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

Chapter 4 40a good man, and asked no more. Even that was much to expect, so full was he of wayward impulses, strongpassions, and the lawless nature born in him. Nothing held him but the one affection of his life--the memoryof Plumfield, the fear of disappointing these faithful friends, the pride, stronger than principle, that made himwant to keep the regard of the mates who always had admired and loved him in spite of all his faults.'Don't fret, old dear; Emil is one of the happy-go-lucky sort who always fall on their legs. I'll see to Nat, andDan is in a good way now. Let him take a look at Kansas, and if the farm plan loses its charm, he can fall backon poor Lo, and really do good out there. He's unusually fitted for that peculiar task and I hope he'll decide todo it. Fighting oppressors, and befriending the oppressed will keep those dangerous energies of his busy, andthe life will suit him better than sheep-folds and wheat-fields.''I hope so. What is that?' and Mrs Jo leaned forward to listen, as exclamations from Ted and Josie caught herear.'A mustang! a real, live one; and we can ride it. Dan, you are a first-class trump!' cried the boy.'A whole Indian dress for me! Now I can play Namioka, if the boys act Metamora,' added Josie, clapping herhands.'A buffalo's head for Bess! Good gracious, Dan, why did you bring such a horrid thing as that to her?' askedNan.'Thought it would do her good to model something strong and natural. She'll never amount to anything if shekeeps on making namby-pamby gods and pet kittens,' answered irreverent Dan, remembering that when hewas last here Bess was vibrating distractedly between a head of Apollo and her Persian cat as models.'Thank you; I'll try it, and if I fail we can put the buffalo up in the hall to remind us of you,' said Bess,indignant at the insult offered the gods of her idolatry, but too well bred to show it except in her voice, whichwas as sweet and as cold as ice-cream.'I suppose you won't come out to see our new settlement when the rest do? Too rough for you?' asked Dan,trying to assume the deferential air all the boys used when addressing their Princess.'I am going to Rome to study for years. All the beauty and art of the world is there, and a lifetime isn't longenough to enjoy it,' answered Bess.'Rome is a mouldy old tomb compared to the "Garden of the gods" and my magnificent Rockies. I don't care ahang for art; nature is as much as I can stand, and I guess I could show you things that would knock your oldmasters higher than kites. Better come, and while Josie rides the horses you can model 'em. If a drove of ahundred or so of wild ones can't show you beauty, I'll give up,' cried Dan, waxing enthusiastic over the wildgrace and vigour which he could enjoy but had no power to describe.'I'll come some day with papa, and see if they are better than the horses of St Mark and those on Capitol Hill.Please don't abuse my gods, and I will try to like yours,' said Bess, beginning to think the West might beworth seeing, though no Raphael or Angelo had yet appeared there.'That's a bargain! I do think people ought to see their own country before they go scooting off to foreign parts,as if the new world wasn't worth discovering,' began Dan, ready to bury the hatchet.'It has some advantages, but not all. The women of England can vote, and we can't. I'm ashamed of Americathat she isn't ahead in all good things,' cried Nan, who held advanced views on all reforms, and was anxiousabout her rights, having had to fight for some of them.