The Painter's Honeymoon

The Painter's Honeymoon
the polish rider
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
The Three Ages of Woman
¡¡¡¡`We had a flurry getting the old lady off, and I had a fright every time she spoke to me, for I was in such a hurry to be through that I was uncommonly helpful and sweet, and feared she'd find it impossible to part from me. I quaked till she was fairly in the carriage, and had a final fright, for, as it drove off, she popped out her head, saying, "Josyphine, won't you - ?" I didn't hear any more, for I basely turned and fled; I did actually run, and whisked round the corner, where I felt safe.' ¡¡¡¡`Poor old Jo! she came in looking as if bears were after her,' said Beth, as she cuddled her sister's feet with a motherly air. ¡¡¡¡`Aunt March is a regular samphire, is she not?' observed Amy, tasting her mixture critically. ¡¡¡¡`She means vampire, no seaweed; but it doesn't matter; it's too warm to be particular about one's parts of speech,' murmured Jo. ¡¡¡¡`What shall you do all your vacation?' asked Amy, changing the subject, with tact. `I shall lie abed late and do nothing,' replied Meg, from the depths of the rocking-chair. `I've been routed up early all winter, and had to spend my days working for other people; so now I'm going to rest and revel to my heart's content.' ¡¡¡¡`No,' said Jo; `that dosy way wouldn't suit me. I've laid in a heap of books, and I'm going to improve my shining hours reading on my perch in the old apple-tree, when I'm not having l--' ¡¡¡¡`Don't say "larks"!' implored Amy, as a return snub for the `samphire' correction. ¡¡¡¡`I'll say "nightingales", then, with Laurie; that's proper and appropriate, since he's a warbler.' ¡¡¡¡`Don't let us do any lessons, Beth, for a while, but play all the time, and rest, as the girls mean to,' proposed Amy. ¡¡¡¡`Well, I will, if Mother doesn't mind. I want to learn some new songs, and my children need fitting up for the summer; they are dreadfully out of order, and really suffering for clothes.' ¡¡¡¡`May we, Mother?' asked Meg, turning to Mrs. March, who sat sewing in what they called `Marmee's corner'.