Hello there
Thank you so much for joining me for this reading of
Chapter 2 of
Little Women by Louisa M Olcott
Let's take a moment here to take some deep breaths
Release the tension from the day
A
Nice exhale
The day is done now
There's nothing else for us to do
Nowhere else for us to be
We can just relax
Sink down into our bed or chair wherever we are
Get comfortable and
Let's enjoy chapter 2 of this wonderful story
And the chapter is titled A Merry Christmas
Jo was the first to wake in the grey dawn of Christmas morning
No stockings hung at the fireplace and
For a moment she felt as much disappointed as she did long ago
When her little sock fell down because it was so crammed with goodies
Then she remembered her mother's promise and
Slipping her hand under her pillow
Drew out a little crimson covered book
She knew it very well
For it was that beautiful old story of the best life ever lived and
Jo felt that it was a true guidebook for any pilgrim going the long journey
She woke Meg with a Merry Christmas and bade her see what was under her pillow
A green covered book appeared with the same picture inside and a few words written by their mother
Which made their one present
Very
Precious in their eyes
Presently Beth and Amy woke
To rummage and find their little books also
One dove colored the other blue and
All sat
Looking at and talking about them while the East grew rosy with the coming day
In spite of her small vanities
Margaret had a sweet and pious nature
Which unconsciously influenced her sisters
Especially Jo who loved her very tenderly and
Obeyed her because her advice was so gently given
Girls
Said Meg seriously
Looking from the tumbled head beside her to the two little night capped ones in the room beyond
Mother wants us to read and love and mind these books and
We must begin at once
We used to be faithful about it
But since father went away and all this war trouble unsettled us
We have neglected many things
You
Can do as you please but I shall keep my book on the table here and
Read a little every morning as soon as I wake
For I know it will do me good and
Help me through the day
Then she opened her new book and began to read
Jo put her arm around her and
Leaning cheek-to-cheek read also with the quiet expression so seldom seen on her restless face
How good Meg is
Come Amy.
Let's do as they do.
I'll help you with the hard words and
They'll explain things if we don't understand
Whispered Beth
Very much impressed by the pretty books and her sister's example
I'm glad mine is blue
Said Amy and
Then the rooms were very still
While the pages were softly turned and the winter sunshine
Crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces
With a Christmas greeting
Where is mother asked Meg as she and Jo ran down to thank her for their gifts half an hour later
Goodness only knows some poor creator come a-begging and your ma went straight off to see what was needed
Never was such a woman for giving away vittles and drink clothes and firing
Replied Hannah
Who had lived with the family since Meg was born and
Was considered by them all more as a friend than a servant
She will be back soon.
I think so fry your cakes and have everything ready said Meg
Looking over the presents which were collected in a basket and kept under the sofa ready to be produced at the proper time
Why where is Amy's bottle of cologne she added as the little flask did not appear
She took it out a minute ago went off with it to put a ribbon on it or some such notion replied
Jo dancing about the room to take the first stiffness off the new army slippers
How nice my handkerchiefs look don't they?
Hannah washed and ironed them for me and I marked them all myself said Beth looking
Proudly at the somewhat uneven letters which had cost her such labor
Bless the child she's gone and put mother on them instead of M.
March
How funny cried Jo taking up one
Isn't it right?
I thought it was better to do it
So because Meg's initials are MM and I don't want anyone to use these but mommy said Beth looking troubled
It's all right dear and a very pretty idea
Quite sensible too for no one can ever mistake now
It will please her very much.
I know said Meg with a frown for Jo and a smile for Beth
There's mother hide the basket quick cried Jo as a door slammed and steps sounded in the hall
Amy came in
Amy came in hastily and looked rather abashed when she saw her sisters all waiting for her
Where have you been?
What are you hiding behind you asked Meg surprised to see by her hood and cloak that lazy Amy had been out
So early
Don't laugh at me Jo I
Didn't mean anyone should know
Until the time came
I only meant to change the little bottle for a big one and
I gave all my money to get it and
I'm truly trying not to be selfish anymore
As she spoke Amy showed the handsome flask
Which replaced the cheap one and looked so earnest and humble in her little effort to forget herself
That Meg hugged her on the spot
And Jo pronounced her a trump
While Beth ran to the window and picked her finest rose to ornament the stately bottle
You see I felt ashamed of my present after reading and talking about being good this morning
So
I ran around the corner and changed it the minute I was up and
I'm so glad
For mine is the handsomest now
Another bang of the street door sent the basket under the sofa and the girls to the table
Eager for breakfast
Merry Christmas,
Mommy
Many of them
Thank you for our books.
We read some and mean to every day they cried in chorus
Merry Christmas
Little daughters
I'm glad you began at once and hope you will keep on
But I want to say one word before we sit down
Not far away from here
Lies a poor woman
With a little newborn baby
Six children are huddled into one bed to keep from freezing for they have no fire
There is nothing to eat over there
And the oldest boy came to tell me they were suffering hunger and cold
My girls will you give them your breakfast as a Christmas present
They were all unusually hungry having waited nearly an hour
And for a minute no one spoke
Only a minute
For Jo exclaimed impetuously
I'm so glad you came before we began
May I go and help carry the things to the poor little children asked Beth eagerly
I shall take the cream and the muffins added Amy heroically giving up the articles she most liked
Meg was already covering the buckwheats and piling the bread into one big plate
I thought you'd do it said mrs.
March smiling as if satisfied
You shall all go and help me and
When we come back,
We will have bread and milk for breakfast and
Make it up at dinner time
They were soon ready and the procession set out
Fortunately,
It was early and they went through back streets.
So few people saw them
And no one laughed at the queer party
A poor bare
Miserable room it was
With broken windows no fire
Ragged bed clothes
A sick mother
Wailing baby
And a group of pale hungry children cuddled under one old quilt trying to keep warm
How the big eyes stared and the blue lips smiled as the girls went in
Ah
My god
It is good angels come to us
Said the poor woman crying for joy
Funny angels in hoods and mittens said joe and set them laughing
In a few minutes,
It really did seem as if kind spirits had been at work there
Hannah who had carried wood made a fire and stopped up the broken panes with old hats and her own cloak
Mrs.
March gave the mother tea and gruel and comforted her with promises of help
While she dressed the little baby as tenderly as if it had been her own
The girls meantime spread the table set the children around the fire fed them like so many hungry birds
Laughing talking trying to understand the funny broken english
Das ist gut
Die engel kinder cried the poor things as they ate and warmed their purple hands at the comfortable blaze
The girls had never been called angel children before
And
Thought it very agreeable
Especially joe who had been considered a sancho ever since she was born
That was a very happy breakfast
Though they didn't get any of it
And when they went away leaving comfort behind
I think there were not in all the city four merrier people
Than the hungry little girls who gave away their breakfasts
And contented themselves with bread and milk on christmas morning
And
That's loving our neighbor better than ourselves
And I
Like it said meg
As they set out their presents while their mother was upstairs collecting clothes for the poor hummels
Not a very splendid show
But there was a great deal of love done up in the few little bundles
And the tall vase of red roses
White chrysanthemums and trailing vines which stood in the middle gave quite an elegant air to the table
She's coming strike up beth open the door amy three cheers for mommy
Cried joe prancing about
While meg went to conduct mother to the seat of honor
Beth played her gayest march
Amy threw open the door and meg enacted escort with great dignity
Mrs
March was both surprised and touched
And smiled with her eyes full as she examined her presents
And read the little notes which accompanied them
The slippers went on at once a new handkerchief was slipped into her pocket
Well scented with amy's cologne
The rose was fastened in her bosom and the nice gloves were pronounced a perfect fit
There was a good deal of laughing and kissing and explaining
In the simple loving fashion,
Which makes these home festivals so pleasant at the time
So sweet to remember long afterward
And then all fell to work
The morning charities and ceremonies took so much time that the rest of the day was devoted to preparations for the evening festivities
Being still too young to go often to the theater
And not rich enough to afford any great outlay for private performances
The girls put their wits to work
And necessity being the mother of invention
Made whatever they needed
Very clever were some of their productions
Pasteboard guitars
Antique lamps made of old-fashioned butter boats covered with silver paper
Gorgeous robes of old cotton
Glittering with tin spangles from a pickle factory
And armor covered with the same useful diamond-shaped bits
Diamond-shaped bits left in sheets when the lids of tin preserve pots were cut out
The furniture was used to being turned topsy-turvy
And the big chamber was the scene of many innocent revels
No gentlemen were admitted.
So Jo played male parts to her heart's content
And took immense satisfaction in a pair of russet leather boots given her by a friend who knew a lady
Who knew an actor
These boots
An old foil and a slashed doublet once used by an artist for some picture were Jo's chief
Treasures
And appeared on all
Occasions
The smallness of the company made it necessary for the two principal actors to take several parts apiece
And they certainly deserved some credit for the hard work they did in learning three or four different parts
Whisking in and out of various costumes and managing the stage besides
It was excellent drill for their memories
A harmless amusement and employed many hours,
Which otherwise would have been idle
Lonely or
Spent in less profitable society
On Christmas night a dozen girls piled onto the bed
Which was the dress circle and sat before the blue and yellow chintz curtains in a most flattering state
Of expectancy
There was a good deal of rustling and whispering behind the curtain
A trifle of lamp smoke
And an occasional giggle from amy who was apt to get hysterical in the excitement of the moment
Presently a bell sounded the curtains flew apart
And
The operatic tragedy
Began
A gloomy wood
According to the one playbill was represented by a few shrubs in pots
Green bays on the floor
And a cave in the distance
This cave was made with a clothes horse for a roof
Bureaus for walls
And in it was a small furnace in full blast with a black pot on it
And an old witch
Bending over it
The stage was dark
And the glow of the furnace had a fine effect
Especially as real steam issued from the kettle when the witch took off the cover
A moment was allowed for the first thrill to subside
Then
Hugo the villain
Stalked in with a clanking sword at his side a slouched hat
Black beard mysterious cloak
And
The boots
After pacing to and fro in much agitation
He struck his forehead and burst out in a wild strain
Singing of his hatred to rodrigo
His love for zara and his pleasing resolution to kill the one
And win the other
The gruff tones of hugo's voice with an occasional shout when his feelings overcame him
Were very impressive and the audience applauded the moment he paused for breath
Bowing with the air of one accustomed to public praise
He stole to the cavern and ordered hagar to come forth with a commanding
What ho minion?
I need thee
Out came meg
With gray horse hair hanging about her face
A red and black robe a staff
And cabalistic signs upon her cloak
Hugo demanded a potion to make zara
Adore him
And one to
Destroy rodrigo
Hagar in a fine dramatic melody promised both
And proceeded to call up the spirit who would bring the love filter
Hither hither from thy home
Airy sprite
I bid thee come
Born of roses fed on dew
Charms and potions canst thou brew
Bring me here with elfin speed the fragrant filter which I need
Make it sweet and swift and strong
Spirit
Answer now
My song
A soft strain of music sounded
And then at the back of the cave appeared a little figure
In cloudy white
With glittering wings golden hair and a garland of roses on its head
Waving a wand it sang hither I come from my airy home
Afar in the silver moon
Take the magic spell and use it well
Or its power will vanish soon
And dropping a small gilded bottle at the witch's feet the spirit vanished
Another chant from hagar produced another apparition
Not a lovely one
For
With a bang an ugly black imp appeared and having croaked a reply
Tossed a dark bottle at hugo and disappeared with a mocking laugh
Having warbled his thanks and put the potions in his boots
Hugo departed
And hagar
Informed the audience that as he had killed a few of her friends in times past
She has cursed him
And intends to thwart his plans and be revenged on him
Then the curtains fell
And the audience reposed and ate candy while discussing the merits of the play
A good deal of hammering went on before the curtain rose again
But when it became evident what a masterpiece of stage carpentering had been got up
No one murmured at the delay.
It was truly
Superb
A tower rose to the ceiling
Halfway up appeared a window with a lamp burning at it
And behind the white curtain appeared zara in a lovely blue and silver dress
Waiting for rodrigo
He came in gorgeous array with plumed cap red cloak
Chestnut love locks a guitar
And
The boots of course
Kneeling at the foot of the tower.
He sang a serenade in melting tones
Zara replied and after a musical dialogue consented to fly
Then came the grand effect of the play
Rodrigo produced a rope ladder with five steps to it threw up one end and invited zara to descend
Timidly,
She crept from her lattice put her hand on rodrigo's shoulder and was about to leap gracefully down when
Alas
Alas for zara
She forgot her train
It caught in the window the tower tottered lent forward
Fell with a crash and buried the unhappy lovers in the ruins
A universal shriek arose as the russet boots waved wildly from the wreck
And a golden head emerged exclaiming I told you so I told you so
With wonderful presence of mind don pedro the cruel sire
Rushed in dragged out his daughter with a hasty aside
Don't laugh
Act as if it was all right
And ordering rodrigo up banished him from the kingdom with wrath and scorn
Though decidedly shaken
By the fall of the tower upon him rodrigo defied the old gentleman and refused to stir
This dauntless example fired zara
She also defied her sire and he ordered them both to the deepest dungeons of the castle
A stout little retainer came in with chains and led them away
Looking very much frightened
Looking very much frightened and evidently forgetting the speech he ought to have made
Act third was the castle hall
And here hagar appeared having come to free the lovers and finish hugo
She hears him coming and hides
Sees him put the potions into two cups of wine
And bid the timid little servant bear them to the captives in their cells and tell them I shall come anon
The servant takes hugo aside to tell him something and hagar changes the cups for two others,
Which are harmless
Ferdinando the minion carries him away and hagar puts back the cup which holds the poison
Meant for rodrigo
Hugo getting thirsty after a long warble
Drinks it
Loses his wits and
After a good deal of clutching and stamping
Falls flat
And dies
While hagar informs him
What she has done
In a song of exquisite power and melody
This was a truly thrilling scene
Though some persons might have thought that the sudden tumbling down of a quantity of long hair
Rather marred the effect of the villain's death
He was called before the curtain and with great propriety
Appeared
Leading hagar whose singing was considered more wonderful than all the rest of the performance put together
Act fourth displayed the despairing rodrigo
On the point of stabbing himself because he has been told that zara has deserted him
Just as the dagger is at his heart
A lovely song is sung under his window
Informing him that zara is true
But
In danger
And he can save her if he will
He can save her if he will
A key is thrown in which unlocks the door and in a spasm of rapture
He tears off his chains and rushes away to find and rescue his lady love
Act fifth opened with a stormy scene between zara and don pedro
He wishes her to go into a convent
She won't hear of it
And after a touching appeal is about to faint when rodrigo dashes in and demands her hand
Don pedro refuses because he is not rich
They shout and gesticulate tremendously
But cannot agree
And rodrigo is about to bear away the exhausted zara
When the timid servant enters with a letter and a bag from hagar
Who has mysteriously disappeared
The latter informs the party that she bequeaths untold wealth to the young pair
And an awful doom to don pedro if he doesn't make them happy
The bag is opened
And several quarts of tin money shower down upon the stage
Till it is quite glorified with the glitter
This entirely softens the stern sire
He consents without a murmur
All join in a joyful chorus
And the curtain falls upon the lovers
Kneeling to receive don pedro's blessing
In attitudes of the most
Romantic grace
Tumultuous applause followed
But received an unexpected check
For the cot bed on which the dress circle was built suddenly shut up
And extinguished the enthusiastic audience
Rodrigo and don pedro flew to the rescue and all were taken out unhurt though many were
Speechless with laughter
The excitement had hardly subsided when hannah appeared with
Mrs.
March's compliments and would the ladies walk down to supper
This was a surprise
Even to the actors
And when they saw the table,
They looked at one another in rapturous
Amazement
It was like mommy to get up a little treat for them
But anything so fine as this
Was unheard of since the departed days of plenty
There was ice cream actually two dishes of it pink and white
And
Cake and fruit and
Distracting french bonbons
And in the middle of the table four great bouquets of hothouse flowers
It quite took their breath away
And they stared first at the table
And then at their mother
Who looked as if she enjoyed it immensely?
Is it
Fairies asked amy
It's santa claus said beth
Mother did it
And meg smiled her sweetest
In spite of her gray beard and white eyebrows
Aunt march had a good fit and sent the supper cried joe with a sudden inspiration
All wrong old mr.
Lawrence sent it replied mrs.
March
The lawrence boy's grandfather
What in the world put such a thing into his head
We don't know him exclaimed meg
Hannah
Told one of his servants
About your breakfast party
He is an odd old gentleman,
But that pleased him
He knew my father years ago
And he sent me a polite note this afternoon saying
He hoped I would allow him to express his friendly feeling toward my children
By sending them a few trifles in honor of the day
I could not refuse and so
You have a little feast at night to make up for the bread and milk breakfast
That boy put it into his head.
I know he did
He's a capital fellow and I wish we could get acquainted
He looks as if he'd like to know us,
But he's bashful and meg is so prim
She won't let me speak to him when we pass
Said joe as the plates went round and the ice began to melt out of sight with
Ohs and ahs
Of satisfaction
You mean the people who live in the big house next door.
Don't you ask one of the girls?
My mother knows old.
Mr.
Lawrence,
But says he's very proud
And doesn't like to mix with his neighbors
He keeps his grandson shut up
When he isn't riding or walking with his tutor
And makes him study very hard
We invited him to our party,
But he didn't come
Mother says he's very nice
Though he never speaks to us girls
Our cat
Ran away once and he brought her back and we talked over the fence
And we were getting on capitally
All about crickets and so on when he saw meg coming and walked off
I mean to know him someday
For he needs fun.
I'm sure he does said joe decidedly
I like his manners
And he looks like a little gentleman
So i've no objection to your knowing him if a proper opportunity comes
He brought the flowers himself
And I should have asked him in
If
I had been sure what was going on upstairs
He looked so wistful as he went away hearing the frolic and evidently
Having none of his own
It's a mercy you didn't mother laughed joe looking at her boots
But
We'll have another play sometime that he can see
Perhaps he'll help act
Wouldn't that be jolly?
I never had such a fine bouquet before
How pretty it is
And meg examined her flowers with great interest
They are lovely
But beth's roses are sweeter to me said mrs.
March smelling the half-dead posy in her belt
Beth nestled up to her and whispered softly
I wish I could send my bunch to father
I'm afraid he isn't having such a merry christmas
As we are
