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

Chapter 5 50His order was obeyed promptly; but George's appetite was taken away the next moment by Dolly'sexclaiming, as he looked up from his damaged coat, with a scandalized face:'You've put your foot in it now, old boy! that's Morton, Mr Bhaer's crack man. Knows everything, no end of a"dig", and bound to carry off all the honours. You won't hear the last of it in a hurry.' And Dolly laughed soheartily that a spoonful of ice flew upon the head of a lady sitting below him, and got him into a scrape also.Leaving them to their despair, let us listen to the whispered chat of two girls comfortably seated in a recesswaiting till their escorts were fed.'I do think the Laurences give lovely parties. Don't you enjoy them?' asked the younger, looking about herwith the eager air of one unused to this sort of pleasure.'Very much, only I never feel as if I was dressed right. My things seemed elegant at home, and I thought I'd beover over-dressed if anything; but I look countrified and dowdy here. No time or money to change now, evenif I knew how to do it,' answered the other, glancing anxiously at her bright pink silk grown, trimmed withcheap lace.'You must get Mrs Brooke to tell you how to fix your things. She was very kind to me. I had a green silk, andit looked so cheap and horrid by the side of the nice dresses here I felt regularly unhappy about it, and askedher how much a dress like one Mrs Laurence had would cost. That looked so simple and elegant I thought itwouldn't be costly; but it was India mull and Valenciennes lace, so, of course, I couldn't have it. Then MrsBrooke said: "Get some muslin to cover the green silk, and wear hops or some white flowers, instead of pink,in your hair, and you will have a pretty suit." Isn't it lovely and becoming?' And Miss Burton surveyed herselfwith girlish satisfaction; for a little taste had softened the harsh green, and hop-bells became her red hair betterthan roses.'It's sweet: I've been admiring it. I'll do mine so and ask about my purple one. Mrs Brooke has helped me toget rid of my headaches, and Mary Clay's dyspepsia is all gone since she gave up coffee and hot bread.''Mrs Laurence advised me to walk and run and use the gymnasium to cure my round shoulders and open mychest, and I'm a much better figure than I was.''Did you know that Mr Laurence pays all Amelia Merrill's bills? Her father failed, and she was heartbroken athaving to leave college; but that splendid man just stepped in and made it all right.' 'Yes, and Professor Bhaerhas several of the boys down at his house evenings to help them along so they can keep up with the rest; andMrs Bhaer took care of Charles Mackey herself when he had a fever last year. I do think they are the best andkindest people in the world.''So do I, and my time here will be the happiest and most useful years of my life.'And both girls forgot their gowns and their suppers for a moment to look with grateful, affectionate eyes at thefriends who tried to care for bodies and for souls as well as minds.Now come to a lively party supping on the stairs, girls like foam at the top, and a substratum of youths below,where the heaviest particles always settle. Emil, who never sat if he could climb or perch, adorned thenewel-post; Tom, Nat, Demi, and Dan were camped on the steps, eating busily, as their ladies were wellserved and they had earned a moment's rest, which they enjoyed with their eyes fixed on the pleasing prospectabove them.'I'm so sorry the boys are going. It will be dreadfully dull without them. Now they have stopped teasing andare polite, I really enjoy them,' said Nan, who felt unusually gracious tonight as Tom's mishap kept him from