` Eat of this with-joy-made Kuchen , and drink to the health of the far-away beloved ones in the good wine . ' Amused , yet touched by the kindness of the good souls , Nat thanked them both , and made them stay to enjoy the humble feast with him . This they gladly did , being motherly women full of pity for the dear youth , whose straits they knew , and having substantial help to offer , as well as kind words and creature comforts . Frau Tetzel , with some hesitation , mentioned a friend of hers who , forced by illness to leave his place in the orchestra of a second-rate theatre , would gladly offer it to Nat , if he could accept so humble a position . Blushing and toying with the roses like a shy girl , good old Vogelstein asked if in his leisure moments he could give English lessons in the young ladies ' school where she taught painting , adding that a small but certain salary would be paid him . Gratefully Nat accepted both offers , finding it less humiliating to be helped by women than by friends of his own sex . This work would support him in a frugal way , and certain musical drudgery promised by his master assured his own teaching . Delighted with the success of their little plot , these friendly neighbours left him with cheery words , warm hand-grasps , and faces beaming with feminine satisfaction at the hearty kiss Nat put on each faded cheek , as the only return he could make for all their helpful kindness . It was strange how much brighter the world looked after that ; for hope was a better cordial than the wine , and good resolutions bloomed as freshly as the little rose-tree that filled the room with fragrance , as Nat woke the echoes with the dear old airs , finding now as always his best comforter in music , to whom henceforth he swore to be a more loyal subject . Chapter 14 . PLAYS AT PLUMFIELD As it is as impossible for the humble historian of the March family to write a story without theatricals in it as for our dear Miss Yonge to get on with less than twelve or fourteen children in her interesting tales , we will accept the fact , and at once cheer ourselves after the last afflicting events , by proceeding to the Christmas plays at Plumfield ; for they influence the fate of several of our characters , and can not well be skipped . When the college was built Mr Laurie added a charming little theatre which not only served for plays , but declamations , lectures , and concerts . The drop-curtain displayed Apollo with the Muses grouped about him ; and as a compliment to the donor of the hall the artist had given the god a decided resemblance to our friend , which was considered a superb joke by everyone else . Home talent furnished stars , stock company , orchestra , and scene painter ; and astonishing performances were given on this pretty little stage . Mrs Jo had been trying for some time to produce a play which should be an improvement upon the adaptations from the French then in vogue , curious mixtures of fine toilettes , false sentiment , and feeble wit , with no touch of nature to redeem them . It was easy to plan plays full of noble speeches and thrilling situations , but very hard to write them ; so she contented herself with a few scenes of humble life in which the comic and pathetic were mingled ; and as she fitted her characters to her actors , she hoped the little venture would prove that truth and simplicity had not entirely lost their power to charm . Mr Laurie helped her , and they called themselves Beaumont and Fletcher , enjoying their joint labour very much ; for Beaumont 's knowledge of dramatic art was of great use in curbing Fletcher 's too-aspiring pen , and they flattered themselves that they had produced a neat and effective bit of work as an experiment . All was ready now ; and Christmas Day was much enlivened by last rehearsals , the panics of timid actors , the scramble for forgotten properties , and the decoration of the theatre . Evergreen and holly from the woods , blooming plants from the hothouse on Parnassus , and flags of all nations made it very gay that night in honour of the guests who were coming , chief among them , Miss Cameron , who kept her promise faithfully . The orchestra tuned their instruments with unusual care , the scene-shifters set their stage with lavish elegance , the prompter heroically took his seat in the stifling nook provided for him , and the actors dressed with trembling hands that dropped the pins , and perspiring brows whereon the powder would n't stick .
Beaumont and XXXXX were everywhere , feeling that their literary reputation was at stake ; for sundry friendly critics were invited , and reporters , like mosquitoes , can not be excluded from any earthly scene , be it a great man 's death-bed or a dime museum .
Apollo Fletcher Nat Vogelstein Yonge declamations hand-grasps labour left rose-tree