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

Chapter 4 37pretty things at each return.'Is there any art out there?' asked Bess, thinking what a good study in black and white Dan would make as hestood talking, half turned from the light.'Plenty of nature, dear; and that is better. You will find splendid animals to model, and scenery such as younever saw in Europe to paint. Even prosaic pumpkins are grand out there. You can play Cinderella in one ofthem, Josie, when you open your theatre in Dansville,' said Mr Laurie, anxious that no cold water should bethrown on the new plan.Stage-struck Josie was caught at once, and being promised all the tragic parts on the yet unbuilt stage, she felta deep interest in the project and begged Dan to lose no time in beginning his experiment. Bess also confessedthat studies from nature would be good for her, and wild scenery improve her taste, which might growover-nice if only the delicate and beautiful were set before her.'I speak for the practice of the new town,' said Nan, always eager for fresh enterprises. 'I shall be ready by thetime you get well started--towns grow so fast out there.''Dan isn't going to allow any woman under forty in his place. He doesn't like them, 'specially young and prettyones,' put in Tom, who was raging with jealousy, because he read admiration for Nan in Dan's eyes.'That won't affect me, because doctors are exceptions to all rules. There won't be much sickness in Dansville,everyone will lead such active, wholesome lives, and only energetic young people will go there. But accidentswill be frequent, owing to wild cattle, fast riding, Indian scrimmages, and the recklessness of Western life.That will just suit me. I long for broken bones, surgery is so interesting and I get so little here,' answered Nan,yearning to put out her shingle and begin.'I'll have you, Doctor, and be glad of such a good sample of what we can do in the East. Peg away, and I'llsend for you as soon as I have a roof to cover you. I'll scalp a few red fellows or smash up a dozen or so ofcowboys for your special benefit,' laughed Dan, well pleased with the energy and fine physique which madeNan a conspicuous figure among other girls.'Thanks. I'll come. Would you just let me feel your arm? Splendid biceps! Now, boys, see here: this is what Icall muscle.' And Nan delivered a short lecture with Dan's sinewy arm to illustrate it. Tom retired to thealcove and glowered at the stars, while he swung his own right arm with a vigour suggestive of knockingsomeone down.'Make Tom sexton; he'll enjoy burying the patients Nan kills. He's trying to get up the glum expression properto the business. Don't forget him, Dan,' said Ted, directing attention to the blighted being in the corner.But Tom never sulked long, and came out from his brief eclipse with the cheerful proposition:'Look here, we'll get the city to ship out to Dansville all the cases of yellow fever, smallpox, and cholera thatarrive; then Nan will be happy and her mistakes won't matter much with emigrants and convicts.''I should advise settling near Jacksonville, or some such city, that you might enjoy the society of cultivatedpersons. The Plato Club is there, and a most ardent thirst for philosophy. Everything from the East iswelcomed hospitably, and new enterprises would flourish in such kindly soil,' observed Mr March, mildlyoffering a suggestion, as he sat among the elders enjoying the lively scene.The idea of Dan studying Plato was very funny; but no one except naughty Ted smiled, and Dan made hasteto unfold another plan seething in that active brain of his.