登陆注册
5590700000001

第1章 The Catastrophe(1)

"Clear the lulla!"was the general cry on a bright December afternoon,when all the boys and girls of Harmony Village were out enjoying the first good snow of the season.Up and down three long coasts they went as fast as legs and sleds could carry them.

One smooth path led into the meadow,and here the little folk congregated;one swept across the pond,where skaters were darting about like water-bugs;and the third,from the very top of the steep hill,ended abruptly at a rail fence on the high bank above the road.There was a group of lads and lasses sitting or leaning on this fence to rest after an exciting race,and,as they reposed,they amused themselves with criticising their mates,still absorbed in this most delightful of out-door sports.

"Here comes Frank Minot,looking as solemn as a judge,"cried one,as a tall fellow of sixteen spun by,with a set look about the mouth and a keen sparkle of the eyes,fixed on the distant goal with a do-or-die expression.

"Here's Molly Loo And little Boo?

sang out another;and down came a girl with flying hair,carrying a small boy behind her,so fat that his short legs stuck out from the sides,and his round face looked over her shoulder like a full moon.

"There's Gus Burton;doesn't he go it?"and such a very long boy whizzed by,that it looked almost as if his heels were at the top of the hill when his head was at the bottom!

"Hurrah for Ed Devlin!"and a general shout greeted a sweet-faced lad,with a laugh on his lips,a fine color on his brown cheek,and a gay word for every girl he passed.

"Laura and Lotty keep to the safe coast into the meadow,and Molly Loo is the only girl that dares to try this long one to the pond.I wouldn't for the world;the ice can't be strong yet,though it is cold enough to freeze one's nose off,"said a timid damsel,who sat hugging a post and screaming whenever a mischievous lad shook the fence.

"No,she isn't here's Jack and Jill going like fury.""Clear the track For jolly Jack!"

Sang the boys,who had rhymes and nicknames for nearly everyone.

Down came a gay red sled,bearing a boy who seemed all smile and sunshine,so white were his teeth,so golden was his hair,so bright and happy his whole air.Behind him clung a little gypsy of a girl,with black eyes and hair,cheeks as red as her hood,and a face full of fun and sparkle,as she waved Jack's blue tippet like a banner with one hand,and held on with the other.

"Jill goes wherever Jack does,and he lets her.He's such a good-natured chap,he can't say No.""To a girl,"slyly added one of the boys,who had wished to borrow the red sled,and had been politely refused because Jill wanted it.

"He's the nicest boy in the world,for he never gets mad,"said the timid young lady,recalling the many times Jack had shielded her from the terrors which beset her path to school,in the shape of cows,dogs,and boys who made faces and called her "Fraidcat.""He doesn't dare to get mad with Jill,for she'd take his head off in two minutes if he did,"growled Joe Flint,still smarting from the rebuke Jill had given him for robbing the little ones of their safe coast because he fancied it.

"She wouldn't!she's a dear!You needn't sniff at her because she is poor.She's ever so much brighter than you are,or she wouldn't always be at the head of your class,old Joe,"cried the girls,standing by their friend with a unanimity which proved what a favorite she was.

Joe subsided with as scornful a curl to his nose as its chilly state permitted,and Merry Grant introduced a subject of general interest by asking abruptly,"Who is going to the candy-scrape to-night?""All of us.Frank invited the whole set,and we shall have a tiptop time.We always do at the Minots',"cried Sue,the timid trembler.

"Jack said there was a barrel of molasses in the house,so there would be enough for all to eat and some to carry away.They know how to do things handsomely";and the speaker licked his lips,as if already tasting the feast in store for him.

"Mrs.Minot is a mother worth having,"said Molly Loo,coming up with Boo on the sled;and she knew what it was to need a mother,for she had none,and tried to care for the little brother with maternal love and patience.

"She is just as sweet as she can be!"declared Merry,enthusiastically.

"Especially when she has a candy-scrape,"said Joe,trying to be amiable,lest he should be left out of the party.

Whereat they all laughed,and went gayly away for a farewell frolic,as the sun was setting and the keen wind nipped fingers and toes as well as noses.

Down they went,one after another,on the various coasts solemn Frank,long Gus,gallant Ed,fly-away Molly Loo,pretty Laura and Lotty,grumpy Joe,sweet-faced Merry with Sue shrieking wildly behind her,gay Jack and gypsy Jill,always together one and all bubbling over with the innocent jollity born of healthful exercise.

People passing in the road below looked up and smiled involuntarily at the red-cheeked lads and lasses,filling the frosty air with peals of laughter and cries of triumph as they flew by in every conceivable attitude;for the fun was at its height now,and the oldest and gravest observers felt a glow of pleasure as they looked,remembering their own young days.

"Jack,take me down that coast.Joe said I wouldn't dare to do it,so I must,"commanded Jill,as they paused for breath after the long trudge up hill.Jill,of course,was not her real name,but had been given because of her friendship with Jack,who so admired Janey Pecq's spirit and fun.

"I guess I wouldn't,It is very bumpy and ends in a big drift;not half so nice as this one.Hop on and we'll have a good spin across the pond";and Jack brought "Thunderbolt"round with a skilful swing and an engaging air that would have won obedience from anybody but wilful Jill.

"It is very nice,but I won't be told I don't 'dare by any boy in the world.If you are afraid,I'll go alone."And,before he could speak,she had snatched the rope from his hand,thrown herself upon the sled,and was off,helter-skelter,down the most dangerous coast on the hill-side.

同类推荐
  • 百论疏

    百论疏

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 宋枢密副使赠礼部尚书孝肃包公墓铭

    宋枢密副使赠礼部尚书孝肃包公墓铭

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 看山阁集闲笔

    看山阁集闲笔

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Heroes and Hero Worship

    Heroes and Hero Worship

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 审分览

    审分览

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 情在更深处

    情在更深处

    花一样的年龄逝去,留下的是美好的回忆,因为有了你,我不会感到孤寂,幸福是你带给我的甜果,有它我会时常想起你。你是我生命的唯一。山峰无石,树木无根,但我爱你的心会永生。岁月的流失,带着你我走向天边,因为有你,我的生活精彩无限,爱你的心儿怦怦然,愿你快乐每一天。夏日夜空的月儿小船弯弯,载着你我飞向瑶池之颠,看星星点缀的黑缎,唱一生中欢乐的歌谣,永远爱你的人与你同在!无论前世、今生还是下辈子,只要有你,我就会好,心暖意坚。
  • 淮海词

    淮海词

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 禅法要解

    禅法要解

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 最强外挂系统

    最强外挂系统

    现代青年楚枫穿越到异界,开启最强外挂,狂虐百族天骄,风骚,彪悍的人生从此开始。什么,你个皇族太子居然敢看不起我?靠!老子有跃阶杀人系统,碾压你只是秒秒钟的事情。什么,你说你炼丹牛B?靠!你连仙丹都不会炼,还敢说自己牛B?操!我代表人民鄙视你!什么,你说你是炼器大师?哦,不好意思,老子有炼器外挂,轻轻松松吊打你。
  • 谁说我嫁不出去

    谁说我嫁不出去

    不经历人渣,怎么能出嫁,没有人能随随便便当妈! 剩女从来不羡慕女人拥有过多少个男人,因为一个女人的骄傲是要看她身旁的男人肯为她拒绝多少女人。
  • 隐婚成瘾

    隐婚成瘾

    一纸契约,她成为他隐婚的妻她知道自己身份低微,配不上男人所以一向很有自知之明,知道男人有初恋,有明星情人于是非常大度,从不过问男人的感情生活可这个男人,还是一副不满意的样子“你有初恋男友?”“你不是也有吗?”“我不准你有!”无语,怎么遇见个这么难伺候的人……
  • 诫初心学人文

    诫初心学人文

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 别等了,想好了就豁出去

    别等了,想好了就豁出去

    不管你现在决定做什么事,不管你设定了多少目标,你一定要立刻行动。《别等了,想好了就豁出去(最新版)》从知识准备、目标、心态、能力等方面,系统阐述了行动的要素与结构,以及应该如何行动,从而顺利地走向成功。别等了,想好了就豁出去!现在做,马上就做,相信每个人都可以成为“成功大师”的!
  • 离殇玥

    离殇玥

    弹一首离殇玥,饮一杯酒断肠,天涯尽头是何处,世间大道尽沧桑。
  • 恶魔养女

    恶魔养女

    住在蓝宫里的,不是王子和公主。而是,木木和蓝修。十七岁的女儿和三十三岁的父亲。天使般的女儿和恶魔般的父亲。绝美却残酷的蓝修收养了仇人的人儿木木,为了复仇?还是为了…XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX蓝修觉得自己的血液,沸腾了!这是因为愤怒!这是因为仇恨!蓝修告诉自己,仅此而已。他尝到了血腥的气味,但是,没有停下。木木觉得自己瞬间从天堂跌至了地狱,眼泪顺着脸颊滚滚滑落,呜咽无法发出,她尝到了血腥的,她知道,那是自己!屈辱,愤怒,木木狠狠的朝着口中的狂兽咬了下去。蓝修,吃痛的抽离。那野兽般灼红的眸子,狠狠的盯住木木。双目红肿,嘴唇破裂,发丝凌乱,颤抖着的木木!XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX“答应我的条件,不然!我情愿摔死!”木木艰难昂着头,对着蓝修喊。“该死的!你竟然敢威胁我!”蓝修额头青筋暴跳!“是……啊!”木木的尖叫声中,蓝修的心脏几乎停止了跳动。“该死的!别动!”蓝帮主咬了牙,第一次被女儿成功的威胁了!“该死的!你在干什么!”蓝修的视线触及木木卷至腰际的裙子,脸色黑了大半,烦躁的怒吼!XXXXXXXXXXXX强烈推荐鹿鹿新文《你骗婚我外遇》《笨女人》推荐鹿鹿暗夜门系列文:完结文《狂魔宠女》主角:蓝殿焰新文《至尊弃妃》主角:蓝冰焰【推荐】好友独孤卫超好看的文文《疯女三夫》《总裁别爱我》好友叶清欢好看的文文《契约情人》好友紫樱的超好看的文文《夫君们,有礼了》不好看你砸我!看完包你发花痴,流口水,呵呵。《总裁酷爱黑道妻》