Little women

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE CALLS

"Come, Jo, it's time." 

"For what?" 

"You don't mean to say you have forgotten that you promised to makehalf a dozen calls with me today?" 

"I've done a good many rash and foolish things in my life, but I don'tthink I ever was mad enough to say I'd make six calls in one day, when asingle one upsets me for a week." 

"Yes, you did, it was a bargain between us. I was to finish the crayon ofBeth for you, and you were to go properly with me, and return ourneighbors' visits." 

"If it was fair, that was in the bond, and I stand to the letter of my bond,Shylock. There is a pile of clouds in the east, it's not fair, and I don't go."

"Now, that's shirking. It's a lovely day, no prospect of rain, and youpride yourself on keeping promises, so be honorable, come and do yourduty, and then be at peace for another six months." 

At that minute Jo was particularly absorbed in dressmaking, for she wasmantua-maker general to the family, and took especial credit to herselfbecause she could use a needle as well as a pen. It was very provoking tobe arrested in the act of a first trying-on, and ordered out to make calls inher best array on a warm July day. She hated calls of the formal sort, andnever made any till Amy compelled her with a bargain, bribe, or promise.In the present instance there was no escape, and having clashed herscissors rebelliously, while protesting that she smelled thunder, she gavein, put away her work, and taking up her hat and gloves with an air ofresignation, told Amy the victim was ready. 

"Jo March, you are perverse enough to provoke a saint! You don'tintend to make calls in that state, I hope," cried Amy, surveying her withamazement. 

"Why not? I'm neat and cool and comfortable, quite proper for a dustywalk on a warm day. If people care more for my clothes than they do forme, I don't wish to see them. You can dress for both, and be as elegant asyou please. It pays for you to be fine. It doesn't for me, and furbelows onlyworry me." 

"Oh, dear!" sighed Amy, "now she's in a contrary fit, and will drive medistracted before I can get her properly ready. I'm sure it's no pleasure tome to go today, but it's a debt we owe society, and there's no one to pay itbut you and me. I'll do anything for you, Jo, if you'll only dress yourselfnicely, and come and help me do the civil. You can talk so well, look soaristocratic in your best things, and behave so beautifully, if you try, thatI'm proud of you. I'm afraid to go alone, do come and take care of me."

"You're an artful little puss to flatter and wheedle your cross old sisterin that way. The idea of my being aristocratic and well-bred, and yourbeing afraid to go anywhere alone! I don't know which is the most absurd.Well, I'll go if I must, and do my best. You shall be commander of theexpedition, and I'll obey blindly, will that satisfy you?" said Jo, with asudden change from perversity to lamblike submission. 

"You're a perfect cherub! Now put on all your best things, and I'll tellyou how to behave at each place, so that you will make a good impression.I want people to like you, and they would if you'd only try to be a littlemore agreeable. Do your hair the pretty way, and put the pink rose in yourbonnet. It's becoming, and you look too sober in your plain suit. Take yourlight gloves and the embroidered handkerchief. We'll stop at Meg's, andborrow her white sunshade, and then you can have my dove-colored one."

While Amy dressed, she issued her orders, and Jo obeyed them, notwithout entering her protest, however, for she sighed as she rustled intoher new organdie, frowned darkly at herself as she tied her bonnet stringsin an irreproachable bow, wrestled viciously with pins as she put on hercollar, wrinkled up her features generally as she shook out thehandkerchief, whose embroidery was as irritating to her nose as thepresent mission was to her feelings, and when she had squeezed her handsinto tight gloves with three buttons and a tassel, as the last touch ofelegance, she turned to Amy with an imbecile expression of countenance,saying meekly...