Nat. It was one of those songs without words that touch the heart,
and sing of all tender home-like hopes and joys, soothing and
cheering those who listen to its simple music. Aunt Meg leaned
her head on Demi’s shoulder, Grandmother wiped her eyes, and
Mrs. Jo looked up at Mr. Laurie, saying, in a choky whisper,
“You composed that.”
“I wanted your boy to do you honor, and thank you in his own
way,” answered Laurie, leaning down to answer her.
When Nat made his bow and was about to go, he was called back
by many hands, and had to play again. He did so with such a happy
face, that it was good to see him, for he did his best, and gave them
the gay old tunes that set the feet to dancing, and made quietude
impossible.
“Clear the floor!” cried Emil; and in a minute the chairs were
pushed back, the older people put safely in corners and the
children gathered on the stage.
“Show your manners!” called Emil; and the boys pranced up to the
ladies, old and young; with polite invitations to “tread the mazy,”
as dear Dick Swiveller has it. The small lads nearly came to blows
for the Princess, but she chose Dick, like a kind, little
gentlewoman as she was, and let him lead her proudly to her place.
Mrs. Jo was not allowed to decline; and Aunt Amy filled Dan with
unspeakable delight by refusing Franz and taking him. Of course
Nan and Tommy, Nat and Daisy paired off, while Uncle Teddy
went and got Asia, who was longing to “jig it,” and felt much
elated by the honor done her. Silas and Mary Ann had a private
dance in the hall; and for half-an-hour Plumfield was at its
merriest.
The party wound up with a grand promenade of all the young
folks, headed by the pumpkin-coach with the Princess and driver
inside, and the rats in a wildly frisky state.
While the children enjoyed this final frolic, the elders sat in the
parlor looking on as they talked together of the little people with
the interest of parents and friends.
“What are you thinking of, all by yourself, with such a happy face,
sister Jo?” asked Laurie, sitting down beside her on the sofa.
“My summer’s work, Teddy, and amusing myself by imagining the
future of my boys,” she answered, smiling as she made room for
him.
“They are all to be poets, painters, and statesmen, famous soldiers,
or at least merchant princes, I suppose.”
“No, I am not as aspiring as I once was, and I shall be satisfied if
they are honest men. But I will confess that I do expect a little
glory and a career for some of them. Demi is not a common child,
and I think he will blossom into something good and great in the
best sense of the word. The others will do well, I hope, especially
my last two boys, for, after hearing Nat play to-night, I really think
he has genius.”
“Too soon to say; talent he certainly has, and there is no doubt that
the boy can soon earn his bread by the work he loves. Build him up
for another year or so, and then I will take him off your hands, and
launch him properly.”
“That is such a pleasant prospect for poor Nat, who came to me six
months ago so friendless and forlorn. Dan’s future is already plain
to me. Mr. Hyde will want him soon, and I mean to give him a
brave and faithful little servant. Dan is one who can serve well if
the wages are love and confidence, and he has the energy to carve
out his own future in his own way. Yes, I am very happy over our
success with these boys one so weak, and one so wild; both so
much better now, and so full of promise.”
“What magic did you use, Jo?”
“I only loved them, and let them see it. Fritz did the rest.”
“Dear soul! you look as if ‘only loving’ had been rather hard work
sometimes,” said Laurie, stroking her thin cheek with a look of