第九章 美格涉足名利场
第九章 美格涉足名利场
“那帮孩子现在出麻疹，真是天赐良机。”美格说。这是四月的一天，她在房间里整理出门做客的行李，妹妹们围在身边。
“安妮·莫法特真好，说话算话。整整两个礼拜玩它个痛快。”乔一边答道，一边伸长胳膊把几件裙子叠起来，样子活像一架风车。
“天气也很好，喜欢这样。”贝丝接着说，从她的宝贝箱子里仔细地挑出几条领圈和发带，借给美格去参加这次重要聚会。
“但愿是我出去过好日子，戴上所有这些漂亮的东西。”艾美说。她嘴里衔了一包针，美观地插入姐姐的针垫里。
“但愿你们都去，可那不可能，只能回来时再说故事了。你们对我这么好，把东西借给我，又帮我整理东西，这点小事肯定能办到。”美格说着，扫视了一下房间，最后把目光落在简单的行李上，可这在她们眼里几乎是完美的了。
“妈妈从百宝箱里拿出了什么给你？”艾美问。马奇太太有个杉木箱子，里头装着几件曾经辉煌时的旧物，准备到时候送给女儿们。那天打开箱子时，艾美不在场。
“一双长筒丝袜，那把漂亮的雕花扇子，还有可爱的蓝色腰带。我原想要那件紫罗兰色的真丝裙子，来不及改制了，只好穿我那条旧塔勒坦纱裙。”
“穿在我的新薄纱裙子外面很配，衬上腰带就更漂亮了。真后悔我的珊瑚手镯给砸坏了，不然你可以戴上。”乔说。她慷慨大方，什么都肯出借，只是东西大都破旧不堪，派不上什么用场。
“百宝箱里有一套漂亮的旧式珍珠首饰，但妈妈说鲜花才是年轻姑娘最美丽的饰物，而劳里答应我要什么就送什么。”美格回答，“来，让我看看，这是新的灰色旅行衣——把羽毛卷进我帽子里，贝丝——那是礼拜天和小型晚会穿的府绸裙子——春天穿显得沉了点，对吧？如果是紫罗兰色的真丝裙子就好了，唉！”
“不要紧，参加大型晚会还有塔勒坦连衣裙呢，再说，你穿白衣裳就像个天使。”艾美说道，望着那一小堆漂亮衣饰，心驰神往。
“不是低领，裙摆拖曳效果也不够，但也只好将就一下了。我那件蓝色家居服倒是挺好，翻了新，还刚刚镶了饰边，感觉和新的一样。我的丝绸宽松衫一点都不时髦，帽子也不像萨莉那顶。我原不想多说，但我对自己的伞失望极了。原叫妈妈买一把白柄黑伞，她却忘了，带回一把黄柄绿伞。这把伞结实精致，不该抱怨，但跟安妮那把金顶绸伞相比，就要无地自容了。”美格叹息着，极不满意地审视着那把小伞。
“去把它换了。”乔提议。
“我不会这么傻，妈为我花钱已经很不容易了，不想伤她的心。这只是我的荒唐想法罢了，不会陷进去的。丝袜和两双新手套足慰平生。你把自己的借给我，真是好妹妹。我有两双新的，旧的也洗得干干净净，平常使用，觉得已经十分富裕气派了。”美格又朝她放手套的盒子瞥了一眼，情绪大涨。
“安妮·莫法特的晚礼帽上头，有几个蓝色和粉红蝴蝶结，你可以帮我打上几个吗？”她问，这时贝丝拿来一堆刚刚从汉娜手中接过的雪白薄纱。
“不，不好，因为漂亮的帽子跟没有饰边的素净衣服不配。”乔断然说道。
“不知道到底我有没有福气穿有真花边的衣服、戴打蝴蝶结的帽子呢？”美格热切地说。
“那天你还说，只要可以去安妮·莫法特家，就心满意足了。”贝丝轻声评论。
“是说过的！哦，我是很满足，不会烦恼了。似乎人得到的越多，胃口也就越大，对不？噢，行了，隔底放好了，一切齐备，就剩舞会礼服了，那要等妈来收拾。”美格说着，眼光从装得半满的行李箱落到熨补过多次、她郑重其事地称为“舞会礼服”的白色塔勒坦薄纱裙上，心情愉快起来。
第二天天气晴朗，美格气派地出发了，去领略两个礼拜的新奇乐趣。马奇太太好不容易同意，生怕美格回来时对家里会更加不满意。但美格极力恳求，而且萨莉也答应照顾她；再说，整个冬天美格都在做烦闷的工作，出去消遣一下也是一大快事。最后，母亲终于做出让步，答应让女儿去初次品尝时尚生活的滋味。
莫法特家确实很赶时髦，楼房富丽堂皇，主人优雅端庄，纯朴的美格见了心里发虚。尽管那家过的是浮夸生活，可她们待人热忱，没过多久，这位客人便不再拘束。不知为什么，美格隐隐感到，她们教养有限，智力一般，而且阔气掩盖不了平庸的本质。当然，乘漂亮的马车，每天都锦衣华服，一个劲儿地玩乐，这样养尊处优的日子很惬意，也正合美格的心意。不久，美格便开始学着周围人的言谈举止，摆点小架子，装腔作势，说话时还带几句法语，把头发卷曲，把衣服改小，尽可能评论流行时尚。安妮·莫法特的漂亮东西，美格看得越多越眼红，也越渴望发财。现在想起来，自己家徒四壁，工作也格外艰辛，尽管有新手套和真丝长袜，可她还是觉得自己一无所有，深感委屈。
不过，她没有太多的时间抱怨，因为这三位小姑娘在忙于享受“美好时光”。她们白天逛商店、散步、骑马、探亲访友；晚上，上戏院、看歌剧或者在家里嬉闹。安妮交友甚广，深知待客之道。她的姐姐们都是漂亮小姐，其中一位已经订婚，美格觉得订婚是极有趣极浪漫的。莫法特先生是位富态乐天的老绅士，与美格的父亲相识；莫法特太太也是位肥胖、快乐的老太太，她跟女儿一样十分喜欢美格。所有人都宠爱她，亲切地称她为“黛茜”，宠得美格真有点头脑发热。
到了“小舞会”的那天晚上，她发现别人都穿上了薄薄的衣服，打扮得漂漂亮亮的，相比之下，自己的府绸衣服根本不行。于是塔勒坦纱裙出场了，可与萨莉挺括崭新的塔勒坦裙子一比，立刻显得陈旧不堪、又皱又破。美格看到姑娘们瞥了一眼，接着面面相觑，面颊顿时涨得通红，因为尽管她生性温柔，毕竟自尊心十足。大家一个字都没说，可萨莉提出帮她梳理头发，安妮提出为她系腰带，贝尔，就是已经订婚的那位姐姐，称赞她手臂洁白。在美格看来，她们的好意只不过是同情她贫穷。她心情十分沉重，独自站在一边，而其他人有说有笑，还像翩翩蝴蝶到处飞奔。美格正感到十分难受痛苦时，女佣送来一盒鲜花。没等她开口，安妮就揭开盖子。看到里面这些美丽的玫瑰、杜鹃和绿蕨，众人都惊叫起来。
“肯定是给贝尔的，乔治经常给她送的。这些花真的令人陶醉。”安妮深深地闻了一下鲜花，大声咋呼。
“那位先生说，这些花是送给马奇小姐的。这儿有张纸条。”女佣插话道，说着把纸条递给美格。
“多有意思！会是谁送的呢？以前并不知道你有情人。”姑娘们呼喊着，纷纷围住美格，显得十分好奇。
“纸条是妈妈写的，花是劳里送的。”美格简单地说。不过，她心里非常感激劳里没有忘记她。
“真的啊！”安妮说，脸上带着一种滑稽的表情。美格把纸条塞进口袋，把它当作战胜嫉妒、名利和孤傲的法宝。寥寥数语充满深情，她感觉好多了，美丽的鲜花更使她高兴起来。
美格几乎恢复了愉快的心情，她拈出几支绿蕨和玫瑰留给自己，随即将剩下的分成几把精美的花束，分赠给朋友们点缀在胸前、头发和衣裙上。她做得这么漂亮，大姐克拉拉不禁称她为“她所见到的最甜美的小家伙”，众人也为她的小小心意所感动。这一善举把她的沮丧心情打发走了。大家都跑到莫法特太太跟前展览去了，她独个儿把几支绿蕨插在自己的鬈发上，又把几朵玫瑰在裙子上别好，这时裙子在心目中变得不那么难看了，一照镜子，看到了一张喜气洋洋、双目明亮的脸孔。
那天晚上，她玩得很痛快，尽情地跳舞。所有人都很热情，她获得了三次赞扬。安妮请她唱歌，有人称赞她嗓子非常甜美；林肯少校问那位“长着漂亮眼睛、充满青春活力的小姑娘”是谁；还有晚上，莫法特先生坚持要请她跳舞，说她“不拖泥带水，舞步轻盈”，他说得极为动听。总之，她度过了一段美好的时光。后来，无意中听到一些议论，她不禁方寸大乱。当时，她正坐在暖房门口，等舞伴给她送冰淇淋，突然听到花墙的另一边有个声音问：
“她多大了？”
“我想，也就十六七岁吧。”另一个声音回答。
“那些姑娘中总有一个会碰到这种绝妙好事，你说对吧？听萨莉说，他们现在关系很亲密，老先生也很溺爱她们。”
“我敢说，马奇太太自有打算，虽然早了点，可这把牌她会打得很好。显然，姑娘们还没想到这一点呢。”莫法特太太说。
“她刚才在胡扯，说纸条是她妈写的，好像她已经知道了。可鲜花送来的时候，你看她的脸都红成什么样子了。可怜的人哪！要是她打扮得入时一点，确实很漂亮。要是我们在礼拜四把衣服借给她，你觉得她会生气吗？”另一个声音问。
“她很高傲，不过，我想不会介意的，毕竟她只有那条难看的塔勒坦布裙子。今天晚上她可能会撕破裙子，那样就有理由借给她一条像样的裙子啦。”
“再说吧。我要去邀请小劳伦斯，当然是特意为了她，到时我们就等着看好戏吧。”
这边，美格的舞伴过来了，发现她脸色通红，且神色颇为不安。听了刚才这些话，她感到既屈辱又气又恶心。她确实很高傲，那时也幸亏这样，她才没有发作。她再天真无邪，可还是能明白朋友们的这些闲话。她努力忘记它，可就是忘不掉，心头一直萦绕着“马奇太太自有打算”“胡扯”“难看的塔勒坦布裙子”这些字句。她真想痛哭一场，然后飞奔回家，把苦恼告诉家人，求教于她们。可做不到，她只能强颜欢笑。由于她显得神情激动，倒并没有露出半点破绽来，没人想得到她是在强装笑脸。她很高兴舞会终于结束了，便静静地躺在床上，思考、疑惑、气愤，一直想到头痛，还有几滴凉丝丝的眼泪落在热辣辣的脸颊上。那些荒唐的好意之言，为美格打开了一个新的世界，在此之前，她一直都在旧的天地里孩子般地快乐生活，可这些闲话扰乱了那份宁静。她与劳里纯真的友谊也因为这些无聊话而被玷污了，她对母亲的信任也因莫法特太太小肚鸡肠的一席世故话而有些许动摇。她原以为自己是穷人家的女儿，应满足于朴素的穿着，想不到姑娘们无端怜悯，把邋遢衣服看成是天底下最大的灾难。她的理性决断遭到削弱。
可怜的美格一夜辗转反侧，起床时眼皮沉重，心情极坏。她既怨自己的朋友无事生非，又愧自己不敢坦白真相，以正视听。那天早上，姑娘们全都懒懒散散，直到中午时分才提起劲头打毛线。美格马上意识到，她的朋友们举止异常。她们待她更加敬重，对她的言谈十分关注，并且用颇好奇的眼光看着她。这一切令她既惊奇又得意，只是无法理解。最后，贝尔写字时抬起头来，伤感地说：
“黛茜，亲爱的，我给你男友劳伦斯先生送了一份请帖，请他礼拜四过来。我们也想认识认识他，这可是特意为你而请的哟。”
美格红了脸，但她突然想捉弄一下这些姑娘们，于是装作一本正经地回答：
“你们的心意我领了，只是恐怕他不会来。”
“为什么，chérie[1]? ”贝尔小姐问。
“他太老了。”
“孩子，你说什么？请问，他究竟有多大年纪？”克拉拉小姐嚷道。
“差不多七十了吧，我想。”美格答道，数数打了多少针，拼命忍住笑。
“你这狡猾的家伙！我们指的当然是年轻的那位。”贝尔小姐笑了，喊道。
“哪里有什么年轻人！劳里只是个小男孩。”姐妹们听到美格这样形容自己的所谓“情人”，不禁互相使了个古怪的眼色，美格见状也笑了。
“和你年纪相仿。”南妮说。
“和我乔妹妹年纪差不多，我八月份就十七了。”美格把头一仰，答道。
“他真棒，给你送鲜花，对吧？”不识趣的安妮还在说。
“对，他经常这样做，送给我们全家人，因为他们家里多的是，而我们又是这么喜欢鲜花。你们知道，我妈和劳伦斯老先生是朋友，两家孩子在一起玩，是相当自然的事情。”美格希望她们住嘴。
“显然黛茜还没有进入社交圈。”克拉拉小姐朝贝尔点点头说。
“田园乡间，天真无邪。”贝尔小姐耸耸肩说道。
“我准备出门给我家姑娘们买点东西，各位小姐要我捎点什么吗？”穿着一身镶边绸裙子的莫法特太太像头大笨象一样缓缓走进屋来，问道。
“不用费心了，太太，”萨莉回答，“我礼拜四已经有一条粉红色的新绸裙子，什么都不缺了。”
“我也不——”美格欲言又止，她突然想到，自己确实想要几样东西，却得不到。
“那天你穿什么？”萨莉问。
“还是那条白色的旧裙子，要是我能把它补得能见人的话，昨晚可惜给撕破了。”美格想尽量讲得自然，却感到很不自在。
“为什么不捎信回家再要一条？”不善鉴貌辨色的萨莉追问道。
“只有这一条嘛。”美格好不容易才说出这话。但萨莉仍然没有明白过来，她友好地惊叫起来：
“只有那么一条？真好笑——”她的话没说完，贝尔赶忙朝她摇头，插进来友善地说：
“不好笑，她又不进社交圈，要这么多衣服有什么用？黛茜，即使你有一打，也不必跟家里要。我有一条漂亮的蓝色绸裙子，我已经穿不下，白白搁着，不如你来穿上，遂遂我的心意，好吗，乖乖？”
“谢谢你的好意，但如果你们不在意，我倒不在乎穿旧裙子，像我这样的小姑娘，再适合不过了。”美格说。
“请你一定让我把你打扮得气派一点。我就喜欢这样做。上下打扮齐整了，你准是个标准的小美人。我要把你打扮好了，才让你见人，然后我们像灰姑娘和仙姑参加舞会一样突然亮相。”贝尔用富有说服力的声调说。
美格无法拒绝如此友善的提议，她很想看看，自己打扮后是否会变成个小美人，于是点头同意，把原来对莫法特一家不舒服的感觉抛在脑后。
礼拜四晚上，贝尔和女佣关起门来，一起把美格打扮成漂亮小姐。她们把美格的头发烫弯，脖子和胳膊上扑了香粉，为了使双唇更红润，又涂了深红色的唇膏，要不是美格反抗，女佣霍滕斯还要给她抹一点胭脂。她们给她套上天蓝色的裙子，裙子紧得让她都透不过气来，而且领口很低，正派的美格站在镜子前，看着自己一个劲儿地脸红。接着她们又给她戴上一套银首饰：手镯、项链、胸针，还有耳环，霍滕斯用一根细得看不见的粉红色丝线把它们都串在一起。胸前戴上一束香水月季花苞，还有一条褶裥花边遮着。美格终于同意露出楚楚动人的洁白双肩，再加一双蓝色高跟绸靴，令她心满意足。拿上一块镶有花边的手帕、一把羽毛扇和银夹子夹着的一束鲜花，她打扮齐整了。贝尔小姐满意地审视美格，就像一个小姑娘端详打扮一新的玩偶。
“小姐真charmante, très jolie1[2]，不是吗？”霍滕斯做作地拍手欢叫。
“出去让大家瞧瞧吧。”贝尔小姐说，一边领美格去见在房间里等着的姑娘们。
美格拖着长裙跟在后面，裙子窸窣有声，耳环叮当作响，鬈发上下波动，心儿怦怦猛跳。刚才那面镜子已明明白白地告诉她，自己是个小美人，她觉得似乎她的“好戏”真的已经开始了。朋友们热情洋溢，反复说着溢美之词；她站在那里好一阵，好像寓言里的鹩哥，尽情享受着借来的羽毛，众人则像一班喜鹊，唧唧喳喳地叫个不停。
“南妮，趁我换衣裳，你教她走步，别让她被裙子和法式高跟鞋绊倒了。克拉拉，你用银蝴蝶发卡，把她左鬓的那绺长鬈发夹起来。你们谁也别弄糟了我这一手漂亮功夫啊。”贝尔说着匆匆走开，对自己的成功显得相当得意。
“我不敢走下去，觉得头晕目眩，身子僵硬，好像只穿了一半衣服。”美格对萨莉说。此时铃声响起，莫法特太太派人来请小姐们立即赴会。
“大不一样咯，不过这样很漂亮。跟你比，我都无地自容了。瞧，贝尔多有品位，当然你也蛮有法国人的味道，真的。就让花这么挂着，不用太在意，当心摔倒。”萨莉说着，努力装出一副不在乎美格掠美的样子。
玛格丽特牢记这个告诫，安然下楼，缓缓地走入客厅，莫法特一家和几位早到的客人都聚集在那里。她很快发现，华丽的衣服有一种魅力，总能吸引某类人的注目礼。有几位小姐以前从不注意她，可一下子热情起来；几位年轻绅士在上一场舞会中只是盯了她一眼，而现在他们不光是盯着她看，还要求与她认识，对她讲了各种愚蠢的贴心话；还有几位老太太坐在沙发上，喜欢对大家品头论足，也饶有兴趣地打听她的身份。只听莫法特太太对其中的一位说：
“黛茜·马奇的父亲是上校军官，是我们家的远亲，可现在家道中落，可惜吧？她们也是劳伦斯家的密友，告诉你，她可温柔着呢，我家内德对她可痴迷呢。”
“啊！原来是这样。”老太太说着，戴上眼镜又把美格审视了一遍。美格假装没听到，心里还是很吃惊，莫法特太太竟然胡说八道。
头晕目眩的感觉还没有消失，可美格想象自己就是在扮演一位优雅小姐的新角色，因此她表现颇为得体；哪怕裙子太紧，束得她两肋隐隐作痛，脚底下不断地踩着裙裾；尽管她还胆战心惊，唯恐那对耳环会甩出去，弄丢或者摔破。旁边一个小绅士正在想方设法卖弄诙谐，讲着一些并不可笑的笑话，她摇着扇子咯咯地笑。突然，笑声戛然而止，只见她不知所措。因为，就在对面，她看见了劳里。他盯着她，毫不掩饰心中的诧异，且不以为然。这她感觉得到，尽管劳里屈身鞠躬，面带笑容，可他真诚的双眼里流露出一种目光，使她脸红，都怪自己没穿上旧裙子。她看到，贝尔胳膊肘推推安妮，然后两个人都把目光转向劳里，这使她心里更加烦乱。好在劳里生性腼腆，看上去特别像个孩子，她才放宽心。
“这些人真无聊，都想到哪里去了！反正我不在乎，也丝毫不会变色的。”美格心想，赶忙窸窸窣窣地跨过房间去和朋友握手。
“你能来我很高兴，本来还怕你不来了。”她装出一副大人的口气说。
“是乔要我来的，回去还要汇报你打扮得怎样，于是我就来了。”劳里回答，眼睛并没有朝她看，只是暗自取笑她的母亲般口吻。
“那你打算怎么跟她说呢？”美格问。她急切想知道他对自己怎么看，可心里第一次感到忐忑不安。
“我想说，都认不出来了。你看上去这么像大人，实在不像你自己了，我很害怕这种陌生。”他说着，抚摸着手套上的扣子。
“真荒唐！姑娘们把我打扮成这模样，是觉得好玩，我也挺喜欢的。要是乔看到的话，她会不会盯着我看？”美格问，一心想要他说出她这个样子是否比以前有长进。
“是的，我想她会的。”劳里黯然地回答。
“难道你不喜欢我这样吗？”美格问。
“我不喜欢。”劳里生硬地答道。
“为什么？”美格急切地问。
他扫了一眼鬈鬈的头发，裸露的肩膀，花里胡哨的裙子，回答中不见了往常彬彬有礼的风度，那种神情更使美格窘迫不安。
“我不欣赏过分炫耀。”
这话竟然出自比她年轻的小伙子之口，美格怎么也听不下去。于是她走开了，冷冷地扔下一句话：“从没见过你这样无礼的男孩子。”
美格火冒三丈，她来到一个没人的窗口，站在那里让凉风吹拂火辣辣的脸颊，紧绷的裙子绷得她脸色通红，极不舒服。她站在那里时，林肯少校从身旁经过。不一会儿，美格听到他跟他母亲说：“她们在戏弄那个小姑娘。我本来想让你见见她，可她们把她彻底毁了，今晚她只是个布娃娃而已。”
“哦，天哪！”美格叹了口气，“我真该放聪明点。如果 我穿上自己的衣服，那样就不会惹别人恶心，自己也不会这么不舒服。”
她把额头靠在冰凉的窗棂上面，让窗帘半掩着自己的身影，拿手的华尔兹已经开始，也全然不觉。这时，一个人碰碰她，她回过身来，看到了劳里。他一脸悔意，毕恭毕敬向她鞠了个躬，伸出手来说：
“恕我一时无礼，来和我跳个舞吧。”
“恐怕这不合你的口味吧。”美格试图装出一副生气的样子，却一点也装不出来。
“没的事情，巴不得呢。来吧，我会学好的。虽然不喜欢你的衣服，但我真的觉得你——反正漂亮极了。”他挥挥手，似乎语言还不足以表达他的仰慕之情。
美格一笑，回心转意了。当他们站在一起等着合上音乐节拍时，她悄悄说道：
“小心裙子把你绊倒，我受尽折磨，穿上它真是个戆头鹅。”
“你可以把裙摆围着领口别起来，这样它还能发挥点作用。”劳里说着，低头看看那双小蓝靴，显然对它们倒很满意。
他们敏捷而优雅地迈开舞步，由于在家里练习过，这对活泼的年轻人配合得相当默契，给舞场平添了快乐的风景线。他们欢快地旋转起舞，觉得经历了这次小口角之后，彼此更加接近了。
“劳里，我想请你帮个忙，好吗？”美格问。她刚跳一会儿便气喘吁吁地停下来，也不解释，劳里便站在一边替她扇扇子。
“那还用说！”劳里欣然回答。
“回到家里，千万不要告诉她们我今天晚上的打扮。她们不会明白这个玩笑，妈妈听到会担心的。”
“那你为什么这样做？”劳里的眼睛显然是在这样问。美格急得又说：
“我会亲自把一切告诉她们，向妈妈坦白我有多傻。但我宁愿自己来说，你别说，行吗？”
“我向你保证守口如瓶，只是她们问我时该怎样回答？”
“就说我看上去挺好，玩得很开心。”
“第一项我会全心全意地说的，只是第二项怎么说？你看上去并不像玩得开心，不是吗？”劳里盯着她，那种神情促使她悄声说道：
“是，刚才是不开心。不要以为我那么讨厌。我只是想找乐子，但我发现这种乐子毫无益处，我已经开始厌倦了。”
“内德·莫法特过来了，他想干什么？”劳里边说边皱起黑色的眉头，仿佛并不认为这位小主人的到来可以增加乐趣。
“他订下了三场舞，我想他是来找舞伴的。烦死人！”美格说完摆出一副倦怠的神情，把劳里也逗乐了。
他一直到晚饭时候才再跟美格说上话，当时她正跟内德和内德的朋友费希尔一起喝香槟。劳里认为那两人是一对“十足的傻瓜”，他觉得自己有权像兄弟一样监护马奇姐妹，必要时站出来保护她们。
“喝那玩意儿，明天就会头痛欲裂，我可不喝。美格，你看，你妈妈不喜欢这样的。”他在她椅边俯下身来低声说道，此时内德正转身给她续杯，费希尔则弯腰捡起了她的扇子。
“今天晚上我不是美格，而是个轻狂得无恶不作的‘布娃娃’。明天我就会收拾起这副‘过分炫耀’的嘴脸，拼命学好。”她皮笑肉不笑地答道。
“但愿明天已经到来啊。”劳里咕哝着，怏怏走开了。看到她变成这副样子，他心里很不是滋味。
美格一边跳舞一边调情卖俏，嘀嘀咕咕地聊着，傻笑着，就像别的姑娘们一样。晚饭后，她跳德国华尔兹舞，自始至终跌跌撞撞，长裙子也差点把舞伴绊倒。劳里见到她这种瞎蹦乱跳的模样心生反感。他一边看着，心里想好了一番数落的话，却没有机会发表，因为美格总是躲着他。一直到舞会结束，劳里才得机会过去向她道晚安。
“记住！”她说道，强颜欢笑着，头痛欲裂已经开始了。
“守口如瓶，至死不渝。”劳里夸张地拖着长音，转身离去。
这小小的插曲激起了安妮的好奇心，但美格累得不想再扯闲话，上床歇息了。她觉得自己像参加了一场化装舞会，却玩得并不尽兴。第二天，她整天都不舒服，到了礼拜六，就回家了。她已经被两个礼拜的玩乐弄得筋疲力尽，感到自己已经享受够了“奢侈的生活”。
“安安静静的生活真好，不用整天客套应酬。家里虽然不漂亮，可真的是舒服。”美格说，安详地左顾右盼。礼拜天晚上，她和母亲及乔坐在一起聊天。
“听到你这么说，我很高兴，乖乖。我本来还担心，你去过了豪宅，会觉得家里又破又无聊。”母亲回答，那天她不止一次地看着美格，满脸担忧的神情。其实，慈母的眼睛，一眼就能察觉孩子们脸上的丝毫变化。
美格高兴地讲了她的经历，接着一遍又一遍地重复，说她度过了一段多么美好的时光，可还是心事重重的样子。看到妹妹们都上床睡觉去了，她若有所思地坐着，两眼盯着炉火，沉默寡言，满面愁容。时钟敲响了九点，乔提出要去睡觉，美格突然站了起来，坐到贝丝的凳子上，双肘靠在母亲膝上，鼓足勇气说：
“妈咪，我要向您坦白一切。”
“早就想到了。你要说什么，乖乖？”
“要我回避吗？”乔谨慎地问。
“不用不用，我有什么事瞒过你？在小妹妹们面前我不好意思说。我在莫法特家做了不少可怕的事情，我想你们应该了解。”
“说吧。”马奇太太微笑着说，显得有些担忧。
“我已经说过，她们把我打扮起来。可我没跟你们说，她们给我抹粉、穿紧身裙、烫头发，把我弄得像个时髦女郎。劳里觉得那样不妥当，我知道他是这么想的，尽管嘴里没说。还有人叫我‘布娃娃’。我知道这样很笨，可她们讨好我，夸我是个大美人，还说了一大堆废话，于是就任由她们作弄了。”
“就这些？”乔问。马奇太太则静静地注视着漂亮女儿低垂的脸，不忍心再责备她干了那些琐碎的蠢事。
“不，我还喝了香槟，和别人戏闹追打，还学着调情，总之令人恶心。”美格责备自己。
“看样子还有吧。”马奇太太抚摸着那张娇嫩的脸。突然，美格脸色通红，支支吾吾地说：
“还有，都很无聊，想说出来，因为我最恨别人这样议论我们和劳里的关系。”
随后，她便把在莫法特家听到的闲言碎语一一讲了出来。美格说的时候，乔看到母亲咬紧嘴唇，竟有人在美格纯真的心灵里灌输这种想法，似乎令她十分不快。
“哎呀，敢说这是我听到过的最混账的废话！”乔义愤填膺得叫了起来，“你为什么不当场跳出来说个明白？”
“做不到，这太难为情了。起初是不由自主听到的，但后来我又怒又羞，倒没想起该走开了。”
“待我看到安妮·莫法特，你看我怎么教训她！什么‘早有打算’，什么对劳里好是因为他家有钱，以后会娶我们！如果我告诉他，那些无聊的东西是怎样谈论我们穷孩子的，他不叫起来才怪！”乔说着笑起来，似乎这种事情回想起来不过是个大笑话而已。
“如果你告诉劳里，我就跟你没完！不能说，对吗，妈妈？”美格焦虑地说道。
“对，千万不要重复那种愚昧的闲话，要尽快忘掉。”马奇太太严肃地说，“我让你置身于那些我了解甚少的人们中间，真是很不明智——我敢说，他们心地不坏，但精于世故，缺乏教养，对年轻人满脑子粗俗念头。我对这次出访可能对你造成的伤害，说不出有多么难过，美格。”
“不要难过，我不会因此而受伤害的。我会把坏的全抛到脑后，只记住好的，因为确实也玩得很尽兴，很感谢您让我去。我不会因此而伤心，也不会不知足，妈妈。我知道自己是个傻傻的小姑娘，我会留在您身边，直到可以自己照顾自己。不过，让人家夸赞、仰慕，心里真是美滋滋的。我还是忍不住要说心里美滋滋哩。”美格说道，对自己的坦白内容显得有点不好意思。
“这再自然不过了，如果这种美滋滋不酿成狂热，不会导致做傻事或做姑娘家不该做的事情，那就无伤大雅。要学会认识、珍惜名副其实的赞美话，用端庄美丽来激发优秀人士的敬意，美格。”
玛格丽特坐着想了一会，乔则背手而立，神情专注，又带着几分迷惑。她看到美格红着脸谈论爱慕、情人之类的东西，倒是新鲜事。乔觉得，姐姐似乎在那半个月里惊人地长大了，从她身边飘走，飘进了一个她不能跟随的世界。
“妈妈，你有没有莫法特太太所说的那类‘打算’呢？”美格含羞问道。
“有，乖乖，多着呢；凡是做母亲的都有打算，但我的打算恐怕跟莫法特太太有出入啊。我会告诉你一些。时候到了，你小脑袋、心里已经有浪漫念头，稍加点拨就会想到这种严肃的课题上来。你还小，美格，但也不至于幼稚得不明白我的话。这种话，由母亲来跟你们小姑娘说再合适不过了。乔，也许很快就会轮到你的，也一起来听听我的‘打算’吧。如果是好打算，就帮我一起执行。”
乔走过去坐到椅子扶手上，看样子她以为她们就要参加到什么极庄严的事情中去。马奇太太执着两个女儿的手，若有所思地望着两张年轻的面庞，语调严肃而轻快地说：
“我希望女儿们美丽善良，多才多艺；众人爱慕，世人敬重；青春幸福，姻缘美满。愿上帝垂爱，使她们尽量无忧无虑，生活愉快而有意义。被好男人爱上娶走，是女人一生中最大的幸事。我热切希望我的姑娘们可以有这种美丽的经历。考虑这种事情是很自然的事，美格，期望和等待也是对的，做好准备是明智的。这样，幸福时刻到来时，你才会觉得已准备担责，无愧于这种喜事。好女儿们，我对你们寄予厚望，但并不是要你们莽撞行事——仅仅为了金钱，便嫁入豪门。这些豪宅并不是家，因为里头没有爱情。金钱是必要而且宝贵的东西——如果用之有道，还是一种高贵的东西——但我决不希望你们把金钱看做首要的东西，当成唯一的奋斗目标。只要拥有爱情、幸福美满，我宁可你们成为穷人妻，也胜过没有自尊、不得安宁的皇后。”
“贝尔说，如果不主动出击，穷人家的姑娘就永远不会有机会。”美格叹息说。
“那我们就做老处女好了。”乔坚定地说。
“说得好，乔，宁愿做快乐的老处女，也不做伤心的太太或不正经的女孩子，四处乱跑找丈夫。”马奇太太坚定地说，“不要烦恼，美格。贫穷根本吓不倒真诚的恋人。我认识的优秀、高贵的夫人都是穷人家的姑娘，可这些可爱的姑娘都没有获准成为老处女。让时间来解决这些问题吧。让这个家充满欢乐，这样当你们自己成家的时候，才适合承担起自己的家庭，万一没有，也可对这个家感到知足。宝贝们，有一点要记住，妈妈永远是你们的知己，爸爸也是你们的朋友。不管女儿嫁人不嫁人，我俩都希望，也都相信她们永远是我们的骄傲和安慰。”
“我们会的，妈咪，我们会的！”姐妹俩真诚地喊道。说完，马奇太太和她们道了晚安。
* * *
[1]法语，乖乖。
[2]法语，迷人，真漂亮。
CHAPTER 9 MEG GOES TO VANITY FAIR
CHAPTER 9 MEG GOES TO VANITY FAIR
“I DO THINK it was the most fortunate thing in the world that those children should have the measles just now, ” said Meg, one April day, as she stood packing the “go abroady” trunk in her room, surrounded by her sisters.
“And so nice of Annie Moffat not to forget her promise. A whole fortnight of fun will be regularly splendid, ” replied Jo, looking like a windmill as she folded skirts with her long arms.
“And such lovely weather, I'm so glad of that, ” added Beth, tidily sorting neck and hair ribbons in her best box, lent for the great occasion.
“I wish I was going to have a fine time and wear all these nice things, ”said Amy with her mouth full of pins, as she artistically replenished her sister's cushion.
“I wish you were all going, but as you can't, I shall keep my adventures to tell you when I come back. I'm sure it's the least I can do when you have been so kind, lending me things and helping me get ready, ”said Meg, glancing round the room at the very simple outfit, which seemed nearly perfect in their eyes.
“What did Mother give you out of the treasure box? ” asked Amy, who had not been present at the opening of a certain cedar chest in which Mrs. March kept a few relics of past splendor, as gifts for her girls when the proper time came.
“A pair of silk stockings, that pretty carved fan, and a lovely blue sash. I wanted the violet silk, but there isn't time to make it over, so I must be contented with my old tarlatan.”
“It will look nice over my new muslin skirt, and the sash will set it off beautifully. I wish I hadn't smashed my coral bracelet, for you might have had it, ” said Jo, who loved to give and lend, but whose possessions were usually too dilapidated to be of much use.
“There is a lovely old-fashioned pearl set in the treasure chest, but Mother said real flowers were the prettiest ornament for a young girl, and Laurie promised to send me all I want, ” replied Meg. “Now, let me see, there's my new gray walking suit—just curl up the feather in my hat,Beth—then my poplin for Sunday and the small party—it looks heavy for spring, doesn't it? The violet silk would be so nice. Oh, dear! ”
“Never mind, you've got the tarlatan for the big party, and you always look like an angel in white, ” said Amy, brooding over the little store of finery in which her soul delighted.
“It isn't low-necked, and it doesn't sweep enough, but it will have to do. My blue housedress looks so well, turned and freshly trimmed, that I feel as if I'd got a new one. My silk sacque isn't a bit the fashion, and my bonnet doesn't look like Sallie's. I didn't like to say anything, but I was sadly disappointed in my umbrella. I told Mother black with a white handle, but she forgot and bought a green one with a yellowish handle. It's strong and neat, so I ought not to complain, but I know I shall feel ashamed of it beside Annie's silk one with a gold top, ” sighed Meg, surveying the little umbrella with great disfavor.
“Change it, ” advised Jo.
“I won't be so silly, or hurt Marmee's feelings, when she took so much pains to get my things. It's a nonsensical notion of mine, and I'm not going to give up to it. My silk stockings and two pairs of new gloves are my comfort. You are a dear to lend me yours, Jo. I feel so rich and sort of elegant, with two new pairs, and the old ones cleaned up for common.” And Meg took a refreshing peep at her glove box.
“Annie Moffat has blue and pink bows on her nightcaps. Would you put some on mine? ” she asked, as Beth brought up a pile of snowy muslins, fresh from Hannah's hands.
“No, I wouldn't, for the smart caps won't match the plain gowns without any trimming on them. Poor folks shouldn't rig, ” said Jo decidedly.
“I wonder if I shall ever be happy enough to have real lace on my clothes and bows on my caps? ” said Meg impatiently.
“You said the other day that you'd be perfectly happy if you could only go to Annie Moffat's, ” observed Beth in her quiet way.
“So I did! Well, I am happy, and I won't fret, but it does seem as if the more one gets the more one wants, doesn't it? There now, the trays are ready, and everything in but my ball dress, which I shall leave for Mother to pack, ” said Meg, cheering up, as she glanced from the half-filled trunk to the many-times-pressed-and-mended white tarlatan, which she called her“ball dress” with an important air.
The next day was fine, and Meg departed in style for a fortnight of novelty and pleasure. Mrs. March had consented to the visit rather reluctantly, fearing that Margaret would come back more discontented than she went. But she begged so hard, and Sallie had promised to take good care of her, and a little pleasure seemed so delightful after a winter of irksome work that the mother yielded, and the daughter went to take her first taste of fashionable life.
The Moffats were very fashionable, and simple Meg was rather daunted, at first, by the splendor of the house and the elegance of its occupants. But they were kindly people, in spite of the frivolous life they led, and soon put their guest at her ease. Perhaps Meg felt, without understanding why, that they were not particularly cultivated or intelligent people, and that all their gilding could not quite conceal the ordinary material of which they were made. It certainly was agreeable to fare sumptuously, drive in a fine carriage, wear her best frock every day, and do nothing but enjoy herself. It suited her exactly, and soon she began to imitate the manners and conversation of those about her, to put on little airs and graces, use French phrases, crimp her hair, take in her dresses, and talk about the fashions as well as she could. The more she saw of Annie Moffat's pretty things, the more she envied her and sighed to be rich. Home now looked bare and dismal as she thought of it, work grew harder than ever, and she felt that she was a very destitute and much-injured girl, in spite of the new gloves and silk stockings.
She had not much time for repining, however, for the three young girls were busily employed in “having a good time.” They shopped, walked, rode, and called all day, went to theaters and operas or frolicked at home in the evening, for Annie had many friends and knew how to entertain them. Her older sisters were very fine young ladies, and one was engaged, which was extremely interesting and romantic, Meg thought. Mr. Moffat was a fat, jolly old gentleman, who knew her father, and Mrs. Moffat, a fat, jolly old lady, who took as great a fancy to Meg as her daughter had done. Everyone petted her, and “Daisy”, as they called her, was in a fair way to have her head turned.
When the evening for the “small party” came, she found that the poplin wouldn't do at all, for the other girls were putting on thin dresses and making themselves very fine indeed. So out came the tarlatan, looking older, limper, and shabbier than ever beside Sallie's crisp new one. Meg saw the girls glance at it and then at one another, and her cheeks began to burn, for with all her gentleness she was very proud. No one said a word about it, but Sallie offered to dress her hair, and Annie to tie her sash, and Belle, the engaged sister, praised her white arms. But in their kindness Meg saw only pity for her poverty, and her heart felt very heavy as she stood by herself, while the others laughed, chattered, and flew about like gauzy butterflies. The hard, bitter feeling was getting pretty bad, when the maid brought in a box of flowers. Before she could speak, Annie had the cover off, and all were exclaiming at the lovely roses, heath, and fern within.
“It's for Belle, of course, George always sends her some, but these are altogether ravishing, ” cried Annie, with a great sniff.
“They are for Miss March, the man said. And here's a note, ” put in the maid, holding it to Meg.
“What fun! Who are they from? Didn't know you had a lover, ” cried the girls, fluttering about Meg in a high state of curiosity and surprise.
“The note is from Mother, and the flowers from Laurie, ” said Meg simply, yet much gratified that he had not forgotten her.
“Oh, indeed! ” said Annie with a funny look, as Meg slipped the note into her pocket as a sort of talisman against envy, vanity, and false pride, for the few loving words had done her good, and the flowers cheered her up by their beauty.
Feeling almost happy again, she laid by a few ferns and roses for herself, and quickly made up the rest in dainty bouquets for the breasts, hair, or skirts of her friends, offering them so prettily that Clara, the elder sister, told her she was “the sweetest little thing she ever saw, ” and they looked quite charmed with her small attention. Somehow the kind act finished her despondency, and when all the rest went to show themselves to Mrs. Moffat, she saw a happy, bright-eyed face in the mirror, as she laid her ferns against her rippling hair and fastened the roses in the dress that didn't strike her as so very shabby now.
She enjoyed herself very much that evening, for she danced to her heart's content. Everyone was very kind, and she had three compliments. Annie made her sing, and some one said she had a remarkably fine voice. Major Lincoln asked who “the fresh little girl with the beautiful eyes” was, and Mr. Moffat insisted on dancing with her because she “didn't dawdle, but had some spring in her, ” as he gracefully expressed it. So altogether she had a very nice time, till she overheard a bit of conversation, which disturbed her extremely. She was sitting just inside the conservatory, waiting for her partner to bring her an ice, when she heard a voice ask on the other side of the flowery wall—
“How old is he? ”
“Sixteen or seventeen, I should say, ” replied another voice.
“It would be a grand thing for one of those girls, wouldn't it? Sallie says they are very intimate now, and the old man quite dotes on them.”
“Mrs. M. has made her plans, I dare say, and will play her cards well, early as it is. The girl evidently doesn't think of it yet, ” said Mrs. Moffat.
“She told that fib about her momma, as if she did know, and colored up when the flowers came quite prettily. Poor thing! She'd be so nice if she was only got up in style. Do you think she'd be offended if we offered to lend her a dress for Thursday? ” asked another voice.
“She's proud, but I don't believe she'd mind, for that dowdy tarlatan is all she has got. She may tear it tonight, and that will be a good excuse for offering a decent one.”
Here Meg's partner appeared, to find her looking much flushed and rather agitated. She was proud, and her pride was useful just then, for it helped her hide her mortification, anger, and disgust at what she had just heard. For, innocent and unsuspicious as she was, she could not help understanding the gossip of her friends. She tried to forget it, but could not, and kept repeating to herself, “Mrs. M. has made her plans, ” “that fib about her mamma, ” and “dowdy tarlatan, ” till she was ready to cry and rush home to tell her troubles and ask for advice. As that was impossible, she did her best to seem gay, and being rather excited, she succeeded so well that no one dreamed what an effort she was making. She was very glad when it was all over and she was quiet in her bed, where she could think and wonder and fume till her head ached and her hot cheeks were cooled by a few natural tears. Those foolish, yet well meant words, had opened a new world to Meg, and much disturbed the peace of the old one in which till now she had lived as happily as a child. Her innocent friendship with Laurie was spoiled by the silly speeches she had overheard. Her faith in her mother was a little shaken by the worldly plans attributed to her by Mrs. Moffat, who judged others by herself, and the sensible resolution to be contented with the simple wardrobe which suited a poor man's daughter was weakened by the unnecessary pity of girls who thought a shabby dress one of the greatest calamities under heaven.
Poor Meg had a restless night, and got up heavy-eyed, unhappy, half resentful toward her friends, and half ashamed of herself for not speaking out frankly and setting everything right. Everybody dawdled that morning, and it was noon before the girls found energy enough even to take up their worsted work. Something in the manner of her friends struck Meg at once. They treated her with more respect, she thought, took quite a tender interest in what she said, and looked at her with eyes that plainly betrayed curiosity. All this surprised and flattered her, though she did not understand it till Miss Belle looked up from her writing, and said, with a sentimental air—
“Daisy, dear, I've sent an invitation to your friend, Mr. Laurence, for Thursday. We should like to know him, and it's only a proper compliment to you.”
Meg colored, but a mischievous fancy to tease the girls made her reply demurely, “You are very kind, but I'm afraid he won't come.”
“Why not,chérie? ”asked Miss Belle.
“He's too old.”
“My child, what do you mean? What is his age, I beg to know! ” cried Miss Clara.
“Nearly seventy, I believe, ” answered Meg, counting stitches to hide the merriment in her eyes.
“You sly creature! Of course we meant the young man, ” exclaimed Miss Belle, laughing.
“There isn't any, Laurie is only a little boy.” And Meg laughed also at the queer look which the sisters exchanged as she thus described her supposed lover.
“About your age, ” Nan said.
“Nearer my sister Jo's; I am seventeen in August, ” returned Meg, tossing her head.
“It's very nice of him to send you flowers, isn't it? ” said Annie, looking wise about nothing.
“Yes, he often does, to all of us, for their house is full, and we are so fond of them. My mother and old Mr. Laurence are friends, you know, so it is quite natural that we children should play together, ” and Meg hoped they would say no more.
“It's evident Daisy isn't out yet, ” said Miss Clara to Belle with a nod.
“Quite a pastoral state of innocence all round, ” returned Miss Belle with a shrug.
“I'm going out to get some little matters for my girls. Can I do anything for you, young ladies? ” asked Mrs. Moffat, lumbering in like an elephant in silk and lace.
“No, thank you, ma'am, ” replied Sallie. “I've got my new pink silk for Thursday and don't want a thing.”
“Nor I—” began Meg, but stopped because it occurred to her that she did want several things and could not have them.
“What shall you wear? ” asked Sallie.
“My old white one again, if I can mend it fit to be seen; it got sadly torn last night, ” said Meg, trying to speak quite easily, but feeling very uncomfortable.
“Why don't you send home for another? ” said Sallie, who was not an observing young lady.
“I haven't got any other.” It cost Meg an effort to say that, but Sallie did not see it and exclaimed in amiable surprise, “Only that? How funny—”She did not finish her speech, for Belle shook her head at her and broke in, saying kindly—
“Not at all; where is the use of having a lot of dresses when she isn't out yet? There's no need of sending home, Daisy, even if you had a dozen, for I've got a sweet blue silk laid away, which I've outgrown, and you shall wear it to please me, won't you, dear? ”
“You are very kind, but I don't mind my old dress if you don't, it does well enough for a little girl like me, ” said Meg.
“Now do let me please myself by dressing you up in style. I admire to do it, and you'd be a regular little beauty with a touch here and there. I shan't let anyone see you till you are done, and then we'll burst upon them like Cinderella and her godmother going to the ball, ” said Belle in her persuasive tone.
Meg couldn't refuse the offer so kindly made, for a desire to see if she would be “a little beauty” after touching up caused her to accept and forget all her former uncomfortable feelings toward the Moffats.
On the Thursday evening, Belle shut herself up with her maid, and between them they turned Meg into a fine lady. They crimped and curled her hair, they polished her neck and arms with some fragrant powder, touched her lips with coralline salve to make them redder, and Hortense would have added“a soupçon of rouge”, if Meg had not rebelled.They laced her into a sky-blue dress, which was so tight she could hardly breathe and so low in the neck that modest Meg blushed at herself in the mirror. A set of silver filagree was added, bracelets, necklace, brooch, and even earrings, for Hortense tied them on with a bit of pink silk which did not show. A cluster of tea-rose buds at the bosom, and a ruche, reconciled Meg to the display of her pretty, white shoulders, and a pair of high-heeled silk boots satisfied the last wish of her heart. A lace handkerchief, a plumy fan, and a bouquet in a shoulder holder finished her off, and Miss Belle surveyed her with the satisfaction of a little girl with a newly dressed doll.
“Mademoiselle is charmante,très jolie, is she not? ”cried Hortense, clasping her hands in an affected rapture.
“Come and show yourself, ” said Miss Belle, leading the way to the room where the others were waiting.
As Meg went rustling after, with her long skirts trailing, her earrings tinkling, her curls waving, and her heart beating, she felt as if her fun had really begun at last, for the mirror had plainly told her that she was “a little beauty”. Her friends repeated the pleasing phrase enthusiastically, and for several minutes she stood, like a jackdaw in the fable, enjoying her borrowed plumes, while the rest chattered like a party of magpies.
“While I dress, do you drill her, Nan, in the management of her skirt and those French heels, or she will trip herself up. Take your silver butterfly, and catch up that long curl on the left side of her head, Clara, and don't any of you disturb the charming work of my hands, ” said Belle, as she hurried away, looking well pleased with her success.
“You don't look a bit like yourself, but you are very nice. I'm nowhere beside you, for Belle has heaps of taste, and you're quite French, I assure you. Let your flowers hang, don't be so careful of them, and be sure you don't trip, ” returned Sallie, trying not to care that Meg was prettier than herself.
Keeping that warning carefully in mind, Margaret got safely down stairs and sailed into the drawing rooms where the Moffats and a few early guests were assembled. 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 the sofas, and criticized the rest of the party, inquired who she was with an air of interest. She heard Mrs. Moffat reply to one of them.
“Daisy March—father a colonel in the army—one of our first families, but reverses of fortune, you know; intimate friends of the Laurences; sweet creature, I assure you; my Ned is quite wild about her.”
“Dear me! ” said the old lady, putting up her glass for another observation of Meg, who tried to look as if she had not heard and been rather shocked at Mrs. Moffat's fibs.
The “queer feeling” did not pass away, but she imagined herself acting the new part of fine lady and so got on pretty well, though the tight dress gave her a side-ache, the train kept getting under her feet, and she was in constant fear lest her earrings should fly off and get lost or broken. She was flirting her fan and laughing at the feeble jokes of a young gentleman who tried to be witty, when she suddenly stopped laughing and looked confused, for just opposite, she saw Laurie. He was staring at her with undisguised surprise, and disapproval also, she thought, for though he bowed and smiled, yet something in his honest eyes made her blush and wish she had her old dress on. To complete her confusion, she saw Belle nudge Annie, and both gl
