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

Chapter 16 115'No. I was thinking that Jo wasn't far wrong about shirking. 'Tis a shame to get so little done, when we oughtto be grinding like Morton and Torry and that lot. I never wanted to go to college; but my governor made me.Much good it will do either of us!' answered Stuffy, with a groan; for he hated work, and saw two more longyears of it before him.'Gives a man prestige, you know. No need to dig. I mean to have a gay old time, and be a "howling swell", if Ichoose. Between you and me though, it would be no end jolly to have the girls along. Study be hanged! But ifwe've got to turn the grindstone, it would be mighty nice to have some of the little dears to lend a hand.Wouldn't it now?''I'd like three this minute--one to fan me, one to kiss me, and one to give me some iced lemonade!' sighedStuffy, with a yearning glance towards the house, whence no succour appeared.'How would root-beer do?' asked a voice behind them, which made Dolly spring to his feet and Stuffy rollover like a startled porpoise.Sitting on the stile that crossed the wall near by was Mrs Jo, with two jugs slung over her shoulder by a strap,several tin mugs in her hand, and an old-fashioned sun-bonnet on her head.'I knew the boys would be killing themselves with ice-water; so I strolled down with some of my good,wholesome beer. They drank like fishes. But Silas was with me; so my cruse still holds out. Have some?''Yes, thanks, very much. Let us pour it.' And Dolly held the cup while Stuffy joyfully filled it; both verygrateful, but rather afraid she had heard what went before the wish she fulfilled.She proved that she had by saying, as they stood drinking her health, while she sat between them, looking likea middle-aged vivandiere, with her jugs and mugs:'I was glad to hear you say you would like to have girls at your college; but I hope you will learn to speakmore respectfully of them before they come; for that will be the first lesson they will teach you.''Really, ma'am, I was only joking,' began Stuffy, gulping down his beer in a hurry.'So was I. I'm sure I--I'm devoted to 'em,' stuttered Dolly, panic-stricken; for he saw that he was in for alecture of some sort.'Not in the right way. Frivolous girls may like to be called "little dears" and things of that sort; but the girlswho love study wish to be treated like reasonable beings, not dolls to flirt with. Yes, I'm going to preach;that's my business; so stand up and take it like men.'Mrs Jo laughed; but she was in earnest; for by various hints and signs during the past winter she knew that theboys were beginning to 'see life' in the way she especially disapproved. Both were far from home, had moneyenough to waste, and were as inexperienced, curious, and credulous as most lads of their age. Not fond ofbooks, therefore without the safeguard which keeps many studious fellows out of harm; one self-indulgent,indolent, and so used to luxury that pampering of the senses was an easy thing; the other vain, as all comelyboys are, full of conceit, and so eager to find favour in the eyes of his comrades that he was ready for anythingwhich would secure it. These traits and foibles made both peculiarly liable to the temptations which assailpleasure-loving and weak-willed boys. Mrs Jo knew them well, and had dropped many a warning word sincethey went to college; but till lately they seemed not to understand some of her friendly hints; now she wassure they would, and meant to speak out: for long experience with boys made her both bold and skilful inhandling some of the dangers usually left to silence, till it is too late for anything but pity and reproach.