sorry. I met him at the gate, coming for the same thing. We both laughed, begged each other’s pardon, and felt all good and comfortable again.
I made a `pome’ yesterday, when I was helping Hannah wash; and, as Father likes my silly little things, I put it in to amuse him. Give him the lovingest hug that ever was, and kiss yourself a dozen times for your
读书笔记
是否公开
37
-
您的"混乱大王"乔
读书笔记
是否公开
37
-
Topsy-Turvy Jo.
读书笔记
是否公开
38
-
肥皂泡之歌
读书笔记
是否公开
38
-
A Song From The Suds
读书笔记
是否公开
39
-
洗衣盆女神哟,我欢歌一曲;
读书笔记
是否公开
39
-
Queen of my tub, I merrily sing,
读书笔记
是否公开
40
-
看那白泡泡泛起,
读书笔记
是否公开
40
-
While the white foam rises high;
读书笔记
是否公开
41
-
我使劲又洗又漂,
读书笔记
是否公开
41
-
Please sign in to unlock the rest
读书笔记
是否公开
42
-
拧干的衣服晾起来,
读书笔记
是否公开
42
-
Please sign in to unlock the rest
读书笔记
是否公开
43
-
在悠悠清风中晃荡,
读书笔记
是否公开
43
-
Please sign in to unlock the rest
读书笔记
是否公开
44
-
天上阳光灿烂。
读书笔记
是否公开
44
-
Under the sunny sky.
读书笔记
是否公开
45
-
我祝愿能把世俗的尘污,从我们的心灵洗去。
读书笔记
是否公开
45
-
I wish we could wash from our hearts and souls,The stains of the week away;
Ma Chère Mamma:我们都很好我总做功课从不和姐姐们强挑(调)——梅格说我的意思是驳策(斥)所以我把两个词都写上等你来挑。梅格待我棒极了每晚吃茶点都让我吃果冻乔说这东西对我很有好处使我脾气甜美。劳里对人不够尊重现在我已差不多十几岁了,他还管我叫黄毛丫头当我像海蒂·金一样说Merci或者Bon jour的时候他就说很快的法语来伤我心。我那条蓝套裙的袖子全磨破了,梅格换了一对新的,但前面换错了颜色变得比裙子还要蓝。我心里不好受但没有恼火忍受着困难我真希望罕娜把我的围裙浆硬一点并每天做荞麦。她不可以吗?我的问号画得够漂亮吧?美格说我的标点付(符)号和拚(拼)写很不雅我很感屈如(辱),但是哎呀我有这么多事情要做,不能停下。再会,给爸爸送上大堆的爱。