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

Chapter 8 71fill her lungs, she said calmly:'"Never give up" is my motto. I'm going to get it, if I go to Liverpool for it! Now, then!' and down went themermaid quite out of sight this time, groping like a real lobster at the bottom of the sea.'Plucky little girl! I like that. Who is she?' asked the lady, sitting down on a half-covered stone to watch herdiver, since the bracelet was lost sight of.Bess told her, adding, with the persuasive smile of her father: 'Josie longs to be an actress, and has waited fora month to see you. This is a great happiness for her.''Bless the child! why didn't she come and call? I'd have let her in; though usually I avoid stage-struck girls as Ido reporters,' laughed Miss Cameron.There was no time for more; a brown hand, grasping the bracelet, rose out of the sea, followed by a purpleface as Josie came up so blind and dizzy she could only cling to Bess, half drowned but triumphant.Miss Cameron drew her to the rock where she sat, and pushing the hair out of her eyes, revived her with ahearty 'Bravo! bravo!' which assured the girl that her first act was a hit. Josie had often imagined her meetingwith the great actress--the dignity and grace with which she would enter and tell her ambitious hopes, theeffective dress she would wear, the witty things she would say, the deep impression her budding genius wouldmake. But never in her wildest moments had she imagined an interview like this; scarlet, sandy, streaming,and speechless she leaned against the illustrious shoulder, looking like a beautiful seal as she blinked andwheezed till she could smile joyfully and exclaim proudly:'I did get it! I'm so glad!''Now get your breath, my dear; then I shall be glad also. It was very nice of you to take all that trouble for me.How shall I thank you?' asked the lady, looking at her with the beautiful eyes that could say so many thingswithout words.Josie clasped her hands with a wet spat which rather destroyed the effect of the gesture, and answered in abeseeching tone that would have softened a far harder heart than Miss Cameron's:'Let me come and see you once--only once! I want you to tell me if I can act; you will know. I'll abide by whatyou say; and if you think I can--by and by, when I've studied very hard--I shall be the happiest girl in theworld. May I?''Yes; come tomorrow at eleven. We'll have a good talk; you shall show me what you can do, and I'll give youmy opinion. But you won't like it.''I will, no matter if you tell me I'm a fool. I want it settled; so does mamma. I'll take it bravely if you say no;and if you say yes, I'll never give up till I've done my best--as you did.''Ah, my child, it's a weary road, and there are plenty of thorns among the roses when you've won them. I thinkyou have the courage, and this proves that you have perseverance. Perhaps you'll do. Come, and we'll see.'Miss Cameron touched the bracelet as she spoke, and smiled so kindly that impetuous Josie wanted to kissher; but wisely refrained, though her eyes were wet with softer water than any in the sea as she thanked her.'We are keeping Miss Cameron from her bath, and the tide is going out. Come, Josie,' said thoughtful Bess,fearing to outstay their welcome.