PREVIOUSLY: The girls began their Christmas play for their little friends. Jo’s character called for the witch, played by Meg.
Out came Meg, with gray horse-hair hanging about her face, a red and black robe, a staff, and cabalistic signs1 upon her cloak.
Hugo demanded a potion to make Zara adore him, and one to destroy Roderigo. Hagar, in a fine dramatic melody, promised both, and proceeded to call up the spirit who would bring the love philter: 2 -
“Hither, hither, from thy home,
Airy sprite, I bid thee come!
Born of horses, fed on dew,
Charms and potions canst thou brew?
Bring me here, with elfin speed,
The fragrant philter which I need;
Make it sweet and swift and strong;
Spirit, answer now my song!”
Airy Sprite, I bid thee come!
A soft strain of music sounded, and then at the back of the cave appeared a little figure in cloudy white, with glittering wings, golden hair, and a garland of roses on its head. Waving a wand, it sung:-
“Hither I come,
From my airy home,
Afar in the silver moon;
Take the magic spell,
Oh, use it well!
Or its power will vanish soon!”
And dropping a small gilded bottle at the witch’s feet, the spirit vanished. Another chant from Hagar produced another apparition, - not a lovely one, for, with a bang, an ugly imp appeared, and having croaked a reply, tossed a dark bottle at Hugo, and disappeared with a mocking laugh.
Having warbled his thanks, and put the potions in his boots, Hugo departed; and Hagar informed the audience that, as he had killed a few of her friends in times past, she has cursed him, and intends to thwart his plans, and be revenged on him. 3
Then the curtain fell, and the audience reposed, let out the phlegm-filled coughs they had held during the act, and ate candy while discussing the merits of the play.
1
2 Per Merriam and, additionally, Webster: “1. a potion credited with magical power. 2. a potion, drug, or charm held to have the power to arouse sexual passion” Currently the name of a now-closed Australian brewery. Man, we used to have WORDS for things!
3 Jo March: a proud pupil of the “Tell Don’t Show” school of playwriting.
Hi hello sorry for the delay on this page, I kept putting it off because I think the page sucks and is boring.
In things that are NOT boring, something deeply stupid has happened over on the death poll: someone is coming for the play children.
Enough votes cast to DOUBLE the amount of total votes on the poll, purely in pursuit of sloughing off these nameless little girls into the garbage disposal of history. It would be sad, but remember! This part of the chapter sucks!
Ok see you Friday love u!
Your Weekly Death Poll Standings
im sorry but this is the funniest thing ive ever seen
‘Forever, Beth’ is an interactive reimagining of Louisa May Alcott’s classic Little Women, in your inbox twice a week.
