Chapter XVI. A Dress Parade

by Louisa May Alcott

　　Chapter XVI. A Dress ParadeThe weeks that followed taught the Shaws, as many other familieshave been taught, how rapidly riches take to themselves wings andfly away, when they once begin to go. Mr. Shaw carried out hisplans with an energy and patience that worked wonders, andtouched the hearts of his hardest creditors. The big house wasgiven up as soon as possible and the little house taken; being madecomfortable with the furniture Madam left there when she went tolive with her son. The old-fashioned things had been let with thehouse, and now seemed almost like a gift from Grandma, doublyprecious in these troublous times. At the auction, several personstried to show the family that, though they had lost their fortune,friends still remained, for one bid in Fanny's piano, and sent it toher; another secured certain luxurious articles for Mrs. Shaw'scomfort; and a third saved such of Mr. Shaw's books as he valuedmost, for he had kept his word and given up everything, with themost punctilious integrity. So the little house was not bare, butmade pleasant to their eyes by these waifs from the wreck, broughtthem by the tide of sympathy and good-will which soon set in.Everybody who knew them hastened to call, many from a realregard, but more from mere curiosity to "see how they took it."This was one of the hardest things they had to bear, and Tom usedstrong language more than once, when some fine lady came tocondole, and went away to gossip. Polly's hopes of Mrs. Shawwere disappointed, for misfortune did not have a bracing effect.She took to her bed at once, received her friends in tears and apoint-lace cap, and cheered her family by plaintively inquiringwhen she was to be taken to the almshouse. This was hard forFanny; but after an interval of despair, she came to the conclusionthat under the circumstances it was the best thing her mother couldhave done, and with something of her father's energy, Fannyshouldered the new burden, feeling that at last necessity had givenher what she had long needed, something to do.The poor girl knew as much of household affairs as Snip; but prideand the resolution "to stand by Father," kept up her courage, andshe worked away with feverish activity at whatever task came firsttill, just as strength and heart were about to fail, order began toemerge from chaos and the vision of a home made happy andcomfortable by her skill and care came to repay and sustain her.Maud, being relieved from the fear of back-door beggary, soonbecame reconciled to bankruptcy; thought it rather a good joke, onthe whole, for children like novelty, and don't care much for Mrs.Grundy. She regarded the new abode as a baby house on a largescale, where she was allowed to play her part in the mostsatisfactory manner. From the moment when, on taking possessionof the coveted room, she opened the doors of the three-corneredcloset, and found a little kettle just like Polly's, standing there, shefelt that a good time was coming for her and fell to dustingfurniture, washing cups, and making toast, the happiest, fussiestlittle housewife in the city. For Maud inherited the notable gifts ofher grandmother, and would have made a capital farmer'sdaughter, in spite of her city breeding.Polly came and went through all these changes, faithful, helpful,and as cheery as she could be when her friends were in trouble.The parts seemed reversed now, and it was Polly who gave, Fannywho received; for where everything seemed strange and new toFan, Polly was quite at home, and every one of the unfashionabledomestic accomplishments now came into play, to the comfort ofthe Shaws, and the great satisfaction of Polly. She could not doenough to prove her gratitude for former favors, and went toilingand moiling about, feeling that the hardest, most disagreeable taskswere her especial duty. In the moving nothing suited her betterthan to trot up and down, lugging heavy things, to pound herfingers black and blue nailing carpets and curtains, and the day shenearly broke her neck tumbling down the cellar stairs, in hereagerness to see that Mrs. Shaw's wine was rightly stored, she feltthat she was only paying her debts, and told Tom she liked it,when he picked her up looking as grimy as a chimney-sweep."You can turn your hand to anything, you clever girl, so do comeand give me some advice, for I am in the depths of despair," saidFanny when the "maid-of-all-work" as Polly called herself, found aleisure hour."What is it? Moths in the furs, a smoky chimney, or small-pox nextdoor?" asked Polly, as they entered Fan's room, where Maud wastrying on old bonnets before the looking-glass."Actually I have nothing to wear," began Fan impressively; "I'vebeen too busy to think or care till now, but here it is nearly Mayand I have hardly a decent rag to my back. Usually, you know, Ijust go to Mrs. O'Grady and tell her what I want; she makes myspring wardrobe, Papa pays the bill, and there I am. Now I'velooked into the matter, and I declare to you, Polly, I'm frightenedto see how much it costs to dress me.""Not so much as some girls I know," said Polly encouragingly."Perhaps not, for I have a conscience, and taste is economysometimes; but really, Polly, I have n't the heart to ask Papa for acent just now, and yet I must have clothes. You are such a geniusfor planning and working wonders, that I throw myself upon youand ask,'How shall I make a spring wardrobe out of nothing?' ""Let me see the'nothing' before I advise. Bring out every rag you've got, and we'll see what can be done," said Polly, looking as ifshe enjoyed the prospect, for she had a great deal of that femininefaculty which we call "knack," and much practice had increased it.Fanny brought out her "rags" and was astonished to see how manyshe had, for chair, sofa, bed, and bureau were covered, and stillMaud, who was burrowing in the closets, kept crying, "Here'sanother.""There's a discouraging heap of rubbish for you!" said Fan, as sheadded a faded muslin to the last pile."Now, to me your'rubbish' looks very encouraging, because thereis good material there, and not much worn-out finery, that's mydetestation, for you can't do anything with it. Let me see, fivebonnets. Put the winter ones away till autumn, rip up the summerones, and out of three old ones we'll get a pretty new one, if myeyes don't deceive me.""I'll rip, and then do let me see you make a bonnet, it must be sointeresting," said Maud, whipping out her scissors and eagerlybeginning to reduce a shabby little bonnet to its original elements."Now the dresses," continued Polly, who had rapidly sorted out thepiles."Will you have the goodness to look at this?" said Fan, holding upa gray street suit faded past cure.Polly whisked it wrong side out, and showing the clean, brightfabric, said, with a triumphant wave, "Behold your new suit; freshtrimming and less of it will finish you off as smart as ever.""I never wore a turned dress in my life; do you suppose people willknow it?" said Fan doubtfully."What if they do? It won't hurt you. Not one in a hundred will everthink anything about your dress, except that it is pretty. I've wornturned and dyed gowns all my days, and it don't seem to havealienated my friends, or injured my constitution.""That it has n't; I'm a goose, Polly, and I'll get over the feeling thatit's sort of disgraceful to be poor and have to economize. We'llturn the gray, and I'll wear it bravely.""Then it will be more becoming than ever. Oh, here's the prettyviolet silk. That will make a lovely suit," cried Polly, going onwith the review."Don't see how two draggled skirts and a stained waist can betransformed into a whole rig," said Fan, sitting on the bed, with hergarments strewn about her in various attitudes of limpdespondency."Well, ma'am, my plan is this," began Polly, imitating Mrs.O'Grady's important tone, and bad grammar: "Gores is out, andplaits is in; therefore, as the top of this skirt is quite fresh, we willtake off the ruffles, turn it upside down, and leave it plain. Theupper skirt will be made scanter, and finished with a frill; then thewaist can be refreshed with the best parts of these wide flounces,and out of those new bits we will concoct a hat. The black laceMaud has just taken off the green one will do to edge the violet,and with your nice silk mantilla you are complete, don't you see?""I don't quite see it yet, but I have firm faith that I shall in time,and consider my calling costume finished," said Fanny, gettingmore and more interested as she saw her condemned wardrobecoming out fresh again under Polly's magic knack."There are two; then that piqu, is all right, if you cut the tail offthe jacket and change the trimming a bit. The muslins only needmending and doing up to look as well as ever; you ought not to putthem away torn and soiled, my child. The two black silks will begood stand-bys for years. If I were you, I'd have a couple of neat,pretty prints for home-wear, and then I don't see why you are n'tfixed well enough for our short season.""Can't I do anything with this barege? It's one of my favoritedresses, and I hate to give it up.""You wore that thoroughly out, and it's only fit for the rag-bag.Yes, it was very pretty and becoming, I remember, but its day isover."Fanny let the dress lie in her lap a minute as she absently picked atthe fringe, smiling to herself over the happy time when she wore itlast and Sydney said she only needed cowslips in her lap to looklike spring. Presently she folded it up and put it away with a sigh,but it never went into the rag-bag, and my sentimental readers canunderstand what saved it."The ball dresses had better be put nicely away till next year,"began Polly, coming to a rainbow colored heap."My day is over, I shall never use them again. Do what you likewith them," said Fan calmly."Did you ever sell your cast-off finery, as many ladies do?" askedPolly."Never; I don't like the fashion. I give it away, or let Maud have itfor tableaux.""I wonder if you would mind my telling you something Belleproposed?""If it's an offer to buy my clothes, I should mind," answeredFanny, sharply."Then I won't," and Polly retired behind a cloud of arsenic-greengauze, which made her look as if she had the cholera."If she wanted to buy that horrid new'gooseberry-colored gown,' asTom calls it, I'd let her have it cheap," put in Maud, who was of apractical turn."Does she want it, Polly?" asked Fan, whose curiosity got thebetter of her pride."Well, she merely asked me if I thought you'd be mortallyoffended, if she offered to take it off your hands, as you'd neverworn it. You don't like it, and in another season it will be all out offashion," said Polly from her verdant retreat."What did you say?""I saw she meant it kindly, so I said I'd ask. Now betweenourselves, Fan, the price of that dress would give you all you'llwant for your spring fixings, that's one consideration; then here'sanother, which may have some weight with you," added Pollyslyly. "Trix told Belle she was going to ask you for the dress, asyou would n't care to wear it now. That made Belle fire up, and sayit was a mean thing to do without offering some return for a costlything like that; and then Belle said, in her blunt way,'I'll give Fanall she paid for it, and more, too, if it will be any help to her. Idon't care for the dress, but I'd like to slip a little money into herpocket, for I know she needs it and is too good to ask dear Mr.Shaw for anything she can get on without.' ""Did she say that? I'll give her the dress, and not take a penny forit," cried Fan, flushing up with mingled anger toward Trix andgratitude to Belle."That won't suit her; you let me manage it, and don't feel anyshame or anxiety about it. You did many a kind and generous thingfor Belle when you had the power, and you liked to do it; now lether pay her debts, and have the same pleasure.""If she looks at it in that way, it makes a difference. Perhaps I'dbetter the money would be an immense help only I don't quite liketo take it.""Kings and queens sell their jewels when times are hard or they getturned off their thrones, and no one thinks it anything amiss, sowhy need you? It's just a little transaction between two friendswho exchange things they don't want for things which they do, andI'd do it if I were you.""We'll see about it," said Fan, privately resolving to take Polly'sadvice."If I had lots of things like Fan, I'd have an auction and get all Icould for them. Why don't you?" asked Maud, beginning on herthird bonnet."We will," said Polly, and mounting a chair, she put up, bid in, andknocked down Fan's entire wardrobe to an imaginary group offriends, with such droll imitations of each one that the room rangwith laughter."That's enough nonsense; now we'll return to business," saidPolly, descending breathless but satisfied with the effect of herfun."These white muslins and pretty silks will keep for years, so Ishould lay them by till they are needed. It will save buying, andyou can go to your stock any time and make over what you want.That's the way Mother does; we've always had things sent us fromricher friends, and whatever was n't proper for us to wear at thetime, Mother put away to be used when we needed it. Such funnybundles as we used to have sometimes, odd shoes, bonnets withoutcrowns, stockings without heels or toes, and old finery of all sorts.We used to rush when a bundle came, and sit round while Motheropened it. The boys always made fun of the things, though theywere as grateful, really, as any of us. Will made a verse one daywhich we thought pretty well for a little chap: 'To poor countryfolks Who have n't any clothes, Rich folks, to relieve them, Sendold lace gowns and satin bows.'""I think that Will is going to be as nice a poet as Mr. Shakespeare,"remarked Maud in a tone of serious conviction."He is already a Milton; but I don't believe he will ever be anythingbut a poet in name," said Polly, working away while she talked."Did n't your mother ever let you wear the nice things that came?"asked Maud."No, she thought it was n't the thing for a poor minister's girls to goflourishing about in second-hand finery, so she did what I'm doingnow, put away what would be useful and proper for us by and by,and let us play with the shabby, silk bonnets and dirty, flouncedgowns. Such fun as we used to have up in our big garret! Iremember one day we'd been playing have a ball, and were allrigged up, even the boys. Some new neighbors came to call, andexpressed a wish to see us, having been told that we were patternchildren. Mother called us, but we had paraded out into the garden,after our ball, and were having a concert, as we sat about on thecabbages for green satin seats, so we did n't hear the call, and justas the company was going, a great noise arrested them on thedoorstep, and round the corner of the house rattled Ned in fullcostume, wheeling Kitty in a barrow, while Jimmy, Will, and I ranscreaming after, looking like Bedlamites; for we were playing thatLady Fitz Perkins had fainted, and was being borne home senselessin a cab. I thought mother would kill herself with laughing; andyou can imagine what a fine impression the strangers received ofthe model children."Maud was so tickled with this youthful prank that she unguardedlysat down to laugh on the edge of an open trunk, immediatelydoubled up, fell in, and was with difficulty extricated."People in the country have great deal nicer times than we do. Inever rode in a wheelbarrow, I never sat on cabbages, and I don'tthink it's fair," she said with an injured expression. "You need n'tsave any old silk gowns for me; I don't mean to be a fine ladywhen I grow up, I'm going to be a farmer's wife, and make butterand cheese, and have ten children, and raise pigs," she added inone enthusiastic burst."I do believe she will if she can find a farmer anywhere," saidFanny."Oh, I'm going to have Will; I asked him and he said,'All right.'He's going to preach Sundays, and work on the farm the rest of thetime. Well, he is, so you need n't laugh, for we've made all ourplans," said Maud with comical dignity as she tried the effect of anold white bonnet, wondering if farmers' wives could wear ostrichfeathers when they went to meeting."Blessed innocence! Don't you wish you were a child, and daredtell what you want?" murmured Fanny."I wish I had seen Will's face when Maud proposed," answeredPolly, with a nod which answered her friend's speech better thanher words."Any news of anybody?" whispered Fan, affecting to examine asleeve with care."Still at the South; don't think late events have been reported yet;that accounts for absence," answered Polly."I think Sir Philip was hit harder than was supposed," said Fan."I doubt it, but time cures wounds of that sort amazing quick.""Wish it did!""Who is Sir Philip?" demanded Maud, pricking up her ears."A famous man who lived in the time of Queen Elizabeth,"answered Fan, with a look at Polly."Oh!" And Maud seemed satisfied, but the sharp child had hersuspicions nevertheless."There will be an immense deal of work in all this fixing over andI hate to sew," said Fanny, to divert a certain person's thoughts."Jenny and I are going to help. We are your debtors, as well asBelle, and demand the privilege of paying up. Blessings, likecurses, come home to roost, Fan.""Mine come home a good deal bigger than they went," answeredFanny, looking pleased that little favors should be so faithfullyremembered."The interest on that sort of investment rolls up beautifully, youknow. Now rip that dress for Jenny to put in order, and I'll tossyou up a bonnet in less than no time," said Polly, determined tohave things go smoothly, for she knew Fan's feelings had been agood deal tried lately, in many ways."I must have something to match my dress, and blue inside," saidFanny, bringing out her ribbon boxes."Anything you like, my dear; when it comes to bonnets, I amusually inspired. I have it! There we are! And nothing could benicer," cried Polly, making a dive among the silks Fan was turningover with a lost expression. "This bit of silver-gray is all I ask, here's enough for a killing bonnet, and those forget-me-nots are bothpretty and appropriate.""You wretch, be still!" cried Fanny, as Polly looked up at her witha wicked laugh in her eyes."It will be done in time, and the dress likewise, so look yourprettiest, and accept my blessing," continued Polly, seeing that Fanliked her raillery."Time for what?" asked Paulina Pry."Your wedding, dear," sweetly answered Fan, for Polly's pleasanthints and predictions put her in a charming humor, and even madeold clothes of little consequence.Maud gave an incredulous sniff, and wondered why "big girls needto be so dreadful mysterious about their old secrets.""This silk reminds me of Kitty's performance last summer. A littlechecked silk was sent in our spring bundle from Mrs. Davenport,and Mother said Kit might have it if she could make it do. So Iwashed it nicely, and we fussed and planned, but it came short byhalf of one sleeve. I gave it up, but Kit went to work and matchedevery scrap that was left so neatly that she got out the half sleeve,put it on the under side, and no one was the wiser. How manypieces do you think she put in, Maud?""Fifty," was the wise reply."No, only ten, but that was pretty well for a fourteen-year-olddressmaker. You ought to have seen the little witch laugh in hersleeve when any one admired the dress, for she wore it all summerand looked as pretty as a pink in it. Such things are great fun whenyou get used to them; besides, contriving sharpens your wits, andmakes you feel as if you had more hands than most people.""I think we'll get a farm near your house; I should like to knowKitty," said Maud, feeling a curious interest in a girl who madesuch peculiar patchwork."The dress-parade is over, and I'm ever so much obliged to you,Polly, for helping me through, and showing me how to make thebest of things. I hope in time to have as many hands as you," saidFan gratefully, when the simple bonnet was done and everythingplanned out ready to be finished."I hope you will soon have two good, strong ones beside your own,my dear," answered Polly, as she vanished, with a parting twinklethat kept Fan's face bright all day.