Читать книгу Хорошие жёны / Good wives. Уровень 3 - Луиза Мэй Олкотт, Луиза Мэй Олкотт, Mybook Classics - Страница 7

“Come, Jo, it’s time.”

“Where?”

“You don’t mean to say you have forgotten that you promised to make half a dozen calls[19] with me today? It was a bargain between us. It’s a lovely day, no prospect of rain. So be honorable, come and do your duty, and then be at peace for another six months.”

Jo hated calls of the formal sort, and never made any. In the present instance there was no escape. They visited a few houses and presently were walking towards Aunt March’s house.

“What a good girl you are, Amy!” said Jo. “I wish it was as easy for me to do little things to please people as it is for you. I think of them, but it takes too much time to do them.”

Amy smiled.

“Women must learn to be agreeable, particularly poor ones. They have no other way of repaying the kindnesses they receive.”

“I’m a crotchety old thing, and always shall be. It’s a great misfortune to have such strong likes and dislikes, isn’t it?”

“It’s a greater not to be able to hide them.”

“But I think girls ought to show when they disapprove of young men, and how can they do it except by their manners? Shall we continue bearing things and people which we detest, merely because we are not belles and millionaires?”

“I can’t argue about it. I only know that it’s the way of the world. People who set themselves against it only get laughed at for their pains.”

“I like them, and I shall be one if I can. In spite of the laughing the world will never get on without them. We can’t agree about that, for you belong to the old set, and I to the new. You will get on the best, but I shall have the liveliest time of it.”

“Well, compose yourself now, and don’t worry Aunt with your new ideas.”

“It’s my doom, and I can’t help it.”

They found Aunt Carrol with the old lady, both absorbed in some very interesting subject, but they dropped it as the girls came in.

“Are you going to help about the fair, dear?” asked Mrs. Carrol, as Amy sat down beside her.

“Yes, Aunt. Mrs. Chester asked me, and I offered to tend a table. I have nothing but my time to give.”

“I’m not,” put in Jo decidedly. “I hate to be patronized. The Chesters think it’s a great favor to allow us to help with their fair.”

“I want to work. I think it very kind of them to let me share the labor and the fun.”

“Quite right and proper. I like your grateful spirit, my dear. It’s a pleasure to help people who appreciate our efforts. Some do not, and that is trying,” observed Aunt March, looking over her spectacles at Jo.

“I don’t like favors, they oppress and make me feel like a slave. I’d rather do everything for myself, and be perfectly independent.”

“Ahem!” coughed Aunt Carrol softly, with a look at Aunt March.

“I told you so,” said Aunt March, with a decided nod to Aunt Carrol.

“Do you speak French, dear?” asked Mrs. Carrol, laying a hand on Amy’s.

“Pretty well, thanks to Aunt March,” replied Amy, with a grateful look, which caused the old lady to smile affably.

“How are you about languages?” asked Mrs. Carrol of Jo.

“Don’t know a word. I’m very stupid about studying anything. I hate French, it’s such a slippery, silly sort of language,” was the reply.

Another look passed between the ladies, and Aunt March said to Amy,

“You are quite strong and well now, dear, I believe? Eyes don’t trouble you any more, do they?”

“Not at all, thank you, ma’am.”

“Good girl! You deserve to go, and I’m sure you will some day,” said Aunt March.