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

Chapter 15 108One can easily imagine how this offer was received, as well as the friendly commendation bestowed by thesame kind critic on the work of Beaumont and Fletcher, who hastened to explain that this trifle was only anattempt to make nature and art go hand in hand, with little help from fine writing or imposing scenery.Everybody was in the happiest mood, especially 'little Dolly', who danced like a will-o'-the-wisp withlight-footed Mercury and Apollo as he promenaded with the Marquise on his arm, who seemed to have lefther coquetry in the green room with her rouge.When all was over, Mrs Juno said to Jove, to whose arm she clung as they trudged home along the snowypaths: 'Fritz dear, Christmas is a good time for new resolutions, and I've made one never to be impatient orfretful with my beloved husband again. I know I am, though you won't own it; but Laurie's fun had some truthin it, and I felt hit in a tender spot. Henceforth I am a model wife, else I don't deserve the dearest, best manever born'; and being in a dramatic mood, Mrs Juno tenderly embraced her excellent Jove in the moonlight, tothe great amusement of sundry lingerers behind them.So all three plays might be considered successes, and that merry Christmas night a memorable one in theMarch family; for Demi got an unspoken question answered, Josie's fondest wish was granted, and, thanks toProfessor Owlsdark's jest, Mrs Jo made Professor Bhaer's busy life quite a bed of roses by the keeping of herresolution. A few days later she had her reward for this burst of virtue in Dan's letter, which set her fears atrest and made her very happy, though she was unable to tell him so, because he sent her no address.Chapter 15WAITING'My wife, I have bad news for thee,' said Professor Bhaer, coming in one day early in January.'Please tell it at once. I can't bear to wait, Fritz,' cried Mrs Jo, dropping her work and standing up as if to takethe shot bravely.'But we must wait and hope, heart's-dearest. Come and let us bear it together. Emil's ship is lost, and as yet nonews of him.'It was well Mr Bhaer had taken his wife into his strong arms, for she looked ready to drop, but bore up after amoment, and sitting by her good man, heard all that there was to tell. Tidings had been sent to the shipownersat Hamburg by some of the survivors, and telegraphed at once by Franz to his uncle. As one boat-load wassafe, there was hope that others might also escape, though the gale had sent two to the bottom. A swift-sailingsteamer had brought these scanty news, and happier ones might come at any hour; but kind Franz had notadded that the sailors reported the captain's boat as undoubtedly wrecked by the falling mast, since the smokehid its escape, and the gale soon drove all far asunder. But this sad rumour reached Plumfield in time; anddeep was the mourning for the happyhearted Commodore, never to come singing home again. Mrs Jo refusedto believe it, stoutly insisting that Emil would outlive any storm and yet turn up safe and gay. It was well sheclung to this hopeful view, for poor Mr Bhaer was much afflicted by the loss of his boy, because his sister'ssons had been his so long he scarcely knew a different love for his very own. Now was a chance for Mrs Junoto keep her word; and she did, speaking cheerily of Emil, even when hope waxed faint and her heart washeavy. If anything could comfort the Bhaers for the loss of one boy, it would have been the affection andsorrow shown by all the rest. Franz kept the cable busy with his varying messages, Nat sent loving lettersfrom Leipzig, and Tom harassed the shipping agents for news. Even busy Jack wrote them with unusualwarmth; Dolly and George came often, bearing the loveliest flowers and the daintiest bon-bons to cheer MrsBhaer and sweeten Josie's grief; while good-hearted Ned travelled all the way from Chicago to press theirhands and say, with a tear in his eye: 'I was so anxious to hear all about the dear old boy, I couldn't keepaway.'