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

Chapter 18 124of the poor, better than any a queen could bestow.Chapter 18CLASS DAYThe clerk of the weather evidently has a regard for young people, and sends sunshine for class days as often ashe can. An especially lovely one shone over Plumfield as this interesting anniversary came round, bringing theusual accompaniments of roses, strawberries, white-gowned girls, beaming youths, proud friends, and statelydignitaries full of well-earned satisfaction with the yearly harvest. As Laurence College was a mixed one, thepresence of young women as students gave to the occasion a grace and animation entirely wanting where thepicturesque half of creation appear merely as spectators. The hands that turned the pages of wise books alsopossessed the skill to decorate the hall with flowers; eyes tired with study shone with hospitable warmth onthe assembling guests; and under the white muslins beat hearts as full of ambition, hope, and courage as thoseagitating the broadcloth of the ruling sex.College Hill, Parnassus, and old Plum swarmed with cheery faces, as guests, students, and professors hurriedto and fro in the pleasant excitement of arriving and receiving. Everyone was welcomed cordially, whether herolled up in a fine carriage, or trudged afoot to see the good son or daughter come to honour on the happy daythat rewarded many a mutual sacrifice. Mr Laurie and his wife were on the reception committee, and theirlovely house was overflowing. Mrs Meg, with Daisy and Jo as aides, was in demand among the girls, helpingon belated toilettes, giving an eye to spreads, and directing the decorations. Mrs Jo had her hands full asPresident's lady, and the mother of Ted; for it took all the power and skill of that energetic woman to get herson into his Sunday best.Not that he objected to be well arrayed; far from it; he adored good clothes, and owing to his great heightalready revelled in a dress-suit, bequeathed him by a dandy friend. The effect was very funny; but he wouldwear it in spite of the jeers of his mates, and sighed vainly for a beaver, because his stern parent drew the linethere. He pleaded that English lads of ten wore them and were 'no end nobby'; but his mother only answered,with a consoling pat of the yellow mane:'My child, you are absurd enough now; if I let you add a tall hat, Plumfield wouldn't hold either of us, suchwould be the scorn and derision of all beholders. Content yourself with looking like the ghost of a waiter, anddon't ask for the most ridiculous head-gear in the known world.'Denied this noble badge of manhood, Ted soothed his wounded soul by appearing in collars of an amazingheight and stiffness, and ties which were the wonder of all female eyes. This freak was a sort of vengeance onhis hard-hearted mother; for the collars drove the laundress to despair, never being just right, and the tiesrequired such art in the tying that three women sometimes laboured long before--like Beau Brummel--heturned from a heap of 'failures' with the welcome words: 'That will do.' Rob was devoted on these tryingoccasions, his own toilet being distinguished only by its speed, simplicity, and neatness. Ted was usually in afrenzy before he was suited, and roars, whistles, commands, and groans were heard from the den wherein theLion raged and the Lamb patiently toiled. Mrs Jo bore it till boots were hurled and a rain of hair-brushes setin, then, fearing for the safety of her eldest, she would go to the rescue, and by a wise mixture of fun andauthority finally succeed in persuading Ted that he was 'a thing of beauty', if not 'a joy for ever'. At last hewould stalk majestically forth, imprisoned in collars compared to which those worn by Dickens's afflictedBiler were trifles not worth mentioning. The dresscoat was a little loose in the shoulders, but allowed a nobleexpanse of glossy bosom to be seen, and with a delicate handkerchief negligently drooping at the properangle, had a truly fine effect. Boots that shone, and likewise pinched, appeared at one end of the 'long, blackclothes-pin'--as Josie called him---and a youthful but solemn face at the other, carried at an angle which, iflong continued, would have resulted in spinal curvature. Light gloves, a cane, and--oh, bitter drop in the cupof joy!--an ignominious straw hat, not to mention a choice floweret in the buttonhole, and a festoon of