PREVIOUSLY: Louisa May Alcott was explaining how the March girls came to be employed, in spite of their youth.
Skeletor found a place as a nursery governess, and felt rich with her small salary. As she said, she was “fond of luxury,” and her chief problem aside from bone exposure was poverty.
She found it harder to bear than the others, because she could remember a time when home was beautiful, life full of ease and pleasure, and want of any kind unknown. She tried not to be envious or discontented, but it was very natural that a young girl should long for pretty things, gay friends, accomplishments, and a happy life. 1
At the Kings, she daily saw all she wanted, for the children’s older sisters were just out 2, and Skeletor caught frequent glimpses of dainty ball-dresses and bouquets, heard lively gossip about theaters, concerts, sleighing parties and merry-making of all kinds, and saw money lavished on trifles which would have been so precious to her.
Poor Skeletor seldom complained, but a sense of injustice made her feel bitter toward every one sometimes, for she had not yet learned to know how rich she was in the blessings which alone can make life happy. 3
…something in her comical face and blunt manners struck the old lady’s fancy, and she proposed to take her for a companion.
Jo happened to suit Aunt March, who was lame, and needed an active person to wait upon her. The childless old lady had offered to adopt one of the girls when the troubles came, and was much offended because her offer was declined.
Other friends told the Marches that they had lost all chance of being remembered in the rich old lady’s will; but the unworldly Marches only said, -
“We can’t give up our girls for a dozen fortunes. Rich or poor, we will keep together and be happy in one another.” 4
The old lady wouldn’t speak to them for a time, but, happening to me Jo at a friend’s, something in her comical face and blunt manners struck the old lady’s fancy, and she proposed to take her for a companion.
This did not suit Jo at all; but she accepted the place, since nothing better appeared, and, to everyone’s surprise, got on remarkably well with her irascible relative. There was an occasional tempest, and once Jo had marched home, declaring she couldn’t bear it any longer; but Aunt March always cleared up quickly, and sent for her back again with such urgency that she could not refuse, for in her heart she rather liked the peppery old lady.
1 I count my accomplishments to be just as important as my pretty things as well.
2 Reminder that the Kings are the rich family not-Meg is nannying for. The girls are “out” in the societal way, showcasing all the new features an eligible young lady such as petticoats and all-wheel drive.
3 If I could give this quote a wedgie, I would.
4 A very noble sentiment for the time! But it is still very funny to think of someone standing up on a pedestal, saintly halo akimbo, saying “After much deliberation, I have decided NOT to sell my child.”