Amys Testament

Fortsetzung des vorigen Artikels zu dem Roman Little Women von Louisa May Alcott. [engl. Wikipediaartikel zu Little Women]

 Als Beth, das zweitjüngste der March-Töchter an Scharlach erkrankt, weil sie sich um die Pflege des Säuglings einer den Little Women bekannten Familie gekümmert hatte, wird Amy March, die Jüngste, bei der Familie ihrer Tante einquartiert, weil sie als einzige der Schwestern noch keinen Scharlach hatte. Weil Beth, die stark erkrankt ist, gesagt hat, was von ihren liebsten Sachen die einzelnen Schwestern von ihr erben sollen, beschließt Amy, die möglichst alles besonders richtig zu machen (weil sie im Unterschied zu der aufopferungsvollen Beth vornehmlich immer an sich selbst und ihre Wirkung auf andere denkt), ihrerseits ein formvollendetes Testament zu machen. Dafür lässt sie sich die treffenden juristischen Formeln sagen. 

Als Laurie der Nachbarsjunge zu ihr kommt, trägt sie es ihm vor:

"Now I'm ready," said Amy, shutting the wardrobe and taking a piece of paper out of her pocket. "I want you to read that, please, and tell me if it is legal and right. I felt I ought to do it, for life is uncertain and I don't want any ill feeling over my tomb." 

Laurie bit his lips, and turning a little from the pensive speaker, read the following document, with praiseworthy gravity, considering the spelling: 

MY LAST WILL AND TESTIMENT I, Amy Curtis March, being in my sane mind, go give and bequeethe all my earthly property--viz. to wit:--namely 

To my father, my best pictures, sketches, maps, and works of art, including frames. Also my $100, to do what he likes with. 

To my mother, all my clothes, except the blue apron with pockets--also my likeness, and my medal, with much love. 

To my dear sister Margaret, I give my turkquoise ring (if I get it), also my green box with the doves on it, also my piece of real lace for her neck, and my sketch of her as a memorial of her 'little girl'. 

To Jo I leave my breastpin, the one mended with sealing wax, also my bronze inkstand--she lost the cover--and my most precious plaster rabbit, because I am sorry I burned up her story. 

To Beth (if she lives after me) I give my dolls and the little bureau, my fan, my linen collars and my new slippers if she can wear them being thin when she gets well. And I herewith also leave her my regret that I ever made fun of old Joanna. 

To my friend and neighbor Theodore Laurence I bequeethe my paper mashay portfolio, my clay model of a horse though he did say it hadn't any neck. Also in return for his great kindness in the hour of affliction any one of my artistic works he likes, Noter Dame is the best. 

To our venerable benefactor Mr. Laurence I leave my purple box with a looking glass in the cover which will be nice for his pens and remind him of the departed girl who thanks him for his favors to her family, especially Beth. 

I wish my favorite playmate Kitty Bryant to have the blue silk apron and my gold-bead ring with a kiss. 

To Hannah I give the bandbox she wanted and all the patchwork I leave hoping she 'will remember me, when it you see'. 

And now having disposed of my most valuable property I hope all will be satisfied and not blame the dead. I forgive everyone, and trust we may all meet when the trump shall sound. Amen. To this will and testiment I set my hand and seal on this 20th day of Nov. Anni Domino 1861. Amy Curtis March 

Witnesses: Estelle Valnor, Theodore Laurence. The last name was written in pencil, and Amy explained that he was to rewrite it in ink and seal it up for her properly. "What put it into your head? Did anyone tell you about Beth's giving away her things?" asked Laurie soberly, as Amy laid a bit of red tape, with sealing wax, a taper, and a standish before him. She explained and then asked anxiously, "What about Beth?" "I'm sorry I spoke, but as I did, I'll tell you. She felt so ill one day that she told Jo she wanted to give her piano to Meg, her cats…  " (Location: 2,681)

Amy's face was full of trouble, but she only said, "Don't people put sort of postscripts to their wills, sometimes?" "Yes, 'codicils', they call them." "Put one in mine then, that I wish all my curls cut off, and given round to my friends. I forgot it, but I want it done though it will spoil my looks." 

Laurie added it, smiling at Amy's last and greatest sacrifice. Then he amused her for an hour, and was much interested in all her trials. But when he came to go, Amy held him back to whisper with trembling lips, "Is there really any danger about Beth?" "I'm afraid there is, but we must hope for the best, so don't cry, dear." And Laurie put his arm about her with a brotherly gesture which was very comforting. When he had gone, she went to her little chapel, and sitting in the twilight, prayed for Beth, with streaming tears and an aching heart, feeling that a million turquoise rings would not console her for the loss of her gentle little sister.