第 十三 章 · GOLDILOCKS

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Chapter 13. GOLDILOCKS

After the last excitement peace descended upon Plumfield and reigned

unbroken for several weeks, for the elder boys felt that the loss of Nan

and Rob lay at their door, and all became so paternal in their care

that they were rather wearying; while the little ones listened to Nan's

recital of her perils so many times, that they regarded being lost as

the greatest ill humanity was heir to, and hardly dared to put their

little noses outside the great gate lest night should suddenly descend

upon them, and ghostly black cows come looming through the dusk.

“It is too good to last,” said Mrs. Jo; for years of boy-culture had

taught her that such lulls were usually followed by outbreaks of some

sort, and when less wise women would have thought that the boys had

become confirmed saints, she prepared herself for a sudden eruption of

the domestic volcano.

One cause of this welcome calm was a visit from little Bess, whose

parents lent her for a week while they were away with Grandpa Laurence,

who was poorly. The boys regarded Goldilocks as a mixture of child,

angel, and fairy, for she was a lovely little creature, and the golden

hair which she inherited from her blonde mamma enveloped her like

a shining veil, behind which she smiled upon her worshippers when

gracious, and hid herself when offended. Her father would not have it

cut and it hung below her waist, so soft and fine and bright, that Demi

insisted that it was silk spun from a cocoon. Every one praised the

little Princess, but it did not seem to do her harm, only to teach her

that her presence brought sunshine, her smiles made answering smiles

on other faces, and her baby griefs filled every heart with tenderest

sympathy.

Unconsciously, she did her young subjects more good than many a real

sovereign, for her rule was very gentle and her power was felt rather

than seen. Her natural refinement made her dainty in all things, and

had a good effect upon the careless lads about her. She would let no one

touch her roughly or with unclean hands, and more soap was used during

her visits than at any other time, because the boys considered it the

highest honor to be allowed to carry her highness, and the deepest

disgrace to be repulsed with the disdainful command, “Do away, dirty

boy!”

Loud voices displeased her and quarrelling frightened her; so gentler

tones came into the boyish voices as they addressed her, and squabbles

were promptly suppressed in her presence by lookers-on if the principles

could not restrain themselves. She liked to be waited on, and the

biggest boys did her little errands without a murmur, while the small

lads were her devoted slaves in all things. They begged to be allowed to

draw her carriage, bear her berry-basket, or pass her plate at table.

No service was too humble, and Tommy and Ned came to blows before they

could decide which should have the honor of blacking her little boots.

Nan was especially benefited by a week in the society of a well-bred

lady, though such a very small one; for Bess would look at her with

a mixture of wonder and alarm in her great blue eyes when the hoyden

screamed and romped; and she shrunk from her as if she thought her a

sort of wild animal. Warm-hearted Nan felt this very much. She said at

first, “Pooh! I don't care!” But she did care, and was so hurt when Bess

said, “I love my tuzzin best, tause she is twiet,” that she shook poor

Daisy till her teeth chattered in her head, and then fled to the barn

to cry dismally. In that general refuge for perturbed spirits she found

comfort and good counsel from some source or other. Perhaps the swallows

from their mud-built nests overhead twittered her a little lecture on

the beauty of gentleness. However that might have been, she came out

quite subdued, and carefully searched the orchard for a certain kind

of early apple that Bess liked because it was sweet and small and rosy.

Armed with this peace-offering, she approached the little Princess, and

humbly presented it. To her great joy it was graciously accepted, and

when Daisy gave Nan a forgiving kiss, Bess did likewise, as if she felt

that she had been too severe, and desired to apologize. After this they

played pleasantly together, and Nan enjoyed the royal favor for days.

To be sure she felt a little like a wild bird in a pretty cage at first,

and occasionally had to slip out to stretch her wings in a long flight,

or to sing at the top of her voice, where neither would disturb the

plump turtle-dove Daisy, nor the dainty golden canary Bess. But it did

her good; for, seeing how every one loved the little Princess for her

small graces and virtues, she began to imitate her, because Nan wanted

much love, and tried hard to win it.

Not a boy in the house but felt the pretty child's influence, and was

improved by it without exactly knowing how or why, for babies can

work miracles in the hearts that love them. Poor Billy found infinite

satisfaction in staring at her, and though she did not like it she

permitted without a frown, after she had been made to understand that he

was not quite like the others, and on that account must be more kindly

treated. Dick and Dolly overwhelmed her with willow whistles, the only

thing they knew how to make, and she accepted but never used them. Rob

served her like a little lover, and Teddy followed her like a pet dog.

Jack she did not like, because he was afflicted with warts and had a

harsh voice. Stuffy displeased her because he did not eat tidily, and

George tried hard not to gobble, that he might not disgust the dainty

little lady opposite. Ned was banished from court in utter disgrace when

he was discovered tormenting some unhappy field-mice. Goldilocks could

never forget the sad spectacle, and retired behind her veil when he

approached, waving him away with an imperious little hand, and crying,

in a tone of mingled grief and anger,

“No, I tarn't love him; he tut the poor mouses' little tails off, and

they queeked!”

Daisy promptly abdicated when Bess came, and took the humble post of

chief cook, while Nan was first maid of honor; Emil was chancellor

of the exchequer, and spent the public monies lavishly in getting up

spectacles that cost whole ninepences. Franz was prime minister, and

directed her affairs of state, planned royal progresses through the

kingdom, and kept foreign powers in order. Demi was her philosopher, and

fared much better than such gentlemen usually do among crowned heads.

Dan was her standing army, and defended her territories gallantly; Tommy

was court fool, and Nat a tuneful Rizzio to this innocent little Mary.

Uncle Fritz and Aunt Jo enjoyed this peaceful episode, and looked on

at the pretty play in which the young folk unconsciously imitated their

elders, without adding the tragedy that is so apt to spoil the dramas

acted on the larger stage.

“They teach us quite as much as we teach them,” said Mr. Bhaer.

“Bless the dears! they never guess how many hints they give us as to the

best way of managing them,” answered Mrs. Jo.

“I think you were right about the good effect of having girls among the

boys. Nan has stirred up Daisy, and Bess is teaching the little bears

how to behave better than we can. If this reformation goes on as it

has begun, I shall soon feel like Dr. Blimber with his model young

gentlemen,” said Professor, laughing, as he saw Tommy not only remove

his own hat, but knock off Ned's also, as they entered the hall where

the Princess was taking a ride on the rocking-horse, attended by Rob

and Teddy astride of chairs, and playing gallant knights to the best of

their ability.

“You will never be a Blimber, Fritz, you couldn't do it if you tried;

and our boys will never submit to the forcing process of that famous

hot-bed. No fear that they will be too elegant: American boys like

liberty too well. But good manners they cannot fail to have, if we give

them the kindly spirit that shines through the simplest demeanor, making

it courteous and cordial, like yours, my dear old boy.”

“Tut! tut! we will not compliment; for if I begin you will run away, and

I have a wish to enjoy this happy half hour to the end;” yet Mr. Bhaer

looked pleased with the compliment, for it was true, and Mrs. Jo felt

that she had received the best her husband could give her, by saying

that he found his truest rest and happiness in her society.

“To return to the children: I have just had another proof of Goldilocks'

good influence,” said Mrs. Jo, drawing her chair nearer the sofa,

where the Professor lay resting after a long day's work in his various

gardens. “Nan hates sewing, but for love of Bess has been toiling half

the afternoon over a remarkable bag in which to present a dozen of our

love-apples to her idol when she goes. I praised her for it, and she

said, in her quick way, 'I like to sew for other people; it is stupid

sewing for myself.' I took the hint, and shall give her some little

shirts and aprons for Mrs. Carney's children. She is so generous, she

will sew her fingers sore for them, and I shall not have to make a task

of it.”

“But needlework is not a fashionable accomplishment, my dear.”

“Sorry for it. My girls shall learn all I can teach them about it,

even if they give up the Latin, Algebra, and half-a-dozen ologies it

is considered necessary for girls to muddle their poor brains over

now-a-days. Amy means to make Bess an accomplished woman, but the dear's

mite of a forefinger has little pricks on it already, and her mother has

several specimens of needlework which she values more than the clay bird

without a bill, that filled Laurie with such pride when Bess made it.”

“I also have proof of the Princess's power,” said Mrs. Bhaer, after he

had watched Mrs. Jo sew on a button with an air of scorn for the whole

system of fashionable education. “Jack is so unwilling to be classed

with Stuffy and Ned, as distasteful to Bess, that he came to me a little

while ago, and asked me to touch his warts with caustic. I have often

proposed it, and he never would consent; but now he bore the smart

manfully, and consoles his present discomfort by hopes of future favor,

when he can show her fastidious ladyship a smooth hand.”

Mrs. Bhaer laughed at the story, and just then Stuffy came in to ask if

he might give Goldilocks some of the bonbons his mother had sent him.

“She is not allowed to eat sweeties; but if you like to give her the

pretty box with the pink sugar-rose in it, she would like it very much,”

said Mrs. Jo, unwilling to spoil this unusual piece of self-denial, for

the “fat boy” seldom offered to share his sugar-plums.

“Won't she eat it? I shouldn't like to make her sick,” said Stuffy,

eyeing the delicate sweetmeat lovingly, yet putting it into the box.

“Oh, no, she won't touch it, if I tell her it is to look at, not to eat.

She will keep it for weeks, and never think of tasting it. Can you do as

much?”

“I should hope so! I'm ever so much older than she is,” cried Stuffy,

indignantly.

“Well, suppose we try. Here, put your bonbons in this bag, and see how

long you can keep them. Let me count two hearts, four red fishes, three

barley-sugar horses, nine almonds, and a dozen chocolate drops. Do you

agree to that?” asked sly Mrs. Jo, popping the sweeties into her little

spool-bag.

“Yes,” said Stuffy, with a sigh; and pocketing the forbidden fruit,

he went away to give Bess the present, that won a smile from her, and

permission to escort her round the garden.

“Poor Stuffy's heart has really got the better of his stomach at last,

and his efforts will be much encouraged by the rewards Bess gives him,”

said Mrs. Jo.

“Happy is the man who can put temptation in his pocket and learn

self-denial from so sweet a little teacher!” added Mr. Bhaer, as

the children passed the window, Stuffy's fat face full of placid

satisfaction, and Goldilocks surveying her sugar-rose with polite

interest, though she would have preferred a real flower with a “pitty

smell.”

When her father came to take her home, a universal wail arose, and the

parting gifts showered upon her increased her luggage to such an extent

that Mr. Laurie proposed having out the big wagon to take it into town.

Every one had given her something; and it was found difficult to pack

white mice, cake, a parcel of shells, apples, a rabbit kicking violently

in a bag, a large cabbage for his refreshment, a bottle of minnows, and

a mammoth bouquet. The farewell scene was moving, for the Princess sat

upon the hall-table, surrounded by her subjects. She kissed her cousins,

and held out her hand to the other boys, who shook it gently with

various soft speeches, for they were taught not to be ashamed of showing

their emotions.

“Come again soon, little dear,” whispered Dan, fastening his best

green-and-gold beetle in her hat.

“Don't forget me, Princess, whatever you do,” said the engaging Tommy,

taking a last stroke of the pretty hair.

“I am coming to your house next week, and then I shall see you, Bess,”

added Nat, as if he found consolation in the thought.

“Do shake hands now,” cried Jack, offering a smooth paw.

“Here are two nice new ones to remember us by,” said Dick and Dolly,

presenting fresh whistles, quite unconscious that seven old ones had

been privately deposited in the kitchen-stove.

“My little precious! I shall work you a book-mark right away, and you

must keep it always,” said Nan, with a warm embrace.

But of all the farewells, poor Billy's was the most pathetic, for the

thought that she was really going became so unbearable that he cast

himself down before her, hugging her little blue boots and blubbering

despairingly, “Don't go away! oh, don't!” Goldilocks was so touched by

this burst of feeling, that she leaned over and lifting the poor lad's

head, said, in her soft, little voice,

“Don't cry, poor Billy! I will tiss you and tum adain soon.”

This promise consoled Billy, and he fell back beaming with pride at the

unusual honor conferred upon him.

“Me too! me too!” clamored Dick and Dolly, feeling that their devotion

deserved some return. The others looked as if they would like to join

in the cry; and something in the kind, merry faces about her moved the

Princess to stretch out her arms and say, with reckless condescension,

“I will tiss evvybody!”

Like a swarm of bees about a very sweet flower, the affectionate lads

surrounded their pretty playmate, and kissed her till she looked like a

little rose, not roughly, but so enthusiastically that nothing but the

crown of her hat was visible for a moment. Then her father rescued her,

and she drove away still smiling and waving her hands, while the boys

sat on the fence screaming like a flock of guinea-fowls, “Come back!

come back!” till she was out of sight.

They all missed her, and each dimly felt that he was better for having

known a creature so lovely, delicate, and sweet; for little Bess

appealed to the chivalrous instinct in them as something to love,

admire, and protect with a tender sort of reverence. Many a man

remembers some pretty child who has made a place in his heart and kept

her memory alive by the simple magic of her innocence; these little men

were just learning to feel this power, and to love it for its gentle

influence, not ashamed to let the small hand lead them, nor to own their

loyalty to womankind, even in the bud.