Alcott, Louisa May - SSC 11 (14 page)

 
          
           
 "She does, dear. Walk right in," and throwing wide the door,
the maid trotted down a long, wide hall, and announced in a low tone to her
mistress, —

 
          
           
 "A nice, pretty little girl wants to see you, mum.”

 
          
           
 "I shall love to see a young face. Who is it, Dolly?" asked a
pleasant voice.
" Don't
know, mum."

 
          
           
 "Grandma must guess," and Kate went straight up to the old lady
with both hands out, for the first sight of that sweet old face won her heart.

 
          
           
 Lifting her spectacles, grandma looked silently a minute,
then
opened her arms without a word, and in the long embrace
that followed Kate felt assured that she was welcome to the home she wanted.

 
          
           
 "So like my Anna! And this is her little girl? God bless you, my
darling! So good to come and gee me!" said the old lady when she could
speak.

 
          
           
 "Why, grandma, I couldn't get on without you, and as soon as I knew
where to find you I was in a fidget to be off; but had to do my other visits
first, because the uncles had planned it so. This is Dolly, I am sure, and that
is my good nurse. Go and get my things, please, Nursey. I shall stay here until
grandma sends me away."

 
          
           
 "That will never be, deary. Now tell me every thing. It is like an
angel coming to see me all of a sudden. Sit close, and let me feel sure it
isn't one of the dreams I make to cheer myself when I'm lonesome."

 
          
           
 Kate sat on a little stool at grandma's feet, and, leaning on her knee,
told all her little story, while the old lady fed her hungry eyes with the
sight of the fresh young face, listened to the music of a loving voice, and
felt the happy certainty that some one had remembered her, as she longed to be
remembered.

 
          
           
 Such a happy day as Kate spent talking and listening, looking at her new
home, which she found delightful, and being petted by the two old women, who
would hardly let Nursey do any thing for her. Kate's quick eyes read the truth
of grandma's lonely life very soon; her warm heart was full of tender pity, and
she resolved to devote herself to making the happiness of the dear old lady's
few remaining years, for at eighty one should have the prop of loving children,
if ever.

 
          
           
 To Dolly and madam it really did seem as if an angel had come, a singing,
smiling, chattering sprite, who danced all over the old house, making blithe
echoes in the silent room, and brightening every corner she entered.

 
          
           
 Kate opened all the shutters and let in the sun, saying she must see
which room she liked best before she settled. She played on the old piano, that
wheezed and jangled, all out of tune; but no one minded, for the girlish voice
was as sweet as a lark's, She invaded Dolly's sacred kitchen, and messed to her
heart's content, delighting the old soul by praises of her skill, and petitions
to be taught all she knew. She pranced to and fro in the long hall, and got
acquainted with the lives of painted ancestors hanging there in big wigs or
short-waisted gowns. She took possession of grandma's little parlor, and made
it so cosey the old lady felt as if she was bewitched, for cushioned arm-chairs,
fur foot-stools, soft rugs, and delicate warm shawls appeared like magic.
Flowers bloomed in the deep, sunny window-seats, pictures of lovely places
seemed to break out on the oaken walls, a dainty work-basket took its place
near grandma's quaint one, and, best of all,
the
little chair beside her own was seldom empty now.

 
          
           
 The first thing in the morning a kiss waked her, and the beloved voice
gave her a gay
" Good
-morning, grandma
dear!" All day Anna's child hovered about her with willing hands and feet
to serve her, loving heart to return her love, and the tender reverence which
is the beautiful tribute the young should pay the old. In the twilight, the
bright head always was at her
knees,
and, in either
listening to the stories of the past or making lively plans for the future,
Kate whiled away the time that used to be so sad.

 
          
           
 Kate never found it lonely, seldom wished for other society, and grew
every day more certain that here she could find the cherishing she needed, and
do the good she hoped.

 
          
           
 Dolly and Nurse got on capitally; each tried which could sing
"Little Missy's" praises loudest, and spoil her quickest by
unquestioning obedience to every whim or wish. A happy family, and the dull
November days went by so fast that Christmas was at hand before they knew it.

 
          
           
 All the uncles had written to ask Kate to pass the holidays with them,
feeling sure she must be longing for a change. But she had refused them all,
saying she should stay with grandma, who could not go anywhere to join other
people's merry-makings, and must have one of her own at home. The uncles urged,
the aunts advised, and the cousin teased; but Kate denied them all, yet
offended no one, for she was inspired by a grand idea, and carried it out with
help from Dolly and Nurse, unsuspected by grandma.

 
          
           
 "We are going to have a little Christmas fun up here among
ourselves, and you mustn't know about it until we are ready. So just sit all
cosey in your corner, and let me riot about as I like. I know you won't mind,
and I think you’ll say it is splendid when I've carried out my plan," said
Kate, when the old lady wondered what she was thinking about so deeply, with
her brows knit and her lips smiling.

 
          
           
 "Very well, dear, do any thing you like, and I shall enjoy it, only
don't get tired, or try to do too much," and with that grandma became deaf
and blind to the mysteries that went on about her.

 
          
           
 She was lame, and seldom left her own rooms; so Kate, with her devoted
helpers, turned the house topsy-turvy, trimmed up hall and parlors and great
dining-room with shining holly and evergreen, laid fires ready for kindling on
the hearths that had been cold for years, and had beds made up all over the
house.

 
          
           
 What went on in the kitchen, only Dolly could tell; but such delicious
odors as stole out made grandma sniff the air, and think of merry Christmas
revels long ago. Up in her own room Kate wrote lots of letters, and sent orders
to the city that made Mursey hold up her hands. More letters came in reply, and
Kate had
a rapture
over every one. Big bundles were
left by the express,
who
came so often that the gates
were opened and the lawn soon full of sleigh-tracks. The shops in the village
were ravaged by Mistress Kate, who
laid
in stores of
gay ribbon, toys, nuts, and all manner of queer things.

 
          
           
 "I really think she's lost her mind," said the postmaster as
she flew out of the office one day with a handful of letters.

 
          
           
 
"Pretty creter!
I wouldn't say a word against
her, not for a mint of money. She's so good to old Mrs. Coverley,"
answered his fat wife, smiling as she watched Kate ride up the village street
on an ox-sled.

 
          
           
 If grandma had thought the girl out of her wits, no one could have blamed
her, for on Christmas day she really did behave in the most singular manner.

 
          
           
 "You are going to church with me this miming, grandma. It's all
arranged. A close carriage is coming for us, the sleighing is lovely, the
church all trimmed up, and I must have you see it. I shall wrap you in fur, and
we will go and say our pray era together, like good girls, won't we?" said
Kate, who was in a queer flutter, while her eyes shone, her lips were all
smiles, and her feet kept dancing in spite of her.

 
          
           
 "Anywhere you like, my darling. I'd start for
Australia
to-morrow, if you wanted me to go with you," answered grandma, who obeyed
Kate in all things, and seemed to think she could do no wrong.

 
          
           
 So they went to church, and grandma did enjoy it; for she had many
blessings to thank God for, chief among them the treasure of a dutiful, loving
child. Kate tried to keep herself quiet, but the odd little flutter would not
subside, and seemed to get worse and worse as time went on. It increased
rapidly as they drove home, and, when grandma was safe in her little parlor
again, Kate's hands trembled so she could hardly tie the strings of the old
lady's state and festival cap.

 
          
           
 "We must take a look at the big parlor. It is all trimmed up, and
I've got my presents in there. Is it ready,
Doll ?
"
asked Kate, as the old servant appeared, looking so excited that grandma said,
laughing, —

 
          
           
 “We have been quiet so long, poor Dolly don't know what to make of a
little gayety."

 
          
           
 "Lord
bless
us, my dear mum! It's all so
beautiful and kinder surprisin,' I feel as ef merrycles had come to pass
agin," answered Dolty, actually wiping away tears with her best white
apron.

 
          
           
 "Come, grandma," and Kate offered her arm. “Don't she look
sweet and dear?" she added, smoothing the soft, silken shawl about the old
lady's shoulders, and kissing the placid old face that beamed at her from under
the new cap.

 
          
           
 "I always said madam was the finest old lady a-goin', ef folks only
knew it. Now, Missy, ef you don't make haste, that parlor-door will bust open,
and spoil the surprise; for they are just bilin' over in there," with
which mysterious remark Dolly vanished, giggling.

 
          
           
 Across the hall they went, but at the door Kate paused, and said with a
look grandma never forgot, — "I hope I have done right. I hope you '11
like my present, and not find it too much for you. At any rate, remember I
meant to please you and give you the thing you need and long for most, my dear
old grandma."

 
          
           
 “My good child, don't be afraid. I shall like any thing you do, and thank
you for your thought of me. What a curious noise! I hope the fire hasn't fallen
down."

 
          
           
 Without another word, Kate threw open the door and led grandma in. Only a
step or two—for the old lady stopped short and stared about her, as if she
didn't know her own best parlor. No wonder she didn't, for it was full of
people, and such people! All her sons, their wives and children, rose as she
came in, and turned to greet her with smiling faces. Uncle George went up and
kissed her, saying, with a choke in his voice, "A merry Christmas,
mother!" and everybody echoed the words in a chorus of good-will that went
straight to the heart.

 
          
           
 Poor grandma could not bear it, and sat down in her big chair, trembling,
and sobbing like a little child. Kate hung over her, fearing the surprise had
been too much; but joy seldom kills, and presently the old lady was calm enough
to look up and we * come them all by stretching out her feeble hands and
saying, brokenly yet heartily, —

 
          
           
 "God bless you, my children! This is a merry Christmas, indeed! Now
tell me all about it and who everybody is; for I don't know half the little
ones."

 
          
           
 Then Uncle George explained that it was Kate's plan, and told how she had
made every one agree to it, pleading so eloquently for grandma that all other
plans were given up. They had arrived while she was at church, and had been
with difficulty kept from bursting out before the time.

 
          
           
 "Do you like your present?" whispered Kate, quite calm and
happy now that the grand surprise was safely over.

 
          
           
 Grandma answered with a silent kiss that said more than the warmest words,
and then Kate put every one at ease by leading up the children, one by one, and
introducing each with some lively speech. Everybody enjoyed this and got
acquainted quickly; for grandma thought the children the most remarkable she
had ever seen, and the little people soon made up their minds that an old lady
who had such a very nice, big house, and such a dinner waiting for them, of
course they had peeped everywhere, was a most desirable and charming grandma.