Little Women - Chapter 19

While these things were happening at home, Amy was having hard times at Aunt March's. She felt her exile deeply, and for the first time in her life, realized how much she was beloved and petted at home. Aunt March never petted any one; she did not approve of it, but she meant to be kind, for the well-behaved little girl pleased her very much, and Aunt March had a soft place in her old heart for her nephew's children, though she didn't think it proper to confess it. She really did her best to make Amy happy, but, dear me, what mistakes she made. Some old people keep young at heart in spite of wrinkles and gray hairs, can sympathize with children's little cares and joys, make them feel at home, and can hide wise lessons under pleasant plays, giving and receiving friendship in the sweetest way. But Aunt March had not this gift, and she worried Amy very much with her rules and orders, her prim ¹ ways, and long, prosy talks. Finding the child more docile ² and amiable ³ than her sister, the old lady felt it her duty to try and counteract ⁴, as far as possible, the bad effects of home freedom and indulgence. So she took Amy by the hand, and taught her as she herself had been taught sixty years ago, a process which carried dismay to Amy's soul, and made her feel like a fly in the web of a very strict spider., ,She had to wash the cups every morning, and polish up the old-fashioned spoons, the fat silver teapot, and the glasses till they shone. Then she must dust the room, and what a trying job that was. Not a speck ⁵ escaped Aunt March's eye, and all the furniture had claw legs and much carving ⁶, which was never dusted to suit. Then Polly had to be fed, the lap dog combed, and a dozen trips upstairs and down to get things or deliver orders, for the old lady was very lame ⁷ and seldom left her big chair. After these tiresome ⁸ labors ⁹, she must do her lessons, which was a daily trial of every virtue ¹⁰ she possessed ¹¹. Then she was allowed one hour for exercise or play, and didn't she enjoy it?, ,Laurie came every day, and wheedled ¹² Aunt March till Amy was allowed to go out with him, when they walked and rode and had capital times. After dinner, she had to read aloud, and sit still while the old lady slept, which she usually did for an hour, as she dropped off over the first page. Then patchwork ¹³ or towels appeared, and Amy sewed with outward meekness ¹⁴ and inward rebellion till dusk, when she was allowed to amuse herself as she liked till teatime. The evenings were the worst of all, for Aunt March fell to telling long stories about her youth, which were so unutterably dull that Amy was always ready to go to bed, intending to cry over her hard fate, but usually going to sleep before she had squeezed out more than a tear or two., , ,Esther was a Frenchwoman, who had lived with'Madame', as she called her mistress, for many years, and who rather tyrannized over the old lady, who could not get along without her. Her real name was Estelle, but Aunt March ordered her to change it, and she obeyed, on condition that she was never asked to change her religion. She took a fancy to Mademoiselle, and amused her very much with odd stories of her life in France, when Amy sat with her while she got up Madame's laces. She also allowed her to roam about the great house, and examine the curious and pretty things stored away in the big wardrobes and the ancient chests, for Aunt March hoarded ²⁴ like a magpie ²⁵. Amy's chief delight was an Indian cabinet, full of queer drawers, little pigeonholes ²⁶, and secret places, in which were kept all sorts of ornaments ²⁷, some precious, some merely curious, all more or less antique. To examine and arrange these things gave Amy great satisfaction, especially the jewel cases, in which on velvet ²⁸ cushions reposed ²⁹ the ornaments which had adorned ³⁰ a belle ³¹ forty years ago. There was the garnet set which Aunt March wore when she came out, the pearls her father gave her on her wedding day, her lover's diamonds, the jet mourning rings and pins, the queer lockets, with portraits of dead friends and weeping willows ³² made of hair inside, the baby bracelets ³³ her one little daughter had worn, Uncle March's big watch, with the red seal so many childish hands had played with, and in a box all by itself lay Aunt March's wedding ring, too small now for her fat finger, but put carefully away like the most precious jewel of them all., ,"Which would Mademoiselle choose if she had her will?" asked Esther, who always sat near to watch over and lock up the valuables., ,He is prim and precise in manner.他的态度一本正经而严谨,Circus monkeys are trained to be very docile and obedient.马戏团的猴子训练得服服贴贴的 。