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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/5352-0.txt b/5352-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e98d145 --- /dev/null +++ b/5352-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1317 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Marjorie's Three Gifts, by Louisa May Alcott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Marjorie's Three Gifts + +Author: Louisa May Alcott + +Release Date: March, 2004 [EBook #5352] +Posting Date: April 19, 2009 +Last Updated: March 10, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS *** + + + + +Produced by Brandon Ryan + + + + + + + + +MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS + + +By Louisa M. Alcott + + +Author of “Little Women,” “Little Men,” “An Old-Fashioned Girl,” Etc. + +BOSTON + +1899 + + + + + +MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS + + +Marjorie sat on the door-step, shelling peas, quite unconscious what +a pretty picture she made, with the roses peeping at her through the +lattice work of the porch, the wind playing hide-and-seek in her curly +hair, while the sunshine with its silent magic changed her faded gingham +to a golden gown, and shimmered on the bright tin pan as if it were a +silver shield. Old Rover lay at her feet, the white kitten purred on her +shoulder, and friendly robins hopped about her in the grass, chirping “A +happy birthday, Marjorie!” + +But the little maid neither saw nor heard, for her eyes were fixed on +the green pods, and her thoughts were far away. She was recalling the +fairy-tale granny told her last night, and wishing with all her heart +that such things happened nowadays. For in this story, as a poor girl +like herself sat spinning before the door, a Brownie came by, and gave +the child a good-luck penny; then a fairy passed, and left a talisman +which would keep her always happy; and last of all, the prince rolled +up in his chariot, and took her away to reign with him over a lovely +kingdom, as a reward for her many kindnesses to others. + +When Marjorie imagined this part of the story, it was impossible to help +giving one little sigh, and for a minute she forgot her work, so busy +was she thinking what beautiful presents she would give to all the poor +children in her realm when THEY had birthdays. Five impatient young peas +took this opportunity to escape from the half-open pod in her hand and +skip down the steps, to be immediately gobbled up by an audacious robin, +who gave thanks in such a shrill chirp that Marjorie woke up, laughed, +and fell to work again. She was just finishing, when a voice called out +from the lane,-- + +“Hi, there! come here a minute, child!” and looking up, she saw a little +old man in a queer little carriage drawn by a fat little pony. + +Running down to the gate, Marjorie dropped a curtsy, saying +pleasantly,-- + +“What did you wish, sir?” + +“Just undo that check-rein for me. I am lame, and Jack wants to drink +at your brook,” answered the old man, nodding at her till his spectacles +danced on his nose. + +Marjorie was rather afraid of the fat pony, who tossed his head, whisked +his tail, and stamped his feet as if he was of a peppery temper. But she +liked to be useful, and just then felt as if there were few things she +could NOT do if she tried, because it was her birthday. So she proudly +let down the rein, and when Jack went splashing into the brook, she +stood on the bridge, waiting to check him up again after he had drunk +his fill of the clear, cool water. + +The old gentleman sat in his place, looking up at the little girl, who +was smiling to herself as she watched the blue dragon-flies dance among +the ferns, a blackbird tilt on the alderboughs, and listened to the +babble of the brook. + +“How old are you, child?” asked the old man, as if he rather envied this +rosy creature her youth and health. + +“Twelve to-day, sir;” and Marjorie stood up straight and tall, as if +mindful of her years. + +“Had any presents?” asked the old man, peering up with an odd smile. + +“One, sir,--here it is;” and she pulled out of her pocket a tin +savings-bank in the shape of a desirable family mansion, painted red, +with a green door and black chimney. Proudly displaying it on the rude +railing of the bridge, she added, with a happy face,-- + +“Granny gave it to me, and all the money in it is going to be mine.” + +“How much have you got?” asked the old gentleman, who appeared to like +to sit there in the middle of the brook, while Jack bathed his feet and +leisurely gurgled and sneezed. + +“Not a penny yet, but I'm going to earn some,” answered Marjorie, +patting the little bank with an air of resolution pretty to see. + +“How will you do it?” continued the inquisitive old man. + +“Oh, I'm going to pick berries and dig dandelions, and weed, and drive +cows, and do chores. It is vacation, and I can work all the time, and +earn ever so much.” + +“But vacation is play-time,--how about that?” + +“Why, that sort of work IS play, and I get bits of fun all along. I +always have a good swing when I go for the cows, and pick flowers with +the dandelions. Weeding isn't so nice, but berrying is very pleasant, +and we have good times all together.” + +“What shall you do with your money when you get it?” + +“Oh, lots of things! Buy books and clothes for school, and, if I get a +great deal, give some to granny. I'd love to do that, for she takes care +of me, and I'd be so proud to help her!” + +“Good little lass!” said the old gentleman, as he put his hand in his +pocket. “Would you now?” he added, apparently addressing himself to a +large frog who sat upon a stone, looking so wise and grandfatherly that +it really did seem quite proper to consult him. At all events, he gave +his opinion in the most decided manner, for, with a loud croak, he +turned an undignified somersault into the brook, splashing up the +water at a great rate. “Well, perhaps it wouldn't be best on the whole. +Industry is a good teacher, and money cannot buy happiness, as I know to +my sorrow.” + +The old gentleman still seemed to be talking to the frog, and as he +spoke he took his hand out of his pocket with less in it than he had at +first intended. + +“What a very queer person!” thought Marjorie, for she had not heard a +word, and wondered what he was thinking about down there. + +Jack walked out of the brook just then, and she ran to check him up; not +an easy task for little hands, as he preferred to nibble the grass +on the bank. But she did it cleverly, smoothed the ruffled mane, and, +dropping another curtsy, stood aside to let the little carriage pass. + +“Thank you, child--thank you. Here is something for your bank, and good +luck to it.” + +As he spoke, the old man laid a bright gold dollar in her hand, patted +the rosy cheek, and vanished in a cloud of dust, leaving Marjorie so +astonished at the grandeur of the gift, that she stood looking at it +as if it had been a fortune. It was to her; and visions of pink calico +gowns, new grammars, and fresh hat-ribbons danced through her head in +delightful confusion, as her eyes rested on the shining coin in her +palm. + +Then, with a solemn air, she invested her first money by popping it down +the chimney of the scarlet mansion, and peeping in with one eye to see +if it landed safely on the ground-floor. This done, she took a long +breath, and looked over the railing, to be sure it was not all a dream. +No; the wheel marks were still there, the brown water was not yet clear, +and, if a witness was needed, there sat the big frog again, looking so +like the old gentleman, with his bottle-green coat, speckled trousers, +and twinkling eyes, that Marjorie burst out laughing, and clapped her +hands, saying aloud,-- + +“I'll play he was the Brownie, and this is the good-luck penny he gave +me. Oh, what fun!” and away she skipped, rattling the dear new bank like +a castanet. + +When she had told granny all about it, she got knife and basket, and +went out to dig dandelions; for the desire to increase her fortune was +so strong, she could not rest a minute. Up and down she went, so busily +peering and digging, that she never lifted up her eyes till something +like a great white bird skimmed by so low she could not help seeing +it. A pleasant laugh sounded behind her as she started up, and, looking +round, she nearly sat down again in sheer surprise, for there close by +was a slender little lady, comfortably established under a big umbrella. + +“If there WERE any fairies, I'd be sure that was one,” thought Marjorie, +staring with all her might, for her mind was still full of the old +story; and curious things do happen on birthdays, as every one knows. + +It really did seem rather elfish to look up suddenly and see a lovely +lady all in white, with shining hair and a wand in her hand, sitting +under what looked very like a large yellow mushroom in the middle of +a meadow, where, till now, nothing but cows and grasshoppers had been +seen. Before Marjorie could decide the question, the pleasant laugh came +again, and the stranger said, pointing to the white thing that was still +fluttering over the grass like a little cloud,-- + +“Would you kindly catch my hat for me, before it blows quite away?” + +Down went basket and knife, and away ran Marjorie, entirely satisfied +now that there was no magic about the new-comer; for if she had been an +elf, couldn't she have got her hat without any help from a mortal child? +Presently, however, it did begin to seem as if that hat was bewitched, +for it led the nimble-footed Marjorie such a chase that the cows stopped +feeding to look on in placid wonder; the grasshoppers vainly tried to +keep up, and every ox-eye daisy did its best to catch the runaway, but +failed entirely, for the wind liked a game of romps, and had it that +day. As she ran, Marjorie heard the lady singing, like the princess in +the story of the Goose-Girl,-- + + “Blow, breezes, blow! + Let Curdkin's hat go! + Blow, breezes, blow! + Let him after it go! + O'er hills, dales and rocks, + Away be it whirled, + Till the silvery locks + Are all combed and curled.” + +This made her laugh so that she tumbled into a clover-bed, and lay there +a minute to get her breath. Just then, as if the playful wind +repented of its frolic, the long veil fastened to the hat caught in a +blackberry-vine near by, and held the truant fast till Marjorie secured +it. + +“Now come and see what I am doing,” said the lady, when she had thanked +the child. + +Marjorie drew near confidingly, and looked down at the wide-spread book +before her. She gave a start, and laughed out with surprise and delight; +for there was a lovely picture of her own little home, and her own +little self on the door-step, all so delicate, and beautiful, and true, +it seemed as if done by magic. + +“Oh, how pretty! There is Rover, and Kitty and the robins, and me! How +could you ever do it, ma'am?” said Marjorie, with a wondering glance +at the long paint-brush, which had wrought what seemed a miracle to her +childish eyes. + +“I'll show you presently; but tell me, first, if it looks quite right +and natural to you. Children sometimes spy out faults that no one else +can see,” answered the lady, evidently pleased with the artless praise +her work received. + +“It looks just like our house, only more beautiful. Perhaps that is +because I know how shabby it really is. That moss looks lovely on the +shingles, but the roof leaks. The porch is broken, only the roses hide +the place; and my gown is all faded, though it once was as bright as you +have made it. I wish the house and everything would stay pretty forever, +as they will in the picture.” + +While Marjorie spoke, the lady had been adding more color to the sketch, +and when she looked up, something warmer and brighter than sunshine +shone in her face, as she said, so cheerily, it was like a bird's song +to hear her,-- + +“It can't be summer always, dear, but we can make fair weather for +ourselves if we try. The moss, the roses, and soft shadows show the +little house and the little girl at their best, and that is what we all +should do; for it is amazing how lovely common things become, if one +only knows how to look at them.” + +“I wish _I_ did,” said Marjorie, half to herself, remembering how often +she was discontented, and how hard it was to get on, sometimes. + +“So do I,” said the lady, in her happy voice. “Just believe that there +is a sunny side to everything, and try to find it, and you will be +surprised to see how bright the world will seem, and how cheerful you +will be able to keep your little self.” + +“I guess granny has found that out, for she never frets. I do, but I'm +going to stop it, because I'm twelve to-day, and that is too old for +such things,” said Marjorie, recollecting the good resolutions she had +made that morning when she woke. + +“I am twice twelve, and not entirely cured yet; but I try, and don't +mean to wear blue spectacles if I can help it,” answered the lady, +laughing so blithely that Marjorie was sure she would not have to try +much longer. “Birthdays were made for presents, and I should like to +give you one. Would it please you to have this little picture?” she +added, lifting it out of the book. + +“Truly my own? Oh, yes, indeed!” cried Marjorie, coloring with pleasure, +for she had never owned so beautiful a thing before. + +“Then you shall have it, dear. Hang it where you can see it often, and +when you look, remember that it is the sunny side of home, and help to +keep it so.” + +Marjorie had nothing but a kiss to offer by way of thanks, as the lovely +sketch was put into her hand; but the giver seemed quite satisfied, for +it was a very grateful little kiss. Then the child took up her basket +and went away, not dancing and singing now, but slowly and silently; for +this gift made her thoughtful as well as glad. As she climbed the wall, +she looked back to nod good-by to the pretty lady; but the meadow was +empty, and all she saw was the grass blowing in the wind. + +“Now, deary, run out and play, for birthdays come but once a year, +and we must make them as merry as we can,” said granny, as she settled +herself for her afternoon nap, when the Saturday cleaning was all done, +and the little house as neat as wax. + +So Marjorie put on a white apron in honor of the occasion, and, taking +Kitty in her arms, went out to enjoy herself. Three swings on the gate +seemed to be a good way of beginning the festivities; but she only got +two, for when the gate creaked back the second time, it stayed shut, and +Marjorie hung over the pickets, arrested by the sound of music. + +“It's soldiers,” she said, as the fife and drum drew nearer, and flags +were seen waving over the barberry-bushes at the corner. + +“No; it's a picnic,” she added in a moment; for she saw hats with +wreaths about them bobbing up and down, as a gayly-trimmed hay-cart full +of children came rumbling down the lane. + +“What a nice time they are going to have!” thought Marjorie, sadly +contrasting that merry-making with the quiet party she was having all by +herself. + +Suddenly her face shone, and Kitty was waved over her head like a +banner, as she flew out of the gate, crying, rapturously,-- + +“It's Billy! and I know he's come for me!” + +It certainly WAS Billy, proudly driving the old horse, and beaming at +his little friend from the bower of flags and chestnut-boughs, where he +sat in state, with a crown of daisies on his sailor-hat and a spray of +blooming sweetbrier in his hand. Waving his rustic sceptre, he led off +the shout of “Happy birthday, Marjorie!” which was set up as the wagon +stopped at the gate, and the green boughs suddenly blossomed with +familiar faces, all smiling on the little damsel, who stood in the lane +quite overpowered with delight. + +“It's a s'prise party!” cried one small lad, tumbling out behind. + +“We are going up the mountain to have fun!” added a chorus of voices, as +a dozen hands beckoned wildly. + +“We got it up on purpose for you, so tie your hat and come away,” said +a pretty girl, leaning down to kiss Marjorie, who had dropped Kitty, and +stood ready for any splendid enterprise. + +A word to granny, and away went the happy child, sitting up beside +Billy, under the flags that waved over a happier load than any royal +chariot ever bore. + +It would be vain to try and tell all the plays and pleasures of happy +children on a Saturday afternoon, but we may briefly say that Marjorie +found a mossy stone all ready for her throne, and Billy crowned her with +a garland like his own. That a fine banquet was spread, and eaten with +a relish many a Lord Mayor's feast has lacked. Then how the whole court +danced and played together afterward! The lords climbed trees and turned +somersaults, the ladies gathered flowers and told secrets under the +sweetfern-bushes, the queen lost her shoe jumping over the waterfall, +and the king paddled into the pool below and rescued it. A happy little +kingdom, full of summer sunshine, innocent delights, and loyal hearts; +for love ruled, and the only war that disturbed the peaceful land was +waged by the mosquitoes as night came on. + +Marjorie stood on her throne watching the sunset while her maids of +honor packed up the remains of the banquet, and her knights prepared +the chariot. All the sky was gold and purple, all the world bathed in a +soft, red light, and the little girl was very happy as she looked down +at the subjects who had served her so faithfully that day. + +“Have you had a good time, Marjy?” asked King William; who stood below, +with his royal nose on a level with her majesty's two dusty little +shoes. + +“Oh, Billy, it has been just splendid! But I don't see why you should +all be so kind to me,” answered Marjorie, with such a look of innocent +wonder, that Billy laughed to see it. + +“Because you are so sweet and good, we can't help loving you,--that's +why,” he said, as if this simple fact was reason enough. + +“I'm going to be the best girl that ever was, and love everybody in the +world,” cried the child, stretching out her arms as if ready, in the +fulness of her happy heart, to embrace all creation. + +“Don't turn into an angel and fly away just yet, but come home, or +granny will never lend you to us any more.” + +With that, Billy jumped her down, and away they ran, to ride gayly back +through the twilight, singing like a flock of nightingales. + +As she went to bed that night, Marjorie looked at the red bank, the +pretty picture, and the daisy crown, saying to herself,-- + +“It has been a VERY nice birthday, and I am something like the girl in +the story, after all, for the old man gave me a good-luck penny, the +kind lady told me how to keep happy, and Billy came for me like the +prince. The girl didn't go back to the poor house again, but I'm glad +_I_ did, for MY granny isn't a cross one, and my little home is the +dearest in the world.” + +Then she tied her night-cap, said her prayers, and fell asleep; but the +moon, looking in to kiss the blooming face upon the pillow, knew that +three good spirits had come to help little Marjorie from that day forth, +and their names were Industry, Cheerfulness, and Love. + + + + + +ROSES AND FORGET-ME-NOTS + + + + +I. ROSES + + +It was a cold November storm, and everything looked forlorn. Even the +pert sparrows were draggle-tailed and too much out of spirits to fight +for crumbs with the fat pigeons who tripped through the mud with their +little red boots as if in haste to get back to their cosy home in the +dove-cot. + +But the most forlorn creature out that day was a small errand girl, with +a bonnet-box on each arm, and both hands struggling to hold a big broken +umbrella. A pair of worn-out boots let in the wet upon her tired feet; a +thin cotton dress and an old shawl poorly protected her from the storm; +and a faded hood covered her head. + +The face that looked out from this hood was too pale and anxious for one +so young; and when a sudden gust turned the old umbrella inside out with +a crash, despair fell upon poor Lizzie, and she was so miserable she +could have sat down in the rain and cried. + +But there was no time for tears; so, dragging the dilapidated umbrella +along, she spread her shawl over the bonnet-boxes and hurried down the +broad street, eager to hide her misfortunes from a pretty young girl who +stood at a window laughing at her. + +She could not find the number of the house where one of the fine hats +was to be left; and after hunting all down one side of the street, she +crossed over, and came at last to the very house where the pretty girl +lived. She was no longer to be seen; and, with a sigh of relief, Lizzie +rang the bell, and was told to wait in the hall while Miss Belle tried +the hat on. + +Glad to rest, she warmed her feet, righted her umbrella, and then sat +looking about her with eyes quick to see the beauty and the comfort that +made the place so homelike and delightful. A small waiting-room opened +from the hall, and in it stood many blooming plants, whose fragrance +attracted Lizzie as irresistibly as if she had been a butterfly or bee. + +Slipping in, she stood enjoying the lovely colors, sweet odors, and +delicate shapes of these household spirits; for Lizzie loved flowers +passionately; and just then they possessed a peculiar charm for her. + +One particularly captivating little rose won her heart, and made her +long for it with a longing that became a temptation too strong to +resist. It was so perfect; so like a rosy face smiling out from the +green leaves, that Lizzie could NOT keep her hands off it, and having +smelt, touched, and kissed it, she suddenly broke the stem and hid it in +her pocket. Then, frightened at what she had done, she crept back to her +place in the hall, and sat there, burdened with remorse. + +A servant came just then to lead her upstairs; for Miss Belle wished the +hat altered, and must give directions. With her heart in a flutter, and +pinker roses in her cheeks than the one in her pocket, Lizzie followed +to a handsome room, where a pretty girl stood before a long mirror with +the hat in her hand. + +“Tell Madame Tifany that I don't like it at all, for she hasn't put in +the blue plume mamma ordered; and I won't have rose-buds, they are so +common,” said the young lady, in a dissatisfied tone, as she twirled the +hat about. + +“Yes, miss,” was all Lizzie could say; for SHE considered that hat the +loveliest thing a girl could possibly own. + +“You had better ask your mamma about it, Miss Belle, before you give any +orders. She will be up in a few moments, and the girl can wait,” put in +a maid, who was sewing in the ante-room. + +“I suppose I must; but I WON'T have roses,” answered Belle, crossly. +Then she glanced at Lizzie, and said more gently, “You look very cold; +come and sit by the fire while you wait.” + +“I'm afraid I'll wet the pretty rug, miss; my feet are sopping,” said +Lizzie, gratefully, but timidly. + +“So they are! Why didn't you wear rubber boots?” + +“I haven't got any.” + +“I'll give you mine, then, for I hate them; and as I never go out in +wet weather, they are of no earthly use to me. Marie, bring them here; +I shall be glad to get rid of them, and I'm sure they'll be useful to +you.” + +“Oh, thank you, miss! I'd like 'em ever so much, for I'm out in the rain +half the time, and get bad colds because my boots are old,” said Lizzie, +smiling brightly at the thought of the welcome gift. + +“I should think your mother would get you warmer things,” began Belle, +who found something rather interesting in the shabby girl, with shy +bright eyes, and curly hair bursting out of the old hood. + +“I haven't got any mother,” said Lizzie, with a pathetic glance at her +poor clothes. + +“I'm so sorry! Have you brothers and sisters?” asked Belle, hoping to +find something pleasant to talk about; for she was a kind little soul. + +“No, miss; I've got no folks at all.” + +“Oh, dear; how sad! Why, who takes care of you?” cried Belle, looking +quite distressed. + +“No one; I take care of myself. I work for Madame, and she pays me a +dollar a week. I stay with Mrs. Brown, and chore round to pay for my +keep. My dollar don't get many clothes, so I can't be as neat as I'd +like.” And the forlorn look came back to poor Lizzie's face. + +Belle said nothing, but sat among the sofa cushions, where she had +thrown herself, looking soberly at this other girl, no older than she +was, who took care of herself and was all alone in the world. It was a +new idea to Belle, who was loved and petted as an only child is apt to +be. She often saw beggars and pitied them, but knew very little about +their wants and lives; so it was like turning a new page in her happy +life to be brought so near to poverty as this chance meeting with the +milliner's girl. + +“Aren't you afraid and lonely and unhappy?” she said, slowly, trying to +understand and put herself in Lizzie's place. + +“Yes; but it's no use. I can't help it, and may be things will get +better by and by, and I'll have my wish,” answered Lizzie, more +hopefully, because Belle's pity warmed her heart and made her troubles +seem lighter. + +“What is your wish?” asked Belle, hoping mamma wouldn't come just yet, +for she was getting interested in the stranger. + +“To have a nice little room, and make flowers, like a French girl I +know. It's such pretty work, and she gets lots of money, for every one +likes her flowers. She shows me how, sometimes, and I can do leaves +first-rate; but--” + +There Lizzie stopped suddenly, and the color rushed up to her forehead; +for she remembered the little rose in her pocket and it weighed upon her +conscience like a stone. + +Before Belle could ask what was the matter, Marie came in with a tray of +cake and fruit, saying: + +“Here's your lunch, Miss Belle.” + +“Put it down, please; I'm not ready for it yet.” + +And Belle shook her head as she glanced at Lizzie, who was staring hard +at the fire with such a troubled face that Belle could not bear to see +it. + +Jumping out of her nest of cushions, she heaped a plate with good +things, and going to Lizzie, offered it, saying, with a gentle courtesy +that made the act doubly sweet: + +“Please have some; you must be tired of waiting.” + +But Lizzie could not take it; she could only cover her face and cry; +for this kindness rent her heart and made the stolen flower a burden too +heavy to be borne. + +“Oh, don't cry so! Are you sick? Have I been rude? Tell me all about +it; and if I can't do anything, mamma can,” said Belle, surprised and +troubled. + +“No; I'm not sick; I'm bad, and I can't bear it when you are so good to +me,” sobbed Lizzie, quite overcome with penitence; and taking out the +crumpled rose, she confessed her fault with many tears. + +“Don't feel so much about such a little thing as that,” began Belle, +warmly; then checked herself, and added, more soberly, “It WAS wrong to +take it without leave; but it's all right now, and I'll give you as many +roses as you want, for I know you are a good girl.” + +“Thank you. I didn't want it only because it was pretty, but I wanted to +copy it. I can't get any for myself, and so I can't do my make-believe +ones well. Madame won't even lend me the old ones in the store, and +Estelle has none to spare for me, because I can't pay her for teaching +me. She gives me bits of muslin and wire and things, and shows me now +and then. But I know if I had a real flower I could copy it; so she'd +see I did know something, for I try real hard. I'm SO tired of slopping +round the streets, I'd do anything to earn my living some other way.” + +Lizzie had poured out her trouble rapidly; and the little story was +quite affecting when one saw the tears on her cheeks, the poor clothes, +and the thin hands that held the stolen rose. Belle was much touched, +and, in her impetuous way, set about mending matters as fast as +possible. + +“Put on those boots and that pair of dry stockings right away. Then tuck +as much cake and fruit into your pocket as it will hold. I'm going to +get you some flowers, and see if mamma is too busy to attend to me.” + +With a nod and a smile, Belle flew about the room a minute; then +vanished, leaving Lizzie to her comfortable task, feeling as if fairies +still haunted the world as in the good old times. + +When Belle came back with a handful of roses, she found Lizzie absorbed +in admiring contemplation of her new boots, as she ate sponge-cake in a +blissful sort of waking-dream. + +“Mamma can't come; but I don't care about the hat. It will do very well, +and isn't worth fussing about. There, will those be of any use to you?” + And she offered the nosegay with a much happier face than the one Lizzie +first saw. + +“Oh, miss, they're just lovely! I'll copy that pink rose as soon as ever +I can, and when I've learned how to do 'em tip-top, I'd like to bring +you some, if you don't mind,” answered Lizzie, smiling all over her face +as she buried her nose luxuriously in the fragrant mass. + +“I'd like it very much, for I should think you'd have to be very clever +to make such pretty things. I really quite fancy those rosebuds in my +hat, now I know that you're going to learn how to make them. Put an +orange in your pocket, and the flowers in water as soon as you can, so +they'll be fresh when you want them. Good-by. Bring home our hats every +time and tell me how you get on.” + +With kind words like these, Belle dismissed Lizzie, who ran downstairs, +feeling as rich as if she had found a fortune. Away to the next place +she hurried, anxious to get her errands done and the precious posy +safely into fresh water. But Mrs. Turretviile was not at home, and the +bonnet could not be left till paid for. So Lizzie turned to go down the +high steps, glad that she need not wait. She stopped one instant to take +a delicious sniff at her flowers, and that was the last happy moment +that poor Lizzie knew for many weary months. + +The new boots were large for her, the steps slippery with sleet, and +down went the little errand girl, from top to bottom, till she landed in +the gutter directly upon Mrs. Turretville's costly bonnet. + +“I've saved my posies, anyway,” sighed Lizzie, as she picked herself +up, bruised, wet, and faint with pain; “but, oh, my heart! won't Madame +scold when she sees that band-box smashed flat,” groaned the poor child, +sitting on the curbstone to get her breath and view the disaster. + +The rain poured, the wind blew, the sparrows on the park railing chirped +derisively, and no one came along to help Lizzie out of her troubles. +Slowly she gathered up her burdens; painfully she limped away in the big +boots; and the last the naughty sparrows saw of her was a shabby little +figure going round the corner, with a pale, tearful face held lovingly +over the bright bouquet that was her one treasure and her only comfort +in the moment which brought to her the great misfortune of her life. + + + + +II. FORGET-ME-NOTS + + +“Oh, mamma, I am so relieved that the box has come at last! If it had +not, I do believe I should have died of disappointment,” cried pretty +Belle, five years later, on the morning before her eighteenth birthday. + +“It would have been a serious disappointment, darling; for I had sot +my heart on your wearing my gift to-morrow night, and when the steamers +kept coming in without my trunk from Paris, I was very anxious. I hope +you will like it.” + +“Dear mamma, I know I shall like it; your taste is so good and you know +what suits me so well. Make haste, Marie; I'm dying to see it,” said +Belle, dancing about the great trunk, as the maid carefully unfolded +tissue papers and muslin wrappers. + +A young girl's first ball-dress is a grand affair,--in her eyes, at +least; and Belle soon stopped dancing, to stand with clasped hands, +eager eyes and parted lips before the snowy pile of illusion that was +at last daintily lifted out upon the bed. Then, as Marie displayed +its loveliness, little cries of delight were heard, and when the whole +delicate dress was arranged to the best effect she threw herself upon +her mother's neck and actually cried with pleasure. + +“Mamma, it is too lovely I and you are very kind to do so much for me. +How shall I ever thank you?” + +“By putting it right on to see if it fits; and when you wear it look +your happiest, that I may be proud of my pretty daughter.” + +Mamma got no further, for Marie uttered a French shriek, wrung her +hands, and then began to burrow wildly in the trunk and among the +papers, crying distractedly: + +“Great Heavens, madame! the wreath has been forgotten! What an +affliction! Mademoiselle's enchanting toilette is destroyed without the +wreath, and nowhere do I find it.” + +In vain they searched; in vain Marie wailed and Belle declared it must +be somewhere; no wreath appeared. It was duly set down in the bill, and +a fine sum charged for a head-dress to match the dainty forget-me-nots +that looped the fleecy skirts and ornamented the bosom of the dress. It +had evidently been forgotten; and mamma despatched Marie at once to try +and match the flowers, for Belle would not hear of any other decoration +for her beautiful blonde hair. + +The dress fitted to a charm, and was pronounced by all beholders the +loveliest thing ever seen. Nothing was wanted but the wreath to make +it quite perfect, and when Marie returned, after a long search, with no +forget-me-nots, Belle was in despair. + +“Wear natural ones,” suggested a sympathizing friend. + +But another hunt among greenhouses was as fruitless as that among the +milliners' rooms. No forget-me-nots could be found, and Marie fell +exhausted into a chair, desolated at what she felt to be an awful +calamity. + +“Let me have the carriage, and I'll ransack the city till I find some,” + cried Belle, growing more resolute with each failure. + +Marnma was deep in preparations for the ball, and could not help her +afflicted daughter, though she was much disappointed at the mishap. So +Belle drove off, resolved to have her flowers whether there were any or +not. + +Any one who has ever tried to match a ribbon, find a certain fabric, or +get anything done in a hurry, knows what a wearisome task it +sometimes is, and can imagine Belle's state of mind after repeated +disappointments. She was about to give up in despair, when some one +suggested that perhaps the Frenchwoman, Estelle Valnor, might make the +desired wreath, if there was time. + +Away drove Belle, and, on entering the room, gave a sigh of +satisfaction, for a whole boxful of the loveliest forget-me-nots stood +upon the table. As fast as possible, she told her tale and demanded the +flowers, no matter what the price might be. Imagine her feelings when +the Frenchwoman, with a shrug, announced that it was impossible to give +mademoiselle a single spray. All were engaged to trim a bridesmaid's +dress, and must be sent away at once. + +It really was too bad! and Belle lost her temper entirely, for no +persuasion or bribes would win a spray from Estelle. The provoking part +of it was that the wedding would not come off for several days, and +there was time enough to make more flowers for that dress, since Belle +only wanted a few for her hair. Neither would Estelle make her any, as +her hands were full, and so small an order was not worth deranging one's +self for; but observing Belle's sorrowful face, she said, affably: + +“Mademoiselle may, perhaps, find the flowers she desires at Miss +Berton's. She has been helping me with these garlands, and may have some +left. Here is her address.” + +Belle took the card with thanks, and hurried away with a last hope +faintly stirring in her girlish heart, for Belle had an unusually ardent +wish to look her best at this party, since Somebody was to be there, and +Somebody considered forget-me-nots the sweetest flowers in the world. +Mamma knew this, and the kiss Belle gave her when the dress came had a +more tender meaning than gratified vanity or daughterly love. + +Up many stairs she climbed, and came at last to a little room, very poor +but very neat, where, at the one window, sat a young girl, with crutches +by her side and her lap full of flower-leaves and petals. She rose +slowly as Belle came in, and then stood looking at her, with such a +wistful expression in her shy, bright eyes, that Belle's anxious face +cleared involuntarily, and her voice lost its impatient tone. + +As she spoke, she glanced about the room, hoping to see some blue +blossoms awaiting her. But none appeared; and she was about to despond +again, when the girl said, gently: + +“I have none by me now, but I may be able to find you some.” + +“Thank you very much; but I have been everywhere in vain. Still, if +you do get any, please send them to me as soon as possible. Here is my +card.” + +Miss Berton glanced at it, then cast a quick look at the sweet, anxious +face before her, and smiled so brightly that Belle smiled also, and +asked, wonderingly: + +“What is it? What do you see?” + +“I see the dear young lady who was so kind to me long ago. You don't +remember me, and never knew my name; but I never have forgotten you all +these years. I always hoped I could do something to show how grateful +I was, and now I can, for you shall have your flowers if I sit up all +night to make them.” + +But Belle still shook her head and watched the smiling face before +her with wondering eyes, till the girl added, with sudden color in her +cheeks: + +“Ah, you've done so many kind things in your life, you don't remember +the little errand girl from Madame Tifany's who stole a rose in your +hall, and how you gave her rubber boots and cake and flowers, and were +so good to her she couldn't forget it if she lived to be a hundred.” + +“But you are so changed,” began Belle, who did faintly recollect that +little incident in her happy life. + +“Yes, I had a fall and hurt myself so that I shall always be lame.” + +And Lizzie went on to tell how Madame had dismissed her in a rage; how +she lay ill till Mrs. Brown sent her to the hospital; and how for a year +she had suffered much alone, in that great house of pain, before one of +the kind visitors had befriended her. + +While hearing the story of the five years, that had been so full of +pleasure, ease and love for herself, Belle forgot her errand, and, +sitting beside Lizzie, listened with pitying eyes to all she told of her +endeavors to support herself by the delicate handiwork she loved. + +“I'm very happy now,” ended Lizzie, looking about the little bare room +with a face full of the sweetest content. “I get nearly work enough to +pay my way, and Estelle sends me some when she has more than she can do. +I've learned to do it nicely, and it is so pleasant to sit here and make +flowers instead of trudging about in the wet with other people's hats. +Though I do sometimes wish I was able to trudge, one gets on so slowly +with crutches.” + +A little sigh followed the words, and Belle put her own plump hand on +the delicate one that held the crutch, saying, in her cordial young +voice: + +“I'll come and take you to drive sometimes, for you are too pale, and +you'll get ill sitting here at work day after day. Please let me; I'd +love to; for I feel so idle and wicked when I see busy people like you +that I reproach myself for neglecting my duty and having more than my +share of happiness.” + +Lizzie thanked her with a look, and then said, in a tone of interest +that was delightful to hear: + +“Tell about the wreath you want; I should so love to do it for you, if I +can.” + +Belle had forgotten all about it in listening to this sad little story +of a girl's life. Now she felt half ashamed to talk of so frivolous a +matter till she remembered that it would help Lizzie; and, resolving to +pay for it as never garland was paid for before, she entered upon the +subject with renewed interest. + +“You shall have the flowers in time for your ball to-morrow night. I +will engage to make a wreath that will please you, only it may take +longer than I think. Don't be troubled if I don't send it till evening; +it will surely come in time. I can work fast, and this will be the +happiest job I ever did,” said Lizzie, beginning to lay out mysterious +little tools and bend delicate wires. + +“You are altogether too grateful for the little I have done. It makes +me feel ashamed to think I did not find you out before and do something +better worth thanks.” + +“Ah, it wasn't the boots or the cake or the roses, dear Miss Belle. It +was the kind looks, the gentle words, the way it was done, that went +right to my heart, and did me more good than a million of money. I never +stole a pin after that day, for the little rose wouldn't let me forget +how you forgave me so sweetly. I sometimes think it kept me from greater +temptations, for I was a poor, forlorn child, with no one to keep me +good.” + +Pretty Belle looked prettier than ever as she listened, and a bright +tear stood in either eye like a drop of dew on a blue flower. It touched +her very much to learn that her little act of childish charity had been +so sweet and helpful to this lonely girl, and now lived so freshly in +her grateful memory. It showed her, suddenly, how precious little deeds +of love and sympathy are; how strong to bless, how easy to perform, how +comfortable to recall. Her heart was very full and tender just then, and +the lesson sunk deep into it never to be forgotten. + +She sat a long time watching flowers bud and blossom under Lizzie's +skilful fingers, and then hurried home to tell all her glad news to +mamma. + +If the next day had not been full of most delightfully exciting events, +Belle might have felt some anxiety about her wreath, for hour after hour +went by and nothing arrived from Lizzie. + +Evening came, and all was ready. Belle was dressed, and looked so lovely +that mamma declared she needed nothing more. But Marie insisted that +the grand effect would be ruined without the garland among the sunshiny +hair. Belle had time now to be anxious, and waited with growing +impatience for the finishing touch to her charming toilette. + +“I must be downstairs to receive, and can't wait another moment; so +put in the blue pompon and let me go,” she said at last, with a sigh +of disappointment, for the desire to look beautiful that night in +Somebody's eyes had increased four-fold. + +With a tragic gesture, Marie was about to adjust the pompon when the +quick tap of a crutch came down the hall, and Lizzie hurried in, flushed +and breathless, but smiling happily as she uncovered the box she carried +with a look of proud satisfaction. + +A general “Ah!” of admiration arose as Belle, mamma, and Marie surveyed +the lovely wreath that lay before them; and when it was carefully +arranged on the bright head that was to wear it, Belle blushed with +pleasure. Mamma said: “It is more beautiful than any Paris could have +sent us;” and Marie clasped her hands theatrically, sighing, with her +head on one side: + +“Truly, yes; mademoiselle is now adorable!” + +“I am so glad you like it. I did my very best and worked all night, but +I had to beg one spray from Estelle, or, with all my haste, I could not +have finished in time,” said Lizzie, refreshing her weary eyes with a +long, affectionate gaze at the pretty figure before her. + +A fold of the airy skirt was caught on one of the blue clusters, and +Lizzie knelt down to arrange it as she spoke. Belle leaned toward her +and said softly: “Money alone can't pay you for this kindness; so tell +me how I can best serve you. This is the happiest night of my life, and +I want to make every one feel glad also.” + +“Then don't talk of paying me, but promise that I may make the flowers +you wear on your wedding-day,” whispered Lizzie, kissing the kind hand +held out to help her rise, for on it she saw a brilliant ring, and in +the blooming, blushing face bent over her she read the tender little +story that Somebody had told Belle that day. + +“So you shall! and I'll keep this wreath all my life for your sake, +dear,” answered Belle, as her full heart bubbled over with pitying +affection for the poor girl who would never make a bridal garland for +herself. + +Belle kept her word, even when she was in a happy home of her own; for +out of the dead roses bloomed a friendship that brightened Lizzie's +life; and long after the blue garland was faded Belle remembered the +helpful little lesson that taught her to read the faces poverty +touches with a pathetic eloquence, which says to those who look, +“Forget-me-not.” + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Marjorie's Three Gifts, by Louisa May Alcott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS *** + +***** This file should be named 5352-0.txt or 5352-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/5/5352/ + +Produced by Brandon Ryan + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/5352-0.zip b/5352-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bbd1fed --- /dev/null +++ b/5352-0.zip diff --git a/5352-h.zip b/5352-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0a3f94b --- /dev/null +++ b/5352-h.zip diff --git a/5352-h/5352-h.htm b/5352-h/5352-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cae9f2c --- /dev/null +++ b/5352-h/5352-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1568 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Marjorie's Three Gifts, by Louisa M. Alcott + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Marjorie's Three Gifts, by Louisa May Alcott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Marjorie's Three Gifts + +Author: Louisa May Alcott + +Release Date: April 19, 2009 [EBook #5352] +Last Updated: March 10, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS *** + + + + +Produced by Brandon Ryan, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Louisa M. Alcott + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h4> + Author of “Little Women,” “Little Men,” “An Old-Fashioned Girl,” Etc. + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h5> + BOSTON <br /><br /> 1899 + </h5> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> <b>ROSES AND FORGET-ME-NOTS</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> I. ROSES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> II. FORGET-ME-NOTS </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS + </h2> + <p> + Marjorie sat on the door-step, shelling peas, quite unconscious what a + pretty picture she made, with the roses peeping at her through the lattice + work of the porch, the wind playing hide-and-seek in her curly hair, while + the sunshine with its silent magic changed her faded gingham to a golden + gown, and shimmered on the bright tin pan as if it were a silver shield. + Old Rover lay at her feet, the white kitten purred on her shoulder, and + friendly robins hopped about her in the grass, chirping “A happy birthday, + Marjorie!” + </p> + <p> + But the little maid neither saw nor heard, for her eyes were fixed on the + green pods, and her thoughts were far away. She was recalling the + fairy-tale granny told her last night, and wishing with all her heart that + such things happened nowadays. For in this story, as a poor girl like + herself sat spinning before the door, a Brownie came by, and gave the + child a good-luck penny; then a fairy passed, and left a talisman which + would keep her always happy; and last of all, the prince rolled up in his + chariot, and took her away to reign with him over a lovely kingdom, as a + reward for her many kindnesses to others. + </p> + <p> + When Marjorie imagined this part of the story, it was impossible to help + giving one little sigh, and for a minute she forgot her work, so busy was + she thinking what beautiful presents she would give to all the poor + children in her realm when THEY had birthdays. Five impatient young peas + took this opportunity to escape from the half-open pod in her hand and + skip down the steps, to be immediately gobbled up by an audacious robin, + who gave thanks in such a shrill chirp that Marjorie woke up, laughed, and + fell to work again. She was just finishing, when a voice called out from + the lane,— + </p> + <p> + “Hi, there! come here a minute, child!” and looking up, she saw a little + old man in a queer little carriage drawn by a fat little pony. + </p> + <p> + Running down to the gate, Marjorie dropped a curtsy, saying pleasantly,— + </p> + <p> + “What did you wish, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Just undo that check-rein for me. I am lame, and Jack wants to drink at + your brook,” answered the old man, nodding at her till his spectacles + danced on his nose. + </p> + <p> + Marjorie was rather afraid of the fat pony, who tossed his head, whisked + his tail, and stamped his feet as if he was of a peppery temper. But she + liked to be useful, and just then felt as if there were few things she + could NOT do if she tried, because it was her birthday. So she proudly let + down the rein, and when Jack went splashing into the brook, she stood on + the bridge, waiting to check him up again after he had drunk his fill of + the clear, cool water. + </p> + <p> + The old gentleman sat in his place, looking up at the little girl, who was + smiling to herself as she watched the blue dragon-flies dance among the + ferns, a blackbird tilt on the alderboughs, and listened to the babble of + the brook. + </p> + <p> + “How old are you, child?” asked the old man, as if he rather envied this + rosy creature her youth and health. + </p> + <p> + “Twelve to-day, sir;” and Marjorie stood up straight and tall, as if + mindful of her years. + </p> + <p> + “Had any presents?” asked the old man, peering up with an odd smile. + </p> + <p> + “One, sir,—here it is;” and she pulled out of her pocket a tin + savings-bank in the shape of a desirable family mansion, painted red, with + a green door and black chimney. Proudly displaying it on the rude railing + of the bridge, she added, with a happy face,— + </p> + <p> + “Granny gave it to me, and all the money in it is going to be mine.” + </p> + <p> + “How much have you got?” asked the old gentleman, who appeared to like to + sit there in the middle of the brook, while Jack bathed his feet and + leisurely gurgled and sneezed. + </p> + <p> + “Not a penny yet, but I'm going to earn some,” answered Marjorie, patting + the little bank with an air of resolution pretty to see. + </p> + <p> + “How will you do it?” continued the inquisitive old man. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'm going to pick berries and dig dandelions, and weed, and drive + cows, and do chores. It is vacation, and I can work all the time, and earn + ever so much.” + </p> + <p> + “But vacation is play-time,—how about that?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, that sort of work IS play, and I get bits of fun all along. I always + have a good swing when I go for the cows, and pick flowers with the + dandelions. Weeding isn't so nice, but berrying is very pleasant, and we + have good times all together.” + </p> + <p> + “What shall you do with your money when you get it?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, lots of things! Buy books and clothes for school, and, if I get a + great deal, give some to granny. I'd love to do that, for she takes care + of me, and I'd be so proud to help her!” + </p> + <p> + “Good little lass!” said the old gentleman, as he put his hand in his + pocket. “Would you now?” he added, apparently addressing himself to a + large frog who sat upon a stone, looking so wise and grandfatherly that it + really did seem quite proper to consult him. At all events, he gave his + opinion in the most decided manner, for, with a loud croak, he turned an + undignified somersault into the brook, splashing up the water at a great + rate. “Well, perhaps it wouldn't be best on the whole. Industry is a good + teacher, and money cannot buy happiness, as I know to my sorrow.” + </p> + <p> + The old gentleman still seemed to be talking to the frog, and as he spoke + he took his hand out of his pocket with less in it than he had at first + intended. + </p> + <p> + “What a very queer person!” thought Marjorie, for she had not heard a + word, and wondered what he was thinking about down there. + </p> + <p> + Jack walked out of the brook just then, and she ran to check him up; not + an easy task for little hands, as he preferred to nibble the grass on the + bank. But she did it cleverly, smoothed the ruffled mane, and, dropping + another curtsy, stood aside to let the little carriage pass. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, child—thank you. Here is something for your bank, and + good luck to it.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, the old man laid a bright gold dollar in her hand, patted the + rosy cheek, and vanished in a cloud of dust, leaving Marjorie so + astonished at the grandeur of the gift, that she stood looking at it as if + it had been a fortune. It was to her; and visions of pink calico gowns, + new grammars, and fresh hat-ribbons danced through her head in delightful + confusion, as her eyes rested on the shining coin in her palm. + </p> + <p> + Then, with a solemn air, she invested her first money by popping it down + the chimney of the scarlet mansion, and peeping in with one eye to see if + it landed safely on the ground-floor. This done, she took a long breath, + and looked over the railing, to be sure it was not all a dream. No; the + wheel marks were still there, the brown water was not yet clear, and, if a + witness was needed, there sat the big frog again, looking so like the old + gentleman, with his bottle-green coat, speckled trousers, and twinkling + eyes, that Marjorie burst out laughing, and clapped her hands, saying + aloud,— + </p> + <p> + “I'll play he was the Brownie, and this is the good-luck penny he gave me. + Oh, what fun!” and away she skipped, rattling the dear new bank like a + castanet. + </p> + <p> + When she had told granny all about it, she got knife and basket, and went + out to dig dandelions; for the desire to increase her fortune was so + strong, she could not rest a minute. Up and down she went, so busily + peering and digging, that she never lifted up her eyes till something like + a great white bird skimmed by so low she could not help seeing it. A + pleasant laugh sounded behind her as she started up, and, looking round, + she nearly sat down again in sheer surprise, for there close by was a + slender little lady, comfortably established under a big umbrella. + </p> + <p> + “If there WERE any fairies, I'd be sure that was one,” thought Marjorie, + staring with all her might, for her mind was still full of the old story; + and curious things do happen on birthdays, as every one knows. + </p> + <p> + It really did seem rather elfish to look up suddenly and see a lovely lady + all in white, with shining hair and a wand in her hand, sitting under what + looked very like a large yellow mushroom in the middle of a meadow, where, + till now, nothing but cows and grasshoppers had been seen. Before Marjorie + could decide the question, the pleasant laugh came again, and the stranger + said, pointing to the white thing that was still fluttering over the grass + like a little cloud,— + </p> + <p> + “Would you kindly catch my hat for me, before it blows quite away?” + </p> + <p> + Down went basket and knife, and away ran Marjorie, entirely satisfied now + that there was no magic about the new-comer; for if she had been an elf, + couldn't she have got her hat without any help from a mortal child? + Presently, however, it did begin to seem as if that hat was bewitched, for + it led the nimble-footed Marjorie such a chase that the cows stopped + feeding to look on in placid wonder; the grasshoppers vainly tried to keep + up, and every ox-eye daisy did its best to catch the runaway, but failed + entirely, for the wind liked a game of romps, and had it that day. As she + ran, Marjorie heard the lady singing, like the princess in the story of + the Goose-Girl,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Blow, breezes, blow! + Let Curdkin's hat go! + Blow, breezes, blow! + Let him after it go! + O'er hills, dales and rocks, + Away be it whirled, + Till the silvery locks + Are all combed and curled.” + </pre> + <p> + This made her laugh so that she tumbled into a clover-bed, and lay there a + minute to get her breath. Just then, as if the playful wind repented of + its frolic, the long veil fastened to the hat caught in a blackberry-vine + near by, and held the truant fast till Marjorie secured it. + </p> + <p> + “Now come and see what I am doing,” said the lady, when she had thanked + the child. + </p> + <p> + Marjorie drew near confidingly, and looked down at the wide-spread book + before her. She gave a start, and laughed out with surprise and delight; + for there was a lovely picture of her own little home, and her own little + self on the door-step, all so delicate, and beautiful, and true, it seemed + as if done by magic. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, how pretty! There is Rover, and Kitty and the robins, and me! How + could you ever do it, ma'am?” said Marjorie, with a wondering glance at + the long paint-brush, which had wrought what seemed a miracle to her + childish eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I'll show you presently; but tell me, first, if it looks quite right and + natural to you. Children sometimes spy out faults that no one else can + see,” answered the lady, evidently pleased with the artless praise her + work received. + </p> + <p> + “It looks just like our house, only more beautiful. Perhaps that is + because I know how shabby it really is. That moss looks lovely on the + shingles, but the roof leaks. The porch is broken, only the roses hide the + place; and my gown is all faded, though it once was as bright as you have + made it. I wish the house and everything would stay pretty forever, as + they will in the picture.” + </p> + <p> + While Marjorie spoke, the lady had been adding more color to the sketch, + and when she looked up, something warmer and brighter than sunshine shone + in her face, as she said, so cheerily, it was like a bird's song to hear + her,— + </p> + <p> + “It can't be summer always, dear, but we can make fair weather for + ourselves if we try. The moss, the roses, and soft shadows show the little + house and the little girl at their best, and that is what we all should + do; for it is amazing how lovely common things become, if one only knows + how to look at them.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish <i>I</i> did,” said Marjorie, half to herself, remembering how + often she was discontented, and how hard it was to get on, sometimes. + </p> + <p> + “So do I,” said the lady, in her happy voice. “Just believe that there is + a sunny side to everything, and try to find it, and you will be surprised + to see how bright the world will seem, and how cheerful you will be able + to keep your little self.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess granny has found that out, for she never frets. I do, but I'm + going to stop it, because I'm twelve to-day, and that is too old for such + things,” said Marjorie, recollecting the good resolutions she had made + that morning when she woke. + </p> + <p> + “I am twice twelve, and not entirely cured yet; but I try, and don't mean + to wear blue spectacles if I can help it,” answered the lady, laughing so + blithely that Marjorie was sure she would not have to try much longer. + “Birthdays were made for presents, and I should like to give you one. + Would it please you to have this little picture?” she added, lifting it + out of the book. + </p> + <p> + “Truly my own? Oh, yes, indeed!” cried Marjorie, coloring with pleasure, + for she had never owned so beautiful a thing before. + </p> + <p> + “Then you shall have it, dear. Hang it where you can see it often, and + when you look, remember that it is the sunny side of home, and help to + keep it so.” + </p> + <p> + Marjorie had nothing but a kiss to offer by way of thanks, as the lovely + sketch was put into her hand; but the giver seemed quite satisfied, for it + was a very grateful little kiss. Then the child took up her basket and + went away, not dancing and singing now, but slowly and silently; for this + gift made her thoughtful as well as glad. As she climbed the wall, she + looked back to nod good-by to the pretty lady; but the meadow was empty, + and all she saw was the grass blowing in the wind. + </p> + <p> + “Now, deary, run out and play, for birthdays come but once a year, and we + must make them as merry as we can,” said granny, as she settled herself + for her afternoon nap, when the Saturday cleaning was all done, and the + little house as neat as wax. + </p> + <p> + So Marjorie put on a white apron in honor of the occasion, and, taking + Kitty in her arms, went out to enjoy herself. Three swings on the gate + seemed to be a good way of beginning the festivities; but she only got + two, for when the gate creaked back the second time, it stayed shut, and + Marjorie hung over the pickets, arrested by the sound of music. + </p> + <p> + “It's soldiers,” she said, as the fife and drum drew nearer, and flags + were seen waving over the barberry-bushes at the corner. + </p> + <p> + “No; it's a picnic,” she added in a moment; for she saw hats with wreaths + about them bobbing up and down, as a gayly-trimmed hay-cart full of + children came rumbling down the lane. + </p> + <p> + “What a nice time they are going to have!” thought Marjorie, sadly + contrasting that merry-making with the quiet party she was having all by + herself. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly her face shone, and Kitty was waved over her head like a banner, + as she flew out of the gate, crying, rapturously,— + </p> + <p> + “It's Billy! and I know he's come for me!” + </p> + <p> + It certainly WAS Billy, proudly driving the old horse, and beaming at his + little friend from the bower of flags and chestnut-boughs, where he sat in + state, with a crown of daisies on his sailor-hat and a spray of blooming + sweetbrier in his hand. Waving his rustic sceptre, he led off the shout of + “Happy birthday, Marjorie!” which was set up as the wagon stopped at the + gate, and the green boughs suddenly blossomed with familiar faces, all + smiling on the little damsel, who stood in the lane quite overpowered with + delight. + </p> + <p> + “It's a s'prise party!” cried one small lad, tumbling out behind. + </p> + <p> + “We are going up the mountain to have fun!” added a chorus of voices, as a + dozen hands beckoned wildly. + </p> + <p> + “We got it up on purpose for you, so tie your hat and come away,” said a + pretty girl, leaning down to kiss Marjorie, who had dropped Kitty, and + stood ready for any splendid enterprise. + </p> + <p> + A word to granny, and away went the happy child, sitting up beside Billy, + under the flags that waved over a happier load than any royal chariot ever + bore. + </p> + <p> + It would be vain to try and tell all the plays and pleasures of happy + children on a Saturday afternoon, but we may briefly say that Marjorie + found a mossy stone all ready for her throne, and Billy crowned her with a + garland like his own. That a fine banquet was spread, and eaten with a + relish many a Lord Mayor's feast has lacked. Then how the whole court + danced and played together afterward! The lords climbed trees and turned + somersaults, the ladies gathered flowers and told secrets under the + sweetfern-bushes, the queen lost her shoe jumping over the waterfall, and + the king paddled into the pool below and rescued it. A happy little + kingdom, full of summer sunshine, innocent delights, and loyal hearts; for + love ruled, and the only war that disturbed the peaceful land was waged by + the mosquitoes as night came on. + </p> + <p> + Marjorie stood on her throne watching the sunset while her maids of honor + packed up the remains of the banquet, and her knights prepared the + chariot. All the sky was gold and purple, all the world bathed in a soft, + red light, and the little girl was very happy as she looked down at the + subjects who had served her so faithfully that day. + </p> + <p> + “Have you had a good time, Marjy?” asked King William; who stood below, + with his royal nose on a level with her majesty's two dusty little shoes. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Billy, it has been just splendid! But I don't see why you should all + be so kind to me,” answered Marjorie, with such a look of innocent wonder, + that Billy laughed to see it. + </p> + <p> + “Because you are so sweet and good, we can't help loving you,—that's + why,” he said, as if this simple fact was reason enough. + </p> + <p> + “I'm going to be the best girl that ever was, and love everybody in the + world,” cried the child, stretching out her arms as if ready, in the + fulness of her happy heart, to embrace all creation. + </p> + <p> + “Don't turn into an angel and fly away just yet, but come home, or granny + will never lend you to us any more.” + </p> + <p> + With that, Billy jumped her down, and away they ran, to ride gayly back + through the twilight, singing like a flock of nightingales. + </p> + <p> + As she went to bed that night, Marjorie looked at the red bank, the pretty + picture, and the daisy crown, saying to herself,— + </p> + <p> + “It has been a VERY nice birthday, and I am something like the girl in the + story, after all, for the old man gave me a good-luck penny, the kind lady + told me how to keep happy, and Billy came for me like the prince. The girl + didn't go back to the poor house again, but I'm glad <i>I</i> did, for MY + granny isn't a cross one, and my little home is the dearest in the world.” + </p> + <p> + Then she tied her night-cap, said her prayers, and fell asleep; but the + moon, looking in to kiss the blooming face upon the pillow, knew that + three good spirits had come to help little Marjorie from that day forth, + and their names were Industry, Cheerfulness, and Love. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ROSES AND FORGET-ME-NOTS + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + I. ROSES + </h2> + <p> + It was a cold November storm, and everything looked forlorn. Even the pert + sparrows were draggle-tailed and too much out of spirits to fight for + crumbs with the fat pigeons who tripped through the mud with their little + red boots as if in haste to get back to their cosy home in the dove-cot. + </p> + <p> + But the most forlorn creature out that day was a small errand girl, with a + bonnet-box on each arm, and both hands struggling to hold a big broken + umbrella. A pair of worn-out boots let in the wet upon her tired feet; a + thin cotton dress and an old shawl poorly protected her from the storm; + and a faded hood covered her head. + </p> + <p> + The face that looked out from this hood was too pale and anxious for one + so young; and when a sudden gust turned the old umbrella inside out with a + crash, despair fell upon poor Lizzie, and she was so miserable she could + have sat down in the rain and cried. + </p> + <p> + But there was no time for tears; so, dragging the dilapidated umbrella + along, she spread her shawl over the bonnet-boxes and hurried down the + broad street, eager to hide her misfortunes from a pretty young girl who + stood at a window laughing at her. + </p> + <p> + She could not find the number of the house where one of the fine hats was + to be left; and after hunting all down one side of the street, she crossed + over, and came at last to the very house where the pretty girl lived. She + was no longer to be seen; and, with a sigh of relief, Lizzie rang the + bell, and was told to wait in the hall while Miss Belle tried the hat on. + </p> + <p> + Glad to rest, she warmed her feet, righted her umbrella, and then sat + looking about her with eyes quick to see the beauty and the comfort that + made the place so homelike and delightful. A small waiting-room opened + from the hall, and in it stood many blooming plants, whose fragrance + attracted Lizzie as irresistibly as if she had been a butterfly or bee. + </p> + <p> + Slipping in, she stood enjoying the lovely colors, sweet odors, and + delicate shapes of these household spirits; for Lizzie loved flowers + passionately; and just then they possessed a peculiar charm for her. + </p> + <p> + One particularly captivating little rose won her heart, and made her long + for it with a longing that became a temptation too strong to resist. It + was so perfect; so like a rosy face smiling out from the green leaves, + that Lizzie could NOT keep her hands off it, and having smelt, touched, + and kissed it, she suddenly broke the stem and hid it in her pocket. Then, + frightened at what she had done, she crept back to her place in the hall, + and sat there, burdened with remorse. + </p> + <p> + A servant came just then to lead her upstairs; for Miss Belle wished the + hat altered, and must give directions. With her heart in a flutter, and + pinker roses in her cheeks than the one in her pocket, Lizzie followed to + a handsome room, where a pretty girl stood before a long mirror with the + hat in her hand. + </p> + <p> + “Tell Madame Tifany that I don't like it at all, for she hasn't put in the + blue plume mamma ordered; and I won't have rose-buds, they are so common,” + said the young lady, in a dissatisfied tone, as she twirled the hat about. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, miss,” was all Lizzie could say; for SHE considered that hat the + loveliest thing a girl could possibly own. + </p> + <p> + “You had better ask your mamma about it, Miss Belle, before you give any + orders. She will be up in a few moments, and the girl can wait,” put in a + maid, who was sewing in the ante-room. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose I must; but I WON'T have roses,” answered Belle, crossly. Then + she glanced at Lizzie, and said more gently, “You look very cold; come and + sit by the fire while you wait.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid I'll wet the pretty rug, miss; my feet are sopping,” said + Lizzie, gratefully, but timidly. + </p> + <p> + “So they are! Why didn't you wear rubber boots?” + </p> + <p> + “I haven't got any.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll give you mine, then, for I hate them; and as I never go out in wet + weather, they are of no earthly use to me. Marie, bring them here; I shall + be glad to get rid of them, and I'm sure they'll be useful to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, thank you, miss! I'd like 'em ever so much, for I'm out in the rain + half the time, and get bad colds because my boots are old,” said Lizzie, + smiling brightly at the thought of the welcome gift. + </p> + <p> + “I should think your mother would get you warmer things,” began Belle, who + found something rather interesting in the shabby girl, with shy bright + eyes, and curly hair bursting out of the old hood. + </p> + <p> + “I haven't got any mother,” said Lizzie, with a pathetic glance at her + poor clothes. + </p> + <p> + “I'm so sorry! Have you brothers and sisters?” asked Belle, hoping to find + something pleasant to talk about; for she was a kind little soul. + </p> + <p> + “No, miss; I've got no folks at all.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear; how sad! Why, who takes care of you?” cried Belle, looking + quite distressed. + </p> + <p> + “No one; I take care of myself. I work for Madame, and she pays me a + dollar a week. I stay with Mrs. Brown, and chore round to pay for my keep. + My dollar don't get many clothes, so I can't be as neat as I'd like.” And + the forlorn look came back to poor Lizzie's face. + </p> + <p> + Belle said nothing, but sat among the sofa cushions, where she had thrown + herself, looking soberly at this other girl, no older than she was, who + took care of herself and was all alone in the world. It was a new idea to + Belle, who was loved and petted as an only child is apt to be. She often + saw beggars and pitied them, but knew very little about their wants and + lives; so it was like turning a new page in her happy life to be brought + so near to poverty as this chance meeting with the milliner's girl. + </p> + <p> + “Aren't you afraid and lonely and unhappy?” she said, slowly, trying to + understand and put herself in Lizzie's place. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; but it's no use. I can't help it, and may be things will get better + by and by, and I'll have my wish,” answered Lizzie, more hopefully, + because Belle's pity warmed her heart and made her troubles seem lighter. + </p> + <p> + “What is your wish?” asked Belle, hoping mamma wouldn't come just yet, for + she was getting interested in the stranger. + </p> + <p> + “To have a nice little room, and make flowers, like a French girl I know. + It's such pretty work, and she gets lots of money, for every one likes her + flowers. She shows me how, sometimes, and I can do leaves first-rate; but—” + </p> + <p> + There Lizzie stopped suddenly, and the color rushed up to her forehead; + for she remembered the little rose in her pocket and it weighed upon her + conscience like a stone. + </p> + <p> + Before Belle could ask what was the matter, Marie came in with a tray of + cake and fruit, saying: + </p> + <p> + “Here's your lunch, Miss Belle.” + </p> + <p> + “Put it down, please; I'm not ready for it yet.” + </p> + <p> + And Belle shook her head as she glanced at Lizzie, who was staring hard at + the fire with such a troubled face that Belle could not bear to see it. + </p> + <p> + Jumping out of her nest of cushions, she heaped a plate with good things, + and going to Lizzie, offered it, saying, with a gentle courtesy that made + the act doubly sweet: + </p> + <p> + “Please have some; you must be tired of waiting.” + </p> + <p> + But Lizzie could not take it; she could only cover her face and cry; for + this kindness rent her heart and made the stolen flower a burden too heavy + to be borne. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don't cry so! Are you sick? Have I been rude? Tell me all about it; + and if I can't do anything, mamma can,” said Belle, surprised and + troubled. + </p> + <p> + “No; I'm not sick; I'm bad, and I can't bear it when you are so good to + me,” sobbed Lizzie, quite overcome with penitence; and taking out the + crumpled rose, she confessed her fault with many tears. + </p> + <p> + “Don't feel so much about such a little thing as that,” began Belle, + warmly; then checked herself, and added, more soberly, “It WAS wrong to + take it without leave; but it's all right now, and I'll give you as many + roses as you want, for I know you are a good girl.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you. I didn't want it only because it was pretty, but I wanted to + copy it. I can't get any for myself, and so I can't do my make-believe + ones well. Madame won't even lend me the old ones in the store, and + Estelle has none to spare for me, because I can't pay her for teaching me. + She gives me bits of muslin and wire and things, and shows me now and + then. But I know if I had a real flower I could copy it; so she'd see I + did know something, for I try real hard. I'm SO tired of slopping round + the streets, I'd do anything to earn my living some other way.” + </p> + <p> + Lizzie had poured out her trouble rapidly; and the little story was quite + affecting when one saw the tears on her cheeks, the poor clothes, and the + thin hands that held the stolen rose. Belle was much touched, and, in her + impetuous way, set about mending matters as fast as possible. + </p> + <p> + “Put on those boots and that pair of dry stockings right away. Then tuck + as much cake and fruit into your pocket as it will hold. I'm going to get + you some flowers, and see if mamma is too busy to attend to me.” + </p> + <p> + With a nod and a smile, Belle flew about the room a minute; then vanished, + leaving Lizzie to her comfortable task, feeling as if fairies still + haunted the world as in the good old times. + </p> + <p> + When Belle came back with a handful of roses, she found Lizzie absorbed in + admiring contemplation of her new boots, as she ate sponge-cake in a + blissful sort of waking-dream. + </p> + <p> + “Mamma can't come; but I don't care about the hat. It will do very well, + and isn't worth fussing about. There, will those be of any use to you?” + And she offered the nosegay with a much happier face than the one Lizzie + first saw. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, miss, they're just lovely! I'll copy that pink rose as soon as ever I + can, and when I've learned how to do 'em tip-top, I'd like to bring you + some, if you don't mind,” answered Lizzie, smiling all over her face as + she buried her nose luxuriously in the fragrant mass. + </p> + <p> + “I'd like it very much, for I should think you'd have to be very clever to + make such pretty things. I really quite fancy those rosebuds in my hat, + now I know that you're going to learn how to make them. Put an orange in + your pocket, and the flowers in water as soon as you can, so they'll be + fresh when you want them. Good-by. Bring home our hats every time and tell + me how you get on.” + </p> + <p> + With kind words like these, Belle dismissed Lizzie, who ran downstairs, + feeling as rich as if she had found a fortune. Away to the next place she + hurried, anxious to get her errands done and the precious posy safely into + fresh water. But Mrs. Turretviile was not at home, and the bonnet could + not be left till paid for. So Lizzie turned to go down the high steps, + glad that she need not wait. She stopped one instant to take a delicious + sniff at her flowers, and that was the last happy moment that poor Lizzie + knew for many weary months. + </p> + <p> + The new boots were large for her, the steps slippery with sleet, and down + went the little errand girl, from top to bottom, till she landed in the + gutter directly upon Mrs. Turretville's costly bonnet. + </p> + <p> + “I've saved my posies, anyway,” sighed Lizzie, as she picked herself up, + bruised, wet, and faint with pain; “but, oh, my heart! won't Madame scold + when she sees that band-box smashed flat,” groaned the poor child, sitting + on the curbstone to get her breath and view the disaster. + </p> + <p> + The rain poured, the wind blew, the sparrows on the park railing chirped + derisively, and no one came along to help Lizzie out of her troubles. + Slowly she gathered up her burdens; painfully she limped away in the big + boots; and the last the naughty sparrows saw of her was a shabby little + figure going round the corner, with a pale, tearful face held lovingly + over the bright bouquet that was her one treasure and her only comfort in + the moment which brought to her the great misfortune of her life. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II. FORGET-ME-NOTS + </h2> + <p> + “Oh, mamma, I am so relieved that the box has come at last! If it had not, + I do believe I should have died of disappointment,” cried pretty Belle, + five years later, on the morning before her eighteenth birthday. + </p> + <p> + “It would have been a serious disappointment, darling; for I had sot my + heart on your wearing my gift to-morrow night, and when the steamers kept + coming in without my trunk from Paris, I was very anxious. I hope you will + like it.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear mamma, I know I shall like it; your taste is so good and you know + what suits me so well. Make haste, Marie; I'm dying to see it,” said + Belle, dancing about the great trunk, as the maid carefully unfolded + tissue papers and muslin wrappers. + </p> + <p> + A young girl's first ball-dress is a grand affair,—in her eyes, at + least; and Belle soon stopped dancing, to stand with clasped hands, eager + eyes and parted lips before the snowy pile of illusion that was at last + daintily lifted out upon the bed. Then, as Marie displayed its loveliness, + little cries of delight were heard, and when the whole delicate dress was + arranged to the best effect she threw herself upon her mother's neck and + actually cried with pleasure. + </p> + <p> + “Mamma, it is too lovely I and you are very kind to do so much for me. How + shall I ever thank you?” + </p> + <p> + “By putting it right on to see if it fits; and when you wear it look your + happiest, that I may be proud of my pretty daughter.” + </p> + <p> + Mamma got no further, for Marie uttered a French shriek, wrung her hands, + and then began to burrow wildly in the trunk and among the papers, crying + distractedly: + </p> + <p> + “Great Heavens, madame! the wreath has been forgotten! What an affliction! + Mademoiselle's enchanting toilette is destroyed without the wreath, and + nowhere do I find it.” + </p> + <p> + In vain they searched; in vain Marie wailed and Belle declared it must be + somewhere; no wreath appeared. It was duly set down in the bill, and a + fine sum charged for a head-dress to match the dainty forget-me-nots that + looped the fleecy skirts and ornamented the bosom of the dress. It had + evidently been forgotten; and mamma despatched Marie at once to try and + match the flowers, for Belle would not hear of any other decoration for + her beautiful blonde hair. + </p> + <p> + The dress fitted to a charm, and was pronounced by all beholders the + loveliest thing ever seen. Nothing was wanted but the wreath to make it + quite perfect, and when Marie returned, after a long search, with no + forget-me-nots, Belle was in despair. + </p> + <p> + “Wear natural ones,” suggested a sympathizing friend. + </p> + <p> + But another hunt among greenhouses was as fruitless as that among the + milliners' rooms. No forget-me-nots could be found, and Marie fell + exhausted into a chair, desolated at what she felt to be an awful + calamity. + </p> + <p> + “Let me have the carriage, and I'll ransack the city till I find some,” + cried Belle, growing more resolute with each failure. + </p> + <p> + Marnma was deep in preparations for the ball, and could not help her + afflicted daughter, though she was much disappointed at the mishap. So + Belle drove off, resolved to have her flowers whether there were any or + not. + </p> + <p> + Any one who has ever tried to match a ribbon, find a certain fabric, or + get anything done in a hurry, knows what a wearisome task it sometimes is, + and can imagine Belle's state of mind after repeated disappointments. She + was about to give up in despair, when some one suggested that perhaps the + Frenchwoman, Estelle Valnor, might make the desired wreath, if there was + time. + </p> + <p> + Away drove Belle, and, on entering the room, gave a sigh of satisfaction, + for a whole boxful of the loveliest forget-me-nots stood upon the table. + As fast as possible, she told her tale and demanded the flowers, no matter + what the price might be. Imagine her feelings when the Frenchwoman, with a + shrug, announced that it was impossible to give mademoiselle a single + spray. All were engaged to trim a bridesmaid's dress, and must be sent + away at once. + </p> + <p> + It really was too bad! and Belle lost her temper entirely, for no + persuasion or bribes would win a spray from Estelle. The provoking part of + it was that the wedding would not come off for several days, and there was + time enough to make more flowers for that dress, since Belle only wanted a + few for her hair. Neither would Estelle make her any, as her hands were + full, and so small an order was not worth deranging one's self for; but + observing Belle's sorrowful face, she said, affably: + </p> + <p> + “Mademoiselle may, perhaps, find the flowers she desires at Miss Berton's. + She has been helping me with these garlands, and may have some left. Here + is her address.” + </p> + <p> + Belle took the card with thanks, and hurried away with a last hope faintly + stirring in her girlish heart, for Belle had an unusually ardent wish to + look her best at this party, since Somebody was to be there, and Somebody + considered forget-me-nots the sweetest flowers in the world. Mamma knew + this, and the kiss Belle gave her when the dress came had a more tender + meaning than gratified vanity or daughterly love. + </p> + <p> + Up many stairs she climbed, and came at last to a little room, very poor + but very neat, where, at the one window, sat a young girl, with crutches + by her side and her lap full of flower-leaves and petals. She rose slowly + as Belle came in, and then stood looking at her, with such a wistful + expression in her shy, bright eyes, that Belle's anxious face cleared + involuntarily, and her voice lost its impatient tone. + </p> + <p> + As she spoke, she glanced about the room, hoping to see some blue blossoms + awaiting her. But none appeared; and she was about to despond again, when + the girl said, gently: + </p> + <p> + “I have none by me now, but I may be able to find you some.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you very much; but I have been everywhere in vain. Still, if you do + get any, please send them to me as soon as possible. Here is my card.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Berton glanced at it, then cast a quick look at the sweet, anxious + face before her, and smiled so brightly that Belle smiled also, and asked, + wonderingly: + </p> + <p> + “What is it? What do you see?” + </p> + <p> + “I see the dear young lady who was so kind to me long ago. You don't + remember me, and never knew my name; but I never have forgotten you all + these years. I always hoped I could do something to show how grateful I + was, and now I can, for you shall have your flowers if I sit up all night + to make them.” + </p> + <p> + But Belle still shook her head and watched the smiling face before her + with wondering eyes, till the girl added, with sudden color in her cheeks: + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you've done so many kind things in your life, you don't remember the + little errand girl from Madame Tifany's who stole a rose in your hall, and + how you gave her rubber boots and cake and flowers, and were so good to + her she couldn't forget it if she lived to be a hundred.” + </p> + <p> + “But you are so changed,” began Belle, who did faintly recollect that + little incident in her happy life. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I had a fall and hurt myself so that I shall always be lame.” + </p> + <p> + And Lizzie went on to tell how Madame had dismissed her in a rage; how she + lay ill till Mrs. Brown sent her to the hospital; and how for a year she + had suffered much alone, in that great house of pain, before one of the + kind visitors had befriended her. + </p> + <p> + While hearing the story of the five years, that had been so full of + pleasure, ease and love for herself, Belle forgot her errand, and, sitting + beside Lizzie, listened with pitying eyes to all she told of her endeavors + to support herself by the delicate handiwork she loved. + </p> + <p> + “I'm very happy now,” ended Lizzie, looking about the little bare room + with a face full of the sweetest content. “I get nearly work enough to pay + my way, and Estelle sends me some when she has more than she can do. I've + learned to do it nicely, and it is so pleasant to sit here and make + flowers instead of trudging about in the wet with other people's hats. + Though I do sometimes wish I was able to trudge, one gets on so slowly + with crutches.” + </p> + <p> + A little sigh followed the words, and Belle put her own plump hand on the + delicate one that held the crutch, saying, in her cordial young voice: + </p> + <p> + “I'll come and take you to drive sometimes, for you are too pale, and + you'll get ill sitting here at work day after day. Please let me; I'd love + to; for I feel so idle and wicked when I see busy people like you that I + reproach myself for neglecting my duty and having more than my share of + happiness.” + </p> + <p> + Lizzie thanked her with a look, and then said, in a tone of interest that + was delightful to hear: + </p> + <p> + “Tell about the wreath you want; I should so love to do it for you, if I + can.” + </p> + <p> + Belle had forgotten all about it in listening to this sad little story of + a girl's life. Now she felt half ashamed to talk of so frivolous a matter + till she remembered that it would help Lizzie; and, resolving to pay for + it as never garland was paid for before, she entered upon the subject with + renewed interest. + </p> + <p> + “You shall have the flowers in time for your ball to-morrow night. I will + engage to make a wreath that will please you, only it may take longer than + I think. Don't be troubled if I don't send it till evening; it will surely + come in time. I can work fast, and this will be the happiest job I ever + did,” said Lizzie, beginning to lay out mysterious little tools and bend + delicate wires. + </p> + <p> + “You are altogether too grateful for the little I have done. It makes me + feel ashamed to think I did not find you out before and do something + better worth thanks.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, it wasn't the boots or the cake or the roses, dear Miss Belle. It was + the kind looks, the gentle words, the way it was done, that went right to + my heart, and did me more good than a million of money. I never stole a + pin after that day, for the little rose wouldn't let me forget how you + forgave me so sweetly. I sometimes think it kept me from greater + temptations, for I was a poor, forlorn child, with no one to keep me + good.” + </p> + <p> + Pretty Belle looked prettier than ever as she listened, and a bright tear + stood in either eye like a drop of dew on a blue flower. It touched her + very much to learn that her little act of childish charity had been so + sweet and helpful to this lonely girl, and now lived so freshly in her + grateful memory. It showed her, suddenly, how precious little deeds of + love and sympathy are; how strong to bless, how easy to perform, how + comfortable to recall. Her heart was very full and tender just then, and + the lesson sunk deep into it never to be forgotten. + </p> + <p> + She sat a long time watching flowers bud and blossom under Lizzie's + skilful fingers, and then hurried home to tell all her glad news to mamma. + </p> + <p> + If the next day had not been full of most delightfully exciting events, + Belle might have felt some anxiety about her wreath, for hour after hour + went by and nothing arrived from Lizzie. + </p> + <p> + Evening came, and all was ready. Belle was dressed, and looked so lovely + that mamma declared she needed nothing more. But Marie insisted that the + grand effect would be ruined without the garland among the sunshiny hair. + Belle had time now to be anxious, and waited with growing impatience for + the finishing touch to her charming toilette. + </p> + <p> + “I must be downstairs to receive, and can't wait another moment; so put in + the blue pompon and let me go,” she said at last, with a sigh of + disappointment, for the desire to look beautiful that night in Somebody's + eyes had increased four-fold. + </p> + <p> + With a tragic gesture, Marie was about to adjust the pompon when the quick + tap of a crutch came down the hall, and Lizzie hurried in, flushed and + breathless, but smiling happily as she uncovered the box she carried with + a look of proud satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + A general “Ah!” of admiration arose as Belle, mamma, and Marie surveyed + the lovely wreath that lay before them; and when it was carefully arranged + on the bright head that was to wear it, Belle blushed with pleasure. Mamma + said: “It is more beautiful than any Paris could have sent us;” and Marie + clasped her hands theatrically, sighing, with her head on one side: + </p> + <p> + “Truly, yes; mademoiselle is now adorable!” + </p> + <p> + “I am so glad you like it. I did my very best and worked all night, but I + had to beg one spray from Estelle, or, with all my haste, I could not have + finished in time,” said Lizzie, refreshing her weary eyes with a long, + affectionate gaze at the pretty figure before her. + </p> + <p> + A fold of the airy skirt was caught on one of the blue clusters, and + Lizzie knelt down to arrange it as she spoke. Belle leaned toward her and + said softly: “Money alone can't pay you for this kindness; so tell me how + I can best serve you. This is the happiest night of my life, and I want to + make every one feel glad also.” + </p> + <p> + “Then don't talk of paying me, but promise that I may make the flowers you + wear on your wedding-day,” whispered Lizzie, kissing the kind hand held + out to help her rise, for on it she saw a brilliant ring, and in the + blooming, blushing face bent over her she read the tender little story + that Somebody had told Belle that day. + </p> + <p> + “So you shall! and I'll keep this wreath all my life for your sake, dear,” + answered Belle, as her full heart bubbled over with pitying affection for + the poor girl who would never make a bridal garland for herself. + </p> + <p> + Belle kept her word, even when she was in a happy home of her own; for out + of the dead roses bloomed a friendship that brightened Lizzie's life; and + long after the blue garland was faded Belle remembered the helpful little + lesson that taught her to read the faces poverty touches with a pathetic + eloquence, which says to those who look, “Forget-me-not.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Marjorie's Three Gifts, by Louisa May Alcott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS *** + +***** This file should be named 5352-h.htm or 5352-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/5/5352/ + +Produced by Brandon Ryan, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Marjorie's Three Gifts + +Author: Louisa May Alcott + +Release Date: March, 2004 [EBook #5352] +Posting Date: April 19, 2009 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS *** + + + + +Produced by Brandon Ryan + + + + + + + + +MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS + + +By Louisa M. Alcott + + +Author of "Little Women," "Little Men," "An Old-Fashioned Girl," Etc. + +BOSTON + +1899 + + + + + +MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS + + +Marjorie sat on the door-step, shelling peas, quite unconscious what +a pretty picture she made, with the roses peeping at her through the +lattice work of the porch, the wind playing hide-and-seek in her curly +hair, while the sunshine with its silent magic changed her faded gingham +to a golden gown, and shimmered on the bright tin pan as if it were a +silver shield. Old Rover lay at her feet, the white kitten purred on her +shoulder, and friendly robins hopped about her in the grass, chirping "A +happy birthday, Marjorie!" + +But the little maid neither saw nor heard, for her eyes were fixed on +the green pods, and her thoughts were far away. She was recalling the +fairy-tale granny told her last night, and wishing with all her heart +that such things happened nowadays. For in this story, as a poor girl +like herself sat spinning before the door, a Brownie came by, and gave +the child a good-luck penny; then a fairy passed, and left a talisman +which would keep her always happy; and last of all, the prince rolled +up in his chariot, and took her away to reign with him over a lovely +kingdom, as a reward for her many kindnesses to others. + +When Marjorie imagined this part of the story, it was impossible to help +giving one little sigh, and for a minute she forgot her work, so busy +was she thinking what beautiful presents she would give to all the poor +children in her realm when THEY had birthdays. Five impatient young peas +took this opportunity to escape from the half-open pod in her hand and +skip down the steps, to be immediately gobbled up by an audacious robin, +who gave thanks in such a shrill chirp that Marjorie woke up, laughed, +and fell to work again. She was just finishing, when a voice called out +from the lane,-- + +"Hi, there! come here a minute, child!" and looking up, she saw a little +old man in a queer little carriage drawn by a fat little pony. + +Running down to the gate, Marjorie dropped a curtsy, saying +pleasantly,-- + +"What did you wish, sir?" + +"Just undo that check-rein for me. I am lame, and Jack wants to drink +at your brook," answered the old man, nodding at her till his spectacles +danced on his nose. + +Marjorie was rather afraid of the fat pony, who tossed his head, whisked +his tail, and stamped his feet as if he was of a peppery temper. But she +liked to be useful, and just then felt as if there were few things she +could NOT do if she tried, because it was her birthday. So she proudly +let down the rein, and when Jack went splashing into the brook, she +stood on the bridge, waiting to check him up again after he had drunk +his fill of the clear, cool water. + +The old gentleman sat in his place, looking up at the little girl, who +was smiling to herself as she watched the blue dragon-flies dance among +the ferns, a blackbird tilt on the alderboughs, and listened to the +babble of the brook. + +"How old are you, child?" asked the old man, as if he rather envied this +rosy creature her youth and health. + +"Twelve to-day, sir;" and Marjorie stood up straight and tall, as if +mindful of her years. + +"Had any presents?" asked the old man, peering up with an odd smile. + +"One, sir,--here it is;" and she pulled out of her pocket a tin +savings-bank in the shape of a desirable family mansion, painted red, +with a green door and black chimney. Proudly displaying it on the rude +railing of the bridge, she added, with a happy face,-- + +"Granny gave it to me, and all the money in it is going to be mine." + +"How much have you got?" asked the old gentleman, who appeared to like +to sit there in the middle of the brook, while Jack bathed his feet and +leisurely gurgled and sneezed. + +"Not a penny yet, but I'm going to earn some," answered Marjorie, +patting the little bank with an air of resolution pretty to see. + +"How will you do it?" continued the inquisitive old man. + +"Oh, I'm going to pick berries and dig dandelions, and weed, and drive +cows, and do chores. It is vacation, and I can work all the time, and +earn ever so much." + +"But vacation is play-time,--how about that?" + +"Why, that sort of work IS play, and I get bits of fun all along. I +always have a good swing when I go for the cows, and pick flowers with +the dandelions. Weeding isn't so nice, but berrying is very pleasant, +and we have good times all together." + +"What shall you do with your money when you get it?" + +"Oh, lots of things! Buy books and clothes for school, and, if I get a +great deal, give some to granny. I'd love to do that, for she takes care +of me, and I'd be so proud to help her!" + +"Good little lass!" said the old gentleman, as he put his hand in his +pocket. "Would you now?" he added, apparently addressing himself to a +large frog who sat upon a stone, looking so wise and grandfatherly that +it really did seem quite proper to consult him. At all events, he gave +his opinion in the most decided manner, for, with a loud croak, he +turned an undignified somersault into the brook, splashing up the +water at a great rate. "Well, perhaps it wouldn't be best on the whole. +Industry is a good teacher, and money cannot buy happiness, as I know to +my sorrow." + +The old gentleman still seemed to be talking to the frog, and as he +spoke he took his hand out of his pocket with less in it than he had at +first intended. + +"What a very queer person!" thought Marjorie, for she had not heard a +word, and wondered what he was thinking about down there. + +Jack walked out of the brook just then, and she ran to check him up; not +an easy task for little hands, as he preferred to nibble the grass +on the bank. But she did it cleverly, smoothed the ruffled mane, and, +dropping another curtsy, stood aside to let the little carriage pass. + +"Thank you, child--thank you. Here is something for your bank, and good +luck to it." + +As he spoke, the old man laid a bright gold dollar in her hand, patted +the rosy cheek, and vanished in a cloud of dust, leaving Marjorie so +astonished at the grandeur of the gift, that she stood looking at it +as if it had been a fortune. It was to her; and visions of pink calico +gowns, new grammars, and fresh hat-ribbons danced through her head in +delightful confusion, as her eyes rested on the shining coin in her +palm. + +Then, with a solemn air, she invested her first money by popping it down +the chimney of the scarlet mansion, and peeping in with one eye to see +if it landed safely on the ground-floor. This done, she took a long +breath, and looked over the railing, to be sure it was not all a dream. +No; the wheel marks were still there, the brown water was not yet clear, +and, if a witness was needed, there sat the big frog again, looking so +like the old gentleman, with his bottle-green coat, speckled trousers, +and twinkling eyes, that Marjorie burst out laughing, and clapped her +hands, saying aloud,-- + +"I'll play he was the Brownie, and this is the good-luck penny he gave +me. Oh, what fun!" and away she skipped, rattling the dear new bank like +a castanet. + +When she had told granny all about it, she got knife and basket, and +went out to dig dandelions; for the desire to increase her fortune was +so strong, she could not rest a minute. Up and down she went, so busily +peering and digging, that she never lifted up her eyes till something +like a great white bird skimmed by so low she could not help seeing +it. A pleasant laugh sounded behind her as she started up, and, looking +round, she nearly sat down again in sheer surprise, for there close by +was a slender little lady, comfortably established under a big umbrella. + +"If there WERE any fairies, I'd be sure that was one," thought Marjorie, +staring with all her might, for her mind was still full of the old +story; and curious things do happen on birthdays, as every one knows. + +It really did seem rather elfish to look up suddenly and see a lovely +lady all in white, with shining hair and a wand in her hand, sitting +under what looked very like a large yellow mushroom in the middle of +a meadow, where, till now, nothing but cows and grasshoppers had been +seen. Before Marjorie could decide the question, the pleasant laugh came +again, and the stranger said, pointing to the white thing that was still +fluttering over the grass like a little cloud,-- + +"Would you kindly catch my hat for me, before it blows quite away?" + +Down went basket and knife, and away ran Marjorie, entirely satisfied +now that there was no magic about the new-comer; for if she had been an +elf, couldn't she have got her hat without any help from a mortal child? +Presently, however, it did begin to seem as if that hat was bewitched, +for it led the nimble-footed Marjorie such a chase that the cows stopped +feeding to look on in placid wonder; the grasshoppers vainly tried to +keep up, and every ox-eye daisy did its best to catch the runaway, but +failed entirely, for the wind liked a game of romps, and had it that +day. As she ran, Marjorie heard the lady singing, like the princess in +the story of the Goose-Girl,-- + + "Blow, breezes, blow! + Let Curdkin's hat go! + Blow, breezes, blow! + Let him after it go! + O'er hills, dales and rocks, + Away be it whirled, + Till the silvery locks + Are all combed and curled." + +This made her laugh so that she tumbled into a clover-bed, and lay there +a minute to get her breath. Just then, as if the playful wind +repented of its frolic, the long veil fastened to the hat caught in a +blackberry-vine near by, and held the truant fast till Marjorie secured +it. + +"Now come and see what I am doing," said the lady, when she had thanked +the child. + +Marjorie drew near confidingly, and looked down at the wide-spread book +before her. She gave a start, and laughed out with surprise and delight; +for there was a lovely picture of her own little home, and her own +little self on the door-step, all so delicate, and beautiful, and true, +it seemed as if done by magic. + +"Oh, how pretty! There is Rover, and Kitty and the robins, and me! How +could you ever do it, ma'am?" said Marjorie, with a wondering glance +at the long paint-brush, which had wrought what seemed a miracle to her +childish eyes. + +"I'll show you presently; but tell me, first, if it looks quite right +and natural to you. Children sometimes spy out faults that no one else +can see," answered the lady, evidently pleased with the artless praise +her work received. + +"It looks just like our house, only more beautiful. Perhaps that is +because I know how shabby it really is. That moss looks lovely on the +shingles, but the roof leaks. The porch is broken, only the roses hide +the place; and my gown is all faded, though it once was as bright as you +have made it. I wish the house and everything would stay pretty forever, +as they will in the picture." + +While Marjorie spoke, the lady had been adding more color to the sketch, +and when she looked up, something warmer and brighter than sunshine +shone in her face, as she said, so cheerily, it was like a bird's song +to hear her,-- + +"It can't be summer always, dear, but we can make fair weather for +ourselves if we try. The moss, the roses, and soft shadows show the +little house and the little girl at their best, and that is what we all +should do; for it is amazing how lovely common things become, if one +only knows how to look at them." + +"I wish _I_ did," said Marjorie, half to herself, remembering how often +she was discontented, and how hard it was to get on, sometimes. + +"So do I," said the lady, in her happy voice. "Just believe that there +is a sunny side to everything, and try to find it, and you will be +surprised to see how bright the world will seem, and how cheerful you +will be able to keep your little self." + +"I guess granny has found that out, for she never frets. I do, but I'm +going to stop it, because I'm twelve to-day, and that is too old for +such things," said Marjorie, recollecting the good resolutions she had +made that morning when she woke. + +"I am twice twelve, and not entirely cured yet; but I try, and don't +mean to wear blue spectacles if I can help it," answered the lady, +laughing so blithely that Marjorie was sure she would not have to try +much longer. "Birthdays were made for presents, and I should like to +give you one. Would it please you to have this little picture?" she +added, lifting it out of the book. + +"Truly my own? Oh, yes, indeed!" cried Marjorie, coloring with pleasure, +for she had never owned so beautiful a thing before. + +"Then you shall have it, dear. Hang it where you can see it often, and +when you look, remember that it is the sunny side of home, and help to +keep it so." + +Marjorie had nothing but a kiss to offer by way of thanks, as the lovely +sketch was put into her hand; but the giver seemed quite satisfied, for +it was a very grateful little kiss. Then the child took up her basket +and went away, not dancing and singing now, but slowly and silently; for +this gift made her thoughtful as well as glad. As she climbed the wall, +she looked back to nod good-by to the pretty lady; but the meadow was +empty, and all she saw was the grass blowing in the wind. + +"Now, deary, run out and play, for birthdays come but once a year, +and we must make them as merry as we can," said granny, as she settled +herself for her afternoon nap, when the Saturday cleaning was all done, +and the little house as neat as wax. + +So Marjorie put on a white apron in honor of the occasion, and, taking +Kitty in her arms, went out to enjoy herself. Three swings on the gate +seemed to be a good way of beginning the festivities; but she only got +two, for when the gate creaked back the second time, it stayed shut, and +Marjorie hung over the pickets, arrested by the sound of music. + +"It's soldiers," she said, as the fife and drum drew nearer, and flags +were seen waving over the barberry-bushes at the corner. + +"No; it's a picnic," she added in a moment; for she saw hats with +wreaths about them bobbing up and down, as a gayly-trimmed hay-cart full +of children came rumbling down the lane. + +"What a nice time they are going to have!" thought Marjorie, sadly +contrasting that merry-making with the quiet party she was having all by +herself. + +Suddenly her face shone, and Kitty was waved over her head like a +banner, as she flew out of the gate, crying, rapturously,-- + +"It's Billy! and I know he's come for me!" + +It certainly WAS Billy, proudly driving the old horse, and beaming at +his little friend from the bower of flags and chestnut-boughs, where he +sat in state, with a crown of daisies on his sailor-hat and a spray of +blooming sweetbrier in his hand. Waving his rustic sceptre, he led off +the shout of "Happy birthday, Marjorie!" which was set up as the wagon +stopped at the gate, and the green boughs suddenly blossomed with +familiar faces, all smiling on the little damsel, who stood in the lane +quite overpowered with delight. + +"It's a s'prise party!" cried one small lad, tumbling out behind. + +"We are going up the mountain to have fun!" added a chorus of voices, as +a dozen hands beckoned wildly. + +"We got it up on purpose for you, so tie your hat and come away," said +a pretty girl, leaning down to kiss Marjorie, who had dropped Kitty, and +stood ready for any splendid enterprise. + +A word to granny, and away went the happy child, sitting up beside +Billy, under the flags that waved over a happier load than any royal +chariot ever bore. + +It would be vain to try and tell all the plays and pleasures of happy +children on a Saturday afternoon, but we may briefly say that Marjorie +found a mossy stone all ready for her throne, and Billy crowned her with +a garland like his own. That a fine banquet was spread, and eaten with +a relish many a Lord Mayor's feast has lacked. Then how the whole court +danced and played together afterward! The lords climbed trees and turned +somersaults, the ladies gathered flowers and told secrets under the +sweetfern-bushes, the queen lost her shoe jumping over the waterfall, +and the king paddled into the pool below and rescued it. A happy little +kingdom, full of summer sunshine, innocent delights, and loyal hearts; +for love ruled, and the only war that disturbed the peaceful land was +waged by the mosquitoes as night came on. + +Marjorie stood on her throne watching the sunset while her maids of +honor packed up the remains of the banquet, and her knights prepared +the chariot. All the sky was gold and purple, all the world bathed in a +soft, red light, and the little girl was very happy as she looked down +at the subjects who had served her so faithfully that day. + +"Have you had a good time, Marjy?" asked King William; who stood below, +with his royal nose on a level with her majesty's two dusty little +shoes. + +"Oh, Billy, it has been just splendid! But I don't see why you should +all be so kind to me," answered Marjorie, with such a look of innocent +wonder, that Billy laughed to see it. + +"Because you are so sweet and good, we can't help loving you,--that's +why," he said, as if this simple fact was reason enough. + +"I'm going to be the best girl that ever was, and love everybody in the +world," cried the child, stretching out her arms as if ready, in the +fulness of her happy heart, to embrace all creation. + +"Don't turn into an angel and fly away just yet, but come home, or +granny will never lend you to us any more." + +With that, Billy jumped her down, and away they ran, to ride gayly back +through the twilight, singing like a flock of nightingales. + +As she went to bed that night, Marjorie looked at the red bank, the +pretty picture, and the daisy crown, saying to herself,-- + +"It has been a VERY nice birthday, and I am something like the girl in +the story, after all, for the old man gave me a good-luck penny, the +kind lady told me how to keep happy, and Billy came for me like the +prince. The girl didn't go back to the poor house again, but I'm glad +_I_ did, for MY granny isn't a cross one, and my little home is the +dearest in the world." + +Then she tied her night-cap, said her prayers, and fell asleep; but the +moon, looking in to kiss the blooming face upon the pillow, knew that +three good spirits had come to help little Marjorie from that day forth, +and their names were Industry, Cheerfulness, and Love. + + + + + +ROSES AND FORGET-ME-NOTS + + + + +I. ROSES + + +It was a cold November storm, and everything looked forlorn. Even the +pert sparrows were draggle-tailed and too much out of spirits to fight +for crumbs with the fat pigeons who tripped through the mud with their +little red boots as if in haste to get back to their cosy home in the +dove-cot. + +But the most forlorn creature out that day was a small errand girl, with +a bonnet-box on each arm, and both hands struggling to hold a big broken +umbrella. A pair of worn-out boots let in the wet upon her tired feet; a +thin cotton dress and an old shawl poorly protected her from the storm; +and a faded hood covered her head. + +The face that looked out from this hood was too pale and anxious for one +so young; and when a sudden gust turned the old umbrella inside out with +a crash, despair fell upon poor Lizzie, and she was so miserable she +could have sat down in the rain and cried. + +But there was no time for tears; so, dragging the dilapidated umbrella +along, she spread her shawl over the bonnet-boxes and hurried down the +broad street, eager to hide her misfortunes from a pretty young girl who +stood at a window laughing at her. + +She could not find the number of the house where one of the fine hats +was to be left; and after hunting all down one side of the street, she +crossed over, and came at last to the very house where the pretty girl +lived. She was no longer to be seen; and, with a sigh of relief, Lizzie +rang the bell, and was told to wait in the hall while Miss Belle tried +the hat on. + +Glad to rest, she warmed her feet, righted her umbrella, and then sat +looking about her with eyes quick to see the beauty and the comfort that +made the place so homelike and delightful. A small waiting-room opened +from the hall, and in it stood many blooming plants, whose fragrance +attracted Lizzie as irresistibly as if she had been a butterfly or bee. + +Slipping in, she stood enjoying the lovely colors, sweet odors, and +delicate shapes of these household spirits; for Lizzie loved flowers +passionately; and just then they possessed a peculiar charm for her. + +One particularly captivating little rose won her heart, and made her +long for it with a longing that became a temptation too strong to +resist. It was so perfect; so like a rosy face smiling out from the +green leaves, that Lizzie could NOT keep her hands off it, and having +smelt, touched, and kissed it, she suddenly broke the stem and hid it in +her pocket. Then, frightened at what she had done, she crept back to her +place in the hall, and sat there, burdened with remorse. + +A servant came just then to lead her upstairs; for Miss Belle wished the +hat altered, and must give directions. With her heart in a flutter, and +pinker roses in her cheeks than the one in her pocket, Lizzie followed +to a handsome room, where a pretty girl stood before a long mirror with +the hat in her hand. + +"Tell Madame Tifany that I don't like it at all, for she hasn't put in +the blue plume mamma ordered; and I won't have rose-buds, they are so +common," said the young lady, in a dissatisfied tone, as she twirled the +hat about. + +"Yes, miss," was all Lizzie could say; for SHE considered that hat the +loveliest thing a girl could possibly own. + +"You had better ask your mamma about it, Miss Belle, before you give any +orders. She will be up in a few moments, and the girl can wait," put in +a maid, who was sewing in the ante-room. + +"I suppose I must; but I WON'T have roses," answered Belle, crossly. +Then she glanced at Lizzie, and said more gently, "You look very cold; +come and sit by the fire while you wait." + +"I'm afraid I'll wet the pretty rug, miss; my feet are sopping," said +Lizzie, gratefully, but timidly. + +"So they are! Why didn't you wear rubber boots?" + +"I haven't got any." + +"I'll give you mine, then, for I hate them; and as I never go out in +wet weather, they are of no earthly use to me. Marie, bring them here; +I shall be glad to get rid of them, and I'm sure they'll be useful to +you." + +"Oh, thank you, miss! I'd like 'em ever so much, for I'm out in the rain +half the time, and get bad colds because my boots are old," said Lizzie, +smiling brightly at the thought of the welcome gift. + +"I should think your mother would get you warmer things," began Belle, +who found something rather interesting in the shabby girl, with shy +bright eyes, and curly hair bursting out of the old hood. + +"I haven't got any mother," said Lizzie, with a pathetic glance at her +poor clothes. + +"I'm so sorry! Have you brothers and sisters?" asked Belle, hoping to +find something pleasant to talk about; for she was a kind little soul. + +"No, miss; I've got no folks at all." + +"Oh, dear; how sad! Why, who takes care of you?" cried Belle, looking +quite distressed. + +"No one; I take care of myself. I work for Madame, and she pays me a +dollar a week. I stay with Mrs. Brown, and chore round to pay for my +keep. My dollar don't get many clothes, so I can't be as neat as I'd +like." And the forlorn look came back to poor Lizzie's face. + +Belle said nothing, but sat among the sofa cushions, where she had +thrown herself, looking soberly at this other girl, no older than she +was, who took care of herself and was all alone in the world. It was a +new idea to Belle, who was loved and petted as an only child is apt to +be. She often saw beggars and pitied them, but knew very little about +their wants and lives; so it was like turning a new page in her happy +life to be brought so near to poverty as this chance meeting with the +milliner's girl. + +"Aren't you afraid and lonely and unhappy?" she said, slowly, trying to +understand and put herself in Lizzie's place. + +"Yes; but it's no use. I can't help it, and may be things will get +better by and by, and I'll have my wish," answered Lizzie, more +hopefully, because Belle's pity warmed her heart and made her troubles +seem lighter. + +"What is your wish?" asked Belle, hoping mamma wouldn't come just yet, +for she was getting interested in the stranger. + +"To have a nice little room, and make flowers, like a French girl I +know. It's such pretty work, and she gets lots of money, for every one +likes her flowers. She shows me how, sometimes, and I can do leaves +first-rate; but--" + +There Lizzie stopped suddenly, and the color rushed up to her forehead; +for she remembered the little rose in her pocket and it weighed upon her +conscience like a stone. + +Before Belle could ask what was the matter, Marie came in with a tray of +cake and fruit, saying: + +"Here's your lunch, Miss Belle." + +"Put it down, please; I'm not ready for it yet." + +And Belle shook her head as she glanced at Lizzie, who was staring hard +at the fire with such a troubled face that Belle could not bear to see +it. + +Jumping out of her nest of cushions, she heaped a plate with good +things, and going to Lizzie, offered it, saying, with a gentle courtesy +that made the act doubly sweet: + +"Please have some; you must be tired of waiting." + +But Lizzie could not take it; she could only cover her face and cry; +for this kindness rent her heart and made the stolen flower a burden too +heavy to be borne. + +"Oh, don't cry so! Are you sick? Have I been rude? Tell me all about +it; and if I can't do anything, mamma can," said Belle, surprised and +troubled. + +"No; I'm not sick; I'm bad, and I can't bear it when you are so good to +me," sobbed Lizzie, quite overcome with penitence; and taking out the +crumpled rose, she confessed her fault with many tears. + +"Don't feel so much about such a little thing as that," began Belle, +warmly; then checked herself, and added, more soberly, "It WAS wrong to +take it without leave; but it's all right now, and I'll give you as many +roses as you want, for I know you are a good girl." + +"Thank you. I didn't want it only because it was pretty, but I wanted to +copy it. I can't get any for myself, and so I can't do my make-believe +ones well. Madame won't even lend me the old ones in the store, and +Estelle has none to spare for me, because I can't pay her for teaching +me. She gives me bits of muslin and wire and things, and shows me now +and then. But I know if I had a real flower I could copy it; so she'd +see I did know something, for I try real hard. I'm SO tired of slopping +round the streets, I'd do anything to earn my living some other way." + +Lizzie had poured out her trouble rapidly; and the little story was +quite affecting when one saw the tears on her cheeks, the poor clothes, +and the thin hands that held the stolen rose. Belle was much touched, +and, in her impetuous way, set about mending matters as fast as +possible. + +"Put on those boots and that pair of dry stockings right away. Then tuck +as much cake and fruit into your pocket as it will hold. I'm going to +get you some flowers, and see if mamma is too busy to attend to me." + +With a nod and a smile, Belle flew about the room a minute; then +vanished, leaving Lizzie to her comfortable task, feeling as if fairies +still haunted the world as in the good old times. + +When Belle came back with a handful of roses, she found Lizzie absorbed +in admiring contemplation of her new boots, as she ate sponge-cake in a +blissful sort of waking-dream. + +"Mamma can't come; but I don't care about the hat. It will do very well, +and isn't worth fussing about. There, will those be of any use to you?" +And she offered the nosegay with a much happier face than the one Lizzie +first saw. + +"Oh, miss, they're just lovely! I'll copy that pink rose as soon as ever +I can, and when I've learned how to do 'em tip-top, I'd like to bring +you some, if you don't mind," answered Lizzie, smiling all over her face +as she buried her nose luxuriously in the fragrant mass. + +"I'd like it very much, for I should think you'd have to be very clever +to make such pretty things. I really quite fancy those rosebuds in my +hat, now I know that you're going to learn how to make them. Put an +orange in your pocket, and the flowers in water as soon as you can, so +they'll be fresh when you want them. Good-by. Bring home our hats every +time and tell me how you get on." + +With kind words like these, Belle dismissed Lizzie, who ran downstairs, +feeling as rich as if she had found a fortune. Away to the next place +she hurried, anxious to get her errands done and the precious posy +safely into fresh water. But Mrs. Turretviile was not at home, and the +bonnet could not be left till paid for. So Lizzie turned to go down the +high steps, glad that she need not wait. She stopped one instant to take +a delicious sniff at her flowers, and that was the last happy moment +that poor Lizzie knew for many weary months. + +The new boots were large for her, the steps slippery with sleet, and +down went the little errand girl, from top to bottom, till she landed in +the gutter directly upon Mrs. Turretville's costly bonnet. + +"I've saved my posies, anyway," sighed Lizzie, as she picked herself +up, bruised, wet, and faint with pain; "but, oh, my heart! won't Madame +scold when she sees that band-box smashed flat," groaned the poor child, +sitting on the curbstone to get her breath and view the disaster. + +The rain poured, the wind blew, the sparrows on the park railing chirped +derisively, and no one came along to help Lizzie out of her troubles. +Slowly she gathered up her burdens; painfully she limped away in the big +boots; and the last the naughty sparrows saw of her was a shabby little +figure going round the corner, with a pale, tearful face held lovingly +over the bright bouquet that was her one treasure and her only comfort +in the moment which brought to her the great misfortune of her life. + + + + +II. FORGET-ME-NOTS + + +"Oh, mamma, I am so relieved that the box has come at last! If it had +not, I do believe I should have died of disappointment," cried pretty +Belle, five years later, on the morning before her eighteenth birthday. + +"It would have been a serious disappointment, darling; for I had sot +my heart on your wearing my gift to-morrow night, and when the steamers +kept coming in without my trunk from Paris, I was very anxious. I hope +you will like it." + +"Dear mamma, I know I shall like it; your taste is so good and you know +what suits me so well. Make haste, Marie; I'm dying to see it," said +Belle, dancing about the great trunk, as the maid carefully unfolded +tissue papers and muslin wrappers. + +A young girl's first ball-dress is a grand affair,--in her eyes, at +least; and Belle soon stopped dancing, to stand with clasped hands, +eager eyes and parted lips before the snowy pile of illusion that was +at last daintily lifted out upon the bed. Then, as Marie displayed +its loveliness, little cries of delight were heard, and when the whole +delicate dress was arranged to the best effect she threw herself upon +her mother's neck and actually cried with pleasure. + +"Mamma, it is too lovely I and you are very kind to do so much for me. +How shall I ever thank you?" + +"By putting it right on to see if it fits; and when you wear it look +your happiest, that I may be proud of my pretty daughter." + +Mamma got no further, for Marie uttered a French shriek, wrung her +hands, and then began to burrow wildly in the trunk and among the +papers, crying distractedly: + +"Great Heavens, madame! the wreath has been forgotten! What an +affliction! Mademoiselle's enchanting toilette is destroyed without the +wreath, and nowhere do I find it." + +In vain they searched; in vain Marie wailed and Belle declared it must +be somewhere; no wreath appeared. It was duly set down in the bill, and +a fine sum charged for a head-dress to match the dainty forget-me-nots +that looped the fleecy skirts and ornamented the bosom of the dress. It +had evidently been forgotten; and mamma despatched Marie at once to try +and match the flowers, for Belle would not hear of any other decoration +for her beautiful blonde hair. + +The dress fitted to a charm, and was pronounced by all beholders the +loveliest thing ever seen. Nothing was wanted but the wreath to make +it quite perfect, and when Marie returned, after a long search, with no +forget-me-nots, Belle was in despair. + +"Wear natural ones," suggested a sympathizing friend. + +But another hunt among greenhouses was as fruitless as that among the +milliners' rooms. No forget-me-nots could be found, and Marie fell +exhausted into a chair, desolated at what she felt to be an awful +calamity. + +"Let me have the carriage, and I'll ransack the city till I find some," +cried Belle, growing more resolute with each failure. + +Marnma was deep in preparations for the ball, and could not help her +afflicted daughter, though she was much disappointed at the mishap. So +Belle drove off, resolved to have her flowers whether there were any or +not. + +Any one who has ever tried to match a ribbon, find a certain fabric, or +get anything done in a hurry, knows what a wearisome task it +sometimes is, and can imagine Belle's state of mind after repeated +disappointments. She was about to give up in despair, when some one +suggested that perhaps the Frenchwoman, Estelle Valnor, might make the +desired wreath, if there was time. + +Away drove Belle, and, on entering the room, gave a sigh of +satisfaction, for a whole boxful of the loveliest forget-me-nots stood +upon the table. As fast as possible, she told her tale and demanded the +flowers, no matter what the price might be. Imagine her feelings when +the Frenchwoman, with a shrug, announced that it was impossible to give +mademoiselle a single spray. All were engaged to trim a bridesmaid's +dress, and must be sent away at once. + +It really was too bad! and Belle lost her temper entirely, for no +persuasion or bribes would win a spray from Estelle. The provoking part +of it was that the wedding would not come off for several days, and +there was time enough to make more flowers for that dress, since Belle +only wanted a few for her hair. Neither would Estelle make her any, as +her hands were full, and so small an order was not worth deranging one's +self for; but observing Belle's sorrowful face, she said, affably: + +"Mademoiselle may, perhaps, find the flowers she desires at Miss +Berton's. She has been helping me with these garlands, and may have some +left. Here is her address." + +Belle took the card with thanks, and hurried away with a last hope +faintly stirring in her girlish heart, for Belle had an unusually ardent +wish to look her best at this party, since Somebody was to be there, and +Somebody considered forget-me-nots the sweetest flowers in the world. +Mamma knew this, and the kiss Belle gave her when the dress came had a +more tender meaning than gratified vanity or daughterly love. + +Up many stairs she climbed, and came at last to a little room, very poor +but very neat, where, at the one window, sat a young girl, with crutches +by her side and her lap full of flower-leaves and petals. She rose +slowly as Belle came in, and then stood looking at her, with such a +wistful expression in her shy, bright eyes, that Belle's anxious face +cleared involuntarily, and her voice lost its impatient tone. + +As she spoke, she glanced about the room, hoping to see some blue +blossoms awaiting her. But none appeared; and she was about to despond +again, when the girl said, gently: + +"I have none by me now, but I may be able to find you some." + +"Thank you very much; but I have been everywhere in vain. Still, if +you do get any, please send them to me as soon as possible. Here is my +card." + +Miss Berton glanced at it, then cast a quick look at the sweet, anxious +face before her, and smiled so brightly that Belle smiled also, and +asked, wonderingly: + +"What is it? What do you see?" + +"I see the dear young lady who was so kind to me long ago. You don't +remember me, and never knew my name; but I never have forgotten you all +these years. I always hoped I could do something to show how grateful +I was, and now I can, for you shall have your flowers if I sit up all +night to make them." + +But Belle still shook her head and watched the smiling face before +her with wondering eyes, till the girl added, with sudden color in her +cheeks: + +"Ah, you've done so many kind things in your life, you don't remember +the little errand girl from Madame Tifany's who stole a rose in your +hall, and how you gave her rubber boots and cake and flowers, and were +so good to her she couldn't forget it if she lived to be a hundred." + +"But you are so changed," began Belle, who did faintly recollect that +little incident in her happy life. + +"Yes, I had a fall and hurt myself so that I shall always be lame." + +And Lizzie went on to tell how Madame had dismissed her in a rage; how +she lay ill till Mrs. Brown sent her to the hospital; and how for a year +she had suffered much alone, in that great house of pain, before one of +the kind visitors had befriended her. + +While hearing the story of the five years, that had been so full of +pleasure, ease and love for herself, Belle forgot her errand, and, +sitting beside Lizzie, listened with pitying eyes to all she told of her +endeavors to support herself by the delicate handiwork she loved. + +"I'm very happy now," ended Lizzie, looking about the little bare room +with a face full of the sweetest content. "I get nearly work enough to +pay my way, and Estelle sends me some when she has more than she can do. +I've learned to do it nicely, and it is so pleasant to sit here and make +flowers instead of trudging about in the wet with other people's hats. +Though I do sometimes wish I was able to trudge, one gets on so slowly +with crutches." + +A little sigh followed the words, and Belle put her own plump hand on +the delicate one that held the crutch, saying, in her cordial young +voice: + +"I'll come and take you to drive sometimes, for you are too pale, and +you'll get ill sitting here at work day after day. Please let me; I'd +love to; for I feel so idle and wicked when I see busy people like you +that I reproach myself for neglecting my duty and having more than my +share of happiness." + +Lizzie thanked her with a look, and then said, in a tone of interest +that was delightful to hear: + +"Tell about the wreath you want; I should so love to do it for you, if I +can." + +Belle had forgotten all about it in listening to this sad little story +of a girl's life. Now she felt half ashamed to talk of so frivolous a +matter till she remembered that it would help Lizzie; and, resolving to +pay for it as never garland was paid for before, she entered upon the +subject with renewed interest. + +"You shall have the flowers in time for your ball to-morrow night. I +will engage to make a wreath that will please you, only it may take +longer than I think. Don't be troubled if I don't send it till evening; +it will surely come in time. I can work fast, and this will be the +happiest job I ever did," said Lizzie, beginning to lay out mysterious +little tools and bend delicate wires. + +"You are altogether too grateful for the little I have done. It makes +me feel ashamed to think I did not find you out before and do something +better worth thanks." + +"Ah, it wasn't the boots or the cake or the roses, dear Miss Belle. It +was the kind looks, the gentle words, the way it was done, that went +right to my heart, and did me more good than a million of money. I never +stole a pin after that day, for the little rose wouldn't let me forget +how you forgave me so sweetly. I sometimes think it kept me from greater +temptations, for I was a poor, forlorn child, with no one to keep me +good." + +Pretty Belle looked prettier than ever as she listened, and a bright +tear stood in either eye like a drop of dew on a blue flower. It touched +her very much to learn that her little act of childish charity had been +so sweet and helpful to this lonely girl, and now lived so freshly in +her grateful memory. It showed her, suddenly, how precious little deeds +of love and sympathy are; how strong to bless, how easy to perform, how +comfortable to recall. Her heart was very full and tender just then, and +the lesson sunk deep into it never to be forgotten. + +She sat a long time watching flowers bud and blossom under Lizzie's +skilful fingers, and then hurried home to tell all her glad news to +mamma. + +If the next day had not been full of most delightfully exciting events, +Belle might have felt some anxiety about her wreath, for hour after hour +went by and nothing arrived from Lizzie. + +Evening came, and all was ready. Belle was dressed, and looked so lovely +that mamma declared she needed nothing more. But Marie insisted that +the grand effect would be ruined without the garland among the sunshiny +hair. Belle had time now to be anxious, and waited with growing +impatience for the finishing touch to her charming toilette. + +"I must be downstairs to receive, and can't wait another moment; so +put in the blue pompon and let me go," she said at last, with a sigh +of disappointment, for the desire to look beautiful that night in +Somebody's eyes had increased four-fold. + +With a tragic gesture, Marie was about to adjust the pompon when the +quick tap of a crutch came down the hall, and Lizzie hurried in, flushed +and breathless, but smiling happily as she uncovered the box she carried +with a look of proud satisfaction. + +A general "Ah!" of admiration arose as Belle, mamma, and Marie surveyed +the lovely wreath that lay before them; and when it was carefully +arranged on the bright head that was to wear it, Belle blushed with +pleasure. Mamma said: "It is more beautiful than any Paris could have +sent us;" and Marie clasped her hands theatrically, sighing, with her +head on one side: + +"Truly, yes; mademoiselle is now adorable!" + +"I am so glad you like it. I did my very best and worked all night, but +I had to beg one spray from Estelle, or, with all my haste, I could not +have finished in time," said Lizzie, refreshing her weary eyes with a +long, affectionate gaze at the pretty figure before her. + +A fold of the airy skirt was caught on one of the blue clusters, and +Lizzie knelt down to arrange it as she spoke. Belle leaned toward her +and said softly: "Money alone can't pay you for this kindness; so tell +me how I can best serve you. This is the happiest night of my life, and +I want to make every one feel glad also." + +"Then don't talk of paying me, but promise that I may make the flowers +you wear on your wedding-day," whispered Lizzie, kissing the kind hand +held out to help her rise, for on it she saw a brilliant ring, and in +the blooming, blushing face bent over her she read the tender little +story that Somebody had told Belle that day. + +"So you shall! and I'll keep this wreath all my life for your sake, +dear," answered Belle, as her full heart bubbled over with pitying +affection for the poor girl who would never make a bridal garland for +herself. + +Belle kept her word, even when she was in a happy home of her own; for +out of the dead roses bloomed a friendship that brightened Lizzie's +life; and long after the blue garland was faded Belle remembered the +helpful little lesson that taught her to read the faces poverty +touches with a pathetic eloquence, which says to those who look, +"Forget-me-not." + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Marjorie's Three Gifts, by Louisa May Alcott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS *** + +***** This file should be named 5352.txt or 5352.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/5/5352/ + +Produced by Brandon Ryan + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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ALCOTT + +Author of "Little Women," "Little Men," "An Old-Fashioned Girl," Etc. + +BOSTON + +1899 + + + + + + +MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS + + + + + +Marjorie sat on the door-step, shelling peas, quite unconscious what +a pretty picture she made, with the roses peeping at her through the +lattice work of the porch, the wind playing hide-and-seek in her +curly hair, while the sunshine with its silent magic changed her +faded gingham to a golden gown, and shimmered on the bright tin pan +as if it were a silver shield. Old Rover lay at her feet, the white +kitten purred on her shoulder, and friendly robins hopped about her +in the grass, chirping "A happy birthday, Marjorie!" + +But the little maid neither saw nor heard, for her eyes were fixed +on the green pods, and her thoughts were far away. She was recalling +the fairy-tale granny told her last night, and wishing with all her +heart that such things happened nowadays. For in this story, as a +poor girl like herself sat spinning before the door, a Brownie came +by, and gave the child a good-luck penny; then a fairy passed, and +left a talisman which would keep her always happy; and last of all, +the prince rolled up in his chariot, and took her away to reign with +him over a lovely kingdom, as a reward for her many kindnesses to +others. + +When Marjorie imagined this part of the story, it was impossible to +help giving one little sigh, and for a minute she forgot her work, +so busy was she thinking what beautiful presents she would give to +all the poor children in her realm when THEY had birthdays. Five +impatient young peas took this opportunity to escape from the +half-open pod in her hand and skip down the steps, to be immediately +gobbled up by an audacious robin, who gave thanks in such a shrill +chirp that Marjorie woke up, laughed, and fell to work again. She +was just finishing, when a voice called out from the lane,-- + +"Hi, there! come here a minute, child!" and looking up, she saw a +little old man in a queer little carriage drawn by a fat little +pony. + +Running down to the gate, Marjorie dropped a curtsy, saying +pleasantly,-- + +"What did you wish, sir?" + +"Just undo that check-rein for me. I am lame, and Jack wants to +drink at your brook," answered the old man, nodding at her till his +spectacles danced on his nose. + +Marjorie was rather afraid of the fat pony, who tossed his head, +whisked his tail, and stamped his feet as if he was of a peppery +temper. But she liked to be useful, and just then felt as if there +were few things she could NOT do if she tried, because it was her +birthday. So she proudly let down the rein, and when Jack went +splashing into the brook, she stood on the bridge, waiting to check +him up again after he had drunk his fill of the clear, cool water. + +The old gentleman sat in his place, looking up at the little girl, +who was smiling to herself as she watched the blue dragon-flies +dance among the ferns, a blackbird tilt on the alderboughs, and +listened to the babble of the brook. + +"How old are you, child?" asked the old man, as if he rather envied +tihs rosy creature her youth and health. + +"Twelve to-day, sir;" and Marjorie stood up straight and tall, as if +mindful of her years. + +"Had any presents?" asked the old man, peering up with an odd smile. + +"One, sir,--here it is;" and she pulled out of her pocket a tin +savings-bank in the shape of a desirable family mansion, painted +red, with a green door and black chimney. Proudly displaying it on +the rude railing of the bridge, she added, with a happy face,-- + +"Granny gave it to me, and all the money in it is going to be mine." + +"How much have you got?" asked the old gentleman, who appeared to +like to sit there in the middle of the brook, while Jack bathed his +feet and leisurely gurgled and sneezed. + +"Not a penny yet, but I'm going to earn some," answered Marjorie, +patting the little bank with an air of resolution pretty to see. + +"How will you do it?" continued the inquisitive old man. + +"Oh, I'm going to pick berries and dig dandelions, and weed, and +drive cows, and do chores. It is vacation, and I can work all the +time, and earn ever so much." + +"But vacation is play-time,--how about that?" + +"Why, that sort of work IS play, and I get bits of fun all along. I +always have a good swing when I go for the cows, and pick flowers +with the dandelions. Weeding isn't so nice, but berrying is very +pleasant, and we have good times all together." + +"What shall you do with your money when you get it?" + +"Oh, lots of things! Buy books and clothes for school, and, if I get +a great deal, give some to granny. I'd love to do that, for she +takes care of me, and I'd be so proud to help her!" + +"Good little lass!" said the old gentleman, as he put his hand in +his pocket. "Would you now?" he added, apparently addressing himself +to a large frog who sat upon a stone, looking so wise and +grandfatherly that it really did seem quite proper to consult him. +At all events, he gave his opinion in the most decided manner, for, +with a loud croak, he turned an undignified somersault into the +brook, splashing up the water at a great rate. "Well, perhaps it +wouldn't be best on the whole. Industry is a good teacher, and money +cannot buy happiness, as I know to my sorrow." + +The old gentleman still seemed to be talking to the frog, and as he +spoke he took his hand out of his pocket with less in it than he had +at first intended. + +"What a very queer person!" thought Marjorie, for she had not heard +a word, and wondered what he was thinking about down there. + +Jack walked out of the brook just then, and she ran to check him up; +not an easy task for little hands, as he preferred to nibble the +grass on the bank. But she did it cleverly, smoothed the ruffled +mane, and, dropping another curtsy, stood aside to let the little +carriage pass. + +"Thank you, child--thank you. Here is something for your bank, and +good luck to it." + +As he spoke, the old man laid a bright gold dollar in her hand, +patted the rosy cheek, and vanished in a cloud of dust, leaving +Marjorie so astonished at the grandeur of the gift, that she stood +looking at it as if it had been a fortune. It was to her; and +visions of pink calico gowns, new grammars, and fresh hat-ribbons +danced through her head in delightful confusion, as her eyes rested +on the shining coin in her palm. + +Then, with a solemn air, she invested her first money by popping it +down the chimney of the scarlet mansion, and peeping in with one eye +to see if it landed safely on the ground-floor. This done, she took +a long breath, and looked over the railing, to be sure it was not +all a dream. No; the wheel marks were still there, the brown water +was not yet clear, and, if a witness was needed, there sat the big +frog again, looking so like the old gentleman, with his bottle-green +coat, speckled trousers, and twinkling eyes, that Marjorie burst out +laughing, and clapped her hands, saying aloud,-- + +"I'll play he was the Brownie, and this is the good-luck penny he +gave me. Oh, what fun!" and away she skipped, rattling the dear new +bank like a castanet. + +When she had told granny all about it, she got knife and basket, and +went out to dig dandelions; for the desire to increase her fortune +was so strong, she could not rest a minute. Up and down she went, so +busily peering and digging, that she never lifted up her eyes till +something like a great white bird skimmed by so low she could not +help seeing it. A pleasant laugh sounded behind her as she started +up, and, looking round, she nearly sat down again in sheer surprise, +for there close by was a slender little lady, comfortably +established under a big umbrella. + +"If there WERE any fairies, I'd be sure that was one," thought +Marjorie, staring with all her might, for her mind was still full of +the old story; and curious things do happen on birthdays, as every +one knows. + +It really did seem rather elfish to look up suddenly and see a +lovely lady all in white, with shining hair and a wand in her hand, +sitting under what looked very like a large yellow mushroom in the +middle of a meadow, where, till now, nothing but cows and +grasshoppers had been seen. Before Marjorie could decide the +question, the pleasant laugh came again, and the stranger said, +pointing to the white thing that was still fluttering over the grass +like a little cloud,-- + +"Would you kindly catch my hat for me, before it blows quite away?" + +Down went basket and knife, and away ran Marjorie, entirely +satisfied now that there was no magic about the new-comer; for if +she had been an elf, couldn't she have got her hat without any help +from a mortal child? Presently, however, it did begin to seem as if +that hat was bewitched, for it led the nimble-footed Marjorie such a +chase that the cows stopped feeding to look on in placid wonder; the +grasshoppers vainly tried to keep up, and every ox-eye daisy did its +best to catch the runaway, but failed entirely, for the wind liked a +game of romps, and had it that day. As she ran, Marjorie heard the +lady singing, like the princess in the story of the Goose-Girl,-- + + "Blow, breezes, blow! + Let Curdkin's hat go! + Blow, breezes, blow! + Let him after it go! + O'er hills, dales and rocks, + Away be it whirled, + Till the silvery locks + Are all combed and curled." + +This made her laugh so that she tumbled into a clover-bed, and lay +there a minute to get her breath. Just then, as if the playful wind +repented of its frolic, the long veil fastened to the hat caught in +a blackberry-vine near by, and held the truant fast till Marjorie +secured it. + +"Now come and see what I am doing," said the lady, when she had +thanked the child. + +Marjorie drew near confidingly, and looked down at the wide-spread +book before her. She gave a start, and laughed out with surprise and +delight; for there was a lovely picture of her own little home, and +her own little self on the door-step, all so delicate, and +beautiful, and true, it seemed as if done by magic. + +"Oh, how pretty! There is Rover, and Kitty and the robins, and me! +How could you ever do it, ma'am?" said Marjorie, with a wondering +glance at the long paint-brush, which had wrought what seemed a +miracle to her childish eyes. + +"I'll show you presently; but tell me, first, if it looks quite +right and natural to you. Children sometimes spy out faults that no +one else can see," answered the lady, evidently pleased with the +artless praise her work received. + +"It looks just like our house, only more beautiful. Perhaps that is +because I know how shabby it really is. That moss looks lovely on +the shingles, but the roof leaks. The porch is broken, only the +roses hide the place; and my gown is all faded, though it once was +as bright as you have made it. I wish the house and everything would +stay pretty forever, as they will in the picture." + +While Marjorie spoke, the lady had been adding more color to the +sketch, and when she looked up, something warmer and brighter than +sunshine shone in her face, as she said, so cheerily, it was like a +bird's song to hear her,-- + +"It can't be summer always, dear, but we can make fair weather for +ourselves if we try. The moss, the roses, and soft shadows show the +little house and the little girl at their best, and that is what we +all should do; for it is amazing how lovely common things become, if +one only knows how to look at them." + +"I wish _I_ did," said Marjorie, half to herself, remembering how +often she was discontented, and how hard it was to get on, +sometimes. + +"So do I," said the lady, in her happy voice. "Just believe that +there is a sunny side to everything, and try to find it, and you +will be surprised to see how bright the world will seem, and how +cheerful you will be able to keep your little self." + +"I guess granny has found that out, for she never frets. I do, but +I'm going to stop it, because I'm twelve to-day, and that is too old +for such things," said Marjorie, recollecting the good resolutions +she had made that morning when she woke. + +"I am twice twelve, and not entirely cured yet; but I try, and don't +mean to wear blue spectacles if I can help it," answered the lady, +laughing so blithely that Marjorie was sure she would not have to +try much longer. "Birthdays were made for presents, and I should +like to give you one. Would it please you to have this little +picture?" she added, lifting it out of the book. + +"Truly my own? Oh, yes, indeed!" cried Marjorie, coloring with +pleasure, for she had never owned so beautiful a thing before. + +"Then you shall have it, dear. Hang it where you can see it often, +and when you look, remember that it is the sunny side of home, and +help to keep it so." + +Marjorie had nothing but a kiss to offer by way of thanks, as the +lovely sketch was put into her hand; but the giver seemed quite +satisfied, for it was a very grateful little kiss. Then the child +took up her basket and went away, not dancing and singing now, but +slowly and silently; for this gift made her thoughtful as well as +glad. As she climbed the wall, she looked back to nod good-by to the +pretty lady; but the meadow was empty, and all she saw was the grass +blowing in the wind. + +"Now, deary, run out and play, for birthdays come but once a year, +and we must make them as merry as we can," said granny, as she +settled herself for her afternoon nap, when the Saturday cleaning +was all done, and the little house as neat as wax. + +So Marjorie put on a white apron in honor of the occasion, and, +taking Kitty in her arms, went out to enjoy herself. Three swings on +the gate seemed to be a good way of beginning the festivities; but +she only got two, for when the gate creaked back the second time, it +stayed shut, and Marjorie hung over the pickets, arrested by the +sound of music. + +"It's soldiers," she said, as the fife and drum drew nearer, and +flags were seen waving over the barberry-bushes at the corner. + +"No; it's a picnic," she added in a moment; for she saw hats with +wreaths about them bobbing up and down, as a gayly-trimmed hay-cart +full of children came rumbling down the lane. + +"What a nice time they are going to have!" thought Marjorie, sadly +contrasting that merry-making with the quiet party she was having +all by herself. + +Suddenly her face shone, and Kitty was waved over her head like a +banner, as she flew out of the gate, crying, rapturously,-- + +"It's Billy! and I know he's come for me!" + +It certainly WAS Billy, proudly driving the old horse, and beaming +at his little friend from the bower of flags and chestnut-boughs, +where he sat in state, with a crown of daisies on his sailor-hat and +a spray of blooming sweetbrier in his hand. Waving his rustic +sceptre, he led off the shout of "Happy birthday, Marjorie!" which +was set up as the wagon stopped at the gate, and the green boughs +suddenly blossomed with familiar faces, all smiling on the little +damsel, who stood in the lane quite overpowered with delight. + +"It's a s'prise party!" cried one small lad, tumbling out behind. + +"We are going up the mountain to have fun!" added a chorus of +voices, as a dozen hands beckoned wildly. + +"We got it up on purpose for you, so tie your hat and come away," +said a pretty girl, leaning down to kiss Marjorie, who had dropped +Kitty, and stood ready for any splendid enterprise. + +A word to granny, and away went the happy child, sitting up beside +Billy, under the flags that waved over a happier load than any royal +chariot ever bore. + +It would be vain to try and tell all the plays and pleasures of +happy children on a Saturday afternoon, but we may briefly say that +Marjorie found a mossy stone all ready for her throne, and Billy +crowned her with a garland like his own. That a fine banquet was +spread, and eaten with a relish many a Lord Mayor's feast has +lacked. Then how the whole court danced and played together +afterward! The lords climbed trees and turned somersaults, the +ladies gathered flowers and told secrets under the sweetfern-bushes, +the queen lost her shoe jumping over the waterfall, and the king +paddled into the pool below and rescued it. A happy little kingdom, +full of summer sunshine, innocent delights, and loyal hearts; for +love ruled, and the only war that disturbed the peaceful land was +waged by the mosquitoes as night came on. + +Marjorie stood on her throne watching the sunset while her maids of +honor packed up the remains of the banquet, and her knights prepared +the chariot. All the sky was gold and purple, all the world bathed +in a soft, red light, and the little girl was very happy as she +looked down at the subjects who had served her so faithfully that +day. + +"Have you had a good time, Marjy?" asked King William; who stood +below, with his royal nose on a level with her majesty's two dusty +little shoes. + +"Oh, Billy, it has been just splendid! But I don't see why you +should all be so kind to me," answered Marjorie, with such a look of +innocent wonder, that Billy laughed to see it. + +"Because you are so sweet and good, we can't help loving +you,--that's why," he said, as if this simple fact was reason +enough. + +"I'm going to be the best girl that ever was, and love everybody in +the world," cried the child, stretching out her arms as if ready, in +the fulness of her happy heart, to embrace all creation. + +"Don't turn into an angel and fly away just yet, but come home, or +granny will never lend you to us any more." + +With that, Billy jumped her down, and away they ran, to ride gayly +back through the twilight, singing like a flock of nightingales. + +As she went to bed that night, Marjorie looked at the red bank, the +pretty picture, and the daisy crown, saying to herself,-- + +"It has been a VERY nice birthday, and I am something like the girl +in the story, after all, for the old man gave me a good-luck penny, +the kind lady told me how to keep happy, and Billy came for me like +the prince. The girl didn't go back to the poor house again, but I'm +glad _I_ did, for MY granny isn't a cross one, and my little home is +the dearest in the world." + +Then she tied her night-cap, said her prayers, and fell asleep; but +the moon, looking in to kiss the blooming face upon the pillow, knew +that three good spirits had come to help little Marjorie from that +day forth, and their names were Industry, Cheerfulness, and Love. + + + + + +ROSES AND FORGET-ME-NOTS + +I + +ROSES + + + + +It was a cold November storm, and everything looked forlorn. Even +the pert sparrows were draggle-tailed and too much out of spirits to +fight for crumbs with the fat pigeons who tripped through the mud +with their little red boots as if in haste to get back to their cosy +home in the dove-cot. + +But the most forlorn creature out that day was a small errand girl, +with a bonnet-box on each arm, and both hands struggling to hold a +big broken umbrella. A pair of worn-out boots let in the wet upon +her tired feet; a thin cotton dress and an old shawl poorly +protected her from the storm; and a faded hood covered her head. + +The face that looked out from this hood was too pale and anxious for +one so young; and when a sudden gust turned the old umbrella inside +out with a crash, despair fell upon poor Lizzie, and she was so +miserable she could have sat down in the rain and cried. + +But there was no time for tears; so, dragging the dilapidated +umbrella along, she spread her shawl over the bonnet-boxes and +hurried down the broad street, eager to hide her misfortunes from a +pretty young girl who stood at a window laughing at her. + +She could not find the number of the house where one of the fine +hats was to be left; and after hunting all down one side of the +street, she crossed over, and came at last to the very house where +the pretty girl lived. She was no longer to be seen; and, with a +sigh of relief, Lizzie rang the bell, and was told to wait in the +hall while Miss Belle tried the hat on. + +Glad to rest, she warmed her feet, righted her umbrella, and then +sat looking about her with eyes quick to see the beauty and the +comfort that made the place so homelike and delightful. A small +waiting-room opened from the hall, and in it stood many blooming +plants, whose fragrance attracted Lizzie as irresistibly as if she +had been a butterfly or bee. + +Slipping in, she stood enjoying the lovely colors, sweet odors, and +delicate shapes of these household spirits; for Lizzie loved flowers +passionately; and just then they possessed a peculiar charm for her. + +One particularly captivating little rose won her heart, and made her +long for it with a longing that became a temptation too strong to +resist. It was so perfect; so like a rosy face smiling out from the +green leaves, that Lizzie could NOT keep her hands off it, and +having smelt, touched, and kissed it, she suddenly broke the stem +and hid it in her pocket. Then, frightened at what she had done, she +crept back to her place in the hall, and sat there, burdened with +remorse. + +A servant came just then to lead her upstairs; for Miss Belle wished +the hat altered, and must give directions. With her heart in a +flutter, and pinker roses in her cheeks than the one in her pocket, +Lizzie followed to a handsome room, where a pretty girl stood before +a long mirror with the hat in her hand. + +"Tell Madame Tifany that I don't like it at all, for she hasn't put +in the blue plume mamma ordered; and I won't have rose-buds, they +are so common," said the young lady, in a dissatisfied tone, as she +twirled the hat about. + +"Yes, miss," was all Lizzie could say; for SHE considered that hat +the loveliest thing a girl could possibly own. + +"You had better ask your mamma about it, Miss Belle, before you give +any orders. She will be up in a few moments, and the girl can wait," +put in a maid, who was sewing in the ante-room. + +"I suppose I must; but I WON'T have roses," answered Belle, crossly. +Then she glanced at Lizzie, and said more gently, "You look very +cold; come and sit by the fire while you wait." + +"I'm afraid I'll wet the pretty rug, miss; my feet are sopping," +said Lizzie, gratefully, but timidly. + +"So they are! Why didn't you wear rubber boots?" + +"I haven't got any." + +"I'll give you mine, then, for I hate them; and as I never go out in +wet weather, they are of no earthly use to me. Marie, bring them +here; I shall be glad to get rid of them, and I'm sure they'll be +useful to you." + +"Oh, thank you, miss! I'd like 'em ever so much, for I'm out in the +rain half the time, and get bad colds because my boots are old," +said Lizzie, smiling brightly at the thought of the welcome gift. + +"I should think your mother would get you warmer things," began +Belle, who found something rather interesting in the shabby girl, +with shy bright eyes, and curly hair bursting out of the old hood. + +"I haven't got any mother," said Lizzie, with a pathetic glance at +her poor clothes. + +"I'm so sorry! Have you brothers and sisters?" asked Belle, hoping +to find something pleasant to talk about; for she was a kind little +soul. + +"No, miss; I've got no folks at all." + +"Oh, dear; how sad! Why, who takes care of you?" cried Belle, +looking quite distressed. + +"No one; I take care of myself. I work for Madame, and she pays me a +dollar a week. I stay with Mrs. Brown, and chore round to pay for my +keep. My dollar don't get many clothes, so I can't be as neat as I'd +like." And the forlorn look came back to poor Lizzie's face. + +Belle said nothing, but sat among the sofa cushions, where she had +thrown herself, looking soberly at this other girl, no older than +she was, who took care of herself and was all alone in the world. It +was a new idea to Belle, who was loved and petted as an only child +is apt to be. She often saw beggars and pitied them, but knew very +little about their wants and lives; so it was like turning a new +page in her happy life to be brought so near to poverty as this +chance meeting with the milliner's girl. + +"Aren't you afraid and lonely and unhappy?" she said, slowly, +trying to understand and put herself in Lizzie's place. + +"Yes; but it's no use. I can't help it, and may be things will get +better by and by, and I'll have my wish," answered Lizzie, more +hopefully, because Belle's pity warmed her heart and made her +troubles seem lighter. + +"What is your wish?" asked Belle, hoping mamma wouldn't come just +yet, for she was getting interested in the stranger. + +"To have a nice little room, and make flowers, like a French girl I +know. It's such pretty work, and she gets lots of money, for every +one likes her flowers. She shows me how, sometimes, and I can do +leaves first-rate; but--" + +There Lizzie stopped suddenly, and the color rushed up to her +forehead; for she remembered the little rose in her pocket and it +weighed upon her conscience like a stone. + +Before Belle could ask what was the matter, Marie came in with a +tray of cake and fruit, saying: + +"Here's your lunch, Miss Belle." + +"Put it down, please; I'm not ready for it yet." + +And Belle shook her head as she glanced at Lizzie, who was staring +hard at the fire with such a troubled face that Belle could not bear +to see it. + +Jumping out of her nest of cushions, she heaped a plate with good +things, and going to Lizzie, offered it, saying, with a gentle +courtesy that made the act doubly sweet: + +"Please have some; you must be tired of waiting." + +But Lizzie could not take it; she could only cover her face and cry; +for this kindness rent her heart and made the stolen flower a burden +too heavy to be borne. + +"Oh, don't cry so! Are you sick? Have I been rude? Tell me all about +it; and if I can't do anything, mamma can," said Belle, surprised +and troubled. + +"No; I'm not sick; I'm bad, and I can't bear it when you are so good +to me," sobbed Lizzie, quite overcome with penitence; and taking out +the crumpled rose, she confessed her fault with many tears. + +"Don't feel so much about such a little thing as that," began Belle, +warmly; then checked herself, and added, more soberly, "It WAS wrong +to take it without leave; but it's all right now, and I'll give you +as many roses as you want, for I know you are a good girl." + +"Thank you. I didn't want it only because it was pretty, but I +wanted to copy it. I can't get any for myself, and so I can't do my +make-believe ones well. Madame won't even lend me the old ones in +the store, and Estelle has none to spare for me, because I can't pay +her for teaching me. She gives me bits of muslin and wire and +things, and shows me now and then. But I know if I had a real flower +I could copy it; so she'd see I did know something, for I try real +hard. I'm SO tired of slopping round the streets, I'd do anything to +earn my living some other way." + +Lizzie had poured out her trouble rapidly; and the little story was +quite affecting when one saw the tears on her cheeks, the poor +clothes, and the thin hands that held the stolen rose. Belle was +much touched, and, in her impetuous way, set about mending matters +as fast as possible. + +"Put on those boots and that pair of dry stockings right away. Then +tuck as much cake and fruit into your pocket as it will hold. I'm +going to get you some flowers, and see if mamma is too busy to +attend to me." + +With a nod and a smile, Belle flew about the room a minute; then +vanished, leaving Lizzie to her comfortable task, feeling as if +fairies still haunted the world as in the good old times. + +When Belle came back with a handful of roses, she found Lizzie +absorbed in admiring contemplation of her new boots, as she ate +sponge-cake in a blissful sort of waking-dream. + +"Mamma can't come; but I don't care about the hat. It will do very +well, and isn't worth fussing about. There, will those be of any use +to you?" And she offered the nosegay with a much happier face than +the one Lizzie first saw. + +"Oh, miss, they're just lovely! I'll copy that pink rose as soon as +ever I can, and when I've learned how to do 'em tip-top, I'd like to +bring you some, if you don't mind," answered Lizzie, smiling all +over her face as she buried her nose luxuriously in the fragrant +mass. + +"I'd like it very much, for I should think you'd have to be very +clever to make such pretty things. I really quite fancy those +rosebuds in my hat, now I know that you're going to learn how to +make them. Put an orange in your pocket, and the flowers in water as +soon as you can, so they'll be fresh when you want them. Good-by. +Bring home our hats every time and tell me how you get on." + +With kind words like these, Belle dismissed Lizzie, who ran +downstairs, feeling as rich as if she had found a fortune. Away to +the next place she hurried, anxious to get her errands done and the +precious posy safely into fresh water. But Mrs. Turretviile was not +at home, and the bonnet could not be left till paid for. So Lizzie +turned to go down the high steps, glad that she need not wait. She +stopped one instant to take a delicious sniff at her flowers, and +that was the last happy moment that poor Lizzie knew for many weary +months. + +The new boots were large for her, the steps slippery with sleet, and +down went the little errand girl, from top to bottom, till she +landed in the gutter directly upon Mrs. Turretville's costly bonnet. + +"I've saved my posies, anyway," sighed Lizzie, as she picked herself +up, bruised, wet, and faint with pain; "but, oh, my heart! won't +Madame scold when she sees that band-box smashed flat," groaned the +poor child, sitting on the curbstone to get her breath and view the +disaster. + +The rain poured, the wind blew, the sparrows on the park railing +chirped derisively, and no one came along to help Lizzie out of her +troubles. Slowly she gathered up her burdens; painfully she limped +away in the big boots; and the last the naughty sparrows saw of her +was a shabby little figure going round the corner, with a pale, +tearful face held lovingly over the bright bouquet that was her one +treasure and her only comfort in the moment which brought to her the +great misfortune of her life. + + + + + +II + +FORGET-ME-NOTS + + + + +"Oh, mamma, I am so relieved that the box has come at last! If it +had not, I do believe I should have died of disappointment," cried +pretty Belle, five years later, on the morning before her eighteenth +birthday. + +"It would have been a serious disappointment, darling; for I had sot +my heart on your wearing my gift to-morrow night, and when the +steamers kept coming in without my trunk from Paris, I was very +anxious. I hope you will like it." + +"Dear mamma, I know I shall like it; your taste is so good and you +know what suits me so well. Make haste, Marie; I'm dying to see it," +said Belle, dancing about the great trunk, as the maid carefully +unfolded tissue papers and muslin wrappers. + +A young girl's first ball-dress is a grand affair,--in her eyes, at +least; and Belle soon stopped dancing, to stand with clasped hands, +eager eyes and parted lips before the snowy pile of illusion that +was at last daintily lifted out upon the bed. Then, as Marie +displayed its loveliness, little cries of delight were heard, and +when the whole delicate dress was arranged to the best effect she +threw herself upon her mother's neck and actually cried with +pleasure. + +"Mamma, it is too lovely I and you are very kind to do so much for +me. How shall I ever thank you?" + +"By putting it right on to see if it fits; and when you wear it look +your happiest, that I may be proud of my pretty daughter." + +Mamma got no further, for Marie uttered a French shriek, wrung her +hands, and then began to burrow wildly in the trunk and among the +papers, crying distractedly: + +"Great Heavens, madame! the wreath has been forgotten! What an +affliction! Mademoiselle's enchanting toilette is destroyed without +the wreath, and nowhere do I find it." + +In vain they searched; in vain Marie wailed and Belle declared it +must be somewhere; no wreath appeared. It was duly set down in the +bill, and a fine sum charged for a head-dress to match the dainty +forget-me-nots that looped the fleecy skirts and ornamented the +bosom of the dress. It had evidently been forgotten; and mamma +despatched Marie at once to try and match the flowers, for Belle +would not hear of any other decoration for her beautiful blonde +hair. + +The dress fitted to a charm, and was pronounced by all beholders the +loveliest thing ever seen. Nothing was wanted but the wreath to make +it quite perfect, and when Marie returned, after a long search, with +no forget-me-nots, Belle was in despair. + +"Wear natural ones," suggested a sympathizing friend. + +But another hunt among greenhouses was as fruitless as that among +the milliners' rooms. No forget-me-nots could be found, and Marie +fell exhausted into a chair, desolated at what she felt to be an +awful calamity. + +"Let me have the carriage, and I'll ransack the city till I find +some," cried Belle, growing more resolute with each failure. + +Marnma was deep in preparations for the ball, and could not help her +afflicted daughter, though she was much disappointed at the mishap. +So Belle drove off, resolved to have her flowers whether there were +any or not. + +Any one who has ever tried to match a ribbon, find a certain fabric, +or get anything done in a hurry, knows what a wearisome task it +sometimes is, and can imagine Belle's state of mind after repeated +disappointments. She was about to give up in despair, when some one +suggested that perhaps the Frenchwoman, Estelle Valnor, might make +the desired wreath, if there was time. + +Away drove Belle, and, on entering the room, gave a sigh of +satisfaction, for a whole boxful of the loveliest forget-me-nots +stood upon the table. As fast as possible, she told her tale and +demanded the flowers, no matter what the price might be. Imagine her +feelings when the Frenchwoman, with a shrug, announced that it was +impossible to give mademoiselle a single spray. All were engaged to +trim a bridesmaid's dress, and must be sent away at once. + +It really was too bad! and Belle lost her temper entirely, for no +persuasion or bribes would win a spray from Estelle. The provoking +part of it was that the wedding would not come off for several days, +and there was time enough to make more flowers for that dress, since +Belle only wanted a few for her hair. Neither would Estelle make her +any, as her hands were full, and so small an order was not worth +deranging one's self for; but observing Belle's sorrowful face, she +said, affably: + +"Mademoiselle may, perhaps, find the flowers she desires at Miss +Berton's. She has been helping me with these garlands, and may have +some left. Here is her address." + +Belle took the card with thanks, and hurried away with a last hope +faintly stirring in her girlish heart, for Belle had an unusually +ardent wish to look her best at this party, since Somebody was to be +there, and Somebody considered forget-me-nots the sweetest flowers +in the world. Mamma knew this, and the kiss Belle gave her when the +dress came had a more tender meaning than gratified vanity or +daughterly love. + +Up many stairs she climbed, and came at last to a little room, very +poor but very neat, where, at the one window, sat a young girl, with +crutches by her side and her lap full of flower-leaves and petals. +She rose slowly as Belle came in, and then stood looking at her, +with such a wistful expression in her shy, bright eyes, that Belle's +anxious face cleared involuntarily, and her voice lost its impatient +tone. + +As she spoke, she glanced about the room, hoping to see some blue +blossoms awaiting her. But none appeared; and she was about to +despond again, when the girl said, gently: + +"I have none by me now, but I may be able to find you some." + +"Thank you very much; but I have been everywhere in vain. Still, if +you do get any, please send them to me as soon as possible. Here is +my card." + +Miss Berton glanced at it, then cast a quick look at the sweet, +anxious face before her, and smiled so brightly that Belle smiled +also, and asked, wonderingly: + +"What is it? What do you see?" + +"I see the dear young lady who was so kind to me long ago. You don't +remember me, and never knew my name; but I never have forgotten you +all these years. I always hoped I could do something to show how +grateful I was, and now I can, for you shall have your flowers if I +sit up all night to make them." + +But Belle still shook her head and watched the smiling face before +her with wondering eyes, till the girl added, with sudden color in +her cheeks: + +"Ah, you've done so many kind things in your life, you don't +remember the little errand girl from Madame Tifany's who stole a +rose in your hall, and how you gave her rubber boots and cake and +flowers, and were so good to her she couldn't forget it if she lived +to be a hundred." + +"But you are so changed," began Belle, who did faintly recollect +that little incident in her happy life. + +"Yes, I had a fall and hurt myself so that I shall always be lame." + +And Lizzie went on to tell how Madame had dismissed her in a rage; +how she lay ill till Mrs. Brown sent her to the hospital; and how +for a year she had suffered much alone, in that great house of pain, +before one of the kind visitors had befriended her. + +While hearing the story of the five years, that had been so full of +pleasure, ease and love for herself, Belle forgot her errand, and, +sitting beside Lizzie, listened with pitying eyes to all she told of +her endeavors to support herself by the delicate handiwork she +loved. + +"I'm very happy now," ended Lizzie, looking about the little bare +room with a face full of the sweetest content. "I get nearly work +enough to pay my way, and Estelle sends me some when she has more +than she can do. I've learned to do it nicely, and it is so pleasant +to sit here and make flowers instead of trudging about in the wet +with other people's hats. Though I do sometimes wish I was able to +trudge, one gets on so slowly with crutches." + +A little sigh followed the words, and Belle put her own plump hand +on the delicate one that held the crutch, saying, in her cordial +young voice: + +"I'll come and take you to drive sometimes, for you are too pale, +and you'll get ill sitting here at work day after day. Please let +me; I'd love to; for I feel so idle and wicked when I see busy +people like you that I reproach myself for neglecting my duty and +having more than my share of happiness." + +Lizzie thanked her with a look, and then said, in a tone of interest +that was delightful to hear: + +"Tell about the wreath you want; I should so love to do it for you, +if I can." + +Belle had forgotten all about it in listening to this sad little +story of a girl's life. Now she felt half ashamed to talk of so +frivolous a matter till she remembered that it would help Lizzie; +and, resolving to pay for it as never garland was paid for before, +she entered upon the subject with renewed interest. + +"You shall have the flowers in time for your ball to-morrow night. I +will engage to make a wreath that will please you, only it may take +longer than I think. Don't be troubled if I don't send it till +evening; it will surely come in time. I can work fast, and this will +be the happiest job I ever did," said Lizzie, beginning to lay out +mysterious little tools and bend delicate wires. + +"You are altogether too grateful for the little I have done. It +makes me feel ashamed to think I did not find you out before and do +something better worth thanks." + +"Ah, it wasn't the boots or the cake or the roses, dear Miss Belle. +It was the kind looks, the gentle words, the way it was done, that +went right to my heart, and did me more good than a million of +money. I never stole a pin after that day, for the little rose +wouldn't let me forget how you forgave me so sweetly. I sometimes +think it kept me from greater temptations, for I was a poor, forlorn +child, with no one to keep me good." + +Pretty Belle looked prettier than ever as she listened, and a bright +tear stood in either eye like a drop of dew on a blue flower. It +touched her very much to learn that her little act of childish +charity had been so sweet and helpful to this lonely girl, and now +lived so freshly in her grateful memory. It showed her, suddenly, +how precious little deeds of love and sympathy are; how strong to +bless, how easy to perform, how comfortable to recall. Her heart was +very full and tender just then, and the lesson sunk deep into it +never to be forgotten. + +She sat a long time watching flowers bud and blossom under Lizzie's +skilful fingers, and then hurried home to tell all her glad news to +mamma. + +If the next day had not been full of most delightfully exciting +events, Belle might have felt some anxiety about her wreath, for +hour after hour went by and nothing arrived from Lizzie. + +Evening came, and all was ready. Belle was dressed, and looked so +lovely that mamma declared she needed nothing more. But Marie +insisted that the grand effect would be ruined without the garland +among the sunshiny hair. Belle had time now to be anxious, and +waited with growing impatience for the finishing touch to her +charming toilette. + +"I must be downstairs to receive, and can't wait another moment; so +put in the blue pompon and let me go," she said at last, with a sigh +of disappointment, for the desire to look beautiful that night in +Somebody's eyes had increased four-fold. + +With a tragic gesture, Marie was about to adjust the pompon when the +quick tap of a crutch came down the hall, and Lizzie hurried in, +flushed and breathless, but smiling happily as she uncovered the box +she carried with a look of proud satisfaction. + +A general "Ah!" of admiration arose as Belle, mamma, and Marie +surveyed the lovely wreath that lay before them; and when it was +carefully arranged on the bright head that was to wear it, Belle +blushed with pleasure. Mamma said: "It is more beautiful than any +Paris could have sent us;" and Marie clasped her hands theatrically, +sighing, with her head on one side: + +"Truly, yes; mademoiselle is now adorable!" + +"I am so glad you like it. I did my very best and worked all night, +but I had to beg one spray from Estelle, or, with all my haste, I +could not have finished in time," said Lizzie, refreshing her weary +eyes with a long, affectionate gaze at the pretty figure before her. + +A fold of the airy skirt was caught on one of the blue clusters, and +Lizzie knelt down to arrange it as she spoke. Belle leaned toward +her and said softly: "Money alone can't pay you for this kindness; +so tell me how I can best serve you. This is the happiest night of +my life, and I want to make every one feel glad also." + +"Then don't talk of paying me, but promise that I may make the +flowers you wear on your wedding-day," whispered Lizzie, kissing the +kind hand held out to help her rise, for on it she saw a brilliant +ring, and in the blooming, blushing face bent over her she read the +tender little story that Somebody had told Belle that day. + +"So you shall! and I'll keep this wreath all my life for your sake, +dear," answered Belle, as her full heart bubbled over with pitying +affection for the poor girl who would never make a bridal garland +for herself. + +Belle kept her word, even when she was in a happy home of her own; +for out of the dead roses bloomed a friendship that brightened +Lizzie's life; and long after the blue garland was faded Belle +remembered the helpful little lesson that taught her to read the +faces poverty touches with a pathetic eloquence, which says to those +who look, "Forget-me-not." + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Marjorie's Three Gifts, by Louisa May Alcott + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS *** + +This file should be named mjrtg10.txt or mjrtg10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, mjrtg11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, mjrtg10a.txt + +This eBook was created by Brandon Ryan (brandon_ryan_projgutenberg@yahoo.com) + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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