# ■ 4 The house next door

It's so nice to go to parties and drive home in carriages．'said Mea，the next morning．'Other people live like that all the time，and I wish we could．I wish we were rich．'

Well， we're not，'said Jo．' So we must do our work with a smile，the way Mother does．'

Mr March had lost most of his money helping a friend．When the two older girls discovered this，they wanted to do something to earn some money for the family， and as soon as they were old enough，they found work．Meg got a job teach ing four small children．It was hard for her to be poor because she could remember the time when their home had been beautiful，with every thing they wanted． And every day at Mrs King's house she saw pretty dresses，and heard talk of parties and the theatre-all the things which Meg loved．

Jo went to Aunt March，who needed someone to fetch and carry things，and read to her．She was a difficult old lady who complained a lot，but Jo did her best．

Beth was much too shy to go to school with other children，so she studied at home with her father． When he went away，and her mother was busy with war work， Beth continued to study by herself and helped Hannah keep the home tidy for the others． She also spent long，quiet hours alone，talking to her dolls or playing the old piano．Beth loved music and，although the family could not afford music lessons or a good piano for her， she tried hard to make herself a better musician．

Amy drew the most beautiful pictures and wanted to be a fa mous painter one day．She was a favoturite with everyone， except when she complained abut having to wear her cousin's old clothes because her mother could not afford to buy new ones for her．

One afternoon a week or two later， Jo went outside to clear the snow away from some of the garden so that Beth could walk there when the sun came out．She looked across to the house next door-a big stone house with lovely things inside that Jo occasionally saw through the open curtains at the windows．But it seemed a lonely， lifeless kind of house， as no children played outside， no motherly face smiled at the windows， and not many people went in and out， except the old gentleman and his grandson．

She had not seen the Laurence boy lately and wondered if he was away， but suddenly she saw him looking out of an upstairs window.She threw up a handful of soft show and called out，'Are you ill？'

Laurie opened the window'm almost better， thank you，'he said．'I've had a bad cold．'

What do you find to do？'said Jo．

Nothing，'he said．'They won't let me．'

Why don't you get someone to come and see you？'

I don't know anyone．'

You know us，'said Jo．

So I do！'laughed Laurie．'Will you come，please？'

I'll come if Mother will let me． I'll go and ask her． Shut the window and wait until I come．'

Laurie was excited and began to get ready for Jo's visit．He brushed his hair and tried to make his room tidy．Soon after， he heard voices downstairs，then a surprised servant ran up to his room．

There's a young lady to see you， sir，'she said．

A moment later，Jo appeared with a box in one hand and Beth's three small cats in the other． 'Mother sends her love，'she said．'Meg asked me to bring some of her cake， and Beth thought you would like to play with her cats． Isn't she funny？'

Laurie laughed How kind you all are，'he said．

Shall I read to you？'sald Jo．

I'd rather talk，'he said．

I can talk all day，'said Jo，smiling．'Beth says I never know when to stop．'

Is Beth the one who stays at home？'

Yes，that's Beth．She's a good girl．'

The pretty one is Meg，and the curly－haired one is Amy， is that right？' he said．

Yes．How did you know？'

Laurie's face became red．'I hear you calling to each other，and you always seem to be having so much fun．Sometimes，in the evenings，you forget to close your curtains and I can see you sitting round the fire with your mother．I haven't got a mother．'

Jo saw the sadness in his eyes．'Why don't you come over and see us？ Would your grandfather let you？'

Perhaps，if your mother asked him，'said Laurie．'He spends a lot of time among his books，and Mr Brooke，my tutor，doesn't live here．So I haven't anyone to go out with．Do you like your school？'

I don't go to school．I go out to work-to my aunt's，'said Jo．She described the difficult old lady and made him laugh with her stories． She told him all about her sisters，the plays they acted，and their hopes and fears for their father．Then they talked about books， and Jo discovered that Laurie loved them as much as she did．

Come and see our library，'he said．'Grandfather is out，so you needn't be afraid．'

I 'm not afraid of anything，' replied Jo．

He took her down to a room where the walls were covered with books and pictures．

You should be the happiest boy in the world！'said Jo，sitting in a big armchair and looking round．

A person can't live on books，'he said．

Suddenly，a bell rang．

Jo jumped up out of the chair．It's your grand father！'she said．

What if it is？'said Laurie， with a smile．'You're not afraid of anything， remember？'

Perhaps I am a little bit afraid of him，'said Jo．

The servant came in at that moment．'The doctor is here to see you， sir，'she said to Laurie．

Can I leave you for a minute or two， Jo？'he said．

Yes， I'm very happy here，'said Jo．

He went away and Jo was staring at a large picture of the old gentleman when the door opened again without turning，she said，'I won't be afraid of him， because he's got kind eyes，although his mouth looks hard and cold．He's not as handsome as my grandfather， but I like him．'

Thank you，'said a deep voice behind her．

She turned quickly-and saw old Mr Laurence！

Jo's face turned a bright red and she wanted to run away．But the old man's eyes looked kinder than those in the picture and seemed to have a smile in them.

So you're not afraid of me，eh？'he said．

Not much，sir．'

But I'm not as handsome as your grandfather？'

Not quite，sir．'

But you like me．'He laughed and shook hands with her．

Now，what have you been doing with my grandson？'

Trying to cheer him up， sir，' said Jo．'He seems a bit lonely．'

Then come and have some tea with us．'

Laurie was very surprised to see Jo with his grandfather，but was soon talking and laughing happily with Jo．The old man watched the two young people and noticed the change in his grandson．'She's right，'he thought．The boy does need cheering up．'

After tea， they went into a room where there was a large and beautiful piano．

Do you play？'Jo asked Laurie．

Sometimes，'he answered．

Play now． I want to hear it so I can tell Beth．'

So Laurie played and Jo listened．Afterwards，Mr Laurence said，'He plays quite well，but I want him to do well in more important things． Now， I hope you'll come again．'He shook hands with her．'Goodnight，Jo．'

Laurie walked to the door with her．'He doesn't like to hear me play，'he said．

why not？' said Jo．

I'll tell you one day，'he said．

When Jo told the family of her afternoon's adventures， they all wanted to go and visit the big house．

Mother，why doesn't Mr Laurence like to hear Laurie play the piano？'asked Jo．

Laurie's father married an Italian lady， a musician，' said Mrs March．'The old man didn't like her， and never saw his son after they were married．Laurie was born in Italy， but his parents died when he was a child，and his grandfather brought him home．Laurie loves music and I expect his grand father is afraid he'll want to be a musician like his mother．'

Laurie should be a musician if he wants to be，'said Jo．'Sending him to college will just make him unhappy．'

■ 4 隔壁的房子

“去參加舞會然後坐馬車回家真好，”第二天早晨麥格說道。“其他人一直都是這樣生活的，真希望我們也是。真希望我們是富有的。”

“哎，我們不富有，”瓊說，“所以我們必須面帶微笑做我們的工作，就像媽媽那樣。”

馬奇先生為了幫助一位朋友失去了他的大部分錢。當兩個年長的女孩子發現這件事時，她們就想要做些事來幫家裡掙錢。她們等年齡一到，就去找工作。麥格找到了一份給四個小孩教課的工作。對她來說貧困是艱難的，因為她能記得當初家裡是多麼漂亮，她們要什麼有什麼。每天在金太太的家裡她都能看到漂亮的衣服，聽到有關舞會和劇院的議論——這些都是麥格所熱衷的。

瓊到了馬奇姑媽家，她需要有人幫她拿取東西，給她讀文章。她是個很難纏的老太太，經常抱怨，可瓊盡力而為。

白絲太害羞，不願跟其他孩子一起上學，於是她呆在家裡跟父親學習。父親走了之後，母親忙於戰爭方面的工作，白絲就繼續自學，同時幫助海娜為其他人整理房間。她也常常花很長時間安靜地獨處，和她的玩具娃娃說話，或者彈那架舊鋼琴。白絲熱愛音樂，雖然家裡不能供她上音樂課或買架好鋼琴給她，她還是努力使自己成為一名更好的音樂家。

艾米會畫最漂亮的畫，她希望有一天能成為名畫家。她很討大家的喜歡，不過當母親由於買不起新衣服而讓她穿上表姐的舊衣服、她發牢騷的時候，情形就不同了。

一兩個星期以後的一個下午，瓊到外面去，想把花園裡的部分雪清掃掉，這樣白絲就可以在太陽出來時到那兒去散步了。她朝隔壁的房子看過去——那是座大磚房，裡面有很多漂亮的東西，瓊有時會從那些打開窗簾的窗戶看到裡面。可它看上去像是一座孤獨的毫無生氣的房子，沒有孩子在外面玩，沒有窗邊慈母的笑臉，也沒有許多進進出出的人，只有那個老先生和他的孫子。

她後來一直沒有見到勞倫斯家的男孩，她懷疑他已經走了，可突然間，她見到他正從樓上的一扇窗戶朝外張望。她向上扔了一把鬆軟的雪，喊道：“你是病了嗎？”

羅瑞打開窗戶。“我好多了，謝謝，”他說。“我得了重感冒。”

“你都做些什麼？”瓊問。

“什麼都不做，”他回答。“他們不讓我做。”

“你為什麼不讓別人去看你呢？”

“我誰也不認識。”

“你認識我們啊，”瓊道。

“那當然！”羅瑞笑了。“你願意來嗎？”

“如果媽媽同意我就來。我去問她。關上窗戶等著我。”

羅瑞很興奮，開始為瓊的來訪做準備。他梳了頭，儘量把他的房屋弄整齊。過了不久，他聽到樓下有動靜，然後一個吃了一驚的僕人跑上他的房間。

“有位年輕的女士來看您，先生，”她說。

片刻，瓊出現了，一隻手抱著一個盆子，另一隻手抱著白絲的三隻小貓。“媽媽向你問好，”她說。“麥格叫我給你帶些好的蛋糕來。白絲認為你會喜歡跟她的小貓玩兒。她是不是很有意思？”

羅瑞笑著說：“你們真好。”

“我給你讀文章怎麼樣？”瓊說。

“我寧願聊聊天。”他答道。

“我可以聊一整天，”瓊笑答。“白絲說我總是不知道在哪兒告一段落。”

“白絲是那個呆在家裡的孩子嗎？”

“是的，那是白絲。她是個好孩子。”

“漂亮的那個是麥格，卷頭髮的那個是艾米，對嗎？”羅瑞問。

“是的，你怎麼知道？”

羅瑞的臉紅了。“我聽到你們互相喊對方。你們看起來總有很多有趣的事。有時候，晚上你們忘記拉窗簾，我能看見你們和母親一起坐在爐火邊。我沒有母親。”

瓊看到了他眼中的悲傷。“你幹嗎不到我家來看我們？你祖父會讓你來嗎？”

“可能，如果你母親跟他講的話，”羅瑞說，“他花很多時間看書，而我的家庭教師布魯克先生不住在這兒，所以沒人和我一起出去。你喜歡你的學校嗎？”

“我沒上學。我去工作——到我姑媽家，”瓊回答。她描述了那個難纏的老太太，她的故事讓他發笑。她告訴他關於她的姐妹的所有事，她們演過的劇，以及她們對父親的期盼和擔憂。然後他們談到了書籍，瓊發現羅瑞像她一樣愛書。

“到我們的圖書室來，”他說。“祖父出門了，所以你不用怕。”

“我什麼也不怕，”瓊答道。

他帶她來到樓下的一個房間，那裡四壁都為書籍和畫所遮蓋。

“你應該是世界上最幸福的男孩！”瓊嘆道，邊說邊坐進一張大扶手椅，環顧四周。

“一個人不能靠書生活，”他說。

突然，鈴響了。

瓊從椅子上跳起來。“是你祖父！”她說。

“是又怎樣？”羅瑞笑著說，“你什麼都不怕，記得嗎？”

“也許我有一點點怕他，”瓊說。

此時僕人走進來。“醫生來看您了，先生，”她對羅瑞說。

“我能離開一兩分鐘嗎，瓊？”他說。

“可以，我很高興呆在這兒，”瓊答道。

他走開了。當瓊正在端詳那位老先生的一大幅畫像時，門又開了。她沒有轉過身，說道：“我不害怕他，因為雖然他的嘴巴看上去又硬又冷，他的眼睛卻很和善。他不像我祖父那麼英俊，可我喜歡他。”

“謝謝你，”她背後有一個深沉的聲音說。

她很快轉過身——看到了老勞倫斯先生！

瓊的臉變得通紅，她想跑掉。可那位老先生的眼睛看上去比畫像裡的還要和善，好像還帶著笑意。

“看來你不怕我，啊？”他問道。

“不太怕，先生。”

“可我不如你祖父長得英俊？”

“不如，先生。”

“可你喜歡我。”他笑著和她握握手。“現在告訴我，你和我孫子一起幹了些什麼？”

“我盡力使他高興起來，先生。”瓊答道。“他看上去有些孤獨。”

“那來和我們一起喝點茶吧。”

羅瑞看到瓊和他祖父在一起很吃驚，可不久就高興地和瓊說說笑笑起來。老人望著兩個年輕人，察覺到了他孫子的變化。“她是對的，”他想，“這孩子需要高興起來。”

喝過茶，他們來到一個房間，裡面擺著一架漂亮的大鋼琴。

“你彈琴嗎？”瓊問羅瑞。

“有時彈，”他答道。

“現在就彈吧，我得聽聽，好去告訴白絲。”

然後羅瑞彈起鋼琴，瓊聽著，之後，勞倫斯先生說：“他彈得很好，可我要他把更重要的事情做好。那好，希望你能再來。”他跟她握了握手。“晚安，瓊。”

羅瑞隨她走到門口。“他不喜歡我彈琴，”他說。

“為什麼不？”瓊問。

“我改天會告訴你的。”他回答。

當瓊告訴家人她下午的經歷後，她們也都很想去看看那座大房子。

“媽媽，為什麼勞倫斯先生不喜歡聽羅瑞彈琴？”瓊問。

“羅瑞的父親娶了一個意大利女人，她是個鋼琴師，”馬奇太太說。“老人不喜歡她，自從他們結婚後就再也沒見他的兒子。羅瑞出生在意大利，可在他小時候他父母就去世了。他祖父把他接到家裡來。羅瑞很喜歡音樂。我想他祖父一定是怕他想成為他母親那樣的音樂師。”

“羅瑞如果願意，他就應該做音樂師，”瓊說。“把他送到大學去只會讓他不快樂。”