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雙語(yǔ)譯林·小婦人 第三十八章 束之高閣 ON THE SHELF

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2022年05月05日

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第三十八章 束之高閣

在法國(guó),年輕的姑娘們?nèi)兆舆^(guò)得很無(wú)聊,所以一旦結(jié)了婚,“自由萬(wàn)歲”才成為座右銘。在美國(guó),眾所周知,姑娘們很早就簽署了獨(dú)立宣言,懷著共和黨人的熱情去享受自己的自由。但年輕的少婦通常跟著太子出世就放棄了王位,然后,就像進(jìn)了法國(guó)的修道院一樣,過(guò)著幽居生活,當(dāng)然,其實(shí)還談不上清靜。不管她們?cè)敢馀c否,結(jié)婚的喜慶氣氛一過(guò)去,她們實(shí)際上便被束之高閣了。不過(guò),她們當(dāng)中大部分人不以為然,就像前幾天一位美貌婦人所宣稱的:“我現(xiàn)在依然漂亮,可嫁了人,就沒(méi)有人理睬我了。”

美格沒(méi)有長(zhǎng)得那么超凡出眾,打扮也不入時(shí),所以,直到孩子們一周歲時(shí),才經(jīng)歷這種精神折磨。因?yàn)?,在她的生活小天地里,民風(fēng)淳樸,她覺(jué)得比以往更受欽佩和愛(ài)戴。

她是一位真正的小婦人,天生的母愛(ài)意識(shí)在她身上尤其強(qiáng)烈。她成天都在一心一意地為孩子們操心,兩耳不聞窗外事,兩眼不瞧他人顏。無(wú)論白天,還是夜晚,她都無(wú)微不至地照顧孩子,可謂牽腸掛肚,兢兢業(yè)業(yè),忘記了疲累。所以,她聽(tīng)任保姆去擺布約翰,這位愛(ài)爾蘭婦女現(xiàn)在是廚房部主事了。約翰是戀家的男人,已經(jīng)習(xí)慣了妻子的關(guān)愛(ài),如今絕對(duì)想念這種照顧,但是,他對(duì)孩子非常寵愛(ài),一度十分樂(lè)意地放棄自己的舒適,糊涂地認(rèn)為不久一切都會(huì)恢復(fù)寧?kù)o的。然而,三個(gè)月過(guò)去了,安寧并沒(méi)有復(fù)得。因?yàn)椋栏窨瓷先ズ茔俱?,神情不安,那兩個(gè)孩子每時(shí)每刻都在纏著她,耗費(fèi)她的時(shí)間。這樣一來(lái),不少家務(wù)活就耽擱了。再說(shuō),廚師基蒂干活總是隨隨便便,結(jié)果,約翰經(jīng)常食不果腹。早晨,約翰出門時(shí),那位身陷家務(wù)活的老婆就愛(ài)給他派一些小差使,讓他感到很迷惑。夜晚,每當(dāng)他開(kāi)心地回到家,渴望摟抱一下老婆孩子時(shí),總是碰釘子。“噓,他們煩人一整天啦,剛剛睡著啊。”如果他想在家開(kāi)心地娛樂(lè)一下,則會(huì)聽(tīng)見(jiàn)這句話:“不行,會(huì)吵醒孩子的。”如果他暗示去聽(tīng)講座,或者聽(tīng)音樂(lè)會(huì),看到的總是一張責(zé)怪的面孔,然后,聽(tīng)到一句斬釘截鐵的話:“想扔下孩子去尋歡作樂(lè),辦不到!”孩子的夜哭經(jīng)常把約翰從睡夢(mèng)中驚醒。有時(shí)候,他會(huì)在深更半夜,迷糊地看見(jiàn)一個(gè)靜悄悄地來(lái)回走動(dòng)的怪影。每當(dāng)樓上的鳥(niǎo)巢發(fā)出輕微的唧唧喳喳叫聲,操持家政的家伙便會(huì)說(shuō)跑就跑出去,扔下他不聞不問(wèn),所以,飯菜吃了一半就丟下了。晚上,他看報(bào)時(shí),戴米的肚子痛進(jìn)入了船期消息,戴茜跌跤會(huì)影響股票價(jià)格,因?yàn)椋剪斂颂魂P(guān)心家庭新聞。

可憐的約翰活得很不舒坦,因?yàn)?,孩子奪走了他的妻子,家庭僅僅是一個(gè)托兒所。每當(dāng)他走進(jìn)孩兒國(guó)的神圣領(lǐng)地,不絕于耳的“噓噓聲”便使他覺(jué)得自己簡(jiǎn)直成了破門而入的蠻橫外人。半年來(lái),他都十分耐心地逆來(lái)順受。可是,并沒(méi)有出現(xiàn)任何修正的跡象。于是,他便像其他父親流浪者那樣——企圖去外面尋找一點(diǎn)點(diǎn)安逸。斯科特結(jié)婚了,就在不遠(yuǎn)處安了家,于是,夜晚,當(dāng)自家的客廳空無(wú)一人時(shí),約翰經(jīng)常跑過(guò)去玩一兩個(gè)小時(shí),妻子唱起搖籃曲來(lái),可真是沒(méi)完沒(méi)了。而斯科特太太則長(zhǎng)得可愛(ài)動(dòng)人,家務(wù)不多,脾氣溫順,是一位賢妻良母。她家的客廳總是窗明幾凈,棋盤隨時(shí)都可以拿來(lái)下棋,鋼琴調(diào)音很準(zhǔn)。另外,客人們總是談天說(shuō)地,海闊天空,心曠神怡,而且,她家的晚餐精美,誘人胃口。

如果不是感到在家孤獨(dú)難忍,約翰一定會(huì)守著自家的火爐,可惜,他謝天謝地地退而求其次了,鄰居家成了他賞心悅目的地方。

起初,美格倒很贊成丈夫新近的串門活動(dòng),得知約翰在那兒能夠愉快地打發(fā)時(shí)間,她十分寬慰,否則,他不是在自家的客廳打盹兒,就是步履沉重地在屋里踱步,把孩子吵醒。斗轉(zhuǎn)星移,出牙期的操心事后來(lái)都過(guò)去了,寵兒們都會(huì)按時(shí)去睡覺(jué)了,媽媽的休閑時(shí)間多了,便開(kāi)始惦念起約翰。她覺(jué)得,如果沒(méi)有約翰穿著舊晨衣,在她對(duì)面坐鎮(zhèn),靠著火爐的圍欄安逸地烘烤他那雙便鞋,自己一個(gè)人陪伴針線筐就太乏味了。她不會(huì)開(kāi)口要求約翰待在家里,但不告訴他,他也就不知道老婆需要他,所以她感到受傷,而她已經(jīng)徹底忘記,有過(guò)無(wú)數(shù)個(gè)夜晚,他曾經(jīng)徒勞地等待自己。美格由于整日牽掛家庭,心事重重,這時(shí),已經(jīng)變得神惶心疲了。再好的家庭主婦每當(dāng)承受到家務(wù)事的壓力,也會(huì)心境扭曲,不講理。另外,這些人身體缺乏鍛煉,整天郁郁寡歡。她們過(guò)度崇拜那個(gè)美國(guó)婦女的偶像,就愛(ài)圍著茶壺轉(zhuǎn),一個(gè)個(gè)難免覺(jué)得自己不太精神,沒(méi)力氣。

“是啊,我又老又丑,約翰對(duì)我早已不感興趣了,所以,他會(huì)拋下人老珠黃的妻子,去見(jiàn)那位無(wú)子女拖累的靚鄰居。”美格經(jīng)常盯著鏡子說(shuō)道,“不過(guò),孩子們喜歡我。他們可不在乎我身體瘦弱,臉色蒼白,沒(méi)工夫燙發(fā)的呢。他們是我的慰藉,約翰遲早會(huì)明白我欣然為他們做出的犧牲,對(duì)嗎,寶貝?”

對(duì)于這種傷感的表白,戴茜發(fā)出“咕咕”,戴米發(fā)出“喔喔”作答,美格于是把悲哀放在一邊,來(lái)一下母愛(ài)的宣泄。這暫時(shí)安撫了她孤獨(dú)的心情。但是,約翰后來(lái)竟然癡迷政治,總愛(ài)跑去和斯科特談關(guān)心的問(wèn)題,一點(diǎn)都不知道美格對(duì)他的惦記。這增加了她的痛苦。然而,美格一聲不響,直到有一天,母親看見(jiàn)她在抹淚,便一個(gè)勁兒地刨根問(wèn)底,女兒的低落情緒是逃不過(guò)她的眼睛的。

“媽媽,除了你之外,我不會(huì)告訴人的。如果約翰再一意孤行,我和守寡沒(méi)什么兩樣,我很需要指教。”布魯克太太一邊回答,一邊傷心地用戴茜的圍裙擦拭眼淚。

“乖乖,怎樣一意孤行的?”母親焦慮地問(wèn)道。

“他整日外出不歸啊,晚上我想見(jiàn)他時(shí),他一直去斯科特家。我干的是最累的活,卻沒(méi)有任何歡樂(lè),太不公平了。男人最自私自利了,連最好的也不例外。”

“女人也是如此啊。別責(zé)怪約翰了,先看看自己哪兒錯(cuò)了。”

“但他冷落我,怎么說(shuō)也不對(duì)。”

“難道你沒(méi)有冷落他?”

“哎,媽媽,我想你會(huì)站在我一邊的!”

“就同情而言,沒(méi)錯(cuò)。但是,我認(rèn)為過(guò)錯(cuò)在于你,美格。”

“我不明白。”

“讓我告訴你吧。當(dāng)初你在夜晚他唯一的休息時(shí)間總是陪伴他的時(shí)候,約翰像你說(shuō)的那樣冷落過(guò)你嗎?”

“沒(méi)有,可現(xiàn)在我做不到,得照看兩個(gè)孩子。”

“我想,你是做得到的,乖乖,而且應(yīng)該做到。我能夠隨便說(shuō)嗎?你會(huì)記得是媽媽既同情你,又責(zé)怪你嗎?”

“當(dāng)然啦!給我說(shuō)吧,就把我當(dāng)作當(dāng)年的小美格吧。自從兩個(gè)孩子樣樣事都要找我照料,我就經(jīng)常覺(jué)得,自己更加需要有人指教了。”

美格把矮腳椅子拖到母親的身邊。母女倆每人膝上抱著一個(gè)小搗蛋,一邊不停地?fù)u晃著,一邊促膝談心,感到做母親的紐帶讓她們更加打成一片。

“你只是犯了多數(shù)年輕妻子犯過(guò)的錯(cuò)誤——在關(guān)愛(ài)自己的孩子時(shí),忘記了對(duì)于丈夫的責(zé)任。美格,這是一個(gè)很容易犯的錯(cuò)誤,但也很容易得到原諒。但是,最好及時(shí)加以改正,免得分道揚(yáng)鑣成為習(xí)慣。孩子應(yīng)該把你倆拉得更近,而不是離間你們,仿佛他們只屬于你,而約翰除了撫養(yǎng)他們之外,一點(diǎn)兒都不相干。幾個(gè)禮拜來(lái),我都看得一清二楚,只不過(guò)沒(méi)有吭聲罷了。我肯定,這件事總會(huì)解決的。”

“恐怕不行啊。如果我請(qǐng)他待在家里,他會(huì)以為我嫉妒。我可沒(méi)有想過(guò)用這樣的念頭侮辱他。他一直不知道我需要他待在家,我也不知道該怎樣不用言語(yǔ)去讓他明白。”

“把家搞得快樂(lè)一點(diǎn),他就不會(huì)往外走了,乖乖。他也是渴望小家庭的,但沒(méi)有你不成其為家了。可是,你總是待在育兒室。”

“不該在那兒?jiǎn)幔?rdquo;

“不用一直在那兒。禁閉過(guò)長(zhǎng),會(huì)使你精神緊張,結(jié)果干樣樣事情都不合適。再說(shuō),你既欠孩子們東西,也欠約翰的??蓜e重孩輕夫啊。別把丈夫排斥在育兒室之外,應(yīng)該教會(huì)他幫點(diǎn)兒事情。他跟你一樣,在那里都有位置,孩子們需要他;要讓他覺(jué)得有事可做,他會(huì)高高興興、勤勤懇懇地去做。這樣,就會(huì)皆大歡喜的。”

“媽媽,你果真這樣想的嗎?”

“美格,我是很清楚的,我是過(guò)來(lái)人。沒(méi)有親身體會(huì)證明可行,我很少對(duì)別人提建議。你和喬小的時(shí)候,我就像你現(xiàn)在這樣,總覺(jué)得好像不全身心都撲在你們身上,就是不盡職。我謝絕了所有幫助,可憐的父親便只管自己看書,都讓我一個(gè)人試驗(yàn)。我竭盡全力掙扎著,但喬讓我受不了了。我對(duì)她嬌生慣養(yǎng),差一點(diǎn)兒慣壞了。你身體不好,我很焦急,急得連自己都病了。后來(lái),父親來(lái)幫忙了,一聲不吭地張羅所有的事情,幫助可大了。于是我看見(jiàn)了自己的過(guò)錯(cuò),從此生活就少不了他了。這就是我們家庭幸福的奧秘啊。父親從不由于生意而推托涉及大家的些許家務(wù)職責(zé),而我總是盡力不讓家庭煩惱破壞自己對(duì)于你父親職業(yè)的興趣。許多事情上,我們各自去盡職,但回到家之后,總是分擔(dān)家務(wù)。”

“媽媽,確實(shí)如此。我最大的愿望,就是在丈夫和孩子眼里成為像你那樣的賢妻良母。告訴我怎么辦吧。你怎么說(shuō),我就怎么做。”

“你一直是乖女兒。唉,乖乖,我要是你呀,就讓約翰更多地參加照看戴米,男孩需要訓(xùn)練,無(wú)論何時(shí)開(kāi)始,都不會(huì)過(guò)早。接著,我要去做自己常常提議的事情,讓漢娜來(lái)幫助你。她是一流的保姆,你可以把寶貝孩子托付給她,自己去干更多的家務(wù)活。你需要鍛煉了,漢娜會(huì)樂(lè)于做剩下的事情。這樣,約翰便會(huì)再次找到自己的妻子。你要到外面去多走動(dòng)走動(dòng),要忙得心情舒暢,因?yàn)?,你可是家里的?yáng)光啊。你心情陰沉,家里就不會(huì)有晴天。接著,盡量對(duì)約翰喜歡的一切都感興趣——要和他談心,讓他讀書給你聽(tīng),要交流看法,以此來(lái)互相幫助。可不要因?yàn)槟闶桥硕炎约悍忾]在紙板盒子里,要了解外面的世界,讓自己積極參與進(jìn)去,因?yàn)?,這些事情都會(huì)影響你和你的家人啊。”

“約翰太聰明了。我擔(dān)心,問(wèn)他政治問(wèn)題什么的,他會(huì)認(rèn)為我十分愚蠢的。”

“我看他不會(huì)。愛(ài)可以遮蓋眾多的罪孽。除了他,你難道還可以盡情地去問(wèn)誰(shuí)?去試一試嘛,看他是覺(jué)得斯科特太太的晚餐好,還是你對(duì)他的陪伴更加溫馨。”

“好吧??蓱z的約翰啊!我擔(dān)心自己把他冷落在一邊,讓他傷心透了。我還認(rèn)為自己的做法對(duì),他什么也沒(méi)有說(shuō)呀。”

“他盡可能不讓自己顯得自私自利,但想必已經(jīng)覺(jué)得眾叛親離。美格,正是現(xiàn)在這個(gè)時(shí)候,小夫妻最容易疏遠(yuǎn)了,所以,現(xiàn)在夫妻倆最需要常待在一起。因?yàn)?,新婚的柔情蜜意,不花精力去維護(hù)是容易淡漠的。小生命交給他們?nèi)ビ?xùn)練的頭幾年,對(duì)于父母來(lái)說(shuō),沒(méi)有任何時(shí)光能比這段時(shí)期更加美好,更加珍貴了。不要讓約翰與孩子形同陌路,在這個(gè)充滿考驗(yàn)和誘惑的世界里,要保證約翰一生平安。心情愉快,非他們莫屬啊。通過(guò)他們,你們會(huì)學(xué)會(huì)而且應(yīng)該也可以相知相愛(ài)。乖乖,我得說(shuō)再見(jiàn)了,好好想一想媽媽的說(shuō)教吧,覺(jué)得有道理,就照著去做吧。上帝保佑你們!”

美格仔細(xì)考慮了,覺(jué)得很有道理,于是,就去身體力行了,盡管一開(kāi)始做得不完全如意。當(dāng)然,孩子都在對(duì)她撒嬌,發(fā)現(xiàn)蹬腿和哭叫會(huì)給他們帶來(lái)想要的所有東西之后,便成了家里的主宰。媽媽在喜怒無(wú)常的孩子面前,成了可悲的奴隸,但爸爸可不是能夠輕易就范的。有時(shí)候,對(duì)于吵吵鬧鬧的兒子,他會(huì)發(fā)一陣父親的脾氣,嚴(yán)厲管束,可是,心軟的老婆就難受了。兒子戴米繼承了父親堅(jiān)毅性格中的一點(diǎn)兒成分,當(dāng)然,我們不稱其為固執(zhí)。每當(dāng)這個(gè)小家伙認(rèn)定一樣?xùn)|西,要做一件事時(shí),即使花上九牛二虎之力,也無(wú)法改變那個(gè)堅(jiān)持己見(jiàn)的小腦筋。媽媽認(rèn)為,寶貝還太小,不應(yīng)該教他學(xué)會(huì)克服惡習(xí)。但爸爸則認(rèn)為,學(xué)會(huì)循規(guī)蹈矩越早越好。因此,戴米少爺很早就發(fā)現(xiàn),每當(dāng)跟“大大”較勁,總沒(méi)有好果子吃。就像英國(guó)人一樣,戴米尊重征服者,愛(ài)戴父親。所以,父親嚴(yán)厲的“不行”比媽媽的所有愛(ài)撫更深入孩子的心。

美格跟母親談話幾天之后,決心試一個(gè)夜晚陪約翰。她安排了豐盛的晚飯,把客廳布置得井井有條,自己也穿戴得花枝招展。她很早就把孩子送到床上睡覺(jué)了。這樣,不會(huì)有別的事情干擾自己的精心策劃了??上Т髅资请y以俯首帖耳,最大的惡習(xí)就是不甘心去睡覺(jué)。那天夜里,他一心一意想鬧個(gè)天翻地覆。于是,可憐的美格只好哼著歌謠,晃動(dòng)小床,還得講上一個(gè)故事,哄他睡覺(jué)。她使出了渾身解數(shù),均以失敗告終,戴米就是瞪著大眼。這時(shí)候,聽(tīng)話的戴茜早就睡熟了,胖乎乎的小東西一直很乖??墒牵詺獾拇髅讌s躺在床上,凝視著燈光,精神好得很,一副難以勸說(shuō)入睡的模樣。

“媽媽跑下去給勞累的爸爸倒茶,戴米好孩子,乖乖地躺著,好嗎?”美格問(wèn)道。只聽(tīng)過(guò)道門輕輕地合上,熟悉的腳步聲,踮著腳走進(jìn)了吃飯間。

“寶寶要吃茶!”戴米打算來(lái)湊熱鬧。

“不行,我會(huì)給你留糕糕當(dāng)早餐,如果像戴茜那樣瞌瞌。乖乖,好嗎?”

“西(行)! ”說(shuō)罷,戴米緊緊地閉上雙眼,似乎在追趕睡眠,忙著去迎接盼望已久的白天。

美格趕緊利用這寶貴的機(jī)會(huì),悄悄地跑下樓,滿面春風(fēng)地去問(wèn)候丈夫。她頭上的藍(lán)色蝴蝶結(jié)是他最欣賞的。約翰一眼就看見(jiàn)了,驚喜地問(wèn)道:“啊,小媽媽,咱們今晚多么開(kāi)心。你有客人嗎?”

“親愛(ài)的,只有你啊。”

“是過(guò)生日、周年什么的?”

“不是,討厭做邋遢鬼了,所以打扮了一番,換個(gè)花樣。你在吃飯時(shí),總是穿得干干凈凈,無(wú)論多么疲勞。所以,我有空時(shí)為什么不能也一樣呢?”

“我穿得干凈,是為了尊重你呀,親愛(ài)的。”穿著過(guò)時(shí)的約翰說(shuō)。

“彼此,彼此,布魯克先生。”美格笑語(yǔ)應(yīng)答,看上去又變得年輕而漂亮了。她一邊朝約翰點(diǎn)頭示意,一邊給他倒茶水。

“嗯,真輕松愉快啊,又回到往日了。茶味道真好啊。親愛(ài)的,祝你健康,喝了。”約翰安詳神往地呷了一口。然而,好景不長(zhǎng)。他剛放下茶杯,門把手便發(fā)出一陣神秘的咯吱聲,接著,傳來(lái)了兒子不耐煩的嗓音:

“卡(開(kāi))門,我要清(進(jìn))來(lái)!”

“又是這淘氣的孩子。我告訴他一個(gè)人去睡覺(jué)的,現(xiàn)在,又下樓了,踏著帆布,要命的冷。”美格一邊解釋,一邊應(yīng)答。

“早上了。”戴米進(jìn)了門,興奮地說(shuō)道。長(zhǎng)睡衣優(yōu)雅地搭在胳膊上,他在餐桌邊奔跳著,卷曲的頭發(fā)歡蹦亂跳。眼睛熱切地盯著糕糕。

“不行,早晨還沒(méi)有到。必須去睡覺(jué),別給可憐的媽媽惹麻煩。這樣,你可以嘗到帶糖的蛋糕了。”

“寶寶愛(ài)爸爸。”戴米機(jī)靈地答道。他正準(zhǔn)備往父親的膝上爬,違禁嬉鬧一番,但約翰搖了搖頭,對(duì)美格說(shuō)了一句話。

“你叫他樓上待著單獨(dú)睡覺(jué),就得讓他聽(tīng)話,否則,以后根本就不會(huì)顧忌你了。”

“是啊,沒(méi)錯(cuò)。戴米,過(guò)來(lái)。”美格把兒子領(lǐng)走了,心里真想揍一頓這個(gè)掃興的小家伙。但戴米在她身邊又蹦又跳,還以為一到育兒室,就會(huì)分到賄賂。

戴米沒(méi)有失望。婦人目光短淺,真的給了戴米一塊方糖,然后,把他塞進(jìn)被窩,吩咐天不亮,不準(zhǔn)走動(dòng)。

“西(行)! ”戴米假裝發(fā)誓道,高興地吮吸著方糖,認(rèn)為自己旗開(kāi)得勝。

美格回到座位,繼續(xù)愉快地吃晚飯。這時(shí),小鬼頭又走出來(lái)了,大膽地要求道:“媽媽,還要糖。”這一下,可就暴露了母親剛才的失職。

“這絕對(duì)不行。”約翰說(shuō)道。面對(duì)可愛(ài)的小調(diào)皮,他沒(méi)有心軟。“這孩子只有知道去好好睡覺(jué)了,我們才會(huì)有安寧。你呀,當(dāng)奴仆已經(jīng)夠久,該教訓(xùn)他一頓了,這樣才會(huì)了結(jié)。把他按上床別理他,美格。”

“他不會(huì)待在樓上的。從來(lái)不那樣,除非我坐在身邊。”

“我來(lái)對(duì)付他。戴米,上樓睡覺(jué)去,聽(tīng)媽媽的話。”

“不嘛!”小家伙一邊頂嘴,一邊拿起令人垂涎的糕糕,大模大樣地吃了一口。

“不準(zhǔn)這樣對(duì)爸爸講話。你不走,就把你抱上樓。”

“走開(kāi),寶寶不喜歡爸爸。”戴米退到媽媽的裙子旁,尋找庇護(hù)。

但是,連那個(gè)庇護(hù)所也用不上了,他被移交給了敵人。一句“輕一點(diǎn),約翰”令罪人聞風(fēng)喪膽,一旦媽媽撒手不管,審判日就迫在眉睫了??蓱z的戴米丟了蛋糕,談笑間沒(méi)了玩耍機(jī)會(huì),被有力的手拖到了那張討厭的床上。但戴米怒不可遏,居然公然反對(duì)約翰,上樓梯時(shí),又踢又喊,大吵大鬧。戴米剛被放在床上,便從一頭滾到另一頭,跳下床,向門口跑去,但很差勁,睡袍的下擺被抓住了,提溜回了床上。戴米就這樣不停地折騰,直到小伙子筋疲力盡,于是便扯著嗓子號(hào)叫。戴米這樣的發(fā)聲練習(xí),通常能夠征服美格的心,但約翰坐在一邊,就跟聾子似的不為所動(dòng)。房間里,沒(méi)有哄騙聲,沒(méi)有糖果吃,沒(méi)有悅耳的搖籃曲,沒(méi)有好聽(tīng)的故事,連燈都吹滅了。只有火爐里紅色的火焰映襯出那“大黑黑”。對(duì)于“大黑黑”,戴米與其說(shuō)感到害怕,倒不如說(shuō)感到好奇。這種新秩序讓他感到很不高興,于是,他沮喪地大聲叫喊找“媽媽”。原來(lái),憤慨情緒漸漸止息了,被俘的霸主又想起了溫柔的女奴。狂喊大叫之后,適時(shí)的哀哭撕痛了美格的心。她連忙跑上樓,哀求道:

“讓我陪他吧,他會(huì)聽(tīng)話的,約翰。”

“不行,親愛(ài)的。我已經(jīng)對(duì)他說(shuō)過(guò),睡覺(jué)去,聽(tīng)你的話。所以,他必須睡下去,哪怕我在這兒坐一夜。”

“可是,他會(huì)哭壞身體的。”美格繼續(xù)哀求,怪自己扔下兒子不管。

“不行,哭不壞的。已經(jīng)哭累了,很快就會(huì)睡著,那樣事情就解決了。今后,他就會(huì)懂得必須聽(tīng)話了。別插手,我會(huì)對(duì)付他的。”

“他是我的孩子呀??刹荒茏尨直┐輾埶男撵`。”

“他是我的孩子。我不能一味地寵他,把他的脾氣慣壞。下樓吧,親愛(ài)的,把孩子交給我。”

每當(dāng)約翰專橫地發(fā)表見(jiàn)解時(shí),美格總是俯首帖耳,而且,從來(lái)不為自己的順從態(tài)度感到遺憾。

“約翰,就讓我跟他吻別,好嗎?”

“當(dāng)然可以。戴米,對(duì)媽媽說(shuō)‘晚安’吧。讓她去休息。照顧你一整天,她已經(jīng)很累了。”

美格總是認(rèn)為,親吻是制勝的法寶,吻過(guò)戴米之后,哭泣聲輕下去了。他靜靜地躺在床上。極度傷心時(shí),他曾經(jīng)在被窩里大肆踢騰。

“可憐的小家伙,總算哭累了,該睡著了。給他蓋好被子,再去安撫美格。”約翰心想。他輕輕地走到床邊,希望看到叛逆的后嗣已經(jīng)入睡。

可是,戴米沒(méi)有睡著。就在約翰瞅他一眼時(shí),戴米睜開(kāi)了眼睛,小下巴開(kāi)始顫動(dòng)。他伸出胳膊,打著嗝兒,以懺悔的聲音說(shuō):“寶寶現(xiàn)在擺(乖)了。”

美格坐在門外的樓梯上,發(fā)現(xiàn)吵鬧之后出現(xiàn)了很長(zhǎng)一段時(shí)間的寂靜,就納悶了。她想象里面出了各種各樣的離奇大事,便悄悄跑進(jìn)門去看個(gè)究竟,以便放下提起的心。只見(jiàn)戴米已經(jīng)酣睡,不像平常那種四腳朝天的樣子了。他就范了,身子蜷成一團(tuán),躺在約翰的臂彎里,握著他的手指,似乎心里明白了恩威并施的意思。他已經(jīng)傷心地睡著了,卻又一下子長(zhǎng)大成熟了。約翰手指被困,就像女人一樣耐心等待,直到小手松開(kāi)。這時(shí),約翰自己也睡著了,與其說(shuō)工作一天疲勞了,不如說(shuō)與孩子較勁折騰累了。

美格見(jiàn)父子倆并排枕著枕頭,暗自笑了,接著,悄悄轉(zhuǎn)身走開(kāi),滿意地說(shuō):“我不用擔(dān)心約翰對(duì)待孩子過(guò)分粗暴的。他知道該怎么管教他們,這是個(gè)很大的幫助。戴米對(duì)我來(lái)說(shuō),確實(shí)是太累人了。”

后來(lái),約翰走下樓梯,心想妻子一定滿臉?biāo)紤],或者一臉不高興。但是,他看見(jiàn)美格正在平心靜氣地給一頂出客帽綴邊,而且,還要求他讀讀報(bào)上有關(guān)選舉的新聞,假如他不是太累的話。約翰不禁驚喜交集。他立刻明白了,一定有什么革命性的事情在發(fā)生,但知趣沒(méi)有打聽(tīng)。他知道美格是個(gè)直性子的人,不會(huì)保留秘密日后救命用,所以,很快就會(huì)露出端倪的。約翰滿口答應(yīng),讀了一大段有關(guān)辯論的消息,然后,盡量清楚地加以解釋。美格則擺出一副饒有興趣的樣子,不時(shí)地提一些有意思的問(wèn)題,讓自己的思緒圍繞國(guó)家大事,而非那頂帽子。其實(shí),美格暗中斷定,政治和數(shù)學(xué)一樣讓人作嘔,政治家的使命似乎就是指名道姓地彼此謾罵攻擊。不過(guò),她僅僅將女人的這些心里話藏在心里。后來(lái),約翰停頓時(shí),她搖了搖頭,說(shuō)了一句自以為像外交辭令的含混語(yǔ):“哦,真不知我們?cè)撛趺唇Y(jié)束。”

約翰笑了,看了她一會(huì)兒。美格手上正在凝神比對(duì)漂亮的系帶和花邊,連約翰剛才高聲朗讀都未能喚起這樣的真實(shí)興趣。

“為了我,她開(kāi)始喜歡政治了,我也得為了她而喜歡女帽,這樣才公平。”想到這兒,公正的約翰又大聲說(shuō),“真是太漂亮了。這就是你說(shuō)過(guò)的早餐便帽嗎?”

“親愛(ài)的,這可是出客帽??!它是我最好的了,適宜聽(tīng)音樂(lè)會(huì),或者上劇院了。”

“對(duì)不起。這么小,自然會(huì)以為,有時(shí)候你戴的,就是這種一陣風(fēng)便會(huì)吹跑的帽子呢。怎么戴上去不飛走的呢?

“這兩根系帶可以用玫瑰扣系在下巴底下,就像這樣。”說(shuō)完話,美格戴帽演示了一番,然后,就怡然自得地望著約翰,令人怦然心動(dòng)。

“帽子真可愛(ài),但我更喜歡戴帽的臉孔,看上去又青春煥發(fā),無(wú)比開(kāi)心了。”這時(shí),約翰在美格的笑臉上使勁地吻了一下,下巴下面的玫瑰扣就倒霉了。

“你喜歡,我很高興,我還想讓你哪天晚上陪我去聽(tīng)新音樂(lè)會(huì)呢。我很需要聽(tīng)聽(tīng)音樂(lè),調(diào)整一下情緒。你愿意嗎?”

“當(dāng)然愿意。盡心奉陪,隨你去任何地方。你很久沒(méi)有出門了,所以,出去走走真是有說(shuō)不完的好處。我特別喜歡這一套的。你是怎么想到這個(gè)的,孩子他媽?”

“嗯,前幾日,我跟媽咪交談過(guò),告訴她我有多么緊張、焦躁,脾氣不好。她說(shuō)我需要調(diào)節(jié)一下,不要太操心。所以,漢娜要來(lái)幫我看孩子。我可以更多地料理家務(wù),不時(shí)還可以樂(lè)一下。這樣,就可以避免心情不安,不會(huì)未老先衰。約翰,這僅僅是嘗試一下罷了,這樣做,可是為了你我二人啊。最近我冷落了你,感到很遺憾。我打算盡力讓我們家恢復(fù)以往的氣氛。希望你不會(huì)反對(duì)吧?”

我們不用在意約翰都說(shuō)了些什么話,也不用管那頂女帽九死一生,差一點(diǎn)點(diǎn)沒(méi)有徹底損壞。我們所應(yīng)該知道的是,從屋里和家里人慢慢的好轉(zhuǎn)來(lái)判斷,約翰顯然沒(méi)有表示反對(duì)。當(dāng)然,生活不是天堂。但是,合理的分工,可以對(duì)每個(gè)人有好處。孩子有了父親的管束,茁壯成長(zhǎng)起來(lái)。一絲不茍、堅(jiān)定不移的約翰給孩子堆里帶來(lái)了秩序和順從,而美格進(jìn)行了大量的健身鍛煉,來(lái)一點(diǎn)玩樂(lè),她還經(jīng)常和精明的老公一起促膝談心,終于恢復(fù)了精神,穩(wěn)定了情緒。這時(shí),他們家又像一個(gè)家了。約翰也不想出門了,除非帶上美格?,F(xiàn)在,反而是斯科特一家來(lái)布魯克家串門了。鄰居們都認(rèn)為,約翰的小房子真是一個(gè)歡樂(lè)的地方,充滿了愉快的氣氛,豐衣足食,非常溫馨。連快活的薩利·莫法特都愿意去他們家。“這兒總是那么寧?kù)o宜人。美格,這兒對(duì)我很有益處啊。”她經(jīng)常這么贊嘆,而且,眼神左顧右盼,總是流露出渴望的神情,似乎很想發(fā)現(xiàn)那個(gè)護(hù)身符,以便移植到自家的大屋子里。她覺(jué)得,家里裝飾得富麗堂皇,反而顯得冷冷清清,家里沒(méi)有孩子的戲鬧聲,更沒(méi)有孩子陽(yáng)光燦爛的笑臉。內(nèi)德生活在自己的圈子里,并沒(méi)有為她留下空間。

這家人的快活家庭生活并不是一朝一夕獲得的。約翰和美格終于找到了幸福之門的鑰匙。婚后生活的歲月,都讓他們明白使用這把幸福鑰匙的神機(jī)妙法,所以,他們能夠打開(kāi)天倫之樂(lè)、互助互愛(ài)的寶藏。這個(gè)寶藏,再窮苦的人都有可能獲得,但再富足也有錢難買。這就是年輕的妻子和母親們同意被束在那種高閣的原因。她們可以安全地?cái)[脫世間的躁動(dòng)與狂熱,在那些依戀她們的幼兒稚女身上找到忠誠(chéng)的愛(ài),無(wú)懼悲痛、貧困與老齡。她們和一個(gè)忠實(shí)的朋友攜手并進(jìn),同甘共苦。丈夫,在那優(yōu)秀的英國(guó)古語(yǔ)里,真正意思就是“管家”。她們就像美格那樣,認(rèn)識(shí)到婦人最幸福的王國(guó)是家庭,而其最高榮耀并非作為女王的統(tǒng)治術(shù),而是作為賢妻良母的家政術(shù)。

CHAPTER 38 ON THE SHELF

IN FRANCE THE young girls have a dull time of it till they are married, when“Vive la liberté”becomes their motto. In America, as everyone knows, girls early sign the declaration of independence, and enjoy their freedom with republican zest, but the young matrons usually abdicate with the first heir to the throne and go into a seclusion almost as close as a French nunnery, though by no means as quiet. Whether they like it or not, they are virtually put upon the shelf as soon as the wedding excitement is over, and most of them might exclaim, as did a very pretty woman the other day, “I'm as handsome as ever, but no one takes any notice of me because I'm married.”

Not being a belle or even a fashionable lady, Meg did not experience this affliction till her babies were a year old, for in her little world primitive customs prevailed, and she found herself more admired and beloved than ever.

As she was a womanly little woman, the maternal instinct was very strong, and she was entirely absorbed in her children, to the utter exclusion of everything and everybody else. Day and night she brooded over them with tireless devotion and anxiety, leaving John to the tender mercies of the help, for an Irish lady now presided over the kitchen department. Being a domestic man, John decidedly missed the wifely attentions he had been accustomed to receive, but as he adored his babies, he cheerfully relinquished his comfort for a time, supposing with masculine ignorance that peace would soon be restored. But three months passed, and there was no return of repose. Meg looked worn and nervous, the babies absorbed every minute of her time, the house was neglected, and Kitty, the cook, who took life “aisy”, kept him on short commons. When he went out in the morning he was bewildered by small commissions for the captive mamma, if he came gaily in at night, eager to embrace his family, he was quenched by a “Hush! They are just asleep after worrying all day.” If he proposed a little amusement at home, “No, it would disturb the babies.” If he hinted at a lecture or a concert, he was answered with a reproachful look, and a decided “Leave my children for pleasure, never! ” His sleep was broken by infant wails and visions of a phantom figure pacing noiselessly to and fro in the watches of the night; his meals were interrupted by the frequent flight of the presiding genius, who deserted him, half-helped, if a muffled chirp sounded from the nest above; and when he read his paper of an evening, Demi's colic got into the shipping list and Daisy's fall affected the price of stocks, for Mrs. Brooke was only interested in domestic news.

The poor man was very uncomfortable, for the children had bereft him of his wife, home was merely a nursery and the perpetual “hushing” made him feel like a brutal intruder whenever he entered the sacred precincts of Babyland. He bore it very patiently for six months, and when no signs of amendment appeared, he did what other paternal exiles do—tried to get a little comfort elsewhere. Scott had married and gone to housekeeping not far off, and John fell into the way of running over for an hour or two of an evening, when his own parlor was empty, and his own wife singing lullabies that seemed to have no end. Mrs. Scott was a lively, pretty girl, with nothing to do but be agreeable, and she performed her mission most successfully. The parlor was always bright and attractive, the chessboard ready, the piano in tune, plenty of gay gossip, and a nice little supper set forth in tempting style.

John would have preferred his own fireside if it had not been so lonely, but as it was he gratefully took the next best thing and enjoyed his neighbor's society.

Meg rather approved of the new arrangement at first, and found it a relief to know that John was having a good time instead of dozing in the parlor, or tramping about the house and waking the children. But by-and-by, when the teething worry was over and the idols went to sleep at proper hours, leaving Mamma time to rest, she began to miss John, and find her workbasket dull company, when he was not sitting opposite in his old dressing gown, comfortably scorching his slippers on the fender. She would not ask him to stay at home, but felt injured because he did not know that she wanted him without being told, entirely forgetting the many evenings he had waited for her in vain. She was nervous and worn out with watching and worry, and in that unreasonable frame of mind which the best of mothers occasionally experience when domestic cares oppress them. Want of exercise robs them of cheerfulness, and too much devotion to that idol of American women, the teapot, makes them feel as if they were all nerve and no muscle.

“Yes, ” she would say, looking in the glass, “I'm getting old and ugly. John doesn't find me interesting any longer, so he leaves his faded wife and goes to see his pretty neighbor, who has no incumbrances. Well, the babies love me, they don't care if I am thin and pale and haven't time to crimp my hair, they are my comfort, and some day John will see what I've gladly sacrificed for them, won't he, my precious? ”

To which pathetic appeal Daisy would answer with a coo, or Demi with a crow, and Meg would put by her lamentations for a maternal revel,which soothed her solitude for the time being. But the pain increased as politics absorbed John, who was always running over to discuss interesting points with Scott, quite unconscious that Meg missed him. Not a word did she say, however, till her mother found her in tears one day, and insisted on knowing what the matter was, for Meg's drooping spirits had not escaped her observation.

“I wouldn't tell anyone except you, Mother, but I really do need advice, for if John goes on much longer I might as well be widowed, ”replied Mrs. Brooke, drying her tears on Daisy's bib with an injured air.

“Goes on how, my dear? ” asked her mother anxiously.

“He's away all day, and at night when I want to see him, he is continually going over to the Scotts'. It isn't fair that I should have the hardest work, and never any amusement. Men are very selfish, even the best of them.”

“So are women. Don't blame John till you see where you are wrong yourself.”

“But it can't be right for him to neglect me.”

“Don't you neglect him? ”

“Why, Mother, I thought you'd take my part! ”

“So I do, as far as sympathizing goes, but I think the fault is yours, Meg.”

“I don't see how.”

“Let me show you. Did John ever neglect you, as you call it, while you made it a point to give him your society of an evening, his only leisure time? ”

“No, but I can't do it now, with two babies to tend.”

“I think you could, dear, and I think you ought. May I speak quite freely, and will you remember that it's Mother who blames as well as Mother who sympathizes? ”

“Indeed I will! Speak to me as if I were little Meg again. I often feel as if I needed teaching more than ever since these babies look to me for everything.”

Meg drew her low chair beside her mother's, and with a little interruption in either lap, the two women rocked and talked lovingly together, feeling that the tie of motherhood made them more one than ever.

“You have only made the mistake that most young wives make—forgotten your duty to your husband in your love for your children. A very natural and forgivable mistake, Meg, but one that had better be remedied before you take to different ways, for children should draw you nearer than ever, not separate you, as if they were all yours, and John had nothing to do but support them. I've seen it for some weeks, but have not spoken, feeling sure it would come right in time.”

“I'm afraid it won't. If I ask him to stay, he'll think I'm jealous, and I wouldn't insult him by such an idea. He doesn't see that I want him, and I don't know how to tell him without words.”

“Make it so pleasant he won't want to go away. My dear, he's longing for his little home, but it isn't home without you, and you are always in the nursery.”

“Oughtn't I to be there? ”

“Not all the time, too much confinement makes you nervous, and then you are unfitted for everything. Besides, you owe something to John as well as to the babies. Don't neglect husband for children, don't shut him out of the nursery, but teach him how to help in it. His place is there as well as yours, and the children need him. Let him feel that he has a part to do, and he will do it gladly and faithfully, and it will be better for you all.”

“You really think so, Mother? ”

“I know it, Meg, for I've tried it, and I seldom give advice unless I've proved its practicability. When you and Jo were little, I went on just as you are, feeling as if I didn't do my duty unless I devoted myself wholly to you. Poor Father took to his books, after I had refused all offers of help, and left me to try my experiment alone. I struggled along as well as I could, but Jo was too much for me. I nearly spoiled her by indulgence. You were poorly, and I worried about you till I fell sick myself. Then Father came to the rescue, quietly managed everything, and made himself so helpful that I saw my mistake, and never have been able to get on without him since. That is the secret of our home happiness: he does not let business wean him from the little cares and duties that affect us all, and I try not to let domestic worries destroy my interest in his pursuits. Each do our part alone in many things, but at home we work together, always.”

“It is so, Mother, and my great wish is to be to my husband and children what you have been to yours. Show me how, I'll do anything you say.”

“You always were my docile daughter. Well, dear, if I were you, I'd let John have more to do with the management of Demi, for the boy needs training, and it's none too soon to begin. Then I'd do what I have often proposed, let Hannah come and help you. She is a capital nurse, and you may trust the precious babies to her while you do more housework. You need the exercise, Hannah would enjoy the rest, and John would find his wife again. Go out more, keep cheerful as well as busy, for you are the sunshine-maker of the family, and if you get dismal there is no fair weather. Then I'd try to take an interest in whatever John likes—talk with him, let him read to you, exchange ideas, and help each other in that way. Don't shut yourself up in a bandbox because you are a woman, but understand what is going on, and educate yourself to take your part in the world's work, for it all affects you and yours.”

“John is so sensible, I'm afraid he will think I'm stupid if I ask questions about politics and things.”

“I don't believe he would. Love covers a multitude of sins, and of whom could you ask more freely than of him? Try it, and see if he doesn't find your society far more agreeable than Mrs. Scott's suppers.”

“I will.Poor John!I'm afraid I have neglected him sadly,but I thought I was right, and he never said anything.”

“He tried not to be selfish, but he has felt rather forlorn, I fancy. This is just the time, Meg, when young married people are apt to grow apart, and the very time when they ought to be most together; for the first tenderness soon wears off, unless care is taken to preserve it; and no time is so beautiful and precious to parents as the first years of the little lives given to them to train. Don't let John be a stranger to the babies, for they will do more to keep him safe and happy in this world of trial and temptation than anything else, and through them you will learn to know and love one another as you should. Now, dear, good-by. Think over Mother's preachment, act upon it if it seems good, and God bless you all.”

Meg did think it over, found it good, and acted upon it, though the first attempt was not made exactly as she planned to have it. Of course the children tyrannized over her, and ruled the house as soon as they found out that kicking and squalling brought them whatever they wanted. Mamma was an abject slave to their caprices, but Papa was not so easily subjugated, and occasionally afflicted his tender spouse by an attempt at paternal discipline with his obstreperous son. For Demi inherited a trifle of his sire's firmness of character—we won't call it obstinacy—and when he made up his little mind to have or to do anything, all the king's horses and all the king's men could not change that pertinacious little mind. Mamma thought the dear too young to be taught to conquer his prejudices, but Papa believed that it never was too soon to learn obedience. So Master Demi early discovered that when he undertook to “wrastle” with “parpar”, he always got the worst of it, yet like the Englishman, baby respected the man who conquered him, and loved the father whose grave “No, no, ” was more impressive than all Mamma's love pats.

A few days after the talk with her mother, Meg resolved to try a social evening with John, so she ordered a nice supper, set the parlor in order, dressed herself prettily, and put the children to bed early, that nothing should interfere with her experiment. But unfortunately Demi's most unconquerable prejudice was against going to bed, and that night he decided to go on a rampage. So poor Meg sang and rocked, told stories and tried every sleep-prevoking wile she could devise, but all in vain, the big eyes wouldn't shut, and long after Daisy had gone to byelow, like the chubby little bunch of good nature she was, naughty Demi lay staring at the light, with the most discouragingly wide-awake expression of countenance.

“Will Demi lie still like a good boy, while Mamma runs down and gives poor Papa his tea? ” asked Meg, as the hall door softly closed, and the well-known step went tip-toeing into the dining room.

“Me has tea! ” said Demi, preparing to join in the revel.

“No, but I'll save you some little cakies for breakfast, if you'll go bye-bye like Daisy. Will you, lovey? ”

“Iss! ” and Demi shut his eyes tight, as if to catch sleep and hurry the desired day.

Taking advantage of the propitious moment, Meg slipped away and ran down to greet her husband with a smiling face and the little blue bow in her hair which was his especial admiration. He saw it at once and said with pleased surprise, “Why, little mother, how gay we are tonight. Do you expect company? ”

“Only you, dear.”

“Is it a birthday, anniversary, or anything? ”

“No, I'm tired of being dowdy, so I dressed up as a change. You always make yourself nice for table, no matter how tired you are, so why shouldn't I when I have the time? ”

“I do it out of respect for you, my dear, ” said old-fashioned John.

“Ditto, ditto, Mr. Brooke, ” laughed Meg, looking young and pretty again, as she nodded to him over the teapot.

“Well, it's altogether delightful, and like old times. This tastes right. I drink your health, dear.” And John sipped his tea with an air of reposeful rapture, which was of very short duration however, for as he put down his cup, the door handle rattled mysteriously, and a little voice was heard, saying impatiently—

“Opy doy; me's tummin! ”

“It's that naughty boy. I told him to go to sleep alone, and here he is, downstairs, getting his death a-cold pattering over that canvas, ” said Meg, answering the call.

“Mornin' now, ” announced Demi in joyful tone as he entered, with his long nightgown gracefully festooned over his arm and every curl bobbing gayly as he pranced about the table, eyeing the “cakies” with loving glances.

“No, it isn't morning yet. You must go to bed, and not trouble poor Mamma. Then you can have the little cake with sugar on it.”

“Me loves Parpar, ” said the artful one, preparing to climb the paternal knee and revel in forbidden joys. But John shook his head, and said to Meg—

“If you told him to stay up there, and go to sleep alone, make him do it, or he will never learn to mind you.”

“Yes, of course. Come, Demi, ” and Meg led her son away, feeling a strong desire to spank the little marplot who hopped beside her, laboring under the delusion that the bribe was to be administered as soon as they reached the nursery.

Nor was he disappointed, for that shortsighted woman actually gave him a lump of sugar, tucked him into his bed, and forbade any more promenades till morning.

“Iss! ” said Demi the perjured, blissfully sucking his sugar, and regarding his first attempt as eminently successful.

Meg returned to her place, and supper was progressing pleasantly, when the little ghost walked again, and exposed the maternal delinquencies by boldly demanding, “More sudar, Marmar.”

“Now this won't do, ” said John, hardening his heart against the engaging little sinner. “We shall never know any peace till that child learns to go to bed properly. You have made a slave of yourself long enough. Give him one lesson, and then there will be an end of it. Put him in his bed and leave him, Meg.”

“He won't stay there, he never does unless I sit by him.”

“I'll manage him. Demi, go upstairs, and get into your bed, as Mamma bids you.”

“S'ant! ” replied the young rebel, helping himself to the coveted“cakie”, and beginning to eat the same with calm audacity.

“You must never say that to Papa. I shall carry you if you don't go yourself.”

“Go 'way, me don't love Parpar.” And Demi retired to his mother's skirts for protection.

But even that refuge proved unavailing, for he was delivered over to the enemy, with a “Be gentle with him, John, ” which struck the culprit with dismay, for when Mamma deserted him, then the judgment day was at hand. Bereft of his cake, defrauded of his frolic, and borne away by a strong hand to that detested bed, poor Demi could not restrain his wrath, but openly defied Papa, and kicked and screamed lustily all the way upstairs. The minute he was put into bed on one side, he rolled out on the other, and made for the door, only to be ignominiously caught up by the tail of his little toga and put back again, which lively performance was kept up till the young man's strength gave out, when he devoted himself to roaring at the top of his voice. This vocal exercise usually conquered Meg, but John sat as unmoved as the post which is popularly believed to be deaf. No coaxing, no sugar, no lullaby, no story, even the light was put out and only the red glow of the fire enlivened the “big dark” which Demi regarded with curiosity rather than fear. This new order of things disgusted him, and he howled dismally for “Marmar”, as his angry passions subsided, and recollections of his tender bondwoman returned to the captive autocrat. The plaintive wail which succeeded the passionate roar went to Meg's heart, and she ran up to say beseechingly—“Let me stay with him, he'll be good now, John.”

“No, my dear. I've told him he must go to sleep, as you bid him, and he must, if I stay here all night.”

“But he'll cry himself sick, ” pleaded Meg, reproaching herself for deserting her boy.

“No, he won't, he's so tired he will soon drop off and then the matter is settled, for he will understand that he has got to mind. Don't interfere, I'll manage him.”

“He's my child, and I can't have his spirit broken by harshness.”

“He's my child, and I won't have his temper spoiled by indulgence.Go down, my dear, and leave the boy to me.”

When John spoke in that masterful tone, Meg always obeyed, and never regretted her docility.

“Please let me kiss him once, John? ”

“Certainly. Demi, say good night to Mamma, and let her go and rest, for she is very tired with taking care of you all day.”

Meg always insisted upon it that the kiss won the victory, for after it was given, Demi sobbed more quietly, and lay quite still at the bottom of the bed, whither he had wriggled in his anguish of mind.

“Poor little man, he's worn out with sleep and crying. I'll cover him up, and then go and set Meg's heart at rest, ” thought John, creeping to the bedside, hoping to find his rebellious heir asleep.

But he wasn't, for the moment his father peeped at him, Demi's eyes opened, his little chin began to quiver, and he put up his arms, saying with a penitent hiccough, “Me's dood, now.”

Sitting on the stairs outside Meg wondered at the long silence which followed the uproar, and after imagining all sorts of impossible accidents, she slipped into the room to set her fears at rest. Demi lay fast asleep, not in his usual spreadeagle attitude, but in a subdued bunch, cuddled close in the circle of his father's arm and holding his father's finger, as if he felt that justice was tempered with mercy, and had gone to sleep a sadder and wiser baby. So held, John had waited with a womanly patience till the little hand relaxed its hold, and while waiting had fallen asleep, more tired by that tussle with his son than with his whole day's work.

As Meg stood watching the two faces on the pillow, she smiled to herself, and then slipped away again, saying in a satisfied tone, “I never need fear that John will be too harsh with my babies;he does know how to manage them,and will be a great help,for Demi is getting too much for me.”

When John came down at last, expecting to find a pensive or reproachful wife, he was agreeably surprised to find Meg placidly trimming a bonnet, and to be greeted with the request to read something about the election, if he was not too tired. John saw in a minute that a revolution of some kind was going on, but wisely asked no questions, knowing that Meg was such a transparent little person, she couldn't keep a secret to save her life, and therefore the clue would soon appear. He read a long debate with the most amiable readiness and then explained it in his most lucid manner, while Meg tried to look deeply interested, to ask intelligent questions, and keep her thoughts from wandering from the state of the nation to the state of her bonnet. In her secret soul, however, she decided that politics were as bad as mathematics, and that the mission of politicians seemed to be calling each other names; but she kept these feminine ideas to herself, and when John paused, shook her head and said with what she thought diplomatic ambiguity, “Well, I really don't see what we are coming to.”

John laughed, and watched her for a minute, as she poised a pretty little preparation of lace and flowers on her hand, and regarded it with the genuine interest which his harangue had failed to waken.

“She is trying to like politics for my sake, so I'll try and like millinery for hers, that's only fair, ” thought John the Just, adding aloud, “That's very pretty. Is it what you call a breakfast cap? ”

“My dear man, it's a bonnet! My very best go-to-concert-and-theater bonnet.”

“I beg your pardon, it was so small, I naturally mistook it for one of the flyaway things you sometimes wear. How do you keep it on? ”

“These

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