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

Chapter 18 125watchguard below, finished off this impressive boy.'How's that for style?' he asked, appearing to his mother and cousins whom he was to escort to the hall on thisparticular occasion.A shout of laughter greeted him, followed by exclamations of horror; for he had artfully added the little blondmoustache he often wore when acting. It was very becoming, and seemed the only balm to heal the woundmade by the loss of the beloved hat.'Take it off this moment, you audacious boy! What would your father say to such a prank on this day when wemust all behave our best?' said Mrs Jo, trying to frown, but privately thinking that among the many youthsabout her none were so beautiful and original as her long son.'Let him wear it, Aunty; it's so becoming. No one will ever guess he isn't eighteen at least,' cried Josie, towhom disguise of any sort was always charming.'Father won't observe it; he'll be absorbed in his big-wigs and the girls. No matter if he does, he'll enjoy thejoke and introduce me as his oldest son. Rob is nowhere when I'm in full fig'; and Ted took the stage with atragic stalk, like Hamlet in a tail-coat and choker.'My son, obey me!' and when Mrs Jo spoke in that tone her word was law. Later, however, the moustacheappeared, and many strangers firmly believed that there were three young Bhaers. So Ted found one ray of joyto light his gloom.Mr Bhaer was a proud and happy man when, at the appointed hour, he looked down upon the parterre ofyouthful faces before him, thinking of the 'little gardens' in which he had hopefully and faithfully sowed goodseed years ago, and from which this beautiful harvest seemed to have sprung. Mr March's fine old face shonewith the serenest satisfaction, for this was the dream of his life fulfilled after patient waiting; and the love andreverence in the countenances of the eager young men and women looking up at him plainly showed that thereward he coveted was his in fullest measure. Laurie always effaced himself on these occasions as much ascourtesy would permit; for everyone spoke gratefully in ode, poem, and oration of the founder of the collegeand noble dispenser of his beneficence. The three sisters beamed with pride as they sat among the ladies,enjoying, as only women can, the honour done the men they loved; while 'the original Plums', as the youngerones called themselves, regarded the whole affair as their work, receiving the curious, admiring, or enviousglances of strangers with a mixture of dignity and delight rather comical to behold.The music was excellent, and well it might be when Apollo waved the baton. The poems were--as usual onsuch occasions--of varied excellence, as the youthful speakers tried to put old truths into new words, andmade them forceful by the enthusiasm of their earnest faces and fresh voices. It was beautiful to see the eagerinterest with which the girls listened to some brilliant brother-student, and applauded him with a rustle as ofwind over a bed of flowers. It was still more significant and pleasant to watch the young men's faces when aslender white figure stood out against the background of black-coated dignitaries, and with cheeks that flushedand paled, and lips that trembled till earnest purpose conquered maiden fear, spoke to them straight out of awoman's heart and brain concerning the hopes and doubts, the aspirations and rewards all must know, desire,and labour for. This clear, sweet voice seemed to reach and rouse all that was noblest in the souls of theseyouths, and to set a seal upon the years of comradeship which made them sacred and memorable for ever.Alice Heath's oration was unanimously pronounced the success of the day; for without being flowery orsentimental, as is too apt to be the case with these first efforts of youthful orators, it was earnest, sensible, andso inspiring that she left the stage in a storm of applause, the good fellows being as much fired by her stirringappeal to 'march shoulder to shoulder', as if she had chanted the 'Marseillaise' then and there. One young manwas so excited that he nearly rushed out of his seat to receive her as she hastened to hide herself among her