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

Chapter 5 47for Meg still adored Amy in the old fashion.It was one of the family jokes that Jo was getting fat, and she kept it up, though as yet she had only acquired amatronly outline, which was very becoming. They were laughing over the impending double chins, when MrLaurie came off duty for a moment.'Repairing damages as usual, Jo? You never could take a little gentle exercise without returning in rags. Comeand have a quiet stroll with me and cool off before supper. I've a series of pretty tableaux to show you whileMeg listens to the raptures of lisping Miss Carr, whom I made happy by giving her Demi for a partner.'As he spoke, Laurie led Jo to the music-room, nearly empty now after a dance which sent the young peopleinto garden and hall. Pausing before the first of the four long windows that opened on a very wide piazza, hepointed to a group outside, saying: 'The name of this is "Jack Ashore".'A pair of long, blue legs, ending in very neat pumps, hung from the veranda roof among the vines; and roses,gathered by unseen hands, evidently appertaining to aforesaid legs, were being dropped into the laps ofseveral girls perched like a flock of white birds on the railing below; while a manly voice 'fell like a fallingstar', as it sung this pensive ditty to a most appreciative audience:MARY'S DREAMThe moon had climbed the eastern hill Which rises o'er the sands of Dee, And from its highest summit shed Asilver light on tower and tree, When Mary laid her down to sleep (Her thoughts on Sandy far at sea); Whensoft and low a voice was heard, Saying, 'Mary, weep no more for me.'She from her pillow gently raised Her head, to see who there might be, And saw young Sandy, shivering standWith visage pale and hollow e'e. 'Oh Mary dear, cold is my clay; It lies beneath the stormy sea; Far, far fromthee, I sleep in death. Dear Mary, weep no more for me.'Three stormy nights and stormy days We tossed upon the raging main. And long we strove our bark to save;But all our striving was in vain. E'en then, when terror chilled my blood, My heart was filled with love ofthee. The storm is past, and I'm at rest; So, Mary, weep no more for me.'Oh maiden dear, yourself prepare; We soon shall meet upon that shore Where love is free from doubt andcare, And you and I shall part no more.' Loud crew the cock, the shadow fled; No more her Sandy did she see;But soft the passing spirit said, 'Sweet Mary, weep no more for me.''The constant jollity of that boy is worth a fortune to him. He'll never sink with such a buoyant spirit to keephim afloat through life,' said Mrs Jo, as the roses were tossed back with much applause when the song ended.'Not he; and it's a blessing to be grateful for, isn't it? We moody people know its worth. Glad you like my firsttableau. Come and see number two. Hope it isn't spoilt; it was very pretty just now. This is "Othello telling hisadventures to Desdemona".'The second window framed a very picturesque group of three. Mr March in an arm-chair, with Bess on acushion at his feet, was listening to Dan, who, leaning against a pillar, was talking with unusual animation.The old man was in shadow, but little Desdemona was looking up with the moonlight full upon her into youngOthello's face, quite absorbed in the story he was telling so well. The gay drapery over Dan's shoulder, hisdark colouring, and the gesture of his arm made the picture very striking, and both spectators enjoyed it withsilent pleasure, till Mrs Jo said in a quick whisper:'I'm glad he's going away. He's too picturesque to have here among so many romantic girls. Afraid his "grand,