The Revelation of Louisa May by Michaela MacColl Read Free Book Online

always getting what she wanted. The youngest Alcott girl shouldn’t be the one traveling while her elder sister packed for her, Louisa thought. “Don’t give your gloves to her,” she warned Beth from the doorway. “After May uses them for the whole summer you’ll never get a day’s wear out of them again.”
    â€œYou’re just jealous, Louisa,” May retorted. “Because Marmee picked me to go and not you!” May tossed her blond curls and sniffed. She had read in a romantic novel that this was ladylike.
    â€œJealous?” Louisa laughed out loud. “You little ninny. You’re only going because you couldn’t stay at home without Marmee!”
    As if Louisa had stuck May with a pin, May started howling.
    â€œLouisa!” Beth interrupted May’s wail. “May, take them. I won’t need them.” She passed her little sister a limp pair of white cloth gloves. “And while you’re away, Louisa and I are going to have a lovely summer; she’s going to finish the novel she’s been so secretive about and I’m going to play the piano, and we’re both going to take care of Father.”
    â€œThat sounds very nice, Beth,” May said graciously, nodding with the manners of someone much more mature.“I promise I’ll think of you often. When I have the time, of course.”
    Louisa growled, “Fine, let her have the gloves. Otherwise she’ll just charm Marmee into buying her a new pair that we can’t afford!” She turned on her heel and ran down the stairs, her toes barely touching the steps. She couldn’t stay to help others pack for their adventures. Not while she remained at home in the dullest town in the world.
    â€œLouisa!” Marmee emerged from the parlor, carrying a small pile of books. Louisa stopped short on the third stair from the bottom.
    â€œYes, Marmee?” she asked, just barely keeping her frustration out of her voice.
    â€œIs May ready yet? The boy will be here to fetch our trunks any minute now.”
    Glancing longingly at the door, Louisa said, “Not yet, Marmee.” She looked back to the anxious expression on her mother’s face. “But almost.”
    â€œTell her to hurry. These are the last of what needs to be packed in my trunk.” She handed the books up to Louisa. “Then buckle it up, please,” Marmee said, already turning away, consulting her list. Over her shoulder she said, “I’ll ask your father to carry it downstairs.”
    Louisa trudged back up to her parents’ bedroom. The trunk stood in the middle of the worn carpet, its open top like a crocodile’s mouth. She tossed the books inside and fastened theleather strap. Pulling hard enough to leave a mark on her hands, she told herself that her tears were from pain and not envy.
    After checking that May was in the final stage of her packing, Louisa went downstairs to find Marmee. She followed the sound of voices to her father’s study. Glancing about the hall to be sure she was unobserved, she sidled up to the study door, pressing her body close to the wall.
    â€œSo now you need my help?” Louisa heard her father say in the voice of a petulant little boy.
    â€œBronson, please, let’s not argue again. We’ve been through this already.” Marmee’s voice was exasperated but cajoling. Louisa moved closer so she could peek through the slightly ajar door. Marmee stood close to Bronson, his back to her. Pressing her cheek against his broad back, Marmee circled his torso with her arms.
    His neck and shoulders stiff, Bronson said, “You are making a fool of me. Everyone thinks I can’t support the family and must send my wife out to work.”
    Louisa’s eyebrows lifted high; why shouldn’t they think that?
    â€œDear heart, I am going to earn money for the family, yes, but who else could I trust to take care of our daughters? I rely on