Little Men (Little Women 2)

"Of course they did; I saw them getting over the wall, and sung out thatit was most five, and Jack called back that they were going the otherway," explained Tommy.

"Very well, pile in then," and away rattled the hay-cart with the tiredchildren and the full pails.

Mrs. Jo looked sober when she heard of the division of the party, andsent Franz back with Toby to find and bring the little ones home. Supperwas over, and the family sitting about in the cool hall as usual, whenFranz came trotting back, hot, dusty, and anxious.

"Have they come?" he called out when half-way up the avenue.

"No!" and Mrs. Jo flew out of her chair looking so alarmed that everyone jumped up and gathered round Franz.

"I can't find them anywhere," he began; but the words were hardly spokenwhen a loud "Hullo!" startled them all, and the next minute Jack andEmil came round the house.

"Where are Nan and Rob?" cried Mrs. Jo, clutching Emil in a way thatcaused him to think his aunt had suddenly lost her wits.

"I don't know. They came home with the others, didn't they?" heanswered, quickly.

"No; George and Tommy said they went with you."

"Well, they didn't. Haven't seen them. We took a swim in the pond, andcame by the wood," said Jack, looking alarmed, as well he might.

"Call Mr. Bhaer, get the lanterns, and tell Silas I want him."

That was all Mrs. Jo said, but they knew what she meant, and flew toobey her orders. In ten minutes, Mr. Bhaer and Silas were off to thewood, and Franz tearing down the road on old Andy to search the greatpasture. Mrs. Jo caught up some food from the table, a little bottle ofbrandy from the medicine-closet, took a lantern, and bidding Jack andEmil come with her, and the rest not stir, she trotted away on Toby,never stopping for hat or shawl. She heard some one running after her,but said not a word till, as she paused to call and listen, the light ofher lantern shone on Dan's face.

"You here! I told Jack to come," she said, half-inclined to send himback, much as she needed help.

"I wouldn't let him; he and Emil hadn't had any supper, and I wantedto come more than they did," he said, taking the lantern from her andsmiling up in her face with the steady look in his eyes that made herfeel as if, boy though he was, she had some one to depend on.

Off she jumped, and ordered him on to Toby, in spite of his pleading towalk; then they went on again along the dusty, solitary road, stoppingevery now and then to call and hearken breathlessly for little voices toreply.

When they came to the great pasture, other lights were already flittingto and fro like will-o'-the-wisps, and Mr. Bhaer's voice was heardshouting, "Nan! Rob! Rob! Nan!" in every part of the field. Silaswhistled and roared, Dan plunged here and there on Toby, who seemedto understand the case, and went over the roughest places with unusualdocility. Often Mrs. Jo hushed them all, saying, with a sob in herthroat, "The noise may frighten them, let me call; Robby will know myvoice;" and then she would cry out the beloved little name in every toneof tenderness, till the very echoes whispered it softly, and the windsseemed to waft it willingly; but still no answer came.

The sky was overcast now, and only brief glimpses of the moon were seen,heat-lightening darted out of the dark clouds now and then, and a faintfar-off rumble as of thunder told that a summer-storm was brewing.

"O my Robby! my Robby!" mourned poor Mrs. Jo, wandering up and down likea pale ghost, while Dan kept beside her like a faithful fire-fly. "Whatshall I say to Nan's father if she comes to harm? Why did I ever trustmy darling so far away? Fritz, do you hear any thing?" and when amournful, "No" came back, she wrung her hands so despairingly that Dansprung down from Toby's back, tied the bridle to the bars, and said, inhis decided way,

"They may have gone down the spring I'm going to look."

He was over the wall and away so fast that she could hardly follow him;but when she reached the spot, he lowered the lantern and showed herwith joy the marks of little feet in the soft ground about the spring.She fell down on her knees to examine the tracks, and then sprung up,saying eagerly,

"Yes; that is the mark of my Robby's little boots! Come this way, theymust have gone on."

Such a weary search! But now some inexplicable instinct seemed to leadthe anxious mother, for presently Dan uttered a cry, and caught up alittle shining object lying in the path. It was the cover of the newtin pail, dropped in the first alarm of being lost. Mrs. Jo hugged andkissed it as if it were a living thing; and when Dan was about to uttera glad shout to bring the others to the spot, she stopped him, saying,as she hurried on, "No, let me find them; I let Rob go, and I want togive him back to his father all myself."

A little farther on Nan's hat appeared, and after passing the placemore than once, they came at last upon the babes in the wood, both soundasleep. Dan never forgot the little picture on which the light of hislantern shone that night. He thought Mrs. Jo would cry out, but sheonly whispered, "Hush!" as she softly lifted away the apron, and saw thelittle ruddy face below. The berry-stained lips were half-open as thebreath came and went, the yellow hair lay damp on the hot forehead, andboth the chubby hands held fast the little pail still full.

The sight of the childish harvest, treasured through all the troubles ofthat night for her, see

med to touch Mrs. Jo to the heart, for suddenlyshe gathered up her boy, and began to cry over him, so tenderly, yetso heartily, that he woke up, and at first seemed bewildered. Then heremembered, and hugged her close, saying with a laugh of triumph,

"I knew you'd come! O Marmar! I did want you so!" For a moment theykissed and clung to one another, quite forgetting all the world; for nomatter how lost and soiled and worn-out wandering sons may be, motherscan forgive and forget every thing as they fold them in their fosteringarms. Happy the son whose faith in his mother remains unchanged, andwho, through all his wanderings, has kept some filial token to repay herbrave and tender love.

Dan meantime picked Nan out of her bush, and, with a gentleness none butTeddy ever saw in him before, he soothed her first alarm at the suddenwaking, and wiped away her tears; for Nan also began to cry for joy,it was so good to see a kind face and feel a strong arm round her afterwhat seemed to her ages of loneliness and fear.

"My poor little girl, don't cry! You are all safe now, and no oneshall say a word of blame to-night," said Mrs. Jo, taking Nan into hercapacious embrace, and cuddling both children as a hen might gather herlost chickens under her motherly wings.

"It was my fault; but I am sorry. I tried to take care of him, and Icovered him up and let him sleep, and didn't touch his berries, though Iwas so hungry; and I never will do it again truly, never, never," sobbedNan, quite lost in a sea of penitence and thankfulness.

"Call them now, and let us get home," said Mrs. Jo; and Dan, gettingupon the wall, sent a joyful word "Found!" ringing over the field.

How the wandering lights came dancing from all sides, and gatheredround the little group among the sweet fern bushes! Such a hugging,and kissing, and talking, and crying, as went on must have amazed theglowworms, and evidently delighted the mosquitoes, for they hummedfrantically, while the little moths came in flocks to the party, andthe frogs croaked as if they could not express their satisfaction loudlyenough.

Then they set out for home, a queer party, for Franz rode on to tellthe news; Dan and Toby led the way; then came Nan in the strong arms ofSilas, who considered her "the smartest little baggage he ever saw," andteased her all the way home about her pranks. Mrs. Bhaer would let noone carry Rob but himself, and the little fellow, refreshed by sleep,sat up, and chattered gayly, feeling himself a hero, while his motherwent beside him holding on to any pat of his precious little body thatcame handy, and never tired of hearing him say, "I knew Marmar wouldcome," or seeing him lean down to kiss her, and put a plump berry intoher mouth, "'Cause he picked 'em all for her."

The moon shone out just as they reached the avenue, and all the boyscame shouting to meet them, so the lost lambs were borne in triumphand safety, and landed in the dining-room, where the unromantic littlethings demanded supper instead of preferring kisses and caresses. Theywere set down to bread and milk, while the entire household stood roundto gaze upon them. Nan soon recovered her spirits, and recounted herperils with a relish now that they were all over. Rob seemed absorbed inhis food, but put down his spoon all of a sudden, and set up a dolefulroar.

"My precious, why do you cry?" asked his mother, who still hung overhim.

"I'm crying 'cause I was lost," bawled Rob, trying to squeeze out atear, and failing entirely.

"But you are found now. Nan says you didn't cry out in the field, and Iwas glad you were such a brave boy."

"I was so busy being frightened I didn't have any time then. But I wantto cry now, 'cause I don't like to be lost," explained Rob, strugglingwith sleep, emotion, and a mouthful of bread and milk.

The boys set up such a laugh at this funny way of making up for losttime, that Rob stopped to look at them, and the merriment was soinfectious, that after a surprised stare he burst out into a merry,"Ha, ha!" and beat his spoon upon the table as if he enjoyed the jokeimmensely.

"It is ten o'clock; into bed, every man of you," said Mr. Bhaer, lookingat his watch.

"And, thank Heaven! there will be no empty ones to-night," added Mrs.Bhaer, watching, with full eyes, Robby going up in his father'sarms, and Nan escorted by Daisy and Demi, who considered her the mostinteresting heroine of their collection.

"Poor Aunt Jo is so tired she ought to be carried up herself," saidgentle Franz, putting his arm round her as she paused at the stair-foot,looking quite exhausted by her fright and long walk.

"Let's make an arm-chair," proposed Tommy.

"No, thank you, my lads; but somebody may lend me a shoulder to leanon," answered Mrs. Jo.

"Me! me!" and half-a-dozen jostled one another, all eager to be chosen,for there was something in the pale motherly face that touched the warmhearts under the round jackets.

Seeing that they considered it an honor, Mrs. Jo gave it to the one whohad earned it, and nobody grumbled when she put her arm on Dan's broadshoulder, saying, with a look that made him color up with pride andpleasure,

"He found the children; so I think he must help me up."

Dan felt richly rewarded for his evening's work, not only that he waschosen from all the rest to go proudly up bearing the lamp, but becauseMrs. Jo said heartily, "Good-night, my boy! God bless you!" as he lefther at her door.

"I wish I was your boy," said Dan, who felt as if danger and trouble hadsomehow brought him nearer than ever to her.

"You shall be my oldest son," and she sealed her promise with a kissthat made Dan hers entirely.

Little Rob was all right next day, but Nan had a headache, and lay onMother Bhaer's sofa with cold-cream upon her scratched face. Her remorsewas quite gone, and she evidently thought being lost rather a fineamusement. Mrs. Jo was not pleased with this state of things, and had nodesire to have her children led from the paths of virtue, or her pupilslying round loose in huckleberry fields. So she talked soberly to Nan,and tried to impress upon her mind the difference between liberty andlicense, telling several tales to enforce her lecture. She had notdecided how to punish Nan, but one of these stories suggested a way, andas Mrs. Jo liked odd penalties, she tried it.

"All children run away," pleaded Nan, as if it was as natural andnecessary a thing as measles or hooping cough.

"Not all, and some who do run away don't get found again," answered Mrs.Jo.

"Didn't you do it yourself?" asked Nan, whose keen little eyes saw sometraces of a kindred spirit in the serious lady who was sewing so morallybefore her.

Mrs. Jo laughed, and owned that she did.

"Tell about it," demanded Nan, feeling that she was getting the upperhand in the discussion.

Mrs. Jo saw that, and sobered down at once, saying, with a remorsefulshake of the head,

"I did it a good many times, and led my poor mother rather a hard lifewith my pranks, till she cured me."

"How?" and Nan sat up with a face full of interest.

"I had a new pair of shoes once, and wanted to show them; so, though Iwas told not to leave the garden, I ran away and was wandering about allday. It was in the city, and why I wasn't killed I don't know. Such atime as I had. I frolicked in the park with dogs, sailed boats in theBack Bay with strange boys, dined with a little Irish beggar-girl onsalt fish and potatoes, and was found at last fast asleep on a door-stepwith my arms round a great dog. It was late in the evening, and I was adirty as a little pig, and the new shoes were worn out I had travelledso far."

"How nice!" cried Nan, looking all ready to go and do it herself.

"It was not nice next day;" and Mrs. Jo tried to keep her eyes frombetraying how much she enjoyed the memory of her early capers.

"Did your mother whip you?" asked Nan, curiously.

"She never whipped me but once, and then she begged my pardon, or Idon't think I ever should have forgiven her, it hurt my feelings somuch."

"Why did she beg your pardon? my father don't."

"Because, when she had done it, I turned round and said, 'Well, you aremad yourself, and ought to be whipped as much as me.' She looked at mea minute, then her anger all died out, and she said, as if ashamed, 'Youare right,

Jo, I am angry; and why should I punish you for being in apassion when I set you such a bad example? Forgive me, dear, and let ustry to help one another in a better way.' I never forgot it, and it didme more good than a dozen rods."

Nan sat thoughtfully turning the little cold-cream jar for a minute, andMrs. Jo said nothing, but let that idea get well into the busy littlemind that was so quick to see and feel what went on about her.

"I like that," said Nan, presently, and her face looked less elfish,with its sharp eyes, inquisitive nose, and mischievous mouth. "What didyour mother do to you when you ran away that time?"

"She tied me to the bed-post with a long string, so that I could notgo out of the room, and there I stayed all day with the little worn-outshoes hanging up before me to remind me of my fault."

"I should think that would cure anybody," cried Nan, who loved herliberty above all things.

"It did cure me, and I think it will you, so I am going to try it," saidMrs. Jo, suddenly taking a ball of strong twine out of a drawer in herwork-table.

Nan looked as if she was decidedly getting the worst of the argumentnow, and sat feeling much crestfallen while Mrs. Jo tied one end roundher waist and the other to the arm of the sofa, saying, as she finished,

"I don't like to tie you up like a naughty little dog, but if you don'tremember any better than a dog, I must treat you like one."

"I'd just as lief be tied up as not I like to play dog;" and Nan put ona don't-care face, and began to growl and grovel on the floor.

Mrs. Jo took no notice, but leaving a book or two and a handkerchief tohem, she went away, and left Miss Nan to her own devices. This was notagreeable, and after sitting a moment she tried to untie the cord. Butit was fastened in the belt of her apron behind, so she began on theknot at the other end. It soon came loose, and, gathering it up, Nan wasabout to get out of the window, when she heard Mrs. Jo say to somebodyas she passed through the hall,

"No, I don't think she will run away now; she is an honorable littlegirl, and knows that I do it to help her."

In a minute, Nan whisked back, tied herself up, and began to sewviolently. Rob came in a moment after, and was so charmed with the newpunishment, that he got a jump-rope and tethered himself to the otherarm of the sofa in the most social manner.

"I got lost too, so I ought to be tied up as much as Nan," he explainedto his mother when she saw the new captive.

"I'm not sure that you don't deserve a little punishment, for you knewit was wrong to go far away from the rest."

"Nan took me," began Rob, willing to enjoy the novel penalty, but notwilling to take the blame.

"You needn't have gone. You have got a conscience, though you are alittle boy, and you must learn to mind it."

"Well, my conscience didn't prick me a bit when she said 'Let's get overthe wall,'" answered Rob, quoting one of Demi's expressions.

"Did you stop to see if it did?"

"No."

"Then you cannot tell."

"I guess it's such a little conscience that it don't prick hard enoughfor me to feel it," added Rob, after thinking the matter over for aminute.

"We must sharpen it up. It's bad to have a dull conscience; so you maystay here till dinner-time, and talk about it with Nan. I trust you bothnot to untie yourselves till I say the word."

"No, we won't," said both, feeling a certain sense of virtue in helpingto punish themselves.

For an hour they were very good, then they grew tired of one room,and longed to get out. Never had the hall seemed so inviting; even thelittle bedroom acquired a sudden interest, and they would gladly havegone in and played tent with the curtains of the best bed. The openwindows drove them wild because they could not reach them; and the outerworld seemed so beautiful, they wondered how they ever found theheart to say it was dull. Nan pined for a race round the lawn, and Robremembered with dismay that he had not fed his dog that morning, andwondered what poor Pollux would do. They watched the clock, and Nan didsome nice calculations in minutes and seconds, while Rob learned to tellall the hours between eight and one so well that he never forgot them.It was maddening to smell the dinner, to know that there was to besuccotash and huckleberry pudding, and to feel that they would not beon the spot to secure good helps of both. When Mary Ann began to set thetable, they nearly cut themselves in two trying to see what meat therewas to be; and Nan offered to help her make the beds, if she would onlysee that she had "lots of sauce on her pudding."

When the boys came bursting out of school, they found the childrentugging at their halters like a pair of restive little colts, andwere much edified, as well as amused, by the sequel to the excitingadventures of the night.

"Untie me now, Marmar; my conscience will prick like a pin next time, Iknow it will," said Rob, as the bell rang, and Teddy came to look at himwith sorrowful surprise.

"We shall see," answered his mother, setting him free. He took a goodrun down the hall, back through the dining-room, and brought up besideNan, quite beaming with virtuous satisfaction.

"I'll bring her dinner to her, may I?" he asked, pitying hisfellow-captive.

"That's my kind little son! Yes, pull out the table, and get a chair;"and Mrs. Jo hurried away to quell the ardor of the others, who werealways in a raging state of hunger at noon.

Nan ate alone, and spent a long afternoon attached to the sofa. Mrs.Bhaer lengthened her bonds so that she could look out of the window;and there she stood watching the boys play, and all the little summercreatures enjoying their liberty. Daisy had a picnic for the dolls onthe lawn, so that Nan might see the fun if she could not join in it.Tommy turned his best somersaults to console her; Demi sat on the stepsreading aloud to himself, which amused Nan a good deal; and Dan broughta little tree-toad to show her as the most delicate attention in hispower.

But nothing atoned for the loss of freedom; and a few hours ofconfinement taught Nan how precious it was. A good many thoughts wentthrough the little head that lay on the window-sill during the lastquiet hour when all the children went to the brook to see Emil's newship launched. She was to have christened it, and had depended onsmashing a tiny bottle of currant-wine over the prow as it was namedJosephine in honor of Mrs. Bhaer. Now she had lost her chance, and Daisywouldn't do it half so well. Tears rose to her eyes as she rememberedthat it was all her own fault; and she said aloud, addressing a fatbee who was rolling about in the yellow heart of a rose just under thewindow,

"If you have run away, you'd better go right home, and tell your motheryou are sorry, and never do so any more."

"I am glad to hear you give him such good advice, and I think he hastaken it," said Mrs. Jo, smiling, as the bee spread his dusty wings andflew away.

Nan brushed off a bright drop or two that shone on the window-sill, andnestled against her friend as she took her on her knee, adding kindlyfor she had seen the little drops, and knew what they meant,

"Do you think my mother's cure for running away a good one?"

"Yes, ma'am," answered Nan, quite subdued by her quiet day.

"I hope I shall not have to try it again."

"I guess not;" and Nan looked up with such an earnest little face thatMrs. Jo felt satisfied, and said no more, for she liked to have herpenalties do their own work, and did not spoil the effect by too muchmoralizing.

Here Rob appeared, bearing with infinite care what Asia called a "sarcerpie," meaning one baked in a saucer.

"It's made out of some of my berries, and I'm going to give you half atsupper-time," he announced with a flourish.

"What makes you, when I'm so naughty?" asked Nan, meekly.

"Because we got lost together. You ain't going to be naughty again, areyou?"

"Never," said Nan, with great decision.

"Oh, goody! now let's go and get Mary Ann to cut this for us all readyto eat; it's 'most tea time;" and Rob beckoned with the delicious littlepie.

Nan started to follow, then stopped, and said,

"I forgot, I can't go."

"Try and see," sai

d Mrs. Bhaer, who had quietly untied the cord sashwhile she had been talking.

Nan saw that she was free, and with one tempestuous kiss to Mrs. Jo, shewas off like a humming-bird, followed by Robby, dribbling huckleberryjuice as he ran.