Chapter II. New Fashions

by Louisa May Alcott

　　Chapter II. New Fashions"I'm going to school this morning; so come up and get ready," saidFanny, a day or two after, as she left the late breakfast-table."You look very nice; what have you got to do?" asked Polly,following her into the hall."Prink half an hour, and put on her wad," answered the irreverentTom, whose preparations for school consisted in flinging his capon to his head, and strapping up several big books, that looked as ifthey were sometimes used as weapons of defence."What is a wad?" asked Polly, while Fanny marched up withoutdeigning any reply."Somebody's hair on the top of her head in the place where it oughtnot to be;" and Tom went whistling away with an air of sublimeindifference as to the state of his own "curly pow.""Why must you be so fine to go to school?" asked Polly, watchingFan arrange the little frizzles on her forehead, and settle thevarious streamers and festoons belonging to her dress."All the girls do; and it's proper, for you never know who you maymeet. I'm going to walk, after my lessons, so I wish you'd wearyour best hat and sack," answered Fanny, trying to stick her ownhat on at an angle which defied all the laws of gravitation."I will, if you don't think this is nice enough. I like the other best,because it has a feather; but this is warmer, so I wear it every day."And Polly ran into her own room, to prink also, fearing that herfriend might be ashamed of her plain costume. "Won't your handsbe cold in kid gloves?" she said, as they went down the snowystreet, with a north wind blowing in their faces."Yes, horrid cold; but my muff is so big, I won't carry it. Mammawon't have it cut up, and my ermine one must be kept for best;"and Fanny smoothed her Bismark kids with an injured air."I suppose my gray squirrel is ever so much too big; but it's niceand cosy, and you may warm your hands in it if you want to," saidPolly, surveying her new woollen gloves with a dissatisfied look,though she had thought them quite elegant before."Perhaps I will, by and by. Now, Polly, don't you be shy. I'll onlyintroduce two or three of the girls; and you need n't mind oldMonsieur a bit, or read if you don't want to. We shall be in theanteroom; so you'll only see about a dozen, and they will be sobusy, they won't mind you much.""I guess I won't read, but sit and look on. I like to watch people,everything is so new and queer here."But Polly did feel and look very shy, when she was ushered into aroom full of young ladies, as they seemed to her, all very muchdressed, all talking together, and all turning to examine thenew-comer with a cool stare which seemed to be as much thefashion as eye-glasses. They nodded affably when Fannyintroduced her, said something civil, and made room for her at thetable round which they sat waiting for Monsieur. Several of themore frolicsome were imitating the Grecian Bend, some wereputting their heads together over little notes, nearly all were eatingconfectionery, and the entire twelve chattered like magpies. Beingpolitely supplied with caramels, Polly sat looking and listening,feeling very young and countrified among these elegant youngladies."Girls, do you know that Carrie has gone abroad? There has beenso much talk, her father could n't bear it, and took the wholefamily off. Is n't that gay?" said one lively damsel, who had justcome in."I should think they'd better go. My mamma says, if I'd beengoing to that school, she'd have taken me straight away," answeredanother girl, with an important air."Carrie ran away with an Italian music-teacher, and it got into thepapers, and made a great stir," explained the first speaker to Polly,who looked mystified."How dreadful!" cried Polly."I think it was fun. She was only sixteen, and he was perfectlysplendid; and she has plenty of money, and every one talked aboutit; and when she went anywhere, people looked, you know, andshe liked it; but her papa is an old poke, so he's sent them allaway. It's too bad, for she was the jolliest thing I ever knew."Polly had nothing to say to lively Miss Belle; but Fanny observed,"I like to read about such things; but it's so inconvenient to have ithappen right here, because it makes it harder for us. I wish youcould have heard my papa go on. He threatened to send a maid toschool with me every day, as they do in New York, to be sure Icome all right. Did you ever?" "That's because it came out thatCarrie used to forge excuses in her mamma's name, and gopromenading with her Oreste, when they thought her safe atschool. Oh, was n't she a sly minx?" cried Belle, as if she ratheradmired the trick."I think a little fun is all right; and there's no need of making atalk, if, now and then, some one does run off like Carrie. Boys doas they like; and I don't see why girls need to be kept so dreadfullyclose. I'd like to see anybody watching and guarding me!" addedanother dashing young lady."It would take a policeman to do that, Trix, or a little man in a tallhat," said Fanny, slyly, which caused a general laugh, and madeBeatrice toss her head coquettishly."Oh, have you read'The Phantom Bride'? It's perfectly thrilling!There's a regular rush for it at the library; but some prefer'Breaking a Butterfly.' Which do you like best?" asked a pale girl ofPolly, in one of the momentary lulls which occurred."I have n't read either.""You must, then. I adore Guy Livingston's books, and Yates's.'Ouida's' are my delight, only they are so long, I get worn outbefore I'm through.""I have n't read anything but one of the Muhlbach novels since Icame. I like those, because there is history in them," said Polly,glad to have a word to say for herself."Those are well enough for improving reading; but I like realexciting novels; don't you?"Polly was spared the mortification of owning that she had neverread any, by the appearance of Mousieur, a gray-headed oldFrenchman, who went through his task with the resigned air of onewho was used to being the victim of giggling school-girls. Theyoung ladies gabbled over the lesson, wrote an exercise, and read alittle French history. But it did not seem to make much impressionupon them, though Monsieur was very ready to explain; and Pollyquite blushed for her friend, when, on being asked what famousFrenchman fought in our Revolution, she answered Lamartine,instead of Lafayette.The hour was soon over; and when Fan had taken a music lesson inanother room, while Polly looked on, it was time for recess. Theyounger girls walked up and down the court, arm in arm, eatingbread an butter; others stayed in the school-room to read andgossip; but Belle, Trix, and Fanny went to lunch at a fashionableice-cream saloon near by, and Polly meekly followed, not daring tohint at the ginger-bread grandma had put in her pocket forluncheon. So the honest, brown cookies crumbled away inobscurity, while Polly tried to satisfy her hearty appetite on one iceand three macaroons.The girls seemed in great spirits, particularly after they werejoined by a short gentleman with such a young face that Pollywould have called him a boy, if he had not worn a tall beaver.Escorted by this impressive youth, Fanny left her unfortunatefriends to return to school, and went to walk, as she called a slowpromenade down the most crowded streets. Polly discreetly fellbehind, and amused herself looking into shop-windows, till Fanny,mindful of her manners, even at such an interesting time, took herinto a picture gallery, and bade her enjoy the works of art whilethey rested. Obedient Polly went through the room several times,apparently examining the pictures with the interest of aconnoisseur, and trying not to hear the mild prattle of the pair onthe round seat. But she could n't help wondering what Fan found soabsorbing in an account of a recent German, and why she needpromise so solemnly not to forget the concert that afternoon.When Fanny rose at last, Polly's tired face reproached her; andtaking a hasty leave of the small gentleman, she turned homeward,saying, confidentially, as she put one hand in Polly's muff, "Now,my dear, you must n't say a word about Frank Moore, or papa willtake my head off. I don't care a bit for him, and he likes Trix; onlythey have quarrelled, and he wants to make her mad by flirting alittle with me. I scolded him well, and he promised to make upwith her. We all go to the afternoon concerts, and have a gay time,and Belle and Trix are to be there to-day; so just keep quiet, andeverything will be all right.""I'm afraid it won't," began Polly, who, not being used to secrets,found it very hard to keep even a small one."Don't worry, child. It's none of our business; so we can go andenjoy the music, and if other people flirt, it won't be our fault,"said Fanny, impatiently."Of course not; but, then, if your father don't like you to do so,ought you to go?""I tell mamma, and she don't care. Papa is fussy, and grandmamakes a stir about every blessed thing I do. You will hold yourtongue, won't you?""Yes; I truly will; I never tell tales." And Polly kept her word,feeling sure Fan did n't mean to deceive her father, since she toldher mother everything."Who are you going with?" asked Mrs. Shaw, when Fannymentioned that it was concert-day, just before three o'clock."Only Polly; she likes music, and it was so stormy I could n't golast week, you know," answered Fan; adding, as they left the houseagain, "If any one meets us on the way, I can't help it, can I?""You can tell them not to, can't you?""That's rude. Dear me! here's Belle's brother Gus he always goes.Is my hair all right, and my hat?Before Polly could answer, Mr. Gus joined them as a matter ofcourse, and Polly soon found herself trotting on behind, feelingthat things were not "all right," though she did n't know how tomend them. Being fond of music, she ignorantly supposed thatevery one else went for that alone, and was much disturbed by thewhispering that went on among the young people round her. Belleand Trix were there in full dress; and, in the pauses betweendifferent pieces, Messrs. Frank and Gus, with several other"splendid fellows," regaled the young ladies with college gossip,and bits of news full of interest, to judge from the close attentionpaid to their eloquent remarks. Polly regarded these noble beingswith awe, and they recognized her existence with thecondescension of their sex; but they evidently considered her only"a quiet little thing," and finding her not up to society talk, blandlyignored the pretty child, and devoted themselves to the youngladies. Fortunately for Polly, she forgot all about them in herenjoyment of the fine music, which she felt rather than understood,and sat listening with such a happy face, that several truemusic-lovers watched her smilingly, for her heart gave a blithewelcome to the melody which put the little instrument in tune. Itwas dusk when they went out, and Polly was much relieved to findthe carriage waiting for them, because playing third fiddle was notto her taste, and she had had enough of it for one day."I'm glad those men are gone; they did worry me so talking, whenI wanted to hear," said Polly, as they rolled away."Which did you like best?" asked Fanny, with a languid air ofsuperiority."The plain one, who did n't say much; he picked up my muff whenit tumbled down, and took care of me in the crowd; the others didn't mind anything about me.""They thought you were a little girl, I suppose.""My mother says a real gentleman is as polite to a little girl as to awoman; so I like Mr. Sydney best, because he was kind to me.""What a sharp child you are, Polly. I should n't have thought you'dmind things like that," said Fanny, beginning to understand thatthere may be a good deal of womanliness even in a little girl."I'm used to good manners, though I do live in the country,"replied Polly, rather warmly, for she did n't like to be patronizedeven by her friends."Grandma says your mother is a perfect lady, and you are just likeher; so don't get in a passion with those poor fellows, and I'll seethat they behave better next time. Tom has no manners at all, andyou don't complain of him," added Fan, with a laugh."I don't care if he has n't; he's a boy, and acts like one, and I canget on with him a great deal better than I can with those men."Fanny was just going to take Polly to task for saying "those men"in such a disrespectful tone, when both were startled by asmothered "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" from under the opposite seat."It's Tom!" cried Fanny; and with the words out tumbled thatincorrigible boy, red in the face, and breathless with suppressedlaughter. Seating himself, he surveyed the girls as if well satisfiedwith the success of his prank, and waiting to be congratulated uponit. "Did you hear what we were saying?" demanded Fanny,uneasily."Oh, did n't I, every word?" And Tom exulted over them visibly."Did you ever see such a provoking toad, Polly? Now, I supposeyou'll go and tell papa a great story.""P'r'aps I shall, and p'r'aps I shan't. How Polly did hop when Icrowed! I heard her squeal, and saw her cuddle up her feet.""And you heard us praise your manners, did n't you?" asked Polly,slyly."Yes, and you liked'em; so I won't tell on you," said Tom, with are-assuring nod."There's nothing to tell.""Ain't there, though? What do you suppose the governor will say toyou girls going on so with those dandies? I saw you.""What has the Governor of Massachusetts to do with us?" askedPolly, trying to look as if she meant what she said."Pooh! you know who I mean; so you need n't try to catch me up,as grandma does.""Tom, I'll make a bargain with you," cried Fanny, eagerly. "It wasn't my fault that Gus and Frank were there, and I could n't helptheir speaking to me. I do as well as I can, and papa need n't beangry; for I behave ever so much better than some of the girls.Don't I, Polly?""Bargain?" observed Tom, with an eye to business."If you won't go and make a fuss, telling what you'd no right tohear it was so mean to hide and listen; I should think you'd beashamed of it! I'll help you tease for your velocipede, and won'tsay a word against it, when mamma and granny beg papa not to letyou have it.""Will you?" and Tom paused to consider the offer in all itsbearings."Yes, and Polly will help; won't you?""I'd rather not have anything to do with it; but I'll be quiet, andnot do any harm.""Why won't you?" asked Tom, curiously."Because it seems like deceiving.""Well, papa need n't be so fussy," said Fan, petulantly."After hearing about that Carrie, and the rest, I don't wonder he isfussy. Why don't you tell right out, and not do it any more, if hedon't want you to?" said Polly, persuasively."Do you go and tell your father and mother everything right out?""Yes, I do; and it saves ever so much trouble.""Ain't you afraid of them?""Of course I'm not. It's hard to tell sometimes; but it's socomfortable when it's over.""Let's!" was Tom's brief advice."Mercy me! what a fuss about nothing!" said Fanny, ready to crywith vexation."T is n't nothing. You know you are forbidden to go gallivantinground with those chaps, and that's the reason you're in a puckernow. I won't make any bargain, and I will tell," returned Tom,seized with a sudden fit of moral firmness."Will you if I promise never, never to do so any more?" askedFanny, meekly; for when Thomas took matters into his own hands,his sister usually submitted in spite of herself."I'll think about it; and if you behave, maybe I won't do it at all. Ican watch you better than papa can; so, if you try it again, it's allup with you, miss," said Tom, finding it impossible to resist thepleasure of tyrannizing a little when he got the chance."She won't; don't plague her any more, and she will be good to youwhen you get into scrapes," answered Polly, with her arm roundFan."I never do; and if I did, I should n't ask a girl to help me out.""Why not? I'd ask you in a minute, if I was in trouble," said Polly,in her confiding way."Would you? Well, I'd put you through, as sure as my name's TomShaw. Now, then, don't slip, Polly," and Mr. Thomas helped themout with unusual politeness, for that friendly little speech gratifiedhim. He felt that one person appreciated him; and it had a goodeffect upon manners and temper made rough and belligerent byconstant snubbing and opposition.After tea that evening, Fanny proposed that Polly should show herhow to make molasses candy, as it was cook's holiday, and thecoast would be clear. Hoping to propitiate her tormentor, Faninvited Tom to join in the revel, and Polly begged that Maud mightsit up and see the fun; so all four descended to the big kitchen,armed with aprons, hammers, spoons, and pans, and Polly assumedcommand of the forces. Tom was set to cracking nuts, and Maudto picking out the meats, for the candy was to be "tip-top." Fanwaited on Polly cook, who hovered over the kettle of boilingmolasses till her face was the color of a peony. "Now, put in thenuts," she said at last; and Tom emptied his plate into the foamysyrup, while the others watched with deep interest the mysteriousconcoction of this well-beloved sweetmeat. "I pour it into thebuttered pan, you see, and it cools, and then we can eat it,"explained Polly, suiting the action to the word."Why, it's all full of shells!" exclaimed Maud, peering into thepan."Oh, thunder! I must have put'em in by mistake, and ate up themeats without thinking," said Tom, trying to conceal his naughtysatisfaction, as the girls hung over the pan with faces full ofdisappointment and despair."You did it on purpose, you horrid boy! I'll never let you haveanything to do with my fun again!" cried Fan, in a passion, tryingto catch and shake him, while he dodged and chuckled in highglee.Maud began to wail over her lost delight, and Polly gravely pokedat the mess, which was quite spoilt. But her attention was speedilydiverted by the squabble going on in the corner; for Fanny,forgetful of her young-ladyism and her sixteen years, had boxedTom's ears, and Tom, resenting the insult, had forcibly seated herin the coal-hod, where he held her with one hand while he returnedthe compliment with the other. Both were very angry, and kepttwitting one another with every aggravation they could invent, asthey scolded and scuffled, presenting a most unlovely spectacle.Polly was not a model girl by any means, and had her little petsand tempers like the rest of us; but she did n't fight, scream, andsquabble with her brothers and sisters in this disgraceful way, andwas much surprised to see her elegant friend in such a passion."Oh, don't! Please, don't! You'll hurt her, Tom! Let him go, Fanny!It's no matter about the candy; we can make some more!" criedPolly, trying to part them, and looking so distressed, that theystopped ashamed, and in a minute sorry that she should see such adisplay of temper."I ain't going to be hustled round; so you'd better let me alone,Fan," said Tom, drawing off with a threatening wag of the head,adding, in a different tone, "I only put the shells in for fun, Polly.You cook another kettleful, and I'll pick you some meats all fair.Will you?""It's pretty hot work, and it's a pity to waste things; but I'll tryagain, if you want me to," said Polly, with a patient sigh, for herarms were tired and her face uncomfortably hot."We don't want you; get away!" said Maud, shaking a sticky spoonat him."Keep quiet, cry-baby. I'm going to stay and help; may n't I,Polly?""Bears like sweet things, so you want some candy, I guess. Whereis the molasses? We've used up all there was in the jug," saidPolly, good-naturedly, beginning again."Down cellar; I'll get it;" and taking the lamp and jug, Tomdeparted, bent on doing his duty now like a saint.The moment his light vanished, Fanny bolted the door, saying,spitefully, "Now, we are safe from any more tricks. Let him thumpand call, it only serves him right; and when the candy is done, we'll let the rascal out.""How can we make it without molasses?" asked Polly, thinkingthat would settle the matter."There's plenty in the store-room. No; you shan't let him up till I'm ready. He's got to learn that I'm not to be shaken by a little chitlike him. Make your candy, and let him alone, or I'll go and tellpapa, and then Tom will get a lecture."Polly thought it was n't fair; but Maud clamored for her candy, andfinding she could do nothing to appease Fan, Polly devoted hermind to her cookery till the nuts were safely in, and a nice panfulset in the yard to cool. A few bangs at the locked door, a fewthreats of vengeance from the prisoner, such as setting the houseon fire, drinking up the wine, and mashing the jelly-pots, and thenall was so quiet that the girls forgot him in the exciting crisis oftheir work."He can't possibly get out anywhere, and as soon we've cut up thecandy, we'll unbolt the door and run. Come and get a nice dish toput it in," said Fan, when Polly proposed to go halves with Tom,lest he should come bursting in somehow, and seize the whole.When they came down with the dish in which to set forth theirtreat, and opened the back-door to find it, imagine their dismay ondiscovering that it was gone, pan, candy, and all, utterly andmysteriously gone!A general lament arose, when a careful rummage left no hopes; forthe fates had evidently decreed at candy was not to prosper on thisunpropitious night."The hot pan has melted and sunk in the snow perhaps," saidFanny, digging into the drift where it was left."Those old cats have got it, I guess," suggested Maud, too muchoverwhelmed by this second blow to howl as usual."The gate is n't locked, and some beggar has stolen it. I hope it willdo him good," added Polly, turning from her exploring expedition."If Tom could get out, I should think he'd carried it off; but notbeing a rat, he can't go through the bits of windows; so it was n'thim," said Fanny, disconsolately, for she began to think this doubleloss a punishment for letting angry passions rise, "Let's open thedoor and tell him about it," proposed Polly."He'll crow over us. No; we'll open it and go to bed, and he cancome out when he likes. Provoking boy! if he had n't plagued usso, we should have had a nice time."Unbolting the cellar door, the girls announced to the invisiblecaptive that they were through, and then departed much depressed.Half-way up the second flight, they all stopped as suddenly as ifthey had seen a ghost; for looking over the banisters was Tom'sface, crocky but triumphant, and in either hand a junk of candy,which he waved above them as he vanished, with the tantalizingremark, "Don't you wish you had some?""How in the world did he get out?" cried Fanny, steadying herselfafter a start that nearly sent all three tumbling down stairs."Coal-hole!" answered a spectral voice from the gloom above."Good gracious! He must have poked up the cover, climbed intothe street, stole the candy, and sneaked in at the shed-windowwhile we were looking for it.""Cats got it, did n't they?" jeered the voice in a tone that madePolly sit down and laugh till she could n't laugh any longer."Just give Maud a bit, she's so disappointed. Fan and I are sick ofit, and so will you be, if you eat it all," called Polly, when she gother breath."Go to bed, Maudie, and look under your pillow when you getthere," was the oracular reply that came down to them, as Tom'sdoor closed after a jubilant solo on the tin pan.The girls went to bed tired out; and Maud slumbered placidly,hugging the sticky bundle, found where molasses candy is notoften discovered. Polly was very tired, and soon fell asleep; butFanny, who slept with her, lay awake longer than usual, thinkingabout her troubles, for her head ached, and the dissatisfaction thatfollows anger would not let her rest with the tranquillity that madethe rosy face in the little round nightcap such a pleasant sight tosee as it lay beside her. The gas was turned down, but Fanny saw afigure in a gray wrapper creep by her door, and presently return,pausing to look in. "Who is it?" she cried, so loud that Polly woke."Only me, dear," answered grandma's mild voice. "Poor Tom hasgot a dreadful toothache, and I came down to find some creosotefor him. He told me not to tell you; but I can't find the bottle, anddon't want to disturb mamma.""It's in my closet. Old Tom will pay for his trick this time," saidFanny, in a satisfied tone."I thought he'd get enough of our candy," laughed Polly; and thenthey fell asleep, leaving Tom to the delights of toothache and thetender mercies of kind old grandma.