11 Castles in the Air

CHAPTER 11 Castles in the Air Laurie was swinging in his hammock on a warm September day. He wondered what his neighbors were doing, but he was too lazy to find out. He hadn't finished his studies, frustrating Mr. Brooke. Instead, he had practiced the piano, upsetting his grandfather. Then Laurie had played a practical joke on one of the maids and got into an argument with the stableman.

Everyone in the house now seemed angry with him. Thankfully, he fell asleep, and a good nap improved his mood. The sound of voices woke him from a dream where he was having an adventure at sea. He opened his eyes to see the March sisters coming out of their house. They looked odd. Each wore a large hat and carried a shoulder pouch and a tall walking stick. They marched through the garden and up the hill toward the river. Laurie felt slighted that they hadn't invited him. He decided to follow them. He found the girls sitting in a shady nook. Meg was sewing, Amy was drawing pictures, Jo was knitting and reading aloud, and Beth was sorting pinecones. Laurie felt bad about spying, but he was so lonely that he approached them. "May I come in?" he asked. "Or will I

bother you?" Meg lifted her eyebrows. Jo said, "Of course you can join us. I should have asked you to come, but I didn't know if you'd want to play our girls' games." "I'm sure it'll be fun, but if Meg wants me to go, I will." Meg said, "You may stay as long as you do something. This is our Busy Bee Society. It's against the rules to be idle here." "What should I do?" Jo handed him a book to read aloud while she knit the heel of her sock. When he finished, he asked, "What game are we playing?" Meg asked her sisters, "Should we tell him?" Amy warned, "He'll laugh!" Laurie said, "No, I won't. I promise." Jo explained how they had been trying all year to be good, productive girls. They'd

bring their work to this spot, where they felt inspired by the view of the wide, blue river, the green hills, and the silvery white clouds shining like the steeples of a city in the sky. For fun, they'd wear old hats and play pilgrims on the way. Jo sighed, "Wouldn't it be fun if all our 'castles in the air' came true?" Laurie said it would be hard for him to follow just one dream because he had so many different ones. "Which one is your favorite?" Jo asked. "I'll tell you mine if you all tell me yours!" They all agreed. Laurie said emphatically, "I'd live in Germany and become a famous musician. That's my 'castle.'" He turned to Meg. "Your turn." She stated, "I'd like to be mistress of a beautiful house and manage it very well."

Laurie teased, "With a wonderful husband?" Meg blushed. Jo said bluntly, "Your castle wouldn't be perfect without a good husband and little angels for children, and you know it!" Meg retorted, "Well, you'd have nothing but horses, pens and ink, and novels in yours!" Jo smiled. "Exactly! I'd write and become as famous from my stories as Laurie would be from his music." Beth quietly noted, "My dream is to stay home with Mother and Father and help take care of the family." Laurie asked, "Is that all?" "Yes," Beth said, "now that I've got my little piano, that's all I need." Amy piped up, "My dream is to move to Rome and become a great artist."

Laurie said thoughtfully, "We're an ambitious group. Each wants to be rich and famous, except for Beth. I wonder if we'll all succeed." Jo said, "I've got the key to my castle, but whether I can unlock it is another story." "Me too," Laurie sighed. Amy held up her pencil. "And here's my key!" Meg said softly, "I haven't got any." Laurie responded, "Oh, yes you do. You have your pretty face." This caused Meg to blush again. "Wait and see," he said, "if it doesn't bring you something worthwhile." Jo suggested, "Let's meet here in ten years and see how well we've done." Everyone said this was indeed a fine plan. Laurie remarked thoughtfully, "I hope I've done something to be proud of by then, but I'm so lazy."