Jo's Boys - Charter 8

While the young Bhaers were having serious experiences at home, Josie was enjoying herself immensely at Rocky Nook; for the Laurences knew how to make summer idleness both charming and wholesome ¹. Bess was very fond of her little cousin; Mrs Amy felt that whether her niece was an actress or not she must be a gentlewoman, and gave her the social training which marks the well-bred woman everywhere; while Uncle Laurie was never happier than when rowing, riding, playing, or lounging with two gay girls beside him. Josie bloomed like a wild flower in this free life, Bess grew rosy ², brisk, and merry, and both were great favourites with the neighbours, whose villas ³ were by the shore or perched on the cliffs along the pretty bay., ,One crumpled ⁴ rose-leaf disturbed Josie's peace, one baffled wish filled her with a longing ⁵ which became a mania ⁶, and kept her as restless and watchful ⁷ as a detective with a case to 'work up'. Miss Cameron, the great actress, had hired one of the villas and retired ⁸ thither ⁹ to rest and 'create' a new part for next season. She saw no one but a friend or two, had a private beach, and was invisible except during her daily drive, or when the opera-glasses of curious gazers were fixed ¹⁰ on a blue figure disporting ¹¹ itself in the sea. The Laurences knew her, but respected her privacy, and after a call left her in peace till she expressed a wish for society - a courtesy which she remembered and repaid later, as we shall see., ,But Josie was like a thirsty fly buzzing about a sealed honey-pot, for this nearness to her idol ¹² was both delightful ¹³ and maddening. She pined to see, hear, talk with, and study this great and happy woman who could thrill thousands by her art, and win friends by her virtue ¹⁴, benevolence ¹⁵, and beauty. This was the sort of actress the girl meant to be, and few could object if the gift was really hers; for the stage needs just such women to purify and elevate the profession which should teach as well as amuse. If kindly ¹⁷ Miss Cameron had known what passionate ¹⁸ love and longing burned in the bosom ¹⁹ of the little girl whom she idly observed skipping over the rocks, splashing about the beach, or galloping ²⁰ past her gate on a Shetland pony ²¹, she would have made her happy by a look or a word. But being tired with her winter's work and busy with her new part, the lady took no more notice of this young neighbour than of the sea-gulls in the bay or the daisies dancing in the fields. Nosegays left on her doorstep, serenades under her garden-wall, and the fixed stare of admiring eyes were such familiar things that she scarcely minded them; and Josie grew desperate when all her little attempts failed., , ,Josie made these remarks one afternoon as she and Bess prepared for a swim, a fishing party having prevented their morning bathe., ,'You must bide ²³ your time, dear, and not be so impatient. Papa promised to give you a chance before the season is over, and he always manages things nicely. That will be better than any queer prank ²⁴ of yours,' answered Bess, tying her pretty hair in a white net to match her suit, while Josie made a little lobster ²⁵ of herself in scarlet ²⁶., ,It is not wholesome to eat without washing your hands.不洗手吃饭是不卫生的。,She got a new job and her life looks rosy.她找到一份新工作，生活看上去很美好 。