Louisa May Alcott

Spinning-Wheel Stories Louisa May Alcott

"It is too bad to have our jolly vacation spoiled by this provoking storm. Didn't mind it yesterday, because we could eat all the time; but here we are cooped up for a week, perhaps, and I'd like toknow what we are to do," growled Geoff, as he stood at the window looking gloomily at the bleakscene without. It certainly was discouraging; for the north wind howled, the air was dark with fallingsnow, and drifts were rising over fences, roads, and fields, as if to barricade the Christmas party inthe great country house."We can bear it pleasantly, since it can't be helped," said gentle sister Mary, with a kind hand on hisshoulder, and a face full of sympathy for his disappointment. "I'm sorry for the coasting, skating, and sleighing frolics we have lost; but if we must be shut up, I'm sure we couldn't have a pleasanterprison or a kinder jailer. Don't let grandma hear us complain, for she has made great exertions tohave our visit a merry one, and it will trouble her if we are not gay and contented.""That's easy for a parcel of girls, who only want to mull over the fire, and chatter, and drink tea; butit's rough on us fellows, who come for the outside fun. House is well enough; but when you've seenit once, there's an end. Eating is jolly, but you can't stuff forever. We might dig, or snowball, if itdidn't blow a gale. Never saw such a beast of a storm!"-and Geoff flattened his nose against thewindow-pane and scowled at the element