<p class="h2"><SPAN name="XXXIII" id="XXXIII"></SPAN>XXXIII.</p>
<p class="h2a">JO'S JOURNAL.</p>
<div class="blockquote">
<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">New York</span>, November.</p>
<p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Marmee and Beth,</span>—</p>
<p class="indent">"I'm going to write you a regular volume, for I've got heaps to
tell, though I'm not a fine young lady travelling on the continent.
When I lost sight of father's dear old face, I felt a trifle blue, and
might have shed a briny drop or two, if an Irish lady with four small
children, all crying more or less, hadn't diverted my mind; for I
amused myself by dropping gingerbread nuts over the seat every time
they opened their mouths to roar.</p>
<p class="indent">"Soon the sun came out, and taking it as a good omen, I cleared
up likewise, and enjoyed my journey with all my heart.</p>
<p class="indent">"Mrs. Kirke welcomed me so kindly I felt at home at once, even
in that big house full of strangers. She gave me a funny little sky-parlor—all
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 404]</span>
she had; but there is a stove in it, and a nice table in a
sunny window, so I can sit here and write whenever I like. A fine
view and a church-tower opposite atone for the many stairs, and I
took a fancy to my den on the spot. The nursery, where I am to
teach and sew, is a pleasant room next Mrs. Kirke's private parlor,
and the two little girls are pretty children,—rather spoilt, I fancy, but
they took to me after telling them 'The Seven Bad Pigs;' and I've
no doubt I shall make a model governess.</p>
<p class="indent">"I am to have my meals with the children, if I prefer it to the
great table, and for the present I do, for I <i>am</i> bashful, though no one
will believe it.</p>
<p class="indent">"'Now, my dear, make yourself at home,' said Mrs. K. in her
motherly way; 'I'm on the drive from morning to night, as you may
suppose with such a family; but a great anxiety will be off my mind
if I know the children are safe with you. My rooms are always open
to you, and your own shall be as comfortable as I can make it. There
are some pleasant people in the house if you feel sociable, and your
evenings are always free. Come to me if anything goes wrong, and
be as happy as you can. There's the tea-bell; I must run and change
my cap;' and off she bustled, leaving me to settle myself in my new
nest.</p>
<p class="indent">"As I went downstairs, soon after, I saw something I liked. The
flights are very long in this tall house, and as I stood waiting at the
head of the third one for a little servant girl to lumber up, I saw a
gentleman come along behind her, take the heavy hod of coal out of
her hand, carry it all the way up, put it down at a door near by, and
walk away, saying, with a kind nod and a foreign accent,—</p>
<p class="indent">"'It goes better so. The little back is too young to haf such
heaviness.'</p>
<p class="indent">"Wasn't it good of him? I like such things, for, as father says,
trifles show character. When I mentioned it to Mrs. K., that evening,
she laughed, and said,—</p>
<p class="indent">"'That must have been Professor Bhaer; he's always doing things
of that sort.'</p>
<p class="indent">"Mrs. K. told me he was from Berlin; very learned and good, but
poor as a church-mouse, and gives lessons to support himself and two
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 405]</span>
little orphan nephews whom he is educating here, according to the
wishes of his sister, who married an American. Not a very romantic
story, but it interested me; and I was glad to hear that Mrs. K. lends
him her parlor for some of his scholars. There is a glass door between
it and the nursery, and I mean to peep at him, and then I'll
tell you how he looks. He's almost forty, so it's no harm, Marmee.</p>
<p class="indent">"After tea and a go-to-bed romp with the little girls, I attacked
the big work-basket, and had a quiet evening chatting with my new
friend. I shall keep a journal-letter, and send it once a week; so
good-night, and more to-morrow."</p>
<p class="right">"<i>Tuesday Eve.</i></p>
<p class="indent">"Had a lively time in my seminary, this morning, for the children
acted like Sancho; and at one time I really thought I should shake
them all round. Some good angel inspired me to try gymnastics, and
I kept it up till they were glad to sit down and keep still. After luncheon,
the girl took them out for a walk, and I went to my needlework,
like little Mabel, 'with a willing mind.' I was thanking my stars
that I'd learned to make nice button-holes, when the parlor-door
opened and shut, and some one began to hum,—</p>
<p class="center">'Kennst du das land,'</p>
<p>like a big bumble-bee. It was dreadfully improper, I know, but I
couldn't resist the temptation; and lifting one end of the curtain
before the glass door, I peeped in. Professor Bhaer was there; and
while he arranged his books, I took a good look at him. A regular
German,—rather stout, with brown hair tumbled all over his head, a
bushy beard, good nose, the kindest eyes I ever saw, and a splendid
big voice that does one's ears good, after our sharp or slipshod American
gabble. His clothes were rusty, his hands were large, and he
hadn't a really handsome feature in his face, except his beautiful
teeth; yet I liked him, for he had a fine head; his linen was very
nice, and he looked like a gentleman, though two buttons were off his
coat, and there was a patch on one shoe. He looked sober in spite
of his humming, till he went to the window to turn the hyacinth
bulbs toward the sun, and stroke the cat, who received him like an
old friend. Then he smiled; and when a tap came at the door,
called out in a loud, brisk tone,—</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum">[Pg 406]</span>
"'Herein!'</p>
<p class="indent">"I was just going to run, when I caught sight of a morsel
of a child carrying a big book, and stopped to see what was
going on.</p>
<p class="indent">"'Me wants my Bhaer,' said the mite, slamming down her book,
and running to meet him.</p>
</div>
<div class="figleft"> <SPAN name="b150.png" id="b150.png"></SPAN>
<ANTIMG src="images/b150.png" width-obs="400" height-obs="665" alt="Thou shalt haf thy Bhaer" title="Thou shalt haf thy Bhaer" /></div>
<div class="blockquote">
<p class="indent">"'Thou shalt haf thy Bhaer; come, then, and take a goot hug
from him, my Tina,' said the Professor, catching her up, with a laugh,
and holding her so high over
his head that she had to
stoop her little face to kiss
him.</p>
<p class="indent">"'Now me mus tuddy my
lessin,' went on the funny
little thing; so he put her up
at the table, opened the
great dictionary she had
brought, and gave her a paper
and pencil, and she scribbled
away, turning a leaf now
and then, and passing her
little fat finger down the
page, as if finding a word,
so soberly that I nearly betrayed
myself by a laugh,
while Mr. Bhaer stood stroking
her pretty hair, with a
fatherly look, that made me
think she must be his own,
though she looked more
French than German.</p>
<p class="indent">"Another knock and the
appearance of two young ladies
sent me back to my work, and there I virtuously remained
through all the noise and gabbling that went on next door. One of
the girls kept laughing affectedly, and saying 'Now Professor,' in a
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 407]</span>
coquettish tone, and the other pronounced her German with an
accent that must have made it hard for him to keep sober.</p>
<p class="indent">"Both seemed to try his patience sorely; for more than once I
heard him say emphatically, 'No, no, it is <i>not</i> so; you haf not attend
to what I say;' and once there was a loud rap, as if he struck the
table with his book, followed by the despairing exclamation, 'Prut!
it all goes bad this day.'</p>
<p class="indent">"Poor man, I pitied him; and when the girls were gone, took
just one more peep, to see if he survived it. He seemed to have
thrown himself back in his chair, tired out, and sat there with his
eyes shut till the clock struck two, when he jumped up, put his
books in his pocket, as if ready for another lesson, and, taking little
Tina, who had fallen asleep on the sofa, in his arms, he carried her
quietly away. I fancy he has a hard life of it.</p>
<p class="indent">"Mrs. Kirke asked me if I wouldn't go down to the five o'clock
dinner; and, feeling a little bit homesick, I thought I would, just to
see what sort of people are under the same roof with me. So I made
myself respectable, and tried to slip in behind Mrs. Kirke; but as
she is short, and I'm tall, my efforts at concealment were rather a
failure. She gave me a seat by her, and after my face cooled off, I
plucked up courage, and looked about me. The long table was full,
and every one intent on getting their dinner,—the gentlemen especially,
who seemed to be eating on time, for they <i>bolted</i> in every sense
of the word, vanishing as soon as they were done. There was the
usual assortment of young men absorbed in themselves; young
couples absorbed in each other; married ladies in their babies, and
old gentlemen in politics. I don't think I shall care to have much
to do with any of them, except one sweet-faced maiden lady, who
looks as if she had something in her.</p>
<p class="indent">"Cast away at the very bottom of the table was the Professor,
shouting answers to the questions of a very inquisitive, deaf old gentleman
on one side, and talking philosophy with a Frenchman on the
other. If Amy had been here, she'd have turned her back on him
forever, because, sad to relate, he had a great appetite, and shovelled
in his dinner in a manner which would have horrified 'her ladyship.'
I didn't mind, for I like 'to see folks eat with a relish,' as Hannah
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 408]</span>
says, and the poor man must have needed a deal of food after
teaching idiots all day.</p>
<p class="indent">"As I went upstairs after dinner, two of the young men were settling
their hats before the hall-mirror, and I heard one say low to the
other, 'Who's the new party?'</p>
<p class="indent">"'Governess, or something of that sort.'</p>
<p class="indent">"'What the deuce is she at our table for?'</p>
<p class="indent">"'Friend of the old lady's.'</p>
<p class="indent">"'Handsome head, but no style.'</p>
<p class="indent">"'Not a bit of it. Give us a light and come on.'</p>
<p class="indent">"I felt angry at first, and then I didn't care, for a governess is as
good as a clerk, and I've got sense, if I haven't style, which is more
than some people have, judging from the remarks of the elegant
beings who clattered away, smoking like bad chimneys. I hate ordinary
people!"</p>
<p class="right">"<i>Thursday.</i></p>
<p class="indent">"Yesterday was a quiet day, spent in teaching, sewing, and writing
in my little room, which is very cosey, with a light and fire. I picked
up a few bits of news, and was introduced to the Professor. It seems
that Tina is the child of the Frenchwoman who does the fine ironing
in the laundry here. The little thing has lost her heart to Mr.
Bhaer, and follows him about the house like a dog whenever he is at
home, which delights him, as he is very fond of children, though a
'bacheldore.' Kitty and Minnie Kirke likewise regard him with
affection, and tell all sorts of stories about the plays he invents, the
presents he brings, and the splendid tales he tells. The young men
quiz him, it seems, call him Old Fritz, Lager Beer, Ursa Major, and
make all manner of jokes on his name. But he enjoys it like a boy,
Mrs. K. says, and takes it so good-naturedly that they all like him, in
spite of his foreign ways.</p>
<p class="indent">"The maiden lady is a Miss Norton,—rich, cultivated, and kind.
She spoke to me at dinner to-day (for I went to table again, it's such
fun to watch people), and asked me to come and see her at her room.
She has fine books and pictures, knows interesting persons, and seems
friendly; so I shall make myself agreeable, for I <i>do</i> want to get into
good society, only it isn't the same sort that Amy likes.</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum">[Pg 409]</span>
"I was in our parlor last evening, when Mr. Bhaer came in with
some newspapers for Mrs. Kirke. She wasn't there, but Minnie, who
is a little old woman, introduced me very prettily: 'This is mamma's
friend, Miss March.'</p>
<p class="indent">"'Yes; and she's jolly and we like her lots,' added Kitty, who is
an <i>enfant terrible</i>.</p>
<p class="indent">"We both bowed, and then we laughed, for the prim introduction
and the blunt addition were rather a comical contrast.</p>
<p class="indent">"'Ah, yes, I hear these naughty ones go to vex you, Mees Marsch.
If so again, call at me and I come,' he said, with a threatening frown
that delighted the little
wretches.</p>
<div class="figright"> <SPAN name="b151.png" id="b151.png"></SPAN>
<ANTIMG src="images/b151.png" width-obs="400" height-obs="490" alt="He waved his hand, sock and all" title="He waved his hand, sock and all" /></div>
<p class="indent">"I promised I
would, and he departed;
but it seems
as if I was doomed to
see a good deal of
him, for to-day, as I
passed his door on
my way out, by accident
I knocked against
it with my umbrella.
It flew open, and there
he stood in his dressing
gown, with a big
blue sock on one hand,
and a darning-needle
in the other; he didn't
seem at all ashamed of
it, for when I explained
and hurried
on, he waved his hand, sock and all, saying in his loud, cheerful way,—</p>
<p class="indent">"'You haf a fine day to make your walk. <i>Bon voyage, mademoiselle.</i>'</p>
<p class="indent">"I laughed all the way downstairs; but it was a little pathetic,
also, to think of the poor man having to mend his own clothes. The
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 410]</span>
German gentlemen embroider, I know; but darning hose is another
thing, and not so pretty."</p>
<p class="right">"<i>Saturday.</i></p>
<p class="indent">"Nothing has happened to write about, except a call on Miss Norton,
who has a room full of lovely things, and who was very charming,
for she showed me all her treasures, and asked me if I would sometimes
go with her to lectures and concerts, as her escort,—if I
enjoyed them. She put it as a favor, but I'm sure Mrs. Kirke has
told her about us, and she does it out of kindness to me. I'm as
proud as Lucifer, but such favors from such people don't burden me,
and I accepted gratefully.</p>
<p class="indent">"When I got back to the nursery there was such an uproar in the
parlor that I looked in; and there was Mr. Bhaer down on his hands
and knees, with Tina on his back, Kitty leading him with a jump-rope,
and Minnie feeding two small boys with seed-cakes, as they
roared and ramped in cages built of chairs.</p>
<p class="indent">"'We are playing <i>nargerie</i>,' explained Kitty.</p>
<p class="indent">"'Dis is mine effalunt!' added Tina, holding on by the Professor's
hair.</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <SPAN name="b152.png" id="b152.png"></SPAN> <ANTIMG src="images/b152.png" width-obs="700" height-obs="388" alt="Dis is mine effalunt" title="Dis is mine effalunt" /></div>
<p class="indent">"'Mamma always allows us to do what we like Saturday afternoon,
when Franz and Emil come, doesn't she, Mr. Bhaer?' said Minnie.</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum">[Pg 411]</span>
"The 'effalunt' sat up, looking as much in earnest as any of them,
and said soberly to me,—</p>
<p class="indent">"'I gif you my wort it is so. If we make too large a noise you
shall say "Hush!" to us, and we go more softly.'</p>
<p class="indent">"I promised to do so, but left the door open, and enjoyed the fun
as much as they did,—for a more glorious frolic I never witnessed.
They played tag and soldiers, danced and sung, and when it began to
grow dark they all piled on to the sofa about the Professor, while he
told charming fairy stories of the storks on the chimney-tops, and the
little 'kobolds,' who ride the snow-flakes as they fall. I wish Americans
were as simple and natural as Germans, don't you?</p>
<p class="indent">"I'm so fond of writing, I should go spinning on forever if motives
of economy didn't stop me, for though I've used thin paper and
written fine, I tremble to think of the stamps this long letter will
need. Pray forward Amy's as soon as you can spare them. My small
news will sound very flat after her splendors, but you will like them, I
know. Is Teddy studying so hard that he can't find time to write to
his friends? Take good care of him for me, Beth, and tell me all
about the babies, and give heaps of love to every one.</p>
<p class="center">"From your faithful <span class="ralignsc">Jo.</span></p>
<p class="indent">"P. S. On reading over my letter it strikes me as rather Bhaery;
but I am always interested in odd people, and I really had nothing
else to write about. Bless you!"</p>
</div>
<div class="blockquote">
<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">December.</span></p>
<p>"<span class="smcap">My Precious Betsey</span>,—</p>
<p class="indent">"As this is to be a scribble-scrabble letter, I direct it to you, for it
may amuse you, and give you some idea of my goings on; for, though
quiet, they are rather amusing, for which, oh, be joyful! After what
Amy would call Herculaneum efforts, in the way of mental and moral
agriculture, my young ideas begin to shoot and my little twigs to
bend as I could wish. They are not so interesting to me as Tina
and the boys, but I do my duty by them, and they are fond of me.
Franz and Emil are jolly little lads, quite after my own heart; for the
mixture of German and American spirit in them produces a constant
state of effervescence. Saturday afternoons are riotous times, whether
spent in the house or out; for on pleasant days they all go to walk,
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 412]</span>
like a seminary, with the Professor and myself to keep order; and
then such fun!</p>
<p class="indent">"We are very good friends now, and I've begun to take lessons.
I really couldn't help it, and it all came about in such a droll
way that I must tell you. To begin at the beginning, Mrs. Kirke
called to me, one day, as I passed Mr. Bhaer's room, where she was
rummaging.</p>
<p class="indent">"'Did you ever see such a den, my dear? Just come and help me
put these books to rights, for I've turned everything upside down,
trying to discover what he has done with the six new handkerchiefs I
gave him not long ago.'</p>
<p class="indent">"I went in, and while we worked I looked about me, for it was 'a
den,' to be sure. Books and papers everywhere; a broken meerschaum,
and an old flute over the mantel-piece as if done with; a
ragged bird, without any tail, chirped on one window-seat, and a box of
white mice adorned the other; half-finished boats and bits of string
lay among the manuscripts; dirty little boots stood drying before the
fire; and traces of the dearly beloved boys, for whom he makes a
slave of himself, were to be seen all over the room. After a grand
rummage three of the missing articles were found,—one over the
bird-cage, one covered with ink, and a third burnt brown, having been
used as a holder.</p>
<p class="indent">"'Such a man!' laughed good-natured Mrs. K., as she put the
relics in the rag-bag. 'I suppose the others are torn up to rig ships,
bandage cut fingers, or make kite-tails. It's dreadful, but I can't
scold him: he's so absent-minded and good-natured, he lets those
boys ride over him rough-shod. I agreed to do his washing and
mending, but he forgets to give out his things and I forget to look
them over, so he comes to a sad pass sometimes.'</p>
<p class="indent">"'Let me mend them,' said I. 'I don't mind it, and he needn't
know. I'd like to,—he's so kind to me about bringing my letters
and lending books.'</p>
<p class="indent">"So I have got his things in order, and knit heels into two pairs of
the socks,—for they were boggled out of shape with his queer darns.
Nothing was said, and I hoped he wouldn't find it out, but one day
last week he caught me at it. Hearing the lessons he gives to others
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 413]</span>
has interested and amused me so much that I took a fancy to learn;
for Tina runs in and out, leaving the door open, and I can hear. I
had been sitting near this door, finishing off the last sock, and trying
to understand what he said to a new scholar, who is as stupid as I am.
The girl had gone, and I thought he had also, it was so still, and I was
busily gabbling over a verb, and rocking to and fro in a most absurd
way, when a little crow made me look up, and there was Mr. Bhaer
looking and laughing quietly, while he made signs to Tina not to betray
him.</p>
<p class="indent">"'So!' he said, as I stopped and stared like a goose, 'you peep at
me, I peep at you, and that is not bad; but see, I am not pleasanting
when I say, haf you a wish for German?'</p>
<p class="indent">"'Yes; but you are too busy. I am too stupid to learn,' I blundered
out, as red as a peony.</p>
<p class="indent">"'Prut! we will make the time, and we fail not to find the
sense. At efening I shall gif a little lesson with much gladness; for,
look you, Mees Marsch, I haf this debt to pay,' and he pointed to
my work. "Yes," they say to one another, these so kind ladies, "he is
a stupid old fellow; he will see not what we do; he will never opserve
that his sock-heels go not in holes any more, he will think his buttons
grow out new when they fall, and believe that strings make theirselves."
Ah! but I haf an eye, and I see much. I haf a heart, and I
feel the thanks for this. Come, a little lesson then and now, or no
more good fairy works for me and mine.'</p>
<p class="indent">"Of course I couldn't say anything after that, and as it really is a
splendid opportunity, I made the bargain, and we began. I took four
lessons, and then I stuck fast in a grammatical bog. The Professor
was very patient with me, but it must have been torment to him, and
now and then he'd look at me with such an expression of mild
despair that it was a toss-up with me whether to laugh or cry. I
tried both ways; and when it came to a sniff of utter mortification
and woe, he just threw the grammar on to the floor, and marched out
of the room. I felt myself disgraced and deserted forever, but didn't
blame him a particle, and was scrambling my papers together, meaning
to rush upstairs and shake myself hard, when in he came, as
brisk and beaming as if I'd covered myself with glory.</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum">[Pg 414]</span>
"'Now we shall try a new way. You and I will read these pleasant
little M�rchen together, and dig no more in that dry book, that goes
in the corner for making us trouble.'</p>
<p class="indent">"He spoke so kindly, and opened Hans Andersen's fairy tales so
invitingly before me, that I was more ashamed than ever, and went at
my lesson in a neck-or-nothing style that seemed to amuse him
immensely. I forgot my bashfulness, and pegged away (no other word
will express it) with all my might, tumbling over long words, pronouncing
according to the inspiration of the minute, and doing my very
best. When I finished reading my first page, and stopped for breath,
he clapped his hands and cried out, in his hearty way, 'Das ist gute!
Now we go well! My turn. I do him in German; gif me your
ear.' And away he went, rumbling out the words with his strong
voice, and a relish which was good to see as well as hear. Fortunately
the story was the 'Constant Tin Soldier,' which is droll, you
know, so I could laugh,—and I did,—though I didn't understand
half he read, for I couldn't help it, he was so earnest, I so excited,
and the whole thing so comical.</p>
<p class="indent">"After that we got on better, and now I read my lessons pretty
well; for this way of studying suits me, and I can see that the grammar
gets tucked into the tales and poetry as one gives pills in jelly. I
like it very much, and he doesn't seem tired of it yet,—which is very
good of him, isn't it? I mean to give him something on Christmas, for
I dare not offer money. Tell me something nice, Marmee.</p>
<p class="indent">"I'm glad Laurie seems so happy and busy, that he has given up
smoking, and lets his hair grow. You see Beth manages him better
than I did. I'm not jealous, dear; do your best, only don't make a
saint of him. I'm afraid I couldn't like him without a spice of human
naughtiness. Read him bits of my letters. I haven't time to
write much, and that will do just as well. Thank Heaven Beth continues
so comfortable."</p>
<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">January.</span></p>
<p class="indent">"A Happy New Year to you all, my dearest family, which of course
includes Mr. L. and a young man by the name of Teddy. I can't
tell you how much I enjoyed your Christmas bundle, for I didn't get
it till night, and had given up hoping. Your letter came in the morning,
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 415]</span>
but you said nothing about a parcel, meaning it for a surprise;
so I was disappointed, for I'd had a 'kind of a feeling' that you
wouldn't forget me. I felt a little low in my mind, as I sat up in my
room, after tea; and when the big, muddy, battered-looking bundle
was brought to me, I just hugged it, and pranced. It was so <i>homey</i>
and refreshing, that I sat down on the floor and read and looked
and ate and laughed and cried, in my usual absurd way. The things
were just what I wanted, and all the better for being made instead of
bought. Beth's new 'ink-bib' was capital; and Hannah's box of
hard gingerbread will be a treasure. I'll be sure and wear the nice
flannels you sent, Marmee, and read carefully the books father has
marked. Thank you all, heaps and heaps!</p>
</div>
<div class="figcenter"> <SPAN name="b153.png" id="b153.png"></SPAN> <ANTIMG src="images/b153.png" width-obs="546" height-obs="400" alt="I sat down upon the floor and read and looked and ate" title="I sat down upon the floor and read and looked and ate" /></div>
<div class="blockquote"><p class="indent">"Speaking of books reminds me that I'm getting rich in that line
for, on New Year's Day, Mr. Bhaer gave me a fine Shakespeare. It is
one he values much, and I've often admired it, set up in the place
of honor, with his German Bible, Plato, Homer, and Milton; so you
may imagine how I felt when he brought it down, without its cover,
and showed me my name in it, 'from my friend Friedrich Bhaer.'</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum">[Pg 416]</span>
"'You say often you wish a library: here I gif you one; for between
these lids (he meant covers) is many books in one. Read him
well, and he will help you much; for the study of character in this
book will help you to read it in the world and paint it with your
pen.'</p>
<p class="indent">"I thanked him as well as I could, and talk now about 'my library,'
as if I had a hundred books. I never knew how much there was in
Shakespeare before; but then I never had a Bhaer to explain it to me.
Now <i>don't</i> laugh at his horrid name; it isn't pronounced either Bear
or Beer, as people <i>will</i> say it, but something between the two, as only
Germans can give it. I'm glad you both like what I tell you about
him, and hope you will know him some day. Mother would admire
his warm heart, father his wise head. I admire both, and feel rich in
my new 'friend Friedrich Bhaer.'</p>
<p class="indent">"Not having much money, or knowing what he'd like, I got several
little things, and put them about the room, where he would find them
unexpectedly. They were useful, pretty, or funny,—a new standish
on his table, a little vase for his flower,—he always has one, or a bit
of green in a glass, to keep him fresh, he says,—and a holder for his
blower, so that he needn't burn up what Amy calls 'mouchoirs.' I
made it like those Beth invented,—a big butterfly with a fat body, and
black and yellow wings, worsted feelers, and bead eyes. It took his
fancy immensely, and he put it on his mantel-piece as an article of
<i>vertu</i>; so it was rather a failure after all. Poor as he is, he didn't
forget a servant or a child in the house; and not a soul here, from
the French laundry-woman to Miss Norton, forgot him. I was so glad
of that.</p>
<p class="indent">"They got up a masquerade, and had a gay time New Year's Eve.
I didn't mean to go down, having no dress; but at the last minute,
Mrs. Kirke remembered some old brocades, and Miss Norton lent me
lace and feathers; so I dressed up as Mrs. Malaprop, and sailed in
with a mask on. No one knew me, for I disguised my voice, and no
one dreamed of the silent, haughty Miss March (for they think I am
very stiff and cool, most of them; and so I am to whipper-snappers)
could dance and dress, and burst out into a 'nice derangement of
epitaphs, like an allegory on the banks of the Nile.' I enjoyed it
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 417]</span>
very much; and when we unmasked, it was fun to see them stare at
me. I heard one of the young men tell another that he knew I'd
been an actress; in fact, he thought he remembered seeing me at
one of the minor theatres. Meg will relish that joke. Mr. Bhaer
was Nick Bottom, and Tina was Titania,—a perfect little fairy in his
arms. To see them dance was 'quite a landscape,' to use a Teddy-ism.</p>
<p class="indent">"I had a very happy New Year, after all; and when I thought it
over in my room, I felt as if I was getting on a little in spite of my
many failures; for I'm cheerful all the time now, work with a will,
and take more interest in other people than I used to, which is satisfactory.
Bless you all! Ever your loving <span class="ralignsc">Jo.</span></p>
</div>
<div class="figcenter"> <SPAN name="b154.png" id="b154.png"></SPAN> <ANTIMG src="images/b154.png" width-obs="300" height-obs="304" alt="Tail-piece" title="Tail-piece" /></div>
<hr class="hr2" />
<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 418]</span></p>
<div class="figcenter"> <SPAN name="b155.png" id="b155.png"></SPAN> <ANTIMG src="images/b155.png" width-obs="502" height-obs="400" alt="In the presence of three gentlemen" title="In the presence of three gentlemen" /></div>
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