Jo's Boys - Bibliotecadigital.puc-campinas.edu.br

Chapter 14 101A tap at the door roused him, and with a careless 'Herein', he waited to see who had climbed so far for hissake. It was the good Frau proudly bearing a tray, on which stood a bottle of wine and an astonishing cakebedecked with sugar-plums of every hue, and crowned with candles. Fraulein Vogelstein followed, embracinga blooming rose-tree, above which her grey curls waved and her friendly face beamed joyfully as she cried:'Dear Herr Blak, we bring you greetings and a little gift or two in honour of this ever-to-be-remembered day.Best wishes! and may the new year bloom for you as beautifully as we your heart-warm friends desire.''Yes, yes, in truth we do, dear Herr,' added Frau Tetzel. 'Eat of this with-joy-made Kuchen, and drink to thehealth of the far-away beloved ones in the good wine.'Amused, yet touched by the kindness of the good souls, Nat thanked them both, and made them stay to enjoythe humble feast with him. This they gladly did, being motherly women full of pity for the dear youth, whosestraits they knew, and having substantial help to offer, as well as kind words and creature comforts.Frau Tetzel, with some hesitation, mentioned a friend of hers who, forced by illness to leave his place in theorchestra of a second-rate theatre, would gladly offer it to Nat, if he could accept so humble a position.Blushing and toying with the roses like a shy girl, good old Vogelstein asked if in his leisure moments hecould give English lessons in the young ladies' school where she taught painting, adding that a small butcertain salary would be paid him.Gratefully Nat accepted both offers, finding it less humiliating to be helped by women than by friends of hisown sex. This work would support him in a frugal way, and certain musical drudgery promised by his masterassured his own teaching. Delighted with the success of their little plot, these friendly neighbours left himwith cheery words, warm hand-grasps, and faces beaming with feminine satisfaction at the hearty kiss Nat puton each faded cheek, as the only return he could make for all their helpful kindness.It was strange how much brighter the world looked after that; for hope was a better cordial than the wine, andgood resolutions bloomed as freshly as the little rose-tree that filled the room with fragrance, as Nat woke theechoes with the dear old airs, finding now as always his best comforter in music, to whom henceforth heswore to be a more loyal subject.Chapter 14PLAYS AT PLUMFIELDAs it is as impossible for the humble historian of the March family to write a story without theatricals in it asfor our dear Miss Yonge to get on with less than twelve or fourteen children in her interesting tales, we willaccept the fact, and at once cheer ourselves after the last afflicting events, by proceeding to the Christmasplays at Plumfield; for they influence the fate of several of our characters, and cannot well be skipped.When the college was built Mr Laurie added a charming little theatre which not only served for plays, butdeclamations, lectures, and concerts. The drop-curtain displayed Apollo with the Muses grouped about him;and as a compliment to the donor of the hall the artist had given the god a decided resemblance to our friend,which was considered a superb joke by everyone else. Home talent furnished stars, stock company, orchestra,and scene painter; and astonishing performances were given on this pretty little stage.Mrs Jo had been trying for some time to produce a play which should be an improvement upon theadaptations from the French then in vogue, curious mixtures of fine toilettes, false sentiment, and feeble wit,with no touch of nature to redeem them. It was easy to plan plays full of noble speeches and thrillingsituations, but very hard to write them; so she contented herself with a few scenes of humble life in which thecomic and pathetic were mingled; and as she fitted her characters to her actors, she hoped the little venture