Louisa May Alcott

Name: Under the Lilacs — Somebody Runs Away
Author: Louisa May Alcott

Under the Lilacs — Somebody Runs Away (1877)

Summary

“Under the Lilacs — Somebody Runs Away”, published in 1877, is a work by Louisa May Alcott. It explores elements such as Ben, Bab and Sanch.

Quotes from Under the Lilacs — Somebody Runs Away (Louisa May Alcott)

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Somebody Runs Away (1877)

“ I'll be just as good as ever was, and I'll take care of Sanch all the way," pleaded Bab, clasping her hands and looking round for some sign of relenting in the faces of the boys.
"Don't you bother; we don't want any girls tagging after us," said Sam, walking off to escape the annoyance.
"I'll bring you a roll of chickerberry lozengers, if you won't tease," whispered kind-hearted Billy, with a consoling pat on the crown of the shabby straw hat.
"When the circus comes here you shall go, certain sure, and Betty too," said Ben, feeling mean while he proposed what he knew was a hollow mockery. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Somebody Runs Away (1877)

“ Don't you be a donkey, Bill. When you hear a real roar, you'll shake in your boots," said Ben, holding up his handkerchief to dry, after it had done double duty as towel and napkin.
"I wish you'd hurry up, Sam. Folks are going in now. I see 'em!" and Billy pranced with impatience; for this was his first circus, and he firmly believed that he was going to behold all that the pictures promised.
"Hold on a minute, while I get one more drink. Buns are dry fodder," said Sam, rolling over to the edge of the bank and preparing to descend with as little trouble as possible. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Somebody Runs Away (1877)

“ It was a mistake on Ben's part, for while his eyes were on his work Bab's were devouring the bill which Sam still held, and her suspicions were aroused by the boys' faces.
"Where are you going? Ma will want to know," she said, as curious as a magpie all at once.
"Never you mind; girls can't know every thing. You just catch hold of this and run along home. Lock Sanch up for an hour, and tell your mother I'm all right," answered Ben, bound to assert his manly supremacy before his mates.
"He's going to the circus," whispered Fay, hoping to make mischief.
"Circus! Oh, Ben, do take me!" ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Somebody Runs Away (1877)

“ We must have gone by them somewhere, for I don't see any one that way, and there isn't any other road to the circus, seems to me."
Bab spoke as if the dog could understand and answer; and Sancho looked as if he did both, for he stopped drinking, pricked up his cars, and, fixing his sharp eyes on the grass above him, gave a suspicious bark.
"It's only squirrels; don't mind, but come along and be good; for I 'm so tired, I don't know what to do!" sighed Bab, trying to pull him after her as she trudged on, bound to see the outside of that wonderful tent, even if she never got in. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Somebody Runs Away (1877)

“ The girls immediately began to talk about picnics, and have them, too; for little hats sprung up in the fields like a new sort of mushroom, -- every hillside bloomed with gay gowns, looking as if the flowers had gone out for a walk ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Somebody Runs Away (1877)

“ I picked some of that, it was so green and pretty. Thorny likes queer leaves and berries, you know," answered Bab, "spatting," down her rough locks.
"Well, he won't like that, nor you either; it's poisonous, and I shouldn't wonder if you'd got poisoned, Bab. Don't touch it! Swamp-sumach is horrid stuff, -- Miss Celia said so;" and Ben looked anxiously at Bab, who felt her chubby face all over, and examined her dingy hands with a solemn air, asking, eagerly, --
"Will it break out on me 'fore I get to the circus?" ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Somebody Runs Away (1877)

“ Every one talking in his gruffest tone, bawling at the top of his voice, squabbling over every point of the game, and seeming to enjoy himself immensely, in spite of the heat, dust, uproar, and imminent danger of getting eyes or teeth knocked out.
Thorny was an excellent player, but, not being strong enough to show his prowess, he made Ben his proxy ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Somebody Runs Away (1877)

“ I'd like to see her walking eight miles. I don't mind paying for her; it's getting her there and back. Girls are such a bother when you want to knock round. No, Bab, you can't go. Travel right home and don't make a fuss. Come along, boys; it 's most eleven, and we don't want to walk fast."
Ben spoke very decidedly; and, taking Billy's arm, away they went, leaving poor Bab and Sanch to watch them out of sight, one sobbing, the other whining dismally.
Somehow those two figures seemed to go before Ben all along the pleasant road, and half spoilt his fun ”

Louisa May Alcott

Summary

Quotes from Under the Lilacs — Somebody Runs Away (Louisa May Alcott)

Common terms

Similar works

Get perspective with Kwize: daily news enlightened by great literature