Chapter 14 - A Happy Birthday

by Louisa May Alcott

　　The twelfth of October was Rose's birthday, but no one seemed to rememberthat interesting fact, and she felt delicate about mentioning it, so fellasleep the night before wondering if she would have any presents. Thatquestion was settled early the next morning, for she was awakened by a softtap on her face, and opening her eyes she beheld a little black and whitefigure sitting on her pillow, staring at her with a pair of round eyes verylike blueberries, while one downy paw patted her nose to attract hernotice. It was Kitty Comet, the prettiest of all the pussies, and Cometevidently had a mission to perform, for a pink bow adorned her neck, and abit of paper was pinned to it bearing the words, "For Miss Rose, fromFrank."That pleased her extremely, and that was only the beginning of the fun, forsurprises and presents kept popping out in the most delightful manner allthrough the day, the Atkinson girls being famous jokers and Rose afavourite. But the best gift of all came on the way to Mount Windy-Top,where it was decided to picnic in honour of the great occasion. Three jollyloads set off soon after breakfast, for everybody went, and everybodyseemed bound to have an extra good time, especially Mother Atkinson, whowore a hat as broad-brimmed as an umbrella, and took the dinner-horn tokeep her flock from straying away."I'm going to drive auntie and a lot of the babies, so you must ride thepony. And please stay behind us a good bit when we go to the station, for aparcel is coming, and you are not to see it till dinner-time. You won'tmind, will you?" said Mac, in a confidential aside during the wild flurryof the start."Not a bit," answered Rose. "It hurts my feelings very much to be told tokeep out of the way at any other time, but birthdays and Christmas it ispart of the fun to be blind and stupid, and poked into corners. I'll beready as soon as you are, Giglamps.""Stop under the big maple till I call then you can't possibly seeanything," added Mac, as he mounted her on the pony his father had sent upfor his use. "Barkis" was so gentle and so "willin'," however, that Rosewas ashamed to be afraid to ride him; so she had learned, that she mightsurprise Dr. Alec when she got home; meantime she had many a fine canter"over the hills and far away" with Mac, who preferred Mr. Atkinson's oldSorrel.Away they went, and, coming to the red maple, Rose obediently paused; butcould not help stealing a glance in the forbidden direction before the callcame. Yes, there was a hamper going under the seat, and then she caughtsight of a tall man whom Mac seemed to be hustling into the carriage in agreat hurry. One look was enough, and with a cry of delight, Rose was offdown the road as fast as Barkis could go."Now I'll astonish uncle," she thought. "I'll dash up in grand style, andshow him that I am not a coward, after all."Fired by this ambition, she startled Barkis by a sharp cut, and still morebewildered him by leaving him to his own guidance down the steep, stonyroad. The approach would have been a fine success if, just as Rose wasabout to pull up and salute, two or three distracted hens had not scuttledacross the road with a great squawking, which caused Barkis to shy and stopso suddenly that his careless rider landed in an ignominious heap justunder old Sorrel's astonished nose.Rose was up again before Dr. Alec was out of the carryall, and threw twodusty arms about his neck crying with a breathless voice"O uncle, I'm so glad to see you! It is better than a cart-load of goodies,and so dear of you to come!""But aren't you hurt, child! That was a rough tumble, and I'm afraid youmust be damaged somewhere," answered the Doctor, full of fond anxiety, ashe surveyed his girl with pride."My feelings are hurt, but my bones are all safe. It's too bad! I was goingto do it so nicely, and those stupid hens spoilt it all," said Rose, quitecrestfallen, as well as much shaken."I couldn't believe my eyes when I asked 'Where is Rose?' and Mac pointedto the little Amazon pelting down the hill at such a rate. You couldn'thave done anything that would please me more, and I'm delighted to see howwell you ride. Now, will you mount again, or shall we turn Mac out and takeyou in?" asked Dr. Alec, as Aunt Jessie proposed a start, for the otherswere beckoning them to follow."Pride goeth before a fall better not try to show off again, ma'am," saidMac, who would have been more than mortal if he had refrained from teasingwhen so good a chance offered."Pride does go before a fall, but I wonder if a sprained ankle always comesafter it?" thought Rose, bravely concealing her pain, as she answered, withgreat dignity"I prefer to ride. Come on, and see who will catch up first."She was up and away as she spoke, doing her best to efface the memory ofher downfall by sitting very erect, elbows down, head well up, and takingthe motion of the pony as Barkis cantered along as easily as arocking-chair."You ought to see her go over a fence and race when we ride together. Shecan scud, too, like a deer when we play 'Follow the leader,' and skipstones and bat balls almost as well as I can," said Mac, in reply to hisuncle's praise of his pupil."I'm afraid you will think her a sad tomboy, Alec; but really she seems sowell and happy, I have not the heart to check her. She has broken out inthe most unexpected way, and frisks like a colt; for she says she feels sofull of spirits she must run and shout whether it is proper or not," addedMrs. Jessie, who had been a pretty hoyden years ago herself."Good good! that's the best news you could tell me," and Dr. Alec rubbedhis hands heartily. "Let the girl run and shout as much as she will it is asure sign of health, and as natural to a happy child as frisking is to anyyoung animal full of life. Tomboys make strong women usually, and I had farrather find Rose playing football with Mac than puttering over bead-worklike that affected midget, Ariadne Blish.""But she cannot go on playing football very long, and we must not forgetthat she has a woman's work to do by and by," began Mrs. Jessie."Neither will Mac play football much longer, but he will be all the betterfitted for business, because of the health it gives him. Polish is easilyadded, if the foundations are strong; but no amount of gilding will be ofuse if your timber is not sound. I'm sure I'm right, Jessie; and if I cando as well by my girl during the next six months as I have the last, myexperiment will succeed.""It certainly will; for when I contrast that bright, blooming face with thepale, listless one that made my heart ache a while ago, I can believe inalmost any miracle," said Mrs. Jessie, as Rose looked round to point out alovely view, with cheeks like the ruddy apples in the orchard near by, eyesclear as the autumn sky overhead, and vigour in every line of her girlishfigure.A general scramble among the rocks was followed by a regular gypsy lunch,which the young folks had the rapture of helping to prepare. MotherAtkinson put on her apron, turned up her sleeves, and fell to work as gailyas if in her own kitchen, boiling the kettle slung on three sticks, over afire of cones and fir boughs; while the girls spread the mossy table with afeast of country goodies, and the children tumbled about in everyone's waytill the toot of the horn made them settle down like a flock of hungrybirds.As soon as the merry meal and a brief interval of repose were over, it wasunanimously voted to have some charades. A smooth, green spot between twostately pines was chosen for the stage; shawls hung up, propertiescollected, audience and actors separated, and a word quickly chosen.The first scene discovered Mac in a despondent attitude and shabby dress,evidently much troubled in mind. To him entered a remarkable creature witha brown paper bag over its head. A little pink nose peeped through one holein the middle, white teeth through another, and above two eyes glaredfiercely. Spires of grass stuck in each side of the mouth seemed meant torepresent whiskers; the upper corners of the bag were twisted like ears,and no one could doubt for a moment that the black scarf pinned on behindwas a tail.This singular animal seemed in pantomime to be comforting his master andoffering advice, which was finally acted upon, for Mac pulled off hisboots, helped the little beast into them, and gave him a bag; then, kissinghis paw, with a hopeful gesture, the creature retired, purring sosuccessfully that there was a general cry of "Cat, puss, boots!""Cat is the word," replied a voice, and the curtain fell.The next scene was a puzzler, for in came another animal, on all-fours thistime, with a new sort of tail and long ears. A gray shawl concealed itsface, but an inquisitive sunbeam betrayed the glitter as of goggles underthe fringe. On its back rode a small gentleman in Eastern costume, whoappeared to find some difficulty in keeping his seat as his steed joggedalong. Suddenly a spirit appeared, all in white, with long newspaper wingsupon its back and golden locks about its face. Singularly enough, the beastbeheld this apparition and backed instantly, but the rider evidently sawnothing and whipped up unmercifully, also unsuccessfully, for the spiritstood directly in the path, and the amiable beast would not budge a foot. Alively skirmish followed, which ended in the Eastern gentleman being upsetinto a sweet-fern bush, while the better bred animal abased itself beforethe shining one.The children were all in the dark till Mother Atkinson said, in aninquiring tone"If that isn't Balaam and the ass, I'd like to know what it is. Rose makesa sweet angel, doesn't she?""Ass" was evidently the word, and the angel retired, smiling with mundanesatisfaction over the compliment that reached her ears.The next was a pretty little scene from the immortal story of "Babes in theWood." Jamie and Pokey came trotting in, hand in hand, and, having beenthrough the parts many times before, acted with great ease and muchfluency, audibly directing each other from time to time as they went along.The berries were picked, the way lost, tears shed, baby consolationadministered, and then the little pair lay down among the brakes and diedwith their eyes wide open and the toes of their four little boots turned upto the daisies in the most pathetic manner."Now the wobins tum. You be twite dead, Dimmy, and I'll peep in and see'em," one defunct innocent was heard to say."I hope they'll be quick, for I'm lying on a stone, and ants are walking upmy leg like fury," murmured the other.Here the robins came flapping in with red scarves over their breasts andleaves in their mouths, which they carefully laid upon the babes whereverthey would show best. A prickly blackberry leaf placed directly overPokey's nose caused her to sneeze so violently that her little legs flewinto the air; Jamie gave a startled "Ow!" and the pitying fowls fledgiggling.After some discussion it was decided that the syllable must be "strew orstrow" and then they waited to see if it was a good guess.This scene discovered Annette Snow in bed, evidently very ill; Miss Jennywas her anxious mamma, and her merry conversation amused the audience tillMac came in as a physician, and made great fun with his big watch, pompousmanner, and absurd questions. He prescribed one pellet with anunpronounceable name, and left after demanding twenty dollars for his briefvisit.The pellet was administered, and such awful agonies immediately set in thatthe distracted mamma bade a sympathetic neighbour run for Mother Know-all.The neighbour ran, and in came a brisk little old lady in cap and specs,with a bundle of herbs under her arm, which she at once applied in allsorts of funny ways, explaining their virtues as she clapped a plantainpoultice here, put a pounded catnip plaster there, or tied a couple ofmullein leaves round the sufferer's throat. Instant relief ensued, thedying child sat up and demanded baked beans. The grateful parent offeredfifty dollars; but Mother Know-all indignantly refused it and went smilingaway, declaring that a neighbourly turn needed no reward, and a doctor'sfee was all a humbug.The audience were in fits of laughter over this scene, for Rose imitatedMrs. Atkinson capitally, and the herb cure was a good hit at the excellentlady's belief that "yarbs" would save mankind if properly applied. No oneenjoyed it more than herself, and the saucy children prepared for the grandfinale in high feather.This closing scene was brief but striking, for two trains of cars whizzedin from opposite sides, met with a terrible collision in the middle of thestage, and a general smash-up completed the word catastrophe."Now let us act a proverb. I've got one all ready," said Rose, who wasdying to distinguish herself in some way before Uncle Alec.So everyone but Mac, the gay Westerner, and Rose, took their places on therocky seats and discussed the late beautiful and varied charade, in whichPokey frankly pronounced her own scene the "bestest of all."In five minutes the curtain was lifted; nothing appeared but a very largesheet of brown paper pinned to a tree, and on it was drawn a clock-face,the hands pointing to four. A small note below informed the public that 4A.M. was the time. Hardly had the audience grasped this important fact whena long waterproof serpent was seen uncoiling itself from behind a stump. Aninch-worm, perhaps, would be a better description, for it travelled in thesame humpy way as that pleasing reptile. Suddenly a very wide-awake andactive fowl advanced, pecking, chirping, and scratching vigorously. A tuftof green leaves waved upon his crest, a larger tuft of brakes made anumbrageous tail, and a shawl of many colours formed his flapping wings. Atruly noble bird, whose legs had the genuine strut, whose eyes shonewatchfully, and whose voice had a ring that evidently struck terror intothe catterpillar's soul, if it was a catterpillar. He squirmed, hewriggled, he humped as fast as he could, trying to escape; but all in vain.The tufted bird espied him, gave one warbling sort of crow, pounced uponhim, and flapped triumphantly away."That early bird got such a big worm he could hardly carry him off,"laughed Aunt Jessie, as the children shouted over the joke suggested byMac's nickname."That is one of uncle's favourite proverbs, so I got it up for his especialbenefit," said Rose, coming up with the two-legged worm beside her."Very clever; what next?" asked Dr. Alec as she sat down beside him."The Dove boys are going to give us an 'Incident in the Life of Napoleon,'as they call it; the children think it very splendid, and the littlefellows do it rather nicely," answered Mac with condescension.A tent appeared, and pacing to and fro before it was a little sentinel,who, in a brief soliloquy, informed the observers that the elements were ina great state of confusion, that he had marched some hundred miles or sothat day, and that he was dying for want of sleep. Then he paused, leanedupon his gun, and seemed to doze; dropped slowly down, overpowered withslumber, and finally lay flat, with his gun beside him, a faithless littlesentinel. Enter Napoleon, cocked hat, gray coat, high boots, folded arms,grim mouth, and a melodramatic stride. Freddy Dove always covered himselfwith glory in this part, and "took the stage" with a Napoleonic attitudethat brought down the house; for the big-headed boy, with solemn, dark eyesand square brow, was "the very moral of that rascal, Boneyparty," MotherAtkinson said.Some great scheme was evidently brewing in his mighty mind a trip acrossthe Alps, a bonfire at Moscow, or a little skirmish at Waterloo perhaps,for he marched in silent majesty till suddenly a gentle snore disturbed theimperial reverie. He saw the sleeping soldier and glared upon him, sayingin an awful tone"Ha! asleep at his post! Death is the penalty he must die!"Picking up the musket, he is about to execute summary justice, as emperorsare in the habit of doing, when something in the face of the weary sentinelappears to touch him. And well it might, for a most engaging little warriorwas Jack as he lay with his shako half off, his childish face trying tokeep sober, and a great black moustache over his rosy mouth. It would havesoftened the heart of any Napoleon, and the Little Corporal proved himselfa man by relenting, and saying, with a lofty gesture of forgiveness"Brave fellow, he is worn out; I will let him sleep, and mount guard in hisplace."Then, shouldering the gun, this noble being strode to and fro with adignity which thrilled the younger spectators. The sentinel awakes, seeswhat has happened, and gives himself up for lost. But the Emperor restoreshis weapon, and, with that smile which won all hearts, says, pointing to ahigh rock whereon a crow happens to be sitting, "Be brave, be vigilant, andremember that from yonder Pyramid generations are beholding you," and withthese memorable words he vanishes, leaving the grateful soldier boltupright, with his hand at his temple and deathless devotion stamped uponhis youthful countenance.The applause which followed this superb piece had hardly subsided, when asudden splash and a shrill cry caused a general rush toward the waterfallthat went gambolling down the rocks, singing sweetly as it ran. Pokey hadtried to gambol also, and had tumbled into a shallow pool, whither Jamiehad gallantly followed, in a vain attempt to fish her out, and both werepaddling about half frightened, half pleased with the unexpected bath.This mishap made it necessary to get the dripping infants home as soon aspossible; so the wagons were loaded up, and away they went, as merry as ifthe mountain air had really been "Oxygenated Sweets not Bitters," as Dr.Alec suggested when Mac said he felt as jolly as if he had been drinkingchampagne instead of the current wine that came with a great frosted cakewreathed with sugar roses in Aunt Plenty's hamper of goodies.Rose took part in all the fun, and never betrayed by look or word thetwinges of pain she suffered in her ankle. She excused herself from thegames in the evening, however, and sat talking to Uncle Alec in a livelyway, that both amazed and delighted him; for she confided to him that sheplayed horse with the children, drilled with the light infantry, climbedtrees, and did other dreadful things that would have caused the aunts tocry aloud if they knew of them."I don't care a pin what they say if you don't mind, uncle," she answered,when he pictured the dismay of the good ladies."Ah, it's all very well to defy them, but you are getting so rampant, I'mafraid you will defy me next, and then where are we?""No, I won't! I shouldn't dare; because you are my guardian, and can put mein a strait-jacket if you like;" and Rose laughed in his face, even whileshe nestled closer with a confiding gesture pleasant to see."Upon my word, Rosy, I begin to feel like the man who bought an elephant,and then didn't know what to do with him. I thought I had got a pet andplaything for years to come; but here you are growing up like a bean-stalk,and I shall find I've got a strong-minded little woman on my hands before Ican turn round. There's predicament for a man and an uncle!"Dr. Alec's comic distress was mercifully relieved for the time being by adance of goblins on the lawn, where the children, with pumpkin lanterns ontheir heads, frisked about like will-o'-the-wisps, as a parting surprise.When Rose went to bed, she found that Uncle Alec had not forgotten her; foron the table stood a delicate little easel, holding two miniatures set invelvet. She knew them both, and stood looking at them till her eyes brimmedover with tears that were both sweet and sad; for they were the faces ofher father and mother, beautifully copied from portraits fast fading away.Presently, she knelt down, and, putting her arms round the little shrine,kissed one after the other, saying with an earnest voice, "I'll truly tryto make them glad to see me by and by."And that was Rose's little prayer on the night of her fourteenth birthday.Two days later the Campbells went home, a larger party than when they came;for Dr. Alec was escort and Kitty Comet was borne in state in a basket,with a bottle of milk, some tiny sandwiches, and a doll's dish to drink outof, as well as a bit of carpet to lie on in her palace car, out of whichshe kept popping her head in the most fascinating manner.There was a great kissing and cuddling, waving of handkerchiefs, and lastgood-byes, as they went; and when they had started, Mother Atkinson camerunning after them, to tuck in some little pies, hot from the oven, "forthe dears, who might get tired of bread and butter during that long day'stravel."Another start, and another halt; for the Snow children came shrieking up todemand the three kittens that Pokey was cooly carrying off in a travellingbag. The unhappy kits were rescued, half smothered, and restored to theirlawful owners, amid dire lamentation from the little kidnapper, whodeclared that she only "tooked um 'cause they'd want to go wid their sisterTomit."Start number three and stoppage number three, as Frank hailed them with theluncheon basket, which had been forgotten, after everyone had protestedthat it was safely in.All went well after that, and the long journey was pleasantly beguiled byPokey and Pussy, who played together so prettily that they were consideredpublic benefactors."Rose doesn't want to go home, for she knows the aunts won't let herrampage as she did up at Cosey Corner," said Mac, as they approached theold house."I can't rampage if I want to for a time, at least; and I'll tell you why.I sprained my ankle when I tumbled off of Barkis, and it gets worse andworse; though I've done all I know to cure it and hide it, so it shouldn'ttrouble anyone," whispered Rose, knitting her brows with pain, as sheprepared to descend, wishing her uncle would take her instead of herbundles.How he did it, she never knew; but Mac had her up the steps and on theparlour sofa before she could put her foot to the ground."There you are right side up with care; and mind, now, if your anklebothers you, and you are laid up with it, I am to be your footman. It'sonly fair, you know; for I don't forget how good you have been to me." AndMac went to call Phebe, so full of gratitude and good-will that his verygoggles shone.