Little women

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE JO'S JOURNAL

New York, November 

Dear Marmee and Beth, 

I'm going to write you a regular volume, for I've got heaps to tell, though I'mnot a fine young lady traveling on the continent. When I lost sight of Father'sdear old face, I felt a trifle blue, and might have shed a briny drop or two, ifan Irish lady with four small children, all crying more or less, hadn't divertedmy mind, for I amused myself by dropping gingerbread nuts over the seatevery time they opened their mouths to roar. 

Soon the sun came out, and taking it as a good omen, I cleared up likewiseand enjoyed my journey with all my heart. 

Mrs. Kirke welcomed me so kindly I felt at home at once, even in that bighouse full of strangers. She gave me a funny little sky parlor—all she had, butthere is a stove in it, and a nice table in a sunny window, so I can sit here andwrite whenever I like. A fine view and a church tower opposite atone for themany stairs, and I took a fancy to my den on the spot. The nursery, where Iam to teach and sew, is a pleasant room next Mrs. Kirke's private parlor, andthe two little girls are pretty children, rather spoiled, I fancy, but they took tome after telling them The Seven Bad Pigs, and I've no doubt I shall make amodel governess. 

I am to have my meals with the children, if I prefer it to the great table, andfor the present I do, for I am bashful, though no one will believe it. 

"Now, my dear, make yourself at home," said Mrs. K. in her motherly way,"I'm on the drive from morning to night, as you may suppose with such afamily, but a great anxiety will be off my mind if I know the children are safewith you. My rooms are always open to you, and your own shall be ascomfortable as I can make it. There are some pleasant people in the house ifyou feel sociable, and your evenings are always free. Come to me if anythinggoes wrong, and be as happy as you can. There's the tea bell, I must run andchange my cap." And off she bustled, leaving me to settle myself in my newnest. 

As I went downstairs soon after, I saw something I liked. The flights are verylong in this tall house, and as I stood waiting at the head of the third one for alittle servant girl to lumber up, I saw a gentleman come along behind her, takethe heavy hod of coal out of her hand, carry it all the way up, put it down at adoor near by, and walk away, saying, with a kind nod and a foreign accent,"It goes better so. The little back is too young to haf such heaviness." 

Wasn't it good of him? I like such things, for as Father says, trifles showcharacter. When I mentioned it to Mrs. K., that evening, she laughed, andsaid, "That must have been Professor Bhaer, he's always doing things of thatsort." 

Mrs. K. told me he was from Berlin, very learned and good, but poor as achurch mouse, and gives lessons to support himself and two little orphannephews whom he is educating here, according to the wishes of his sister,who married an American. Not a very romantic story, but it interested me,and I was glad to hear that Mrs. K. lends him her parlor for some of hisscholars. There is a glass door between it and the nursery, and I mean to peepat him, and then I'll tell you how he looks. He's almost forty, so it's no harm,Marmee. 

After tea and a go-to-bed romp with the little girls, I attacked the bigworkbasket, and had a quiet evening chatting with my new friend. I shallkeep a journal-letter, and send it once a week, so goodnight, and moretomorrow. 

Tuesday Eve

Had a lively time in my seminary this morning, for the children acted likeSancho, and at one time I really thought I should shake them all round. Somegood angel inspired me to try gymnastics, and I kept it up till they were gladto sit down and keep still. After luncheon, the girl took them out for a walk,and I went to my needlework like little Mabel 'with a willing mind'. I wasthanking my stars that I'd learned to make nice buttonholes, when the parlordoor opened and shut, and someone began to hum, Kennst Du Das Land, likea big bumblebee. It was dreadfully improper, I know, but I couldn't resist thetemptation, and lifting one end of the curtain before the glass door, I peepedin. Professor Bhaer was there, and while he arranged his books, I took a goodlook at him. A regular German—rather stout, with brown hair tumbled allover his head, a bushy beard, good nose, the kindest eyes I ever saw, and asplendid big voice that does one's ears good, after our sharp or slipshodAmerican gabble. His clothes were rusty, his hands were large, and he hadn'ta really handsome feature in his face, except his beautiful teeth, yet I likedhim, for he had a fine head, his linen was very nice, and he looked like agentleman, though two buttons were off his coat and there was a patch on oneshoe. He looked sober in spite of his humming, till he went to the window toturn the hyacinth bulbs toward the sun, and stroke the cat, who received himlike an old friend. Then he smiled, and when a tap came at the door, calledout in a loud, brisk tone, "Herein!"