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

Chapter 5 42step into the wet grass below; and by the time this slight skirmish was over, the jingle of teaspoons suggestedrefreshments of a more agreeable sort. In former times the little girls waited on the boys, to save confusion;now the young men flew to serve the ladies, young and old; and that slight fact showed plainly how the tableswere turned by time. And what a pleasant arrangement it was! Even Josie sat still, and let Emil bring herberries; enjoying her young lady-hood, till Ted stole her cake, when she forgot manners, and chastised himwith a rap on the knuckles. As guest of honour, Dan was only allowed to wait on Bess, who still held thehighest place in this small world. Tom carefully selected the best of everything for Nan, to be crushed by theremark:'I never eat at this hour; and you will have a nightmare if you do.'So, dutifully curbing the pangs of hunger, he gave the plate to Daisy, and chewed rose-leaves for his supper.When a surprising quantity of wholesome nourishment had been consumed, someone said, 'Let's sing!' and atuneful hour followed. Nat fiddled, Demi piped, Dan strummed the old banjo, and Emil warbled a dolefulballad about the wreck of the Bounding Betsey; then everybody joined in the old songs till there was verydecidedly 'music in the air'; and passers-by said, as they listened smiling: 'Old Plum is gay tonight!'When all had gone Dan lingered on the piazza, enjoying the balmy wind that blew up from the hayfields, andbrought the breath of flowers from Parnassus; and as he leaned there romantically in the moonlight, Mrs Jocame to shut the door.'Dreaming dreams, Dan?' she asked, thinking the tender moment might have come. Imagine the shock when,instead of some interesting confidence or affectionate word, Dan swung round, saying bluntly:'I was wishing I could smoke.'Mrs Jo laughed at the downfall of her hopes, and answered kindly:'You may, in your room; but don't set the house afire.'Perhaps Dan saw a little disappointment in her face, or the memory of the sequel of that boyish frolic touchedhis heart; for he stooped and kissed her, saying in a whisper: 'Good night, mother.' And Mrs Jo was halfsatisfied.Chapter 5VACATIONEveryone was glad of a holiday next morning, and all lingered over the breakfast-table, till Mrs Jo suddenlyexclaimed:'Why, there's a dog!' And on the threshold of the door appeared a great deer-hound, standing motionless, withhis eyes fixed on Dan.'Hallo, old boy! Couldn't you wait till I came for you? Have you cut away on the sly? Own up now, and takeyour whipping like a man,' said Dan, rising to meet the dog, who reared on his hind legs to look his master inthe face and bark as if uttering an indignant denial of any disobedience.'All right; Don never lies.' And Dan gave the tall beast a hug, adding as he glanced out of the window, where aman and horse were seen approaching: