dried her tears, for to be separated was the worst misfortune that
could happen to the twins.
“Nat was bad, too, and Tommy was baddest of all,” observed Nan,
fearing that two of the sinners would not get their fair share of
punishment.
“I am sorry,” said Nat, much ashamed.
“I ain’t!” bawled Tommy through the keyhole, where he was
listening with all his might.
Mrs. Jo wanted very much to laugh, but kept her countenance, and
said impressively, as she pointed to the door,
“You can go, boys, but remember, you are not to speak to or play
with the little girls till I give you leave. You don’t deserve the
pleasure, so I forbid it.”
The ill-mannered young gentlemen hastily retired, to be received
outside with derision and scorn by the unrepentant Bangs, who
would not associate with them for at least fifteen minutes. Daisy
was soon consoled for the failure of her ball, but lamented the
edict that parted her from her brother, and mourned over his
short-comings in her tender little heart. Nan rather enjoyed the
trouble, and went about turning up her pug nose at the three,
especially Tommy, who pretended not to care, and loudly
proclaimed his satisfaction at being rid of those “stupid girls.” But
in his secret soul he soon repented of the rash act that caused this
banishment from the society he loved, and every hour of
separation taught him the value of the “stupid girls.”
The others gave in very soon, and longed to be friends, for now
there was no Daisy to pet and cook for them; no Nan to amuse and
doctor them; and, worst of all, no Mrs. Jo to make home life
pleasant and life easy for them. To their great affliction, Mrs. Jo
seemed to consider herself one of the offended girls, for she hardly
spoke to the outcasts, looked as if she did not see them when she
passed, and was always too busy now to attend to their requests.
This sudden and entire exile from favor cast a gloom over their
souls, for when Mother Bhaer deserted them, their sun had set at
noon-day, as it were, and they had no refuge left.
This unnatural state of things actually lasted for three days, then
they could bear it no longer, and fearing that the eclipse might
become total, went to Mr. Bhaer for help and counsel.
It is my private opinion that he had received instructions how to
behave if the case should be laid before him. But no one suspected
it, and he gave the afflicted boys some advice, which they
gratefully accepted and carried out in the following manner:
Secluding themselves in the garret, they devoted several
play-hours to the manufacture of some mysterious machine, which
took so much paste that Asia grumbled, and the little girls
wondered mightily. Nan nearly got her inquisitive nose pinched in
the door, trying to see what was going on, and Daisy sat about,
openly lamenting that they could not all play nicely together, and
not have any dreadful secrets. Wednesday afternoon was fine, and
after a good deal of consultation about wind and weather, Nat and
Tommy went off, bearing an immense flat parcel hidden under
many newspapers. Nan nearly died with suppressed curiosity,
Daisy nearly cried with vexation, and both quite trembled with
interest when Demi marched into Mrs. Bhaer’s room, hat in hand,
and said, in the politest tone possible to a mortal boy of his years,
“Please, Aunt Jo, would you and the girls come out to a surprise
party we have made for you? Do it’s a very nice one.”
“Thank you, we will come with pleasure; only, I must take Teddy
with me,” replied Mrs. Bhaer, with a smile that cheered Demi like
sunshine after rain.
“We’d like to have him. The little wagon is all ready for the girls;
you won’t mind walking just up to Pennyroyal Hill, will you
Aunty?”
“I should like it exceedingly; but are you quite sure I shall not be in
the way?”
“Oh, no, indeed! we want you very much; and the party will be
spoilt if you don’t come,” cried Demi, with great earnestness.