CHAPTER THIRTY
CONSEQUENCES
Mrs. Chester’s fair was so very elegant and select that it was considered a
great honor by the young ladies of the neighborhood to be invited to take a
table, and everyone was much interested in the matter. Amy was asked, but
Jo was not, which was fortunate for all parties, as her elbows were
decidedly akimbo at this period of her life, and it took a good many hard
knocks to teach her how to get on easily. The ‘haughty, uninteresting
creature’ was let severely alone, but Amy’s talent and taste were duly
complimented by the offer of the art table, and she exerted herself to
prepare and secure appropriate and valuable contributions to it.
Everything went on smoothly till the day before the fair opened, then
there occurred one of the little skirmishes which it is almost impossible to
avoid, when some five-and-twenty women, old and young, with all their
private piques and prejudices, try to work together.
May Chester was rather jealous of Amy because the latter was a greater
favorite than herself, and just at this time several trifling circumstances
occurred to increase the feeling. Amy’s dainty pen-and-ink work entirely
eclipsed May’s painted vases—that was one thorn. Then the all conquering
Tudor had danced four times with Amy at a late party and only once with
May—that was thorn number two. But the chief grievance that rankled in
her soul, and gave an excuse for her unfriendly conduct, was a rumor which
some obliging gossip had whispered to her, that the March girls had made
fun of her at the Lambs’. All the blame of this should have fallen upon Jo,
for her naughty imitation had been too lifelike to escape detection, and the
frolicsome Lambs had permitted the joke to escape. No hint of this had
reached the culprits, however, and Amy’s dismay can be imagined, when,
the very evening before the fair, as she was putting the last touches to her
pretty table, Mrs. Chester, who, of course, resented the supposed ridicule of
her daughter, said, in a bland tone, but with a cold look…
“I find, dear, that there is some feeling among the young ladies about my
giving this table to anyone but my girls. As this is the most prominent, and
some say the most attractive table of all, and they are the chief getters-up of
the fair, it is thought best for them to take this place. I’m sorry, but I know
you are too sincerely interested in the cause to mind a little personal
disappointment, and you shall have another table if you like.”
Mrs. Chester fancied beforehand that it would be easy to deliver this little
speech, but when the time came, she found it rather difficult to utter it
naturally, with Amy’s unsuspicious eyes looking straight at her full of
surprise and trouble.
Amy felt that there was something behind this, but could not guess what,
and said quietly, feeling hurt, and showing that she did, “Perhaps you had
rather I took no table at all?”
“Now, my dear, don’t have any ill feeling, I beg. It’s merely a matter of
expediency, you see, my girls will naturally take the lead, and this table is
considered their proper place. I think it very appropriate to you, and feel
very grateful for your efforts to make it so pretty, but we must give up our
private wishes, of course, and I will see that you have a good place
elsewhere. Wouldn’t you like the flower table? The little girls undertook it,
but they are discouraged. You could make a charming thing of it, and the
flower table is always attractive you know.”
“Especially to gentlemen,” added May, with a look which enlightened
Amy as to one cause of her sudden fall from favor. She colored angrily, but
took no other notice of that girlish sarcasm, and answered with unexpected
amiability…
“It shall be as you please, Mrs. Chester. I’ll give up my place here at
once, and attend to the flowers, if you like.”
“You can put your own things on your own table, if you prefer,” began
May, feeling a little conscience-stricken, as she looked at the pretty racks,
the painted shells, and quaint illuminations Amy had so carefully made and
so gracefully arranged. She meant it kindly, but Amy mistook her meaning,
and said quickly…
“Oh, certainly, if they are in your way,” and sweeping her contributions
into her apron, pell-mell, she walked off, feeling that herself and her works
of art had been insulted past forgiveness.
“Now she’s mad. Oh, dear, I wish I hadn’t asked you to speak, Mama,”
said May, looking disconsolately at the empty spaces on her table.
“Girls’ quarrels are soon over,” returned her mother, feeling a trifle
ashamed of her own part in this one, as well she might.
The little girls hailed Amy and her treasures with delight, which cordial
reception somewhat soothed her perturbed spirit, and she fell to work,
determined to succeed florally, if she could not artistically. But everything
seemed against her. It was late, and she was tired. Everyone was too busy
with their own affairs to help her, and the little girls were only hindrances,
for the dears fussed and chattered like so many magpies, making a great
deal of confusion in their artless efforts to preserve the most perfect order.
The evergreen arch wouldn’t stay firm after she got it up, but wiggled and
threatened to tumble down on her head when the hanging baskets were
filled. Her best tile got a splash of water, which left a sepia tear on the
Cupid’s cheek. She bruised her hands with hammering, and got cold
working in a draft, which last affliction filled her with apprehensions for the
morrow. Any girl reader who has suffered like afflictions will sympathize
with poor Amy and wish her well through her task.
There was great indignation at home when she told her story that
evening. Her mother said it was a shame, but told her she had done right.
Beth declared she wouldn’t go to the fair at all, and Jo demanded why she
didn’t take all her pretty things and leave those mean people to get on
without her.
“Because they are mean is no reason why I should be. I hate such things,
and though I think I’ve a right to be hurt, I don’t intend to show it. They
will feel that more than angry speeches or huffy actions, won’t they,
Marmee?”
“That’s the right spirit, my dear. A kiss for a blow is always best, though
it’s not very easy to give it sometimes,” said her mother, with the air of one
who had learned the difference between preaching and practicing.
In spite of various very natural temptations to resent and retaliate, Amy
adhered to her resolution all the next day, bent on conquering her enemy by
kindness. She began well, thanks to a silent reminder that came to her
unexpectedly, but most opportunely. As she arranged her table that morning,
while the little girls were in the anteroom filling the baskets, she took up her
pet production, a little book, the antique cover of which her father had
found among his treasures, and in which on leaves of vellum she had
beautifully illuminated different texts. As she turned the pages rich in dainty
devices with very pardonable pride, her eye fell upon one verse that made
her stop and think. Framed in a brilliant scrollwork of scarlet, blue and
gold, with little spirits of good will helping one another up and down
among the thorns and flowers, were the words, “Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself.”
“I ought, but I don’t,” thought Amy, as her eye went from the bright page
to May’s discontented face behind the big vases, that could not hide the
vacancies her pretty work had once filled. Amy stood a minute, turning the
leaves in her hand, reading on each some sweet rebuke for all heartburnings
and uncharitableness of spirit. Many wise and true sermons are preached us
every day by unconscious ministers in street, school, office, or home. Even
a fair table may become a pulpit, if it can offer the good and helpful words
which are never out of season. Amy’s conscience preached her a little
sermon from that text, then and there, and she did what many of us do not
always do, took the sermon to heart, and straightway put it in practice.
A group of girls were standing about May’s table, admiring the pretty
things, and talking over the change of saleswomen. They dropped their
voices, but Amy knew they were speaking of her, hearing one side of the
story and judging accordingly. It was not pleasant, but a better spirit had
come over her, and presently a chance offered for proving it. She heard May
say sorrowfully…
“It’s too bad, for there is no time to make other things, and I don’t want
to fill up with odds and ends. The table was just complete then. Now it’s
spoiled.”
“I dare say she’d put them back if you asked her,” suggested someone.
“How could I after all the fuss?” began May, but she did not finish, for
Amy’s voice came across the hall, saying pleasantly…
“You may have them, and welcome, without asking, if you want them. I
was just thinking I’d offer to put them back, for they belong to your table
rather than mine. Here they are, please take them, and forgive me if I was
hasty in carrying them away last night.”
As she spoke, Amy returned her contribution, with a nod and a smile, and
hurried away again, feeling that it was easier to do a friendly thing than it
was to stay and be thanked for it.
“Now, I call that lovely of her, don’t you?” cried one girl.
May’s answer was inaudible, but another young lady, whose temper was
evidently a little soured by making lemonade, added, with a disagreeable
laugh, “Very lovely, for she knew she wouldn’t sell them at her own table.”
Now, that was hard. When we make little sacrifices we like to have them
appreciated, at least, and for a minute Amy was sorry she had done it,
feeling that virtue was not always its own reward. But it is, as she presently
discovered, for her spirits began to rise, and her table to blossom under her
skillful hands, the girls were very kind, and that one little act seemed to
have cleared the atmosphere amazingly.
It was a very long day and a hard one for Amy, as she sat behind her
table, often quite alone, for the little girls deserted very soon. Few cared to
buy flowers in summer, and her bouquets began to droop long before night.
The art table was the most attractive in the room. There was a crowd
about it all day long, and the tenders were constantly flying to and fro with
important faces and rattling money boxes. Amy often looked wistfully
across, longing to be there, where she felt at home and happy, instead of in
a corner with nothing to do. It might seem no hardship to some of us, but to
a pretty, blithe young girl, it was not only tedious, but very trying, and the
thought of Laurie and his friends made it a real martyrdom.
She did not go home till night, and then she looked so pale and quiet that
they knew the day had been a hard one, though she made no complaint, and
did not even tell what she had done. Her mother gave her an extra cordial
cup of tea. Beth helped her dress, and made a charming little wreath for her
hair, while Jo astonished her family by getting herself up with unusual care,
and hinting darkly that the tables were about to be turned.
“Don’t do anything rude, pray Jo; I won’t have any fuss made, so let it all
pass and behave yourself,” begged Amy, as she departed early, hoping to
find a reinforcement of flowers to refresh her poor little table.
“I merely intend to make myself entrancingly agreeable to every one I
know, and to keep them in your corner as long as possible. Teddy and his
boys will lend a hand, and we’ll have a good time yet.” returned Jo, leaning
over the gate to watch for Laurie. Presently the familiar tramp was heard in
the dusk, and she ran out to meet him.
“Is that my boy?”
“As sure as this is my girl!” and Laurie tucked her hand under his arm
with the air of a man whose every wish was gratified.
“Oh, Teddy, such doings!” and Jo told Amy’s wrongs with sisterly zeal.
“A flock of our fellows are going to drive over by-and-by, and I’ll be
hanged if I don’t make them buy every flower she’s got, and camp down
before her table afterward,” said Laurie, espousing her cause with warmth.
“The flowers are not at all nice, Amy says, and the fresh ones may not
arrive in time. I don’t wish to be unjust or suspicious, but I shouldn’t
wonder if they never came at all. When people do one mean thing they are
very likely to do another,” observed Jo in a disgusted tone.
“Didn’t Hayes give you the best out of our gardens? I told him to.”
“I didn’t know that, he forgot, I suppose, and, as your grandpa was
poorly, I didn’t like to worry him by asking, though I did want some.”
“Now, Jo, how could you think there was any need of asking? They are
just as much yours as mine. Don’t we always go halves in everything?”
began Laurie, in the tone that always made Jo turn thorny.
“Gracious, I hope not! Half of some of your things wouldn’t suit me at
all. But we mustn’t stand philandering here. I’ve got to help Amy, so you go
and make yourself splendid, and if you’ll be so very kind as to let Hayes
take a few nice flowers up to the Hall, I’ll bless you forever.”
“Couldn’t you do it now?” asked Laurie, so suggestively that Jo shut the
gate in his face with inhospitable haste, and called through the bars, “Go
away, Teddy, I’m busy.”
Thanks to the conspirators, the tables were turned that night, for Hayes
sent up a wilderness of flowers, with a lovely basket arranged in his best
manner for a centerpiece. Then the March family turned out en masse, and
Jo exerted herself to some purpose, for people not only came, but stayed,
laughing at her nonsense, admiring Amy’s taste, and apparently enjoying
themselves very much. Laurie and his friends gallantly threw themselves
into the breach, bought up the bouquets, encamped before the table, and
made that corner the liveliest spot in the room. Amy was in her element
now, and out of gratitude, if nothing more, was as spritely and gracious as
possible, coming to the conclusion, about that time, that virtue was its own
reward, after all.
Jo behaved herself with exemplary propriety, and when Amy was happily
surrounded by her guard of honor, Jo circulated about the Hall, picking up
various bits of gossip, which enlightened her upon the subject of the
Chester change of base. She reproached herself for her share of the ill
feeling and resolved to exonerate Amy as soon as possible. She also
discovered what Amy had done about the things in the morning, and
considered her a model of magnanimity. As she passed the art table, she
glanced over it for her sister’s things, but saw no sign of them. “Tucked
away out of sight, I dare say,” thought Jo, who could forgive her own
wrongs, but hotly resented any insult offered her family.
“Good evening, Miss Jo. How does Amy get on?” asked May with a
conciliatory air, for she wanted to show that she also could be generous.
“She has sold everything she had that was worth selling, and now she is
enjoying herself. The flower table is always attractive, you know,
‘especially to gentlemen’.” Jo couldn’t resist giving that little slap, but May
took it so meekly she regretted it a minute after, and fell to praising the
great vases, which still remained unsold.
“Is Amy’s illumination anywhere about? I took a fancy to buy that for
Father,” said Jo, very anxious to learn the fate of her sister’s work.
“Everything of Amy’s sold long ago. I took care that the right people saw
them, and they made a nice little sum of money for us,” returned May, who
had overcome sundry small temptations, as well as Amy had, that day.
Much gratified, Jo rushed back to tell the good news, and Amy looked
both touched and surprised by the report of May’s word and manner.
“Now, gentlemen, I want you to go and do your duty by the other tables
as generously as you have by mine, especially the art table,” she said,
ordering out ‘Teddy’s own’, as the girls called the college friends.
“‘Charge, Chester, charge!’ is the motto for that table, but do your duty
like men, and you’ll get your money’s worth of art in every sense of the
word,” said the irrepressible Jo, as the devoted phalanx prepared to take the
field.
“To hear is to obey, but March is fairer far than May,” said little Parker,
making a frantic effort to be both witty and tender, and getting promptly
quenched by Laurie, who said…
“Very well, my son, for a small boy!” and walked him off, with a paternal
pat on the head.
“Buy the vases,” whispered Amy to Laurie, as a final heaping of coals of
fire on her enemy’s head.
To May’s great delight, Mr. Laurence not only bought the vases, but
pervaded the hall with one under each arm. The other gentlemen speculated
with equal rashness in all sorts of frail trifles, and wandered helplessly
about afterward, burdened with wax flowers, painted fans, filigree
portfolios, and other useful and appropriate purchases.
Aunt Carrol was there, heard the story, looked pleased, and said
something to Mrs. March in a corner, which made the latter lady beam with
satisfaction, and watch Amy with a face full of mingled pride and anxiety,
though she did not betray the cause of her pleasure till several days later.
The fair was pronounced a success, and when May bade Amy goodnight,
she did not gush as usual, but gave her an affectionate kiss, and a look
which said ‘forgive and forget’. That satisfied Amy, and when she got home
she found the vases paraded on the parlor chimney piece with a great
bouquet in each. “The reward of merit for a magnanimous March,” as
Laurie announced with a flourish.
“You’ve a deal more principle and generosity and nobleness of character
than I ever gave you credit for, Amy. You’ve behaved sweetly, and I respect
you with all my heart,” said Jo warmly, as they brushed their hair together
late that night.
“Yes, we all do, and love her for being so ready to forgive. It must have
been dreadfully hard, after working so long and setting your heart on selling
your own pretty things. I don’t believe I could have done it as kindly as you
did,” added Beth from her pillow.
“Why, girls, you needn’t praise me so. I only did as I’d be done by. You
laugh at me when I say I want to be a lady, but I mean a true gentlewoman
in mind and manners, and I try to do it as far as I know how. I can’t explain
exactly, but I want to be above the little meannesses and follies and faults
that spoil so many women. I’m far from it now, but I do my best, and hope
in time to be what Mother is.”
Amy spoke earnestly, and Jo said, with a cordial hug, “I understand now
what you mean, and I’ll never laugh at you again. You are getting on faster
than you think, and I’ll take lessons of you in true politeness, for you’ve
learned the secret, I believe. Try away, deary, you’ll get your reward some
day, and no one will be more delighted than I shall.”
A week later Amy did get her reward, and poor Jo found it hard to be
delighted. A letter came from Aunt Carrol, and Mrs. March’s face was
illuminated to such a degree when she read it that Jo and Beth, who were
with her, demanded what the glad tidings were.
“Aunt Carrol is going abroad next month, and wants…”
“Me to go with her!” burst in Jo, flying out of her chair in an
uncontrollable rapture.
“No, dear, not you. It’s Amy.”
“Oh, Mother! She’s too young, it’s my turn first. I’ve wanted it so long. It
would do me so much good, and be so altogether splendid. I must go!”
“I’m afraid it’s impossible, Jo. Aunt says Amy, decidedly, and it is not for
us to dictate when she offers such a favor.”
“It’s always so. Amy has all the fun and I have all the work. It isn’t fair,
oh, it isn’t fair!” cried Jo passionately.
“I’m afraid it’s partly your own fault, dear. When Aunt spoke to me the
other day, she regretted your blunt manners and too independent spirit, and
here she writes, as if quoting something you had said—‘I planned at first to
ask Jo, but as ‘favors burden her’, and she ‘hates French’, I think I won’t
venture to invite her. Amy is more docile, will make a good companion for
Flo, and receive gratefully any help the trip may give her.”
“Oh, my tongue, my abominable tongue! Why can’t I learn to keep it
quiet?” groaned Jo, remembering words which had been her undoing. When
she had heard the explanation of the quoted phrases, Mrs. March said
sorrowfully…
“I wish you could have gone, but there is no hope of it this time, so try to
bear it cheerfully, and don’t sadden Amy’s pleasure by reproaches or
regrets.”
“I’ll try,” said Jo, winking hard as she knelt down to pick up the basket
she had joyfully upset. “I’ll take a leaf out of her book, and try not only to
seem glad, but to be so, and not grudge her one minute of happiness. But it
won’t be easy, for it is a dreadful disappointment,” and poor Jo bedewed the
little fat pincushion she held with several very bitter tears.
“Jo, dear, I’m very selfish, but I couldn’t spare you, and I’m glad you are
not going quite yet,” whispered Beth, embracing her, basket and all, with
such a clinging touch and loving face that Jo felt comforted in spite of the
sharp regret that made her want to box her own ears, and humbly beg Aunt
Carrol to burden her with this favor, and see how gratefully she would bear
it.
By the time Amy came in, Jo was able to take her part in the family
jubilation, not quite as heartily as usual, perhaps, but without repinings at
Amy’s good fortune. The young lady herself received the news as tidings of
great joy, went about in a solemn sort of rapture, and began to sort her
colors and pack her pencils that evening, leaving such trifles as clothes,
money, and passports to those less absorbed in visions of art than herself.
“It isn’t a mere pleasure trip to me, girls,” she said impressively, as she
scraped her best palette. “It will decide my career, for if I have any genius, I
shall find it out in Rome, and will do something to prove it.”
“Suppose you haven’t?” said Jo, sewing away, with red eyes, at the new
collars which were to be handed over to Amy.
“Then I shall come home and teach drawing for my living,” replied the
aspirant for fame, with philosophic composure. But she made a wry face at
the prospect, and scratched away at her palette as if bent on vigorous
measures before she gave up her hopes.
“No, you won’t. You hate hard work, and you’ll marry some rich man,
and come home to sit in the lap of luxury all your days,” said Jo.
“Your predictions sometimes come to pass, but I don’t believe that one
will. I’m sure I wish it would, for if I can’t be an artist myself, I should like
to be able to help those who are,” said Amy, smiling, as if the part of Lady
Bountiful would suit her better than that of a poor drawing teacher.
“Hum!” said Jo, with a sigh. “If you wish it you’ll have it, for your
wishes are always granted—mine never.”
“Would you like to go?” asked Amy, thoughtfully patting her nose with
her knife.
“Rather!”
“Well, in a year or two I’ll send for you, and we’ll dig in the Forum for
relics, and carry out all the plans we’ve made so many times.”
“Thank you. I’ll remind you of your promise when that joyful day comes,
if it ever does,” returned Jo, accepting the vague but magnificent offer as
gratefully as she could.
There was not much time for preparation, and the house was in a ferment
till Amy was off. Jo bore up very well till the last flutter of blue ribbon
vanished, when she retired to her refuge, the garret, and cried till she
couldn’t cry any more. Amy likewise bore up stoutly till the steamer sailed.
Then just as the gangway was about to be withdrawn, it suddenly came over
her that a whole ocean was soon to roll between her and those who loved
her best, and she clung to Laurie, the last lingerer, saying with a sob…
“Oh, take care of them for me, and if anything should happen…”
“I will, dear, I will, and if anything happens, I’ll come and comfort you,”
whispered Laurie, little dreaming that he would be called upon to keep his
word.
So Amy sailed away to find the Old World, which is always new and
beautiful to young eyes, while her father and friend watched her from the
shore, fervently hoping that none but gentle fortunes would befall the
happy-hearted girl, who waved her hand to them till they could see nothing
but the summer sunshine dazzling on the sea.
