[Under the Lilacs by Louisa May Alcott]@TWC D-Link book
Under the Lilacs

CHAPTER XVII
5/13

Let her tuck her dolly in, and she will be contented anywhere.

There's a fine air, and the awning is on the phaeton, so you won't feel the sun.

Start about three, and drive carefully." Betty was charmed to go, for Thorny was a sort of prince in her eyes; and to be invited to such a grand expedition was an overwhelming honor.
Bab was not surprised, for, since Sancho's loss, she had felt herself in disgrace, and been unusually meek; Ben let her "severely alone," which much afflicted her, for he was her great admiration, and had been pleased to express his approbation of her agility and courage so often, that she was ready to attempt any fool-hardy feat to recover his regard.
But vainly did she risk her neck jumping off the highest beams in the barn, trying to keep her balance standing on the donkey's back, and leaping the lodge gate at a bound; Ben vouchsafed no reward by a look, a smile, a word of commendation; and Bab felt that nothing but Sancho's return would ever restore the broken friendship.
Into faithful Betty's bosom did she pour forth her remorseful lamentations, often bursting out with the passionate exclamation, "If I could only find Sanch, and give him back to Ben, I wouldn't care if I tumbled down and broke all my legs right away!" Such abandonment of woe made a deep impression on Betty; and she fell into the way of consoling her sister by cheerful prophecies, and a firm belief that the organ-man would yet appear with the lost darling.
"I've got five cents of my berry money, and I'll buy you an orange if I see any," promised Betty stepping to kiss Bab, as the phaeton came to the door, and Thorny handed in a young lady whose white frock was so stiff with starch that it crackled like paper.
"Lemons will do if oranges are gone.

I like 'em to suck with lots of sugar," answered Bab, feeling that the sour sadly predominated in her cup just now.
"Don't she look sweet, the dear!" murmured Mrs.Moss, proudly surveying her youngest.
She certainly did, sitting under the fringed canopy with "Belinda," all in her best, upon her lap, as she turned to smile and nod, with a face so bright and winsome under the little blue hat, that it was no wonder mother and sister thought there never was such a perfect child as "our Betty." Dr.Mann was busy when they arrived, but would be ready in an hour; so they did their shopping at once, having made sure of the whip as they came along.

Thorny added some candy to Bab's lemon, and Belinda had a cake, which her mamma obligingly ate for her.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books