Сёстры Марч

стр. 160

- Я поняла, Марми! - воскликнула Мэг. - Ведь ты нарочно ушла из дома, чтобы чтобы посмотреть, как мы управимся без тебя и Ханны.

• Ну да! Я хотела, чтобы вы поняли, насколько уют в нашем доме зависит от всех нас. Пока мы с Ханной исполняли ваши обязанности, всё шло прекрасно. Правда, вы давно заскучали и скуксились, однако особенных неудобств не испытывали. Вот я и решила дать вам возможность понять, что получается, когда каждый думает только о себе. Наверное, теперь вы согласитесь, что куда приятнее помогать друг другу и исполнять ежедневные обязанности.

She put them in his button-hole, as a peace-offering, and he stood a minute looking down at them with a curious expression, for the Italian part of his nature there was a touch of superstition, and he was just then in that state of half-sweet, half-bitter melancholy, when imaginative young men find significance in trifles, and food for romance everywhere. He had thought of Jo, in reaching after the thorny red rose,-for vivid flowers became her,-and she had often worn ones like that, from the green-house at home. The pale roses Amy gave him were the sort that the Italians lay in dead hands,-never in bridal wreaths,-and, for a moment, he wondered if the omen was for Jo or for himself. But the next instant his American common-sense got the better of sentimentality

She very soon discovered that there is a charm about fine clothes which attracts a certain class of people, and secures their respect. Several young ladies, who had taken no notice of her before, were very affectionate all of a sudden; several young gentlemen, who had only stared at her at the other party, now not only stared, but asked to be introduced, and said all manner of foolish, but agreeable things to her; and several old ladies, who sat on sofas, and criticised the rest of the party, inquired who she was, with an air of interest.

As she said, she was "fond of luxury", and her chief trouble was poverty. She found it harder to bear than others, because she could remember a time when home was beautiful, life full of ease and pleasure, and want of any kind unknown. She tried not to be envious or discontented, but it was very natural that the young girl should long for pretty things, gay friends, accomplishments, and a happy life. At the Kings she daily saw all she wanted, for the children's older sisters were just out, and Meg caught frequent glimpses of dainty ball-dresses and bouquets, heard lively gossip and theatres, concerts, sleighing parties and merry-making of all kinds, and saw money lavished on trifles which would have been so precious to her. Poor Meg seldom complained, but a sense of injustice made her feel bitter toward every one sometimes, for she had not yet learned to know how rich she was in the blessings which alone can make life happy