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雙語(yǔ)譯林·小婦人 第一章 扮演朝圣者 PLAYING PILGRIMS

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2022年04月02日

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第一章 扮演朝圣者

“沒(méi)有禮物送,不算圣誕節(jié)?!眴烫稍诘靥荷相洁熘?/p>

“貧窮真可怕!”美格低頭看看一身舊衣服,嘆息道。

“有人漂亮東西應(yīng)有盡有,有人卻樣樣沒(méi)有,我看不公平?!毙“牢睾咧亲?,加了一句。

“可我們有爸媽和姐妹相親??!”貝絲坐在角落里,倒是心滿意足地說(shuō)。

聽(tīng)了振奮人心的話,四張小臉在爐火的映照下亮堂起來(lái),但聽(tīng)了喬憂傷的話,馬上又陰沉下去了:

“可爸不在,長(zhǎng)時(shí)間當(dāng)兵在外?!彪m然她沒(méi)有說(shuō):“說(shuō)不定有去無(wú)回了呢!”可心里都默默地加了這一句。她們想念著遠(yuǎn)方戰(zhàn)場(chǎng)[1]上的父親。

大家沉默了片刻,美格換了一種語(yǔ)氣說(shuō)道:

“媽媽提出,今年圣誕不送禮,你們知道理由的,今年冬天對(duì)誰(shuí)來(lái)說(shuō)都難熬?,F(xiàn)在男人們?cè)谲姞I(yíng)里受煎熬,她覺(jué)得我們不應(yīng)該花錢(qián)找樂(lè)。我們雖然做不了那么多,但可以,也應(yīng)該樂(lè)意做出這么一點(diǎn)小小的犧牲。恐怕我是做不到哇。”美格搖搖頭,一想到那些朝思暮想的漂亮禮物,不由懊喪起來(lái)。

“我說(shuō),我們要花的那點(diǎn)點(diǎn)錢(qián)也無(wú)濟(jì)于事。每人只有一元錢(qián),就是捐給了軍隊(duì)也沒(méi)什么用。沒(méi)錯(cuò),我不指望媽媽給什么,你們也不會(huì)送,可我真的想替自己買(mǎi)一本《水精靈》[2],老早就想買(mǎi)了?!眴陶f(shuō)。要知道,她是個(gè)“書(shū)蟲(chóng)”。

“我那一元錢(qián)本來(lái)想買(mǎi)新樂(lè)譜的?!必惤z說(shuō)。她嘆了一小口氣,聲音輕得除了壁爐刷和水壺架誰(shuí)也沒(méi)聽(tīng)到。

“我要買(mǎi)一盒上好的費(fèi)伯牌繪圖鉛筆,確實(shí)需要嘛。”艾美毅然決然地說(shuō)。

“媽媽并沒(méi)有規(guī)定我們錢(qián)該怎么花,她不會(huì)希望我們什么都不要。不如大家都買(mǎi)自己想買(mǎi)的,開(kāi)心一下。我說(shuō),掙這筆錢(qián),我們夠賣(mài)力的了。”喬一邊高聲說(shuō),一邊審視著自己的鞋跟,頗有紳士風(fēng)度。

“可不是嘛——差不多整天都在教那些討厭的孩子,本來(lái)倒希望回家輕松一下的?!泵栏裼直г归_(kāi)了。

“你的辛苦比我差得遠(yuǎn)呢,”喬說(shuō),“難道你愿意成天和神經(jīng)質(zhì)、大驚小怪的老太婆關(guān)在一起嗎?她把人使喚得團(tuán)團(tuán)轉(zhuǎn),卻里外不稱心,把人折騰得恨不得跳窗出去,要么就大哭一場(chǎng)。”

“做一點(diǎn)事情就心煩是不好,不過(guò),我真的覺(jué)得洗碗碟、理東西是世上最糟糕的工作。搞得脾氣暴躁不算,手也變得這么僵硬,連琴都彈不好了?!必惤z看看粗手,嘆了口氣,這回大家都聽(tīng)到了。

“就不信你們哪個(gè)人有我辛苦,”艾美大聲道,“你們反正用不著跟野姑娘們一起上學(xué)的。你功課搞不懂,卻老是煩你,還嘲笑你身上的衣服。爸爸沒(méi)錢(qián),卻要被她們‘標(biāo)榜’。連你鼻子不漂亮,也要奚落一下?!?/p>

“我想,你是說(shuō)‘誹謗’吧,不要說(shuō)成‘標(biāo)榜’,好像爸爸是個(gè)泡菜罐子,要貼標(biāo)簽似的?!眴绦χm正道。

“我知道我在說(shuō)什么,也不用瘋癡(諷刺)嘛。就是要多用生詞,能提高字(詞)匯量嘛。”艾美神氣活現(xiàn)地回嘴。

“別斗嘴了,妹妹們。喬,誰(shuí)叫爸爸在我們小時(shí)候丟了錢(qián)。難道你不希望我們有錢(qián)嗎?天哪!沒(méi)有煩惱事,我們會(huì)有多么快樂(lè)多么乖喲!”美格說(shuō),她還記得過(guò)去的好日子。

“前幾天你說(shuō)過(guò),我們過(guò)得比金家孩子要快活得多。他們雖然有錢(qián),卻一天到晚都在明爭(zhēng)暗斗,可以說(shuō)苦惱不斷。”

“我是這么說(shuō)過(guò),貝絲。唔,現(xiàn)在還是這么認(rèn)為呢。雖然不得不干活,我們卻可玩可鬧。就像喬說(shuō)的,我們是一票很快活的人。”

“喬盡說(shuō)這樣的土話!”艾美不無(wú)責(zé)備地看著手腳伸展躺在地毯上的長(zhǎng)條身軀道。喬馬上坐起來(lái),雙手插入口袋,吹起了口哨。

“不要嘛,喬。男生做的!”

“所以才這么做。”

“最恨粗丫頭,一點(diǎn)淑女味兒都沒(méi)有!”

“也討厭裝腔作勢(shì)的妮子,就知道扭扭捏捏!”

“巢中鳥(niǎo)兒,和睦相處?!焙褪吕胸惤z唱起了歌,臉上的表情滑稽可笑。兩個(gè)尖嗓門(mén)輕了下來(lái),化作一陣笑聲。“窩內(nèi)斗”暫時(shí)熄火了。

“說(shuō)實(shí)在的,姑娘們,你們倆都不對(duì)。”美格擺出大姐架勢(shì),開(kāi)始訓(xùn)話,“約瑟芬已經(jīng)長(zhǎng)大,該丟掉小子們的把戲,老實(shí)些。小的時(shí)候,這沒(méi)什么??涩F(xiàn)在人高馬大,頭發(fā)都網(wǎng)起來(lái)了,要記住你是大姑娘了?!?/p>

“才不是呢!如果頭發(fā)網(wǎng)起來(lái)就算大姑娘,那二十歲以前,我絕對(duì)只梳兩根辮子?!眴探辛似饋?lái),扯掉了發(fā)網(wǎng),抖落一頭栗色長(zhǎng)發(fā),“想到自己要長(zhǎng)大,要成為馬奇小姐,可真是討厭。就是不高興穿長(zhǎng)禮服,偏不做翠菊式的中國(guó)嬌小姐!我就是喜歡男孩子的游戲,男孩子的工作,男孩子的風(fēng)度??善莻€(gè)女的,夠糟的了!不是男兒身,真沒(méi)勁。再?zèng)]有比現(xiàn)在更糟糕的,多想跟爸上戰(zhàn)場(chǎng),卻只能待在家里織東西,像個(gè)臭老太!”喬晃動(dòng)藍(lán)軍襪,把針抖得叮當(dāng)作響,線團(tuán)也滾到了屋子另一邊。

“可憐的喬!太糟糕了,可也沒(méi)辦法可想呀。認(rèn)命吧,只能把名字改得有男子氣一些,當(dāng)我們姐妹的兄弟?!必惤z說(shuō)著,用那世上所有洗碗碟打掃工作都不能使其粗魯?shù)氖郑p輕地?fù)崦吭谒ド系念^發(fā)蓬亂的腦袋。

“至于你,艾美。”美格繼續(xù)數(shù)落說(shuō),“你就是太講究,太古板。你的神態(tài)現(xiàn)在有點(diǎn)滑稽,一不注意,就會(huì)長(zhǎng)成裝模作樣的小憨鵝。要是不刻意追求高雅,你倒舉止優(yōu)雅,言談文雅,我挺喜歡的??赡阏f(shuō)的那些蠢話,和喬的土話沒(méi)什么兩樣?!?/p>

“如果喬是假小子,艾美是憨鵝,請(qǐng)問(wèn),我是什么呢?”貝絲問(wèn),她也想挨一下訓(xùn)。

“你是小寶貝,沒(méi)別的?!泵栏裼H切地回答。沒(méi)人唱反調(diào),因?yàn)檫@位膽小的“老鼠”是家中的寵兒。

鑒于青少年讀者都想知道人物長(zhǎng)的模樣,我們借此機(jī)會(huì),簡(jiǎn)單描繪一下坐在暮色中麻利地做著針線活的四姐妹。此時(shí),屋外十二月冬雪輕輕地飄落,屋內(nèi)爐火噼啪躥動(dòng)。這是一間舊房子,地毯有點(diǎn)褪色,家具也很樸素,但屋里很舒適。墻上掛著一兩幅別致的圖畫(huà),壁櫥內(nèi)堆滿了書(shū),窗臺(tái)盛開(kāi)著菊花和圣誕時(shí)應(yīng)景的圣誕薔薇花。屋里洋溢著一股寧?kù)o、溫馨的居家氣氛。

瑪格麗特,小名美格,十六歲,是四姐妹最大的一個(gè)。她長(zhǎng)得十分秀麗,體態(tài)豐滿,肌膚白皙;天生一雙大眼睛,褐色的頭發(fā)又密又軟,討人喜歡的小嘴,潔白的雙手,這一切都令她頗為自得。喬,大名叫約瑟芬,十五歲,長(zhǎng)得又高又瘦,肌膚偏黑,讓人不由得想起小公馬,修長(zhǎng)的雙臂很礙事,似乎永遠(yuǎn)都無(wú)所適從。她嘴巴剛毅,鼻子有點(diǎn)滑稽,灰色的眼睛炯炯有神,好像洞察一切,眼神時(shí)而兇巴巴的,時(shí)而滑稽可笑,時(shí)而若有所思。濃密的長(zhǎng)發(fā)是她的一個(gè)亮點(diǎn),但為了利落,通常用發(fā)網(wǎng)束起來(lái)。喬肩膀厚實(shí),大手寬腳,穿的衣服顯得很松快。她正在快速長(zhǎng)個(gè)成年,但姑娘不自在的表情透出幾分無(wú)奈。伊麗莎白——大家都叫小名貝絲,十三歲,皮膚紅潤(rùn),秀發(fā)光潤(rùn),雙眸明亮,舉止靦腆,聲音羞怯,面帶安詳,不露聲色。父親稱她為“小靜”,這個(gè)稱呼完全適宜,因?yàn)樗坪趸钤谧约嚎鞓?lè)的世界中,只敢與信任熱愛(ài)的少數(shù)人打交道。艾美,年齡最小,卻是家中要員——至少在她自己看來(lái)是如此。她端莊秀麗,白肌膚,藍(lán)眼睛,黃頭發(fā)卷曲著披到肩頭,臉色泛白,身材苗條。她舉止講究,頗具年輕淑女風(fēng)度。四姐妹的性格怎樣,容后分解。

時(shí)鐘敲了六下,貝絲掃凈了壁爐面,把一雙便鞋放在旁邊烘暖??吹竭@雙舊鞋,屋里就有了好情緒。姑娘們想起媽媽就要回來(lái)了,都興奮起來(lái)準(zhǔn)備迎接。美格結(jié)束了訓(xùn)話,點(diǎn)亮了燈。艾美自覺(jué)讓出安樂(lè)椅。喬忘記了疲倦,坐起來(lái)把鞋子湊近爐火。

“鞋子太破舊了。媽咪得穿新的?!?/p>

“我想用我那元錢(qián)給她買(mǎi)一雙。”貝絲說(shuō)。

“不,我來(lái)買(mǎi)!”艾美大聲道。

“我最大?!泵栏駝傞_(kāi)口,喬就語(yǔ)氣堅(jiān)決地打斷了她:

“爸爸不在,我就是家中的男人,由我來(lái)買(mǎi)鞋。爸爸說(shuō)過(guò)的,他出門(mén)時(shí),我要特別照看好媽的?!?/p>

“我看還是這樣吧,”貝絲說(shuō),“每人為媽媽買(mǎi)一樣圣誕禮物,自己嘛,就別買(mǎi)了?!?/p>

“那才像你,乖乖!買(mǎi)什么好呢?”喬叫道。

每個(gè)人都靜靜地思考了片刻,然后,美格好像受自己漂亮的手的啟發(fā),宣布說(shuō):“我要送一副精美的手套。”

“軍鞋,送最好的?!眴倘氯轮?。

“手帕,修邊的?!必惤z說(shuō)。

“我要買(mǎi)一小瓶古龍香水,媽媽喜歡的,而且不貴,還可以留點(diǎn)錢(qián)給自己買(mǎi)鉛筆。”接著艾美說(shuō)。

“那禮物怎么送呢?”美格問(wèn)。

“放在桌子上,把媽媽叫進(jìn)來(lái),然后看著她把禮盒打開(kāi)。難道忘了以前生日是怎么過(guò)的嗎?”喬回答說(shuō)。

“以前,輪到我坐大椅子,戴上花冠,看你們一個(gè)個(gè)走過(guò)來(lái),送禮物,吻一下,慌死我啦。我喜歡禮物和親吻,但你們坐著瞪眼,看我把禮盒打開(kāi),太可怕了。”貝絲說(shuō),邊烤面包準(zhǔn)備茶點(diǎn),邊烘臉取暖。

“就讓媽咪以為我們給自己買(mǎi)了禮物,然后給她個(gè)驚喜。明天下午就去買(mǎi)東西。美格,圣誕節(jié)晚上的戲,還要好好排演一下的。”喬說(shuō),手靠著背,頭仰著,踱來(lái)踱去。

“我這可是最后一次演戲了,超齡了嘛?!泵栏襦馈K凇盎瘖y”打鬧的時(shí)候非常孩子氣。

“這我知道,你才不會(huì)洗手不干呢。只要披下頭發(fā),拖著白禮服,戴上金紙珠寶,就招搖上臺(tái)了。你是我們這里的最佳演員呢,你要是退出舞臺(tái),就一切都完了?!眴陶f(shuō),“今晚就應(yīng)該排演的。過(guò)來(lái),艾美,排練一下昏厥的場(chǎng)面,你演得是硬板硬板的呢?!?/p>

“沒(méi)有辦法的。沒(méi)看見(jiàn)過(guò)別人昏厥嘛。我可不喜歡跟你一樣,跌跌撞撞倒地,搞得自己鼻青臉腫。如果倒下容易,我就倒下,做不到的話,就跌倒在椅子上,動(dòng)作優(yōu)雅一點(diǎn)。才不在乎雨果拿手槍戳著我呢!”艾美回嘴道。她沒(méi)有戲劇天賦,但個(gè)子小巧,劇中反角扛得動(dòng),可以把她驚叫著扛出場(chǎng)。

“要這樣做動(dòng)作。雙手捏緊,搖搖擺擺地走過(guò)來(lái)??谥锌窠校骸_得里戈,救救我!救救我!'”喬情不自禁叫起來(lái),夸張得很刺激。

艾美跟著她做,但僵硬地抬著手,走臺(tái)一沖一沖的,活像機(jī)械開(kāi)動(dòng)。她發(fā)出的“哎喲!”聲,令人想起遭受針扎的情形,而不是驚恐萬(wàn)狀,痛苦不堪。喬絕望地哀嘆著,美格咯咯大笑。貝絲聚精會(huì)神地看戲,連面包烤焦了也渾然不知。

“沒(méi)救了!到時(shí)候好自為之吧,觀眾笑了可不要怪我喲。來(lái)吧,美格?!?/p>

情節(jié)發(fā)展順利,堂彼得羅目中無(wú)人似的,一口氣作了兩頁(yè)長(zhǎng)的報(bào)告。女巫海格煮了一鍋癩蛤蟆,哼唱著恐怖符咒,產(chǎn)生了怪誕的效果。羅得里戈英勇地掙開(kāi)鎖鏈,雨果“哈哈”地狂喊著,悔恨交加,砒霜毒發(fā)身亡。

“這是我們的最高水平啦?!泵栏裾f(shuō)。這時(shí)死掉的反角坐了起來(lái),揉揉胳膊肘。

“喬姐,真不知道,你是怎么編出這么精彩的東西來(lái)上演的。就像莎士比亞再世!”貝絲吆喝著。她堅(jiān)信,姐姐們都是天才,而且無(wú)所不能。

“別這么說(shuō),”喬謙虛著,“我確實(shí)認(rèn)為《女巫詛咒》這出悲劇是好戲。不過(guò),我倒是想試試《麥克白》的,就是舞臺(tái)沒(méi)有裝地板活門(mén),好讓班柯從地底下鉆出來(lái)。我一直想扮演屠夫角色的?!已矍翱吹降?,是不是寶劍?'”喬喃喃道,轉(zhuǎn)動(dòng)著眼珠,在空中瞎抓著,她以前看過(guò)悲劇名角的表演。

“住手,烤面包的叉子,怎么不叉面包,卻叉著媽媽的鞋子。貝絲成了戲癡!”美格喝道。眾人哄堂大笑,排演就此結(jié)束了。

“姑娘們這么高興,別提我多開(kāi)心了?!遍T(mén)口傳來(lái)一個(gè)愉快的聲音,演員、觀眾們紛紛轉(zhuǎn)身迎接母親。這位個(gè)子高挑的女士露出“有事就找我”的眼神,十分和藹可親。她的衣著并不講究,但神情頗為高貴。姑娘們認(rèn)為,那灰白的披風(fēng)和過(guò)時(shí)的帽子,穿在世界上最棒的媽媽身上。

“寶貝們哪,今天過(guò)得怎么樣?我有很多事情要做,明天要送的禮盒沒(méi)準(zhǔn)備好,所以沒(méi)有回來(lái)吃正餐。貝絲,有客人來(lái)嗎?美格,感冒怎么樣了?喬,你好像累得要命。來(lái),親我一下,寶貝?!?/p>

馬奇太太一邊慈愛(ài)地問(wèn)長(zhǎng)問(wèn)短,一邊脫下了濕衣服,換上暖和的便鞋,在安樂(lè)椅上坐下。然后,她讓艾美坐在腿上,準(zhǔn)備享受她忙碌的一天中最愉快的時(shí)光。姑娘們忙這忙那,各盡所能,努力把一切都安排得舒舒服服。美格擺茶桌。喬搬柴,放椅子,卻把柴火撒落了,把椅子打翻了,弄得噼啪直響。貝絲在客廳和廚房間跑來(lái)跑去,一聲不吭地忙碌著。艾美則袖手旁觀,在一邊發(fā)號(hào)施令。

一家子圍坐桌邊時(shí),馬奇太太臉上顯得特別高興,說(shuō)道:“晚飯后有好東西招待你們?!?/p>

姐妹們臉上馬上云開(kāi)日出般露出燦爛的笑容。貝絲拍拍手,也顧不得手上拿著餅干。喬把餐巾往空中一拋,大聲嚷嚷:“信!信!爸爸萬(wàn)歲!”

“是的,一封長(zhǎng)長(zhǎng)的信。他身體健康,說(shuō)是能安度寒冬,而且過(guò)得比我們想象的要好。他祝我們圣誕快樂(lè),萬(wàn)事如意,特別是祝福你們,姑娘們?!瘪R奇太太說(shuō)著拍拍口袋,仿佛里面裝著珍寶。

“快點(diǎn)吃!艾美,不要勾起小指,邊吃邊傻笑?!眴倘氯轮庇谙硎苷写?,卻被茶噎了一口,面包都掉到了地毯上,涂黃油的一面朝下。

貝絲不再吃了,默默地走到陰暗的角落坐下,等候其他人吃完,憧憬著喜悅的時(shí)刻到來(lái)。

“爸爸超過(guò)參軍年齡,身體也不適合當(dāng)兵,但還要去做隨軍牧師。我覺(jué)得他真?zhèn)ゴ?!”美格熱切地說(shuō)。

“我真想當(dāng)搖撥浪鼓的,隨軍販[3]——叫什么來(lái)著?或者護(hù)士,那樣就可以守著他,幫助他。”喬激動(dòng)地說(shuō),還唉了一聲。

“睡帳篷,吃各種難吃的東西,還用鐵皮杯喝水,肯定夠受的。”艾美嘆息道。

“他什么時(shí)候回家呢,媽咪?”貝絲問(wèn),聲音有點(diǎn)顫抖。

“要好幾個(gè)月呢,乖乖,除非他生病。只要能在部隊(duì)留一刻,他就會(huì)永遠(yuǎn)忠于職守。我們也不會(huì)要他拋下將士們提前回家一分鐘。過(guò)來(lái)吧,聽(tīng)我讀信。”

大家圍在爐火前,媽媽坐在大椅子里,貝絲坐在她腳邊,美格和艾美坐在椅子的兩個(gè)扶手上,喬靠在椅背上,即使來(lái)信碰巧催人淚下,也沒(méi)人會(huì)注意到她感情的表露。在那艱難歲月里寫(xiě)的信,很少有不感人的,特別是爸爸寄回家的。這封信卻很少提到承受艱辛、面對(duì)危險(xiǎn)和強(qiáng)抑思鄉(xiāng)情,而是鼓舞人心的平安家書(shū),寫(xiě)的都是生動(dòng)的部隊(duì)生活、行軍打仗和軍事新聞。只是在最后,字里行間才流露出慈父的愛(ài)心和對(duì)家中幼女的掛念。

轉(zhuǎn)達(dá)給她們我所有的愛(ài)和親吻吧。告訴她們,我白天想念她們,夜里為她們祈禱,她們的愛(ài)時(shí)時(shí)刻刻都給了我莫大的安慰。要再等待一年才能和她們相見(jiàn),似乎很漫長(zhǎng),但是請(qǐng)?zhí)嵝阉齻?,我們?cè)诘却卸加泄ぷ骺勺?,不至于虛度這些艱難的日子。我相信,她們會(huì)牢記我的話,會(huì)做你的乖孩子,踏實(shí)地做力所能及的事,勇敢地進(jìn)行自我斗爭(zhēng),很好地戰(zhàn)勝自己。當(dāng)我回來(lái)時(shí),我會(huì)更愛(ài)我的小婦人們,并為她們感到無(wú)比自豪。

讀到這一段,每個(gè)人都在抽噎。喬任憑顆顆淚珠淌下鼻尖,并不為此感到羞愧。艾美一點(diǎn)都不在乎鬈發(fā)起皺,一頭撲在了媽的肩上,嗚咽著說(shuō):“我真自私!可我真的會(huì)努力學(xué)好。這樣,他就不會(huì)對(duì)我失望了?!?/p>

“我們都會(huì)學(xué)好的!”美格哭著說(shuō),“我太注重打扮,好逸惡勞。以后不會(huì)這樣了,我盡量改正?!?/p>

“爸爸喜歡叫我‘小婦人’,我會(huì)努力做到,不再粗野,在家做分內(nèi)事,不再想到外出?!眴陶f(shuō),可心里知道,在家里不發(fā)脾氣比對(duì)付南方一兩個(gè)的叛軍要困難得多。

貝絲什么都沒(méi)說(shuō),只是用藍(lán)軍襪擦去淚水,然后全身心地做編織,爭(zhēng)分奪秒地履行手頭的義務(wù)。她幼小的心靈已經(jīng)暗下決心,爸爸一年后凱旋、一家團(tuán)聚時(shí),要實(shí)現(xiàn)爸爸的愿望。

馬奇太太打破了喬說(shuō)完話之后的靜默,歡快地說(shuō):“還記得小時(shí)候扮演《天路歷程》的情形嗎?你們讓我把拼縫口袋綁在背脊上做擔(dān)子,交給你們帽子、拐棍和紙卷,從地下室也就是‘毀滅之城’往上爬,爬呀,爬呀,穿過(guò)整個(gè)屋子,來(lái)到屋頂,你們把收集的美好東西都放在那里,充當(dāng)‘天城’。那樣玩,你們別提多高興了?!?/p>

“多么來(lái)勁,特別是偷過(guò)獅子身邊啦,奮戰(zhàn)惡魔啦,穿越小妖精出沒(méi)的幽谷啦?!眴陶f(shuō)。

“我喜歡包袱掉下來(lái),滾下樓梯的情景?!泵栏裾f(shuō)。

“我最喜歡的情景是走出來(lái),上到平屋頂,屋頂滿是鮮花、樹(shù)木和漂亮東西,大家站在那里,在太陽(yáng)底下縱情歌唱?!必惤z笑著說(shuō),好像那快樂(lè)時(shí)刻又重演了。

“已經(jīng)不太記得了,只知道當(dāng)時(shí)害怕地下室和黑暗入口,還有總是喜歡藏在屋頂?shù)呐D痰案?。假如不是太老了,這種東西倒喜歡再來(lái)玩一遍的。”艾美說(shuō)。她才十二歲,卻已經(jīng)開(kāi)始談?wù)搾佅潞⒆託獾臇|西。

“玩這種東西永遠(yuǎn)不會(huì)太老的,乖乖,因?yàn)槲覀兪冀K以這樣那樣的方式玩著這種游戲的。我們的負(fù)擔(dān)就在眼前,我們的道路躺在腳下??释赖?,渴望幸福,這是引導(dǎo)我們克服困難,改正錯(cuò)誤,走向問(wèn)心無(wú)愧的向?qū)?。?wèn)心無(wú)愧才是真正的天城。好了,小朝圣者,你們是不是再來(lái)一次呢?不是玩耍,而是一本正經(jīng)地做??纯窗职只丶抑?,你們能走多遠(yuǎn)?!?/p>

“真的,媽媽?zhuān)课覀兊陌ぴ谀膬??”艾美?wèn)道,她喜歡就事論事。

“剛才你們每個(gè)人都講了自己肩負(fù)的擔(dān)子,只有貝絲沒(méi)說(shuō)。我想她還沒(méi)有負(fù)擔(dān)?!蹦赣H說(shuō)。

“不,我有的。我的是碗碟和撣子,而且還嫉妒有漂亮鋼琴的女孩,害怕見(jiàn)生人?!?/p>

貝絲的包袱這么滑稽,大家都想笑,但誰(shuí)都沒(méi)笑,因?yàn)槟菢訒?huì)深深地傷害她的感情。

“我們說(shuō)干就干,”美格若有所思地說(shuō),“這其實(shí)就跟學(xué)好一樣,戲里的故事可以幫助我們。雖然我們也想學(xué)好,但很難,所以就忘了,就不盡力去做?!?/p>

“今晚我們本來(lái)在絕望的深淵里,媽媽像書(shū)中的‘幫助’一樣,把我們拉了出來(lái)。我們應(yīng)該像基督徒一樣,有一卷指導(dǎo)書(shū)[4]。那個(gè)怎么辦呢?”喬問(wèn),為自己的想象力給煩悶的職責(zé)增添了幾分浪漫而感到高興。

“圣誕節(jié)的早上,看看枕頭底下,會(huì)發(fā)現(xiàn)指導(dǎo)書(shū)的?!瘪R奇太太回答說(shuō)。

她們趁老漢娜清理飯桌的當(dāng)口,討論著新的打算。四個(gè)工作籃子拿出來(lái)了,姑娘們飛針走線,為馬奇姑婆做床單。縫紉工作枯燥得很,但是今晚沒(méi)有人嘟囔抱怨。她們采納了喬的計(jì)劃,把長(zhǎng)線縫分成四個(gè)部分,分別叫做歐洲、亞洲、非洲、美洲,特別是針線跨國(guó)越洲時(shí),討論各國(guó)概況,這樣活計(jì)就突飛猛進(jìn)了。

九點(diǎn)鐘,她們停下活計(jì),按照慣例,上床前要唱歌。除了貝絲,沒(méi)人能在那破舊的鋼琴上彈出什么曲調(diào)來(lái),但她心靈手巧,通過(guò)輕觸泛黃的琴鍵,她們唱出的簡(jiǎn)單歌曲就有了悅耳的伴奏了。美格的嗓音就像長(zhǎng)笛,她和母親領(lǐng)唱。艾美唱歌活像蟋蟀叫,喬隨心所欲地拖拉著旋律,總是在不該出來(lái)的地方蹦出沙啞聲或者顫音,破壞了哀怨的調(diào)子。她們從牙牙學(xué)語(yǔ)時(shí)就這樣做了——

天上星星亮晶晶。

這個(gè)的小合唱已經(jīng)成了家庭慣例,誰(shuí)叫母親是天生的歌手呢。早上一睜眼,就能聽(tīng)到她的嗓音,走進(jìn)走出都在婉轉(zhuǎn)歌唱;晚上臨睡前也能聽(tīng)到她的歡唱。對(duì)于那熟悉的催眠曲,姑娘們不管長(zhǎng)得多大,永遠(yuǎn)不會(huì)聽(tīng)厭的。

* * *

[1]指美國(guó)南北戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)(1861—1865)。

[2]英語(yǔ)國(guó)家兒童讀物,屬神怪故事。

[3]隨軍女商販。原文是法語(yǔ)詞,喬記不全。

[4]指約翰·班揚(yáng)的《天路歷程》,講述朝圣者與惡勢(shì)力作斗爭(zhēng),最終克服困難,來(lái)到天國(guó)。本書(shū)中的“負(fù)擔(dān)”、“包袱”、“獅子”、“惡魔”均出自此書(shū)。

CHAPTER 1 PLAYING PILGRIMS

“CHRISTMAS won't be Christmas without any presents, ” grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.

“It's so dreadful to be poor! ” sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress.

“I don't think it's fair for some girls to have plenty of pretty things, and other girls nothing at all, ” added little Amy, with an injured sniff.

“We've got Father and Mother, and each other, ” said Beth contentedly from her corner.

The four young faces on which the firelight shone brightened at the cheerful words, but darkened again as Jo said sadly, “We haven't got Father, and shall not have him for a long time.” She didn't say “perhaps never, ” but each silently added it, thinking of Father far away, where the fighting was.

Nobody spoke for a minute; then Meg said in an altered tone, “You know the reason Mother proposed not having any presents this Christmas was because it is going to be a hard winter for everyone; and she thinks we ought not to spend money for pleasure, when our men are suffering so in the army. We can't do much, but we can make our little sacrifices, and ought to do it gladly. But I am afraid I don't.” And Meg shook her head, as she thought regretfully of all the pretty things she wanted.

“But I don't think the little we should spend would do any good. We've each got a dollar, and the army wouldn't be much helped by our giving that. I agree not to expect anything from Mother or you, but I do want to buy Undine and Sintram for myself.I've wanted it so long, ”said Jo, who was a bookworm.

“I planned to spend mine in new music, ” said Beth, with a little sigh, which no one heard but the hearth brush and kettle holder.

“I shall get a nice box of Faber's drawing pencils; I really need them, ”said Amy decidedly.

“Mother didn't say anything about our money, and she won't wish us to give up everything. Let's each buy what we want, and have a little fun; I'm sure we work hard enough to earn it, ” cried Jo, examining the heels of her shoes in a gentlemanly manner.

“I know I do—teaching those tiresome children nearly all day, when I'm longing to enjoy myself at home, ” began Meg, in the complaining tone again.

“You don't have half such a hard time as I do, ” said Jo. “How would you like to be shut up for hours with a nervous, fussy old lady, who keeps you trotting, is never satisfied, and worries you till you're ready to fly out the window or cry? ”

“It's naughty to fret, but I do think washing dishes and keeping things tidy is the worst work in the world. It makes me cross, and my hands get so stiff, I can't practice well at all.” And Beth looked at her rough hands with a sigh that any one could hear that time.

“I don't believe any of you suffer as I do, ” cried Amy, “for you don't have to go to school with impertinent girls, who plague you if you don't know your lessons, and laugh at your dresses, and label your father if he isn't rich, and insult you when your nose isn't nice.”

“If you mean libel,I'd say so,and not talk about labels,as if Papa was a pickle bottle, ” advised Jo, laughing.

“I know what I mean, and you needn't be statirical about it. It's proper to use good words, and improve your vocabilary, ” returned Amy, with dignity.

“Don't peck at one another, children. Don't you wish we had the money Papa lost when we were little, Jo? Dear me! How happy and good we'd be, if we had no worries! ” said Meg, who could remember better times.

“You said the other day you thought we were a deal happier than the King children, for they were fighting and fretting all the time, in spite of their money.”

“So I did, Beth. Well, I think we are; for, though we do have to work, we make fun of ourselves, and are a pretty jolly set, as Jo would say.”

“Jo does use such slang words! ” observed Amy, with a reproving look at the long figure stretched on the rug. Jo immediately sat up, put her hands in her pockets, and began to whistle.

“Don't, Jo. It's so boyish! ”

“That's why I do it.”

“I detest rude, unladylike girls! ”

“I hate affected, niminy-piminy chits! ”

“Birds in their little nests agree, ” sang Beth, the peacemaker, with such a funny face that both sharp voices softened to a laugh, and the “pecking”ended for that time.

“Really, girls, you are both to be blamed, ” said Meg, beginning to lecture in her elder-sisterly fashion. “You are old enough to leave off boyish tricks, and to behave better, Josephine. It didn't matter so much when you were a little girl; but now you are so tall, and turn up your hair, you should remember that you are a young lady.”

“I'm not! And if turning up my hair makes me one, I'll wear it in two tails till I'm twenty, ” cried Jo, pulling off her net, and shaking down a chestnut mane. “I hate to think I've got to grow up, and be Miss March, and wear long gowns, and look as prim as a China aster! It's bad enough to be a girl, anyway, when I like boys' games and work and manners! I can't get over my disappointment in not being a boy. And it's worse than ever now, for I'm dying to go and fight with Papa, and I can only stay home and knit, like a poky old woman! ” And Jo shook the blue army sock till the needles rattled like castanets, and her ball bounded across the room.

“Poor Jo! It's too bad, but it can't be helped. So you must try to be contented with making your name boyish, and playing brother to us girls, ”said Beth, stroking the rough head with a hand that all the dish washing and dusting in the world could not make ungentle in its touch.

“As for you, Amy, ” continued Meg, “you are altogether too particular and prim. Your airs are funny now, but you'll grow up an affected little goose, if you don't take care. I like your nice manners and refined ways of speaking, when you don't try to be elegant. But your absurd words are as bad as Jo's slang.”

“If Jo is a tomboy and Amy a goose, what am I, please? ” asked Beth, ready to share the lecture.

“You're a dear, and nothing else, ” answered Meg warmly, and no one contradicted her, for the “Mouse” was the pet of the family.

As young readers like to know “how people look, ” we will take this moment to give them a little sketch of the four sisters, who sat knitting away in the twilight, while the December snow fell quietly without, and the fire crackled cheerfully within. It was a comfortable old room, though the carpet was faded and the furniture very plain, for a good picture or two hung on the walls, books filled the recesses, chrysanthemums and Christmas roses bloomed in the windows, and a pleasant atmosphere of home peace pervaded it.

Margaret, the eldest of the four, was sixteen, and very pretty, being plump and fair, with large eyes, plenty of soft, brown hair, a sweet mouth, and white hands, of which she was rather vain. Fifteen-year-old Jo was very tall, thin, and brown, and reminded one of a colt, for she never seemed to know what to do with her long limbs, which were very much in her way. She had a decided mouth, a comical nose, and sharp, gray eyes, which appeared to see everything, and were by turns fierce, funny, or thoughtful. Her long, thick hair was her one beauty, but it was usually bundled into a net, to be out of her way. Round shoulders had Jo, big hands and feet, a flyaway look to her clothes, and the uncomfortable appearance of a girl who was rapidly shooting up into a woman and didn't like it. Elizabeth—or Beth, as everyone called her—was a rosy, smooth-haired, bright-eyed girl of thirteen, with a shy manner, a timid voice, and a peaceful expression which was seldom disturbed. Her father called her “Little Tranquility”, and the name suited her excellently, for she seemed to live in a happy world of her own, only venturing out to meet the few whom she trusted and loved. Amy, though the youngest, was a most important person—in her own opinion at least. A regular snow maiden, with blue eyes, and yellow hair curling on her shoulders, pale and slender, and always carrying herself like a young lady mindful of her manners. What the characters of the four sisters were we will leave to be found out.

The clock struck six and, having swept up the hearth, Beth put a pair of slippers down to warm. Somehow the sight of the old shoes had a good effect upon the girls, for Mother was coming, and everyone brightened to welcome her. Meg stopped lecturing, and lighted the lamp, Amy got out of the easy chair without being asked, and Jo forgot how tired she was as she sat up to hold the slippers nearer to the blaze.

“They are quite worn out. Marmee must have a new pair.”

“I thought I'd get her some with my dollar, ” said Beth.

“No, I shall! ” cried Amy.

“I'm the oldest, ” began Meg, but Jo cut in with a decided—

“I'm the man of the family now Papa is away, and I shall provide the slippers, for he told me to take special care of Mother while he was gone.”

“I'll tell you what we'll do, ” said Beth, “l(fā)et's each get her something for Christmas, and not get anything for ourselves.”

“That's like you, dear! What will we get? ” exclaimed Jo.

Everyone thought soberly for a minute, then Meg announced, as if the idea was suggested by the sight of her own pretty hands, “I shall give her a nice pair of gloves.”

“Army shoes, best to be had, ” cried Jo.

“Some handkerchiefs, all hemmed, ” said Beth.

“I'll get a little bottle of cologne. She likes it, and it won't cost much, so I'll have some left to buy my pencils, ” added Amy.

“How will we give the things? ” asked Meg.

“Put them on the table, and bring her in and see her open the bundles. Don't you remember how we used to do on our birthdays? ” answered Jo.

“I used to be so frightened when it was my turn to sit in the chair with the crown on, and see you all come marching round to give the presents, with a kiss. I liked the things and the kisses, but it was dreadful to have you sit looking at me while I opened the bundles, ” said Beth, who was toasting her face and the bread for tea at the same time.

“Let Marmee think we are getting things for ourselves, and then surprise her. We must go shopping tomorrow afternoon, Meg. There is so much to do about the play for Christmas night, ” said Jo, marching up and down, with her hands behind her back, and her nose in the air.

“I don't mean to act any more after this time. I'm getting too old for such things, ” observed Meg, who was as much a child as ever about“dressing-up” frolics.

“You won't stop, I know, as long as you can trail round in a white gown with your hair down, and wear gold-paper jewelry. You are the best actress we've got, and there'll be an end of everything if you quit the boards, ” said Jo. “We ought to rehearse tonight. Come here, Amy, and do the fainting scene, for you are as stiff as a poker in that.”

“I can't help it. I never saw anyone faint, and I don't choose to make myself all black and blue, tumbling flat as you do. If I can go down easily, I'll drop. If I can't, I shall fall into a chair and be graceful. I don't care if Hugo does come at me with a pistol, ” returned Amy, who was not gifted with dramatic power, but was chosen because she was small enough to be borne out shrieking by the villain of the piece.

“Do it this way: clasp your hands so, and stagger across the room, crying frantically, ‘Roderigo! save me! save me! '” and away went Jo, with a melodramatic scream which was truly thrilling.

Amy followed, but she poked her hands out stiffly before her, and jerked herself along as if she went by machinery, and her “Ow! ” was more suggestive of pins being run into her than of fear and anguish. Jo gave a despairing groan, and Meg laughed outright, while Beth let her bread burn as she watched the fun with interest.

“It's no use! Do the best you can when the time comes, and if the audience laughs, don't blame me. Come on, Meg.”

Then things went smoothly, for Don Pedro defied the world in a speech of two pages without a single break. Hagar, the witch, chanted an awful incantation over her kettleful of simmering toads, with weird effect. Roderigo rent his chains asunder manfully, and Hugo died in agonies of remorse and arsenic, with a wild “Ha! Ha! ”

“It's the best we've had yet, ” said Meg, as the dead villain sat up and rubbed his elbows.

“I don't see how you can write and act such splendid things, Jo. You're a regular Shakespeare! ” exclaimed Beth, who firmly believed that her sisters were gifted with wonderful genius in all things.

“Not quite, ”replied Jo modestly.“I do think The Witch's Curse,an Operatic Tragedy is rather a nice thing,but I'd like to try Macbeth,if we only had a trapdoor for Banquo. I always wanted to do the killing part.‘Is that a dagger that I see before me? '” muttered Jo, rolling her eyes and clutching at the air, as she had seen a famous tragedian do.

“No, it's the toasting fork, with Mother's shoe on it instead of the bread. Beth's stage-struck! ” cried Meg, and the rehearsal ended in a general burst of laughter.

“Glad to find you so merry, my girls, ” said a cheery voice at the door, and actors and audience turned to welcome a tall, motherly lady with a “can-I-help-you” look about her which was truly delightful. She was not elegantly dressed, but a noble-looking woman, and the girls thought the gray cloak and unfashionable bonnet covered the most splendid mother in the world.

“Well, dearies, how have you got on today? There was so much to do, getting the boxes ready to go tomorrow, that I didn't come home to dinner. Has anyone called, Beth? How is your cold, Meg? Jo, you look tired to death. Come and kiss me, baby.”

While making these maternal inquiries Mrs. March got her wet things off, her warm slippers on, and sitting down in the easy chair, drew Amy to her lap, preparing to enjoy the happiest hour of her busy day. The girls flew about, trying to make things comfortable, each in her own way. Meg arranged the tea table, Jo brought wood and set chairs, dropping, over-turning, and clattering everything she touched. Beth trotted to and fro between parlor and kitchen, quiet and busy, while Amy gave directions to everyone, as she sat with her hands folded.

As they gathered about the table, Mrs. March said, with a particularly happy face, “I've got a treat for you after supper.”

A quick, bright smile went round like a streak of sunshine. Beth clapped her hands, regardless of the biscuit she held, and Jo tossed up her napkin, crying, “A letter! A letter! Three cheers for Father! ”

“Yes, a nice long letter. He is well, and thinks he shall get through the cold season better than we feared. He sends all sorts of loving wishes for Christmas, and an especial message to you girls, ” said Mrs. March, patting her pocket as if she had got a treasure there.

“Hurry and get done! Don't stop to quirk your little finger and simper over your plate, Amy, ” cried Jo, choking in her tea and dropping her bread, butter side down, on the carpet in her haste to get at the treat.

Beth ate no more, but crept away to sit in her shadowy corner and brood over the delight to come, till the others were ready.

“I think it was so splendid in Father to go as chaplain when he was too old to be drafted, and not strong enough for a soldier, ” said Meg warmly.

“Don't I wish I could go as a drummer,a vivan—what's its name?Or a nurse, so I could be near him and help him, ” exclaimed Jo, with a groan.

“It must be very disagreeable to sleep in a tent, and eat all sorts of bad-tasting things, and drink out of a tin mug, ” sighed Amy.

“When will he come home, Marmee? ” asked Beth, with a little quiver in her voice.

“Not for many months, dear, unless he is sick. He will stay and do his work faithfully as long as he can, and we won't ask for him back a minute sooner than he can be spared. Now come and hear the letter.”

They all drew to the fire, Mother in the big chair with Beth at her feet, Meg and Amy perched on either arm of the chair, and Jo leaning on the back, where no one would see any sign of emotion if the letter should happen to be touching. Very few letters were written in those hard times that were not touching, especially those which fathers sent home. In this one little was said of the hardships endured, the dangers faced, or the homesickness conquered. It was a cheerful, hopeful letter, full of lively descriptions of camp life, marches, and military news, and only at the end did the writer's heart over-flow with fatherly love and longing for the little girls at home.

“Give them all of my dear love and a kiss. Tell them I think of them by day, pray for them by night, and find my best comfort in their affection at all times. A year seems very long to wait before I see them, but remind them that while we wait we may all work, so that these hard days need not be wasted. I know they will remember all I said to them, that they will be loving children to you, will do their duty faithfully, fight their bosom enemies bravely, and conquer themselves so beautifully that when I come back to them I may be fonder and prouder than ever of my little women.”

Everybody sniffed when they came to that part. Jo wasn't ashamed of the great tear that dropped off the end of her nose, and Amy never minded the rumpling of her curls as she hid her face on her mother's shoulder and sobbed out, “I am a selfish girl! But I'll truly try to be better, so he mayn't be disappointed in me by-and-by.”

“We all will! ” cried Meg. “I think too much of my looks and hate to work, but won't any more, if I can help it.”

“I'll try and be what he loves to call me, ‘a(chǎn) little woman, ' and not be rough and wild, but do my duty here instead of wanting to be somewhere else, ” said Jo, thinking that keeping her temper at home was a much harder task than facing a rebel or two down South.

Beth said nothing, but wiped away her tears with the blue army sock and began to knit with all her might, losing no time in doing the duty that lay nearest her, while she resolved in her quiet little soul to be all that Father hoped to find her when the year brought round the happy coming home.

Mrs. March broke the silence that followed Jo's words, by saying in her cheery voice, “Do you remember how you used to play Pilgrim's Progress when you were little things? Nothing delighted you more than to have me tie my piece bags on your backs for burdens, give you hats and sticks and rolls of paper, and let you travel through the house from the cellar, which was the City of Destruction, up, up, to the housetop, where you had all the lovely things you could collect to make a Celestial City.”

“What fun it was, especially going by the lions, fighting Apollyon, and passing through the Valley where the hobgoblins were! ” said Jo.

“I liked the place where the bundles fell off and tumbled downstairs, ”said Meg.

“My favorite part was when we came out on the flat roof where our flowers and arbors and pretty things were, and all stood and sung for joy up there in the sunshine, ” said Beth, smiling, as if that pleasant moment had come back to her.

“I don't remember much about it, except that I was afraid of the cellar and the dark entry, and always liked the cake and milk we had up at the top. If I wasn't too old for such things, I'd rather like to play it over again, ” said Amy, who began to talk of renouncing childish things at the mature age of twelve.

“We never are too old for this, my dear, because it is a play we are playing all the time in one way or another. Our burdens are here, our road is before us, and the longing for goodness and happiness is the guide that leads us through many troubles and mistakes to the peace which is a true Celestial City. Now, my little pilgrims, suppose you begin again, not in play, but in earnest, and see how far on you can get before Father comes home.”

“Really, Mother? Where are our bundles? ” asked Amy, who was a very literal young lady.

“Each of you told what your burden was just now, except Beth. I rather think she hasn't got any, ” said her mother.

“Yes, I have. Mine is dishes and dusters, and envying girls with nice pianos, and being afraid of people.”

Beth's bundle was such a funny one that everybody wanted to laugh, but nobody did, for it would have hurt her feelings very much.

“Let us do it, ” said Meg thoughtfully. “It is only another name for trying to be good, and the story may help us; for though we do want to be good, it's hard work and we forget, and don't do our best.”

“We were in the Slough of Despond tonight, and Mother came and pulled us out as Help did in the book. We ought to have our roll of directions, like Christian. What shall we do about that? ” asked Jo, delighted with the fancy which lent a little romance to the very dull task of doing her duty.

“Look under your pillows Christmas morning, and you will find your guidebook, ” replied Mrs. March.

They talked over the new plan while old Hannah cleared the table, then out came the four little workbaskets, and the needles flew as the girls made sheets for Aunt March. It was uninteresting sewing, but tonight no one grumbled. They adopted Jo's plan of dividing the long seams into four parts, and calling the quarters Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, and in that way got on capitally, especially when they talked about the different countries as they stitched their way through them.

At nine they stopped work, and sang, as usual, before they went to bed. No one but Beth could get much music out of the old piano, but she had a way of softly touching the yellow keys and making a pleasant accompaniment to the simple songs they sang. Meg had a voice like a flute, and she and her mother led the little choir. Amy chirped like a cricket, and Jo wandered through the airs at her own sweet will, always coming out at the wrong place with a croak or a quaver that spoiled the most pensive tune. They had always done this from the time they could lisp

Crinkle, crinkle, 'ittle 'tar,

and it had become a household custom, for the mother was a born singer. The first sound in the morning was her voice as she went about the house singing like a lark, and the last sound at night was the same cheery sound, for the girls never grew too old for that familiar lullaby.

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