The Lady of Shalott

The Lady of Shalott
the night watch by rembrandt
the Night Watch
¡¡¡¡`Mother, are you angry when you fold your lips tight together, and go out of the room sometimes, when Aunt March scolds, or people worry you?' asked Jo, feeling nearer and dearer to her mother than ever before. ¡¡¡¡`Yes, I've learned to check the hasty words that rise to my lips; and when I feel that they mean to break out against my will, I just go away a minute, and give myself a little shake for being so weak and wicked,' answered Mrs. March, with a sigh and a smile, as she smoothed and fastened up Jo's dishevelled hair. ¡¡¡¡`How did you learn to keep still? That is what troubles me - for the sharp words fly out before I know what I'm about; and the more I say the worse I get, till it's a pleasure to hurt people's feelings, and say dreadful things. `Tell me how you do it, Marmee dear.' ¡¡¡¡`My good mother used to help me--' ¡¡¡¡`As you do us--' interrupted Jo, with a grateful kiss. ¡¡¡¡`But I lost her when I was a little older than you are, and for years had to struggle on alone, for I was too proud to confess my weakness to anyone else. I had a hard time, Jo, and shed a good many bitter tears over my failures; for, in spite of my efforts, I never seemed to get on. Then your father came, and I was so happy that I found it easy to be good. But by and by, when I had four little daughters round me, and we were poor, then the old trouble began again; for I am not patient by nature, and it tried me very much to see my children wanting anything.' ¡¡¡¡`Poor Mother! What helped you then?'