Bab Bab 7 · THE LION AND THE LAMB

Chapter 7. THE LION AND THE LAMB

When the boys were gone a lull fell upon Plumfield, and the family

scattered to various places for brief outings, as August had come and

all felt the need of change. The Professor took Mrs Jo to the mountains.

The Laurences were at the seashore, and there Meg's family and the Bhaer

boys took turns to visit, as someone must always be at home to keep

things in order.

Mrs Meg, with Daisy, was in office when the events occurred which we are

about to relate. Rob and Ted were just up from Rocky Nook, and Nan

was passing a week with her friend as the only relaxation she allowed

herself. Demi was off on a run with Tom, so Rob was man of the house,

with old Silas as general overseer. The sea air seemed to have gone to

Ted's head, for he was unusually freakish, and led his gentle aunt and

poor Rob a life of it with his pranks. Octoo was worn out with the wild

rides he took, and Don openly rebelled when ordered to leap and show

off his accomplishments; while the girls at college were both amused and

worried by the ghosts who haunted the grounds at night, the unearthly

melodies that disturbed their studious hours, and the hairbreadth

escapes of this restless boy by flood and field and fire. Something

happened at length which effectually sobered Ted and made a lasting

impression on both the boys; for sudden danger and a haunting fear

turned the Lion into a lamb and the Lamb into a lion, as far as courage

went.

On the first of September--the boys never forgot the date--after a

pleasant tramp and good luck with their fishing, the brothers were

lounging in the barn; for Daisy had company, and the lads kept out of

the way.

'I tell you what it is, Bobby, that dog is sick. He won't play, nor eat,

nor drink, and acts queerly. Dan will kill us if anything happens to

him,' said Ted, looking at Don, who lay near his kennel resting a moment

after one of the restless wanderings which kept him vibrating between

the door of Dan's room and the shady corner of the yard, where his

master had settled him with an old cap to guard till he came back.

'It's the hot weather, perhaps. But I sometimes think he's pining for

Dan. Dogs do, you know, and the poor fellow has been low in his mind

ever since the boys went. Maybe something has happened to Dan. Don

howled last night and can't rest. I've heard of such things,' answered

Rob thoughtfully.

'Pooh! he can't know. He's cross. I'll stir him up and take him for a

run. Always makes me feel better. Hi, boy! wake up and be jolly'; and

Ted snapped his fingers at the dog, who only looked at him with grim

indifference.

'Better let him alone. If he isn't right tomorrow, we'll take him to Dr

Watkins and see what he says.' And Rob went on watching the swallows as

he lay in the hay polishing up some Latin verses he had made.

The spirit of perversity entered into Ted, and merely because he was

told not to tease Don he went on doing it, pretending that it was for

the dog's good. Don took no heed of his pats, commands, reproaches, or

insults, till Ted's patience gave out; and seeing a convenient switch

near by he could not resist the temptation to conquer the great hound

by force, since gentleness failed to win obedience. He had the wisdom to

chain Don up first; for a blow from any hand but his master's made him

savage, and Ted had more than once tried the experiment, as the dog

remembered. This indignity roused Don and he sat up with a growl. Rob

heard it, and seeing Ted raise the switch, ran to interfere, exclaiming:

'Don't touch him! Dan forbade it! Leave the poor thing in peace; I won't

allow it.'

Rob seldom commanded, but when he did Master Ted had to give in. His

temper was up, and Rob's masterful tone made it impossible to resist one

cut at the rebellious dog before he submitted. Only a single blow, but

it was a costly one; for as it fell, the dog sprang at Ted with a snarl,

and Rob, rushing between the two, felt the sharp teeth pierce his leg.

A word made Don let go and drop remorsefully at Rob's feet, for he loved

him and was evidently sorry to have hurt his friend by mistake. With a

forgiving pat Rob left him, to limp to the barn followed by Ted, whose

wrath was changed to shame and sorrow when he saw the red drops on Rob's

sock and the little wounds in his leg.

'I'm awfully sorry. Why did you get in the way? Here, wash it up, and

I'll get a rag to tie on it,' he said quickly filling a sponge with

water and pulling out a very demoralized handkerchief. Rob usually made

light of his own mishaps and was over ready to forgive if others were to

blame; but now he sat quite still, looking at the purple marks with such

a strange expression on his white face that Ted was troubled, though he

added with a laugh: 'Why, you're not afraid of a little dig like that,

are you, Bobby?'

'I am afraid of hydrophobia. But if Don is mad I'd rather be the one to

have it,' answered Rob, with a smile and a shiver.

At that dreadful word Ted turned whiter than his brother, and,

dropping sponge and handkerchief, stared at him with a frightened face,

whispering in a tone of despair:

'Oh, Rob, don't say it! What shall we do, what shall we do?'

'Call Nan; she will know. Don't scare Aunty, or tell a soul but Nan;

she's on the back piazza; get her out here as quick as you can. I'll

wash it till she comes. Maybe it's nothing; don't look so staggered,

Ted. I only thought it might be, as Don is queer.'

Rob tried to speak bravely; but Ted's long legs felt strangely weak as

he hurried away, and it was lucky he met no one, for his face would have

betrayed him. Nan was swinging luxuriously in a hammock, amusing herself

with a lively treatise on croup, when an agitated boy suddenly clutched

her, whispering, as he nearly pulled her overboard:

'Come to Rob in the barn! Don's mad and he's bitten him, and we don't

know what to do; it's all my fault; no one must know. Oh, do be quick!'

Nan was on her feet at once, startled, but with her wits about her, and

both were off without more words as they dodged round the house where

unconscious Daisy chatted with her friends in the parlour and Aunt Meg

peacefully took her afternoon nap upstairs.

Rob was braced up, and was as calm and steady as ever when they found

him in the harness-room, whither he had wisely retired, to escape

observation. The story was soon told, and after a look at Don, now in

his kennel, sad and surly, Nan said slowly, with her eye on the full

water-pan:

'Rob, there is one thing to do for the sake of safety, and it must

be done at once. We can't wait to see if Don is--sick--or to go for a

doctor. I can do it, and I will; but it is very painful, and I hate to

hurt you, dear.'

A most unprofessional quiver got into Nan's voice as she spoke, and her

keen eyes dimmed as she looked at the two anxious young faces turned so

confidingly to her for help.

'I know, burn it; well, do it, please; I can bear it. But Ted better

go away,' said Rob, with a firm setting of his lips, and a nod at his

afflicted brother.

'I won't stir; I can stand it if he can, only it ought to be me!' cried

Ted, with a desperate effort not to cry, so full of grief and fear and

shame was he that it seemed as if he couldn't bear it like a man.

'He'd better stay and help; do him good,' answered Nan sternly, because,

her heart was faint within her, knowing as she did all that might be in

store for both poor boys. 'Keep quiet; I'll be back in a minute,' she

added, going towards the house, while her quick mind hastily planned

what was best to be done.

It was ironing day, and a hot fire still burned in the empty kitchen,

for the maids were upstairs resting. Nan put a slender poker to heat,

and as she sat waiting for it, covered her face with her hands, asking

help in this sudden need for strength, courage, and wisdom; for there

was no one else to call upon, and young as she was, she knew what was to

be done if she only had the nerve to do it. Any other patient would have

been calmly interesting, but dear, good Robin, his father's pride, his

mother's comfort, everyone's favourite and friend, that he should be

in danger was very terrible; and a few hot tears dropped on the

well-scoured table as Nan tried to calm her trouble by remembering how

very likely it was to be all a mistake, a natural but vain alarm.

'I must make light of it, or the boys will break down, and then there

will be a panic. Why afflict and frighten everyone when all is in doubt?

I won't. I'll take Rob to Dr Morrison at once, and have the dog man see

Don. Then, having done all we can, we will either laugh at our scare--if

it is one--or be ready for whatever comes. Now for my poor boy.'

Armed with the red-hot poker, a pitcher of ice-water, and several

handkerchiefs from the clotheshorse, Nan went back to the barn ready to

do her best in this her most serious 'emergency case'. The boys sat like

statues, one of despair, the other of resignation; and it took all Nan's

boasted nerve to do her work quickly and well.

'Now, Rob, only a minute, then we are safe. Stand by, Ted; he may be a

bit faintish.'

Rob shut his eyes, clinched his hands, and sat like a hero. Ted knelt

beside him, white as a sheet, and as weak as a girl; for the pangs of

remorse were rending him, and his heart failed at the thought of all

this pain because of his wilfulness. It was all over in a moment, with

only one little groan; but when Nan looked to her assistant to hand the

water, poor Ted needed it the most, for he had fainted away, and lay on

the floor in a pathetic heap of arms and legs.

Rob laughed, and, cheered by that unexpected sound, Nan bound up the

wound with hands that never trembled, though great drops stood on her

forehead; and she shared the water with patient number one before she

turned to patient number two. Ted was much ashamed, and quite broken

in spirit, when he found how he had failed at the critical moment, and

begged them not to tell, as he really could not help it; then by way of

finishing his utter humiliation, a burst of hysterical tears disgraced

his manly soul, and did him a world of good.

'Never mind, never mind, we are all right now, and no one need be the

wiser,' said Nan briskly, as poor Ted hiccoughed on Rob's shoulder,

laughing and crying in the most tempestuous manner, while his brother

soothed him, and the young doctor fanned both with Silas's old straw

hat.

'Now, boys, listen to me and remember what I say. We won't alarm anyone

yet, for I've made up my mind our scare is all nonsense. Don was out

lapping the water as I came by, and I don't believe he's mad any more

than I am. Still, to ease our minds and compose our spirits, and get our

guilty faces out of sight for a while, I think we had better drive into

town to my old friend Dr Morrison, and let him just take a look at

my work, and give us some quieting little dose; for we are all rather

shaken by this flurry. Sit still, Rob; and Ted, you harness up while I

run and get my hat and tell Aunty to excuse me to Daisy. I don't know

those Penniman girls, and she will be glad of our room at tea, and we'll

have a cosy bite at my house, and come home as gay as larks.'

Nan talked on as a vent for the hidden emotions which professional pride

would not allow her to show, and the boys approved her plan at once; for

action is always easier than quiet waiting. Ted went staggering away to

wash his face at the pump, and rub some colour into his cheeks before

he harnessed the horse. Rob lay tranquilly on the hay, looking up at the

swallows again as he lived through some very memorable moments. Boy as

he was, the thought of death coming suddenly to him, and in this way,

might well make him sober; for it is a very solemn thing to be arrested

in the midst of busy life by the possibility of the great change. There

were no sins to be repented of, few faults, and many happy, dutiful

years to remember with infinite comfort. So Rob had no fears to daunt

him, no regrets to sadden, and best of all, a very strong and simple

piety to sustain and cheer him.

'Mein Vater,' was his first thought; for Rob was very near the

Professor's heart, and the loss of his eldest would have been a bitter

blow. These words, whispered with a tremble of the lips that had been so

firm when the hot iron burned, recalled that other Father who is always

near, always tender and helpful; and, folding his hands, Rob said the

heartiest little prayer he ever prayed, there on the hay, to the soft

twitter of the brooding birds. It did him good; and wisely laying all

his fear and doubt and trouble in God's hand, the boy felt ready for

whatever was to come, and from that hour kept steadily before him the

one duty that was plain--to be brave and cheerful, keep silent, and hope

for the best.

Nan stole her hat, and left a note on Daisy's pincushion, saying she had

taken the boys to drive, and all would be out of the way till after tea.

Then she hurried back and found her patients much better, the one for

work, the other for rest. In they got, and, putting Rob on the back seat

with his leg up drove away, looking as gay and care-free as if nothing

had happened.

Dr Morrison made light of the affair, but told Nan she had done right;

and as the much-relieved lads went downstairs, he added in a whisper:

'Send the dog off for a while, and keep your eye on the boy. Don't let

him know it, and report to me if anything seems wrong. One never knows

in these cases. No harm to be careful.'

Nan nodded, and feeling much relieved now that the responsibility was

off her shoulders, took the lads to Dr Watkins, who promised to come out

later and examine Don. A merry tea at Nan's house, which was kept open

for her all summer, did them good, and by the time they got home in the

cool of the evening no sign of the panic remained but Ted's heavy eyes,

and a slight limp when Rob walked. As the guests were still chattering

on the front piazza they retired to the back, and Ted soothed his

remorseful soul by swinging Rob in the hammock, while Nan told stories

till the dog man arrived.

He said Don was a little under the weather, but no more mad than the

grey kitten that purred round his legs while the examination went on.

'He wants his master, and feels the heat. Fed too well, perhaps. I'll

keep him a few weeks and send him home all right,' said Dr Watkins, as

Don laid his great head in his hand, and kept his intelligent eyes on

his face, evidently feeling that this man understood his trials, and

knew what to do for him.

So Don departed without a murmur, and our three conspirators took

counsel together how to spare the family all anxiety, and give Rob the

rest his leg demanded. Fortunately, he always spent many hours in his

little study, so he could lie on the sofa with a book in his hand

as long as he liked, without exciting any remark. Being of a quiet

temperament, he did not worry himself or Nan with useless fears, but

believed what was told him, and dismissing all dark possibilities, went

cheerfully on his way, soon recovering from the shock of what he called

'our scare'.

But excitable Ted was harder to manage, and it took all Nan's wit and

wisdom to keep him from betraying the secret; for it was best to say

nothing and spare all discussion of the subject for Rob's sake. Ted's

remorse preyed upon him, and having no 'Mum' to confide in, he was very

miserable. By day he devoted himself to Rob, waiting on him, talking to

him, gazing anxiously at him, and worrying the good fellow very much;

though he wouldn't own it, since Ted found comfort in it. But at night,

when all was quiet, Ted's lively imagination and heavy heart got the

better of him, and kept him awake, or set him walking in his sleep. Nan

had her eye on him, and more than once administered a little dose to

give him a rest, read to him, scolded him, and when she caught him

haunting the house in the watches of the night, threatened to lock him

up if he did not stay in his bed. This wore off after a while; but a

change came over the freakish boy, and everyone observed it, even before

his mother returned to ask what they had done to quench the Lion's

spirits. He was gay, but not so heedless; and often when the old

wilfulness beset him, he would check it sharply, look at Rob, and give

up, or stalk away to have his sulk out alone. He no longer made fun of

his brother's old-fashioned ways and bookish tastes, but treated him

with a new and very marked respect, which touched and pleased modest

Rob, and much amazed all observers. It seemed as if he felt that he owed

him reparation for the foolish act that might have cost him his life;

and love being stronger than will, Ted forgot his pride, and paid his

debt like an honest boy.

'I don't understand it,' said Mrs Jo, after a week of home life, much

impressed by the good behaviour of her younger son. 'Ted is such a

saint, I'm afraid we are going to lose him. Is it Meg's sweet influence,

or Daisy's fine cooking, or the pellets I catch Nan giving him on

the sly? Some witchcraft has been at work during my absence, and this

will-o'-the-wisp is so amiable, quiet, and obedient, I don't know him.'

'He is growing up, heart's-dearest, and being a precocious plant, he

begins to bloom early. I also see a change in my Robchen. He is more

manly and serious than ever, and is seldom far from me, as if his

love for the old papa was growing with his growth. Our boys will often

surprise us in this way, Jo, and we can only rejoice over them and leave

them to become what Gott pleases.'

As the Professor spoke, his eyes rested proudly on the brothers, who

came walking up the steps together, Ted's arm over Rob's shoulder as

he listened attentively to some geological remarks Rob was making on a

stone he held. Usually, Ted made fun of such tastes, and loved to lay

boulders in the student's path, put brickbats under his pillow, gravel

in his shoes, or send parcels of dirt by express to 'Prof. R. M. Bhaer'.

Lately, he had treated Rob's hobbies respectfully, and had begun to

appreciate the good qualities of this quiet brother whom he had always

loved but rather undervalued, till his courage under fire won Ted's

admiration, and made it impossible to forget a fault, the consequences

of which might have been so terrible. The leg was still lame, though

doing well, and Ted was always offering an arm as support, gazing

anxiously at his brother, and trying to guess his wants; for regret was

still keen in Ted's soul, and Rob's forgiveness only made it deeper. A

fortunate slip on the stairs gave Rob an excuse for limping, and no one

but Nan and Ted saw the wound; so the secret was safe up to this time.

'We are talking about you, my lads. Come in and tell us what good fairy

has been at work while we were gone. Or is it because absence sharpens

our eyes, that we find such pleasant changes when we come back?' said

Mrs Jo, patting the sofa on either side, while the Professor forgot his

piles of letters to admire the pleasing prospect of his wife in a bower

of arms, as the boys sat down beside her, smiling affectionately, but

feeling a little guilty; for till now 'Mum' and 'Vater' knew every event

in their boyish lives.

'Oh, it's only because Bobby and I have been alone so much; we are sort

of twins. I stir him up a bit, and he steadies me a great deal. You and

father do the same, you know. Nice plan. I like it'; and Ted felt that

he had settled the matter capitally.

'Mother won't thank you for comparing yourself to her, Ted. I'm

flattered at being like father in any way. I try to be,' answered Rob,

as they laughed at Ted's compliment.

'I do thank him, for it's true; and if you, Robin, do half as much for

your brother as Papa has for me, your life won't be a failure,' said

Mrs Jo heartily. 'I'm very glad to see you helping one another. It's the

right way, and we can't begin too soon to try to understand the needs,

virtues, and failings of those nearest us. Love should not make us blind

to faults, nor familiarity make us too ready to blame the shortcomings

we see. So work away, my sonnies, and give us more surprises of this

sort as often as you like.'

'The liebe Mutter has said all. I too am well pleased at the friendly

brother-warmth I find. It is good for everyone; long may it last!' and

Professor Bhaer nodded at the boys, who looked gratified, but rather at

a loss how to respond to these flattering remarks.

Rob wisely kept silent, fearing to say too much; but Ted burst out,

finding it impossible to help telling something:

'The fact is I've been finding out what a brave good chap Bobby is, and

I'm trying to make up for all the bother I've been to him. I knew he

was awfully wise, but I thought him rather soft, because he liked books

better than larks, and was always fussing about his conscience. But I

begin to see that it isn't the fellows who talk the loudest and show

off best that are the manliest. No, sir! quiet old Bob is a hero and a

trump, and I'm proud of him; so would you be if you knew all about it.'

Here a look from Rob brought Ted up with a round turn; he stopped short,

grew red, and clapped his hand on his mouth in dismay.

'Well, are we not to “know all about it”?' asked Mrs Jo quickly; for her

sharp eye saw signs of danger and her maternal heart felt that something

had come between her and her sons. 'Boys,' she went on solemnly, 'I

suspect that the change we talk about is not altogether the effect of

growing up, as we say. It strikes me that Ted has been in mischief and

Rob has got him out of some scrape; hence the lovely mood of my bad boy

and the sober one of my conscientious son, who never hides anything from

his mother.'

Rob was as red as Ted now, but after a moment's hesitation he looked up

and answered with an air of relief:

'Yes, mother, that's it; but it's all over and no harm done, and I think

we'd better let it be, for a while at least. I did feel guilty to keep

anything from you, but now you know so much I shall not worry and you

needn't either. Ted's sorry, I don't mind, and it has done us both

good.'

Mrs Jo looked at Ted, who winked hard but bore the look like a man;

then she turned to Rob, who smiled at her so cheerfully that she felt

reassured; but something in his face struck her, and she saw what it was

that made him seem older, graver, yet more lovable than ever. It was the

look pain of mind, as well as body, brings, and the patience of a sweet

submission to some inevitable trial. Like a flash she guessed that some

danger had been near her boy, and the glances she had caught between the

two lads and Nan confirmed her fears.

'Rob, dear, you have been ill, hurt, or seriously troubled by Ted? Tell

me at once; I will not have any secrets now. Boys sometimes suffer all

their lives from neglected accidents or carelessness. Fritz, make them

speak out!'

Mr Bhaer put down his papers and came to stand before them, saying in a

tone that quieted Mrs Jo, and gave the boys courage:

'My sons, give us the truth. We can bear it; do not hold it back to

spare us. Ted knows we forgive much because we love him, so be frank,

all two.'

Ted instantly dived among the sofa pillows and kept there, with only a

pair of scarlet ears visible, while Rob in a few words told the little

story, truthfully, but as gently as he could, hastening to add the

comfortable assurance that Don was not mad, the wound nearly well, and

no danger would ever come of it.

But Mrs Jo grew so pale he had to put his arms about her, and his father

turned and walked away, exclaiming: 'Ach Himmel!' in a tone of such

mingled pain, relief, and gratitude, that Ted pulled an extra pillow

over his head to smother the sound. They were all right in a minute;

but such news is always a shock, even if the peril is past, and Mrs Jo

hugged her boy close till his father came and took him away, saying with

a strong shake of both hands and a quiver in his voice:

'To be in danger of one's life tries a man's mettle, and you bear it

well; but I cannot spare my good boy yet; thank Gott, we keep him safe!'

A smothered sound, between a choke and a groan, came from under the

pillows, and the writhing of Ted's long legs so plainly expressed

despair that his mother relented towards him, and burrowing till she

found a tousled yellow head, pulled it out and smoothed it, exclaiming

with an irrepressible laugh, though her cheeks were wet with tears:

'Come and be forgiven, poor sinner! I know you have suffered enough, and

I won't say a word; only if harm had come to Rob you would have made

me more miserable than yourself. Oh, Teddy, Teddy, do try to cure that

wilful spirit of yours before it is too late!'

'Oh, Mum, I do try! I never can forget this--I hope it's cured me; if it

hasn't, I am afraid I ain't worth saving,' answered Ted, pulling his own

hair as the only way of expressing his deep remorse.

'Yes, you are, my dear; I felt just so at fifteen when Amy was nearly

drowned, and Marmee helped me as I'll help you. Come to me, Teddy, when

the evil one gets hold of you, and together we'll rout him. Ah, me! I've

had many a tussle with that old Apollyon, and often got worsted, but not

always. Come under my shield, and we'll fight till we win.'

No one spoke for a minute as Ted and his mother laughed and cried in

one handkerchief, and Rob stood with his father's arm round him so happy

that all was told and forgiven, though never to be forgotten; for

such experiences do one good, and knit hearts that love more closely

together.

Presently Ted rose straight up and going to his father, said bravely and

humbly:

'I ought to be punished. Please do it; but first say you forgive me, as

Rob does.'

'Always that, mein Sohn, seventy time seven, if needs be, else I am

not worthy the name you give me. The punishment has come; I can give no

greater. Let it not be in vain. It will not with the help of the mother

and the All Father. Room here for both, always!'

The good Professor opened his arms and embraced his boys like a true

German, not ashamed to express by gesture or by word the fatherly

emotions an American would have compressed into a slap on the shoulder

and a brief 'All right'.

Mrs Jo sat and enjoyed the prospect like a romantic soul as she was, and

then they had a quiet talk together, saying freely all that was in their

hearts, and finding much comfort in the confidence which comes when love

casts out fear. It was agreed that nothing be said except to Nan,

who was to be thanked and rewarded for her courage, discretion, and

fidelity.

'I always knew that girl had the making of a fine woman in her, and this

proves it. No panics and shrieks and faintings and fuss, but calm

sense and energetic skill. Dear child, what can I give or do to show my

gratitude?' said Mrs Jo enthusiastically.

'Make Tom clear out and leave her in peace,' suggested Ted, almost

himself again, though a pensive haze still partially obscured his native

gaiety.

'Yes, do! he frets her like a mosquito. She forbade him to come out here

while she stayed, and packed him off with Demi. I like old Tom, but he

is a regular noodle about Nan,' added Rob, as he went away to help his

father with the accumulated letters.

'I'll do it!' said Mrs Jo decidedly. 'That girl's career shall not be

hampered by a foolish boy's fancy. In a moment of weariness she may give

in, and then it's all over. Wiser women have done so and regretted it

all their lives. Nan shall earn her place first, and prove that she can

fill it; then she may marry if she likes, and can find a man worthy of

her.'

But Mrs Jo's help was not needed; for love and gratitude can work

miracles, and when youth, beauty, accident, and photography are added,

success is sure; as was proved in the case of the unsuspecting but too

susceptible Thomas.