Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads the thirteenth chapter of Little Women.

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Today we'll be continuing Little Women by Louisa May Alcott 13 Castles in the Air Lori lay luxuriously, swinging to and fro in his hammock one warm September afternoon, wondering what his neighbors were about, but too lazy to go and find out.

He was in one of his moods, for the day had been both unprofitable and unsatisfactory, and he was wishing he could live it over again.

The hot weather made him indolent, and he had shirked his studies, tracked Mr.

Brooks'patience to the utmost, displeased his grandfather, by practicing half the afternoon, frightened the maidservants half out of their wits by mischievously hinting that one of his dogs was going mad.

And after high words with the stableman about some fancied neglect of his horse, he had flung himself into his hammock to fume over the stupidity of the world in general, till the peace of the lovely day quieted him in spite of himself.

Staring up into the green gloom of the horse chestnut trees above him, he dreamed dreams of all sorts, and was just imagining himself tossing on the ocean in a voyage round to the world, when the sound of voices brought him ashore in a flash.

Peeping through the meshes of the hammock, he saw the marches coming out as if bound on some expedition.

What in the world are those girls about now?

Thought Lori, opening his sleepy eyes to take a good look, for there was something rather peculiar in the appearance of his neighbors.

Each wore a large flapping hat, a brown linen pouch slung over one shoulder, and carrying a long staff.

Meg had a cushion, Joe a book, Beth a basket, and Amy a portfolio.

All walked quietly through the garden out at the little back gate and began to climb the hill that lay between the house and river.

Well, that's cool, said Lori to himself, to have a picnic and never ask me.

They can't be going in the boat, for they haven't got the key.

Perhaps they forgot it.

I'll take it to them and see what's going on.

Though possessed of a half dozen hats, it took him some time to find one.

Then there was a hunt for the key, which was at last discovered in his pocket, so that the girls were quite out of sight when he left the fence and ran after them, taking the shortest way to the boathouse.

He waited for them to appear, but no one came, and he went up the hill to take an observation.

A grove of pines covered one part of it, and from the heart of this green spot came a clearer sound than the soft sigh of the pines or the drowsy chirp of the crickets.

Here's a landscape, thought Lori, peeping through the bushes and looking wide awake and good natured already.

It was a rather pretty little picture, for the sisters sat together in the shady nook with sun and shadow flickering over them, the aromatic wind lifting their hair and cooling their hot cheeks, and all the little wood people going on with their affairs as if these were no strangers but old friends.

Meg sat upon her cushion, sewing daintily with her white hands and looking as fresh and sweet as a rose in her pink dress among the green.

Beth was sorting the cones that lay thick under the hemlock nearby, for she made pretty things of them.

Amy was sketching a group of ferns, and Joe was knitting as she read aloud.

A shadow passed over the boy's face as he watched them, feeling that he ought to go away because uninvited yet lingering, because home seemed very lonely and this quiet party in the woods most attractive to his restless spirit.

He stood so still that a squirrel, busy with its harvesting, ran down a pine close beside him, saw him suddenly, and skipped back, scolding so shrilly that Beth looked up, spied the wistful face behind the birches, and beckoned with a reassuring smile.

May I come in, please?

Or shall I be a bother?

He asked, advancing slowly.

Meg lifted her eyebrows, but Joe scowled at her defiantly and said it once, of course you may.

We should have asked you before, only we thought you wouldn't care for such a girl's game as this.

I always liked your games, but if Meg doesn't want me, I'll go away.

I have no objection.

If you do something, it's against the rules to be idle here, replied Meg gravely, but graciously.

Much obliged.

I'll do anything if you'll let me stop a bit, for it's as dull as the desert of Sahara down there.

Shall I sew, read, cone, draw, or do all at once?

Bring on your bears.

I'm ready.

And Lori sat down with a submissive expression delightful to behold.

Finish this story while I set my heel, said Joe, handing him the book.

Yesim, was the Meek answer, as he began doing his best to prove his gratitude for the favor of an admission into the busy Bee Society.

The story was not a long one, and when it was finished, he ventured to ask a few questions as a reward of merit.

Please, ma'am, could I inquire if this highly instructive and charming institution is a new one?

Would you tell him?

Asked Meg of her sisters.

He'll laugh, said Amy warningly.

Who cares?

Said Joe.

I guess he'll like it, added Beth.

Of course I shall.

I give you my word I won't laugh.

Tell away, Joe, and don't be afraid.

The idea of being afraid of you well, you see, we used to play Pilgrim's Progress, and we've been going on with it in earnest all winter and summer.

Yes, I know, said Lori, nodding wisely.

Who told you?

Demanded Joe.

Spirits.

No, I did.

I wanted to amuse him one night when you were all away, and he was rather dismal.

He did like it.

So don't scold.

Joe said Beth Meekly.

You can't keep a secret.

Never mind.

It saves trouble.

Now, go on, please, said Lori, as Joe became absorbed in her work, looking a trifle displeased.

Oh, didn't she tell you about this new plan of ours?

Well, we've tried not to waste our holiday, but each has had a task and worked at it with will.

The vacation is nearly over, the stents are all done, and we are ever so glad that we didn't doddle.

Yes, I should think so.

And Lori thought regretfully of his own idle days.

Mother likes to have us out of doors as much as possible, so we bring our work here and have nice times for the fun of it.

We bring our things in these bags, wear old hats, use poles to climb the hill and play pilgrims, as we used to do years ago.

We call this hill the Delectable Mountain, for we can look far away and see the country where we hope to live sometime.

Joe pointed, and Lori sat up to examine, for through an opening in the wood one could look across the wide blue river, the meadows on the other side, far over the outskirts of the great city to the green hills that rose to meet the sky.

The sun was low, and the heavens glowed with the splendor of an autumn sunset.

Gold and purple clouds lay on the hilltops, and rising high into the ruddy light were silvery white peaks that shone like the airy spires of some celestial city.

How beautiful that is, said Lori softly, for he was quick to see and feel beauty of any kind.

It's often so, and we like to watch it, for it is never the same, but always splendid, replied Amy, wishing she could paint it.

Joe talks about the country where we hope to live sometime the real country, she means, with pigs and chickens and haymaking.

It would be nice, but I wish the beautiful country up there was real and we could ever go to it, said Beth musingly.

There is a lovelier country even than that where we shall go by and by when we are good enough, answered Meg with her sweet voice.

It seems so long to wait, so hard to do.

I want to fly away at once as those swallows fly and go in at that splendid gate.

You'll get there, Beth, sooner or later.

No fear of that, said Joe.

I'm the one that will have to fight and work and climb and wait and maybe never get in.

After all, you'll have me for company, if that's any comfort.

I shall have to do a deal of traveling before I come inside of your celestial city.

If I arrive late, you'll say a good word for me, won't you, Beth?

Something in the boy's face troubled his little friend, but she said cheerfully, with her quiet eyes on the changing clouds, if people really want to go and really try all their lives, I think they will get in.

For I don't believe there are any locks on that door or any guards at the gate.

I always imagine it is as it is in the picture, where the shining ones stretch out their hands to welcome poor Christian as he comes up the river.

Wouldn't it be fun if all the castles in the air which we make could come true and we could live in them?

Said Joe after a little pause.

I've made such quantities it would be hard to choose which I'd have, said Lori, lying flat and throwing cones at the squirrel who had betrayed him.

You'd have to take your favorite one.

What is it?

Asked Meg.

If I tell mine, will you tell yours?

Yes, if the girls will, too.

We will now, Lori, after I'd seen as much of the world as I want to, I'd like to settle in Germany and have just as much music as I choose.

I'm to be a famous musician myself, and all creation is to rush to hear me, and I'm never to be bothered about money or business, but just enjoy myself and live for what I like.

Nats my favorite castle.

What's yours, Meg?

Margaret seemed to find it a little hard to tell hers and waved a break before her face as if to disperse imaginary gnats while she said slowly, I should like a lovely house full of all sorts of luxurious things nice food, pretty clothes, handsome furniture, pleasant people and heaps of money.

I'm to be mistress of it and manage it as I like with plenty of servants, so I never need work a bit.

How I should enjoy it, for I wouldn't be idle, but do good and make everyone love me dearly.

Wouldn't you have a master for your castle in the air?

Asked Lori Slyly.

I said, pleasant people, you know.

And Meg carefully tied up her shoe as she spoke so that no one saw her face.

Why don't you say you'd have a splendid, wise, good husband and some angelic little children?

You know your castle wouldn't be perfect without said blunt Joe, who had no tender fancies yet and rather scorned romance except in books.

You'd have nothing but horses, ink stands and novels in yours, answered Meg Petulantly.

Wouldn't I though?

I'd have a stable full of Arabian steeds rooms piled with books, and I'd write out of a magic ink stand so that my work should be as famous as Lori's music.

I want to do something splendid before I go into my castle something heroic or wonderful that won't be forgotten after I'm dead.

I don't know what, but I'm on the watch for it and mean to astonish you all.

Someday, I think I shall write books and get rich and famous.

That would suit me so.

That is my favorite dream.

Mine is to stay at home safe with Father and Mother and help take care of the family, said Beth contentedly.

Don't you wish for anything else?

Asked Lori.

Since I had my little piano, I am perfectly satisfied.

I only wish we may all keep well and be together.

Nothing else.

I have ever so many wishes, but the Pet one is to be an artist and go to Rome and do fine pictures and be the best artist in the whole world, was Amy's modest desire.

We're an ambitious set, aren't we?

Every one of us.

But Beth wants to be rich and famous and gorgeous in every respect.

I do wonder if any of us will ever get our wishes, said Lori, chewing grass like a meditative calf.

I've got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen, observed Joe mysteriously.

I've got the key to mine, but I'm not allowed to try it.

Hang college, muttered Lori with an impatient sigh.

Here's mine.

And Amy waved her pencil.

I haven't got any, said Meg, forlornly yes, you have, said Lori, at once.

Where?

In your face.

Nonsense.

That's of no use.

Wait and see if it doesn't bring you something worth having, replied the boy, laughing at the thought of a charming little secret which he fancied he knew.

Meg colored behind the brake, but asked no questions and looked across the river with the same expectant expression which Mr.

Brooke had worn when he told the story of the night.

If we are all alive ten years hence.

Let's meet and see how many of us have got our wishes or how much nearer we are than the now, said Joe, always ready with a plan.

Bless me how old I shall be.

27.

Exclaimed Meg, who felt grown up already, having just reached 17.

You and I shall be 26, teddy Beth 24, and Amy 22.

What a venerable party, said Joe.

I hope I shall have done something to be proud of by that time, but I'm such a lazy dog, I'm afraid I shall dawddle, Joe.

You need a motive, Mother says, and when you get it, she's sure you'll work splendidly.

Is she?

By Jupiter, I will if I only get the chance.

Cried Lori, sitting up with sudden energy.

Ought to be satisfied to please Grandfather, and I do try, but it's working against the grain, you see, and comes hard.

He wants me to be an India merchant as he was, and I'd rather be shot.

I hate tea and silk and spices and every sort of rubbish his old ships bring, and I don't care how soon they go to the bottom when I own them.

Going to college ought to satisfy him, for if I give him four years, he ought to let me off from the business.

But he's set, and I've got to do just as he did unless I break away and please myself as my father did.

If there was anyone left to stay with the old gentleman, I'd do it tomorrow.

Lori spoke excitedly and looked ready to carry his threat into execution on the slightest provocation, for he was growing up very fast and in spite of his indolent ways had a young man's hatred of subjection, a young man's restless longing to try the world for himself.

I advise you to sail away in one of your ships and never come home again till you've tried your own way, said Joe, whose imagination was fired by the thought of such a daring exploit and whose sympathy was excited by what she called Teddy's wrongs.

That's not right, Joe.

You mustn't talk in that way, and Lori mustn't take your bad advice.

You should do just what your grandfather wishes, my dear boy, said Meg in her most maternal tone.

Do your best at college, and when he sees that you try to please him, I'm sure he won't be hard or unjust to you.

As you say, there's no one else to stay with and love him, and you'd never forgive yourself if you left him without his permission.

Don't be dismal or fret, but do your duty, and you'll get your reward as good Mr.

Brooke has by being respected and loved.

What do you know about him?

Asked Lori, grateful for the good advice, but objecting to the lecture and glad to turn the conversation from himself after his unusual outbreak.

Only what your grandpa told us about him, how he took good care of his own mother till she died and wouldn't go abroad as tutor to some nice person because he wouldn't leave her.

And how he provides now for an old woman who nursed his mother and never tells anyone, but is just as generous and patient and good as he can be.

So he is, dear old fellow, said Lori heartily, as Meg paused, looking flushed and earnest with her story.

It's like Grandpa to find out all about him without letting him know and to tell all his goodness to others so that they might like him.

Brooke couldn't understand why your mother was so kind to him, asking him over with me and treating him in her beautiful, friendly way.

He thought she was just perfect and talked about it for days and days, and when thought about you all in flaming style.

If ever I do get my wish, you see what I'll do for Brooke?

Begin to do something now by not plaguing his life out?

Said Meg sharply.

How do you know I do, miss?

I can always tell by his face when he goes away.

If you've been good, he looks satisfied and walks briskly.

If you've plagued him, he's sober and walks slowly, as if he wanted to go back and do his work better.

Well, I like that.

So you keep an account of my good and bad marks in Brooke's face, do you?

I see him bow and smile as he passes your window, but I didn't know you'd got up a telegraph.

We haven't.

Don't be angry.

And, oh, don't tell him I said anything.

It was only to show that I cared how you get on.

And what is said here is said in confidence.

You know, cried Meg, much alarmed at the thought of what might follow from her careless speech.

I don't tell tales, replied Lori with his high and mighty air, as Joe called a certain expression which he occasionally wore.

Only if Brooke is going to be a thermometer, I must mind and have fair weather for him to report.

Please don't be offended.

I didn't mean to preach or tell tales or be silly.

I only thought Joe was encouraging you in a feeling which you'd be sorry for by and by.

You're so kind to us, we feel as if you were our brother and say just what we think.

Forgive me, I meant it kindly, and Meg offered her hand with a gesture both affectionate and timid.

Ashamed of his momentary peak, Lori squeezed the kind little hand and said frankly, I'm the one to be forgiven.

I'm cross and have been out of sorts all day.

I like to have you tell me my faults and be sisterly, so don't mind if I'm grumpy sometimes.

I thank you all the same.

Meant on showing that he was not offended, he made himself as agreeable as possible, wound cotton for Meg, recited poetry to please Joe, shook down cones for Beth and helped Amy with her ferns, proving himself a fit person to belong to the busy Bee Society.

In the midst of an animated discussion on the domestic habits of turtles, one of those Amiable creatures having strolled up from the river the faint sound of a bell warned them that Hannah had put the tea to draw, and they would just have time to get home to supper.

May I come again?

Asked Lori.

Yes, if you are good and love your book, as the boys in the primer are told to do, said Meg, smiling.

I'll try.

Then you may come and I'll teach you to knit as the Scotchmen do.

There's a demand for socks just now, added Joe, waving hers like a big blue worsted banner as they parted at the gate.

That night, when Beth played to Mr.

Lawrence in the twilight, Lori, standing in the shadow of the curtain, listened to the little David, whose simple music always quieted his moody spirit, and watched the old man who sat with his gray head on his hand, thinking tender thoughts of the dead child he had loved so much.

Remembering the conversation of the afternoon, the boy said to himself with the resolve to make the sacrifice cheerfully, I'll let my castle go and stay with the dear old gentleman while he needs me, for I'm all he has.

Thank you for joining Bite at a Time Books today while we read a bite of one of your favorite classics.

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