Louisa May Alcott

Name: Under the Lilacs — Miss Celia's Man
Author: Louisa May Alcott

Under the Lilacs — Miss Celia's Man (1877)

Summary

“Under the Lilacs — Miss Celia's Man”, published in 1877, is a work by Louisa May Alcott. It explores elements such as Celia, Thorny and Ben.

Quotes from Under the Lilacs — Miss Celia's Man (Louisa May Alcott)

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Miss Celia's Man (1877)

“ Grandpa lived here then, and we had fine times; but now they are all gone except us two."
"We haven't got any father, either," said Bab, for something in Miss Celia's face made her feel as if a cloud had come over the sun.
"I have a first-rate father, if I only knew where he'd gone to," said Ben, looking down the path as eagerly as if one waited for him behind the locked gate.
"You are a rich boy, and you are happy little girls to have so good a mother; I've found that out already," and the sun shone again as the young lady nodded to the neat, rosy children before her. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Miss Celia's Man (1877)

“ Moss nodded as they drove past the lodge, and Ben touched his torn hat-brim in the most dignified manner, though he could not suppress a broad grin of delight, which deepened into a chuckle when Lita went off at a brisk trot along the smooth road toward town.
It takes so little to make a child happy, it is a pity grown people do not oftener remember it and scatter little bits of pleasure before the small people, as they throw crumbs to the hungry sparrows. Miss Celia knew the boy was pleased, but he had no words in which to express his gratitude for the great contentment she had given him. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Miss Celia's Man (1877)

“ First came the phaeton, which Ben spent all his leisure moments in admiring; wondering with secret envy what happy boy would ride in the little seat up behind, and beguiling his tasks by planning how, when he got rich, he would pass his time driving about in just such an equipage, and inviting all the boys he met to have a ride.
Then a load of furniture came creaking in at the lodge gate, and the girls had raptures over a cottage piano, several small chairs, and a little low table, which they pronounced just the thing for them to play at. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Miss Celia's Man (1877)

“ Presently "Randa," as she called her stout maid, came to tell her that "Master Thorny couldn't wait another minute;" and she went in to breakfast with a good appetite, while the children raced home to bounce in upon Mrs. Moss, talking all at once like little lunatics.
"The phaeton at four, -- so sweet in a beautiful white gown, -- going to tea, and Sancho and all the baby things invited. Can't we wear our Sunday frocks? A splendid new net for Lita. And she likes dolls. Goody, goody, won't it be fun!" ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Miss Celia's Man (1877)

“ Would you like to work for me instead of the Squire?
"I guess I would!" ejaculated Ben, so heartily that no further assurances were needed, and Miss Celia went on, well pleased: --
"You see, poor Thorny is weak and fretful, and does not like to exert himself, though he ought to be out a great deal, and kept from thinking of his little troubles. He cannot walk much yet, so I have a wheeled chair to push him in; and the paths are so hard, it will be easy to roll him about. That will be one thing you can do. Another is to take care of his pets till he is able to do it himself. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Miss Celia's Man (1877)

“ I never had any, and I'd love to try how it seems;" and Celia took both the chubby hands in hers, feeling ready to love every one this first bright morning in the new home, which she hoped to make a very happy one.
Bab gave a satisfied nod, and fell to examining the rings upon the white hand that held her own. But Betty put her arms about the new friend's neck, and kissed her so softly that the hungry feeling in Miss Celia's heart felt better directly; for this was the food it wanted, and Thorny had not learned yet to return one half of the affection he received. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Miss Celia's Man (1877)

“ I'll take real good care of the little feller, and do every thing I know to please him, and so will Sanch; he's fond of children," answered Ben, heartily, for the new place looked very inviting to him. Miss Celia laughed, and rather damped his ardor by her next words.
"I don't know what Thorny would say to hear you call him 'little.' He is fourteen, and appears to get taller and taller every day. He seems like a child to me, because I am nearly ten years older than he is; but you needn't be afraid of his long legs and big eyes, he is too feeble to do any harm ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Miss Celia's Man (1877)

“ Then you can tell him your adventures, and talk to him as only a boy can talk to a boy. That will amuse him when I want to write or go out; but I never leave him long, and hope he will soon be running about as well as the rest of us. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Miss Celia's Man (1877)

“ They were up so early, and were so impatient to be off, that Mrs. Moss let them go with the warning that they would find only the servants astir. She was mistaken, however, for, as the procession approached, a voice from the porch called out, "Good-morning little neighbors!" so unexpectedly, that Bab nearly spilt the new milk she carried, Betty gave such a start that the fresh-laid eggs quite skipped in the dish, and Ben's face broke into a broad grin over the armful of clover which he brought for the bunnies, as he bobbed his head, saying briskly, --
"She's all right, miss, Lita is ”

Louisa May Alcott

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Quotes from Under the Lilacs — Miss Celia's Man (Louisa May Alcott)

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