1 Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
   2 
   3 CHAPTER ONE
   4 
   5 PLAYING PILGRIMS
   6 
   7 "Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying
   8 on the rug.
   9 
  10 "It's so dreadful to be poor!" sighed Meg, looking down at her old
  11 dress.
  12 
  13 "I don't think it's fair for some girls to have plenty of pretty
  14 things, and other girls nothing at all," added little Amy, with an
  15 injured sniff.
  16 
  17 "We've got Father and Mother, and each other," said Beth contentedly
  18 from her corner.
  19 
  20 The four young faces on which the firelight shone brightened at the
  21 cheerful words, but darkened again as Jo said sadly, "We haven't got
  22 Father, and shall not have him for a long time." She didn't say
  23 "perhaps never," but each silently added it, thinking of Father far
  24 away, where the fighting was.
  25 
  26 Nobody spoke for a minute; then Meg said in an altered tone, "You know
  27 the reason Mother proposed not having any presents this Christmas was
  28 because it is going to be a hard winter for everyone; and she thinks we
  29 ought not to spend money for pleasure, when our men are suffering so in
  30 the army.  We can't do much, but we can make our little sacrifices, and
  31 ought to do it gladly.  But I am afraid I don't," and Meg shook her
  32 head, as she thought regretfully of all the pretty things she wanted.
  33 
  34 "But I don't think the little we should spend would do any good.  We've
  35 each got a dollar, and the army wouldn't be much helped by our giving
  36 that.  I agree not to expect anything from Mother or you, but I do want
  37 to buy _Undine and Sintran_ for myself.  I've wanted it so long," said
  38 Jo, who was a bookworm.
  39 
  40 "I planned to spend mine in new music," said Beth, with a little sigh,
  41 which no one heard but the hearth brush and kettle-holder.
  42 
  43 "I shall get a nice box of Faber's drawing pencils; I really need
  44 them," said Amy decidedly.
  45 
  46 "Mother didn't say anything about our money, and she won't wish us to
  47 give up everything.  Let's each buy what we want, and have a little
  48 fun; I'm sure we work hard enough to earn it," cried Jo, examining the
  49 heels of her shoes in a gentlemanly manner.
  50 
  51 "I know I do -- teaching those tiresome children nearly all day, when I'm
  52 longing to enjoy myself at home," began Meg, in the complaining tone
  53 again.
  54 
  55 "You don't have half such a hard time as I do," said Jo. "How would you
  56 like to be shut up for hours with a nervous, fussy old lady, who keeps
  57 you trotting, is never satisfied, and worries you till you're ready to
  58 fly out the window or cry?"
  59 
  60 "It's naughty to fret, but I do think washing dishes and keeping things
  61 tidy is the worst work in the world.  It makes me cross, and my hands
  62 get so stiff, I can't practice well at all." And Beth looked at her
  63 rough hands with a sigh that any one could hear that time.
  64 
  65 "I don't believe any of you suffer as I do," cried Amy, "for you don't
  66 have to go to school with impertinent girls, who plague you if you
  67 don't know your lessons, and laugh at your dresses, and label your
  68 father if he isn't rich, and insult you when your nose isn't nice."
  69 
  70 "If you mean libel, I'd say so, and not talk about labels, as if Papa
  71 was a pickle bottle," advised Jo, laughing.
  72 
  73 "I know what I mean, and you needn't be statirical about it. It's
  74 proper to use good words, and improve your vocabilary," returned Amy,
  75 with dignity.
  76 
  77 "Don't peck at one another, children.  Don't you wish we had the money
  78 Papa lost when we were little, Jo?  Dear me! How happy and good we'd
  79 be, if we had no worries!" said Meg, who could remember better times.
  80 
  81 "You said the other day you thought we were a deal happier than the
  82 King children, for they were fighting and fretting all the time, in
  83 spite of their money."
  84 
  85 "So I did, Beth.  Well, I think we are.  For though we do have to work,
  86 we make fun of ourselves, and are a pretty jolly set, as Jo would say."
  87 
  88 "Jo does use such slang words!" observed Amy, with a reproving look at
  89 the long figure stretched on the rug.
  90 
  91 Jo immediately sat up, put her hands in her pockets, and began to
  92 whistle.
  93 
  94 "Don't, Jo.  It's so boyish!"
  95 
  96 "That's why I do it."
  97 
  98 "I detest rude, unladylike girls!"
  99 
 100 "I hate affected, niminy-piminy chits!"
 101 
 102 "Birds in their little nests agree," sang Beth, the peacemaker, with
 103 such a funny face that both sharp voices softened to a laugh, and the
 104 "pecking" ended for that time.
 105 
 106 "Really, girls, you are both to be blamed," said Meg, beginning to
 107 lecture in her elder-sisterly fashion. "You are old enough to leave off
 108 boyish tricks, and to behave better, Josephine.  It didn't matter so
 109 much when you were a little girl, but now you are so tall, and turn up
 110 your hair, you should remember that you are a young lady."
 111 
 112 "I'm not!   And if turning up my hair makes me one, I'll wear it in two
 113 tails till I'm twenty," cried Jo, pulling off her net, and shaking down
 114 a chestnut mane.  "I hate to think I've got to grow up, and be Miss
 115 March, and wear long gowns, and look as prim as a China Aster!  It's
 116 bad enough to be a girl, anyway, when I like boy's games and work and
 117 manners!  I can't get over my disappointment in not being a boy.  And
 118 it's worse than ever now, for I'm dying to go and fight with Papa. And
 119 I can only stay home and knit, like a poky old woman!"
 120 
 121 And Jo shook the blue army sock till the needles rattled like
 122 castanets, and her ball bounded across the room.
 123 
 124 "Poor Jo!  It's too bad, but it can't be helped.  So you must try to be
 125 contented with making your name boyish, and playing brother to us
 126 girls," said Beth, stroking the rough head with a hand that all the
 127 dish washing and dusting in the world could not make ungentle in its
 128 touch.
 129 
 130 "As for you, Amy," continued Meg, "you are altogether too particular
 131 and prim.  Your airs are funny now, but you'll grow up an affected
 132 little goose, if you don't take care. I like your nice manners and
 133 refined ways of speaking, when you don't try to be elegant.  But your
 134 absurd words are as bad as Jo's slang."
 135 
 136 "If Jo is a tomboy and Amy a goose, what am I, please?" asked Beth,
 137 ready to share the lecture.
 138 
 139 "You're a dear, and nothing else," answered Meg warmly, and no one
 140 contradicted her, for the 'Mouse' was the pet of the family.
 141 
 142 As young readers like to know 'how people look', we will take this
 143 moment to give them a little sketch of the four sisters, who sat
 144 knitting away in the twilight, while the December snow fell quietly
 145 without, and the fire crackled cheerfully within.  It was a comfortable
 146 room, though the carpet was faded and the furniture very plain, for a
 147 good picture or two hung on the walls, books filled the recesses,
 148 chrysanthemums and Christmas roses bloomed in the windows, and a
 149 pleasant atmosphere of home peace pervaded it.
 150 
 151 Margaret, the eldest of the four, was sixteen, and very pretty, being
 152 plump and fair, with large eyes, plenty of soft brown hair, a sweet
 153 mouth, and white hands, of which she was rather vain. Fifteen-year-old
 154 Jo was very tall, thin, and brown, and reminded one of a colt, for she
 155 never seemed to know what to do with her long limbs, which were very
 156 much in her way.  She had a decided mouth, a comical nose, and sharp,
 157 gray eyes, which appeared to see everything, and were by turns fierce,
 158 funny, or thoughtful.  Her long, thick hair was her one beauty, but it
 159 was usually bundled into a net, to be out of her way.  Round shoulders
 160 had Jo, big hands and feet, a flyaway look to her clothes, and the
 161 uncomfortable appearance of a girl who was rapidly shooting up into a
 162 woman and didn't like it. Elizabeth, or Beth, as everyone called her,
 163 was a rosy, smooth-haired, bright-eyed girl of thirteen, with a shy
 164 manner, a timid voice, and a peaceful expression which was seldom
 165 disturbed.  Her father called her 'Little Miss Tranquility', and the
 166 name suited her excellently, for she seemed to live in a happy world of
 167 her own, only venturing out to meet the few whom she trusted and loved.
 168 Amy, though the youngest, was a most important person, in her own
 169 opinion at least.  A regular snow maiden, with blue eyes, and yellow
 170 hair curling on her shoulders, pale and slender, and always carrying
 171 herself like a young lady mindful of her manners.  What the characters
 172 of the four sisters were we will leave to be found out.
 173 
 174 The clock struck six and, having swept up the hearth, Beth put a pair
 175 of slippers down to warm.  Somehow the sight of the old shoes had a
 176 good effect upon the girls, for Mother was coming, and everyone
 177 brightened to welcome her.  Meg stopped lecturing, and lighted the
 178 lamp, Amy got out of the easy chair without being asked, and Jo forgot
 179 how tired she was as she sat up to hold the slippers nearer to the
 180 blaze.
 181 
 182 "They are quite worn out.  Marmee must have a new pair."
 183 
 184 "I thought I'd get her some with my dollar," said Beth.
 185 
 186 "No, I shall!" cried Amy.
 187 
 188 "I'm the oldest," began Meg, but Jo cut in with a decided, "I'm the man
 189 of the family now Papa is away, and I shall provide the slippers, for
 190 he told me to take special care of Mother while he was gone."
 191 
 192 "I'll tell you what we'll do," said Beth, "let's each get her something
 193 for Christmas, and not get anything for ourselves."
 194 
 195 "That's like you, dear!  What will we get?" exclaimed Jo.
 196 
 197 Everyone thought soberly for a minute, then Meg announced, as if the
 198 idea was suggested by the sight of her own pretty hands, "I shall give
 199 her a nice pair of gloves."
 200 
 201 "Army shoes, best to be had," cried Jo.
 202 
 203 "Some handkerchiefs, all hemmed," said Beth.
 204 
 205 "I'll get a little bottle of cologne.  She likes it, and it won't cost
 206 much, so I'll have some left to buy my pencils," added Amy.
 207 
 208 "How will we give the things?" asked Meg.
 209 
 210 "Put them on the table, and bring her in and see her open the bundles.
 211 Don't you remember how we used to do on our birthdays?" answered Jo.
 212 
 213 "I used to be so frightened when it was my turn to sit in the chair
 214 with the crown on, and see you all come marching round to give the
 215 presents, with a kiss.  I liked the things and the kisses, but it was
 216 dreadful to have you sit looking at me while I opened the bundles,"
 217 said Beth, who was toasting her face and the bread for tea at the same
 218 time.
 219 
 220 "Let Marmee think we are getting things for ourselves, and then
 221 surprise her.  We must go shopping tomorrow afternoon, Meg. There is so
 222 much to do about the play for Christmas night," said Jo, marching up
 223 and down, with her hands behind her back, and her nose in the air.
 224 
 225 "I don't mean to act any more after this time.  I'm getting too old for
 226 such things," observed Meg, who was as much a child as ever about
 227 'dressing-up' frolics.
 228 
 229 "You won't stop, I know, as long as you can trail round in a white gown
 230 with your hair down, and wear gold-paper jewelry. You are the best
 231 actress we've got, and there'll be an end of everything if you quit the
 232 boards," said Jo.  "We ought to rehearse tonight.  Come here, Amy, and
 233 do the fainting scene, for you are as stiff as a poker in that."
 234 
 235 "I can't help it.  I never saw anyone faint, and I don't choose to make
 236 myself all black and blue, tumbling flat as you do.  If I can go down
 237 easily, I'll drop.  If I can't, I shall fall into a chair and be
 238 graceful.  I don't care if Hugo does come at me with a pistol,"
 239 returned Amy, who was not gifted with dramatic power, but was chosen
 240 because she was small enough to be borne out shrieking by the villain
 241 of the piece.
 242 
 243 "Do it this way.  Clasp your hands so, and stagger across the room,
 244 crying frantically, 'Roderigo! Save me! Save me!'" and away went Jo,
 245 with a melodramatic scream which was truly thrilling.
 246 
 247 Amy followed, but she poked her hands out stiffly before her, and
 248 jerked herself along as if she went by machinery, and her "Ow!" was
 249 more suggestive of pins being run into her than of fear and anguish.
 250 Jo gave a despairing groan, and Meg laughed outright, while Beth let
 251 her bread burn as she watched the fun with interest. "It's no use!  Do
 252 the best you can when the time comes, and if the audience laughs, don't
 253 blame me.  Come on, Meg."
 254 
 255 Then things went smoothly, for Don Pedro defied the world in a speech
 256 of two pages without a single break.  Hagar, the witch, chanted an
 257 awful incantation over her kettleful of simmering toads, with weird
 258 effect.  Roderigo rent his chains asunder manfully, and Hugo died in
 259 agonies of remorse and arsenic, with a wild, "Ha! Ha!"
 260 
 261 "It's the best we've had yet," said Meg, as the dead villain sat up and
 262 rubbed his elbows.
 263 
 264 "I don't see how you can write and act such splendid things, Jo.
 265 You're a regular Shakespeare!" exclaimed Beth, who firmly believed that
 266 her sisters were gifted with wonderful genius in all things.
 267 
 268 "Not quite," replied Jo modestly.  "I do think _The Witches Curse, an
 269 Operatic Tragedy_ is rather a nice thing, but I'd like to try
 270 _Macbeth_, if we only had a trapdoor for Banquo.  I always wanted to do
 271 the killing part.  'Is that a dagger that I see before me?" muttered
 272 Jo, rolling her eyes and clutching at the air, as she had seen a famous
 273 tragedian do.
 274 
 275 "No, it's the toasting fork, with Mother's shoe on it instead of the
 276 bread.  Beth's stage-struck!" cried Meg, and the rehearsal ended in a
 277 general burst of laughter.
 278 
 279 "Glad to find you so merry, my girls," said a cheery voice at the door,
 280 and actors and audience turned to welcome a tall, motherly lady with a
 281 'can I help you' look about her which was truly delightful. She was not
 282 elegantly dressed, but a noble-looking woman, and the girls thought the
 283 gray cloak and unfashionable bonnet covered the most splendid mother in
 284 the world.
 285 
 286 "Well, dearies, how have you got on today?  There was so much to do,
 287 getting the boxes ready to go tomorrow, that I didn't come home to
 288 dinner.  Has anyone called, Beth?  How is your cold, Meg?  Jo, you look
 289 tired to death.  Come and kiss me, baby."
 290 
 291 While making these maternal inquiries Mrs. March got her wet things
 292 off, her warm slippers on, and sitting down in the easy chair, drew Amy
 293 to her lap, preparing to enjoy the happiest hour of her busy day.  The
 294 girls flew about, trying to make things comfortable, each in her own
 295 way.  Meg arranged the tea table, Jo brought wood and set chairs,
 296 dropping, over-turning, and clattering everything she touched.  Beth
 297 trotted to and fro between parlor kitchen, quiet and busy, while Amy
 298 gave directions to everyone, as she sat with her hands folded.
 299 
 300 As they gathered about the table, Mrs. March said, with a particularly
 301 happy face, "I've got a treat for you after supper."
 302 
 303 A quick, bright smile went round like a streak of sunshine. Beth
 304 clapped her hands, regardless of the biscuit she held, and Jo tossed up
 305 her napkin, crying, "A letter!  A letter!  Three cheers for Father!"
 306 
 307 "Yes, a nice long letter.  He is well, and thinks he shall get through
 308 the cold season better than we feared.  He sends all sorts of loving
 309 wishes for Christmas, and an especial message to you girls," said Mrs.
 310 March, patting her pocket as if she had got a treasure there.
 311 
 312 "Hurry and get done!  Don't stop to quirk your little finger and simper
 313 over your plate, Amy," cried Jo, choking on her tea and dropping her
 314 bread, butter side down, on the carpet in her haste to get at the treat.
 315 
 316 Beth ate no more, but crept away to sit in her shadowy corner and brood
 317 over the delight to come, till the others were ready.
 318 
 319 "I think it was so splendid in Father to go as chaplain when he was too
 320 old to be drafted, and not strong enough for a soldier," said Meg
 321 warmly.
 322 
 323 "Don't I wish I could go as a drummer, a vivan -- what's its name?  Or a
 324 nurse, so I could be near him and help him," exclaimed Jo, with a groan.
 325 
 326 "It must be very disagreeable to sleep in a tent, and eat all sorts of
 327 bad-tasting things, and drink out of a tin mug," sighed Amy.
 328 
 329 "When will he come home, Marmee?" asked Beth, with a little quiver in
 330 her voice.
 331 
 332 "Not for many months, dear, unless he is sick.  He will stay and do his
 333 work faithfully as long as he can, and we won't ask for him back a
 334 minute sooner than he can be spared.  Now come and hear the letter."
 335 
 336 They all drew to the fire, Mother in the big chair with Beth at her
 337 feet, Meg and Amy perched on either arm of the chair, and Jo leaning on
 338 the back, where no one would see any sign of emotion if the letter
 339 should happen to be touching.  Very few letters were written in those
 340 hard times that were not touching, especially those which fathers sent
 341 home.  In this one little was said of the hardships endured, the
 342 dangers faced, or the homesickness conquered. It was a cheerful,
 343 hopeful letter, full of lively descriptions of camp life, marches, and
 344 military news, and only at the end did the writer's heart over-flow
 345 with fatherly love and longing for the little girls at home.
 346 
 347 "Give them all of my dear love and a kiss.  Tell them I think of them
 348 by day, pray for them by night, and find my best comfort in their
 349 affection at all times.  A year seems very long to wait before I see
 350 them, but remind them that while we wait we may all work, so that these
 351 hard days need not be wasted.  I know they will remember all I said to
 352 them, that they will be loving children to you, will do their duty
 353 faithfully, fight their bosom enemies bravely, and conquer themselves
 354 so beautifully that when I come back to them I may be fonder and
 355 prouder than ever of my little women." Everybody sniffed when they came
 356 to that part.  Jo wasn't ashamed of the great tear that dropped off the
 357 end of her nose, and Amy never minded the rumpling of her curls as she
 358 hid her face on her mother's shoulder and sobbed out, "I am a selfish
 359 girl!  But I'll truly try to be better, so he mayn't be disappointed in
 360 me by-and-by."
 361 
 362 "We all will," cried Meg.  "I think too much of my looks and hate to
 363 work, but won't any more, if I can help it."
 364 
 365 "I'll try and be what he loves to call me, 'a little woman' and not be
 366 rough and wild, but do my duty here instead of wanting to be somewhere
 367 else," said Jo, thinking that keeping her temper at home was a much
 368 harder task than facing a rebel or two down South.
 369 
 370 Beth said nothing, but wiped away her tears with the blue army sock and
 371 began to knit with all her might, losing no time in doing the duty that
 372 lay nearest her, while she resolved in her quiet little soul to be all
 373 that Father hoped to find her when the year brought round the happy
 374 coming home.
 375 
 376 Mrs. March broke the silence that followed Jo's words, by saying in her
 377 cheery voice, "Do you remember how you used to play Pilgrims Progress
 378 when you were little things?  Nothing delighted you more than to have
 379 me tie my piece bags on your backs for burdens, give you hats and
 380 sticks and rolls of paper, and let you travel through the house from
 381 the cellar, which was the City of Destruction, up, up, to the housetop,
 382 where you had all the lovely things you could collect to make a
 383 Celestial City."
 384 
 385 "What fun it was, especially going by the lions, fighting Apollyon, and
 386 passing through the valley where the hob-goblins were," said Jo.
 387 
 388 "I liked the place where the bundles fell off and tumbled downstairs,"
 389 said Meg.
 390 
 391 "I don't remember much about it, except that I was afraid of the cellar
 392 and the dark entry, and always liked the cake and milk we had up at the
 393 top.  If I wasn't too old for such things, I'd rather like to play it
 394 over again," said Amy, who began to talk of renouncing childish things
 395 at the mature age of twelve.
 396 
 397 "We never are too old for this, my dear, because it is a play we are
 398 playing all the time in one way or another.  Our burdens are here, our
 399 road is before us, and the longing for goodness and happiness is the
 400 guide that leads us through many troubles and mistakes to the peace
 401 which is a true Celestial City.  Now, my little pilgrims, suppose you
 402 begin again, not in play, but in earnest, and see how far on you can
 403 get before Father comes home."
 404 
 405 "Really, Mother?  Where are our bundles?" asked Amy, who was a very
 406 literal young lady.
 407 
 408 "Each of you told what your burden was just now, except Beth. I rather
 409 think she hasn't got any," said her mother.
 410 
 411 "Yes, I have.  Mine is dishes and dusters, and envying girls with nice
 412 pianos, and being afraid of people."
 413 
 414 Beth's bundle was such a funny one that everybody wanted to laugh, but
 415 nobody did, for it would have hurt her feelings very much.
 416 
 417 "Let us do it," said Meg thoughtfully.  "It is only another name for
 418 trying to be good, and the story may help us, for though we do want to
 419 be good, it's hard work and we forget, and don't do our best."
 420 
 421 "We were in the Slough of Despond tonight, and Mother came and pulled
 422 us out as Help did in the book.  We ought to have our roll of
 423 directions, like Christian.  What shall we do about that?" asked Jo,
 424 delighted with the fancy which lent a little romance to the very dull
 425 task of doing her duty.
 426 
 427 "Look under your pillows Christmas morning, and you will find your
 428 guidebook," replied Mrs. March.
 429 
 430 They talked over the new plan while old Hannah cleared the table, then
 431 out came the four little work baskets, and the needles flew as the
 432 girls made sheets for Aunt March.  It was uninteresting sewing, but
 433 tonight no one grumbled.  They adopted Jo's plan of dividing the long
 434 seams into four parts, and calling the quarters Europe, Asia, Africa,
 435 and America, and in that way got on capitally, especially when they
 436 talked about the different countries as they stitched their way through
 437 them.
 438 
 439 At nine they stopped work, and sang, as usual, before they went to bed.
 440 No one but Beth could get much music out of the old piano, but she had
 441 a way of softly touching the yellow keys and making a pleasant
 442 accompaniment to the simple songs they sang.  Meg had a voice like a
 443 flute, and she and her mother led the little choir.  Amy chirped like a
 444 cricket, and Jo wandered through the airs at her own sweet will, always
 445 coming out at the wrong place with a croak or a quaver that spoiled the
 446 most pensive tune.  They had always done this from the time they could
 447 lisp...
 448 
 449     Crinkle, crinkle, 'ittle 'tar,
 450 
 451 and it had become a household custom, for the mother was a born singer.
 452 The first sound in the morning was her voice as she went about the
 453 house singing like a lark, and the last sound at night was the same
 454 cheery sound, for the girls never grew too old for that familiar
 455 lullaby.
 456 
 457 
 458 
 459 CHAPTER TWO
 460 
 461 A MERRY CHRISTMAS
 462 
 463 Jo was the first to wake in the gray dawn of Christmas morning. No
 464 stockings hung at the fireplace, and for a moment she felt as much
 465 disappointed as she did long ago, when her little sock fell down
 466 because it was crammed so full of goodies.  Then she remembered her
 467 mother's promise and, slipping her hand under her pillow, drew out a
 468 little crimson-covered book.  She knew it very well, for it was that
 469 beautiful old story of the best life ever lived, and Jo felt that it
 470 was a true guidebook for any pilgrim going on a long journey.  She woke
 471 Meg with a "Merry Christmas," and bade her see what was under her
 472 pillow.  A green-covered book appeared, with the same picture inside,
 473 and a few words written by their mother, which made their one present
 474 very precious in their eyes.  Presently Beth and Amy woke to rummage
 475 and find their little books also, one dove-colored, the other blue, and
 476 all sat looking at and talking about them, while the east grew rosy
 477 with the coming day.
 478 
 479 In spite of her small vanities, Margaret had a sweet and pious nature,
 480 which unconsciously influenced her sisters, especially Jo, who loved
 481 her very tenderly, and obeyed her because her advice was so gently
 482 given.
 483 
 484 "Girls," said Meg seriously, looking from the tumbled head beside her
 485 to the two little night-capped ones in the room beyond, "Mother wants
 486 us to read and love and mind these books, and we must begin at once.
 487 We used to be faithful about it, but since Father went away and all
 488 this war trouble unsettled us, we have neglected many things.  You can
 489 do as you please, but I shall keep my book on the table here and read a
 490 little every morning as soon as I wake, for I know it will do me good
 491 and help me through the day."
 492 
 493 Then she opened her new book and began to read.  Jo put her arm round
 494 her and, leaning cheek to cheek, read also, with the quiet expression
 495 so seldom seen on her restless face.
 496 
 497 "How good Meg is!  Come, Amy, let's do as they do.  I'll help you with
 498 the hard words, and they'll explain things if we don't understand,"
 499 whispered Beth, very much impressed by the pretty books and her
 500 sisters' example.
 501 
 502 "I'm glad mine is blue," said Amy.  and then the rooms were very still
 503 while the pages were softly turned, and the winter sunshine crept in to
 504 touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting.
 505 
 506 "Where is Mother?" asked Meg, as she and Jo ran down to thank her for
 507 their gifts, half an hour later.
 508 
 509 "Goodness only knows.  Some poor creeter came a-beggin', and your ma
 510 went straight off to see what was needed.  There never was such a woman
 511 for givin' away vittles and drink, clothes and firin'," replied Hannah,
 512 who had lived with the family since Meg was born, and was considered by
 513 them all more as a friend than a servant.
 514 
 515 "She will be back soon, I think, so fry your cakes, and have everything
 516 ready," said Meg, looking over the presents which were collected in a
 517 basket and kept under the sofa, ready to be produced at the proper
 518 time.  "Why, where is Amy's bottle of cologne?" she added, as the
 519 little flask did not appear.
 520 
 521 "She took it out a minute ago, and went off with it to put a ribbon on
 522 it, or some such notion," replied Jo, dancing about the room to take
 523 the first stiffness off the new army slippers.
 524 
 525 "How nice my handkerchiefs look, don't they?  Hannah washed and ironed
 526 them for me, and I marked them all myself," said Beth, looking proudly
 527 at the somewhat uneven letters which had cost her such labor.
 528 
 529 "Bless the child!  She's gone and put 'Mother' on them instead of 'M.
 530 March'.  How funny!" cried Jo, taking one up.
 531 
 532 "Isn't that right?  I thought it was better to do it so, because Meg's
 533 initials are M.M., and I don't want anyone to use these but Marmee,"
 534 said Beth, looking troubled.
 535 
 536 "It's all right, dear, and a very pretty idea, quite sensible too, for
 537 no one can ever mistake now.  It will please her very much, I know,"
 538 said Meg, with a frown for Jo and a smile for Beth.
 539 
 540 "There's Mother.  Hide the basket, quick!" cried Jo, as a door slammed
 541 and steps sounded in the hall.
 542 
 543 Amy came in hastily, and looked rather abashed when she saw her sisters
 544 all waiting for her.
 545 
 546 "Where have you been, and what are you hiding behind you?" asked Meg,
 547 surprised to see, by her hood and cloak, that lazy Amy had been out so
 548 early.
 549 
 550 "Don't laugh at me, Jo!  I didn't mean anyone should know till the time
 551 came.  I only meant to change the little bottle for a big one, and I
 552 gave all my money to get it, and I'm truly trying not to be selfish any
 553 more."
 554 
 555 As she spoke, Amy showed the handsome flask which replaced the cheap
 556 one, and looked so earnest and humble in her little effort to forget
 557 herself that Meg hugged her on the spot, and Jo pronounced her 'a
 558 trump', while Beth ran to the window, and picked her finest rose to
 559 ornament the stately bottle.
 560 
 561 "You see I felt ashamed of my present, after reading and talking about
 562 being good this morning, so I ran round the corner and changed it the
 563 minute I was up, and I'm so glad, for mine is the handsomest now."
 564 
 565 Another bang of the street door sent the basket under the sofa, and the
 566 girls to the table, eager for breakfast.
 567 
 568 "Merry Christmas, Marmee!  Many of them!  Thank you for our books.  We
 569 read some, and mean to every day," they all cried in chorus.
 570 
 571 "Merry Christmas, little daughters!  I'm glad you began at once, and
 572 hope you will keep on.  But I want to say one word before we sit down.
 573 Not far away from here lies a poor woman with a little newborn baby.
 574 Six children are huddled into one bed to keep from freezing, for they
 575 have no fire.  There is nothing to eat over there, and the oldest boy
 576 came to tell me they were suffering hunger and cold.  My girls, will
 577 you give them your breakfast as a Christmas present?"
 578 
 579 They were all unusually hungry, having waited nearly an hour, and for a
 580 minute no one spoke, only a minute, for Jo exclaimed impetuously, "I'm
 581 so glad you came before we began!"
 582 
 583 "May I go and help carry the things to the poor little children?" asked
 584 Beth eagerly.
 585 
 586 "I shall take the cream and the muffings," added Amy, heroically giving
 587 up the article she most liked.
 588 
 589 Meg was already covering the buckwheats, and piling the bread into one
 590 big plate.
 591 
 592 "I thought you'd do it," said Mrs. March, smiling as if satisfied. "You
 593 shall all go and help me, and when we come back we will have bread and
 594 milk for breakfast, and make it up at dinnertime."
 595 
 596 They were soon ready, and the procession set out.  Fortunately it was
 597 early, and they went through back streets, so few people saw them, and
 598 no one laughed at the queer party.
 599 
 600 A poor, bare, miserable room it was, with broken windows, no fire,
 601 ragged bedclothes, a sick mother, wailing baby, and a group of pale,
 602 hungry children cuddled under one old quilt, trying to keep warm.
 603 
 604 How the big eyes stared and the blue lips smiled as the girls went in.
 605 
 606 "Ach, mein Gott!  It is good angels come to us!" said the poor woman,
 607 crying for joy.
 608 
 609 "Funny angels in hoods and mittens," said Jo, and set them to laughing.
 610 
 611 In a few minutes it really did seem as if kind spirits had been at work
 612 there.  Hannah, who had carried wood, made a fire, and stopped up the
 613 broken panes with old hats and her own cloak.  Mrs. March gave the
 614 mother tea and gruel, and comforted her with promises of help, while
 615 she dressed the little baby as tenderly as if it had been her own.  The
 616 girls meantime spread the table, set the children round the fire, and
 617 fed them like so many hungry birds, laughing, talking, and trying to
 618 understand the funny broken English.
 619 
 620 "Das ist gut!"  "Die Engel-kinder!" cried the poor things as they ate
 621 and warmed their purple hands at the comfortable blaze. The girls had
 622 never been called angel children before, and thought it very agreeable,
 623 especially Jo, who had been considered a 'Sancho' ever since she was
 624 born.  That was a very happy breakfast, though they didn't get any of
 625 it.  And when they went away, leaving comfort behind, I think there
 626 were not in all the city four merrier people than the hungry little
 627 girls who gave away their breakfasts and contented themselves with
 628 bread and milk on Christmas morning.
 629 
 630 "That's loving our neighbor better than ourselves, and I like it," said
 631 Meg, as they set out their presents while their mother was upstairs
 632 collecting clothes for the poor Hummels.
 633 
 634 Not a very splendid show, but there was a great deal of love done up in
 635 the few little bundles, and the tall vase of red roses, white
 636 chrysanthemums, and trailing vines, which stood in the middle, gave
 637 quite an elegant air to the table.
 638 
 639 "She's coming!  Strike up, Beth!  Open the door, Amy!  Three cheers for
 640 Marmee!" cried Jo, prancing about while Meg went to conduct Mother to
 641 the seat of honor.
 642 
 643 Beth played her gayest march, Amy threw open the door, and Meg enacted
 644 escort with great dignity.  Mrs. March was both surprised and touched,
 645 and smiled with her eyes full as she examined her presents and read the
 646 little notes which accompanied them.  The slippers went on at once, a
 647 new handkerchief was slipped into her pocket, well scented with Amy's
 648 cologne, the rose was fastened in her bosom, and the nice gloves were
 649 pronounced a perfect fit.
 650 
 651 There was a good deal of laughing and kissing and explaining, in the
 652 simple, loving fashion which makes these home festivals so pleasant at
 653 the time, so sweet to remember long afterward, and then all fell to
 654 work.
 655 
 656 The morning charities and ceremonies took so much time that the rest of
 657 the day was devoted to preparations for the evening festivities.  Being
 658 still too young to go often to the theater, and not rich enough to
 659 afford any great outlay for private performances, the girls put their
 660 wits to work, and necessity being the mother of invention, made
 661 whatever they needed.  Very clever were some of their productions,
 662 pasteboard guitars, antique lamps made of old-fashioned butter boats
 663 covered with silver paper, gorgeous robes of old cotton, glittering
 664 with tin spangles from a pickle factory, and armor covered with the
 665 same useful diamond shaped bits left in sheets when the lids of
 666 preserve pots were cut out.  The big chamber was the scene of many
 667 innocent revels.
 668 
 669 No gentleman were admitted, so Jo played male parts to her heart's
 670 content and took immense satisfaction in a pair of russet leather boots
 671 given her by a friend, who knew a lady who knew an actor.  These boots,
 672 an old foil, and a slashed doublet once used by an artist for some
 673 picture, were Jo's chief treasures and appeared on all occasions.  The
 674 smallness of the company made it necessary for the two principal actors
 675 to take several parts apiece, and they certainly deserved some credit
 676 for the hard work they did in learning three or four different parts,
 677 whisking in and out of various costumes, and managing the stage
 678 besides.  It was excellent drill for their memories, a harmless
 679 amusement, and employed many hours which otherwise would have been
 680 idle, lonely, or spent in less profitable society.
 681 
 682 On Christmas night, a dozen girls piled onto the bed which was the
 683 dress circle, and sat before the blue and yellow chintz curtains in a
 684 most flattering state of expectancy.  There was a good deal of rustling
 685 and whispering behind the curtain, a trifle of lamp smoke, and an
 686 occasional giggle from Amy, who was apt to get hysterical in the
 687 excitement of the moment.  Presently a bell sounded, the curtains flew
 688 apart, and the _operatic tragedy_ began.
 689 
 690 "A gloomy wood," according to the one playbill, was represented by a
 691 few shrubs in pots, green baize on the floor, and a cave in the
 692 distance.  This cave was made with a clothes horse for a roof, bureaus
 693 for walls, and in it was a small furnace in full blast, with a black
 694 pot on it and an old witch bending over it.  The stage was dark and the
 695 glow of the furnace had a fine effect, especially as real steam issued
 696 from the kettle when the witch took off the cover.  A moment was
 697 allowed for the first thrill to subside, then Hugo, the villain,
 698 stalked in with a clanking sword at his side, a slouching hat, black
 699 beard, mysterious cloak, and the boots.  After pacing to and fro in
 700 much agitation, he struck his forehead, and burst out in a wild strain,
 701 singing of his hatred for Roderigo, his love for Zara, and his pleasing
 702 resolution to kill the one and win the other. The gruff tones of Hugo's
 703 voice, with an occasional shout when his feelings overcame him, were
 704 very impressive, and the audience applauded the moment he paused for
 705 breath.  Bowing with the air of one accustomed to public praise, he
 706 stole to the cavern and ordered Hagar to come forth with a commanding,
 707 "What ho, minion! I need thee!"
 708 
 709 Out came Meg, with gray horsehair hanging about her face, a red and
 710 black robe, a staff, and cabalistic signs upon her cloak.  Hugo
 711 demanded a potion to make Zara adore him, and one to destroy Roderigo.
 712 Hagar, in a fine dramatic melody, promised both, and proceeded to call
 713 up the spirit who would bring the love philter.
 714 
 715     Hither, hither, from thy home,
 716     Airy sprite, I bid thee come!
 717     Born of roses, fed on dew,
 718     Charms and potions canst thou brew?
 719     Bring me here, with elfin speed,
 720     The fragrant philter which I need.
 721     Make it sweet and swift and strong,
 722     Spirit, answer now my song!
 723 
 724 A soft strain of music sounded, and then at the back of the cave
 725 appeared a little figure in cloudy white, with glittering wings, golden
 726 hair, and a garland of roses on its head.  Waving a wand, it sang...
 727 
 728     Hither I come,
 729     From my airy home,
 730     Afar in the silver moon.
 731     Take the magic spell,
 732     And use it well,
 733     Or its power will vanish soon!
 734 
 735 And dropping a small, gilded bottle at the witch's feet, the spirit
 736 vanished.  Another chant from Hagar produced another apparition, not a
 737 lovely one, for with a bang an ugly black imp appeared and, having
 738 croaked a reply, tossed a dark bottle at Hugo and disappeared with a
 739 mocking laugh.  Having warbled his thanks and put the potions in his
 740 boots, Hugo departed, and Hagar informed the audience that as he had
 741 killed a few of her friends in times past, she had cursed him, and
 742 intends to thwart his plans, and be revenged on him.  Then the curtain
 743 fell, and the audience reposed and ate candy while discussing the
 744 merits of the play.
 745 
 746 A good deal of hammering went on before the curtain rose again, but
 747 when it became evident what a masterpiece of stage carpentery had been
 748 got up, no one murmured at the delay.  It was truly superb. A tower
 749 rose to the ceiling, halfway up appeared a window with a lamp burning
 750 in it, and behind the white curtain appeared Zara in a lovely blue and
 751 silver dress, waiting for Roderigo.  He came in gorgeous array, with
 752 plumed cap, red cloak, chestnut lovelocks, a guitar, and the boots, of
 753 course.  Kneeling at the foot of the tower, he sang a serenade in
 754 melting tones.  Zara replied and, after a musical dialogue, consented
 755 to fly.  Then came the grand effect of the play.  Roderigo produced a
 756 rope ladder, with five steps to it, threw up one end, and invited Zara
 757 to descend.  Timidly she crept from her lattice, put her hand on
 758 Roderigo's shoulder, and was about to leap gracefully down when "Alas!
 759 Alas for Zara!" she forgot her train.  It caught in the window, the
 760 tower tottered, leaned forward, fell with a crash, and buried the
 761 unhappy lovers in the ruins.
 762 
 763 A universal shriek arose as the russet boots waved wildly from the
 764 wreck and a golden head emerged, exclaiming, "I told you so!  I told
 765 you so!"  With wonderful presence of mind, Don Pedro, the cruel sire,
 766 rushed in, dragged out his daughter, with a hasty aside...
 767 
 768 "Don't laugh!  Act as if it was all right!" and, ordering Roderigo up,
 769 banished him from the kingdom with wrath and scorn. Though decidedly
 770 shaken by the fall from the tower upon him, Roderigo defied the old
 771 gentleman and refused to stir.  This dauntless example fired Zara.  She
 772 also defied her sire, and he ordered them both to the deepest dungeons
 773 of the castle.  A stout little retainer came in with chains and led
 774 them away, looking very much frightened and evidently forgetting the
 775 speech he ought to have made.
 776 
 777 Act third was the castle hall, and here Hagar appeared, having come to
 778 free the lovers and finish Hugo.  She hears him coming and hides, sees
 779 him put the potions into two cups of wine and bid the timid little
 780 servant, "Bear them to the captives in their cells, and tell them I
 781 shall come anon."  The servant takes Hugo aside to tell him something,
 782 and Hagar changes the cups for two others which are harmless.
 783 Ferdinando, the 'minion', carries them away, and Hagar puts back the
 784 cup which holds the poison meant for Roderigo. Hugo, getting thirsty
 785 after a long warble, drinks it, loses his wits, and after a good deal
 786 of clutching and stamping, falls flat and dies, while Hagar informs him
 787 what she has done in a song of exquisite power and melody.
 788 
 789 This was a truly thrilling scene, though some persons might have
 790 thought that the sudden tumbling down of a quantity of long red hair
 791 rather marred the effect of the villain's death.  He was called before
 792 the curtain, and with great propriety appeared, leading Hagar, whose
 793 singing was considered more wonderful than all the rest of the
 794 performance put together.
 795 
 796 Act fourth displayed the despairing Roderigo on the point of stabbing
 797 himself because he has been told that Zara has deserted him. Just as
 798 the dagger is at his heart, a lovely song is sung under his window,
 799 informing him that Zara is true but in danger, and he can save her if
 800 he will.  A key is thrown in, which unlocks the door, and in a spasm of
 801 rapture he tears off his chains and rushes away to find and rescue his
 802 lady love.
 803 
 804 Act fifth opened with a stormy scene between Zara and Don Pedro. He
 805 wishes her to go into a convent, but she won't hear of it, and after a
 806 touching appeal, is about to faint when Roderigo dashes in and demands
 807 her hand.  Don Pedro refuses, because he is not rich. They shout and
 808 gesticulate tremendously but cannot agree, and Rodrigo is about to bear
 809 away the exhausted Zara, when the timid servant enters with a letter
 810 and a bag from Hagar, who has mysteriously disappeared.  The latter
 811 informs the party that she bequeaths untold wealth to the young pair
 812 and an awful doom to Don Pedro, if he doesn't make them happy.  The bag
 813 is opened, and several quarts of tin money shower down upon the stage
 814 till it is quite glorified with the glitter.  This entirely softens the
 815 stern sire.  He consents without a murmur, all join in a joyful chorus,
 816 and the curtain falls upon the lovers kneeling to receive Don Pedro's
 817 blessing in attitudes of the most romantic grace.
 818 
 819 Tumultuous applause followed but received an unexpected check, for the
 820 cot bed, on which the dress circle was built, suddenly shut up and
 821 extinguished the enthusiastic audience.  Roderigo and Don Pedro flew to
 822 the rescue, and all were taken out unhurt, though many were speechless
 823 with laughter.  The excitement had hardly subsided when Hannah
 824 appeared, with "Mrs. March's compliments, and would the ladies walk
 825 down to supper."
 826 
 827 This was a surprise even to the actors, and when they saw the table,
 828 they looked at one another in rapturous amazement.  It was like Marmee
 829 to get up a little treat for them, but anything so fine as this was
 830 unheard of since the departed days of plenty.  There was ice cream,
 831 actually two dishes of it, pink and white, and cake and fruit and
 832 distracting French bonbons and, in the middle of the table, four great
 833 bouquets of hot house flowers.
 834 
 835 It quite took their breath away, and they stared first at the table and
 836 then at their mother, who looked as if she enjoyed it immensely.
 837 
 838 "Is it fairies?" asked Amy.
 839 
 840 "Santa Claus," said Beth.
 841 
 842 "Mother did it." And Meg smiled her sweetest, in spite of her gray
 843 beard and white eyebrows.
 844 
 845 "Aunt March had a good fit and sent the supper," cried Jo, with a
 846 sudden inspiration.
 847 
 848 "All wrong.  Old Mr. Laurence sent it," replied Mrs. March.
 849 
 850 "The Laurence boy's grandfather! What in the world put such a thing
 851 into his head?  We don't know him!" exclaimed Meg.
 852 
 853 "Hannah told one of his servants about your breakfast party. He is an
 854 odd old gentleman, but that pleased him.  He knew my father years ago,
 855 and he sent me a polite note this afternoon, saying he hoped I would
 856 allow him to express his friendly feeling toward my children by sending
 857 them a few trifles in honor of the day.  I could not refuse, and so you
 858 have a little feast at night to make up for the bread-and-milk
 859 breakfast."
 860 
 861 "That boy put it into his head, I know he did!  He's a capital fellow,
 862 and I wish we could get acquainted.  He looks as if he'd like to know
 863 us but he's bashful, and Meg is so prim she won't let me speak to him
 864 when we pass," said Jo, as the plates went round, and the ice began to
 865 melt out of sight, with ohs and ahs of satisfaction.
 866 
 867 "You mean the people who live in the big house next door, don't you?"
 868 asked one of the girls.  "My mother knows old Mr. Laurence, but says
 869 he's very proud and doesn't like to mix with his neighbors. He keeps
 870 his grandson shut up, when he isn't riding or walking with his tutor,
 871 and makes him study very hard.  We invited him to our party, but he
 872 didn't come.  Mother says he's very nice, though he never speaks to us
 873 girls."
 874 
 875 "Our cat ran away once, and he brought her back, and we talked over the
 876 fence, and were getting on capitally, all about cricket, and so on,
 877 when he saw Meg coming, and walked off.  I mean to know him some day,
 878 for he needs fun, I'm sure he does," said Jo decidedly.
 879 
 880 "I like his manners, and he looks like a little gentleman, so I've no
 881 objection to your knowing him, if a proper opportunity comes. He
 882 brought the flowers himself, and I should have asked him in, if I had
 883 been sure what was going on upstairs.  He looked so wistful as he went
 884 away, hearing the frolic and evidently having none of his own."
 885 
 886 "It's a mercy you didn't, Mother!" laughed Jo, looking at her boots.
 887 "But we'll have another play sometime that he can see.  Perhaps he'll
 888 help act.  Wouldn't that be jolly?"
 889 
 890 "I never had such a fine bouquet before!  How pretty it is!" And Meg
 891 examined her flowers with great interest.
 892 
 893 "They are lovely.  But Beth's roses are sweeter to me," said Mrs.
 894 March, smelling the half-dead posy in her belt.
 895 
 896 Beth nestled up to her, and whispered softly, "I wish I could send my
 897 bunch to Father.  I'm afraid he isn't having such a merry Christmas as
 898 we are."
 899 
 900 
 901 
 902 CHAPTER THREE
 903 
 904 THE LAURENCE BOY
 905 
 906 "Jo!  Jo!  Where are you?" cried Meg at the foot of the garret stairs.
 907 
 908 "Here!" answered a husky voice from above, and, running up, Meg found
 909 her sister eating apples and crying over the Heir of Redclyffe, wrapped
 910 up in a comforter on an old three-legged sofa by the sunny window.
 911 This was Jo's favorite refuge, and here she loved to retire with half a
 912 dozen russets and a nice book, to enjoy the quiet and the society of a
 913 pet rat who lived near by and didn't mind her a particle.  As Meg
 914 appeared, Scrabble whisked into his hole.  Jo shook the tears off her
 915 cheeks and waited to hear the news.
 916 
 917 "Such fun!  Only see!  A regular note of invitation from Mrs. Gardiner
 918 for tomorrow night!" cried Meg, waving the precious paper and then
 919 proceeding to read it with girlish delight.
 920 
 921 "'Mrs. Gardiner would be happy to see Miss March and Miss Josephine at
 922 a little dance on New Year's Eve.' Marmee is willing we should go, now
 923 what shall we wear?"
 924 
 925 "What's the use of asking that, when you know we shall wear our
 926 poplins, because we haven't got anything else?" answered Jo with her
 927 mouth full.
 928 
 929 "If I only had a silk!" sighed Meg.  "Mother says I may when I'm
 930 eighteen perhaps, but two years is an everlasting time to wait."
 931 
 932 "I'm sure our pops look like silk, and they are nice enough for us.
 933 Yours is as good as new, but I forgot the burn and the tear in mine.
 934 Whatever shall I do?  The burn shows badly, and I can't take any out."
 935 
 936 "You must sit still all you can and keep your back out of sight. The
 937 front is all right.  I shall have a new ribbon for my hair, and Marmee
 938 will lend me her little pearl pin, and my new slippers are lovely, and
 939 my gloves will do, though they aren't as nice as I'd like."
 940 
 941 "Mine are spoiled with lemonade, and I can't get any new ones, so I
 942 shall have to go without," said Jo, who never troubled herself much
 943 about dress.
 944 
 945 "You must have gloves, or I won't go," cried Meg decidedly. "Gloves are
 946 more important than anything else.  You can't dance without them, and
 947 if you don't I should be so mortified."
 948 
 949 "Then I'll stay still.  I don't care much for company dancing. It's no
 950 fun to go sailing round.  I like to fly about and cut capers."
 951 
 952 "You can't ask Mother for new ones, they are so expensive, and you are
 953 so careless.  She said when you spoiled the others that she shouldn't
 954 get you any more this winter.  Can't you make them do?"
 955 
 956 "I can hold them crumpled up in my hand, so no one will know how
 957 stained they are.  That's all I can do.  No!  I'll tell you how we can
 958 manage, each wear one good one and carry a bad one.  Don't you see?"
 959 
 960 "Your hands are bigger than mine, and you will stretch my glove
 961 dreadfully," began Meg, whose gloves were a tender point with her.
 962 
 963 "Then I'll go without.  I don't care what people say!" cried Jo, taking
 964 up her book.
 965 
 966 "You may have it, you may!  Only don't stain it, and do behave nicely.
 967 Don't put your hands behind you, or stare, or say 'Christopher
 968 Columbus!' will you?"
 969 
 970 "Don't worry about me.  I'll be as prim as I can and not get into any
 971 scrapes, if I can help it.  Now go and answer your note, and let me
 972 finish this splendid story."
 973 
 974 So Meg went away to 'accept with thanks', look over her dress, and sing
 975 blithely as she did up her one real lace frill, while Jo finished her
 976 story, her four apples, and had a game of romps with Scrabble.
 977 
 978 On New Year's Eve the parlor was deserted, for the two younger girls
 979 played dressing maids and the two elder were absorbed in the
 980 all-important business of 'getting ready for the party'.  Simple as the
 981 toilets were, there was a great deal of running up and down, laughing
 982 and talking, and at one time a strong smell of burned hair pervaded the
 983 house.  Meg wanted a few curls about her face, and Jo undertook to
 984 pinch the papered locks with a pair of hot tongs.
 985 
 986 "Ought they to smoke like that?" asked Beth from her perch on the bed.
 987 
 988 "It's the dampness drying," replied Jo.
 989 
 990 "What a queer smell!  It's like burned feathers," observed Amy,
 991 smoothing her own pretty curls with a superior air.
 992 
 993 "There, now I'll take off the papers and you'll see a cloud of little
 994 ringlets," said Jo, putting down the tongs.
 995 
 996 She did take off the papers, but no cloud of ringlets appeared, for the
 997 hair came with the papers, and the horrified hairdresser laid a row of
 998 little scorched bundles on the bureau before her victim.
 999 
1000 "Oh, oh, oh! What have you done?  I'm spoiled!  I can't go!  My hair,
1001 oh, my hair!" wailed Meg, looking with despair at the uneven frizzle on
1002 her forehead.
1003 
1004 "Just my luck!  You shouldn't have asked me to do it.  I always spoil
1005 everything.  I'm so sorry, but the tongs were too hot, and so I've made
1006 a mess," groaned poor Jo, regarding the little black pancakes with
1007 tears of regret.
1008 
1009 "It isn't spoiled.  Just frizzle it, and tie your ribbon so the ends
1010 come on your forehead a bit, and it will look like the last fashion.
1011 I've seen many girls do it so," said Amy consolingly.
1012 
1013 "Serves me right for trying to be fine.  I wish I'd let my hair alone,"
1014 cried Meg petulantly.
1015 
1016 "So do I, it was so smooth and pretty.  But it will soon grow out
1017 again," said Beth, coming to kiss and comfort the shorn sheep.
1018 
1019 After various lesser mishaps, Meg was finished at last, and by the
1020 united exertions of the entire family Jo's hair was got up and her
1021 dress on.  They looked very well in their simple suits, Meg's in
1022 silvery drab, with a blue velvet snood, lace frills, and the pearl pin.
1023 Jo in maroon, with a stiff, gentlemanly linen collar, and a white
1024 chrysanthemum or two for her only ornament. Each put on one nice light
1025 glove, and carried one soiled one, and all pronounced the effect "quite
1026 easy and fine".  Meg's high-heeled slippers were very tight and hurt
1027 her, though she would not own it, and Jo's nineteen hairpins all seemed
1028 stuck straight into her head, which was not exactly comfortable, but,
1029 dear me, let us be elegant or die.
1030 
1031 "Have a good time, dearies!" said Mrs. March, as the sisters went
1032 daintily down the walk.  "Don't eat much supper, and come away at
1033 eleven when I send Hannah for you."  As the gate clashed behind them, a
1034 voice cried from a window...
1035 
1036 "Girls, girls!  Have you you both got nice pocket handkerchiefs?"
1037 
1038 "Yes, yes, spandy nice, and Meg has cologne on hers," cried Jo, adding
1039 with a laugh as they went on, "I do believe Marmee would ask that if we
1040 were all running away from an earthquake."
1041 
1042 "It is one of her aristocratic tastes, and quite proper, for a real
1043 lady is always known by neat boots, gloves, and handkerchief," replied
1044 Meg, who had a good many little 'aristocratic tastes' of her own.
1045 
1046 "Now don't forget to keep the bad breadth out of sight, Jo. Is my sash
1047 right?  And does my hair look very bad?" said Meg, as she turned from
1048 the glass in Mrs. Gardiner's dressing room after a prolonged prink.
1049 
1050 "I know I shall forget.  If you see me doing anything wrong, just
1051 remind me by a wink, will you?" returned Jo, giving her collar a twitch
1052 and her head a hasty brush.
1053 
1054 "No, winking isn't ladylike.  I'll lift my eyebrows if any thing is
1055 wrong, and nod if you are all right.  Now hold your shoulder straight,
1056 and take short steps, and don't shake hands if you are introduced to
1057 anyone.  It isn't the thing."
1058 
1059 "How do you learn all the proper ways?  I never can.  Isn't that music
1060 gay?"
1061 
1062 Down they went, feeling a trifle timid, for they seldom went to
1063 parties, and informal as this little gathering was, it was an event to
1064 them.  Mrs. Gardiner, a stately old lady, greeted them kindly and
1065 handed them over to the eldest of her six daughters. Meg knew Sallie
1066 and was at her ease very soon, but Jo, who didn't care much for girls
1067 or girlish gossip, stood about, with her back carefully against the
1068 wall, and felt as much out of place as a colt in a flower garden.  Half
1069 a dozen jovial lads were talking about skates in another part of the
1070 room, and she longed to go and join them, for skating was one of the
1071 joys of her life.  She telegraphed her wish to Meg, but the eyebrows
1072 went up so alarmingly that she dared not stir.  No one came to talk to
1073 her, and one by one the group dwindled away till she was left alone.
1074 She could not roam about and amuse herself, for the burned breadth
1075 would show, so she stared at people rather forlornly till the dancing
1076 began.  Meg was asked at once, and the tight slippers tripped about so
1077 briskly that none would have guessed the pain their wearer suffered
1078 smilingly.  Jo saw a big red headed youth approaching her corner, and
1079 fearing he meant to engage her, she slipped into a curtained recess,
1080 intending to peep and enjoy herself in peace.  Unfortunately, another
1081 bashful person had chosen the same refuge, for, as the curtain fell
1082 behind her, she found herself face to face with the 'Laurence boy'.
1083 
1084 "Dear me, I didn't know anyone was here!" stammered Jo, preparing to
1085 back out as speedily as she had bounced in.
1086 
1087 But the boy laughed and said pleasantly, though he looked a little
1088 startled, "Don't mind me, stay if you like."
1089 
1090 "Shan't I disturb you?"
1091 
1092 "Not a bit.  I only came here because I don't know many people and felt
1093 rather strange at first, you know."
1094 
1095 "So did I.  Don't go away, please, unless you'd rather."
1096 
1097 The boy sat down again and looked at his pumps, till Jo said, trying to
1098 be polite and easy, "I think I've had the pleasure of seeing you
1099 before.  You live near us, don't you?"
1100 
1101 "Next door."  And he looked up and laughed outright, for Jo's prim
1102 manner was rather funny when he remembered how they had chatted about
1103 cricket when he brought the cat home.
1104 
1105 That put Jo at her ease and she laughed too, as she said, in her
1106 heartiest way, "We did have such a good time over your nice Christmas
1107 present."
1108 
1109 "Grandpa sent it."
1110 
1111 "But you put it into his head, didn't you, now?"
1112 
1113 "How is your cat, Miss March?" asked the boy, trying to look sober
1114 while his black eyes shone with fun.
1115 
1116 "Nicely, thank you, Mr. Laurence.  But I am not Miss March, I'm only
1117 Jo," returned the young lady.
1118 
1119 "I'm not Mr. Laurence, I'm only Laurie."
1120 
1121 "Laurie Laurence, what an odd name."
1122 
1123 "My first name is Theodore, but I don't like it, for the fellows called
1124 me Dora, so I made them say Laurie instead."
1125 
1126 "I hate my name, too, so sentimental!  I wish every one would say Jo
1127 instead of Josephine.  How did you make the boys stop calling you Dora?"
1128 
1129 "I thrashed 'em."
1130 
1131 "I can't thrash Aunt March, so I suppose I shall have to bear it."  And
1132 Jo resigned herself with a sigh.
1133 
1134 "Don't you like to dance, Miss Jo?" asked Laurie, looking as if he
1135 thought the name suited her.
1136 
1137 "I like it well enough if there is plenty of room, and everyone is
1138 lively.  In a place like this I'm sure to upset something, tread on
1139 people's toes, or do something dreadful, so I keep out of mischief and
1140 let Meg sail about.  Don't you dance?"
1141 
1142 "Sometimes.  You see I've been abroad a good many years, and haven't
1143 been into company enough yet to know how you do things here."
1144 
1145 "Abroad!" cried Jo.  "Oh, tell me about it!  I love dearly to hear
1146 people describe their travels."
1147 
1148 Laurie didn't seem to know where to begin, but Jo's eager questions
1149 soon set him going, and he told her how he had been at school in Vevay,
1150 where the boys never wore hats and had a fleet of boats on the lake,
1151 and for holiday fun went on walking trips about Switzerland with their
1152 teachers.
1153 
1154 "Don't I wish I'd been there!" cried Jo.  "Did you go to Paris?"
1155 
1156 "We spent last winter there."
1157 
1158 "Can you talk French?"
1159 
1160 "We were not allowed to speak anything else at Vevay."
1161 
1162 "Do say some!  I can read it, but can't pronounce."
1163 
1164 "Quel nom a cette jeune demoiselle en les pantoufles jolis?"
1165 
1166 "How nicely you do it!  Let me see ... you said, 'Who is the young lady
1167 in the pretty slippers', didn't you?"
1168 
1169 "Oui, mademoiselle."
1170 
1171 "It's my sister Margaret, and you knew it was!  Do you think she is
1172 pretty?"
1173 
1174 "Yes, she makes me think of the German girls, she looks so fresh and
1175 quiet, and dances like a lady."
1176 
1177 Jo quite glowed with pleasure at this boyish praise of her sister, and
1178 stored it up to repeat to Meg.  Both peeped and criticized and chatted
1179 till they felt like old acquaintances.  Laurie's bashfulness soon wore
1180 off, for Jo's gentlemanly demeanor amused and set him at his ease, and
1181 Jo was her merry self again, because her dress was forgotten and nobody
1182 lifted their eyebrows at her.  She liked the 'Laurence boy' better than
1183 ever and took several good looks at him, so that she might describe him
1184 to the girls, for they had no brothers, very few male cousins, and boys
1185 were almost unknown creatures to them.
1186 
1187 "Curly black hair, brown skin, big black eyes, handsome nose, fine
1188 teeth, small hands and feet, taller than I am, very polite, for a boy,
1189 and altogether jolly.  Wonder how old he is?"
1190 
1191 It was on the tip of Jo's tongue to ask, but she checked herself in
1192 time and, with unusual tact, tried to find out in a round-about way.
1193 
1194 "I suppose you are going to college soon?  I see you pegging away at
1195 your books, no, I mean studying hard."  And Jo blushed at the dreadful
1196 'pegging' which had escaped her.
1197 
1198 Laurie smiled but didn't seem shocked, and answered with a shrug.  "Not
1199 for a year or two.  I won't go before seventeen, anyway."
1200 
1201 "Aren't you but fifteen?" asked Jo, looking at the tall lad, whom she
1202 had imagined seventeen already.
1203 
1204 "Sixteen, next month."
1205 
1206 "How I wish I was going to college!  You don't look as if you liked it."
1207 
1208 "I hate it!  Nothing but grinding or skylarking.  And I don't like the
1209 way fellows do either, in this country."
1210 
1211 "What do you like?"
1212 
1213 "To live in Italy, and to enjoy myself in my own way."
1214 
1215 Jo wanted very much to ask what his own way was, but his black brows
1216 looked rather threatening as he knit them, so she changed the subject
1217 by saying, as her foot kept time, "That's a splendid polka!  Why don't
1218 you go and try it?"
1219 
1220 "If you will come too," he answered, with a gallant little bow.
1221 
1222 "I can't, for I told Meg I wouldn't, because..." There Jo stopped, and
1223 looked undecided whether to tell or to laugh.
1224 
1225 "Because, what?"
1226 
1227 "You won't tell?"
1228 
1229 "Never!"
1230 
1231 "Well, I have a bad trick of standing before the fire, and so I burn my
1232 frocks, and I scorched this one, and though it's nicely mended, it
1233 shows, and Meg told me to keep still so no one would see it.  You may
1234 laugh, if you want to.  It is funny, I know."
1235 
1236 But Laurie didn't laugh.  He only looked down a minute, and the
1237 expression of his face puzzled Jo when he said very gently, "Never mind
1238 that.  I'll tell you how we can manage.  There's a long hall out there,
1239 and we can dance grandly, and no one will see us. Please come."
1240 
1241 Jo thanked him and gladly went, wishing she had two neat gloves when
1242 she saw the nice, pearl-colored ones her partner wore.  The hall was
1243 empty, and they had a grand polka, for Laurie danced well, and taught
1244 her the German step, which delighted Jo, being full of swing and
1245 spring.  When the music stopped, they sat down on the stairs to get
1246 their breath, and Laurie was in the midst of an account of a students'
1247 festival at Heidelberg when Meg appeared in search of her sister.  She
1248 beckoned, and Jo reluctantly followed her into a side room, where she
1249 found her on a sofa, holding her foot, and looking pale.
1250 
1251 "I've sprained my ankle.  That stupid high heel turned and gave me a
1252 sad wrench.  It aches so, I can hardly stand, and I don't know how I'm
1253 ever going to get home," she said, rocking to and fro in pain.
1254 
1255 "I knew you'd hurt your feet with those silly shoes.  I'm sorry.  But I
1256 don't see what you can do, except get a carriage, or stay here all
1257 night," answered Jo, softly rubbing the poor ankle as she spoke.
1258 
1259 "I can't have a carriage without its costing ever so much.  I dare say
1260 I can't get one at all, for most people come in their own, and it's a
1261 long way to the stable, and no one to send."
1262 
1263 "I'll go."
1264 
1265 "No, indeed!  It's past nine, and dark as Egypt.  I can't stop here,
1266 for the house is full.  Sallie has some girls staying with her. I'll
1267 rest till Hannah comes, and then do the best I can."
1268 
1269 "I'll ask Laurie.  He will go," said Jo, looking relieved as the idea
1270 occurred to her.
1271 
1272 "Mercy, no!  Don't ask or tell anyone.  Get me my rubbers, and put
1273 these slippers with our things.  I can't dance anymore, but as soon as
1274 supper is over, watch for Hannah and tell me the minute she comes."
1275 
1276 "They are going out to supper now.  I'll stay with you.  I'd rather."
1277 
1278 "No, dear, run along, and bring me some coffee.  I'm so tired I can't
1279 stir."
1280 
1281 So Meg reclined, with rubbers well hidden, and Jo went blundering away
1282 to the dining room, which she found after going into a china closet,
1283 and opening the door of a room where old Mr. Gardiner was taking a
1284 little private refreshment.  Making a dart at the table, she secured
1285 the coffee, which she immediately spilled, thereby making the front of
1286 her dress as bad as the back.
1287 
1288 "Oh, dear, what a blunderbuss I am!" exclaimed Jo, finishing Meg's
1289 glove by scrubbing her gown with it.
1290 
1291 "Can I help you?" said a friendly voice.  And there was Laurie, with a
1292 full cup in one hand and a plate of ice in the other.
1293 
1294 "I was trying to get something for Meg, who is very tired, and someone
1295 shook me, and here I am in a nice state," answered Jo, glancing
1296 dismally from the stained skirt to the coffee-colored glove.
1297 
1298 "Too bad!   I was looking for someone to give this to.  May I take it
1299 to your sister?"
1300 
1301 "Oh, thank you!  I'll show you where she is.  I don't offer to take it
1302 myself, for I should only get into another scrape if I did."
1303 
1304 Jo led the way, and as if used to waiting on ladies, Laurie drew up a
1305 little table, brought a second installment of coffee and ice for Jo,
1306 and was so obliging that even particular Meg pronounced him a 'nice
1307 boy'.  They had a merry time over the bonbons and mottoes, and were in
1308 the midst of a quiet game of _Buzz_, with two or three other young
1309 people who had strayed in, when Hannah appeared.  Meg forgot her foot
1310 and rose so quickly that she was forced to catch hold of Jo, with an
1311 exclamation of pain.
1312 
1313 "Hush!  Don't say anything," she whispered, adding aloud, "It's
1314 nothing.  I turned my foot a little, that's all," and limped upstairs
1315 to put her things on.
1316 
1317 Hannah scolded, Meg cried, and Jo was at her wits' end, till she
1318 decided to take things into her own hands.  Slipping out, she ran down
1319 and, finding a servant, asked if he could get her a carriage. It
1320 happened to be a hired waiter who knew nothing about the neighborhood
1321 and Jo was looking round for help when Laurie, who had heard what she
1322 said, came up and offered his grandfather's carriage, which had just
1323 come for him, he said.
1324 
1325 "It's so early!  You can't mean to go yet?" began Jo, looking relieved
1326 but hesitating to accept the offer.
1327 
1328 "I always go early, I do, truly!  Please let me take you home. It's all
1329 on my way, you know, and it rains, they say."
1330 
1331 That settled it, and telling him of Meg's mishap, Jo gratefully
1332 accepted and rushed up to bring down the rest of the party.  Hannah
1333 hated rain as much as a cat does so she made no trouble, and they
1334 rolled away in the luxurious close carriage, feeling very festive and
1335 elegant.  Laurie went on the box so Meg could keep her foot up, and the
1336 girls talked over their party in freedom.
1337 
1338 "I had a capital time.  Did you?" asked Jo, rumpling up her hair, and
1339 making herself comfortable.
1340 
1341 "Yes, till I hurt myself.  Sallie's friend, Annie Moffat, took a fancy
1342 to me, and asked me to come and spend a week with her when Sallie does.
1343 She is going in the spring when the opera comes, and it will be
1344 perfectly splendid, if Mother only lets me go," answered Meg, cheering
1345 up at the thought.
1346 
1347 "I saw you dancing with the red headed man I ran away from.  Was he
1348 nice?"
1349 
1350 "Oh, very!  His hair is auburn, not red, and he was very polite, and I
1351 had a delicious redowa with him."
1352 
1353 "He looked like a grasshopper in a fit when he did the new step. Laurie
1354 and I couldn't help laughing.  Did you hear us?"
1355 
1356 "No, but it was very rude.  What were you about all that time, hidden
1357 away there?"
1358 
1359 Jo told her adventures, and by the time she had finished they were at
1360 home.  With many thanks, they said good night and crept in, hoping to
1361 disturb no one, but the instant their door creaked, two little
1362 nightcaps bobbed up, and two sleepy but eager voices cried out...
1363 
1364 "Tell about the party!  Tell about the party!"
1365 
1366 With what Meg called 'a great want of manners' Jo had saved some
1367 bonbons for the little girls, and they soon subsided, after hearing the
1368 most thrilling events of the evening.
1369 
1370 "I declare, it really seems like being a fine young lady, to come home
1371 from the party in a carriage and sit in my dressing gown with a maid to
1372 wait on me," said Meg, as Jo bound up her foot with arnica and brushed
1373 her hair.
1374 
1375 "I don't believe fine young ladies enjoy themselves a bit more than we
1376 do, in spite of our burned hair, old gowns, one glove apiece and tight
1377 slippers that sprain our ankles when we are silly enough to wear them."
1378 And I think Jo was quite right.
1379 
1380 
1381 
1382 CHAPTER FOUR
1383 
1384 BURDENS
1385 
1386 "Oh, dear, how hard it does seem to take up our packs and go on,"
1387 sighed Meg the morning after the party, for now the holidays were over,
1388 the week of merrymaking did not fit her for going on easily with the
1389 task she never liked.
1390 
1391 "I wish it was Christmas or New Year's all the time. Wouldn't it be
1392 fun?" answered Jo, yawning dismally.
1393 
1394 "We shouldn't enjoy ourselves half so much as we do now. But it does
1395 seem so nice to have little suppers and bouquets, and go to parties,
1396 and drive home, and read and rest, and not work.  It's like other
1397 people, you know, and I always envy girls who do such things, I'm so
1398 fond of luxury," said Meg, trying to decide which of two shabby gowns
1399 was the least shabby.
1400 
1401 "Well, we can't have it, so don't let us grumble but shoulder our
1402 bundles and trudge along as cheerfully as Marmee does.  I'm sure Aunt
1403 March is a regular Old Man of the Sea to me, but I suppose when I've
1404 learned to carry her without complaining, she will tumble off, or get
1405 so light that I shan't mind her."
1406 
1407 This idea tickled Jo's fancy and put her in good spirits, but Meg
1408 didn't brighten, for her burden, consisting of four spoiled children,
1409 seemed heavier than ever. She had not heart enough even to make herself
1410 pretty as usual by putting on a blue neck ribbon and dressing her hair
1411 in the most becoming way.
1412 
1413 "Where's the use of looking nice, when no one sees me but those cross
1414 midgets, and no one cares whether I'm pretty or not?" she muttered,
1415 shutting her drawer with a jerk.  "I shall have to toil and moil all my
1416 days, with only little bits of fun now and then, and get old and ugly
1417 and sour, because I'm poor and can't enjoy my life as other girls do.
1418 It's a shame!"
1419 
1420 So Meg went down, wearing an injured look, and wasn't at all agreeable
1421 at breakfast time.  Everyone seemed rather out of sorts and inclined to
1422 croak.
1423 
1424 Beth had a headache and lay on the sofa, trying to comfort herself with
1425 the cat and three kittens.  Amy was fretting because her lessons were
1426 not learned, and she couldn't find her rubbers.  Jo would whistle and
1427 make a great racket getting ready.
1428 
1429 Mrs. March was very busy trying to finish a letter, which must go at
1430 once, and Hannah had the grumps, for being up late didn't suit her.
1431 
1432 "There never was such a cross family!" cried Jo, losing her temper when
1433 she had upset an inkstand, broken both boot lacings, and sat down upon
1434 her hat.
1435 
1436 "You're the crossest person in it!" returned Amy, washing out the sum
1437 that was all wrong with the tears that had fallen on her slate.
1438 
1439 "Beth, if you don't keep these horrid cats down cellar I'll have them
1440 drowned," exclaimed Meg angrily as she tried to get rid of the kitten
1441 which had scrambled up her back and stuck like a burr just out of reach.
1442 
1443 Jo laughed, Meg scolded, Beth implored, and Amy wailed because she
1444 couldn't remember how much nine times twelve was.
1445 
1446 "Girls, girls, do be quiet one minute!  I must get this off by the
1447 early mail, and you drive me distracted with your worry," cried Mrs.
1448 March, crossing out the third spoiled sentence in her letter.
1449 
1450 There was a momentary lull, broken by Hannah, who stalked in, laid two
1451 hot turnovers on the table, and stalked out again. These turnovers were
1452 an institution, and the girls called them 'muffs', for they had no
1453 others and found the hot pies very comforting to their hands on cold
1454 mornings.
1455 
1456 Hannah never forgot to make them, no matter how busy or grumpy she
1457 might be, for the walk was long and bleak. The poor things got no other
1458 lunch and were seldom home before two.
1459 
1460 "Cuddle your cats and get over your headache, Bethy. Goodbye, Marmee.
1461 We are a set of rascals this morning, but we'll come home regular
1462 angels.  Now then, Meg!"  And Jo tramped away, feeling that the
1463 pilgrims were not setting out as they ought to do.
1464 
1465 They always looked back before turning the corner, for their mother was
1466 always at the window to nod and smile, and wave her hand to them.
1467 Somehow it seemed as if they couldn't have got through the day without
1468 that, for whatever their mood might be, the last glimpse of that
1469 motherly face was sure to affect them like sunshine.
1470 
1471 "If Marmee shook her fist instead of kissing her hand to us, it would
1472 serve us right, for more ungrateful wretches than we are were never
1473 seen," cried Jo, taking a remorseful satisfaction in the snowy walk and
1474 bitter wind.
1475 
1476 "Don't use such dreadful expressions," replied Meg from the depths of
1477 the veil in which she had shrouded herself like a nun sick of the world.
1478 
1479 "I like good strong words that mean something," replied Jo, catching
1480 her hat as it took a leap off her head preparatory to flying away
1481 altogether.
1482 
1483 "Call yourself any names you like, but I am neither a rascal nor a
1484 wretch and I don't choose to be called so."
1485 
1486 "You're a blighted being, and decidedly cross today because you can't
1487 sit in the lap of luxury all the time.  Poor dear, just wait till I
1488 make my fortune, and you shall revel in carriages and ice cream and
1489 high-heeled slippers, and posies, and red-headed boys to dance with."
1490 
1491 "How ridiculous you are, Jo!"  But Meg laughed at the nonsense and felt
1492 better in spite of herself.
1493 
1494 "Lucky for you I am, for if I put on crushed airs and tried to be
1495 dismal, as you do, we should be in a nice state. Thank goodness, I can
1496 always find something funny to keep me up.  Don't croak any more, but
1497 come home jolly, there's a dear."
1498 
1499 Jo gave her sister an encouraging pat on the shoulder as they parted
1500 for the day, each going a different way, each hugging her little warm
1501 turnover, and each trying to be cheerful in spite of wintry weather,
1502 hard work, and the unsatisfied desires of pleasure-loving youth.
1503 
1504 When Mr. March lost his property in trying to help an unfortunate
1505 friend, the two oldest girls begged to be allowed to do something
1506 toward their own support, at least.  Believing that they could not
1507 begin too early to cultivate energy, industry, and independence, their
1508 parents consented, and both fell to work with the hearty good will
1509 which in spite of all obstacles is sure to succeed at last.
1510 
1511 Margaret found a place as nursery governess and felt rich with her
1512 small salary.  As she said, she was 'fond of luxury', and her chief
1513 trouble was poverty.  She found it harder to bear than the others
1514 because she could remember a time when home was beautiful, life full of
1515 ease and pleasure, and want of any kind unknown.  She tried not to be
1516 envious or discontented, but it was very natural that the young girl
1517 should long for pretty things, gay friends, accomplishments, and a
1518 happy life.  At the Kings' she daily saw all she wanted, for the
1519 children's older sisters were just out, and Meg caught frequent
1520 glimpses of dainty ball dresses and bouquets, heard lively gossip about
1521 theaters, concerts, sleighing parties, and merrymakings of all kinds,
1522 and saw money lavished on trifles which would have been so precious to
1523 her.  Poor Meg seldom complained, but a sense of injustice made her
1524 feel bitter toward everyone sometimes, for she had not yet learned to
1525 know how rich she was in the blessings which alone can make life happy.
1526 
1527 Jo happened to suit Aunt March, who was lame and needed an active
1528 person to wait upon her.  The childless old lady had offered to adopt
1529 one of the girls when the troubles came, and was much offended because
1530 her offer was declined.  Other friends told the Marches that they had
1531 lost all chance of being remembered in the rich old lady's will, but
1532 the unworldly Marches only said...
1533 
1534 "We can't give up our girls for a dozen fortunes.  Rich or poor, we
1535 will keep together and be happy in one another."
1536 
1537 The old lady wouldn't speak to them for a time, but happening to meet
1538 Jo at a friend's, something in her comical face and blunt manners
1539 struck the old lady's fancy, and she proposed to take her for a
1540 companion.  This did not suit Jo at all, but she accepted the place
1541 since nothing better appeared and, to every one's surprise, got on
1542 remarkably well with her irascible relative.  There was an occasional
1543 tempest, and once Jo marched home, declaring she couldn't bear it
1544 longer, but Aunt March always cleared up quickly, and sent for her to
1545 come back again with such urgency that she could not refuse, for in her
1546 heart she rather liked the peppery old lady.
1547 
1548 I suspect that the real attraction was a large library of fine books,
1549 which was left to dust and spiders since Uncle March died.  Jo
1550 remembered the kind old gentleman, who used to let her build railroads
1551 and bridges with his big dictionaries, tell her stories about queer
1552 pictures in his Latin books, and buy her cards of gingerbread whenever
1553 he met her in the street.  The dim, dusty room, with the busts staring
1554 down from the tall bookcases, the cozy chairs, the globes, and best of
1555 all, the wilderness of books in which she could wander where she liked,
1556 made the library a region of bliss to her.
1557 
1558 The moment Aunt March took her nap, or was busy with company, Jo
1559 hurried to this quiet place, and curling herself up in the easy chair,
1560 devoured poetry, romance, history, travels, and pictures like a regular
1561 bookworm.  But, like all happiness, it did not last long, for as sure
1562 as she had just reached the heart of the story, the sweetest verse of a
1563 song, or the most perilous adventure of her traveler, a shrill voice
1564 called, "Josy-phine! Josy-phine!" and she had to leave her paradise to
1565 wind yarn, wash the poodle, or read Belsham's Essays by the hour
1566 together.
1567 
1568 Jo's ambition was to do something very splendid.  What it was, she had
1569 no idea as yet, but left it for time to tell her, and meanwhile, found
1570 her greatest affliction in the fact that she couldn't read, run, and
1571 ride as much as she liked.  A quick temper, sharp tongue, and restless
1572 spirit were always getting her into scrapes, and her life was a series
1573 of ups and downs, which were both comic and pathetic. But the training
1574 she received at Aunt March's was just what she needed, and the thought
1575 that she was doing something to support herself made her happy in spite
1576 of the perpetual "Josy-phine!"
1577 
1578 Beth was too bashful to go to school.  It had been tried, but she
1579 suffered so much that it was given up, and she did her lessons at home
1580 with her father.  Even when he went away, and her mother was called to
1581 devote her skill and energy to Soldiers' Aid Societies, Beth went
1582 faithfully on by herself and did the best she could.  She was a
1583 housewifely little creature, and helped Hannah keep home neat and
1584 comfortable for the workers, never thinking of any reward but to be
1585 loved.  Long, quiet days she spent, not lonely nor idle, for her little
1586 world was peopled with imaginary friends, and she was by nature a busy
1587 bee.  There were six dolls to be taken up and dressed every morning,
1588 for Beth was a child still and loved her pets as well as ever.  Not one
1589 whole or handsome one among them, all were outcasts till Beth took them
1590 in, for when her sisters outgrew these idols, they passed to her
1591 because Amy would have nothing old or ugly. Beth cherished them all the
1592 more tenderly for that very reason, and set up a hospital for infirm
1593 dolls.  No pins were ever stuck into their cotton vitals, no harsh
1594 words or blows were ever given them, no neglect ever saddened the heart
1595 of the most repulsive, but all were fed and clothed, nursed and
1596 caressed with an affection which never failed. One forlorn fragment of
1597 dollanity had belonged to Jo and, having led a tempestuous life, was
1598 left a wreck in the rag bag, from which dreary poorhouse it was rescued
1599 by Beth and taken to her refuge.  Having no top to its head, she tied
1600 on a neat little cap, and as both arms and legs were gone, she hid
1601 these deficiencies by folding it in a blanket and devoting her best bed
1602 to this chronic invalid.  If anyone had known the care lavished on that
1603 dolly, I think it would have touched their hearts, even while they
1604 laughed. She brought it bits of bouquets, she read to it, took it out
1605 to breathe fresh air, hidden under her coat, she sang it lullabies and
1606 never went to bed without kissing its dirty face and whispering
1607 tenderly, "I hope you'll have a good night, my poor dear."
1608 
1609 Beth had her troubles as well as the others, and not being an angel but
1610 a very human little girl, she often 'wept a little weep' as Jo said,
1611 because she couldn't take music lessons and have a fine piano.  She
1612 loved music so dearly, tried so hard to learn, and practiced away so
1613 patiently at the jingling old instrument, that it did seem as if
1614 someone (not to hint Aunt March) ought to help her.  Nobody did,
1615 however, and nobody saw Beth wipe the tears off the yellow keys, that
1616 wouldn't keep in tune, when she was all alone. She sang like a little
1617 lark about her work, never was too tired for Marmee and the girls, and
1618 day after day said hopefully to herself, "I know I'll get my music some
1619 time, if I'm good."
1620 
1621 There are many Beths in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners
1622 till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the
1623 sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and
1624 the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow
1625 behind.
1626 
1627 If anybody had asked Amy what the greatest trial of her life was, she
1628 would have answered at once, "My nose."  When she was a baby, Jo had
1629 accidently dropped her into the coal hod, and Amy insisted that the
1630 fall had ruined her nose forever.  It was not big nor red, like poor
1631 'Petrea's', it was only rather flat, and all the pinching in the world
1632 could not give it an aristocratic point.  No one minded it but herself,
1633 and it was doing its best to grow, but Amy felt deeply the want of a
1634 Grecian nose, and drew whole sheets of handsome ones to console herself.
1635 
1636 "Little Raphael," as her sisters called her, had a decided talent for
1637 drawing, and was never so happy as when copying flowers, designing
1638 fairies, or illustrating stories with queer specimens of art.  Her
1639 teachers complained that instead of doing her sums she covered her
1640 slate with animals, the blank pages of her atlas were used to copy maps
1641 on, and caricatures of the most ludicrous description came fluttering
1642 out of all her books at unlucky moments.  She got through her lessons
1643 as well as she could, and managed to escape reprimands by being a model
1644 of deportment.  She was a great favorite with her mates, being
1645 good-tempered and possessing the happy art of pleasing without effort.
1646 Her little airs and graces were much admired, so were her
1647 accomplishments, for besides her drawing, she could play twelve tunes,
1648 crochet, and read French without mispronouncing more than two-thirds of
1649 the words.  She had a plaintive way of saying, "When Papa was rich we
1650 did so-and-so," which was very touching, and her long words were
1651 considered 'perfectly elegant' by the girls.
1652 
1653 Amy was in a fair way to be spoiled, for everyone petted her, and her
1654 small vanities and selfishnesses were growing nicely. One thing,
1655 however, rather quenched the vanities.  She had to wear her cousin's
1656 clothes.  Now Florence's mama hadn't a particle of taste, and Amy
1657 suffered deeply at having to wear a red instead of a blue bonnet,
1658 unbecoming gowns, and fussy aprons that did not fit.  Everything was
1659 good, well made, and little worn, but Amy's artistic eyes were much
1660 afflicted, especially this winter, when her school dress was a dull
1661 purple with yellow dots and no trimming.
1662 
1663 "My only comfort," she said to Meg, with tears in her eyes, "is that
1664 Mother doesn't take tucks in my dresses whenever I'm naughty, as Maria
1665 Parks's mother does.  My dear, it's really dreadful, for sometimes she
1666 is so bad her frock is up to her knees, and she can't come to school.
1667 When I think of this _deggerredation_, I feel that I can bear even my
1668 flat nose and purple gown with yellow sky-rockets on it."
1669 
1670 Meg was Amy's confidant and monitor, and by some strange attraction of
1671 opposites Jo was gentle Beth's.  To Jo alone did the shy child tell her
1672 thoughts, and over her big harum-scarum sister Beth unconsciously
1673 exercised more influence than anyone in the family.  The two older
1674 girls were a great deal to one another, but each took one of the
1675 younger sisters into her keeping and watched over her in her own way,
1676 'playing mother' they called it, and put their sisters in the places of
1677 discarded dolls with the maternal instinct of little women.
1678 
1679 "Has anybody got anything to tell?  It's been such a dismal day I'm
1680 really dying for some amusement," said Meg, as they sat sewing together
1681 that evening.
1682 
1683 "I had a queer time with Aunt today, and, as I got the best of it, I'll
1684 tell you about it," began Jo, who dearly loved to tell stories.  "I was
1685 reading that everlasting Belsham, and droning away as I always do, for
1686 Aunt soon drops off, and then I take out some nice book, and read like
1687 fury till she wakes up.  I actually made myself sleepy, and before she
1688 began to nod, I gave such a gape that she asked me what I meant by
1689 opening my mouth wide enough to take the whole book in at once."
1690 
1691 "I wish I could, and be done with it," said I, trying not to be saucy.
1692 
1693 "Then she gave me a long lecture on my sins, and told me to sit and
1694 think them over while she just 'lost' herself for a moment. She never
1695 finds herself very soon, so the minute her cap began to bob like a
1696 top-heavy dahlia, I whipped the _Vicar of Wakefield_ out of my pocket,
1697 and read away, with one eye on him and one on Aunt. I'd just got to
1698 where they all tumbled into the water when I forgot and laughed out
1699 loud.  Aunt woke up and, being more good-natured after her nap, told me
1700 to read a bit and show what frivolous work I preferred to the worthy
1701 and instructive Belsham. I did my very best, and she liked it, though
1702 she only said...
1703 
1704 "'I don't understand what it's all about.  Go back and begin it,
1705 child.'"
1706 
1707 "Back I went, and made the Primroses as interesting as ever I could.
1708 Once I was wicked enough to stop in a thrilling place, and say meekly,
1709 'I'm afraid it tires you, ma'am.  Shan't I stop now?'"
1710 
1711 "She caught up her knitting, which had dropped out of her hands, gave
1712 me a sharp look through her specs, and said, in her short way, 'Finish
1713 the chapter, and don't be impertinent, miss'."
1714 
1715 "Did she own she liked it?" asked Meg.
1716 
1717 "Oh, bless you, no!  But she let old Belsham rest, and when I ran back
1718 after my gloves this afternoon, there she was, so hard at the Vicar
1719 that she didn't hear me laugh as I danced a jig in the hall because of
1720 the good time coming.  What a pleasant life she might have if only she
1721 chose!  I don't envy her much, in spite of her money, for after all
1722 rich people have about as many worries as poor ones, I think," added Jo.
1723 
1724 "That reminds me," said Meg, "that I've got something to tell. It isn't
1725 funny, like Jo's story, but I thought about it a good deal as I came
1726 home.  At the Kings' today I found everybody in a flurry, and one of
1727 the children said that her oldest brother had done something dreadful,
1728 and Papa had sent him away.  I heard Mrs. King crying and Mr. King
1729 talking very loud, and Grace and Ellen turned away their faces when
1730 they passed me, so I shouldn't see how red and swollen their eyes were.
1731 I didn't ask any questions, of course, but I felt so sorry for them and
1732 was rather glad I hadn't any wild brothers to do wicked things and
1733 disgrace the family."
1734 
1735 "I think being disgraced in school is a great deal try_inger_ than
1736 anything bad boys can do," said Amy, shaking her head, as if her
1737 experience of life had been a deep one.  "Susie Perkins came to school
1738 today with a lovely red carnelian ring.  I wanted it dreadfully, and
1739 wished I was her with all my might.  Well, she drew a picture of Mr.
1740 Davis, with a monstrous nose and a hump, and the words, 'Young ladies,
1741 my eye is upon you!' coming out of his mouth in a balloon thing.  We
1742 were laughing over it when all of a sudden his eye _was_ on us, and he
1743 ordered Susie to bring up her slate.  She was _parry_lized with fright,
1744 but she went, and oh, what _do_ you think he did?  He took her by the
1745 ear -- the ear!  Just fancy how horrid! -- and led her to the recitation
1746 platform, and made her stand there half an hour, holding the slate so
1747 everyone could see."
1748 
1749 "Didn't the girls laugh at the picture?" asked Jo, who relished the
1750 scrape.
1751 
1752 "Laugh? Not one! They sat still as mice, and Susie cried quarts, I know
1753 she did.  I didn't envy her then, for I felt that millions of carnelian
1754 rings wouldn't have made me happy after that. I never, never should
1755 have got over such a agonizing mortification." And Amy went on with her
1756 work, in the proud consciousness of virtue and the successful utterance
1757 of two long words in a breath.
1758 
1759 "I saw something I liked this morning, and I meant to tell it at
1760 dinner, but I forgot," said Beth, putting Jo's topsy-turvy basket in
1761 order as she talked.  "When I went to get some oysters for Hannah, Mr.
1762 Laurence was in the fish shop, but he didn't see me, for I kept behind
1763 the fish barrel, and he was busy with Mr. Cutter the fish-man. A poor
1764 woman came in with a pail and a mop, and asked Mr. Cutter if he would
1765 let her do some scrubbing for a bit of fish, because she hadn't any
1766 dinner for her children, and had been disappointed of a day's work.
1767 Mr. Cutter was in a hurry and said 'No', rather crossly, so she was
1768 going away, looking hungry and sorry, when Mr. Laurence hooked up a big
1769 fish with the crooked end of his cane and held it out to her.  She was
1770 so glad and surprised she took it right into her arms, and thanked him
1771 over and over.  He told her to 'go along and cook it', and she hurried
1772 off, so happy!  Wasn't it good of him?  Oh, she did look so funny,
1773 hugging the big, slippery fish, and hoping Mr. Laurence's bed in heaven
1774 would be 'aisy'."
1775 
1776 When they had laughed at Beth's story, they asked their mother for one,
1777 and after a moments thought, she said soberly, "As I sat cutting out
1778 blue flannel jackets today at the rooms, I felt very anxious about
1779 Father, and thought how lonely and helpless we should be, if anything
1780 happened to him.  It was not a wise thing to do, but I kept on worrying
1781 till an old man came in with an order for some clothes.  He sat down
1782 near me, and I began to talk to him, for he looked poor and tired and
1783 anxious.
1784 
1785 "'Have you sons in the army?' I asked, for the note he brought was not
1786 to me."
1787 
1788 "Yes, ma'am.  I had four, but two were killed, one is a prisoner, and
1789 I'm going to the other, who is very sick in a Washington hospital.' he
1790 answered quietly."
1791 
1792 "'You have done a great deal for your country, sir,' I said, feeling
1793 respect now, instead of pity."
1794 
1795 "'Not a mite more than I ought, ma'am.  I'd go myself, if I was any
1796 use.  As I ain't, I give my boys, and give 'em free.'"
1797 
1798 "He spoke so cheerfully, looked so sincere, and seemed so glad to give
1799 his all, that I was ashamed of myself.  I'd given one man and thought
1800 it too much, while he gave four without grudging them.  I had all my
1801 girls to comfort me at home, and his last son was waiting, miles away,
1802 to say good-by to him, perhaps!  I felt so rich, so happy thinking of
1803 my blessings, that I made him a nice bundle, gave him some money, and
1804 thanked him heartily for the lesson he had taught me."
1805 
1806 "Tell another story, Mother, one with a moral to it, like this. I like
1807 to think about them afterward, if they are real and not too preachy,"
1808 said Jo, after a minute's silence.
1809 
1810 Mrs. March smiled and began at once, for she had told stories to this
1811 little audience for many years, and knew how to please them.
1812 
1813 "Once upon a time, there were four girls, who had enough to eat and
1814 drink and wear, a good many comforts and pleasures, kind friends and
1815 parents who loved them dearly, and yet they were not contented." (Here
1816 the listeners stole sly looks at one another, and began to sew
1817 diligently.) "These girls were anxious to be good and made many
1818 excellent resolutions, but they did not keep them very well, and were
1819 constantly saying, 'If only we had this,' or 'If we could only do
1820 that,' quite forgetting how much they already had, and how many things
1821 they actually could do.  So they asked an old woman what spell they
1822 could use to make them happy, and she said, 'When you feel
1823 discontented, think over your blessings, and be grateful.'" (Here Jo
1824 looked up quickly, as if about to speak, but changed her mind, seeing
1825 that the story was not done yet.)
1826 
1827 "Being sensible girls, they decided to try her advice, and soon were
1828 surprised to see how well off they were.  One discovered that money
1829 couldn't keep shame and sorrow out of rich people's houses, another
1830 that, though she was poor, she was a great deal happier, with her
1831 youth, health, and good spirits, than a certain fretful, feeble old
1832 lady who couldn't enjoy her comforts, a third that, disagreeable as it
1833 was to help get dinner, it was harder still to go begging for it and
1834 the fourth, that even carnelian rings were not so valuable as good
1835 behavior.  So they agreed to stop complaining, to enjoy the blessings
1836 already possessed, and try to deserve them, lest they should be taken
1837 away entirely, instead of increased, and I believe they were never
1838 disappointed or sorry that they took the old woman's advice."
1839 
1840 "Now, Marmee, that is very cunning of you to turn our own stories
1841 against us, and give us a sermon instead of a romance!" cried Meg.
1842 
1843 "I like that kind of sermon.  It's the sort Father used to tell us,"
1844 said Beth thoughtfully, putting the needles straight on Jo's cushion.
1845 
1846 "I don't complain near as much as the others do, and I shall be more
1847 careful than ever now, for I've had warning from Susie's downfall,"
1848 said Amy morally.
1849 
1850 "We needed that lesson, and we won't forget it.  If we do so, you just
1851 say to us, as old Chloe did in _Uncle Tom_, 'Tink ob yer marcies,
1852 chillen!' 'Tink ob yer marcies!'" added Jo, who could not, for the life
1853 of her, help getting a morsel of fun out of the little sermon, though
1854 she took it to heart as much as any of them.
1855 
1856 
1857 
1858 CHAPTER FIVE
1859 
1860 BEING NEIGHBORLY
1861 
1862 "What in the world are you going to do now, Jo?" asked Meg one snowy
1863 afternoon, as her sister came tramping through the hall, in rubber
1864 boots, old sack, and hood, with a broom in one hand and a shovel in the
1865 other.
1866 
1867 "Going out for exercise," answered Jo with a mischievous twinkle in her
1868 eyes.
1869 
1870 "I should think two long walks this morning would have been enough!
1871 It's cold and dull out, and I advise you to stay warm and dry by the
1872 fire, as I do," said Meg with a shiver.
1873 
1874 "Never take advice!  Can't keep still all day, and not being a
1875 pussycat, I don't like to doze by the fire.  I like adventures, and I'm
1876 going to find some."
1877 
1878 Meg went back to toast her feet and read _Ivanhoe_, and Jo began to dig
1879 paths with great energy.  The snow was light, and with her broom she
1880 soon swept a path all round the garden, for Beth to walk in when the
1881 sun came out and the invalid dolls needed air.  Now, the garden
1882 separated the Marches' house from that of Mr. Laurence.  Both stood in
1883 a suburb of the city, which was still country-like, with groves and
1884 lawns, large gardens, and quiet streets.  A low hedge parted the two
1885 estates.  On one side was an old, brown house, looking rather bare and
1886 shabby, robbed of the vines that in summer covered its walls and the
1887 flowers, which then surrounded it.  On the other side was a stately
1888 stone mansion, plainly betokening every sort of comfort and luxury,
1889 from the big coach house and well-kept grounds to the conservatory and
1890 the glimpses of lovely things one caught between the rich curtains.
1891 
1892 Yet it seemed a lonely, lifeless sort of house, for no children
1893 frolicked on the lawn, no motherly face ever smiled at the windows, and
1894 few people went in and out, except the old gentleman and his grandson.
1895 
1896 To Jo's lively fancy, this fine house seemed a kind of enchanted
1897 palace, full of splendors and delights which no one enjoyed.  She had
1898 long wanted to behold these hidden glories, and to know the Laurence
1899 boy, who looked as if he would like to be known, if he only knew how to
1900 begin.  Since the party, she had been more eager than ever, and had
1901 planned many ways of making friends with him, but he had not been seen
1902 lately, and Jo began to think he had gone away, when she one day spied
1903 a brown face at an upper window, looking wistfully down into their
1904 garden, where Beth and Amy were snow-balling one another.
1905 
1906 "That boy is suffering for society and fun," she said to herself. "His
1907 grandpa does not know what's good for him, and keeps him shut up all
1908 alone.  He needs a party of jolly boys to play with, or somebody young
1909 and lively.  I've a great mind to go over and tell the old gentleman
1910 so!"
1911 
1912 The idea amused Jo, who liked to do daring things and was always
1913 scandalizing Meg by her queer performances.  The plan of 'going over'
1914 was not forgotten.  And when the snowy afternoon came, Jo resolved to
1915 try what could be done.  She saw Mr. Lawrence drive off, and then
1916 sallied out to dig her way down to the hedge, where she paused and took
1917 a survey.  All quiet, curtains down at the lower windows, servants out
1918 of sight, and nothing human visible but a curly black head leaning on a
1919 thin hand at the upper window.
1920 
1921 "There he is," thought Jo, "Poor boy!  All alone and sick this dismal
1922 day.  It's a shame!  I'll toss up a snowball and make him look out, and
1923 then say a kind word to him."
1924 
1925 Up went a handful of soft snow, and the head turned at once, showing a
1926 face which lost its listless look in a minute, as the big eyes
1927 brightened and the mouth began to smile.  Jo nodded and laughed, and
1928 flourished her broom as she called out...
1929 
1930 "How do you do?  Are you sick?"
1931 
1932 Laurie opened the window, and croaked out as hoarsely as a raven...
1933 
1934 "Better, thank you.  I've had a bad cold, and been shut up a week."
1935 
1936 "I'm sorry.  What do you amuse yourself with?"
1937 
1938 "Nothing.  It's dull as tombs up here."
1939 
1940 "Don't you read?"
1941 
1942 "Not much.  They won't let me."
1943 
1944 "Can't somebody read to you?"
1945 
1946 "Grandpa does sometimes, but my books don't interest him, and I hate to
1947 ask Brooke all the time."
1948 
1949 "Have someone come and see you then."
1950 
1951 "There isn't anyone I'd like to see.  Boys make such a row, and my head
1952 is weak."
1953 
1954 "Isn't there some nice girl who'd read and amuse you?  Girls are quiet
1955 and like to play nurse."
1956 
1957 "Don't know any."
1958 
1959 "You know us," began Jo, then laughed and stopped.
1960 
1961 "So I do!  Will you come, please?" cried Laurie.
1962 
1963 "I'm not quiet and nice, but I'll come, if Mother will let me. I'll go
1964 ask her.  Shut the window, like a good boy, and wait till I come."
1965 
1966 With that, Jo shouldered her broom and marched into the house,
1967 wondering what they would all say to her.  Laurie was in a flutter of
1968 excitement at the idea of having company, and flew about to get ready,
1969 for as Mrs. March said, he was 'a little gentleman', and did honor to
1970 the coming guest by brushing his curly pate, putting on a fresh color,
1971 and trying to tidy up the room, which in spite of half a dozen
1972 servants, was anything but neat.  Presently there came a loud ring,
1973 than a decided voice, asking for 'Mr. Laurie', and a surprised-looking
1974 servant came running up to announce a young lady.
1975 
1976 "All right, show her up, it's Miss Jo," said Laurie, going to the door
1977 of his little parlor to meet Jo, who appeared, looking rosy and quite
1978 at her ease, with a covered dish in one hand and Beth's three kittens
1979 in the other.
1980 
1981 "Here I am, bag and baggage," she said briskly.  "Mother sent her love,
1982 and was glad if I could do anything for you.  Meg wanted me to bring
1983 some of her blanc mange, she makes it very nicely, and Beth thought her
1984 cats would be comforting.  I knew you'd laugh at them, but I couldn't
1985 refuse, she was so anxious to do something."
1986 
1987 It so happened that Beth's funny loan was just the thing, for in
1988 laughing over the kits, Laurie forgot his bashfulness, and grew
1989 sociable at once.
1990 
1991 "That looks too pretty to eat," he said, smiling with pleasure, as Jo
1992 uncovered the dish, and showed the blanc mange, surrounded by a garland
1993 of green leaves, and the scarlet flowers of Amy's pet geranium.
1994 
1995 "It isn't anything, only they all felt kindly and wanted to show it.
1996 Tell the girl to put it away for your tea.  It's so simple you can eat
1997 it, and being soft, it will slip down without hurting your sore throat.
1998 What a cozy room this is!"
1999 
2000 "It might be if it was kept nice, but the maids are lazy, and I don't
2001 know how to make them mind.  It worries me though."
2002 
2003 "I'll right it up in two minutes, for it only needs to have the hearth
2004 brushed, so -- and the things made straight on the mantelpiece, so -- and
2005 the books put here, and the bottles there, and your sofa turned from
2006 the light, and the pillows plumped up a bit.  Now then, you're fixed."
2007 
2008 And so he was, for, as she laughed and talked, Jo had whisked things
2009 into place and given quite a different air to the room.  Laurie watched
2010 her in respectful silence, and when she beckoned him to his sofa, he
2011 sat down with a sigh of satisfaction, saying gratefully...
2012 
2013 "How kind you are!  Yes, that's what it wanted.  Now please take the
2014 big chair and let me do something to amuse my company."
2015 
2016 "No, I came to amuse you.  Shall I read aloud?" and Jo looked
2017 affectionately toward some inviting books near by.
2018 
2019 "Thank you!  I've read all those, and if you don't mind, I'd rather
2020 talk," answered Laurie.
2021 
2022 "Not a bit.  I'll talk all day if you'll only set me going. Beth says I
2023 never know when to stop."
2024 
2025 "Is Beth the rosy one, who stays at home good deal and sometimes goes
2026 out with a little basket?" asked Laurie with interest.
2027 
2028 "Yes, that's Beth.  She's my girl, and a regular good one she is, too."
2029 
2030 "The pretty one is Meg, and the curly-haired one is Amy, I believe?"
2031 
2032 "How did you find that out?"
2033 
2034 Laurie colored up, but answered frankly, "Why, you see I often hear you
2035 calling to one another, and when I'm alone up here, I can't help
2036 looking over at your house, you always seem to be having such good
2037 times.  I beg your pardon for being so rude, but sometimes you forget
2038 to put down the curtain at the window where the flowers are. And when
2039 the lamps are lighted, it's like looking at a picture to see the fire,
2040 and you all around the table with your mother.  Her face is right
2041 opposite, and it looks so sweet behind the flowers, I can't help
2042 watching it.  I haven't got any mother, you know." And Laurie poked the
2043 fire to hide a little twitching of the lips that he could not control.
2044 
2045 The solitary, hungry look in his eyes went straight to Jo's warm heart.
2046 She had been so simply taught that there was no nonsense in her head,
2047 and at fifteen she was as innocent and frank as any child.  Laurie was
2048 sick and lonely, and feeling how rich she was in home and happiness,
2049 she gladly tried to share it with him. Her face was very friendly and
2050 her sharp voice unusually gentle as she said...
2051 
2052 "We'll never draw that curtain any more, and I give you leave to look
2053 as much as you like.  I just wish, though, instead of peeping, you'd
2054 come over and see us.  Mother is so splendid, she'd do you heaps of
2055 good, and Beth would sing to you if I begged her to, and Amy would
2056 dance.  Meg and I would make you laugh over our funny stage properties,
2057 and we'd have jolly times.  Wouldn't your grandpa let you?"
2058 
2059 "I think he would, if your mother asked him.  He's very kind, though he
2060 does not look so, and he lets me do what I like, pretty much, only he's
2061 afraid I might be a bother to strangers," began Laurie, brightening
2062 more and more.
2063 
2064 "We are not strangers, we are neighbors, and you needn't think you'd be
2065 a bother.  We want to know you, and I've been trying to do it this ever
2066 so long.  We haven't been here a great while, you know, but we have got
2067 acquainted with all our neighbors but you."
2068 
2069 "You see, Grandpa lives among his books, and doesn't mind much what
2070 happens outside.  Mr. Brooke, my tutor, doesn't stay here, you know,
2071 and I have no one to go about with me, so I just stop at home and get
2072 on as I can."
2073 
2074 "That's bad.  You ought to make an effort and go visiting everywhere
2075 you are asked, then you'll have plenty of friends, and pleasant places
2076 to go to.  Never mind being bashful.  It won't last long if you keep
2077 going."
2078 
2079 Laurie turned red again, but wasn't offended at being accused of
2080 bashfulness, for there was so much good will in Jo it was impossible
2081 not to take her blunt speeches as kindly as they were meant.
2082 
2083 "Do you like your school?" asked the boy, changing the subject, after a
2084 little pause, during which he stared at the fire and Jo looked about
2085 her, well pleased.
2086 
2087 "Don't go to school, I'm a businessman -- girl, I mean.  I go to wait on
2088 my great-aunt, and a dear, cross old soul she is, too," answered Jo.
2089 
2090 Laurie opened his mouth to ask another question, but remembering just
2091 in time that it wasn't manners to make too many inquiries into people's
2092 affairs, he shut it again, and looked uncomfortable.
2093 
2094 Jo liked his good breeding, and didn't mind having a laugh at Aunt
2095 March, so she gave him a lively description of the fidgety old lady,
2096 her fat poodle, the parrot that talked Spanish, and the library where
2097 she reveled.
2098 
2099 Laurie enjoyed that immensely, and when she told about the prim old
2100 gentleman who came once to woo Aunt March, and in the middle of a fine
2101 speech, how Poll had tweaked his wig off to his great dismay, the boy
2102 lay back and laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks, and a maid
2103 popped her head in to see what was the matter.
2104 
2105 "Oh!  That does me no end of good.  Tell on, please," he said, taking
2106 his face out of the sofa cushion, red and shining with merriment.
2107 
2108 Much elated with her success, Jo did 'tell on', all about their plays
2109 and plans, their hopes and fears for Father, and the most interesting
2110 events of the little world in which the sisters lived.  Then they got
2111 to talking about books, and to Jo's delight, she found that Laurie
2112 loved them as well as she did, and had read even more than herself.
2113 
2114 "If you like them so much, come down and see ours.  Grandfather is out,
2115 so you needn't be afraid," said Laurie, getting up.
2116 
2117 "I'm not afraid of anything," returned Jo, with a toss of the head.
2118 
2119 "I don't believe you are!" exclaimed the boy, looking at her with much
2120 admiration, though he privately thought she would have good reason to
2121 be a trifle afraid of the old gentleman, if she met him in some of his
2122 moods.
2123 
2124 The atmosphere of the whole house being summerlike, Laurie led the way
2125 from room to room, letting Jo stop to examine whatever struck her
2126 fancy.  And so, at last they came to the library, where she clapped her
2127 hands and pranced, as she always did when especially delighted.  It was
2128 lined with books, and there were pictures and statues, and distracting
2129 little cabinets full of coins and curiosities, and Sleepy Hollow
2130 chairs, and queer tables, and bronzes, and best of all, a great open
2131 fireplace with quaint tiles all round it.
2132 
2133 "What richness!" sighed Jo, sinking into the depth of a velour chair
2134 and gazing about her with an air of intense satisfaction. "Theodore
2135 Laurence, you ought to be the happiest boy in the world," she added
2136 impressively.
2137 
2138 "A fellow can't live on books," said Laurie, shaking his head as he
2139 perched on a table opposite.
2140 
2141 Before he could more, a bell rang, and Jo flew up, exclaiming with
2142 alarm, "Mercy me!  It's your grandpa!"
2143 
2144 "Well, what if it is?  You are not afraid of anything, you know,"
2145 returned the boy, looking wicked.
2146 
2147 "I think I am a little bit afraid of him, but I don't know why I should
2148 be.  Marmee said I might come, and I don't think you're any the worse
2149 for it," said Jo, composing herself, though she kept her eyes on the
2150 door.
2151 
2152 "I'm a great deal better for it, and ever so much obliged. I'm only
2153 afraid you are very tired of talking to me.  It was so pleasant, I
2154 couldn't bear to stop," said Laurie gratefully.
2155 
2156 "The doctor to see you, sir," and the maid beckoned as she spoke.
2157 
2158 "Would you mind if I left you for a minute?  I suppose I must see him,"
2159 said Laurie.
2160 
2161 "Don't mind me.  I'm happy as a cricket here," answered Jo.
2162 
2163 Laurie went away, and his guest amused herself in her own way. She was
2164 standing before a fine portrait of the old gentleman when the door
2165 opened again, and without turning, she said decidedly, "I'm sure now
2166 that I shouldn't be afraid of him, for he's got kind eyes, though his
2167 mouth is grim, and he looks as if he had a tremendous will of his own.
2168 He isn't as handsome as my grandfather, but I like him."
2169 
2170 "Thank you, ma'am," said a gruff voice behind her, and there, to her
2171 great dismay, stood old Mr. Laurence.
2172 
2173 Poor Jo blushed till she couldn't blush any redder, and her heart began
2174 to beat uncomfortably fast as she thought what she had said.  For a
2175 minute a wild desire to run away possessed her, but that was cowardly,
2176 and the girls would laugh at her, so she resolved to stay and get out
2177 of the scrape as she could.  A second look showed her that the living
2178 eyes, under the bushy eyebrows, were kinder even than the painted ones,
2179 and there was a sly twinkle in them, which lessened her fear a good
2180 deal.  The gruff voice was gruffer than ever, as the old gentleman said
2181 abruptly, after the dreadful pause, "So you're not afraid of me, hey?"
2182 
2183 "Not much, sir."
2184 
2185 "And you don't think me as handsome as your grandfather?"
2186 
2187 "Not quite, sir."
2188 
2189 "And I've got a tremendous will, have I?"
2190 
2191 "I only said I thought so."
2192 
2193 "But you like me in spite of it?"
2194 
2195 "Yes, I do, sir."
2196 
2197 That answer pleased the old gentleman.  He gave a short laugh, shook
2198 hands with her, and, putting his finger under her chin, turned up her
2199 face, examined it gravely, and let it go, saying with a nod, "You've
2200 got your grandfather's spirit, if you haven't his face.  He was a fine
2201 man, my dear, but what is better, he was a brave and an honest one, and
2202 I was proud to be his friend."
2203 
2204 "Thank you, sir," And Jo was quite comfortable after that, for it
2205 suited her exactly.
2206 
2207 "What have you been doing to this boy of mine, hey?" was the next
2208 question, sharply put.
2209 
2210 "Only trying to be neighborly, sir."  And Jo told how her visit came
2211 about.
2212 
2213 "You think he needs cheering up a bit, do you?"
2214 
2215 "Yes, sir, he seems a little lonely, and young folks would do him good
2216 perhaps.  We are only girls, but we should be glad to help if we could,
2217 for we don't forget the splendid Christmas present you sent us," said
2218 Jo eagerly.
2219 
2220 "Tut, tut, tut!  That was the boy's affair.  How is the poor woman?"
2221 
2222 "Doing nicely, sir."  And off went Jo, talking very fast, as she told
2223 all about the Hummels, in whom her mother had interested richer friends
2224 than they were.
2225 
2226 "Just her father's way of doing good.  I shall come and see your mother
2227 some fine day.  Tell her so.  There's the tea bell, we have it early on
2228 the boy's account.  Come down and go on being neighborly."
2229 
2230 "If you'd like to have me, sir."
2231 
2232 "Shouldn't ask you, if I didn't."  And Mr. Laurence offered her his arm
2233 with old-fashioned courtesy.
2234 
2235 "What would Meg say to this?" thought Jo, as she was marched away,
2236 while her eyes danced with fun as she imagined herself telling the
2237 story at home.
2238 
2239 "Hey!  Why, what the dickens has come to the fellow?" said the old
2240 gentleman, as Laurie came running downstairs and brought up with a
2241 start of surprise at the astounding sight of Jo arm in arm with his
2242 redoubtable grandfather.
2243 
2244 "I didn't know you'd come, sir," he began, as Jo gave him a triumphant
2245 little glance.
2246 
2247 "That's evident, by the way you racket downstairs.  Come to your tea,
2248 sir, and behave like a gentleman."  And having pulled the boy's hair by
2249 way of a caress, Mr. Laurence walked on, while Laurie went through a
2250 series of comic evolutions behind their backs, which nearly produced an
2251 explosion of laughter from Jo.
2252 
2253 The old gentleman did not say much as he drank his four cups of tea,
2254 but he watched the young people, who soon chatted away like old
2255 friends, and the change in his grandson did not escape him.  There was
2256 color, light, and life in the boy's face now, vivacity in his manner,
2257 and genuine merriment in his laugh.
2258 
2259 "She's right, the lad is lonely.  I'll see what these little girls can
2260 do for him," thought Mr. Laurence, as he looked and listened.  He liked
2261 Jo, for her odd, blunt ways suited him, and she seemed to understand
2262 the boy almost as well as if she had been one herself.
2263 
2264 If the Laurences had been what Jo called 'prim and poky', she would not
2265 have got on at all, for such people always made her shy and awkward.
2266 But finding them free and easy, she was so herself, and made a good
2267 impression.  When they rose she proposed to go, but Laurie said he had
2268 something more to show her, and took her away to the conservatory,
2269 which had been lighted for her benefit.  It seemed quite fairylike to
2270 Jo, as she went up and down the walks, enjoying the blooming walls on
2271 either side, the soft light, the damp sweet air, and the wonderful
2272 vines and trees that hung about her, while her new friend cut the
2273 finest flowers till his hands were full.  Then he tied them up, saying,
2274 with the happy look Jo liked to see, "Please give these to your mother,
2275 and tell her I like the medicine she sent me very much."
2276 
2277 They found Mr. Laurence standing before the fire in the great drawing
2278 room, but Jo's attention was entirely absorbed by a grand piano, which
2279 stood open.
2280 
2281 "Do you play?" she asked, turning to Laurie with a respectful
2282 expression.
2283 
2284 "Sometimes," he answered modestly.
2285 
2286 "Please do now.  I want to hear it, so I can tell Beth."
2287 
2288 "Won't you first?"
2289 
2290 "Don't know how.  Too stupid to learn, but I love music dearly."
2291 
2292 So Laurie played and Jo listened, with her nose luxuriously buried in
2293 heliotrope and tea roses.  Her respect and regard for the 'Laurence'
2294 boy increased very much, for he played remarkably well and didn't put
2295 on any airs.  She wished Beth could hear him, but she did not say so,
2296 only praised him till he was quite abashed, and his grandfather came to
2297 his rescue.
2298 
2299 "That will do, that will do, young lady.  Too many sugarplums are not
2300 good for him.  His music isn't bad, but I hope he will do as well in
2301 more important things.  Going?  well, I'm much obliged to you, and I
2302 hope you'll come again.  My respects to your mother. Good night, Doctor
2303 Jo."
2304 
2305 He shook hands kindly, but looked as if something did not please him.
2306 When they got into the hall, Jo asked Laurie if she had said something
2307 amiss.  He shook his head.
2308 
2309 "No, it was me.  He doesn't like to hear me play."
2310 
2311 "Why not?"
2312 
2313 "I'll tell you some day.  John is going home with you, as I can't."
2314 
2315 "No need of that.  I am not a young lady, and it's only a step.  Take
2316 care of yourself, won't you?"
2317 
2318 "Yes, but you will come again, I hope?"
2319 
2320 "If you promise to come and see us after you are well."
2321 
2322 "I will."
2323 
2324 "Good night, Laurie!"
2325 
2326 "Good night, Jo, good night!"
2327 
2328 When all the afternoon's adventures had been told, the family felt
2329 inclined to go visiting in a body, for each found something very
2330 attractive in the big house on the other side of the hedge. Mrs. March
2331 wanted to talk of her father with the old man who had not forgotten
2332 him, Meg longed to walk in the conservatory, Beth sighed for the grand
2333 piano, and Amy was eager to see the fine pictures and statues.
2334 
2335 "Mother, why didn't Mr. Laurence like to have Laurie play?" asked Jo,
2336 who was of an inquiring disposition.
2337 
2338 "I am not sure, but I think it was because his son, Laurie's father,
2339 married an Italian lady, a musician, which displeased the old man, who
2340 is very proud.  The lady was good and lovely and accomplished, but he
2341 did not like her, and never saw his son after he married.  They both
2342 died when Laurie was a little child, and then his grandfather took him
2343 home.  I fancy the boy, who was born in Italy, is not very strong, and
2344 the old man is afraid of losing him, which makes him so careful.
2345 Laurie comes naturally by his love of music, for he is like his mother,
2346 and I dare say his grandfather fears that he may want to be a musician.
2347 At any rate, his skill reminds him of the woman he did not like, and so
2348 he 'glowered' as Jo said."
2349 
2350 "Dear me, how romantic!" exclaimed Meg.
2351 
2352 "How silly!" said Jo.  "Let him be a musician if he wants to, and not
2353 plague his life out sending him to college, when he hates to go."
2354 
2355 "That's why he has such handsome black eyes and pretty manners, I
2356 suppose.  Italians are always nice," said Meg, who was a little
2357 sentimental.
2358 
2359 "What do you know about his eyes and his manners?  You never spoke to
2360 him, hardly," cried Jo, who was not sentimental.
2361 
2362 "I saw him at the party, and what you tell shows that he knows how to
2363 behave.  That was a nice little speech about the medicine Mother sent
2364 him."
2365 
2366 "He meant the blanc mange, I suppose."
2367 
2368 "How stupid you are, child!  He meant you, of course."
2369 
2370 "Did he?" And Jo opened her eyes as if it had never occurred to her
2371 before.
2372 
2373 "I never saw such a girl!  You don't know a compliment when you get
2374 it," said Meg, with the air of a young lady who knew all about the
2375 matter.
2376 
2377 "I think they are great nonsense, and I'll thank you not to be silly
2378 and spoil my fun.  Laurie's a nice boy and I like him, and I won't have
2379 any sentimental stuff about compliments and such rubbish.  We'll all be
2380 good to him because he hasn't got any mother, and he may come over and
2381 see us, mayn't he, Marmee?"
2382 
2383 "Yes, Jo, your little friend is very welcome, and I hope Meg will
2384 remember that children should be children as long as they can."
2385 
2386 "I don't call myself a child, and I'm not in my teens yet," observed
2387 Amy.  "What do you say, Beth?"
2388 
2389 "I was thinking about our '_Pilgrim's Progress_'," answered Beth, who
2390 had not heard a word.  "How we got out of the Slough and through the
2391 Wicket Gate by resolving to be good, and up the steep hill by trying,
2392 and that maybe the house over there, full of splendid things, is going
2393 to be our Palace Beautiful."
2394 
2395 "We have got to get by the lions first," said Jo, as if she rather
2396 liked the prospect.
2397 
2398 
2399 
2400 CHAPTER SIX
2401 
2402 BETH FINDS THE PALACE BEAUTIFUL
2403 
2404 The big house did prove a Palace Beautiful, though it took some time
2405 for all to get in, and Beth found it very hard to pass the lions.  Old
2406 Mr. Laurence was the biggest one, but after he had called, said
2407 something funny or kind to each one of the girls, and talked over old
2408 times with their mother, nobody felt much afraid of him, except timid
2409 Beth.  The other lion was the fact that they were poor and Laurie rich,
2410 for this made them shy of accepting favors which they could not return.
2411 But, after a while, they found that he considered them the benefactors,
2412 and could not do enough to show how grateful he was for Mrs. March's
2413 motherly welcome, their cheerful society, and the comfort he took in
2414 that humble home of theirs.  So they soon forgot their pride and
2415 interchanged kindnesses without stopping to think which was the greater.
2416 
2417 All sorts of pleasant things happened about that time, for the new
2418 friendship flourished like grass in spring.  Every one liked Laurie,
2419 and he privately informed his tutor that "the Marches were regularly
2420 splendid girls."  With the delightful enthusiasm of youth, they took
2421 the solitary boy into their midst and made much of him, and he found
2422 something very charming in the innocent companionship of these
2423 simple-hearted girls.  Never having known mother or sisters, he was
2424 quick to feel the influences they brought about him, and their busy,
2425 lively ways made him ashamed of the indolent life he led. He was tired
2426 of books, and found people so interesting now that Mr. Brooke was
2427 obliged to make very unsatisfactory reports, for Laurie was always
2428 playing truant and running over to the Marches'.
2429 
2430 "Never mind, let him take a holiday, and make it up afterward," said
2431 the old gentleman.  "The good lady next door says he is studying too
2432 hard and needs young society, amusement, and exercise.  I suspect she
2433 is right, and that I've been coddling the fellow as if I'd been his
2434 grandmother.  Let him do what he likes, as long as he is happy. He
2435 can't get into mischief in that little nunnery over there, and Mrs.
2436 March is doing more for him than we can."
2437 
2438 What good times they had, to be sure.  Such plays and tableaux, such
2439 sleigh rides and skating frolics, such pleasant evenings in the old
2440 parlor, and now and then such gay little parties at the great house.
2441 Meg could walk in the conservatory whenever she liked and revel in
2442 bouquets, Jo browsed over the new library voraciously, and convulsed
2443 the old gentleman with her criticisms, Amy copied pictures and enjoyed
2444 beauty to her heart's content, and Laurie played 'lord of the manor' in
2445 the most delightful style.
2446 
2447 But Beth, though yearning for the grand piano, could not pluck up
2448 courage to go to the 'Mansion of Bliss', as Meg called it.  She went
2449 once with Jo, but the old gentleman, not being aware of her infirmity,
2450 stared at her so hard from under his heavy eyebrows, and said "Hey!" so
2451 loud, that he frightened her so much her 'feet chattered on the floor',
2452 she never told her mother, and she ran away, declaring she would never
2453 go there any more, not even for the dear piano.  No persuasions or
2454 enticements could overcome her fear, till, the fact coming to Mr.
2455 Laurence's ear in some mysterious way, he set about mending matters.
2456 During one of the brief calls he made, he artfully led the conversation
2457 to music, and talked away about great singers whom he had seen, fine
2458 organs he had heard, and told such charming anecdotes that Beth found
2459 it impossible to stay in her distant corner, but crept nearer and
2460 nearer, as if fascinated.  At the back of his chair she stopped and
2461 stood listening, with her great eyes wide open and her cheeks red with
2462 excitement of this unusual performance.  Taking no more notice of her
2463 than if she had been a fly, Mr. Laurence talked on about Laurie's
2464 lessons and teachers.  And presently, as if the idea had just occurred
2465 to him, he said to Mrs. March...
2466 
2467 "The boy neglects his music now, and I'm glad of it, for he was getting
2468 too fond of it.  But the piano suffers for want of use.  Wouldn't some
2469 of your girls like to run over, and practice on it now and then, just
2470 to keep it in tune, you know, ma'am?"
2471 
2472 Beth took a step forward, and pressed her hands tightly together to
2473 keep from clapping them, for this was an irresistible temptation, and
2474 the thought of practicing on that splendid instrument quite took her
2475 breath away.  Before Mrs. March could reply, Mr. Laurence went on with
2476 an odd little nod and smile...
2477 
2478 "They needn't see or speak to anyone, but run in at any time. For I'm
2479 shut up in my study at the other end of the house, Laurie is out a
2480 great deal, and the servants are never near the drawing room after nine
2481 o'clock."
2482 
2483 Here he rose, as if going, and Beth made up her mind to speak, for that
2484 last arrangement left nothing to be desired.  "Please, tell the young
2485 ladies what I say, and if they don't care to come, why, never mind."
2486 Here a little hand slipped into his, and Beth looked up at him with a
2487 face full of gratitude, as she said, in her earnest yet timid way...
2488 
2489 "Oh sir, they do care, very very much!"
2490 
2491 "Are you the musical girl?" he asked, without any startling "Hey!" as
2492 he looked down at her very kindly.
2493 
2494 "I'm Beth.  I love it dearly, and I'll come, if you are quite sure
2495 nobody will hear me, and be disturbed," she added, fearing to be rude,
2496 and trembling at her own boldness as she spoke.
2497 
2498 "Not a soul, my dear.  The house is empty half the day, so come and
2499 drum away as much as you like, and I shall be obliged to you."
2500 
2501 "How kind you are, sir!"
2502 
2503 Beth blushed like a rose under the friendly look he wore, but she was
2504 not frightened now, and gave the hand a grateful squeeze because she
2505 had no words to thank him for the precious gift he had given her. The
2506 old gentleman softly stroked the hair off her forehead, and, stooping
2507 down, he kissed her, saying, in a tone few people ever heard...
2508 
2509 "I had a little girl once, with eyes like these.  God bless you, my
2510 dear!  Good day, madam."  And away he went, in a great hurry.
2511 
2512 Beth had a rapture with her mother, and then rushed up to impart the
2513 glorious news to her family of invalids, as the girls were not home.
2514 How blithely she sang that evening, and how they all laughed at her
2515 because she woke Amy in the night by playing the piano on her face in
2516 her sleep.  Next day, having seen both the old and young gentleman out
2517 of the house, Beth, after two or three retreats, fairly got in at the
2518 side door, and made her way as noiselessly as any mouse to the drawing
2519 room where her idol stood.  Quite by accident, of course, some pretty,
2520 easy music lay on the piano, and with trembling fingers and frequent
2521 stops to listen and look about, Beth at last touched the great
2522 instrument, and straightway forgot her fear, herself, and everything
2523 else but the unspeakable delight which the music gave her, for it was
2524 like the voice of a beloved friend.
2525 
2526 She stayed till Hannah came to take her home to dinner, but she had no
2527 appetite, and could only sit and smile upon everyone in a general state
2528 of beatitude.
2529 
2530 After that, the little brown hood slipped through the hedge nearly
2531 every day, and the great drawing room was haunted by a tuneful spirit
2532 that came and went unseen.  She never knew that Mr. Laurence opened his
2533 study door to hear the old-fashioned airs he liked.  She never saw
2534 Laurie mount guard in the hall to warn the servants away. She never
2535 suspected that the exercise books and new songs which she found in the
2536 rack were put there for her especial benefit, and when he talked to her
2537 about music at home, she only thought how kind he was to tell things
2538 that helped her so much.  So she enjoyed herself heartily, and found,
2539 what isn't always the case, that her granted wish was all she had
2540 hoped.  Perhaps it was because she was so grateful for this blessing
2541 that a greater was given her.  At any rate she deserved both.
2542 
2543 "Mother, I'm going to work Mr. Laurence a pair of slippers.  He is so
2544 kind to me, I must thank him, and I don't know any other way. Can I do
2545 it?" asked Beth, a few weeks after that eventful call of his.
2546 
2547 "Yes, dear.  It will please him very much, and be a nice way of
2548 thanking him.  The girls will help you about them, and I will pay for
2549 the making up," replied Mrs. March, who took peculiar pleasure in
2550 granting Beth's requests because she so seldom asked anything for
2551 herself.
2552 
2553 After many serious discussions with Meg and Jo, the pattern was chosen,
2554 the materials bought, and the slippers begun.  A cluster of grave yet
2555 cheerful pansies on a deeper purple ground was pronounced very
2556 appropriate and pretty, and Beth worked away early and late, with
2557 occasional lifts over hard parts.  She was a nimble little needlewoman,
2558 and they were finished before anyone got tired of them.  Then she wrote
2559 a short, simple note, and with Laurie's help, got them smuggled onto
2560 the study table one morning before the old gentleman was up.
2561 
2562 When this excitement was over, Beth waited to see what would happen.
2563 All day passed and a part of the next before any acknowledgement
2564 arrived, and she was beginning to fear she had offended her crochety
2565 friend.  On the afternoon of the second day, she went out to do an
2566 errand, and give poor Joanna, the invalid doll, her daily exercise.  As
2567 she came up the street, on her return, she saw three, yes, four heads
2568 popping in and out of the parlor windows, and the moment they saw her,
2569 several hands were waved, and several joyful voices screamed...
2570 
2571 "Here's a letter from the old gentleman!  Come quick, and read it!"
2572 
2573 "Oh, Beth, he's sent you..." began Amy, gesticulating with unseemly
2574 energy, but she got no further, for Jo quenched her by slamming down
2575 the window.
2576 
2577 Beth hurried on in a flutter of suspense.  At the door her sisters
2578 seized and bore her to the parlor in a triumphal procession, all
2579 pointing and all saying at once, "Look there!  Look there!"  Beth did
2580 look, and turned pale with delight and surprise, for there stood a
2581 little cabinet piano, with a letter lying on the glossy lid, directed
2582 like a sign board to "Miss Elizabeth March."
2583 
2584 "For me?" gasped Beth, holding onto Jo and feeling as if she should
2585 tumble down, it was such an overwhelming thing altogether.
2586 
2587 "Yes, all for you, my precious!  Isn't it splendid of him?  Don't you
2588 think he's the dearest old man in the world?  Here's the key in the
2589 letter.  We didn't open it, but we are dying to know what he says,"
2590 cried Jo, hugging her sister and offering the note.
2591 
2592 "You read it!  I can't, I feel so queer!  Oh, it is too lovely!" and
2593 Beth hid her face in Jo's apron, quite upset by her present.
2594 
2595 Jo opened the paper and began to laugh, for the first words she saw
2596 were...
2597 
2598 "Miss March: "Dear Madam -- "
2599 
2600 "How nice it sounds!  I wish someone would write to me so!" said Amy,
2601 who thought the old-fashioned address very elegant.
2602 
2603 "'I have had many pairs of slippers in my life, but I never had any
2604 that suited me so well as yours,'" continues Jo.  "'Heart's-ease is my
2605 favorite flower, and these will always remind me of the gentle giver.
2606 I like to pay my debts, so I know you will allow 'the old gentleman' to
2607 send you something which once belonged to the little grand daughter he
2608 lost.  With hearty thanks and best wishes, I remain "'Your grateful
2609 friend and humble servant, 'JAMES LAURENCE'."
2610 
2611 "There, Beth, that's an honor to be proud of, I'm sure! Laurie told me
2612 how fond Mr. Laurence used to be of the child who died, and how he kept
2613 all her little things carefully.  Just think, he's given you her piano.
2614 That comes of having big blue eyes and loving music," said Jo, trying
2615 to soothe Beth, who trembled and looked more excited than she had ever
2616 been before.
2617 
2618 "See the cunning brackets to hold candles, and the nice green silk,
2619 puckered up, with a gold rose in the middle, and the pretty rack and
2620 stool, all complete," added Meg, opening the instrument and displaying
2621 its beauties.
2622 
2623 "'Your humble servant, James Laurence'.  Only think of his writing that
2624 to you.  I'll tell the girls.  They'll think it's splendid," said Amy,
2625 much impressed by the note.
2626 
2627 "Try it, honey.  Let's hear the sound of the baby pianny," said Hannah,
2628 who always took a share in the family joys and sorrows.
2629 
2630 So Beth tried it, and everyone pronounced it the most remarkable piano
2631 ever heard.  It had evidently been newly tuned and put in apple-pie
2632 order, but, perfect as it was, I think the real charm lay in the
2633 happiest of all happy faces which leaned over it, as Beth lovingly
2634 touched the beautiful black and white keys and pressed the bright
2635 pedals.
2636 
2637 "You'll have to go and thank him," said Jo, by way of a joke, for the
2638 idea of the child's really going never entered her head.
2639 
2640 "Yes, I mean to.  I guess I'll go now, before I get frightened thinking
2641 about it." And, to the utter amazement of the assembled family, Beth
2642 walked deliberately down the garden, through the hedge, and in at the
2643 Laurences' door.
2644 
2645 "Well, I wish I may die if it ain't the queerest thing I ever see!  The
2646 pianny has turned her head!  She'd never have gone in her right mind,"
2647 cried Hannah, staring after her, while the girls were rendered quite
2648 speechless by the miracle.
2649 
2650 They would have been still more amazed if they had seen what Beth did
2651 afterward.  If you will believe me, she went and knocked at the study
2652 door before she gave herself time to think, and when a gruff voice
2653 called out, "come in!" she did go in, right up to Mr. Laurence, who
2654 looked quite taken aback, and held out her hand, saying, with only a
2655 small quaver in her voice, "I came to thank you, sir, for..." But she
2656 didn't finish, for he looked so friendly that she forgot her speech
2657 and, only remembering that he had lost the little girl he loved, she
2658 put both arms round his neck and kissed him.
2659 
2660 If the roof of the house had suddenly flown off, the old gentleman
2661 wouldn't have been more astonished.  But he liked it. Oh, dear, yes, he
2662 liked it amazingly!  And was so touched and pleased by that confiding
2663 little kiss that all his crustiness vanished, and he just set her on
2664 his knee, and laid his wrinkled cheek against her rosy one, feeling as
2665 if he had got his own little granddaughter back again.  Beth ceased to
2666 fear him from that moment, and sat there talking to him as cozily as if
2667 she had known him all her life, for love casts out fear, and gratitude
2668 can conquer pride.  When she went home, he walked with her to her own
2669 gate, shook hands cordially, and touched his hat as he marched back
2670 again, looking very stately and erect, like a handsome, soldierly old
2671 gentleman, as he was.
2672 
2673 When the girls saw that performance, Jo began to dance a jig, by way of
2674 expressing her satisfaction, Amy nearly fell out of the window in her
2675 surprise, and Meg exclaimed, with up-lifted hands, "Well, I do believe
2676 the world is coming to an end."
2677 
2678 
2679 
2680 CHAPTER SEVEN
2681 
2682 AMY'S VALLEY OF HUMILIATION
2683 
2684 "That boy is a perfect cyclops, isn't he?" said Amy one day, as Laurie
2685 clattered by on horseback, with a flourish of his whip as he passed.
2686 
2687 "How dare you say so, when he's got both his eyes?  And very handsome
2688 ones they are, too," cried Jo, who resented any slighting remarks about
2689 her friend.
2690 
2691 "I didn't say anything about his eyes, and I don't see why you need
2692 fire up when I admire his riding."
2693 
2694 "Oh, my goodness!  That little goose means a centaur, and she called
2695 him a Cyclops," exclaimed Jo, with a burst of laughter.
2696 
2697 "You needn't be so rude, it's only a 'lapse of lingy', as Mr. Davis
2698 says," retorted Amy, finishing Jo with her Latin.  "I just wish I had a
2699 little of the money Laurie spends on that horse," she added, as if to
2700 herself, yet hoping her sisters would hear.
2701 
2702 "Why?" asked Meg kindly, for Jo had gone off in another laugh at Amy's
2703 second blunder.
2704 
2705 "I need it so much.  I'm dreadfully in debt, and it won't be my turn to
2706 have the rag money for a month."
2707 
2708 "In debt, Amy?  What do you mean?" And Meg looked sober.
2709 
2710 "Why, I owe at least a dozen pickled limes, and I can't pay them, you
2711 know, till I have money, for Marmee forbade my having anything charged
2712 at the shop."
2713 
2714 "Tell me all about it.  Are limes the fashion now?  It used to be
2715 pricking bits of rubber to make balls."  And Meg tried to keep her
2716 countenance, Amy looked so grave and important.
2717 
2718 "Why, you see, the girls are always buying them, and unless you want to
2719 be thought mean, you must do it too.  It's nothing but limes now, for
2720 everyone is sucking them in their desks in schooltime, and trading them
2721 off for pencils, bead rings, paper dolls, or something else, at recess.
2722 If one girl likes another, she gives her a lime.  If she's mad with
2723 her, she eats one before her face, and doesn't offer even a suck.  They
2724 treat by turns, and I've had ever so many but haven't returned them,
2725 and I ought for they are debts of honor, you know."
2726 
2727 "How much will pay them off and restore your credit?" asked Meg, taking
2728 out her purse.
2729 
2730 "A quarter would more than do it, and leave a few cents over for a
2731 treat for you.  Don't you like limes?"
2732 
2733 "Not much.  You may have my share.  Here's the money.  Make it last as
2734 long as you can, for it isn't very plenty, you know."
2735 
2736 "Oh, thank you!  It must be so nice to have pocket money!  I'll have a
2737 grand feast, for I haven't tasted a lime this week.  I felt delicate
2738 about taking any, as I couldn't return them, and I'm actually suffering
2739 for one."
2740 
2741 Next day Amy was rather late at school, but could not resist the
2742 temptation of displaying, with pardonable pride, a moist brown-paper
2743 parcel, before she consigned it to the inmost recesses of her desk.
2744 During the next few minutes the rumor that Amy March had got
2745 twenty-four delicious limes (she ate one on the way) and was going to
2746 treat circulated through her 'set', and the attentions of her friends
2747 became quite overwhelming.  Katy Brown invited her to her next party on
2748 the spot.  Mary Kingsley insisted on lending her her watch till recess,
2749 and Jenny Snow, a satirical young lady, who had basely twitted Amy upon
2750 her limeless state, promptly buried the hatchet and offered to furnish
2751 answers to certain appalling sums.  But Amy had not forgotten Miss
2752 Snow's cutting remarks about 'some persons whose noses were not too
2753 flat to smell other people's limes, and stuck-up people who were not
2754 too proud to ask for them', and she instantly crushed 'that Snow
2755 girl's' hopes by the withering telegram, "You needn't be so polite all
2756 of a sudden, for you won't get any."
2757 
2758 A distinguished personage happened to visit the school that morning,
2759 and Amy's beautifully drawn maps received praise, which honor to her
2760 foe rankled in the soul of Miss Snow, and caused Miss March to assume
2761 the airs of a studious young peacock.  But, alas, alas!  Pride goes
2762 before a fall, and the revengeful Snow turned the tables with
2763 disastrous success.  No sooner had the guest paid the usual stale
2764 compliments and bowed himself out, than Jenny, under pretense of asking
2765 an important question, informed Mr. Davis, the teacher, that Amy March
2766 had pickled limes in her desk.
2767 
2768 Now Mr. Davis had declared limes a contraband article, and solemnly
2769 vowed to publicly ferrule the first person who was found breaking the
2770 law.  This much-enduring man had succeeded in banishing chewing gum
2771 after a long and stormy war, had made a bonfire of the confiscated
2772 novels and newspapers, had suppressed a private post office, had
2773 forbidden distortions of the face, nicknames, and caricatures, and done
2774 all that one man could do to keep half a hundred rebellious girls in
2775 order.  Boys are trying enough to human patience, goodness knows, but
2776 girls are infinitely more so, especially to nervous gentlemen with
2777 tyrannical tempers and no more talent for teaching than Dr. Blimber.
2778 Mr. Davis knew any quantity of Greek, Latin, algebra, and ologies of
2779 all sorts so he was called a fine teacher, and manners, morals,
2780 feelings, and examples were not considered of any particular
2781 importance.  It was a most unfortunate moment for denouncing Amy, and
2782 Jenny knew it.  Mr. Davis had evidently taken his coffee too strong
2783 that morning, there was an east wind, which always affected his
2784 neuralgia, and his pupils had not done him the credit which he felt he
2785 deserved.  Therefore, to use the expressive, if not elegant, language
2786 of a schoolgirl, "He was as nervous as a witch and as cross as a bear".
2787 The word 'limes' was like fire to powder, his yellow face flushed, and
2788 he rapped on his desk with an energy which made Jenny skip to her seat
2789 with unusual rapidity.
2790 
2791 "Young ladies, attention, if you please!"
2792 
2793 At the stern order the buzz ceased, and fifty pairs of blue, black,
2794 gray, and brown eyes were obediently fixed upon his awful countenance.
2795 
2796 "Miss March, come to the desk."
2797 
2798 Amy rose to comply with outward composure, but a secret fear oppressed
2799 her, for the limes weighed upon her conscience.
2800 
2801 "Bring with you the limes you have in your desk," was the unexpected
2802 command which arrested her before she got out of her seat.
2803 
2804 "Don't take all." whispered her neighbor, a young lady of great
2805 presence of mind.
2806 
2807 Amy hastily shook out half a dozen and laid the rest down before Mr.
2808 Davis, feeling that any man possessing a human heart would relent when
2809 that delicious perfume met his nose.  Unfortunately, Mr. Davis
2810 particularly detested the odor of the fashionable pickle, and disgust
2811 added to his wrath.
2812 
2813 "Is that all?"
2814 
2815 "Not quite," stammered Amy.
2816 
2817 "Bring the rest immediately."
2818 
2819 With a despairing glance at her set, she obeyed.
2820 
2821 "You are sure there are no more?"
2822 
2823 "I never lie, sir."
2824 
2825 "So I see.  Now take these disgusting things two by two, and throw them
2826 out of the window."
2827 
2828 There was a simultaneous sigh, which created quite a little gust, as
2829 the last hope fled, and the treat was ravished from their longing lips.
2830 Scarlet with shame and anger, Amy went to and fro six dreadful times,
2831 and as each doomed couple, looking oh, so plump and juicy, fell from
2832 her reluctant hands, a shout from the street completed the anguish of
2833 the girls, for it told them that their feast was being exulted over by
2834 the little Irish children, who were their sworn foes.  This -- this was
2835 too much.  All flashed indignant or appealing glances at the inexorable
2836 Davis, and one passionate lime lover burst into tears.
2837 
2838 As Amy returned from her last trip, Mr. Davis gave a portentous "Hem!"
2839 and said, in his most impressive manner...
2840 
2841 "Young ladies, you remember what I said to you a week ago.  I am sorry
2842 this has happened, but I never allow my rules to be infringed, and I
2843 never break my word.  Miss March, hold out your hand."
2844 
2845 Amy started, and put both hands behind her, turning on him an imploring
2846 look which pleaded for her better than the words she could not utter.
2847 She was rather a favorite with 'old Davis', as, of course, he was
2848 called, and it's my private belief that he would have broken his word
2849 if the indignation of one irrepressible young lady had not found vent
2850 in a hiss.  That hiss, faint as it was, irritated the irascible
2851 gentleman, and sealed the culprit's fate.
2852 
2853 "Your hand, Miss March!" was the only answer her mute appeal received,
2854 and too proud to cry or beseech, Amy set her teeth, threw back her head
2855 defiantly, and bore without flinching several tingling blows on her
2856 little palm.  They were neither many nor heavy, but that made no
2857 difference to her.  For the first time in her life she had been struck,
2858 and the disgrace, in her eyes, was as deep as if he had knocked her
2859 down.
2860 
2861 "You will now stand on the platform till recess," said Mr. Davis,
2862 resolved to do the thing thoroughly, since he had begun.
2863 
2864 That was dreadful.  It would have been bad enough to go to her seat,
2865 and see the pitying faces of her friends, or the satisfied ones of her
2866 few enemies, but to face the whole school, with that shame fresh upon
2867 her, seemed impossible, and for a second she felt as if she could only
2868 drop down where she stood, and break her heart with crying.  A bitter
2869 sense of wrong and the thought of Jenny Snow helped her to bear it,
2870 and, taking the ignominious place, she fixed her eyes on the stove
2871 funnel above what now seemed a sea of faces, and stood there, so
2872 motionless and white that the girls found it hard to study with that
2873 pathetic figure before them.
2874 
2875 During the fifteen minutes that followed, the proud and sensitive
2876 little girl suffered a shame and pain which she never forgot.  To
2877 others it might seem a ludicrous or trivial affair, but to her it was a
2878 hard experience, for during the twelve years of her life she had been
2879 governed by love alone, and a blow of that sort had never touched her
2880 before.  The smart of her hand and the ache of her heart were forgotten
2881 in the sting of the thought, "I shall have to tell at home, and they
2882 will be so disappointed in me!"
2883 
2884 The fifteen minutes seemed an hour, but they came to an end at last,
2885 and the word 'Recess!' had never seemed so welcome to her before.
2886 
2887 "You can go, Miss March," said Mr. Davis, looking, as he felt,
2888 uncomfortable.
2889 
2890 He did not soon forget the reproachful glance Amy gave him, as she
2891 went, without a word to anyone, straight into the anteroom, snatched
2892 her things, and left the place "forever," as she passionately declared
2893 to herself.  She was in a sad state when she got home, and when the
2894 older girls arrived, some time later, an indignation meeting was held
2895 at once.  Mrs. March did not say much but looked disturbed, and
2896 comforted her afflicted little daughter in her tenderest manner. Meg
2897 bathed the insulted hand with glycerine and tears, Beth felt that even
2898 her beloved kittens would fail as a balm for griefs like this, Jo
2899 wrathfully proposed that Mr. Davis be arrested without delay, and
2900 Hannah shook her fist at the 'villain' and pounded potatoes for dinner
2901 as if she had him under her pestle.
2902 
2903 No notice was taken of Amy's flight, except by her mates, but the
2904 sharp-eyed demoiselles discovered that Mr. Davis was quite benignant in
2905 the afternoon, also unusually nervous.  Just before school closed, Jo
2906 appeared, wearing a grim expression as she stalked up to the desk, and
2907 delivered a letter from her mother, then collected Amy's property, and
2908 departed, carefully scraping the mud from her boots on the door mat, as
2909 if she shook the dust of the place off her feet.
2910 
2911 "Yes, you can have a vacation from school, but I want you to study a
2912 little every day with Beth," said Mrs. March that evening. "I don't
2913 approve of corporal punishment, especially for girls.  I dislike Mr.
2914 Davis's manner of teaching and don't think the girls you associate with
2915 are doing you any good, so I shall ask your father's advice before I
2916 send you anywhere else."
2917 
2918 "That's good!  I wish all the girls would leave, and spoil his old
2919 school.  It's perfectly maddening to think of those lovely limes,"
2920 sighed Amy, with the air of a martyr.
2921 
2922 "I am not sorry you lost them, for you broke the rules, and deserved
2923 some punishment for disobedience," was the severe reply, which rather
2924 disappointed the young lady, who expected nothing but sympathy.
2925 
2926 "Do you mean you are glad I was disgraced before the whole school?"
2927 cried Amy.
2928 
2929 "I should not have chosen that way of mending a fault," replied her
2930 mother, "but I'm not sure that it won't do you more good than a bolder
2931 method.  You are getting to be rather conceited, my dear, and it is
2932 quite time you set about correcting it.  You have a good many little
2933 gifts and virtues, but there is no need of parading them, for conceit
2934 spoils the finest genius.  There is not much danger that real talent or
2935 goodness will be overlooked long, even if it is, the consciousness of
2936 possessing and using it well should satisfy one, and the great charm of
2937 all power is modesty."
2938 
2939 "So it is!" cried Laurie, who was playing chess in a corner with Jo.
2940 "I knew a girl once, who had a really remarkable talent for music, and
2941 she didn't know it, never guessed what sweet little things she composed
2942 when she was alone, and wouldn't have believed it if anyone had told
2943 her."
2944 
2945 "I wish I'd known that nice girl.  Maybe she would have helped me, I'm
2946 so stupid," said Beth, who stood beside him, listening eagerly.
2947 
2948 "You do know her, and she helps you better than anyone else could,"
2949 answered Laurie, looking at her with such mischievous meaning in his
2950 merry black eyes that Beth suddenly turned very red, and hid her face
2951 in the sofa cushion, quite overcome by such an unexpected discovery.
2952 
2953 Jo let Laurie win the game to pay for that praise of her Beth, who
2954 could not be prevailed upon to play for them after her compliment. So
2955 Laurie did his best, and sang delightfully, being in a particularly
2956 lively humor, for to the Marches he seldom showed the moody side of his
2957 character.  When he was gone, Amy, who had been pensive all evening,
2958 said suddenly, as if busy over some new idea, "Is Laurie an
2959 accomplished boy?"
2960 
2961 "Yes, he has had an excellent education, and has much talent. He will
2962 make a fine man, if not spoiled by petting," replied her mother.
2963 
2964 "And he isn't conceited, is he?" asked Amy.
2965 
2966 "Not in the least.  That is why he is so charming and we all like him
2967 so much."
2968 
2969 "I see.  It's nice to have accomplishments and be elegant, but not to
2970 show off or get perked up," said Amy thoughtfully.
2971 
2972 "These things are always seen and felt in a person's manner and
2973 conversations, if modestly used, but it is not necessary to display
2974 them," said Mrs. March.
2975 
2976 "Any more than it's proper to wear all your bonnets and gowns and
2977 ribbons at once, that folks may know you've got them," added Jo, and
2978 the lecture ended in a laugh.
2979 
2980 
2981 
2982 CHAPTER EIGHT
2983 
2984 JO MEETS APOLLYON
2985 
2986 "Girls, where are you going?" asked Amy, coming into their room one
2987 Saturday afternoon, and finding them getting ready to go out with an
2988 air of secrecy which excited her curiosity.
2989 
2990 "Never mind.  Little girls shouldn't ask questions," returned Jo
2991 sharply.
2992 
2993 Now if there is anything mortifying to our feelings when we are young,
2994 it is to be told that, and to be bidden to "run away, dear" is still
2995 more trying to us.  Amy bridled up at this insult, and determined to
2996 find out the secret, if she teased for an hour. Turning to Meg, who
2997 never refused her anything very long, she said coaxingly, "Do tell me!
2998 I should think you might let me go, too, for Beth is fussing over her
2999 piano, and I haven't got anything to do, and am so lonely."
3000 
3001 "I can't, dear, because you aren't invited," began Meg, but Jo broke in
3002 impatiently, "Now, Meg, be quiet or you will spoil it all.  You can't
3003 go, Amy, so don't be a baby and whine about it."
3004 
3005 "You are going somewhere with Laurie, I know you are.  You were
3006 whispering and laughing together on the sofa last night, and you
3007 stopped when I came in.  Aren't you going with him?"
3008 
3009 "Yes, we are.  Now do be still, and stop bothering."
3010 
3011 Amy held her tongue, but used her eyes, and saw Meg slip a fan into her
3012 pocket.
3013 
3014 "I know!  I know!  You're going to the theater to see the _Seven
3015 Castles!_" she cried, adding resolutely, "and I shall go, for Mother
3016 said I might see it, and I've got my rag money, and it was mean not to
3017 tell me in time."
3018 
3019 "Just listen to me a minute, and be a good child," said Meg soothingly.
3020 "Mother doesn't wish you to go this week, because your eyes are not
3021 well enough yet to bear the light of this fairy piece.  Next week you
3022 can go with Beth and Hannah, and have a nice time."
3023 
3024 "I don't like that half as well as going with you and Laurie. Please
3025 let me.  I've been sick with this cold so long, and shut up, I'm dying
3026 for some fun.  Do, Meg!  I'll be ever so good," pleaded Amy, looking as
3027 pathetic as she could.
3028 
3029 "Suppose we take her.  I don't believe Mother would mind, if we bundle
3030 her up well," began Meg.
3031 
3032 "If she goes I shan't, and if I don't, Laurie won't like it, and it
3033 will be very rude, after he invited only us, to go and drag in Amy.  I
3034 should think she'd hate to poke herself where she isn't wanted," said
3035 Jo crossly, for she disliked the trouble of overseeing a fidgety child
3036 when she wanted to enjoy herself.
3037 
3038 Her tone and manner angered Amy, who began to put her boots on, saying,
3039 in her most aggravating way, "I shall go.  Meg says I may, and if I pay
3040 for myself, Laurie hasn't anything to do with it."
3041 
3042 "You can't sit with us, for our seats are reserved, and you mustn't sit
3043 alone, so Laurie will give you his place, and that will spoil our
3044 pleasure.  Or he'll get another seat for you, and that isn't proper
3045 when you weren't asked.  You shan't stir a step, so you may just stay
3046 where you are," scolded Jo, crosser than ever, having just pricked her
3047 finger in her hurry.
3048 
3049 Sitting on the floor with one boot on, Amy began to cry and Meg to
3050 reason with her, when Laurie called from below, and the two girls
3051 hurried down, leaving their sister wailing.  For now and then she
3052 forgot her grown-up ways and acted like a spoiled child.  Just as the
3053 party was setting out, Amy called over the banisters in a threatening
3054 tone, "You'll be sorry for this, Jo March, see if you ain't."
3055 
3056 "Fiddlesticks!" returned Jo, slamming the door.
3057 
3058 They had a charming time, for _The Seven Castles Of The Diamond Lake_
3059 was as brilliant and wonderful as heart could wish. But in spite of the
3060 comical red imps, sparkling elves, and the gorgeous princes and
3061 princesses, Jo's pleasure had a drop of bitterness in it.  The fairy
3062 queen's yellow curls reminded her of Amy, and between the acts she
3063 amused herself with wondering what her sister would do to make her
3064 'sorry for it'.  She and Amy had had many lively skirmishes in the
3065 course of their lives, for both had quick tempers and were apt to be
3066 violent when fairly roused.  Amy teased Jo, and Jo irritated Amy, and
3067 semioccasional explosions occurred, of which both were much ashamed
3068 afterward. Although the oldest, Jo had the least self-control, and had
3069 hard times trying to curb the fiery spirit which was continually
3070 getting her into trouble.  Her anger never lasted long, and having
3071 humbly confessed her fault, she sincerely repented and tried to do
3072 better. Her sisters used to say that they rather liked to get Jo into a
3073 fury because she was such an angel afterward.  Poor Jo tried
3074 desperately to be good, but her bosom enemy was always ready to flame
3075 up and defeat her, and it took years of patient effort to subdue it.
3076 
3077 When they got home, they found Amy reading in the parlor. She assumed
3078 an injured air as they came in, never lifted her eyes from her book, or
3079 asked a single question.  Perhaps curiosity might have conquered
3080 resentment, if Beth had not been there to inquire and receive a glowing
3081 description of the play.  On going up to put away her best hat, Jo's
3082 first look was toward the bureau, for in their last quarrel Amy had
3083 soothed her feelings by turning Jo's top drawer upside down on the
3084 floor.  Everything was in its place, however, and after a hasty glance
3085 into her various closets, bags, and boxes, Jo decided that Amy had
3086 forgiven and forgotten her wrongs.
3087 
3088 There Jo was mistaken, for next day she made a discovery which produced
3089 a tempest.  Meg, Beth, and Amy were sitting together, late in the
3090 afternoon, when Jo burst into the room, looking excited and demanding
3091 breathlessly, "Has anyone taken my book?"
3092 
3093 Meg and Beth said, "No." at once, and looked surprised.  Amy poked the
3094 fire and said nothing.  Jo saw her color rise and was down upon her in
3095 a minute.
3096 
3097 "Amy, you've got it!"
3098 
3099 "No, I haven't."
3100 
3101 "You know where it is, then!"
3102 
3103 "No, I don't."
3104 
3105 "That's a fib!" cried Jo, taking her by the shoulders, and looking
3106 fierce enough to frighten a much braver child than Amy.
3107 
3108 "It isn't.  I haven't got it, don't know where it is now, and don't
3109 care."
3110 
3111 "You know something about it, and you'd better tell at once, or I'll
3112 make you."  And Jo gave her a slight shake.
3113 
3114 "Scold as much as you like, you'll never see your silly old book
3115 again," cried Amy, getting excited in her turn.
3116 
3117 "Why not?"
3118 
3119 "I burned it up."
3120 
3121 "What!  My little book I was so fond of, and worked over, and meant to
3122 finish before Father got home?  Have you really burned it?" said Jo,
3123 turning very pale, while her eyes kindled and her hands clutched Amy
3124 nervously.
3125 
3126 "Yes, I did!  I told you I'd make you pay for being so cross yesterday,
3127 and I have, so..."
3128 
3129 Amy got no farther, for Jo's hot temper mastered her, and she shook Amy
3130 till her teeth chattered in her head, crying in a passion of grief and
3131 anger...
3132 
3133 "You wicked, wicked girl!  I never can write it again, and I'll never
3134 forgive you as long as I live."
3135 
3136 Meg flew to rescue Amy, and Beth to pacify Jo, but Jo was quite beside
3137 herself, and with a parting box on her sister's ear, she rushed out of
3138 the room up to the old sofa in the garret, and finished her fight alone.
3139 
3140 The storm cleared up below, for Mrs. March came home, and, having heard
3141 the story, soon brought Amy to a sense of the wrong she had done her
3142 sister.  Jo's book was the pride of her heart, and was regarded by her
3143 family as a literary sprout of great promise.  It was only half a dozen
3144 little fairy tales, but Jo had worked over them patiently, putting her
3145 whole heart into her work, hoping to make something good enough to
3146 print.  She had just copied them with great care, and had destroyed the
3147 old manuscript, so that Amy's bonfire had consumed the loving work of
3148 several years.  It seemed a small loss to others, but to Jo it was a
3149 dreadful calamity, and she felt that it never could be made up to her.
3150 Beth mourned as for a departed kitten, and Meg refused to defend her
3151 pet.  Mrs. March looked grave and grieved, and Amy felt that no one
3152 would love her till she had asked pardon for the act which she now
3153 regretted more than any of them.
3154 
3155 When the tea bell rang, Jo appeared, looking so grim and unapproachable
3156 that it took all Amy's courage to say meekly...
3157 
3158 "Please forgive me, Jo.  I'm very, very sorry."
3159 
3160 "I never shall forgive you," was Jo's stern answer, and from that
3161 moment she ignored Amy entirely.
3162 
3163 No one spoke of the great trouble, not even Mrs. March, for all had
3164 learned by experience that when Jo was in that mood words were wasted,
3165 and the wisest course was to wait till some little accident, or her own
3166 generous nature, softened Jo's resentment and healed the breach.  It
3167 was not a happy evening, for though they sewed as usual, while their
3168 mother read aloud from Bremer, Scott, or Edgeworth, something was
3169 wanting, and the sweet home peace was disturbed.  They felt this most
3170 when singing time came, for Beth could only play, Jo stood dumb as a
3171 stone, and Amy broke down, so Meg and Mother sang alone.  But in spite
3172 of their efforts to be as cheery as larks, the flutelike voices did not
3173 seem to chord as well as usual, and all felt out of tune.
3174 
3175 As Jo received her good-night kiss, Mrs. March whispered gently, "My
3176 dear, don't let the sun go down upon your anger.  Forgive each other,
3177 help each other, and begin again tomorrow."
3178 
3179 Jo wanted to lay her head down on that motherly bosom, and cry her
3180 grief and anger all away, but tears were an unmanly weakness, and she
3181 felt so deeply injured that she really couldn't quite forgive yet.  So
3182 she winked hard, shook her head, and said gruffly because Amy was
3183 listening, "It was an abominable thing, and she doesn't deserve to be
3184 forgiven."
3185 
3186 With that she marched off to bed, and there was no merry or
3187 confidential gossip that night.
3188 
3189 Amy was much offended that her overtures of peace had been repulsed,
3190 and began to wish she had not humbled herself, to feel more injured
3191 than ever, and to plume herself on her superior virtue in a way which
3192 was particularly exasperating.  Jo still looked like a thunder cloud,
3193 and nothing went well all day.  It was bitter cold in the morning, she
3194 dropped her precious turnover in the gutter, Aunt March had an attack
3195 of the fidgets, Meg was sensitive, Beth would look grieved and wistful
3196 when she got home, and Amy kept making remarks about people who were
3197 always talking about being good and yet wouldn't even try when other
3198 people set them a virtuous example.
3199 
3200 "Everybody is so hateful, I'll ask Laurie to go skating.  He is always
3201 kind and jolly, and will put me to rights, I know," said Jo to herself,
3202 and off she went.
3203 
3204 Amy heard the clash of skates, and looked out with an impatient
3205 exclamation.
3206 
3207 "There!  She promised I should go next time, for this is the last ice
3208 we shall have.  But it's no use to ask such a crosspatch to take me."
3209 
3210 "Don't say that.  You were very naughty, and it is hard to forgive the
3211 loss of her precious little book, but I think she might do it now, and
3212 I guess she will, if you try her at the right minute," said Meg.  "Go
3213 after them.  Don't say anything till Jo has got good-natured with
3214 Laurie, than take a quiet minute and just kiss her, or do some kind
3215 thing, and I'm sure she'll be friends again with all her heart."
3216 
3217 "I'll try," said Amy, for the advice suited her, and after a flurry to
3218 get ready, she ran after the friends, who were just disappearing over
3219 the hill.
3220 
3221 It was not far to the river, but both were ready before Amy reached
3222 them.  Jo saw her coming, and turned her back.  Laurie did not see, for
3223 he was carefully skating along the shore, sounding the ice, for a warm
3224 spell had preceded the cold snap.
3225 
3226 "I'll go on to the first bend, and see if it's all right before we
3227 begin to race," Amy heard him say, as he shot away, looking like a
3228 young Russian in his fur-trimmed coat and cap.
3229 
3230 Jo heard Amy panting after her run, stamping her feet and blowing on
3231 her fingers as she tried to put her skates on, but Jo never turned and
3232 went slowly zigzagging down the river, taking a bitter, unhappy sort of
3233 satisfaction in her sister's troubles. She had cherished her anger till
3234 it grew strong and took possession of her, as evil thoughts and
3235 feelings always do unless cast out at once.  As Laurie turned the bend,
3236 he shouted back...
3237 
3238 "Keep near the shore.  It isn't safe in the middle." Jo heard, but Amy
3239 was struggling to her feet and did not catch a word.  Jo glanced over
3240 her shoulder, and the little demon she was harboring said in her ear...
3241 
3242 "No matter whether she heard or not, let her take care of herself."
3243 
3244 Laurie had vanished round the bend, Jo was just at the turn, and Amy,
3245 far behind, striking out toward the smoother ice in the middle of the
3246 river.  For a minute Jo stood still with a strange feeling in her
3247 heart, then she resolved to go on, but something held and turned her
3248 round, just in time to see Amy throw up her hands and go down, with a
3249 sudden crash of rotten ice, the splash of water, and a cry that made
3250 Jo's heart stand still with fear.  She tried to call Laurie, but her
3251 voice was gone.  She tried to rush forward, but her feet seemed to have
3252 no strength in them, and for a second, she could only stand motionless,
3253 staring with a terror-stricken face at the little blue hood above the
3254 black water. Something rushed swiftly by her, and Laurie's voice cried
3255 out...
3256 
3257 "Bring a rail.  Quick, quick!"
3258 
3259 How she did it, she never knew, but for the next few minutes she worked
3260 as if possessed, blindly obeying Laurie, who was quite self-possessed,
3261 and lying flat, held Amy up by his arm and hockey stick till Jo dragged
3262 a rail from the fence, and together they got the child out, more
3263 frightened than hurt.
3264 
3265 "Now then, we must walk her home as fast as we can.  Pile our things on
3266 her, while I get off these confounded skates," cried Laurie, wrapping
3267 his coat round Amy, and tugging away at the straps which never seemed
3268 so intricate before.
3269 
3270 Shivering, dripping, and crying, they got Amy home, and after an
3271 exciting time of it, she fell asleep, rolled in blankets before a hot
3272 fire.  During the bustle Jo had scarcely spoken but flown about,
3273 looking pale and wild, with her things half off, her dress torn, and
3274 her hands cut and bruised by ice and rails and refractory buckles. When
3275 Amy was comfortably asleep, the house quiet, and Mrs. March sitting by
3276 the bed, she called Jo to her and began to bind up the hurt hands.
3277 
3278 "Are you sure she is safe?" whispered Jo, looking remorsefully at the
3279 golden head, which might have been swept away from her sight forever
3280 under the treacherous ice.
3281 
3282 "Quite safe, dear.  She is not hurt, and won't even take cold, I think,
3283 you were so sensible in covering and getting her home quickly," replied
3284 her mother cheerfully.
3285 
3286 "Laurie did it all.  I only let her go.  Mother, if she should die, it
3287 would be my fault."  And Jo dropped down beside the bed in a passion of
3288 penitent tears, telling all that had happened, bitterly condemning her
3289 hardness of heart, and sobbing out her gratitude for being spared the
3290 heavy punishment which might have come upon her.
3291 
3292 "It's my dreadful temper!  I try to cure it, I think I have, and then
3293 it breaks out worse than ever.  Oh, Mother, what shall I do?  What
3294 shall I do?" cried poor Jo, in despair.
3295 
3296 "Watch and pray, dear, never get tired of trying, and never think it is
3297 impossible to conquer your fault," said Mrs. March, drawing the blowzy
3298 head to her shoulder and kissing the wet cheek so tenderly that Jo
3299 cried even harder.
3300 
3301 "You don't know, you can't guess how bad it is!  It seems as if I could
3302 do anything when I'm in a passion.  I get so savage, I could hurt
3303 anyone and enjoy it.  I'm afraid I shall do something dreadful some
3304 day, and spoil my life, and make everybody hate me. Oh, Mother, help
3305 me, do help me!"
3306 
3307 "I will, my child, I will.  Don't cry so bitterly, but remember this
3308 day, and resolve with all your soul that you will never know another
3309 like it.  Jo, dear, we all have our temptations, some far greater than
3310 yours, and it often takes us all our lives to conquer them.  You think
3311 your temper is the worst in the world, but mine used to be just like
3312 it."
3313 
3314 "Yours, Mother?  Why, you are never angry!"  And for the moment Jo
3315 forgot remorse in surprise.
3316 
3317 "I've been trying to cure it for forty years, and have only succeeded
3318 in controlling it.  I am angry nearly every day of my life, Jo, but I
3319 have learned not to show it, and I still hope to learn not to feel it,
3320 though it may take me another forty years to do so."
3321 
3322 The patience and the humility of the face she loved so well was a
3323 better lesson to Jo than the wisest lecture, the sharpest reproof.  She
3324 felt comforted at once by the sympathy and confidence given her.  The
3325 knowledge that her mother had a fault like hers, and tried to mend it,
3326 made her own easier to bear and strengthened her resolution to cure it,
3327 though forty years seemed rather a long time to watch and pray to a
3328 girl of fifteen.
3329 
3330 "Mother, are you angry when you fold your lips tight together and go
3331 out of the room sometimes, when Aunt March scolds or people worry you?"
3332 asked Jo, feeling nearer and dearer to her mother than ever before.
3333 
3334 "Yes, I've learned to check the hasty words that rise to my lips, and
3335 when I feel that they mean to break out against my will, I just go away
3336 for a minute, and give myself a little shake for being so weak and
3337 wicked," answered Mrs. March with a sigh and a smile, as she smoothed
3338 and fastened up Jo's disheveled hair.
3339 
3340 "How did you learn to keep still?  That is what troubles me, for the
3341 sharp words fly out before I know what I'm about, and the more I say
3342 the worse I get, till it's a pleasure to hurt people's feelings and say
3343 dreadful things.  Tell me how you do it, Marmee dear."
3344 
3345 "My good mother used to help me..."
3346 
3347 "As you do us..." interrupted Jo, with a grateful kiss.
3348 
3349 "But I lost her when I was a little older than you are, and for years
3350 had to struggle on alone, for I was too proud to confess my weakness to
3351 anyone else.  I had a hard time, Jo, and shed a good many bitter tears
3352 over my failures, for in spite of my efforts I never seemed to get on.
3353 Then your father came, and I was so happy that I found it easy to be
3354 good.  But by-and-by, when I had four little daughters round me and we
3355 were poor, then the old trouble began again, for I am not patient by
3356 nature, and it tried me very much to see my children wanting anything."
3357 
3358 "Poor Mother!  What helped you then?"
3359 
3360 "Your father, Jo.  He never loses patience, never doubts or complains,
3361 but always hopes, and works and waits so cheerfully that one is ashamed
3362 to do otherwise before him.  He helped and comforted me, and showed me
3363 that I must try to practice all the virtues I would have my little
3364 girls possess, for I was their example.  It was easier to try for your
3365 sakes than for my own. A startled or surprised look from one of you
3366 when I spoke sharply rebuked me more than any words could have done,
3367 and the love, respect, and confidence of my children was the sweetest
3368 reward I could receive for my efforts to be the woman I would have them
3369 copy."
3370 
3371 "Oh, Mother, if I'm ever half as good as you, I shall be satisfied,"
3372 cried Jo, much touched.
3373 
3374 "I hope you will be a great deal better, dear, but you must keep watch
3375 over your 'bosom enemy', as father calls it, or it may sadden, if not
3376 spoil your life.  You have had a warning. Remember it, and try with
3377 heart and soul to master this quick temper, before it brings you
3378 greater sorrow and regret than you have known today."
3379 
3380 "I will try, Mother, I truly will.  But you must help me, remind me,
3381 and keep me from flying out.  I used to see Father sometimes put his
3382 finger on his lips, and look at you with a very kind but sober face,
3383 and you always folded your lips tight and went away.  Was he reminding
3384 you then?" asked Jo softly.
3385 
3386 "Yes.  I asked him to help me so, and he never forgot it, but saved me
3387 from many a sharp word by that little gesture and kind look."
3388 
3389 Jo saw that her mother's eyes filled and her lips trembled as she
3390 spoke, and fearing that she had said too much, she whispered anxiously,
3391 "Was it wrong to watch you and to speak of it?  I didn't mean to be
3392 rude, but it's so comfortable to say all I think to you, and feel so
3393 safe and happy here."
3394 
3395 "My Jo, you may say anything to your mother, for it is my greatest
3396 happiness and pride to feel that my girls confide in me and know how
3397 much I love them."
3398 
3399 "I thought I'd grieved you."
3400 
3401 "No, dear, but speaking of Father reminded me how much I miss him, how
3402 much I owe him, and how faithfully I should watch and work to keep his
3403 little daughters safe and good for him."
3404 
3405 "Yet you told him to go, Mother, and didn't cry when he went, and never
3406 complain now, or seem as if you needed any help," said Jo, wondering.
3407 
3408 "I gave my best to the country I love, and kept my tears till he was
3409 gone.  Why should I complain, when we both have merely done our duty
3410 and will surely be the happier for it in the end?  If I don't seem to
3411 need help, it is because I have a better friend, even than Father, to
3412 comfort and sustain me.  My child, the troubles and temptations of your
3413 life are beginning and may be many, but you can overcome and outlive
3414 them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your
3415 Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one.  The more you love
3416 and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will
3417 depend on human power and wisdom.  His love and care never tire or
3418 change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of
3419 lifelong peace, happiness, and strength.  Believe this heartily, and go
3420 to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as
3421 freely and confidingly as you come to your mother."
3422 
3423 Jo's only answer was to hold her mother close, and in the silence which
3424 followed the sincerest prayer she had ever prayed left her heart
3425 without words.  For in that sad yet happy hour, she had learned not
3426 only the bitterness of remorse and despair, but the sweetness of
3427 self-denial and self-control, and led by her mother's hand, she had
3428 drawn nearer to the Friend who always welcomes every child with a love
3429 stronger than that of any father, tenderer than that of any mother.
3430 
3431 Amy stirred and sighed in her sleep, and as if eager to begin at once
3432 to mend her fault, Jo looked up with an expression on her face which it
3433 had never worn before.
3434 
3435 "I let the sun go down on my anger.  I wouldn't forgive her, and today,
3436 if it hadn't been for Laurie, it might have been too late!  How could I
3437 be so wicked?" said Jo, half aloud, as she leaned over her sister
3438 softly stroking the wet hair scattered on the pillow.
3439 
3440 As if she heard, Amy opened her eyes, and held out her arms, with a
3441 smile that went straight to Jo's heart.  Neither said a word, but they
3442 hugged one another close, in spite of the blankets, and everything was
3443 forgiven and forgotten in one hearty kiss.
3444 
3445 
3446 
3447 CHAPTER NINE
3448 
3449 MEG GOES TO VANITY FAIR
3450 
3451 "I do think it was the most fortunate thing in the world that those
3452 children should have the measles just now," said Meg, one April day, as
3453 she stood packing the 'go abroady' trunk in her room, surrounded by her
3454 sisters.
3455 
3456 "And so nice of Annie Moffat not to forget her promise.  A whole
3457 fortnight of fun will be regularly splendid," replied Jo, looking like
3458 a windmill as she folded skirts with her long arms.
3459 
3460 "And such lovely weather, I'm so glad of that," added Beth, tidily
3461 sorting neck and hair ribbons in her best box, lent for the great
3462 occasion.
3463 
3464 "I wish I was going to have a fine time and wear all these nice
3465 things," said Amy with her mouth full of pins, as she artistically
3466 replenished her sister's cushion.
3467 
3468 "I wish you were all going, but as you can't, I shall keep my
3469 adventures to tell you when I come back.  I'm sure it's the least I can
3470 do when you have been so kind, lending me things and helping me get
3471 ready," said Meg, glancing round the room at the very simple outfit,
3472 which seemed nearly perfect in their eyes.
3473 
3474 "What did Mother give you out of the treasure box?" asked Amy, who had
3475 not been present at the opening of a certain cedar chest in which Mrs.
3476 March kept a few relics of past splendor, as gifts for her girls when
3477 the proper time came.
3478 
3479 "A pair of silk stockings, that pretty carved fan, and a lovely blue
3480 sash.  I wanted the violet silk, but there isn't time to make it over,
3481 so I must be contented with my old tarlaton."
3482 
3483 
3484 "It will look nice over my new muslin skirt, and the sash will set it
3485 off beautifully.  I wish I hadn't smashed my coral bracelet, for you
3486 might have had it," said Jo, who loved to give and lend, but whose
3487 possessions were usually too dilapidated to be of much use.
3488 
3489 "There is a lovely old-fashioned pearl set in the treasure chest, but
3490 Mother said real flowers were the prettiest ornament for a young girl,
3491 and Laurie promised to send me all I want," replied Meg.  "Now, let me
3492 see, there's my new gray walking suit, just curl up the feather in my
3493 hat, Beth, then my poplin for Sunday and the small party, it looks
3494 heavy for spring, doesn't it?  The violet silk would be so nice.  Oh,
3495 dear!"
3496 
3497 "Never mind, you've got the tarlaton for the big party, and you always
3498 look like an angel in white," said Amy, brooding over the little store
3499 of finery in which her soul delighted.
3500 
3501 "It isn't low-necked, and it doesn't sweep enough, but it will have to
3502 do.  My blue housedress looks so well, turned and freshly trimmed, that
3503 I feel as if I'd got a new one.  My silk sacque isn't a bit the
3504 fashion, and my bonnet doesn't look like Sallie's.  I didn't like to
3505 say anything, but I was sadly disappointed in my umbrella.  I told
3506 Mother black with a white handle, but she forgot and bought a green one
3507 with a yellowish handle.  It's strong and neat, so I ought not to
3508 complain, but I know I shall feel ashamed of it beside Annie's silk one
3509 with a gold top," sighed Meg, surveying the little umbrella with great
3510 disfavor.
3511 
3512 "Change it," advised Jo.
3513 
3514 "I won't be so silly, or hurt Marmee's feelings, when she took so much
3515 pains to get my things.  It's a nonsensical notion of mine, and I'm not
3516 going to give up to it.  My silk stockings and two pairs of new gloves
3517 are my comfort.  You are a dear to lend me yours, Jo.  I feel so rich
3518 and sort of elegant, with two new pairs, and the old ones cleaned up
3519 for common."  And Meg took a refreshing peep at her glove box.
3520 
3521 "Annie Moffat has blue and pink bows on her nightcaps. Would you put
3522 some on mine?" she asked, as Beth brought up a pile of snowy muslins,
3523 fresh from Hannah's hands.
3524 
3525 "No, I wouldn't, for the smart caps won't match the plain gowns without
3526 any trimming on them.  Poor folks shouldn't rig," said Jo decidedly.
3527 
3528 "I wonder if I shall ever be happy enough to have real lace on my
3529 clothes and bows on my caps?" said Meg impatiently.
3530 
3531 "You said the other day that you'd be perfectly happy if you could only
3532 go to Annie Moffat's," observed Beth in her quiet way.
3533 
3534 "So I did!  Well, I am happy, and I won't fret, but it does seem as if
3535 the more one gets the more one wants, doesn't it?  There now, the trays
3536 are ready, and everything in but my ball dress, which I shall leave for
3537 Mother to pack," said Meg, cheering up, as she glanced from the
3538 half-filled trunk to the many times pressed and mended white tarlaton,
3539 which she called her 'ball dress' with an important air.
3540 
3541 The next day was fine, and Meg departed in style for a fortnight of
3542 novelty and pleasure.  Mrs. March had consented to the visit rather
3543 reluctantly, fearing that Margaret would come back more discontented
3544 than she went.  But she begged so hard, and Sallie had promised to take
3545 good care of her, and a little pleasure seemed so delightful after a
3546 winter of irksome work that the mother yielded, and the daughter went
3547 to take her first taste of fashionable life.
3548 
3549 The Moffats were very fashionable, and simple Meg was rather daunted,
3550 at first, by the splendor of the house and the elegance of its
3551 occupants.  But they were kindly people, in spite of the frivolous life
3552 they led, and soon put their guest at her ease. Perhaps Meg felt,
3553 without understanding why, that they were not particularly cultivated
3554 or intelligent people, and that all their gilding could not quite
3555 conceal the ordinary material of which they were made.  It certainly
3556 was agreeable to fare sumptuously, drive in a fine carriage, wear her
3557 best frock every day, and do nothing but enjoy herself.  It suited her
3558 exactly, and soon she began to imitate the manners and conversation of
3559 those about her, to put on little airs and graces, use French phrases,
3560 crimp her hair, take in her dresses, and talk about the fashions as
3561 well as she could.  The more she saw of Annie Moffat's pretty things,
3562 the more she envied her and sighed to be rich.  Home now looked bare
3563 and dismal as she thought of it, work grew harder than ever, and she
3564 felt that she was a very destitute and much-injured girl, in spite of
3565 the new gloves and silk stockings.
3566 
3567 She had not much time for repining, however, for the three young girls
3568 were busily employed in 'having a good time'.  They shopped, walked,
3569 rode, and called all day, went to theaters and operas or frolicked at
3570 home in the evening, for Annie had many friends and knew how to
3571 entertain them.  Her older sisters were very fine young ladies, and one
3572 was engaged, which was extremely interesting and romantic, Meg thought.
3573 Mr. Moffat was a fat, jolly old gentleman, who knew her father, and
3574 Mrs. Moffat, a fat, jolly old lady, who took as great a fancy to Meg as
3575 her daughter had done.  Everyone petted her, and 'Daisey', as they
3576 called her, was in a fair way to have her head turned.
3577 
3578 When the evening for the small party came, she found that the poplin
3579 wouldn't do at all, for the other girls were putting on thin dresses
3580 and making themselves very fine indeed.  So out came the tarlatan,
3581 looking older, limper, and shabbier than ever beside Sallie's crisp new
3582 one.  Meg saw the girls glance at it and then at one another, and her
3583 cheeks began to burn, for with all her gentleness she was very proud.
3584 No one said a word about it, but Sallie offered to dress her hair, and
3585 Annie to tie her sash, and Belle, the engaged sister, praised her white
3586 arms.  But in their kindness Meg saw only pity for her poverty, and her
3587 heart felt very heavy as she stood by herself, while the others
3588 laughed, chattered, and flew about like gauzy butterflies.  The hard,
3589 bitter feeling was getting pretty bad, when the maid brought in a box
3590 of flowers.  Before she could speak, Annie had the cover off, and all
3591 were exclaiming at the lovely roses, heath, and fern within.
3592 
3593 "It's for Belle, of course, George always sends her some, but these are
3594 altogether ravishing," cried Annie, with a great sniff.
3595 
3596 "They are for Miss March, the man said.  And here's a note," put in the
3597 maid, holding it to Meg.
3598 
3599 "What fun!  Who are they from?  Didn't know you had a lover," cried the
3600 girls, fluttering about Meg in a high state of curiosity and surprise.
3601 
3602 "The note is from Mother, and the flowers from Laurie," said Meg
3603 simply, yet much gratified that he had not forgotten her.
3604 
3605 "Oh, indeed!" said Annie with a funny look, as Meg slipped the note
3606 into her pocket as a sort of talisman against envy, vanity, and false
3607 pride, for the few loving words had done her good, and the flowers
3608 cheered her up by their beauty.
3609 
3610 Feeling almost happy again, she laid by a few ferns and roses for
3611 herself, and quickly made up the rest in dainty bouquets for the
3612 breasts, hair, or skirts of her friends, offering them so prettily that
3613 Clara, the elder sister, told her she was 'the sweetest little thing
3614 she ever saw', and they looked quite charmed with her small attention.
3615 Somehow the kind act finished her despondency, and when all the rest
3616 went to show themselves to Mrs. Moffat, she saw a happy, bright-eyed
3617 face in the mirror, as she laid her ferns against her rippling hair and
3618 fastened the roses in the dress that didn't strike her as so very
3619 shabby now.
3620 
3621 She enjoyed herself very much that evening, for she danced to her
3622 heart's content.  Everyone was very kind, and she had three
3623 compliments.  Annie made her sing, and some one said she had a
3624 remarkably fine voice.  Major Lincoln asked who 'the fresh little girl
3625 with the beautiful eyes' was, and Mr. Moffat insisted on dancing with
3626 her because she 'didn't dawdle, but had some spring in her', as he
3627 gracefully expressed it.  So altogether she had a very nice time, till
3628 she overheard a bit of conversation, which disturbed her extremely.
3629 She was sitting just inside the conservatory, waiting for her partner
3630 to bring her an ice, when she heard a voice ask on the other side of
3631 the flowery wall...
3632 
3633 "How old is he?"
3634 
3635 "Sixteen or seventeen, I should say," replied another voice.
3636 
3637 "It would be a grand thing for one of those girls, wouldn't it?  Sallie
3638 says they are very intimate now, and the old man quite dotes on them."
3639 
3640 "Mrs. M.  has made her plans, I dare say, and will play her cards well,
3641 early as it is.  The girl evidently doesn't think of it yet," said Mrs.
3642 Moffat.
3643 
3644 "She told that fib about her momma, as if she did know, and colored up
3645 when the flowers came quite prettily.  Poor thing! She'd be so nice if
3646 she was only got up in style.  Do you think she'd be offended if we
3647 offered to lend her a dress for Thursday?" asked another voice.
3648 
3649 "She's proud, but I don't believe she'd mind, for that dowdy tarlaton
3650 is all she has got.  She may tear it tonight, and that will be a good
3651 excuse for offering a decent one."
3652 
3653 Here Meg's partner appeared, to find her looking much flushed and
3654 rather agitated.  She was proud, and her pride was useful just then,
3655 for it helped her hide her mortification, anger, and disgust at what
3656 she had just heard.  For, innocent and unsuspicious as she was, she
3657 could not help understanding the gossip of her friends.  She tried to
3658 forget it, but could not, and kept repeating to herself, "Mrs. M.  has
3659 made her plans," "that fib about her mamma," and "dowdy tarlaton," till
3660 she was ready to cry and rush home to tell her troubles and ask for
3661 advice.  As that was impossible, she did her best to seem gay, and
3662 being rather excited, she succeeded so well that no one dreamed what an
3663 effort she was making. She was very glad when it was all over and she
3664 was quiet in her bed, where she could think and wonder and fume till
3665 her head ached and her hot cheeks were cooled by a few natural tears.
3666 Those foolish, yet well meant words, had opened a new world to Meg, and
3667 much disturbed the peace of the old one in which till now she had lived
3668 as happily as a child.  Her innocent friendship with Laurie was spoiled
3669 by the silly speeches she had overheard.  Her faith in her mother was a
3670 little shaken by the worldly plans attributed to her by Mrs. Moffat,
3671 who judged others by herself, and the sensible resolution to be
3672 contented with the simple wardrobe which suited a poor man's daughter
3673 was weakened by the unnecessary pity of girls who thought a shabby
3674 dress one of the greatest calamities under heaven.
3675 
3676 Poor Meg had a restless night, and got up heavy-eyed, unhappy, half
3677 resentful toward her friends, and half ashamed of herself for not
3678 speaking out frankly and setting everything right.  Everybody dawdled
3679 that morning, and it was noon before the girls found energy enough even
3680 to take up their worsted work.  Something in the manner of her friends
3681 struck Meg at once.  They treated her with more respect, she thought,
3682 took quite a tender interest in what she said, and looked at her with
3683 eyes that plainly betrayed curiosity.  All this surprised and flattered
3684 her, though she did not understand it till Miss Belle looked up from
3685 her writing, and said, with a sentimental air...
3686 
3687 "Daisy, dear, I've sent an invitation to your friend, Mr. Laurence, for
3688 Thursday.  We should like to know him, and it's only a proper
3689 compliment to you."
3690 
3691 Meg colored, but a mischievous fancy to tease the girls made her reply
3692 demurely, "You are very kind, but I'm afraid he won't come."
3693 
3694 "Why not, Cherie?" asked Miss Belle.
3695 
3696 "He's too old."
3697 
3698 "My child, what do you mean?  What is his age, I beg to know!" cried
3699 Miss Clara.
3700 
3701 "Nearly seventy, I believe," answered Meg, counting stitches to hide
3702 the merriment in her eyes.
3703 
3704 "You sly creature!  Of course we meant the young man," exclaimed Miss
3705 Belle, laughing.
3706 
3707 "There isn't any, Laurie is only a little boy."  And Meg laughed also
3708 at the queer look which the sisters exchanged as she thus described her
3709 supposed lover.
3710 
3711 "About your age," Nan said.
3712 
3713 "Nearer my sister Jo's; I am seventeen in August," returned Meg,
3714 tossing her head.
3715 
3716 "It's very nice of him to send you flowers, isn't it?" said Annie,
3717 looking wise about nothing.
3718 
3719 "Yes, he often does, to all of us, for their house is full, and we are
3720 so fond of them.  My mother and old Mr. Laurence are friends, you know,
3721 so it is quite natural that we children should play together," and Meg
3722 hoped they would say no more.
3723 
3724 "It's evident Daisy isn't out yet," said Miss Clara to Belle with a nod.
3725 
3726 "Quite a pastoral state of innocence all round," returned Miss Belle
3727 with a shrug.
3728 
3729 "I'm going out to get some little matters for my girls.  Can I do
3730 anything for you, young ladies?" asked Mrs. Moffat, lumbering in like
3731 an elephant in silk and lace.
3732 
3733 "No, thank you, ma'am," replied Sallie.  "I've got my new pink silk for
3734 Thursday and don't want a thing."
3735 
3736 "Nor I..." began Meg, but stopped because it occurred to her that she
3737 did want several things and could not have them.
3738 
3739 "What shall you wear?" asked Sallie.
3740 
3741 "My old white one again, if I can mend it fit to be seen, it got sadly
3742 torn last night," said Meg, trying to speak quite easily, but feeling
3743 very uncomfortable.
3744 
3745 "Why don't you send home for another?" said Sallie, who was not an
3746 observing young lady.
3747 
3748 "I haven't got any other."  It cost Meg an effort to say that, but
3749 Sallie did not see it and exclaimed in amiable surprise, "Only that?
3750 How funny..."  She did not finish her speech, for Belle shook her head
3751 at her and broke in, saying kindly...
3752 
3753 "Not at all.  Where is the use of having a lot of dresses when she
3754 isn't out yet?  There's no need of sending home, Daisy, even if you had
3755 a dozen, for I've got a sweet blue silk laid away, which I've outgrown,
3756 and you shall wear it to please me, won't you, dear?"
3757 
3758 "You are very kind, but I don't mind my old dress if you don't, it does
3759 well enough for a little girl like me," said Meg.
3760 
3761 "Now do let me please myself by dressing you up in style. I admire to
3762 do it, and you'd be a regular little beauty with a touch here and
3763 there.  I shan't let anyone see you till you are done, and then we'll
3764 burst upon them like Cinderella and her godmother going to the ball,"
3765 said Belle in her persuasive tone.
3766 
3767 Meg couldn't refuse the offer so kindly made, for a desire to see if
3768 she would be 'a little beauty' after touching up caused her to accept
3769 and forget all her former uncomfortable feelings toward the Moffats.
3770 
3771 On the Thursday evening, Belle shut herself up with her maid, and
3772 between them they turned Meg into a fine lady.  They crimped and curled
3773 her hair, they polished her neck and arms with some fragrant powder,
3774 touched her lips with coralline salve to make them redder, and Hortense
3775 would have added 'a soupcon of rouge', if Meg had not rebelled.  They
3776 laced her into a sky-blue dress, which was so tight she could hardly
3777 breathe and so low in the neck that modest Meg blushed at herself in
3778 the mirror.  A set of silver filagree was added, bracelets, necklace,
3779 brooch, and even earrings, for Hortense tied them on with a bit of pink
3780 silk which did not show.  A cluster of tea-rose buds at the bosom, and
3781 a ruche, reconciled Meg to the display of her pretty, white shoulders,
3782 and a pair of high-heeled silk boots satisfied the last wish of her
3783 heart.  A lace handkerchief, a plumy fan, and a bouquet in a shoulder
3784 holder finished her off, and Miss Belle surveyed her with the
3785 satisfaction of a little girl with a newly dressed doll.
3786 
3787 "Mademoiselle is charmante, tres jolie, is she not?" cried Hortense,
3788 clasping her hands in an affected rapture.
3789 
3790 "Come and show yourself," said Miss Belle, leading the way to the room
3791 where the others were waiting.
3792 
3793 As Meg went rustling after, with her long skirts trailing, her earrings
3794 tinkling, her curls waving, and her heart beating, she felt as if her
3795 fun had really begun at last, for the mirror had plainly told her that
3796 she was 'a little beauty'.  Her friends repeated the pleasing phrase
3797 enthusiastically, and for several minutes she stood, like a jackdaw in
3798 the fable, enjoying her borrowed plumes, while the rest chattered like
3799 a party of magpies.
3800 
3801 "While I dress, do you drill her, Nan, in the management of her skirt
3802 and those French heels, or she will trip herself up.  Take your silver
3803 butterfly, and catch up that long curl on the left side of her head,
3804 Clara, and don't any of you disturb the charming work of my hands,"
3805 said Belle, as she hurried away, looking well pleased with her success.
3806 
3807 "You don't look a bit like yourself, but you are very nice. I'm nowhere
3808 beside you, for Belle has heaps of taste, and you're quite French, I
3809 assure you.  Let your flowers hang, don't be so careful of them, and be
3810 sure you don't trip," returned Sallie, trying not to care that Meg was
3811 prettier than herself.
3812 
3813 Keeping that warning carefully in mind, Margaret got safely down stairs
3814 and sailed into the drawing rooms where the Moffats and a few early
3815 guests were assembled.  She very soon discovered that there is a charm
3816 about fine clothes which attracts a certain class of people and secures
3817 their respect.  Several young ladies, who had taken no notice of her
3818 before, were very affectionate all of a sudden.  Several young
3819 gentlemen, who had only stared at her at the other party, now not only
3820 stared, but asked to be introduced, and said all manner of foolish but
3821 agreeable things to her, and several old ladies, who sat on the sofas,
3822 and criticized the rest of the party, inquired who she was with an air
3823 of interest.  She heard Mrs. Moffat reply to one of them...
3824 
3825 "Daisy March -- father a colonel in the army -- one of our first families,
3826 but reverses of fortune, you know; intimate friends of the Laurences;
3827 sweet creature, I assure you; my Ned is quite wild about her."
3828 
3829 "Dear me!" said the old lady, putting up her glass for another
3830 observation of Meg, who tried to look as if she had not heard and been
3831 rather shocked at Mrs. Moffat's fibs. The 'queer feeling' did not pass
3832 away, but she imagined herself acting the new part of fine lady and so
3833 got on pretty well, though the tight dress gave her a side-ache, the
3834 train kept getting under her feet, and she was in constant fear lest
3835 her earrings should fly off and get lost or broken.  She was flirting
3836 her fan and laughing at the feeble jokes of a young gentleman who tried
3837 to be witty, when she suddenly stopped laughing and looked confused,
3838 for just opposite, she saw Laurie.  He was staring at her with
3839 undisguised surprise, and disapproval also, she thought, for though he
3840 bowed and smiled, yet something in his honest eyes made her blush and
3841 wish she had her old dress on. To complete her confusion, she saw Belle
3842 nudge Annie, and both glance from her to Laurie, who, she was happy to
3843 see, looked unusually boyish and shy.
3844 
3845 "Silly creatures, to put such thoughts into my head.  I won't care for
3846 it, or let it change me a bit," thought Meg, and rustled across the
3847 room to shake hands with her friend.
3848 
3849 "I'm glad you came, I was afraid you wouldn't." she said, with her most
3850 grown-up air.
3851 
3852 "Jo wanted me to come, and tell her how you looked, so I did," answered
3853 Laurie, without turning his eyes upon her, though he half smiled at her
3854 maternal tone.
3855 
3856 "What shall you tell her?" asked Meg, full of curiosity to know his
3857 opinion of her, yet feeling ill at ease with him for the first time.
3858 
3859 "I shall say I didn't know you, for you look so grown-up and unlike
3860 yourself, I'm quite afraid of you," he said, fumbling at his glove
3861 button.
3862 
3863 "How absurd of you!  The girls dressed me up for fun, and I rather like
3864 it.  Wouldn't Jo stare if she saw me?" said Meg, bent on making him say
3865 whether he thought her improved or not.
3866 
3867 "Yes, I think she would," returned Laurie gravely.
3868 
3869 "Don't you like me so?" asked Meg.
3870 
3871 "No, I don't," was the blunt reply.
3872 
3873 "Why not?" in an anxious tone.
3874 
3875 He glanced at her frizzled head, bare shoulders, and fantastically
3876 trimmed dress with an expression that abashed her more than his answer,
3877 which had not a particle of his usual politeness in it.
3878 
3879 "I don't like fuss and feathers."
3880 
3881 That was altogether too much from a lad younger than herself, and Meg
3882 walked away, saying petulantly, "You are the rudest boy I ever saw."
3883 
3884 Feeling very much ruffled, she went and stood at a quiet window to cool
3885 her cheeks, for the tight dress gave her an uncomfortably brilliant
3886 color.  As she stood there, Major Lincoln passed by, and a minute after
3887 she heard him saying to his mother...
3888 
3889 "They are making a fool of that little girl.  I wanted you to see her,
3890 but they have spoiled her entirely.  She's nothing but a doll tonight."
3891 
3892 "Oh, dear!" sighed Meg.  "I wish I'd been sensible and worn my own
3893 things, then I should not have disgusted other people, or felt so
3894 uncomfortable and ashamed of myself."
3895 
3896 She leaned her forehead on the cool pane, and stood half hidden by the
3897 curtains, never minding that her favorite waltz had begun, till some
3898 one touched her, and turning, she saw Laurie, looking penitent, as he
3899 said, with his very best bow and his hand out...
3900 
3901 "Please forgive my rudeness, and come and dance with me."
3902 
3903 "I'm afraid it will be too disagreeable to you," said Meg, trying to
3904 look offended and failing entirely.
3905 
3906 "Not a bit of it, I'm dying to do it.  Come, I'll be good. I don't like
3907 your gown, but I do think you are just splendid." And he waved his
3908 hands, as if words failed to express his admiration.
3909 
3910 Meg smiled and relented, and whispered as they stood waiting to catch
3911 the time, "Take care my skirt doesn't trip you up.  It's the plague of
3912 my life and I was a goose to wear it."
3913 
3914 "Pin it round your neck, and then it will be useful," said Laurie,
3915 looking down at the little blue boots, which he evidently approved of.
3916 
3917 Away they went fleetly and gracefully, for having practiced at home,
3918 they were well matched, and the blithe young couple were a pleasant
3919 sight to see, as they twirled merrily round and round, feeling more
3920 friendly than ever after their small tiff.
3921 
3922 "Laurie, I want you to do me a favor, will you?" said Meg, as he stood
3923 fanning her when her breath gave out, which it did very soon though she
3924 would not own why.
3925 
3926 "Won't I!" said Laurie, with alacrity.
3927 
3928 "Please don't tell them at home about my dress tonight. They won't
3929 understand the joke, and it will worry Mother."
3930 
3931 "Then why did you do it?" said Laurie's eyes, so plainly that Meg
3932 hastily added...
3933 
3934 "I shall tell them myself all about it, and 'fess' to Mother how silly
3935 I've been.  But I'd rather do it myself.  So you'll not tell, will you?"
3936 
3937 "I give you my word I won't, only what shall I say when they ask me?"
3938 
3939 "Just say I looked pretty well and was having a good time."
3940 
3941 "I'll say the first with all my heart, but how about the other?  You
3942 don't look as if you were having a good time.  Are you?" And Laurie
3943 looked at her with an expression which made her answer in a whisper...
3944 
3945 "No, not just now.  Don't think I'm horrid.  I only wanted a little
3946 fun, but this sort doesn't pay, I find, and I'm getting tired of it."
3947 
3948 "Here comes Ned Moffat.  What does he want?" said Laurie, knitting his
3949 black brows as if he did not regard his young host in the light of a
3950 pleasant addition to the party.
3951 
3952 "He put his name down for three dances, and I suppose he's coming for
3953 them.  What a bore!" said Meg, assuming a languid air which amused
3954 Laurie immensely.
3955 
3956 He did not speak to her again till suppertime, when he saw her drinking
3957 champagne with Ned and his friend Fisher, who were behaving 'like a
3958 pair of fools', as Laurie said to himself, for he felt a brotherly sort
3959 of right to watch over the Marches and fight their battles whenever a
3960 defender was needed.
3961 
3962 "You'll have a splitting headache tomorrow, if you drink much of that.
3963 I wouldn't, Meg, your mother doesn't like it, you know," he whispered,
3964 leaning over her chair, as Ned turned to refill her glass and Fisher
3965 stooped to pick up her fan.
3966 
3967 "I'm not Meg tonight, I'm 'a doll' who does all sorts of crazy things.
3968 Tomorrow I shall put away my 'fuss and feathers' and be desperately
3969 good again," she answered with an affected little laugh.
3970 
3971 "Wish tomorrow was here, then," muttered Laurie, walking off,
3972 ill-pleased at the change he saw in her.
3973 
3974 Meg danced and flirted, chattered and giggled, as the other girls did.
3975 After supper she undertook the German, and blundered through it, nearly
3976 upsetting her partner with her long skirt, and romping in a way that
3977 scandalized Laurie, who looked on and meditated a lecture.  But he got
3978 no chance to deliver it, for Meg kept away from him till he came to say
3979 good night.
3980 
3981 "Remember!" she said, trying to smile, for the splitting headache had
3982 already begun.
3983 
3984 "Silence a la mort," replied Laurie, with a melodramatic flourish, as
3985 he went away.
3986 
3987 This little bit of byplay excited Annie's curiosity, but Meg was too
3988 tired for gossip and went to bed, feeling as if she had been to a
3989 masquerade and hadn't enjoyed herself as much as she expected.  She was
3990 sick all the next day, and on Saturday went home, quite used up with
3991 her fortnight's fun and feeling that she had 'sat in the lap of luxury'
3992 long enough.
3993 
3994 "It does seem pleasant to be quiet, and not have company manners on all
3995 the time.  Home is a nice place, though it isn't splendid," said Meg,
3996 looking about her with a restful expression, as she sat with her mother
3997 and Jo on the Sunday evening.
3998 
3999 "I'm glad to hear you say so, dear, for I was afraid home would seem
4000 dull and poor to you after your fine quarters," replied her mother, who
4001 had given her many anxious looks that day.  For motherly eyes are quick
4002 to see any change in children's faces.
4003 
4004 Meg had told her adventures gayly and said over and over what a
4005 charming time she had had, but something still seemed to weigh upon her
4006 spirits, and when the younger girls were gone to bed, she sat
4007 thoughtfully staring at the fire, saying little and looking worried.
4008 As the clock struck nine and Jo proposed bed, Meg suddenly left her
4009 chair and, taking Beth's stool, leaned her elbows on her mother's knee,
4010 saying bravely...
4011 
4012 "Marmee, I want to 'fess'."
4013 
4014 "I thought so.  What is it, dear?"
4015 
4016 "Shall I go away?" asked Jo discreetly.
4017 
4018 "Of course not.  Don't I always tell you everything?  I was ashamed to
4019 speak of it before the younger children, but I want you to know all the
4020 dreadful things I did at the Moffats'."
4021 
4022 "We are prepared," said Mrs. March, smiling but looking a little
4023 anxious.
4024 
4025 "I told you they dressed me up, but I didn't tell you that they
4026 powdered and squeezed and frizzled, and made me look like a
4027 fashion-plate.  Laurie thought I wasn't proper.  I know he did, though
4028 he didn't say so, and one man called me 'a doll'.  I knew it was silly,
4029 but they flattered me and said I was a beauty, and quantities of
4030 nonsense, so I let them make a fool of me."
4031 
4032 "Is that all?" asked Jo, as Mrs. March looked silently at the downcast
4033 face of her pretty daughter, and could not find it in her heart to
4034 blame her little follies.
4035 
4036 "No, I drank champagne and romped and tried to flirt, and was
4037 altogether abominable," said Meg self-reproachfully.
4038 
4039 "There is something more, I think."  And Mrs. March smoothed the soft
4040 cheek, which suddenly grew rosy as Meg answered slowly...
4041 
4042 "Yes.  It's very silly, but I want to tell it, because I hate to have
4043 people say and think such things about us and Laurie."
4044 
4045 Then she told the various bits of gossip she had heard at the Moffats',
4046 and as she spoke, Jo saw her mother fold her lips tightly, as if ill
4047 pleased that such ideas should be put into Meg's innocent mind.
4048 
4049 "Well, if that isn't the greatest rubbish I ever heard," cried Jo
4050 indignantly.  "Why didn't you pop out and tell them so on the spot?"
4051 
4052 "I couldn't, it was so embarrassing for me.  I couldn't help hearing at
4053 first, and then I was so angry and ashamed, I didn't remember that I
4054 ought to go away."
4055 
4056 "Just wait till I see Annie Moffat, and I'll show you how to settle
4057 such ridiculous stuff.  The idea of having 'plans' and being kind to
4058 Laurie because he's rich and may marry us by-and-by!  Won't he shout
4059 when I tell him what those silly things say about us poor children?"
4060 And Jo laughed, as if on second thoughts the thing struck her as a good
4061 joke.
4062 
4063 "If you tell Laurie, I'll never forgive you!  She mustn't, must she,
4064 Mother?" said Meg, looking distressed.
4065 
4066 "No, never repeat that foolish gossip, and forget it as soon as you
4067 can," said Mrs. March gravely.  "I was very unwise to let you go among
4068 people of whom I know so little, kind, I dare say, but worldly,
4069 ill-bred, and full of these vulgar ideas about young people.  I am more
4070 sorry than I can express for the mischief this visit may have done you,
4071 Meg."
4072 
4073 "Don't be sorry, I won't let it hurt me.  I'll forget all the bad and
4074 remember only the good, for I did enjoy a great deal, and thank you
4075 very much for letting me go.  I'll not be sentimental or dissatisfied,
4076 Mother.  I know I'm a silly little girl, and I'll stay with you till
4077 I'm fit to take care of myself.  But it is nice to be praised and
4078 admired, and I can't help saying I like it," said Meg, looking half
4079 ashamed of the confession.
4080 
4081 "That is perfectly natural, and quite harmless, if the liking does not
4082 become a passion and lead one to do foolish or unmaidenly things.
4083 Learn to know and value the praise which is worth having, and to excite
4084 the admiration of excellent people by being modest as well as pretty,
4085 Meg."
4086 
4087 Margaret sat thinking a moment, while Jo stood with her hands behind
4088 her, looking both interested and a little perplexed, for it was a new
4089 thing to see Meg blushing and talking about admiration, lovers, and
4090 things of that sort.  And Jo felt as if during that fortnight her
4091 sister had grown up amazingly, and was drifting away from her into a
4092 world where she could not follow.
4093 
4094 "Mother, do you have 'plans', as Mrs. Moffat said?" asked Meg bashfully.
4095 
4096 "Yes, my dear, I have a great many, all mothers do, but mine differ
4097 somewhat from Mrs. Moffat's, I suspect.  I will tell you some of them,
4098 for the time has come when a word may set this romantic little head and
4099 heart of yours right, on a very serious subject.  You are young, Meg,
4100 but not too young to understand me, and mothers' lips are the fittest
4101 to speak of such things to girls like you.  Jo, your turn will come in
4102 time, perhaps, so listen to my 'plans' and help me carry them out, if
4103 they are good."
4104 
4105 Jo went and sat on one arm of the chair, looking as if she thought they
4106 were about to join in some very solemn affair. Holding a hand of each,
4107 and watching the two young faces wistfully, Mrs. March said, in her
4108 serious yet cheery way...
4109 
4110 "I want my daughters to be beautiful, accomplished, and good. To be
4111 admired, loved, and respected.  To have a happy youth, to be well and
4112 wisely married, and to lead useful, pleasant lives, with as little care
4113 and sorrow to try them as God sees fit to send. To be loved and chosen
4114 by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a
4115 woman, and I sincerely hope my girls may know this beautiful
4116 experience.  It is natural to think of it, Meg, right to hope and wait
4117 for it, and wise to prepare for it, so that when the happy time comes,
4118 you may feel ready for the duties and worthy of the joy.  My dear
4119 girls, I am ambitious for you, but not to have you make a dash in the
4120 world, marry rich men merely because they are rich, or have splendid
4121 houses, which are not homes because love is wanting.  Money is a
4122 needful and precious thing, and when well used, a noble thing, but I
4123 never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for.
4124 I'd rather see you poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved,
4125 contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace."
4126 
4127 "Poor girls don't stand any chance, Belle says, unless they put
4128 themselves forward," sighed Meg.
4129 
4130 "Then we'll be old maids," said Jo stoutly.
4131 
4132 "Right, Jo.  Better be happy old maids than unhappy wives, or
4133 unmaidenly girls, running about to find husbands," said Mrs. March
4134 decidedly.  "Don't be troubled, Meg, poverty seldom daunts a sincere
4135 lover.  Some of the best and most honored women I know were poor girls,
4136 but so love-worthy that they were not allowed to be old maids. Leave
4137 these things to time.  Make this home happy, so that you may be fit for
4138 homes of your own, if they are offered you, and contented here if they
4139 are not.  One thing remember, my girls.  Mother is always ready to be
4140 your confidant, Father to be your friend, and both of us hope and trust
4141 that our daughters, whether married or single, will be the pride and
4142 comfort of our lives."
4143 
4144 "We will, Marmee, we will!" cried both, with all their hearts, as she
4145 bade them good night.
4146 
4147 
4148 
4149 CHAPTER TEN
4150 
4151 THE P.C. AND P.O.
4152 
4153 As spring came on, a new set of amusements became the fashion, and the
4154 lengthening days gave long afternoons for work and play of all sorts.
4155 The garden had to be put in order, and each sister had a quarter of the
4156 little plot to do what she liked with.  Hannah used to say, "I'd know
4157 which each of them gardings belonged to, ef I see 'em in Chiny," and so
4158 she might, for the girls' tastes differed as much as their characters.
4159 Meg's had roses and heliotrope, myrtle, and a little orange tree in it.
4160 Jo's bed was never alike two seasons, for she was always trying
4161 experiments.  This year it was to be a plantation of sun flowers, the
4162 seeds of which cheerful and aspiring plant were to feed Aunt
4163 Cockle-top and her family of chicks.  Beth had old-fashioned fragrant
4164 flowers in her garden, sweet peas and mignonette, larkspur, pinks,
4165 pansies, and southernwood, with chickweed for the birds and catnip for
4166 the pussies.  Amy had a bower in hers, rather small and earwiggy, but
4167 very pretty to look at, with honeysuckle and morning-glories hanging
4168 their colored horns and bells in graceful wreaths all over it, tall
4169 white lilies, delicate ferns, and as many brilliant, picturesque plants
4170 as would consent to blossom there.
4171 
4172 Gardening, walks, rows on the river, and flower hunts employed the fine
4173 days, and for rainy ones, they had house diversions, some old, some
4174 new, all more or less original.  One of these was the 'P.C.', for as
4175 secret societies were the fashion, it was thought proper to have one,
4176 and as all of the girls admired Dickens, they called themselves the
4177 Pickwick Club.  With a few interruptions, they had kept this up for a
4178 year, and met every Saturday evening in the big garret, on which
4179 occasions the ceremonies were as follows:  Three chairs were arranged
4180 in a row before a table on which was a lamp, also four white badges,
4181 with a big 'P.C.' in different colors on each, and the weekly newspaper
4182 called, The Pickwick Portfolio, to which all contributed something,
4183 while Jo, who reveled in pens and ink, was the editor. At seven
4184 o'clock, the four members ascended to the clubroom, tied their badges
4185 round their heads, and took their seats with great solemnity.  Meg, as
4186 the eldest, was Samuel Pickwick, Jo, being of a literary turn, Augustus
4187 Snodgrass, Beth, because she was round and rosy, Tracy Tupman, and Amy,
4188 who was always trying to do what she couldn't, was Nathaniel Winkle.
4189 Pickwick, the president, read the paper, which was filled with original
4190 tales, poetry, local news, funny advertisements, and hints, in which
4191 they good-naturedly reminded each other of their faults and short
4192 comings.  On one occasion, Mr. Pickwick put on a pair of spectacles
4193 without any glass, rapped upon the table, hemmed, and having stared
4194 hard at Mr. Snodgrass, who was tilting back in his chair, till he
4195 arranged himself properly, began to read:
4196 
4197     _________________________________________________
4198 
4199     "THE PICKWICK PORTFOLIO"
4200 
4201 
4202 
4203     MAY 20, 18 -- 
4204 
4205     POET'S CORNER
4206 
4207     ANNIVERSARY ODE
4208 
4209 
4210     Again we meet to celebrate
4211     With badge and solemn rite,
4212     Our fifty-second anniversary,
4213     In Pickwick Hall, tonight.
4214 
4215     We all are here in perfect health,
4216     None gone from our small band:
4217     Again we see each well-known face,
4218     And press each friendly hand.
4219 
4220     Our Pickwick, always at his post,
4221     With reverence we greet,
4222     As, spectacles on nose, he reads
4223     Our well-filled weekly sheet.
4224 
4225     Although he suffers from a cold,
4226     We joy to hear him speak,
4227     For words of wisdom from him fall,
4228     In spite of croak or squeak.
4229 
4230     Old six-foot Snodgrass looms on high,
4231     With elephantine grace,
4232     And beams upon the company,
4233     With brown and jovial face.
4234 
4235     Poetic fire lights up his eye,
4236     He struggles 'gainst his lot.
4237     Behold ambition on his brow,
4238     And on his nose, a blot.
4239 
4240     Next our peaceful Tupman comes,
4241     So rosy, plump, and sweet,
4242     Who chokes with laughter at the puns,
4243     And tumbles off his seat.
4244 
4245     Prim little Winkle too is here,
4246     With every hair in place,
4247     A model of propriety,
4248     Though he hates to wash his face.
4249 
4250     The year is gone, we still unite
4251     To joke and laugh and read,
4252     And tread the path of literature
4253     That doth to glory lead.
4254 
4255     Long may our paper prosper well,
4256     Our club unbroken be,
4257     And coming years their blessings pour
4258     On the useful, gay 'P.  C.'.
4259     A.  SNODGRASS
4260 
4261     ________
4262 
4263     THE MASKED MARRIAGE
4264     (A Tale Of Venice)
4265 
4266     Gondola after gondola swept up to the marble
4267     steps, and left its lovely load to swell the
4268     brilliant throng that filled the stately halls of Count
4269     Adelon.  Knights and ladies, elves and pages, monks
4270     and flower girls, all mingled gaily in the dance.
4271     Sweet voices and rich melody filled the air, and so
4272     with mirth and music the masquerade went on.
4273     "Has your Highness seen the Lady Viola tonight?"
4274     asked a gallant troubadour of the fairy queen who
4275     floated down the hall upon his arm.
4276 
4277     "Yes, is she not lovely, though so sad!  Her
4278     dress is well chosen, too, for in a week she weds
4279     Count Antonio, whom she passionately hates."
4280 
4281     "By my faith, I envy him.  Yonder he comes,
4282     arrayed like a bridegroom, except the black mask.
4283     When that is off we shall see how he regards the
4284     fair maid whose heart he cannot win, though her
4285     stern father bestows her hand," returned the troubadour.
4286 
4287     "Tis whispered that she loves the young English
4288     artist who haunts her steps, and is spurned by the
4289     old Count," said the lady, as they joined the dance.
4290     The revel was at its height when a priest
4291     appeared, and withdrawing the young pair to an alcove,
4292     hung with purple velvet, he motioned them to kneel.
4293     Instant silence fell on the gay throng, and not a
4294     sound, but the dash of fountains or the rustle of
4295     orange groves sleeping in the moonlight, broke the
4296     hush, as Count de Adelon spoke thus:
4297 
4298     "My lords and ladies, pardon the ruse by which
4299     I have gathered you here to witness the marriage of
4300     my daughter.  Father, we wait your services."
4301     All eyes turned toward the bridal party, and a
4302     murmur of amazement went through the throng, for
4303     neither bride nor groom removed their masks.  Curiosity
4304     and wonder possessed all hearts, but respect restrained
4305     all tongues till the holy rite was over.  Then the
4306     eager spectators gathered round the count, demanding
4307     an explanation.
4308 
4309     "Gladly would I give it if I could, but I only
4310     know that it was the whim of my timid Viola, and I
4311     yielded to it.  Now, my children, let the play end.
4312     Unmask and receive my blessing."
4313 
4314     But neither bent the knee, for the young bridegroom
4315     replied in a tone that startled all listeners
4316     as the mask fell, disclosing the noble face of Ferdinand
4317     Devereux, the artist lover, and leaning on the
4318     breast where now flashed the star of an English earl
4319     was the lovely Viola, radiant with joy and beauty.
4320 
4321     "My lord, you scornfully bade me claim your
4322     daughter when I could boast as high a name and vast a
4323     fortune as the Count Antonio.  I can do more, for even
4324     your ambitious soul cannot refuse the Earl of Devereux
4325     and De Vere, when he gives his ancient name and boundless
4326     wealth in return for the beloved hand of this fair lady,
4327     now my wife."
4328 
4329     The count stood like one changed to stone, and
4330     turning to the bewildered crowd, Ferdinand added, with
4331     a gay smile of triumph, "To you, my gallant friends, I
4332     can only wish that your wooing may prosper as mine has
4333     done, and that you may all win as fair a bride as I have
4334     by this masked marriage."
4335     S.  PICKWICK
4336 
4337 
4338     Why is the P.  C.  like the Tower of Babel?
4339     It is full of unruly members.
4340 
4341     _________
4342 
4343     THE HISTORY OF A SQUASH
4344 
4345 
4346     Once upon a time a farmer planted a little seed
4347     in his garden, and after a while it sprouted and became
4348     a vine and bore many squashes.  One day in October,
4349     when they were ripe, he picked one and took it
4350     to market.  A grocerman bought and put it in his shop.
4351     That same morning, a little girl in a brown hat
4352     and blue dress, with a round face and snub nose, went
4353     and bought it for her mother.  She lugged it home, cut
4354     it up, and boiled it in the big pot, mashed some of it
4355     with salt and butter, for dinner.  And to the rest she added
4356     a pint of milk, two eggs, four spoons of sugar, nutmeg,
4357     and some crackers, put it in a deep dish, and baked it
4358     till it was brown and nice, and next day it was eaten
4359     by a family named March.
4360     T.  TUPMAN
4361 
4362     _________
4363 
4364     Mr. Pickwick, Sir: -- 
4365     I address you upon the subject of sin the sinner
4366     I mean is a man named Winkle who makes trouble in his
4367     club by laughing and sometimes won't write his piece in
4368     this fine paper I hope you will pardon his badness and
4369     let him send a French fable because he can't write out
4370     of his head as he has so many lessons to do and no brains
4371     in future I will try to take time by the fetlock and
4372     prepare some work which will be all commy la fo that
4373     means all right I am in haste as it is nearly school
4374     time.
4375     Yours respectably,
4376     N.  WINKLE
4377 
4378     [The above is a manly and handsome acknowledgment of past
4379     misdemeanors.  If our young friend studied punctuation, it
4380     would be well.]
4381 
4382     _________
4383 
4384     A SAD ACCIDENT
4385 
4386     On Friday last, we were startled by a violent shock
4387     in our basement, followed by cries of distress.
4388     On rushing in a body to the cellar, we discovered our beloved
4389     President prostrate upon the floor, having tripped and
4390     fallen while getting wood for domestic purposes.  A perfect
4391     scene of ruin met our eyes, for in his fall Mr. Pickwick
4392     had plunged his head and shoulders into a tub of water,
4393     upset a keg of soft soap upon his manly form,  and torn
4394     his garments badly.  On being removed from this perilous
4395     situation, it was discovered that he had suffered
4396     no injury but several bruises, and we are happy to add,
4397     is now doing well.
4398     ED.
4399 
4400     _________
4401 
4402     THE PUBLIC BEREAVEMENT
4403 
4404     It is our painful duty to record the sudden and
4405     mysterious disappearance of our cherished friend, Mrs.
4406     Snowball Pat Paw.  This lovely and beloved cat was the
4407     pet of a large circle of warm and admiring friends; for
4408     her beauty attracted all eyes, her graces and virtues
4409     endeared her to all hearts, and her loss is deeply felt
4410     by the whole community.
4411 
4412     When last seen, she was sitting at the gate, watching
4413     the butcher's cart, and it is feared that some villain,
4414     tempted by her charms, basely stole her.  Weeks have passed,
4415     but no trace of her has been discovered, and we relinquish
4416     all hope, tie a black ribbon to her basket, set aside her
4417     dish, and weep for her as one lost to us forever.
4418 
4419     _________
4420 
4421     A sympathizing friend sends the following gem:
4422 
4423 
4424     A LAMENT
4425     (FOR S.  B.  PAT PAW)
4426 
4427     We mourn the loss of our little pet,
4428     And sigh o'er her hapless fate,
4429     For never more by the fire she'll sit,
4430     Nor play by the old green gate.
4431 
4432     The little grave where her infant sleeps
4433     Is 'neath the chestnut tree.
4434     But o'er her grave we may not weep,
4435     We know not where it may be.
4436 
4437     Her empty bed, her idle ball,
4438     Will never see her more;
4439     No gentle tap, no loving purr
4440     Is heard at the parlor door.
4441 
4442     Another cat comes after her mice,
4443     A cat with a dirty face,
4444     But she does not hunt as our darling did,
4445     Nor play with her airy grace.
4446 
4447     Her stealthy paws tread the very hall
4448     Where Snowball used to play,
4449     But she only spits at the dogs our pet
4450     So gallantly drove away.
4451 
4452     She is useful and mild, and does her best,
4453     But she is not fair to see,
4454     And we cannot give her your place dear,
4455     Nor worship her as we worship thee.
4456     A.S.
4457 
4458     _________
4459 
4460     ADVERTISEMENTS
4461 
4462     MISS ORANTHY BLUGGAGE, the accomplished
4463     strong-minded lecturer, will deliver her
4464     famous lecture on "WOMAN AND HER POSITION"
4465     at Pickwick Hall, next Saturday Evening,
4466     after the usual performances.
4467 
4468 
4469     A WEEKLY MEETING will be held at Kitchen
4470     Place, to teach young ladies how to cook.
4471     Hannah Brown will preside, and all are
4472     invited to attend.
4473 
4474     The DUSTPAN SOCIETY will meet on Wednesday
4475     next, and parade in the upper story of the
4476     Club House.  All members to appear in uniform
4477     and shoulder their brooms at nine precisely.
4478 
4479     Mrs. BETH BOUNCER will open her new
4480     assortment of Doll's Millinery next week.
4481     The latest Paris fashions have arrived,
4482     and orders are respectfully solicited.
4483 
4484     A NEW PLAY will appear at the Barnville
4485     Theatre, in the course of a few weeks, which
4486     will surpass anything ever seen on the American stage.
4487     "The Greek Slave, or Constantine the Avenger," is the name
4488     of this thrilling drama!!!
4489 
4490 
4491 
4492     HINTS
4493 
4494     If S.P.  didn't use so much soap on his hands,
4495     he wouldn't always be late at breakfast.  A.S.
4496     is requested not to whistle in the street.  T.T.
4497     please don't forget Amy's napkin.  N.W.  must
4498     not fret because his dress has not nine tucks.
4499 
4500 
4501 
4502     WEEKLY REPORT
4503 
4504     Meg -- Good.
4505     Jo -- Bad.
4506     Beth -- Very Good.
4507     Amy -- Middling.
4508 
4509     _________________________________________________
4510 
4511 
4512 As the President finished reading the paper (which I beg leave to
4513 assure my readers is a bona fide copy of one written by bona fide girls
4514 once upon a time), a round of applause followed, and then Mr. Snodgrass
4515 rose to make a proposition.
4516 
4517 "Mr. President and gentlemen," he began, assuming a parliamentary
4518 attitude and tone, "I wish to propose the admission of a new
4519 member -- one who highly deserves the honor, would be deeply grateful for
4520 it, and would add immensely to the spirit of the club, the literary
4521 value of the paper, and be no end jolly and nice.  I propose Mr.
4522 Theodore Laurence as an honorary member of the P.  C.  Come now, do
4523 have him."
4524 
4525 Jo's sudden change of tone made the girls laugh, but all looked rather
4526 anxious, and no one said a word as Snodgrass took his seat.
4527 
4528 "We'll put it to a vote," said the President.  "All in favor of this
4529 motion please to manifest it by saying, 'Aye'."
4530 
4531 A loud response from Snodgrass, followed, to everybody's surprise, by a
4532 timid one from Beth.
4533 
4534 "Contrary-minded say, 'No'."
4535 
4536 Meg and Amy were contrary-minded, and Mr. Winkle rose to say with great
4537 elegance, "We don't wish any boys, they only joke and bounce about.
4538 This is a ladies' club, and we wish to be private and proper."
4539 
4540 "I'm afraid he'll laugh at our paper, and make fun of us afterward,"
4541 observed Pickwick, pulling the little curl on her forehead, as she
4542 always did when doubtful.
4543 
4544 Up rose Snodgrass, very much in earnest.  "Sir, I give you my word as a
4545 gentleman, Laurie won't do anything of the sort.  He likes to write,
4546 and he'll give a tone to our contributions and keep us from being
4547 sentimental, don't you see?  We can do so little for him, and he does
4548 so much for us, I think the least we can do is to offer him a place
4549 here, and make him welcome if he comes."
4550 
4551 This artful allusion to benefits conferred brought Tupman to his feet,
4552 looking as if he had quite made up his mind.
4553 
4554 "Yes; we ought to do it, even if we are afraid.  I say he may come, and
4555 his grandpa, too, if he likes."
4556 
4557 This spirited burst from Beth electrified the club, and Jo left her
4558 seat to shake hands approvingly.  "Now then, vote again. Everybody
4559 remember it's our Laurie, and say, 'Aye!'" cried Snodgrass excitedly.
4560 
4561 "Aye!  Aye!  Aye!" replied three voices at once.
4562 
4563 "Good!  Bless you!  Now, as there's nothing like 'taking time by the
4564 fetlock', as Winkle characteristically observes, allow me to present
4565 the new member."  And, to the dismay of the rest of the club, Jo threw
4566 open the door of the closet, and displayed Laurie sitting on a rag bag,
4567 flushed and twinkling with suppressed laughter.
4568 
4569 "You rogue!  You traitor!  Jo, how could you?" cried the three girls,
4570 as Snodgrass led her friend triumphantly forth, and producing both a
4571 chair and a badge, installed him in a jiffy.
4572 
4573 "The coolness of you two rascals is amazing," began Mr. Pickwick,
4574 trying to get up an awful frown and only succeeding in producing an
4575 amiable smile.  But the new member was equal to the occasion, and
4576 rising, with a grateful salutation to the Chair, said in the most
4577 engaging manner, "Mr. President and ladies -- I beg pardon,
4578 gentlemen -- allow me to introduce myself as Sam Weller, the very humble
4579 servant of the club."
4580 
4581 "Good!  Good!" cried Jo, pounding with the handle of the old warming
4582 pan on which she leaned.
4583 
4584 "My faithful friend and noble patron," continued Laurie with a wave of
4585 the hand, "who has so flatteringly presented me, is not to be blamed
4586 for the base stratagem of tonight.  I planned it, and she only gave in
4587 after lots of teasing."
4588 
4589 "Come now, don't lay it all on yourself.  You know I proposed the
4590 cupboard," broke in Snodgrass, who was enjoying the joke amazingly.
4591 
4592 "Never mind what she says.  I'm the wretch that did it, sir," said the
4593 new member, with a Welleresque nod to Mr. Pickwick.  "But on my honor,
4594 I never will do so again, and henceforth devote myself to the interest
4595 of this immortal club."
4596 
4597 "Hear!  Hear!" cried Jo, clashing the lid of the warming pan like a
4598 cymbal.
4599 
4600 "Go on, go on!" added Winkle and Tupman, while the President bowed
4601 benignly.
4602 
4603 "I merely wish to say, that as a slight token of my gratitude for the
4604 honor done me, and as a means of promoting friendly relations between
4605 adjoining nations, I have set up a post office in the hedge in the
4606 lower corner of the garden, a fine, spacious building with padlocks on
4607 the doors and every convenience for the mails, also the females, if I
4608 may be allowed the expression.  It's the old martin house, but I've
4609 stopped up the door and made the roof open, so it will hold all sorts
4610 of things, and save our valuable time.  Letters, manuscripts, books,
4611 and bundles can be passed in there, and as each nation has a key, it
4612 will be uncommonly nice, I fancy.  Allow me to present the club key,
4613 and with many thanks for your favor, take my seat."
4614 
4615 Great applause as Mr. Weller deposited a little key on the table and
4616 subsided, the warming pan clashed and waved wildly, and it was some
4617 time before order could be restored.  A long discussion followed, and
4618 everyone came out surprising, for everyone did her best.  So it was an
4619 unusually lively meeting, and did not adjourn till a late hour, when it
4620 broke up with three shrill cheers for the new member.
4621 
4622 No one ever regretted the admittance of Sam Weller, for a more devoted,
4623 well-behaved, and jovial member no club could have. He certainly did
4624 add 'spirit' to the meetings, and 'a tone' to the paper, for his
4625 orations convulsed his hearers and his contributions were excellent,
4626 being patriotic, classical, comical, or dramatic, but never
4627 sentimental.  Jo regarded them as worthy of Bacon, Milton, or
4628 Shakespeare, and remodeled her own works with good effect, she thought.
4629 
4630 The P.  O.  was a capital little institution, and flourished
4631 wonderfully, for nearly as many queer things passed through it as
4632 through the real post office.  Tragedies and cravats, poetry and
4633 pickles, garden seeds and long letters, music and gingerbread, rubbers,
4634 invitations, scoldings, and puppies.  The old gentleman liked the fun,
4635 and amused himself by sending odd bundles, mysterious messages, and
4636 funny telegrams, and his gardener, who was smitten with Hannah's
4637 charms, actually sent a love letter to Jo's care.  How they laughed
4638 when the secret came out, never dreaming how many love letters that
4639 little post office would hold in the years to come.
4640 
4641 
4642 
4643 CHAPTER ELEVEN
4644 
4645 EXPERIMENTS
4646 
4647 "The first of June!  The Kings are off to the seashore tomorrow, and
4648 I'm free.  Three months' vacation -- how I shall enjoy it!" exclaimed
4649 Meg, coming home one warm day to find Jo laid upon the sofa in an
4650 unusual state of exhaustion, while Beth took off her dusty boots, and
4651 Amy made lemonade for the refreshment of the whole party.
4652 
4653 "Aunt March went today, for which, oh, be joyful!" said Jo. "I was
4654 mortally afraid she'd ask me to go with her.  If she had, I should have
4655 felt as if I ought to do it, but Plumfield is about as gay as a
4656 churchyard, you know, and I'd rather be excused. We had a flurry
4657 getting the old lady off, and I had a fright every time she spoke to
4658 me, for I was in such a hurry to be through that I was uncommonly
4659 helpful and sweet, and feared she'd find it impossible to part from me.
4660 I quaked till she was fairly in the carriage, and had a final fright,
4661 for as it drove of, she popped out her head, saying, 'Josyphine, won't
4662 you -- ?' I didn't hear any more, for I basely turned and fled.  I did
4663 actually run, and whisked round the corner where I felt safe."
4664 
4665 "Poor old Jo!  She came in looking as if bears were after her," said
4666 Beth, as she cuddled her sister's feet with a motherly air.
4667 
4668 "Aunt March is a regular samphire, is she not?" observed Amy, tasting
4669 her mixture critically.
4670 
4671 "She means vampire, not seaweed, but it doesn't matter.  It's too warm
4672 to be particular about one's parts of speech," murmured Jo.
4673 
4674 "What shall you do all your vacation?" asked Amy, changing the subject
4675 with tact.
4676 
4677 "I shall lie abed late, and do nothing," replied Meg, from the depths
4678 of the rocking chair.  "I've been routed up early all winter and had to
4679 spend my days working for other people, so now I'm going to rest and
4680 revel to my heart's content."
4681 
4682 "No," said Jo, "that dozy way wouldn't suit me.  I've laid in a heap of
4683 books, and I'm going to improve my shining hours reading on my perch in
4684 the old apple tree, when I'm not having l --  -- "
4685 
4686 "Don't say 'larks!'" implored Amy, as a return snub for the 'samphire'
4687 correction.
4688 
4689 "I'll say 'nightingales' then, with Laurie.  That's proper and
4690 appropriate, since he's a warbler."
4691 
4692 "Don't let us do any lessons, Beth, for a while, but play all the time
4693 and rest, as the girls mean to," proposed Amy.
4694 
4695 "Well, I will, if Mother doesn't mind.  I want to learn some new songs,
4696 and my children need fitting up for the summer.  They are dreadfully
4697 out of order and really suffering for clothes."
4698 
4699 "May we, Mother?" asked Meg, turning to Mrs. March, who sat sewing in
4700 what they called 'Marmee's corner'.
4701 
4702 "You may try your experiment for a week and see how you like it.  I
4703 think by Saturday night you will find that all play and no work is as
4704 bad as all work and no play."
4705 
4706 "Oh, dear, no!  It will be delicious, I'm sure," said Meg complacently.
4707 
4708 "I now propose a toast, as my 'friend and pardner, Sairy Gamp', says.
4709 Fun forever, and no grubbing!" cried Jo, rising, glass in hand, as the
4710 lemonade went round.
4711 
4712 They all drank it merrily, and began the experiment by lounging for the
4713 rest of the day.  Next morning, Meg did not appear till ten o'clock.
4714 Her solitary breakfast did not taste good, and the room seemed lonely
4715 and untidy, for Jo had not filled the vases, Beth had not dusted, and
4716 Amy's books lay scattered about.  Nothing was neat and pleasant but
4717 'Marmee's corner', which looked as usual.  And there Meg sat, to 'rest
4718 and read', which meant to yawn and imagine what pretty summer dresses
4719 she would get with her salary.  Jo spent the morning on the river with
4720 Laurie and the afternoon reading and crying over _The Wide, Wide
4721 World_, up in the apple tree.  Beth began by rummaging everything out
4722 of the big closet where her family resided, but getting tired before
4723 half done, she left her establishment topsy-turvy and went to her
4724 music, rejoicing that she had no dishes to wash. Amy arranged her
4725 bower, put on her best white frock, smoothed her curls, and sat down to
4726 draw under the honeysuckle, hoping someone would see and inquire who
4727 the young artist was.  As no one appeared but an inquisitive
4728 daddy-longlegs, who examined her work with interest, she went to walk,
4729 got caught in a shower, and came home dripping.
4730 
4731 At teatime they compared notes, and all agreed that it had been a
4732 delightful, though unusually long day.  Meg, who went shopping in the
4733 afternoon and got a 'sweet blue muslin', had discovered, after she had
4734 cut the breadths off, that it wouldn't wash, which mishap made her
4735 slightly cross.  Jo had burned the skin off her nose boating, and got a
4736 raging headache by reading too long.  Beth was worried by the confusion
4737 of her closet and the difficulty of learning three or four songs at
4738 once, and Amy deeply regretted the damage done her frock, for Katy
4739 Brown's party was to be the next day and now like Flora McFlimsey, she
4740 had 'nothing to wear'.  But these were mere trifles, and they assured
4741 their mother that the experiment was working finely.  She smiled, said
4742 nothing, and with Hannah's help did their neglected work, keeping home
4743 pleasant and the domestic machinery running smoothly.  It was
4744 astonishing what a peculiar and uncomfortable state of things was
4745 produced by the 'resting and reveling' process.  The days kept getting
4746 longer and longer, the weather was unusually variable and so were
4747 tempers; an unsettled feeling possessed everyone, and Satan found
4748 plenty of mischief for the idle hands to do.  As the height of luxury,
4749 Meg put out some of her sewing, and then found time hang so heavily,
4750 that she fell to snipping and spoiling her clothes in her attempts to
4751 furbish them up a la Moffat.  Jo read till her eyes gave out and she
4752 was sick of books, got so fidgety that even good-natured Laurie had a
4753 quarrel with her, and so reduced in spirits that she desperately wished
4754 she had gone with Aunt March.  Beth got on pretty well, for she was
4755 constantly forgetting that it was to be all play and no work, and fell
4756 back into her old ways now and then.  But something in the air affected
4757 her, and more than once her tranquility was much disturbed, so much so
4758 that on one occasion she actually shook poor dear Joanna and told her
4759 she was 'a fright'.  Amy fared worst of all, for her resources were
4760 small, and when her sisters left her to amuse herself, she soon found
4761 that accomplished and important little self a great burden.  She didn't
4762 like dolls, fairy tales were childish, and one couldn't draw all the
4763 time.  Tea parties didn't amount to much, neither did picnics, unless
4764 very well conducted.  "If one could have a fine house, full of nice
4765 girls, or go traveling, the summer would be delightful, but to stay at
4766 home with three selfish sisters and a grown-up boy was enough to try
4767 the patience of a Boaz," complained Miss Malaprop, after several days
4768 devoted to pleasure, fretting, and ennui.
4769 
4770 No one would own that they were tired of the experiment, but by Friday
4771 night each acknowledged to herself that she was glad the week was
4772 nearly done.  Hoping to impress the lesson more deeply, Mrs. March, who
4773 had a good deal of humor, resolved to finish off the trial in an
4774 appropriate manner, so she gave Hannah a holiday and let the girls
4775 enjoy the full effect of the play system.
4776 
4777 When they got up on Saturday morning, there was no fire in the kitchen,
4778 no breakfast in the dining room, and no mother anywhere to be seen.
4779 
4780 "Mercy on us!  What has happened?" cried Jo, staring about her in
4781 dismay.
4782 
4783 Meg ran upstairs and soon came back again, looking relieved but rather
4784 bewildered, and a little ashamed.
4785 
4786 "Mother isn't sick, only very tired, and she says she is going to stay
4787 quietly in her room all day and let us do the best we can.  It's a very
4788 queer thing for her to do, she doesn't act a bit like herself.  But she
4789 says it has been a hard week for her, so we mustn't grumble but take
4790 care of ourselves."
4791 
4792 "That's easy enough, and I like the idea, I'm aching for something to
4793 do, that is, some new amusement, you know," added Jo quickly.
4794 
4795 In fact it was an immense relief to them all to have a little work, and
4796 they took hold with a will, but soon realized the truth of Hannah's
4797 saying, "Housekeeping ain't no joke."  There was plenty of food in the
4798 larder, and while Beth and Amy set the table, Meg and Jo got breakfast,
4799 wondering as they did why servants ever talked about hard work.
4800 
4801 "I shall take some up to Mother, though she said we were not to think
4802 of her, for she'd take care of herself," said Meg, who presided and
4803 felt quite matronly behind the teapot.
4804 
4805 So a tray was fitted out before anyone began, and taken up with the
4806 cook's compliments.  The boiled tea was very bitter, the omelet
4807 scorched, and the biscuits speckled with saleratus, but Mrs. March
4808 received her repast with thanks and laughed heartily over it after Jo
4809 was gone.
4810 
4811 "Poor little souls, they will have a hard time, I'm afraid, but they
4812 won't suffer, and it will do them good," she said, producing the more
4813 palatable viands with which she had provided herself, and disposing of
4814 the bad breakfast, so that their feelings might not be hurt, a motherly
4815 little deception for which they were grateful.
4816 
4817 Many were the complaints below, and great the chagrin of the head cook
4818 at her failures.  "Never mind, I'll get the dinner and be servant, you
4819 be mistress, keep your hands nice, see company, and give orders," said
4820 Jo, who knew still less than Meg about culinary affairs.
4821 
4822 This obliging offer was gladly accepted, and Margaret retired to the
4823 parlor, which she hastily put in order by whisking the litter under the
4824 sofa and shutting the blinds to save the trouble of dusting.  Jo, with
4825 perfect faith in her own powers and a friendly desire to make up the
4826 quarrel, immediately put a note in the office, inviting Laurie to
4827 dinner.
4828 
4829 "You'd better see what you have got before you think of having
4830 company," said Meg, when informed of the hospitable but rash act.
4831 
4832 "Oh, there's corned beef and plenty of potatoes, and I shall get some
4833 asparagus and a lobster, 'for a relish', as Hannah says. We'll have
4834 lettuce and make a salad.  I don't know how, but the book tells.  I'll
4835 have blanc mange and strawberries for dessert, and coffee too, if you
4836 want to be elegant."
4837 
4838 "Don't try too many messes, Jo, for you can't make anything but
4839 gingerbread and molasses candy fit to eat.  I wash my hands of the
4840 dinner party, and since you have asked Laurie on your own
4841 responsibility, you may just take care of him."
4842 
4843 "I don't want you to do anything but be civil to him and help to the
4844 pudding.  You'll give me your advice if I get in a muddle, won't you?"
4845 asked Jo, rather hurt.
4846 
4847 "Yes, but I don't know much, except about bread and a few trifles.  You
4848 had better ask Mother's leave before you order anything," returned Meg
4849 prudently.
4850 
4851 "Of course I shall.  I'm not a fool."  And Jo went off in a huff at the
4852 doubts expressed of her powers.
4853 
4854 "Get what you like, and don't disturb me.  I'm going out to dinner and
4855 can't worry about things at home," said Mrs. March, when Jo spoke to
4856 her.  "I never enjoyed housekeeping, and I'm going to take a vacation
4857 today, and read, write, go visiting, and amuse myself."
4858 
4859 The unusual spectacle of her busy mother rocking comfortably and
4860 reading early in the morning made Jo feel as if some unnatural
4861 phenomenon had occurred, for an eclipse, an earthquake, or a volcanic
4862 eruption would hardly have seemed stranger.
4863 
4864 "Everything is out of sorts, somehow," she said to herself, going
4865 downstairs.  "There's Beth crying, that's a sure sign that something is
4866 wrong in this family.  If Amy is bothering, I'll shake her."
4867 
4868 Feeling very much out of sorts herself, Jo hurried into the parlor to
4869 find Beth sobbing over Pip, the canary, who lay dead in the cage with
4870 his little claws pathetically extended, as if imploring the food for
4871 want of which he had died.
4872 
4873 "It's all my fault, I forgot him, there isn't a seed or a drop left.
4874 Oh, Pip!  Oh, Pip!  How could I be so cruel to you?" cried Beth, taking
4875 the poor thing in her hands and trying to restore him.
4876 
4877 Jo peeped into his half-open eye, felt his little heart, and finding
4878 him stiff and cold, shook her head, and offered her domino box for a
4879 coffin.
4880 
4881 "Put him in the oven, and maybe he will get warm and revive," said Amy
4882 hopefully.
4883 
4884 "He's been starved, and he shan't be baked now he's dead.  I'll make
4885 him a shroud, and he shall be buried in the garden, and I'll never have
4886 another bird, never, my Pip! for I am too bad to own one," murmured
4887 Beth, sitting on the floor with her pet folded in her hands.
4888 
4889 "The funeral shall be this afternoon, and we will all go.  Now, don't
4890 cry, Bethy.  It's a pity, but nothing goes right this week, and Pip has
4891 had the worst of the experiment.  Make the shroud, and lay him in my
4892 box, and after the dinner party, we'll have a nice little funeral,"
4893 said Jo, beginning to feel as if she had undertaken a good deal.
4894 
4895 Leaving the others to console Beth, she departed to the kitchen, which
4896 was in a most discouraging state of confusion.  Putting on a big apron,
4897 she fell to work and got the dishes piled up ready for washing, when
4898 she discovered that the fire was out.
4899 
4900 "Here's a sweet prospect!" muttered Jo, slamming the stove door open,
4901 and poking vigorously among the cinders.
4902 
4903 Having rekindled the fire, she thought she would go to market while the
4904 water heated.  The walk revived her spirits, and flattering herself
4905 that she had made good bargains, she trudged home again, after buying a
4906 very young lobster, some very old asparagus, and two boxes of acid
4907 strawberries.  By the time she got cleared up, the dinner arrived and
4908 the stove was red-hot.  Hannah had left a pan of bread to rise, Meg had
4909 worked it up early, set it on the hearth for a second rising, and
4910 forgotten it.  Meg was entertaining Sallie Gardiner in the parlor, when
4911 the door flew open and a floury, crocky, flushed, and disheveled figure
4912 appeared, demanding tartly...
4913 
4914 "I say, isn't bread 'riz' enough when it runs over the pans?"
4915 
4916 Sallie began to laugh, but Meg nodded and lifted her eyebrows as high
4917 as they would go, which caused the apparition to vanish and put the
4918 sour bread into the oven without further delay.  Mrs. March went out,
4919 after peeping here and there to see how matters went, also saying a
4920 word of comfort to Beth, who sat making a winding sheet, while the dear
4921 departed lay in state in the domino box.  A straLanguage cannot describe
4922 nge sense of
4923 helplessness fell upon the girls as the gray bonnet vanished round the
4924 corner, and despair seized them when a few minutes later Miss Crocker
4925 appeared, and said she'd come to dinner.  Now this lady was a thin,
4926 yellow spinster, with a sharp nose and inquisitive eyes, who saw
4927 everything and gossiped about all she saw. They disliked her, but had
4928 been taught to be kind to her, simply because she was old and poor and
4929 had few friends.  So Meg gave her the easy chair and tried to entertain
4930 her, while she asked questions, criticized everything, and told stories
4931 of the people whom she knew.
4932 
4933 Language cannot describe the anxieties, experiences, and exertions
4934 which Jo underwent that morning, and the dinner she served up became a
4935 standing joke.  Fearing to ask any more advice, she did her best alone,
4936 and discovered that something more than energy and good will is
4937 necessary to make a cook.  She boiled the asparagus for an hour and was
4938 grieved to find the heads cooked off and the stalks harder than ever.
4939 The bread burned black; for the salad dressing so aggravated her that
4940 she could not make it fit to eat.  The lobster was a scarlet mystery to
4941 her, but she hammered and poked till it was unshelled and its meager
4942 proportions concealed in a grove of lettuce leaves.  The potatoes had
4943 to be hurried, not to keep the asparagus waiting, and were not done at
4944 the last.  The blanc mange was lumpy, and the strawberries not as ripe
4945 as they looked, having been skilfully 'deaconed'.
4946 
4947 "Well, they can eat beef and bread and butter, if they are hungry, only
4948 it's mortifying to have to spend your whole morning for nothing,"
4949 thought Jo, as she rang the bell half an hour later than usual, and
4950 stood, hot, tired, and dispirited, surveying the feast spread before
4951 Laurie, accustomed to all sorts of elegance, and Miss Crocker, whose
4952 tattling tongue would report them far and wide.
4953 
4954 Poor Jo would gladly have gone under the table, as one thing after
4955 another was tasted and left, while Amy giggled, Meg looked distressed,
4956 Miss Crocker pursed her lips, and Laurie talked and laughed with all
4957 his might to give a cheerful tone to the festive scene.  Jo's one
4958 strong point was the fruit, for she had sugared it well, and had a
4959 pitcher of rich cream to eat with it.  Her hot cheeks cooled a trifle,
4960 and she drew a long breath as the pretty glass plates went round, and
4961 everyone looked graciously at the little rosy islands floating in a sea
4962 of cream.  Miss Crocker tasted first, made a wry face, and drank some
4963 water hastily.  Jo, who refused, thinking there might not be enough,
4964 for they dwindled sadly after the picking over, glanced at Laurie, but
4965 he was eating away manfully, though there was a slight pucker about his
4966 mouth and he kept his eye fixed on his plate.  Amy, who was fond of
4967 delicate fare, took a heaping spoonful, choked, hid her face in her
4968 napkin, and left the table precipitately.
4969 
4970 "Oh, what is it?" exclaimed Jo, trembling.
4971 
4972 "Salt instead of sugar, and the cream is sour," replied Meg with a
4973 tragic gesture.
4974 
4975 Jo uttered a groan and fell back in her chair, remembering that she had
4976 given a last hasty powdering to the berries out of one of the two boxes
4977 on the kitchen table, and had neglected to put the milk in the
4978 refrigerator.  She turned scarlet and was on the verge of crying, when
4979 she met Laurie's eyes, which would look merry in spite of his heroic
4980 efforts.  The comical side of the affair suddenly struck her, and she
4981 laughed till the tears ran down her cheeks.  So did everyone else, even
4982 'Croaker' as the girls called the old lady, and the unfortunate dinner
4983 ended gaily, with bread and butter, olives and fun.
4984 
4985 "I haven't strength of mind enough to clear up now, so we will sober
4986 ourselves with a funeral," said Jo, as they rose, and Miss Crocker made
4987 ready to go, being eager to tell the new story at another friend's
4988 dinner table.
4989 
4990 They did sober themselves for Beth's sake.  Laurie dug a grave under
4991 the ferns in the grove, little Pip was laid in, with many tears by his
4992 tender-hearted mistress, and covered with moss, while a wreath of
4993 violets and chickweed was hung on the stone which bore his epitaph,
4994 composed by Jo while she struggled with the dinner.
4995 
4996     Here lies Pip March,
4997     Who died the 7th of June;
4998     Loved and lamented sore,
4999     And not forgotten soon.
5000 
5001 At the conclusion of the ceremonies, Beth retired to her room, overcome
5002 with emotion and lobster, but there was no place of repose, for the
5003 beds were not made, and she found her grief much assuaged by beating up
5004 the pillows and putting things in order.  Meg helped Jo clear away the
5005 remains of the feast, which took half the afternoon and left them so
5006 tired that they agreed to be contented with tea and toast for supper.
5007 
5008 Laurie took Amy to drive, which was a deed of charity, for the sour
5009 cream seemed to have had a bad effect upon her temper.  Mrs. March came
5010 home to find the three older girls hard at work in the middle of the
5011 afternoon, and a glance at the closet gave her an idea of the success
5012 of one part of the experiment.
5013 
5014 Before the housewives could rest, several people called, and there was
5015 a scramble to get ready to see them.  Then tea must be got, errands
5016 done, and one or two necessary bits of sewing neglected until the last
5017 minute.  As twilight fell, dewy and still, one by one they gathered on
5018 the porch where the June roses were budding beautifully, and each
5019 groaned or sighed as she sat down, as if tired or troubled.
5020 
5021 "What a dreadful day this has been!" began Jo, usually the first to
5022 speak.
5023 
5024 "It has seemed shorter than usual, but so uncomfortable," said Meg.
5025 
5026 "Not a bit like home," added Amy.
5027 
5028 "It can't seem so without Marmee and little Pip," sighed Beth, glancing
5029 with full eyes at the empty cage above her head.
5030 
5031 "Here's Mother, dear, and you shall have another bird tomorrow, if you
5032 want it."
5033 
5034 As she spoke, Mrs. March came and took her place among them, looking as
5035 if her holiday had not been much pleasanter than theirs.
5036 
5037 "Are you satisfied with your experiment, girls, or do you want another
5038 week of it?" she asked, as Beth nestled up to her and the rest turned
5039 toward her with brightening faces, as flowers turn toward the sun.
5040 
5041 "I don't!" cried Jo decidedly.
5042 
5043 "Nor I," echoed the others.
5044 
5045 "You think then, that it is better to have a few duties and live a
5046 little for others, do you?"
5047 
5048 "Lounging and larking doesn't pay," observed Jo, shaking her head. "I'm
5049 tired of it and mean to go to work at something right off."
5050 
5051 "Suppose you learn plain cooking.  That's a useful accomplishment,
5052 which no woman should be without," said Mrs. March, laughing inaudibly
5053 at the recollection of Jo's dinner party, for she had met Miss Crocker
5054 and heard her account of it.
5055 
5056 "Mother, did you go away and let everything be, just to see how we'd
5057 get on?" cried Meg, who had had suspicions all day.
5058 
5059 "Yes, I wanted you to see how the comfort of all depends on each doing
5060 her share faithfully.  While Hannah and I did your work, you got on
5061 pretty well, though I don't think you were very happy or amiable.  So I
5062 thought, as a little lesson, I would show you what happens when
5063 everyone thinks only of herself.  Don't you feel that it is pleasanter
5064 to help one another, to have daily duties which make leisure sweet when
5065 it comes, and to bear and forbear, that home may be comfortable and
5066 lovely to us all?"
5067 
5068 "We do, Mother, we do!" cried the girls.
5069 
5070 "Then let me advise you to take up your little burdens again, for
5071 though they seem heavy sometimes, they are good for us, and lighten as
5072 we learn to carry them.  Work is wholesome, and there is plenty for
5073 everyone.  It keeps us from ennui and mischief, is good for health and
5074 spirits, and gives us a sense of power and independence better than
5075 money or fashion."
5076 
5077 "We'll work like bees, and love it too, see if we don't," said Jo.
5078 "I'll learn plain cooking for my holiday task, and the next dinner
5079 party I have shall be a success."
5080 
5081 "I'll make the set of shirts for father, instead of letting you do it,
5082 Marmee.  I can and I will, though I'm not fond of sewing. That will be
5083 better than fussing over my own things, which are plenty nice enough as
5084 they are." said Meg.
5085 
5086 "I'll do my lessons every day, and not spend so much time with my music
5087 and dolls.  I am a stupid thing, and ought to be studying, not
5088 playing," was Beth's resolution, while Amy followed their example by
5089 heroically declaring, "I shall learn to make buttonholes, and attend to
5090 my parts of speech."
5091 
5092 "Very good!  Then I am quite satisfied with the experiment, and fancy
5093 that we shall not have to repeat it, only don't go to the other extreme
5094 and delve like slaves.  Have regular hours for work and play, make each
5095 day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth
5096 of time by employing it well.  Then youth will be delightful, old age
5097 will bring few regrets, and life become a beautiful success, in spite
5098 of poverty."
5099 
5100 "We'll remember, Mother!" and they did.
5101 
5102 
5103 
5104 CHAPTER TWELVE
5105 
5106 CAMP LAURENCE
5107 
5108 Beth was postmistress, for, being most at home, she could attend to it
5109 regularly, and dearly liked the daily task of unlocking the little door
5110 and distributing the mail.  One July day she came in with her hands
5111 full, and went about the house leaving letters and parcels like the
5112 penny post.
5113 
5114 "Here's your posy, Mother!  Laurie never forgets that," she said,
5115 putting the fresh nosegay in the vase that stood in 'Marmee's corner',
5116 and was kept supplied by the affectionate boy.
5117 
5118 "Miss Meg March, one letter and a glove," continued Beth, delivering
5119 the articles to her sister, who sat near her mother, stitching
5120 wristbands.
5121 
5122 "Why, I left a pair over there, and here is only one," said Meg,
5123 looking at the gray cotton glove.  "Didn't you drop the other in the
5124 garden?"
5125 
5126 "No, I'm sure I didn't, for there was only one in the office."
5127 
5128 "I hate to have odd gloves!  Never mind, the other may be found.  My
5129 letter is only a translation of the German song I wanted.  I think Mr.
5130 Brooke did it, for this isn't Laurie's writing."
5131 
5132 Mrs. March glanced at Meg, who was looking very pretty in her gingham
5133 morning gown, with the little curls blowing about her forehead, and
5134 very womanly, as she sat sewing at her little worktable, full of tidy
5135 white rolls, so unconscious of the thought in her mother's mind as she
5136 sewed and sang, while her fingers flew and her thoughts were busied
5137 with girlish fancies as innocent and fresh as the pansies in her belt,
5138 that Mrs. March smiled and was satisfied.
5139 
5140 "Two letters for Doctor Jo, a book, and a funny old hat, which covered
5141 the whole post office and stuck outside," said Beth, laughing as she
5142 went into the study where Jo sat writing.
5143 
5144 "What a sly fellow Laurie is!  I said I wished bigger hats were the
5145 fashion, because I burn my face every hot day.  He said, 'Why mind the
5146 fashion?  Wear a big hat, and be comfortable!' I said I would if I had
5147 one, and he has sent me this, to try me.  I'll wear it for fun, and
5148 show him I don't care for the fashion."  And hanging the antique
5149 broad-brim on a bust of Plato, Jo read her letters.
5150 
5151 One from her mother made her cheeks glow and her eyes fill, for it said
5152 to her...
5153 
5154 
5155 My Dear:
5156 
5157 I write a little word to tell you with how much satisfaction I watch
5158 your efforts to control your temper.  You say nothing about your
5159 trials, failures, or successes, and think, perhaps, that no one sees
5160 them but the Friend whose help you daily ask, if I may trust the
5161 well-worn cover of your guidebook.  I, too, have seen them all, and
5162 heartily believe in the sincerity of your resolution, since it begins
5163 to bear fruit.  Go on, dear, patiently and bravely, and always believe
5164 that no one sympathizes more tenderly with you than your loving...
5165 
5166 Mother
5167 
5168 
5169 "That does me good!  That's worth millions of money and pecks of
5170 praise.  Oh, Marmee, I do try!  I will keep on trying, and not get
5171 tired, since I have you to help me."
5172 
5173 Laying her head on her arms, Jo wet her little romance with a few happy
5174 tears, for she had thought that no one saw and appreciated her efforts
5175 to be good, and this assurance was doubly precious, doubly encouraging,
5176 because unexpected and from the person whose commendation she most
5177 valued.  Feeling stronger than ever to meet and subdue her Apollyon,
5178 she pinned the note inside her frock, as a shield and a reminder, lest
5179 she be taken unaware, and proceeded to open her other letter, quite
5180 ready for either good or bad news.  In a big, dashing hand, Laurie
5181 wrote...
5182 
5183 Dear Jo, What ho!
5184 
5185 Some English girls and boys are coming to see me tomorrow and I want to
5186 have a jolly time.  If it's fine, I'm going to pitch my tent in
5187 Longmeadow, and row up the whole crew to lunch and croquet -- have a
5188 fire, make messes, gypsy fashion, and all sorts of larks.  They are
5189 nice people, and like such things.  Brooke will go to keep us boys
5190 steady, and Kate Vaughn will play propriety for the girls.  I want you
5191 all to come, can't let Beth off at any price, and nobody shall worry
5192 her.  Don't bother about rations, I'll see to that and everything else,
5193 only do come, there's a good fellow!
5194 
5195 In a tearing hurry, Yours ever, Laurie.
5196 
5197 "Here's richness!" cried Jo, flying in to tell the news to Meg.
5198 
5199 "Of course we can go, Mother?  It will be such a help to Laurie, for I
5200 can row, and Meg see to the lunch, and the children be useful in some
5201 way."
5202 
5203 "I hope the Vaughns are not fine grown-up people.  Do you know anything
5204 about them, Jo?" asked Meg.
5205 
5206 "Only that there are four of them.  Kate is older than you, Fred and
5207 Frank (twins) about my age, and a little girl (Grace), who is nine or
5208 ten.  Laurie knew them abroad, and liked the boys.  I fancied, from the
5209 way he primmed up his mouth in speaking of her, that he didn't admire
5210 Kate much."
5211 
5212 "I'm so glad my French print is clean, it's just the thing and so
5213 becoming!" observed Meg complacently.  "Have you anything decent, Jo?"
5214 
5215 "Scarlet and gray boating suit, good enough for me.  I shall row and
5216 tramp about, so I don't want any starch to think of.  You'll come,
5217 Betty?"
5218 
5219 "If you won't let any boys talk to me."
5220 
5221 "Not a boy!"
5222 
5223 "I like to please Laurie, and I'm not afraid of Mr. Brooke, he is so
5224 kind.  But I don't want to play, or sing, or say anything. I'll work
5225 hard and not trouble anyone, and you'll take care of me, Jo, so I'll
5226 go."
5227 
5228 "That's my good girl.  You do try to fight off your shyness, and I love
5229 you for it.  Fighting faults isn't easy, as I know, and a cheery word
5230 kind of gives a lift.  Thank you, Mother," And Jo gave the thin cheek a
5231 grateful kiss, more precious to Mrs. March than if it had given back
5232 the rosy roundness of her youth.
5233 
5234 "I had a box of chocolate drops, and the picture I wanted to copy,"
5235 said Amy, showing her mail.
5236 
5237 "And I got a note from Mr. Laurence, asking me to come over and play to
5238 him tonight, before the lamps are lighted, and I shall go," added Beth,
5239 whose friendship with the old gentleman prospered finely.
5240 
5241 "Now let's fly round, and do double duty today, so that we can play
5242 tomorrow with free minds," said Jo, preparing to replace her pen with a
5243 broom.
5244 
5245 When the sun peeped into the girls' room early next morning to promise
5246 them a fine day, he saw a comical sight.  Each had made such
5247 preparation for the fete as seemed necessary and proper. Meg had an
5248 extra row of little curlpapers across her forehead, Jo had copiously
5249 anointed her afflicted face with cold cream, Beth had taken Joanna to
5250 bed with her to atone for the approaching separation, and Amy had
5251 capped the climax by putting a clothespin on her nose to uplift the
5252 offending feature.  It was one of the kind artists use to hold the
5253 paper on their drawing boards, therefore quite appropriate and
5254 effective for the purpose it was now being put.  This funny spectacle
5255 appeared to amuse the sun, for he burst out with such radiance that Jo
5256 woke up and roused her sisters by a hearty laugh at Amy's ornament.
5257 
5258 Sunshine and laughter were good omens for a pleasure party, and soon a
5259 lively bustle began in both houses.  Beth, who was ready first, kept
5260 reporting what went on next door, and enlivened her sisters' toilets by
5261 frequent telegrams from the window.
5262 
5263 "There goes the man with the tent!  I see Mrs. Barker doing up the
5264 lunch in a hamper and a great basket.  Now Mr. Laurence is looking up
5265 at the sky and the weathercock.  I wish he would go too.  There's
5266 Laurie, looking like a sailor, nice boy!  Oh, mercy me!  Here's a
5267 carriage full of people, a tall lady, a little girl, and two dreadful
5268 boys.  One is lame, poor thing, he's got a crutch. Laurie didn't tell
5269 us that.  Be quick, girls!  It's getting late. Why, there is Ned
5270 Moffat, I do declare.  Meg, isn't that the man who bowed to you one day
5271 when we were shopping?"
5272 
5273 "So it is.  How queer that he should come.  I thought he was at the
5274 mountains.  There is Sallie.  I'm glad she got back in time. Am I all
5275 right, Jo?" cried Meg in a flutter.
5276 
5277 "A regular daisy.  Hold up your dress and put your hat on straight, it
5278 looks sentimental tipped that way and will fly off at the first puff.
5279 Now then, come on!"
5280 
5281 "Oh, Jo, you are not going to wear that awful hat?  It's too absurd!
5282 You shall not make a guy of yourself," remonstrated Meg, as Jo tied
5283 down with a red ribbon the broad-brimmed, old-fashioned leghorn Laurie
5284 had sent for a joke.
5285 
5286 "I just will, though, for it's capital, so shady, light, and big. It
5287 will make fun, and I don't mind being a guy if I'm comfortable." With
5288 that Jo marched straight away and the rest followed, a bright little
5289 band of sisters, all looking their best in summer suits, with happy
5290 faces under the jaunty hatbrims.
5291 
5292 Laurie ran to meet and present them to his friends in the most cordial
5293 manner.  The lawn was the reception room, and for several minutes a
5294 lively scene was enacted there.  Meg was grateful to see that Miss
5295 Kate, though twenty, was dressed with a simplicity which American girls
5296 would do well to imitate, and who was much flattered by Mr. Ned's
5297 assurances that he came especially to see her.  Jo understood why
5298 Laurie 'primmed up his mouth' when speaking of Kate, for that young
5299 lady had a standoff-don't-touch-me air, which contrasted strongly with
5300 the free and easy demeanor of the other girls.  Beth took an
5301 observation of the new boys and decided that the lame one was not
5302 'dreadful', but gentle and feeble, and she would be kind to him on that
5303 account.  Amy found Grace a well-mannered, merry, little person, and
5304 after staring dumbly at one another for a few minutes, they suddenly
5305 became very good friends.
5306 
5307 Tents, lunch, and croquet utensils having been sent on beforehand, the
5308 party was soon embarked, and the two boats pushed off together, leaving
5309 Mr. Laurence waving his hat on the shore.  Laurie and Jo rowed one
5310 boat, Mr. Brooke and Ned the other, while Fred Vaughn, the riotous
5311 twin, did his best to upset both by paddling about in a wherry like a
5312 disturbed water bug.  Jo's funny hat deserved a vote of thanks, for it
5313 was of general utility.  It broke the ice in the beginning by producing
5314 a laugh, it created quite a refreshing breeze, flapping to and fro as
5315 she rowed, and would make an excellent umbrella for the whole party, if
5316 a shower came up, she said.  Miss Kate decided that she was 'odd', but
5317 rather clever, and smiled upon her from afar.
5318 
5319 Meg, in the other boat, was delightfully situated, face to face with
5320 the rowers, who both admired the prospect and feathered their oars with
5321 uncommon 'skill and dexterity'.  Mr. Brooke was a grave, silent young
5322 man, with handsome brown eyes and a pleasant voice.  Meg liked his
5323 quiet manners and considered him a walking encyclopedia of useful
5324 knowledge.  He never talked to her much, but he looked at her a good
5325 deal, and she felt sure that he did not regard her with aversion.  Ned,
5326 being in college, of course put on all the airs which freshmen think it
5327 their bounden duty to assume.  He was not very wise, but very
5328 good-natured, and altogether an excellent person to carry on a picnic.
5329 Sallie Gardiner was absorbed in keeping her white pique dress clean and
5330 chattering with the ubiquitous Fred, who kept Beth in constant terror
5331 by his pranks.
5332 
5333 It was not far to Longmeadow, but the tent was pitched and the wickets
5334 down by the time they arrived.  A pleasant green field, with three
5335 wide-spreading oaks in the middle and a smooth strip of turf for
5336 croquet.
5337 
5338 "Welcome to Camp Laurence!" said the young host, as they landed with
5339 exclamations of delight.
5340 
5341 "Brooke is commander in chief, I am commissary general, the other
5342 fellows are staff officers, and you, ladies, are company. The tent is
5343 for your especial benefit and that oak is your drawing room, this is
5344 the messroom and the third is the camp kitchen.  Now, let's have a game
5345 before it gets hot, and then we'll see about dinner."
5346 
5347 Frank, Beth, Amy, and Grace sat down to watch the game played by the
5348 other eight.  Mr. Brooke chose Meg, Kate, and Fred. Laurie took Sallie,
5349 Jo, and Ned.  The English played well, but the Americans played better,
5350 and contested every inch of the ground as strongly as if the spirit of
5351 '76 inspired them.  Jo and Fred had several skirmishes and once
5352 narrowly escaped high words. Jo was through the last wicket and had
5353 missed the stroke, which failure ruffled her a good deal.  Fred was
5354 close behind her and his turn came before hers.  He gave a stroke, his
5355 ball hit the wicket, and stopped an inch on the wrong side.  No one was
5356 very near, and running up to examine, he gave it a sly nudge with his
5357 toe, which put it just an inch on the right side.
5358 
5359 "I'm through!  Now, Miss Jo, I'll settle you, and get in first," cried
5360 the young gentleman, swinging his mallet for another blow.
5361 
5362 "You pushed it.  I saw you.  It's my turn now," said Jo sharply.
5363 
5364 "Upon my word, I didn't move it.  It rolled a bit, perhaps, but that is
5365 allowed.  So, stand off please, and let me have a go at the stake."
5366 
5367 "We don't cheat in America, but you can, if you choose," said Jo
5368 angrily.
5369 
5370 "Yankees are a deal the most tricky, everybody knows.  There you go!"
5371 returned Fred, croqueting her ball far away.
5372 
5373 Jo opened her lips to say something rude, but checked herself in time,
5374 colored up to her forehead and stood a minute, hammering down a wicket
5375 with all her might, while Fred hit the stake and declared himself out
5376 with much exultation.  She went off to get her ball, and was a long
5377 time finding it among the bushes, but she came back, looking cool and
5378 quiet, and waited her turn patiently.  It took several strokes to
5379 regain the place she had lost, and when she got there, the other side
5380 had nearly won, for Kate's ball was the last but one and lay near the
5381 stake.
5382 
5383 "By George, it's all up with us!  Goodbye, Kate.  Miss Jo owes me one,
5384 so you are finished," cried Fred excitedly, as they all drew near to
5385 see the finish.
5386 
5387 "Yankees have a trick of being generous to their enemies," said Jo,
5388 with a look that made the lad redden, "especially when they beat them,"
5389 she added, as, leaving Kate's ball untouched, she won the game by a
5390 clever stroke.
5391 
5392 Laurie threw up his hat, then remembered that it wouldn't do to exult
5393 over the defeat of his guests, and stopped in the middle of the cheer
5394 to whisper to his friend, "Good for you, Jo!  He did cheat, I saw him.
5395 We can't tell him so, but he won't do it again, take my word for it."
5396 
5397 Meg drew her aside, under pretense of pinning up a loose braid, and
5398 said approvingly, "It was dreadfully provoking, but you kept your
5399 temper, and I'm so glad, Jo."
5400 
5401 "Don't praise me, Meg, for I could box his ears this minute. I should
5402 certainly have boiled over if I hadn't stayed among the nettles till I
5403 got my rage under control enough to hold my tongue. It's simmering now,
5404 so I hope he'll keep out of my way," returned Jo, biting her lips as
5405 she glowered at Fred from under her big hat.
5406 
5407 "Time for lunch," said Mr. Brooke, looking at his watch. "Commissary
5408 general, will you make the fire and get water, while Miss March, Miss
5409 Sallie, and I spread the table?  Who can make good coffee?"
5410 
5411 "Jo can," said Meg, glad to recommend her sister.  So Jo, feeling that
5412 her late lessons in cookery were to do her honor, went to preside over
5413 the coffeepot, while the children collected dry sticks, and the boys
5414 made a fire and got water from a spring near by.  Miss Kate sketched
5415 and Frank talked to Beth, who was making little mats of braided rushes
5416 to serve as plates.
5417 
5418 The commander in chief and his aides soon spread the tablecloth with an
5419 inviting array of eatables and drinkables, prettily decorated with
5420 green leaves.  Jo announced that the coffee was ready, and everyone
5421 settled themselves to a hearty meal, for youth is seldom dyspeptic, and
5422 exercise develops wholesome appetites. A very merry lunch it was, for
5423 everything seemed fresh and funny, and frequent peals of laughter
5424 startled a venerable horse who fed near by.  There was a pleasing
5425 inequality in the table, which produced many mishaps to cups and
5426 plates, acorns dropped in the milk, little black ants partook of the
5427 refreshments without being invited, and fuzzy caterpillars swung down
5428 from the tree to see what was going on.  Three white-headed children
5429 peeped over the fence, and an objectionable dog barked at them from the
5430 other side of the river with all his might and main.
5431 
5432 "There's salt here," said Laurie, as he handed Jo a saucer of berries.
5433 
5434 "Thank you, I prefer spiders," she replied, fishing up two unwary
5435 little ones who had gone to a creamy death.  "How dare you remind me of
5436 that horrid dinner party, when yours is so nice in every way?" added
5437 Jo, as they both laughed and ate out of one plate, the china having run
5438 short.
5439 
5440 "I had an uncommonly good time that day, and haven't got over it yet.
5441 This is no credit to me, you know, I don't do anything.  It's you and
5442 Meg and Brooke who make it all go, and I'm no end obliged to you.  What
5443 shall we do when we can't eat anymore?" asked Laurie, feeling that his
5444 trump card had been played when lunch was over.
5445 
5446 "Have games till it's cooler.  I brought Authors, and I dare say Miss
5447 Kate knows something new and nice.  Go and ask her.  She's company, and
5448 you ought to stay with her more."
5449 
5450 "Aren't you company too?  I thought she'd suit Brooke, but he keeps
5451 talking to Meg, and Kate just stares at them through that ridiculous
5452 glass of hers.  I'm going, so you needn't try to preach propriety, for
5453 you can't do it, Jo."
5454 
5455 Miss Kate did know several new games, and as the girls would not, and
5456 the boys could not, eat any more, they all adjourned to the drawing
5457 room to play Rig-marole.
5458 
5459 "One person begins a story, any nonsense you like, and tells as long as
5460 he pleases, only taking care to stop short at some exciting point, when
5461 the next takes it up and does the same.  It's very funny when well
5462 done, and makes a perfect jumble of tragical comical stuff to laugh
5463 over.  Please start it, Mr. Brooke," said Kate, with a commanding air,
5464 which surprised Meg, who treated the tutor with as much respect as any
5465 other gentleman.
5466 
5467 Lying on the grass at the feet of the two young ladies, Mr. Brooke
5468 obediently began the story, with the handsome brown eyes steadily fixed
5469 upon the sunshiny river.
5470 
5471 "Once on a time, a knight went out into the world to seek his fortune,
5472 for he had nothing but his sword and his shield. He traveled a long
5473 while, nearly eight-and-twenty years, and had a hard time of it, till
5474 he came to the palace of a good old king, who had offered a reward to
5475 anyone who could tame and train a fine but unbroken colt, of which he
5476 was very fond.  The knight agreed to try, and got on slowly but surely,
5477 for the colt was a gallant fellow, and soon learned to love his new
5478 master, though he was freakish and wild.  Every day, when he gave his
5479 lessons to this pet of the king's, the knight rode him through the
5480 city, and as he rode, he looked everywhere for a certain beautiful
5481 face, which he had seen many times in his dreams, but never found.  One
5482 day, as he went prancing down a quiet street, he saw at the window of a
5483 ruinous castle the lovely face.  He was delighted, inquired who lived
5484 in this old castle, and was told that several captive princesses were
5485 kept there by a spell, and spun all day to lay up money to buy their
5486 liberty.  The knight wished intensely that he could free them, but he
5487 was poor and could only go by each day, watching for the sweet face and
5488 longing to see it out in the sunshine.  At last he resolved to get into
5489 the castle and ask how he could help them.  He went and knocked.  The
5490 great door flew open, and he beheld..."
5491 
5492 "A ravishingly lovely lady, who exclaimed, with a cry of rapture, 'At
5493 last!  At last!'" continued Kate, who had read French novels, and
5494 admired the style.  "'Tis she!' cried Count Gustave, and fell at her
5495 feet in an ecstasy of joy.  'Oh, rise!' she said, extending a hand of
5496 marble fairness.  'Never! Till you tell me how I may rescue you,' swore
5497 the knight, still kneeling. 'Alas, my cruel fate condemns me to remain
5498 here till my tyrant is destroyed.' 'Where is the villain?' 'In the
5499 mauve salon.  Go, brave heart, and save me from despair.' 'I obey, and
5500 return victorious or dead!' With these thrilling words he rushed away,
5501 and flinging open the door of the mauve salon, was about to enter, when
5502 he received..."
5503 
5504 "A stunning blow from the big Greek lexicon, which an old fellow in a
5505 black gown fired at him," said Ned.  "Instantly, Sir What's-his-name
5506 recovered himself, pitched the tyrant out of the window, and turned to
5507 join the lady, victorious, but with a bump on his brow, found the door
5508 locked, tore up the curtains, made a rope ladder, got halfway down when
5509 the ladder broke, and he went headfirst into the moat, sixty feet
5510 below.  Could swim like a duck, paddled round the castle till he came
5511 to a little door guarded by two stout fellows, knocked their heads
5512 together till they cracked like a couple of nuts, then, by a trifling
5513 exertion of his prodigious strength, he smashed in the door, went up a
5514 pair of stone steps covered with dust a foot thick, toads as big as
5515 your fist, and spiders that would frighten you into hysterics, Miss
5516 March.  At the top of these steps he came plump upon a sight that took
5517 his breath away and chilled his blood..."
5518 
5519 "A tall figure, all in white with a veil over its face and a lamp in
5520 its wasted hand," went on Meg.  "It beckoned, gliding noiselessly
5521 before him down a corridor as dark and cold as any tomb.  Shadowy
5522 effigies in armor stood on either side, a dead silence reigned, the
5523 lamp burned blue, and the ghostly figure ever and anon turned its face
5524 toward him, showing the glitter of awful eyes through its white veil.
5525 They reached a curtained door, behind which sounded lovely music.  He
5526 sprang forward to enter, but the specter plucked him back, and waved
5527 threateningly before him a..."
5528 
5529 "Snuffbox," said Jo, in a sepulchral tone, which convulsed the
5530 audience.  "'Thankee,' said the knight politely, as he took a pinch and
5531 sneezed seven times so violently that his head fell off.  'Ha! Ha!'
5532 laughed the ghost, and having peeped through the keyhole at the
5533 princesses spinning away for dear life, the evil spirit picked up her
5534 victim and put him in a large tin box, where there were eleven other
5535 knights packed together without their heads, like sardines, who all
5536 rose and began to..."
5537 
5538 "Dance a hornpipe," cut in Fred, as Jo paused for breath, "and, as they
5539 danced, the rubbishy old castle turned to a man-of-war in full sail.
5540 'Up with the jib, reef the tops'l halliards, helm hard alee, and man
5541 the guns!' roared the captain, as a Portuguese pirate hove in sight,
5542 with a flag black as ink flying from her foremast. 'Go in and win, my
5543 hearties!' says the captain, and a tremendous fight began.  Of course
5544 the British beat -- they always do."
5545 
5546 "No, they don't!" cried Jo, aside.
5547 
5548 "Having taken the pirate captain prisoner, sailed slap over the
5549 schooner, whose decks were piled high with dead and whose lee scuppers
5550 ran blood, for the order had been 'Cutlasses, and die hard!' 'Bosun's
5551 mate, take a bight of the flying-jib sheet, and start this villain if
5552 he doesn't confess his sins double quick,' said the British captain.
5553 The Portuguese held his tongue like a brick, and walked the plank,
5554 while the jolly tars cheered like mad.  But the sly dog dived, came up
5555 under the man-of-war, scuttled her, and down she went, with all sail
5556 set, 'To the bottom of the sea, sea, sea' where..."
5557 
5558 "Oh, gracious!  What shall I say?" cried Sallie, as Fred ended his
5559 rigmarole, in which he had jumbled together pell-mell nautical phrases
5560 and facts out of one of his favorite books. "Well, they went to the
5561 bottom, and a nice mermaid welcomed them, but was much grieved on
5562 finding the box of headless knights, and kindly pickled them in brine,
5563 hoping to discover the mystery about them, for being a woman, she was
5564 curious.  By-and-by a diver came down, and the mermaid said, 'I'll give
5565 you a box of pearls if you can take it up,' for she wanted to restore
5566 the poor things to life, and couldn't raise the heavy load herself.  So
5567 the diver hoisted it up, and was much disappointed on opening it to
5568 find no pearls.  He left it in a great lonely field, where it was found
5569 by a..."
5570 
5571 "Little goose girl, who kept a hundred fat geese in the field," said
5572 Amy, when Sallie's invention gave out.  "The little girl was sorry for
5573 them, and asked an old woman what she should do to help them.  'Your
5574 geese will tell you, they know everything.' said the old woman.  So she
5575 asked what she should use for new heads, since the old ones were lost,
5576 and all the geese opened their hundred mouths and screamed..."
5577 
5578 "'Cabbages!'" continued Laurie promptly.  "'Just the thing,' said the
5579 girl, and ran to get twelve fine ones from her garden. She put them on,
5580 the knights revived at once, thanked her, and went on their way
5581 rejoicing, never knowing the difference, for there were so many other
5582 heads like them in the world that no one thought anything of it.  The
5583 knight in whom I'm interested went back to find the pretty face, and
5584 learned that the princesses had spun themselves free and all gone and
5585 married, but one.  He was in a great state of mind at that, and
5586 mounting the colt, who stood by him through thick and thin, rushed to
5587 the castle to see which was left.  Peeping over the hedge, he saw the
5588 queen of his affections picking flowers in her garden.  'Will you give
5589 me a rose?' said he.  'You must come and get it.  I can't come to you,
5590 it isn't proper,' said she, as sweet as honey.  He tried to climb over
5591 the hedge, but it seemed to grow higher and higher.  Then he tried to
5592 push through, but it grew thicker and thicker, and he was in despair.
5593 So he patiently broke twig after twig till he had made a little hole
5594 through which he peeped, saying imploringly, 'Let me in!  Let me in!'
5595 But the pretty princess did not seem to understand, for she picked her
5596 roses quietly, and left him to fight his way in.  Whether he did or
5597 not, Frank will tell you."
5598 
5599 "I can't.  I'm not playing, I never do," said Frank, dismayed at the
5600 sentimental predicament out of which he was to rescue the absurd
5601 couple.  Beth had disappeared behind Jo, and Grace was asleep.
5602 
5603 "So the poor knight is to be left sticking in the hedge, is he?" asked
5604 Mr. Brooke, still watching the river, and playing with the wild rose in
5605 his buttonhole.
5606 
5607 "I guess the princess gave him a posy, and opened the gate after a
5608 while," said Laurie, smiling to himself, as he threw acorns at his
5609 tutor.
5610 
5611 "What a piece of nonsense we have made!  With practice we might do
5612 something quite clever.  Do you know Truth?"
5613 
5614 "I hope so," said Meg soberly.
5615 
5616 "The game, I mean?"
5617 
5618 "What is it?" said Fred.
5619 
5620 "Why, you pile up your hands, choose a number, and draw out in turn,
5621 and the person who draws at the number has to answer truly any question
5622 put by the rest.  It's great fun."
5623 
5624 "Let's try it," said Jo, who liked new experiments.
5625 
5626 Miss Kate and Mr. Brooke, Meg, and Ned declined, but Fred, Sallie, Jo,
5627 and Laurie piled and drew, and the lot fell to Laurie.
5628 
5629 "Who are your heroes?" asked Jo.
5630 
5631 "Grandfather and Napoleon."
5632 
5633 "Which lady here do you think prettiest?" said Sallie.
5634 
5635 "Margaret."
5636 
5637 "Which do you like best?" from Fred.
5638 
5639 "Jo, of course."
5640 
5641 "What silly questions you ask!"  And Jo gave a disdainful shrug as the
5642 rest laughed at Laurie's matter-of-fact tone.
5643 
5644 "Try again.  Truth isn't a bad game," said Fred.
5645 
5646 "It's a very good one for you," retorted Jo in a low voice. Her turn
5647 came next.
5648 
5649 "What is your greatest fault?" asked Fred, by way of testing in her the
5650 virtue he lacked himself.
5651 
5652 "A quick temper."
5653 
5654 "What do you most wish for?" said Laurie.
5655 
5656 "A pair of boot lacings," returned Jo, guessing and defeating his
5657 purpose.
5658 
5659 "Not a true answer.  You must say what you really do want most."
5660 
5661 "Genius.  Don't you wish you could give it to me, Laurie?" And she
5662 slyly smiled in his disappointed face.
5663 
5664 "What virtues do you most admire in a man?" asked Sallie.
5665 
5666 "Courage and honesty."
5667 
5668 "Now my turn," said Fred, as his hand came last.
5669 
5670 "Let's give it to him," whispered Laurie to Jo, who nodded and asked at
5671 once...
5672 
5673 "Didn't you cheat at croquet?"
5674 
5675 "Well, yes, a little bit."
5676 
5677 "Good!  Didn't you take your story out of _The Sea Lion?_" said Laurie.
5678 
5679 "Rather."
5680 
5681 "Don't you think the English nation perfect in every respect?" asked
5682 Sallie.
5683 
5684 "I should be ashamed of myself if I didn't."
5685 
5686 "He's a true John Bull.  Now, Miss Sallie, you shall have a chance
5687 without waiting to draw.  I'll harrrow up your feelings first by asking
5688 if you don't think you are something of a flirt," said Laurie, as Jo
5689 nodded to Fred as a sign that peace was declared.
5690 
5691 "You impertinent boy!  Of course I'm not," exclaimed Sallie, with an
5692 air that proved the contrary.
5693 
5694 "What do you hate most?" asked Fred.
5695 
5696 "Spiders and rice pudding."
5697 
5698 "What do you like best?" asked Jo.
5699 
5700 "Dancing and French gloves."
5701 
5702 "Well, I think Truth is a very silly play.  Let's have a sensible game
5703 of Authors to refresh our minds," proposed Jo.
5704 
5705 Ned, Frank, and the little girls joined in this, and while it went on,
5706 the three elders sat apart, talking.  Miss Kate took out her sketch
5707 again, and Margaret watched her, while Mr. Brooke lay on the grass with
5708 a book, which he did not read.
5709 
5710 "How beautifully you do it!  I wish I could draw," said Meg, with
5711 mingled admiration and regret in her voice.
5712 
5713 "Why don't you learn?  I should think you had taste and talent for it,"
5714 replied Miss Kate graciously.
5715 
5716 "I haven't time."
5717 
5718 "Your mamma prefers other accomplishments, I fancy.  So did mine, but I
5719 proved to her that I had talent by taking a few lessons privately, and
5720 then she was quite willing I should go on.  Can't you do the same with
5721 your governess?"
5722 
5723 "I have none."
5724 
5725 "I forgot young ladies in America go to school more than with us.  Very
5726 fine schools they are, too, Papa says.  You go to a private one, I
5727 suppose?"
5728 
5729 "I don't go at all.  I am a governess myself."
5730 
5731 "Oh, indeed!" said Miss Kate, but she might as well have said, "Dear
5732 me, how dreadful!" for her tone implied it, and something in her face
5733 made Meg color, and wish she had not been so frank.
5734 
5735 Mr. Brooke looked up and said quickly, "Young ladies in America love
5736 independence as much as their ancestors did, and are admired and
5737 respected for supporting themselves."
5738 
5739 "Oh, yes, of course it's very nice and proper in them to do so.  We
5740 have many most respectable and worthy young women who do the same and
5741 are employed by the nobility, because, being the daughters of
5742 gentlemen, they are both well bred and accomplished, you know," said
5743 Miss Kate in a patronizing tone that hurt Meg's pride, and made her
5744 work seem not only more distasteful, but degrading.
5745 
5746 "Did the German song suit, Miss March?" inquired Mr. Brooke, breaking
5747 an awkward pause.
5748 
5749 "Oh, yes!  It was very sweet, and I'm much obliged to whoever
5750 translated it for me." And Meg's downcast face brightened as she spoke.
5751 
5752 "Don't you read German?" asked Miss Kate with a look of surprise.
5753 
5754 "Not very well.  My father, who taught me, is away, and I don't get on
5755 very fast alone, for I've no one to correct my pronunciation."
5756 
5757 "Try a little now.  Here is Schiller's Mary Stuart and a tutor who
5758 loves to teach."  And Mr. Brooke laid his book on her lap with an
5759 inviting smile.
5760 
5761 "It's so hard I'm afraid to try," said Meg, grateful, but bashful in
5762 the presence of the accomplished young lady beside her.
5763 
5764 "I'll read a bit to encourage you." And Miss Kate read one of the most
5765 beautiful passages in a perfectly correct but perfectly expressionless
5766 manner.
5767 
5768 Mr. Brooke made no comment as she returned the book to Meg, who said
5769 innocently, "I thought it was poetry."
5770 
5771 "Some of it is.  Try this passage."
5772 
5773 There was a queer smile about Mr. Brooke's mouth as he opened at poor
5774 Mary's lament.
5775 
5776 Meg obediently following the long grass-blade which her new tutor used
5777 to point with, read slowly and timidly, unconsciously making poetry of
5778 the hard words by the soft intonation of her musical voice.  Down the
5779 page went the green guide, and presently, forgetting her listener in
5780 the beauty of the sad scene, Meg read as if alone, giving a little
5781 touch of tragedy to the words of the unhappy queen.  If she had seen
5782 the brown eyes then, she would have stopped short, but she never looked
5783 up, and the lesson was not spoiled for her.
5784 
5785 "Very well indeed!" said Mr. Brooke, as she paused, quite ignoring her
5786 many mistakes, and looking as if he did indeed love to teach.
5787 
5788 Miss Kate put up her glass, and, having taken a survey of the little
5789 tableau before her, shut her sketch book, saying with condescension,
5790 "You've a nice accent and in time will be a clever reader.  I advise
5791 you to learn, for German is a valuable accomplishment to teachers.  I
5792 must look after Grace, she is romping." And Miss Kate strolled away,
5793 adding to herself with a shrug, "I didn't come to chaperone a
5794 governess, though she is young and pretty.  What odd people these
5795 Yankees are.  I'm afraid Laurie will be quite spoiled among them."
5796 
5797 "I forgot that English people rather turn up their noses at governesses
5798 and don't treat them as we do," said Meg, looking after the retreating
5799 figure with an annoyed expression.
5800 
5801 "Tutors also have rather a hard time of it there, as I know to my
5802 sorrow.  There's no place like America for us workers, Miss Margaret."
5803 And Mr. Brooke looked so contented and cheerful that Meg was ashamed to
5804 lament her hard lot.
5805 
5806 "I'm glad I live in it then.  I don't like my work, but I get a good
5807 deal of satisfaction out of it after all, so I won't complain. I only
5808 wished I liked teaching as you do."
5809 
5810 "I think you would if you had Laurie for a pupil.  I shall be very
5811 sorry to lose him next year," said Mr. Brooke, busily punching holes in
5812 the turf.
5813 
5814 "Going to college, I suppose?" Meg's lips asked the question, but her
5815 eyes added, "And what becomes of you?"
5816 
5817 "Yes, it's high time he went, for he is ready, and as soon as he is
5818 off, I shall turn soldier.  I am needed."
5819 
5820 "I am glad of that!" exclaimed Meg.  "I should think every young man
5821 would want to go, though it is hard for the mothers and sisters who
5822 stay at home," she added sorrowfully.
5823 
5824 "I have neither, and very few friends to care whether I live or die,"
5825 said Mr. Brooke rather bitterly as he absently put the dead rose in the
5826 hole he had made and covered it up, like a little grave.
5827 
5828 "Laurie and his grandfather would care a great deal, and we should all
5829 be very sorry to have any harm happen to you," said Meg heartily.
5830 
5831 "Thank you, that sounds pleasant," began Mr. Brooke, looking cheerful
5832 again, but before he could finish his speech, Ned, mounted on the old
5833 horse, came lumbering up to display his equestrian skill before the
5834 young ladies, and there was no more quiet that day.
5835 
5836 "Don't you love to ride?" asked Grace of Amy, as they stood resting
5837 after a race round the field with the others, led by Ned.
5838 
5839 "I dote upon it.  My sister, Meg, used to ride when Papa was rich, but
5840 we don't keep any horses now, except Ellen Tree," added Amy, laughing.
5841 
5842 "Tell me about Ellen Tree.  Is it a donkey?" asked Grace curiously.
5843 
5844 "Why, you see, Jo is crazy about horses and so am I, but we've only got
5845 an old sidesaddle and no horse.  Out in our garden is an apple tree
5846 that has a nice low branch, so Jo put the saddle on it, fixed some
5847 reins on the part that turns up, and we bounce away on Ellen Tree
5848 whenever we like."
5849 
5850 "How funny!" laughed Grace.  "I have a pony at home, and ride nearly
5851 every day in the park with Fred and Kate.  It's very nice, for my
5852 friends go too, and the Row is full of ladies and gentlemen."
5853 
5854 "Dear, how charming!  I hope I shall go abroad some day, but I'd rather
5855 go to Rome than the Row," said Amy, who had not the remotest idea what
5856 the Row was and wouldn't have asked for the world.
5857 
5858 Frank, sitting just behind the little girls, heard what they were
5859 saying, and pushed his crutch away from him with an impatient gesture
5860 as he watched the active lads going through all sorts of comical
5861 gymnastics.  Beth, who was collecting the scattered Author cards,
5862 looked up and said, in her shy yet friendly way, "I'm afraid you are
5863 tired.  Can I do anything for you?"
5864 
5865 "Talk to me, please.  It's dull, sitting by myself," answered Frank,
5866 who had evidently been used to being made much of at home.
5867 
5868 If he asked her to deliver a Latin oration, it would not have seemed a
5869 more impossible task to bashful Beth, but there was no place to run to,
5870 no Jo to hide behind now, and the poor boy looked so wistfully at her
5871 that she bravely resolved to try.
5872 
5873 "What do you like to talk about?" she asked, fumbling over the cards
5874 and dropping half as she tried to tie them up.
5875 
5876 "Well, I like to hear about cricket and boating and hunting," said
5877 Frank, who had not yet learned to suit his amusements to his strength.
5878 
5879 My heart!  What shall I do?  I don't know anything about them, thought
5880 Beth, and forgetting the boy's misfortune in her flurry, she said,
5881 hoping to make him talk, "I never saw any hunting, but I suppose you
5882 know all about it."
5883 
5884 "I did once, but I can never hunt again, for I got hurt leaping a
5885 confounded five-barred gate, so there are no more horses and hounds for
5886 me," said Frank with a sigh that made Beth hate herself for her
5887 innocent blunder.
5888 
5889 "Your deer are much prettier than our ugly buffaloes," she said,
5890 turning to the prairies for help and feeling glad that she had read one
5891 of the boys' books in which Jo delighted.
5892 
5893 Buffaloes proved soothing and satisfactory, and in her eagerness to
5894 amuse another, Beth forgot herself, and was quite unconscious of her
5895 sisters' surprise and delight at the unusual spectacle of Beth talking
5896 away to one of the dreadful boys, against whom she had begged
5897 protection.
5898 
5899 "Bless her heart!  She pities him, so she is good to him," said Jo,
5900 beaming at her from the croquet ground.
5901 
5902 "I always said she was a little saint," added Meg, as if there could be
5903 no further doubt of it.
5904 
5905 "I haven't heard Frank laugh so much for ever so long," said Grace to
5906 Amy, as they sat discussing dolls and making tea sets out of the acorn
5907 cups.
5908 
5909 "My sister Beth is a very fastidious girl, when she likes to be," said
5910 Amy, well pleased at Beth's success.  She meant 'facinating', but as
5911 Grace didn't know the exact meaning of either word, fastidious sounded
5912 well and made a good impression.
5913 
5914 An impromptu circus, fox and geese, and an amicable game of croquet
5915 finished the afternoon.  At sunset the tent was struck, hampers packed,
5916 wickets pulled up, boats loaded, and the whole party floated down the
5917 river, singing at the tops of their voices. Ned, getting sentimental,
5918 warbled a serenade with the pensive refrain...
5919 
5920     Alone, alone, ah! Woe, alone,
5921 
5922 and at the lines...
5923 
5924     We each are young, we each have a heart,
5925     Oh, why should we stand thus coldly apart?
5926 
5927 he looked at Meg with such a lackadiasical expression that she laughed
5928 outright and spoiled his song.
5929 
5930 "How can you be so cruel to me?" he whispered, under cover of a lively
5931 chorus.  "You've kept close to that starched-up Englishwoman all day,
5932 and now you snub me."
5933 
5934 "I didn't mean to, but you looked so funny I really couldn't help it,"
5935 replied Meg, passing over the first part of his reproach, for it was
5936 quite true that she had shunned him, remembering the Moffat party and
5937 the talk after it.
5938 
5939 Ned was offended and turned to Sallie for consolation, saying to her
5940 rather pettishly, "There isn't a bit of flirt in that girl, is there?"
5941 
5942 "Not a particle, but she's a dear," returned Sallie, defending her
5943 friend even while confessing her shortcomings.
5944 
5945 "She's not a stricken deer anyway," said Ned, trying to be witty, and
5946 succeeding as well as very young gentlemen usually do.
5947 
5948 On the lawn where it had gathered, the little party separated with
5949 cordial good nights and good-byes, for the Vaughns were going to Canada.
5950 As the four sisters went home through the garden, Miss Kate looked
5951 after them, saying, without the patronizing tone in her voice, "In
5952 spite of their demonstrative manners, American girls are very nice when
5953 one knows them."
5954 
5955 "I quite agree with you," said Mr. Brooke.
5956 
5957 
5958 
5959 CHAPTER THIRTEEN
5960 
5961 CASTLES IN THE AIR
5962 
5963 Laurie lay luxuriously swinging to and fro in his hammock one warm
5964 September afternoon, wondering what his neighbors were about, but too
5965 lazy to go and find out.  He was in one of his moods, for the day had
5966 been both unprofitable and unsatisfactory, and he was wishing he could
5967 live it over again.  The hot weather made him indolent, and he had
5968 shirked his studies, tried Mr. Brooke's patience to the utmost,
5969 displeased his grandfather by practicing half the afternoon, frightened
5970 the maidservants half out of their wits by mischievously hinting that
5971 one of his dogs was going mad, and, after high words with the stableman
5972 about some fancied neglect of his horse, he had flung himself into his
5973 hammock to fume over the stupidity of the world in general, till the
5974 peace of the lovely day quieted him in spite of himself. Staring up
5975 into the green gloom of the horse-chestnut trees above him, he dreamed
5976 dreams of all sorts, and was just imagining himself tossing on the
5977 ocean in a voyage round the world, when the sound of voices brought him
5978 ashore in a flash. Peeping through the meshes of the hammock, he saw
5979 the Marches coming out, as if bound on some expedition.
5980 
5981 "What in the world are those girls about now?" thought Laurie, opening
5982 his sleepy eyes to take a good look, for there was something rather
5983 peculiar in the appearance of his neighbors.  Each wore a large,
5984 flapping hat, a brown linen pouch slung over one shoulder, and carried
5985 a long staff.  Meg had a cushion, Jo a book, Beth a basket, and Amy a
5986 portfolio.  All walked quietly through the garden, out at the little
5987 back gate, and began to climb the hill that lay between the house and
5988 river.
5989 
5990 "Well, that's cool," said Laurie to himself, "to have a picnic and
5991 never ask me!  They can't be going in the boat, for they haven't got
5992 the key.  Perhaps they forgot it.  I'll take it to them, and see what's
5993 going on."
5994 
5995 Though possessed of half a dozen hats, it took him some time to find
5996 one, then there was a hunt for the key, which was at last discovered in
5997 his pocket, so that the girls were quite out of sight when he leaped
5998 the fence and ran after them.  Taking the shortest way to the
5999 boathouse, he waited for them to appear, but no one came, and he went
6000 up the hill to take an observation.  A grove of pines covered one part
6001 of it, and from the heart of this green spot came a clearer sound than
6002 the soft sigh of the pines or the drowsy chirp of the crickets.
6003 
6004 "Here's a landscape!" thought Laurie, peeping through the bushes, and
6005 looking wide-awake and good-natured already.
6006 
6007 It was a rather pretty little picture, for the sisters sat together in
6008 the shady nook, with sun and shadow flickering over them, the aromatic
6009 wind lifting their hair and cooling their hot cheeks, and all the
6010 little wood people going on with their affairs as if these were no
6011 strangers but old friends.  Meg sat upon her cushion, sewing daintily
6012 with her white hands, and looking as fresh and sweet as a rose in her
6013 pink dress among the green.  Beth was sorting the cones that lay thick
6014 under the hemlock near by, for she made pretty things with them.  Amy
6015 was sketching a group of ferns, and Jo was knitting as she read aloud.
6016 A shadow passed over the boy's face as he watched them, feeling that he
6017 ought to go away because uninvited; yet lingering because home seemed
6018 very lonely and this quiet party in the woods most attractive to his
6019 restless spirit.  He stood so still that a squirrel, busy with its
6020 harvesting, ran down a pine close beside him, saw him suddenly and
6021 skipped back, scolding so shrilly that Beth looked up, espied the
6022 wistful face behind the birches, and beckoned with a reassuring smile.
6023 
6024 "May I come in, please?  Or shall I be a bother?" he asked, advancing
6025 slowly.
6026 
6027 Meg lifted her eyebrows, but Jo scowled at her defiantly and said at
6028 once, "Of course you may.  We should have asked you before, only we
6029 thought you wouldn't care for such a girl's game as this."
6030 
6031 "I always like your games, but if Meg doesn't want me, I'll go away."
6032 
6033 "I've no objection, if you do something.  It's against the rules to be
6034 idle here," replied Meg gravely but graciously.
6035 
6036 "Much obliged.  I'll do anything if you'll let me stop a bit, for it's
6037 as dull as the Desert of Sahara down there.  Shall I sew, read, cone,
6038 draw, or do all at once? Bring on your bears. I'm ready."  And Laurie
6039 sat down with a submissive expression delightful to behold.
6040 
6041 "Finish this story while I set my heel," said Jo, handing him the book.
6042 
6043 "Yes'm." was the meek answer, as he began, doing his best to prove his
6044 gratitude for the favor of admission into the 'Busy Bee Society'.
6045 
6046 The story was not a long one, and when it was finished, he ventured to
6047 ask a few questions as a reward of merit.
6048 
6049 "Please, ma'am, could I inquire if this highly instructive and charming
6050 institution is a new one?"
6051 
6052 "Would you tell him?" asked Meg of her sisters.
6053 
6054 "He'll laugh," said Amy warningly.
6055 
6056 "Who cares?" said Jo.
6057 
6058 "I guess he'll like it," added Beth.
6059 
6060 "Of course I shall!  I give you my word I won't laugh.  Tell away, Jo,
6061 and don't be afraid."
6062 
6063 "The idea of being afraid of you!  Well, you see we used to play
6064 Pilgrim's Progress, and we have been going on with it in earnest, all
6065 winter and summer."
6066 
6067 "Yes, I know," said Laurie, nodding wisely.
6068 
6069 "Who told you?" demanded Jo.
6070 
6071 "Spirits."
6072 
6073 "No, I did.  I wanted to amuse him one night when you were all away,
6074 and he was rather dismal.  He did like it, so don't scold, Jo," said
6075 Beth meekly.
6076 
6077 "You can't keep a secret.  Never mind, it saves trouble now."
6078 
6079 "Go on, please," said Laurie, as Jo became absorbed in her work,
6080 looking a trifle displeased.
6081 
6082 "Oh, didn't she tell you about this new plan of ours?  Well, we have
6083 tried not to waste our holiday, but each has had a task and worked at
6084 it with a will.  The vacation is nearly over, the stints are all done,
6085 and we are ever so glad that we didn't dawdle."
6086 
6087 "Yes, I should think so," and Laurie thought regretfully of his own
6088 idle days.
6089 
6090 "Mother likes to have us out-of-doors as much as possible, so we bring
6091 our work here and have nice times.  For the fun of it we bring our
6092 things in these bags, wear the old hats, use poles to climb the hill,
6093 and play pilgrims, as we used to do years ago.  We call this hill the
6094 Delectable Mountain, for we can look far away and see the country where
6095 we hope to live some time."
6096 
6097 Jo pointed, and Laurie sat up to examine, for through an opening in the
6098 wood one could look cross the wide, blue river, the meadows on the
6099 other side, far over the outskirts of the great city, to the green
6100 hills that rose to meet the sky.  The sun was low, and the heavens
6101 glowed with the splendor of an autumn sunset.  Gold and purple clouds
6102 lay on the hilltops, and rising high into the ruddy light were silvery
6103 white peaks that shone like the airy spires of some Celestial City.
6104 
6105 "How beautiful that is!" said Laurie softly, for he was quick to see
6106 and feel beauty of any kind.
6107 
6108 "It's often so, and we like to watch it, for it is never the same, but
6109 always splendid," replied Amy, wishing she could paint it.
6110 
6111 "Jo talks about the country where we hope to live sometime -- the real
6112 country, she means, with pigs and chickens and haymaking. It would be
6113 nice, but I wish the beautiful country up there was real, and we could
6114 ever go to it," said Beth musingly.
6115 
6116 "There is a lovelier country even than that, where we shall go,
6117 by-and-by, when we are good enough," answered Meg with her sweetest
6118 voice.
6119 
6120 "It seems so long to wait, so hard to do.  I want to fly away at once,
6121 as those swallows fly, and go in at that splendid gate."
6122 
6123 "You'll get there, Beth, sooner or later, no fear of that," said Jo.
6124 "I'm the one that will have to fight and work, and climb and wait, and
6125 maybe never get in after all."
6126 
6127 "You'll have me for company, if that's any comfort.  I shall have to do
6128 a deal of traveling before I come in sight of your Celestial City.  If
6129 I arrive late, you'll say a good word for me, won't you, Beth?"
6130 
6131 Something in the boy's face troubled his little friend, but she said
6132 cheerfully, with her quiet eyes on the changing clouds, "If people
6133 really want to go, and really try all their lives, I think they will
6134 get in, for I don't believe there are any locks on that door or any
6135 guards at the gate.  I always imagine it is as it is in the picture,
6136 where the shining ones stretch out their hands to welcome poor
6137 Christian as he comes up from the river."
6138 
6139 "Wouldn't it be fun if all the castles in the air which we make could
6140 come true, and we could live in them?" said Jo, after a little pause.
6141 
6142 "I've made such quantities it would be hard to choose which I'd have,"
6143 said Laurie, lying flat and throwing cones at the squirrel who had
6144 betrayed him.
6145 
6146 "You'd have to take your favorite one.  What is it?" asked Meg.
6147 
6148 "If I tell mine, will you tell yours?"
6149 
6150 "Yes, if the girls will too."
6151 
6152 "We will.  Now, Laurie."
6153 
6154 "After I'd seen as much of the world as I want to, I'd like to settle
6155 in Germany and have just as much music as I choose.  I'm to be a famous
6156 musician myself, and all creation is to rush to hear me.  And I'm never
6157 to be bothered about money or business, but just enjoy myself and live
6158 for what I like.  That's my favorite castle. What's yours, Meg?"
6159 
6160 Margaret seemed to find it a little hard to tell hers, and waved a
6161 brake before her face, as if to disperse imaginary gnats, while she
6162 said slowly, "I should like a lovely house, full of all sorts of
6163 luxurious things -- nice food, pretty clothes, handsome furniture,
6164 pleasant people, and heaps of money.  I am to be mistress of it, and
6165 manage it as I like, with plenty of servants, so I never need work a
6166 bit.  How I should enjoy it!  For I wouldn't be idle, but do good, and
6167 make everyone love me dearly."
6168 
6169 "Wouldn't you have a master for your castle in the air?" asked Laurie
6170 slyly.
6171 
6172 "I said 'pleasant people', you know," and Meg carefully tied up her
6173 shoe as she spoke, so that no one saw her face.
6174 
6175 "Why don't you say you'd have a splendid, wise, good husband and some
6176 angelic little children?  You know your castle wouldn't be perfect
6177 without," said blunt Jo, who had no tender fancies yet, and rather
6178 scorned romance, except in books.
6179 
6180 "You'd have nothing but horses, inkstands, and novels in yours,"
6181 answered Meg petulantly.
6182 
6183 "Wouldn't I though?  I'd have a stable full of Arabian steeds, rooms
6184 piled high with books, and I'd write out of a magic inkstand, so that
6185 my works should be as famous as Laurie's music.  I want to do something
6186 splendid before I go into my castle, something heroic or wonderful that
6187 won't be forgotten after I'm dead.  I don't know what, but I'm on the
6188 watch for it, and mean to astonish you all some day.  I think I shall
6189 write books, and get rich and famous, that would suit me, so that is my
6190 favorite dream."
6191 
6192 "Mine is to stay at home safe with Father and Mother, and help take
6193 care of the family," said Beth contentedly.
6194 
6195 "Don't you wish for anything else?" asked Laurie.
6196 
6197 "Since I had my little piano, I am perfectly satisfied.  I only wish we
6198 may all keep well and be together, nothing else."
6199 
6200 "I have ever so many wishes, but the pet one is to be an artist, and go
6201 to Rome, and do fine pictures, and be the best artist in the whole
6202 world," was Amy's modest desire.
6203 
6204 "We're an ambitious set, aren't we?  Every one of us, but Beth, wants
6205 to be rich and famous, and gorgeous in every respect. I do wonder if
6206 any of us will ever get our wishes," said Laurie, chewing grass like a
6207 meditative calf.
6208 
6209 "I've got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the
6210 door remains to be seen," observed Jo mysteriously.
6211 
6212 "I've got the key to mine, but I'm not allowed to try it. Hang
6213 college!" muttered Laurie with an impatient sigh.
6214 
6215 "Here's mine!" and Amy waved her pencil.
6216 
6217 "I haven't got any," said Meg forlornly.
6218 
6219 "Yes, you have," said Laurie at once.
6220 
6221 "Where?"
6222 
6223 "In your face."
6224 
6225 "Nonsense, that's of no use."
6226 
6227 "Wait and see if it doesn't bring you something worth having," replied
6228 the boy, laughing at the thought of a charming little secret which he
6229 fancied he knew.
6230 
6231 Meg colored behind the brake, but asked no questions and looked across
6232 the river with the same expectant expression which Mr. Brooke had worn
6233 when he told the story of the knight.
6234 
6235 "If we are all alive ten years hence, let's meet, and see how many of
6236 us have got our wishes, or how much nearer we are then than now," said
6237 Jo, always ready with a plan.
6238 
6239 "Bless me!  How old I shall be, twenty-seven!" exclaimed Meg, who felt
6240 grown up already, having just reached seventeen.
6241 
6242 "You and I will be twenty-six, Teddy, Beth twenty-four, and Amy
6243 twenty-two.  What a venerable party!" said Jo.
6244 
6245 "I hope I shall have done something to be proud of by that time, but
6246 I'm such a lazy dog, I'm afraid I shall dawdle, Jo."
6247 
6248 "You need a motive, Mother says, and when you get it, she is sure
6249 you'll work splendidly."
6250 
6251 "Is she?  By Jupiter, I will, if I only get the chance!" cried Laurie,
6252 sitting up with sudden energy.  "I ought to be satisfied to please
6253 Grandfather, and I do try, but it's working against the grain, you see,
6254 and comes hard.  He wants me to be an India merchant, as he was, and
6255 I'd rather be shot.  I hate tea and silk and spices, and every sort of
6256 rubbish his old ships bring, and I don't care how soon they go to the
6257 bottom when I own them.  Going to college ought to satisfy him, for if
6258 I give him four years he ought to let me off from the business.  But
6259 he's set, and I've got to do just as he did, unless I break away and
6260 please myself, as my father did.  If there was anyone left to stay with
6261 the old gentleman, I'd do it tomorrow."
6262 
6263 Laurie spoke excitedly, and looked ready to carry his threat into
6264 execution on the slightest provocation, for he was growing up very fast
6265 and, in spite of his indolent ways, had a young man's hatred of
6266 subjection, a young man's restless longing to try the world for himself.
6267 
6268 "I advise you to sail away in one of your ships, and never come home
6269 again till you have tried your own way," said Jo, whose imagination was
6270 fired by the thought of such a daring exploit, and whose sympathy was
6271 excited by what she called 'Teddy's Wrongs'.
6272 
6273 "That's not right, Jo.  You mustn't talk in that way, and Laurie
6274 mustn't take your bad advice.  You should do just what your grandfather
6275 wishes, my dear boy," said Meg in her most maternal tone. "Do your best
6276 at college, and when he sees that you try to please him, I'm sure he
6277 won't be hard on you or unjust to you.  As you say, there is no one
6278 else to stay with and love him, and you'd never forgive yourself if you
6279 left him without his permission.  Don't be dismal or fret, but do your
6280 duty and you'll get your reward, as good Mr. Brooke has, by being
6281 respected and loved."
6282 
6283 "What do you know about him?" asked Laurie, grateful for the good
6284 advice, but objecting to the lecture, and glad to turn the conversation
6285 from himself after his unusual outbreak.
6286 
6287 "Only what your grandpa told us about him, how he took good care of his
6288 own mother till she died, and wouldn't go abroad as tutor to some nice
6289 person because he wouldn't leave her.  And how he provides now for an
6290 old woman who nursed his mother, and never tells anyone, but is just as
6291 generous and patient and good as he can be."
6292 
6293 "So he is, dear old fellow!" said Laurie heartily, as Meg paused,
6294 looking flushed and earnest with her story.  "It's like Grandpa to find
6295 out all about him without letting him know, and to tell all his
6296 goodness to others, so that they might like him. Brooke couldn't
6297 understand why your mother was so kind to him, asking him over with me
6298 and treating him in her beautiful friendly way.  He thought she was
6299 just perfect, and talked about it for days and days, and went on about
6300 you all in flaming style.  If ever I do get my wish, you see what I'll
6301 do for Brooke."
6302 
6303 "Begin to do something now by not plaguing his life out," said Meg
6304 sharply.
6305 
6306 "How do you know I do, Miss?"
6307 
6308 "I can always tell by his face when he goes away.  If you have been
6309 good, he looks satisfied and walks briskly.  If you have plagued him,
6310 he's sober and walks slowly, as if he wanted to go back and do his work
6311 better."
6312 
6313 "Well, I like that?  So you keep an account of my good and bad marks in
6314 Brooke's face, do you?  I see him bow and smile as he passes your
6315 window, but I didn't know you'd got up a telegraph."
6316 
6317 "We haven't.  Don't be angry, and oh, don't tell him I said anything!
6318 It was only to show that I cared how you get on, and what is said here
6319 is said in confidence, you know," cried Meg, much alarmed at the
6320 thought of what might follow from her careless speech.
6321 
6322 "I don't tell tales," replied Laurie, with his 'high and mighty' air,
6323 as Jo called a certain expression which he occasionally wore. "Only if
6324 Brooke is going to be a thermometer, I must mind and have fair weather
6325 for him to report."
6326 
6327 "Please don't be offended.  I didn't mean to preach or tell tales or be
6328 silly.  I only thought Jo was encouraging you in a feeling which you'd
6329 be sorry for by-and-by.  You are so kind to us, we feel as if you were
6330 our brother and say just what we think. Forgive me, I meant it kindly."
6331 And Meg offered her hand with a gesture both affectionate and timid.
6332 
6333 Ashamed of his momentary pique, Laurie squeezed the kind little hand,
6334 and said frankly, "I'm the one to be forgiven.  I'm cross and have been
6335 out of sorts all day.  I like to have you tell me my faults and be
6336 sisterly, so don't mind if I am grumpy sometimes.  I thank you all the
6337 same."
6338 
6339 Bent on showing that he was not offended, he made himself as agreeable
6340 as possible, wound cotton for Meg, recited poetry to please Jo, shook
6341 down cones for Beth, and helped Amy with her ferns, proving himself a
6342 fit person to belong to the 'Busy Bee Society'.  In the midst of an
6343 animated discussion on the domestic habits of turtles (one of those
6344 amiable creatures having strolled up from the river), the faint sound
6345 of a bell warned them that Hannah had put the tea 'to draw', and they
6346 would just have time to get home to supper.
6347 
6348 "May I come again?" asked Laurie.
6349 
6350 "Yes, if you are good, and love your book, as the boys in the primer
6351 are told to do," said Meg, smiling.
6352 
6353 "I'll try."
6354 
6355 "Then you may come, and I'll teach you to knit as the Scotchmen do.
6356 There's a demand for socks just now," added Jo, waving hers like a big
6357 blue worsted banner as they parted at the gate.
6358 
6359 That night, when Beth played to Mr. Laurence in the twilight, Laurie,
6360 standing in the shadow of the curtain, listened to the little David,
6361 whose simple music always quieted his moody spirit, and watched the old
6362 man, who sat with his gray head on his hand, thinking tender thoughts
6363 of the dead child he had loved so much. Remembering the conversation of
6364 the afternoon, the boy said to himself, with the resolve to make the
6365 sacrifice cheerfully, "I'll let my castle go, and stay with the dear
6366 old gentleman while he needs me, for I am all he has."
6367 
6368 
6369 
6370 CHAPTER FOURTEEN
6371 
6372 SECRETS
6373 
6374 Jo was very busy in the garret, for the October days began to grow
6375 chilly, and the afternoons were short.  For two or three hours the sun
6376 lay warmly in the high window, showing Jo seated on the old sofa,
6377 writing busily, with her papers spread out upon a trunk before her,
6378 while Scrabble, the pet rat, promenaded the beams overhead, accompanied
6379 by his oldest son, a fine young fellow, who was evidently very proud of
6380 his whiskers. Quite absorbed in her work, Jo scribbled away till the
6381 last page was filled, when she signed her name with a flourish and
6382 threw down her pen, exclaiming...
6383 
6384 "There, I've done my best!  If this won't suit I shall have to wait
6385 till I can do better."
6386 
6387 Lying back on the sofa, she read the manuscript carefully through,
6388 making dashes here and there, and putting in many exclamation points,
6389 which looked like little balloons.  Then she tied it up with a smart
6390 red ribbon, and sat a minute looking at it with a sober, wistful
6391 expression, which plainly showed how earnest her work had been.  Jo's
6392 desk up here was an old tin kitchen which hung against the wall.  In it
6393 she kept her papers, and a few books, safely shut away from Scrabble,
6394 who, being likewise of a literary turn, was fond of making a
6395 circulating library of such books as were left in his way by eating the
6396 leaves.  From this tin receptacle Jo produced another manuscript, and
6397 putting both in her pocket, crept quietly downstairs, leaving her
6398 friends to nibble on her pens and taste her ink.
6399 
6400 She put on her hat and jacket as noiselessly as possible, and going to
6401 the back entry window, got out upon the roof of a low porch, swung
6402 herself down to the grassy bank, and took a roundabout way to the road.
6403 Once there, she composed herself, hailed a passing omnibus, and rolled
6404 away to town, looking very merry and mysterious.
6405 
6406 If anyone had been watching her, he would have thought her movements
6407 decidedly peculiar, for on alighting, she went off at a great pace till
6408 she reached a certain number in a certain busy street.  Having found
6409 the place with some difficulty, she went into the doorway, looked up
6410 the dirty stairs, and after standing stock still a minute, suddenly
6411 dived into the street and walked away as rapidly as she came.  This
6412 maneuver she repeated several times, to the great amusement of a
6413 black-eyed young gentleman lounging in the window of a building
6414 opposite.  On returning for the third time, Jo gave herself a shake,
6415 pulled her hat over her eyes, and walked up the stairs, looking as if
6416 she were going to have all her teeth out.
6417 
6418 There was a dentist's sign, among others, which adorned the entrance,
6419 and after staring a moment at the pair of artificial jaws which slowly
6420 opened and shut to draw attention to a fine set of teeth, the young
6421 gentleman put on his coat, took his hat, and went down to post himself
6422 in the opposite doorway, saying with a smile and a shiver, "It's like
6423 her to come alone, but if she has a bad time she'll need someone to
6424 help her home."
6425 
6426 In ten minutes Jo came running downstairs with a very red face and the
6427 general appearance of a person who had just passed through a trying
6428 ordeal of some sort.  When she saw the young gentleman she looked
6429 anything but pleased, and passed him with a nod.  But he followed,
6430 asking with an air of sympathy, "Did you have a bad time?"
6431 
6432 "Not very."
6433 
6434 "You got through quickly."
6435 
6436 "Yes, thank goodness!"
6437 
6438 "Why did you go alone?"
6439 
6440 "Didn't want anyone to know."
6441 
6442 "You're the oddest fellow I ever saw.  How many did you have out?"
6443 
6444 Jo looked at her friend as if she did not understand him, then began to
6445 laugh as if mightily amused at something.
6446 
6447 "There are two which I want to have come out, but I must wait a week."
6448 
6449 "What are you laughing at?  You are up to some mischief, Jo," said
6450 Laurie, looking mystified.
6451 
6452 "So are you.  What were you doing, sir, up in that billiard saloon?"
6453 
6454 "Begging your pardon, ma'am, it wasn't a billiard saloon, but a
6455 gymnasium, and I was taking a lesson in fencing."
6456 
6457 "I'm glad of that."
6458 
6459 "Why?"
6460 
6461 "You can teach me, and then when we play _Hamlet_, you can be Laertes,
6462 and we'll make a fine thing of the fencing scene."
6463 
6464 Laurie burst out with a hearty boy's laugh, which made several
6465 passers-by smile in spite of themselves.
6466 
6467 "I'll teach you whether we play _Hamlet_ or not.  It's grand fun and
6468 will straighten you up capitally.  But I don't believe that was your
6469 only reason for saying 'I'm glad' in that decided way, was it now?"
6470 
6471 "No, I was glad that you were not in the saloon, because I hope you
6472 never go to such places.  Do you?"
6473 
6474 "Not often."
6475 
6476 "I wish you wouldn't."
6477 
6478 "It's no harm, Jo.  I have billiards at home, but it's no fun unless
6479 you have good players, so, as I'm fond of it, I come sometimes and have
6480 a game with Ned Moffat or some of the other fellows."
6481 
6482 "Oh, dear, I'm so sorry, for you'll get to liking it better and better,
6483 and will waste time and money, and grow like those dreadful boys.  I
6484 did hope you'd stay respectable and be a satisfaction to your friends,"
6485 said Jo, shaking her head.
6486 
6487 "Can't a fellow take a little innocent amusement now and then without
6488 losing his respectability?" asked Laurie, looking nettled.
6489 
6490 "That depends upon how and where he takes it.  I don't like Ned and his
6491 set, and wish you'd keep out of it.  Mother won't let us have him at
6492 our house, though he wants to come.  And if you grow like him she won't
6493 be willing to have us frolic together as we do now."
6494 
6495 "Won't she?" asked Laurie anxiously.
6496 
6497 "No, she can't bear fashionable young men, and she'd shut us all up in
6498 bandboxes rather than have us associate with them."
6499 
6500 "Well, she needn't get out her bandboxes yet.  I'm not a fashionable
6501 party and don't mean to be, but I do like harmless larks now and then,
6502 don't you?"
6503 
6504 "Yes, nobody minds them, so lark away, but don't get wild, will you?
6505 Or there will be an end of all our good times."
6506 
6507 "I'll be a double distilled saint."
6508 
6509 "I can't bear saints.  Just be a simple, honest, respectable boy, and
6510 we'll never desert you.  I don't know what I should do if you acted
6511 like Mr. King's son.  He had plenty of money, but didn't know how to
6512 spend it, and got tipsy and gambled, and ran away, and forged his
6513 father's name, I believe, and was altogether horrid."
6514 
6515 "You think I'm likely to do the same?  Much obliged."
6516 
6517 "No, I don't -- oh, dear, no! -- but I hear people talking about money
6518 being such a temptation, and I sometimes wish you were poor. I
6519 shouldn't worry then."
6520 
6521 "Do you worry about me, Jo?"
6522 
6523 "A little, when you look moody and discontented, as you sometimes do,
6524 for you've got such a strong will, if you once get started wrong, I'm
6525 afraid it would be hard to stop you."
6526 
6527 Laurie walked in silence a few minutes, and Jo watched him, wishing she
6528 had held her tongue, for his eyes looked angry, though his lips smiled
6529 as if at her warnings.
6530 
6531 "Are you going to deliver lectures all the way home?" he asked
6532 presently.
6533 
6534 "Of course not.  Why?"
6535 
6536 "Because if you are, I'll take a bus.  If you're not, I'd like to walk
6537 with you and tell you something very interesting."
6538 
6539 "I won't preach any more, and I'd like to hear the news immensely."
6540 
6541 "Very well, then, come on.  It's a secret, and if I tell you, you must
6542 tell me yours."
6543 
6544 "I haven't got any," began Jo, but stopped suddenly, remembering that
6545 she had.
6546 
6547 "You know you have -- you can't hide anything, so up and 'fess, or I
6548 won't tell," cried Laurie.
6549 
6550 "Is your secret a nice one?"
6551 
6552 "Oh, isn't it!  All about people you know, and such fun!  You ought to
6553 hear it, and I've been aching to tell it this long time. Come, you
6554 begin."
6555 
6556 "You'll not say anything about it at home, will you?"
6557 
6558 "Not a word."
6559 
6560 "And you won't tease me in private?"
6561 
6562 "I never tease."
6563 
6564 "Yes, you do.  You get everything you want out of people.  I don't know
6565 how you do it, but you are a born wheedler."
6566 
6567 "Thank you.  Fire away."
6568 
6569 "Well, I've left two stories with a newspaperman, and he's to give his
6570 answer next week," whispered Jo, in her confidant's ear.
6571 
6572 "Hurrah for Miss March, the celebrated American authoress!" cried
6573 Laurie, throwing up his hat and catching it again, to the great delight
6574 of two ducks, four cats, five hens, and half a dozen Irish children,
6575 for they were out of the city now.
6576 
6577 "Hush!  It won't come to anything, I dare say, but I couldn't rest till
6578 I had tried, and I said nothing about it because I didn't want anyone
6579 else to be disappointed."
6580 
6581 "It won't fail.  Why, Jo, your stories are works of Shakespeare
6582 compared to half the rubbish that is published every day. Won't it be
6583 fun to see them in print, and shan't we feel proud of our authoress?"
6584 
6585 Jo's eyes sparkled, for it is always pleasant to be believed in, and a
6586 friend's praise is always sweeter than a dozen newspaper puffs.
6587 
6588 "Where's your secret?  Play fair, Teddy, or I'll never believe you
6589 again," she said, trying to extinguish the brilliant hopes that blazed
6590 up at a word of encouragement.
6591 
6592 "I may get into a scrape for telling, but I didn't promise not to, so I
6593 will, for I never feel easy in my mind till I've told you any plummy
6594 bit of news I get.  I know where Meg's glove is."
6595 
6596 "Is that all?" said Jo, looking disappointed, as Laurie nodded and
6597 twinkled with a face full of mysterious intelligence.
6598 
6599 "It's quite enough for the present, as you'll agree when I tell you
6600 where it is."
6601 
6602 "Tell, then."
6603 
6604 Laurie bent, and whispered three words in Jo's ear, which produced a
6605 comical change.  She stood and stared at him for a minute, looking both
6606 surprised and displeased, then walked on, saying sharply, "How do you
6607 know?"
6608 
6609 "Saw it."
6610 
6611 "Where?"
6612 
6613 "Pocket."
6614 
6615 "All this time?"
6616 
6617 "Yes, isn't that romantic?"
6618 
6619 "No, it's horrid."
6620 
6621 "Don't you like it?"
6622 
6623 "Of course I don't.  It's ridiculous, it won't be allowed.  My
6624 patience!  What would Meg say?"
6625 
6626 "You are not to tell anyone.  Mind that."
6627 
6628 "I didn't promise."
6629 
6630 "That was understood, and I trusted you."
6631 
6632 "Well, I won't for the present, anyway, but I'm disgusted, and wish you
6633 hadn't told me."
6634 
6635 "I thought you'd be pleased."
6636 
6637 "At the idea of anybody coming to take Meg away? No, thank you."
6638 
6639 "You'll feel better about it when somebody comes to take you away."
6640 
6641 "I'd like to see anyone try it," cried Jo fiercely.
6642 
6643 "So should I!" and Laurie chuckled at the idea.
6644 
6645 "I don't think secrets agree with me, I feel rumpled up in my mind
6646 since you told me that," said Jo rather ungratefully.
6647 
6648 "Race down this hill with me, and you'll be all right," suggested
6649 Laurie.
6650 
6651 No one was in sight, the smooth road sloped invitingly before her, and
6652 finding the temptation irresistible, Jo darted away, soon leaving hat
6653 and comb behind her and scattering hairpins as she ran. Laurie reached
6654 the goal first and was quite satisfied with the success of his
6655 treatment, for his Atlanta came panting up with flying hair, bright
6656 eyes, ruddy cheeks, and no signs of dissatisfaction in her face.
6657 
6658 "I wish I was a horse, then I could run for miles in this splendid air,
6659 and not lose my breath.  It was capital, but see what a guy it's made
6660 me.  Go, pick up my things, like a cherub, as you are," said Jo,
6661 dropping down under a maple tree, which was carpeting the bank with
6662 crimson leaves.
6663 
6664 Laurie leisurely departed to recover the lost property, and Jo bundled
6665 up her braids, hoping no one would pass by till she was tidy again.
6666 But someone did pass, and who should it be but Meg, looking
6667 particularly ladylike in her state and festival suit, for she had been
6668 making calls.
6669 
6670 "What in the world are you doing here?" she asked, regarding her
6671 disheveled sister with well-bred surprise.
6672 
6673 "Getting leaves," meekly answered Jo, sorting the rosy handful she had
6674 just swept up.
6675 
6676 "And hairpins," added Laurie, throwing half a dozen into Jo's lap.
6677 "They grow on this road, Meg, so do combs and brown straw hats."
6678 
6679 "You have been running, Jo.  How could you?  When will you stop such
6680 romping ways?" said Meg reprovingly, as she settled her cuffs and
6681 smoothed her hair, with which the wind had taken liberties.
6682 
6683 "Never till I'm stiff and old and have to use a crutch.  Don't try to
6684 make me grow up before my time, Meg.  It's hard enough to have you
6685 change all of a sudden.  Let me be a little girl as long as I can."
6686 
6687 As she spoke, Jo bent over the leaves to hide the trembling of her
6688 lips, for lately she had felt that Margaret was fast getting to be a
6689 woman, and Laurie's secret made her dread the separation which must
6690 surely come some time and now seemed very near.  He saw the trouble in
6691 her face and drew Meg's attention from it by asking quickly, "Where
6692 have you been calling, all so fine?"
6693 
6694 "At the Gardiners', and Sallie has been telling me all about Belle
6695 Moffat's wedding.  It was very splendid, and they have gone to spend
6696 the winter in Paris.  Just think how delightful that must be!"
6697 
6698 "Do you envy her, Meg?" said Laurie.
6699 
6700 "I'm afraid I do."
6701 
6702 "I'm glad of it!" muttered Jo, tying on her hat with a jerk.
6703 
6704 "Why?" asked Meg, looking surprised.
6705 
6706 "Because if you care much about riches, you will never go and marry a
6707 poor man," said Jo, frowning at Laurie, who was mutely warning her to
6708 mind what she said.
6709 
6710 "I shall never '_go_ and marry' anyone," observed Meg, walking on with
6711 great dignity while the others followed, laughing, whispering, skipping
6712 stones, and 'behaving like children', as Meg said to herself, though
6713 she might have been tempted to join them if she had not had her best
6714 dress on.
6715 
6716 For a week or two, Jo behaved so queerly that her sisters were quite
6717 bewildered.  She rushed to the door when the postman rang, was rude to
6718 Mr. Brooke whenever they met, would sit looking at Meg with a
6719 woe-begone face, occasionally jumping up to shake and then kiss her in
6720 a very mysterious manner.  Laurie and she were always making signs to
6721 one another, and talking about 'Spread Eagles' till the girls declared
6722 they had both lost their wits.  On the second Saturday after Jo got out
6723 of the window, Meg, as she sat sewing at her window, was scandalized by
6724 the sight of Laurie chasing Jo all over the garden and finally
6725 capturing her in Amy's bower.  What went on there, Meg could not see,
6726 but shrieks of laughter were heard, followed by the murmur of voices
6727 and a great flapping of newspapers.
6728 
6729 "What shall we do with that girl?  She never _will_ behave like a young
6730 lady," sighed Meg, as she watched the race with a disapproving face.
6731 
6732 "I hope she won't.  She is so funny and dear as she is," said Beth, who
6733 had never betrayed that she was a little hurt at Jo's having secrets
6734 with anyone but her.
6735 
6736 "It's very trying, but we never can make her _commy la fo_," added Amy,
6737 who sat making some new frills for herself, with her curls tied up in a
6738 very becoming way, two agreeable things that made her feel unusually
6739 elegant and ladylike.
6740 
6741 In a few minutes Jo bounced in, laid herself on the sofa, and affected
6742 to read.
6743 
6744 "Have you anything interesting there?" asked Meg, with condescension.
6745 
6746 "Nothing but a story, won't amount to much, I guess," returned Jo,
6747 carefully keeping the name of the paper out of sight.
6748 
6749 "You'd better read it aloud.  That will amuse us and keep you out of
6750 mischief," said Amy in her most grown-up tone.
6751 
6752 "What's the name?" asked Beth, wondering why Jo kept her face behind
6753 the sheet.
6754 
6755 "The Rival Painters."
6756 
6757 "That sounds well.  Read it," said Meg.
6758 
6759 With a loud "Hem!" and a long breath, Jo began to read very fast.  The
6760 girls listened with interest, for the tale was romantic, and somewhat
6761 pathetic, as most of the characters died in the end. "I like that about
6762 the splendid picture," was Amy's approving remark, as Jo paused.
6763 
6764 "I prefer the lovering part.  Viola and Angelo are two of our favorite
6765 names, isn't that queer?" said Meg, wiping her eyes, for the lovering
6766 part was tragical.
6767 
6768 "Who wrote it?" asked Beth, who had caught a glimpse of Jo's face.
6769 
6770 The reader suddenly sat up, cast away the paper, displaying a flushed
6771 countenance, and with a funny mixture of solemnity and excitement
6772 replied in a loud voice, "Your sister."
6773 
6774 "You?" cried Meg, dropping her work.
6775 
6776 "It's very good," said Amy critically.
6777 
6778 "I knew it!  I knew it! Oh, my Jo, I am so proud!"  and Beth ran to hug
6779 her sister and exult over this splendid success.
6780 
6781 Dear me, how delighted they all were, to be sure!  How Meg wouldn't
6782 believe it till she saw the words.  "Miss Josephine March," actually
6783 printed in the paper.  How graciously Amy criticized the artistic parts
6784 of the story, and offered hints for a sequel, which unfortunately
6785 couldn't be carried out, as the hero and heroine were dead.  How Beth
6786 got excited, and skipped and sang with joy.  How Hannah came in to
6787 exclaim, "Sakes alive, well I never!" in great astonishment at 'that
6788 Jo's doin's'.  How proud Mrs. March was when she knew it.  How Jo
6789 laughed, with tears in her eyes, as she declared she might as well be a
6790 peacock and done with it, and how the 'Spread Eagle' might be said to
6791 flap his wings triumphantly over the House of March, as the paper
6792 passed from hand to hand.
6793 
6794 "Tell us about it."  "When did it come?" "How much did you get for it?"
6795 "What will Father say?" "Won't Laurie laugh?" cried the family, all in
6796 one breath as they clustered about Jo, for these foolish, affectionate
6797 people made a jubilee of every little household joy.
6798 
6799 "Stop jabbering, girls, and I'll tell you everything," said Jo,
6800 wondering if Miss Burney felt any grander over her Evelina than she did
6801 over her 'Rival Painters'.  Having told how she disposed of her tales,
6802 Jo added, "And when I went to get my answer, the man said he liked them
6803 both, but didn't pay beginners, only let them print in his paper, and
6804 noticed the stories.  It was good practice, he said, and when the
6805 beginners improved, anyone would pay.  So I let him have the two
6806 stories, and today this was sent to me, and Laurie caught me with it
6807 and insisted on seeing it, so I let him.  And he said it was good, and
6808 I shall write more, and he's going to get the next paid for, and I am
6809 so happy, for in time I may be able to support myself and help the
6810 girls."
6811 
6812 Jo's breath gave out here, and wrapping her head in the paper, she
6813 bedewed her little story with a few natural tears, for to be
6814 independent and earn the praise of those she loved were the dearest
6815 wishes of her heart, and this seemed to be the first step toward that
6816 happy end.
6817 
6818 
6819 
6820 CHAPTER FIFTEEN
6821 
6822 A TELEGRAM
6823 
6824 "November is the most disagreeable month in the whole year," said
6825 Margaret, standing at the window one dull afternoon, looking out at the
6826 frostbitten garden.
6827 
6828 "That's the reason I was born in it," observed Jo pensively, quite
6829 unconscious of the blot on her nose.
6830 
6831 "If something very pleasant should happen now, we should think it a
6832 delightful month," said Beth, who took a hopeful view of everything,
6833 even November.
6834 
6835 "I dare say, but nothing pleasant ever does happen in this family,"
6836 said Meg, who was out of sorts.  "We go grubbing along day after day,
6837 without a bit of change, and very little fun.  We might as well be in a
6838 treadmill."
6839 
6840 "My patience, how blue we are!" cried Jo.  "I don't much wonder, poor
6841 dear, for you see other girls having splendid times, while you grind,
6842 grind, year in and year out.  Oh, don't I wish I could manage things
6843 for you as I do for my heroines!  You're pretty enough and good enough
6844 already, so I'd have some rich relation leave you a fortune
6845 unexpectedly.  Then you'd dash out as an heiress, scorn everyone who
6846 has slighted you, go abroad, and come home my Lady Something in a blaze
6847 of splendor and elegance."
6848 
6849 "People don't have fortunes left them in that style nowadays, men have
6850 to work and women marry for money.  It's a dreadfully unjust world,"
6851 said Meg bitterly.
6852 
6853 "Jo and I are going to make fortunes for you all.  Just wait ten years,
6854 and see if we don't," said Amy, who sat in a corner making mud pies, as
6855 Hannah called her little clay models of birds, fruit, and faces.
6856 
6857 "Can't wait, and I'm afraid I haven't much faith in ink and dirt,
6858 though I'm grateful for your good intentions."
6859 
6860 Meg sighed, and turned to the frostbitten garden again.  Jo groaned and
6861 leaned both elbows on the table in a despondent attitude, but Amy
6862 spatted away energetically, and Beth, who sat at the other window,
6863 said, smiling, "Two pleasant things are going to happen right away.
6864 Marmee is coming down the street, and Laurie is tramping through the
6865 garden as if he had something nice to tell."
6866 
6867 In they both came, Mrs. March with her usual question, "Any letter from
6868 Father, girls?" and Laurie to say in his persuasive way, "Won't some of
6869 you come for a drive?  I've been working away at mathematics till my
6870 head is in a muddle, and I'm going to freshen my wits by a brisk turn.
6871 It's a dull day, but the air isn't bad, and I'm going to take Brooke
6872 home, so it will be gay inside, if it isn't out.  Come, Jo, you and
6873 Beth will go, won't you?"
6874 
6875 "Of course we will."
6876 
6877 "Much obliged, but I'm busy."  And Meg whisked out her workbasket, for
6878 she had agreed with her mother that it was best, for her at least, not
6879 to drive too often with the young gentleman.
6880 
6881 "We three will be ready in a minute," cried Amy, running away to wash
6882 her hands.
6883 
6884 "Can I do anything for you, Madam Mother?" asked Laurie, leaning over
6885 Mrs. March's chair with the affectionate look and tone he always gave
6886 her.
6887 
6888 "No, thank you, except call at the office, if you'll be so kind, dear.
6889 It's our day for a letter, and the postman hasn't been.  Father is as
6890 regular as the sun, but there's some delay on the way, perhaps."
6891 
6892 A sharp ring interrupted her, and a minute after Hannah came in with a
6893 letter.
6894 
6895 "It's one of them horrid telegraph things, mum," she said, handling it
6896 as if she was afraid it would explode and do some damage.
6897 
6898 At the word 'telegraph', Mrs. March snatched it, read the two lines it
6899 contained, and dropped back into her chair as white as if the little
6900 paper had sent a bullet to her heart.  Laurie dashed downstairs for
6901 water, while Meg and Hannah supported her, and Jo read aloud, in a
6902 frightened voice...
6903 
6904     Mrs. March:
6905     Your husband is very ill.  Come at once.
6906     S.  HALE
6907     Blank Hospital, Washington.
6908 
6909 How still the room was as they listened breathlessly, how strangely the
6910 day darkened outside, and how suddenly the whole world seemed to
6911 change, as the girls gathered about their mother, feeling as if all the
6912 happiness and support of their lives was about to be taken from them.
6913 
6914 Mrs. March was herself again directly, read the message over, and
6915 stretched out her arms to her daughters, saying, in a tone they never
6916 forgot, "I shall go at once, but it may be too late.  Oh, children,
6917 children, help me to bear it!"
6918 
6919 For several minutes there was nothing but the sound of sobbing in the
6920 room, mingled with broken words of comfort, tender assurances of help,
6921 and hopeful whispers that died away in tears.  Poor Hannah was the
6922 first to recover, and with unconscious wisdom she set all the rest a
6923 good example, for with her, work was panacea for most afflictions.
6924 
6925 "The Lord keep the dear man!  I won't waste no time a-cryin', but git
6926 your things ready right away, mum," she said heartily, as she wiped her
6927 face on her apron, gave her mistress a warm shake of the hand with her
6928 own hard one, and went away to work like three women in one.
6929 
6930 "She's right, there's no time for tears now.  Be calm, girls, and let
6931 me think."
6932 
6933 They tried to be calm, poor things, as their mother sat up, looking
6934 pale but steady, and put away her grief to think and plan for them.
6935 
6936 "Where's Laurie?" she asked presently, when she had collected her
6937 thoughts and decided on the first duties to be done.
6938 
6939 "Here, ma'am.  Oh, let me do something!" cried the boy, hurrying from
6940 the next room whither he had withdrawn, feeling that their first sorrow
6941 was too sacred for even his friendly eyes to see.
6942 
6943 "Send a telegram saying I will come at once.  The next train goes early
6944 in the morning.  I'll take that."
6945 
6946 "What else?  The horses are ready.  I can go anywhere, do anything," he
6947 said, looking ready to fly to the ends of the earth.
6948 
6949 "Leave a note at Aunt March's.  Jo, give me that pen and paper."
6950 
6951 Tearing off the blank side of one of her newly copied pages, Jo drew
6952 the table before her mother, well knowing that money for the long, sad
6953 journey must be borrowed, and feeling as if she could do anything to
6954 add a little to the sum for her father.
6955 
6956 "Now go, dear, but don't kill yourself driving at a desperate pace.
6957 There is no need of that."
6958 
6959 Mrs. March's warning was evidently thrown away, for five minutes later
6960 Laurie tore by the window on his own fleet horse, riding as if for his
6961 life.
6962 
6963 "Jo, run to the rooms, and tell Mrs. King that I can't come. On the way
6964 get these things.  I'll put them down, they'll be needed and I must go
6965 prepared for nursing.  Hospital stores are not always good.  Beth, go
6966 and ask Mr. Laurence for a couple of bottles of old wine.  I'm not too
6967 proud to beg for Father.  He shall have the best of everything.  Amy,
6968 tell Hannah to get down the black trunk, and Meg, come and help me find
6969 my things, for I'm half bewildered."
6970 
6971 Writing, thinking, and directing all at once might well bewilder the
6972 poor lady, and Meg begged her to sit quietly in her room for a little
6973 while, and let them work.  Everyone scattered like leaves before a gust
6974 of wind, and the quiet, happy household was broken up as suddenly as if
6975 the paper had been an evil spell.
6976 
6977 Mr. Laurence came hurrying back with Beth, bringing every comfort the
6978 kind old gentleman could think of for the invalid, and friendliest
6979 promises of protection for the girls during the mother's absence, which
6980 comforted her very much.  There was nothing he didn't offer, from his
6981 own dressing gown to himself as escort.  But the last was impossible.
6982 Mrs. March would not hear of the old gentleman's undertaking the long
6983 journey, yet an expression of relief was visible when he spoke of it,
6984 for anxiety ill fits one for traveling. He saw the look, knit his heavy
6985 eyebrows, rubbed his hands, and marched abruptly away, saying he'd be
6986 back directly.  No one had time to think of him again till, as Meg ran
6987 through the entry, with a pair of rubbers in one hand and a cup of tea
6988 in the other, she came suddenly upon Mr. Brooke.
6989 
6990 "I'm very sorry to hear of this, Miss March," he said, in the kind,
6991 quiet tone which sounded very pleasantly to her perturbed spirit.  "I
6992 came to offer myself as escort to your mother.  Mr. Laurence has
6993 commissions for me in Washington, and it will give me real satisfaction
6994 to be of service to her there."
6995 
6996 Down dropped the rubbers, and the tea was very near following, as Meg
6997 put out her hand, with a face so full of gratitude that Mr. Brooke
6998 would have felt repaid for a much greater sacrifice than the trifling
6999 one of time and comfort which he was about to take.
7000 
7001 "How kind you all are!  Mother will accept, I'm sure, and it will be
7002 such a relief to know that she has someone to take care of her.  Thank
7003 you very, very much!"
7004 
7005 Meg spoke earnestly, and forgot herself entirely till something in the
7006 brown eyes looking down at her made her remember the cooling tea, and
7007 lead the way into the parlor, saying she would call her mother.
7008 
7009 Everything was arranged by the time Laurie returned with a note from
7010 Aunt March, enclosing the desired sum, and a few lines repeating what
7011 she had often said before, that she had always told them it was absurd
7012 for March to go into the army, always predicted that no good would come
7013 of it, and she hoped they would take her advice the next time.  Mrs.
7014 March put the note in the fire, the money in her purse, and went on
7015 with her preparations, with her lips folded tightly in a way which Jo
7016 would have understood if she had been there.
7017 
7018 The short afternoon wore away.  All other errands were done, and Meg
7019 and her mother busy at some necessary needlework, while Beth and Amy
7020 got tea, and Hannah finished her ironing with what she called a 'slap
7021 and a bang', but still Jo did not come.  They began to get anxious, and
7022 Laurie went off to find her, for no one knew what freak Jo might take
7023 into her head.  He missed her, however, and she came walking in with a
7024 very queer expression of countenance, for there was a mixture of fun
7025 and fear, satisfaction and regret in it, which puzzled the family as
7026 much as did the roll of bills she laid before her mother, saying with a
7027 little choke in her voice, "That's my contribution toward making Father
7028 comfortable and bringing him home!"
7029 
7030 "My dear, where did you get it?  Twenty-five dollars!  Jo, I hope you
7031 haven't done anything rash?"
7032 
7033 "No, it's mine honestly.  I didn't beg, borrow, or steal it.  I earned
7034 it, and I don't think you'll blame me, for I only sold what was my own."
7035 
7036 As she spoke, Jo took off her bonnet, and a general outcry arose, for
7037 all her abundant hair was cut short.
7038 
7039 "Your hair!  Your beautiful hair!"  "Oh, Jo, how could you? Your one
7040 beauty."  "My dear girl, there was no need of this."  "She doesn't look
7041 like my Jo any more, but I love her dearly for it!"
7042 
7043 As everyone exclaimed, and Beth hugged the cropped head tenderly, Jo
7044 assumed an indifferent air, which did not deceive anyone a particle,
7045 and said, rumpling up the brown bush and trying to look as if she liked
7046 it, "It doesn't affect the fate of the nation, so don't wail, Beth.  It
7047 will be good for my vanity, I was getting too proud of my wig.  It will
7048 do my brains good to have that mop taken off.  My head feels
7049 deliciously light and cool, and the barber said I could soon have a
7050 curly crop, which will be boyish, becoming, and easy to keep in order.
7051 I'm satisfied, so please take the money and let's have supper."
7052 
7053 "Tell me all about it, Jo.  I am not quite satisfied, but I can't blame
7054 you, for I know how willingly you sacrificed your vanity, as you call
7055 it, to your love.  But, my dear, it was not necessary, and I'm afraid
7056 you will regret it one of these days," said Mrs. March.
7057 
7058 "No, I won't!" returned Jo stoutly, feeling much relieved that her
7059 prank was not entirely condemned.
7060 
7061 "What made you do it?" asked Amy, who would as soon have thought of
7062 cutting off her head as her pretty hair.
7063 
7064 "Well, I was wild to do something for Father," replied Jo, as they
7065 gathered about the table, for healthy young people can eat even in the
7066 midst of trouble.  "I hate to borrow as much as Mother does, and I knew
7067 Aunt March would croak, she always does, if you ask for a ninepence.
7068 Meg gave all her quarterly salary toward the rent, and I only got some
7069 clothes with mine, so I felt wicked, and was bound to have some money,
7070 if I sold the nose off my face to get it."
7071 
7072 "You needn't feel wicked, my child! You had no winter things and got
7073 the simplest with your own hard earnings," said Mrs. March with a look
7074 that warmed Jo's heart.
7075 
7076 "I hadn't the least idea of selling my hair at first, but as I went
7077 along I kept thinking what I could do, and feeling as if I'd like to
7078 dive into some of the rich stores and help myself.  In a barber's
7079 window I saw tails of hair with the prices marked, and one black tail,
7080 not so thick as mine, was forty dollars.  It came to me all of a sudden
7081 that I had one thing to make money out of, and without stopping to
7082 think, I walked in, asked if they bought hair, and what they would give
7083 for mine."
7084 
7085 "I don't see how you dared to do it," said Beth in a tone of awe.
7086 
7087 "Oh, he was a little man who looked as if he merely lived to oil his
7088 hair.  He rather stared at first, as if he wasn't used to having girls
7089 bounce into his shop and ask him to buy their hair.  He said he didn't
7090 care about mine, it wasn't the fashionable color, and he never paid
7091 much for it in the first place.  The work put into it made it dear, and
7092 so on.  It was getting late, and I was afraid if it wasn't done right
7093 away that I shouldn't have it done at all, and you know when I start to
7094 do a thing, I hate to give it up.  So I begged him to take it, and told
7095 him why I was in such a hurry.  It was silly, I dare say, but it
7096 changed his mind, for I got rather excited, and told the story in my
7097 topsy-turvy way, and his wife heard, and said so kindly, 'Take it,
7098 Thomas, and oblige the young lady.  I'd do as much for our Jimmy any
7099 day if I had a spire of hair worth selling."
7100 
7101 "Who was Jimmy?" asked Amy, who liked to have things explained as they
7102 went along.
7103 
7104 "Her son, she said, who was in the army.  How friendly such things make
7105 strangers feel, don't they?  She talked away all the time the man
7106 clipped, and diverted my mind nicely."
7107 
7108 "Didn't you feel dreadfully when the first cut came?" asked Meg, with a
7109 shiver.
7110 
7111 "I took a last look at my hair while the man got his things, and that
7112 was the end of it.  I never snivel over trifles like that. I will
7113 confess, though, I felt queer when I saw the dear old hair laid out on
7114 the table, and felt only the short rough ends of my head. It almost
7115 seemed as if I'd an arm or leg off.  The woman saw me look at it, and
7116 picked out a long lock for me to keep.  I'll give it to you, Marmee,
7117 just to remember past glories by, for a crop is so comfortable I don't
7118 think I shall ever have a mane again."
7119 
7120 Mrs. March folded the wavy chestnut lock, and laid it away with a short
7121 gray one in her desk.  She only said, "Thank you, deary," but something
7122 in her face made the girls change the subject, and talk as cheerfully
7123 as they could about Mr. Brooke's kindness, the prospect of a fine day
7124 tomorrow, and the happy times they would have when Father came home to
7125 be nursed.
7126 
7127 No one wanted to go to bed when at ten o'clock Mrs. March put by the
7128 last finished job, and said, "Come girls."  Beth went to the piano and
7129 played the father's favorite hymn.  All began bravely, but broke down
7130 one by one till Beth was left alone, singing with all her heart, for to
7131 her music was always a sweet consoler.
7132 
7133 "Go to bed and don't talk, for we must be up early and shall need all
7134 the sleep we can get.  Good night, my darlings," said Mrs. March, as
7135 the hymn ended, for no one cared to try another.
7136 
7137 They kissed her quietly, and went to bed as silently as if the dear
7138 invalid lay in the next room.  Beth and Amy soon fell asleep in spite
7139 of the great trouble, but Meg lay awake, thinking the most serious
7140 thoughts she had ever known in her short life.  Jo lay motionless, and
7141 her sister fancied that she was asleep, till a stifled sob made her
7142 exclaim, as she touched a wet cheek...
7143 
7144 "Jo, dear, what is it?  Are you crying about father?"
7145 
7146 "No, not now."
7147 
7148 "What then?"
7149 
7150 "My... My hair!" burst out poor Jo, trying vainly to smother her
7151 emotion in the pillow.
7152 
7153 It did not seem at all comical to Meg, who kissed and caressed the
7154 afflicted heroine in the tenderest manner.
7155 
7156 "I'm not sorry," protested Jo, with a choke.  "I'd do it again
7157 tomorrow, if I could.  It's only the vain part of me that goes and
7158 cries in this silly way.  Don't tell anyone, it's all over now.  I
7159 thought you were asleep, so I just made a little private moan for my
7160 one beauty.  How came you to be awake?"
7161 
7162 "I can't sleep, I'm so anxious," said Meg.
7163 
7164 "Think about something pleasant, and you'll soon drop off."
7165 
7166 "I tried it, but felt wider awake than ever."
7167 
7168 "What did you think of?"
7169 
7170 "Handsome faces -- eyes particularly," answered Meg, smiling to herself
7171 in the dark.
7172 
7173 "What color do you like best?"
7174 
7175 "Brown, that is, sometimes.  Blue are lovely."
7176 
7177 Jo laughed, and Meg sharply ordered her not to talk, then amiably
7178 promised to make her hair curl, and fell asleep to dream of living in
7179 her castle in the air.
7180 
7181 The clocks were striking midnight and the rooms were very still as a
7182 figure glided quietly from bed to bed, smoothing a coverlet here,
7183 settling a pillow there, and pausing to look long and tenderly at each
7184 unconscious face, to kiss each with lips that mutely blessed, and to
7185 pray the fervent prayers which only mothers utter.  As she lifted the
7186 curtain to look out into the dreary night, the moon broke suddenly from
7187 behind the clouds and shone upon her like a bright, benignant face,
7188 which seemed to whisper in the silence, "Be comforted, dear soul!
7189 There is always light behind the clouds."
7190 
7191 
7192 
7193 CHAPTER SIXTEEN
7194 
7195 LETTERS
7196 
7197 In the cold gray dawn the sisters lit their lamp and read their chapter
7198 with an earnestness never felt before.  For now the shadow of a real
7199 trouble had come, the little books were full of help and comfort, and
7200 as they dressed, they agreed to say goodbye cheerfully and hopefully,
7201 and send their mother on her anxious journey unsaddened by tears or
7202 complaints from them.  Everything seemed very strange when they went
7203 down, so dim and still outside, so full of light and bustle within.
7204 Breakfast at that early hour seemed odd, and even Hannah's familiar
7205 face looked unnatural as she flew about her kitchen with her nightcap
7206 on.  The big trunk stood ready in the hall, Mother's cloak and bonnet
7207 lay on the sofa, and Mother herself sat trying to eat, but looking so
7208 pale and worn with sleeplessness and anxiety that the girls found it
7209 very hard to keep their resolution.  Meg's eyes kept filling in spite
7210 of herself, Jo was obliged to hide her face in the kitchen roller more
7211 than once, and the little girls wore a grave, troubled expression, as
7212 if sorrow was a new experience to them.
7213 
7214 Nobody talked much, but as the time drew very near and they sat waiting
7215 for the carriage, Mrs. March said to the girls, who were all busied
7216 about her, one folding her shawl, another smoothing out the strings of
7217 her bonnet, a third putting on her overshoes, and a fourth fastening up
7218 her travelling bag...
7219 
7220 "Children, I leave you to Hannah's care and Mr. Laurence's protection.
7221 Hannah is faithfulness itself, and our good neighbor will guard you as
7222 if you were his own.  I have no fears for you, yet I am anxious that
7223 you should take this trouble rightly.  Don't grieve and fret when I am
7224 gone, or think that you can be idle and comfort yourselves by being
7225 idle and trying to forget.  Go on with your work as usual, for work is
7226 a blessed solace.  Hope and keep busy, and whatever happens, remember
7227 that you never can be fatherless."
7228 
7229 "Yes, Mother."
7230 
7231 "Meg, dear, be prudent, watch over your sisters, consult Hannah, and in
7232 any perplexity, go to Mr. Laurence.  Be patient, Jo, don't get
7233 despondent or do rash things, write to me often, and be my brave girl,
7234 ready to help and cheer all.  Beth, comfort yourself with your music,
7235 and be faithful to the little home duties, and you, Amy, help all you
7236 can, be obedient, and keep happy safe at home."
7237 
7238 "We will, Mother!  We will!"
7239 
7240 The rattle of an approaching carriage made them all start and listen.
7241 That was the hard minute, but the girls stood it well.  No one cried,
7242 no one ran away or uttered a lamentation, though their hearts were very
7243 heavy as they sent loving messages to Father, remembering, as they
7244 spoke that it might be too late to deliver them. They kissed their
7245 mother quietly, clung about her tenderly, and tried to wave their hands
7246 cheerfully when she drove away.
7247 
7248 Laurie and his grandfather came over to see her off, and Mr. Brooke
7249 looked so strong and sensible and kind that the girls christened him
7250 'Mr. Greatheart' on the spot.
7251 
7252 "Good-by, my darlings!  God bless and keep us all!" whispered Mrs.
7253 March, as she kissed one dear little face after the other, and hurried
7254 into the carriage.
7255 
7256 As she rolled away, the sun came out, and looking back, she saw it
7257 shining on the group at the gate like a good omen.  They saw it also,
7258 and smiled and waved their hands, and the last thing she beheld as she
7259 turned the corner was the four bright faces, and behind them like a
7260 bodyguard, old Mr. Laurence, faithful Hannah, and devoted Laurie.
7261 
7262 "How kind everyone is to us!" she said, turning to find fresh proof of
7263 it in the respectful sympathy of the young man's face.
7264 
7265 "I don't see how they can help it," returned Mr. Brooke, laughing so
7266 infectiously that Mrs. March could not help smiling. And so the journey
7267 began with the good omens of sunshine, smiles, and cheerful words.
7268 
7269 "I feel as if there had been an earthquake," said Jo, as their
7270 neighbors went home to breakfast, leaving them to rest and refresh
7271 themselves.
7272 
7273 "It seems as if half the house was gone," added Meg forlornly.
7274 
7275 Beth opened her lips to say something, but could only point to the pile
7276 of nicely mended hose which lay on Mother's table, showing that even in
7277 her last hurried moments she had thought and worked for them.  It was a
7278 little thing, but it went straight to their hearts, and in spite of
7279 their brave resolutions, they all broke down and cried bitterly.
7280 
7281 Hannah wisely allowed them to relieve their feelings, and when the
7282 shower showed signs of clearing up, she came to the rescue, armed with
7283 a coffeepot.
7284 
7285 "Now, my dear young ladies, remember what your ma said, and don't fret.
7286 Come and have a cup of coffee all round, and then let's fall to work
7287 and be a credit to the family."
7288 
7289 Coffee was a treat, and Hannah showed great tact in making it that
7290 morning.  No one could resist her persuasive nods, or the fragrant
7291 invitation issuing from the nose of the coffee pot.  They drew up to
7292 the table, exchanged their handkerchiefs for napkins, and in ten
7293 minutes were all right again.
7294 
7295 "'Hope and keep busy', that's the motto for us, so let's see who will
7296 remember it best.  I shall go to Aunt March, as usual. Oh, won't she
7297 lecture though!" said Jo, as she sipped with returning spirit.
7298 
7299 "I shall go to my Kings, though I'd much rather stay at home and attend
7300 to things here," said Meg, wishing she hadn't made her eyes so red.
7301 
7302 "No need of that.  Beth and I can keep house perfectly well," put in
7303 Amy, with an important air.
7304 
7305 "Hannah will tell us what to do, and we'll have everything nice when
7306 you come home," added Beth, getting out her mop and dish tub without
7307 delay.
7308 
7309 "I think anxiety is very interesting," observed Amy, eating sugar
7310 pensively.
7311 
7312 The girls couldn't help laughing, and felt better for it, though Meg
7313 shook her head at the young lady who could find consolation in a sugar
7314 bowl.
7315 
7316 The sight of the turnovers made Jo sober again; and when the two went
7317 out to their daily tasks, they looked sorrowfully back at the window
7318 where they were accustomed to see their mother's face.  It was gone,
7319 but Beth had remembered the little household ceremony, and there she
7320 was, nodding away at them like a rosyfaced mandarin.
7321 
7322 "That's so like my Beth!" said Jo, waving her hat, with a grateful
7323 face.  "Goodbye, Meggy, I hope the Kings won't strain today.  Don't
7324 fret about Father, dear," she added, as they parted.
7325 
7326 "And I hope Aunt March won't croak.  Your hair is becoming, and it
7327 looks very boyish and nice," returned Meg, trying not to smile at the
7328 curly head, which looked comically small on her tall sister's shoulders.
7329 
7330 "That's my only comfort." And, touching her hat a la Laurie, away went
7331 Jo, feeling like a shorn sheep on a wintry day.
7332 
7333 News from their father comforted the girls very much, for though
7334 dangerously ill, the presence of the best and tenderest of nurses had
7335 already done him good.  Mr. Brooke sent a bulletin every day, and as
7336 the head of the family, Meg insisted on reading the dispatches, which
7337 grew more cheerful as the week passed.  At first, everyone was eager to
7338 write, and plump envelopes were carefully poked into the letter box by
7339 one or other of the sisters, who felt rather important with their
7340 Washington correspondence.  As one of these packets contained
7341 characteristic notes from the party, we will rob an imaginary mail, and
7342 read them.
7343 
7344 My dearest Mother:
7345 
7346 It is impossible to tell you how happy your last letter made us, for
7347 the news was so good we couldn't help laughing and crying over it.  How
7348 very kind Mr. Brooke is, and how fortunate that Mr. Laurence's business
7349 detains him near you so long, since he is so useful to you and Father.
7350 The girls are all as good as gold.  Jo helps me with the sewing, and
7351 insists on doing all sorts of hard jobs.  I should be afraid she might
7352 overdo, if I didn't know her 'moral fit' wouldn't last long.  Beth is
7353 as regular about her tasks as a clock, and never forgets what you told
7354 her.  She grieves about Father, and looks sober except when she is at
7355 her little piano.  Amy minds me nicely, and I take great care of her.
7356 She does her own hair, and I am teaching her to make buttonholes and
7357 mend her stockings. She tries very hard, and I know you will be pleased
7358 with her improvement when you come.  Mr. Laurence watches over us like
7359 a motherly old hen, as Jo says, and Laurie is very kind and neighborly.
7360 He and Jo keep us merry, for we get pretty blue sometimes, and feel
7361 like orphans, with you so far away.  Hannah is a perfect saint.  She
7362 does not scold at all, and always calls me Miss Margaret, which is
7363 quite proper, you know, and treats me with respect.  We are all well
7364 and busy, but we long, day and night, to have you back.  Give my
7365 dearest love to Father, and believe me, ever your own...
7366 
7367 MEG
7368 
7369 This note, prettily written on scented paper, was a great contrast to
7370 the next, which was scribbled on a big sheet of thin foreign paper,
7371 ornamented with blots and all manner of flourishes and curly-tailed
7372 letters.
7373 
7374 My precious Marmee:
7375 
7376 Three cheers for dear Father!  Brooke was a trump to telegraph right
7377 off, and let us know the minute he was better.  I rushed up garret when
7378 the letter came, and tried to thank god for being so good to us, but I
7379 could only cry, and say, "I'm glad!  I'm glad!" Didn't that do as well
7380 as a regular prayer?  For I felt a great many in my heart.  We have
7381 such funny times, and now I can enjoy them, for everyone is so
7382 desperately good, it's like living in a nest of turtledoves.  You'd
7383 laugh to see Meg head the table and try to be motherish.  She gets
7384 prettier every day, and I'm in love with her sometimes.  The children
7385 are regular archangels, and I -- well, I'm Jo, and never shall be
7386 anything else.  Oh, I must tell you that I came near having a quarrel
7387 with Laurie.  I freed my mind about a silly little thing, and he was
7388 offended.  I was right, but didn't speak as I ought, and he marched
7389 home, saying he wouldn't come again till I begged pardon.  I declared I
7390 wouldn't and got mad. It lasted all day.  I felt bad and wanted you
7391 very much.  Laurie and I are both so proud, it's hard to beg pardon.
7392 But I thought he'd come to it, for I was in the right.  He didn't come,
7393 and just at night I remembered what you said when Amy fell into the
7394 river.  I read my little book, felt better, resolved not to let the sun
7395 set on my anger, and ran over to tell Laurie I was sorry.  I met him at
7396 the gate, coming for the same thing.  We both laughed, begged each
7397 other's pardon, and felt all good and comfortable again.
7398 
7399 I made a 'pome' yesterday, when I was helping Hannah wash, and as
7400 Father likes my silly little things, I put it in to amuse him.  Give
7401 him my lovingest hug that ever was, and kiss yourself a dozen times for
7402 your...
7403 
7404 TOPSY-TURVY JO
7405 
7406 
7407     A SONG FROM THE SUDS
7408 
7409     Queen of my tub, I merrily sing,
7410     While the white foam rises high,
7411     And sturdily wash and rinse and wring,
7412     And fasten the clothes to dry.
7413     Then out in the free fresh air they swing,
7414     Under the sunny sky.
7415 
7416     I wish we could wash from our hearts and souls
7417     The stains of the week away,
7418     And let water and air by their magic make
7419     Ourselves as pure as they.
7420     Then on the earth there would be indeed,
7421     A glorious washing day!
7422 
7423     Along the path of a useful life,
7424     Will heart's-ease ever bloom.
7425     The busy mind has no time to think
7426     Of sorrow or care or gloom.
7427     And anxious thoughts may be swept away,
7428     As we bravely wield a broom.
7429 
7430     I am glad a task to me is given,
7431     To labor at day by day,
7432     For it brings me health and strength and hope,
7433     And I cheerfully learn to say,
7434     "Head, you may think, Heart, you may feel,
7435     But, Hand, you shall work alway!"
7436 
7437 
7438 Dear Mother,
7439 
7440 There is only room for me to send my love, and some pressed pansies
7441 from the root I have been keeping safe in the house for Father to see.
7442 I read every morning, try to be good all day, and sing myself to sleep
7443 with Father's tune.  I can't sing 'LAND OF THE LEAL' now, it makes me
7444 cry.  Everyone is very kind, and we are as happy as we can be without
7445 you.  Amy wants the rest of the page, so I must stop.  I didn't forget
7446 to cover the holders, and I wind the clock and air the rooms every day.
7447 
7448 Kiss dear Father on the cheek he calls mine.  Oh, do come soon to your
7449 loving...
7450 
7451 LITTLE BETH
7452 
7453 
7454 Ma Chere Mamma,
7455 
7456 We are all well I do my lessons always and never corroberate the
7457 girls -- Meg says I mean contradick so I put in both words and you can
7458 take the properest.  Meg is a great comfort to me and lets me have
7459 jelly every night at tea its so good for me Jo says because it keeps me
7460 sweet tempered.  Laurie is not as respeckful as he ought to be now I am
7461 almost in my teens, he calls me Chick and hurts my feelings by talking
7462 French to me very fast when I say Merci or Bon jour as Hattie King
7463 does.  The sleeves of my blue dress were all worn out, and Meg put in
7464 new ones, but the full front came wrong and they are more blue than the
7465 dress.  I felt bad but did not fret I bear my troubles well but I do
7466 wish Hannah would put more starch in my aprons and have buckwheats
7467 every day.  Can't she?  Didn't I make that interrigation point nice?
7468 Meg says my punchtuation and spelling are disgraceful and I am
7469 mortyfied but dear me I have so many things to do, I can't stop.
7470 Adieu, I send heaps of love to Papa.  Your affectionate daughter...
7471 
7472 AMY CURTIS MARCH
7473 
7474 
7475 Dear Mis March,
7476 
7477 I jes drop a line to say we git on fust rate.  The girls is clever and
7478 fly round right smart.  Miss Meg is going to make a proper good
7479 housekeeper.  She hes the liking for it, and gits the hang of things
7480 surprisin quick.  Jo doos beat all for goin ahead, but she don't stop
7481 to cal'k'late fust, and you never know where she's like to bring up.
7482 She done out a tub of clothes on Monday, but she starched 'em afore
7483 they was wrenched, and blued a pink calico dress till I thought I
7484 should a died a laughin.  Beth is the best of little creeters, and a
7485 sight of help to me, bein so forehanded and dependable.  She tries to
7486 learn everything, and really goes to market beyond her years, likewise
7487 keeps accounts, with my help, quite wonderful.  We have got on very
7488 economical so fur.  I don't let the girls hev coffee only once a week,
7489 accordin to your wish, and keep em on plain wholesome vittles.  Amy
7490 does well without frettin, wearin her best clothes and eatin sweet
7491 stuff. Mr. Laurie is as full of didoes as usual, and turns the house
7492 upside down frequent, but he heartens the girls, so I let em hev full
7493 swing.  The old gentleman sends heaps of things, and is rather wearin,
7494 but means wal, and it aint my place to say nothin.  My bread is riz, so
7495 no more at this time.  I send my duty to Mr. March, and hope he's seen
7496 the last of his Pewmonia.
7497 
7498 Yours respectful,
7499 
7500 Hannah Mullet
7501 
7502 
7503 Head Nurse of Ward No. 2,
7504 
7505 
7506 All serene on the Rappahannock, troops in fine condition, commisary
7507 department well conducted, the Home Guard under Colonel Teddy always on
7508 duty, Commander in Chief General Laurence reviews the army daily,
7509 Quartermaster Mullet keeps order in camp, and Major Lion does picket
7510 duty at night.  A salute of twenty-four guns was fired on receipt of
7511 good news from Washington, and a dress parade took place at
7512 headquarters.  Commander in chief sends best wishes, in which he is
7513 heartily joined by...
7514 
7515 COLONEL TEDDY
7516 
7517 
7518 Dear Madam:
7519 
7520 The little girls are all well.  Beth and my boy report daily. Hannah is
7521 a model servant, and guards pretty Meg like a dragon. Glad the fine
7522 weather holds.  Pray make Brooke useful, and draw on me for funds if
7523 expenses exceed your estimate.  Don't let your husband want anything.
7524 Thank God he is mending.
7525 
7526 Your sincere friend and servant, JAMES LAURENCE
7527 
7528 
7529 
7530 CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
7531 
7532 LITTLE FAITHFUL
7533 
7534 For a week the amount of virtue in the old house would have supplied
7535 the neighborhood.  It was really amazing, for everyone seemed in a
7536 heavenly frame of mind, and self-denial was all the fashion.  Relieved
7537 of their first anxiety about their father, the girls insensibly relaxed
7538 their praiseworthy efforts a little, and began to fall back into old
7539 ways.  They did not forget their motto, but hoping and keeping busy
7540 seemed to grow easier, and after such tremendous exertions, they felt
7541 that Endeavor deserved a holiday, and gave it a good many.
7542 
7543 Jo caught a bad cold through neglect to cover the shorn head enough,
7544 and was ordered to stay at home till she was better, for Aunt March
7545 didn't like to hear people read with colds in their heads.  Jo liked
7546 this, and after an energetic rummage from garret to cellar, subsided on
7547 the sofa to nurse her cold with arsenicum and books.  Amy found that
7548 housework and art did not go well together, and returned to her mud
7549 pies.  Meg went daily to her pupils, and sewed, or thought she did, at
7550 home, but much time was spent in writing long letters to her mother, or
7551 reading the Washington dispatches over and over.  Beth kept on, with
7552 only slight relapses into idleness or grieving.
7553 
7554 All the little duties were faithfully done each day, and many of her
7555 sisters' also, for they were forgetful, and the house seemed like a
7556 clock whose pendulum was gone a-visiting.  When her heart got heavy
7557 with longings for Mother or fears for Father, she went away into a
7558 certain closet, hid her face in the folds of a dear old gown, and made
7559 her little moan and prayed her little prayer quietly by herself.
7560 Nobody knew what cheered her up after a sober fit, but everyone felt
7561 how sweet and helpful Beth was, and fell into a way of going to her for
7562 comfort or advice in their small affairs.
7563 
7564 All were unconscious that this experience was a test of character, and
7565 when the first excitement was over, felt that they had done well and
7566 deserved praise.  So they did, but their mistake was in ceasing to do
7567 well, and they learned this lesson through much anxiety and regret.
7568 
7569 "Meg, I wish you'd go and see the Hummels.  You know Mother told us not
7570 to forget them." said Beth, ten days after Mrs. March's departure.
7571 
7572 "I'm too tired to go this afternoon," replied Meg, rocking comfortably
7573 as she sewed.
7574 
7575 "Can't you, Jo?" asked Beth.
7576 
7577 "Too stormy for me with my cold."
7578 
7579 "I thought it was almost well."
7580 
7581 "It's well enough for me to go out with Laurie, but not well enough to
7582 go to the Hummels'," said Jo, laughing, but looking a little ashamed of
7583 her inconsistency.
7584 
7585 "Why don't you go yourself?" asked Meg.
7586 
7587 "I have been every day, but the baby is sick, and I don't know what to
7588 do for it.  Mrs. Hummel goes away to work, and Lottchen takes care of
7589 it.  But it gets sicker and sicker, and I think you or Hannah ought to
7590 go."
7591 
7592 Beth spoke earnestly, and Meg promised she would go tomorrow.
7593 
7594 "Ask Hannah for some nice little mess, and take it round, Beth, the air
7595 will do you good," said Jo, adding apologetically, "I'd go but I want
7596 to finish my writing."
7597 
7598 "My head aches and I'm tired, so I thought maybe some of you would go,"
7599 said Beth.
7600 
7601 "Amy will be in presently, and she will run down for us," suggested Meg.
7602 
7603 So Beth lay down on the sofa, the others returned to their work, and
7604 the Hummels were forgotten.  An hour passed.  Amy did not come, Meg
7605 went to her room to try on a new dress, Jo was absorbed in her story,
7606 and Hannah was sound asleep before the kitchen fire, when Beth quietly
7607 put on her hood, filled her basket with odds and ends for the poor
7608 children, and went out into the chilly air with a heavy head and a
7609 grieved look in her patient eyes.  It was late when she came back, and
7610 no one saw her creep upstairs and shut herself into her mother's room.
7611 Half an hour after, Jo went to 'Mother's closet' for something, and
7612 there found little Beth sitting on the medicine chest, looking very
7613 grave, with red eyes and a camphor bottle in her hand.
7614 
7615 "Christopher Columbus!  What's the matter?" cried Jo, as Beth put out
7616 her hand as if to warn her off, and asked quickly. . .
7617 
7618 "You've had the scarlet fever, haven't you?"
7619 
7620 "Years ago, when Meg did.  Why?"
7621 
7622 "Then I'll tell you.  Oh, Jo, the baby's dead!"
7623 
7624 "What baby?"
7625 
7626 "Mrs. Hummel's.  It died in my lap before she got home," cried Beth
7627 with a sob.
7628 
7629 "My poor dear, how dreadful for you!  I ought to have gone," said Jo,
7630 taking her sister in her arms as she sat down in her mother's big
7631 chair, with a remorseful face.
7632 
7633 "It wasn't dreadful, Jo, only so sad!  I saw in a minute it was sicker,
7634 but Lottchen said her mother had gone for a doctor, so I took Baby and
7635 let Lotty rest.  It seemed asleep, but all of a sudden if gave a little
7636 cry and trembled, and then lay very still. I tried to warm its feet,
7637 and Lotty gave it some milk, but it didn't stir, and I knew it was
7638 dead."
7639 
7640 "Don't cry, dear!  What did you do?"
7641 
7642 "I just sat and held it softly till Mrs. Hummel came with the doctor.
7643 He said it was dead, and looked at Heinrich and Minna, who have sore
7644 throats.  'Scarlet fever, ma'am.  Ought to have called me before,' he
7645 said crossly.  Mrs. Hummel told him she was poor, and had tried to cure
7646 baby herself, but now it was too late, and she could only ask him to
7647 help the others and trust to charity for his pay.  He smiled then, and
7648 was kinder, but it was very sad, and I cried with them till he turned
7649 round all of a sudden, and told me to go home and take belladonna right
7650 away, or I'd have the fever."
7651 
7652 "No, you won't!" cried Jo, hugging her close, with a frightened look.
7653 "Oh, Beth, if you should be sick I never could forgive myself! What
7654 shall we do?"
7655 
7656 "Don't be frightened, I guess I shan't have it badly.  I looked in
7657 Mother's book, and saw that it begins with headache, sore throat, and
7658 queer feelings like mine, so I did take some belladonna, and I feel
7659 better," said Beth, laying her cold hands on her hot forehead and
7660 trying to look well.
7661 
7662 "If Mother was only at home!" exclaimed Jo, seizing the book, and
7663 feeling that Washington was an immense way off.  She read a page,
7664 looked at Beth, felt her head, peeped into her throat, and then said
7665 gravely, "You've been over the baby every day for more than a week, and
7666 among the others who are going to have it, so I'm afraid you are going
7667 to have it, Beth.  I'll call Hannah, she knows all about sickness."
7668 
7669 "Don't let Amy come.  She never had it, and I should hate to give it to
7670 her.  Can't you and Meg have it over again?" asked Beth, anxiously.
7671 
7672 "I guess not.  Don't care if I do.  Serve me right, selfish pig, to let
7673 you go, and stay writing rubbish myself!" muttered Jo, as she went to
7674 consult Hannah.
7675 
7676 The good soul was wide awake in a minute, and took the lead at once,
7677 assuring that there was no need to worry; every one had scarlet fever,
7678 and if rightly treated, nobody died, all of which Jo believed, and felt
7679 much relieved as they went up to call Meg.
7680 
7681 "Now I'll tell you what we'll do," said Hannah, when she had examined
7682 and questioned Beth, "we will have Dr. Bangs, just to take a look at
7683 you, dear, and see that we start right.  Then we'll send Amy off to
7684 Aunt March's for a spell, to keep her out of harm's way, and one of you
7685 girls can stay at home and amuse Beth for a day or two."
7686 
7687 "I shall stay, of course, I'm oldest," began Meg, looking anxious and
7688 self-reproachful.
7689 
7690 "I shall, because it's my fault she is sick.  I told Mother I'd do the
7691 errands, and I haven't," said Jo decidedly.
7692 
7693 "Which will you have, Beth?  There ain't no need of but one," aid
7694 Hannah.
7695 
7696 "Jo, please." And Beth leaned her head against her sister with a
7697 contented look, which effectually settled that point.
7698 
7699 "I'll go and tell Amy," said Meg, feeling a little hurt, yet rather
7700 relieved on the whole, for she did not like nursing, and Jo did.
7701 
7702 Amy rebelled outright, and passionately declared that she had rather
7703 have the fever than go to Aunt March.  Meg reasoned, pleaded, and
7704 commanded, all in vain.  Amy protested that she would not go, and Meg
7705 left her in despair to ask Hannah what should be done.  Before she came
7706 back, Laurie walked into the parlor to find Amy sobbing, with her head
7707 in the sofa cushions.  She told her story, expecting to be consoled,
7708 but Laurie only put his hands in his pockets and walked about the room,
7709 whistling softly, as he knit his brows in deep thought.  Presently he
7710 sat down beside her, and said, in his most wheedlesome tone, "Now be a
7711 sensible little woman, and do as they say. No, don't cry, but hear what
7712 a jolly plan I've got.  You go to Aunt March's, and I'll come and take
7713 you out every day, driving or walking, and we'll have capital times.
7714 Won't that be better than moping here?"
7715 
7716 "I don't wish to be sent off as if I was in the way," began Amy, in an
7717 injured voice.
7718 
7719 "Bless your heart, child, it's to keep you well.  You don't want to be
7720 sick, do you?"
7721 
7722 "No, I'm sure I don't, but I dare say I shall be, for I've been with
7723 Beth all the time."
7724 
7725 "That's the very reason you ought to go away at once, so that you may
7726 escape it.  Change of air and care will keep you well, I dare say, or
7727 if it does not entirely, you will have the fever more lightly.  I
7728 advise you to be off as soon as you can, for scarlet fever is no joke,
7729 miss."
7730 
7731 "But it's dull at Aunt March's, and she is so cross," said Amy, looking
7732 rather frightened.
7733 
7734 "It won't be dull with me popping in every day to tell you how Beth is,
7735 and take you out gallivanting.  The old lady likes me, and I'll be as
7736 sweet as possible to her, so she won't peck at us, whatever we do."
7737 
7738 "Will you take me out in the trotting wagon with Puck?"
7739 
7740 "On my honor as a gentleman."
7741 
7742 "And come every single day?"
7743 
7744 "See if I don't!"
7745 
7746 "And bring me back the minute Beth is well?"
7747 
7748 "The identical minute."
7749 
7750 "And go to the theater, truly?"
7751 
7752 "A dozen theaters, if we may."
7753 
7754 "Well -- I guess I will," said Amy slowly.
7755 
7756 "Good girl!  Call Meg, and tell her you'll give in," said Laurie, with
7757 an approving pat, which annoyed Amy more than the 'giving in'.
7758 
7759 Meg and Jo came running down to behold the miracle which had been
7760 wrought, and Amy, feeling very precious and self-sacrificing, promised
7761 to go, if the doctor said Beth was going to be ill.
7762 
7763 "How is the little dear?" asked Laurie, for Beth was his especial pet,
7764 and he felt more anxious about her than he liked to show.
7765 
7766 "She is lying down on Mother's bed, and feels better.  The baby's death
7767 troubled her, but I dare say she has only got cold. Hannah says she
7768 thinks so, but she looks worried, and that makes me fidgety," answered
7769 Meg.
7770 
7771 "What a trying world it is!" said Jo, rumpling up her hair in a fretful
7772 way.  "No sooner do we get out of one trouble than down comes another.
7773 There doesn't seem to be anything to hold on to when Mother's gone, so
7774 I'm all at sea."
7775 
7776 "Well, don't make a porcupine of yourself, it isn't becoming. Settle
7777 your wig, Jo, and tell me if I shall telegraph to your mother, or do
7778 anything?" asked Laurie, who never had been reconciled to the loss of
7779 his friend's one beauty.
7780 
7781 "That is what troubles me," said Meg.  "I think we ought to tell her if
7782 Beth is really ill, but Hannah says we mustn't, for Mother can't leave
7783 Father, and it will only make them anxious.  Beth won't be sick long,
7784 and Hannah knows just what to do, and Mother said we were to mind her,
7785 so I suppose we must, but it doesn't seem quite right to me."
7786 
7787 "Hum, well, I can't say.  Suppose you ask Grandfather after the doctor
7788 has been."
7789 
7790 "We will.  Jo, go and get Dr. Bangs at once," commanded Meg. "We can't
7791 decide anything till he has been."
7792 
7793 "Stay where you are, Jo.  I'm errand boy to this establishment," said
7794 Laurie, taking up his cap.
7795 
7796 "I'm afraid you are busy," began Meg.
7797 
7798 "No, I've done my lessons for the day."
7799 
7800 "Do you study in vacation time?" asked Jo.
7801 
7802 "I follow the good example my neighbors set me," was Laurie's answer,
7803 as he swung himself out of the room.
7804 
7805 "I have great hopes for my boy," observed Jo, watching him fly over the
7806 fence with an approving smile.
7807 
7808 "He does very well, for a boy," was Meg's somewhat ungracious answer,
7809 for the subject did not interest her.
7810 
7811 Dr. Bangs came, said Beth had symptoms of the fever, but he thought she
7812 would have it lightly, though he looked sober over the Hummel story.
7813 Amy was ordered off at once, and provided with something to ward off
7814 danger, she departed in great state, with Jo and Laurie as escort.
7815 
7816 Aunt March received them with her usual hospitality.
7817 
7818 "What do you want now?" she asked, looking sharply over her spectacles,
7819 while the parrot, sitting on the back of her chair, called out...
7820 
7821 "Go away.  No boys allowed here."
7822 
7823 Laurie retired to the window, and Jo told her story.
7824 
7825 "No more than I expected, if you are allowed to go poking about among
7826 poor folks.  Amy can stay and make herself useful if she isn't sick,
7827 which I've no doubt she will be, looks like it now.  Don't cry, child,
7828 it worries me to hear people sniff."
7829 
7830 Amy was on the point of crying, but Laurie slyly pulled the parrot's
7831 tail, which caused Polly to utter an astonished croak and call out,
7832 "Bless my boots!" in such a funny way, that she laughed instead.
7833 
7834 "What do you hear from your mother?" asked the old lady gruffly.
7835 
7836 "Father is much better," replied Jo, trying to keep sober.
7837 
7838 "Oh, is he?  Well, that won't last long, I fancy.  March never had any
7839 stamina," was the cheerful reply.
7840 
7841 "Ha, ha!  Never say die, take a pinch of snuff, goodbye, goodbye!"
7842 squalled Polly, dancing on her perch, and clawing at the old lady's cap
7843 as Laurie tweaked him in the rear.
7844 
7845 "Hold your tongue, you disrespectful old bird!  And, Jo, you'd better
7846 go at once.  It isn't proper to be gadding about so late with a
7847 rattlepated boy like..."
7848 
7849 "Hold your tongue, you disrespectful old bird!" cried Polly, tumbling
7850 off the chair with a bounce, and running to peck the 'rattlepated' boy,
7851 who was shaking with laughter at the last speech.
7852 
7853 "I don't think I can bear it, but I'll try," thought Amy, as she was
7854 left alone with Aunt March.
7855 
7856 "Get along, you fright!" screamed Polly, and at that rude speech Amy
7857 could not restrain a sniff.
7858 
7859 
7860 
7861 CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
7862 
7863 DARK DAYS
7864 
7865 Beth did have the fever, and was much sicker than anyone but Hannah and
7866 the doctor suspected.  The girls knew nothing about illness, and Mr.
7867 Laurence was not allowed to see her, so Hannah had everything her own
7868 way, and busy Dr. Bangs did his best, but left a good deal to the
7869 excellent nurse.  Meg stayed at home, lest she should infect the Kings,
7870 and kept house, feeling very anxious and a little guilty when she wrote
7871 letters in which no mention was made of Beth's illness.  She could not
7872 think it right to deceive her mother, but she had been bidden to mind
7873 Hannah, and Hannah wouldn't hear of 'Mrs. March bein' told, and worried
7874 just for sech a trifle.'
7875 
7876 Jo devoted herself to Beth day and night, not a hard task, for Beth was
7877 very patient, and bore her pain uncomplainingly as long as she could
7878 control herself.  But there came a time when during the fever fits she
7879 began to talk in a hoarse, broken voice, to play on the coverlet as if
7880 on her beloved little piano, and try to sing with a throat so swollen
7881 that there was no music left, a time when she did not know the familiar
7882 faces around her, but addressed them by wrong names, and called
7883 imploringly for her mother.  Then Jo grew frightened, Meg begged to be
7884 allowed to write the truth, and even Hannah said she 'would think of
7885 it, though there was no danger yet'.  A letter from Washington added to
7886 their trouble, for Mr. March had had a relapse, and could not think of
7887 coming home for a long while.
7888 
7889 How dark the days seemed now, how sad and lonely the house, and how
7890 heavy were the hearts of the sisters as they worked and waited, while
7891 the shadow of death hovered over the once happy home. Then it was that
7892 Margaret, sitting alone with tears dropping often on her work, felt how
7893 rich she had been in things more precious than any luxuries money could
7894 buy -- in love, protection, peace, and health, the real blessings of
7895 life.  Then it was that Jo, living in the darkened room, with that
7896 suffering little sister always before her eyes and that pathetic voice
7897 sounding in her ears, learned to see the beauty and the sweetness of
7898 Beth's nature, to feel how deep and tender a place she filled in all
7899 hearts, and to acknowledge the worth of Beth's unselfish ambition to
7900 live for others, and make home happy by that exercise of those simple
7901 virtues which all may possess, and which all should love and value more
7902 than talent, wealth, or beauty.  And Amy, in her exile, longed eagerly
7903 to be at home, that she might work for Beth, feeling now that no
7904 service would be hard or irksome, and remembering, with regretful
7905 grief, how many neglected tasks those willing hands had done for her.
7906 Laurie haunted the house like a restless ghost, and Mr. Laurence locked
7907 the grand piano, because he could not bear to be reminded of the young
7908 neighbor who used to make the twilight pleasant for him.  Everyone
7909 missed Beth.  The milkman, baker, grocer, and butcher inquired how she
7910 did, poor Mrs. Hummel came to beg pardon for her thoughtlessness and to
7911 get a shroud for Minna, the neighbors sent all sorts of comforts and
7912 good wishes, and even those who knew her best were surprised to find
7913 how many friends shy little Beth had made.
7914 
7915 Meanwhile she lay on her bed with old Joanna at her side, for even in
7916 her wanderings she did not forget her forlorn protege.  She longed for
7917 her cats, but would not have them brought, lest they should get sick,
7918 and in her quiet hours she was full of anxiety about Jo.  She sent
7919 loving messages to Amy, bade them tell her mother that she would write
7920 soon, and often begged for pencil and paper to try to say a word, that
7921 Father might not think she had neglected him. But soon even these
7922 intervals of consciousness ended, and she lay hour after hour, tossing
7923 to and fro, with incoherent words on her lips, or sank into a heavy
7924 sleep which brought her no refreshment. Dr. Bangs came twice a day,
7925 Hannah sat up at night, Meg kept a telegram in her desk all ready to
7926 send off at any minute, and Jo never stirred from Beth's side.
7927 
7928 The first of December was a wintry day indeed to them, for a bitter
7929 wind blew, snow fell fast, and the year seemed getting ready for its
7930 death.  When Dr. Bangs came that morning, he looked long at Beth, held
7931 the hot hand in both his own for a minute, and laid it gently down,
7932 saying, in a low voice to Hannah, "If Mrs. March can leave her husband
7933 she'd better be sent for."
7934 
7935 Hannah nodded without speaking, for her lips twitched nervously, Meg
7936 dropped down into a chair as the strength seemed to go out of her limbs
7937 at the sound of those words, and Jo, standing with a pale face for a
7938 minute, ran to the parlor, snatched up the telegram, and throwing on
7939 her things, rushed out into the storm.  She was soon back, and while
7940 noiselessly taking off her cloak, Laurie came in with a letter, saying
7941 that Mr. March was mending again.  Jo read it thankfully, but the heavy
7942 weight did not seem lifted off her heart, and her face was so full of
7943 misery that Laurie asked quickly, "What is it?  Is Beth worse?"
7944 
7945 "I've sent for Mother," said Jo, tugging at her rubber boots with a
7946 tragic expression.
7947 
7948 "Good for you, Jo!  Did you do it on your own responsibility?" asked
7949 Laurie, as he seated her in the hall chair and took off the rebellious
7950 boots, seeing how her hands shook.
7951 
7952 "No.  The doctor told us to."
7953 
7954 "Oh, Jo, it's not so bad as that?" cried Laurie, with a startled face.
7955 
7956 "Yes, it is.  She doesn't know us, she doesn't even talk about the
7957 flocks of green doves, as she calls the vine leaves on the wall. She
7958 doesn't look like my Beth, and there's nobody to help us bear it.
7959 Mother and father both gone, and God seems so far away I can't find
7960 Him."
7961 
7962 As the tears streamed fast down poor Jo's cheeks, she stretched out her
7963 hand in a helpless sort of way, as if groping in the dark, and Laurie
7964 took it in his, whispering as well as he could with a lump in his
7965 throat, "I'm here.  Hold on to me, Jo, dear!"
7966 
7967 She could not speak, but she did 'hold on', and the warm grasp of the
7968 friendly human hand comforted her sore heart, and seemed to lead her
7969 nearer to the Divine arm which alone could uphold her in her trouble.
7970 
7971 Laurie longed to say something tender and comfortable, but no fitting
7972 words came to him, so he stood silent, gently stroking her bent head as
7973 her mother used to do.  It was the best thing he could have done, far
7974 more soothing than the most eloquent words, for Jo felt the unspoken
7975 sympathy, and in the silence learned the sweet solace which affection
7976 administers to sorrow.  Soon she dried the tears which had relieved
7977 her, and looked up with a grateful face.
7978 
7979 "Thank you, Teddy, I'm better now.  I don't feel so forlorn, and will
7980 try to bear it if it comes."
7981 
7982 "Keep hoping for the best, that will help you, Jo.  Soon your mother
7983 will be here, and then everything will be all right."
7984 
7985 "I'm so glad Father is better.  Now she won't feel so bad about leaving
7986 him.  Oh, me!  It does seem as if all the troubles came in a heap, and
7987 I got the heaviest part on my shoulders," sighed Jo, spreading her wet
7988 handkerchief over her knees to dry.
7989 
7990 "Doesn't Meg pull fair?" asked Laurie, looking indignant.
7991 
7992 "Oh, yes, she tries to, but she can't love Bethy as I do, and she won't
7993 miss her as I shall.  Beth is my conscience, and I can't give her up.
7994 I can't!  I can't!"
7995 
7996 Down went Jo's face into the wet handkerchief, and she cried
7997 despairingly, for she had kept up bravely till now and never shed a
7998 tear.  Laurie drew his hand across his eyes, but could not speak till
7999 he had subdued the choky feeling in his throat and steadied his lips.
8000 It might be unmanly, but he couldn't help it, and I am glad of it.
8001 Presently, as Jo's sobs quieted, he said hopefully, "I don't think she
8002 will die.  She's so good, and we all love her so much, I don't believe
8003 God will take her away yet."
8004 
8005 "The good and dear people always do die," groaned Jo, but she stopped
8006 crying, for her friend's words cheered her up in spite of her own
8007 doubts and fears.
8008 
8009 "Poor girl, you're worn out.  It isn't like you to be forlorn. Stop a
8010 bit.  I'll hearten you up in a jiffy."
8011 
8012 Laurie went off two stairs at a time, and Jo laid her wearied head down
8013 on Beth's little brown hood, which no one had thought of moving from
8014 the table where she left it.  It must have possessed some magic, for
8015 the submissive spirit of its gentle owner seemed to enter into Jo, and
8016 when Laurie came running down with a glass of wine, she took it with a
8017 smile, and said bravely, "I drink --  Health to my Beth!  You are a good
8018 doctor, Teddy, and such a comfortable friend.  How can I ever pay you?"
8019 she added, as the wine refreshed her body, as the kind words had done
8020 her troubled mind.
8021 
8022 "I'll send my bill, by-and-by, and tonight I'll give you something that
8023 will warm the cockles of your heart better than quarts of wine," said
8024 Laurie, beaming at her with a face of suppressed satisfaction at
8025 something.
8026 
8027 "What is it?" cried Jo, forgetting her woes for a minute in her wonder.
8028 
8029 "I telegraphed to your mother yesterday, and Brooke answered she'd come
8030 at once, and she'll be here tonight, and everything will be all right.
8031 Aren't you glad I did it?"
8032 
8033 Laurie spoke very fast, and turned red and excited all in a minute, for
8034 he had kept his plot a secret, for fear of disappointing the girls or
8035 harming Beth.  Jo grew quite white, flew out of her chair, and the
8036 moment he stopped speaking she electrified him by throwing her arms
8037 round his neck, and crying out, with a joyful cry, "Oh, Laurie!  Oh,
8038 Mother!  I am so glad!"  She did not weep again, but laughed
8039 hysterically, and trembled and clung to her friend as if she was a
8040 little bewildered by the sudden news.
8041 
8042 Laurie, though decidedly amazed, behaved with great presence of mind.
8043 He patted her back soothingly, and finding that she was recovering,
8044 followed it up by a bashful kiss or two, which brought Jo round at
8045 once.  Holding on to the banisters, she put him gently away, saying
8046 breathlessly, "Oh, don't!  I didn't mean to, it was dreadful of me, but
8047 you were such a dear to go and do it in spite of Hannah that I couldn't
8048 help flying at you.  Tell me all about it, and don't give me wine
8049 again, it makes me act so."
8050 
8051 "I don't mind," laughed Laurie, as he settled his tie.  "Why, you see I
8052 got fidgety, and so did Grandpa.  We thought Hannah was overdoing the
8053 authority business, and your mother ought to know. She'd never forgive
8054 us if Beth...  Well, if anything happened, you know.  So I got grandpa
8055 to say it was high time we did something, and off I pelted to the
8056 office yesterday, for the doctor looked sober, and Hannah most took my
8057 head off when I proposed a telegram.  I never can bear to be 'lorded
8058 over', so that settled my mind, and I did it. Your mother will come, I
8059 know, and the late train is in at two A.M. I shall go for her, and
8060 you've only got to bottle up your rapture, and keep Beth quiet till
8061 that blessed lady gets here."
8062 
8063 "Laurie, you're an angel!  How shall I ever thank you?"
8064 
8065 "Fly at me again.  I rather liked it," said Laurie, looking
8066 mischievous, a thing he had not done for a fortnight.
8067 
8068 "No, thank you.  I'll do it by proxy, when your grandpa comes. Don't
8069 tease, but go home and rest, for you'll be up half the night. Bless
8070 you, Teddy, bless you!"
8071 
8072 Jo had backed into a corner, and as she finished her speech, she
8073 vanished precipitately into the kitchen, where she sat down upon a
8074 dresser and told the assembled cats that she was "happy, oh, so happy!"
8075 while Laurie departed, feeling that he had made a rather neat thing of
8076 it.
8077 
8078 "That's the interferingest chap I ever see, but I forgive him and do
8079 hope Mrs. March is coming right away," said Hannah, with an air of
8080 relief, when Jo told the good news.
8081 
8082 Meg had a quiet rapture, and then brooded over the letter, while Jo set
8083 the sickroom in order, and Hannah "knocked up a couple of pies in case
8084 of company unexpected".  A breath of fresh air seemed to blow through
8085 the house, and something better than sunshine brightened the quiet
8086 rooms.  Everything appeared to feel the hopeful change.  Beth's bird
8087 began to chirp again, and a half-blown rose was discovered on Amy's
8088 bush in the window. The fires seemed to burn with unusual cheeriness,
8089 and every time the girls met, their pale faces broke into smiles as
8090 they hugged one another, whispering encouragingly, "Mother's coming,
8091 dear! Mother's coming!"  Every one rejoiced but Beth.  She lay in that
8092 heavy stupor, alike unconscious of hope and joy, doubt and danger. It
8093 was a piteous sight, the once rosy face so changed and vacant, the once
8094 busy hands so weak and wasted, the once smiling lips quite dumb, and
8095 the once pretty, well-kept hair scattered rough and tangled on the
8096 pillow.  All day she lay so, only rousing now and then to mutter,
8097 "Water!" with lips so parched they could hardly shape the word.  All
8098 day Jo and Meg hovered over her, watching, waiting, hoping, and
8099 trusting in God and Mother, and all day the snow fell, the bitter wind
8100 raged, and the hours dragged slowly by.  But night came at last, and
8101 every time the clock struck, the sisters, still sitting on either side
8102 of the bed, looked at each other with brightening eyes, for each hour
8103 brought help nearer.  The doctor had been in to say that some change,
8104 for better or worse, would probably take place about midnight, at which
8105 time he would return.
8106 
8107 Hannah, quite worn out, lay down on the sofa at the bed's foot and fell
8108 fast asleep, Mr. Laurence marched to and fro in the parlor, feeling
8109 that he would rather face a rebel battery than Mrs. March's countenance
8110 as she entered.  Laurie lay on the rug, pretending to rest, but staring
8111 into the fire with the thoughtful look which made his black eyes
8112 beautifully soft and clear.
8113 
8114 The girls never forgot that night, for no sleep came to them as they
8115 kept their watch, with that dreadful sense of powerlessness which comes
8116 to us in hours like those.
8117 
8118 "If God spares Beth, I never will complain again," whispered Meg
8119 earnestly.
8120 
8121 "If god spares Beth, I'll try to love and serve Him all my life,"
8122 answered Jo, with equal fervor.
8123 
8124 "I wish I had no heart, it aches so," sighed Meg, after a pause.
8125 
8126 "If life is often as hard as this, I don't see how we ever shall get
8127 through it," added her sister despondently.
8128 
8129 Here the clock struck twelve, and both forgot themselves in watching
8130 Beth, for they fancied a change passed over her wan face. The house was
8131 still as death, and nothing but the wailing of the wind broke the deep
8132 hush.  Weary Hannah slept on, and no one but the sisters saw the pale
8133 shadow which seemed to fall upon the little bed.  An hour went by, and
8134 nothing happened except Laurie's quiet departure for the station.
8135 Another hour, still no one came, and anxious fears of delay in the
8136 storm, or accidents by the way, or, worst of all, a great grief at
8137 Washington, haunted the girls.
8138 
8139 It was past two, when Jo, who stood at the window thinking how dreary
8140 the world looked in its winding sheet of snow, heard a movement by the
8141 bed, and turning quickly, saw Meg kneeling before their mother's easy
8142 chair with her face hidden.  A dreadful fear passed coldly over Jo, as
8143 she thought, "Beth is dead, and Meg is afraid to tell me."
8144 
8145 She was back at her post in an instant, and to her excited eyes a great
8146 change seemed to have taken place.  The fever flush and the look of
8147 pain were gone, and the beloved little face looked so pale and peaceful
8148 in its utter repose that Jo felt no desire to weep or to lament.
8149 Leaning low over this dearest of her sisters, she kissed the damp
8150 forehead with her heart on her lips, and softly whispered, "Good-by, my
8151 Beth.  Good-by!"
8152 
8153 As if awaked by the stir, Hannah started out of her sleep, hurried to
8154 the bed, looked at Beth, felt her hands, listened at her lips, and
8155 then, throwing her apron over her head, sat down to rock to and fro,
8156 exclaiming, under her breath, "The fever's turned, she's sleepin'
8157 nat'ral, her skin's damp, and she breathes easy.  Praise be given!  Oh,
8158 my goodness me!"
8159 
8160 Before the girls could believe the happy truth, the doctor came to
8161 confirm it.  He was a homely man, but they thought his face quite
8162 heavenly when he smiled and said, with a fatherly look at them, "Yes,
8163 my dears, I think the little girl will pull through this time.  Keep
8164 the house quiet, let her sleep, and when she wakes, give her..."
8165 
8166 What they were to give, neither heard, for both crept into the dark
8167 hall, and, sitting on the stairs, held each other close, rejoicing with
8168 hearts too full for words.  When they went back to be kissed and
8169 cuddled by faithful Hannah, they found Beth lying, as she used to do,
8170 with her cheek pillowed on her hand, the dreadful pallor gone, and
8171 breathing quietly, as if just fallen asleep.
8172 
8173 "If Mother would only come now!" said Jo, as the winter night began to
8174 wane.
8175 
8176 "See," said Meg, coming up with a white, half-opened rose, "I thought
8177 this would hardly be ready to lay in Beth's hand tomorrow if she -- went
8178 away from us.  But it has blossomed in the night, and now I mean to put
8179 it in my vase here, so that when the darling wakes, the first thing she
8180 sees will be the little rose, and Mother's face."
8181 
8182 Never had the sun risen so beautifully, and never had the world seemed
8183 so lovely as it did to the heavy eyes of Meg and Jo, as they looked out
8184 in the early morning, when their long, sad vigil was done.
8185 
8186 "It looks like a fairy world," said Meg, smiling to herself, as she
8187 stood behind the curtain, watching the dazzling sight.
8188 
8189 "Hark!" cried Jo, starting to her feet.
8190 
8191 Yes, there was a sound of bells at the door below, a cry from Hannah,
8192 and then Laurie's voice saying in a joyful whisper, "Girls, she's come!
8193 She's come!"
8194 
8195 
8196 
8197 CHAPTER NINETEEN
8198 
8199 AMY'S WILL
8200 
8201 While these things were happening at home, Amy was having hard times at
8202 Aunt March's.  She felt her exile deeply, and for the first time in her
8203 life, realized how much she was beloved and petted at home.  Aunt March
8204 never petted any one; she did not approve of it, but she meant to be
8205 kind, for the well-behaved little girl pleased her very much, and Aunt
8206 March had a soft place in her old heart for her nephew's children,
8207 though she didn't think it proper to confess it.  She really did her
8208 best to make Amy happy, but, dear me, what mistakes she made. Some old
8209 people keep young at heart in spite of wrinkles and gray hairs, can
8210 sympathize with children's little cares and joys, make them feel at
8211 home, and can hide wise lessons under pleasant plays, giving and
8212 receiving friendship in the sweetest way.  But Aunt March had not this
8213 gift, and she worried Amy very much with her rules and orders, her prim
8214 ways, and long, prosy talks.  Finding the child more docile and amiable
8215 than her sister, the old lady felt it her duty to try and counteract,
8216 as far as possible, the bad effects of home freedom and indulgence.  So
8217 she took Amy by the hand, and taught her as she herself had been taught
8218 sixty years ago, a process which carried dismay to Amy's soul, and made
8219 her feel like a fly in the web of a very strict spider.
8220 
8221 She had to wash the cups every morning, and polish up the old-fashioned
8222 spoons, the fat silver teapot, and the glasses till they shone.  Then
8223 she must dust the room, and what a trying job that was.  Not a speck
8224 escaped Aunt March's eye, and all the furniture had claw legs and much
8225 carving, which was never dusted to suit.  Then Polly had to be fed, the
8226 lap dog combed, and a dozen trips upstairs and down to get things or
8227 deliver orders, for the old lady was very lame and seldom left her big
8228 chair.  After these tiresome labors, she must do her lessons, which was
8229 a daily trial of every virtue she possessed.  Then she was allowed one
8230 hour for exercise or play, and didn't she enjoy it?
8231 
8232 Laurie came every day, and wheedled Aunt March till Amy was allowed to
8233 go out with him, when they walked and rode and had capital times.
8234 After dinner, she had to read aloud, and sit still while the old lady
8235 slept, which she usually did for an hour, as she dropped off over the
8236 first page.  Then patchwork or towels appeared, and Amy sewed with
8237 outward meekness and inward rebellion till dusk, when she was allowed
8238 to amuse herself as she liked till teatime.  The evenings were the
8239 worst of all, for Aunt March fell to telling long stories about her
8240 youth, which were so unutterably dull that Amy was always ready to go
8241 to bed, intending to cry over her hard fate, but usually going to sleep
8242 before she had squeezed out more than a tear or two.
8243 
8244 If it had not been for Laurie, and old Esther, the maid, she felt that
8245 she never could have got through that dreadful time.  The parrot alone
8246 was enough to drive her distracted, for he soon felt that she did not
8247 admire him, and revenged himself by being as mischievous as possible.
8248 He pulled her hair whenever she came near him, upset his bread and milk
8249 to plague her when she had newly cleaned his cage, made Mop bark by
8250 pecking at him while Madam dozed, called her names before company, and
8251 behaved in all respects like an reprehensible old bird.  Then she could
8252 not endure the dog, a fat, cross beast who snarled and yelped at her
8253 when she made his toilet, and who lay on his back with all his legs in
8254 the air and a most idiotic expression of countenance when he wanted
8255 something to eat, which was about a dozen times a day.  The cook was
8256 bad-tempered, the old coachman was deaf, and Esther the only one who
8257 ever took any notice of the young lady.
8258 
8259 Esther was a Frenchwoman, who had lived with 'Madame', as she called her
8260 mistress, for many years, and who rather tyrannized over the old lady,
8261 who could not get along without her. Her real name was Estelle, but
8262 Aunt March ordered her to change it, and she obeyed, on condition that
8263 she was never asked to change her religion.  She took a fancy to
8264 Mademoiselle, and amused her very much with odd stories of her life in
8265 France, when Amy sat with her while she got up Madame's laces.  She
8266 also allowed her to roam about the great house, and examine the curious
8267 and pretty things stored away in the big wardrobes and the ancient
8268 chests, for Aunt March hoarded like a magpie.  Amy's chief delight was
8269 an Indian cabinet, full of queer drawers, little pigeonholes, and
8270 secret places, in which were kept all sorts of ornaments, some
8271 precious, some merely curious, all more or less antique. To examine and
8272 arrange these things gave Amy great satisfaction, especially the jewel
8273 cases, in which on velvet cushions reposed the ornaments which had
8274 adorned a belle forty years ago.  There was the garnet set which Aunt
8275 March wore when she came out, the pearls her father gave her on her
8276 wedding day, her lover's diamonds, the jet mourning rings and pins, the
8277 queer lockets, with portraits of dead friends and weeping willows made
8278 of hair inside, the baby bracelets her one little daughter had worn,
8279 Uncle March's big watch, with the red seal so many childish hands had
8280 played with, and in a box all by itself lay Aunt March's wedding ring,
8281 too small now for her fat finger, but put carefully away like the most
8282 precious jewel of them all.
8283 
8284 "Which would Mademoiselle choose if she had her will?" asked Esther,
8285 who always sat near to watch over and lock up the valuables.
8286 
8287 "I like the diamonds best, but there is no necklace among them, and I'm
8288 fond of necklaces, they are so becoming.  I should choose this if I
8289 might," replied Amy, looking with great admiration at a string of gold
8290 and ebony beads from which hung a heavy cross of the same.
8291 
8292 "I, too, covet that, but not as a necklace.  Ah, no!  To me it is a
8293 rosary, and as such I should use it like a good catholic," said Esther,
8294 eyeing the handsome thing wistfully.
8295 
8296 "Is it meant to use as you use the string of good-smelling wooden beads
8297 hanging over your glass?" asked Amy.
8298 
8299 "Truly, yes, to pray with.  It would be pleasing to the saints if one
8300 used so fine a rosary as this, instead of wearing it as a vain bijou."
8301 
8302 "You seem to take a great deal of comfort in your prayers, Esther, and
8303 always come down looking quiet and satisfied.  I wish I could."
8304 
8305 "If Mademoiselle was a Catholic, she would find true comfort, but as
8306 that is not to be, it would be well if you went apart each day to
8307 meditate and pray, as did the good mistress whom I served before
8308 Madame.  She had a little chapel, and in it found solacement for much
8309 trouble."
8310 
8311 "Would it be right for me to do so too?" asked Amy, who in her
8312 loneliness felt the need of help of some sort, and found that she was
8313 apt to forget her little book, now that Beth was not there to remind
8314 her of it.
8315 
8316 "It would be excellent and charming, and I shall gladly arrange the
8317 little dressing room for you if you like it.  Say nothing to Madame,
8318 but when she sleeps go you and sit alone a while to think good
8319 thoughts, and pray the dear God preserve your sister."
8320 
8321 Esther was truly pious, and quite sincere in her advice, for she had an
8322 affectionate heart, and felt much for the sisters in their anxiety.
8323 Amy liked the idea, and gave her leave to arrange the light closet next
8324 her room, hoping it would do her good.
8325 
8326 "I wish I knew where all these pretty things would go when Aunt March
8327 dies," she said, as she slowly replaced the shining rosary and shut the
8328 jewel cases one by one.
8329 
8330 "To you and your sisters.  I know it, Madame confides in me. I
8331 witnessed her will, and it is to be so," whispered Esther smiling.
8332 
8333 
8334 "How nice!  But I wish she'd let us have them now. Procrastination is
8335 not agreeable," observed Amy, taking a last look at the diamonds.
8336 
8337 "It is too soon yet for the young ladies to wear these things. The
8338 first one who is affianced will have the pearls, Madame has said it,
8339 and I have a fancy that the little turquoise ring will be given to you
8340 when you go, for Madame approves your good behavior and charming
8341 manners."
8342 
8343 "Do you think so?  Oh, I'll be a lamb, if I can only have that lovely
8344 ring!  It's ever so much prettier than Kitty Bryant's.  I do like Aunt
8345 March after all." And Amy tried on the blue ring with a delighted face
8346 and a firm resolve to earn it.
8347 
8348 From that day she was a model of obedience, and the old lady
8349 complacently admired the success of her training.  Esther fitted up the
8350 closet with a little table, placed a footstool before it, and over it a
8351 picture taken from one of the shut-up rooms.  She thought it was of no
8352 great value, but, being appropriate, she borrowed it, well knowing that
8353 Madame would never know it, nor care if she did.  It was, however, a
8354 very valuable copy of one of the famous pictures of the world, and
8355 Amy's beauty-loving eyes were never tired of looking up at the sweet
8356 face of the Divine Mother, while her tender thoughts of her own were
8357 busy at her heart.  On the table she laid her little testament and
8358 hymnbook, kept a vase always full of the best flowers Laurie brought
8359 her, and came every day to 'sit alone' thinking good thoughts, and
8360 praying the dear God to preserve her sister.  Esther had given her a
8361 rosary of black beads with a silver cross, but Amy hung it up and did
8362 not use it, feeling doubtful as to its fitness for Protestant prayers.
8363 
8364 The little girl was very sincere in all this, for being left alone
8365 outside the safe home nest, she felt the need of some kind hand to hold
8366 by so sorely that she instinctively turned to the strong and tender
8367 Friend, whose fatherly love most closely surrounds His little children.
8368 She missed her mother's help to understand and rule herself, but having
8369 been taught where to look, she did her best to find the way and walk in
8370 it confidingly.  But, Amy was a young pilgrim, and just now her burden
8371 seemed very heavy. She tried to forget herself, to keep cheerful, and
8372 be satisfied with doing right, though no one saw or praised her for it.
8373 In her first effort at being very, very good, she decided to make her
8374 will, as Aunt March had done, so that if she did fall ill and die, her
8375 possessions might be justly and generously divided.  It cost her a pang
8376 even to think of giving up the little treasures which in her eyes were
8377 as precious as the old lady's jewels.
8378 
8379 During one of her play hours she wrote out the important document as
8380 well as she could, with some help from Esther as to certain legal
8381 terms, and when the good-natured Frenchwoman had signed her name, Amy
8382 felt relieved and laid it by to show Laurie, whom she wanted as a
8383 second witness.  As it was a rainy day, she went upstairs to amuse
8384 herself in one of the large chambers, and took Polly with her for
8385 company.  In this room there was a wardrobe full of old-fashioned
8386 costumes with which Esther allowed her to play, and it was her favorite
8387 amusement to array herself in the faded brocades, and parade up and
8388 down before the long mirror, making stately curtsies, and sweeping her
8389 train about with a rustle which delighted her ears.  So busy was she on
8390 this day that she did not hear Laurie's ring nor see his face peeping
8391 in at her as she gravely promenaded to and fro, flirting her fan and
8392 tossing her head, on which she wore a great pink turban, contrasting
8393 oddly with her blue brocade dress and yellow quilted petticoat.  She
8394 was obliged to walk carefully, for she had on high-heeled shoes, and, as
8395 Laurie told Jo afterward, it was a comical sight to see her mince along
8396 in her gay suit, with Polly sidling and bridling just behind her,
8397 imitating her as well as he could, and occasionally stopping to laugh
8398 or exclaim, "Ain't we fine? Get along, you fright!  Hold your tongue!
8399 Kiss me, dear!  Ha! Ha!"
8400 
8401 Having with difficulty restrained an explosion of merriment, lest it
8402 should offend her majesty, Laurie tapped and was graciously received.
8403 
8404 "Sit down and rest while I put these things away, then I want to
8405 consult you about a very serious matter," said Amy, when she had shown
8406 her splendor and driven Polly into a corner.  "That bird is the trial
8407 of my life," she continued, removing the pink mountain from her head,
8408 while Laurie seated himself astride a chair.
8409 
8410 "Yesterday, when Aunt was asleep and I was trying to be as still as a
8411 mouse, Polly began to squall and flap about in his cage, so I went to
8412 let him out, and found a big spider there.  I poked it out, and it ran
8413 under the bookcase.  Polly marched straight after it, stooped down and
8414 peeped under the bookcase, saying, in his funny way, with a cock of his
8415 eye, 'Come out and take a walk, my dear.' I couldn't help laughing,
8416 which made Poll swear, and Aunt woke up and scolded us both."
8417 
8418 "Did the spider accept the old fellow's invitation?" asked Laurie,
8419 yawning.
8420 
8421 "Yes, out it came, and away ran Polly, frightened to death, and
8422 scrambled up on Aunt's chair, calling out, 'Catch her! Catch her! Catch
8423 her!' as I chased the spider."
8424 
8425 "That's a lie!  Oh, lor!" cried the parrot, pecking at Laurie's toes.
8426 
8427 "I'd wring your neck if you were mine, you old torment," cried Laurie,
8428 shaking his fist at the bird, who put his head on one side and gravely
8429 croaked, "Allyluyer! bless your buttons, dear!"
8430 
8431 "Now I'm ready," said Amy, shutting the wardrobe and taking a piece of
8432 paper out of her pocket.  "I want you to read that, please, and tell me
8433 if it is legal and right.  I felt I ought to do it, for life is
8434 uncertain and I don't want any ill feeling over my tomb."
8435 
8436 Laurie bit his lips, and turning a little from the pensive speaker,
8437 read the following document, with praiseworthy gravity, considering the
8438 spelling:
8439 
8440 MY LAST WILL AND TESTIMENT
8441 
8442 I, Amy Curtis March, being in my sane mind, go give and bequeethe all
8443 my earthly property -- viz. to wit: -- namely
8444 
8445 To my father, my best pictures, sketches, maps, and works of art,
8446 including frames.  Also my $100, to do what he likes with.
8447 
8448 To my mother, all my clothes, except the blue apron with pockets -- also
8449 my likeness, and my medal, with much love.
8450 
8451 To my dear sister Margaret, I give my turkquoise ring (if I get it),
8452 also my green box with the doves on it, also my piece of real lace for
8453 her neck, and my sketch of her as a memorial of her 'little girl'.
8454 
8455 To Jo I leave my breastpin, the one mended with sealing wax, also my
8456 bronze inkstand -- she lost the cover -- and my most precious plaster
8457 rabbit, because I am sorry I burned up her story.
8458 
8459 To Beth (if she lives after me) I give my dolls and the little bureau,
8460 my fan, my linen collars and my new slippers if she can wear them being
8461 thin when she gets well.  And I herewith also leave her my regret that
8462 I ever made fun of old Joanna.
8463 
8464 To my friend and neighbor Theodore Laurence I bequeethe my paper mashay
8465 portfolio, my clay model of a horse though he did say it hadn't any
8466 neck.  Also in return for his great kindness in the hour of affliction
8467 any one of my artistic works he likes, Noter Dame is the best.
8468 
8469 To our venerable benefactor Mr. Laurence I leave my purple box with a
8470 looking glass in the cover which will be nice for his pens and remind
8471 him of the departed girl who thanks him for his favors to her family,
8472 especially Beth.
8473 
8474 I wish my favorite playmate Kitty Bryant to have the blue silk apron
8475 and my gold-bead ring with a kiss.
8476 
8477 To Hannah I give the bandbox she wanted and all the patchwork I leave
8478 hoping she 'will remember me, when it you see'.
8479 
8480 And now having disposed of my most valuable property I hope all will be
8481 satisfied and not blame the dead.  I forgive everyone, and trust we may
8482 all meet when the trump shall sound.  Amen.
8483 
8484 To this will and testiment I set my hand and seal on this 20th day of
8485 Nov.  Anni Domino 1861.
8486 
8487 Amy Curtis March
8488 
8489 Witnesses:
8490 
8491 Estelle Valnor, Theodore Laurence.
8492 
8493 
8494 The last name was written in pencil, and Amy explained that he was to
8495 rewrite it in ink and seal it up for her properly.
8496 
8497 "What put it into your head?  Did anyone tell you about Beth's giving
8498 away her things?" asked Laurie soberly, as Amy laid a bit of red tape,
8499 with sealing wax, a taper, and a standish before him.
8500 
8501 She explained and then asked anxiously, "What about Beth?"
8502 
8503 "I'm sorry I spoke, but as I did, I'll tell you.  She felt so ill one
8504 day that she told Jo she wanted to give her piano to Meg, her cats to
8505 you, and the poor old doll to Jo, who would love it for her sake.  She
8506 was sorry she had so little to give, and left locks of hair to the rest
8507 of us, and her best love to Grandpa.  She never thought of a will."
8508 
8509 Laurie was signing and sealing as he spoke, and did not look up till a
8510 great tear dropped on the paper.  Amy's face was full of trouble, but
8511 she only said, "Don't people put sort of postscripts to their wills,
8512 sometimes?"
8513 
8514 "Yes, 'codicils', they call them."
8515 
8516 "Put one in mine then, that I wish all my curls cut off, and given
8517 round to my friends.  I forgot it, but I want it done though it will
8518 spoil my looks."
8519 
8520 Laurie added it, smiling at Amy's last and greatest sacrifice. Then he
8521 amused her for an hour, and was much interested in all her trials.  But
8522 when he came to go, Amy held him back to whisper with trembling lips,
8523 "Is there really any danger about Beth?"
8524 
8525 "I'm afraid there is, but we must hope for the best, so don't cry,
8526 dear."  And Laurie put his arm about her with a brotherly gesture which
8527 was very comforting.
8528 
8529 When he had gone, she went to her little chapel, and sitting in the
8530 twilight, prayed for Beth, with streaming tears and an aching heart,
8531 feeling that a million turquoise rings would not console her for the
8532 loss of her gentle little sister.
8533 
8534 
8535 
8536 CHAPTER TWENTY
8537 
8538 CONFIDENTIAL
8539 
8540 I don't think I have any words in which to tell the meeting of the
8541 mother and daughters.  Such hours are beautiful to live, but very hard
8542 to describe, so I will leave it to the imagination of my readers,
8543 merely saying that the house was full of genuine happiness, and that
8544 Meg's tender hope was realized, for when Beth woke from that long,
8545 healing sleep, the first objects on which her eyes fell were the little
8546 rose and Mother's face.  Too weak to wonder at anything, she only
8547 smiled and nestled close in the loving arms about her, feeling that the
8548 hungry longing was satisfied at last.  Then she slept again, and the
8549 girls waited upon their mother, for she would not unclasp the thin hand
8550 which clung to hers even in sleep.
8551 
8552 Hannah had 'dished up' an astonishing breakfast for the traveler,
8553 finding it impossible to vent her excitement in any other way, and Meg
8554 and Jo fed their mother like dutiful young storks, while they listened
8555 to her whispered account of Father's state, Mr. Brooke's promise to
8556 stay and nurse him, the delays which the storm occasioned on the
8557 homeward journey, and the unspeakable comfort Laurie's hopeful face had
8558 given her when she arrived, worn out with fatigue, anxiety, and cold.
8559 
8560 What a strange yet pleasant day that was.  So brilliant and gay
8561 without, for all the world seemed abroad to welcome the first snow.  So
8562 quiet and reposeful within, for everyone slept, spent with watching,
8563 and a Sabbath stillness reigned through the house, while nodding Hannah
8564 mounted guard at the door.  With a blissful sense of burdens lifted
8565 off, Meg and Jo closed their weary eyes, and lay at rest, like
8566 storm-beaten boats safe at anchor in a quiet harbor.  Mrs. March would
8567 not leave Beth's side, but rested in the big chair, waking often to
8568 look at, touch, and brood over her child, like a miser over some
8569 recovered treasure.
8570 
8571 Laurie meanwhile posted off to comfort Amy, and told his story so well
8572 that Aunt March actually 'sniffed' herself, and never once said "I told
8573 you so".  Amy came out so strong on this occasion that I think the good
8574 thoughts in the little chapel really began to bear fruit.  She dried
8575 her tears quickly, restrained her impatience to see her mother, and
8576 never even thought of the turquoise ring, when the old lady heartily
8577 agreed in Laurie's opinion, that she behaved 'like a capital little
8578 woman'.  Even Polly seemed impressed, for he called her a good girl,
8579 blessed her buttons, and begged her to "come and take a walk, dear", in
8580 his most affable tone.  She would very gladly have gone out to enjoy
8581 the bright wintry weather, but discovering that Laurie was dropping
8582 with sleep in spite of manful efforts to conceal the fact, she
8583 persuaded him to rest on the sofa, while she wrote a note to her
8584 mother.  She was a long time about it, and when she returned, he was
8585 stretched out with both arms under his head, sound asleep, while Aunt
8586 March had pulled down the curtains and sat doing nothing in an unusual
8587 fit of benignity.
8588 
8589 After a while, they began to think he was not going to wake up till
8590 night, and I'm not sure that he would, had he not been effectually
8591 roused by Amy's cry of joy at sight of her mother. There probably were
8592 a good many happy little girls in and about the city that day, but it
8593 is my private opinion that Amy was the happiest of all, when she sat in
8594 her mother's lap and told her trials, receiving consolation and
8595 compensation in the shape of approving smiles and fond caresses.  They
8596 were alone together in the chapel, to which her mother did not object
8597 when its purpose was explained to her.
8598 
8599 "On the contrary, I like it very much, dear," looking from the dusty
8600 rosary to the well-worn little book, and the lovely picture with its
8601 garland of evergreen.  "It is an excellent plan to have some place
8602 where we can go to be quiet, when things vex or grieve us.  There are a
8603 good many hard times in this life of ours, but we can always bear them
8604 if we ask help in the right way.  I think my little girl is learning
8605 this."
8606 
8607 "Yes, Mother, and when I go home I mean to have a corner in the big
8608 closet to put my books and the copy of that picture which I've tried to
8609 make.  The woman's face is not good, it's too beautiful for me to draw,
8610 but the baby is done better, and I love it very much.  I like to think
8611 He was a little child once, for then I don't seem so far away, and that
8612 helps me."
8613 
8614 As Amy pointed to the smiling Christ child on his Mother's knee, Mrs.
8615 March saw something on the lifted hand that made her smile.  She said
8616 nothing, but Amy understood the look, and after a minute's pause, she
8617 added gravely, "I wanted to speak to you about this, but I forgot it.
8618 Aunt gave me the ring today.  She called me to her and kissed me, and
8619 put it on my finger, and said I was a credit to her, and she'd like to
8620 keep me always. She gave that funny guard to keep the turquoise on, as
8621 it's too big.  I'd like to wear them Mother, can I?"
8622 
8623 "They are very pretty, but I think you're rather too young for such
8624 ornaments, Amy," said Mrs. March, looking at the plump little hand,
8625 with the band of sky-blue stones on the forefinger, and the quaint
8626 guard formed of two tiny golden hands clasped together.
8627 
8628 "I'll try not to be vain," said Amy.  "I don't think I like it only
8629 because it's so pretty, but I want to wear it as the girl in the story
8630 wore her bracelet, to remind me of something."
8631 
8632 "Do you mean Aunt March?" asked her mother, laughing.
8633 
8634 "No, to remind me not to be selfish."  Amy looked so earnest and
8635 sincere about it that her mother stopped laughing, and listened
8636 respectfully to the little plan.
8637 
8638 "I've thought a great deal lately about my 'bundle of naughties', and
8639 being selfish is the largest one in it, so I'm going to try hard to
8640 cure it, if I can.  Beth isn't selfish, and that's the reason everyone
8641 loves her and feels so bad at the thoughts of losing her.  People
8642 wouldn't feel so bad about me if I was sick, and I don't deserve to
8643 have them, but I'd like to be loved and missed by a great many friends,
8644 so I'm going to try and be like Beth all I can.  I'm apt to forget my
8645 resolutions, but if I had something always about me to remind me, I
8646 guess I should do better.  May we try this way?"
8647 
8648 "Yes, but I have more faith in the corner of the big closet. Wear your
8649 ring, dear, and do your best.  I think you will prosper, for the
8650 sincere wish to be good is half the battle.  Now I must go back to
8651 Beth.  Keep up your heart, little daughter, and we will soon have you
8652 home again."
8653 
8654 That evening while Meg was writing to her father to report the
8655 traveler's safe arrival, Jo slipped upstairs into Beth's room, and
8656 finding her mother in her usual place, stood a minute twisting her
8657 fingers in her hair, with a worried gesture and an undecided look.
8658 
8659 "What is it, deary?" asked Mrs. March, holding out her hand, with a
8660 face which invited confidence.
8661 
8662 "I want to tell you something, Mother."
8663 
8664 "About Meg?"
8665 
8666 "How quickly you guessed!  Yes, it's about her, and though it's a
8667 little thing, it fidgets me."
8668 
8669 "Beth is asleep.  Speak low, and tell me all about it.  That Moffat
8670 hasn't been here, I hope?" asked Mrs. March rather sharply.
8671 
8672 "No.  I should have shut the door in his face if he had," said Jo,
8673 settling herself on the floor at her mother's feet.  "Last summer Meg
8674 left a pair of gloves over at the Laurences' and only one was returned.
8675 We forgot about it, till Teddy told me that Mr. Brooke owned that he
8676 liked Meg but didn't dare say so, she was so young and he so poor.
8677 Now, isn't it a dreadful state of things?"
8678 
8679 "Do you think Meg cares for him?" asked Mrs. March, with an anxious
8680 look.
8681 
8682 "Mercy me!  I don't know anything about love and such nonsense!" cried
8683 Jo, with a funny mixture of interest and contempt. "In novels, the
8684 girls show it by starting and blushing, fainting away, growing thin,
8685 and acting like fools.  Now Meg does not do anything of the sort.  She
8686 eats and drinks and sleeps like a sensible creature, she looks straight
8687 in my face when I talk about that man, and only blushes a little bit
8688 when Teddy jokes about lovers.  I forbid him to do it, but he doesn't
8689 mind me as he ought."
8690 
8691 "Then you fancy that Meg is not interested in John?"
8692 
8693 "Who?" cried Jo, staring.
8694 
8695 "Mr. Brooke.  I call him 'John' now.  We fell into the way of doing so
8696 at the hospital, and he likes it."
8697 
8698 "Oh, dear!  I know you'll take his part.  He's been good to Father, and
8699 you won't send him away, but let Meg marry him, if she wants to.  Mean
8700 thing!  To go petting Papa and helping you, just to wheedle you into
8701 liking him." And Jo pulled her hair again with a wrathful tweak.
8702 
8703 "My dear, don't get angry about it, and I will tell you how it
8704 happened.  John went with me at Mr. Laurence's request, and was so
8705 devoted to poor Father that we couldn't help getting fond of him.  He
8706 was perfectly open and honorable about Meg, for he told us he loved
8707 her, but would earn a comfortable home before he asked her to marry
8708 him.  He only wanted our leave to love her and work for her, and the
8709 right to make her love him if he could. He is a truly excellent young
8710 man, and we could not refuse to listen to him, but I will not consent
8711 to Meg's engaging herself so young."
8712 
8713 "Of course not.  It would be idiotic!  I knew there was mischief
8714 brewing.  I felt it, and now it's worse than I imagined. I just wish I
8715 could marry Meg myself, and keep her safe in the family."
8716 
8717 This odd arrangement made Mrs. March smile, but she said gravely, "Jo,
8718 I confide in you and don't wish you to say anything to Meg yet.  When
8719 John comes back, and I see them together, I can judge better of her
8720 feelings toward him."
8721 
8722 "She'll see those handsome eyes that she talks about, and then it will
8723 be all up with her.  She's got such a soft heart, it will melt like
8724 butter in the sun if anyone looks sentimentlly at her.  She read the
8725 short reports he sent more than she did your letters, and pinched me
8726 when I spoke of it, and likes brown eyes, and doesn't think John an
8727 ugly name, and she'll go and fall in love, and there's an end of peace
8728 and fun, and cozy times together. I see it all!  They'll go lovering
8729 around the house, and we shall have to dodge.  Meg will be absorbed and
8730 no good to me any more. Brooke will scratch up a fortune somehow, carry
8731 her off, and make a hole in the family, and I shall break my heart, and
8732 everything will be abominably uncomfortable.  Oh, dear me!  Why weren't
8733 we all boys, then there wouldn't be any bother."
8734 
8735 Jo leaned her chin on her knees in a disconsolate attitude and shook
8736 her fist at the reprehensible John.  Mrs. March sighed, and Jo looked
8737 up with an air of relief.
8738 
8739 "You don't like it, Mother?  I'm glad of it.  Let's send him about his
8740 business, and not tell Meg a word of it, but all be happy together as
8741 we always have been."
8742 
8743 "I did wrong to sigh, Jo.  It is natural and right you should all go to
8744 homes of your own in time, but I do want to keep my girls as long as I
8745 can, and I am sorry that this happened so soon, for Meg is only
8746 seventeen and it will be some years before John can make a home for
8747 her.  Your father and I have agreed that she shall not bind herself in
8748 any way, nor be married, before twenty.  If she and John love one
8749 another, they can wait, and test the love by doing so.  She is
8750 conscientious, and I have no fear of her treating him unkindly.  My
8751 pretty, tender hearted girl!  I hope things will go happily with her."
8752 
8753 "Hadn't you rather have her marry a rich man?" asked Jo, as her
8754 mother's voice faltered a little over the last words.
8755 
8756 "Money is a good and useful thing, Jo, and I hope my girls will never
8757 feel the need of it too bitterly, nor be tempted by too much.  I should
8758 like to know that John was firmly established in some good business,
8759 which gave him an income large enough to keep free from debt and make
8760 Meg comfortable.  I'm not ambitious for a splendid fortune, a
8761 fashionable position, or a great name for my girls.  If rank and money
8762 come with love and virtue, also, I should accept them gratefully, and
8763 enjoy your good fortune, but I know, by experience, how much genuine
8764 happiness can be had in a plain little house, where the daily bread is
8765 earned, and some privations give sweetness to the few pleasures.  I am
8766 content to see Meg begin humbly, for if I am not mistaken, she will be
8767 rich in the possession of a good man's heart, and that is better than a
8768 fortune."
8769 
8770 "I understand, Mother, and quite agree, but I'm disappointed about Meg,
8771 for I'd planned to have her marry Teddy by-and-by and sit in the lap of
8772 luxury all her days.  Wouldn't it be nice?" asked Jo, looking up with a
8773 brighter face.
8774 
8775 "He is younger than she, you know," began Mrs. March, but Jo broke in...
8776 
8777 "Only a little, he's old for his age, and tall, and can be quite
8778 grown-up in his manners if he likes.  Then he's rich and generous and
8779 good, and loves us all, and I say it's a pity my plan is spoiled."
8780 
8781 "I'm afraid Laurie is hardly grown-up enough for Meg, and altogether
8782 too much of a weathercock just now for anyone to depend on.  Don't make
8783 plans, Jo, but let time and their own hearts mate your friends.  We
8784 can't meddle safely in such matters, and had better not get 'romantic
8785 rubbish' as you call it, into our heads, lest it spoil our friendship."
8786 
8787 "Well, I won't, but I hate to see things going all crisscross and
8788 getting snarled up, when a pull here and a snip there would straighten
8789 it out.  I wish wearing flatirons on our heads would keep us from
8790 growing up.  But buds will be roses, and kittens cats, more's the pity!"
8791 
8792 "What's that about flatirons and cats?" asked Meg, as she crept into
8793 the room with the finished letter in her hand.
8794 
8795 "Only one of my stupid speeches.  I'm going to bed.  Come, Peggy," said
8796 Jo, unfolding herself like an animated puzzle.
8797 
8798 "Quite right, and beautifully written.  Please add that I send my love
8799 to John," said Mrs. March, as she glanced over the letter and gave it
8800 back.
8801 
8802 "Do you call him 'John'?" asked Meg, smiling, with her innocent eyes
8803 looking down into her mother's.
8804 
8805 "Yes, he has been like a son to us, and we are very fond of him,"
8806 replied Mrs. March, returning the look with a keen one.
8807 
8808 "I'm glad of that, he is so lonely.  Good night, Mother, dear.  It is
8809 so inexpressibly comfortable to have you here," was Meg's answer.
8810 
8811 The kiss her mother gave her was a very tender one, and as she went
8812 away, Mrs. March said, with a mixture of satisfaction and regret, "She
8813 does not love John yet, but will soon learn to."
8814 
8815 
8816 
8817 CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
8818 
8819 LAURIE MAKES MISCHIEF, AND JO MAKES PEACE
8820 
8821 Jo's face was a study next day, for the secret rather weighed upon her,
8822 and she found it hard not to look mysterious and important.  Meg
8823 observed it, but did not trouble herself to make inquiries, for she had
8824 learned that the best way to manage Jo was by the law of contraries, so
8825 she felt sure of being told everything if she did not ask.  She was
8826 rather surprised, therefore, when the silence remained unbroken, and Jo
8827 assumed a patronizing air, which decidedly aggravated Meg, who in turn
8828 assumed an air of dignified reserve and devoted herself to her mother.
8829 This left Jo to her own devices, for Mrs. March had taken her place as
8830 nurse, and bade her rest, exercise, and amuse herself after her long
8831 confinement.  Amy being gone, Laurie was her only refuge, and much as
8832 she enjoyed his society, she rather dreaded him just then, for he was
8833 an incorrigible tease, and she feared he would coax the secret from her.
8834 
8835 She was quite right, for the mischief-loving lad no sooner suspected a
8836 mystery than he set himself to find it out, and led Jo a trying life of
8837 it.  He wheedled, bribed, ridiculed, threatened, and scolded; affected
8838 indifference, that he might surprise the truth from her; declared he
8839 knew, then that he didn't care; and at last, by dint of perseverance,
8840 he satisfied himself that it concerned Meg and Mr. Brooke.  Feeling
8841 indignant that he was not taken into his tutor's confidence, he set his
8842 wits to work to devise some proper retaliation for the slight.
8843 
8844 Meg meanwhile had apparently forgotten the matter and was absorbed in
8845 preparations for her father's return, but all of a sudden a change
8846 seemed to come over her, and, for a day or two, she was quite unlike
8847 herself.  She started when spoken to, blushed when looked at, was very
8848 quiet, and sat over her sewing, with a timid, troubled look on her
8849 face.  To her mother's inquiries she answered that she was quite well,
8850 and Jo's she silenced by begging to be let alone.
8851 
8852 "She feels it in the air -- love, I mean -- and she's going very fast.
8853 She's got most of the symptoms -- is twittery and cross, doesn't eat,
8854 lies awake, and mopes in corners.  I caught her singing that song he
8855 gave her, and once she said 'John', as you do, and then turned as red
8856 as a poppy.  Whatever shall we do?" said Jo, looking ready for any
8857 measures, however violent.
8858 
8859 "Nothing but wait.  Let her alone, be kind and patient, and Father's
8860 coming will settle everything," replied her mother.
8861 
8862 "Here's a note to you, Meg, all sealed up.  How odd! Teddy never seals
8863 mine," said Jo next day, as she distributed the contents of the little
8864 post office.
8865 
8866 Mrs. March and Jo were deep in their own affairs, when a sound from Meg
8867 made them look up to see her staring at her note with a frightened face.
8868 
8869 "My child, what is it?" cried her mother, running to her, while Jo
8870 tried to take the paper which had done the mischief.
8871 
8872 "It's all a mistake, he didn't send it.  Oh, Jo, how could you do it?"
8873 and Meg hid her face in her hands, crying as if her heart were quite
8874 broken.
8875 
8876 "Me!  I've done nothing!  What's she talking about?" cried Jo,
8877 bewildered.
8878 
8879 Meg's mild eyes kindled with anger as she pulled a crumpled note from
8880 her pocket and threw it at Jo, saying reproachfully, "You wrote it, and
8881 that bad boy helped you.  How could you be so rude, so mean, and cruel
8882 to us both?"
8883 
8884 Jo hardly heard her, for she and her mother were reading the note,
8885 which was written in a peculiar hand.
8886 
8887 
8888 "My Dearest Margaret,
8889 
8890 "I can no longer restrain my passion, and must know my fate before I
8891 return.  I dare not tell your parents yet, but I think they would
8892 consent if they knew that we adored one another.  Mr. Laurence will
8893 help me to some good place, and then, my sweet girl, you will make me
8894 happy.  I implore you to say nothing to your family yet, but to send
8895 one word of hope through Laurie to,
8896 
8897 "Your devoted John."
8898 
8899 
8900 "Oh, the little villain!  That's the way he meant to pay me for keeping
8901 my word to Mother.  I'll give him a hearty scolding and bring him over
8902 to beg pardon," cried Jo, burning to execute immediate justice.  But
8903 her mother held her back, saying, with a look she seldom wore...
8904 
8905 "Stop, Jo, you must clear yourself first.  You have played so many
8906 pranks that I am afraid you have had a hand in this."
8907 
8908 "On my word, Mother, I haven't!  I never saw that note before, and
8909 don't know anything about it, as true as I live!" said Jo, so earnestly
8910 that they believed her.  "If I had taken part in it I'd have done it
8911 better than this, and have written a sensible note.  I should think
8912 you'd have known Mr. Brooke wouldn't write such stuff as that," she
8913 added, scornfully tossing down the paper.
8914 
8915 "It's like his writing," faltered Meg, comparing it with the note in
8916 her hand.
8917 
8918 "Oh, Meg, you didn't answer it?" cried Mrs. March quickly.
8919 
8920 "Yes, I did!" and Meg hid her face again, overcome with shame.
8921 
8922 "Here's a scrape!  Do let me bring that wicked boy over to explain and
8923 be lectured.  I can't rest till I get hold of him." And Jo made for the
8924 door again.
8925 
8926 "Hush!  Let me handle this, for it is worse than I thought. Margaret,
8927 tell me the whole story," commanded Mrs. March, sitting down by Meg,
8928 yet keeping hold of Jo, lest she should fly off.
8929 
8930 "I received the first letter from Laurie, who didn't look as if he knew
8931 anything about it," began Meg, without looking up. "I was worried at
8932 first and meant to tell you, then I remembered how you liked Mr.
8933 Brooke, so I thought you wouldn't mind if I kept my little secret for a
8934 few days.  I'm so silly that I liked to think no one knew, and while I
8935 was deciding what to say, I felt like the girls in books, who have such
8936 things to do.  Forgive me, Mother, I'm paid for my silliness now.  I
8937 never can look him in the face again."
8938 
8939 "What did you say to him?" asked Mrs. March.
8940 
8941 "I only said I was too young to do anything about it yet, that I didn't
8942 wish to have secrets from you, and he must speak to father.  I was very
8943 grateful for his kindness, and would be his friend, but nothing more,
8944 for a long while."
8945 
8946 Mrs. March smiled, as if well pleased, and Jo clapped her hands,
8947 exclaiming, with a laugh, "You are almost equal to Caroline Percy, who
8948 was a pattern of prudence!  Tell on, Meg. What did he say to that?"
8949 
8950 "He writes in a different way entirely, telling me that he never sent
8951 any love letter at all, and is very sorry that my roguish sister, Jo,
8952 should take liberties with our names.  It's very kind and respectful,
8953 but think how dreadful for me!"
8954 
8955 Meg leaned against her mother, looking the image of despair, and Jo
8956 tramped about the room, calling Laurie names.  All of a sudden she
8957 stopped, caught up the two notes, and after looking at them closely,
8958 said decidedly, "I don't believe Brooke ever saw either of these
8959 letters.  Teddy wrote both, and keeps yours to crow over me with
8960 because I wouldn't tell him my secret."
8961 
8962 "Don't have any secrets, Jo.  Tell it to Mother and keep out of
8963 trouble, as I should have done," said Meg warningly.
8964 
8965 "Bless you, child!  Mother told me."
8966 
8967 "That will do, Jo.  I'll comfort Meg while you go and get Laurie.  I
8968 shall sift the matter to the bottom, and put a stop to such pranks at
8969 once."
8970 
8971 Away ran Jo, and Mrs. March gently told Meg Mr. Brooke's real feelings.
8972 "Now, dear, what are your own?  Do you love him enough to wait till he
8973 can make a home for you, or will you keep yourself quite free for the
8974 present?"
8975 
8976 "I've been so scared and worried, I don't want to have anything to do
8977 with lovers for a long while, perhaps never," answered Meg petulantly.
8978 "If John doesn't know anything about this nonsense, don't tell him, and
8979 make Jo and Laurie hold their tongues.  I won't be deceived and plagued
8980 and made a fool of. It's a shame!"
8981 
8982 Seeing Meg's usually gentle temper was roused and her pride hurt by
8983 this mischievous joke, Mrs. March soothed her by promises of entire
8984 silence and great discretion for the future.  The instant Laurie's step
8985 was heard in the hall, Meg fled into the study, and Mrs. March received
8986 the culprit alone. Jo had not told him why he was wanted, fearing he
8987 wouldn't come, but he knew the minute he saw Mrs. March's face, and
8988 stood twirling his hat with a guilty air which convicted him at once.
8989 Jo was dismissed, but chose to march up and down the hall like a
8990 sentinel, having some fear that the prisoner might bolt.  The sound of
8991 voices in the parlor rose and fell for half an hour, but what happened
8992 during that interview the girls never knew.
8993 
8994 When they were called in, Laurie was standing by their mother with such
8995 a penitent face that Jo forgave him on the spot, but did not think it
8996 wise to betray the fact.  Meg received his humble apology, and was much
8997 comforted by the assurance that Brooke knew nothing of the joke.
8998 
8999 "I'll never tell him to my dying day, wild horses shan't drag it out of
9000 me, so you'll forgive me, Meg, and I'll do anything to show how
9001 out-and-out sorry I am," he added, looking very much ashamed of himself.
9002 
9003 "I'll try, but it was a very ungentlemanly thing to do, I didn't think
9004 you could be so sly and malicious, Laurie," replied Meg, trying to hide
9005 her maidenly confusion under a gravely reproachful air.
9006 
9007 "It was altogether abominable, and I don't deserve to be spoken to for
9008 a month, but you will, though, won't you?" And Laurie folded his hands
9009 together with such and imploring gesture, as he spoke in his
9010 irresistibly persuasive tone, that it was impossible to frown upon him
9011 in spite of his scandalous behavior.
9012 
9013 Meg pardoned him, and Mrs. March's grave face relaxed, in spite of her
9014 efforts to keep sober, when she heard him declare that he would atone
9015 for his sins by all sorts of penances, and abase himself like a worm
9016 before the injured damsel.
9017 
9018 Jo stood aloof, meanwhile, trying to harden her heart against him, and
9019 succeeding only in primming up her face into an expression of entire
9020 disapprobation.  Laurie looked at her once or twice, but as she showed
9021 no sign of relenting, he felt injured, and turned his back on her till
9022 the others were done with him, when he made her a low bow and walked
9023 off without a word.
9024 
9025 As soon as he had gone, she wished she had been more forgiving, and
9026 when Meg and her mother went upstairs, she felt lonely and longed for
9027 Teddy.  After resisting for some time, she yielded to the impulse, and
9028 armed with a book to return, went over to the big house.
9029 
9030 "Is Mr. Laurence in?" asked Jo, of a housemaid, who was coming
9031 downstairs.
9032 
9033 "Yes, Miss, but I don't believe he's seeable just yet."
9034 
9035 "Why not?  Is he ill?"
9036 
9037 "La, no Miss, but he's had a scene with Mr. Laurie, who is in one of
9038 his tantrums about something, which vexes the old gentleman, so I
9039 dursn't go nigh him."
9040 
9041 "Where is Laurie?"
9042 
9043 "Shut up in his room, and he won't answer, though I've been a-tapping.
9044 I don't know what's to become of the dinner, for it's ready, and
9045 there's no one to eat it."
9046 
9047 "I'll go and see what the matter is.  I'm not afraid of either of them."
9048 
9049 Up went Jo, and knocked smartly on the door of Laurie's little study.
9050 
9051 "Stop that, or I'll open the door and make you!" called out the young
9052 gentleman in a threatening tone.
9053 
9054 Jo immediately knocked again.  The door flew open, and in she bounced
9055 before Laurie could recover from his surprise.  Seeing that he really
9056 was out of temper, Jo, who knew how to manage him, assumed a contrite
9057 expression, and going artistically down upon her knees, said meekly,
9058 "Please forgive me for being so cross.  I came to make it up, and can't
9059 go away till I have."
9060 
9061 "It's all right.  Get up, and don't be a goose, Jo," was the cavalier
9062 reply to her petition.
9063 
9064 "Thank you, I will.  Could I ask what's the matter?  You don't look
9065 exactly easy in your mind."
9066 
9067 "I've been shaken, and I won't bear it!" growled Laurie indignantly.
9068 
9069 "Who did it?" demanded Jo.
9070 
9071 "Grandfather.  If it had been anyone else I'd have..." And the injured
9072 youth finished his sentence by an energetic gesture of the right arm.
9073 
9074 "That's nothing.  I often shake you, and you don't mind," said Jo
9075 soothingly.
9076 
9077 "Pooh!  You're a girl, and it's fun, but I'll allow no man to shake me!"
9078 
9079 "I don't think anyone would care to try it, if you looked as much like
9080 a thundercloud as you do now.  Why were you treated so?"
9081 
9082 "Just because I wouldn't say what your mother wanted me for. I'd
9083 promised not to tell, and of course I wasn't going to break my word."
9084 
9085 "Couldn't you satisfy your grandpa in any other way?"
9086 
9087 "No, he would have the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
9088 truth.  I'd have told my part of the scrape, if I could without
9089 bringing Meg in.  As I couldn't, I held my tongue, and bore the
9090 scolding till the old gentleman collared me.  Then I bolted, for fear I
9091 should forget myself."
9092 
9093 "It wasn't nice, but he's sorry, I know, so go down and make up.  I'll
9094 help you."
9095 
9096 "Hanged if I do!  I'm not going to be lectured and pummelled by
9097 everyone, just for a bit of a frolic.  I was sorry about Meg, and
9098 begged pardon like a man, but I won't do it again, when I wasn't in the
9099 wrong."
9100 
9101 "He didn't know that."
9102 
9103 "He ought to trust me, and not act as if I was a baby.  It's no use,
9104 Jo, he's got to learn that I'm able to take care of myself, and don't
9105 need anyone's apron string to hold on by."
9106 
9107 "What pepper pots you are!" sighed Jo.  "How do you mean to settle this
9108 affair?"
9109 
9110 "Well, he ought to beg pardon, and believe me when I say I can't tell
9111 him what the fuss's about."
9112 
9113 "Bless you!  He won't do that."
9114 
9115 "I won't go down till he does."
9116 
9117 "Now, Teddy, be sensible.  Let it pass, and I'll explain what I can.
9118 You can't stay here, so what's the use of being melodramatic?"
9119 
9120 "I don't intend to stay here long, anyway.  I'll slip off and take a
9121 journey somewhere, and when Grandpa misses me he'll come round fast
9122 enough."
9123 
9124 "I dare say, but you ought not to go and worry him."
9125 
9126 "Don't preach.  I'll go to Washington and see Brooke.  It's gay there,
9127 and I'll enjoy myself after the troubles."
9128 
9129 "What fun you'd have!  I wish I could run off too," said Jo, forgetting
9130 her part of mentor in lively visions of martial life at the capital.
9131 
9132 "Come on, then!  Why not?  You go and surprise your father, and I'll
9133 stir up old Brooke.  It would be a glorious joke.  Let's do it, Jo.
9134 We'll leave a letter saying we are all right, and trot off at once.
9135 I've got money enough.  It will do you good, and no harm, as you go to
9136 your father."
9137 
9138 For a moment Jo looked as if she would agree, for wild as the plan was,
9139 it just suited her.  She was tired of care and confinement, longed for
9140 change, and thoughts of her father blended temptingly with the novel
9141 charms of camps and hospitals, liberty and fun.  Her eyes kindled as
9142 they turned wistfully toward the window, but they fell on the old house
9143 opposite, and she shook her head with sorrowful decision.
9144 
9145 "If I was a boy, we'd run away together, and have a capital time, but
9146 as I'm a miserable girl, I must be proper and stop at home. Don't tempt
9147 me, Teddy, it's a crazy plan."
9148 
9149 "That's the fun of it," began Laurie, who had got a willful fit on him
9150 and was possessed to break out of bounds in some way.
9151 
9152 "Hold your tongue!" cried Jo, covering her ears.  "'Prunes and prisms'
9153 are my doom, and I may as well make up my mind to it.  I came here to
9154 moralize, not to hear things that make me skip to think of."
9155 
9156 "I know Meg would wet-blanket such a proposal, but I thought you had
9157 more spirit," began Laurie insinuatingly.
9158 
9159 "Bad boy, be quiet!  Sit down and think of your own sins, don't go
9160 making me add to mine.  If I get your grandpa to apologize for the
9161 shaking, will you give up running away?" asked Jo seriously.
9162 
9163 "Yes, but you won't do it," answered Laurie, who wished to make up, but
9164 felt that his outraged dignity must be appeased first.
9165 
9166 "If I can manage the young one, I can the old one," muttered Jo, as she
9167 walked away, leaving Laurie bent over a railroad map with his head
9168 propped up on both hands.
9169 
9170 "Come in!" and Mr. Laurence's gruff voice sounded gruffer than ever, as
9171 Jo tapped at his door.
9172 
9173 "It's only me, Sir, come to return a book," she said blandly, as she
9174 entered.
9175 
9176 "Want any more?" asked the old gentleman, looking grim and vexed, but
9177 trying not to show it.
9178 
9179 "Yes, please.  I like old Sam so well, I think I'll try the second
9180 volume," returned Jo, hoping to propitiate him by accepting a second
9181 dose of Boswell's Johnson, as he had recommended that lively work.
9182 
9183 The shaggy eyebrows unbent a little as he rolled the steps toward the
9184 shelf where the Johnsonian literature was placed.  Jo skipped up, and
9185 sitting on the top step, affected to be searching for her book, but was
9186 really wondering how best to introduce the dangerous object of her
9187 visit.  Mr. Laurence seemed to suspect that something was brewing in
9188 her mind, for after taking several brisk turns about the room, he faced
9189 round on her, speaking so abruptly that Rasselas tumbled face downward
9190 on the floor.
9191 
9192 "What has that boy been about?  Don't try to shield him.  I know he has
9193 been in mischief by the way he acted when he came home.  I can't get a
9194 word from him, and when I threatened to shake the truth out of him he
9195 bolted upstairs and locked himself into his room."
9196 
9197 "He did wrong, but we forgave him, and all promised not to say a word
9198 to anyone," began Jo reluctantly.
9199 
9200 "That won't do.  He shall not shelter himself behind a promise from you
9201 softhearted girls.  If he's done anything amiss, he shall confess, beg
9202 pardon, and be punished.  Out with it, Jo. I won't be kept in the dark."
9203 
9204 Mr. Laurence looked so alarming and spoke so sharply that Jo would have
9205 gladly run away, if she could, but she was perched aloft on the steps,
9206 and he stood at the foot, a lion in the path, so she had to stay and
9207 brave it out.
9208 
9209 "Indeed, Sir, I cannot tell.  Mother forbade it.  Laurie has confessed,
9210 asked pardon, and been punished quite enough.  We don't keep silence to
9211 shield him, but someone else, and it will make more trouble if you
9212 interfere.  Please don't.  It was partly my fault, but it's all right
9213 now.  So let's forget it, and talk about the _Rambler_ or something
9214 pleasant."
9215 
9216 "Hang the _Rambler!_  Come down and give me your word that this
9217 harum-scarum boy of mine hasn't done anything ungrateful or
9218 impertinent.  If he has, after all your kindness to him, I'll thrash
9219 him with my own hands."
9220 
9221 The threat sounded awful, but did not alarm Jo, for she knew the
9222 irascible old gentleman would never lift a finger against his grandson,
9223 whatever he might say to the contrary.  She obediently descended, and
9224 made as light of the prank as she could without betraying Meg or
9225 forgetting the truth.
9226 
9227 "Hum... ha... well, if the boy held his tongue because he promised, and
9228 not from obstinacy, I'll forgive him. He's a stubborn fellow and hard
9229 to manage," said Mr. Laurence, rubbing up his hair till it looked as if
9230 he had been out in a gale, and smoothing the frown from his brow with
9231 an air of relief.
9232 
9233 "So am I, but a kind word will govern me when all the king's horses and
9234 all the king's men couldn't," said Jo, trying to say a kind word for
9235 her friend, who seemed to get out of one scrape only to fall into
9236 another.
9237 
9238 "You think I'm not kind to him, hey?" was the sharp answer.
9239 
9240 "Oh, dear no, Sir.  You are rather too kind sometimes, and then just a
9241 trifle hasty when he tries your patience.  Don't you think you are?"
9242 
9243 Jo was determined to have it out now, and tried to look quite placid,
9244 though she quaked a little after her bold speech. To her great relief
9245 and surprise, the old gentleman only threw his spectacles onto the
9246 table with a rattle and exclaimed frankly, "You're right, girl, I am!
9247 I love the boy, but he tries my patience past bearing, and I know how
9248 it will end, if we go on so."
9249 
9250 "I'll tell you, he'll run away." Jo was sorry for that speech the
9251 minute it was made.  She meant to warn him that Laurie would not bear
9252 much restraint, and hoped he would be more forebearing with the lad.
9253 
9254 Mr. Laurence's ruddy face changed suddenly, and he sat down, with a
9255 troubled glance at the picture of a handsome man, which hung over his
9256 table.  It was Laurie's father, who had run away in his youth, and
9257 married against the imperious old man's will. Jo fancied he remembered
9258 and regretted the past, and she wished she had held her tongue.
9259 
9260 "He won't do it unless he is very much worried, and only threatens it
9261 sometimes, when he gets tired of studying.  I often think I should like
9262 to, especially since my hair was cut, so if you ever miss us, you may
9263 advertise for two boys and look among the ships bound for India."
9264 
9265 She laughed as she spoke, and Mr. Laurence looked relieved, evidently
9266 taking the whole as a joke.
9267 
9268 "You hussy, how dare you talk in that way?  Where's your respect for
9269 me, and your proper bringing up?  Bless the boys and girls!  What
9270 torments they are, yet we can't do without them," he said, pinching her
9271 cheeks good-humoredly.  "Go and bring that boy down to his dinner, tell
9272 him it's all right, and advise him not to put on tragedy airs with his
9273 grandfather.  I won't bear it."
9274 
9275 "He won't come, Sir.  He feels badly because you didn't believe him
9276 when he said he couldn't tell.  I think the shaking hurt his feelings
9277 very much."
9278 
9279 Jo tried to look pathetic but must have failed, for Mr. Laurence began
9280 to laugh, and she knew the day was won.
9281 
9282 "I'm sorry for that, and ought to thank him for not shaking me, I
9283 suppose.  What the dickens does the fellow expect?" and the old
9284 gentleman looked a trifle ashamed of his own testiness.
9285 
9286 "If I were you, I'd write him an apology, Sir.  He says he won't come
9287 down till he has one, and talks about Washington, and goes on in an
9288 absurd way.  A formal apology will make him see how foolish he is, and
9289 bring him down quite amiable.  Try it.  He likes fun, and this way is
9290 better than talking.  I'll carry it up, and teach him his duty."
9291 
9292 Mr. Laurence gave her a sharp look, and put on his spectacles, saying
9293 slowly, "You're a sly puss, but I don't mind being managed by you and
9294 Beth.  Here, give me a bit of paper, and let us have done with this
9295 nonsense."
9296 
9297 The note was written in the terms which one gentleman would use to
9298 another after offering some deep insult.  Jo dropped a kiss on the top
9299 of Mr. Laurence's bald head, and ran up to slip the apology under
9300 Laurie's door, advising him through the keyhole to be submissive,
9301 decorous, and a few other agreeable impossibilities. Finding the door
9302 locked again, she left the note to do its work, and was going quietly
9303 away, when the young gentleman slid down the banisters, and waited for
9304 her at the bottom, saying, with his most virtuous expression of
9305 countenance, "What a good fellow you are, Jo! Did you get blown up?" he
9306 added, laughing.
9307 
9308 "No, he was pretty mild, on the whole."
9309 
9310 "Ah!  I got it all round.  Even you cast me off over there, and I felt
9311 just ready to go to the deuce," he began apologetically.
9312 
9313 "Don't talk that way, turn over a new leaf and begin again, Teddy, my
9314 son."
9315 
9316 "I keep turning over new leaves, and spoiling them, as I used to spoil
9317 my copybooks, and I make so many beginnings there never will be an
9318 end," he said dolefully.
9319 
9320 "Go and eat your dinner, you'll feel better after it.  Men always croak
9321 when they are hungry," and Jo whisked out at the front door after that.
9322 
9323 "That's a 'label' on my 'sect'," answered Laurie, quoting Amy, as he
9324 went to partake of humble pie dutifully with his grandfather, who was
9325 quite saintly in temper and overwhelmingly respectful in manner all the
9326 rest of the day.
9327 
9328 Everyone thought the matter ended and the little cloud blown over, but
9329 the mischief was done, for though others forgot it, Meg remembered.
9330 She never alluded to a certain person, but she thought of him a good
9331 deal, dreamed dreams more than ever, and once Jo, rummaging her
9332 sister's desk for stamps, found a bit of paper scribbled over with the
9333 words, 'Mrs. John Brooke', whereat she groaned tragically and cast it
9334 into the fire, feeling that Laurie's prank had hastened the evil day
9335 for her.
9336 
9337 
9338 
9339 CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
9340 
9341 PLEASANT MEADOWS
9342 
9343 Like sunshine after a storm were the peaceful weeks which followed.
9344 The invalids improved rapidly, and Mr. March began to talk of returning
9345 early in the new year.  Beth was soon able to lie on the study sofa all
9346 day, amusing herself with the well-beloved cats at first, and in time
9347 with doll's sewing, which had fallen sadly behind-hand.  Her once
9348 active limbs were so stiff and feeble that Jo took her for a daily
9349 airing about the house in her strong arms.  Meg cheerfully blackened
9350 and burned her white hands cooking delicate messes for 'the dear',
9351 while Amy, a loyal slave of the ring, celebrated her return by giving
9352 away as many of her treasures as she could prevail on her sisters to
9353 accept.
9354 
9355 As Christmas approached, the usual mysteries began to haunt the house,
9356 and Jo frequently convulsed the family by proposing utterly impossible
9357 or magnificently absurd ceremonies, in honor of this unusually merry
9358 Christmas.  Laurie was equally impracticable, and would have had
9359 bonfires, skyrockets, and triumphal arches, if he had had his own way.
9360 After many skirmishes and snubbings, the ambitious pair were considered
9361 effectually quenched and went about with forlorn faces, which were
9362 rather belied by explosions of laughter when the two got together.
9363 
9364 Several days of unusually mild weather fitly ushered in a splendid
9365 Christmas Day.  Hannah 'felt in her bones' that it was going to be an
9366 unusually fine day, and she proved herself a true prophetess, for
9367 everybody and everything seemed bound to produce a grand success.  To
9368 begin with, Mr. March wrote that he should soon be with them, then Beth
9369 felt uncommonly well that morning, and, being dressed in her mother's
9370 gift, a soft crimson merino wrapper, was borne in high triumph to the
9371 window to behold the offering of Jo and Laurie.  The Unquenchables had
9372 done their best to be worthy of the name, for like elves they had
9373 worked by night and conjured up a comical surprise.  Out in the garden
9374 stood a stately snow maiden, crowned with holly, bearing a basket of
9375 fruit and flowers in one hand, a great roll of music in the other, a
9376 perfect rainbow of an Afghan round her chilly shoulders, and a
9377 Christmas carol issuing from her lips on a pink paper streamer.
9378 
9379     THE JUNGFRAU TO BETH
9380 
9381     God bless you, dear Queen Bess!
9382     May nothing you dismay,
9383     But health and peace and happiness
9384     Be yours, this Christmas day.
9385 
9386     Here's fruit to feed our busy bee,
9387     And flowers for her nose.
9388     Here's music for her pianee,
9389     An afghan for her toes,
9390 
9391     A portrait of Joanna, see,
9392     By Raphael No. 2,
9393     Who laboured with great industry
9394     To make it fair and true.
9395 
9396     Accept a ribbon red, I beg,
9397     For Madam Purrer's tail,
9398     And ice cream made by lovely Peg,
9399     A Mont Blanc in a pail.
9400 
9401     Their dearest love my makers laid
9402     Within my breast of snow.
9403     Accept it, and the Alpine maid,
9404     From Laurie and from Jo.
9405 
9406 How Beth laughed when she saw it, how Laurie ran up and down to bring
9407 in the gifts, and what ridiculous speeches Jo made as she presented
9408 them.
9409 
9410 "I'm so full of happiness, that if Father was only here, I couldn't
9411 hold one drop more," said Beth, quite sighing with contentment as Jo
9412 carried her off to the study to rest after the excitement, and to
9413 refresh herself with some of the delicious grapes the 'Jungfrau' had
9414 sent her.
9415 
9416 "So am I," added Jo, slapping the pocket wherein reposed the
9417 long-desired _Undine and Sintram_.
9418 
9419 "I'm sure I am," echoed Amy, poring over the engraved copy of the
9420 Madonna and Child, which her mother had given her in a pretty frame.
9421 
9422 "Of course I am!" cried Meg, smoothing the silvery folds of her first
9423 silk dress, for Mr. Laurence had insisted on giving it. "How can I be
9424 otherwise?" said Mrs. March gratefully, as her eyes went from her
9425 husband's letter to Beth's smiling face, and her hand caressed the
9426 brooch made of gray and golden, chestnut and dark brown hair, which the
9427 girls had just fastened on her breast.
9428 
9429 Now and then, in this workaday world, things do happen in the
9430 delightful storybook fashion, and what a comfort it is.  Half an hour
9431 after everyone had said they were so happy they could only hold one
9432 drop more, the drop came.  Laurie opened the parlor door and popped his
9433 head in very quietly.  He might just as well have turned a somersault
9434 and uttered an Indian war whoop, for his face was so full of suppressed
9435 excitement and his voice so treacherously joyful that everyone jumped
9436 up, though he only said, in a queer, breathless voice, "Here's another
9437 Christmas present for the March family."
9438 
9439 Before the words were well out of his mouth, he was whisked away
9440 somehow, and in his place appeared a tall man, muffled up to the eyes,
9441 leaning on the arm of another tall man, who tried to say something and
9442 couldn't.  Of course there was a general stampede, and for several
9443 minutes everybody seemed to lose their wits, for the strangest things
9444 were done, and no one said a word.
9445 
9446 Mr. March became invisible in the embrace of four pairs of loving arms.
9447 Jo disgraced herself by nearly fainting away, and had to be doctored by
9448 Laurie in the china closet.  Mr. Brooke kissed Meg entirely by mistake,
9449 as he somewhat incoherently explained.  And Amy, the dignified, tumbled
9450 over a stool, and never stopping to get up, hugged and cried over her
9451 father's boots in the most touching manner.  Mrs. March was the first
9452 to recover herself, and held up her hand with a warning, "Hush!
9453 Remember Beth."
9454 
9455 But it was too late.  The study door flew open, the little red wrapper
9456 appeared on the threshold, joy put strength into the feeble limbs, and
9457 Beth ran straight into her father's arms.  Never mind what happened
9458 just after that, for the full hearts overflowed, washing away the
9459 bitterness of the past and leaving only the sweetness of the present.
9460 
9461 It was not at all romantic, but a hearty laugh set everybody straight
9462 again, for Hannah was discovered behind the door, sobbing over the fat
9463 turkey, which she had forgotten to put down when she rushed up from the
9464 kitchen.  As the laugh subsided, Mrs. March began to thank Mr. Brooke
9465 for his faithful care of her husband, at which Mr. Brooke suddenly
9466 remembered that Mr. March needed rest, and seizing Laurie, he
9467 precipitately retired.  Then the two invalids were ordered to repose,
9468 which they did, by both sitting in one big chair and talking hard.
9469 
9470 Mr. March told how he had longed to surprise them, and how, when the
9471 fine weather came, he had been allowed by his doctor to take advantage
9472 of it, how devoted Brooke had been, and how he was altogether a most
9473 estimable and upright young man.  Why Mr. March paused a minute just
9474 there, and after a glance at Meg, who was violently poking the fire,
9475 looked at his wife with an inquiring lift of the eyebrows, I leave you
9476 to imagine.  Also why Mrs. March gently nodded her head and asked,
9477 rather abruptly, if he wouldn't like to have something to eat.  Jo saw
9478 and understood the look, and she stalked grimly away to get wine and
9479 beef tea, muttering to herself as she slammed the door, "I hate
9480 estimable young men with brown eyes!"
9481 
9482 There never was such a Christmas dinner as they had that day. The fat
9483 turkey was a sight to behold, when Hannah sent him up, stuffed,
9484 browned, and decorated.  So was the plum pudding, which melted in one's
9485 mouth, likewise the jellies, in which Amy reveled like a fly in a
9486 honeypot.  Everything turned out well, which was a mercy, Hannah said,
9487 "For my mind was that flustered, Mum, that it's a merrycle I didn't
9488 roast the pudding, and stuff the turkey with raisins, let alone bilin'
9489 of it in a cloth."
9490 
9491 Mr. Laurence and his grandson dined with them, also Mr. Brooke, at whom
9492 Jo glowered darkly, to Laurie's infinite amusement. Two easy chairs
9493 stood side by side at the head of the table, in which sat Beth and her
9494 father, feasting modestly on chicken and a little fruit.  They drank
9495 healths, told stories, sang songs, 'reminisced', as the old folks say,
9496 and had a thoroughly good time. A sleigh ride had been planned, but the
9497 girls would not leave their father, so the guests departed early, and
9498 as twilight gathered, the happy family sat together round the fire.
9499 
9500 "Just a year ago we were groaning over the dismal Christmas we expected
9501 to have.  Do you remember?" asked Jo, breaking a short pause which had
9502 followed a long conversation about many things.
9503 
9504 "Rather a pleasant year on the whole!" said Meg, smiling at the fire,
9505 and congratulating herself on having treated Mr. Brooke with dignity.
9506 
9507 "I think it's been a pretty hard one," observed Amy, watching the light
9508 shine on her ring with thoughtful eyes.
9509 
9510 "I'm glad it's over, because we've got you back," whispered Beth, who
9511 sat on her father's knee.
9512 
9513 "Rather a rough road for you to travel, my little pilgrims, especially
9514 the latter part of it.  But you have got on bravely, and I think the
9515 burdens are in a fair way to tumble off very soon," said Mr. March,
9516 looking with fatherly satisfaction at the four young faces gathered
9517 round him.
9518 
9519 "How do you know?  Did Mother tell you?" asked Jo.
9520 
9521 "Not much.  Straws show which way the wind blows, and I've made several
9522 discoveries today."
9523 
9524 "Oh, tell us what they are!" cried Meg, who sat beside him.
9525 
9526 "Here is one." And taking up the hand which lay on the arm of his
9527 chair, he pointed to the roughened forefinger, a burn on the back, and
9528 two or three little hard spots on the palm.  "I remember a time when
9529 this hand was white and smooth, and your first care was to keep it so.
9530 It was very pretty then, but to me it is much prettier now, for in this
9531 seeming blemishes I read a little history.  A burnt offering has been
9532 made to vanity, this hardened palm has earned something better than
9533 blisters, and I'm sure the sewing done by these pricked fingers will
9534 last a long time, so much good will went into the stitches.  Meg, my
9535 dear, I value the womanly skill which keeps home happy more than white
9536 hands or fashionable accomplishments.  I'm proud to shake this good,
9537 industrious little hand, and hope I shall not soon be asked to give it
9538 away."
9539 
9540 If Meg had wanted a reward for hours of patient labor, she received it
9541 in the hearty pressure of her father's hand and the approving smile he
9542 gave her.
9543 
9544 "What about Jo?  Please say something nice, for she has tried so hard
9545 and been so very, very good to me," said Beth in her father's ear.
9546 
9547 He laughed and looked across at the tall girl who sat opposite, with an
9548 unusually mild expression in her face.
9549 
9550 "In spite of the curly crop, I don't see the 'son Jo' whom I left a
9551 year ago," said Mr. March.  "I see a young lady who pins her collar
9552 straight, laces her boots neatly, and neither whistles, talks slang,
9553 nor lies on the rug as she used to do.  Her face is rather thin and
9554 pale just now, with watching and anxiety, but I like to look at it, for
9555 it has grown gentler, and her voice is lower.  She doesn't bounce, but
9556 moves quietly, and takes care of a certain little person in a motherly
9557 way which delights me.  I rather miss my wild girl, but if I get a
9558 strong, helpful, tenderhearted woman in her place, I shall feel quite
9559 satisfied. I don't know whether the shearing sobered our black sheep,
9560 but I do know that in all Washington I couldn't find anything beautiful
9561 enough to be bought with the five-and-twenty dollars my good girl sent
9562 me."
9563 
9564 Jo's keen eyes were rather dim for a minute, and her thin face grew
9565 rosy in the firelight as she received her father's praise, feeling that
9566 she did deserve a portion of it.
9567 
9568 "Now, Beth," said Amy, longing for her turn, but ready to wait.
9569 
9570 "There's so little of her, I'm afraid to say much, for fear she will
9571 slip away altogether, though she is not so shy as she used to be,"
9572 began their father cheerfully.  But recollecting how nearly he had lost
9573 her, he held her close, saying tenderly, with her cheek against his
9574 own, "I've got you safe, my Beth, and I'll keep you so, please God."
9575 
9576 After a minute's silence, he looked down at Amy, who sat on the cricket
9577 at his feet, and said, with a caress of the shining hair...
9578 
9579 "I observed that Amy took drumsticks at dinner, ran errands for her
9580 mother all the afternoon, gave Meg her place tonight, and has waited on
9581 every one with patience and good humor.  I also observe that she does
9582 not fret much nor look in the glass, and has not even mentioned a very
9583 pretty ring which she wears, so I conclude that she has learned to
9584 think of other people more and of herself less, and has decided to try
9585 and mold her character as carefully as she molds her little clay
9586 figures.  I am glad of this, for though I should be very proud of a
9587 graceful statue made by her, I shall be infinitely prouder of a lovable
9588 daughter with a talent for making life beautiful to herself and others."
9589 
9590 "What are you thinking of, Beth?" asked Jo, when Amy had thanked her
9591 father and told about her ring.
9592 
9593 "I read in _Pilgrim's Progress_ today how, after many troubles,
9594 Christian and Hopeful came to a pleasant green meadow where lilies
9595 bloomed all year round, and there they rested happily, as we do now,
9596 before they went on to their journey's end," answered Beth, adding, as
9597 she slipped out of her father's arms and went to the instrument, "It's
9598 singing time now, and I want to be in my old place.  I'll try to sing
9599 the song of the shepherd boy which the Pilgrims heard.  I made the
9600 music for Father, because he likes the verses."
9601 
9602 So, sitting at the dear little piano, Beth softly touched the keys, and
9603 in the sweet voice they had never thought to hear again, sang to her
9604 own accompaniment the quaint hymn, which was a singularly fitting song
9605 for her.
9606 
9607 
9608     He that is down need fear no fall,
9609     He that is low no pride.
9610     He that is humble ever shall
9611     Have God to be his guide.
9612 
9613     I am content with what I have,
9614     Little be it, or much.
9615     And, Lord!  Contentment still I crave,
9616     Because Thou savest such.
9617 
9618     Fulness to them a burden is,
9619     That go on pilgrimage.
9620     Here little, and hereafter bliss,
9621     Is best from age to age!
9622 
9623 
9624 
9625 CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
9626 
9627 AUNT MARCH SETTLES THE QUESTION
9628 
9629 Like bees swarming after their queen, mother and daughters hovered
9630 about Mr. March the next day, neglecting everything to look at, wait
9631 upon, and listen to the new invalid, who was in a fair way to be killed
9632 by kindness.  As he sat propped up in a big chair by Beth's sofa, with
9633 the other three close by, and Hannah popping in her head now and then
9634 'to peek at the dear man', nothing seemed needed to complete their
9635 happiness.  But something was needed, and the elder ones felt it,
9636 though none confessed the fact.  Mr. and Mrs. March looked at one
9637 another with an anxious expression, as their eyes followed Meg.  Jo had
9638 sudden fits of sobriety, and was seen to shake her fist at Mr. Brooke's
9639 umbrella, which had been left in the hall.  Meg was absent-minded, shy,
9640 and silent, started when the bell rang, and colored when John's name
9641 was mentioned.  Amy said, "Everyone seemed waiting for something, and
9642 couldn't settle down, which was queer, since Father was safe at home,"
9643 and Beth innocently wondered why their neighbors didn't run over as
9644 usual.
9645 
9646 Laurie went by in the afternoon, and seeing Meg at the window, seemed
9647 suddenly possessed with a melodramatic fit, for he fell down on one
9648 knee in the snow, beat his breast, tore his hair, and clasped his hands
9649 imploringly, as if begging some boon. And when Meg told him to behave
9650 himself and go away, he wrung imaginary tears out of his handkerchief,
9651 and staggered round the corner as if in utter despair.
9652 
9653 "What does the goose mean?" said Meg, laughing and trying to look
9654 unconscious.
9655 
9656 "He's showing you how your John will go on by-and-by. Touching, isn't
9657 it?" answered Jo scornfully.
9658 
9659 "Don't say my John, it isn't proper or true," but Meg's voice lingered
9660 over the words as if they sounded pleasant to her.  "Please don't
9661 plague me, Jo, I've told you I don't care much about him, and there
9662 isn't to be anything said, but we are all to be friendly, and go on as
9663 before."
9664 
9665 "We can't, for something has been said, and Laurie's mischief has
9666 spoiled you for me.  I see it, and so does Mother.  You are not like
9667 your old self a bit, and seem ever so far away from me.  I don't mean
9668 to plague you and will bear it like a man, but I do wish it was all
9669 settled.  I hate to wait, so if you mean ever to do it, make haste and
9670 have it over quickly," said Jo pettishly.
9671 
9672 "I can't say anything till he speaks, and he won't, because Father said
9673 I was too young," began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little
9674 smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on
9675 that point.
9676 
9677 "If he did speak, you wouldn't know what to say, but would cry or
9678 blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided
9679 no."
9680 
9681 "I'm not so silly and weak as you think.  I know just what I should
9682 say, for I've planned it all, so I needn't be taken unawares.  There's
9683 no knowing what may happen, and I wished to be prepared."
9684 
9685 Jo couldn't help smiling at the important air which Meg had
9686 unconsciously assumed and which was as becoming as the pretty color
9687 varying in her cheeks.
9688 
9689 "Would you mind telling me what you'd say?" asked Jo more respectfully.
9690 
9691 "Not at all.  You are sixteen now, quite old enough to be my confidant,
9692 and my experience will be useful to you by-and-by, perhaps, in your own
9693 affairs of this sort."
9694 
9695 "Don't mean to have any.  It's fun to watch other people philander, but
9696 I should feel like a fool doing it myself," said Jo, looking alarmed at
9697 the thought.
9698 
9699 "I think not, if you liked anyone very much, and he liked you."  Meg
9700 spoke as if to herself, and glanced out at the lane where she had often
9701 seen lovers walking together in the summer twilight.
9702 
9703 "I thought you were going to tell your speech to that man," said Jo,
9704 rudely shortening her sister's little reverie.
9705 
9706 "Oh, I should merely say, quite calmly and decidedly, 'Thank you, Mr.
9707 Brooke, you are very kind, but I agree with Father that I am too young
9708 to enter into any engagement at present, so please say no more, but let
9709 us be friends as we were.'"
9710 
9711 "Hum, that's stiff and cool enough!  I don't believe you'll ever say
9712 it, and I know he won't be satisfied if you do.  If he goes on like the
9713 rejected lovers in books, you'll give in, rather than hurt his
9714 feelings."
9715 
9716 "No, I won't.  I shall tell him I've made up my mind, and shall walk
9717 out of the room with dignity."
9718 
9719 Meg rose as she spoke, and was just going to rehearse the dignified
9720 exit, when a step in the hall made her fly into her seat and begin to
9721 sew as fast as if her life depended on finishing that particular seam
9722 in a given time.  Jo smothered a laugh at the sudden change, and when
9723 someone gave a modest tap, opened the door with a grim aspect which was
9724 anything but hospitable.
9725 
9726 "Good afternoon.  I came to get my umbrella, that is, to see how your
9727 father finds himself today," said Mr. Brooke, getting a trifle confused
9728 as his eyes went from one telltale face to the other.
9729 
9730 "It's very well, he's in the rack.  I'll get him, and tell it you are
9731 here."  And having jumbled her father and the umbrella well together in
9732 her reply, Jo slipped out of the room to give Meg a chance to make her
9733 speech and air her dignity.  But the instant she vanished, Meg began to
9734 sidle toward the door, murmuring...
9735 
9736 "Mother will like to see you.  Pray sit down, I'll call her."
9737 
9738 "Don't go.  Are you afraid of me, Margaret?" and Mr. Brooke looked so
9739 hurt that Meg thought she must have done something very rude.  She
9740 blushed up to the little curls on her forehead, for he had never called
9741 her Margaret before, and she was surprised to find how natural and
9742 sweet it seemed to hear him say it.  Anxious to appear friendly and at
9743 her ease, she put out her hand with a confiding gesture, and said
9744 gratefully...
9745 
9746 "How can I be afraid when you have been so kind to Father? I only wish
9747 I could thank you for it."
9748 
9749 "Shall I tell you how?" asked Mr. Brooke, holding the small hand fast
9750 in both his own, and looking down at Meg with so much love in the brown
9751 eyes that her heart began to flutter, and she both longed to run away
9752 and to stop and listen.
9753 
9754 "Oh no, please don't, I'd rather not," she said, trying to withdraw her
9755 hand, and looking frightened in spite of her denial.
9756 
9757 "I won't trouble you.  I only want to know if you care for me a little,
9758 Meg.  I love you so much, dear," added Mr. Brooke tenderly.
9759 
9760 This was the moment for the calm, proper speech, but Meg didn't make
9761 it.  She forgot every word of it, hung her head, and answered, "I don't
9762 know," so softly that John had to stoop down to catch the foolish
9763 little reply.
9764 
9765 He seemed to think it was worth the trouble, for he smiled to himself
9766 as if quite satisfied, pressed the plump hand gratefully, and said in
9767 his most persuasive tone, "Will you try and find out?  I want to know
9768 so much, for I can't go to work with any heart until I learn whether I
9769 am to have my reward in the end or not."
9770 
9771 "I'm too young," faltered Meg, wondering why she was so fluttered, yet
9772 rather enjoying it.
9773 
9774 "I'll wait, and in the meantime, you could be learning to like me.
9775 Would it be a very hard lesson, dear?"
9776 
9777 "Not if I chose to learn it, but. . ."
9778 
9779 "Please choose to learn, Meg.  I love to teach, and this is easier than
9780 German," broke in John, getting possession of the other hand, so that
9781 she had no way of hiding her face as he bent to look into it.
9782 
9783 His tone was properly beseeching, but stealing a shy look at him, Meg
9784 saw that his eyes were merry as well as tender, and that he wore the
9785 satisfied smile of one who had no doubt of his success.  This nettled
9786 her.  Annie Moffat's foolish lessons in coquetry came into her mind,
9787 and the love of power, which sleeps in the bosoms of the best of little
9788 women, woke up all of a sudden and took possession of her.  She felt
9789 excited and strange, and not knowing what else to do, followed a
9790 capricious impulse, and, withdrawing her hands, said petulantly, "I
9791 don't choose.  Please go away and let me be!"
9792 
9793 Poor Mr. Brooke looked as if his lovely castle in the air was tumbling
9794 about his ears, for he had never seen Meg in such a mood before, and it
9795 rather bewildered him.
9796 
9797 "Do you really mean that?" he asked anxiously, following her as she
9798 walked away.
9799 
9800 "Yes, I do.  I don't want to be worried about such things. Father says
9801 I needn't, it's too soon and I'd rather not."
9802 
9803 "Mayn't I hope you'll change your mind by-and-by?  I'll wait and say
9804 nothing till you have had more time.  Don't play with me, Meg.  I
9805 didn't think that of you."
9806 
9807 "Don't think of me at all.  I'd rather you wouldn't," said Meg, taking
9808 a naughty satisfaction in trying her lover's patience and her own power.
9809 
9810 He was grave and pale now, and looked decidedly more like the novel
9811 heroes whom she admired, but he neither slapped his forehead nor
9812 tramped about the room as they did.  He just stood looking at her so
9813 wistfully, so tenderly, that she found her heart relenting in spite of
9814 herself.  What would have happened next I cannot say, if Aunt March had
9815 not come hobbling in at this interesting minute.
9816 
9817 The old lady couldn't resist her longing to see her nephew, for she had
9818 met Laurie as she took her airing, and hearing of Mr. March's arrival,
9819 drove straight out to see him.  The family were all busy in the back
9820 part of the house, and she had made her way quietly in, hoping to
9821 surprise them.  She did surprise two of them so much that Meg started
9822 as if she had seen a ghost, and Mr. Brooke vanished into the study.
9823 
9824 "Bless me, what's all this?" cried the old lady with a rap of her cane
9825 as she glanced from the pale young gentleman to the scarlet young lady.
9826 
9827 "It's Father's friend.  I'm so surprised to see you!" stammered Meg,
9828 feeling that she was in for a lecture now.
9829 
9830 "That's evident," returned Aunt March, sitting down.  "But what is
9831 Father's friend saying to make you look like a peony? There's mischief
9832 going on, and I insist upon knowing what it is," with another rap.
9833 
9834 "We were only talking.  Mr. Brooke came for his umbrella," began Meg,
9835 wishing that Mr. Brooke and the umbrella were safely out of the house.
9836 
9837 "Brooke?  That boy's tutor?  Ah! I understand now.  I know all about
9838 it.  Jo blundered into a wrong message in one of your Father's letters,
9839 and I made her tell me.  You haven't gone and accepted him, child?"
9840 cried Aunt March, looking scandalized.
9841 
9842 "Hush! He'll hear.  Shan't I call Mother?" said Meg, much troubled.
9843 
9844 "Not yet.  I've something to say to you, and I must free my mind at
9845 once.  Tell me, do you mean to marry this Cook?  If you do, not one
9846 penny of my money ever goes to you.  Remember that, and be a sensible
9847 girl," said the old lady impressively.
9848 
9849 Now Aunt March possessed in perfection the art of rousing the spirit of
9850 opposition in the gentlest people, and enjoyed doing it.  The best of
9851 us have a spice of perversity in us, especially when we are young and
9852 in love.  If Aunt March had begged Meg to accept John Brooke, she would
9853 probably have declared she couldn't think of it, but as she was
9854 preemptorily ordered not to like him, she immediately made up her mind
9855 that she would.  Inclination as well as perversity made the decision
9856 easy, and being already much excited, Meg opposed the old lady with
9857 unusual spirit.
9858 
9859 "I shall marry whom I please, Aunt March, and you can leave your money
9860 to anyone you like," she said, nodding her head with a resolute air.
9861 
9862 "Highty-tighty!  Is that the way you take my advice, Miss? You'll be
9863 sorry for it by-and-by, when you've tried love in a cottage and found
9864 it a failure."
9865 
9866 "It can't be a worse one than some people find in big houses," retorted
9867 Meg.
9868 
9869 Aunt March put on her glasses and took a look at the girl, for she did
9870 not know her in this new mood.  Meg hardly knew herself, she felt so
9871 brave and independent, so glad to defend John and assert her right to
9872 love him, if she liked.  Aunt March saw that she had begun wrong, and
9873 after a little pause, made a fresh start, saying as mildly as she
9874 could, "Now, Meg, my dear, be reasonable and take my advice.  I mean it
9875 kindly, and don't want you to spoil your whole life by making a mistake
9876 at the beginning.  You ought to marry well and help your family.  It's
9877 your duty to make a rich match and it ought to be impressed upon you."
9878 
9879 "Father and Mother don't think so.  They like John though he is poor."
9880 
9881 "Your parents, my dear, have no more worldly wisdom than a pair of
9882 babies."
9883 
9884 "I'm glad of it," cried Meg stoutly.
9885 
9886 Aunt March took no notice, but went on with her lecture. "This Rook is
9887 poor and hasn't got any rich relations, has he?"
9888 
9889 "No, but he has many warm friends."
9890 
9891 "You can't live on friends, try it and see how cool they'll grow.  He
9892 hasn't any business, has he?"
9893 
9894 "Not yet.  Mr. Laurence is going to help him."
9895 
9896 "That won't last long.  James Laurence is a crotchety old fellow and
9897 not to be depended on.  So you intend to marry a man without money,
9898 position, or business, and go on working harder than you do now, when
9899 you might be comfortable all your days by minding me and doing better?
9900 I thought you had more sense, Meg."
9901 
9902 "I couldn't do better if I waited half my life!  John is good and wise,
9903 he's got heaps of talent, he's willing to work and sure to get on, he's
9904 so energetic and brave.  Everyone likes and respects him, and I'm proud
9905 to think he cares for me, though I'm so poor and young and silly," said
9906 Meg, looking prettier than ever in her earnestness.
9907 
9908 "He knows you have got rich relations, child.  That's the secret of his
9909 liking, I suspect."
9910 
9911 "Aunt March, how dare you say such a thing?  John is above such
9912 meanness, and I won't listen to you a minute if you talk so," cried Meg
9913 indignantly, forgetting everything but the injustice of the old lady's
9914 suspicions.  "My John wouldn't marry for money, any more than I would.
9915 We are willing to work and we mean to wait.  I'm not afraid of being
9916 poor, for I've been happy so far, and I know I shall be with him
9917 because he loves me, and I..."
9918 
9919 Meg stopped there, remembering all of a sudden that she hadn't made up
9920 her mind, that she had told 'her John' to go away, and that he might be
9921 overhearing her inconsistent remarks.
9922 
9923 Aunt March was very angry, for she had set her heart on having her
9924 pretty niece make a fine match, and something in the girl's happy young
9925 face made the lonely old woman feel both sad and sour.
9926 
9927 "Well, I wash my hands of the whole affair!  You are a willful child,
9928 and you've lost more than you know by this piece of folly. No, I won't
9929 stop.  I'm disappointed in you, and haven't spirits to see your father
9930 now.  Don't expect anything from me when you are married.  Your Mr.
9931 Brooke's friends must take care of you.  I'm done with you forever."
9932 
9933 And slamming the door in Meg's face, Aunt March drove off in high
9934 dudgeon.  She seemed to take all the girl's courage with her, for when
9935 left alone, Meg stood for a moment, undecided whether to laugh or cry.
9936 Before she could make up her mind, she was taken possession of by Mr.
9937 Brooke, who said all in one breath, "I couldn't help hearing, Meg.
9938 Thank you for defending me, and Aunt March for proving that you do care
9939 for me a little bit."
9940 
9941 "I didn't know how much till she abused you," began Meg.
9942 
9943 "And I needn't go away, but may stay and be happy, may I, dear?"
9944 
9945 Here was another fine chance to make the crushing speech and the
9946 stately exit, but Meg never thought of doing either, and disgraced
9947 herself forever in Jo's eyes by meekly whispering, "Yes,  John," and
9948 hiding her face on Mr. Brooke's waistcoat.
9949 
9950 Fifteen minutes after Aunt March's departure, Jo came softly
9951 downstairs, paused an instant at the parlor door, and hearing no sound
9952 within, nodded and smiled with a satisfied expression, saying to
9953 herself, "She has seen him away as we planned, and that affair is
9954 settled.  I'll go and hear the fun, and have a good laugh over it."
9955 
9956 But poor Jo never got her laugh, for she was transfixed upon the
9957 threshold by a spectacle which held her there, staring with her mouth
9958 nearly as wide open as her eyes.  Going in to exult over a fallen enemy
9959 and to praise a strong-minded sister for the banishment of an
9960 objectionable lover, it certainly was a shock to behold the aforesaid
9961 enemy serenely sitting on the sofa, with the strongminded sister
9962 enthroned upon his knee and wearing an expression of the most abject
9963 submission.  Jo gave a sort of gasp, as if a cold shower bath had
9964 suddenly fallen upon her, for such an unexpected turning of the tables
9965 actually took her breath away.  At the odd sound the lovers turned and
9966 saw her.  Meg jumped up, looking both proud and shy, but 'that man', as
9967 Jo called him, actually laughed and said coolly, as he kissed the
9968 astonished newcomer, "Sister Jo, congratulate us!"
9969 
9970 That was adding insult to injury, it was altogether too much, and
9971 making some wild demonstration with her hands, Jo vanished without a
9972 word.  Rushing upstairs, she startled the invalids by exclaiming
9973 tragically as she burst into the room, "Oh, do somebody go down quick!
9974 John Brooke is acting dreadfully, and Meg likes it!"
9975 
9976 Mr. and Mrs. March left the room with speed, and casting herself upon
9977 the bed, Jo cried and scolded tempestuously as she told the awful news
9978 to Beth and Amy.  The little girls, however, considered it a most
9979 agreeable and interesting event, and Jo got little comfort from them,
9980 so she went up to her refuge in the garret, and confided her troubles
9981 to the rats.
9982 
9983 Nobody ever knew what went on in the parlor that afternoon, but a great
9984 deal of talking was done, and quiet Mr. Brooke astonished his friends
9985 by the eloquence and spirit with which he pleaded his suit, told his
9986 plans, and persuaded them to arrange everything just as he wanted it.
9987 
9988 The tea bell rang before he had finished describing the paradise which
9989 he meant to earn for Meg, and he proudly took her in to supper, both
9990 looking so happy that Jo hadn't the heart to be jealous or dismal. Amy
9991 was very much impressed by John's devotion and Meg's dignity, Beth
9992 beamed at them from a distance, while Mr. and Mrs. March surveyed the
9993 young couple with such tender satisfaction that it was perfectly
9994 evident Aunt March was right in calling them as 'unworldly as a pair of
9995 babies'.  No one ate much, but everyone looked very happy, and the old
9996 room seemed to brighten up amazingly when the first romance of the
9997 family began there.
9998 
9999 "You can't say nothing pleasant ever happens now, can you, Meg?" said
10000 Amy, trying to decide how she would group the lovers in a sketch she
10001 was planning to make.
10002 
10003 "No, I'm sure I can't.  How much has happened since I said that! It
10004 seems a year ago," answered Meg, who was in a blissful dream lifted far
10005 above such common things as bread and butter.
10006 
10007 "The joys come close upon the sorrows this time, and I rather think the
10008 changes have begun," said Mrs. March.  "In most families there comes,
10009 now and then, a year full of events.  This has been such a one, but it
10010 ends well, after all."
10011 
10012 "Hope the next will end better," muttered Jo, who found it very hard to
10013 see Meg absorbed in a stranger before her face, for Jo loved a few
10014 persons very dearly and dreaded to have their affection lost or
10015 lessened in any way.
10016 
10017 "I hope the third year from this will end better.  I mean it shall, if
10018 I live to work out my plans," said Mr. Brooke, smiling at Meg, as if
10019 everything had become possible to him now.
10020 
10021 "Doesn't it seem very long to wait?" asked Amy, who was in a hurry for
10022 the wedding.
10023 
10024 "I've got so much to learn before I shall be ready, it seems a short
10025 time to me," answered Meg, with a sweet gravity in her face never seen
10026 there before.
10027 
10028 "You have only to wait, I am to do the work," said John beginning his
10029 labors by picking up Meg's napkin, with an expression which caused Jo
10030 to shake her head, and then say to herself with an air of relief as the
10031 front door banged, "Here comes Laurie.  Now we shall have some sensible
10032 conversation."
10033 
10034 But Jo was mistaken, for Laurie came prancing in, overflowing with good
10035 spirits, bearing a great bridal-looking bouquet for 'Mrs. John Brooke',
10036 and evidently laboring under the delusion that the whole affair had
10037 been brought about by his excellent management.
10038 
10039 "I knew Brooke would have it all his own way, he always does, for when
10040 he makes up his mind to accomplish anything, it's done though the sky
10041 falls," said Laurie, when he had presented his offering and his
10042 congratulations.
10043 
10044 "Much obliged for that recommendation.  I take it as a good omen for
10045 the future and invite you to my wedding on the spot," answered Mr.
10046 Brooke, who felt at peace with all mankind, even his mischievous pupil.
10047 
10048 "I'll come if I'm at the ends of the earth, for the sight of Jo's face
10049 alone on that occasion would be worth a long journey. You don't look
10050 festive, ma'am, what's the matter?" asked Laurie, following her into a
10051 corner of the parlor, whither all had adjourned to greet Mr. Laurence.
10052 
10053 "I don't approve of the match, but I've made up my mind to bear it, and
10054 shall not say a word against it," said Jo solemnly.  "You can't know
10055 how hard it is for me to give up Meg," she continued with a little
10056 quiver in her voice.
10057 
10058 "You don't give her up.  You only go halves," said Laurie consolingly.
10059 
10060 "It can never be the same again.  I've lost my dearest friend," sighed
10061 Jo.
10062 
10063 "You've got me, anyhow.  I'm not good for much, I know, but I'll stand
10064 by you, Jo, all the days of my life.  Upon my word I will!" and Laurie
10065 meant what he said.
10066 
10067 "I know you will, and I'm ever so much obliged.  You are always a great
10068 comfort to me, Teddy," returned Jo, gratefully shaking hands.
10069 
10070 "Well, now, don't be dismal, there's a good fellow.  It's all right you
10071 see.  Meg is happy, Brooke will fly round and get settled immediately,
10072 Grandpa will attend to him, and it will be very jolly to see Meg in her
10073 own little house.  We'll have capital times after she is gone, for I
10074 shall be through college before long, and then we'll go abroad on some
10075 nice trip or other.  Wouldn't that console you?"
10076 
10077 "I rather think it would, but there's no knowing what may happen in
10078 three years," said Jo thoughtfully.
10079 
10080 "That's true.  Don't you wish you could take a look forward and see
10081 where we shall all be then?  I do," returned Laurie.
10082 
10083 "I think not, for I might see something sad, and everyone looks so
10084 happy now, I don't believe they could be much improved." And Jo's eyes
10085 went slowly round the room, brightening as they looked, for the
10086 prospect was a pleasant one.
10087 
10088 Father and Mother sat together, quietly reliving the first chapter of
10089 the romance which for them began some twenty years ago. Amy was drawing
10090 the lovers, who sat apart in a beautiful world of their own, the light
10091 of which touched their faces with a grace the little artist could not
10092 copy.  Beth lay on her sofa, talking cheerily with her old friend, who
10093 held her little hand as if he felt that it possessed the power to lead
10094 him along the peaceful way she walked. Jo lounged in her favorite low
10095 seat, with the grave quiet look which best became her, and Laurie,
10096 leaning on the back of her chair, his chin on a level with her curly
10097 head, smiled with his friendliest aspect, and nodded at her in the long
10098 glass which reflected them both.
10099 
10100 
10101 So the curtain falls upon Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy.  Whether it ever
10102 rises again, depends upon the reception given the first act of the
10103 domestic drama called _Little Women_.
10104 
10105 
10106 
10107 
10108 
10109 
10110 
10111 LITTLE WOMEN PART 2
10112 
10113 In order that we may start afresh and go to Meg's wedding...
10114 
10115 
10116 
10117 CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
10118 
10119 GOSSIP
10120 
10121 In order that we may start afresh and go to Meg's wedding with free
10122 minds, it will be well to begin with a little gossip about the Marches.
10123 And here let me premise that if any of the elders think there is too
10124 much 'lovering' in the story, as I fear they may (I'm not afraid the
10125 young folks will make that objection), I can only say with Mrs. March,
10126 "What can you expect when I have four gay girls in the house, and a
10127 dashing young neighbor over the way?"
10128 
10129 The three years that have passed have brought but few changes to the
10130 quiet family.  The war is over, and Mr. March safely at home, busy with
10131 his books and the small parish which found in him a minister by nature
10132 as by grace, a quiet, studious man, rich in the wisdom that is better
10133 than learning, the charity which calls all mankind 'brother', the piety
10134 that blossoms into character, making it august and lovely.
10135 
10136 These attributes, in spite of poverty and the strict integrity which
10137 shut him out from the more worldly successes, attracted to him many
10138 admirable persons, as naturally as sweet herbs draw bees, and as
10139 naturally he gave them the honey into which fifty years of hard
10140 experience had distilled no bitter drop.  Earnest young men found the
10141 gray-headed scholar as young at heart as they; thoughtful or troubled
10142 women instinctively brought their doubts to him, sure of finding the
10143 gentlest sympathy, the wisest counsel.  Sinners told their sins to the
10144 pure-hearted old man and were both rebuked and saved.  Gifted men found
10145 a companion in him.  Ambitious men caught glimpses of nobler ambitions
10146 than their own, and even worldlings confessed that his beliefs were
10147 beautiful and true, although 'they wouldn't pay'.
10148 
10149 To outsiders the five energetic women seemed to rule the house, and so
10150 they did in many things, but the quiet scholar, sitting among his
10151 books, was still the head of the family, the household conscience,
10152 anchor, and comforter, for to him the busy, anxious women always turned
10153 in troublous times, finding him, in the truest sense of those sacred
10154 words, husband and father.
10155 
10156 The girls gave their hearts into their mother's keeping, their souls
10157 into their father's, and to both parents, who lived and labored so
10158 faithfully for them, they gave a love that grew with their growth and
10159 bound them tenderly together by the sweetest tie which blesses life and
10160 outlives death.
10161 
10162 Mrs. March is as brisk and cheery, though rather grayer, than when we
10163 saw her last, and just now so absorbed in Meg's affairs that the
10164 hospitals and homes still full of wounded 'boys' and soldiers' widows,
10165 decidedly miss the motherly missionary's visits.
10166 
10167 John Brooke did his duty manfully for a year, got wounded, was sent
10168 home, and not allowed to return.  He received no stars or bars, but he
10169 deserved them, for he cheerfully risked all he had, and life and love
10170 are very precious when both are in full bloom.  Perfectly resigned to
10171 his discharge, he devoted himself to getting well, preparing for
10172 business, and earning a home for Meg.  With the good sense and sturdy
10173 independence that characterized him, he refused Mr. Laurence's more
10174 generous offers, and accepted the place of bookkeeper, feeling better
10175 satisfied to begin with an honestly earned salary than by running any
10176 risks with borrowed money.
10177 
10178 Meg had spent the time in working as well as waiting, growing womanly
10179 in character, wise in housewifely arts, and prettier than ever, for
10180 love is a great beautifier.  She had her girlish ambitions and hopes,
10181 and felt some disappointment at the humble way in which the new life
10182 must begin.  Ned Moffat had just married Sallie Gardiner, and Meg
10183 couldn't help contrasting their fine house and carriage, many gifts,
10184 and splendid outfit with her own, and secretly wishing she could have
10185 the same.  But somehow envy and discontent soon vanished when she
10186 thought of all the patient love and labor John had put into the little
10187 home awaiting her, and when they sat together in the twilight, talking
10188 over their small plans, the future always grew so beautiful and bright
10189 that she forgot Sallie's splendor and felt herself the richest,
10190 happiest girl in Christendom.
10191 
10192 Jo never went back to Aunt March, for the old lady took such a fancy to
10193 Amy that she bribed her with the offer of drawing lessons from one of
10194 the best teachers going, and for the sake of this advantage, Amy would
10195 have served a far harder mistress.  So she gave her mornings to duty,
10196 her afternoons to pleasure, and prospered finely. Jo meantime devoted
10197 herself to literature and Beth, who remained delicate long after the
10198 fever was a thing of the past.  Not an invalid exactly, but never again
10199 the rosy, healthy creature she had been, yet always hopeful, happy, and
10200 serene, and busy with the quiet duties she loved, everyone's friend,
10201 and an angel in the house, long before those who loved her most had
10202 learned to know it.
10203 
10204 As long as _The Spread Eagle_ paid her a dollar a column for her
10205 'rubbish', as she called it, Jo felt herself a woman of means, and spun
10206 her little romances diligently.  But great plans fermented in her busy
10207 brain and ambitious mind, and the old tin kitchen in the garret held a
10208 slowly increasing pile of blotted manuscript, which was one day to
10209 place the name of March upon the roll of fame.
10210 
10211 Laurie, having dutifully gone to college to please his grandfather, was
10212 now getting through it in the easiest possible manner to please
10213 himself.  A universal favorite, thanks to money, manners, much talent,
10214 and the kindest heart that ever got its owner into scrapes by trying to
10215 get other people out of them, he stood in great danger of being
10216 spoiled, and probably would have been, like many another promising boy,
10217 if he had not possessed a talisman against evil in the memory of the
10218 kind old man who was bound up in his success, the motherly friend who
10219 watched over him as if he were her son, and last, but not least by any
10220 means, the knowledge that four innocent girls loved, admired, and
10221 believed in him with all their hearts.
10222 
10223 Being only 'a glorious human boy', of course he frolicked and flirted,
10224 grew dandified, aquatic, sentimental, or gymnastic, as college fashions
10225 ordained, hazed and was hazed, talked slang, and more than once came
10226 perilously near suspension and expulsion.  But as high spirits and the
10227 love of fun were the causes of these pranks, he always managed to save
10228 himself by frank confession, honorable atonement, or the irresistible
10229 power of persuasion which he possessed in perfection.  In fact, he
10230 rather prided himself on his narrow escapes, and liked to thrill the
10231 girls with graphic accounts of his triumphs over wrathful tutors,
10232 dignified professors, and vanquished enemies.  The 'men of my class',
10233 were heroes in the eyes of the girls, who never wearied of the exploits
10234 of 'our fellows', and were frequently allowed to bask in the smiles of
10235 these great creatures, when Laurie brought them home with him.
10236 
10237 Amy especially enjoyed this high honor, and became quite a belle among
10238 them, for her ladyship early felt and learned to use the gift of
10239 fascination with which she was endowed.  Meg was too much absorbed in
10240 her private and particular John to care for any other lords of
10241 creation, and Beth too shy to do more than peep at them and wonder how
10242 Amy dared to order them about so, but Jo felt quite in her own element,
10243 and found it very difficult to refrain from imitating the gentlemanly
10244 attitudes, phrases, and feats, which seemed more natural to her than
10245 the decorums prescribed for young ladies.  They all liked Jo immensely,
10246 but never fell in love with her, though very few escaped without paying
10247 the tribute of a sentimental sigh or two at Amy's shrine.  And speaking
10248 of sentiment brings us very naturally to the 'Dovecote'.
10249 
10250 That was the name of the little brown house Mr. Brooke had prepared for
10251 Meg's first home.  Laurie had christened it, saying it was highly
10252 appropriate to the gentle lovers who 'went on together like a pair of
10253 turtledoves, with first a bill and then a coo'.  It was a tiny house,
10254 with a little garden behind and a lawn about as big as a pocket
10255 handkerchief in the front.  Here Meg meant to have a fountain,
10256 shrubbery, and a profusion of lovely flowers, though just at present
10257 the fountain was represented by a weather-beaten urn, very like a
10258 dilapidated slopbowl, the shrubbery consisted of several young larches,
10259 undecided whether to live or die, and the profusion of flowers was
10260 merely hinted by regiments of sticks to show where seeds were planted.
10261 But inside, it was altogether charming, and the happy bride saw no
10262 fault from garret to cellar.  To be sure, the hall was so narrow it was
10263 fortunate that they had no piano, for one never could have been got in
10264 whole, the dining room was so small that six people were a tight fit,
10265 and the kitchen stairs seemed built for the express purpose of
10266 precipitating both servants and china pell-mell into the coalbin.  But
10267 once get used to these slight blemishes and nothing could be more
10268 complete, for good sense and good taste had presided over the
10269 furnishing, and the result was highly satisfactory.  There were no
10270 marble-topped tables, long mirrors, or lace curtains in the little
10271 parlor, but simple furniture, plenty of books, a fine picture or two, a
10272 stand of flowers in the bay window, and, scattered all about, the
10273 pretty gifts which came from friendly hands and were the fairer for the
10274 loving messages they brought.
10275 
10276 I don't think the Parian Psyche Laurie gave lost any of its beauty
10277 because John put up the bracket it stood upon, that any upholsterer
10278 could have draped the plain muslin curtains more gracefully than Amy's
10279 artistic hand, or that any store-room was ever better provided with
10280 good wishes, merry words, and happy hopes than that in which Jo and her
10281 mother put away Meg's few boxes, barrels, and bundles, and I am morally
10282 certain that the spandy new kitchen never could have looked so cozy and
10283 neat if Hannah had not arranged every pot and pan a dozen times over,
10284 and laid the fire all ready for lighting the minute 'Mis.  Brooke came
10285 home'.  I also doubt if any young matron ever began life with so rich a
10286 supply of dusters, holders, and piece bags, for Beth made enough to
10287 last till the silver wedding came round, and invented three different
10288 kinds of dishcloths for the express service of the bridal china.
10289 
10290 People who hire all these things done for them never know what they
10291 lose, for the homeliest tasks get beautified if loving hands do them,
10292 and Meg found so many proofs of this that everything in her small nest,
10293 from the kitchen roller to the silver vase on her parlor table, was
10294 eloquent of home love and tender forethought.
10295 
10296 What happy times they had planning together, what solemn shopping
10297 excursions, what funny mistakes they made, and what shouts of laughter
10298 arose over Laurie's ridiculous bargains.  In his love of jokes, this
10299 young gentleman, though nearly through college, was a much of a boy as
10300 ever.  His last whim had been to bring with him on his weekly visits
10301 some new, useful, and ingenious article for the young housekeeper.  Now
10302 a bag of remarkable clothespins, next, a wonderful nutmeg grater which
10303 fell to pieces at the first trial, a knife cleaner that spoiled all the
10304 knives, or a sweeper that picked the nap neatly off the carpet and left
10305 the dirt, labor-saving soap that took the skin off one's hands,
10306 infallible cements which stuck firmly to nothing but the fingers of the
10307 deluded buyer, and every kind of tinware, from a toy savings bank for
10308 odd pennies, to a wonderful boiler which would wash articles in its own
10309 steam with every prospect of exploding in the process.
10310 
10311 In vain Meg begged him to stop.  John laughed at him, and Jo called him
10312 'Mr. Toodles'.  He was possessed with a mania for patronizing Yankee
10313 ingenuity, and seeing his friends fitly furnished forth. So each week
10314 beheld some fresh absurdity.
10315 
10316 Everything was done at last, even to Amy's arranging different colored
10317 soaps to match the different colored rooms, and Beth's setting the
10318 table for the first meal.
10319 
10320 "Are you satisfied?  Does it seem like home, and do you feel as if you
10321 should be happy here?" asked Mrs. March, as she and her daughter went
10322 through the new kingdom arm in arm, for just then they seemed to cling
10323 together more tenderly than ever.
10324 
10325 "Yes, Mother, perfectly satisfied, thanks to you all, and so happy that
10326 I can't talk about it," with a look that was far better than words.
10327 
10328 "If she only had a servant or two it would be all right," said Amy,
10329 coming out of the parlor, where she had been trying to decide whether
10330 the bronze Mercury looked best on the whatnot or the mantlepiece.
10331 
10332 "Mother and I have talked that over, and I have made up my mind to try
10333 her way first.  There will be so little to do that with Lotty to run my
10334 errands and help me here and there, I shall only have enough work to
10335 keep me from getting lazy or homesick," answered Meg tranquilly.
10336 
10337 "Sallie Moffat has four," began Amy.
10338 
10339 "If Meg had four, the house wouldn't hold them, and master and missis
10340 would have to camp in the garden," broke in Jo, who, enveloped in a big
10341 blue pinafore, was giving the last polish to the door handles.
10342 
10343 "Sallie isn't a poor man's wife, and many maids are in keeping with her
10344 fine establishment.  Meg and John begin humbly, but I have a feeling
10345 that there will be quite as much happiness in the little house as in
10346 the big one.  It's a great mistake for young girls like Meg to leave
10347 themselves nothing to do but dress, give orders, and gossip.  When I
10348 was first married, I used to long for my new clothes to wear out or get
10349 torn, so that I might have the pleasure of mending them, for I got
10350 heartily sick of doing fancywork and tending my pocket handkerchief."
10351 
10352 "Why didn't you go into the kitchen and make messes, as Sallie says she
10353 does to amuse herself, though they never turn out well and the servants
10354 laugh at her," said Meg.
10355 
10356 "I did after a while, not to 'mess' but to learn of Hannah how things
10357 should be done, that my servants need not laugh at me.  It was play
10358 then, but there came a time when I was truly grateful that I not only
10359 possessed the will but the power to cook wholesome food for my little
10360 girls, and help myself when I could no longer afford to hire help.  You
10361 begin at the other end, Meg, dear, but the lessons you learn now will
10362 be of use to you by-and-by when John is a richer man, for the mistress
10363 of a house, however splendid, should know how work ought to be done, if
10364 she wishes to be well and honestly served."
10365 
10366 "Yes, Mother, I'm sure of that," said Meg, listening respectfully to
10367 the little lecture, for the best of women will hold forth upon the all
10368 absorbing subject of house keeping.  "Do you know I like this room most
10369 of all in my baby house," added Meg, a minute after, as they went
10370 upstairs and she looked into her well-stored linen closet.
10371 
10372 Beth was there, laying the snowy piles smoothly on the shelves and
10373 exulting over the goodly array.  All three laughed as Meg spoke, for
10374 that linen closet was a joke.  You see, having said that if Meg married
10375 'that Brooke' she shouldn't have a cent of her money, Aunt March was
10376 rather in a quandary when time had appeased her wrath and made her
10377 repent her vow.  She never broke her word, and was much exercised in
10378 her mind how to get round it, and at last devised a plan whereby she
10379 could satisfy herself.  Mrs. Carrol, Florence's mamma, was ordered to
10380 buy, have made, and marked a generous supply of house and table linen,
10381 and send it as her present, all of which was faithfully done, but the
10382 secret leaked out, and was greatly enjoyed by the family, for Aunt
10383 March tried to look utterly unconscious, and insisted that she could
10384 give nothing but the old-fashioned pearls long promised to the first
10385 bride.
10386 
10387 "That's a housewifely taste which I am glad to see.  I had a young
10388 friend who set up housekeeping with six sheets, but she had finger
10389 bowls for company and that satisfied her," said Mrs. March, patting the
10390 damask tablecloths, with a truly feminine appreciation of their
10391 fineness.
10392 
10393 "I haven't a single finger bowl, but this is a setout that will last me
10394 all my days, Hannah says."  And Meg looked quite contented, as well she
10395 might.
10396 
10397 A tall, broad-shouldered young fellow, with a cropped head, a felt
10398 basin of a hat, and a flyaway coat, came tramping down the road at a
10399 great pace, walked over the low fence without stopping to open the
10400 gate, straight up to Mrs. March, with both hands out and a hearty...
10401 
10402 "Here I am, Mother!  Yes, it's all right."
10403 
10404 The last words were in answer to the look the elder lady gave him, a
10405 kindly questioning look which the handsome eyes met so frankly that the
10406 little ceremony closed, as usual, with a motherly kiss.
10407 
10408 "For Mrs. John Brooke, with the maker's congratulations and
10409 compliments.  Bless you, Beth!  What a refreshing spectacle you are,
10410 Jo.  Amy, you are getting altogether too handsome for a single lady."
10411 
10412 As Laurie spoke, he delivered a brown paper parcel to Meg, pulled
10413 Beth's hair ribbon, stared at Jo's big pinafore, and fell into an
10414 attitude of mock rapture before Amy, then shook hands all round, and
10415 everyone began to talk.
10416 
10417 "Where is John?" asked Meg anxiously.
10418 
10419 "Stopped to get the license for tomorrow, ma'am."
10420 
10421 "Which side won the last match, Teddy?" inquired Jo, who persisted in
10422 feeling an interest in manly sports despite her nineteen years.
10423 
10424 "Ours, of course.  Wish you'd been there to see."
10425 
10426 "How is the lovely Miss Randal?" asked Amy with a significant smile.
10427 
10428 "More cruel than ever.  Don't you see how I'm pining away?" and Laurie
10429 gave his broad chest a sounding slap and heaved a melodramatic sigh.
10430 
10431 "What's the last joke?  Undo the bundle and see, Meg," said Beth, eying
10432 the knobby parcel with curiosity.
10433 
10434 "It's a useful thing to have in the house in case of fire or thieves,"
10435 observed Laurie, as a watchman's rattle appeared, amid the laughter of
10436 the girls.
10437 
10438 "Any time when John is away and you get frightened, Mrs. Meg, just
10439 swing that out of the front window, and it will rouse the neighborhood
10440 in a jiffy.  Nice thing, isn't it?" and Laurie gave them a sample of
10441 its powers that made them cover up their ears.
10442 
10443 "There's gratitude for you!  And speaking of gratitude reminds me to
10444 mention that you may thank Hannah for saving your wedding cake from
10445 destruction.  I saw it going into your house as I came by, and if she
10446 hadn't defended it manfully I'd have had a pick at it, for it looked
10447 like a remarkably plummy one."
10448 
10449 "I wonder if you will ever grow up, Laurie," said Meg in a matronly
10450 tone.
10451 
10452 "I'm doing my best, ma'am, but can't get much higher, I'm afraid, as
10453 six feet is about all men can do in these degenerate days," responded
10454 the young gentleman, whose head was about level with the little
10455 chandelier.
10456 
10457 "I suppose it would be profanation to eat anything in this
10458 spick-and-span bower, so as I'm tremendously hungry, I propose an
10459 adjournment," he added presently.
10460 
10461 "Mother and I are going to wait for John.  There are some last things
10462 to settle," said Meg, bustling away.
10463 
10464 "Beth and I are going over to Kitty Bryant's to get more flowers for
10465 tomorrow," added Amy, tying a picturesque hat over her picturesque
10466 curls, and enjoying the effect as much as anybody.
10467 
10468 "Come, Jo, don't desert a fellow.  I'm in such a state of exhaustion I
10469 can't get home without help.  Don't take off your apron, whatever you
10470 do, it's peculiarly becoming," said Laurie, as Jo bestowed his especial
10471 aversion in her capacious pocket and offered her arm to support his
10472 feeble steps.
10473 
10474 "Now, Teddy, I want to talk seriously to you about tomorrow," began Jo,
10475 as they strolled away together.  "You must promise to behave well, and
10476 not cut up any pranks, and spoil our plans."
10477 
10478 "Not a prank."
10479 
10480 "And don't say funny things when we ought to be sober."
10481 
10482 "I never do.  You are the one for that."
10483 
10484 "And I implore you not to look at me during the ceremony.  I shall
10485 certainly laugh if you do."
10486 
10487 "You won't see me, you'll be crying so hard that the thick fog round
10488 you will obscure the prospect."
10489 
10490 "I never cry unless for some great affliction."
10491 
10492 "Such as fellows going to college, hey?" cut in Laurie, with suggestive
10493 laugh.
10494 
10495 "Don't be a peacock.  I only moaned a trifle to keep the girls company."
10496 
10497 "Exactly.  I say, Jo, how is Grandpa this week?  Pretty amiable?"
10498 
10499 "Very.  Why, have you got into a scrape and want to know how he'll take
10500 it?" asked Jo rather sharply.
10501 
10502 "Now, Jo, do you think I'd look your mother in the face and say 'All
10503 right', if it wasn't?" and Laurie stopped short, with an injured air.
10504 
10505 "No, I don't."
10506 
10507 "Then don't go and be suspicious.  I only want some money," said
10508 Laurie, walking on again, appeased by her hearty tone.
10509 
10510 "You spend a great deal, Teddy."
10511 
10512 "Bless you, I don't spend it, it spends itself somehow, and is gone
10513 before I know it."
10514 
10515 "You are so generous and kind-hearted that you let people borrow, and
10516 can't say 'No' to anyone.  We heard about Henshaw and all you did for
10517 him.  If you always spent money in that way, no one would blame you,"
10518 said Jo warmly.
10519 
10520 "Oh, he made a mountain out of a molehill.  You wouldn't have me let
10521 that fine fellow work himself to death just for want of a little help,
10522 when he is worth a dozen of us lazy chaps, would you?"
10523 
10524 "Of course not, but I don't see the use of your having seventeen
10525 waistcoats, endless neckties, and a new hat every time you come home. I
10526 thought you'd got over the dandy period, but every now and then it
10527 breaks out in a new spot.  Just now it's the fashion to be hideous, to
10528 make your head look like a scrubbing brush, wear a strait jacket,
10529 orange gloves, and clumping square-toed boots.  If it was cheap
10530 ugliness, I'd say nothing, but it costs as much as the other, and I
10531 don't get any satisfaction out of it."
10532 
10533 Laurie threw back his head, and laughed so heartily at this attack,
10534 that the felt hat fell off, and Jo walked on it, which insult only
10535 afforded him an opportunity for expatiating on the advantages of a
10536 rough-and-ready costume, as he folded up the maltreated hat, and
10537 stuffed it into his pocket.
10538 
10539 "Don't lecture any more, there's a good soul!  I have enough all
10540 through the week, and like to enjoy myself when I come home. I'll get
10541 myself up regardless of expense tomorrow and be a satisfaction to my
10542 friends."
10543 
10544 "I'll leave you in peace if you'll only let your hair grow. I'm not
10545 aristocratic, but I do object to being seen with a person who looks
10546 like a young prize fighter," observed Jo severely.
10547 
10548 "This unassuming style promotes study, that's why we adopt it,"
10549 returned Laurie, who certainly could not be accused of vanity, having
10550 voluntarily sacrificed a handsome curly crop to the demand for
10551 quarter-inch-long stubble.
10552 
10553 "By the way, Jo, I think that little Parker is really getting desperate
10554 about Amy.  He talks of her constantly, writes poetry, and moons about
10555 in a most suspicious manner.  He'd better nip his little passion in the
10556 bud, hadn't he?" added Laurie, in a confidential, elder brotherly tone,
10557 after a minute's silence.
10558 
10559 "Of course he had.  We don't want any more marrying in this family for
10560 years to come.  Mercy on us, what are the children thinking of?" and Jo
10561 looked as much scandalized as if Amy and little Parker were not yet in
10562 their teens.
10563 
10564 "It's a fast age, and I don't know what we are coming to, ma'am. You
10565 are a mere infant, but you'll go next, Jo, and we'll be left
10566 lamenting," said Laurie, shaking his head over the degeneracy of the
10567 times.
10568 
10569 "Don't be alarmed.  I'm not one of the agreeable sort.  Nobody will
10570 want me, and it's a mercy, for there should always be one old maid in a
10571 family."
10572 
10573 "You won't give anyone a chance," said Laurie, with a sidelong glance
10574 and a little more color than before in his sunburned face. "You won't
10575 show the soft side of your character, and if a fellow gets a peep at it
10576 by accident and can't help showing that he likes it, you treat him as
10577 Mrs. Gummidge did her sweetheart, throw cold water over him, and get so
10578 thorny no one dares touch or look at you."
10579 
10580 "I don't like that sort of thing.  I'm too busy to be worried with
10581 nonsense, and I think it's dreadful to break up families so. Now don't
10582 say any more about it.  Meg's wedding has turned all our heads, and we
10583 talk of nothing but lovers and such absurdities.  I don't wish to get
10584 cross, so let's change the subject;"  and Jo looked quite ready to
10585 fling cold water on the slightest provocation.
10586 
10587 Whatever his feelings might have been, Laurie found a vent for them in
10588 a long low whistle and the fearful prediction as they parted at the
10589 gate, "Mark my words, Jo, you'll go next."
10590 
10591 
10592 
10593 CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
10594 
10595 THE FIRST WEDDING
10596 
10597 The June roses over the porch were awake bright and early on that
10598 morning, rejoicing with all their hearts in the cloudless sunshine,
10599 like friendly little neighbors, as they were.  Quite flushed with
10600 excitement were their ruddy faces, as they swung in the wind,
10601 whispering to one another what they had seen, for some peeped in at the
10602 dining room windows where the feast was spread, some climbed up to nod
10603 and smile at the sisters as they dressed the bride, others waved a
10604 welcome to those who came and went on various errands in garden, porch,
10605 and hall, and all, from the rosiest full-blown flower to the palest
10606 baby bud, offered their tribute of beauty and fragrance to the gentle
10607 mistress who had loved and tended them so long.
10608 
10609 Meg looked very like a rose herself, for all that was best and sweetest
10610 in heart and soul seemed to bloom into her face that day, making it
10611 fair and tender, with a charm more beautiful than beauty. Neither silk,
10612 lace, nor orange flowers would she have.  "I don't want a fashionable
10613 wedding, but only those about me whom I love, and to them I wish to
10614 look and be my familiar self."
10615 
10616 So she made her wedding gown herself, sewing into it the tender hopes
10617 and innocent romances of a girlish heart.  Her sisters braided up her
10618 pretty hair, and the only ornaments she wore were the lilies of the
10619 valley, which 'her John' liked best of all the flowers that grew.
10620 
10621 "You do look just like our own dear Meg, only so very sweet and lovely
10622 that I should hug you if it wouldn't crumple your dress," cried Amy,
10623 surveying her with delight when all was done.
10624 
10625 "Then I am satisfied.  But please hug and kiss me, everyone, and don't
10626 mind my dress.  I want a great many crumples of this sort put into it
10627 today,"  and Meg opened her arms to her sisters, who clung about her
10628 with April faces for a minute, feeling that the new love had not
10629 changed the old.
10630 
10631 "Now I'm going to tie John's cravat for him, and then to stay a few
10632 minutes with Father quietly in the study,"  and Meg ran down to perform
10633 these little ceremonies, and then to follow her mother wherever she
10634 went, conscious that in spite of the smiles on the motherly face, there
10635 was a secret sorrow hid in the motherly heart at the flight of the
10636 first bird from the nest.
10637 
10638 As the younger girls stand together, giving the last touches to their
10639 simple toilet, it may be a good time to tell of a few changes which
10640 three years have wrought in their appearance, for all are looking their
10641 best just now.
10642 
10643 Jo's angles are much softened, she has learned to carry herself with
10644 ease, if not grace.  The curly crop has lengthened into a thick coil,
10645 more becoming to the small head atop of the tall figure.  There is a
10646 fresh color in her brown cheeks, a soft shine in her eyes, and only
10647 gentle words fall from her sharp tongue today.
10648 
10649 Beth has grown slender, pale, and more quiet than ever.  The beautiful,
10650 kind eyes are larger, and in them lies an expression that saddens one,
10651 although it is not sad itself.  It is the shadow of pain which touches
10652 the young face with such pathetic patience, but Beth seldom complains
10653 and always speaks hopefully of 'being better soon'.
10654 
10655 Amy is with truth considered 'the flower of the family', for at sixteen
10656 she has the air and bearing of a full-grown woman, not beautiful, but
10657 possessed of that indescribable charm called grace. One saw it in the
10658 lines of her figure, the make and motion of her hands, the flow of her
10659 dress, the droop of her hair, unconscious yet harmonious, and as
10660 attractive to many as beauty itself.  Amy's nose still afflicted her,
10661 for it never would grow Grecian, so did her mouth, being too wide, and
10662 having a decided chin.  These offending features gave character to her
10663 whole face, but she never could see it, and consoled herself with her
10664 wonderfully fair complexion, keen blue eyes, and curls more golden and
10665 abundant than ever.
10666 
10667 All three wore suits of thin silver gray (their best gowns for the
10668 summer), with blush roses in hair and bosom, and all three looked just
10669 what they were, fresh-faced, happy-hearted girls, pausing a moment in
10670 their busy lives to read with wistful eyes the sweetest chapter in the
10671 romance of womanhood.
10672 
10673 There were to be no ceremonious performances, everything was to be as
10674 natural and homelike as possible, so when Aunt March arrived, she was
10675 scandalized to see the bride come running to welcome and lead her in,
10676 to find the bridegroom fastening up a garland that had fallen down, and
10677 to catch a glimpse of the paternal minister marching upstairs with a
10678 grave countenance and a wine bottle under each arm.
10679 
10680 "Upon my word, here's a state of things!" cried the old lady, taking
10681 the seat of honor prepared for her, and settling the folds of her
10682 lavender moire with a great rustle.  "You oughtn't to be seen till the
10683 last minute, child."
10684 
10685 "I'm not a show, Aunty, and no one is coming to stare at me, to
10686 criticize my dress, or count the cost of my luncheon.  I'm too happy to
10687 care what anyone says or thinks, and I'm going to have my little
10688 wedding just as I like it.  John, dear, here's your hammer."  And away
10689 went Meg to help 'that man' in his highly improper employment.
10690 
10691 Mr. Brooke didn't even say, "Thank you," but as he stooped for the
10692 unromantic tool, he kissed his little bride behind the folding door,
10693 with a look that made Aunt March whisk out her pocket handkerchief with
10694 a sudden dew in her sharp old eyes.
10695 
10696 A crash, a cry, and a laugh from Laurie, accompanied by the indecorous
10697 exclamation, "Jupiter Ammon!  Jo's upset the cake again!" caused a
10698 momentary flurry, which was hardly over when a flock of cousins
10699 arrived, and 'the party came in', as Beth used to say when a child.
10700 
10701 "Don't let that young giant come near me, he worries me worse than
10702 mosquitoes," whispered the old lady to Amy, as the rooms filled and
10703 Laurie's black head towered above the rest.
10704 
10705 "He has promised to be very good today, and he can be perfectly elegant
10706 if he likes," returned Amy, and gliding away to warn Hercules to beware
10707 of the dragon, which warning caused him to haunt the old lady with a
10708 devotion that nearly distracted her.
10709 
10710 There was no bridal procession, but a sudden silence fell upon the room
10711 as Mr. March and the young couple took their places under the green
10712 arch.  Mother and sisters gathered close, as if loath to give Meg up.
10713 The fatherly voice broke more than once, which only seemed to make the
10714 service more beautiful and solemn.  The bridegroom's hand trembled
10715 visibly, and no one heard his replies.  But Meg looked straight up in
10716 her husband's eyes, and said, "I will!" with such tender trust in her
10717 own face and voice that her mother's heart rejoiced and Aunt March
10718 sniffed audibly.
10719 
10720 Jo did not cry, though she was very near it once, and was only saved
10721 from a demonstration by the consciousness that Laurie was staring
10722 fixedly at her, with a comical mixture of merriment and emotion in his
10723 wicked black eyes.  Beth kept her face hidden on her mother's shoulder,
10724 but Amy stood like a graceful statue, with a most becoming ray of
10725 sunshine touching her white forehead and the flower in her hair.
10726 
10727 It wasn't at all the thing, I'm afraid, but the minute she was fairly
10728 married, Meg cried, "The first kiss for Marmee!" and turning, gave it
10729 with her heart on her lips.  During the next fifteen minutes she looked
10730 more like a rose than ever, for everyone availed themselves of their
10731 privileges to the fullest extent, from Mr. Laurence to old Hannah, who,
10732 adorned with a headdress fearfully and wonderfully made, fell upon her
10733 in the hall, crying with a sob and a chuckle, "Bless you, deary, a
10734 hundred times!  The cake ain't hurt a mite, and everything looks
10735 lovely."
10736 
10737 Everybody cleared up after that, and said something brilliant, or tried
10738 to, which did just as well, for laughter is ready when hearts are
10739 light.  There was no display of gifts, for they were already in the
10740 little house, nor was there an elaborate breakfast, but a plentiful
10741 lunch of cake and fruit, dressed with flowers. Mr. Laurence and Aunt
10742 March shrugged and smiled at one another when water, lemonade, and
10743 coffee were found to be to only sorts of nectar which the three Hebes
10744 carried round.  No one said anything, till Laurie, who insisted on
10745 serving the bride, appeared before her, with a loaded salver in his
10746 hand and a puzzled expression on his face.
10747 
10748 "Has Jo smashed all the bottles by accident?" he whispered, "or am I
10749 merely laboring under a delusion that I saw some lying about loose this
10750 morning?"
10751 
10752 "No, your grandfather kindly offered us his best, and Aunt March
10753 actually sent some, but Father put away a little for Beth, and
10754 dispatched the rest to the Soldier's Home.  You know he thinks that
10755 wine should be used only in illness, and Mother says that neither she
10756 nor her daughters will ever offer it to any young man under her roof."
10757 
10758 Meg spoke seriously and expected to see Laurie frown or laugh, but he
10759 did neither, for after a quick look at her, he said, in his impetuous
10760 way, "I like that!  For I've seen enough harm done to wish other women
10761 would think as you do."
10762 
10763 "You are not made wise by experience, I hope?" and there was an anxious
10764 accent in Meg's voice.
10765 
10766 "No.  I give you my word for it.  Don't think too well of me, either,
10767 this is not one of my temptations.  Being brought up where wine is as
10768 common as water and almost as harmless, I don't care for it, but when a
10769 pretty girl offers it, one doesn't like to refuse, you see."
10770 
10771 "But you will, for the sake of others, if not for your own. Come,
10772 Laurie, promise, and give me one more reason to call this the happiest
10773 day of my life."
10774 
10775 A demand so sudden and so serious made the young man hesitate a moment,
10776 for ridicule is often harder to bear than self-denial. Meg knew that if
10777 he gave the promise he would keep it at all costs, and feeling her
10778 power, used it as a woman may for her friend's good. She did not speak,
10779 but she looked up at him with a face made very eloquent by happiness,
10780 and a smile which said, "No one can refuse me anything today."
10781 
10782 Laurie certainly could not, and with an answering smile, he gave her
10783 his hand, saying heartily, "I promise, Mrs. Brooke!"
10784 
10785 "I thank you, very, very much."
10786 
10787 "And I drink 'long life to your resolution', Teddy," cried Jo,
10788 baptizing him with a splash of lemonade, as she waved her glass and
10789 beamed approvingly upon him.
10790 
10791 So the toast was drunk, the pledge made and loyally kept in spite of
10792 many temptations, for with instinctive wisdom, the girls seized a happy
10793 moment to do their friend a service, for which he thanked them all his
10794 life.
10795 
10796 After lunch, people strolled about, by twos and threes, through the
10797 house and garden, enjoying the sunshine without and within.  Meg and
10798 John happened to be standing together in the middle of the grass plot,
10799 when Laurie was seized with an inspiration which put the finishing
10800 touch to this unfashionable wedding.
10801 
10802 "All the married people take hands and dance round the new-made husband
10803 and wife, as the Germans do, while we bachelors and spinsters prance in
10804 couples outside!" cried Laurie, promenading down the path with Amy,
10805 with such infectious spirit and skill that everyone else followed their
10806 example without a murmur.  Mr. and Mrs. March, Aunt and Uncle Carrol
10807 began it, others rapidly joined in, even Sallie Moffat, after a
10808 moment's hesitation, threw her train over her arm and whisked Ned into
10809 the ring.  But the crowning joke was Mr. Laurence and Aunt March, for
10810 when the stately old gentleman chasseed solemnly up to the old lady,
10811 she just tucked her cane under her arm, and hopped briskly away to join
10812 hands with the rest and dance about the bridal pair, while the young
10813 folks pervaded the garden like butterflies on a midsummer day.
10814 
10815 Want of breath brought the impromptu ball to a close, and then people
10816 began to go.
10817 
10818 "I wish you well, my dear, I heartily wish you well, but I think you'll
10819 be sorry for it," said Aunt March to Meg, adding to the bridegroom, as
10820 he led her to the carriage, "You've got a treasure, young man, see that
10821 you deserve it."
10822 
10823 "That is the prettiest wedding I've been to for an age, Ned, and I
10824 don't see why, for there wasn't a bit of style about it," observed Mrs.
10825 Moffat to her husband, as they drove away.
10826 
10827 "Laurie, my lad, if you ever want to indulge in this sort of thing, get
10828 one of those little girls to help you, and I shall be perfectly
10829 satisfied," said Mr. Laurence, settling himself in his easy chair to
10830 rest after the excitement of the morning.
10831 
10832 "I'll do my best to gratify you, Sir," was Laurie's unusually dutiful
10833 reply, as he carefully unpinned the posy Jo had put in his buttonhole.
10834 
10835 The little house was not far away, and the only bridal journey Meg had
10836 was the quiet walk with John from the old home to the new. When she
10837 came down, looking like a pretty Quakeress in her dove-colored suit and
10838 straw bonnet tied with white, they all gathered about her to say
10839 'good-by', as tenderly as if she had been going to make the grand tour.
10840 
10841 "Don't feel that I am separated from you, Marmee dear, or that I love
10842 you any the less for loving John so much," she said, clinging to her
10843 mother, with full eyes for a moment.  "I shall come every day, Father,
10844 and expect to keep my old place in all your hearts, though I am
10845 married.  Beth is going to be with me a great deal, and the other girls
10846 will drop in now and then to laugh at my housekeeping struggles. Thank
10847 you all for my happy wedding day.  Good-by, good-by!"
10848 
10849 They stood watching her, with faces full of love and hope and tender
10850 pride as she walked away, leaning on her husband's arm, with her hands
10851 full of flowers and the June sunshine brightening her happy face -- and
10852 so Meg's married life began.
10853 
10854 
10855 
10856 CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
10857 
10858 ARTISTIC ATTEMPTS
10859 
10860 It takes people a long time to learn the difference between talent and
10861 genius, especially ambitious young men and women.  Amy was learning
10862 this distinction through much tribulation, for mistaking enthusiasm for
10863 inspiration, she attempted every branch of art with youthful audacity.
10864 For a long time there was a lull in the 'mud-pie' business, and she
10865 devoted herself to the finest pen-and-ink drawing, in which she showed
10866 such taste and skill that her graceful handiwork proved both pleasant
10867 and profitable.  But over-strained eyes caused pen and ink to be laid
10868 aside for a bold attempt at poker-sketching. While this attack lasted,
10869 the family lived in constant fear of a conflagration, for the odor of
10870 burning wood pervaded the house at all hours, smoke issued from attic
10871 and shed with alarming frequency, red-hot pokers lay about
10872 promiscuously, and Hannah never went to bed without a pail of water and
10873 the dinner bell at her door in case of fire.  Raphael's face was found
10874 boldly executed on the underside of the moulding board, and Bacchus on
10875 the head of a beer barrel.  A chanting cherub adorned the cover of the
10876 sugar bucket, and attempts to portray Romeo and Juliet supplied
10877 kindling for some time.
10878 
10879 From fire to oil was a natural transition for burned fingers, and Amy
10880 fell to painting with undiminished ardor.  An artist friend fitted her
10881 out with his castoff palettes, brushes, and colors, and she daubed
10882 away, producing pastoral and marine views such as were never seen on
10883 land or sea.  Her monstrosities in the way of cattle would have taken
10884 prizes at an agricultural fair, and the perilous pitching of her
10885 vessels would have produced seasickness in the most nautical observer,
10886 if the utter disregard to all known rules of shipbuilding and rigging
10887 had not convulsed him with laughter at the first glance.  Swarthy boys
10888 and dark-eyed Madonnas, staring at you from one corner of the studio,
10889 suggested Murillo; oily brown shadows of faces with a lurid streak in
10890 the wrong place, meant Rembrandt; buxom ladies and dropiscal infants,
10891 Rubens; and Turner appeared in tempests of blue thunder, orange
10892 lightning, brown rain, and purple clouds, with a tomato-colored splash
10893 in the middle, which might be the sun or a bouy, a sailor's shirt or a
10894 king's robe, as the spectator pleased.
10895 
10896 Charcoal portraits came next, and the entire family hung in a row,
10897 looking as wild and crocky as if just evoked from a coalbin. Softened
10898 into crayon sketches, they did better, for the likenesses were good,
10899 and Amy's hair, Jo's nose, Meg's mouth, and Laurie's eyes were
10900 pronounced 'wonderfully fine'.  A return to clay and plaster followed,
10901 and ghostly casts of her acquaintances haunted corners of the house, or
10902 tumbled off closet shelves onto people's heads.  Children were enticed
10903 in as models, till their incoherent accounts of her mysterious doings
10904 caused Miss Amy to be regarded in the light of a young ogress.  Her
10905 efforts in this line, however, were brought to an abrupt close by an
10906 untoward accident, which quenched her ardor.  Other models failing her
10907 for a time, she undertook to cast her own pretty foot, and the family
10908 were one day alarmed by an unearthly bumping and screaming and running
10909 to the rescue, found the young enthusiast hopping wildly about the shed
10910 with her foot held fast in a pan full of plaster, which had hardened
10911 with unexpected rapidity.  With much difficulty and some danger she was
10912 dug out, for Jo was so overcome with laughter while she excavated that
10913 her knife went too far, cut the poor foot, and left a lasting memorial
10914 of one artistic attempt, at least.
10915 
10916 After this Amy subsided, till a mania for sketching from nature set her
10917 to haunting river, field, and wood, for picturesque studies, and
10918 sighing for ruins to copy.  She caught endless colds sitting on damp
10919 grass to book 'a delicious bit', composed of a stone, a stump, one
10920 mushroom, and a broken mullein stalk, or 'a heavenly mass of clouds',
10921 that looked like a choice display of featherbeds when done. She
10922 sacrificed her complexion floating on the river in the midsummer sun to
10923 study light and shade, and got a wrinkle over her nose trying after
10924 'points of sight', or whatever the squint-and-string performance is
10925 called.
10926 
10927 If 'genius is eternal patience', as Michelangelo affirms, Amy had some
10928 claim to the divine attribute, for she persevered in spite of all
10929 obstacles, failures, and discouragements, firmly believing that in time
10930 she should do something worthy to be called 'high art'.
10931 
10932 She was learning, doing, and enjoying other things, meanwhile, for she
10933 had resolved to be an attractive and accomplished woman, even if she
10934 never became a great artist.  Here she succeeded better, for she was
10935 one of those happily created beings who please without effort, make
10936 friends everywhere, and take life so gracefully and easily that less
10937 fortunate souls are tempted to believe that such are born under a lucky
10938 star.  Everybody liked her, for among her good gifts was tact.  She had
10939 an instinctive sense of what was pleasing and proper, always said the
10940 right thing to the right person, did just what suited the time and
10941 place, and was so self-possessed that her sisters used to say, "If Amy
10942 went to court without any rehearsal beforehand, she'd know exactly what
10943 to do."
10944 
10945 One of her weaknesses was a desire to move in 'our best society',
10946 without being quite sure what the best really was.  Money, position,
10947 fashionable accomplishments, and elegant manners were most desirable
10948 things in her eyes, and she liked to associate with those who possessed
10949 them, often mistaking the false for the true, and admiring what was not
10950 admirable.  Never forgetting that by birth she was a gentlewoman, she
10951 cultivated her aristocratic tastes and feelings, so that when the
10952 opportunity came she might be ready to take the place from which
10953 poverty now excluded her.
10954 
10955 "My lady," as her friends called her, sincerely desired to be a genuine
10956 lady, and was so at heart, but had yet to learn that money cannot buy
10957 refinement of nature, that rank does not always confer nobility, and
10958 that true breeding makes itself felt in spite of external drawbacks.
10959 
10960 "I want to ask a favor of you, Mamma," Amy said, coming in with an
10961 important air one day.
10962 
10963 "Well, little girl, what is it?" replied her mother, in whose eyes the
10964 stately young lady still remained 'the baby'.
10965 
10966 "Our drawing class breaks up next week, and before the girls separate
10967 for the summer, I want to ask them out here for a day.  They are wild
10968 to see the river, sketch the broken bridge, and copy some of the things
10969 they admire in my book.  They have been very kind to me in many ways,
10970 and I am grateful, for they are all rich and I know I am poor, yet they
10971 never made any difference."
10972 
10973 "Why should they?" and Mrs. March put the question with what the girls
10974 called her 'Maria Theresa air'.
10975 
10976 "You know as well as I that it does make a difference with nearly
10977 everyone, so don't ruffle up like a dear, motherly hen, when your
10978 chickens get pecked by smarter birds.  The ugly duckling turned out a
10979 swan, you know."  and Amy smiled without bitterness, for she possessed
10980 a happy temper and hopeful spirit.
10981 
10982 Mrs. March laughed, and smoothed down her maternal pride as she asked,
10983 "Well, my swan, what is your plan?"
10984 
10985 "I should like to ask the girls out to lunch next week, to take them
10986 for a drive to the places they want to see, a row on the river,
10987 perhaps, and make a little artistic fete for them."
10988 
10989 "That looks feasible.  What do you want for lunch?  Cake, sandwiches,
10990 fruit, and coffee will be all that is necessary, I suppose?"
10991 
10992 "Oh, dear, no!  We must have cold tongue and chicken, French chocolate
10993 and ice cream, besides.  The girls are used to such things, and I want
10994 my lunch to be proper and elegant, though I do work for my living."
10995 
10996 "How many young ladies are there?" asked her mother, beginning to look
10997 sober.
10998 
10999 "Twelve or fourteen in the class, but I dare say they won't all come."
11000 
11001 "Bless me, child, you will have to charter an omnibus to carry them
11002 about."
11003 
11004 "Why, Mother, how can you think of such a thing?  Not more than six or
11005 eight will probably come, so I shall hire a beach wagon and borrow Mr.
11006 Laurence's cherry-bounce." (Hannah's pronunciation of char-a-banc.)
11007 
11008 "All of this will be expensive, Amy."
11009 
11010 "Not very.  I've calculated the cost, and I'll pay for it myself."
11011 
11012 "Don't you think, dear, that as these girls are used to such things,
11013 and the best we can do will be nothing new, that some simpler plan
11014 would be pleasanter to them, as a change if nothing more, and much
11015 better for us than buying or borrowing what we don't need, and
11016 attempting a style not in keeping with our circumstances?"
11017 
11018 "If I can't have it as I like, I don't care to have it at all. I know
11019 that I can carry it out perfectly well, if you and the girls will help
11020 a little, and I don't see why I can't if I'm willing to pay for it,"
11021 said Amy, with the decision which opposition was apt to change into
11022 obstinacy.
11023 
11024 Mrs. March knew that experience was an excellent teacher, and when it
11025 was possible she left her children to learn alone the lessons which she
11026 would gladly have made easier, if they had not objected to taking
11027 advice as much as they did salts and senna.
11028 
11029 "Very well, Amy, if your heart is set upon it, and you see your way
11030 through without too great an outlay of money, time, and temper, I'll
11031 say no more.  Talk it over with the girls, and whichever way you
11032 decide, I'll do my best to help you."
11033 
11034 "Thanks, Mother, you are always so kind." and away went Amy to lay her
11035 plan before her sisters.
11036 
11037 Meg agreed at once, and promised her aid, gladly offering anything she
11038 possessed, from her little house itself to her very best saltspoons.
11039 But Jo frowned upon the whole project and would have nothing to do with
11040 it at first.
11041 
11042 "Why in the world should you spend your money, worry your family, and
11043 turn the house upside down for a parcel of girls who don't care a
11044 sixpence for you?  I thought you had too much pride and sense to
11045 truckle to any mortal woman just because she wears French boots and
11046 rides in a coupe," said Jo, who, being called from the tragic climax of
11047 her novel, was not in the best mood for social enterprises.
11048 
11049 "I don't truckle, and I hate being patronized as much as you do!"
11050 returned Amy indignantly, for the two still jangled when such questions
11051 arose. "The girls do care for me, and I for them, and there's a great
11052 deal of kindness and sense and talent among them, in spite of what you
11053 call fashionable nonsense.  You don't care to make people like you, to
11054 go into good society, and cultivate your manners and tastes.  I do, and
11055 I mean to make the most of every chance that comes.  You can go through
11056 the world with your elbows out and your nose in the air, and call it
11057 independence, if you like.  That's not my way."
11058 
11059 When Amy had whetted her tongue and freed her mind she usually got the
11060 best of it, for she seldom failed to have common sense on her side,
11061 while Jo carried her love of liberty and hate of conventionalities to
11062 such an unlimited extent that she naturally found herself worsted in an
11063 argument.  Amy's definition of Jo's idea of independence was such a
11064 good hit that both burst out laughing, and the discussion took a more
11065 amiable turn.  Much against her will, Jo at length consented to
11066 sacrifice a day to Mrs. Grundy, and help her sister through what she
11067 regarded as 'a nonsensical business'.
11068 
11069 The invitations were sent, nearly all accepted, and the following
11070 Monday was set apart for the grand event.  Hannah was out of humor
11071 because her week's work was deranged, and prophesied that "ef the
11072 washin' and ironin' warn't done reg'lar, nothin' would go well
11073 anywheres".  This hitch in the mainspring of the domestic machinery had
11074 a bad effect upon the whole concern, but Amy's motto was 'Nil
11075 desperandum', and having made up her mind what to do, she proceeded to
11076 do it in spite of all obstacles.  To begin with, Hannah's cooking
11077 didn't turn out well.  The chicken was tough, the tongue too salty, and
11078 the chocolate wouldn't froth properly.  Then the cake and ice cost more
11079 than Amy expected, so did the wagon, and various other expenses, which
11080 seemed trifling at the outset, counted up rather alarmingly afterward.
11081 Beth got a cold and took to her bed.  Meg had an unusual number of
11082 callers to keep her at home, and Jo was in such a divided state of mind
11083 that her breakages, accidents, and mistakes were uncommonly numerous,
11084 serious, and trying.
11085 
11086 If it was not fair on Monday, the young ladies were to come on Tuesday,
11087 an arrangement which aggravated Jo and Hannah to the last degree.  On
11088 Monday morning the weather was in that undecided state which is more
11089 exasperating than a steady pour.  It drizzled a little, shone a little,
11090 blew a little, and didn't make up its mind till it was too late for
11091 anyone else to make up theirs.  Amy was up at dawn, hustling people out
11092 of their beds and through their breakfasts, that the house might be got
11093 in order.  The parlor struck her as looking uncommonly shabby, but
11094 without stopping to sigh for what she had not, she skillfully made the
11095 best of what she had, arranging chairs over the worn places in the
11096 carpet, covering stains on the walls with homemade statuary, which gave
11097 an artistic air to the room, as did the lovely vases of flowers Jo
11098 scattered about.
11099 
11100 The lunch looked charming, and as she surveyed it, she sincerely hoped
11101 it would taste well, and that the borrowed glass, china, and silver
11102 would get safely home again.  The carriages were promised, Meg and
11103 Mother were all ready to do the honors, Beth was able to help Hannah
11104 behind the scenes, Jo had engaged to be as lively and amiable as an
11105 absent mind, and aching head, and a very decided disapproval of
11106 everybody and everything would allow, and as she wearily dressed, Amy
11107 cheered herself with anticipations of the happy moment when, lunch
11108 safely over, she should drive away with her friends for an afternoon of
11109 artistic delights, for the 'cherry bounce' and the broken bridge were
11110 her strong points.
11111 
11112 Then came the hours of suspense, during which she vibrated from parlor
11113 to porch, while public opinion varied like the weathercock.  A smart
11114 shower at eleven had evidently quenched the enthusiasm of the young
11115 ladies who were to arrive at twelve, for nobody came, and at two the
11116 exhausted family sat down in a blaze of sunshine to consume the
11117 perishable portions of the feast, that nothing might be lost.
11118 
11119 "No doubt about the weather today, they will certainly come, so we must
11120 fly round and be ready for them," said Amy, as the sun woke her next
11121 morning.  She spoke briskly, but in her secret soul she wished she had
11122 said nothing about Tuesday, for her interest like her cake was getting
11123 a little stale.
11124 
11125 "I can't get any lobsters, so you will have to do without salad today,"
11126 said Mr. March, coming in half an hour later, with an expression of
11127 placid despair.
11128 
11129 "Use the chicken then, the toughness won't matter in a salad," advised
11130 his wife.
11131 
11132 "Hannah left it on the kitchen table a minute, and the kittens got at
11133 it.  I'm very sorry, Amy," added Beth, who was still a patroness of
11134 cats.
11135 
11136 "Then I must have a lobster, for tongue alone won't do," said Amy
11137 decidedly.
11138 
11139 "Shall I rush into town and demand one?" asked Jo, with the magnanimity
11140 of a martyr.
11141 
11142 "You'd come bringing it home under your arm without any paper, just to
11143 try me.  I'll go myself," answered Amy, whose temper was beginning to
11144 fail.
11145 
11146 Shrouded in a thick veil and armed with a genteel traveling basket, she
11147 departed, feeling that a cool drive would soothe her ruffled spirit and
11148 fit her for the labors of the day.  After some delay, the object of her
11149 desire was procured, likewise a bottle of dressing to prevent further
11150 loss of time at home, and off she drove again, well pleased with her
11151 own forethought.
11152 
11153 As the omnibus contained only one other passenger, a sleepy old lady,
11154 Amy pocketed her veil and beguiled the tedium of the way by trying to
11155 find out where all her money had gone to.  So busy was she with her
11156 card full of refractory figures that she did not observe a newcomer,
11157 who entered without stopping the vehicle, till a masculine voice said,
11158 "Good morning, Miss March," and, looking up, she beheld one of Laurie's
11159 most elegant college friends.  Fervently hoping that he would get out
11160 before she did, Amy utterly ignored the basket at her feet, and
11161 congratulating herself that she had on her new traveling dress,
11162 returned the young man's greeting with her usual suavity and spirit.
11163 
11164 They got on excellently, for Amy's chief care was soon set at rest by
11165 learning that the gentleman would leave first, and she was chatting
11166 away in a peculiarly lofty strain, when the old lady got out. In
11167 stumbling to the door, she upset the basket, and -- oh horror! -- the
11168 lobster, in all its vulgar size and brilliancy, was revealed to the
11169 highborn eyes of a Tudor!
11170 
11171 "By Jove, she's forgotten her dinner!" cried the unconscious youth,
11172 poking the scarlet monster into its place with his cane, and preparing
11173 to hand out the basket after the old lady.
11174 
11175 "Please don't -- it's -- it's mine," murmured Amy, with a face nearly as
11176 red as her fish.
11177 
11178 "Oh, really, I beg pardon.  It's an uncommonly fine one, isn't it?"
11179 said Tudor, with great presence of mind, and an air of sober interest
11180 that did credit to his breeding.
11181 
11182 Amy recovered herself in a breath, set her basket boldly on the seat,
11183 and said, laughing, "Don't you wish you were to have some of the salad
11184 he's going to make, and to see the charming young ladies who are to eat
11185 it?"
11186 
11187 Now that was tact, for two of the ruling foibles of the masculine mind
11188 were touched.  The lobster was instantly surrounded by a halo of
11189 pleasing reminiscences, and curiosity about 'the charming young ladies'
11190 diverted his mind from the comical mishap.
11191 
11192 "I suppose he'll laugh and joke over it with Laurie, but I shan't see
11193 them, that's a comfort," thought Amy, as Tudor bowed and departed.
11194 
11195 She did not mention this meeting at home (though she discovered that,
11196 thanks to the upset, her new dress was much damaged by the rivulets of
11197 dressing that meandered down the skirt), but went through with the
11198 preparations which now seemed more irksome than before, and at twelve
11199 o'clock all was ready again.  Feeling that the neighbors were
11200 interested in her movements, she wished to efface the memory of
11201 yesterday's failure by a grand success today, so she ordered the
11202 'cherry bounce', and drove away in state to meet and escort her guests
11203 to the banquet.
11204 
11205 "There's the rumble, they're coming!  I'll go onto the porch and meet
11206 them.  It looks hospitable, and I want the poor child to have a good
11207 time after all her trouble," said Mrs. March, suiting the action to the
11208 word.  But after one glance, she retired, with an indescribable
11209 expression, for looking quite lost in the big carriage, sat Amy and one
11210 young lady.
11211 
11212 "Run, Beth, and help Hannah clear half the things off the table. It
11213 will be too absurd to put a luncheon for twelve before a single girl,"
11214 cried Jo, hurrying away to the lower regions, too excited to stop even
11215 for a laugh.
11216 
11217 In came Amy, quite calm and delightfully cordial to the one guest who
11218 had kept her promise.  The rest of the family, being of a dramatic
11219 turn, played their parts equally well, and Miss Eliott found them a
11220 most hilarious set, for it was impossible to control entirely the
11221 merriment which possessed them.  The remodeled lunch being gaily
11222 partaken of, the studio and garden visited, and art discussed with
11223 enthusiasm, Amy ordered a buggy (alas for the elegant cherry-bounce),
11224 and drove her friend quietly about the neighborhood till sunset, when
11225 'the party went out'.
11226 
11227 As she came walking in, looking very tired but as composed as ever, she
11228 observed that every vestige of the unfortunate fete had disappeared,
11229 except a suspicious pucker about the corners of Jo's mouth.
11230 
11231 "You've had a loverly afternoon for your drive, dear," said her mother,
11232 as respectfully as if the whole twelve had come.
11233 
11234 "Miss Eliott is a very sweet girl, and seemed to enjoy herself, I
11235 thought," observed Beth, with unusual warmth.
11236 
11237 "Could you spare me some of your cake?  I really need some, I have so
11238 much company, and I can't make such delicious stuff as yours," asked
11239 Meg soberly.
11240 
11241 "Take it all.  I'm the only one here who likes sweet things, and it
11242 will mold before I can dispose of it," answered Amy, thinking with a
11243 sigh of the generous store she had laid in for such an end as this.
11244 
11245 "It's a pity Laurie isn't here to help us," began Jo, as they sat down
11246 to ice cream and salad for the second time in two days.
11247 
11248 A warning look from her mother checked any further remarks, and the
11249 whole family ate in heroic silence, till Mr. March mildly observed,
11250 "salad was one of the favorite dishes of the ancients, and Evelyn..."
11251 Here a general explosion of laughter cut short the 'history of salads',
11252 to the great surprise of the learned gentleman.
11253 
11254 "Bundle everything into a basket and send it to the Hummels.  Germans
11255 like messes.  I'm sick of the sight of this, and there's no reason you
11256 should all die of a surfeit because I've been a fool," cried Amy,
11257 wiping her eyes.
11258 
11259 "I thought I should have died when I saw you two girls rattling about
11260 in the what-you-call-it, like two little kernels in a very big
11261 nutshell, and Mother waiting in state to receive the throng," sighed
11262 Jo, quite spent with laughter.
11263 
11264 "I'm very sorry you were disappointed, dear, but we all did our best to
11265 satisfy you," said Mrs. March, in a tone full of motherly regret.
11266 
11267 "I am satisfied.  I've done what I undertook, and it's not my fault
11268 that it failed.  I comfort myself with that," said Amy with a little
11269 quiver in her voice.  "I thank you all very much for helping me, and
11270 I'll thank you still more if you won't allude to it for a month, at
11271 least."
11272 
11273 No one did for several months, but the word 'fete' always produced a
11274 general smile, and Laurie's birthday gift to Amy was a tiny coral
11275 lobster in the shape of a charm for her watch guard.
11276 
11277 
11278 
11279 CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
11280 
11281 LITERARY LESSONS
11282 
11283 Fortune suddenly smiled upon Jo, and dropped a good luck penny in her
11284 path.  Not a golden penny, exactly, but I doubt if half a million would
11285 have given more real happiness then did the little sum that came to her
11286 in this wise.
11287 
11288 Every few weeks she would shut herself up in her room, put on her
11289 scribbling suit, and 'fall into a vortex', as she expressed it, writing
11290 away at her novel with all her heart and soul, for till that was
11291 finished she could find no peace.  Her 'scribbling suit' consisted of a
11292 black woolen pinafore on which she could wipe her pen at will, and a
11293 cap of the same material, adorned with a cheerful red bow, into which
11294 she bundled her hair when the decks were cleared for action.  This cap
11295 was a beacon to the inquiring eyes of her family, who during these
11296 periods kept their distance, merely popping in their heads
11297 semi-occasionally to ask, with interest, "Does genius burn, Jo?" They
11298 did not always venture even to ask this question, but took an
11299 observation of the cap, and judged accordingly.  If this expressive
11300 article of dress was drawn low upon the forehead, it was a sign that
11301 hard work was going on, in exciting moments it was pushed rakishly
11302 askew, and when despair seized the author it was plucked wholly off,
11303 and cast upon the floor.  At such times the intruder silently withdrew,
11304 and not until the red bow was seen gaily erect upon the gifted brow,
11305 did anyone dare address Jo.
11306 
11307 She did not think herself a genius by any means, but when the writing
11308 fit came on, she gave herself up to it with entire abandon, and led a
11309 blissful life, unconscious of want, care, or bad weather, while she sat
11310 safe and happy in an imaginary world, full of friends almost as real
11311 and dear to her as any in the flesh.  Sleep forsook her eyes, meals
11312 stood untasted, day and night were all too short to enjoy the happiness
11313 which blessed her only at such times, and made these hours worth
11314 living, even if they bore no other fruit.  The divine afflatus usually
11315 lasted a week or two, and then she emerged from her 'vortex', hungry,
11316 sleepy, cross, or despondent.
11317 
11318 She was just recovering from one of these attacks when she was
11319 prevailed upon to escort Miss Crocker to a lecture, and in return for
11320 her virtue was rewarded with a new idea.  It was a People's Course, the
11321 lecture on the Pyramids, and Jo rather wondered at the choice of such a
11322 subject for such an audience, but took it for granted that some great
11323 social evil would be remedied or some great want supplied by unfolding
11324 the glories of the Pharaohs to an audience whose thoughts were busy
11325 with the price of coal and flour, and whose lives were spent in trying
11326 to solve harder riddles than that of the Sphinx.
11327 
11328 They were early, and while Miss Crocker set the heel of her stocking,
11329 Jo amused herself by examining the faces of the people who occupied the
11330 seat with them.  On her left were two matrons, with massive foreheads
11331 and bonnets to match, discussing Women's Rights and making tatting.
11332 Beyond sat a pair of humble lovers, artlessly holding each other by the
11333 hand, a somber spinster eating peppermints out of a paper bag, and an
11334 old gentleman taking his preparatory nap behind a yellow bandanna.  On
11335 her right, her only neighbor was a studious looking lad absorbed in a
11336 newspaper.
11337 
11338 It was a pictorial sheet, and Jo examined the work of art nearest her,
11339 idly wondering what fortuitous concatenation of circumstances needed
11340 the melodramatic illustration of an Indian in full war costume,
11341 tumbling over a precipice with a wolf at his throat, while two
11342 infuriated young gentlemen, with unnaturally small feet and big eyes,
11343 were stabbing each other close by, and a disheveled female was flying
11344 away in the background with her mouth wide open.  Pausing to turn a
11345 page, the lad saw her looking and, with boyish good nature offered half
11346 his paper, saying bluntly, "want to read it? That's a first-rate story."
11347 
11348 Jo accepted it with a smile, for she had never outgrown her liking for
11349 lads, and soon found herself involved in the usual labyrinth of love,
11350 mystery, and murder, for the story belonged to that class of light
11351 literature in which the passions have a holiday, and when the author's
11352 invention fails, a grand catastrophe clears the stage of one half the
11353 dramatis personae, leaving the other half to exult over their downfall.
11354 
11355 "Prime, isn't it?" asked the boy, as her eye went down the last
11356 paragraph of her portion.
11357 
11358 "I think you and I could do as well as that if we tried," returned Jo,
11359 amused at his admiration of the trash.
11360 
11361 "I should think I was a pretty lucky chap if I could.  She makes a good
11362 living out of such stories, they say." and he pointed to the name of
11363 Mrs. S.L.A.N.G.  Northbury, under the title of the tale.
11364 
11365 "Do you know her?" asked Jo, with sudden interest.
11366 
11367 "No, but I read all her pieces, and I know a fellow who works in the
11368 office where this paper is printed."
11369 
11370 "Do you say she makes a good living out of stories like this?" and Jo
11371 looked more respectfully at the agitated group and thickly sprinkled
11372 exclamation points that adorned the page.
11373 
11374 "Guess she does!  She knows just what folks like, and gets paid well
11375 for writing it."
11376 
11377 Here the lecture began, but Jo heard very little of it, for while
11378 Professor Sands was prosing away about Belzoni, Cheops, scarabei, and
11379 hieroglyphics, she was covertly taking down the address of the paper,
11380 and boldly resolving to try for the hundred-dollar prize offered in its
11381 columns for a sensational story.  By the time the lecture ended and the
11382 audience awoke, she had built up a splendid fortune for herself (not
11383 the first founded on paper), and was already deep in the concoction of
11384 her story, being unable to decide whether the duel should come before
11385 the elopement or after the murder.
11386 
11387 She said nothing of her plan at home, but fell to work next day, much
11388 to the disquiet of her mother, who always looked a little anxious when
11389 'genius took to burning'.  Jo had never tried this style before,
11390 contenting herself with very mild romances for _The Spread Eagle_.  Her
11391 experience and miscellaneous reading were of service now, for they gave
11392 her some idea of dramatic effect, and supplied plot, language, and
11393 costumes.  Her story was as full of desperation and despair as her
11394 limited acquaintance with those uncomfortable emotions enabled her to
11395 make it, and having located it in Lisbon, she wound up with an
11396 earthquake, as a striking and appropriate denouement.  The manuscript
11397 was privately dispatched, accompanied by a note, modestly saying that
11398 if the tale didn't get the prize, which the writer hardly dared expect,
11399 she would be very glad to receive any sum it might be considered worth.
11400 
11401 Six weeks is a long time to wait, and a still longer time for a girl to
11402 keep a secret, but Jo did both, and was just beginning to give up all
11403 hope of ever seeing her manuscript again, when a letter arrived which
11404 almost took her breath away, for on opening it, a check for a hundred
11405 dollars fell into her lap.  For a minute she stared at it as if it had
11406 been a snake, then she read her letter and began to cry.  If the
11407 amiable gentleman who wrote that kindly note could have known what
11408 intense happiness he was giving a fellow creature, I think he would
11409 devote his leisure hours, if he has any, to that amusement, for Jo
11410 valued the letter more than the money, because it was encouraging, and
11411 after years of effort it was so pleasant to find that she had learned
11412 to do something, though it was only to write a sensation story.
11413 
11414 A prouder young woman was seldom seen than she, when, having composed
11415 herself, she electrified the family by appearing before them with the
11416 letter in one hand, the check in the other, announcing that she had won
11417 the prize.  Of course there was a great jubilee, and when the story
11418 came everyone read and praised it, though after her father had told her
11419 that the language was good, the romance fresh and hearty, and the
11420 tragedy quite thrilling, he shook his head, and said in his unworldly
11421 way...
11422 
11423 "You can do better than this, Jo.  Aim at the highest, and never mind
11424 the money."
11425 
11426 "I think the money is the best part of it.  What will you do with such
11427 a fortune?" asked Amy, regarding the magic slip of paper with a
11428 reverential eye.
11429 
11430 "Send Beth and Mother to the seaside for a month or two," answered Jo
11431 promptly.
11432 
11433 To the seaside they went, after much discussion, and though Beth didn't
11434 come home as plump and rosy as could be desired, she was much better,
11435 while Mrs. March declared she felt ten years younger.  So Jo was
11436 satisfied with the investment of her prize money, and fell to work with
11437 a cheery spirit, bent on earning more of those delightful checks. She
11438 did earn several that year, and began to feel herself a power in the
11439 house, for by the magic of a pen, her 'rubbish' turned into comforts
11440 for them all.  The Duke's Daughter paid the butcher's bill, A Phantom
11441 Hand put down a new carpet, and the Curse of the Coventrys proved the
11442 blessing of the Marches in the way of groceries and gowns.
11443 
11444 Wealth is certainly a most desirable thing, but poverty has its sunny
11445 side, and one of the sweet uses of adversity is the genuine
11446 satisfaction which comes from hearty work of head or hand, and to the
11447 inspiration of necessity, we owe half the wise, beautiful, and useful
11448 blessings of the world.  Jo enjoyed a taste of this satisfaction, and
11449 ceased to envy richer girls, taking great comfort in the knowledge that
11450 she could supply her own wants, and need ask no one for a penny.
11451 
11452 Little notice was taken of her stories, but they found a market, and
11453 encouraged by this fact, she resolved to make a bold stroke for fame
11454 and fortune.  Having copied her novel for the fourth time, read it to
11455 all her confidential friends, and submitted it with fear and trembling
11456 to three publishers, she at last disposed of it, on condition that she
11457 would cut it down one third, and omit all the parts which she
11458 particularly admired.
11459 
11460 "Now I must either bundle it back in to my tin kitchen to mold, pay for
11461 printing it myself, or chop it up to suit purchasers and get what I can
11462 for it.  Fame is a very good thing to have in the house, but cash is
11463 more convenient, so I wish to take the sense of the meeting on this
11464 important subject," said Jo, calling a family council.
11465 
11466 "Don't spoil your book, my girl, for there is more in it than you know,
11467 and the idea is well worked out.  Let it wait and ripen," was her
11468 father's advice, and he practiced what he preached, having waited
11469 patiently thirty years for fruit of his own to ripen, and being in no
11470 haste to gather it even now when it was sweet and mellow.
11471 
11472 "It seems to me that Jo will profit more by taking the trial than by
11473 waiting," said Mrs. March.  "Criticism is the best test of such work,
11474 for it will show her both unsuspected merits and faults, and help her
11475 to do better next time.  We are too partial, but the praise and blame
11476 of outsiders will prove useful, even if she gets but little money."
11477 
11478 "Yes," said Jo, knitting her brows, "that's just it.  I've been fussing
11479 over the thing so long, I really don't know whether it's good, bad, or
11480 indifferent.  It will be a great help to have cool, impartial persons
11481 take a look at it, and tell me what they think of it."
11482 
11483 "I wouldn't leave a word out of it.  You'll spoil it if you do, for the
11484 interest of the story is more in the minds than in the actions of the
11485 people, and it will be all a muddle if you don't explain as you go on,"
11486 said Meg, who firmly believed that this book was the most remarkable
11487 novel ever written.
11488 
11489 "But Mr. Allen says, 'Leave out the explanations, make it brief and
11490 dramatic, and let the characters tell the story'," interrupted Jo,
11491 turning to the publisher's note.
11492 
11493 "Do as he tells you.  He knows what will sell, and we don't. Make a
11494 good, popular book, and get as much money as you can. By-and-by, when
11495 you've got a name, you can afford to digress, and have philosophical
11496 and metaphysical people in your novels," said Amy, who took a strictly
11497 practical view of the subject.
11498 
11499 "Well," said Jo, laughing, "if my people are 'philosophical and
11500 metaphysical', it isn't my fault, for I know nothing about such things,
11501 except what I hear father say, sometimes.  If I've got some of his wise
11502 ideas jumbled up with my romance, so much the better for me.  Now,
11503 Beth, what do you say?"
11504 
11505 "I should so like to see it printed soon," was all Beth said, and
11506 smiled in saying it.  But there was an unconscious emphasis on the last
11507 word, and a wistful look in the eyes that never lost their childlike
11508 candor, which chilled Jo's heart for a minute with a forboding fear,
11509 and decided her to make her little venture 'soon'.
11510 
11511 So, with Spartan firmness, the young authoress laid her first-born on
11512 her table, and chopped it up as ruthlessly as any ogre.  In the hope of
11513 pleasing everyone, she took everyone's advice, and like the old man and
11514 his donkey in the fable suited nobody.
11515 
11516 Her father liked the metaphysical streak which had unconsciously got
11517 into it, so that was allowed to remain though she had her doubts about
11518 it.  Her mother thought that there was a trifle too much description.
11519 Out, therefore it came, and with it many necessary links in the story.
11520 Meg admired the tragedy, so Jo piled up the agony to suit her, while
11521 Amy objected to the fun, and, with the best intentions in life, Jo
11522 quenched the spritly scenes which relieved the somber character of the
11523 story.  Then, to complicate the ruin, she cut it down one third, and
11524 confidingly sent the poor little romance, like a picked robin, out into
11525 the big, busy world to try its fate.
11526 
11527 Well, it was printed, and she got three hundred dollars for it,
11528 likewise plenty of praise and blame, both so much greater than she
11529 expected that she was thrown into a state of bewilderment from which it
11530 took her some time to recover.
11531 
11532 "You said, Mother, that criticism would help me.  But how can it, when
11533 it's so contradictory that I don't know whether I've written a
11534 promising book or broken all the ten commandments?" cried poor Jo,
11535 turning over a heap of notices, the perusal of which filled her with
11536 pride and joy one minute, wrath and dismay the next.  "This man says,
11537 'An exquisite book, full of truth, beauty, and earnestness.' 'All is
11538 sweet, pure, and healthy.'" continued the perplexed authoress.  "The
11539 next, 'The theory of the book is bad, full of morbid fancies,
11540 spiritualistic ideas, and unnatural characters.' Now, as I had no
11541 theory of any kind, don't believe in Spiritualism, and copied my
11542 characters from life, I don't see how this critic can be right.
11543 Another says, 'It's one of the best American novels which has appeared
11544 for years.' (I know better than that), and the next asserts that
11545 'Though it is original, and written with great force and feeling, it is
11546 a dangerous book.' 'Tisn't!  Some make fun of it, some overpraise, and
11547 nearly all insist that I had a deep theory to expound, when I only
11548 wrote it for the pleasure and the money.  I wish I'd printed the whole
11549 or not at all, for I do hate to be so misjudged."
11550 
11551 Her family and friends administered comfort and commendation liberally.
11552 Yet it was a hard time for sensitive, high-spirited Jo, who meant so
11553 well and had apparently done so ill.  But it did her good, for those
11554 whose opinion had real value gave her the criticism which is an
11555 author's best education, and when the first soreness was over, she
11556 could laugh at her poor little book, yet believe in it still, and feel
11557 herself the wiser and stronger for the buffeting she had received.
11558 
11559 "Not being a genius, like Keats, it won't kill me," she said stoutly,
11560 "and I've got the joke on my side, after all, for the parts that were
11561 taken straight out of real life are denounced as impossible and absurd,
11562 and the scenes that I made up out of my own silly head are pronounced
11563 'charmingly natural, tender, and true'.  So I'll comfort myself with
11564 that, and when I'm ready, I'll up again and take another."
11565 
11566 
11567 
11568 CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
11569 
11570 DOMESTIC EXPERIENCES
11571 
11572 Like most other young matrons, Meg began her married life with the
11573 determination to be a model housekeeper.  John should find home a
11574 paradise, he should always see a smiling face, should fare sumptuously
11575 every day, and never know the loss of a button.  She brought so much
11576 love, energy, and cheerfulness to the work that she could not but
11577 succeed, in spite of some obstacles.  Her paradise was not a tranquil
11578 one, for the little woman fussed, was over-anxious to please, and
11579 bustled about like a true Martha, cumbered with many cares.  She was
11580 too tired, sometimes, even to smile, John grew dyspeptic after a course
11581 of dainty dishes and ungratefully demanded plain fare.  As for buttons,
11582 she soon learned to wonder where they went, to shake her head over the
11583 carelessness of men, and to threaten to make him sew them on himself,
11584 and see if his work would stand impatient and clumsy fingers any better
11585 than hers.
11586 
11587 They were very happy, even after they discovered that they couldn't
11588 live on love alone.  John did not find Meg's beauty diminished, though
11589 she beamed at him from behind the familiar coffee pot.  Nor did Meg
11590 miss any of the romance from the daily parting, when her husband
11591 followed up his kiss with the tender inquiry, "Shall I send some veal
11592 or mutton for dinner, darling?" The little house ceased to be a
11593 glorified bower, but it became a home, and the young couple soon felt
11594 that it was a change for the better.  At first they played keep-house,
11595 and frolicked over it like children.  Then John took steadily to
11596 business, feeling the cares of the head of a family upon his shoulders,
11597 and Meg laid by her cambric wrappers, put on a big apron, and fell to
11598 work, as before said, with more energy than discretion.
11599 
11600 While the cooking mania lasted she went through Mrs. Cornelius's
11601 Receipt Book as if it were a mathematical exercise, working out the
11602 problems with patience and care.  Sometimes her family were invited in
11603 to help eat up a too bounteous feast of successes, or Lotty would be
11604 privately dispatched with a batch of failures, which were to be
11605 concealed from all eyes in the convenient stomachs of the little
11606 Hummels.  An evening with John over the account books usually produced
11607 a temporary lull in the culinary enthusiasm, and a frugal fit would
11608 ensue, during which the poor man was put through a course of bread
11609 pudding, hash, and warmed-over coffee, which tried his soul, although
11610 he bore it with praiseworthy fortitude.  Before the golden mean was
11611 found, however, Meg added to her domestic possessions what young
11612 couples seldom get on long without, a family jar.
11613 
11614 Fired with a housewifely wish to see her storeroom stocked with
11615 homemade preserves, she undertook to put up her own currant jelly. John
11616 was requested to order home a dozen or so of little pots and an extra
11617 quantity of sugar, for their own currants were ripe and were to be
11618 attended to at once.  As John firmly believed that 'my wife' was equal
11619 to anything, and took a natural pride in her skill, he resolved that
11620 she should be gratified, and their only crop of fruit laid by in a most
11621 pleasing form for winter use.  Home came four dozen delightful little
11622 pots, half a barrel of sugar, and a small boy to pick the currants for
11623 her.  With her pretty hair tucked into a little cap, arms bared to the
11624 elbow, and a checked apron which had a coquettish look in spite of the
11625 bib, the young housewife fell to work, feeling no doubts about her
11626 success, for hadn't she seen Hannah do it hundreds of times?  The array
11627 of pots rather amazed her at first, but John was so fond of jelly, and
11628 the nice little jars would look so well on the top shelf, that Meg
11629 resolved to fill them all, and spent a long day picking, boiling,
11630 straining, and fussing over her jelly.  She did her best, she asked
11631 advice of Mrs. Cornelius, she racked her brain to remember what Hannah
11632 did that she left undone, she reboiled, resugared, and restrained, but
11633 that dreadful stuff wouldn't 'jell'.
11634 
11635 She longed to run home, bib and all, and ask Mother to lend her a hand,
11636 but John and she had agreed that they would never annoy anyone with
11637 their private worries, experiments, or quarrels.  They had laughed over
11638 that last word as if the idea it suggested was a most preposterous one,
11639 but they had held to their resolve, and whenever they could get on
11640 without help they did so, and no one interfered, for Mrs. March had
11641 advised the plan.  So Meg wrestled alone with the refractory sweetmeats
11642 all that hot summer day, and at five o'clock sat down in her
11643 topsy-turvey kitchen, wrung her bedaubed hands, lifted up her voice and
11644 wept.
11645 
11646 Now, in the first flush of the new life, she had often said, "My
11647 husband shall always feel free to bring a friend home whenever he
11648 likes.  I shall always be prepared.  There shall be no flurry, no
11649 scolding, no discomfort, but a neat house, a cheerful wife, and a good
11650 dinner.  John, dear, never stop to ask my leave, invite whom you
11651 please, and be sure of a welcome from me."
11652 
11653 How charming that was, to be sure!  John quite glowed with pride to
11654 hear her say it, and felt what a blessed thing it was to have a
11655 superior wife.  But, although they had had company from time to time,
11656 it never happened to be unexpected, and Meg had never had an
11657 opportunity to distinguish herself till now.  It always happens so in
11658 this vale of tears, there is an inevitability about such things which
11659 we can only wonder at, deplore, and bear as we best can.
11660 
11661 If John had not forgotten all about the jelly, it really would have
11662 been unpardonable in him to choose that day, of all the days in the
11663 year, to bring a friend home to dinner unexpectedly.  Congratulating
11664 himself that a handsome repast had been ordered that morning, feeling
11665 sure that it would be ready to the minute, and indulging in pleasant
11666 anticipations of the charming effect it would produce, when his pretty
11667 wife came running out to meet him, he escorted his friend to his
11668 mansion, with the irrepressible satisfaction of a young host and
11669 husband.
11670 
11671 It is a world of disappointments, as John discovered when he reached
11672 the Dovecote.  The front door usually stood hospitably open. Now it was
11673 not only shut, but locked, and yesterday's mud still adorned the steps.
11674 The parlor windows were closed and curtained, no picture of the pretty
11675 wife sewing on the piazza, in white, with a distracting little bow in
11676 her hair, or a bright-eyed hostess, smiling a shy welcome as she
11677 greeted her guest.  Nothing of the sort, for not a soul appeared but a
11678 sanginary-looking boy asleep under the current bushes.
11679 
11680 "I'm afraid something has happened.  Step into the garden, Scott, while
11681 I look up Mrs. Brooke," said John, alarmed at the silence and solitude.
11682 
11683 Round the house he hurried, led by a pungent smell of burned sugar, and
11684 Mr. Scott strolled after him, with a queer look on his face.  He paused
11685 discreetly at a distance when Brooke disappeared, but he could both see
11686 and hear, and being a bachelor, enjoyed the prospect mightily.
11687 
11688 In the kitchen reigned confusion and despair.  One edition of jelly was
11689 trickled from pot to pot, another lay upon the floor, and a third was
11690 burning gaily on the stove.  Lotty, with Teutonic phlegm, was calmly
11691 eating bread and currant wine, for the jelly was still in a hopelessly
11692 liquid state, while Mrs. Brooke, with her apron over her head, sat
11693 sobbing dismally.
11694 
11695 "My dearest girl, what is the matter?" cried John, rushing in, with
11696 awful visions of scalded hands, sudden news of affliction, and secret
11697 consternation at the thought of the guest in the garden.
11698 
11699 "Oh, John, I am so tired and hot and cross and worried!  I've been at
11700 it till I'm all worn out.  Do come and help me or I shall die!" and the
11701 exhausted housewife cast herself upon his breast, giving him a sweet
11702 welcome in every sense of the word, for her pinafore had been baptized
11703 at the same time as the floor.
11704 
11705 "What worries you dear?  Has anything dreadful happened?" asked the
11706 anxious John, tenderly kissing the crown of the little cap, which was
11707 all askew.
11708 
11709 "Yes," sobbed Meg despairingly.
11710 
11711 "Tell me quick, then.  Don't cry.  I can bear anything better than
11712 that.  Out with it, love."
11713 
11714 "The... The jelly won't jell and I don't know what to do!"
11715 
11716 John Brooke laughed then as he never dared to laugh afterward, and the
11717 derisive Scott smiled involuntarily as he heard the hearty peal, which
11718 put the finishing stroke to poor Meg's woe.
11719 
11720 "Is that all?  Fling it out of the window, and don't bother any more
11721 about it.  I'll buy you quarts if you want it, but for heaven's sake
11722 don't have hysterics, for I've brought Jack Scott home to dinner,
11723 and..."
11724 
11725 John got no further, for Meg cast him off, and clasped her hands with a
11726 tragic gesture as she fell into a chair, exclaiming in a tone of
11727 mingled indignation, reproach, and dismay...
11728 
11729 "A man to dinner, and everything in a mess!  John Brooke, how could you
11730 do such a thing?"
11731 
11732 "Hush, he's in the garden!  I forgot the confounded jelly, but it can't
11733 be helped now," said John, surveying the prospect with an anxious eye.
11734 
11735 "You ought to have sent word, or told me this morning, and you ought to
11736 have remembered how busy I was," continued Meg petulantly, for even
11737 turtledoves will peck when ruffled.
11738 
11739 "I didn't know it this morning, and there was no time to send word, for
11740 I met him on the way out.  I never thought of asking leave, when you
11741 have always told me to do as I liked.  I never tried it before, and
11742 hang me if I ever do again!" added John, with an aggrieved air.
11743 
11744 "I should hope not!  Take him away at once.  I can't see him, and there
11745 isn't any dinner."
11746 
11747 "Well, I like that!  Where's the beef and vegetables I sent home, and
11748 the pudding you promised?" cried John, rushing to the larder.
11749 
11750 "I hadn't time to cook anything.  I meant to dine at Mother's. I'm
11751 sorry, but I was so busy," and Meg's tears began again.
11752 
11753 John was a mild man, but he was human, and after a long day's work to
11754 come home tired, hungry, and hopeful, to find a chaotic house, an empty
11755 table, and a cross wife was not exactly conducive to repose of mind or
11756 manner.  He restrained himself however, and the little squall would
11757 have blown over, but for one unlucky word.
11758 
11759 "It's a scrape, I acknowledge, but if you will lend a hand, we'll pull
11760 through and have a good time yet.  Don't cry, dear, but just exert
11761 yourself a bit, and fix us up something to eat.  We're both as hungry
11762 as hunters, so we shan't mind what it is.  Give us the cold meat, and
11763 bread and cheese.  We won't ask for jelly."
11764 
11765 He meant it to be a good-natured joke, but that one word sealed his
11766 fate.  Meg thought it was too cruel to hint about her sad failure, and
11767 the last atom of patience vanished as he spoke.
11768 
11769 "You must get yourself out of the scrape as you can.  I'm too used up
11770 to 'exert' myself for anyone.  It's like a man to propose a bone and
11771 vulgar bread and cheese for company.  I won't have anything of the sort
11772 in my house.  Take that Scott up to Mother's, and tell him I'm away,
11773 sick, dead, anything.  I won't see him, and you two can laugh at me and
11774 my jelly as much as you like.  You won't have anything else here."  and
11775 having delivered her defiance all on one breath, Meg cast away her
11776 pinafore and precipitately left the field to bemoan herself in her own
11777 room.
11778 
11779 What those two creatures did in her absence, she never knew, but Mr.
11780 Scott was not taken 'up to Mother's', and when Meg descended, after
11781 they had strolled away together, she found traces of a promiscuous
11782 lunch which filled her with horror.  Lotty reported that they had eaten
11783 "a much, and greatly laughed, and the master bid her throw away all the
11784 sweet stuff, and hide the pots."
11785 
11786 Meg longed to go and tell Mother, but a sense of shame at her own
11787 short-comings, of loyalty to John, "who might be cruel, but nobody
11788 should know it," restrained her, and after a summary cleaning up, she
11789 dressed herself prettily, and sat down to wait for John to come and be
11790 forgiven.
11791 
11792 Unfortunately, John didn't come, not seeing the matter in that light.
11793 He had carried it off as a good joke with Scott, excused his little
11794 wife as well as he could, and played the host so hospitably that his
11795 friend enjoyed the impromptu dinner, and promised to come again, but
11796 John was angry, though he did not show it, he felt that Meg had
11797 deserted him in his hour of need.  "It wasn't fair to tell a man to
11798 bring folks home any time, with perfect freedom, and when he took you
11799 at your word, to flame up and blame him, and leave him in the lurch, to
11800 be laughed at or pitied.  No, by George, it wasn't! And Meg must know
11801 it."
11802 
11803 He had fumed inwardly during the feast, but when the flurry was over
11804 and he strolled home after seeing Scott off, a milder mood came over
11805 him.  "Poor little thing!  It was hard upon her when she tried so
11806 heartily to please me.  She was wrong, of course, but then she was
11807 young.  I must be patient and teach her."  He hoped she had not gone
11808 home -- he hated gossip and interference.  For a minute he was ruffled
11809 again at the mere thought of it, and then the fear that Meg would cry
11810 herself sick softened his heart, and sent him on at a quicker pace,
11811 resolving to be calm and kind, but firm, quite firm, and show her where
11812 she had failed in her duty to her spouse.
11813 
11814 Meg likewise resolved to be 'calm and kind, but firm', and show him his
11815 duty.  She longed to run to meet him, and beg pardon, and be kissed and
11816 comforted, as she was sure of being, but, of course, she did nothing of
11817 the sort, and when she saw John coming, began to hum quite naturally,
11818 as she rocked and sewed, like a lady of leisure in her best parlor.
11819 
11820 John was a little disappointed not to find a tender Niobe, but feeling
11821 that his dignity demanded the first apology, he made none, only came
11822 leisurely in and laid himself upon the sofa with the singularly
11823 relevant remark, "We are going to have a new moon, my dear."
11824 
11825 "I've no objection," was Meg's equally soothing remark.  A few other
11826 topics of general interest were introduced by Mr. Brooke and
11827 wet-blanketed by Mrs. Brooke, and conversation languished.  John went
11828 to one window, unfolded his paper, and wrapped himself in it,
11829 figuratively speaking.  Meg went to the other window, and sewed as if
11830 new rosettes for slippers were among the necessaries of life. Neither
11831 spoke.  Both looked quite 'calm and firm', and both felt desperately
11832 uncomfortable.
11833 
11834 "Oh, dear," thought Meg, "married life is very trying, and does need
11835 infinite patience as well as love, as Mother says."  The word 'Mother'
11836 suggested other maternal counsels given long ago, and received with
11837 unbelieving protests.
11838 
11839 "John is a good man, but he has his faults, and you must learn to see
11840 and bear with them, remembering your own.  He is very decided, but
11841 never will be obstinate, if you reason kindly, not oppose impatiently.
11842 He is very accurate, and particular about the truth -- a good trait,
11843 though you call him 'fussy'. Never deceive him by look or word, Meg,
11844 and he will give you the confidence you deserve, the support you need.
11845 He has a temper, not like ours -- one flash and then all over -- but the
11846 white, still anger that is seldom stirred, but once kindled is hard to
11847 quench.  Be careful, be very careful, not to wake his anger against
11848 yourself, for peace and happiness depend on keeping his respect.  Watch
11849 yourself, be the first to ask pardon if you both err, and guard against
11850 the little piques, misunderstandings, and hasty words that often pave
11851 the way for bitter sorrow and regret."
11852 
11853 These words came back to Meg, as she sat sewing in the sunset,
11854 especially the last.  This was the first serious disagreement, her own
11855 hasty speeches sounded both silly and unkind, as she recalled them, her
11856 own anger looked childish now, and thoughts of poor John coming home to
11857 such a scene quite melted her heart.  She glanced at him with tears in
11858 her eyes, but he did not see them.  She put down her work and got up,
11859 thinking, "I will be the first to say, 'Forgive me'", but he did not
11860 seem to hear her.  She went very slowly across the room, for pride was
11861 hard to swallow, and stood by him, but he did not turn his head.  For a
11862 minute she felt as if she really couldn't do it, then came the thought,
11863 "This is the beginning. I'll do my part, and have nothing to reproach
11864 myself with," and stooping down, she softly kissed her husband on the
11865 forehead. Of course that settled it.  The penitent kiss was better than
11866 a world of words, and John had her on his knee in a minute, saying
11867 tenderly...
11868 
11869 "It was too bad to laugh at the poor little jelly pots. Forgive me,
11870 dear.  I never will again!"
11871 
11872 But he did, oh bless you, yes, hundreds of times, and so did Meg, both
11873 declaring that it was the sweetest jelly they ever made, for family
11874 peace was preserved in that little family jar.
11875 
11876 After this, Meg had Mr. Scott to dinner by special invitation, and
11877 served him up a pleasant feast without a cooked wife for the first
11878 course, on which occasion she was so gay and gracious, and made
11879 everything go off so charmingly, that Mr. Scott told John he was a
11880 lucky fellow, and shook his head over the hardships of bachelorhood all
11881 the way home.
11882 
11883 In the autumn, new trials and experiences came to Meg.  Sallie Moffat
11884 renewed her friendship, was always running out for a dish of gossip at
11885 the little house, or inviting 'that poor dear' to come in and spend the
11886 day at the big house.  It was pleasant, for in dull weather Meg often
11887 felt lonely.  All were busy at home, John absent till night, and
11888 nothing to do but sew, or read, or potter about.  So it naturally fell
11889 out that Meg got into the way of gadding and gossiping with her friend.
11890 Seeing Sallie's pretty things made her long for such, and pity herself
11891 because she had not got them.  Sallie was very kind, and often offered
11892 her the coveted trifles, but Meg declined them, knowing that John
11893 wouldn't like it, and then this foolish little woman went and did what
11894 John disliked even worse.
11895 
11896 She knew her husband's income, and she loved to feel that he trusted
11897 her, not only with his happiness, but what some men seem to value
11898 more -- his money.  She knew where it was, was free to take what she
11899 liked, and all he asked was that she should keep account of every
11900 penny, pay bills once a month, and remember that she was a poor man's
11901 wife.  Till now she had done well, been prudent and exact, kept her
11902 little account books neatly, and showed them to him monthly without
11903 fear.  But that autumn the serpent got into Meg's paradise, and tempted
11904 her like many a modern Eve, not with apples, but with dress.  Meg
11905 didn't like to be pitied and made to feel poor.  It irritated her, but
11906 she was ashamed to confess it, and now and then she tried to console
11907 herself by buying something pretty, so that Sallie needn't think she
11908 had to economize.  She always felt wicked after it, for the pretty
11909 things were seldom necessaries, but then they cost so little, it wasn't
11910 worth worrying about, so the trifles increased unconsciously, and in
11911 the shopping excursions she was no longer a passive looker-on.
11912 
11913 But the trifles cost more than one would imagine, and when she cast up
11914 her accounts at the end of the month the sum total rather scared her.
11915 John was busy that month and left the bills to her, the next month he
11916 was absent, but the third he had a grand quarterly settling up, and Meg
11917 never forgot it.  A few days before she had done a dreadful thing, and
11918 it weighed upon her conscience.  Sallie had been buying silks, and Meg
11919 longed for a new one, just a handsome light one for parties, her black
11920 silk was so common, and thin things for evening wear were only proper
11921 for girls.  Aunt March usually gave the sisters a present of
11922 twenty-five dollars apiece at New Year's.  That was only a month to
11923 wait, and here was a lovely violet silk going at a bargain, and she had
11924 the money, if she only dared to take it.  John always said what was his
11925 was hers, but would he think it right to spend not only the prospective
11926 five-and-twenty, but another five-and-twenty out of the household fund?
11927 That was the question. Sallie had urged her to do it, had offered to
11928 lend the money, and with the best intentions in life had tempted Meg
11929 beyond her strength. In an evil moment the shopman held up the lovely,
11930 shimmering folds, and said, "A bargain, I assure, you, ma'am." She
11931 answered, "I'll take it," and it was cut off and paid for, and Sallie
11932 had exulted, and she had laughed as if it were a thing of no
11933 consequence, and driven away, feeling as if she had stolen something,
11934 and the police were after her.
11935 
11936 When she got home, she tried to assuage the pangs of remorse by
11937 spreading forth the lovely silk, but it looked less silvery now, didn't
11938 become her, after all, and the words 'fifty dollars' seemed stamped
11939 like a pattern down each breadth.  She put it away, but it haunted her,
11940 not delightfully as a new dress should, but dreadfully like the ghost
11941 of a folly that was not easily laid.  When John got out his books that
11942 night, Meg's heart sank, and for the first time in her married life,
11943 she was afraid of her husband.  The kind, brown eyes looked as if they
11944 could be stern, and though he was unusually merry, she fancied he had
11945 found her out, but didn't mean to let her know it.  The house bills
11946 were all paid, the books all in order. John had praised her, and was
11947 undoing the old pocketbook which they called the 'bank', when Meg,
11948 knowing that it was quite empty, stopped his hand, saying nervously...
11949 
11950 "You haven't seen my private expense book yet."
11951 
11952 John never asked to see it, but she always insisted on his doing so,
11953 and used to enjoy his masculine amazement at the queer things women
11954 wanted, and made him guess what piping was, demand fiercely the meaning
11955 of a hug-me-tight, or wonder how a little thing composed of three
11956 rosebuds, a bit of velvet, and a pair of strings, could possibly be a
11957 bonnet, and cost six dollars.  That night he looked as if he would like
11958 the fun of quizzing her figures and pretending to be horrified at her
11959 extravagance, as he often did, being particularly proud of his prudent
11960 wife.
11961 
11962 The little book was brought slowly out and laid down before him. Meg
11963 got behind his chair under pretense of smoothing the wrinkles out of
11964 his tired forehead, and standing there, she said, with her panic
11965 increasing with every word...
11966 
11967 "John, dear, I'm ashamed to show you my book, for I've really been
11968 dreadfully extravagant lately.  I go about so much I must have things,
11969 you know, and Sallie advised my getting it, so I did, and my New Year's
11970 money will partly pay for it, but I was sorry after I had done it, for
11971 I knew you'd think it wrong in me."
11972 
11973 John laughed, and drew her round beside him, saying goodhumoredly,
11974 "Don't go and hide.  I won't beat you if you have got a pair of killing
11975 boots.  I'm rather proud of my wife's feet, and don't mind if she does
11976 pay eight or nine dollars for her boots, if they are good ones."
11977 
11978 That had been one of her last 'trifles', and John's eye had fallen on
11979 it as he spoke.  "Oh, what will he say when he comes to that awful
11980 fifty dollars!" thought Meg, with a shiver.
11981 
11982 "It's worse than boots, it's a silk dress," she said, with the calmness
11983 of desperation, for she wanted the worst over.
11984 
11985 "Well, dear, what is the 'dem'd total', as Mr. Mantalini says?"
11986 
11987 That didn't sound like John, and she knew he was looking up at her with
11988 the straightforward look that she had always been ready to meet and
11989 answer with one as frank till now.  She turned the page and her head at
11990 the same time, pointing to the sum which would have been bad enough
11991 without the fifty, but which was appalling to her with that added.  For
11992 a minute the room was very still, then John said slowly -- but she could
11993 feel it cost him an effort to express no displeasure -- . . .
11994 
11995 "Well, I don't know that fifty is much for a dress, with all the
11996 furbelows and notions you have to have to finish it off these days."
11997 
11998 "It isn't made or trimmed," sighed Meg, faintly, for a sudden
11999 recollection of the cost still to be incurred quite overwhelmed her.
12000 
12001 "Twenty-five yards of silk seems a good deal to cover one small woman,
12002 but I've no doubt my wife will look as fine as Ned Moffat's when she
12003 gets it on," said John dryly.
12004 
12005 "I know you are angry, John, but I can't help it.  I don't mean to
12006 waste your money, and I didn't think those little things would count up
12007 so.  I can't resist them when I see Sallie buying all she wants, and
12008 pitying me because I don't.  I try to be contented, but it is hard, and
12009 I'm tired of being poor."
12010 
12011 The last words were spoken so low she thought he did not hear them, but
12012 he did, and they wounded him deeply, for he had denied himself many
12013 pleasures for Meg's sake.  She could have bitten her tongue out the
12014 minute she had said it, for John pushed the books away and got up,
12015 saying with a little quiver in his voice, "I was afraid of this.  I do
12016 my best, Meg."  If he had scolded her, or even shaken her, it would not
12017 have broken her heart like those few words.  She ran to him and held
12018 him close, crying, with repentant tears, "Oh, John, my dear, kind,
12019 hard-working boy.  I didn't mean it!  It was so wicked, so untrue and
12020 ungrateful, how could I say it! Oh, how could I say it!"
12021 
12022 He was very kind, forgave her readily, and did not utter one reproach,
12023 but Meg knew that she had done and said a thing which would not be
12024 forgotten soon, although he might never allude to it again.  She had
12025 promised to love him for better or worse, and then she, his wife, had
12026 reproached him with his poverty, after spending his earnings
12027 recklessly.  It was dreadful, and the worst of it was John went on so
12028 quietly afterward, just as if nothing had happened, except that he
12029 stayed in town later, and worked at night when she had gone to cry
12030 herself to sleep.  A week of remorse nearly made Meg sick, and the
12031 discovery that John had countermanded the order for his new greatcoat
12032 reduced her to a state of despair which was pathetic to behold.  He had
12033 simply said, in answer to her surprised inquiries as to the change, "I
12034 can't afford it, my dear."
12035 
12036 Meg said no more, but a few minutes after he found her in the hall with
12037 her face buried in the old greatcoat, crying as if her heart would
12038 break.
12039 
12040 They had a long talk that night, and Meg learned to love her husband
12041 better for his poverty, because it seemed to have made a man of him,
12042 given him the strength and courage to fight his own way, and taught him
12043 a tender patience with which to bear and comfort the natural longings
12044 and failures of those he loved.
12045 
12046 Next day she put her pride in her pocket, went to Sallie, told the
12047 truth, and asked her to buy the silk as a favor.  The good-natured Mrs.
12048 Moffat willingly did so, and had the delicacy not to make her a present
12049 of it immediately afterward.  Then Meg ordered home the greatcoat, and
12050 when John arrived, she put it on, and asked him how he liked her new
12051 silk gown.  One can imagine what answer he made, how he received his
12052 present, and what a blissful state of things ensued.  John came home
12053 early, Meg gadded no more, and that greatcoat was put on in the morning
12054 by a very happy husband, and taken off at night by a most devoted
12055 little wife.  So the year rolled round, and at midsummer there came to
12056 Meg a new experience, the deepest and tenderest of a woman's life.
12057 
12058 Laurie came sneaking into the kitchen of the Dovecote one Saturday,
12059 with an excited face, and was received with the clash of cymbals, for
12060 Hannah clapped her hands with a saucepan in one and the cover in the
12061 other.
12062 
12063 "How's the little mamma?  Where is everybody?  Why didn't you tell me
12064 before I came home?" began Laurie in a loud whisper.
12065 
12066 "Happy as a queen, the dear!  Every soul of 'em is upstairs a
12067 worshipin'.  We didn't want no hurrycanes round.  Now you go into the
12068 parlor, and I'll send 'em down to you," with which somewhat involved
12069 reply Hannah vanished, chuckling ecstatically.
12070 
12071 Presently Jo appeared, proudly bearing a flannel bundle laid forth upon
12072 a large pillow.  Jo's face was very sober, but her eyes twinkled, and
12073 there was an odd sound in her voice of repressed emotion of some sort.
12074 
12075 "Shut your eyes and hold out your arms," she said invitingly.
12076 
12077 Laurie backed precipitately into a corner, and put his hands behind him
12078 with an imploring gesture.  "No, thank you.  I'd rather not.  I shall
12079 drop it or smash it, as sure as fate."
12080 
12081 "Then you shan't see your nevvy," said Jo decidedly, turning as if to
12082 go.
12083 
12084 "I will, I will!  Only you must be responsible for damages." and
12085 obeying orders, Laurie heroically shut his eyes while something was put
12086 into his arms.  A peal of laughter from Jo, Amy, Mrs. March, Hannah,
12087 and John caused him to open them the next minute, to find himself
12088 invested with two babies instead of one.
12089 
12090 No wonder they laughed, for the expression of his face was droll enough
12091 to convulse a Quaker, as he stood and stared wildly from the
12092 unconscious innocents to the hilarious spectators with such dismay that
12093 Jo sat down on the floor and screamed.
12094 
12095 "Twins, by Jupiter!" was all he said for a minute, then turning to the
12096 women with an appealing look that was comically piteous, he added,
12097 "Take 'em quick, somebody!  I'm going to laugh, and I shall drop 'em."
12098 
12099 Jo rescued his babies, and marched up and down, with one on each arm,
12100 as if already initiated into the mysteries of babytending, while Laurie
12101 laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks.
12102 
12103 "It's the best joke of the season, isn't it?  I wouldn't have told you,
12104 for I set my heart on surprising you, and I flatter myself I've done
12105 it," said Jo, when she got her breath.
12106 
12107 "I never was more staggered in my life.  Isn't it fun?  Are they boys?
12108 What are you going to name them? Let's have another look.  Hold me up,
12109 Jo, for upon my life it's one too many for me," returned Laurie,
12110 regarding the infants with the air of a big, benevolent Newfoundland
12111 looking at a pair of infantile kittens.
12112 
12113 "Boy and girl.  Aren't they beauties?" said the proud papa, beaming
12114 upon the little red squirmers as if they were unfledged angels.
12115 
12116 "Most remarkable children I ever saw.  Which is which?" and Laurie bent
12117 like a well-sweep to examine the prodigies.
12118 
12119 "Amy put a blue ribbon on the boy and a pink on the girl, French
12120 fashion, so you can always tell.  Besides, one has blue eyes and one
12121 brown.  Kiss them, Uncle Teddy," said wicked Jo.
12122 
12123 "I'm afraid they mightn't like it," began Laurie, with unusual timidity
12124 in such matters.
12125 
12126 "Of course they will, they are used to it now.  Do it this minute,
12127 sir!" commanded Jo, fearing he might propose a proxy.
12128 
12129 Laurie screwed up his face and obeyed with a gingerly peck at each
12130 little cheek that produced another laugh, and made the babies squeal.
12131 
12132 "There, I knew they didn't like it!  That's the boy, see him kick, he
12133 hits out with his fists like a good one.  Now then, young Brooke, pitch
12134 into a man of your own size, will you?" cried Laurie, delighted with a
12135 poke in the face from a tiny fist, flapping aimlessly about.
12136 
12137 "He's to be named John Laurence, and the girl Margaret, after mother
12138 and grandmother.  We shall call her Daisey, so as not to have two Megs,
12139 and I suppose the mannie will be Jack, unless we find a better name,"
12140 said Amy, with aunt-like interest.
12141 
12142 "Name him Demijohn, and call him Demi for short," said Laurie.
12143 
12144 "Daisy and Demi, just the thing!  I knew Teddy would do it," cried Jo
12145 clapping her hands.
12146 
12147 Teddy certainly had done it that time, for the babies were 'Daisy' and
12148 'Demi' to the end of the chapter.
12149 
12150 
12151 
12152 CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
12153 
12154 CALLS
12155 
12156 "Come, Jo, it's time."
12157 
12158 "For what?"
12159 
12160 "You don't mean to say you have forgotten that you promised to make
12161 half a dozen calls with me today?"
12162 
12163 "I've done a good many rash and foolish things in my life, but I don't
12164 think I ever was mad enough to say I'd make six calls in one day, when
12165 a single one upsets me for a week."
12166 
12167 "Yes, you did, it was a bargain between us.  I was to finish the crayon
12168 of Beth for you, and you were to go properly with me, and return our
12169 neighbors' visits."
12170 
12171 "If it was fair, that was in the bond, and I stand to the letter of my
12172 bond, Shylock.  There is a pile of clouds in the east, it's not fair,
12173 and I don't go."
12174 
12175 "Now, that's shirking.  It's a lovely day, no prospect of rain, and you
12176 pride yourself on keeping promises, so be honorable, come and do your
12177 duty, and then be at peace for another six months."
12178 
12179 At that minute Jo was particularly absorbed in dressmaking, for she was
12180 mantua-maker general to the family, and took especial credit to herself
12181 because she could use a needle as well as a pen. It was very provoking
12182 to be arrested in the act of a first trying-on, and ordered out to make
12183 calls in her best array on a warm July day. She hated calls of the
12184 formal sort, and never made any till Amy compelled her with a bargain,
12185 bribe, or promise.  In the present instance there was no escape, and
12186 having clashed her scissors rebelliously, while protesting that she
12187 smelled thunder, she gave in, put away her work, and taking up her hat
12188 and gloves with an air of resignation, told Amy the victim was ready.
12189 
12190 "Jo March, you are perverse enough to provoke a saint!  You don't
12191 intend to make calls in that state, I hope," cried Amy, surveying her
12192 with amazement.
12193 
12194 "Why not?  I'm neat and cool and comfortable, quite proper for a dusty
12195 walk on a warm day.  If people care more for my clothes than they do
12196 for me, I don't wish to see them.  You can dress for both, and be as
12197 elegant as you please.  It pays for you to be fine.  It doesn't for me,
12198 and furbelows only worry me."
12199 
12200 "Oh, dear!" sighed Amy, "now she's in a contrary fit, and will drive me
12201 distracted before I can get her properly ready. I'm sure it's no
12202 pleasure to me to go today, but it's a debt we owe society, and there's
12203 no one to pay it but you and me.  I'll do anything for you, Jo, if
12204 you'll only dress yourself nicely, and come and help me do the civil.
12205 You can talk so well, look so aristocratic in your best things, and
12206 behave so beautifully, if you try, that I'm proud of you.  I'm afraid
12207 to go alone, do come and take care of me."
12208 
12209 "You're an artful little puss to flatter and wheedle your cross old
12210 sister in that way.  The idea of my being aristocratic and well-bred,
12211 and your being afraid to go anywhere alone!  I don't know which is the
12212 most absurd.  Well, I'll go if I must, and do my best.  You shall be
12213 commander of the expedition, and I'll obey blindly, will that satisfy
12214 you?" said Jo, with a sudden change from perversity to lamblike
12215 submission.
12216 
12217 "You're a perfect cherub!  Now put on all your best things, and I'll
12218 tell you how to behave at each place, so that you will make a good
12219 impression.  I want people to like you, and they would if you'd only
12220 try to be a little more agreeable.  Do your hair the pretty way, and
12221 put the pink rose in your bonnet.  It's becoming, and you look too
12222 sober in your plain suit.  Take your light gloves and the embroidered
12223 handkerchief.  We'll stop at Meg's, and borrow her white sunshade, and
12224 then you can have my dove-colored one."
12225 
12226 While Amy dressed, she issued her orders, and Jo obeyed them, not
12227 without entering her protest, however, for she sighed as she rustled
12228 into her new organdie, frowned darkly at herself as she tied her bonnet
12229 strings in an irreproachable bow, wrestled viciously with pins as she
12230 put on her collar, wrinkled up her features generally as she shook out
12231 the handkerchief, whose embroidery was as irritating to her nose as the
12232 present mission was to her feelings, and when she had squeezed her
12233 hands into tight gloves with three buttons and a tassel, as the last
12234 touch of elegance, she turned to Amy with an imbecile expression of
12235 countenance, saying meekly...
12236 
12237 "I'm perfectly miserable, but if you consider me presentable, I die
12238 happy."
12239 
12240 "You're highly satisfactory.  Turn slowly round, and let me get a
12241 careful view." Jo revolved, and Amy gave a touch here and there, then
12242 fell back, with her head on one side, observing graciously, "Yes,
12243 you'll do.  Your head is all I could ask, for that white bonnet with
12244 the rose is quite ravishing.  Hold back your shoulders, and carry your
12245 hands easily, no matter if your gloves do pinch.  There's one thing you
12246 can do well, Jo, that is, wear a shawl.  I can't, but it's very nice to
12247 see you, and I'm so glad Aunt March gave you that lovely one.  It's
12248 simple, but handsome, and those folds over the arm are really artistic.
12249 Is the point of my mantle in the middle, and have I looped my dress
12250 evenly? I like to show my boots, for my feet are pretty, though my nose
12251 isn't."
12252 
12253 "You are a thing of beauty and a joy forever," said Jo, looking through
12254 her hand with the air of a connoisseur at the blue feather against the
12255 golden hair.  "Am I to drag my best dress through the dust, or loop it
12256 up, please, ma'am?"
12257 
12258 "Hold it up when you walk, but drop it in the house.  The sweeping
12259 style suits you best, and you must learn to trail your skirts
12260 gracefully.  You haven't half buttoned one cuff, do it at once.  You'll
12261 never look finished if you are not careful about the little details,
12262 for they make up the pleasing whole."
12263 
12264 Jo sighed, and proceeded to burst the buttons off her glove, in doing
12265 up her cuff, but at last both were ready, and sailed away, looking as
12266 'pretty as picters', Hannah said, as she hung out of the upper window
12267 to watch them.
12268 
12269 "Now, Jo dear, the Chesters consider themselves very elegant people, so
12270 I want you to put on your best deportment.  Don't make any of your
12271 abrupt remarks, or do anything odd, will you?  Just be calm, cool, and
12272 quiet, that's safe and ladylike, and you can easily do it for fifteen
12273 minutes," said Amy, as they approached the first place, having borrowed
12274 the white parasol and been inspected by Meg, with a baby on each arm.
12275 
12276 "Let me see.  'Calm, cool, and quiet', yes, I think I can promise that.
12277 I've played the part of a prim young lady on the stage, and I'll try it
12278 off.  My powers are great, as you shall see, so be easy in your mind,
12279 my child."
12280 
12281 Amy looked relieved, but naughty Jo took her at her word, for during
12282 the first call she sat with every limb gracefully composed, every fold
12283 correctly draped, calm as a summer sea, cool as a snowbank, and as
12284 silent as the sphinx.  In vain Mrs. Chester alluded to her 'charming
12285 novel', and the Misses Chester introduced parties, picnics, the opera,
12286 and the fashions.  Each and all were answered by a smile, a bow, and a
12287 demure "Yes" or "No" with the chill on.  In vain Amy telegraphed the
12288 word 'talk', tried to draw her out, and administered covert pokes with
12289 her foot.  Jo sat as if blandly unconscious of it all, with deportment
12290 like Maud's face, 'icily regular, splendidly null'.
12291 
12292 "What a haughty, uninteresting creature that oldest Miss March is!" was
12293 the unfortunately audible remark of one of the ladies, as the door
12294 closed upon their guests.  Jo laughed noiselessly all through the hall,
12295 but Amy looked disgusted at the failure of her instructions, and very
12296 naturally laid the blame upon Jo.
12297 
12298 "How could you mistake me so?  I merely meant you to be properly
12299 dignified and composed, and you made yourself a perfect stock and
12300 stone.  Try to be sociable at the Lambs'.  Gossip as other girls do,
12301 and be interested in dress and flirtations and whatever nonsense comes
12302 up.  They move in the best society, are valuable persons for us to
12303 know, and I wouldn't fail to make a good impression there for anything."
12304 
12305 "I'll be agreeable.  I'll gossip and giggle, and have horrors and
12306 raptures over any trifle you like.  I rather enjoy this, and now I'll
12307 imitate what is called 'a charming girl'.  I can do it, for I have May
12308 Chester as a model, and I'll improve upon her.  See if the Lambs don't
12309 say, 'What a lively, nice creature that Jo March is!"
12310 
12311 Amy felt anxious, as well she might, for when Jo turned freakish there
12312 was no knowing where she would stop.  Amy's face was a study when she
12313 saw her sister skim into the next drawing room, kiss all the young
12314 ladies with effusion, beam graciously upon the young gentlemen, and
12315 join in the chat with a spirit which amazed the beholder. Amy was taken
12316 possession of by Mrs. Lamb, with whom she was a favorite, and forced to
12317 hear a long account of Lucretia's last attack, while three delightful
12318 young gentlemen hovered near, waiting for a pause when they might rush
12319 in and rescue her.  So situated, she was powerless to check Jo, who
12320 seemed possessed by a spirit of mischief, and talked away as volubly as
12321 the lady.  A knot of heads gathered about her, and Amy strained her
12322 ears to hear what was going on, for broken sentences filled her with
12323 curiosity, and frequent peals of laughter made her wild to share the
12324 fun.  One may imagine her suffering on overhearing fragments of this
12325 sort of conversation.
12326 
12327 "She rides splendidly.  Who taught her?"
12328 
12329 "No one.  She used to practice mounting, holding the reins, and sitting
12330 straight on an old saddle in a tree.  Now she rides anything, for she
12331 doesn't know what fear is, and the stableman lets her have horses cheap
12332 because she trains them to carry ladies so well.  She has such a
12333 passion for it, I often tell her if everything else fails, she can be a
12334 horsebreaker, and get her living so."
12335 
12336 At this awful speech Amy contained herself with difficulty, for the
12337 impression was being given that she was rather a fast young lady, which
12338 was her especial aversion.  But what could she do?  For the old lady
12339 was in the middle of her story, and long before it was done, Jo was off
12340 again, making more droll revelations and committing still more fearful
12341 blunders.
12342 
12343 "Yes, Amy was in despair that day, for all the good beasts were gone,
12344 and of three left, one was lame, one blind, and the other so balky that
12345 you had to put dirt in his mouth before he would start. Nice animal for
12346 a pleasure party, wasn't it?"
12347 
12348 "Which did she choose?" asked one of the laughing gentlemen, who
12349 enjoyed the subject.
12350 
12351 "None of them.  She heard of a young horse at the farm house over the
12352 river, and though a lady had never ridden him, she resolved to try,
12353 because he was handsome and spirited.  Her struggles were really
12354 pathetic.  There was no one to bring the horse to the saddle, so she
12355 took the saddle to the horse.  My dear creature, she actually rowed it
12356 over the river, put it on her head, and marched up to the barn to the
12357 utter amazement of the old man!"
12358 
12359 "Did she ride the horse?"
12360 
12361 "Of course she did, and had a capital time.  I expected to see her
12362 brought home in fragments, but she managed him perfectly, and was the
12363 life of the party."
12364 
12365 "Well, I call that plucky!" and young Mr. Lamb turned an approving
12366 glance upon Amy, wondering what his mother could be saying to make the
12367 girl look so red and uncomfortable.
12368 
12369 She was still redder and more uncomfortable a moment after, when a
12370 sudden turn in the conversation introduced the subject of dress.  One
12371 of the young ladies asked Jo where she got the pretty drab hat she wore
12372 to the picnic and stupid Jo, instead of mentioning the place where it
12373 was bought two years ago, must needs answer with unnecessary frankness,
12374 "Oh, Amy painted it.  You can't buy those soft shades, so we paint ours
12375 any color we like.  It's a great comfort to have an artistic sister."
12376 
12377 "Isn't that an original idea?" cried Miss Lamb, who found Jo great fun.
12378 
12379 "That's nothing compared to some of her brilliant performances. There's
12380 nothing the child can't do.  Why, she wanted a pair of blue boots for
12381 Sallie's party, so she just painted her soiled white ones the loveliest
12382 shade of sky blue you ever saw, and they looked exactly like satin,"
12383 added Jo, with an air of pride in her sister's accomplishments that
12384 exasperated Amy till she felt that it would be a relief to throw her
12385 cardcase at her.
12386 
12387 "We read a story of yours the other day, and enjoyed it very much,"
12388 observed the elder Miss Lamb, wishing to compliment the literary lady,
12389 who did not look the character just then, it must be confessed.
12390 
12391 Any mention of her 'works' always had a bad effect upon Jo, who either
12392 grew rigid and looked offended, or changed the subject with a brusque
12393 remark, as now.  "Sorry you could find nothing better to read.  I write
12394 that rubbish because it sells, and ordinary people like it.  Are you
12395 going to New York this winter?"
12396 
12397 As Miss Lamb had 'enjoyed' the story, this speech was not exactly
12398 grateful or complimentary.  The minute it was made Jo saw her mistake,
12399 but fearing to make the matter worse, suddenly remembered that it was
12400 for her to make the first move toward departure, and did so with an
12401 abruptness that left three people with half-finished sentences in their
12402 mouths.
12403 
12404 "Amy, we must go.  Good-by, dear, do come and see us.  We are pining
12405 for a visit.  I don't dare to ask you, Mr. Lamb, but if you should
12406 come, I don't think I shall have the heart to send you away."
12407 
12408 Jo said this with such a droll imitation of May Chester's gushing style
12409 that Amy got out of the room as rapidly as possible, feeling a strong
12410 desire to laugh and cry at the same time.
12411 
12412 "Didn't I do well?" asked Jo, with a satisfied air as they walked away.
12413 
12414 "Nothing could have been worse," was Amy's crushing reply. "What
12415 possessed you to tell those stories about my saddle, and the hats and
12416 boots, and all the rest of it?"
12417 
12418 "Why, it's funny, and amuses people.  They know we are poor, so it's no
12419 use pretending that we have grooms, buy three or four hats a season,
12420 and have things as easy and fine as they do."
12421 
12422 "You needn't go and tell them all our little shifts, and expose our
12423 poverty in that perfectly unnecessary way.  You haven't a bit of proper
12424 pride, and never will learn when to hold your tongue and when to
12425 speak," said Amy despairingly.
12426 
12427 Poor Jo looked abashed, and silently chafed the end of her nose with
12428 the stiff handkerchief, as if performing a penance for her misdemeanors.
12429 
12430 "How shall I behave here?" she asked, as they approached the third
12431 mansion.
12432 
12433 "Just as you please.  I wash my hands of you," was Amy's short answer.
12434 
12435 "Then I'll enjoy myself.  The boys are at home, and we'll have a
12436 comfortable time.  Goodness knows I need a little change, for elegance
12437 has a bad effect upon my constitution," returned Jo gruffly, being
12438 disturbed by her failure to suit.
12439 
12440 An enthusiastic welcome from three big boys and several pretty children
12441 speedily soothed her ruffled feelings, and leaving Amy to entertain the
12442 hostess and Mr. Tudor, who happened to be calling likewise, Jo devoted
12443 herself to the young folks and found the change refreshing.  She
12444 listened to college stories with deep interest, caressed pointers and
12445 poodles without a murmur, agreed heartily that "Tom Brown was a brick,"
12446 regardless of the improper form of praise, and when one lad proposed a
12447 visit to his turtle tank, she went with an alacrity which caused Mamma
12448 to smile upon her, as that motherly lady settled the cap which was left
12449 in a ruinous condition by filial hugs, bearlike but affectionate, and
12450 dearer to her than the most faultless coiffure from the hands of an
12451 inspired Frenchwoman.
12452 
12453 Leaving her sister to her own devices, Amy proceeded to enjoy herself
12454 to her heart's content.  Mr. Tudor's uncle had married an English lady
12455 who was third cousin to a living lord, and Amy regarded the whole
12456 family with great respect, for in spite of her American birth and
12457 breeding, she possessed that reverence for titles which haunts the best
12458 of us -- that unacknowledged loyalty to the early faith in kings which
12459 set the most democratic nation under the sun in ferment at the coming
12460 of a royal yellow-haired laddie, some years ago, and which still has
12461 something to do with the love the young country bears the old, like
12462 that of a big son for an imperious little mother, who held him while
12463 she could, and let him go with a farewell scolding when he rebelled.
12464 But even the satisfaction of talking with a distant connection of the
12465 British nobility did not render Amy forgetful of time, and when the
12466 proper number of minutes had passed, she reluctantly tore herself from
12467 this aristocratic society, and looked about for Jo, fervently hoping
12468 that her incorrigible sister would not be found in any position which
12469 should bring disgrace upon the name of March.
12470 
12471 It might have been worse, but Amy considered it bad.  For Jo sat on the
12472 grass, with an encampment of boys about her, and a dirty-footed dog
12473 reposing on the skirt of her state and festival dress, as she related
12474 one of Laurie's pranks to her admiring audience.  One small child was
12475 poking turtles with Amy's cherished parasol, a second was eating
12476 gingerbread over Jo's best bonnet, and a third playing ball with her
12477 gloves, but all were enjoying themselves, and when Jo collected her
12478 damaged property to go, her escort accompanied her, begging her to come
12479 again, "It was such fun to hear about Laurie's larks."
12480 
12481 "Capital boys, aren't they?  I feel quite young and brisk again after
12482 that." said Jo, strolling along with her hands behind her, partly from
12483 habit, partly to conceal the bespattered parasol.
12484 
12485 "Why do you always avoid Mr. Tudor?" asked Amy, wisely refraining from
12486 any comment upon Jo's dilapidated appearance.
12487 
12488 "Don't like him, he puts on airs, snubs his sisters, worries his
12489 father, and doesn't speak respectfully of his mother.  Laurie says he
12490 is fast, and I don't consider him a desirable acquaintance, so I let
12491 him alone."
12492 
12493 "You might treat him civilly, at least.  You gave him a cool nod, and
12494 just now you bowed and smiled in the politest way to Tommy Chamberlain,
12495 whose father keeps a grocery store.  If you had just reversed the nod
12496 and the bow, it would have been right," said Amy reprovingly.
12497 
12498 "No, it wouldn't," returned Jo, "I neither like, respect, nor admire
12499 Tudor, though his grandfather's uncle's nephew's niece was a third
12500 cousin to a lord.  Tommy is poor and bashful and good and very clever.
12501 I think well of him, and like to show that I do, for he is a gentleman
12502 in spite of the brown paper parcels."
12503 
12504 "It's no use trying to argue with you," began Amy.
12505 
12506 "Not the least, my dear," interrupted Jo, "so let us look amiable, and
12507 drop a card here, as the Kings are evidently out, for which I'm deeply
12508 grateful."
12509 
12510 The family cardcase having done its duty the girls walked on, and Jo
12511 uttered another thanksgiving on reaching the fifth house, and being
12512 told that the young ladies were engaged.
12513 
12514 "Now let us go home, and never mind Aunt March today.  We can run down
12515 there any time, and it's really a pity to trail through the dust in our
12516 best bibs and tuckers, when we are tired and cross."
12517 
12518 "Speak for yourself, if you please.  Aunt March likes to have us pay
12519 her the compliment of coming in style, and making a formal call. It's a
12520 little thing to do, but it gives her pleasure, and I don't believe it
12521 will hurt your things half so much as letting dirty dogs and clumping
12522 boys spoil them.  Stoop down, and let me take the crumbs off of your
12523 bonnet."
12524 
12525 "What a good girl you are, Amy!" said Jo, with a repentant glance from
12526 her own damaged costume to that of her sister, which was fresh and
12527 spotless still.  "I wish it was as easy for me to do little things to
12528 please people as it is for you.  I think of them, but it takes too much
12529 time to do them, so I wait for a chance to confer a great favor, and
12530 let the small ones slip, but they tell best in the end, I fancy."
12531 
12532 Amy smiled and was mollified at once, saying with a maternal air,
12533 "Women should learn to be agreeable, particularly poor ones, for they
12534 have no other way of repaying the kindnesses they receive. If you'd
12535 remember that, and practice it, you'd be better liked than I am,
12536 because there is more of you."
12537 
12538 "I'm a crotchety old thing, and always shall be, but I'm willing to own
12539 that you are right, only it's easier for me to risk my life for a
12540 person than to be pleasant to him when I don't feel like it.  It's a
12541 great misfortune to have such strong likes and dislikes, isn't it?"
12542 
12543 "It's a greater not to be able to hide them.  I don't mind saying that
12544 I don't approve of Tudor any more than you do, but I'm not called upon
12545 to tell him so.  Neither are you, and there is no use in making
12546 yourself disagreeable because he is."
12547 
12548 "But I think girls ought to show when they disapprove of young men, and
12549 how can they do it except by their manners? Preaching does not do any
12550 good, as I know to my sorrow, since I've had Teddie to manage.  But
12551 there are many little ways in which I can influence him without a word,
12552 and I say we ought to do it to others if we can."
12553 
12554 "Teddy is a remarkable boy, and can't be taken as a sample of other
12555 boys," said Amy, in a tone of solemn conviction, which would have
12556 convulsed the 'remarkable boy' if he had heard it.  "If we were belles,
12557 or women of wealth and position, we might do something, perhaps, but
12558 for us to frown at one set of young gentlemen because we don't approve
12559 of them, and smile upon another set because we do, wouldn't have a
12560 particle of effect, and we should only be considered odd and
12561 puritanical."
12562 
12563 "So we are to countenance things and people which we detest, merely
12564 because we are not belles and millionaires, are we? That's a nice sort
12565 of morality."
12566 
12567 "I can't argue about it, I only know that it's the way of the world,
12568 and people who set themselves against it only get laughed at for their
12569 pains.  I don't like reformers, and I hope you never try to be one."
12570 
12571 "I do like them, and I shall be one if I can, for in spite of the
12572 laughing the world would never get on without them.  We can't agree
12573 about that, for you belong to the old set, and I to the new. You will
12574 get on the best, but I shall have the liveliest time of it. I should
12575 rather enjoy the brickbats and hooting, I think."
12576 
12577 "Well, compose yourself now, and don't worry Aunt with your new ideas."
12578 
12579 "I'll try not to, but I'm always possessed to burst out with some
12580 particularly blunt speech or revolutionary sentiment before her.  It's
12581 my doom, and I can't help it."
12582 
12583 They found Aunt Carrol with the old lady, both absorbed in some very
12584 interesting subject, but they dropped it as the girls came in, with a
12585 conscious look which betrayed that they had been talking about their
12586 nieces.  Jo was not in a good humor, and the perverse fit returned, but
12587 Amy, who had virtuously done her duty, kept her temper and pleased
12588 everybody, was in a most angelic frame of mind.  This amiable spirit
12589 was felt at once, and both aunts 'my deared' her affectionately,
12590 looking what they afterward said emphatically, "That child improves
12591 every day."
12592 
12593 "Are you going to help about the fair, dear?" asked Mrs. Carrol, as Amy
12594 sat down beside her with the confiding air elderly people like so well
12595 in the young.
12596 
12597 "Yes, Aunt.  Mrs. Chester asked me if I would, and I offered to tend a
12598 table, as I have nothing but my time to give."
12599 
12600 "I'm not," put in Jo decidedly.  "I hate to be patronized, and the
12601 Chesters think it's a great favor to allow us to help with their highly
12602 connected fair.  I wonder you consented, Amy, they only want you to
12603 work."
12604 
12605 "I am willing to work.  It's for the freedmen as well as the Chesters,
12606 and I think it very kind of them to let me share the labor and the fun.
12607 Patronage does not trouble me when it is well meant."
12608 
12609 "Quite right and proper.  I like your grateful spirit, my dear. It's a
12610 pleasure to help people who appreciate our efforts.  Some do not, and
12611 that is trying," observed Aunt March, looking over her spectacles at
12612 Jo, who sat apart, rocking herself, with a somewhat morose expression.
12613 
12614 If Jo had only known what a great happiness was wavering in the balance
12615 for one of them, she would have turned dove-like in a minute, but
12616 unfortunately, we don't have windows in our breasts, and cannot see
12617 what goes on in the minds of our friends.  Better for us that we cannot
12618 as a general thing, but now and then it would be such a comfort, such a
12619 saving of time and temper.  By her next speech, Jo deprived herself of
12620 several years of pleasure, and received a timely lesson in the art of
12621 holding her tongue.
12622 
12623 "I don't like favors, they oppress and make me feel like a slave.  I'd
12624 rather do everything for myself, and be perfectly independent."
12625 
12626 "Ahem!" coughed Aunt Carrol softly, with a look at Aunt March.
12627 
12628 "I told you so," said Aunt March, with a decided nod to Aunt Carrol.
12629 
12630 Mercifully unconscious of what she had done, Jo sat with her nose in
12631 the air, and a revolutionary aspect which was anything but inviting.
12632 
12633 "Do you speak French, dear?" asked Mrs. Carrol, laying a hand on Amy's.
12634 
12635 "Pretty well, thanks to Aunt March, who lets Esther talk to me as often
12636 as I like," replied Amy, with a grateful look, which caused the old
12637 lady to smile affably.
12638 
12639 "How are you about languages?" asked Mrs. Carrol of Jo.
12640 
12641 "Don't know a word.  I'm very stupid about studying anything, can't
12642 bear French, it's such a slippery, silly sort of language," was the
12643 brusque reply.
12644 
12645 Another look passed between the ladies, and Aunt March said to Amy,
12646 "You are quite strong and well now, dear, I believe?  Eyes don't
12647 trouble you any more, do they?"
12648 
12649 "Not at all, thank you, ma'am.  I'm very well, and mean to do great
12650 things next winter, so that I may be ready for Rome, whenever that
12651 joyful time arrives."
12652 
12653 "Good girl!  You deserve to go, and I'm sure you will some day," said
12654 Aunt March, with an approving pat on the head, as Amy picked up her
12655 ball for her.
12656 
12657     Crosspatch, draw the latch,
12658     Sit by the fire and spin,
12659 
12660 squalled Polly, bending down from his perch on the back of her chair to
12661 peep into Jo's face, with such a comical air of impertinent inquiry
12662 that it was impossible to help laughing.
12663 
12664 "Most observing bird," said the old lady.
12665 
12666 "Come and take a walk, my dear?" cried Polly, hopping toward the china
12667 closet, with a look suggestive of a lump of sugar.
12668 
12669 "Thank you, I will.  Come Amy." and Jo brought the visit to an end,
12670 feeling more strongly than ever that calls did have a bad effect upon
12671 her constitution.  She shook hands in a gentlemanly manner, but Amy
12672 kissed both the aunts, and the girls departed, leaving behind them the
12673 impression of shadow and sunshine, which impression caused Aunt March
12674 to say, as they vanished...
12675 
12676 "You'd better do it, Mary.  I'll supply the money." and Aunt Carrol to
12677 reply decidedly, "I certainly will, if her father and mother consent."
12678 
12679 
12680 
12681 CHAPTER THIRTY
12682 
12683 CONSEQUENCES
12684 
12685 Mrs. Chester's fair was so very elegant and select that it was
12686 considered a great honor by the young ladies of the neighborhood to be
12687 invited to take a table, and everyone was much interested in the
12688 matter.  Amy was asked, but Jo was not, which was fortunate for all
12689 parties, as her elbows were decidedly akimbo at this period of her
12690 life, and it took a good many hard knocks to teach her how to get on
12691 easily.  The 'haughty, uninteresting creature' was let severely alone,
12692 but Amy's talent and taste were duly complimented by the offer of the
12693 art table, and she exerted herself to prepare and secure appropriate
12694 and valuable contributions to it.
12695 
12696 Everything went on smoothly till the day before the fair opened, then
12697 there occurred one of the little skirmishes which it is almost
12698 impossible to avoid, when some five-and-twenty women, old and young,
12699 with all their private piques and prejudices, try to work together.
12700 
12701 May Chester was rather jealous of Amy because the latter was a greater
12702 favorite than herself, and just at this time several trifling
12703 circumstances occurred to increase the feeling.  Amy's dainty
12704 pen-and-ink work entirely eclipsed May's painted vases -- that was one
12705 thorn.  Then the all conquering Tudor had danced four times with Amy at
12706 a late party and only once with May -- that was thorn number two.  But
12707 the chief grievance that rankled in her soul, and gave an excuse for
12708 her unfriendly conduct, was a rumor which some obliging gossip had
12709 whispered to her, that the March girls had made fun of her at the
12710 Lambs'. All the blame of this should have fallen upon Jo, for her
12711 naughty imitation had been too lifelike to escape detection, and the
12712 frolicsome Lambs had permitted the joke to escape.  No hint of this had
12713 reached the culprits, however, and Amy's dismay can be imagined, when,
12714 the very evening before the fair, as she was putting the last touches
12715 to her pretty table, Mrs. Chester, who, of course, resented the
12716 supposed ridicule of her daughter, said, in a bland tone, but with a
12717 cold look...
12718 
12719 "I find, dear, that there is some feeling among the young ladies about
12720 my giving this table to anyone but my girls.  As this is the most
12721 prominent, and some say the most attractive table of all, and they are
12722 the chief getters-up of the fair, it is thought best for them to take
12723 this place.  I'm sorry, but I know you are too sincerely interested in
12724 the cause to mind a little personal disappointment, and you shall have
12725 another table if you like."
12726 
12727 Mrs. Chester fancied beforehand that it would be easy to deliver this
12728 little speech, but when the time came, she found it rather difficult to
12729 utter it naturally, with Amy's unsuspicious eyes looking straight at
12730 her full of surprise and trouble.
12731 
12732 Amy felt that there was something behind this, but could not guess
12733 what, and said quietly, feeling hurt, and showing that she did,
12734 "Perhaps you had rather I took no table at all?"
12735 
12736 "Now, my dear, don't have any ill feeling, I beg.  It's merely a matter
12737 of expediency, you see, my girls will naturally take the lead, and this
12738 table is considered their proper place.  I think it very appropriate to
12739 you, and feel very grateful for your efforts to make it so pretty, but
12740 we must give up our private wishes, of course, and I will see that you
12741 have a good place elsewhere. Wouldn't you like the flower table? The
12742 little girls undertook it, but they are discouraged.  You could make a
12743 charming thing of it, and the flower table is always attractive you
12744 know."
12745 
12746 "Especially to gentlemen," added May, with a look which enlightened Amy
12747 as to one cause of her sudden fall from favor.  She colored angrily,
12748 but took no other notice of that girlish sarcasm, and answered with
12749 unexpected amiability...
12750 
12751 "It shall be as you please, Mrs. Chester.  I'll give up my place here
12752 at once, and attend to the flowers, if you like."
12753 
12754 "You can put your own things on your own table, if you prefer," began
12755 May, feeling a little conscience-stricken, as she looked at the pretty
12756 racks, the painted shells, and quaint illuminations Amy had so
12757 carefully made and so gracefully arranged.  She meant it kindly, but
12758 Amy mistook her meaning, and said quickly...
12759 
12760 "Oh, certainly, if they are in your way," and sweeping her
12761 contributions into her apron, pell-mell, she walked off, feeling that
12762 herself and her works of art had been insulted past forgiveness.
12763 
12764 "Now she's mad.  Oh, dear, I wish I hadn't asked you to speak,  Mama,"
12765 said May, looking disconsolately at the empty spaces on her table.
12766 
12767 "Girls' quarrels are soon over," returned her mother, feeling a trifle
12768 ashamed of her own part in this one, as well she might.
12769 
12770 The little girls hailed Amy and her treasures with delight, which
12771 cordial reception somewhat soothed her perturbed spirit, and she fell
12772 to work, determined to succeed florally, if she could not artistically.
12773 But everything seemed against her.  It was late, and she was tired.
12774 Everyone was too busy with their own affairs to help her, and the
12775 little girls were only hindrances, for the dears fussed and chattered
12776 like so many magpies, making a great deal of confusion in their artless
12777 efforts to preserve the most perfect order.  The evergreen arch
12778 wouldn't stay firm after she got it up, but wiggled and threatened to
12779 tumble down on her head when the hanging baskets were filled.  Her best
12780 tile got a splash of water, which left a sepia tear on the Cupid's
12781 cheek.  She bruised her hands with hammering, and got cold working in a
12782 draft, which last affliction filled her with apprehensions for the
12783 morrow.  Any girl reader who has suffered like afflictions will
12784 sympathize with poor Amy and wish her well through her task.
12785 
12786 There was great indignation at home when she told her story that
12787 evening.  Her mother said it was a shame, but told her she had done
12788 right.  Beth declared she wouldn't go to the fair at all, and Jo
12789 demanded why she didn't take all her pretty things and leave those mean
12790 people to get on without her.
12791 
12792 "Because they are mean is no reason why I should be.  I hate such
12793 things, and though I think I've a right to be hurt, I don't intend to
12794 show it.  They will feel that more than angry speeches or huffy
12795 actions, won't they, Marmee?"
12796 
12797 "That's the right spirit, my dear.  A kiss for a blow is always best,
12798 though it's not very easy to give it sometimes," said her mother, with
12799 the air of one who had learned the difference between preaching and
12800 practicing.
12801 
12802 In spite of various very natural temptations to resent and retaliate,
12803 Amy adhered to her resolution all the next day, bent on conquering her
12804 enemy by kindness.  She began well, thanks to a silent reminder that
12805 came to her unexpectedly, but most opportunely. As she arranged her
12806 table that morning, while the little girls were in the anteroom filling
12807 the baskets, she took up her pet production, a little book, the antique
12808 cover of which her father had found among his treasures, and in which
12809 on leaves of vellum she had beautifully illuminated different texts.
12810 As she turned the pages rich in dainty devices with very pardonable
12811 pride, her eye fell upon one verse that made her stop and think.
12812 Framed in a brilliant scrollwork of scarlet, blue and gold, with little
12813 spirits of good will helping one another up and down among the thorns
12814 and flowers, were the words, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
12815 
12816 "I ought, but I don't," thought Amy, as her eye went from the bright
12817 page to May's discontented face behind the big vases, that could not
12818 hide the vacancies her pretty work had once filled.  Amy stood a
12819 minute, turning the leaves in her hand, reading on each some sweet
12820 rebuke for all heartburnings and uncharitableness of spirit. Many wise
12821 and true sermons are preached us every day by unconscious ministers in
12822 street, school, office, or home.  Even a fair table may become a
12823 pulpit, if it can offer the good and helpful words which are never out
12824 of season.  Amy's conscience preached her a little sermon from that
12825 text, then and there, and she did what many of us do not always do,
12826 took the sermon to heart, and straightway put it in practice.
12827 
12828 A group of girls were standing about May's table, admiring the pretty
12829 things, and talking over the change of saleswomen.  They dropped their
12830 voices, but Amy knew they were speaking of her, hearing one side of the
12831 story and judging accordingly.  It was not pleasant, but a better
12832 spirit had come over her, and presently a chance offered for proving
12833 it.  She heard May say sorrowfully...
12834 
12835 "It's too bad, for there is no time to make other things, and I don't
12836 want to fill up with odds and ends.  The table was just complete then.
12837 Now it's spoiled."
12838 
12839 "I dare say she'd put them back if you asked her," suggested someone.
12840 
12841 "How could I after all the fuss?" began May, but she did not finish,
12842 for Amy's voice came across the hall, saying pleasantly...
12843 
12844 "You may have them, and welcome, without asking, if you want them.  I
12845 was just thinking I'd offer to put them back, for they belong to your
12846 table rather than mine.  Here they are, please take them, and forgive
12847 me if I was hasty in carrying them away last night."
12848 
12849 As she spoke, Amy returned her contribution, with a nod and a smile,
12850 and hurried away again, feeling that it was easier to do a friendly
12851 thing than it was to stay and be thanked for it.
12852 
12853 "Now, I call that lovely of her, don't you?" cried one girl.
12854 
12855 May's answer was inaudible, but another young lady, whose temper was
12856 evidently a little soured by making lemonade, added, with a
12857 disagreeable laugh, "Very lovely, for she knew she wouldn't sell them
12858 at her own table."
12859 
12860 Now, that was hard.  When we make little sacrifices we like to have
12861 them appreciated, at least, and for a minute Amy was sorry she had done
12862 it, feeling that virtue was not always its own reward. But it is, as
12863 she presently discovered, for her spirits began to rise, and her table
12864 to blossom under her skillful hands, the girls were very kind, and that
12865 one little act seemed to have cleared the atmosphere amazingly.
12866 
12867 It was a very long day and a hard one for Amy, as she sat behind her
12868 table, often quite alone, for the little girls deserted very soon.  Few
12869 cared to buy flowers in summer, and her bouquets began to droop long
12870 before night.
12871 
12872 The art table was the most attractive in the room.  There was a crowd
12873 about it all day long, and the tenders were constantly flying to and
12874 fro with important faces and rattling money boxes.  Amy often looked
12875 wistfully across, longing to be there, where she felt at home and
12876 happy, instead of in a corner with nothing to do.  It might seem no
12877 hardship to some of us, but to a pretty, blithe young girl, it was not
12878 only tedious, but very trying, and the thought of Laurie and his
12879 friends made it a real martyrdom.
12880 
12881 She did not go home till night, and then she looked so pale and quiet
12882 that they knew the day had been a hard one, though she made no
12883 complaint, and did not even tell what she had done.  Her mother gave
12884 her an extra cordial cup of tea.  Beth helped her dress, and made a
12885 charming little wreath for her hair, while Jo astonished her family by
12886 getting herself up with unusual care, and hinting darkly that the
12887 tables were about to be turned.
12888 
12889 "Don't do anything rude, pray Jo; I won't have any fuss made, so let it
12890 all pass and behave yourself," begged Amy, as she departed early,
12891 hoping to find a reinforcement of flowers to refresh her poor little
12892 table.
12893 
12894 "I merely intend to make myself entrancingly agreeable to every one I
12895 know, and to keep them in your corner as long as possible. Teddy and
12896 his boys will lend a hand, and we'll have a good time yet." returned
12897 Jo, leaning over the gate to watch for Laurie.  Presently the familiar
12898 tramp was heard in the dusk, and she ran out to meet him.
12899 
12900 "Is that my boy?"
12901 
12902 "As sure as this is my girl!" and Laurie tucked her hand under his arm
12903 with the air of a man whose every wish was gratified.
12904 
12905 "Oh, Teddy, such doings!" and Jo told Amy's wrongs with sisterly zeal.
12906 
12907 "A flock of our fellows are going to drive over by-and-by, and I'll be
12908 hanged if I don't make them buy every flower she's got, and camp down
12909 before her table afterward," said Laurie, espousing her cause with
12910 warmth.
12911 
12912 "The flowers are not at all nice, Amy says, and the fresh ones may not
12913 arrive in time.  I don't wish to be unjust or suspicious, but I
12914 shouldn't wonder if they never came at all.  When people do one mean
12915 thing they are very likely to do another," observed Jo in a disgusted
12916 tone.
12917 
12918 "Didn't Hayes give you the best out of our gardens? I told him to."
12919 
12920 "I didn't know that, he forgot, I suppose, and, as your grandpa was
12921 poorly, I didn't like to worry him by asking, though I did want some."
12922 
12923 "Now, Jo, how could you think there was any need of asking? They are
12924 just as much yours as mine.  Don't we always go halves in everything?"
12925 began Laurie, in the tone that always made Jo turn thorny.
12926 
12927 "Gracious, I hope not!  Half of some of your things wouldn't suit me at
12928 all.  But we mustn't stand philandering here.  I've got to help Amy, so
12929 you go and make yourself splendid, and if you'll be so very kind as to
12930 let Hayes take a few nice flowers up to the Hall, I'll bless you
12931 forever."
12932 
12933 "Couldn't you do it now?" asked Laurie, so suggestively that Jo shut
12934 the gate in his face with inhospitable haste, and called through the
12935 bars, "Go away, Teddy, I'm busy."
12936 
12937 Thanks to the conspirators, the tables were turned that night, for
12938 Hayes sent up a wilderness of flowers, with a loverly basket arranged
12939 in his best manner for a centerpiece.  Then the March family turned out
12940 en masse, and Jo exerted herself to some purpose, for people not only
12941 came, but stayed, laughing at her nonsense, admiring Amy's taste, and
12942 apparently enjoying themselves very much.  Laurie and his friends
12943 gallantly threw themselves into the breach, bought up the bouquets,
12944 encamped before the table, and made that corner the liveliest spot in
12945 the room.  Amy was in her element now, and out of gratitude, if nothing
12946 more, was as spritely and gracious as possible, coming to the
12947 conclusion, about that time, that virtue was its own reward, after all.
12948 
12949 Jo behaved herself with exemplary propriety, and when Amy was happily
12950 surrounded by her guard of honor, Jo circulated about the Hall, picking
12951 up various bits of gossip, which enlightened her upon the subject of
12952 the Chester change of base.  She reproached herself for her share of
12953 the ill feeling and resolved to exonerate Amy as soon as possible.  She
12954 also discovered what Amy had done about the things in the morning, and
12955 considered her a model of magnanimity.  As she passed the art table,
12956 she glanced over it for her sister's things, but saw no sign of them.
12957 "Tucked away out of sight, I dare say," thought Jo, who could forgive
12958 her own wrongs, but hotly resented any insult offered her family.
12959 
12960 "Good evening, Miss Jo.  How does Amy get on?" asked May with a
12961 conciliatory air, for she wanted to show that she also could be
12962 generous.
12963 
12964 "She has sold everything she had that was worth selling, and now she is
12965 enjoying herself.  The flower table is always attractive, you know,
12966 'especially to gentlemen'." Jo couldn't resist giving that little slap,
12967 but May took it so meekly she regretted it a minute after, and fell to
12968 praising the great vases, which still remained unsold.
12969 
12970 "Is Amy's illumination anywhere about?  I took a fancy to buy that for
12971 Father," said Jo, very anxious to learn the fate of her sister's work.
12972 
12973 "Everything of Amy's sold long ago.  I took care that the right people
12974 saw them, and they made a nice little sum of money for us," returned
12975 May, who had overcome sundry small temptations, as well as Amy had,
12976 that day.
12977 
12978 Much gratified, Jo rushed back to tell the good news, and Amy looked
12979 both touched and surprised by the report of May's word and manner.
12980 
12981 "Now, gentlemen, I want you to go and do your duty by the other tables
12982 as generously as you have by mine, especially the art table," she said,
12983 ordering out 'Teddy's own', as the girls called the college friends.
12984 
12985 "'Charge, Chester, charge!' is the motto for that table, but do your
12986 duty like men, and you'll get your money's worth of art in every sense
12987 of the word," said the irrepressible Jo, as the devoted phalanx
12988 prepared to take the field.
12989 
12990 "To hear is to obey, but March is fairer far than May," said little
12991 Parker, making a frantic effort to be both witty and tender, and
12992 getting promptly quenched by Laurie, who said...
12993 
12994 "Very well, my son, for a small boy!" and walked him off, with a
12995 paternal pat on the head.
12996 
12997 "Buy the vases," whispered Amy to Laurie, as a final heaping of coals
12998 of fire on her enemy's head.
12999 
13000 To May's great delight, Mr. Laurence not only bought the vases, but
13001 pervaded the hall with one under each arm.  The other gentlemen
13002 speculated with equal rashness in all sorts of frail trifles, and
13003 wandered helplessly about afterward, burdened with wax flowers, painted
13004 fans, filigree portfolios, and other useful and appropriate purchases.
13005 
13006 Aunt Carrol was there, heard the story, looked pleased, and said
13007 something to Mrs. March in a corner, which made the latter lady beam
13008 with satisfaction, and watch Amy with a face full of mingled pride and
13009 anxiety, though she did not betray the cause of her pleasure till
13010 several days later.
13011 
13012 The fair was pronounced a success, and when May bade Amy goodnight, she
13013 did not gush as usual, but gave her an affectionate kiss, and a look
13014 which said 'forgive and forget'.  That satisfied Amy, and when she got
13015 home she found the vases paraded on the parlor chimney piece with a
13016 great bouquet in each.  "The reward of merit for a magnanimous March,"
13017 as Laurie announced with a flourish.
13018 
13019 "You've a deal more principle and generosity and nobleness of character
13020 than I ever gave you credit for, Amy.  You've behaved sweetly, and I
13021 respect you with all my heart," said Jo warmly, as they brushed their
13022 hair together late that night.
13023 
13024 "Yes, we all do, and love her for being so ready to forgive.  It must
13025 have been dreadfully hard, after working so long and setting your heart
13026 on selling your own pretty things.  I don't believe I could have done
13027 it as kindly as you did," added Beth from her pillow.
13028 
13029 "Why, girls, you needn't praise me so.  I only did as I'd be done by.
13030 You laugh at me when I say I want to be a lady, but I mean a true
13031 gentlewoman in mind and manners, and I try to do it as far as I know
13032 how.  I can't explain exactly, but I want to be above the little
13033 meannesses and follies and faults that spoil so many women.  I'm far
13034 from it now, but I do my best, and hope in time to be what Mother is."
13035 
13036 Amy spoke earnestly, and Jo said, with a cordial hug, "I understand now
13037 what you mean, and I'll never laugh at you again. You are getting on
13038 faster than you think, and I'll take lessons of you in true politeness,
13039 for you've learned the secret, I believe. Try away, deary, you'll get
13040 your reward some day, and no one will be more delighted than I shall."
13041 
13042 A week later Amy did get her reward, and poor Jo found it hard to be
13043 delighted.  A letter came from Aunt Carrol, and Mrs. March's face was
13044 illuminated to such a degree when she read it that Jo and Beth, who
13045 were with her, demanded what the glad tidings were.
13046 
13047 "Aunt Carrol is going abroad next month, and wants..."
13048 
13049 "Me to go with her!" burst in Jo, flying out of her chair in an
13050 uncontrollable rapture.
13051 
13052 "No, dear, not you.  It's Amy."
13053 
13054 "Oh, Mother!  She's too young, it's my turn first.  I've wanted it so
13055 long.  It would do me so much good, and be so altogether splendid.  I
13056 must go!"
13057 
13058 "I'm afraid it's impossible, Jo.  Aunt says Amy, decidedly, and it is
13059 not for us to dictate when she offers such a favor."
13060 
13061 "It's always so.  Amy has all the fun and I have all the work. It isn't
13062 fair, oh, it isn't fair!" cried Jo passionately.
13063 
13064 "I'm afraid it's partly your own fault, dear.  When Aunt spoke to me
13065 the other day, she regretted your blunt manners and too independent
13066 spirit, and here she writes, as if quoting something you had said -- 'I
13067 planned at first to ask Jo, but as 'favors burden her', and she 'hates
13068 French', I think I won't venture to invite her.  Amy is more docile,
13069 will make a good companion for Flo, and receive gratefully any help the
13070 trip may give her."
13071 
13072 "Oh, my tongue, my abominable tongue!  Why can't I learn to keep it
13073 quiet?" groaned Jo, remembering words which had been her undoing.  When
13074 she had heard the explanation of the quoted phrases, Mrs. March said
13075 sorrowfully...
13076 
13077 "I wish you could have gone, but there is no hope of it this time, so
13078 try to bear it cheerfully, and don't sadden Amy's pleasure by
13079 reproaches or regrets."
13080 
13081 "I'll try," said Jo, winking hard as she knelt down to pick up the
13082 basket she had joyfully upset.  "I'll take a leaf out of her book, and
13083 try not only to seem glad, but to be so, and not grudge her one minute
13084 of happiness.  But it won't be easy, for it is a dreadful
13085 disappointment," and poor Jo bedewed the little fat pincushion she held
13086 with several very bitter tears.
13087 
13088 "Jo, dear, I'm very selfish, but I couldn't spare you, and I'm glad you
13089 are not going quite yet," whispered Beth, embracing her, basket and
13090 all, with such a clinging touch and loving face that Jo felt comforted
13091 in spite of the sharp regret that made her want to box her own ears,
13092 and humbly beg Aunt Carrol to burden her with this favor, and see how
13093 gratefully she would bear it.
13094 
13095 By the time Amy came in, Jo was able to take her part in the family
13096 jubilation, not quite as heartily as usual, perhaps, but without
13097 repinings at Amy's good fortune.  The young lady herself received the
13098 news as tidings of great joy, went about in a solemn sort of rapture,
13099 and began to sort her colors and pack her pencils that evening, leaving
13100 such trifles as clothes, money, and passports to those less absorbed in
13101 visions of art than herself.
13102 
13103 "It isn't a mere pleasure trip to me, girls," she said impressively, as
13104 she scraped her best palette.  "It will decide my career, for if I have
13105 any genius, I shall find it out in Rome, and will do something to prove
13106 it."
13107 
13108 "Suppose you haven't?" said Jo, sewing away, with red eyes, at the new
13109 collars which were to be handed over to Amy.
13110 
13111 "Then I shall come home and teach drawing for my living," replied the
13112 aspirant for fame, with philosophic composure. But she made a wry face
13113 at the prospect, and scratched away at her palette as if bent on
13114 vigorous measures before she gave up her hopes.
13115 
13116 "No, you won't.  You hate hard work, and you'll marry some rich man,
13117 and come home to sit in the lap of luxury all your days," said Jo.
13118 
13119 "Your predictions sometimes come to pass, but I don't believe that one
13120 will.  I'm sure I wish it would, for if I can't be an artist myself, I
13121 should like to be able to help those who are," said Amy, smiling, as if
13122 the part of Lady Bountiful would suit her better than that of a poor
13123 drawing teacher.
13124 
13125 "Hum!" said Jo, with a sigh.  "If you wish it you'll have it, for your
13126 wishes are always granted -- mine never."
13127 
13128 "Would you like to go?" asked Amy, thoughtfully patting her nose with
13129 her knife.
13130 
13131 "Rather!"
13132 
13133 "Well, in a year or two I'll send for you, and we'll dig in the Forum
13134 for relics, and carry out all the plans we've made so many times."
13135 
13136 "Thank you.  I'll remind you of your promise when that joyful day
13137 comes, if it ever does," returned Jo, accepting the vague but
13138 magnificent offer as gratefully as she could.
13139 
13140 There was not much time for preparation, and the house was in a ferment
13141 till Amy was off.  Jo bore up very well till the last flutter of blue
13142 ribbon vanished, when she retired to her refuge, the garret, and cried
13143 till she couldn't cry any more. Amy likewise bore up stoutly till the
13144 steamer sailed.  Then just as the gangway was about to be withdrawn, it
13145 suddenly came over her that a whole ocean was soon to roll between her
13146 and those who loved her best, and she clung to Laurie, the last
13147 lingerer, saying with a sob...
13148 
13149 "Oh, take care of them for me, and if anything should happen..."
13150 
13151 "I will, dear, I will, and if anything happens, I'll come and comfort
13152 you," whispered Laurie, little dreaming that he would be called upon to
13153 keep his word.
13154 
13155 So Amy sailed away to find the Old World, which is always new and
13156 beautiful to young eyes, while her father and friend watched her from
13157 the shore, fervently hoping that none but gentle fortunes would befall
13158 the happy-hearted girl, who waved her hand to them till they could see
13159 nothing but the summer sunshine dazzling on the sea.
13160 
13161 
13162 
13163 CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
13164 
13165 OUR FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT
13166 
13167 London
13168 
13169 Dearest People, Here I really sit at a front window of the Bath Hotel,
13170 Piccadilly.  It's not a fashionable place, but Uncle stopped here years
13171 ago, and won't go anywhere else.  However, we don't mean to stay long,
13172 so it's no great matter.  Oh, I can't begin to tell you how I enjoy it
13173 all!  I never can, so I'll only give you bits out of my notebook, for
13174 I've done nothing but sketch and scribble since I started.
13175 
13176 I sent a line from Halifax, when I felt pretty miserable, but after
13177 that I got on delightfully, seldom ill, on deck all day, with plenty of
13178 pleasant people to amuse me.  Everyone was very kind to me, especially
13179 the officers.  Don't laugh, Jo, gentlemen really are very necessary
13180 aboard ship, to hold on to, or to wait upon one, and as they have
13181 nothing to do, it's a mercy to make them useful, otherwise they would
13182 smoke themselves to death, I'm afraid.
13183 
13184 Aunt and Flo were poorly all the way, and liked to be let alone, so
13185 when I had done what I could for them, I went and enjoyed myself.  Such
13186 walks on deck, such sunsets, such splendid air and waves!  It was
13187 almost as exciting as riding a fast horse, when we went rushing on so
13188 grandly.  I wish Beth could have come, it would have done her so much
13189 good.  As for Jo, she would have gone up and sat on the maintop jib, or
13190 whatever the high thing is called, made friends with the engineers, and
13191 tooted on the captain's speaking trumpet, she'd have been in such a
13192 state of rapture.
13193 
13194 It was all heavenly, but I was glad to see the Irish coast, and found
13195 it very lovely, so green and sunny, with brown cabins here and there,
13196 ruins on some of the hills, and gentlemen's countryseats in the
13197 valleys, with deer feeding in the parks. It was early in the morning,
13198 but I didn't regret getting up to see it, for the bay was full of
13199 little boats, the shore so picturesque, and a rosy sky overhead.  I
13200 never shall forget it.
13201 
13202 At Queenstown one of my new acquaintances left us, Mr. Lennox, and when
13203 I said something about the Lakes of Killarney, he sighed, and sung,
13204 with a look at me...
13205 
13206     "Oh, have you e'er heard of Kate Kearney?
13207     She lives on the banks of Killarney;
13208     From the glance of her eye,
13209     Shun danger and fly,
13210     For fatal's the glance of Kate Kearney."
13211 
13212 Wasn't that nonsensical?
13213 
13214 We only stopped at Liverpool a few hours.  It's a dirty, noisy place,
13215 and I was glad to leave it.  Uncle rushed out and bought a pair of
13216 dogskin gloves, some ugly, thick shoes, and an umbrella, and got shaved
13217 a la mutton chop, the first thing. Then he flattered himself that he
13218 looked like a true Briton, but the first time he had the mud cleaned
13219 off his shoes, the little bootblack knew that an American stood in
13220 them, and said, with a grin, "There yer har, sir.  I've given 'em the
13221 latest Yankee shine."  It amused Uncle immensely.  Oh, I must tell you
13222 what that absurd Lennox did!  He got his friend Ward, who came on with
13223 us, to order a bouquet for me, and the first thing I saw in my room was
13224 a lovely one, with "Robert Lennox's compliments," on the card.  Wasn't
13225 that fun, girls? I like traveling.
13226 
13227 I never shall get to London if I don't hurry.  The trip was like riding
13228 through a long picture gallery, full of lovely landscapes. The
13229 farmhouses were my delight, with thatched roofs, ivy up to the eaves,
13230 latticed windows, and stout women with rosy children at the doors.  The
13231 very cattle looked more tranquil than ours, as they stood knee-deep in
13232 clover, and the hens had a contented cluck, as if they never got
13233 nervous like Yankee biddies.  Such perfect color I never saw, the grass
13234 so green, sky so blue, grain so yellow, woods so dark, I was in a
13235 rapture all the way.  So was Flo, and we kept bouncing from one side to
13236 the other, trying to see everything while we were whisking along at the
13237 rate of sixty miles an hour.  Aunt was tired and went to sleep, but
13238 Uncle read his guidebook, and wouldn't be astonished at anything. This
13239 is the way we went on.  Amy, flying up -- "Oh, that must be Kenilworth,
13240 that gray place among the trees!"  Flo, darting to my window -- "How
13241 sweet!  We must go there sometime, won't we Papa?" Uncle, calmly
13242 admiring his boots -- "No, my dear, not unless you want beer, that's a
13243 brewery."
13244 
13245 A pause -- then Flo cried out, "Bless me, there's a gallows and a man
13246 going up."  "Where, where?" shrieks Amy, staring out at two tall posts
13247 with a crossbeam and some dangling chains.  "A colliery," remarks
13248 Uncle, with a twinkle of the eye.  "Here's a lovely flock of lambs all
13249 lying down," says Amy.  "See, Papa, aren't they pretty?" added Flo
13250 sentimentally.  "Geese, young ladies," returns Uncle, in a tone that
13251 keeps us quiet till Flo settles down to enjoy the _Flirtations of
13252 Captain Cavendish_, and I have the scenery all to myself.
13253 
13254 Of course it rained when we got to London, and there was nothing to be
13255 seen but fog and umbrellas.  We rested, unpacked, and shopped a little
13256 between the showers.  Aunt Mary got me some new things, for I came off
13257 in such a hurry I wasn't half ready. A white hat and blue feather, a
13258 muslin dress to match, and the loveliest mantle you ever saw.  Shopping
13259 in Regent Street is perfectly splendid.  Things seem so cheap, nice
13260 ribbons only sixpence a yard.  I laid in a stock, but shall get my
13261 gloves in Paris.  Doesn't that sound sort of elegant and rich?
13262 
13263 Flo and I, for the fun of it, ordered a hansom cab, while Aunt and
13264 Uncle were out, and went for a drive, though we learned afterward that
13265 it wasn't the thing for young ladies to ride in them alone.  It was so
13266 droll!  For when we were shut in by the wooden apron, the man drove so
13267 fast that Flo was frightened, and told me to stop him, but he was up
13268 outside behind somewhere, and I couldn't get at him.  He didn't hear me
13269 call, nor see me flap my parasol in front, and there we were, quite
13270 helpless, rattling away, and whirling around corners at a breakneck
13271 pace. At last, in my despair, I saw a little door in the roof, and on
13272 poking it open, a red eye appeared, and a beery voice said...
13273 
13274 "Now, then, mum?"
13275 
13276 I gave my order as soberly as I could, and slamming down the door, with
13277 an "Aye, aye, mum," the man made his horse walk, as if going to a
13278 funeral.  I poked again and said, "A little faster," then off he went,
13279 helter-skelter as before, and we resigned ourselves to our fate.
13280 
13281 Today was fair, and we went to Hyde Park, close by, for we are more
13282 aristocratic than we look.  The Duke of Devonshire lives near.  I often
13283 see his footmen lounging at the back gate, and the Duke of Wellington's
13284 house is not far off.  Such sights as I saw, my dear!  It was as good
13285 as Punch, for there were fat dowagers rolling about in their red and
13286 yellow coaches, with gorgeous Jeameses in silk stockings and velvet
13287 coats, up behind, and powdered coachmen in front.  Smart maids, with
13288 the rosiest children I ever saw, handsome girls, looking half asleep,
13289 dandies in queer English hats and lavender kids lounging about, and
13290 tall soldiers, in short red jackets and muffin caps stuck on one side,
13291 looking so funny I longed to sketch them.
13292 
13293 Rotten Row means 'Route de Roi', or the king's way, but now it's more
13294 like a riding school than anything else.  The horses are splendid, and
13295 the men, especially the grooms, ride well, but the women are stiff, and
13296 bounce, which isn't according to our rules.  I longed to show them a
13297 tearing American gallop, for they trotted solemnly up and down, in
13298 their scant habits and high hats, looking like the women in a toy
13299 Noah's Ark.  Everyone rides -- old men, stout ladies, little
13300 children -- and the young folks do a deal of flirting here, I saw a pair
13301 exchange rose buds, for it's the thing to wear one in the button-hole,
13302 and I thought it rather a nice little idea.
13303 
13304 In the P.M.  to Westminster Abbey, but don't expect me to describe it,
13305 that's impossible, so I'll only say it was sublime! This evening we are
13306 going to see Fechter, which will be an appropriate end to the happiest
13307 day of my life.
13308 
13309 It's very late, but I can't let my letter go in the morning without
13310 telling you what happened last evening.  Who do you think came in, as
13311 we were at tea?  Laurie's English friends, Fred and Frank Vaughn!  I
13312 was so surprised, for I shouldn't have known them but for the cards.
13313 Both are tall fellows with whiskers, Fred handsome in the English
13314 style, and Frank much better, for he only limps slightly, and uses no
13315 crutches.  They had heard from Laurie where we were to be, and came to
13316 ask us to their house, but Uncle won't go, so we shall return the call,
13317 and see them as we can.  They went to the theater with us, and we did
13318 have such a good time, for Frank devoted himself to Flo, and Fred and I
13319 talked over past, present, and future fun as if we had known each other
13320 all our days.  Tell Beth Frank asked for her, and was sorry to hear of
13321 her ill health.  Fred laughed when I spoke of Jo, and sent his
13322 'respectful compliments to the big hat'. Neither of them had forgotten
13323 Camp Laurence, or the fun we had there.  What ages ago it seems,
13324 doesn't it?
13325 
13326 Aunt is tapping on the wall for the third time, so I must stop.  I
13327 really feel like a dissipated London fine lady, writing here so late,
13328 with my room full of pretty things, and my head a jumble of parks,
13329 theaters, new gowns, and gallant creatures who say "Ah!" and twirl
13330 their blond mustaches with the true English lordliness.  I long to see
13331 you all, and in spite of my nonsense am, as ever, your loving...
13332 
13333 AMY
13334 
13335 
13336 PARIS
13337 
13338 Dear girls,
13339 
13340 In my last I told you about our London visit, how kind the Vaughns
13341 were, and what pleasant parties they made for us.  I enjoyed the trips
13342 to Hampton Court and the Kensington Museum more than anything else, for
13343 at Hampton I saw Raphael's cartoons, and at the Museum, rooms full of
13344 pictures by Turner, Lawrence, Reynolds, Hogarth, and the other great
13345 creatures.  The day in Richmond Park was charming, for we had a regular
13346 English picnic, and I had more splendid oaks and groups of deer than I
13347 could copy, also heard a nightingale, and saw larks go up.  We 'did'
13348 London to our heart's content, thanks to Fred and Frank, and were sorry
13349 to go away, for though English people are slow to take you in, when
13350 they once make up their minds to do it they cannot be outdone in
13351 hospitality, I think.  The Vaughns hope to meet us in Rome next winter,
13352 and I shall be dreadfully disappointed if they don't, for Grace and I
13353 are great friends, and the boys very nice fellows, especially Fred.
13354 
13355 Well, we were hardly settled here, when he turned up again, saying he
13356 had come for a holiday, and was going to Switzerland. Aunt looked sober
13357 at first, but he was so cool about it she couldn't say a word.  And now
13358 we get on nicely, and are very glad he came, for he speaks French like
13359 a native, and I don't know what we should do without him.  Uncle
13360 doesn't know ten words, and insists on talking English very loud, as if
13361 it would make people understand him.  Aunt's pronunciation is
13362 old-fashioned, and Flo and I, though we flattered ourselves that we
13363 knew a good deal, find we don't, and are very grateful to have Fred do
13364 the '_parley vooing_', as Uncle calls it.
13365 
13366 Such delightful times as we are having!  Sight-seeing from morning till
13367 night, stopping for nice lunches in the gay _cafes_, and meeting with
13368 all sorts of droll adventures.  Rainy days I spend in the Louvre,
13369 revelling in pictures.  Jo would turn up her naughty nose at some of
13370 the finest, because she has no soul for art, but I have, and I'm
13371 cultivating eye and taste as fast as I can.  She would like the relics
13372 of great people better, for I've seen her Napoleon's cocked hat and
13373 gray coat, his baby's cradle and his old toothbrush, also Marie
13374 Antoinette's little shoe, the ring of Saint Denis, Charlemagne's sword,
13375 and many other interesting things.  I'll talk for hours about them when
13376 I come, but haven't time to write.
13377 
13378 The Palais Royale is a heavenly place, so full of _bijouterie_ and
13379 lovely things that I'm nearly distracted because I can't buy them.
13380 Fred wanted to get me some, but of course I didn't allow it.  Then the
13381 Bois and Champs Elysees are _tres magnifique_. I've seen the imperial
13382 family several times, the emperor an ugly, hard-looking man, the
13383 empress pale and pretty, but dressed in bad taste, I thought -- purple
13384 dress, green hat, and yellow gloves. Little Nap is a handsome boy, who
13385 sits chatting to his tutor, and kisses his hand to the people as he
13386 passes in his four-horse barouche, with postilions in red satin jackets
13387 and a mounted guard before and behind.
13388 
13389 We often walk in the Tuileries Gardens, for they are lovely, though the
13390 antique Luxembourg Gardens suit me better. Pere la Chaise is very
13391 curious, for many of the tombs are like small rooms, and looking in,
13392 one sees a table, with images or pictures of the dead, and chairs for
13393 the mourners to sit in when they come to lament.  That is so Frenchy.
13394 
13395 Our rooms are on the Rue de Rivoli, and sitting on the balcony, we look
13396 up and down the long, brilliant street.  It is so pleasant that we
13397 spend our evenings talking there when too tired with our day's work to
13398 go out.  Fred is very entertaining, and is altogether the most
13399 agreeable young man I ever knew -- except Laurie, whose manners are more
13400 charming.  I wish Fred was dark, for I don't fancy light men, however,
13401 the Vaughns are very rich and come of an excellent family, so I won't
13402 find fault with their yellow hair, as my own is yellower.
13403 
13404 Next week we are off to Germany and Switzerland, and as we shall travel
13405 fast, I shall only be able to give you hasty letters.  I keep my diary,
13406 and try to 'remember correctly and describe clearly all that I see and
13407 admire', as Father advised. It is good practice for me, and with my
13408 sketchbook will give you a better idea of my tour than these scribbles.
13409 
13410 Adieu, I embrace you tenderly. _"Votre Amie."_
13411 
13412 
13413 HEIDELBERG
13414 
13415 My dear Mamma,
13416 
13417 Having a quiet hour before we leave for Berne, I'll try to tell you
13418 what has happened, for some of it is very important, as you will see.
13419 
13420 The sail up the Rhine was perfect, and I just sat and enjoyed it with
13421 all my might.  Get Father's old guidebooks and read about it.  I
13422 haven't words beautiful enough to describe it. At Coblentz we had a
13423 lovely time, for some students from Bonn, with whom Fred got acquainted
13424 on the boat, gave us a serenade. It was a moonlight night, and about
13425 one o'clock Flo and I were waked by the most delicious music under our
13426 windows.  We flew up, and hid behind the curtains, but sly peeps showed
13427 us Fred and the students singing away down below.  It was the most
13428 romantic thing I ever saw -- the river, the bridge of boats, the great
13429 fortress opposite, moonlight everywhere, and music fit to melt a heart
13430 of stone.
13431 
13432 When they were done we threw down some flowers, and saw them scramble
13433 for them, kiss their hands to the invisible ladies, and go laughing
13434 away, to smoke and drink beer, I suppose.  Next morning Fred showed me
13435 one of the crumpled flowers in his vest pocket, and looked very
13436 sentimental.  I laughed at him, and said I didn't throw it, but Flo,
13437 which seemed to disgust him, for he tossed it out of the window, and
13438 turned sensible again.  I'm afraid I'm going to have trouble with that
13439 boy, it begins to look like it.
13440 
13441 The baths at Nassau were very gay, so was Baden-Baden, where Fred lost
13442 some money, and I scolded him.  He needs someone to look after him when
13443 Frank is not with him.  Kate said once she hoped he'd marry soon, and I
13444 quite agree with her that it would be well for him.  Frankfurt was
13445 delightful.  I saw Goethe's house, Schiller's statue, and Dannecker's
13446 famous 'Ariadne.'  It was very lovely, but I should have enjoyed it
13447 more if I had known the story better.  I didn't like to ask, as
13448 everyone knew it or pretended they did.  I wish Jo would tell me all
13449 about it.  I ought to have read more, for I find I don't know anything,
13450 and it mortifies me.
13451 
13452 Now comes the serious part, for it happened here, and Fred has just
13453 gone.  He has been so kind and jolly that we all got quite fond of him.
13454 I never thought of anything but a traveling friendship till the
13455 serenade night.  Since then I've begun to feel that the moonlight
13456 walks, balcony talks, and daily adventures were something more to him
13457 than fun.  I haven't flirted, Mother, truly, but remembered what you
13458 said to me, and have done my very best.  I can't help it if people like
13459 me.  I don't try to make them, and it worries me if I don't care for
13460 them, though Jo says I haven't got any heart.  Now I know Mother will
13461 shake her head, and the girls say, "Oh, the mercenary little wretch!",
13462 but I've made up my mind, and if Fred asks me, I shall accept him,
13463 though I'm not madly in love.  I like him, and we get on comfortably
13464 together.  He is handsome, young, clever enough, and very rich -- ever so
13465 much richer than the Laurences.  I don't think his family would object,
13466 and I should be very happy, for they are all kind, well-bred, generous
13467 people, and they like me.  Fred, as the eldest twin, will have the
13468 estate, I suppose, and such a splendid one it is!  A city house in a
13469 fashionable street, not so showy as our big houses, but twice as
13470 comfortable and full of solid luxury, such as English people believe
13471 in.  I like it, for it's genuine.  I've seen the plate, the family
13472 jewels, the old servants, and pictures of the country place, with its
13473 park, great house, lovely grounds, and fine horses.  Oh, it would be
13474 all I should ask!  And I'd rather have it than any title such as girls
13475 snap up so readily, and find nothing behind.  I may be mercenary, but I
13476 hate poverty, and don't mean to bear it a minute longer than I can
13477 help.  One of us _must_ marry well.  Meg didn't, Jo won't, Beth can't
13478 yet, so I shall, and make everything okay all round.  I wouldn't marry
13479 a man I hated or despised.  You may be sure of that, and though Fred is
13480 not my model hero, he does very well, and in time I should get fond
13481 enough of him if he was very fond of me, and let me do just as I liked.
13482 So I've been turning the matter over in my mind the last week, for it
13483 was impossible to help seeing that Fred liked me.  He said nothing, but
13484 little things showed it.  He never goes with Flo, always gets on my
13485 side of the carriage, table, or promenade, looks sentimental when we
13486 are alone, and frowns at anyone else who ventures to speak to me.
13487 Yesterday at dinner, when an Austrian officer stared at us and then
13488 said something to his friend, a rakish-looking baron, about '_ein
13489 wonderschones Blondchen'_, Fred looked as fierce as a lion, and cut his
13490 meat so savagely it nearly flew off his plate.  He isn't one of the
13491 cool, stiff Englishmen, but is rather peppery, for he has Scotch blood
13492 in him, as one might guess from his bonnie blue eyes.
13493 
13494 Well, last evening we went up to the castle about sunset, at least all
13495 of us but Fred, who was to meet us there after going to the Post
13496 Restante for letters.  We had a charming time poking about the ruins,
13497 the vaults where the monster tun is, and the beautiful gardens made by
13498 the elector long ago for his English wife.  I liked the great terrace
13499 best, for the view was divine, so while the rest went to see the rooms
13500 inside, I sat there trying to sketch the gray stone lion's head on the
13501 wall, with scarlet woodbine sprays hanging round it.  I felt as if I'd
13502 got into a romance, sitting there, watching the Neckar rolling through
13503 the valley, listening to the music of the Austrian band below, and
13504 waiting for my lover, like a real storybook girl.  I had a feeling that
13505 something was going to happen and I was ready for it.  I didn't feel
13506 blushy or quakey, but quite cool and only a little excited.
13507 
13508 By-and-by I heard Fred's voice, and then he came hurrying through the
13509 great arch to find me.  He looked so troubled that I forgot all about
13510 myself, and asked what the matter was.  He said he'd just got a letter
13511 begging him to come home, for Frank was very ill.  So he was going at
13512 once on the night train and only had time to say good-by.  I was very
13513 sorry for him, and disappointed for myself, but only for a minute
13514 because he said, as he shook hands, and said it in a way that I could
13515 not mistake,  "I shall soon come back, you won't forget me, Amy?"
13516 
13517 I didn't promise, but I looked at him, and he seemed satisfied, and
13518 there was no time for anything but messages and good-byes, for he was
13519 off in an hour, and we all miss him very much. I know he wanted to
13520 speak, but I think, from something he once hinted, that he had promised
13521 his father not to do anything of the sort yet a while, for he is a rash
13522 boy, and the old gentleman dreads a foreign daughter-in-law.  We shall
13523 soon meet in Rome, and then, if I don't change my mind, I'll say "Yes,
13524 thank you," when he says "Will you, please?"
13525 
13526 Of course this is all _very private_, but I wished you to know what was
13527 going on.  Don't be anxious about me, remember I am your 'prudent Amy',
13528 and be sure I will do nothing rashly. Send me as much advice as you
13529 like.  I'll use it if I can.  I wish I could see you for a good talk,
13530 Marmee.  Love and trust me.
13531 
13532 Ever your AMY
13533 
13534 
13535 
13536 CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
13537 
13538 TENDER TROUBLES
13539 
13540 "Jo, I'm anxious about Beth."
13541 
13542 "Why, Mother, she has seemed unusually well since the babies came."
13543 
13544 "It's not her health that troubles me now, it's her spirits. I'm sure
13545 there is something on her mind, and I want you to discover what it is."
13546 
13547 "What makes you think so, Mother?"
13548 
13549 "She sits alone a good deal, and doesn't talk to her father as much as
13550 she used.  I found her crying over the babies the other day.  When she
13551 sings, the songs are always sad ones, and now and then I see a look in
13552 her face that I don't understand. This isn't like Beth, and it worries
13553 me."
13554 
13555 "Have you asked her about it?"
13556 
13557 "I have tried once or twice, but she either evaded my questions or
13558 looked so distressed that I stopped.  I never force my children's
13559 confidence, and I seldom have to wait for long."
13560 
13561 Mrs. March glanced at Jo as she spoke, but the face opposite seemed
13562 quite unconscious of any secret disquietude but Beth's, and after
13563 sewing thoughtfully for a minute, Jo said, "I think she is growing up,
13564 and so begins to dream dreams, and have hopes and fears and fidgets,
13565 without knowing why or being able to explain them.  Why, Mother, Beth's
13566 eighteen, but we don't realize it, and treat her like a child,
13567 forgetting she's a woman."
13568 
13569 "So she is.  Dear heart, how fast you do grow up," returned her mother
13570 with a sigh and a smile.
13571 
13572 "Can't be helped, Marmee, so you must resign yourself to all sorts of
13573 worries, and let your birds hop out of the nest, one by one.  I promise
13574 never to hop very far, if that is any comfort to you."
13575 
13576 "It's a great comfort, Jo.  I always feel strong when you are at home,
13577 now Meg is gone.  Beth is too feeble and Amy too young to depend upon,
13578 but when the tug comes, you are always ready."
13579 
13580 "Why, you know I don't mind hard jobs much, and there must always be
13581 one scrub in a family.  Amy is splendid in fine works and I'm not, but
13582 I feel in my element when all the carpets are to be taken up, or half
13583 the family fall sick at once. Amy is distinguishing herself abroad, but
13584 if anything is amiss at home, I'm your man."
13585 
13586 "I leave Beth to your hands, then, for she will open her tender little
13587 heart to her Jo sooner than to anyone else.  Be very kind, and don't
13588 let her think anyone watches or talks about her.  If she only would get
13589 quite strong and cheerful again, I shouldn't have a wish in the world."
13590 
13591 "Happy woman!  I've got heaps."
13592 
13593 "My dear, what are they?"
13594 
13595 "I'll settle Bethy's troubles, and then I'll tell you mine. They are
13596 not very wearing, so they'll keep." and Jo stitched away, with a wise
13597 nod which set her mother's heart at rest about her for the present at
13598 least.
13599 
13600 While apparently absorbed in her own affairs, Jo watched Beth, and
13601 after many conflicting conjectures, finally settled upon one which
13602 seemed to explain the change in her.  A slight incident gave Jo the
13603 clue to the mystery, she thought, and lively fancy, loving heart did
13604 the rest.  She was affecting to write busily one Saturday afternoon,
13605 when she and Beth were alone together.  Yet as she scribbled, she kept
13606 her eye on her sister, who seemed unusually quiet.  Sitting at the
13607 window, Beth's work often dropped into her lap, and she leaned her head
13608 upon her hand, in a dejected attitude, while her eyes rested on the
13609 dull, autumnal landscape.  Suddenly some one passed below, whistling
13610 like an operatic blackbird, and a voice called out, "All serene! Coming
13611 in tonight."
13612 
13613 Beth started, leaned forward, smiled and nodded, watched the passer-by
13614 till his quick tramp died away, then said softly as if to herself, "How
13615 strong and well and happy that dear boy looks."
13616 
13617 "Hum!" said Jo, still intent upon her sister's face, for the bright
13618 color faded as quickly as it came, the smile vanished, and presently a
13619 tear lay shining on the window ledge.  Beth whisked it off, and in her
13620 half-averted face read a tender sorrow that made her own eyes fill.
13621 Fearing to betray herself, she slipped away, murmuring something about
13622 needing more paper.
13623 
13624 "Mercy on me, Beth loves Laurie!" she said, sitting down in her own
13625 room, pale with the shock of the discovery which she believed she had
13626 just made.  "I never dreamed of such a thing. What will Mother say?  I
13627 wonder if her..."  there Jo stopped and turned scarlet with a sudden
13628 thought.  "If he shouldn't love back again, how dreadful it would be.
13629 He must.  I'll make him!" and she shook her head threateningly at the
13630 picture of the mischievous-looking boy laughing at her from the wall.
13631 "Oh dear, we are growing up with a vengeance.  Here's Meg married and a
13632 mamma, Amy flourishing away at Paris, and Beth in love.  I'm the only
13633 one that has sense enough to keep out of mischief." Jo thought intently
13634 for a minute with her eyes fixed on the picture, then she smoothed out
13635 her wrinkled forehead and said, with a decided nod at the face
13636 opposite, "No thank you, sir, you're very charming, but you've no more
13637 stability than a weathercock.  So you needn't write touching notes and
13638 smile in that insinuating way, for it won't do a bit of good, and I
13639 won't have it."
13640 
13641 Then she sighed, and fell into a reverie from which she did not wake
13642 till the early twilight sent her down to take new observations, which
13643 only confirmed her suspicion.  Though Laurie flirted with Amy and joked
13644 with Jo, his manner to Beth had always been peculiarly kind and gentle,
13645 but so was everybody's. Therefore, no one thought of imagining that he
13646 cared more for her than for the others.  Indeed, a general impression
13647 had prevailed in the family of late that 'our boy' was getting fonder
13648 than ever of Jo, who, however, wouldn't hear a word upon the subject
13649 and scolded violently if anyone dared to suggest it. If they had known
13650 the various tender passages which had been nipped in the bud, they
13651 would have had the immense satisfaction of saying, "I told you so."
13652 But Jo hated 'philandering', and wouldn't allow it, always having a
13653 joke or a smile ready at the least sign of impending danger.
13654 
13655 When Laurie first went to college, he fell in love about once a month,
13656 but these small flames were as brief as ardent, did no damage, and much
13657 amused Jo, who took great interest in the alternations of hope,
13658 despair, and resignation, which were confided to her in their weekly
13659 conferences.  But there came a time when Laurie ceased to worship at
13660 many shrines, hinted darkly at one all-absorbing passion, and indulged
13661 occasionally in Byronic fits of gloom.  Then he avoided the tender
13662 subject altogether, wrote philosophical notes to Jo, turned studious,
13663 and gave out that he was going to 'dig', intending to graduate in a
13664 blaze of glory.  This suited the young lady better than twilight
13665 confidences, tender pressures of the hand, and eloquent glances of the
13666 eye, for with Jo, brain developed earlier than heart, and she preferred
13667 imaginary heroes to real ones, because when tired of them, the former
13668 could be shut up in the tin kitchen till called for, and the latter
13669 were less manageable.
13670 
13671 Things were in this state when the grand discovery was made, and Jo
13672 watched Laurie that night as she had never done before.  If she had not
13673 got the new idea into her head, she would have seen nothing unusual in
13674 the fact that Beth was very quiet, and Laurie very kind to her.  But
13675 having given the rein to her lively fancy, it galloped away with her at
13676 a great pace, and common sense, being rather weakened by a long course
13677 of romance writing, did not come to the rescue.  As usual Beth lay on
13678 the sofa and Laurie sat in a low chair close by, amusing her with all
13679 sorts of gossip, for she depended on her weekly 'spin', and he never
13680 disappointed her.  But that evening Jo fancied that Beth's eyes rested
13681 on the lively, dark face beside her with peculiar pleasure, and that
13682 she listened with intense interest to an account of some exciting
13683 cricket match, though the phrases, 'caught off a tice', 'stumped off
13684 his ground', and 'the leg hit for three', were as intelligible to her
13685 as Sanskrit.  She also fancied, having set her heart upon seeing it,
13686 that she saw a certain increase of gentleness in Laurie's manner, that
13687 he dropped his voice now and then, laughed less than usual, was a
13688 little absent-minded, and settled the afghan over Beth's feet with an
13689 assiduity that was really almost tender.
13690 
13691 "Who knows?  Stranger things have happened," thought Jo, as she fussed
13692 about the room.  "She will make quite an angel of him, and he will make
13693 life delightfully easy and pleasant for the dear, if they only love
13694 each other.  I don't see how he can help it, and I do believe he would
13695 if the rest of us were out of the way."
13696 
13697 As everyone was out of the way but herself, Jo began to feel that she
13698 ought to dispose of herself with all speed.  But where should she go?
13699 And burning to lay herself upon the shrine of sisterly devotion, she
13700 sat down to settle that point.
13701 
13702 Now, the old sofa was a regular patriarch of a sofa -- long, broad,
13703 well-cushioned, and low, a trifle shabby, as well it might be, for the
13704 girls had slept and sprawled on it as babies, fished over the back,
13705 rode on the arms, and had menageries under it as children, and rested
13706 tired heads, dreamed dreams, and listened to tender talk on it as young
13707 women.  They all loved it, for it was a family refuge, and one corner
13708 had always been Jo's favorite lounging place.  Among the many pillows
13709 that adorned the venerable couch was one, hard, round, covered with
13710 prickly horsehair, and furnished with a knobby button at each end.
13711 This repulsive pillow was her especial property, being used as a weapon
13712 of defense, a barricade, or a stern preventive of too much slumber.
13713 
13714 Laurie knew this pillow well, and had cause to regard it with deep
13715 aversion, having been unmercifully pummeled with it in former days when
13716 romping was allowed, and now frequently debarred by it from the seat he
13717 most coveted next to Jo in the sofa corner.  If 'the sausage' as they
13718 called it, stood on end, it was a sign that he might approach and
13719 repose, but if it lay flat across the sofa, woe to man, woman, or child
13720 who dared disturb it!  That evening Jo forgot to barricade her corner,
13721 and had not been in her seat five minutes, before a massive form
13722 appeared beside her, and with both arms spread over the sofa back, both
13723 long legs stretched out before him, Laurie exclaimed, with a sigh of
13724 satisfaction...
13725 
13726 "Now, this is filling at the price."
13727 
13728 "No slang," snapped Jo, slamming down the pillow.  But it was too late,
13729 there was no room for it, and coasting onto the floor, it disappeared
13730 in a most mysterious manner.
13731 
13732 "Come, Jo, don't be thorny.  After studying himself to a skeleton all
13733 the week, a fellow deserves petting and ought to get it."
13734 
13735 "Beth will pet you.  I'm busy."
13736 
13737 "No, she's not to be bothered with me, but you like that sort of thing,
13738 unless you've suddenly lost your taste for it.  Have you? Do you hate
13739 your boy, and want to fire pillows at him?"
13740 
13741 Anything more wheedlesome than that touching appeal was seldom heard,
13742 but Jo quenched 'her boy' by turning on him with a stern query, "How
13743 many bouquets have you sent Miss Randal this week?"
13744 
13745 "Not one, upon my word.  She's engaged.  Now then."
13746 
13747 "I'm glad of it, that's one of your foolish extravagances, sending
13748 flowers and things to girls for whom you don't care two pins,"
13749 continued Jo reprovingly.
13750 
13751 "Sensible girls for whom I do care whole papers of pins won't let me
13752 send them 'flowers and things', so what can I do? My feelings need a
13753 'vent'."
13754 
13755 "Mother doesn't approve of flirting even in fun, and you do flirt
13756 desperately, Teddy."
13757 
13758 "I'd give anything if I could answer, 'So do you'.  As I can't, I'll
13759 merely say that I don't see any harm in that pleasant little game, if
13760 all parties understand that it's only play."
13761 
13762 "Well, it does look pleasant, but I can't learn how it's done. I've
13763 tried, because one feels awkward in company not to do as everybody else
13764 is doing, but I don't seem to get on", said Jo, forgetting to play
13765 mentor.
13766 
13767 "Take lessons of Amy, she has a regular talent for it."
13768 
13769 "Yes, she does it very prettily, and never seems to go too far.  I
13770 suppose it's natural to some people to please without trying, and
13771 others to always say and do the wrong thing in the wrong place."
13772 
13773 "I'm glad you can't flirt.  It's really refreshing to see a sensible,
13774 straightforward girl, who can be jolly and kind without making a fool
13775 of herself.  Between ourselves, Jo, some of the girls I know really do
13776 go on at such a rate I'm ashamed of them. They don't mean any harm, I'm
13777 sure, but if they knew how we fellows talked about them afterward,
13778 they'd mend their ways, I fancy."
13779 
13780 "They do the same, and as their tongues are the sharpest, you fellows
13781 get the worst of it, for you are as silly as they, every bit.  If you
13782 behaved properly, they would, but knowing you like their nonsense, they
13783 keep it up, and then you blame them."
13784 
13785 "Much you know about it, ma'am," said Laurie in a superior tone. "We
13786 don't like romps and flirts, though we may act as if we did sometimes.
13787 The pretty, modest girls are never talked about, except respectfully,
13788 among gentleman. Bless your innocent soul!  If you could be in my place
13789 for a month you'd see things that would astonish you a trifle. Upon my
13790 word, when I see one of those harum-scarum girls, I always want to say
13791 with our friend Cock Robin...
13792 
13793     "Out upon you, fie upon you,
13794      Bold-faced jig!"
13795 
13796 It was impossible to help laughing at the funny conflict between
13797 Laurie's chivalrous reluctance to speak ill of womankind, and his very
13798 natural dislike of the unfeminine folly of which fashionable society
13799 showed him many samples.  Jo knew that 'young Laurence' was regarded as
13800 a most eligible parti by worldly mamas, was much smiled upon by their
13801 daughters, and flattered enough by ladies of all ages to make a coxcomb
13802 of him, so she watched him rather jealously, fearing he would be
13803 spoiled, and rejoiced more than she confessed to find that he still
13804 believed in modest girls.  Returning suddenly to her admonitory tone,
13805 she said, dropping her voice, "If you must have a 'vent', Teddy, go and
13806 devote yourself to one of the 'pretty, modest girls' whom you do
13807 respect, and not waste your time with the silly ones."
13808 
13809 "You really advise it?" and Laurie looked at her with an odd mixture of
13810 anxiety and merriment in his face.
13811 
13812 "Yes, I do, but you'd better wait till you are through college, on the
13813 whole, and be fitting yourself for the place meantime.  You're not half
13814 good enough for -- well, whoever the modest girl may be." and Jo looked a
13815 little queer likewise, for a name had almost escaped her.
13816 
13817 "That I'm not!" acquiesced Laurie, with an expression of humility quite
13818 new to him, as he dropped his eyes and absently wound Jo's apron tassel
13819 round his finger.
13820 
13821 "Mercy on us, this will never do," thought Jo, adding aloud, "Go and
13822 sing to me.  I'm dying for some music, and always like yours."
13823 
13824 "I'd rather stay here, thank you."
13825 
13826 "Well, you can't, there isn't room.  Go and make yourself useful, since
13827 you are too big to be ornamental.  I thought you hated to be tied to a
13828 woman's apron string?" retorted Jo, quoting certain rebellious words of
13829 his own.
13830 
13831 "Ah, that depends on who wears the apron!" and Laurie gave an audacious
13832 tweak at the tassel.
13833 
13834 "Are you going?" demanded Jo, diving for the pillow.
13835 
13836 He fled at once, and the minute it was well, "Up with the bonnets of
13837 bonnie Dundee," she slipped away to return no more till the young
13838 gentleman departed in high dudgeon.
13839 
13840 Jo lay long awake that night, and was just dropping off when the sound
13841 of a stifled sob made her fly to Beth's bedside, with the anxious
13842 inquiry, "What is it, dear?"
13843 
13844 "I thought you were asleep," sobbed Beth.
13845 
13846 "Is it the old pain, my precious?"
13847 
13848 "No, it's a new one, but I can bear it," and Beth tried to check her
13849 tears.
13850 
13851 "Tell me all about it, and let me cure it as I often did the other."
13852 
13853 "You can't, there is no cure."  There Beth's voice gave way, and
13854 clinging to her sister, she cried so despairingly that Jo was
13855 frightened.
13856 
13857 "Where is it?  Shall I call Mother?"
13858 
13859 "No, no, don't call her, don't tell her.  I shall be better soon.  Lie
13860 down here and 'poor' my head.  I'll be quiet and go to sleep, indeed I
13861 will."
13862 
13863 Jo obeyed, but as her hand went softly to and fro across Beth's hot
13864 forehead and wet eyelids, her heart was very full and she longed to
13865 speak.  But young as she was, Jo had learned that hearts, like flowers,
13866 cannot be rudely handled, but must open naturally, so though she
13867 believed she knew the cause of Beth's new pain, she only said, in her
13868 tenderest tone, "Does anything trouble you, deary?"
13869 
13870 "Yes, Jo," after a long pause.
13871 
13872 "Wouldn't it comfort you to tell me what it is?"
13873 
13874 "Not now, not yet."
13875 
13876 "Then I won't ask, but remember, Bethy, that Mother and Jo are always
13877 glad to hear and help you, if they can."
13878 
13879 "I know it.  I'll tell you by-and-by."
13880 
13881 "Is the pain better now?"
13882 
13883 "Oh, yes, much better, you are so comfortable, Jo."
13884 
13885 "Go to sleep, dear.  I'll stay with you."
13886 
13887 So cheek to cheek they fell asleep, and on the morrow Beth seemed quite
13888 herself again, for at eighteen neither heads nor hearts ache long, and
13889 a loving word can medicine most ills.
13890 
13891 But Jo had made up her mind, and after pondering over a project for
13892 some days, she confided it to her mother.
13893 
13894 "You asked me the other day what my wishes were.  I'll tell you one of
13895 them, Marmee," she began, as they sat along together.  "I want to go
13896 away somewhere this winter for a change."
13897 
13898 "Why, Jo?" and her mother looked up quickly, as if the words suggested
13899 a double meaning.
13900 
13901 With her eyes on her work Jo answered soberly, "I want something new.
13902 I feel restless and anxious to be seeing, doing, and learning more than
13903 I am.  I brood too much over my own small affairs, and need stirring
13904 up, so as I can be spared this winter, I'd like to hop a little way and
13905 try my wings."
13906 
13907 "Where will you hop?"
13908 
13909 "To New York.  I had a bright idea yesterday, and this is it.  You know
13910 Mrs. Kirke wrote to you for some respectable young person to teach her
13911 children and sew.  It's rather hard to find just the thing, but I think
13912 I should suit if I tried."
13913 
13914 "My dear, go out to service in that great boarding house!" and Mrs.
13915 March looked surprised, but not displeased.
13916 
13917 "It's not exactly going out to service, for Mrs. Kirke is your
13918 friend -- the kindest soul that ever lived -- and would make things
13919 pleasant for me, I know.  Her family is separate from the rest, and no
13920 one knows me there.  Don't care if they do. It's honest work, and I'm
13921 not ashamed of it."
13922 
13923 "Nor I.  But your writing?"
13924 
13925 "All the better for the change.  I shall see and hear new things, get
13926 new ideas, and even if I haven't much time there, I shall bring home
13927 quantities of material for my rubbish."
13928 
13929 "I have no doubt of it, but are these your only reasons for this sudden
13930 fancy?"
13931 
13932 "No, Mother."
13933 
13934 "May I know the others?"
13935 
13936 Jo looked up and Jo looked down, then said slowly, with sudden color in
13937 her cheeks.  "It may be vain and wrong to say it, but -- I'm
13938 afraid -- Laurie is getting too fond of me."
13939 
13940 "Then you don't care for him in the way it is evident he begins to care
13941 for you?" and Mrs. March looked anxious as she put the question.
13942 
13943 "Mercy, no!  I love the dear boy, as I always have, and am immensely
13944 proud of him, but as for anything more, it's out of the question."
13945 
13946 "I'm glad of that, Jo."
13947 
13948 "Why, please?"
13949 
13950 "Because, dear, I don't think you suited to one another.  As friends
13951 you are very happy, and your frequent quarrels soon blow over, but I
13952 fear you would both rebel if you were mated for life. You are too much
13953 alike and too fond of freedom, not to mention hot tempers and strong
13954 wills, to get on happily together, in a relation which needs infinite
13955 patience and forbearance, as well as love."
13956 
13957 "That's just the feeling I had, though I couldn't express it. I'm glad
13958 you think he is only beginning to care for me.  It would trouble me
13959 sadly to make him unhappy, for I couldn't fall in love with the dear
13960 old fellow merely out of gratitude, could I?"
13961 
13962 "You are sure of his feeling for you?"
13963 
13964 The color deepened in Jo's cheeks as she answered, with the look of
13965 mingled pleasure, pride, and pain which young girls wear when speaking
13966 of first lovers, "I'm afraid it is so, Mother.  He hasn't said
13967 anything, but he looks a great deal. I think I had better go away
13968 before it comes to anything."
13969 
13970 "I agree with you, and if it can be managed you shall go."
13971 
13972 Jo looked relieved, and after a pause, said, smiling, "How Mrs. Moffat
13973 would wonder at your want of management, if she knew, and how she will
13974 rejoice that Annie may still hope."
13975 
13976 "Ah, Jo, mothers may differ in their management, but the hope is the
13977 same in all -- the desire to see their children happy. Meg is so, and I
13978 am content with her success.  You I leave to enjoy your liberty till
13979 you tire of it, for only then will you find that there is something
13980 sweeter.  Amy is my chief care now, but her good sense will help her.
13981 For Beth, I indulge no hopes except that she may be well.  By the way,
13982 she seems brighter this last day or two.  Have you spoken to her?'
13983 
13984 "Yes, she owned she had a trouble, and promised to tell me by-and-by.
13985 I said no more, for I think I know it," and Jo told her little story.
13986 
13987 Mrs. March shook her head, and did not take so romantic a view of the
13988 case, but looked grave, and repeated her opinion that for Laurie's sake
13989 Jo should go away for a time.
13990 
13991 "Let us say nothing about it to him till the plan is settled, then I'll
13992 run away before he can collect his wits and be tragic. Beth must think
13993 I'm going to please myself, as I am, for I can't talk about Laurie to
13994 her.  But she can pet and comfort him after I'm gone, and so cure him
13995 of this romantic notion.  He's been through so many little trials of
13996 the sort, he's used to it, and will soon get over his lovelornity."
13997 
13998 Jo spoke hopefully, but could not rid herself of the foreboding fear
13999 that this 'little trial' would be harder than the others, and that
14000 Laurie would not get over his 'lovelornity' as easily as heretofore.
14001 
14002 The plan was talked over in a family council and agreed upon, for Mrs.
14003 Kirke gladly accepted Jo, and promised to make a pleasant home for her.
14004 The teaching would render her independent, and such leisure as she got
14005 might be made profitable by writing, while the new scenes and society
14006 would be both useful and agreeable.  Jo liked the prospect and was
14007 eager to be gone, for the home nest was growing too narrow for her
14008 restless nature and adventurous spirit.  When all was settled, with
14009 fear and trembling she told Laurie, but to her surprise he took it very
14010 quietly.  He had been graver than usual of late, but very pleasant, and
14011 when jokingly accused of turning over a new leaf, he answered soberly,
14012 "So I am, and I mean this one shall stay turned."
14013 
14014 Jo was very much relieved that one of his virtuous fits should come on
14015 just then, and made her preparations with a lightened heart, for Beth
14016 seemed more cheerful, and hoped she was doing the best for all.
14017 
14018 "One thing I leave in your especial care," she said, the night before
14019 she left.
14020 
14021 "You mean your papers?" asked Beth.
14022 
14023 "No, my boy.  Be very good to him, won't you?"
14024 
14025 "Of course I will, but I can't fill your place, and he'll miss you
14026 sadly."
14027 
14028 "It won't hurt him, so remember, I leave him in your charge, to plague,
14029 pet, and keep in order."
14030 
14031 "I'll do my best, for your sake," promised Beth, wondering why Jo
14032 looked at her so queerly.
14033 
14034 When Laurie said good-by, he whispered significantly, "It won't do a
14035 bit of good, Jo.  My eye is on you, so mind what you do, or I'll come
14036 and bring you home."
14037 
14038 
14039 
14040 CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
14041 
14042 JO'S JOURNAL
14043 
14044 New York, November
14045 
14046 Dear Marmee and Beth,
14047 
14048 I'm going to write you a regular volume, for I've got heaps to tell,
14049 though I'm not a fine young lady traveling on the continent. When I
14050 lost sight of Father's dear old face, I felt a trifle blue, and might
14051 have shed a briny drop or two, if an Irish lady with four small
14052 children, all crying more or less, hadn't diverted my mind, for I
14053 amused myself by dropping gingerbread nuts over the seat every time
14054 they opened their mouths to roar.
14055 
14056 Soon the sun came out, and taking it as a good omen, I cleared up
14057 likewise and enjoyed my journey with all my heart.
14058 
14059 Mrs. Kirke welcomed me so kindly I felt at home at once, even in that
14060 big house full of strangers.  She gave me a funny little sky
14061 parlor -- all she had, but there is a stove in it, and a nice table in a
14062 sunny window, so I can sit here and write whenever I like.  A fine view
14063 and a church tower opposite atone for the many stairs, and I took a
14064 fancy to my den on the spot. The nursery, where I am to teach and sew,
14065 is a pleasant room next Mrs. Kirke's private parlor, and the two little
14066 girls are pretty children, rather spoiled, I fancy, but they took to me
14067 after telling them The Seven Bad Pigs, and I've no doubt I shall make a
14068 model governess.
14069 
14070 I am to have my meals with the children, if I prefer it to the great
14071 table, and for the present I do, for I am bashful, though no one will
14072 believe it.
14073 
14074 "Now, my dear, make yourself at home," said Mrs. K.  in her motherly
14075 way, "I'm on the drive from morning to night, as you may suppose with
14076 such a family, but a great anxiety will be off my mind if I know the
14077 children are safe with you.  My rooms are always open to you, and your
14078 own shall be as comfortable as I can make it.  There are some pleasant
14079 people in the house if you feel sociable, and your evenings are always
14080 free.  Come to me if anything goes wrong, and be as happy as you can.
14081 There's the tea bell, I must run and change my cap."  And off she
14082 bustled, leaving me to settle myself in my new nest.
14083 
14084 As I went downstairs soon after, I saw something I liked. The flights
14085 are very long in this tall house, and as I stood waiting at the head of
14086 the third one for a little servant girl to lumber up, I saw a gentleman
14087 come along behind her, take the heavy hod of coal out of her hand,
14088 carry it all the way up, put it down at a door near by, and walk away,
14089 saying, with a kind nod and a foreign accent, "It goes better so.  The
14090 little back is too young to haf such heaviness."
14091 
14092 Wasn't it good of him?  I like such things, for as Father says, trifles
14093 show character.  When I mentioned it to Mrs. K., that evening, she
14094 laughed, and said, "That must have been Professor Bhaer, he's always
14095 doing things of that sort."
14096 
14097 Mrs. K.  told me he was from Berlin, very learned and good, but poor as
14098 a church mouse, and gives lessons to support himself and two little
14099 orphan nephews whom he is educating here, according to the wishes of
14100 his sister, who married an American.  Not a very romantic story, but it
14101 interested me, and I was glad to hear that Mrs. K.  lends him her
14102 parlor for some of his scholars. There is a glass door between it and
14103 the nursery, and I mean to peep at him, and then I'll tell you how he
14104 looks.  He's almost forty, so it's no harm, Marmee.
14105 
14106 After tea and a go-to-bed romp with the little girls, I attacked the
14107 big workbasket, and had a quiet evening chatting with my new friend.  I
14108 shall keep a journal-letter, and send it once a week, so goodnight, and
14109 more tomorrow.
14110 
14111 Tuesday Eve
14112 
14113 Had a lively time in my seminary this morning, for the children acted
14114 like Sancho, and at one time I really thought I should shake them all
14115 round.  Some good angel inspired me to try gymnastics, and I kept it up
14116 till they were glad to sit down and keep still.  After luncheon, the
14117 girl took them out for a walk, and I went to my needlework like little
14118 Mabel 'with a willing mind'.  I was thanking my stars that I'd learned
14119 to make nice buttonholes, when the parlor door opened and shut, and
14120 someone began to hum, Kennst Du Das Land, like a big bumblebee. It was
14121 dreadfully improper, I know, but I couldn't resist the temptation, and
14122 lifting one end of the curtain before the glass door, I peeped in.
14123 Professor Bhaer was there, and while he arranged his books, I took a
14124 good look at him.  A regular German -- rather stout, with brown hair
14125 tumbled all over his head, a bushy beard, good nose, the kindest eyes I
14126 ever saw, and a splendid big voice that does one's ears good, after our
14127 sharp or slipshod American gabble.  His clothes were rusty, his hands
14128 were large, and he hadn't a really handsome feature in his face, except
14129 his beautiful teeth, yet I liked him, for he had a fine head, his linen
14130 was very nice, and he looked like a gentleman, though two buttons were
14131 off his coat and there was a patch on one shoe.  He looked sober in
14132 spite of his humming, till he went to the window to turn the hyacinth
14133 bulbs toward the sun, and stroke the cat, who received him like an old
14134 friend.  Then he smiled, and when a tap came at the door, called out in
14135 a loud, brisk tone, "Herein!"
14136 
14137 I was just going to run, when I caught sight of a morsel of a child
14138 carrying a big book, and stopped, to see what was going on.
14139 
14140 "Me wants me Bhaer," said the mite, slamming down her book and running
14141 to meet him.
14142 
14143 "Thou shalt haf thy Bhaer.  Come, then, and take a goot hug from him,
14144 my Tina," said the Professor, catching her up with a laugh, and holding
14145 her so high over his head that she had to stoop her little face to kiss
14146 him.
14147 
14148 "Now me mus tuddy my lessin," went on the funny little thing.  So he
14149 put her up at the table, opened the great dictionary she had brought,
14150 and gave her a paper and pencil, and she scribbled away, turning a leaf
14151 now and then, and passing her little fat finger down the page, as if
14152 finding a word, so soberly that I nearly betrayed myself by a laugh,
14153 while Mr. Bhaer stood stroking her pretty hair with a fatherly look
14154 that made me think she must be his own, though she looked more French
14155 than German.
14156 
14157 Another knock and the appearance of two young ladies sent me back to my
14158 work, and there I virtuously remained through all the noise and
14159 gabbling that went on next door.  One of the girls kept laughing
14160 affectedly, and saying, "Now Professor," in a coquettish tone, and the
14161 other pronounced her German with an accent that must have made it hard
14162 for him to keep sober.
14163 
14164 Both seemed to try his patience sorely, for more than once I heard him
14165 say emphatically, "No, no, it is not so, you haf not attend to what I
14166 say," and once there was a loud rap, as if he struck the table with his
14167 book, followed by the despairing exclamation, "Prut!  It all goes bad
14168 this day."
14169 
14170 Poor man, I pitied him, and when the girls were gone, took just one
14171 more peep to see if he survived it.  He seemed to have thrown himself
14172 back in his chair, tired out, and sat there with his eyes shut till the
14173 clock struck two, when he jumped up, put his books in his pocket, as if
14174 ready for another lesson, and taking little Tina who had fallen asleep
14175 on the sofa in his arms, he carried her quietly away.  I fancy he has a
14176 hard life of it.  Mrs. Kirke asked me if I wouldn't go down to the five
14177 o'clock dinner, and feeling a little bit homesick, I thought I would,
14178 just to see what sort of people are under the same roof with me.  So I
14179 made myself respectable and tried to slip in behind Mrs. Kirke, but as
14180 she is short and I'm tall, my efforts at concealment were rather a
14181 failure.  She gave me a seat by her, and after my face cooled off, I
14182 plucked up courage and looked about me.  The long table was full, and
14183 every one intent on getting their dinner, the gentlemen especially, who
14184 seemed to be eating on time, for they bolted in every sense of the
14185 word, vanishing as soon as they were done.  There was the usual
14186 assortment of young men absorbed in themselves, young couples absorbed
14187 in each other, married ladies in their babies, and old gentlemen in
14188 politics.  I don't think I shall care to have much to do with any of
14189 them, except one sweetfaced maiden lady, who looks as if she had
14190 something in her.
14191 
14192 Cast away at the very bottom of the table was the Professor, shouting
14193 answers to the questions of a very inquisitive, deaf old gentleman on
14194 one side, and talking philosophy with a Frenchman on the other.  If Amy
14195 had been here, she'd have turned her back on him forever because, sad
14196 to relate, he had a great appetite, and shoveled in his dinner in a
14197 manner which would have horrified 'her ladyship'.  I didn't mind, for I
14198 like 'to see folks eat with a relish', as Hannah says, and the poor man
14199 must have needed a deal of food after teaching idiots all day.
14200 
14201 As I went upstairs after dinner, two of the young men were settling
14202 their hats before the hall mirror, and I heard one say low to the
14203 other, "Who's the new party?"
14204 
14205 "Governess, or something of that sort."
14206 
14207 "What the deuce is she at our table for?"
14208 
14209 "Friend of the old lady's."
14210 
14211 "Handsome head, but no style."
14212 
14213 "Not a bit of it.  Give us a light and come on."
14214 
14215 I felt angry at first, and then I didn't care, for a governess is as
14216 good as a clerk, and I've got sense, if I haven't style, which is more
14217 than some people have, judging from the remarks of the elegant beings
14218 who clattered away, smoking like bad chimneys.  I hate ordinary people!
14219 
14220 
14221 Thursday
14222 
14223 Yesterday was a quiet day spent in teaching, sewing, and writing in my
14224 little room, which is very cozy, with a light and fire.  I picked up a
14225 few bits of news and was introduced to the Professor.  It seems that
14226 Tina is the child of the Frenchwoman who does the fine ironing in the
14227 laundry here.  The little thing has lost her heart to Mr. Bhaer, and
14228 follows him about the house like a dog whenever he is at home, which
14229 delights him, as he is very fond of children, though a 'bacheldore'.
14230 Kitty and Minnie Kirke likewise regard him with affection, and tell all
14231 sorts of stories about the plays he invents, the presents he brings,
14232 and the splendid tales he tells.  The younger men quiz him, it seems,
14233 call him Old Fritz, Lager Beer, Ursa Major, and make all manner of
14234 jokes on his name.  But he enjoys it like a boy, Mrs. Kirke says, and
14235 takes it so good-naturedly that they all like him in spite of his
14236 foreign ways.
14237 
14238 The maiden lady is a Miss Norton, rich, cultivated, and kind.  She
14239 spoke to me at dinner today (for I went to table again, it's such fun
14240 to watch people), and asked me to come and see her at her room.  She
14241 has fine books and pictures, knows interesting persons, and seems
14242 friendly, so I shall make myself agreeable, for I do want to get into
14243 good society, only it isn't the same sort that Amy likes.
14244 
14245 I was in our parlor last evening when Mr. Bhaer came in with some
14246 newspapers for Mrs. Kirke.  She wasn't there, but Minnie, who is a
14247 little old woman, introduced me very prettily. "This is Mamma's friend,
14248 Miss March."
14249 
14250 "Yes, and she's jolly and we like her lots," added Kitty, who is an
14251 'enfant terrible'.
14252 
14253 We both bowed, and then we laughed, for the prim introduction and the
14254 blunt addition were rather a comical contrast.
14255 
14256 "Ah, yes, I hear these naughty ones go to vex you, Mees Marsch.  If so
14257 again, call at me and I come," he said, with a threatening frown that
14258 delighted the little wretches.
14259 
14260 I promised I would, and he departed, but it seems as if I was doomed to
14261 see a good deal of him, for today as I passed his door on my way out,
14262 by accident I knocked against it with my umbrella.  It flew open, and
14263 there he stood in his dressing gown, with a big blue sock on one hand
14264 and a darning needle in the other.  He didn't seem at all ashamed of
14265 it, for when I explained and hurried on, he waved his hand, sock and
14266 all, saying in his loud, cheerful way...
14267 
14268 "You haf a fine day to make your walk.  Bon voyage, Mademoiselle."
14269 
14270 I laughed all the way downstairs, but it was a little pathetic, also to
14271 think of the poor man having to mend his own clothes. The German
14272 gentlemen embroider, I know, but darning hose is another thing and not
14273 so pretty.
14274 
14275 
14276 Saturday
14277 
14278 Nothing has happened to write about, except a call on Miss Norton, who
14279 has a room full of pretty things, and who was very charming, for she
14280 showed me all her treasures, and asked me if I would sometimes go with
14281 her to lectures and concerts, as her escort, if I enjoyed them.  She
14282 put it as a favor, but I'm sure Mrs. Kirke has told her about us, and
14283 she does it out of kindness to me.  I'm as proud as Lucifer, but such
14284 favors from such people don't burden me, and I accepted gratefully.
14285 
14286 When I got back to the nursery there was such an uproar in the parlor
14287 that I looked in, and there was Mr. Bhaer down on his hands and knees,
14288 with Tina on his back, Kitty leading him with a jump rope, and Minnie
14289 feeding two small boys with seedcakes, as they roared and ramped in
14290 cages built of chairs.
14291 
14292 "We are playing nargerie," explained Kitty.
14293 
14294 "Dis is mine effalunt!" added Tina, holding on by the Professor's hair.
14295 
14296 "Mamma always allows us to do what we like Saturday afternoon, when
14297 Franz and Emil come, doesn't she, Mr. Bhaer?" said Minnie.
14298 
14299 The 'effalunt' sat up, looking as much in earnest as any of them, and
14300 said soberly to me, "I gif you my wort it is so, if we make too large a
14301 noise you shall say Hush! to us, and we go more softly."
14302 
14303 I promised to do so, but left the door open and enjoyed the fun as much
14304 as they did, for a more glorious frolic I never witnessed.  They played
14305 tag and soldiers, danced and sang, and when it began to grow dark they
14306 all piled onto the sofa about the Professor, while he told charming
14307 fairy stories of the storks on the chimney tops, and the little
14308 'koblods', who ride the snowflakes as they fall.  I wish Americans were
14309 as simple and natural as Germans, don't you?
14310 
14311 I'm so fond of writing, I should go spinning on forever if motives of
14312 economy didn't stop me, for though I've used thin paper and written
14313 fine, I tremble to think of the stamps this long letter will need.
14314 Pray forward Amy's as soon as you can spare them.  My small news will
14315 sound very flat after her splendors, but you will like them, I know.
14316 Is Teddy studying so hard that he can't find time to write to his
14317 friends?  Take good care of him for me, Beth, and tell me all about the
14318 babies, and give heaps of love to everyone.  From your faithful Jo.
14319 
14320 P.S.  On reading over my letter, it strikes me as rather Bhaery, but I
14321 am always interested in odd people, and I really had nothing else to
14322 write about.  Bless you!
14323 
14324 DECEMBER
14325 
14326 My Precious Betsey,
14327 
14328 As this is to be a scribble-scrabble letter, I direct it to you, for it
14329 may amuse you, and give you some idea of my goings on, for though
14330 quiet, they are rather amusing, for which, oh, be joyful!  After what
14331 Amy would call Herculaneum efforts, in the way of mental and moral
14332 agriculture, my young ideas begin to shoot and my little twigs to bend
14333 as I could wish.  They are not so interesting to me as Tina and the
14334 boys, but I do my duty by them, and they are fond of me.  Franz and
14335 Emil are jolly little lads, quite after my own heart, for the mixture
14336 of German and American spirit in them produces a constant state of
14337 effervescence.  Saturday afternoons are riotous times, whether spent in
14338 the house or out, for on pleasant days they all go to walk, like a
14339 seminary, with the Professor and myself to keep order, and then such
14340 fun!
14341 
14342 We are very good friends now, and I've begun to take lessons.  I really
14343 couldn't help it, and it all came about in such a droll way that I must
14344 tell you.  To begin at the beginning, Mrs. Kirke called to me one day
14345 as I passed Mr. Bhaer's room where she was rummaging.
14346 
14347 "Did you ever see such a den, my dear?  Just come and help me put these
14348 books to rights, for I've turned everything upside down, trying to
14349 discover what he has done with the six new handkerchiefs I gave him not
14350 long ago."
14351 
14352 I went in, and while we worked I looked about me, for it was 'a den' to
14353 be sure.  Books and papers everywhere, a broken meerschaum, and an old
14354 flute over the mantlepiece as if done with, a ragged bird without any
14355 tail chirped on one window seat, and a box of white mice adorned the
14356 other.  Half-finished boats and bits of string lay among the
14357 manuscripts.  Dirty little boots stood drying before the fire, and
14358 traces of the dearly beloved boys, for whom he makes a slave of
14359 himself, were to be seen all over the room.  After a grand rummage
14360 three of the missing articles were found, one over the bird cage, one
14361 covered with ink, and a third burned brown, having been used as a
14362 holder.
14363 
14364 "Such a man!" laughed good-natured Mrs. K., as she put the relics in
14365 the rag bag.  "I suppose the others are torn up to rig ships, bandage
14366 cut fingers, or make kite tails.  It's dreadful, but I can't scold him.
14367 He's so absent-minded and goodnatured, he lets those boys ride over him
14368 roughshod.  I agreed to do his washing and mending, but he forgets to
14369 give out his things and I forget to look them over, so he comes to a
14370 sad pass sometimes."
14371 
14372 "Let me mend them," said I.  "I don't mind it, and he needn't know.
14373 I'd like to, he's so kind to me about bringing my letters and lending
14374 books."
14375 
14376 So I have got his things in order, and knit heels into two pairs of the
14377 socks, for they were boggled out of shape with his queer darns.
14378 Nothing was said, and I hoped he wouldn't find it out, but one day last
14379 week he caught me at it.  Hearing the lessons he gives to others has
14380 interested and amused me so much that I took a fancy to learn, for Tina
14381 runs in and out, leaving the door open, and I can hear.  I had been
14382 sitting near this door, finishing off the last sock, and trying to
14383 understand what he said to a new scholar, who is as stupid as I am.
14384 The girl had gone, and I thought he had also, it was so still, and I
14385 was busily gabbling over a verb, and rocking to and fro in a most
14386 absurd way, when a little crow made me look up, and there was Mr. Bhaer
14387 looking and laughing quietly, while he made signs to Tina not to betray
14388 him.
14389 
14390 "So!" he said, as I stopped and stared like a goose, "you peep at me, I
14391 peep at you, and this is not bad, but see, I am not pleasanting when I
14392 say, haf you a wish for German?"
14393 
14394 "Yes, but you are too busy.  I am too stupid to learn," I blundered
14395 out, as red as a peony.
14396 
14397 "Prut!  We will make the time, and we fail not to find the sense.  At
14398 efening I shall gif a little lesson with much gladness, for look you,
14399 Mees Marsch, I haf this debt to pay."  And he pointed to my work 'Yes,'
14400 they say to one another, these so kind ladies, 'he is a stupid old
14401 fellow, he will see not what we do, he will never observe that his sock
14402 heels go not in holes any more, he will think his buttons grow out new
14403 when they fall, and believe that strings make theirselves.' "Ah!  But I
14404 haf an eye, and I see much.  I haf a heart, and I feel thanks for this.
14405 Come, a little lesson then and now, or -- no more good fairy works for me
14406 and mine."
14407 
14408 Of course I couldn't say anything after that, and as it really is a
14409 splendid opportunity, I made the bargain, and we began.  I took four
14410 lessons, and then I stuck fast in a grammatical bog.  The Professor was
14411 very patient with me, but it must have been torment to him, and now and
14412 then he'd look at me with such an expression of mild despair that it
14413 was a toss-up with me whether to laugh or cry.  I tried both ways, and
14414 when it came to a sniff or utter mortification and woe, he just threw
14415 the grammar on to the floor and marched out of the room. I felt myself
14416 disgraced and deserted forever, but didn't blame him a particle, and
14417 was scrambling my papers together, meaning to rush upstairs and shake
14418 myself hard, when in he came, as brisk and beaming as if I'd covered
14419 myself in glory.
14420 
14421 "Now we shall try a new way.  You and I will read these pleasant little
14422 _marchen_ together, and dig no more in that dry book, that goes in the
14423 corner for making us trouble."
14424 
14425 He spoke so kindly, and opened Hans Anderson's fairy tales so
14426 invitingly before me, that I was more ashamed than ever, and went at my
14427 lesson in a neck-or-nothing style that seemed to amuse him immensely.
14428 I forgot my bashfulness, and pegged away (no other word will express
14429 it) with all my might, tumbling over long words, pronouncing according
14430 to inspiration of the minute, and doing my very best.  When I finished
14431 reading my first page, and stopped for breath, he clapped his hands and
14432 cried out in his hearty way, "Das ist gut! Now we go well!  My turn.  I
14433 do him in German, gif me your ear."  And away he went, rumbling out the
14434 words with his strong voice and a relish which was good to see as well
14435 as hear.  Fortunately the story was _The Constant Tin Soldier_, which
14436 is droll, you know, so I could laugh, and I did, though I didn't
14437 understand half he read, for I couldn't help it, he was so earnest, I
14438 so excited, and the whole thing so comical.
14439 
14440 After that we got on better, and now I read my lessons pretty well, for
14441 this way of studying suits me, and I can see that the grammar gets
14442 tucked into the tales and poetry as one gives pills in jelly.  I like
14443 it very much, and he doesn't seem tired of it yet, which is very good
14444 of him, isn't it?  I mean to give him something on Christmas, for I
14445 dare not offer money. Tell me something nice, Marmee.
14446 
14447 I'm glad Laurie seems so happy and busy, that he has given up smoking
14448 and lets his hair grow.  You see Beth manages him better than I did.
14449 I'm not jealous, dear, do your best, only don't make a saint of him.
14450 I'm afraid I couldn't like him without a spice of human naughtiness.
14451 Read him bits of my letters.  I haven't time to write much, and that
14452 will do just as well.  Thank Heaven Beth continues so comfortable.
14453 
14454 JANUARY
14455 
14456 A Happy New Year to you all, my dearest family, which of course
14457 includes Mr. L.  and a young man by the name of Teddy. I can't tell you
14458 how much I enjoyed your Christmas bundle, for I didn't get it till
14459 night and had given up hoping.  Your letter came in the morning, but
14460 you said nothing about a parcel, meaning it for a surprise, so I was
14461 disappointed, for I'd had a 'kind of feeling' that you wouldn't forget
14462 me. I felt a little low in my mind as I sat up in my room after tea,
14463 and when the big, muddy, battered-looking bundle was brought to me, I
14464 just hugged it and pranced.  It was so homey and refreshing that I sat
14465 down on the floor and read and looked and ate and laughed and cried, in
14466 my usual absurd way.  The things were just what I wanted, and all the
14467 better for being made instead of bought.  Beth's new 'ink bib' was
14468 capital, and Hannah's box of hard gingerbread will be a treasure.  I'll
14469 be sure and wear the nice flannels you sent, Marmee, and read carefully
14470 the books Father has marked.  Thank you all, heaps and heaps!
14471 
14472 Speaking of books reminds me that I'm getting rich in that line, for on
14473 New Year's Day Mr. Bhaer gave me a fine Shakespeare. It is one he
14474 values much, and I've often admired it, set up in the place of honor
14475 with his German Bible, Plato, Homer, and Milton, so you may imagine how
14476 I felt when he brought it down, without its cover, and showed me my own
14477 name in it, "from my friend Friedrich Bhaer".
14478 
14479 "You say often you wish a library.  Here I gif you one, for between
14480 these lids (he meant covers) is many books in one.  Read him well, and
14481 he will help you much, for the study of character in this book will
14482 help you to read it in the world and paint it with your pen."
14483 
14484 I thanked him as well as I could, and talk now about 'my library', as
14485 if I had a hundred books.  I never knew how much there was in
14486 Shakespeare before, but then I never had a Bhaer to explain it to me.
14487 Now don't laugh at his horrid name.  It isn't pronounced either Bear or
14488 Beer, as people will say it, but something between the two, as only
14489 Germans can give it. I'm glad you both like what I tell you about him,
14490 and hope you will know him some day.  Mother would admire his warm
14491 heart, Father his wise head.  I admire both, and feel rich in my new
14492 'friend Friedrich Bhaer'.
14493 
14494 Not having much money, or knowing what he'd like, I got several little
14495 things, and put them about the room, where he would find them
14496 unexpectedly.  They were useful, pretty, or funny, a new standish on
14497 his table, a little vase for his flower, he always has one, or a bit of
14498 green in a glass, to keep him fresh, he says, and a holder for his
14499 blower, so that he needn't burn up what Amy calls 'mouchoirs'.  I made
14500 it like those Beth invented, a big butterfly with a fat body, and black
14501 and yellow wings, worsted feelers, and bead eyes. It took his fancy
14502 immensely, and he put it on his mantlepiece as an article of virtue, so
14503 it was rather a failure after all. Poor as he is, he didn't forget a
14504 servant or a child in the house, and not a soul here, from the French
14505 laundrywoman to Miss Norton forgot him.  I was so glad of that.
14506 
14507 They got up a masquerade, and had a gay time New Year's Eve.  I didn't
14508 mean to go down, having no dress.  But at the last minute, Mrs. Kirke
14509 remembered some old brocades, and Miss Norton lent me lace and
14510 feathers.  So I dressed up as Mrs. Malaprop, and sailed in with a mask
14511 on.  No one knew me, for I disguised my voice, and no one dreamed of
14512 the silent, haughty Miss March (for they think I am very stiff and
14513 cool, most of them, and so I am to whippersnappers) could dance and
14514 dress, and burst out into a 'nice derangement of epitaphs, like an
14515 allegory on the banks of the Nile'.  I enjoyed it very much, and when
14516 we unmasked it was fun to see them stare at me.  I heard one of the
14517 young men tell another that he knew I'd been an actress, in fact, he
14518 thought he remembered seeing me at one of the minor theaters.  Meg will
14519 relish that joke.  Mr. Bhaer was Nick Bottom, and Tina was Titania, a
14520 perfect little fairy in his arms.  To see them dance was 'quite a
14521 landscape', to use a Teddyism.
14522 
14523 I had a very happy New Year, after all, and when I thought it over in
14524 my room, I felt as if I was getting on a little in spite of my many
14525 failures, for I'm cheerful all the time now, work with a will, and take
14526 more interest in other people than I used to, which is satisfactory.
14527 Bless you all!  Ever your loving...  Jo
14528 
14529 
14530 
14531 CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
14532 
14533 FRIEND
14534 
14535 Though very happy in the social atmosphere about her, and very busy
14536 with the daily work that earned her bread and made it sweeter for the
14537 effort, Jo still found time for literary labors.  The purpose which now
14538 took possession of her was a natural one to a poor and ambitious girl,
14539 but the means she took to gain her end were not the best.  She saw that
14540 money conferred power, money and power, therefore, she resolved to
14541 have, not to be used for herself alone, but for those whom she loved
14542 more than life.  The dream of filling home with comforts, giving Beth
14543 everything she wanted, from strawberries in winter to an organ in her
14544 bedroom, going abroad herself, and always having more than enough, so
14545 that she might indulge in the luxury of charity, had been for years
14546 Jo's most cherished castle in the air.
14547 
14548 The prize-story experience had seemed to open a way which might, after
14549 long traveling and much uphill work, lead to this delightful chateau en
14550 Espagne.  But the novel disaster quenched her courage for a time, for
14551 public opinion is a giant which has frightened stouter-hearted Jacks on
14552 bigger beanstalks than hers. Like that immortal hero, she reposed
14553 awhile after the first attempt, which resulted in a tumble and the
14554 least lovely of the giant's treasures, if I remember rightly.  But the
14555 'up again and take another' spirit was as strong in Jo as in Jack, so
14556 she scrambled up on the shady side this time and got more booty, but
14557 nearly left behind her what was far more precious than the moneybags.
14558 
14559 She took to writing sensation stories, for in those dark ages, even
14560 all-perfect America read rubbish.  She told no one, but concocted a
14561 'thrilling tale', and boldly carried it herself to Mr. Dashwood, editor
14562 of the Weekly Volcano.  She had never read Sartor Resartus, but she had
14563 a womanly instinct that clothes possess an influence more powerful over
14564 many than the worth of character or the magic of manners.  So she
14565 dressed herself in her best, and trying to persuade herself that she
14566 was neither excited nor nervous, bravely climbed two pairs of dark and
14567 dirty stairs to find herself in a disorderly room, a cloud of cigar
14568 smoke, and the presence of three gentlemen, sitting with their heels
14569 rather higher than their hats, which articles of dress none of them
14570 took the trouble to remove on her appearance.  Somewhat daunted by this
14571 reception, Jo hesitated on the threshold, murmuring in much
14572 embarrassment...
14573 
14574 "Excuse me, I was looking for the Weekly Volcano office. I wished to
14575 see Mr. Dashwood."
14576 
14577 Down went the highest pair of heels, up rose the smokiest gentleman,
14578 and carefully cherishing his cigar between his fingers, he advanced
14579 with a nod and a countenance expressive of nothing but sleep.  Feeling
14580 that she must get through the matter somehow, Jo produced her
14581 manuscript and, blushing redder and redder with each sentence,
14582 blundered out fragments of the little speech carefully prepared for the
14583 occasion.
14584 
14585 "A friend of mine desired me to offer -- a story -- just as an
14586 experiment -- would like your opinion -- be glad to write more if this
14587 suits."
14588 
14589 While she blushed and blundered, Mr. Dashwood had taken the manuscript,
14590 and was turning over the leaves with a pair of rather dirty fingers,
14591 and casting critical glances up and down the neat pages.
14592 
14593 "Not a first attempt, I take it?" observing that the pages were
14594 numbered, covered only on one side, and not tied up with a ribbon -- sure
14595 sign of a novice.
14596 
14597 "No, sir.  She has had some experience, and got a prize for a tale in
14598 the _Blarneystone Banner_."
14599 
14600 "Oh, did she?" and Mr. Dashwood gave Jo a quick look, which seemed to
14601 take note of everything she had on, from the bow in her bonnet to the
14602 buttons on her boots.  "Well, you can leave it, if you like.  We've
14603 more of this sort of thing on hand than we know what to do with at
14604 present, but I'll run my eye over it, and give you an answer next week."
14605 
14606 Now, Jo did _not_ like to leave it, for Mr. Dashwood didn't suit her at
14607 all, but, under the circumstances, there was nothing for her to do but
14608 bow and walk away, looking particularly tall and dignified, as she was
14609 apt to do when nettled or abashed. Just then she was both, for it was
14610 perfectly evident from the knowing glances exchanged among the
14611 gentlemen that her little fiction of 'my friend' was considered a good
14612 joke, and a laugh, produced by some inaudible remark of the editor, as
14613 he closed the door, completed her discomfiture.  Half resolving never
14614 to return, she went home, and worked off her irritation by stitching
14615 pinafores vigorously, and in an hour or two was cool enough to laugh
14616 over the scene and long for next week.
14617 
14618 When she went again, Mr. Dashwood was alone, whereat she rejoiced.  Mr.
14619 Dashwood was much wider awake than before, which was agreeable, and Mr.
14620 Dashwood was not too deeply absorbed in a cigar to remember his
14621 manners, so the second interview was much more comfortable than the
14622 first.
14623 
14624 "We'll take this (editors never say I), if you don't object to a few
14625 alterations.  It's too long, but omitting the passages I've marked will
14626 make it just the right length," he said, in a businesslike tone.
14627 
14628 Jo hardly knew her own MS.  again, so crumpled and underscored were its
14629 pages and paragraphs, but feeling as a tender parent might on being
14630 asked to cut off her baby's legs in order that it might fit into a new
14631 cradle, she looked at the marked passages and was surprised to find
14632 that all the moral reflections -- which she had carefully put in as
14633 ballast for much romance -- had been stricken out.
14634 
14635 "But, Sir, I thought every story should have some sort of a moral, so I
14636 took care to have a few of my sinners repent."
14637 
14638 Mr. Dashwoods's editorial gravity relaxed into a smile, for Jo had
14639 forgotten her 'friend', and spoken as only an author could.
14640 
14641 "People want to be amused, not preached at, you know.  Morals don't
14642 sell nowadays."  Which was not quite a correct statement, by the way.
14643 
14644 "You think it would do with these alterations, then?"
14645 
14646 "Yes, it's a new plot, and pretty well worked up -- language good, and so
14647 on," was Mr. Dashwood's affable reply.
14648 
14649 "What do you -- that is, what compensation -- " began Jo, not exactly
14650 knowing how to express herself.
14651 
14652 "Oh, yes, well, we give from twenty-five to thirty for things of this
14653 sort.  Pay when it comes out," returned Mr. Dashwood, as if that point
14654 had escaped him.  Such trifles do escape the editorial mind, it is said.
14655 
14656 "Very well, you can have it," said Jo, handing back the story with a
14657 satisfied air, for after the dollar-a-column work, even twenty-five
14658 seemed good pay.
14659 
14660 "Shall I tell my friend you will take another if she has one better
14661 than this?" asked Jo, unconscious of her little slip of the tongue, and
14662 emboldened by her success.
14663 
14664 "Well, we'll look at it.  Can't promise to take it.  Tell her to make
14665 it short and spicy, and never mind the moral.  What name would your
14666 friend like to put on it?" in a careless tone.
14667 
14668 "None at all, if you please, she doesn't wish her name to appear and
14669 has no nom de plume," said Jo, blushing in spite of herself.
14670 
14671 "Just as she likes, of course.  The tale will be out next week. Will
14672 you call for the money, or shall I send it?" asked Mr. Dashwood, who
14673 felt a natural desire to know who his new contributor might be.
14674 
14675 "I'll call.  Good morning, Sir."
14676 
14677 As she departed, Mr. Dashwood put up his feet, with the graceful
14678 remark, "Poor and proud, as usual, but she'll do."
14679 
14680 Following Mr. Dashwood's directions, and making Mrs. Northbury her
14681 model, Jo rashly took a plunge into the frothy sea of sensational
14682 literature, but thanks to the life preserver thrown her by a friend,
14683 she came up again not much the worse for her ducking.
14684 
14685 Like most young scribblers, she went abroad for her characters and
14686 scenery, and banditti, counts, gypsies, nuns, and duchesses appeared
14687 upon her stage, and played their parts with as much accuracy and spirit
14688 as could be expected.  Her readers were not particular about such
14689 trifles as grammar, punctuation, and probability, and Mr. Dashwood
14690 graciously permitted her to fill his columns at the lowest prices, not
14691 thinking it necessary to tell her that the real cause of his
14692 hospitality was the fact that one of his hacks, on being offered higher
14693 wages, had basely left him in the lurch.
14694 
14695 She soon became interested in her work, for her emaciated purse grew
14696 stout, and the little hoard she was making to take Beth to the
14697 mountains next summer grew slowly but surely as the weeks passed.  One
14698 thing disturbed her satisfaction, and that was that she did not tell
14699 them at home.  She had a feeling that Father and Mother would not
14700 approve, and preferred to have her own way first, and beg pardon
14701 afterward.  It was easy to keep her secret, for no name appeared with
14702 her stories.  Mr. Dashwood had of course found it out very soon, but
14703 promised to be dumb, and for a wonder kept his word.
14704 
14705 She thought it would do her no harm, for she sincerely meant to write
14706 nothing of which she would be ashamed, and quieted all pricks of
14707 conscience by anticipations of the happy minute when she should show
14708 her earnings and laugh over her well-kept secret.
14709 
14710 But Mr. Dashwood rejected any but thrilling tales, and as thrills could
14711 not be produced except by harrowing up the souls of the readers,
14712 history and romance, land and sea, science and art, police records and
14713 lunatic asylums, had to be ransacked for the purpose.  Jo soon found
14714 that her innocent experience had given her but few glimpses of the
14715 tragic world which underlies society, so regarding it in a business
14716 light, she set about supplying her deficiencies with characteristic
14717 energy. Eager to find material for stories, and bent on making them
14718 original in plot, if not masterly in execution, she searched newspapers
14719 for accidents, incidents, and crimes.  She excited the suspicions of
14720 public librarians by asking for works on poisons.  She studied faces in
14721 the street, and characters, good, bad, and indifferent, all about her.
14722 She delved in the dust of ancient times for facts or fictions so old
14723 that they were as good as new, and introduced herself to folly, sin,
14724 and misery, as well as her limited opportunities allowed.  She thought
14725 she was prospering finely, but unconsciously she was beginning to
14726 desecrate some of the womanliest attributes of a woman's character.
14727 She was living in bad society, and imaginary though it was, its
14728 influence affected her, for she was feeding heart and fancy on
14729 dangerous and unsubstantial food, and was fast brushing the innocent
14730 bloom from her nature by a premature acquaintance with the darker side
14731 of life, which comes soon enough to all of us.
14732 
14733 She was beginning to feel rather than see this, for much describing of
14734 other people's passions and feelings set her to studying and
14735 speculating about her own, a morbid amusement in which healthy young
14736 minds do not voluntarily indulge. Wrongdoing always brings its own
14737 punishment, and when Jo most needed hers, she got it.
14738 
14739 I don't know whether the study of Shakespeare helped her to read
14740 character, or the natural instinct of a woman for what was honest,
14741 brave, and strong, but while endowing her imaginary heroes with every
14742 perfection under the sun, Jo was discovering a live hero, who
14743 interested her in spite of many human imperfections.  Mr. Bhaer, in one
14744 of their conversations, had advised her to study simple, true, and
14745 lovely characters, wherever she found them, as good training for a
14746 writer.  Jo took him at his word, for she coolly turned round and
14747 studied him -- a proceeding which would have much surprised him, had he
14748 known it, for the worthy Professor was very humble in his own conceit.
14749 
14750 Why everybody liked him was what puzzled Jo, at first.  He was neither
14751 rich nor great, young nor handsome, in no respect what is called
14752 fascinating, imposing, or brilliant, and yet he was as attractive as a
14753 genial fire, and people seemed to gather about him as naturally as
14754 about a warm hearth.  He was poor, yet always appeared to be giving
14755 something away; a stranger, yet everyone was his friend; no longer
14756 young, but as happy-hearted as a boy; plain and peculiar, yet his face
14757 looked beautiful to many, and his oddities were freely forgiven for his
14758 sake.  Jo often watched him, trying to discover the charm, and at last
14759 decided that it was benevolence which worked the miracle.  If he had
14760 any sorrow, 'it sat with its head under its wing', and he turned only
14761 his sunny side to the world.  There were lines upon his forehead, but
14762 Time seemed to have touched him gently, remembering how kind he was to
14763 others.  The pleasant curves about his mouth were the memorials of many
14764 friendly words and cheery laughs, his eyes were never cold or hard, and
14765 his big hand had a warm, strong grasp that was more expressive than
14766 words.
14767 
14768 His very clothes seemed to partake of the hospitable nature of the
14769 wearer.  They looked as if they were at ease, and liked to make him
14770 comfortable.  His capacious waistcoat was suggestive of a large heart
14771 underneath.  His rusty coat had a social air, and the baggy pockets
14772 plainly proved that little hands often went in empty and came out full.
14773 His very boots were benevolent, and his collars never stiff and raspy
14774 like other people's.
14775 
14776 "That's it!" said Jo to herself, when she at length discovered that
14777 genuine good will toward one's fellow men could beautify and dignify
14778 even a stout German teacher, who shoveled in his dinner, darned his own
14779 socks, and was burdened with the name of Bhaer.
14780 
14781 Jo valued goodness highly, but she also possessed a most feminine
14782 respect for intellect, and a little discovery which she made about the
14783 Professor added much to her regard for him. He never spoke of himself,
14784 and no one ever knew that in his native city he had been a man much
14785 honored and esteemed for learning and integrity, till a countryman came
14786 to see him. He never spoke of himself, and in a conversation with Miss
14787 Norton divulged the pleasing fact.  From her Jo learned it, and liked
14788 it all the better because Mr. Bhaer had never told it.  She felt proud
14789 to know that he was an honored Professor in Berlin, though only a poor
14790 language-master in America, and his homely, hard-working life was much
14791 beautified by the spice of romance which this discovery gave it.
14792 Another and a better gift than intellect was shown her in a most
14793 unexpected manner.  Miss Norton had the entree into most society, which
14794 Jo would have had no chance of seeing but for her.  The solitary woman
14795 felt an interest in the ambitious girl, and kindly conferred many
14796 favors of this sort both on Jo and the Professor.  She took them with
14797 her one night to a select symposium, held in honor of several
14798 celebrities.
14799 
14800 Jo went prepared to bow down and adore the mighty ones whom she had
14801 worshiped with youthful enthusiasm afar off.  But her reverence for
14802 genius received a severe shock that night, and it took her some time to
14803 recover from the discovery that the great creatures were only men and
14804 women after all.  Imagine her dismay, on stealing a glance of timid
14805 admiration at the poet whose lines suggested an ethereal being fed on
14806 'spirit, fire, and dew', to behold him devouring his supper with an
14807 ardor which flushed his intellectual countenance.  Turning as from a
14808 fallen idol, she made other discoveries which rapidly dispelled her
14809 romantic illusions.  The great novelist vibrated between two decanters
14810 with the regularity of a pendulum; the famous divine flirted openly
14811 with one of the Madame de Staels of the age, who looked daggers at
14812 another Corinne, who was amiably satirizing her, after outmaneuvering
14813 her in efforts to absorb the profound philosopher, who imbibed tea
14814 Johnsonianly and appeared to slumber, the loquacity of the lady
14815 rendering speech impossible.  The scientific celebrities, forgetting
14816 their mollusks and glacial periods, gossiped about art, while devoting
14817 themselves to oysters and ices with characteristic energy; the young
14818 musician, who was charming the city like a second Orpheus, talked
14819 horses; and the specimen of the British nobility present happened to be
14820 the most ordinary man of the party.
14821 
14822 Before the evening was half over, Jo felt so completely disillusioned,
14823 that she sat down in a corner to recover herself. Mr. Bhaer soon joined
14824 her, looking rather out of his element, and presently several of the
14825 philosophers, each mounted on his hobby, came ambling up to hold an
14826 intellectual tournament in the recess.  The conversations were miles
14827 beyond Jo's comprehension, but she enjoyed it, though Kant and Hegel
14828 were unknown gods, the Subjective and Objective unintelligible terms,
14829 and the only thing 'evolved from her inner consciousness' was a bad
14830 headache after it was all over.  It dawned upon her gradually that the
14831 world was being picked to pieces, and put together on new and,
14832 according to the talkers, on infinitely better principles than before,
14833 that religion was in a fair way to be reasoned into nothingness, and
14834 intellect was to be the only God.  Jo knew nothing about philosophy or
14835 metaphysics of any sort, but a curious excitement, half pleasurable,
14836 half painful, came over her as she listened with a sense of being
14837 turned adrift into time and space, like a young balloon out on a
14838 holiday.
14839 
14840 She looked round to see how the Professor liked it, and found him
14841 looking at her with the grimmest expression she had ever seen him wear.
14842 He shook his head and beckoned her to come away, but she was fascinated
14843 just then by the freedom of Speculative Philosophy, and kept her seat,
14844 trying to find out what the wise gentlemen intended to rely upon after
14845 they had annihilated all the old beliefs.
14846 
14847 Now, Mr. Bhaer was a diffident man and slow to offer his own opinions,
14848 not because they were unsettled, but too sincere and earnest to be
14849 lightly spoken.  As he glanced from Jo to several other young people,
14850 attracted by the brilliancy of the philosophic pyrotechnics, he knit
14851 his brows and longed to speak, fearing that some inflammable young soul
14852 would be led astray by the rockets, to find when the display was over
14853 that they had only an empty stick or a scorched hand.
14854 
14855 He bore it as long as he could, but when he was appealed to for an
14856 opinion, he blazed up with honest indignation and defended religion
14857 with all the eloquence of truth -- an eloquence which made his broken
14858 English musical and his plain face beautiful.  He had a hard fight, for
14859 the wise men argued well, but he didn't know when he was beaten and
14860 stood to his colors like a man.  Somehow, as he talked, the world got
14861 right again to Jo.  The old beliefs, that had lasted so long, seemed
14862 better than the new.  God was not a blind force, and immortality was
14863 not a pretty fable, but a blessed fact.  She felt as if she had solid
14864 ground under her feet again, and when Mr. Bhaer paused, outtalked but
14865 not one whit convinced, Jo wanted to clap her hands and thank him.
14866 
14867 She did neither, but she remembered the scene, and gave the Professor
14868 her heartiest respect, for she knew it cost him an effort to speak out
14869 then and there, because his conscience would not let him be silent.
14870 She began to see that character is a better possession than money,
14871 rank, intellect, or beauty, and to feel that if greatness is what a
14872 wise man has defined it to be, 'truth, reverence, and good will', then
14873 her friend Friedrich Bhaer was not only good, but great.
14874 
14875 This belief strengthened daily.  She valued his esteem, she coveted his
14876 respect, she wanted to be worthy of his friendship, and just when the
14877 wish was sincerest, she came near to losing everything.  It all grew
14878 out of a cocked hat, for one evening the Professor came in to give Jo
14879 her lesson with a paper soldier cap on his head, which Tina had put
14880 there and he had forgotten to take off.
14881 
14882 "It's evident he doesn't look in his glass before coming down," thought
14883 Jo, with a smile, as he said "Goot efening," and sat soberly down,
14884 quite unconscious of the ludicrous contrast between his subject and his
14885 headgear, for he was going to read her the Death of Wallenstein.
14886 
14887 She said nothing at first, for she liked to hear him laugh out his big,
14888 hearty laugh when anything funny happened, so she left him to discover
14889 it for himself, and presently forgot all about it, for to hear a German
14890 read Schiller is rather an absorbing occupation.  After the reading
14891 came the lesson, which was a lively one, for Jo was in a gay mood that
14892 night, and the cocked hat kept her eyes dancing with merriment.  The
14893 Professor didn't know what to make of her, and stopped at last to ask
14894 with an air of mild surprise that was irresistible. . .
14895 
14896 "Mees Marsch, for what do you laugh in your master's face? Haf you no
14897 respect for me, that you go on so bad?"
14898 
14899 "How can I be respectful, Sir, when you forget to take your hat off?"
14900 said Jo.
14901 
14902 Lifting his hand to his head, the absent-minded Professor gravely felt
14903 and removed the little cocked hat, looked at it a minute, and then
14904 threw back his head and laughed like a merry bass viol.
14905 
14906 "Ah!  I see him now, it is that imp Tina who makes me a fool with my
14907 cap.  Well, it is nothing, but see you, if this lesson goes not well,
14908 you too shall wear him."
14909 
14910 But the lesson did not go at all for a few minutes because Mr. Bhaer
14911 caught sight of a picture on the hat, and unfolding it, said with great
14912 disgust, "I wish these papers did not come in the house.  They are not
14913 for children to see,  nor young people to read. It is not well, and I
14914 haf no patience with those who make this harm."
14915 
14916 Jo glanced at the sheet and saw a pleasing illustration composed of a
14917 lunatic, a corpse, a villain, and a viper.  She did not like it, but
14918 the impulse that made her turn it over was not one of displeasure but
14919 fear, because for a minute she fancied the paper was the Volcano.  It
14920 was not, however, and her panic subsided as she remembered that even if
14921 it had been and one of her own tales in it, there would have been no
14922 name to betray her.  She had betrayed herself, however, by a look and a
14923 blush, for though an absent man, the Professor saw a good deal more
14924 than people fancied.  He knew that Jo wrote, and had met her down among
14925 the newspaper offices more than once, but as she never spoke of it, he
14926 asked no questions in spite of a strong desire to see her work.  Now it
14927 occurred to him that she was doing what she was ashamed to own, and it
14928 troubled him.  He did not say to himself, "It is none of my business.
14929 I've no right to say anything," as many people would have done.  He
14930 only remembered that she was young and poor, a girl far away from
14931 mother's love and father's care, and he was moved to help her with an
14932 impulse as quick and natural as that which would prompt him to put out
14933 his hand to save a baby from a puddle.  All this flashed through his
14934 mind in a minute, but not a trace of it appeared in his face, and by
14935 the time the paper was turned, and Jo's needle threaded, he was ready
14936 to say quite naturally, but very gravely...
14937 
14938 "Yes, you are right to put it from you.  I do not think that good young
14939 girls should see such things.  They are made pleasant to some, but I
14940 would more rather give my boys gunpowder to play with than this bad
14941 trash."
14942 
14943 "All may not be bad, only silly, you know, and if there is a demand for
14944 it, I don't see any harm in supplying it. Many very respectable people
14945 make an honest living out of what are called sensation stories," said
14946 Jo, scratching gathers so energetically that a row of little slits
14947 followed her pin.
14948 
14949 "There is a demand for whisky, but I think you and I do not care to
14950 sell it.  If the respectable people knew what harm they did, they would
14951 not feel that the living was honest.  They haf no right to put poison
14952 in the sugarplum, and let the small ones eat it.  No, they should think
14953 a little, and sweep mud in the street before they do this thing."
14954 
14955 Mr. Bhaer spoke warmly, and walked to the fire, crumpling the paper in
14956 his hands.  Jo sat still, looking as if the fire had come to her, for
14957 her cheeks burned long after the cocked hat had turned to smoke and
14958 gone harmlessly up the chimney.
14959 
14960 "I should like much to send all the rest after him," muttered the
14961 Professor, coming back with a relieved air.
14962 
14963 Jo thought what a blaze her pile of papers upstairs would make, and her
14964 hard-earned money lay rather heavily on her conscience at that minute.
14965 Then she thought consolingly to herself, "Mine are not like that, they
14966 are only silly, never bad, so I won't be worried," and taking up her
14967 book, she said, with a studious face, "Shall we go on, Sir? I'll be
14968 very good and proper now."
14969 
14970 "I shall hope so," was all he said, but he meant more than she
14971 imagined, and the grave, kind look he gave her made her feel as if the
14972 words Weekly Volcano were printed in large type on her forehead.
14973 
14974 As soon as she went to her room, she got out her papers, and carefully
14975 reread every one of her stories.  Being a little shortsighted, Mr.
14976 Bhaer sometimes used eye glasses, and Jo had tried them once, smiling
14977 to see how they magnified the fine print of her book.  Now she seemed
14978 to have on the Professor's mental or moral spectacles also, for the
14979 faults of these poor stories glared at her dreadfully and filled her
14980 with dismay.
14981 
14982 "They are trash, and will soon be worse trash if I go on, for each is
14983 more sensational than the last.  I've gone blindly on, hurting myself
14984 and other people, for the sake of money.  I know it's so, for I can't
14985 read this stuff in sober earnest without being horribly ashamed of it,
14986 and what should I do if they were seen at home or Mr. Bhaer got hold of
14987 them?"
14988 
14989 Jo turned hot at the bare idea, and stuffed the whole bundle into her
14990 stove, nearly setting the chimney afire with the blaze.
14991 
14992 "Yes, that's the best place for such inflammable nonsense. I'd better
14993 burn the house down, I suppose, than let other people blow themselves
14994 up with my gunpowder," she thought as she watched the Demon of the Jura
14995 whisk away, a little black cinder with fiery eyes.
14996 
14997 But when nothing remained of all her three month's work except a heap
14998 of ashes and the money in her lap, Jo looked sober, as she sat on the
14999 floor, wondering what she ought to do about her wages.
15000 
15001 "I think I haven't done much harm yet, and may keep this to pay for my
15002 time," she said, after a long meditation, adding impatiently, "I almost
15003 wish I hadn't any conscience, it's so inconvenient.  If I didn't care
15004 about doing right, and didn't feel uncomfortable when doing wrong, I
15005 should get on capitally. I can't help wishing sometimes, that Mother
15006 and Father hadn't been so particular about such things."
15007 
15008 Ah, Jo, instead of wishing that, thank God that 'Father and Mother were
15009 particular', and pity from your heart those who have no such guardians
15010 to hedge them round with principles which may seem like prison walls to
15011 impatient youth, but which will prove sure foundations to build
15012 character upon in womanhood.
15013 
15014 Jo wrote no more sensational stories, deciding that the money did not
15015 pay for her share of the sensation, but going to the other extreme, as
15016 is the way with people of her stamp, she took a course of Mrs.
15017 Sherwood, Miss Edgeworth, and Hannah More, and then produced a tale
15018 which might have been more properly called an essay or a sermon, so
15019 intensely moral was it.  She had her doubts about it from the
15020 beginning, for her lively fancy and girlish romance felt as ill at ease
15021 in the new style as she would have done masquerading in the stiff and
15022 cumbrous costume of the last century.  She sent this didactic gem to
15023 several markets, but it found no purchaser, and she was inclined to
15024 agree with Mr. Dashwood that morals didn't sell.
15025 
15026 Then she tried a child's story, which she could easily have disposed of
15027 if she had not been mercenary enough to demand filthy lucre for it.
15028 The only person who offered enough to make it worth her while to try
15029 juvenile literature was a worthy gentleman who felt it his mission to
15030 convert all the world to his particular belief.  But much as she liked
15031 to write for children, Jo could not consent to depict all her naughty
15032 boys as being eaten by bears or tossed by mad bulls because they did
15033 not go to a particular Sabbath school, nor all the good infants who did
15034 go as rewarded by every kind of bliss, from gilded gingerbread to
15035 escorts of angels when they departed this life with psalms or sermons
15036 on their lisping tongues.  So nothing came of these trials, and Jo
15037 corked up her inkstand, and said in a fit of very wholesome humility...
15038 
15039 "I don't know anything.  I'll wait until I do before I try again, and
15040 meantime, 'sweep mud in the street' if I can't do better, that's
15041 honest, at least."  Which decision proved that her second tumble down
15042 the beanstalk had done her some good.
15043 
15044 While these internal revolutions were going on, her external life had
15045 been as busy and uneventful as usual, and if she sometimes looked
15046 serious or a little sad no one observed it but Professor Bhaer.  He did
15047 it so quietly that Jo never knew he was watching to see if she would
15048 accept and profit by his reproof, but she stood the test, and he was
15049 satisfied, for though no words passed between them, he knew that she
15050 had given up writing.  Not only did he guess it by the fact that the
15051 second finger of her right hand was no longer inky, but she spent her
15052 evenings downstairs now, was met no more among newspaper offices, and
15053 studied with a dogged patience, which assured him that she was bent on
15054 occupying her mind with something useful, if not pleasant.
15055 
15056 He helped her in many ways, proving himself a true friend, and Jo was
15057 happy, for while her pen lay idle, she was learning other lessons
15058 besides German, and laying a foundation for the sensation story of her
15059 own life.
15060 
15061 It was a pleasant winter and a long one, for she did not leave Mrs.
15062 Kirke till June.  Everyone seemed sorry when the time came.  The
15063 children were inconsolable, and Mr. Bhaer's hair stuck straight up all
15064 over his head, for he always rumpled it wildly when disturbed in mind.
15065 
15066 "Going home?  Ah, you are happy that you haf a home to go in," he said,
15067 when she told him, and sat silently pulling his beard in the corner,
15068 while she held a little levee on that last evening.
15069 
15070 She was going early, so she bade them all goodbye overnight, and when
15071 his turn came, she said warmly, "Now, Sir, you won't forget to come and
15072 see us, if you ever travel our way, will you? I'll never forgive you if
15073 you do, for I want them all to know my friend."
15074 
15075 "Do you?  Shall I come?" he asked, looking down at her with an eager
15076 expression which she did not see.
15077 
15078 "Yes, come next month.  Laurie graduates then, and you'd enjoy
15079 commencement as something new."
15080 
15081 "That is your best friend, of whom you speak?" he said in an altered
15082 tone.
15083 
15084 "Yes, my boy Teddy.  I'm very proud of him and should like you to see
15085 him."
15086 
15087 Jo looked up then, quite unconscious of anything but her own pleasure
15088 in the prospect of showing them to one another. Something in Mr.
15089 Bhaer's face suddenly recalled the fact that she might find Laurie more
15090 than a 'best friend', and simply because she particularly wished not to
15091 look as if anything was the matter, she involuntarily began to blush,
15092 and the more she tried not to, the redder she grew.  If it had not been
15093 for Tina on her knee.  She didn't know what would have become of her.
15094 Fortunately the child was moved to hug her, so she managed to hide her
15095 face an instant, hoping the Professor did not see it. But he did, and
15096 his own changed again from that momentary anxiety to its usual
15097 expression, as he said cordially...
15098 
15099 "I fear I shall not make the time for that, but I wish the friend much
15100 success, and you all happiness.  Gott bless you!"  And with that, he
15101 shook hands warmly, shouldered Tina, and went away.
15102 
15103 But after the boys were abed, he sat long before his fire with the
15104 tired look on his face and the 'heimweh', or homesickness, lying heavy
15105 at his heart.  Once, when he remembered Jo as she sat with the little
15106 child in her lap and that new softness in her face, he leaned his head
15107 on his hands a minute, and then roamed about the room, as if in search
15108 of something that he could not find.
15109 
15110 "It is not for me, I must not hope it now," he said to himself, with a
15111 sigh that was almost a groan.  Then, as if reproaching himself for the
15112 longing that he could not repress, he went and kissed the two tousled
15113 heads upon the pillow, took down his seldom-used meerschaum, and opened
15114 his Plato.
15115 
15116 He did his best and did it manfully, but I don't think he found that a
15117 pair of rampant boys, a pipe, or even the divine Plato, were very
15118 satisfactory substitutes for wife and child at home.
15119 
15120 Early as it was, he was at the station next morning to see Jo off, and
15121 thanks to him, she began her solitary journey with the pleasant memory
15122 of a familiar face smiling its farewell, a bunch of violets to keep her
15123 company, and best of all, the happy thought, "Well, the winter's gone,
15124 and I've written no books, earned no fortune, but I've made a friend
15125 worth having and I'll try to keep him all my life."
15126 
15127 
15128 
15129 CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
15130 
15131 HEARTACHE
15132 
15133 Whatever his motive might have been, Laurie studied to some purpose
15134 that year, for he graduated with honor, and gave the Latin oration with
15135 the grace of a Phillips and the eloquence of a Demosthenes, so his
15136 friends said.  They were all there, his grandfather -- oh, so proud -- Mr.
15137 and Mrs. March, John and Meg, Jo and Beth, and all exulted over him
15138 with the sincere admiration which boys make light of at the time, but
15139 fail to win from the world by any after-triumphs.
15140 
15141 "I've got to stay for this confounded supper, but I shall be home early
15142 tomorrow.  You'll come and meet me as usual, girls?" Laurie said, as he
15143 put the sisters into the carriage after the joys of the day were over.
15144 He said 'girls', but he meant Jo, for she was the only one who kept up
15145 the old custom. She had not the heart to refuse her splendid,
15146 successful boy anything, and answered warmly...
15147 
15148 "I'll come, Teddy, rain or shine, and march before you, playing 'Hail
15149 the conquering hero comes' on a jew's-harp."
15150 
15151 Laurie thanked her with a look that made her think in a sudden panic,
15152 "Oh, deary me!  I know he'll say something, and then what shall I do?"
15153 
15154 Evening meditation and morning work somewhat allayed her fears, and
15155 having decided that she wouldn't be vain enough to think people were
15156 going to propose when she had given them every reason to know what her
15157 answer would be, she set forth at the appointed time, hoping Teddy
15158 wouldn't do anything to make her hurt his poor feelings.  A call at
15159 Meg's, and a refreshing sniff and sip at the Daisy and Demijohn, still
15160 further fortified her for the tete-a-tete, but when she saw a stalwart
15161 figure looming in the distance, she had a strong desire to turn about
15162 and run away.
15163 
15164 "Where's the jew's-harp, Jo?" cried Laurie, as soon as he was within
15165 speaking distance.
15166 
15167 "I forgot it." And Jo took heart again, for that salutation could not
15168 be called lover-like.
15169 
15170 She always used to take his arm on these occasions, now she did not,
15171 and he made no complaint, which was a bad sign, but talked on rapidly
15172 about all sorts of faraway subjects, till they turned from the road
15173 into the little path that led homeward through the grove.  Then he
15174 walked more slowly, suddenly lost his fine flow of language, and now
15175 and then a dreadful pause occurred.  To rescue the conversation from
15176 one of the wells of silence into which it kept falling, Jo said
15177 hastily, "Now you must have a good long holiday!"
15178 
15179 "I intend to."
15180 
15181 Something in his resolute tone made Jo look up quickly to find him
15182 looking down at her with an expression that assured her the dreaded
15183 moment had come, and made her put out her hand with an imploring, "No,
15184 Teddy.  Please don't!"
15185 
15186 "I will, and you must hear me.  It's no use, Jo, we've got to have it
15187 out, and the sooner the better for both of us," he answered, getting
15188 flushed and excited all at once.
15189 
15190 "Say what you like then.  I'll listen," said Jo, with a desperate sort
15191 of patience.
15192 
15193 Laurie was a young lover, but he was in earnest, and meant to 'have it
15194 out', if he died in the attempt, so he plunged into the subject with
15195 characteristic impetuousity, saying in a voice that would get choky now
15196 and then, in spite of manful efforts to keep it steady...
15197 
15198 "I've loved you ever since I've known you, Jo, couldn't help it, you've
15199 been so good to me.  I've tried to show it, but you wouldn't let me.
15200 Now I'm going to make you hear, and give me an answer, for I can't go
15201 on so any longer."
15202 
15203 "I wanted to save you this.  I thought you'd understand..." began Jo,
15204 finding it a great deal harder than she expected.
15205 
15206 "I know you did, but the girls are so queer you never know what they
15207 mean.  They say no when they mean yes, and drive a man out of his wits
15208 just for the fun of it," returned Laurie, entrenching himself behind an
15209 undeniable fact.
15210 
15211 "I don't.  I never wanted to make you care for me so, and I went away
15212 to keep you from it if I could."
15213 
15214 "I thought so.  It was like you, but it was no use.  I only loved you
15215 all the more, and I worked hard to please you, and I gave up billiards
15216 and everything you didn't like, and waited and never complained, for I
15217 hoped you'd love me, though I'm not half good enough..." Here there was
15218 a choke that couldn't be controlled, so he decapitated buttercups while
15219 he cleared his 'confounded throat'.
15220 
15221 "You, you are, you're a great deal too good for me, and I'm so grateful
15222 to you, and so proud and fond of you, I don't know why I can't love you
15223 as you want me to.  I've tried, but I can't change the feeling, and it
15224 would be a lie to say I do when I don't."
15225 
15226 "Really, truly, Jo?"
15227 
15228 He stopped short, and caught both her hands as he put his question with
15229 a look that she did not soon forget.
15230 
15231 "Really, truly, dear."
15232 
15233 They were in the grove now, close by the stile, and when the last words
15234 fell reluctantly from Jo's lips, Laurie dropped her hands and turned as
15235 if to go on, but for once in his life the fence was too much for him.
15236 So he just laid his head down on the mossy post, and stood so still
15237 that Jo was frightened.
15238 
15239 "Oh, Teddy, I'm sorry, so desperately sorry, I could kill myself if it
15240 would do any good!  I wish you wouldn't take it so hard, I can't help
15241 it.  You know it's impossible for people to make themselves love other
15242 people if they don't," cried Jo inelegantly but remorsefully, as she
15243 softly patted his shoulder, remembering the time when he had comforted
15244 her so long ago.
15245 
15246 "They do sometimes," said a muffled voice from the post. "I don't
15247 believe it's the right sort of love, and I'd rather not try it," was
15248 the decided answer.
15249 
15250 There was a long pause, while a blackbird sung blithely on the willow
15251 by the river, and the tall grass rustled in the wind. Presently Jo said
15252 very soberly, as she sat down on the step of the stile, "Laurie, I want
15253 to tell you something."
15254 
15255 He started as if he had been shot, threw up his head, and cried out in
15256 a fierce tone, "Don't tell me that, Jo, I can't bear it now!"
15257 
15258 "Tell what?" she asked, wondering at his violence.
15259 
15260 "That you love that old man."
15261 
15262 "What old man?" demanded Jo, thinking he must mean his grandfather.
15263 
15264 "That devilish Professor you were always writing about. If you say you
15265 love him, I know I shall do something desperate;" and he looked as if
15266 he would keep his word, as he clenched his hands with a wrathful spark
15267 in his eyes.
15268 
15269 Jo wanted to laugh, but restrained herself and said warmly, for she
15270 too, was getting excited with all this, "Don't swear, Teddy!  He isn't
15271 old, nor anything bad, but good and kind, and the best friend I've got,
15272 next to you.  Pray, don't fly into a passion.  I want to be kind, but I
15273 know I shall get angry if you abuse my Professor.  I haven't the least
15274 idea of loving him or anybody else."
15275 
15276 "But you will after a while, and then what will become of me?"
15277 
15278 "You'll love someone else too, like a sensible boy, and forget all this
15279 trouble."
15280 
15281 "I can't love anyone else, and I'll never forget you, Jo, Never!
15282 Never!" with a stamp to emphasize his passionate words.
15283 
15284 "What shall I do with him?" sighed Jo, finding that emotions were more
15285 unmanagable than she expected.  "You haven't heard what I wanted to
15286 tell you.  Sit down and listen, for indeed I want to do right and make
15287 you happy," she said, hoping to soothe him with a little reason, which
15288 proved that she knew nothing about love.
15289 
15290 Seeing a ray of hope in that last speech, Laurie threw himself down on
15291 the grass at her feet, leaned his arm on the lower step of the stile,
15292 and looked up at her with an expectant face. Now that arrangement was
15293 not conducive to calm speech or clear thought on Jo's part, for how
15294 could she say hard things to her boy while he watched her with eyes
15295 full of love and longing, and lashes still wet with the bitter drop or
15296 two her hardness of heart had wrung from him?  She gently turned his
15297 head away, saying, as she stroked the wavy hair which had been allowed
15298 to grow for her sake -- how touching that was, to be sure! "I agree with
15299 Mother that you and I are not suited to each other, because our quick
15300 tempers and strong wills would probably make us very miserable, if we
15301 were so foolish as to..." Jo paused a little over the last word, but
15302 Laurie uttered it with a rapturous expression.
15303 
15304 "Marry -- no we shouldn't!  If you loved me, Jo, I should be a perfect
15305 saint, for you could make me anything you like."
15306 
15307 "No, I can't.  I've tried and failed, and I won't risk our happiness by
15308 such a serious experiment.  We don't agree and we never shall, so we'll
15309 be good friends all our lives, but we won't go and do anything rash."
15310 
15311 "Yes, we will if we get the chance," muttered Laurie rebelliously.
15312 
15313 "Now do be reasonable, and take a sensible view of the case," implored
15314 Jo, almost at her wit's end.
15315 
15316 "I won't be reasonable.  I don't want to take what you call 'a sensible
15317 view'.  It won't help me, and it only makes it harder.  I don't believe
15318 you've got any heart."
15319 
15320 "I wish I hadn't."
15321 
15322 There was a little quiver in Jo's voice, and thinking it a good omen,
15323 Laurie turned round, bringing all his persuasive powers to bear as he
15324 said, in the wheedlesome tone that had never been so dangerously
15325 wheedlesome before, "Don't disappoint us, dear!  Everyone expects it.
15326 Grandpa has set his heart upon it, your people like it, and I can't get
15327 on without you.  Say you will, and let's be happy.  Do, do!"
15328 
15329 Not until months afterward did Jo understand how she had the strength
15330 of mind to hold fast to the resolution she had made when she decided
15331 that she did not love her boy, and never could.  It was very hard to
15332 do, but she did it, knowing that delay was both useless and cruel.
15333 
15334 "I can't say 'yes' truly, so I won't say it at all.  You'll see that
15335 I'm right, by-and-by, and thank me for it..." she began solemnly.
15336 
15337 "I'll be hanged if I do!" and Laurie bounced up off the grass, burning
15338 with indignation at the very idea.
15339 
15340 "Yes, you will!" persisted Jo.  "You'll get over this after a while,
15341 and find some lovely accomplished girl, who will adore you, and make a
15342 fine mistress for your fine house.  I shouldn't. I'm homely and awkward
15343 and odd and old, and you'd be ashamed of me, and we should quarrel -- we
15344 can't help it even now, you see -- and I shouldn't like elegant society
15345 and you would, and you'd hate my scribbling, and I couldn't get on
15346 without it, and we should be unhappy, and wish we hadn't done it, and
15347 everything would be horrid!"
15348 
15349 "Anything more?" asked Laurie, finding it hard to listen patiently to
15350 this prophetic burst.
15351 
15352 "Nothing more, except that I don't believe I shall ever marry.  I'm
15353 happy as I am, and love my liberty too well to be in a hurry to give it
15354 up for any mortal man."
15355 
15356 "I know better!" broke in Laurie.  "You think so now, but there'll come
15357 a time when you will care for somebody, and you'll love him
15358 tremendously, and live and die for him.  I know you will, it's your
15359 way, and I shall have to stand by and see it," and the despairing lover
15360 cast his hat upon the ground with a gesture that would have seemed
15361 comical, if his face had not been so tragic.
15362 
15363 "Yes, I will live and die for him, if he ever comes and makes me love
15364 him in spite of myself, and you must do the best you can!" cried Jo,
15365 losing patience with poor Teddy.  "I've done my best, but you won't be
15366 reasonable, and it's selfish of you to keep teasing for what I can't
15367 give.  I shall always be fond of you, very fond indeed, as a friend,
15368 but I'll never marry you, and the sooner you believe it the better for
15369 both of us -- so now!"
15370 
15371 That speech was like gunpowder.  Laurie looked at her a minute as if he
15372 did not quite know what to do with himself, then turned sharply away,
15373 saying in a desperate sort of tone, "You'll be sorry some day, Jo."
15374 
15375 "Oh, where are you going?" she cried, for his face frightened her.
15376 
15377 "To the devil!" was the consoling answer.
15378 
15379 For a minute Jo's heart stood still, as he swung himself down the bank
15380 toward the river, but it takes much folly, sin or misery to send a
15381 young man to a violent death, and Laurie was not one of the weak sort
15382 who are conquered by a single failure.  He had no thought of a
15383 melodramatic plunge, but some blind instinct led him to fling hat and
15384 coat into his boat, and row away with all his might, making better time
15385 up the river than he had done in any race.  Jo drew a long breath and
15386 unclasped her hands as she watched the poor fellow trying to outstrip
15387 the trouble which he carried in his heart.
15388 
15389 "That will do him good, and he'll come home in such a tender, penitent
15390 state of mind, that I shan't dare to see him," she said, adding, as she
15391 went slowly home, feeling as if she had murdered some innocent thing,
15392 and buried it under the leaves.  "Now I must go and prepare Mr.
15393 Laurence to be very kind to my poor boy.  I wish he'd love Beth,
15394 perhaps he may in time, but I begin to think I was mistaken about her.
15395 Oh dear!  How can girls like to have lovers and refuse them?  I think
15396 it's dreadful."
15397 
15398 Being sure that no one could do it so well as herself, she went
15399 straight to Mr. Laurence, told the hard story bravely through, and then
15400 broke down, crying so dismally over her own insensibility that the kind
15401 old gentleman, though sorely disappointed, did not utter a reproach.
15402 He found it difficult to understand how any girl could help loving
15403 Laurie, and hoped she would change her mind, but he knew even better
15404 than Jo that love cannot be forced, so he shook his head sadly and
15405 resolved to carry his boy out of harm's way, for Young Impetuosity's
15406 parting words to Jo disturbed him more than he would confess.
15407 
15408 When Laurie came home, dead tired but quite composed, his grandfather
15409 met him as if he knew nothing, and kept up the delusion very
15410 successfully for an hour or two.  But when they sat together in the
15411 twilight, the time they used to enjoy so much, it was hard work for the
15412 old man to ramble on as usual, and harder still for the young one to
15413 listen to praises of the last year's success, which to him now seemed
15414 like love's labor lost.  He bore it as long as he could, then went to
15415 his piano and began to play.  The windows were open, and Jo, walking
15416 in the garden with Beth, for once understood music better than her
15417 sister, for he played the '_Sonata Pathetique_', and played it as he
15418 never did before.
15419 
15420 "That's very fine, I dare say, but it's sad enough to make one cry.
15421 Give us something gayer, lad," said Mr. Laurence, whose kind old heart
15422 was full of sympathy, which he longed to show but knew not how.
15423 
15424 Laurie dashed into a livelier strain, played stormily for several
15425 minutes, and would have got through bravely, if in a momentary lull
15426 Mrs. March's voice had not been heard calling, "Jo, dear, come in.  I
15427 want you."
15428 
15429 Just what Laurie longed to say, with a different meaning! As he
15430 listened, he lost his place, the music ended with a broken chord, and
15431 the musician sat silent in the dark.
15432 
15433 "I can't stand this," muttered the old gentleman.  Up he got, groped
15434 his way to the piano, laid a kind hand on either of the broad
15435 shoulders, and said, as gently as a woman, "I know, my boy, I know."
15436 
15437 No answer for an instant, then Laurie asked sharply, "Who told you?"
15438 
15439 "Jo herself."
15440 
15441 "Then there's an end of it!"  And he shook off his grandfather's hands
15442 with an impatient motion, for though grateful for the sympathy, his
15443 man's pride could not bear a man's pity.
15444 
15445 "Not quite.  I want to say one thing, and then there shall be an end of
15446 it," returned Mr. Laurence with unusual mildness. "You won't care to
15447 stay at home now, perhaps?"
15448 
15449 "I don't intend to run away from a girl.  Jo can't prevent my seeing
15450 her, and I shall stay and do it as long as I like," interrupted Laurie
15451 in a defiant tone.
15452 
15453 "Not if you are the gentleman I think you.  I'm disappointed, but the
15454 girl can't help it, and the only thing left for you to do is to go away
15455 for a time.  Where will you go?"
15456 
15457 "Anywhere.  I don't care what becomes of me," and Laurie got up with a
15458 reckless laugh that grated on his grandfather's ear.
15459 
15460 "Take it like a man, and don't do anything rash, for God's sake.  Why
15461 not go abroad, as you planned, and forget it?"
15462 
15463 "I can't."
15464 
15465 "But you've been wild to go, and I promised you should when you got
15466 through college."
15467 
15468 "Ah, but I didn't mean to go alone!" and Laurie walked fast through the
15469 room with an expression which it was well his grandfather did not see.
15470 
15471 "I don't ask you to go alone.  There's someone ready and glad to go
15472 with you, anywhere in the world."
15473 
15474 "Who, Sir?" stopping to listen.
15475 
15476 "Myself."
15477 
15478 Laurie came back as quickly as he went, and put out his hand, saying
15479 huskily, "I'm a selfish brute, but -- you know -- Grandfather -- "
15480 
15481 "Lord help me, yes, I do know, for I've been through it all before,
15482 once in my own young days, and then with your father. Now, my dear boy,
15483 just sit quietly down and hear my plan.  It's all settled, and can be
15484 carried out at once," said Mr. Laurence, keeping hold of the young man,
15485 as if fearful that he would break away as his father had done before
15486 him.
15487 
15488 "Well, sir, what is it?" and Laurie sat down, without a sign of
15489 interest in face or voice.
15490 
15491 "There is business in London that needs looking after.  I meant you
15492 should attend to it, but I can do it better myself, and things here
15493 will get on very well with Brooke to manage them.  My partners do
15494 almost everything, I'm merely holding on until you take my place, and
15495 can be off at any time."
15496 
15497 "But you hate traveling, Sir.  I can't ask it of you at your age,"
15498 began Laurie, who was grateful for the sacrifice, but much preferred to
15499 go alone, if he went at all.
15500 
15501 The old gentleman knew that perfectly well, and particularly desired to
15502 prevent it, for the mood in which he found his grandson assured him
15503 that it would not be wise to leave him to his own devices.  So,
15504 stifling a natural regret at the thought of the home comforts he would
15505 leave behind him, he said stoutly, "Bless your soul, I'm not
15506 superannuated yet.  I quite enjoy the idea.  It will do me good, and my
15507 old bones won't suffer, for traveling nowadays is almost as easy as
15508 sitting in a chair."
15509 
15510 A restless movement from Laurie suggested that his chair was not easy,
15511 or that he did not like the plan, and made the old man add hastily, "I
15512 don't mean to be a marplot or a burden. I go because I think you'd feel
15513 happier than if I was left behind.  I don't intend to gad about with
15514 you, but leave you free to go where you like, while I amuse myself in
15515 my own way.  I've friends in London and Paris, and should like to visit
15516 them.  Meantime you can go to Italy, Germany, Switzerland, where you
15517 will, and enjoy pictures, music, scenery, and adventures to your
15518 heart's content."
15519 
15520 Now, Laurie felt just then that his heart was entirely broken and the
15521 world a howling wilderness, but at the sound of certain words which the
15522 old gentleman artfully introduced into his closing sentence, the broken
15523 heart gave an unexpected leap, and a green oasis or two suddenly
15524 appeared in the howling wilderness.  He sighed, and then said, in a
15525 spiritless tone, "Just as you like, Sir.  It doesn't matter where I go
15526 or what I do."
15527 
15528 "It does to me, remember that, my lad.  I give you entire liberty, but
15529 I trust you to make an honest use of it.  Promise me that, Laurie."
15530 
15531 "Anything you like, Sir."
15532 
15533 "Good," thought the old gentleman.  "You don't care now, but there'll
15534 come a time when that promise will keep you out of mischief, or I'm
15535 much mistaken."
15536 
15537 Being an energetic individual, Mr. Laurence struck while the iron was
15538 hot, and before the blighted being recovered spirit enough to rebel,
15539 they were off.  During the time necessary for preparation, Laurie bore
15540 himself as young gentleman usually do in such cases.  He was moody,
15541 irritable, and pensive by turns, lost his appetite, neglected his dress
15542 and devoted much time to playing tempestuously on his piano, avoided
15543 Jo, but consoled himself by staring at her from his window, with a
15544 tragic face that haunted her dreams by night and oppressed her with a
15545 heavy sense of guilt by day.  Unlike some sufferers, he never spoke of
15546 his unrequited passion, and would allow no one, not even Mrs. March, to
15547 attempt consolation or offer sympathy.  On some accounts, this was a
15548 relief to his friends, but the weeks before his departure were very
15549 uncomfortable, and everyone rejoiced that the 'poor, dear fellow was
15550 going away to forget his trouble, and come home happy'.  Of course, he
15551 smiled darkly at their delusion, but passed it by with the sad
15552 superiority of one who knew that his fidelity like his love was
15553 unalterable.
15554 
15555 When the parting came he affected high spirits, to conceal certain
15556 inconvenient emotions which seemed inclined to assert themselves.  This
15557 gaiety did not impose upon anybody, but they tried to look as if it did
15558 for his sake, and he got on very well till Mrs. March kissed him, with
15559 a whisper full of motherly solicitude.  Then feeling that he was going
15560 very fast, he hastily embraced them all round, not forgetting the
15561 afflicted Hannah, and ran downstairs as if for his life.  Jo followed a
15562 minute after to wave her hand to him if he looked round.  He did look
15563 round, came back, put his arms about her as she stood on the step above
15564 him, and looked up at her with a face that made his short appeal
15565 eloquent and pathetic.
15566 
15567 "Oh, Jo, can't you?"
15568 
15569 "Teddy, dear, I wish I could!"
15570 
15571 That was all, except a little pause.  Then Laurie straightened himself
15572 up, said, "It's all right, never mind," and went away without another
15573 word.  Ah, but it wasn't all right, and Jo did mind, for while the
15574 curly head lay on her arm a minute after her hard answer, she felt as
15575 if she had stabbed her dearest friend, and when he left her without a
15576 look behind him, she knew that the boy Laurie never would come again.
15577 
15578 
15579 
15580 CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
15581 
15582 BETH'S SECRET
15583 
15584 When Jo came home that spring, she had been struck with the change in
15585 Beth.  No one spoke of it or seemed aware of it, for it had come too
15586 gradually to startle those who saw her daily, but to eyes sharpened by
15587 absence, it was very plain and a heavy weight fell on Jo's heart as she
15588 saw her sister's face. It was no paler and but littler thinner than in
15589 the autumn, yet there was a strange, transparent look about it, as if
15590 the mortal was being slowly refined away, and the immortal shining
15591 through the frail flesh with an indescribably pathetic beauty.  Jo saw
15592 and felt it, but said nothing at the time, and soon the first
15593 impression lost much of its power, for Beth seemed happy, no one
15594 appeared to doubt that she was better, and presently in other cares Jo
15595 for a time forgot her fear.
15596 
15597 But when Laurie was gone, and peace prevailed again, the vague anxiety
15598 returned and haunted her.  She had confessed her sins and been
15599 forgiven, but when she showed her savings and proposed a mountain trip,
15600 Beth had thanked her heartily, but begged not to go so far away from
15601 home.  Another little visit to the seashore would suit her better, and
15602 as Grandma could not be prevailed upon to leave the babies, Jo took
15603 Beth down to the quiet place, where she could live much in the open
15604 air, and let the fresh sea breezes blow a little color into her pale
15605 cheeks.
15606 
15607 It was not a fashionable place, but even among the pleasant people
15608 there, the girls made few friends, preferring to live for one another.
15609 Beth was too shy to enjoy society, and Jo too wrapped up in her to care
15610 for anyone else.  So they were all in all to each other, and came and
15611 went, quite unconscious of the interest they excited in those about
15612 them, who watched with sympathetic eyes the strong sister and the
15613 feeble one, always together, as if they felt instinctively that a long
15614 separation was not far away.
15615 
15616 They did feel it, yet neither spoke of it, for often between ourselves
15617 and those nearest and dearest to us there exists a reserve which it is
15618 very hard to overcome.  Jo felt as if a veil had fallen between her
15619 heart and Beth's, but when she put out her hand to lift it up, there
15620 seemed something sacred in the silence, and she waited for Beth to
15621 speak.  She wondered, and was thankful also, that her parents did not
15622 seem to see what she saw, and during the quiet weeks when the shadows
15623 grew so plain to her, she said nothing of it to those at home,
15624 believing that it would tell itself when Beth came back no better. She
15625 wondered still more if her sister really guessed the hard truth, and
15626 what thoughts were passing through her mind during the long hours when
15627 she lay on the warm rocks with her head in Jo's lap, while the winds
15628 blew healthfully over her and the sea made music at her feet.
15629 
15630 One day Beth told her.  Jo thought she was asleep, she lay so still,
15631 and putting down her book, sat looking at her with wistful eyes, trying
15632 to see signs of hope in the faint color on Beth's cheeks.  But she
15633 could not find enough to satisfy her, for the cheeks were very thin,
15634 and the hands seemed too feeble to hold even the rosy little shells
15635 they had been collecting. It came to her then more bitterly than ever
15636 that Beth was slowly drifting away from her, and her arms instinctively
15637 tightened their hold upon the dearest treasure she possessed. For a
15638 minute her eyes were too dim for seeing, and when they cleared, Beth
15639 was looking up at her so tenderly that there was hardly any need for
15640 her to say, "Jo, dear, I'm glad you know it.  I've tried to tell you,
15641 but I couldn't."
15642 
15643 There was no answer except her sister's cheek against her own, not even
15644 tears, for when most deeply moved, Jo did not cry.  She was the weaker
15645 then, and Beth tried to comfort and sustain her, with her arms about
15646 her and the soothing words she whispered in her ear.
15647 
15648 "I've known it for a good while, dear, and now I'm used to it, it isn't
15649 hard to think of or to bear.  Try to see it so and don't be troubled
15650 about me, because it's best, indeed it is."
15651 
15652 "Is this what made you so unhappy in the autumn, Beth? You did not feel
15653 it then, and keep it to yourself so long, did you?" asked Jo, refusing
15654 to see or say that it was best, but glad to know that Laurie had no
15655 part in Beth's trouble.
15656 
15657 "Yes, I gave up hoping then, but I didn't like to own it. I tried to
15658 think it was a sick fancy, and would not let it trouble anyone.  But
15659 when I saw you all so well and strong and full of happy plans, it was
15660 hard to feel that I could never be like you, and then I was miserable,
15661 Jo."
15662 
15663 "Oh, Beth, and you didn't tell me, didn't let me comfort and help you?
15664 How could you shut me out, bear it all alone?"
15665 
15666 Jo's voice was full of tender reproach, and her heart ached to think of
15667 the solitary struggle that must have gone on while Beth learned to say
15668 goodbye to health, love, and life, and take up her cross so cheerfully.
15669 
15670 "Perhaps it was wrong, but I tried to do right.  I wasn't sure, no one
15671 said anything, and I hoped I was mistaken.  It would have been selfish
15672 to frighten you all when Marmee was so anxious about Meg, and Amy away,
15673 and you so happy with Laurie -- at least I thought so then."
15674 
15675 "And I thought you loved him, Beth, and I went away because I
15676 couldn't," cried Jo, glad to say all the truth.
15677 
15678 Beth looked so amazed at the idea that Jo smiled in spite of her pain,
15679 and added softly, "Then you didn't, dearie? I was afraid it was so, and
15680 imagined your poor little heart full of lovelornity all that while."
15681 
15682 "Why, Jo, how could I, when he was so fond of you?" asked Beth, as
15683 innocently as a child.  "I do love him dearly.  He is so good to me,
15684 how can I help It?  But he could never be anything to me but my
15685 brother.  I hope he truly will be, sometime."
15686 
15687 "Not through me," said Jo decidedly.  "Amy is left for him, and they
15688 would suit excellently, but I have no heart for such things, now.  I
15689 don't care what becomes of anybody but you, Beth. You must get well."
15690 
15691 "I want to, oh, so much!  I try, but every day I lose a little, and
15692 feel more sure that I shall never gain it back.  It's like the tide,
15693 Jo, when it turns, it goes slowly, but it can't be stopped."
15694 
15695 "It shall be stopped, your tide must not turn so soon, nineteen is too
15696 young, Beth.  I can't let you go.  I'll work and pray and fight against
15697 it.  I'll keep you in spite of everything.  There must be ways, it
15698 can't be too late.  God won't be so cruel as to take you from me,"
15699 cried poor Jo rebelliously, for her spirit was far less piously
15700 submissive than Beth's.
15701 
15702 Simple, sincere people seldom speak much of their piety.  It shows
15703 itself in acts rather than in words, and has more influence than
15704 homilies or protestations.  Beth could not reason upon or explain the
15705 faith that gave her courage and patience to give up life, and
15706 cheerfully wait for death.  Like a confiding child, she asked no
15707 questions, but left everything to God and nature, Father and Mother of
15708 us all, feeling sure that they, and they only, could teach and
15709 strengthen heart and spirit for this life and the life to come.  She
15710 did not rebuke Jo with saintly speeches, only loved her better for her
15711 passionate affection, and clung more closely to the dear human love,
15712 from which our Father never means us to be weaned, but through which He
15713 draws us closer to Himself.  She could not say, "I'm glad to go," for
15714 life was very sweet for her.  She could only sob out, "I try to be
15715 willing," while she held fast to Jo, as the first bitter wave of this
15716 great sorrow broke over them together.
15717 
15718 By and by Beth said, with recovered serenity, "You'll tell them this
15719 when we go home?"
15720 
15721 "I think they will see it without words," sighed Jo, for now it seemed
15722 to her that Beth changed every day.
15723 
15724 "Perhaps not.  I've heard that the people who love best are often
15725 blindest to such things.  If they don't see it, you will tell them for
15726 me.  I don't want any secrets, and it's kinder to prepare them.  Meg
15727 has John and the babies to comfort her, but you must stand by Father
15728 and Mother, won't you Jo?"
15729 
15730 "If I can.  But, Beth, I don't give up yet.  I'm going to believe that
15731 it is a sick fancy, and not let you think it's true." said Jo, trying
15732 to speak cheerfully.
15733 
15734 Beth lay a minute thinking, and then said in her quiet way, "I don't
15735 know how to express myself, and shouldn't try to anyone but you,
15736 because I can't speak out except to my Jo.  I only mean to say that I
15737 have a feeling that it never was intended I should live long.  I'm not
15738 like the rest of you.  I never made any plans about what I'd do when I
15739 grew up.  I never thought of being married, as you all did.  I couldn't
15740 seem to imagine myself anything but stupid little Beth, trotting about
15741 at home, of no use anywhere but there.  I never wanted to go away, and
15742 the hard part now is the leaving you all.  I'm not afraid, but it seems
15743 as if I should be homesick for you even in heaven."
15744 
15745 Jo could not speak, and for several minutes there was no sound but the
15746 sigh of the wind and the lapping of the tide.  A white-winged gull flew
15747 by, with the flash of sunshine on its silvery breast.  Beth watched it
15748 till it vanished, and her eyes were full of sadness.  A little
15749 gray-coated sand bird came tripping over the beach 'peeping' softly to
15750 itself, as if enjoying the sun and sea.  It came quite close to Beth,
15751 and looked at her with a friendly eye and sat upon a warm stone,
15752 dressing its wet feathers, quite at home.  Beth smiled and felt
15753 comforted, for the tiny thing seemed to offer its small friendship and
15754 remind her that a pleasant world was still to be enjoyed.
15755 
15756 "Dear little bird!  See, Jo, how tame it is.  I like peeps better than
15757 the gulls.  They are not so wild and handsome, but they seem happy,
15758 confiding little things.  I used to call them my birds last summer, and
15759 Mother said they reminded her of me -- busy, quaker-colored creatures,
15760 always near the shore, and always chirping that contented little song
15761 of theirs.  You are the gull, Jo, strong and wild, fond of the storm
15762 and the wind, flying far out to sea, and happy all alone.  Meg is the
15763 turtledove, and Amy is like the lark she writes about, trying to get up
15764 among the clouds, but always dropping down into its nest again.  Dear
15765 little girl!  She's so ambitious, but her heart is good and tender, and
15766 no matter how high she flies, she never will forget home.  I hope I
15767 shall see her again, but she seems so far away."
15768 
15769 "She is coming in the spring, and I mean that you shall be all ready to
15770 see and enjoy her.  I'm going to have you well and rosy by that time,"
15771 began Jo, feeling that of all the changes in Beth, the talking change
15772 was the greatest, for it seemed to cost no effort now, and she thought
15773 aloud in a way quite unlike bashful Beth.
15774 
15775 "Jo, dear, don't hope any more.  It won't do any good.  I'm sure of
15776 that.  We won't be miserable, but enjoy being together while we wait.
15777 We'll have happy times, for I don't suffer much, and I think the tide
15778 will go out easily, if you help me."
15779 
15780 Jo leaned down to kiss the tranquil face, and with that silent kiss,
15781 she dedicated herself soul and body to Beth.
15782 
15783 She was right.  There was no need of any words when they got home, for
15784 Father and Mother saw plainly now what they had prayed to be saved from
15785 seeing.  Tired with her short journey, Beth went at once to bed, saying
15786 how glad she was to be home, and when Jo went down, she found that she
15787 would be spared the hard task of telling Beth's secret.  Her father
15788 stood leaning his head on the mantelpiece and did not turn as she came
15789 in, but her mother stretched out her arms as if for help, and Jo went
15790 to comfort her without a word.
15791 
15792 
15793 
15794 CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
15795 
15796 NEW IMPRESSIONS
15797 
15798 At three o'clock in the afternoon, all the fashionable world at Nice
15799 may be seen on the Promenade des Anglais -- a charming place, for the
15800 wide walk, bordered with palms, flowers, and tropical shrubs, is
15801 bounded on one side by the sea, on the other by the grand drive, lined
15802 with hotels and villas, while beyond lie orange orchards and the hills.
15803 Many nations are represented, many languages spoken, many costumes
15804 worn, and on a sunny day the spectacle is as gay and brilliant as a
15805 carnival.  Haughty English, lively French, sober Germans, handsome
15806 Spaniards, ugly Russians, meek Jews, free-and-easy Americans, all
15807 drive, sit, or saunter here, chatting over the news, and criticizing
15808 the latest celebrity who has arrived -- Ristori or Dickens, Victor
15809 Emmanuel or the Queen of the Sandwich Islands.  The equipages are as
15810 varied as the company and attract as much attention, especially the low
15811 basket barouches in which ladies drive themselves, with a pair of
15812 dashing ponies, gay nets to keep their voluminous flounces from
15813 overflowing the diminutive vehicles, and little grooms on the perch
15814 behind.
15815 
15816 Along this walk, on Christmas Day, a tall young man walked slowly, with
15817 his hands behind him, and a somewhat absent expression of countenance.
15818 He looked like an Italian, was dressed like an Englishman, and had the
15819 independent air of an American -- a combination which caused sundry pairs
15820 of feminine eyes to look approvingly after him, and sundry dandies in
15821 black velvet suits, with rose-colored neckties, buff gloves, and orange
15822 flowers in their buttonholes, to shrug their shoulders, and then envy
15823 him his inches. There were plenty of pretty faces to admire, but the
15824 young man took little notice of them, except to glance now and then at
15825 some blonde girl in blue.  Presently he strolled out of the promenade
15826 and stood a moment at the crossing, as if undecided whether to go and
15827 listen to the band in the Jardin Publique, or to wander along the beach
15828 toward Castle Hill.  The quick trot of ponies' feet made him look up,
15829 as one of the little carriages, containing a single young lady, came
15830 rapidly down the street.  The lady was young, blonde, and dressed in
15831 blue.  He stared a minute, then his whole face woke up, and, waving his
15832 hat like a boy, he hurried forward to meet her.
15833 
15834 "Oh, Laurie, is it really you?  I thought you'd never come!" cried Amy,
15835 dropping the reins and holding out both hands, to the great
15836 scandalization of a French mamma, who hastened her daughter's steps,
15837 lest she should be demoralized by beholding the free manners of these
15838 'mad English'.
15839 
15840 "I was detained by the way, but I promised to spend Christmas with you,
15841 and here I am."
15842 
15843 "How is your grandfather?  When did you come?  Where are you staying?"
15844 
15845 "Very well -- last night -- at the Chauvain.  I called at your hotel, but
15846 you were out."
15847 
15848 "I have so much to say, I don't know where to begin!  Get in and we can
15849 talk at our ease.  I was going for a drive and longing for company.
15850 Flo's saving up for tonight."
15851 
15852 "What happens then, a ball?"
15853 
15854 "A Christmas party at our hotel.  There are many Americans there, and
15855 they give it in honor of the day.  You'll go with us, of course?  Aunt
15856 will be charmed."
15857 
15858 "Thank you.  Where now?" asked Laurie, leaning back and folding his
15859 arms, a proceeding which suited Amy, who preferred to drive, for her
15860 parasol whip and blue reins over the white ponies' backs afforded her
15861 infinite satisfaction.
15862 
15863 "I'm going to the bankers first for letters, and then to Castle Hill.
15864 The view is so lovely, and I like to feed the peacocks. Have you ever
15865 been there?"
15866 
15867 "Often, years ago, but I don't mind having a look at it."
15868 
15869 "Now tell me all about yourself.  The last I heard of you, your
15870 grandfather wrote that he expected you from Berlin."
15871 
15872 "Yes, I spent a month there and then joined him in Paris, where he has
15873 settled for the winter.  He has friends there and finds plenty to amuse
15874 him, so I go and come, and we get on capitally."
15875 
15876 "That's a sociable arrangement," said Amy, missing something in
15877 Laurie's manner, though she couldn't tell what.
15878 
15879 "Why, you see, he hates to travel, and I hate to keep still, so we each
15880 suit ourselves, and there is no trouble.  I am often with him, and he
15881 enjoys my adventures, while I like to feel that someone is glad to see
15882 me when I get back from my wanderings.  Dirty old hole, isn't it?" he
15883 added, with a look of disgust as they drove along the boulevard to the
15884 Place Napoleon in the old city.
15885 
15886 "The dirt is picturesque, so I don't mind.  The river and the hills are
15887 delicious, and these glimpses of the narrow cross streets are my
15888 delight.  Now we shall have to wait for that procession to pass.  It's
15889 going to the Church of St.  John."
15890 
15891 While Laurie listlessly watched the procession of priests under their
15892 canopies, white-veiled nuns bearing lighted tapers, and some
15893 brotherhood in blue chanting as they walked, Amy watched him, and felt
15894 a new sort of shyness steal over her, for he was changed, and she could
15895 not find the merry-faced boy she left in the moody-looking man beside
15896 her.  He was handsomer than ever and greatly improved, she thought, but
15897 now that the flush of pleasure at meeting her was over, he looked tired
15898 and spiritless -- not sick, nor exactly unhappy, but older and graver
15899 than a year or two of prosperous life should have made him.  She
15900 couldn't understand it and did not venture to ask questions, so she
15901 shook her head and touched up her ponies, as the procession wound away
15902 across the arches of the Paglioni bridge and vanished in the church.
15903 
15904 "Que pensez-vous?" she said, airing her French, which had improved in
15905 quantity, if not in quality, since she came abroad.
15906 
15907 "That mademoiselle has made good use of her time, and the result is
15908 charming," replied Laurie, bowing with his hand on his heart and an
15909 admiring look.
15910 
15911 She blushed with pleasure, but somehow the compliment did not satisfy
15912 her like the blunt praises he used to give her at home, when he
15913 promenaded round her on festival occasions, and told her she was
15914 'altogether jolly', with a hearty smile and an approving pat on the
15915 head.  She didn't like the new tone, for though not blase, it sounded
15916 indifferent in spite of the look.
15917 
15918 "If that's the way he's going to grow up, I wish he'd stay a boy," she
15919 thought, with a curious sense of disappointment and discomfort, trying
15920 meantime to seem quite easy and gay.
15921 
15922 At Avigdor's she found the precious home letters and, giving the reins
15923 to Laurie, read them luxuriously as they wound up the shady road
15924 between green hedges, where tea roses bloomed as freshly as in June.
15925 
15926 "Beth is very poorly, Mother says.  I often think I ought to go home,
15927 but they all say 'stay'.  So I do, for I shall never have another
15928 chance like this," said Amy, looking sober over one page.
15929 
15930 "I think you are right, there.  You could do nothing at home, and it is
15931 a great comfort to them to know that you are well and happy, and
15932 enjoying so much, my dear."
15933 
15934 He drew a little nearer, and looked more like his old self as he said
15935 that, and the fear that sometimes weighed on Amy's heart was lightened,
15936 for the look, the act, the brotherly 'my dear', seemed to assure her
15937 that if any trouble did come, she would not be alone in a strange land.
15938 Presently she laughed and showed him a small sketch of Jo in her
15939 scribbling suit, with the bow rampantly erect upon her cap, and issuing
15940 from her mouth the words, 'Genius burns!'.
15941 
15942 Laurie smiled, took it, put it in his vest pocket 'to keep it from
15943 blowing away', and listened with interest to the lively letter Amy read
15944 him.
15945 
15946 "This will be a regularly merry Christmas to me, with presents in the
15947 morning, you and letters in the afternoon, and a party at night," said
15948 Amy, as they alighted among the ruins of the old fort, and a flock of
15949 splendid peacocks came trooping about them, tamely waiting to be fed.
15950 While Amy stood laughing on the bank above him as she scattered crumbs
15951 to the brilliant birds, Laurie looked at her as she had looked at him,
15952 with a natural curiosity to see what changes time and absence had
15953 wrought.  He found nothing to perplex or disappoint, much to admire and
15954 approve, for overlooking a few little affectations of speech and
15955 manner, she was as sprightly and graceful as ever, with the addition of
15956 that indescribable something in dress and bearing which we call
15957 elegance.  Always mature for her age, she had gained a certain aplomb
15958 in both carriage and conversation, which made her seem more of a woman
15959 of the world than she was, but her old petulance now and then showed
15960 itself, her strong will still held its own, and her native frankness
15961 was unspoiled by foreign polish.
15962 
15963 Laurie did not read all this while he watched her feed the peacocks,
15964 but he saw enough to satisfy and interest him, and carried away a
15965 pretty little picture of a bright-faced girl standing in the sunshine,
15966 which brought out the soft hue of her dress, the fresh color of her
15967 cheeks, the golden gloss of her hair, and made her a prominent figure
15968 in the pleasant scene.
15969 
15970 As they came up onto the stone plateau that crowns the hill, Amy waved
15971 her hand as if welcoming him to her favorite haunt, and said, pointing
15972 here and there, "Do you remember the Cathedral and the Corso, the
15973 fishermen dragging their nets in the bay, and the lovely road to Villa
15974 Franca, Schubert's Tower, just below, and best of all, that speck far
15975 out to sea which they say is Corsica?"
15976 
15977 "I remember.  It's not much changed," he answered without enthusiasm.
15978 
15979 "What Jo would give for a sight of that famous speck!" said Amy,
15980 feeling in good spirits and anxious to see him so also.
15981 
15982 "Yes," was all he said, but he turned and strained his eyes to see the
15983 island which a greater usurper than even Napoleon now made interesting
15984 in his sight.
15985 
15986 "Take a good look at it for her sake, and then come and tell me what
15987 you have been doing with yourself all this while," said Amy, seating
15988 herself, ready for a good talk.
15989 
15990 But she did not get it, for though he joined her and answered all her
15991 questions freely, she could only learn that he had roved about the
15992 Continent and been to Greece.  So after idling away an hour, they drove
15993 home again, and having paid his respects to Mrs. Carrol, Laurie left
15994 them, promising to return in the evening.
15995 
15996 It must be recorded of Amy that she deliberately prinked that night.
15997 Time and absence had done its work on both the young people. She had
15998 seen her old friend in a new light, not as 'our boy', but as a handsome
15999 and agreeable man, and she was conscious of a very natural desire to
16000 find favor in his sight.  Amy knew her good points, and made the most
16001 of them with the taste and skill which is a fortune to a poor and
16002 pretty woman.
16003 
16004 Tarlatan and tulle were cheap at Nice, so she enveloped herself in them
16005 on such occasions, and following the sensible English fashion of simple
16006 dress for young girls, got up charming little toilettes with fresh
16007 flowers, a few trinkets, and all manner of dainty devices, which were
16008 both inexpensive and effective.  It must be confessed that the artist
16009 sometimes got possession of the woman, and indulged in antique
16010 coiffures, statuesque attitudes, and classic draperies. But, dear
16011 heart, we all have our little weaknesses, and find it easy to pardon
16012 such in the young, who satisfy our eyes with their comeliness, and keep
16013 our hearts merry with their artless vanities.
16014 
16015 "I do want him to think I look well, and tell them so at home," said
16016 Amy to herself, as she put on Flo's old white silk ball dress, and
16017 covered it with a cloud of fresh illusion, out of which her white
16018 shoulders and golden head emerged with a most artistic effect. Her hair
16019 she had the sense to let alone, after gathering up the thick waves and
16020 curls into a Hebe-like knot at the back of her head.
16021 
16022 "It's not the fashion, but it's becoming, and I can't afford to make a
16023 fright of myself," she used to say, when advised to frizzle, puff, or
16024 braid, as the latest style commanded.
16025 
16026 Having no ornaments fine enough for this important occasion, Amy looped
16027 her fleecy skirts with rosy clusters of azalea, and framed the white
16028 shoulders in delicate green vines.  Remembering the painted boots, she
16029 surveyed her white satin slippers with girlish satisfaction, and
16030 chasseed down the room, admiring her aristocratic feet all by herself.
16031 
16032 "My new fan just matches my flowers, my gloves fit to a charm, and the
16033 real lace on Aunt's mouchoir gives an air to my whole dress. If I only
16034 had a classical nose and mouth I should be perfectly happy," she said,
16035 surveying herself with a critical eye and a candle in each hand.
16036 
16037 In spite of this affliction, she looked unusually gay and graceful as
16038 she glided away.  She seldom ran -- it did not suit her style, she
16039 thought, for being tall, the stately and Junoesque was more appropriate
16040 than the sportive or piquante.  She walked up and down the long saloon
16041 while waiting for Laurie, and once arranged herself under the
16042 chandelier, which had a good effect upon her hair, then she thought
16043 better of it, and went away to the other end of the room, as if ashamed
16044 of the girlish desire to have the first view a propitious one.  It so
16045 happened that she could not have done a better thing, for Laurie came
16046 in so quietly she did not hear him, and as she stood at the distant
16047 window, with her head half turned and one hand gathering up her dress,
16048 the slender, white figure against the red curtains was as effective as
16049 a well-placed statue.
16050 
16051 "Good evening, Diana!" said Laurie, with the look of satisfaction she
16052 liked to see in his eyes when they rested on her.
16053 
16054 "Good evening, Apollo!" she answered, smiling back at him, for he too
16055 looked unusually debonair, and the thought of entering the ballroom on
16056 the arm of such a personable man caused Amy to pity the four plain
16057 Misses Davis from the bottom of her heart.
16058 
16059 "Here are your flowers.  I arranged them myself, remembering that you
16060 didn't like what Hannah calls a 'sot-bookay'," said Laurie, handing her
16061 a delicate nosegay, in a holder that she had long coveted as she daily
16062 passed it in Cardiglia's window.
16063 
16064 "How kind you are!" she exclaimed gratefully.  "If I'd known you were
16065 coming I'd have had something ready for you today, though not as pretty
16066 as this, I'm afraid."
16067 
16068 "Thank you.  It isn't what it should be, but you have improved it," he
16069 added, as she snapped the silver bracelet on her wrist.
16070 
16071 "Please don't."
16072 
16073 "I thought you liked that sort of thing."
16074 
16075 "Not from you, it doesn't sound natural, and I like your old bluntness
16076 better."
16077 
16078 "I'm glad of it," he answered, with a look of relief, then buttoned her
16079 gloves for her, and asked if his tie was straight, just as he used to
16080 do when they went to parties together at home.
16081 
16082 The company assembled in the long salle a manger, that evening, was
16083 such as one sees nowhere but on the Continent.  The hospitable
16084 Americans had invited every acquaintance they had in Nice, and having
16085 no prejudice against titles, secured a few to add luster to their
16086 Christmas ball.
16087 
16088 A Russian prince condescended to sit in a corner for an hour and talk
16089 with a massive lady, dressed like Hamlet's mother in black velvet with
16090 a pearl bridle under her chin.  A Polish count, aged eighteen, devoted
16091 himself to the ladies, who pronounced him, 'a fascinating dear', and a
16092 German Serene Something, having come to supper alone, roamed vaguely
16093 about, seeking what he might devour.  Baron Rothschild's private
16094 secretary, a large-nosed Jew in tight boots, affably beamed upon the
16095 world, as if his master's name crowned him with a golden halo.  A stout
16096 Frenchman, who knew the Emperor, came to indulge his mania for dancing,
16097 and Lady de Jones, a British matron, adorned the scene with her little
16098 family of eight.  Of course, there were many light-footed,
16099 shrill-voiced American girls, handsome, lifeless-looking English ditto,
16100 and a few plain but piquante French demoiselles, likewise the usual set
16101 of traveling young gentlemen who disported themselves gaily, while
16102 mammas of all nations lined the walls and smiled upon them benignly
16103 when they danced with their daughters.
16104 
16105 Any young girl can imagine Amy's state of mind when she 'took the
16106 stage' that night, leaning on Laurie's arm.  She knew she looked well,
16107 she loved to dance, she felt that her foot was on her native heath in a
16108 ballroom, and enjoyed the delightful sense of power which comes when
16109 young girls first discover the new and lovely kingdom they are born to
16110 rule by virtue of beauty, youth, and womanhood.  She did pity the Davis
16111 girls, who were awkward, plain, and destitute of escort, except a grim
16112 papa and three grimmer maiden aunts, and she bowed to them in her
16113 friendliest manner as she passed, which was good of her, as it
16114 permitted them to see her dress, and burn with curiosity to know who
16115 her distinguished-looking friend might be.  With the first burst of the
16116 band, Amy's color rose, her eyes began to sparkle, and her feet to tap
16117 the floor impatiently, for she danced well and wanted Laurie to know
16118 it.  Therefore the shock she received can better be imagined than
16119 described, when he said in a perfectly tranquil tone, "Do you care to
16120 dance?"
16121 
16122 "One usually does at a ball."
16123 
16124 Her amazed look and quick answer caused Laurie to repair his error as
16125 fast as possible.
16126 
16127 "I meant the first dance.  May I have the honor?"
16128 
16129 "I can give you one if I put off the Count.  He dances divinely, but he
16130 will excuse me, as you are an old friend," said Amy, hoping that the
16131 name would have a good effect, and show Laurie that she was not to be
16132 trifled with.
16133 
16134 "Nice little boy, but rather a short Pole to support...
16135 
16136     A daughter of the gods,
16137     Devinely tall, and most divinely fair,"
16138 
16139 was all the satisfaction she got, however.
16140 
16141 The set in which they found themselves was composed of English, and Amy
16142 was compelled to walk decorously through a cotillion, feeling all the
16143 while as if she could dance the tarantella with relish.  Laurie
16144 resigned her to the 'nice little boy', and went to do his duty to Flo,
16145 without securing Amy for the joys to come, which reprehensible want of
16146 forethought was properly punished, for she immediately engaged herself
16147 till supper, meaning to relent if he then gave any signs penitence. She
16148 showed him her ball book with demure satisfaction when he strolled
16149 instead of rushed up to claim her for the next, a glorious polka
16150 redowa.  But his polite regrets didn't impose upon her, and when she
16151 galloped away with the Count, she saw Laurie sit down by her aunt with
16152 an actual expression of relief.
16153 
16154 That was unpardonable, and Amy took no more notice of him for a long
16155 while, except a word now and then when she came to her chaperon between
16156 the dances for a necessary pin or a moment's rest.  Her anger had a
16157 good effect, however, for she hid it under a smiling face, and seemed
16158 unusually blithe and brilliant.  Laurie's eyes followed her with
16159 pleasure, for she neither romped nor sauntered, but danced with spirit
16160 and grace, making the delightsome pastime what it should be.  He very
16161 naturally fell to studying her from this new point of view, and before
16162 the evening was half over, had decided that 'little Amy was going to
16163 make a very charming woman'.
16164 
16165 It was a lively scene, for soon the spirit of the social season took
16166 possession of everyone, and Christmas merriment made all faces shine,
16167 hearts happy, and heels light.  The musicians fiddled, tooted, and
16168 banged as if they enjoyed it, everybody danced who could, and those who
16169 couldn't admired their neighbors with uncommon warmth.  The air was
16170 dark with Davises, and many Joneses gamboled like a flock of young
16171 giraffes.  The golden secretary darted through the room like a meteor
16172 with a dashing French-woman who carpeted the floor with her pink satin
16173 train.  The serene Teuton found the supper-table and was happy, eating
16174 steadily through the bill of fare, and dismayed the garcons by the
16175 ravages he committed.  But the Emperor's friend covered himself with
16176 glory, for he danced everything, whether he knew it or not, and
16177 introduced impromptu pirouettes when the figures bewildered him.  The
16178 boyish abandon of that stout man was charming to behold, for though he
16179 'carried weight', he danced like an India-rubber ball.  He ran, he
16180 flew, he pranced, his face glowed, his bald head shown, his coattails
16181 waved wildly, his pumps actually twinkled in the air, and when the
16182 music stopped, he wiped the drops from his brow, and beamed upon his
16183 fellow men like a French Pickwick without glasses.
16184 
16185 Amy and her Pole distinguished themselves by equal enthusiasm but more
16186 graceful agility, and Laurie found himself involuntarily keeping time
16187 to the rhythmic rise and fall of the white slippers as they flew by as
16188 indefatigably as if winged. When little Vladimir finally relinquished
16189 her, with assurances that he was 'desolated to leave so early', she was
16190 ready to rest, and see how her recreant knight had borne his punishment.
16191 
16192 It had been successful, for at three-and-twenty, blighted affections
16193 find a balm in friendly society, and young nerves will thrill, young
16194 blood dance, and healthy young spirits rise, when subjected to the
16195 enchantment of beauty, light, music, and motion.  Laurie had a waked-up
16196 look as he rose to give her his seat, and when he hurried away to bring
16197 her some supper, she said to herself, with a satisfied smile, "Ah, I
16198 thought that would do him good!"
16199 
16200 "You look like Balzac's '_Femme Peinte Par Elle-Meme_'," he said, as he
16201 fanned her with one hand and held her coffee cup in the other.
16202 
16203 "My rouge won't come off." and Amy rubbed her brilliant cheek, and
16204 showed him her white glove with a sober simplicity that made him laugh
16205 outright.
16206 
16207 "What do you call this stuff?" he asked, touching a fold of her dress
16208 that had blown over his knee.
16209 
16210 "Illusion."
16211 
16212 "Good name for it.  It's very pretty -- new thing, isn't it?"
16213 
16214 "It's as old as the hills.  You have seen it on dozens of girls, and
16215 you never found out that it was pretty till now -- stupide!"
16216 
16217 "I never saw it on you before, which accounts for the mistake, you see."
16218 
16219 "None of that, it is forbidden.  I'd rather take coffee than
16220 compliments just now.  No, don't lounge, it makes me nervous."
16221 
16222 Laurie sat bold upright, and meekly took her empty plate feeling an odd
16223 sort of pleasure in having 'little Amy' order him about, for she had
16224 lost her shyness now, and felt an irrestible desire to trample on him,
16225 as girls have a delightful way of doing when lords of creation show any
16226 signs of subjection.
16227 
16228 "Where did you learn all this sort of thing?" he asked with a quizzical
16229 look.
16230 
16231 "As 'this sort of thing' is rather a vague expression, would you kindly
16232 explain?" returned Amy, knowing perfectly well what he meant, but
16233 wickedly leaving him to describe what is indescribable.
16234 
16235 "Well -- the general air, the style, the self-possession,
16236 the -- the -- illusion -- you know", laughed Laurie, breaking down and
16237 helping himself out of his quandary with the new word.
16238 
16239 Amy was gratified, but of course didn't show it, and demurely answered,
16240 "Foreign life polishes one in spite of one's self.  I study as well as
16241 play, and as for this" -- with a little gesture toward her dress -- "why,
16242 tulle is cheap, posies to be had for nothing, and I am used to making
16243 the most of my poor little things."
16244 
16245 Amy rather regretted that last sentence, fearing it wasn't in good
16246 taste, but Laurie liked her better for it, and found himself both
16247 admiring and respecting the brave patience that made the most of
16248 opportunity, and the cheerful spirit that covered poverty with flowers.
16249 Amy did not know why he looked at her so kindly, nor why he filled up
16250 her book with his own name, and devoted himself to her for the rest of
16251 the evening in the most delightful manner; but the impulse that wrought
16252 this agreeable change was the result of one of the new impressions
16253 which both of them were unconsciously giving and receiving.
16254 
16255 
16256 
16257 CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
16258 
16259 ON THE SHELF
16260 
16261 In France the young girls have a dull time of it till they are married,
16262 when 'Vive la liberte!' becomes their motto.  In America, as everyone
16263 knows, girls early sign the declaration of independence, and enjoy
16264 their freedom with republican zest, but the young matrons usually
16265 abdicate with the first heir to the throne and go into a seclusion
16266 almost as close as a French nunnery, though by no means as quiet.
16267 Whether they like it or not, they are virtually put upon the shelf as
16268 soon as the wedding excitement is over, and most of them might exclaim,
16269 as did a very pretty woman the other day, "I'm as handsome as ever, but
16270 no one takes any notice of me because I'm married."
16271 
16272 Not being a belle or even a fashionable lady, Meg did not experience
16273 this affliction till her babies were a year old, for in her little
16274 world primitive customs prevailed, and she found herself more admired
16275 and beloved than ever.
16276 
16277 As she was a womanly little woman, the maternal instinct was very
16278 strong, and she was entirely absorbed in her children, to the utter
16279 exclusion of everything and everybody else.  Day and night she brooded
16280 over them with tireless devotion and anxiety, leaving John to the
16281 tender mercies of the help, for an Irish lady now presided over the
16282 kitchen department.  Being a domestic man, John decidedly missed the
16283 wifely attentions he had been accustomed to receive, but as he adored
16284 his babies, he cheerfully relinquished his comfort for a time,
16285 supposing with masculine ignorance that peace would soon be restored.
16286 But three months passed, and there was no return of repose.  Meg looked
16287 worn and nervous, the babies absorbed every minute of her time, the
16288 house was neglected, and Kitty, the cook, who took life 'aisy', kept
16289 him on short commons.  When he went out in the morning he was
16290 bewildered by small commissions for the captive mamma, if he came gaily
16291 in at night, eager to embrace his family, he was quenched by a "Hush!
16292 They are just asleep after worrying all day."  If he proposed a little
16293 amusement at home, "No, it would disturb the babies."  If he hinted at
16294 a lecture or a concert, he was answered with a reproachful look, and a
16295 decided -- "Leave my children for pleasure, never!"  His sleep was broken
16296 by infant wails and visions of a phantom figure pacing noiselessly to
16297 and fro in the watches of the night.  His meals were interrupted by the
16298 frequent flight of the presiding genius, who deserted him, half-helped,
16299 if a muffled chirp sounded from the nest above.  And when he read his
16300 paper of an evening, Demi's colic got into the shipping list and
16301 Daisy's fall affected the price of stocks, for Mrs. Brooke was only
16302 interested in domestic news.
16303 
16304 The poor man was very uncomfortable, for the children had bereft him of
16305 his wife, home was merely a nursery and the perpetual 'hushing' made
16306 him feel like a brutal intruder whenever he entered the sacred
16307 precincts of Babyland.  He bore it very patiently for six months, and
16308 when no signs of amendment appeared, he did what other paternal exiles
16309 do -- tried to get a little comfort elsewhere.  Scott had married and
16310 gone to housekeeping not far off, and John fell into the way of running
16311 over for an hour or two of an evening, when his own parlor was empty,
16312 and his own wife singing lullabies that seemed to have no end.  Mrs.
16313 Scott was a lively, pretty girl, with nothing to do but be agreeable,
16314 and she performed her mission most successfully.  The parlor was always
16315 bright and attractive, the chessboard ready, the piano in tune, plenty
16316 of gay gossip, and a nice little supper set forth in tempting style.
16317 
16318 John would have preferred his own fireside if it had not been so
16319 lonely, but as it was he gratefully took the next best thing and
16320 enjoyed his neighbor's society.
16321 
16322 Meg rather approved of the new arrangement at first, and found it a
16323 relief to know that John was having a good time instead of dozing in
16324 the parlor, or tramping about the house and waking the children.  But
16325 by-and-by, when the teething worry was over and the idols went to sleep
16326 at proper hours, leaving Mamma time to rest, she began to miss John,
16327 and find her workbasket dull company, when he was not sitting opposite
16328 in his old dressing gown, comfortably scorching his slippers on the
16329 fender.  She would not ask him to stay at home, but felt injured
16330 because he did not know that she wanted him without being told,
16331 entirely forgetting the many evenings he had waited for her in vain.
16332 She was nervous and worn out with watching and worry, and in that
16333 unreasonable frame of mind which the best of mothers occasionally
16334 experience when domestic cares oppress them.  Want of exercise robs
16335 them of cheerfulness, and too much devotion to that idol of American
16336 women, the teapot, makes them feel as if they were all nerve and no
16337 muscle.
16338 
16339 "Yes," she would say, looking in the glass, "I'm getting old and ugly.
16340 John doesn't find me interesting any longer, so he leaves his faded
16341 wife and goes to see his pretty neighbor, who has no incumbrances.
16342 Well, the babies love me, they don't care if I am thin and pale and
16343 haven't time to crimp my hair, they are my comfort, and some day John
16344 will see what I've gladly sacrificed for them, won't he, my precious?"
16345 
16346 To which pathetic appeal Daisy would answer with a coo, or Demi with a
16347 crow, and Meg would put by her lamentations for a maternal revel, which
16348 soothed her solitude for the time being. But the pain increased as
16349 politics absorbed John, who was always running over to discuss
16350 interesting points with Scott, quite unconscious that Meg missed him.
16351 Not a word did she say, however, till her mother found her in tears one
16352 day, and insisted on knowing what the matter was, for Meg's drooping
16353 spirits had not escaped her observation.
16354 
16355 "I wouldn't tell anyone except you, Mother, but I really do need
16356 advice, for if John goes on much longer I might as well be widowed,"
16357 replied Mrs. Brooke, drying her tears on Daisy's bib with an injured
16358 air.
16359 
16360 "Goes on how, my dear?" asked her mother anxiously.
16361 
16362 "He's away all day, and at night when I want to see him, he is
16363 continually going over to the Scotts'.  It isn't fair that I should
16364 have the hardest work, and never any amusement. Men are very selfish,
16365 even the best of them."
16366 
16367 "So are women.  Don't blame John till you see where you are wrong
16368 yourself."
16369 
16370 "But it can't be right for him to neglect me."
16371 
16372 "Don't you neglect him?"
16373 
16374 "Why, Mother, I thought you'd take my part!"
16375 
16376 "So I do, as far as sympathizing goes, but I think the fault is yours,
16377 Meg."
16378 
16379 "I don't see how."
16380 
16381 "Let me show you.  Did John ever neglect you, as you call it, while you
16382 made it a point to give him your society of an evening, his only
16383 leisure time?"
16384 
16385 "No, but I can't do it now, with two babies to tend."
16386 
16387 "I think you could, dear, and I think you ought.  May I speak quite
16388 freely, and will you remember that it's Mother who blames as well as
16389 Mother who sympathizes?"
16390 
16391 "Indeed I will!  Speak to me as if I were little Meg again. I often
16392 feel as if I needed teaching more than ever since these babies look to
16393 me for everything."
16394 
16395 Meg drew her low chair beside her mother's, and with a little
16396 interruption in either lap, the two women rocked and talked lovingly
16397 together, feeling that the tie of motherhood made them more one than
16398 ever.
16399 
16400 "You have only made the mistake that most young wives make -- forgotten
16401 your duty to your husband in your love for your children. A very
16402 natural and forgivable mistake, Meg, but one that had better be
16403 remedied before you take to different ways, for children should draw
16404 you nearer than ever, not separate you, as if they were all yours, and
16405 John had nothing to do but support them.  I've seen it for some weeks,
16406 but have not spoken, feeling sure it would come right in time."
16407 
16408 "I'm afraid it won't.  If I ask him to stay, he'll think I'm jealous,
16409 and I wouldn't insult him by such an idea.  He doesn't see that I want
16410 him, and I don't know how to tell him without words."
16411 
16412 "Make it so pleasant he won't want to go away.  My dear, he's longing
16413 for his little home, but it isn't home without you, and you are always
16414 in the nursery."
16415 
16416 "Oughtn't I to be there?"
16417 
16418 "Not all the time, too much confinement makes you nervous, and then you
16419 are unfitted for everything.  Besides, you owe something to John as
16420 well as to the babies.  Don't neglect husband for children, don't shut
16421 him out of the nursery, but teach him how to help in it.  His place is
16422 there as well as yours, and the children need him.  Let him feel that
16423 he has a part to do, and he will do it gladly and faithfully, and it
16424 will be better for you all."
16425 
16426 "You really think so, Mother?"
16427 
16428 "I know it, Meg, for I've tried it, and I seldom give advice unless
16429 I've proved its practicability.  When you and Jo were little, I went on
16430 just as you are, feeling as if I didn't do my duty unless I devoted
16431 myself wholly to you.  Poor Father took to his books, after I had
16432 refused all offers of help, and left me to try my experiment alone.  I
16433 struggled along as well as I could, but Jo was too much for me.  I
16434 nearly spoiled her by indulgence.  You were poorly, and I worried about
16435 you till I fell sick myself.  Then Father came to the rescue, quietly
16436 managed everything, and made himself so helpful that I saw my mistake,
16437 and never have been able to get on without him since.  That is the
16438 secret of our home happiness.  He does not let business wean him from
16439 the little cares and duties that affect us all, and I try not to let
16440 domestic worries destroy my interest in his pursuits.  Each do our part
16441 alone in many things, but at home we work together, always."
16442 
16443 "It is so, Mother, and my great wish is to be to my husband and
16444 children what you have been to yours.  Show me how, I'll do anything
16445 you say."
16446 
16447 "You always were my docile daughter.  Well, dear, if I were you, I'd
16448 let John have more to do with the management of Demi, for the boy needs
16449 training, and it's none too soon to begin. Then I'd do what I have
16450 often proposed, let Hannah come and help you.  She is a capital nurse,
16451 and you may trust the precious babies to her while you do more
16452 housework.  You need the exercise, Hannah would enjoy the rest, and
16453 John would find his wife again. Go out more, keep cheerful as well as
16454 busy, for you are the sunshine-maker of the family, and if you get
16455 dismal there is no fair weather.  Then I'd try to take an interest in
16456 whatever John likes -- talk with him, let him read to you, exchange
16457 ideas, and help each other in that way.  Don't shut yourself up in a
16458 bandbox because you are a woman, but understand what is going on, and
16459 educate yourself to take your part in the world's work, for it all
16460 affects you and yours."
16461 
16462 "John is so sensible, I'm afraid he will think I'm stupid if I ask
16463 questions about politics and things."
16464 
16465 "I don't believe he would.  Love covers a multitude of sins, and of
16466 whom could you ask more freely than of him?  Try it, and see if he
16467 doesn't find your society far more agreeable than Mrs. Scott's suppers."
16468 
16469 "I will.  Poor John!  I'm afraid I have neglected him sadly, but I
16470 thought I was right, and he never said anything."
16471 
16472 "He tried not to be selfish, but he has felt rather forlorn, I fancy.
16473 This is just the time, Meg, when young married people are apt to grow
16474 apart, and the very time when they ought to be most together, for the
16475 first tenderness soon wears off, unless care is taken to preserve it.
16476 And no time is so beautiful and precious to parents as the first years
16477 of the little lives given to them to train.  Don't let John be a
16478 stranger to the babies, for they will do more to keep him safe and
16479 happy in this world of trial and temptation than anything else, and
16480 through them you will learn to know and love one another as you should.
16481 Now, dear, good-by.  Think over Mother's preachment, act upon it if it
16482 seems good, and God bless you all."
16483 
16484 Meg did think it over, found it good, and acted upon it, though the
16485 first attempt was not made exactly as she planned to have it.  Of
16486 course the children tyrannized over her, and ruled the house as soon as
16487 they found out that kicking and squalling brought them whatever they
16488 wanted.  Mamma was an abject slave to their caprices, but Papa was not
16489 so easily subjugated, and occasionally afflicted his tender spouse by
16490 an attempt at paternal discipline with his obstreperous son. For Demi
16491 inherited a trifle of his sire's firmness of character, we won't call
16492 it obstinacy, and when he made up his little mind to have or to do
16493 anything, all the king's horses and all the king's men could not change
16494 that pertinacious little mind.  Mamma thought the dear too young to be
16495 taught to conquer his prejudices, but Papa believed that it never was
16496 too soon to learn obedience.  So Master Demi early discovered that when
16497 he undertook to 'wrastle' with 'Parpar', he always got the worst of it,
16498 yet like the Englishman, baby respected the man who conquered him, and
16499 loved the father whose grave "No, no," was more impressive than all
16500 Mamma's love pats.
16501 
16502 A few days after the talk with her mother, Meg resolved to try a social
16503 evening with John, so she ordered a nice supper, set the parlor in
16504 order, dressed herself prettily, and put the children to bed early,
16505 that nothing should interfere with her experiment.  But unfortunately
16506 Demi's most unconquerable prejudice was against going to bed, and that
16507 night he decided to go on a rampage.  So poor Meg sang and rocked, told
16508 stories and tried every sleep-prevoking wile she could devise, but all
16509 in vain, the big eyes wouldn't shut, and long after Daisy had gone to
16510 byelow, like the chubby little bunch of good nature she was, naughty
16511 Demi lay staring at the light, with the most discouragingly wide-awake
16512 expression of countenance.
16513 
16514 "Will Demi lie still like a good boy, while Mamma runs down and gives
16515 poor Papa his tea?" asked Meg, as the hall door softly closed, and the
16516 well-known step went tip-toeing into the dining room.
16517 
16518 "Me has tea!" said Demi, preparing to join in the revel.
16519 
16520 "No, but I'll save you some little cakies for breakfast, if you'll go
16521 bye-bye like Daisy.  Will you, lovey?"
16522 
16523 "Iss!" and Demi shut his eyes tight, as if to catch sleep and hurry the
16524 desired day.
16525 
16526 Taking advantage of the propitious moment, Meg slipped away and ran
16527 down to greet her husband with a smiling face and the little blue bow
16528 in her hair which was his especial admiration.  He saw it at once and
16529 said with pleased surprise, "Why, little mother, how gay we are
16530 tonight.  Do you expect company?"
16531 
16532 "Only you, dear."
16533 
16534 "Is it a birthday, anniversary, or anything?"
16535 
16536 "No, I'm tired of being dowdy, so I dressed up as a change.  You always
16537 make yourself nice for table, no matter how tired you are, so why
16538 shouldn't I when I have the time?"
16539 
16540 "I do it out of respect for you, my dear," said old-fashioned John.
16541 
16542 "Ditto, ditto, Mr. Brooke," laughed Meg, looking young and pretty
16543 again, as she nodded to him over the teapot.
16544 
16545 "Well, it's altogether delightful, and like old times.  This tastes
16546 right.  I drink your health, dear." and John sipped his tea with an air
16547 of reposeful rapture, which was of very short duration however, for as
16548 he put down his cup, the door handle rattled mysteriously, and a little
16549 voice was heard, saying impatiently...
16550 
16551 "Opy doy.  Me's tummin!"
16552 
16553 "It's that naughty boy.  I told him to go to sleep alone, and here he
16554 is, downstairs, getting his death a-cold pattering over that canvas,"
16555 said Meg, answering the call.
16556 
16557 "Mornin' now," announced Demi in joyful tone as he entered, with his
16558 long nightgown gracefully festooned over his arm and every curl bobbing
16559 gayly as he pranced about the table, eyeing the 'cakies' with loving
16560 glances.
16561 
16562 "No, it isn't morning yet.  You must go to bed, and not trouble poor
16563 Mamma.  Then you can have the little cake with sugar on it."
16564 
16565 "Me loves Parpar," said the artful one, preparing to climb the paternal
16566 knee and revel in forbidden joys.  But John shook his head, and said to
16567 Meg...
16568 
16569 "If you told him to stay up there, and go to sleep alone, make him do
16570 it, or he will never learn to mind you."
16571 
16572 "Yes, of course.  Come, Demi,"  and Meg led her son away, feeling a
16573 strong desire to spank the little marplot who hopped beside her,
16574 laboring under the delusion that the bribe was to be administered as
16575 soon as they reached the nursery.
16576 
16577 Nor was he disappointed, for that shortsighted woman actually gave him
16578 a lump of sugar, tucked him into his bed, and forbade any more
16579 promenades till morning.
16580 
16581 "Iss!" said Demi the perjured, blissfully sucking his sugar, and
16582 regarding his first attempt as eminently successful.
16583 
16584 Meg returned to her place, and supper was progressing pleasantly, when
16585 the little ghost walked again, and exposed the maternal delinquencies
16586 by boldly demanding, "More sudar, Marmar."
16587 
16588 "Now this won't do," said John, hardening his heart against the
16589 engaging little sinner.  "We shall never know any peace till that child
16590 learns to go to bed properly.  You have made a slave of yourself long
16591 enough.  Give him one lesson, and then there will be an end of it.  Put
16592 him in his bed and leave him, Meg."
16593 
16594 "He won't stay there, he never does unless I sit by him."
16595 
16596 "I'll manage him.  Demi, go upstairs, and get into your bed, as Mamma
16597 bids you."
16598 
16599 "S'ant!" replied the young rebel, helping himself to the coveted
16600 'cakie', and beginning to eat the same with calm audacity.
16601 
16602 "You must never say that to Papa.  I shall carry you if you don't go
16603 yourself."
16604 
16605 "Go 'way, me don't love Parpar." and Demi retired to his mother's
16606 skirts for protection.
16607 
16608 But even that refuge proved unavailing, for he was delivered over to
16609 the enemy, with a "Be gentle with him, John," which struck the culprit
16610 with dismay, for when Mamma deserted him, then the judgment day was at
16611 hand.  Bereft of his cake, defrauded of his frolic, and borne away by a
16612 strong hand to that detested bed, poor Demi could not restrain his
16613 wrath, but openly defied Papa, and kicked and screamed lustily all the
16614 way upstairs.  The minute he was put into bed on one side, he rolled
16615 out on the other, and made for the door, only to be ignominiously
16616 caught up by the tail of his little toga and put back again, which
16617 lively performance was kept up till the young man's strength gave out,
16618 when he devoted himself to roaring at the top of his voice.  This vocal
16619 exercise usually conquered Meg, but John sat as unmoved as the post
16620 which is popularly believed to be deaf.  No coaxing, no sugar, no
16621 lullaby, no story, even the light was put out and only the red glow of
16622 the fire enlivened the 'big dark' which Demi regarded with curiosity
16623 rather than fear.  This new order of things disgusted him, and he
16624 howled dismally for 'Marmar', as his angry passions subsided, and
16625 recollections of his tender bondwoman returned to the captive autocrat.
16626 The plaintive wail which succeeded the passionate roar went to Meg's
16627 heart, and she ran up to say beseechingly...
16628 
16629 "Let me stay with him, he'll be good now, John."
16630 
16631 "No, my dear.  I've told him he must go to sleep, as you bid him, and
16632 he must, if I stay here all night."
16633 
16634 "But he'll cry himself sick," pleaded Meg, reproaching herself for
16635 deserting her boy.
16636 
16637 "No, he won't, he's so tired he will soon drop off and then the matter
16638 is settled, for he will understand that he has got to mind.  Don't
16639 interfere, I'll manage him."
16640 
16641 "He's my child, and I can't have his spirit broken by harshness."
16642 
16643 "He's my child, and I won't have his temper spoiled by indulgence.  Go
16644 down, my dear, and leave the boy to me."
16645 
16646 When John spoke in that masterful tone, Meg always obeyed, and never
16647 regretted her docility.
16648 
16649 "Please let me kiss him once, John?"
16650 
16651 "Certainly.  Demi, say good night to Mamma, and let her go and rest,
16652 for she is very tired with taking care of you all day."
16653 
16654 Meg always insisted upon it that the kiss won the victory, for after it
16655 was given, Demi sobbed more quietly, and lay quite still at the bottom
16656 of the bed, whither he had wriggled in his anguish of mind.
16657 
16658 "Poor little man, he's worn out with sleep and crying.  I'll cover him
16659 up, and then go and set Meg's heart at rest," thought John, creeping to
16660 the bedside, hoping to find his rebellious heir asleep.
16661 
16662 But he wasn't, for the moment his father peeped at him, Demi's eyes
16663 opened, his little chin began to quiver, and he put up his arms, saying
16664 with a penitent hiccough, "Me's dood, now."
16665 
16666 Sitting on the stairs outside Meg wondered at the long silence which
16667 followed the uproar, and after imagining all sorts of impossible
16668 accidents, she slipped into the room to set her fears at rest.  Demi
16669 lay fast asleep, not in his usual spreadeagle attitude, but in a
16670 subdued bunch, cuddled close in the circle of his father's arm and
16671 holding his father's finger, as if he felt that justice was tempered
16672 with mercy, and had gone to sleep a sadder and wiser baby.  So held,
16673 John had waited with a womanly patience till the little hand relaxed
16674 its hold, and while waiting had fallen asleep, more tired by that
16675 tussle with his son than with his whole day's work.
16676 
16677 As Meg stood watching the two faces on the pillow, she smiled to
16678 herself, and then slipped away again, saying in a satisfied tone, "I
16679 never need fear that John will be too harsh with my babies.  He does
16680 know how to manage them, and will be a great help, for Demi is getting
16681 too much for me."
16682 
16683 When John came down at last, expecting to find a pensive or reproachful
16684 wife, he was agreeably surprised to find Meg placidly trimming a
16685 bonnet, and to be greeted with the request to read something about the
16686 election, if he was not too tired.  John saw in a minute that a
16687 revolution of some kind was going on, but wisely asked no questions,
16688 knowing that Meg was such a transparent little person, she couldn't
16689 keep a secret to save her life, and therefore the clue would soon
16690 appear.  He read a long debate with the most amiable readiness and then
16691 explained it in his most lucid manner, while Meg tried to look deeply
16692 interested, to ask intelligent questions, and keep her thoughts from
16693 wandering from the state of the nation to the state of her bonnet.  In
16694 her secret soul, however, she decided that politics were as bad as
16695 mathematics, and that the mission of politicians seemed to be calling
16696 each other names, but she kept these feminine ideas to herself, and
16697 when John paused, shook her head and said with what she thought
16698 diplomatic ambiguity, "Well, I really don't see what we are coming to."
16699 
16700 John laughed, and watched her for a minute, as she poised a pretty
16701 little preparation of lace and flowers on her hand, and regarded it
16702 with the genuine interest which his harangue had failed to waken.
16703 
16704 "She is trying to like politics for my sake, so I'll try and like
16705 millinery for hers, that's only fair," thought John the Just, adding
16706 aloud, "That's very pretty.  Is it what you call a breakfast cap?"
16707 
16708 "My dear man, it's a bonnet!   My very best go-to-concert-and-theater
16709 bonnet."
16710 
16711 "I beg your pardon, it was so small, I naturally mistook it for one of
16712 the flyaway things you sometimes wear. How do you keep it on?"
16713 
16714 "These bits of lace are fastened under the chin with a rosebud, so,"
16715 and Meg illustrated by putting on the bonnet and regarding him with an
16716 air of calm satisfaction that was irresistible.
16717 
16718 "It's a love of a bonnet, but I prefer the face inside, for it looks
16719 young and happy again," and John kissed the smiling face, to the great
16720 detriment of the rosebud under the chin.
16721 
16722 "I'm glad you like it, for I want you to take me to one of the new
16723 concerts some night.  I really need some music to put me in tune.  Will
16724 you, please?"
16725 
16726 "Of course I will, with all my heart, or anywhere else you like.  You
16727 have been shut up so long, it will do you no end of good, and I shall
16728 enjoy it, of all things.  What put it into your head, little mother?"
16729 
16730 "Well, I had a talk with Marmee the other day, and told her how nervous
16731 and cross and out of sorts I felt, and she said I needed change and
16732 less care, so Hannah is to help me with the children, and I'm to see to
16733 things about the house more, and now and then have a little fun, just
16734 to keep me from getting to be a fidgety, broken-down old woman before
16735 my time.  It's only an experiment, John, and I want to try it for your
16736 sake as much as for mine, because I've neglected you shamefully lately,
16737 and I'm going to make home what it used to be, if I can.  You don't
16738 object, I hope?"
16739 
16740 Never mind what John said, or what a very narrow escape the little
16741 bonnet had from utter ruin.  All that we have any business to know is
16742 that John did not appear to object, judging from the changes which
16743 gradually took place in the house and its inmates.  It was not all
16744 Paradise by any means, but everyone was better for the division of
16745 labor system.  The children throve under the paternal rule, for
16746 accurate, steadfast John brought order and obedience into Babydom, while
16747 Meg recovered her spirits and composed her nerves by plenty of
16748 wholesome exercise, a little pleasure, and much confidential
16749 conversation with her sensible husband.  Home grew homelike again, and
16750 John had no wish to leave it, unless he took Meg with him.  The Scotts
16751 came to the Brookes' now, and everyone found the little house a
16752 cheerful place, full of happiness, content, and family love.  Even
16753 Sallie Moffatt liked to go there.  "It is always so quiet and pleasant
16754 here, it does me good, Meg," she used to say, looking about her with
16755 wistful eyes, as if trying to discover the charm, that she might use it
16756 in her great house, full of splendid loneliness, for there were no
16757 riotous, sunny-faced babies there, and Ned lived in a world of his own,
16758 where there was no place for her.
16759 
16760 This household happiness did not come all at once, but John and Meg had
16761 found the key to it, and each year of married life taught them how to
16762 use it, unlocking the treasuries of real home love and mutual
16763 helpfulness, which the poorest may possess, and the richest cannot buy.
16764 This is the sort of shelf on which young wives and mothers may consent
16765 to be laid, safe from the restless fret and fever of the world, finding
16766 loyal lovers in the little sons and daughters who cling to them,
16767 undaunted by sorrow, poverty, or age, walking side by side, through
16768 fair and stormy weather, with a faithful friend, who is, in the true
16769 sense of the good old Saxon word, the 'house-band', and learning, as
16770 Meg learned, that a woman's happiest kingdom is home, her highest honor
16771 the art of ruling it not as a queen, but as a wise wife and mother.
16772 
16773 
16774 
16775 CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
16776 
16777 LAZY LAURENCE
16778 
16779 Laurie went to Nice intending to stay a week, and remained a month.  He
16780 was tired of wandering about alone, and Amy's familiar presence seemed
16781 to give a homelike charm to the foreign scenes in which she bore a
16782 part.  He rather missed the 'petting' he used to receive, and enjoyed a
16783 taste of it again, for no attentions, however flattering, from
16784 strangers, were half so pleasant as the sisterly adoration of the girls
16785 at home.  Amy never would pet him like the others, but she was very
16786 glad to see him now, and quite clung to him, feeling that he was the
16787 representative of the dear family for whom she longed more than she
16788 would confess.  They naturally took comfort in each other's society and
16789 were much together, riding, walking, dancing, or dawdling, for at Nice
16790 no one can be very industrious during the gay season.  But, while
16791 apparently amusing themselves in the most careless fashion, they were
16792 half-consciously making discoveries and forming opinions about each
16793 other.  Amy rose daily in the estimation of her friend, but he sank in
16794 hers, and each felt the truth before a word was spoken.  Amy tried to
16795 please, and succeeded, for she was grateful for the many pleasures he
16796 gave her, and repaid him with the little services to which womanly
16797 women know how to lend an indescribable charm.  Laurie made no effort
16798 of any kind, but just let himself drift along as comfortably as
16799 possible, trying to forget, and feeling that all women owed him a kind
16800 word because one had been cold to him.  It cost him no effort to be
16801 generous, and he would have given Amy all the trinkets in Nice if she
16802 would have taken them, but at the same time he felt that he could not
16803 change the opinion she was forming of him, and he rather dreaded the
16804 keen blue eyes that seemed to watch him with such half-sorrowful,
16805 half-scornful surprise.
16806 
16807 "All the rest have gone to Monaco for the day.  I preferred to stay at
16808 home and write letters.  They are done now, and I am going to Valrosa
16809 to sketch, will you come?" said Amy, as she joined Laurie one lovely
16810 day when he lounged in as usual, about noon.
16811 
16812 "Well, yes, but isn't it rather warm for such a long walk?" he answered
16813 slowly, for the shaded salon looked inviting after the glare without.
16814 
16815 "I'm going to have the little carriage, and Baptiste can drive, so
16816 you'll have nothing to do but hold your umbrella, and keep your gloves
16817 nice," returned Amy, with a sarcastic glance at the immaculate kids,
16818 which were a weak point with Laurie.
16819 
16820 "Then I'll go with pleasure." and he put out his hand for her
16821 sketchbook.  But she tucked it under her arm with a sharp...
16822 
16823 "Don't trouble yourself.  It's no exertion to me, but you don't look
16824 equal to it."
16825 
16826 Laurie lifted his eyebrows and followed at a leisurely pace as she ran
16827 downstairs, but when they got into the carriage he took the reins
16828 himself, and left little Baptiste nothing to do but fold his arms and
16829 fall asleep on his perch.
16830 
16831 The two never quarreled.  Amy was too well-bred, and just now Laurie
16832 was too lazy, so in a minute he peeped under her hatbrim with an
16833 inquiring air.  She answered him with a smile, and they went on
16834 together in the most amicable manner.
16835 
16836 It was a lovely drive, along winding roads rich in the picturesque
16837 scenes that delight beauty-loving eyes.  Here an ancient monastery,
16838 whence the solemn chanting of the monks came down to them.  There a
16839 bare-legged shepherd, in wooden shoes, pointed hat, and rough jacket
16840 over one shoulder, sat piping on a stone while his goats skipped among
16841 the rocks or lay at his feet.  Meek, mouse-colored donkeys, laden with
16842 panniers of freshly cut grass passed by, with a pretty girl in a
16843 capaline sitting between the green piles, or an old woman spinning with
16844 a distaff as she went. Brown, soft-eyed children ran out from the
16845 quaint stone hovels to offer nosegays, or bunches of oranges still on
16846 the bough. Gnarled olive trees covered the hills with their dusky
16847 foliage, fruit hung golden in the orchard, and great scarlet anemones
16848 fringed the roadside, while beyond green slopes and craggy heights, the
16849 Maritime Alps rose sharp and white against the blue Italian sky.
16850 
16851 Valrosa well deserved its name, for in that climate of perpetual summer
16852 roses blossomed everywhere.  They overhung the archway, thrust
16853 themselves between the bars of the great gate with a sweet welcome to
16854 passers-by, and lined the avenue, winding through lemon trees and
16855 feathery palms up to the villa on the hill. Every shadowy nook, where
16856 seats invited one to stop and rest, was a mass of bloom, every cool
16857 grotto had its marble nymph smiling from a veil of flowers and every
16858 fountain reflected crimson, white, or pale pink roses, leaning down to
16859 smile at their own beauty. Roses covered the walls of the house, draped
16860 the cornices, climbed the pillars, and ran riot over the balustrade of
16861 the wide terrace, whence one looked down on the sunny Mediterranean,
16862 and the white-walled city on its shore.
16863 
16864 "This is a regular honeymoon paradise, isn't it?  Did you ever see such
16865 roses?" asked Amy, pausing on the terrace to enjoy the view, and a
16866 luxurious whiff of perfume that came wandering by.
16867 
16868 "No, nor felt such thorns," returned Laurie, with his thumb in his
16869 mouth, after a vain attempt to capture a solitary scarlet flower that
16870 grew just beyond his reach.
16871 
16872 "Try lower down, and pick those that have no thorns," said Amy,
16873 gathering three of the tiny cream-colored ones that starred the wall
16874 behind her.  She put them in his buttonhole as a peace offering, and he
16875 stood a minute looking down at them with a curious expression, for in
16876 the Italian part of his nature there was a touch of superstition, and
16877 he was just then in that state of half-sweet, half-bitter melancholy,
16878 when imaginative young men find significance in trifles and food for
16879 romance everywhere. He had thought of Jo in reaching after the thorny
16880 red rose, for vivid flowers became her, and she had often worn ones
16881 like that from the greenhouse at home.  The pale roses Amy gave him
16882 were the sort that the Italians lay in dead hands, never in bridal
16883 wreaths, and for a moment he wondered if the omen was for Jo or for
16884 himself, but the next instant his American common sense got the better
16885 of sentimentality, and he laughed a heartier laugh than Amy had heard
16886 since he came.
16887 
16888 "It's good advice, you'd better take it and save your fingers," she
16889 said, thinking her speech amused him.
16890 
16891 "Thank you, I will," he answered in jest, and a few months later he did
16892 it in earnest.
16893 
16894 "Laurie, when are you going to your grandfather?" she asked presently,
16895 as she settled herself on a rustic seat.
16896 
16897 "Very soon."
16898 
16899 "You have said that a dozen times within the last three weeks."
16900 
16901 "I dare say, short answers save trouble."
16902 
16903 "He expects you, and you really ought to go."
16904 
16905 "Hospitable creature!  I know it."
16906 
16907 "Then why don't you do it?"
16908 
16909 "Natural depravity, I suppose."
16910 
16911 "Natural indolence, you mean.  It's really dreadful!" and Amy looked
16912 severe.
16913 
16914 "Not so bad as it seems, for I should only plague him if I went, so I
16915 might as well stay and plague you a little longer, you can bear it
16916 better, in fact I think it agrees with you excellently," and Laurie
16917 composed himself for a lounge on the broad ledge of the balustrade.
16918 
16919 Amy shook her head and opened her sketchbook with an air of
16920 resignation, but she had made up her mind to lecture 'that boy' and in
16921 a minute she began again.
16922 
16923 "What are you doing just now?"
16924 
16925 "Watching lizards."
16926 
16927 "No, no.  I mean what do you intend and wish to do?"
16928 
16929 "Smoke a cigarette, if you'll allow me."
16930 
16931 "How provoking you are!  I don't approve of cigars and I will only
16932 allow it on condition that you let me put you into my sketch.  I need a
16933 figure."
16934 
16935 "With all the pleasure in life.  How will you have me, full length or
16936 three-quarters, on my head or my heels?  I should respectfully suggest
16937 a recumbent posture, then put yourself in also and call it 'Dolce far
16938 niente'."
16939 
16940 "Stay as you are, and go to sleep if you like.  I intend to work hard,"
16941 said Amy in her most energetic tone.
16942 
16943 "What delightful enthusiasm!" and he leaned against a tall urn with an
16944 air of entire satisfaction.
16945 
16946 "What would Jo say if she saw you now?" asked Amy impatiently, hoping
16947 to stir him up by the mention of her still more energetic sister's name.
16948 
16949 "As usual, 'Go away, Teddy.  I'm busy!'" He laughed as he spoke, but
16950 the laugh was not natural, and a shade passed over his face, for the
16951 utterance of the familiar name touched the wound that was not healed
16952 yet.  Both tone and shadow struck Amy, for she had seen and heard them
16953 before, and now she looked up in time to catch a new expression on
16954 Laurie's face -- a hard bitter look, full of pain, dissatisfaction, and
16955 regret.  It was gone before she could study it and the listless
16956 expression back again. She watched him for a moment with artistic
16957 pleasure, thinking how like an Italian he looked, as he lay basking in
16958 the sun with uncovered head and eyes full of southern dreaminess, for
16959 he seemed to have forgotten her and fallen into a reverie.
16960 
16961 "You look like the effigy of a young knight asleep on his tomb," she
16962 said, carefully tracing the well-cut profile defined against the dark
16963 stone.
16964 
16965 "Wish I was!"
16966 
16967 "That's a foolish wish, unless you have spoiled your life. You are so
16968 changed, I sometimes think -- " there Amy stopped, with a half-timid,
16969 half-wistful look, more significant than her unfinished speech.
16970 
16971 Laurie saw and understood the affectionate anxiety which she hesitated
16972 to express, and looking straight into her eyes, said, just as he used
16973 to say it to her mother, "It's all right, ma'am."
16974 
16975 That satisfied her and set at rest the doubts that had begun to worry
16976 her lately.  It also touched her, and she showed that it did, by the
16977 cordial tone in which she said...
16978 
16979 "I'm glad of that!  I didn't think you'd been a very bad boy, but I
16980 fancied you might have wasted money at that wicked Baden-Baden, lost
16981 your heart to some charming Frenchwoman with a husband, or got into
16982 some of the scrapes that young men seem to consider a necessary part of
16983 a foreign tour.  Don't stay out there in the sun, come and lie on the
16984 grass here and 'let us be friendly', as Jo used to say when we got in
16985 the sofa corner and told secrets."
16986 
16987 Laurie obediently threw himself down on the turf, and began to amuse
16988 himself by sticking daisies into the ribbons of Amy's hat, that lay
16989 there.
16990 
16991 "I'm all ready for the secrets." and he glanced up with a decided
16992 expression of interest in his eyes.
16993 
16994 "I've none to tell.  You may begin."
16995 
16996 "Haven't one to bless myself with.  I thought perhaps you'd had some
16997 news from home.."
16998 
16999 "You have heard all that has come lately.  Don't you hear often?  I
17000 fancied Jo would send you volumes."
17001 
17002 "She's very busy.  I'm roving about so, it's impossible to be regular,
17003 you know.  When do you begin your great work of art, Raphaella?" he
17004 asked, changing the subject abruptly after another pause, in which he
17005 had been wondering if Amy knew his secret and wanted to talk about it.
17006 
17007 "Never," she answered, with a despondent but decided air. "Rome took
17008 all the vanity out of me, for after seeing the wonders there, I felt
17009 too insignificant to live and gave up all my foolish hopes in despair."
17010 
17011 "Why should you, with so much energy and talent?"
17012 
17013 "That's just why, because talent isn't genius, and no amount of energy
17014 can make it so.  I want to be great, or nothing. I won't be a
17015 common-place dauber, so I don't intend to try any more."
17016 
17017 "And what are you going to do with yourself now, if I may ask?"
17018 
17019 "Polish up my other talents, and be an ornament to society, if I get
17020 the chance."
17021 
17022 It was a characteristic speech, and sounded daring, but audacity
17023 becomes young people, and Amy's ambition had a good foundation.  Laurie
17024 smiled, but he liked the spirit with which she took up a new purpose
17025 when a long-cherished one died, and spent no time lamenting.
17026 
17027 "Good!  And here is where Fred Vaughn comes in, I fancy."
17028 
17029 Amy preserved a discreet silence, but there was a conscious look in her
17030 downcast face that made Laurie sit up and say gravely, "Now I'm going
17031 to play brother, and ask questions.  May I?"
17032 
17033 "I don't promise to answer."
17034 
17035 "Your face will, if your tongue won't.  You aren't woman of the world
17036 enough yet to hide your feelings, my dear.  I heard rumors about Fred
17037 and you last year, and it's my private opinion that if he had not been
17038 called home so suddenly and detained so long, something would have come
17039 of it, hey?"
17040 
17041 "That's not for me to say," was Amy's grim reply, but her lips would
17042 smile, and there was a traitorous sparkle of the eye which betrayed
17043 that she knew her power and enjoyed the knowledge.
17044 
17045 "You are not engaged, I hope?" and Laurie looked very elder-brotherly
17046 and grave all of a sudden.
17047 
17048 "No."
17049 
17050 "But you will be, if he comes back and goes properly down on his knees,
17051 won't you?"
17052 
17053 "Very likely."
17054 
17055 "Then you are fond of old Fred?"
17056 
17057 "I could be, if I tried."
17058 
17059 "But you don't intend to try till the proper moment? Bless my soul,
17060 what unearthly prudence!  He's a good fellow, Amy, but not the man I
17061 fancied you'd like."
17062 
17063 "He is rich, a gentleman, and has delightful manners," began Amy,
17064 trying to be quite cool and dignified, but feeling a little ashamed of
17065 herself, in spite of the sincerity of her intentions.
17066 
17067 "I understand.  Queens of society can't get on without money, so you
17068 mean to make a good match, and start in that way?  Quite right and
17069 proper, as the world goes, but it sounds odd from the lips of one of
17070 your mother's girls."
17071 
17072 "True, nevertheless."
17073 
17074 A short speech, but the quiet decision with which it was uttered
17075 contrasted curiously with the young speaker.  Laurie felt this
17076 instinctively and laid himself down again, with a sense of
17077 disappointment which he could not explain.  His look and silence, as
17078 well as a certain inward self-disapproval, ruffled Amy, and made her
17079 resolve to deliver her lecture without delay.
17080 
17081 "I wish you'd do me the favor to rouse yourself a little," she said
17082 sharply.
17083 
17084 "Do it for me, there's a dear girl."
17085 
17086 "I could, if I tried." and she looked as if she would like doing it in
17087 the most summary style.
17088 
17089 "Try, then.  I give you leave," returned Laurie, who enjoyed having
17090 someone to tease, after his long abstinence from his favorite pastime.
17091 
17092 "You'd be angry in five minutes."
17093 
17094 "I'm never angry with you.  It takes two flints to make a fire. You are
17095 as cool and soft as snow."
17096 
17097 "You don't know what I can do.  Snow produces a glow and a tingle, if
17098 applied rightly.  Your indifference is half affectation, and a good
17099 stirring up would prove it."
17100 
17101 "Stir away, it won't hurt me and it may amuse you, as the big man said
17102 when his little wife beat him.  Regard me in the light of a husband or
17103 a carpet, and beat till you are tired, if that sort of exercise agrees
17104 with you."
17105 
17106 Being decidedly nettled herself, and longing to see him shake off the
17107 apathy that so altered him, Amy sharpened both tongue and pencil, and
17108 began.
17109 
17110 "Flo and I have got a new name for you.  It's Lazy Laurence. How do you
17111 like it?"
17112 
17113 She thought it would annoy him, but he only folded his arms under his
17114 head, with an imperturbable, "That's not bad. Thank you, ladies."
17115 
17116 "Do you want to know what I honestly think of you?"
17117 
17118 "Pining to be told."
17119 
17120 "Well, I despise you."
17121 
17122 If she had even said 'I hate you' in a petulant or coquettish tone, he
17123 would have laughed and rather liked it, but the grave, almost sad,
17124 accent in her voice made him open his eyes, and ask quickly...
17125 
17126 "Why, if you please?"
17127 
17128 "Because, with every chance for being good, useful, and happy, you are
17129 faulty, lazy, and miserable."
17130 
17131 "Strong language, mademoiselle."
17132 
17133 "If you like it, I'll go on."
17134 
17135 "Pray do, it's quite interesting."
17136 
17137 "I thought you'd find it so.  Selfish people always like to talk about
17138 themselves."
17139 
17140 "Am I selfish?" the question slipped out involuntarily and in a tone of
17141 surprise, for the one virtue on which he prided himself was generosity.
17142 
17143 "Yes, very selfish," continued Amy, in a calm, cool voice, twice as
17144 effective just then as an angry one.  "I'll show you how, for I've
17145 studied you while we were frolicking, and I'm not at all satisfied with
17146 you.  Here you have been abroad nearly six months, and done nothing but
17147 waste time and money and disappoint your friends."
17148 
17149 "Isn't a fellow to have any pleasure after a four-year grind?"
17150 
17151 "You don't look as if you'd had much.  At any rate, you are none the
17152 better for it, as far as I can see.  I said when we first met that you
17153 had improved.  Now I take it all back, for I don't think you half so
17154 nice as when I left you at home.  You have grown abominably lazy, you
17155 like gossip, and waste time on frivolous things, you are contented to
17156 be petted and admired by silly people, instead of being loved and
17157 respected by wise ones.  With money, talent, position, health, and
17158 beauty, ah you like that old Vanity!  But it's the truth, so I can't
17159 help saying it, with all these splendid things to use and enjoy, you
17160 can find nothing to do but dawdle, and instead of being the man you
17161 ought to be, you are only..."  there she stopped, with a look that had
17162 both pain and pity in it.
17163 
17164 "Saint Laurence on a gridiron," added Laurie, blandly finishing the
17165 sentence.  But the lecture began to take effect, for there was a
17166 wide-awake sparkle in his eyes now and a half-angry, half-injured
17167 expression replaced the former indifference.
17168 
17169 "I supposed you'd take it so.  You men tell us we are angels, and say
17170 we can make you what we will, but the instant we honestly try to do you
17171 good, you laugh at us and won't listen, which proves how much your
17172 flattery is worth." Amy spoke bitterly, and turned her back on the
17173 exasperating martyr at her feet.
17174 
17175 In a minute a hand came down over the page, so that she could not draw,
17176 and Laurie's voice said, with a droll imitation of a penitent child, "I
17177 will be good, oh, I will be good!"
17178 
17179 But Amy did not laugh, for she was in earnest, and tapping on the
17180 outspread hand with her pencil, said soberly, "Aren't you ashamed of a
17181 hand like that?  It's as soft and white as a woman's, and looks as if
17182 it never did anything but wear Jouvin's best gloves and pick flowers
17183 for ladies.  You are not a dandy, thank Heaven, so I'm glad to see
17184 there are no diamonds or big seal rings on it, only the little old one
17185 Jo gave you so long ago.  Dear soul, I wish she was here to help me!"
17186 
17187 "So do I!"
17188 
17189 The hand vanished as suddenly as it came, and there was energy enough
17190 in the echo of her wish to suit even Amy.  She glanced down at him with
17191 a new thought in her mind, but he was lying with his hat half over his
17192 face, as if for shade, and his mustache hid his mouth.  She only saw
17193 his chest rise and fall, with a long breath that might have been a
17194 sigh, and the hand that wore the ring nestled down into the grass, as
17195 if to hide something too precious or too tender to be spoken of. All in
17196 a minute various hints and trifles assumed shape and significance in
17197 Amy's mind, and told her what her sister never had confided to her.
17198 She remembered that Laurie never spoke voluntarily of Jo, she recalled
17199 the shadow on his face just now, the change in his character, and the
17200 wearing of the little old ring which was no ornament to a handsome
17201 hand.  Girls are quick to read such signs and feel their eloquence.
17202 Amy had fancied that perhaps a love trouble was at the bottom of the
17203 alteration, and now she was sure of it.  Her keen eyes filled, and when
17204 she spoke again, it was in a voice that could be beautifully soft and
17205 kind when she chose to make it so.
17206 
17207 "I know I have no right to talk so to you, Laurie, and if you weren't
17208 the sweetest-tempered fellow in the world, you'd be very angry with me.
17209 But we are all so fond and proud of you, I couldn't bear to think they
17210 should be disappointed in you at home as I have been, though, perhaps
17211 they would understand the change better than I do."
17212 
17213 "I think they would," came from under the hat, in a grim tone, quite as
17214 touching as a broken one.
17215 
17216 "They ought to have told me, and not let me go blundering and scolding,
17217 when I should have been more kind and patient than ever.  I never did
17218 like that Miss Randal and now I hate her!" said artful Amy, wishing to
17219 be sure of her facts this time.
17220 
17221 "Hang Miss Randal!" and Laurie knocked the hat off his face with a look
17222 that left no doubt of his sentiments toward that young lady.
17223 
17224 "I beg pardon, I thought..." and there she paused diplomatically.
17225 
17226 "No, you didn't, you knew perfectly well I never cared for anyone but
17227 Jo," Laurie said that in his old, impetuous tone, and turned his face
17228 away as he spoke.
17229 
17230 "I did think so, but as they never said anything about it, and you came
17231 away, I supposed I was mistaken.  And Jo wouldn't be kind to you?  Why,
17232 I was sure she loved you dearly."
17233 
17234 "She was kind, but not in the right way, and it's lucky for her she
17235 didn't love me, if I'm the good-for-nothing fellow you think me.  It's
17236 her fault though, and you may tell her so."
17237 
17238 The hard, bitter look came back again as he said that, and it troubled
17239 Amy, for she did not know what balm to apply.
17240 
17241 "I was wrong, I didn't know.  I'm very sorry I was so cross, but I
17242 can't help wishing you'd bear it better, Teddy, dear."
17243 
17244 "Don't, that's her name for me!" and Laurie put up his hand with a
17245 quick gesture to stop the words spoken in Jo's half-kind,
17246 half-reproachful tone.  "Wait till you've tried it yourself," he added
17247 in a low voice, as he pulled up the grass by the handful.
17248 
17249 "I'd take it manfully, and be respected if I couldn't be loved," said
17250 Amy, with the decision of one who knew nothing about it.
17251 
17252 Now, Laurie flattered himself that he had borne it remarkably well,
17253 making no moan, asking no sympathy, and taking his trouble away to live
17254 it down alone.  Amy's lecture put the matter in a new light, and for
17255 the first time it did look weak and selfish to lose heart at the first
17256 failure, and shut himself up in moody indifference.  He felt as if
17257 suddenly shaken out of a pensive dream and found it impossible to go to
17258 sleep again.  Presently he sat up and asked slowly, "Do you think Jo
17259 would despise me as you do?"
17260 
17261 "Yes, if she saw you now.  She hates lazy people.  Why don't you do
17262 something splendid, and make her love you?"
17263 
17264 "I did my best, but it was no use."
17265 
17266 "Graduating well, you mean?  That was no more than you ought to have
17267 done, for your grandfather's sake.  It would have been shameful to fail
17268 after spending so much time and money, when everyone knew that you
17269 could do well."
17270 
17271 "I did fail, say what you will, for Jo wouldn't love me," began Laurie,
17272 leaning his head on his hand in a despondent attitude.
17273 
17274 "No, you didn't, and you'll say so in the end, for it did you good, and
17275 proved that you could do something if you tried. If you'd only set
17276 about another task of some sort, you'd soon be your hearty, happy self
17277 again, and forget your trouble."
17278 
17279 "That's impossible."
17280 
17281 "Try it and see.  You needn't shrug your shoulders, and think, 'Much
17282 she knows about such things'.  I don't pretend to be wise, but I am
17283 observing, and I see a great deal more than you'd imagine.  I'm
17284 interested in other people's experiences and inconsistencies, and
17285 though I can't explain, I remember and use them for my own benefit.
17286 Love Jo all your days, if you choose, but don't let it spoil you, for
17287 it's wicked to throw away so many good gifts because you can't have the
17288 one you want.  There, I won't lecture any more, for I know you'll wake
17289 up and be a man in spite of that hardhearted girl."
17290 
17291 Neither spoke for several minutes.  Laurie sat turning the little ring
17292 on his finger, and Amy put the last touches to the hasty sketch she had
17293 been working at while she talked. Presently she put it on his knee,
17294 merely saying, "How do you like that?"
17295 
17296 He looked and then he smiled, as he could not well help doing, for it
17297 was capitally done, the long, lazy figure on the grass, with listless
17298 face, half-shut eyes, and one hand holding a cigar, from which came the
17299 little wreath of smoke that encircled the dreamer's head.
17300 
17301 "How well you draw!" he said, with a genuine surprise and pleasure at
17302 her skill, adding, with a half-laugh, "Yes, that's me."
17303 
17304 "As you are.  This is as you were." and Amy laid another sketch beside
17305 the one he held.
17306 
17307 It was not nearly so well done, but there was a life and spirit in it
17308 which atoned for many faults, and it recalled the past so vividly that
17309 a sudden change swept over the young man's face as he looked.  Only a
17310 rough sketch of Laurie taming a horse.  Hat and coat were off, and
17311 every line of the active figure, resolute face, and commanding attitude
17312 was full of energy and meaning.  The handsome brute, just subdued,
17313 stood arching his neck under the tightly drawn rein, with one foot
17314 impatiently pawing the ground, and ears pricked up as if listening for
17315 the voice that had mastered him.  In the ruffled mane, the rider's
17316 breezy hair and erect attitude, there was a suggestion of suddenly
17317 arrested motion, of strength, courage, and youthful buoyancy that
17318 contrasted sharply with the supine grace of the '_Dolce far Niente_'
17319 sketch.  Laurie said nothing but as his eye went from one to the other,
17320 Amy saw him flush up and fold his lips together as if he read and
17321 accepted the little lesson she had given him.  That satisfied her, and
17322 without waiting for him to speak, she said, in her sprightly way...
17323 
17324 "Don't you remember the day you played Rarey with Puck, and we all
17325 looked on?  Meg and Beth were frightened, but Jo clapped and pranced,
17326 and I sat on the fence and drew you.  I found that sketch in my
17327 portfolio the other day, touched it up, and kept it to show you."
17328 
17329 "Much obliged.  You've improved immensely since then, and I
17330 congratulate you.  May I venture to suggest in 'a honeymoon paradise'
17331 that five o'clock is the dinner hour at your hotel?"
17332 
17333 Laurie rose as he spoke, returned the pictures with a smile and a bow
17334 and looked at his watch, as if to remind her that even moral lectures
17335 should have an end.  He tried to resume his former easy, indifferent
17336 air, but it was an affectation now, for the rousing had been more
17337 effacious than he would confess.  Amy felt the shade of coldness in his
17338 manner, and said to herself...
17339 
17340 "Now, I've offended him.  Well, if it does him good, I'm glad, if it
17341 makes him hate me, I'm sorry, but it's true, and I can't take back a
17342 word of it."
17343 
17344 They laughed and chatted all the way home, and little Baptiste, up
17345 behind, thought that monsieur and madamoiselle were in charming
17346 spirits.  But both felt ill at ease.  The friendly frankness was
17347 disturbed, the sunshine had a shadow over it, and despite their
17348 apparent gaiety, there was a secret discontent in the heart of each.
17349 
17350 "Shall we see you this evening, mon frere?" asked Amy, as they parted
17351 at her aunt's door.
17352 
17353 "Unfortunately I have an engagement.  Au revoir, madamoiselle," and
17354 Laurie bent as if to kiss her hand, in the foreign fashion, which
17355 became him better than many men.  Something in his face made Amy say
17356 quickly and warmly...
17357 
17358 "No, be yourself with me, Laurie, and part in the good old way. I'd
17359 rather have a hearty English handshake than all the sentimental
17360 salutations in France."
17361 
17362 "Goodbye, dear," and with these words, uttered in the tone she liked,
17363 Laurie left her, after a handshake almost painful in its heartiness.
17364 
17365 Next morning, instead of the usual call, Amy received a note which made
17366 her smile at the beginning and sigh at the end.
17367 
17368 My Dear Mentor, Please make my adieux to your aunt, and exult within
17369 yourself, for 'Lazy Laurence' has gone to his grandpa, like the best of
17370 boys.  A pleasant winter to you, and may the gods grant you a blissful
17371 honeymoon at Valrosa!  I think Fred would be benefited by a rouser.
17372 Tell him so, with my congratulations.
17373 
17374 Yours gratefully, Telemachus
17375 
17376 
17377 "Good boy!  I'm glad he's gone," said Amy, with an approving smile. The
17378 next minute her face fell as she glanced about the empty room, adding,
17379 with an involuntary sigh, "Yes, I am glad, but how I shall miss him."
17380 
17381 
17382 
17383 CHAPTER FORTY
17384 
17385 THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW
17386 
17387 When the first bitterness was over, the family accepted the inevitable,
17388 and tried to bear it cheerfully, helping one another by the increased
17389 affection which comes to bind households tenderly together in times of
17390 trouble.  They put away their grief, and each did his or her part
17391 toward making that last year a happy one.
17392 
17393 The pleasantest room in the house was set apart for Beth, and in it was
17394 gathered everything that she most loved, flowers, pictures, her piano,
17395 the little worktable, and the beloved pussies.  Father's best books
17396 found their way there, Mother's easy chair, Jo's desk, Amy's finest
17397 sketches, and every day Meg brought her babies on a loving pilgrimage,
17398 to make sunshine for Aunty Beth.  John quietly set apart a little sum,
17399 that he might enjoy the pleasure of keeping the invalid supplied with
17400 the fruit she loved and longed for.  Old Hannah never wearied of
17401 concocting dainty dishes to tempt a capricious appetite, dropping tears
17402 as she worked, and from across the sea came little gifts and cheerful
17403 letters, seeming to bring breaths of warmth and fragrance from lands
17404 that know no winter.
17405 
17406 Here, cherished like a household saint in its shrine, sat Beth,
17407 tranquil and busy as ever, for nothing could change the sweet,
17408 unselfish nature, and even while preparing to leave life, she tried to
17409 make it happier for those who should remain behind.  The feeble fingers
17410 were never idle, and one of her pleasures was to make little things for
17411 the school children daily passing to and fro, to drop a pair of mittens
17412 from her window for a pair of purple hands, a needlebook for some small
17413 mother of many dolls, penwipers for young penmen toiling through
17414 forests of pothooks, scrapbooks for picture-loving eyes, and all manner
17415 of pleasant devices, till the reluctant climbers of the ladder of
17416 learning found their way strewn with flowers, as it were, and came to
17417 regard the gentle giver as a sort of fairy godmother, who sat above
17418 there, and showered down gifts miraculously suited to their tastes and
17419 needs.  If Beth had wanted any reward, she found it in the bright
17420 little faces always turned up to her window, with nods and smiles, and
17421 the droll little letters which came to her, full of blots and gratitude.
17422 
17423 The first few months were very happy ones, and Beth often used to look
17424 round, and say "How beautiful this is!" as they all sat together in her
17425 sunny room, the babies kicking and crowing on the floor, mother and
17426 sisters working near, and father reading, in his pleasant voice, from
17427 the wise old books which seemed rich in good and comfortable words, as
17428 applicable now as when written centuries ago, a little chapel, where a
17429 paternal priest taught his flock the hard lessons all must learn,
17430 trying to show them that hope can comfort love, and faith make
17431 resignation possible.  Simple sermons, that went straight to the souls
17432 of those who listened, for the father's heart was in the minister's
17433 religion, and the frequent falter in the voice gave a double eloquence
17434 to the words he spoke or read.
17435 
17436 It was well for all that this peaceful time was given them as
17437 preparation for the sad hours to come, for by-and-by, Beth said the
17438 needle was 'so heavy', and put it down forever.  Talking wearied her,
17439 faces troubled her, pain claimed her for its own, and her tranquil
17440 spirit was sorrowfully perturbed by the ills that vexed her feeble
17441 flesh.  Ah me! Such heavy days, such long, long nights, such aching
17442 hearts and imploring prayers, when those who loved her best were forced
17443 to see the thin hands stretched out to them beseechingly, to hear the
17444 bitter cry, "Help me, help me!" and to feel that there was no help.  A
17445 sad eclipse of the serene soul, a sharp struggle of the young life with
17446 death, but both were mercifully brief, and then the natural rebellion
17447 over, the old peace returned more beautiful than ever.  With the wreck
17448 of her frail body, Beth's soul grew strong, and though she said little,
17449 those about her felt that she was ready, saw that the first pilgrim
17450 called was likewise the fittest, and waited with her on the shore,
17451 trying to see the Shining Ones coming to receive her when she crossed
17452 the river.
17453 
17454 Jo never left her for an hour since Beth had said "I feel stronger when
17455 you are here."  She slept on a couch in the room, waking often to renew
17456 the fire, to feed, lift, or wait upon the patient creature who seldom
17457 asked for anything, and 'tried not to be a trouble'.  All day she
17458 haunted the room, jealous of any other nurse, and prouder of being
17459 chosen then than of any honor her life ever brought her.  Precious and
17460 helpful hours to Jo, for now her heart received the teaching that it
17461 needed.  Lessons in patience were so sweetly taught her that she could
17462 not fail to learn them, charity for all, the lovely spirit that can
17463 forgive and truly forget unkindness, the loyalty to duty that makes the
17464 hardest easy, and the sincere faith that fears nothing, but trusts
17465 undoubtingly.
17466 
17467 Often when she woke Jo found Beth reading in her well-worn little book,
17468 heard her singing softly, to beguile the sleepless night, or saw her
17469 lean her face upon her hands, while slow tears dropped through the
17470 transparent fingers, and Jo would lie watching her with thoughts too
17471 deep for tears, feeling that Beth, in her simple, unselfish way, was
17472 trying to wean herself from the dear old life, and fit herself for the
17473 life to come, by sacred words of comfort, quiet prayers, and the music
17474 she loved so well.
17475 
17476 Seeing this did more for Jo than the wisest sermons, the saintliest
17477 hymns, the most fervent prayers that any voice could utter.  For with
17478 eyes made clear by many tears, and a heart softened by the tenderest
17479 sorrow, she recognized the beauty of her sister's life -- uneventful,
17480 unambitious, yet full of the genuine virtues which 'smell sweet, and
17481 blossom in the dust', the self-forgetfulness that makes the humblest on
17482 earth remembered soonest in heaven, the true success which is possible
17483 to all.
17484 
17485 One night when Beth looked among the books upon her table, to find
17486 something to make her forget the mortal weariness that was almost as
17487 hard to bear as pain, as she turned the leaves of her old favorite,
17488 Pilgrims's Progress, she found a little paper, scribbled over in Jo's
17489 hand.  The name caught her eye and the blurred look of the lines made
17490 her sure that tears had fallen on it.
17491 
17492 "Poor Jo!  She's fast asleep, so I won't wake her to ask leave.  She
17493 shows me all her things, and I don't think she'll mind if I look at
17494 this", thought Beth, with a glance at her sister, who lay on the rug,
17495 with the tongs beside her, ready to wake up the minute the log fell
17496 apart.
17497 
17498     MY BETH
17499 
17500     Sitting patient in the shadow
17501     Till the blessed light shall come,
17502     A serene and saintly presence
17503     Sanctifies our troubled home.
17504     Earthly joys and hopes and sorrows
17505     Break like ripples on the strand
17506     Of the deep and solemn river
17507     Where her willing feet now stand.
17508 
17509     O my sister, passing from me,
17510     Out of human care and strife,
17511     Leave me, as a gift, those virtues
17512     Which have beautified your life.
17513     Dear, bequeath me that great patience
17514     Which has power to sustain
17515     A cheerful, uncomplaining spirit
17516     In its prison-house of pain.
17517 
17518     Give me, for I need it sorely,
17519     Of that courage, wise and sweet,
17520     Which has made the path of duty
17521     Green beneath your willing feet.
17522     Give me that unselfish nature,
17523     That with charity divine
17524     Can pardon wrong for love's dear sake -- 
17525     Meek heart, forgive me mine!
17526 
17527     Thus our parting daily loseth
17528     Something of its bitter pain,
17529     And while learning this hard lesson,
17530     My great loss becomes my gain.
17531     For the touch of grief will render
17532     My wild nature more serene,
17533     Give to life new aspirations,
17534     A new trust in the unseen.
17535 
17536     Henceforth, safe across the river,
17537     I shall see forever more
17538     A beloved, household spirit
17539     Waiting for me on the shore.
17540     Hope and faith, born of my sorrow,
17541     Guardian angels shall become,
17542     And the sister gone before me
17543     By their hands shall lead me home.
17544 
17545 Blurred and blotted, faulty and feeble as the lines were, they brought
17546 a look of inexpressible comfort to Beth's face, for her one regret had
17547 been that she had done so little, and this seemed to assure her that
17548 her life had not been useless, that her death would not bring the
17549 despair she feared.  As she sat with the paper folded between her
17550 hands, the charred log fell asunder.  Jo started up, revived the blaze,
17551 and crept to the bedside, hoping Beth slept.
17552 
17553 "Not asleep, but so happy, dear.  See, I found this and read it. I knew
17554 you wouldn't care.  Have I been all that to you, Jo?" she asked, with
17555 wistful, humble earnestness.
17556 
17557 "_Oh_, Beth, so much, so much!" and Jo's head went down upon the pillow
17558 beside her sister's.
17559 
17560 "Then I don't feel as if I'd wasted my life.  I'm not so good as you
17561 make me, but I have tried to do right.  And now, when it's too late to
17562 begin even to do better, it's such a comfort to know that someone loves
17563 me so much, and feels as if I'd helped them."
17564 
17565 "More than any one in the world, Beth.  I used to think I couldn't let
17566 you go, but I'm learning to feel that I don't lose you, that you'll be
17567 more to me than ever, and death can't part us, though it seems to."
17568 
17569 "I know it cannot, and I don't fear it any longer, for I'm sure I shall
17570 be your Beth still, to love and help you more than ever.  You must take
17571 my place, Jo, and be everything to Father and Mother when I'm gone.
17572 They will turn to you, don't fail them, and if it's hard to work alone,
17573 remember that I don't forget you, and that you'll be happier in doing
17574 that than writing splendid books or seeing all the world, for love is
17575 the only thing that we can carry with us when we go, and it makes the
17576 end so easy."
17577 
17578 "I'll try, Beth." and then and there Jo renounced her old ambition,
17579 pledged herself to a new and better one, acknowledging the poverty of
17580 other desires, and feeling the blessed solace of a belief in the
17581 immortality of love.
17582 
17583 So the spring days came and went, the sky grew clearer, the earth
17584 greener, the flowers were up fairly early, and the birds came back in
17585 time to say goodbye to Beth, who, like a tired but trustful child,
17586 clung to the hands that had led her all her life, as Father and Mother
17587 guided her tenderly through the Valley of the Shadow, and gave her up
17588 to God.
17589 
17590 Seldom except in books do the dying utter memorable words, see visions,
17591 or depart with beatified countenances, and those who have sped many
17592 parting souls know that to most the end comes as naturally and simply
17593 as sleep.  As Beth had hoped, the 'tide went out easily', and in the
17594 dark hour before dawn, on the bosom where she had drawn her first
17595 breath, she quietly drew her last, with no farewell but one loving
17596 look, one little sigh.
17597 
17598 With tears and prayers and tender hands, Mother and sisters made her
17599 ready for the long sleep that pain would never mar again, seeing with
17600 grateful eyes the beautiful serenity that soon replaced the pathetic
17601 patience that had wrung their hearts so long, and feeling with reverent
17602 joy that to their darling death was a benignant angel, not a phantom
17603 full of dread.
17604 
17605 When morning came, for the first time in many months the fire was out,
17606 Jo's place was empty, and the room was very still.  But a bird sang
17607 blithely on a budding bough, close by, the snowdrops blossomed freshly
17608 at the window, and the spring sunshine streamed in like a benediction
17609 over the placid face upon the pillow, a face so full of painless peace
17610 that those who loved it best smiled through their tears, and thanked
17611 God that Beth was well at last.
17612 
17613 
17614 
17615 CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
17616 
17617 LEARNING TO FORGET
17618 
17619 Amy's lecture did Laurie good, though, of course, he did not own it
17620 till long afterward.  Men seldom do, for when women are the advisers,
17621 the lords of creation don't take the advice till they have persuaded
17622 themselves that it is just what they intended to do.  Then they act
17623 upon it, and, if it succeeds, they give the weaker vessel half the
17624 credit of it.  If it fails, they generously give her the whole.  Laurie
17625 went back to his grandfather, and was so dutifully devoted for several
17626 weeks that the old gentleman declared the climate of Nice had improved
17627 him wonderfully, and he had better try it again. There was nothing the
17628 young gentleman would have liked better, but elephants could not have
17629 dragged him back after the scolding he had received.  Pride forbid, and
17630 whenever the longing grew very strong, he fortified his resolution by
17631 repeating the words that had made the deepest impression -- "I despise
17632 you." "Go and do something splendid that will make her love you."
17633 
17634 Laurie turned the matter over in his mind so often that he soon brought
17635 himself to confess that he had been selfish and lazy, but then when a
17636 man has a great sorrow, he should be indulged in all sorts of vagaries
17637 till he has lived it down.  He felt that his blighted affections were
17638 quite dead now, and though he should never cease to be a faithful
17639 mourner, there was no occasion to wear his weeds ostentatiously.  Jo
17640 wouldn't love him, but he might make her respect and admire him by
17641 doing something which should prove that a girl's 'No' had not spoiled
17642 his life.  He had always meant to do something, and Amy's advice was
17643 quite unnecessary.  He had only been waiting till the aforesaid
17644 blighted affections were decently interred. That being done, he felt
17645 that he was ready to 'hide his stricken heart, and still toil on'.
17646 
17647 As Goethe, when he had a joy or a grief, put it into a song, so Laurie
17648 resolved to embalm his love sorrow in music, and to compose a Requiem
17649 which should harrow up Jo's soul and melt the heart of every hearer.
17650 Therefore the next time the old gentleman found him getting restless
17651 and moody and ordered him off, he went to Vienna, where he had musical
17652 friends, and fell to work with the firm determination to distinguish
17653 himself.  But whether the sorrow was too vast to be embodied in music,
17654 or music too ethereal to uplift a mortal woe, he soon discovered that
17655 the Requiem was beyond him just at present.  It was evident that his
17656 mind was not in working order yet, and his ideas needed clarifying, for
17657 often in the middle of a plaintive strain, he would find himself
17658 humming a dancing tune that vividly recalled the Christmas ball at
17659 Nice, especially the stout Frenchman, and put an effectual stop to
17660 tragic composition for the time being.
17661 
17662 Then he tried an opera, for nothing seemed impossible in the beginning,
17663 but here again unforeseen difficulties beset him.  He wanted Jo for his
17664 heroine, and called upon his memory to supply him with tender
17665 recollections and romantic visions of his love.  But memory turned
17666 traitor, and as if possessed by the perverse spirit of the girl, would
17667 only recall Jo's oddities, faults, and freaks, would only show her in
17668 the most unsentimental aspects -- beating mats with her head tied up in a
17669 bandanna, barricading herself with the sofa pillow, or throwing cold
17670 water over his passion a la Gummidge -- and an irresistable laugh spoiled
17671 the pensive picture he was endeavoring to paint.  Jo wouldn't be put
17672 into the opera at any price, and he had to give her up with a "Bless
17673 that girl, what a torment she is!" and a clutch at his hair, as became
17674 a distracted composer.
17675 
17676 When he looked about him for another and a less intractable damsel to
17677 immortalize in melody, memory produced one with the most obliging
17678 readiness.  This phantom wore many faces, but it always had golden
17679 hair, was enveloped in a diaphanous cloud, and floated airily before
17680 his mind's eye in a pleasing chaos of roses, peacocks, white ponies,
17681 and blue ribbons.  He did not give the complacent wraith any name, but
17682 he took her for his heroine and grew quite fond of her, as well he
17683 might, for he gifted her with every gift and grace under the sun, and
17684 escorted her, unscathed, through trials which would have annihilated
17685 any mortal woman.
17686 
17687 Thanks to this inspiration, he got on swimmingly for a time, but
17688 gradually the work lost its charm, and he forgot to compose, while he
17689 sat musing, pen in hand, or roamed about the gay city to get some new
17690 ideas and refresh his mind, which seemed to be in a somewhat unsettled
17691 state that winter.  He did not do much, but he thought a great deal and
17692 was conscious of a change of some sort going on in spite of himself.
17693 "It's genius simmering, perhaps.  I'll let it simmer, and see what
17694 comes of it," he said, with a secret suspicion all the while that it
17695 wasn't genius, but something far more common.  Whatever it was, it
17696 simmered to some purpose, for he grew more and more discontented with
17697 his desultory life, began to long for some real and earnest work to go
17698 at, soul and body, and finally came to the wise conclusion that
17699 everyone who loved music was not a composer.  Returning from one of
17700 Mozart's grand operas, splendidly performed at the Royal Theatre, he
17701 looked over his own, played a few of the best parts, sat staring at the
17702 busts of Mendelssohn, Beethoven, and Bach, who stared benignly back
17703 again.  Then suddenly he tore up his music sheets, one by one, and as
17704 the last fluttered out of his hand, he said soberly to himself...
17705 
17706 "She is right!  Talent isn't genius, and you can't make it so.  That
17707 music has taken the vanity out of me as Rome took it out of her, and I
17708 won't be a humbug any longer.  Now what shall I do?"
17709 
17710 That seemed a hard question to answer, and Laurie began to wish he had
17711 to work for his daily bread.  Now if ever, occurred an eligible
17712 opportunity for 'going to the devil', as he once forcibly expressed it,
17713 for he had plenty of money and nothing to do, and Satan is proverbially
17714 fond of providing employment for full and idle hands.  The poor fellow
17715 had temptations enough from without and from within, but he withstood
17716 them pretty well, for much as he valued liberty, he valued good faith
17717 and confidence more, so his promise to his grandfather, and his desire
17718 to be able to look honestly into the eyes of the women who loved him,
17719 and say "All's well," kept him safe and steady.
17720 
17721 Very likely some Mrs. Grundy will observe, "I don't believe it, boys
17722 will be boys, young men must sow their wild oats, and women must not
17723 expect miracles."  I dare say you don't, Mrs. Grundy, but it's true
17724 nevertheless.  Women work a good many miracles, and I have a persuasion
17725 that they may perform even that of raising the standard of manhood by
17726 refusing to echo such sayings.  Let the boys be boys, the longer the
17727 better, and let the young men sow their wild oats if they must.  But
17728 mothers, sisters, and friends may help to make the crop a small one,
17729 and keep many tares from spoiling the harvest, by believing, and
17730 showing that they believe, in the possibility of loyalty to the virtues
17731 which make men manliest in good women's eyes.  If it is a feminine
17732 delusion, leave us to enjoy it while we may, for without it half the
17733 beauty and the romance of life is lost, and sorrowful forebodings would
17734 embitter all our hopes of the brave, tenderhearted little lads, who
17735 still love their mothers better than themselves and are not ashamed to
17736 own it.
17737 
17738 Laurie thought that the task of forgetting his love for Jo would absorb
17739 all his powers for years, but to his great surprise he discovered it
17740 grew easier every day.  He refused to believe it at first, got angry
17741 with himself, and couldn't understand it, but these hearts of ours are
17742 curious and contrary things, and time and nature work their will in
17743 spite of us.  Laurie's heart wouldn't ache.  The wound persisted in
17744 healing with a rapidity that astonished him, and instead of trying to
17745 forget, he found himself trying to remember.  He had not foreseen this
17746 turn of affairs, and was not prepared for it.  He was disgusted with
17747 himself, surprised at his own fickleness, and full of a queer mixture
17748 of disappointment and relief that he could recover from such a
17749 tremendous blow so soon.  He carefully stirred up the embers of his
17750 lost love, but they refused to burst into a blaze.  There was only a
17751 comfortable glow that warmed and did him good without putting him into
17752 a fever, and he was reluctantly obliged to confess that the boyish
17753 passion was slowly subsiding into a more tranquil sentiment, very
17754 tender, a little sad and resentful still, but that was sure to pass
17755 away in time, leaving a brotherly affection which would last unbroken
17756 to the end.
17757 
17758 As the word 'brotherly' passed through his mind in one of his reveries,
17759 he smiled, and glanced up at the picture of Mozart that was before
17760 him...
17761 
17762 "Well, he was a great man, and when he couldn't have one sister he took
17763 the other, and was happy."
17764 
17765 Laurie did not utter the words, but he thought them, and the next
17766 instant kissed the little old ring, saying to himself, "No, I won't!  I
17767 haven't forgotten, I never can.  I'll try again, and if that fails, why
17768 then..."
17769 
17770 Leaving his sentence unfinished, he seized pen and paper and wrote to
17771 Jo, telling her that he could not settle to anything while there was
17772 the least hope of her changing her mind. Couldn't she, wouldn't
17773 she -- and let him come home and be happy? While waiting for an answer he
17774 did nothing, but he did it energetically, for he was in a fever of
17775 impatience.  It came at last, and settled his mind effectually on one
17776 point, for Jo decidedly couldn't and wouldn't.  She was wrapped up in
17777 Beth, and never wished to hear the word love again.  Then she begged
17778 him to be happy with somebody else, but always keep a little corner of
17779 his heart for his loving sister Jo.  In a postscript she desired him
17780 not to tell Amy that Beth was worse, she was coming home in the spring
17781 and there was no need of saddening the remainder of her stay.  That
17782 would be time enough, please God, but Laurie must write to her often,
17783 and not let her feel lonely, homesick or anxious.
17784 
17785 "So I will, at once.  Poor little girl, it will be a sad going home for
17786 her, I'm afraid," and Laurie opened his desk, as if writing to Amy had
17787 been the proper conclusion of the sentence left unfinished some weeks
17788 before.
17789 
17790 But he did not write the letter that day, for as he rummaged out his
17791 best paper, he came across something which changed his purpose.
17792 Tumbling about in one part of the desk among bills, passports, and
17793 business documents of various kinds were several of Jo's letters, and
17794 in another compartment were three notes from Amy, carefully tied up
17795 with one of her blue ribbons and sweetly suggestive of the little dead
17796 roses put away inside.  With a half-repentant, half-amused expression,
17797 Laurie gathered up all Jo's letters, smoothed, folded, and put them
17798 neatly into a small drawer of the desk, stood a minute turning the ring
17799 thoughtfully on his finger, then slowly drew it off, laid it with the
17800 letters, locked the drawer, and went out to hear High Mass at Saint
17801 Stefan's, feeling as if there had been a funeral, and though not
17802 overwhelmed with affliction, this seemed a more proper way to spend the
17803 rest of the day than in writing letters to charming young ladies.
17804 
17805 The letter went very soon, however, and was promptly answered, for Amy
17806 was homesick, and confessed it in the most delightfully confiding
17807 manner.  The correspondence flourished famously, and letters flew to
17808 and fro with unfailing regularity all through the early spring.  Laurie
17809 sold his busts, made allumettes of his opera, and went back to Paris,
17810 hoping somebody would arrive before long.  He wanted desperately to go
17811 to Nice, but would not till he was asked, and Amy would not ask him,
17812 for just then she was having little experiences of her own, which made
17813 her rather wish to avoid the quizzical eyes of 'our boy'.
17814 
17815 Fred Vaughn had returned, and put the question to which she had once
17816 decided to answer, "Yes, thank you," but now she said, "No, thank you,"
17817 kindly but steadily, for when the time came, her courage failed her,
17818 and she found that something more than money and position was needed to
17819 satisfy the new longing that filled her heart so full of tender hopes
17820 and fears.  The words, "Fred is a good fellow, but not at all the man I
17821 fancied you would ever like," and Laurie's face when he uttered them,
17822 kept returning to her as pertinaciously as her own did when she said in
17823 look, if not in words, "I shall marry for money."  It troubled her to
17824 remember that now, she wished she could take it back, it sounded so
17825 unwomanly. She didn't want Laurie to think her a heartless,  worldly
17826 creature.  She didn't care to be a queen of society now half so much as
17827 she did to be a lovable woman.  She was so glad he didn't hate her for
17828 the dreadful things she said, but took them so beautifully and was
17829 kinder than ever.  His letters were such a comfort, for the home
17830 letters were very irregular and not half so satisfactory as his when
17831 they did come.  It was not only a pleasure, but a duty to answer them,
17832 for the poor fellow was forlorn, and needed petting, since Jo persisted
17833 in being stonyhearted.  She ought to have made an effort and tried to
17834 love him.  It couldn't be very hard, many people would be proud and
17835 glad to have such a dear boy care for them.  But Jo never would act
17836 like other girls, so there was nothing to do but be very kind and treat
17837 him like a brother.
17838 
17839 If all brothers were treated as well as Laurie was at this period, they
17840 would be a much happier race of beings than they are.  Amy never
17841 lectured now.  She asked his opinion on all subjects, she was
17842 interested in everything he did, made charming little presents for him,
17843 and sent him two letters a week, full of lively gossip, sisterly
17844 confidences, and captivating sketches of the lovely scenes about her.
17845 As few brothers are complimented by having their letters carried about
17846 in their sister's pockets, read and reread diligently, cried over when
17847 short, kissed when long, and treasured carefully, we will not hint that
17848 Amy did any of these fond and foolish things.  But she certainly did
17849 grow a little pale and pensive that spring, lost much of her relish for
17850 society, and went out sketching alone a good deal.  She never had much
17851 to show when she came home, but was studying nature, I dare say, while
17852 she sat for hours, with her hands folded, on the terrace at Valrosa, or
17853 absently sketched any fancy that occurred to her, a stalwart knight
17854 carved on a tomb, a young man asleep in the grass, with his hat over
17855 his eyes, or a curly haired girl in gorgeous array, promenading down a
17856 ballroom on the arm of a tall gentleman, both faces being left a blur
17857 according to the last fashion in art, which was safe but not altogether
17858 satisfactory.
17859 
17860 Her aunt thought that she regretted her answer to Fred, and finding
17861 denials useless and explanations impossible, Amy left her to think what
17862 she liked, taking care that Laurie should know that Fred had gone to
17863 Egypt.  That was all, but he understood it, and looked relieved, as he
17864 said to himself, with a venerable air...
17865 
17866 "I was sure she would think better of it.  Poor old fellow! I've been
17867 through it all, and I can sympathize."
17868 
17869 With that he heaved a great sigh, and then, as if he had discharged his
17870 duty to the past, put his feet up on the sofa and enjoyed Amy's letter
17871 luxuriously.
17872 
17873 While these changes were going on abroad, trouble had come at home.
17874 But the letter telling that Beth was failing never reached Amy, and
17875 when the next found her at Vevay, for the heat had driven them from
17876 Nice in May, and they had travelled slowly to Switzerland, by way of
17877 Genoa and the Italian lakes.  She bore it very well, and quietly
17878 submitted to the family decree that she should not shorten her visit,
17879 for since it was too late to say goodbye to Beth, she had better stay,
17880 and let absence soften her sorrow.  But her heart was very heavy, she
17881 longed to be at home, and every day looked wistfully across the lake,
17882 waiting for Laurie to come and comfort her.
17883 
17884 He did come very soon, for the same mail brought letters to them both,
17885 but he was in Germany, and it took some days to reach him.  The moment
17886 he read it, he packed his knapsack, bade adieu to his fellow
17887 pedestrians, and was off to keep his promise, with a heart full of joy
17888 and sorrow, hope and suspense.
17889 
17890 He knew Vevay well, and as soon as the boat touched the little quay, he
17891 hurried along the shore to La Tour, where the Carrols were living en
17892 pension.  The garcon was in despair that the whole family had gone to
17893 take a promenade on the lake, but no, the blonde mademoiselle might be
17894 in the chateau garden.  If monsieur would give himself the pain of
17895 sitting down, a flash of time should present her.  But monsieur could
17896 not wait even a 'flash of time', and in the middle of the speech
17897 departed to find mademoiselle himself.
17898 
17899 A pleasant old garden on the borders of the lovely lake, with chestnuts
17900 rustling overhead, ivy climbing everywhere, and the black shadow of the
17901 tower falling far across the sunny water.  At one corner of the wide,
17902 low wall was a seat, and here Amy often came to read or work, or
17903 console herself with the beauty all about her.  She was sitting here
17904 that day, leaning her head on her hand, with a homesick heart and heavy
17905 eyes, thinking of Beth and wondering why Laurie did not come.  She did
17906 not hear him cross the courtyard beyond, nor see him pause in the
17907 archway that led from the subterranean path into the garden.  He stood
17908 a minute looking at her with new eyes, seeing what no one had ever seen
17909 before, the tender side of Amy's character. Everything about her mutely
17910 suggested love and sorrow, the blotted letters in her lap, the black
17911 ribbon that tied up her hair, the womanly pain and patience in her
17912 face, even the little ebony cross at her throat seemed pathetic to
17913 Laurie, for he had given it to her, and she wore it as her only
17914 ornament. If he had any doubts about the reception she would give him,
17915 they were set at rest the minute she looked up and saw him, for
17916 dropping everything, she ran to him, exclaiming in a tone of
17917 unmistakable love and longing...
17918 
17919 "Oh, Laurie, Laurie, I knew you'd come to me!"
17920 
17921 I think everything was said and settled then, for as they stood
17922 together quite silent for a moment, with the dark head bent down
17923 protectingly over the light one, Amy felt that no one could comfort and
17924 sustain her so well as Laurie, and Laurie decided that Amy was the only
17925 woman in the world who could fill Jo's place and make him happy.  He
17926 did not tell her so, but she was not disappointed, for both felt the
17927 truth, were satisfied, and gladly left the rest to silence.
17928 
17929 In a minute Amy went back to her place, and while she dried her tears,
17930 Laurie gathered up the scattered papers, finding in the sight of sundry
17931 well-worn letters and suggestive sketches good omens for the future.
17932 As he sat down beside her, Amy felt shy again, and turned rosy red at
17933 the recollection of her impulsive greeting.
17934 
17935 "I couldn't help it, I felt so lonely and sad, and was so very glad to
17936 see you.  It was such a surprise to look up and find you, just as I was
17937 beginning to fear you wouldn't come," she said, trying in vain to speak
17938 quite naturally.
17939 
17940 "I came the minute I heard.  I wish I could say something to comfort
17941 you for the loss of dear little Beth, but I can only feel, and..."  He
17942 could not get any further, for he too turned bashful all of a sudden,
17943 and did not quite know what to say.  He longed to lay Amy's head down
17944 on his shoulder, and tell her to have a good cry, but he did not dare,
17945 so took her hand instead, and gave it a sympathetic squeeze that was
17946 better than words.
17947 
17948 "You needn't say anything, this comforts me," she said softly.  "Beth
17949 is well and happy, and I mustn't wish her back, but I dread the going
17950 home, much as I long to see them all. We won't talk about it now, for
17951 it makes me cry, and I want to enjoy you while you stay.  You needn't
17952 go right back, need you?"
17953 
17954 "Not if you want me, dear."
17955 
17956 "I do, so much.  Aunt and Flo are very kind, but you seem like one of
17957 the family, and it would be so comfortable to have you for a little
17958 while."
17959 
17960 Amy spoke and looked so like a homesick child whose heart was full that
17961 Laurie forgot his bashfulness all at once, and gave her just what she
17962 wanted -- the petting she was used to and the cheerful conversation she
17963 needed.
17964 
17965 "Poor little soul, you look as if you'd grieved yourself half sick!
17966 I'm going to take care of you, so don't cry any more, but come and walk
17967 about with me, the wind is too chilly for you to sit still," he said,
17968 in the half-caressing, half-commanding way that Amy liked, as he tied
17969 on her hat, drew her arm through his, and began to pace up and down the
17970 sunny walk under the new-leaved chestnuts.  He felt more at ease upon
17971 his legs, and Amy found it pleasant to have a strong arm to lean upon,
17972 a familiar face to smile at her, and a kind voice to talk delightfully
17973 for her alone.
17974 
17975 The quaint old garden had sheltered many pairs of lovers, and seemed
17976 expressly made for them, so sunny and secluded was it, with nothing but
17977 the tower to overlook them, and the wide lake to carry away the echo of
17978 their words, as it rippled by below.  For an hour this new pair walked
17979 and talked, or rested on the wall, enjoying the sweet influences which
17980 gave such a charm to time and place, and when an unromantic dinner bell
17981 warned them away, Amy felt as if she left her burden of loneliness and
17982 sorrow behind her in the chateau garden.
17983 
17984 The moment Mrs. Carrol saw the girl's altered face, she was illuminated
17985 with a new idea, and exclaimed to herself, "Now I understand it
17986 all -- the child has been pining for young Laurence.  Bless my heart, I
17987 never thought of such a thing!"
17988 
17989 With praiseworthy discretion, the good lady said nothing, and betrayed
17990 no sign of enlightenment, but cordially urged Laurie to stay and begged
17991 Amy to enjoy his society, for it would do her more good than so much
17992 solitude.  Amy was a model of docility, and as her aunt was a good deal
17993 occupied with Flo, she was left to entertain her friend, and did it
17994 with more than her usual success.
17995 
17996 At Nice, Laurie had lounged and Amy had scolded.  At Vevay, Laurie was
17997 never idle, but always walking, riding, boating, or studying in the
17998 most energetic manner, while Amy admired everything he did and followed
17999 his example as far and as fast as she could.  He said the change was
18000 owing to the climate, and she did not contradict him, being glad of a
18001 like excuse for her own recovered health and spirits.
18002 
18003 The invigorating air did them both good, and much exercise worked
18004 wholesome changes in minds as well as bodies. They seemed to get
18005 clearer views of life and duty up there among the everlasting hills.
18006 The fresh winds blew away desponding doubts, delusive fancies, and
18007 moody mists.  The warm spring sunshine brought out all sorts of
18008 aspiring ideas, tender hopes, and happy thoughts.  The lake seemed to
18009 wash away the troubles of the past, and the grand old mountains to look
18010 benignly down upon them saying, "Little children, love one another."
18011 
18012 In spite of the new sorrow, it was a very happy time, so happy that
18013 Laurie could not bear to disturb it by a word.  It took him a little
18014 while to recover from his surprise at the cure of his first, and as he
18015 had firmly believed, his last and only love.  He consoled himself for
18016 the seeming disloyalty by the thought that Jo's sister was almost the
18017 same as Jo's self, and the conviction that it would have been
18018 impossible to love any other woman but Amy so soon and so well.  His
18019 first wooing had been of the tempestuous order, and he looked back upon
18020 it as if through a long vista of years with a feeling of compassion
18021 blended with regret.  He was not ashamed of it, but put it away as one
18022 of the bitter-sweet experiences of his life, for which he could be
18023 grateful when the pain was over. His second wooing, he resolved, should
18024 be as calm and simple as possible.  There was no need of having a
18025 scene, hardly any need of telling Amy that he loved her, she knew it
18026 without words and had given him his answer long ago.  It all came about
18027 so naturally that no one could complain, and he knew that everybody
18028 would be pleased, even Jo.  But when our first little passion has been
18029 crushed, we are apt to be wary and slow in making a second trial, so
18030 Laurie let the days pass, enjoying every hour, and leaving to chance
18031 the utterance of the word that would put an end to the first and
18032 sweetest part of his new romance.
18033 
18034 He had rather imagined that the denoument would take place in the
18035 chateau garden by moonlight, and in the most graceful and decorous
18036 manner, but it turned out exactly the reverse, for the matter was
18037 settled on the lake at noonday in a few blunt words. They had been
18038 floating about all the morning, from gloomy St.  Gingolf to sunny
18039 Montreux, with the Alps of Savoy on one side, Mont St.  Bernard and the
18040 Dent du Midi on the other, pretty Vevay in the valley, and Lausanne
18041 upon the hill beyond, a cloudless blue sky overhead, and the bluer lake
18042 below, dotted with the picturesque boats that look like white-winged
18043 gulls.
18044 
18045 They had been talking of Bonnivard, as they glided past Chillon, and of
18046 Rousseau, as they looked up at Clarens, where he wrote his Heloise.
18047 Neither had read it, but they knew it was a love story, and each
18048 privately wondered if it was half as interesting as their own.  Amy had
18049 been dabbling her hand in the water during the little pause that fell
18050 between them, and when she looked up, Laurie was leaning on his oars
18051 with an expression in his eyes that made her say hastily, merely for
18052 the sake of saying something...
18053 
18054 "You must be tired.  Rest a little, and let me row.  It will do me
18055 good, for since you came I have been altogether lazy and luxurious."
18056 
18057 "I'm not tired, but you may take an oar, if you like.  There's room
18058 enough, though I have to sit nearly in the middle, else the boat won't
18059 trim," returned Laurie, as if he rather liked the arrangement.
18060 
18061 Feeling that she had not mended matters much, Amy took the offered
18062 third of a seat, shook her hair over her face, and accepted an oar.
18063 She rowed as well as she did many other things, and though she used
18064 both hands, and Laurie but one, the oars kept time, and the boat went
18065 smoothly through the water.
18066 
18067 "How well we pull together, don't we?" said Amy, who objected to
18068 silence just then.
18069 
18070 "So well that I wish we might always pull in the same boat. Will you,
18071 Amy?" very tenderly.
18072 
18073 "Yes, Laurie," very low.
18074 
18075 Then they both stopped rowing, and unconsciously added a pretty little
18076 tableau of human love and happiness to the dissolving views reflected
18077 in the lake.
18078 
18079 
18080 
18081 CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
18082 
18083 ALL ALONE
18084 
18085 It was easy to promise self-abnegation when self was wrapped up in
18086 another, and heart and soul were purified by a sweet example.  But when
18087 the helpful voice was silent, the daily lesson over, the beloved
18088 presence gone, and nothing remained but loneliness and grief, then Jo
18089 found her promise very hard to keep.  How could she 'comfort Father and
18090 Mother' when her own heart ached with a ceaseless longing for her
18091 sister, how could she 'make the house cheerful' when all its light and
18092 warmth and beauty seemed to have deserted it when Beth left the old
18093 home for the new, and where in all the world could she 'find some
18094 useful, happy work to do', that would take the place of the loving
18095 service which had been its own reward?  She tried in a blind, hopeless
18096 way to do her duty, secretly rebelling against it all the while, for it
18097 seemed unjust that her few joys should be lessened, her burdens made
18098 heavier, and life get harder and harder as she toiled along.  Some
18099 people seemed to get all sunshine, and some all shadow.  It was not
18100 fair, for she tried more than Amy to be good, but never got any reward,
18101 only disappointment, trouble and hard work.
18102 
18103 Poor Jo, these were dark days to her, for something like despair came
18104 over her when she thought of spending all her life in that quiet house,
18105 devoted to humdrum cares, a few small pleasures, and the duty that
18106 never seemed to grow any easier.  "I can't do it. I wasn't meant for a
18107 life like this, and I know I shall break away and do something
18108 desperate if somebody doesn't come and help me," she said to herself,
18109 when her first efforts failed and she fell into the moody, miserable
18110 state of mind which often comes when strong wills have to yield to the
18111 inevitable.
18112 
18113 But someone did come and help her, though Jo did not recognize her good
18114 angels at once because they wore familiar shapes and used the simple
18115 spells best fitted to poor humanity.  Often she started up at night,
18116 thinking Beth called her, and when the sight of the little empty bed
18117 made her cry with the bitter cry of unsubmissive sorrow, "Oh, Beth,
18118 come back!  Come back!" she did not stretch out her yearning arms in
18119 vain.  For, as quick to hear her sobbing as she had been to hear her
18120 sister's faintest whisper, her mother came to comfort her, not with
18121 words only, but the patient tenderness that soothes by a touch, tears
18122 that were mute reminders of a greater grief than Jo's, and broken
18123 whispers, more eloquent than prayers, because hopeful resignation went
18124 hand-in-hand with natural sorrow. Sacred moments, when heart talked to
18125 heart in the silence of the night, turning affliction to a blessing,
18126 which chastened grief and strengthened love.  Feeling this, Jo's burden
18127 seemed easier to bear, duty grew sweeter, and life looked more
18128 endurable, seen from the safe shelter of her mother's arms.
18129 
18130 When aching heart was a little comforted, troubled mind likewise found
18131 help, for one day she went to the study, and leaning over the good gray
18132 head lifted to welcome her with a tranquil smile, she said very humbly,
18133 "Father, talk to me as you did to Beth.  I need it more than she did,
18134 for I'm all wrong."
18135 
18136 "My dear, nothing can comfort me like this," he answered, with a falter
18137 in his voice, and both arms round her, as if he too, needed help, and
18138 did not fear to ask for it.
18139 
18140 Then, sitting in Beth's little chair close beside him, Jo told her
18141 troubles, the resentful sorrow for her loss, the fruitless efforts that
18142 discouraged her, the want of faith that made life look so dark, and all
18143 the sad bewilderment which we call despair.  She gave him entire
18144 confidence, he gave her the help she needed, and both found consolation
18145 in the act.  For the time had come when they could talk together not
18146 only as father and daughter, but as man and woman, able and glad to
18147 serve each other with mutual sympathy as well as mutual love.  Happy,
18148 thoughtful times there in the old study which Jo called 'the church of
18149 one member', and from which she came with fresh courage, recovered
18150 cheerfulness, and a more submissive spirit. For the parents who had
18151 taught one child to meet death without fear, were trying now to teach
18152 another to accept life without despondency or distrust, and to use its
18153 beautiful opportunities with gratitude and power.
18154 
18155 Other helps had Jo -- humble, wholesome duties and delights that would
18156 not be denied their part in serving her, and which she slowly learned
18157 to see and value.  Brooms and dishcloths never could be as distasteful
18158 as they once had been, for Beth had presided over both, and something
18159 of her housewifely spirit seemed to linger around the little mop and
18160 the old brush, never thrown away.  As she used them, Jo found herself
18161 humming the songs Beth used to hum, imitating Beth's orderly ways, and
18162 giving the little touches here and there that kept everything fresh and
18163 cozy, which was the first step toward making home happy, though she
18164 didn't know it till Hannah said with an approving squeeze of the hand...
18165 
18166 "You thoughtful creeter, you're determined we shan't miss that dear
18167 lamb ef you can help it.  We don't say much, but we see it, and the
18168 Lord will bless you for't, see ef He don't."
18169 
18170 As they sat sewing together, Jo discovered how much improved her sister
18171 Meg was, how well she could talk, how much she knew about good, womanly
18172 impulses, thoughts, and feelings, how happy she was in husband and
18173 children, and how much they were all doing for each other.
18174 
18175 "Marriage is an excellent thing, after all.  I wonder if I should
18176 blossom out half as well as you have, if I tried it?, always
18177 _'perwisin'_ I could," said Jo, as she constructed a kite for Demi in
18178 the topsy-turvy nursery.
18179 
18180 "It's just what you need to bring out the tender womanly half of your
18181 nature, Jo.  You are like a chestnut burr, prickly outside, but
18182 silky-soft within, and a sweet kernal, if one can only get at it.  Love
18183 will make you show your heart one day, and then the rough burr will
18184 fall off."
18185 
18186 "Frost opens chestnut burrs, ma'am, and it takes a good shake to bring
18187 them down.  Boys go nutting, and I don't care to be bagged by them,"
18188 returned Jo, pasting away at the kite which no wind that blows would
18189 ever carry up, for Daisy had tied herself on as a bob.
18190 
18191 Meg laughed, for she was glad to see a glimmer of Jo's old spirit, but
18192 she felt it her duty to enforce her opinion by every argument in her
18193 power, and the sisterly chats were not wasted, especially as two of
18194 Meg's most effective arguments were the babies, whom Jo loved tenderly.
18195 Grief is the best opener of some hearts, and Jo's was nearly ready for
18196 the bag.  A little more sunshine to ripen the nut, then, not a boy's
18197 impatient shake, but a man's hand reached up to pick it gently from the
18198 burr, and find the kernal sound and sweet. If she suspected this, she
18199 would have shut up tight, and been more prickly than ever, fortunately
18200 she wasn't thinking about herself, so when the time came, down she
18201 dropped.
18202 
18203 Now, if she had been the heroine of a moral storybook, she ought at
18204 this period of her life to have become quite saintly, renounced the
18205 world, and gone about doing good in a mortified bonnet, with tracts in
18206 her pocket.  But, you see, Jo wasn't a heroine, she was only a
18207 struggling human girl like hundreds of others, and she just acted out
18208 her nature, being sad, cross, listless, or energetic, as the mood
18209 suggested.  It's highly virtuous to say we'll be good, but we can't do
18210 it all at once, and it takes a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all
18211 together before some of us even get our feet set in the right way.  Jo
18212 had got so far, she was learning to do her duty, and to feel unhappy if
18213 she did not, but to do it cheerfully, ah, that was another thing!  She
18214 had often said she wanted to do something splendid, no matter how hard,
18215 and now she had her wish, for what could be more beautiful than to
18216 devote her life to Father and Mother, trying to make home as happy to
18217 them as they had to her?  And if difficulties were necessary to
18218 increase the splendor of the effort, what could be harder for a
18219 restless, ambitious girl than to give up her own hopes, plans, and
18220 desires, and cheerfully live for others?
18221 
18222 Providence had taken her at her word.  Here was the task, not what she
18223 had expected, but better because self had no part in it. Now, could she
18224 do it?  She decided that she would try, and in her first attempt she
18225 found the helps I have suggested.  Still another was given her, and she
18226 took it, not as a reward, but as a comfort, as Christian took the
18227 refreshment afforded by the little arbor where he rested, as he climbed
18228 the hill called Difficulty.
18229 
18230 "Why don't you write?  That always used to make you happy," said her
18231 mother once, when the desponding fit over-shadowed Jo.
18232 
18233 "I've no heart to write, and if I had, nobody cares for my things."
18234 
18235 "We do.  Write something for us, and never mind the rest of the world.
18236 Try it, dear.  I'm sure it would do you good, and please us very much."
18237 
18238 "Don't believe I can."  But Jo got out her desk and began to overhaul
18239 her half-finished manuscripts.
18240 
18241 An hour afterward her mother peeped in and there she was, scratching
18242 away, with her black pinafore on, and an absorbed expression, which
18243 caused Mrs. March to smile and slip away, well pleased with the success
18244 of her suggestion.  Jo never knew how it happened, but something got
18245 into that story that went straight to the hearts of those who read it,
18246 for when her family had laughed and cried over it, her father sent it,
18247 much against her will, to one of the popular magazines, and to her
18248 utter surprise, it was not only paid for, but others requested.
18249 Letters from several persons, whose praise was honor, followed the
18250 appearance of the little story, newspapers copied it, and strangers as
18251 well as friends admired it.  For a small thing it was a great success,
18252 and Jo was more astonished than when her novel was commended and
18253 condemned all at once.
18254 
18255 "I don't understand it.  What can there be in a simple little story
18256 like that to make people praise it so?" she said, quite bewildered.
18257 
18258 "There is truth in it, Jo, that's the secret.  Humor and pathos make it
18259 alive, and you have found your style at last.  You wrote with no
18260 thoughts of fame and money, and put your heart into it, my daughter.
18261 You have had the bitter, now comes the sweet.  Do your best, and grow
18262 as happy as we are in your success."
18263 
18264 "If there is anything good or true in what I write, it isn't mine.  I
18265 owe it all to you and Mother and Beth," said Jo, more touched by her
18266 father's words than by any amount of praise from the world.
18267 
18268 So taught by love and sorrow, Jo wrote her little stories, and sent
18269 them away to make friends for themselves and her, finding it a very
18270 charitable world to such humble wanderers, for they were kindly
18271 welcomed, and sent home comfortable tokens to their mother, like
18272 dutiful children whom good fortune overtakes.
18273 
18274 When Amy and Laurie wrote of their engagement, Mrs. March feared that
18275 Jo would find it difficult to rejoice over it, but her fears were soon
18276 set at rest, for though Jo looked grave at first, she took it very
18277 quietly, and was full of hopes and plans for 'the children' before she
18278 read the letter twice.  It was a sort of written duet, wherein each
18279 glorified the other in loverlike fashion, very pleasant to read and
18280 satisfactory to think of, for no one had any objection to make.
18281 
18282 "You like it, Mother?" said Jo, as they laid down the closely written
18283 sheets and looked at one another.
18284 
18285 "Yes, I hoped it would be so, ever since Amy wrote that she had refused
18286 Fred.  I felt sure then that something better than what you call the
18287 'mercenary spirit' had come over her, and a hint here and there in her
18288 letters made me suspect that love and Laurie would win the day."
18289 
18290 "How sharp you are, Marmee, and how silent!  You never said a word to
18291 me."
18292 
18293 "Mothers have need of sharp eyes and discreet tongues when they have
18294 girls to manage.  I was half afraid to put the idea into your head,
18295 lest you should write and congratulate them before the thing was
18296 settled."
18297 
18298 "I'm not the scatterbrain I was.  You may trust me.  I'm sober and
18299 sensible enough for anyone's confidante now."
18300 
18301 "So you are, my dear, and I should have made you mine, only I fancied
18302 it might pain you to learn that your Teddy loved someone else."
18303 
18304 "Now, Mother, did you really think I could be so silly and selfish,
18305 after I'd refused his love, when it was freshest, if not best?"
18306 
18307 "I knew you were sincere then, Jo, but lately I have thought that if he
18308 came back, and asked again, you might perhaps, feel like giving another
18309 answer.  Forgive me, dear, I can't help seeing that you are very
18310 lonely, and sometimes there is a hungry look in your eyes that goes to
18311 my heart.  So I fancied that your boy might fill the empty place if he
18312 tried now."
18313 
18314 "No, Mother, it is better as it is, and I'm glad Amy has learned to
18315 love him.  But you are right in one thing.  I am lonely, and perhaps if
18316 Teddy had tried again, I might have said 'Yes', not because I love him
18317 any more, but because I care more to be loved than when he went away."
18318 
18319 "I'm glad of that, Jo, for it shows that you are getting on. There are
18320 plenty to love you, so try to be satisfied with Father and Mother,
18321 sisters and brothers, friends and babies, till the best lover of all
18322 comes to give you your reward."
18323 
18324 "Mothers are the best lovers in the world, but I don't mind whispering
18325 to Marmee that I'd like to try all kinds.  It's very curious, but the
18326 more I try to satisfy myself with all sorts of natural affections, the
18327 more I seem to want.  I'd no idea hearts could take in so many.  Mine
18328 is so elastic, it never seems full now, and I used to be quite
18329 contented with my family.  I don't understand it."
18330 
18331 "I do," and Mrs. March smiled her wise smile, as Jo turned back the
18332 leaves to read what Amy said of Laurie.
18333 
18334 "It is so beautiful to be loved as Laurie loves me.  He isn't
18335 sentimental, doesn't say much about it, but I see and feel it in all he
18336 says and does, and it makes me so happy and so humble that I don't seem
18337 to be the same girl I was.  I never knew how good and generous and
18338 tender he was till now, for he lets me read his heart, and I find it
18339 full of noble impulses and hopes and purposes, and am so proud to know
18340 it's mine.  He says he feels as if he 'could make a prosperous voyage
18341 now with me aboard as mate, and lots of love for ballast'.  I pray he
18342 may, and try to be all he believes me, for I love my gallant captain
18343 with all my heart and soul and might, and never will desert him, while
18344 God lets us be together. Oh, Mother, I never knew how much like heaven
18345 this world could be, when two people love and live for one another!"
18346 
18347 "And that's our cool, reserved, and worldly Amy!  Truly, love does work
18348 miracles.  How very, very happy they must be!" and Jo laid the rustling
18349 sheets together with a careful hand, as one might shut the covers of a
18350 lovely romance, which holds the reader fast till the end comes, and he
18351 finds himself alone in the workaday world again.
18352 
18353 By-and-by Jo roamed away upstairs, for it was rainy, and she could not
18354 walk.  A restless spirit possessed her, and the old feeling came again,
18355 not bitter as it once was, but a sorrowfully patient wonder why one
18356 sister should have all she asked, the other nothing.  It was not true,
18357 she knew that and tried to put it away, but the natural craving for
18358 affection was strong, and Amy's happiness woke the hungry longing for
18359 someone to 'love with heart and soul, and cling to while God let them
18360 be together'. Up in the garret, where Jo's unquiet wanderings ended
18361 stood four little wooden chests in a row, each marked with its owners
18362 name, and each filled with relics of the childhood and girlhood ended
18363 now for all.  Jo glanced into them, and when she came to her own,
18364 leaned her chin on the edge, and stared absently at the chaotic
18365 collection, till a bundle of old exercise books caught her eye.  She
18366 drew them out, turned them over, and relived that pleasant winter at
18367 kind Mrs. Kirke's.  She had smiled at first, then she looked
18368 thoughtful, next sad, and when she came to a little message written in
18369 the Professor's hand, her lips began to tremble, the books slid out of
18370 her lap, and she sat looking at the friendly words, as they took a new
18371 meaning, and touched a tender spot in her heart.
18372 
18373 "Wait for me, my friend.  I may be a little late, but I shall surely
18374 come."
18375 
18376 "Oh, if he only would!  So kind, so good, so patient with me always, my
18377 dear old Fritz.  I didn't value him half enough when I had him, but now
18378 how I should love to see him, for everyone seems going away from me,
18379 and I'm all alone."
18380 
18381 And holding the little paper fast, as if it were a promise yet to be
18382 fulfilled, Jo laid her head down on a comfortable rag bag, and cried,
18383 as if in opposition to the rain pattering on the roof.
18384 
18385 Was it all self-pity, loneliness, or low spirits?  Or was it the waking
18386 up of a sentiment which had bided its time as patiently as its
18387 inspirer?  Who shall say?
18388 
18389 
18390 
18391 CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
18392 
18393 SURPRISES
18394 
18395 Jo was alone in the twilight, lying on the old sofa, looking at the
18396 fire, and thinking.  It was her favorite way of spending the hour of
18397 dusk.  No one disturbed her, and she used to lie there on Beth's little
18398 red pillow, planning stories, dreaming dreams, or thinking tender
18399 thoughts of the sister who never seemed far away.  Her face looked
18400 tired, grave, and rather sad, for tomorrow was her birthday, and she
18401 was thinking how fast the years went by, how old she was getting, and
18402 how little she seemed to have accomplished.  Almost twenty-five, and
18403 nothing to show for it.  Jo was mistaken in that.  There was a good
18404 deal to show, and by-and-by she saw, and was grateful for it.
18405 
18406 "An old maid, that's what I'm to be.  A literary spinster, with a pen
18407 for a spouse, a family of stories for children, and twenty years hence
18408 a morsel of fame, perhaps, when, like poor Johnson, I'm old and can't
18409 enjoy it, solitary, and can't share it, independent, and don't need it.
18410 Well, I needn't be a sour saint nor a selfish sinner, and, I dare say,
18411 old maids are very comfortable when they get used to it, but..." and
18412 there Jo sighed, as if the prospect was not inviting.
18413 
18414 It seldom is, at first, and thirty seems the end of all things to
18415 five-and-twenty.  But it's not as bad as it looks, and one can get on
18416 quite happily if one has something in one's self to fall back upon.  At
18417 twenty-five, girls begin to talk about being old maids, but secretly
18418 resolve that they never will be.  At thirty they say nothing about it,
18419 but quietly accept the fact, and if sensible, console themselves by
18420 remembering that they have twenty more useful, happy years, in which
18421 they may be learning to grow old gracefully.  Don't laugh at the
18422 spinsters, dear girls, for often very tender, tragic romances are
18423 hidden away in the hearts that beat so quietly under the sober gowns,
18424 and many silent sacrifices of youth, health, ambition, love itself,
18425 make the faded faces beautiful in God's sight.  Even the sad, sour
18426 sisters should be kindly dealt with, because they have missed the
18427 sweetest part of life, if for no other reason.  And looking at them
18428 with compassion, not contempt, girls in their bloom should remember
18429 that they too may miss the blossom time.  That rosy cheeks don't last
18430 forever, that silver threads will come in the bonnie brown hair, and
18431 that, by-and-by, kindness and respect will be as sweet as love and
18432 admiration now.
18433 
18434 Gentlemen, which means boys, be courteous to the old maids, no matter
18435 how poor and plain and prim, for the only chivalry worth having is that
18436 which is the readiest to pay deference to the old, protect the feeble,
18437 and serve womankind, regardless of rank, age, or color.  Just recollect
18438 the good aunts who have not only lectured and fussed, but nursed and
18439 petted, too often without thanks, the scrapes they have helped you out
18440 of, the tips they have given you from their small store, the stitches
18441 the patient old fingers have set for you, the steps the willing old
18442 feet have taken, and gratefully pay the dear old ladies the little
18443 attentions that women love to receive as long as they live.  The
18444 bright-eyed girls are quick to see such traits, and will like you all
18445 the better for them, and if death, almost the only power that can part
18446 mother and son, should rob you of yours, you will be sure to find a
18447 tender welcome and maternal cherishing from some Aunt Priscilla, who
18448 has kept the warmest corner of her lonely old heart for 'the best nevvy
18449 in the world'.
18450 
18451 Jo must have fallen asleep (as I dare say my reader has during this
18452 little homily), for suddenly Laurie's ghost seemed to stand before her,
18453 a substantial, lifelike ghost, leaning over her with the very look he
18454 used to wear when he felt a good deal and didn't like to show it.  But,
18455 like Jenny in the ballad...
18456 
18457   "She could not think it he,"
18458 
18459 and lay staring up at him in startled silence, till he stooped and
18460 kissed her.  Then she knew him, and flew up, crying joyfully...
18461 
18462 "Oh my Teddy!  Oh my Teddy!"
18463 
18464 "Dear Jo, you are glad to see me, then?"
18465 
18466 "Glad!  My blessed boy, words can't express my gladness. Where's Amy?"
18467 
18468 "Your mother has got her down at Meg's.  We stopped there by the way,
18469 and there was no getting my wife out of their clutches."
18470 
18471 "Your what?" cried Jo, for Laurie uttered those two words with an
18472 unconscious pride and satisfaction which betrayed him.
18473 
18474 "Oh, the dickens!  Now I've done it," and he looked so guilty that Jo
18475 was down on him like a flash.
18476 
18477 "You've gone and got married!"
18478 
18479 "Yes, please, but I never will again," and he went down upon his knees,
18480 with a penitent clasping of hands, and a face full of mischief, mirth,
18481 and triumph.
18482 
18483 "Actually married?"
18484 
18485 "Very much so, thank you."
18486 
18487 "Mercy on us.  What dreadful thing will you do next?" and Jo fell into
18488 her seat with a gasp.
18489 
18490 "A characteristic, but not exactly complimentary, congratulation,"
18491 returned Laurie, still in an abject attitude, but beaming with
18492 satisfaction.
18493 
18494 "What can you expect, when you take one's breath away, creeping in like
18495 a burglar, and letting cats out of bags like that? Get up, you
18496 ridiculous boy, and tell me all about it."
18497 
18498 "Not a word, unless you let me come in my old place, and promise not to
18499 barricade."
18500 
18501 Jo laughed at that as she had not done for many a long day, and patted
18502 the sofa invitingly, as she said in a cordial tone, "The old pillow is
18503 up garret, and we don't need it now.  So, come and 'fess, Teddy."
18504 
18505 "How good it sounds to hear you say 'Teddy'! No one ever calls me that
18506 but you," and Laurie sat down with an air of great content.
18507 
18508 "What does Amy call you?"
18509 
18510 "My lord."
18511 
18512 "That's like her.  Well, you look it," and Jo's eye plainly betrayed
18513 that she found her boy comelier than ever.
18514 
18515 The pillow was gone, but there was a barricade, nevertheless, a natural
18516 one, raised by time, absence, and change of heart.  Both felt it, and
18517 for a minute looked at one another as if that invisible barrier cast a
18518 little shadow over them.  It was gone directly however, for Laurie
18519 said, with a vain attempt at dignity...
18520 
18521 "Don't I look like a married man and the head of a family?"
18522 
18523 "Not a bit, and you never will.  You've grown bigger and bonnier, but
18524 you are the same scapegrace as ever."
18525 
18526 "Now really, Jo, you ought to treat me with more respect," began
18527 Laurie, who enjoyed it all immensely.
18528 
18529 "How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so
18530 irresistibly funny that I can't keep sober!" answered Jo, smiling all
18531 over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then
18532 settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
18533 
18534 "It's no use your going out in the cold to get Amy, for they are all
18535 coming up presently.  I couldn't wait.  I wanted to be the one to tell
18536 you the grand surprise, and have 'first skim' as we used to say when we
18537 squabbled about the cream."
18538 
18539 "Of course you did, and spoiled your story by beginning at the wrong
18540 end.  Now, start right, and tell me how it all happened. I'm pining to
18541 know."
18542 
18543 "Well, I did it to please Amy," began Laurie, with a twinkle that made
18544 Jo exclaim...
18545 
18546 "Fib number one.  Amy did it to please you.  Go on, and tell the truth,
18547 if you can, sir."
18548 
18549 "Now she's beginning to marm it.  Isn't it jolly to hear her?" said
18550 Laurie to the fire, and the fire glowed and sparkled as if it quite
18551 agreed.  "It's all the same, you know, she and I being one. We planned
18552 to come home with the Carrols, a month or more ago, but they suddenly
18553 changed their minds, and decided to pass another winter in Paris.  But
18554 Grandpa wanted to come home.  He went to please me, and I couldn't let
18555 him go alone, neither could I leave Amy, and Mrs. Carrol had got
18556 English notions about chaperons and such nonsense, and wouldn't let Amy
18557 come with us.  So I just settled the difficulty by saying, 'Let's be
18558 married, and then we can do as we like'."
18559 
18560 "Of course you did.  You always have things to suit you."
18561 
18562 "Not always," and something in Laurie's voice made Jo say hastily...
18563 
18564 "How did you ever get Aunt to agree?"
18565 
18566 "It was hard work, but between us, we talked her over, for we had heaps
18567 of good reasons on our side.  There wasn't time to write and ask leave,
18568 but you all liked it, had consented to it by-and-by, and it was only
18569 'taking time by the fetlock', as my wife says."
18570 
18571 "Aren't we proud of those two words, and don't we like to say them?"
18572 interrupted Jo, addressing the fire in her turn, and watching with
18573 delight the happy light it seemed to kindle in the eyes that had been
18574 so tragically gloomy when she saw them last.
18575 
18576 "A trifle, perhaps, she's such a captivating little woman I can't help
18577 being proud of her.  Well, then Uncle and Aunt were there to play
18578 propriety.  We were so absorbed in one another we were of no mortal use
18579 apart, and that charming arrangement would make everything easy all
18580 round, so we did it."
18581 
18582 "When, where, how?" asked Jo, in a fever of feminine interest and
18583 curiosity, for she could not realize it a particle.
18584 
18585 "Six weeks ago, at the American consul's, in Paris, a very quiet
18586 wedding of course, for even in our happiness we didn't forget dear
18587 little Beth."
18588 
18589 Jo put her hand in his as he said that, and Laurie gently smoothed the
18590 little red pillow, which he remembered well.
18591 
18592 "Why didn't you let us know afterward?" asked Jo, in a quieter tone,
18593 when they had sat quite still a minute.
18594 
18595 "We wanted to surprise you.  We thought we were coming directly home,
18596 at first, but the dear old gentleman, as soon as we were married, found
18597 he couldn't be ready under a month, at least, and sent us off to spend
18598 our honeymoon wherever we liked. Amy had once called Valrosa a regular
18599 honeymoon home, so we went there, and were as happy as people are but
18600 once in their lives. My faith!  Wasn't it love among the roses!"
18601 
18602 Laurie seemed to forget Jo for a minute, and Jo was glad of it, for the
18603 fact that he told her these things so freely and so naturally assured
18604 her that he had quite forgiven and forgotten. She tried to draw away
18605 her hand, but as if he guessed the thought that prompted the
18606 half-involuntary impulse, Laurie held it fast, and said, with a manly
18607 gravity she had never seen in him before...
18608 
18609 "Jo, dear, I want to say one thing, and then we'll put it by forever.
18610 As I told you in my letter when I wrote that Amy had been so kind to
18611 me, I never shall stop loving you, but the love is altered, and I have
18612 learned to see that it is better as it is. Amy and you changed places
18613 in my heart, that's all.  I think it was meant to be so, and would have
18614 come about naturally, if I had waited, as you tried to make me, but I
18615 never could be patient, and so I got a heartache.  I was a boy then,
18616 headstrong and violent, and it took a hard lesson to show me my
18617 mistake.  For it was one, Jo, as you said, and I found it out, after
18618 making a fool of myself. Upon my word, I was so tumbled up in my mind,
18619 at one time, that I didn't know which I loved best, you or Amy, and
18620 tried to love you both alike.  But I couldn't, and when I saw her in
18621 Switzerland, everything seemed to clear up all at once.  You both got
18622 into your right places, and I felt sure that it was well off with the
18623 old love before it was on with the new, that I could honestly share my
18624 heart between sister Jo and wife Amy, and love them dearly. Will you
18625 believe it, and go back to the happy old times when we first knew one
18626 another?"
18627 
18628 "I'll believe it, with all my heart, but, Teddy, we never can be boy
18629 and girl again.  The happy old times can't come back, and we mustn't
18630 expect it.  We are man and woman now, with sober work to do, for
18631 playtime is over, and we must give up frolicking.  I'm sure you feel
18632 this.  I see the change in you, and you'll find it in me.  I shall miss
18633 my boy, but I shall love the man as much, and admire him more, because
18634 he means to be what I hoped he would.  We can't be little playmates any
18635 longer, but we will be brother and sister, to love and help one another
18636 all our lives, won't we, Laurie?"
18637 
18638 He did not say a word, but took the hand she offered him, and laid his
18639 face down on it for a minute, feeling that out of the grave of a boyish
18640 passion, there had risen a beautiful, strong friendship to bless them
18641 both.  Presently Jo said cheerfully, for she didn't want the coming
18642 home to be a sad one, "I can't make it true that you children are
18643 really married and going to set up housekeeping. Why, it seems only
18644 yesterday that I was buttoning Amy's pinafore, and pulling your hair
18645 when you teased.  Mercy me, how time does fly!"
18646 
18647 "As one of the children is older than yourself, you needn't talk so
18648 like a grandma.  I flatter myself I'm a 'gentleman growed' as Peggotty
18649 said of David, and when you see Amy, you'll find her rather a
18650 precocious infant," said Laurie, looking amused at her maternal air.
18651 
18652 "You may be a little older in years, but I'm ever so much older in
18653 feeling, Teddy.  Women always are, and this last year has been such a
18654 hard one that I feel forty."
18655 
18656 "Poor Jo!  We left you to bear it alone, while we went pleasuring. You
18657 are older.  Here's a line, and there's another.  Unless you smile, your
18658 eyes look sad, and when I touched the cushion, just now, I found a tear
18659 on it.  You've had a great deal to bear, and had to bear it all alone.
18660 What a selfish beast I've been!" and Laurie pulled his own hair, with a
18661 remorseful look.
18662 
18663 But Jo only turned over the traitorous pillow, and answered, in a tone
18664 which she tried to make more cheerful, "No, I had Father and Mother to
18665 help me, and the dear babies to comfort me, and the thought that you
18666 and Amy were safe and happy, to make the troubles here easier to bear.
18667 I am lonely, sometimes, but I dare say it's good for me, and..."
18668 
18669 "You never shall be again," broke in Laurie, putting his arm about her,
18670 as if to fence out every human ill.  "Amy and I can't get on without
18671 you, so you must come and teach 'the children' to keep house, and go
18672 halves in everything, just as we used to do, and let us pet you, and
18673 all be blissfully happy and friendly together."
18674 
18675 "If I shouldn't be in the way, it would be very pleasant.  I begin to
18676 feel quite young already, for somehow all my troubles seemed to fly
18677 away when you came.  You always were a comfort, Teddy," and Jo leaned
18678 her head on his shoulder, just as she did years ago, when Beth lay ill
18679 and Laurie told her to hold on to him.
18680 
18681 He looked down at her, wondering if she remembered the time, but Jo was
18682 smiling to herself, as if in truth her troubles had all vanished at his
18683 coming.
18684 
18685 "You are the same Jo still, dropping tears about one minute, and
18686 laughing the next.  You look a little wicked now.  What is it, Grandma?"
18687 
18688 "I was wondering how you and Amy get on together."
18689 
18690 "Like angels!"
18691 
18692 "Yes, of course, but which rules?"
18693 
18694 "I don't mind telling you that she does now, at least I let her think
18695 so, it pleases her, you know.  By-and-by we shall take turns, for
18696 marriage, they say, halves one's rights and doubles one's duties."
18697 
18698 "You'll go on as you begin, and Amy will rule you all the days of your
18699 life."
18700 
18701 "Well, she does it so imperceptibly that I don't think I shall mind
18702 much.  She is the sort of woman who knows how to rule well.  In fact, I
18703 rather like it, for she winds one round her finger as softly and
18704 prettily as a skein of silk, and makes you feel as if she was doing you
18705 a favor all the while."
18706 
18707 "That ever I should live to see you a henpecked husband and enjoying
18708 it!" cried Jo, with uplifted hands.
18709 
18710 It was good to see Laurie square his shoulders, and smile with
18711 masculine scorn at that insinuation, as he replied, with his "high and
18712 mighty" air, "Amy is too well-bred for that, and I am not the sort of
18713 man to submit to it.  My wife and I respect ourselves and one another
18714 too much ever to tyrannize or quarrel."
18715 
18716 Jo liked that, and thought the new dignity very becoming, but the boy
18717 seemed changing very fast into the man, and regret mingled with her
18718 pleasure.
18719 
18720 "I am sure of that.  Amy and you never did quarrel as we used to. She
18721 is the sun and I the wind, in the fable, and the sun managed the man
18722 best, you remember."
18723 
18724 "She can blow him up as well as shine on him," laughed Laurie. "Such a
18725 lecture as I got at Nice!  I give you my word it was a deal worse than
18726 any of your scoldings, a regular rouser.  I'll tell you all about it
18727 sometime, she never will, because after telling me that she despised
18728 and was ashamed of me, she lost her heart to the despicable party and
18729 married the good-for-nothing."
18730 
18731 "What baseness!  Well, if she abuses you, come to me, and I'll defend
18732 you."
18733 
18734 "I look as if I needed it, don't I?" said Laurie, getting up and
18735 striking an attitude which suddenly changed from the imposing to the
18736 rapturous, as Amy's voice was heard calling, "Where is she? Where's my
18737 dear old Jo?"
18738 
18739 In trooped the whole family, and everyone was hugged and kissed all
18740 over again, and after several vain attempts, the three wanderers were
18741 set down to be looked at and exulted over.  Mr. Laurence, hale and
18742 hearty as ever, was quite as much improved as the others by his foreign
18743 tour, for the crustiness seemed to be nearly gone, and the
18744 old-fashioned courtliness had received a polish which made it kindlier
18745 than ever.  It was good to see him beam at 'my children', as he called
18746 the young pair.  It was better still to see Amy pay him the daughterly
18747 duty and affection which completely won his old heart, and best of all,
18748 to watch Laurie revolve about the two, as if never tired of enjoying
18749 the pretty picture they made.
18750 
18751 The minute she put her eyes upon Amy, Meg became conscious that her own
18752 dress hadn't a Parisian air, that young Mrs. Moffat would be entirely
18753 eclipsed by young Mrs. Laurence, and that 'her ladyship' was altogether
18754 a most elegant and graceful woman.  Jo thought, as she watched the
18755 pair, "How well they look together!  I was right, and Laurie has found
18756 the beautiful, accomplished girl who will become his home better than
18757 clumsy old Jo, and be a pride, not a torment to him."  Mrs. March and
18758 her husband smiled and nodded at each other with happy faces, for they
18759 saw that their youngest had done well, not only in worldly things, but
18760 the better wealth of love, confidence, and happiness.
18761 
18762 For Amy's face was full of the soft brightness which betokens a
18763 peaceful heart, her voice had a new tenderness in it, and the cool,
18764 prim carriage was changed to a gentle dignity, both womanly and
18765 winning. No little affectations marred it, and the cordial sweetness of
18766 her manner was more charming than the new beauty or the old grace, for
18767 it stamped her at once with the unmistakable sign of the true
18768 gentlewoman she had hoped to become.
18769 
18770 "Love has done much for our little girl," said her mother softly.
18771 
18772 "She has had a good example before her all her life, my dear," Mr.
18773 March whispered back, with a loving look at the worn face and gray head
18774 beside him.
18775 
18776 Daisy found it impossible to keep her eyes off her 'pitty aunty', but
18777 attached herself like a lap dog to the wonderful chatelaine full of
18778 delightful charms.  Demi paused to consider the new relationship before
18779 he compromised himself by the rash acceptance of a bribe, which took
18780 the tempting form of a family of wooden bears from Berne. A flank
18781 movement produced an unconditional surrender, however, for Laurie knew
18782 where to have him.
18783 
18784 "Young man, when I first had the honor of making your acquaintance you
18785 hit me in the face.  Now I demand the satisfaction of a gentleman," and
18786 with that the tall uncle proceeded to toss and tousle the small nephew
18787 in a way that damaged his philosophical dignity as much as it delighted
18788 his boyish soul.
18789 
18790 "Blest if she ain't in silk from head to foot; ain't it a relishin'
18791 sight to see her settin' there as fine as a fiddle, and hear folks
18792 calling little Amy 'Mis.  Laurence!'" muttered old Hannah, who could
18793 not resist frequent "peeks" through the slide as she set the table in a
18794 most decidedly promiscuous manner.
18795 
18796 Mercy on us, how they did talk! first one, then the other, then all
18797 burst out together -- trying to tell the history of three years in half
18798 an hour.  It was fortunate that tea was at hand, to produce a lull and
18799 provide refreshment -- for they would have been hoarse and faint if they
18800 had gone on much longer.  Such a happy procession as filed away into
18801 the little dining room! Mr. March proudly escorted Mrs. Laurence.  Mrs.
18802 March as proudly leaned on the arm of 'my son'. The old gentleman took
18803 Jo, with a whispered, "You must be my girl now," and a glance at the
18804 empty corner by the fire, that made Jo whisper back, "I'll try to fill
18805 her place, sir."
18806 
18807 The twins pranced behind, feeling that the millennium was at hand, for
18808 everyone was so busy with the newcomers that they were left to revel at
18809 their own sweet will, and you may be sure they made the most of the
18810 opportunity.  Didn't they steal sips of tea, stuff gingerbread ad
18811 libitum, get a hot biscuit apiece, and as a crowning trespass, didn't
18812 they each whisk a captivating little tart into their tiny pockets,
18813 there to stick and crumble treacherously, teaching them that both human
18814 nature and a pastry are frail? Burdened with the guilty consciousness
18815 of the sequestered tarts, and fearing that Dodo's sharp eyes would
18816 pierce the thin disguise of cambric and merino which hid their booty,
18817 the little sinners attached themselves to 'Dranpa', who hadn't his
18818 spectacles on.  Amy, who was handed about like refreshments, returned
18819 to the parlor on Father Laurence's arm.  The others paired off as
18820 before, and this arrangement left Jo companionless.  She did not mind
18821 it at the minute, for she lingered to answer Hannah's eager inquiry.
18822 
18823 "Will Miss Amy ride in her coop (coupe), and use all them lovely silver
18824 dishes that's stored away over yander?"
18825 
18826 "Shouldn't wonder if she drove six white horses, ate off gold plate,
18827 and wore diamonds and point lace every day.  Teddy thinks nothing too
18828 good for her," returned Jo with infinite satisfaction.
18829 
18830 "No more there is!  Will you have hash or fishballs for breakfast?"
18831 asked Hannah, who wisely mingled poetry and prose.
18832 
18833 "I don't care," and Jo shut the door, feeling that food was an
18834 uncongenial topic just then.  She stood a minute looking at the party
18835 vanishing above, and as Demi's short plaid legs toiled up the last
18836 stair, a sudden sense of loneliness came over her so strongly that she
18837 looked about her with dim eyes, as if to find something to lean upon,
18838 for even Teddy had deserted her.  If she had known what birthday gift
18839 was coming every minute nearer and nearer, she would not have said to
18840 herself, "I'll weep a little weep when I go to bed. It won't do to be
18841 dismal now."  Then she drew her hand over her eyes, for one of her
18842 boyish habits was never to know where her handkerchief was, and had
18843 just managed to call up a smile when there came a knock at the porch
18844 door.
18845 
18846 She opened with hospitable haste, and started as if another ghost had
18847 come to surprise her, for there stood a tall bearded gentleman, beaming
18848 on her from the darkness like a midnight sun.
18849 
18850 "Oh, Mr. Bhaer, I am so glad to see you!" cried Jo, with a clutch, as
18851 if she feared the night would swallow him up before she could get him
18852 in.
18853 
18854 "And I to see Miss Marsch, but no, you haf a party," and the Professor
18855 paused as the sound of voices and the tap of dancing feet came down to
18856 them.
18857 
18858 "No, we haven't, only the family.  My sister and friends have just come
18859 home, and we are all very happy.  Come in, and make one of us."
18860 
18861 Though a very social man, I think Mr. Bhaer would have gone decorously
18862 away, and come again another day, but how could he, when Jo shut the
18863 door behind him, and bereft him of his hat? Perhaps her face had
18864 something to do with it, for she forgot to hide her joy at seeing him,
18865 and showed it with a frankness that proved irresistible to the solitary
18866 man, whose welcome far exceeded his boldest hopes.
18867 
18868 "If I shall not be Monsieur de Trop, I will so gladly see them all.
18869 You haf been ill, my friend?"
18870 
18871 He put the question abruptly, for, as Jo hung up his coat, the light
18872 fell on her face, and he saw a change in it.
18873 
18874 "Not ill, but tired and sorrowful.  We have had trouble since I saw you
18875 last."
18876 
18877 "Ah, yes, I know.  My heart was sore for you when I heard that," and he
18878 shook hands again, with such a sympathetic face that Jo felt as if no
18879 comfort could equal the look of the kind eyes, the grasp of the big,
18880 warm hand.
18881 
18882 "Father, Mother, this is my friend, Professor Bhaer," she said, with a
18883 face and tone of such irrepressible pride and pleasure that she might
18884 as well have blown a trumpet and opened the door with a flourish.
18885 
18886 If the stranger had any doubts about his reception, they were set at
18887 rest in a minute by the cordial welcome he received. Everyone greeted
18888 him kindly, for Jo's sake at first, but very soon they liked him for
18889 his own.  They could not help it, for he carried the talisman that
18890 opens all hearts, and these simple people warmed to him at once,
18891 feeling even the more friendly because he was poor.  For poverty
18892 enriches those who live above it, and is a sure passport to truly
18893 hospitable spirits.  Mr. Bhaer sat looking about him with the air of a
18894 traveler who knocks at a strange door, and when it opens, finds himself
18895 at home.  The children went to him like bees to a honeypot, and
18896 establishing themselves on each knee, proceeded to captivate him by
18897 rifling his pockets, pulling his beard, and investigating his watch,
18898 with juvenile audacity.  The women telegraphed their approval to one
18899 another, and Mr. March, feeling that he had got a kindred spirit,
18900 opened his choicest stores for his guest's benefit, while silent John
18901 listened and enjoyed the talk, but said not a word, and Mr. Laurence
18902 found it impossible to go to sleep.
18903 
18904 If Jo had not been otherwise engaged, Laurie's behavior would have
18905 amused her, for a faint twinge, not of jealousy, but something like
18906 suspicion, caused that gentleman to stand aloof at first, and observe
18907 the newcomer with brotherly circumspection. But it did not last long.
18908 He got interested in spite of himself, and before he knew it, was drawn
18909 into the circle.  For Mr. Bhaer talked well in this genial atmosphere,
18910 and did himself justice. He seldom spoke to Laurie, but he looked at
18911 him often, and a shadow would pass across his face, as if regretting
18912 his own lost youth, as he watched the young man in his prime.  Then his
18913 eyes would turn to Jo so wistfully that she would have surely answered
18914 the mute inquiry if she had seen it.  But Jo had her own eyes to take
18915 care of, and feeling that they could not be trusted, she prudently kept
18916 them on the little sock she was knitting, like a model maiden aunt.
18917 
18918 A stealthy glance now and then refreshed her like sips of fresh water
18919 after a dusty walk, for the sidelong peeps showed her several
18920 propitious omens.  Mr. Bhaer's face had lost the absent-minded
18921 expression, and looked all alive with interest in the present moment,
18922 actually young and handsome, she thought, forgetting to compare him
18923 with Laurie, as she usually did strange men, to their great detriment.
18924 Then he seemed quite inspired, though the burial customs of the
18925 ancients, to which the conversation had strayed, might not be
18926 considered an exhilarating topic. Jo quite glowed with triumph when
18927 Teddy got quenched in an argument, and thought to herself, as she
18928 watched her father's absorbed face, "How he would enjoy having such a
18929 man as my Professor to talk with every day!"  Lastly, Mr. Bhaer was
18930 dressed in a new suit of black, which made him look more like a
18931 gentleman than ever.  His bushy hair had been cut and smoothly brushed,
18932 but didn't stay in order long, for in exciting moments, he rumpled it
18933 up in the droll way he used to do, and Jo liked it rampantly erect
18934 better than flat, because she thought it gave his fine forehead a
18935 Jove-like aspect.  Poor Jo, how she did glorify that plain man, as she
18936 sat knitting away so quietly, yet letting nothing escape her, not even
18937 the fact that Mr. Bhaer actually had gold sleeve-buttons in his
18938 immaculate wristbands.
18939 
18940 "Dear old fellow!  He couldn't have got himself up with more care if
18941 he'd been going a-wooing," said Jo to herself, and then a sudden
18942 thought born of the words made her blush so dreadfully that she had to
18943 drop her ball, and go down after it to hide her face.
18944 
18945 The maneuver did not succeed as well as she expected, however, for
18946 though just in the act of setting fire to a funeral pyre, the Professor
18947 dropped his torch, metaphorically speaking, and made a dive after the
18948 little blue ball.  Of course they bumped their heads smartly together,
18949 saw stars, and both came up flushed and laughing, without the ball, to
18950 resume their seats, wishing they had not left them.
18951 
18952 Nobody knew where the evening went to, for Hannah skillfully abstracted
18953 the babies at an early hour, nodding like two rosy poppies, and Mr.
18954 Laurence went home to rest.  The others sat round the fire, talking
18955 away, utterly regardless of the lapse of time, till Meg, whose maternal
18956 mind was impressed with a firm conviction that Daisy had tumbled out of
18957 bed, and Demi set his nightgown afire studying the structure of
18958 matches, made a move to go.
18959 
18960 "We must have our sing, in the good old way, for we are all together
18961 again once more," said Jo, feeling that a good shout would be a safe
18962 and pleasant vent for the jubilant emotions of her soul.
18963 
18964 They were not all there.  But no one found the words thoughtless or
18965 untrue, for Beth still seemed among them, a peaceful presence,
18966 invisible, but dearer than ever, since death could not break the
18967 household league that love made dissoluble.  The little chair stood in
18968 its old place.  The tidy basket, with the bit of work she left
18969 unfinished when the needle grew 'so heavy', was still on its accustomed
18970 shelf.  The beloved instrument, seldom touched now had not been moved,
18971 and above it Beth's face, serene and smiling, as in the early days,
18972 looked down upon them, seeming to say, "Be happy.  I am here."
18973 
18974 "Play something, Amy.  Let them hear how much you have improved," said
18975 Laurie, with pardonable pride in his promising pupil.
18976 
18977 But Amy whispered, with full eyes, as she twirled the faded stool, "Not
18978 tonight, dear.  I can't show off tonight."
18979 
18980 But she did show something better than brilliancy or skill, for she
18981 sang Beth's songs with a tender music in her voice which the best
18982 master could not have taught, and touched the listener's hearts with a
18983 sweeter power than any other inspiration could have given her.  The
18984 room was very still, when the clear voice failed suddenly at the last
18985 line of Beth's favorite hymn.  It was hard to say...
18986 
18987     Earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal;
18988 
18989 and Amy leaned against her husband, who stood behind her, feeling that
18990 her welcome home was not quite perfect without Beth's kiss.
18991 
18992 "Now, we must finish with Mignon's song, for Mr. Bhaer sings that,"
18993 said Jo, before the pause grew painful.  And Mr. Bhaer cleared his
18994 throat with a gratified "Hem!" as he stepped into the corner where Jo
18995 stood, saying...
18996 
18997 "You will sing with me?  We go excellently well together."
18998 
18999 A pleasing fiction, by the way, for Jo had no more idea of music than a
19000 grasshopper.  But she would have consented if he had proposed to sing a
19001 whole opera, and warbled away, blissfully regardless of time and tune.
19002 It didn't much matter, for Mr. Bhaer sang like a true German, heartily
19003 and well, and Jo soon subsided into a subdued hum, that she might
19004 listen to the mellow voice that seemed to sing for her alone.
19005 
19006     Know'st thou the land where the citron blooms,
19007 
19008 used to be the Professor's favorite line, for 'das land' meant Germany
19009 to him, but now he seemed to dwell, with peculiar warmth and melody,
19010 upon the words...
19011 
19012     There, oh there, might I with thee,
19013     O, my beloved, go
19014 
19015 and one listener was so thrilled by the tender invitation that she
19016 longed to say she did know the land, and would joyfully depart thither
19017 whenever he liked.
19018 
19019 The song was considered a great success, and the singer retired covered
19020 with laurels.  But a few minutes afterward, he forgot his manners
19021 entirely, and stared at Amy putting on her bonnet, for she had been
19022 introduced simply as 'my sister', and no one had called her by her new
19023 name since he came.  He forgot himself still further when Laurie said,
19024 in his most gracious manner, at parting...
19025 
19026 "My wife and I are very glad to meet you, sir.  Please remember that
19027 there is always a welcome waiting for you over the way."
19028 
19029 Then the Professor thanked him so heartily, and looked so suddenly
19030 illuminated with satisfaction, that Laurie thought him the most
19031 delightfully demonstrative old fellow he ever met.
19032 
19033 "I too shall go, but I shall gladly come again, if you will gif me
19034 leave, dear madame, for a little business in the city will keep me here
19035 some days."
19036 
19037 He spoke to Mrs. March, but he looked at Jo, and the mother's voice
19038 gave as cordial an assent as did the daughter's eyes, for Mrs. March
19039 was not so blind to her children's interest as Mrs. Moffat supposed.
19040 
19041 "I suspect that is a wise man," remarked Mr. March, with placid
19042 satisfaction, from the hearthrug, after the last guest had gone.
19043 
19044 "I know he is a good one," added Mrs. March, with decided approval, as
19045 she wound up the clock.
19046 
19047 "I thought you'd like him," was all Jo said, as she slipped away to her
19048 bed.
19049 
19050 She wondered what the business was that brought Mr. Bhaer to the city,
19051 and finally decided that he had been appointed to some great honor,
19052 somewhere, but had been too modest to mention the fact.  If she had
19053 seen his face when, safe in his own room, he looked at the picture of a
19054 severe and rigid young lady, with a good deal of hair, who appeared to
19055 be gazing darkly into futurity, it might have thrown some light upon
19056 the subject, especially when he turned off the gas, and kissed the
19057 picture in the dark.
19058 
19059 
19060 
19061 CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
19062 
19063 MY LORD AND LADY
19064 
19065 "Please, Madam Mother, could you lend me my wife for half an hour?  The
19066 luggage has come, and I've been making hay of Amy's Paris finery,
19067 trying to find some things I want," said Laurie, coming in the next day
19068 to find Mrs. Laurence sitting in her mother's lap, as if being made
19069 'the baby' again.
19070 
19071 "Certainly.  Go, dear, I forgot that you have any home but this," and
19072 Mrs. March pressed the white hand that wore the wedding ring, as if
19073 asking pardon for her maternal covetousness.
19074 
19075 "I shouldn't have come over if I could have helped it, but I can't get
19076 on without my little woman any more than a..."
19077 
19078 "Weathercock can without the wind," suggested Jo, as he paused for a
19079 simile.  Jo had grown quite her own saucy self again since Teddy came
19080 home.
19081 
19082 "Exactly, for Amy keeps me pointing due west most of the time, with
19083 only an occasional whiffle round to the south, and I haven't had an
19084 easterly spell since I was married.  Don't know anything about the
19085 north, but am altogether salubrious and balmy, hey, my lady?"
19086 
19087 "Lovely weather so far.  I don't know how long it will last, but I'm
19088 not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship.  Come home,
19089 dear, and I'll find your bootjack.  I suppose that's what you are
19090 rummaging after among my things.  Men are so helpless, Mother," said
19091 Amy, with a matronly air, which delighted her husband.
19092 
19093 "What are you going to do with yourselves after you get settled?" asked
19094 Jo, buttoning Amy's cloak as she used to button her pinafores.
19095 
19096 "We have our plans.  We don't mean to say much about them yet, because
19097 we are such very new brooms, but we don't intend to be idle.  I'm going
19098 into business with a devotion that shall delight Grandfather, and prove
19099 to him that I'm not spoiled.  I need something of the sort to keep me
19100 steady.  I'm tired of dawdling, and mean to work like a man."
19101 
19102 "And Amy, what is she going to do?" asked Mrs. March, well pleased at
19103 Laurie's decision and the energy with which he spoke.
19104 
19105 "After doing the civil all round, and airing our best bonnet, we shall
19106 astonish you by the elegant hospitalities of our mansion, the brilliant
19107 society we shall draw about us, and the beneficial influence we shall
19108 exert over the world at large.  That's about it, isn't it, Madame
19109 Recamier?" asked Laurie with a quizzical look at Amy.
19110 
19111 "Time will show.  Come away, Impertinence, and don't shock my family by
19112 calling me names before their faces," answered Amy, resolving that
19113 there should be a home with a good wife in it before she set up a salon
19114 as a queen of society.
19115 
19116 "How happy those children seem together!" observed Mr. March, finding
19117 it difficult to become absorbed in his Aristotle after the young couple
19118 had gone.
19119 
19120 "Yes, and I think it will last," added Mrs. March, with the restful
19121 expression of a pilot who has brought a ship safely into port.
19122 
19123 "I know it will.  Happy Amy!" and Jo sighed, then smiled brightly as
19124 Professor Bhaer opened the gate with an impatient push.
19125 
19126 Later in the evening, when his mind had been set at rest about the
19127 bootjack, Laurie said suddenly to his wife, "Mrs. Laurence."
19128 
19129 "My Lord!"
19130 
19131 "That man intends to marry our Jo!"
19132 
19133 "I hope so, don't you, dear?"
19134 
19135 "Well, my love, I consider him a trump, in the fullest sense of that
19136 expressive word, but I do wish he was a little younger and a good deal
19137 richer."
19138 
19139 "Now, Laurie, don't be too fastidious and worldly-minded. If they love
19140 one another it doesn't matter a particle how old they are nor how poor.
19141 Women never should marry for money..." Amy caught herself up short as
19142 the words escaped her, and looked at her husband, who replied, with
19143 malicious gravity...
19144 
19145 "Certainly not, though you do hear charming girls say that they intend
19146 to do it sometimes.  If my memory serves me, you once thought it your
19147 duty to make a rich match.  That accounts, perhaps, for your marrying a
19148 good-for-nothing like me."
19149 
19150 "Oh, my dearest boy, don't, don't say that!  I forgot you were rich
19151 when I said 'Yes'.  I'd have married you if you hadn't a penny, and I
19152 sometimes wish you were poor that I might show how much I love you."
19153 And Amy, who was very dignified in public and very fond in private,
19154 gave convincing proofs of the truth of her words.
19155 
19156 "You don't really think I am such a mercenary creature as I tried to be
19157 once, do you?  It would break my heart if you didn't believe that I'd
19158 gladly pull in the same boat with you, even if you had to get your
19159 living by rowing on the lake."
19160 
19161 "Am I an idiot and a brute?  How could I think so, when you refused a
19162 richer man for me, and won't let me give you half I want to now, when I
19163 have the right?  Girls do it every day, poor things, and are taught to
19164 think it is their only salvation, but you had better lessons, and
19165 though I trembled for you at one time, I was not disappointed, for the
19166 daughter was true to the mother's teaching.  I told Mamma so yesterday,
19167 and she looked as glad and grateful as if I'd given her a check for a
19168 million, to be spent in charity.  You are not listening to my moral
19169 remarks, Mrs. Laurence," and Laurie paused, for Amy's eyes had an
19170 absent look, though fixed upon his face.
19171 
19172 "Yes, I am, and admiring the mole in your chin at the same time.  I
19173 don't wish to make you vain, but I must confess that I'm prouder of my
19174 handsome husband than of all his money. Don't laugh, but your nose is
19175 such a comfort to me," and Amy softly caressed the well-cut feature
19176 with artistic satisfaction.
19177 
19178 Laurie had received many compliments in his life, but never one that
19179 suited him better, as he plainly showed though he did laugh at his
19180 wife's peculiar taste, while she said slowly, "May I ask you a
19181 question, dear?"
19182 
19183 "Of course, you may."
19184 
19185 "Shall you care if Jo does marry Mr. Bhaer?"
19186 
19187 "Oh, that's the trouble is it?  I thought there was something in the
19188 dimple that didn't quite suit you.  Not being a dog in the manger, but
19189 the happiest fellow alive, I assure you I can dance at Jo's wedding
19190 with a heart as light as my heels.  Do you doubt it, my darling?"
19191 
19192 Amy looked up at him, and was satisfied.  Her little jealous fear
19193 vanished forever, and she thanked him, with a face full of love and
19194 confidence.
19195 
19196 "I wish we could do something for that capital old Professor. Couldn't
19197 we invent a rich relation, who shall obligingly die out there in
19198 Germany, and leave him a tidy little fortune?" said Laurie, when they
19199 began to pace up and down the long drawing room, arm in arm, as they
19200 were fond of doing, in memory of the chateau garden.
19201 
19202 "Jo would find us out, and spoil it all.  She is very proud of him,
19203 just as he is, and said yesterday that she thought poverty was a
19204 beautiful thing."
19205 
19206 "Bless her dear heart!  She won't think so when she has a literary
19207 husband, and a dozen little professors and professorins to support.  We
19208 won't interfere now, but watch our chance, and do them a good turn in
19209 spite of themselves.  I owe Jo for a part of my education, and she
19210 believes in people's paying their honest debts, so I'll get round her
19211 in that way."
19212 
19213 "How delightful it is to be able to help others, isn't it? That was
19214 always one of my dreams, to have the power of giving freely, and thanks
19215 to you, the dream has come true."
19216 
19217 "Ah, we'll do quantities of good, won't we?  There's one sort of
19218 poverty that I particularly like to help.  Out-and-out beggars get
19219 taken care of, but poor gentle folks fare badly, because they won't
19220 ask, and people don't dare to offer charity. Yet there are a thousand
19221 ways of helping them, if one only knows how to do it so delicately that
19222 it does not offend.  I must say, I like to serve a decayed gentleman
19223 better than a blarnerying beggar.  I suppose it's wrong, but I do,
19224 though it is harder."
19225 
19226 "Because it takes a gentleman to do it," added the other member of the
19227 domestic admiration society.
19228 
19229 "Thank you, I'm afraid I don't deserve that pretty compliment. But I
19230 was going to say that while I was dawdling about abroad, I saw a good
19231 many talented young fellows making all sorts of sacrifices, and
19232 enduring real hardships, that they might realize their dreams. Splendid
19233 fellows, some of them, working like heros,  poor and friendless, but so
19234 full of courage, patience, and ambition that I was ashamed of myself,
19235 and longed to give them a right good lift.  Those are people whom it's
19236 a satisfaction to help, for if they've got genius, it's an honor to be
19237 allowed to serve them, and not let it be lost or delayed for want of
19238 fuel to keep the pot boiling.  If they haven't, it's a pleasure to
19239 comfort the poor souls, and keep them from despair when they find it
19240 out."
19241 
19242 "Yes, indeed, and there's another class who can't ask, and who suffer
19243 in silence.  I know something of it, for I belonged to it before you
19244 made a princess of me, as the king does the beggarmaid in the old
19245 story.  Ambitious girls have a hard time, Laurie, and often have to see
19246 youth, health, and precious opportunities go by, just for want of a
19247 little help at the right minute.  People have been very kind to me, and
19248 whenever I see girls struggling along, as we used to do, I want to put
19249 out my hand and help them, as I was helped."
19250 
19251 "And so you shall, like an angel as you are!" cried Laurie, resolving,
19252 with a glow of philanthropic zeal, to found and endow an institution
19253 for the express benefit of young women with artistic tendencies.  "Rich
19254 people have no right to sit down and enjoy themselves, or let their
19255 money accumulate for others to waste.  It's not half so sensible to
19256 leave legacies when one dies as it is to use the money wisely while
19257 alive, and enjoy making one's fellow creatures happy with it.  We'll
19258 have a good time ourselves, and add an extra relish to our own pleasure
19259 by giving other people a generous taste.  Will you be a little Dorcas,
19260 going about emptying a big basket of comforts, and filling it up with
19261 good deeds?"
19262 
19263 "With all my heart, if you will be a brave St.  Martin, stopping as you
19264 ride gallantly through the world to share your cloak with the beggar."
19265 
19266 "It's a bargain, and we shall get the best of it!"
19267 
19268 So the young pair shook hands upon it, and then paced happily on again,
19269 feeling that their pleasant home was more homelike because they hoped
19270 to brighten other homes, believing that their own feet would walk more
19271 uprightly along the flowery path before them, if they smoothed rough
19272 ways for other feet, and feeling that their hearts were more closely
19273 knit together by a love which could tenderly remember those less blest
19274 than they.
19275 
19276 
19277 
19278 CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
19279 
19280 DAISY AND DEMI
19281 
19282 I cannot feel that I have done my duty as humble historian of the March
19283 family, without devoting at least one chapter to the two most precious
19284 and important members of it.  Daisy and Demi had now arrived at years
19285 of discretion, for in this fast age babies of three or four assert
19286 their rights, and get them, too, which is more than many of their
19287 elders do.  If there ever were a pair of twins in danger of being
19288 utterly spoiled by adoration, it was these prattling Brookes.  Of
19289 course they were the most remarkable children ever born, as will be
19290 shown when I mention that they walked at eight months, talked fluently
19291 at twelve months, and at two years they took their places at table, and
19292 behaved with a propriety which charmed all beholders. At three, Daisy
19293 demanded a 'needler', and actually made a bag with four stitches in it.
19294 She likewise set up housekeeping in the sideboard, and managed a
19295 microscopic cooking stove with a skill that brought tears of pride to
19296 Hannah's eyes, while Demi learned his letters with his grandfather, who
19297 invented a new mode of teaching the alphabet by forming letters with
19298 his arms and legs, thus uniting gymnastics for head and heels.  The boy
19299 early developed a mechanical genius which delighted his father and
19300 distracted his mother, for he tried to imitate every machine he saw,
19301 and kept the nursery in a chaotic condition, with his 'sewinsheen', a
19302 mysterious structure of string, chairs, clothespins, and spools, for
19303 wheels to go 'wound and wound'.  Also a basket hung over the back of a
19304 chair, in which he vainly tried to hoist his too confiding sister, who,
19305 with feminine devotion, allowed her little head to be bumped till
19306 rescued, when the young inventor indignantly remarked, "Why, Marmar,
19307 dat's my lellywaiter, and me's trying to pull her up."
19308 
19309 Though utterly unlike in character, the twins got on remarkably well
19310 together, and seldom quarreled more than thrice a day.  Of course, Demi
19311 tyrannized over Daisy, and gallantly defended her from every other
19312 aggressor, while Daisy made a galley slave of herself, and adored her
19313 brother as the one perfect being in the world.  A rosy, chubby,
19314 sunshiny little soul was Daisy, who found her way to everybody's heart,
19315 and nestled there.  One of the captivating children, who seem made to
19316 be kissed and cuddled, adorned and adored like little goddesses, and
19317 produced for general approval on all festive occasions. Her small
19318 virtues were so sweet that she would have been quite angelic if a few
19319 small naughtinesses had not kept her delightfully human.  It was all
19320 fair weather in her world, and every morning she scrambled up to the
19321 window in her little nightgown to look out, and say, no matter whether
19322 it rained or shone, "Oh, pitty day, oh, pitty day!" Everyone was a
19323 friend, and she offered kisses to a stranger so confidingly that the
19324 most inveterate bachelor relented, and baby-lovers became faithful
19325 worshipers.
19326 
19327 "Me loves evvybody," she once said, opening her arms, with her spoon in
19328 one hand, and her mug in the other, as if eager to embrace and nourish
19329 the whole world.
19330 
19331 As she grew, her mother began to feel that the Dovecote would be
19332 blessed by the presence of an inmate as serene and loving as that which
19333 had helped to make the old house home, and to pray that she might be
19334 spared a loss like that which had lately taught them how long they had
19335 entertained an angel unawares.  Her grandfather often called her
19336 'Beth', and her grandmother watched over her with untiring devotion, as
19337 if trying to atone for some past mistake, which no eye but her own
19338 could see.
19339 
19340 Demi, like a true Yankee, was of an inquiring turn, wanting to know
19341 everything, and often getting much disturbed because he could not get
19342 satisfactory answers to his perpetual "What for?"
19343 
19344 He also possessed a philosophic bent, to the great delight of his
19345 grandfather, who used to hold Socratic conversations with him, in which
19346 the precocious pupil occasionally posed his teacher, to the undisguised
19347 satisfaction of the womenfolk.
19348 
19349 "What makes my legs go, Dranpa?" asked the young philosopher, surveying
19350 those active portions of his frame with a meditative air, while resting
19351 after a go-to-bed frolic one night.
19352 
19353 "It's your little mind, Demi," replied the sage, stroking the yellow
19354 head respectfully.
19355 
19356 "What is a little mine?"
19357 
19358 "It is something which makes your body move, as the spring made the
19359 wheels go in my watch when I showed it to you."
19360 
19361 "Open me.  I want to see it go wound."
19362 
19363 "I can't do that any more than you could open the watch.  God winds you
19364 up, and you go till He stops you."
19365 
19366 "Does I?" and Demi's brown eyes grew big and bright as he took in the
19367 new thought.  "Is I wounded up like the watch?"
19368 
19369 "Yes, but I can't show you how, for it is done when we don't see."
19370 
19371 Demi felt his back, as if expecting to find it like that of the watch,
19372 and then gravely remarked, "I dess Dod does it when I's asleep."
19373 
19374 A careful explanation followed, to which he listened so attentively
19375 that his anxious grandmother said, "My dear, do you think it wise to
19376 talk about such things to that baby?  He's getting great bumps over his
19377 eyes, and learning to ask the most unanswerable questions."
19378 
19379 "If he is old enough to ask the question he is old enough to receive
19380 true answers.  I am not putting the thoughts into his head, but helping
19381 him unfold those already there.  These children are wiser than we are,
19382 and I have no doubt the boy understands every word I have said to him.
19383 Now, Demi, tell me where you keep your mind."
19384 
19385 If the boy had replied like Alcibiades, "By the gods, Socrates, I
19386 cannot tell," his grandfather would not have been surprised, but when,
19387 after standing a moment on one leg, like a meditative young stork, he
19388 answered, in a tone of calm conviction, "In my little belly," the old
19389 gentleman could only join in Grandma's laugh, and dismiss the class in
19390 metaphysics.
19391 
19392 There might have been cause for maternal anxiety, if Demi had not given
19393 convincing proofs that he was a true boy, as well as a budding
19394 philosopher, for often, after a discussion which caused Hannah to
19395 prophesy, with ominous nods, "That child ain't long for this world," he
19396 would turn about and set her fears at rest by some of the pranks with
19397 which dear, dirty, naughty little rascals distract and delight their
19398 parent's souls.
19399 
19400 Meg made many moral rules, and tried to keep them, but what mother was
19401 ever proof against the winning wiles, the ingenious evasions, or the
19402 tranquil audacity of the miniature men and women who so early show
19403 themselves accomplished Artful Dodgers?
19404 
19405 "No more raisins, Demi.  They'll make you sick," says Mamma to the
19406 young person who offers his services in the kitchen with unfailing
19407 regularity on plum-pudding day.
19408 
19409 "Me likes to be sick."
19410 
19411 "I don't want to have you, so run away and help Daisy make patty cakes."
19412 
19413 He reluctantly departs, but his wrongs weigh upon his spirit, and
19414 by-and-by when an opportunity comes to redress them, he outwits Mamma
19415 by a shrewd bargain.
19416 
19417 "Now you have been good children, and I'll play anything you like,"
19418 says Meg, as she leads her assistant cooks upstairs, when the pudding
19419 is safely bouncing in the pot.
19420 
19421 "Truly, Marmar?" asks Demi, with a brilliant idea in his well-powdered
19422 head.
19423 
19424 "Yes, truly.  Anything you say," replies the shortsighted parent,
19425 preparing herself to sing, "The Three Little Kittens" half a dozen
19426 times over, or to take her family to "Buy a penny bun," regardless of
19427 wind or limb.  But Demi corners her by the cool reply...
19428 
19429 "Then we'll go and eat up all the raisins."
19430 
19431 Aunt Dodo was chief playmate and confidante of both children, and the
19432 trio turned the little house topsy-turvy.  Aunt Amy was as yet only a
19433 name to them, Aunt Beth soon faded into a pleasantly vague memory, but
19434 Aunt Dodo was a living reality, and they made the most of her, for
19435 which compliment she was deeply grateful.  But when Mr. Bhaer came, Jo
19436 neglected her playfellows, and dismay and desolation fell upon their
19437 little souls.  Daisy, who was fond of going about peddling kisses, lost
19438 her best customer and became bankrupt.  Demi, with infantile
19439 penetration, soon discovered that Dodo like to play with 'the bear-man'
19440 better than she did him, but though hurt, he concealed his anguish, for
19441 he hadn't the heart to insult a rival who kept a mine of chocolate
19442 drops in his waistcoat pocket, and a watch that could be taken out of
19443 its case and freely shaken by ardent admirers.
19444 
19445 Some persons might have considered these pleasing liberties as bribes,
19446 but Demi didn't see it in that light, and continued to patronize the
19447 'the bear-man' with pensive affability, while Daisy bestowed her small
19448 affections upon him at the third call, and considered his shoulder her
19449 throne, his arm her refuge, his gifts treasures surpassing worth.
19450 
19451 Gentlemen are sometimes seized with sudden fits of admiration for the
19452 young relatives of ladies whom they honor with their regard, but this
19453 counterfeit philoprogenitiveness sits uneasily upon them, and does not
19454 deceive anybody a particle.  Mr. Bhaer's devotion was sincere, however
19455 likewise effective -- for honesty is the best policy in love as in law.
19456 He was one of the men who are at home with children, and looked
19457 particularly well when little faces made a pleasant contrast with his
19458 manly one.  His business, whatever it was, detained him from day to
19459 day, but evening seldom failed to bring him out to see -- well, he always
19460 asked for Mr. March, so I suppose he was the attraction.  The excellent
19461 papa labored under the delusion that he was, and reveled in long
19462 discussions with the kindred spirit, till a chance remark of his more
19463 observing grandson suddenly enlightened him.
19464 
19465 Mr. Bhaer came in one evening to pause on the threshold of the study,
19466 astonished by the spectacle that met his eye.  Prone upon the floor lay
19467 Mr. March, with his respectable legs in the air, and beside him,
19468 likewise prone, was Demi, trying to imitate the attitude with his own
19469 short, scarlet-stockinged legs, both grovelers so seriously absorbed
19470 that they were unconscious of spectators, till Mr. Bhaer laughed his
19471 sonorous laugh, and Jo cried out, with a scandalized face...
19472 
19473 "Father, Father, here's the Professor!"
19474 
19475 Down went the black legs and up came the gray head, as the preceptor
19476 said, with undisturbed dignity, "Good evening, Mr. Bhaer. Excuse me for
19477 a moment.  We are just finishing our lesson.  Now, Demi, make the
19478 letter and tell its name."
19479 
19480 "I knows him!" and, after a few convulsive efforts, the red legs took
19481 the shape of a pair of compasses, and the intelligent pupil
19482 triumphantly shouted, "It's a We, Dranpa, it's a We!"
19483 
19484 "He's a born Weller," laughed Jo, as her parent gathered himself up,
19485 and her nephew tried to stand on his head, as the only mode of
19486 expressing his satisfaction that school was over.
19487 
19488 "What have you been at today, bubchen?" asked Mr. Bhaer, picking up the
19489 gymnast.
19490 
19491 "Me went to see little Mary."
19492 
19493 "And what did you there?"
19494 
19495 "I kissed her," began Demi, with artless frankness.
19496 
19497 "Prut!  Thou beginnest early.  What did the little Mary say to that?"
19498 asked Mr. Bhaer, continuing to confess the young sinner, who stood upon
19499 the knee, exploring the waistcoat pocket.
19500 
19501 "Oh, she liked it, and she kissed me, and I liked it.  Don't little
19502 boys like little girls?" asked Demi, with his mouth full, and an air of
19503 bland satisfaction.
19504 
19505 "You precocious chick!  Who put that into your head?" said Jo, enjoying
19506 the innocent revelation as much as the Professor.
19507 
19508 "'Tisn't in mine head, it's in mine mouf," answered literal Demi,
19509 putting out his tongue, with a chocolate drop on it, thinking she
19510 alluded to confectionery, not ideas.
19511 
19512 "Thou shouldst save some for the little friend.  Sweets to the sweet,
19513 mannling," and Mr. Bhaer offered Jo some, with a look that made her
19514 wonder if chocolate was not the nectar drunk by the gods.  Demi also
19515 saw the smile, was impressed by it, and artlessy inquired.  ..
19516 
19517 "Do great boys like great girls, to, 'Fessor?"
19518 
19519 Like young Washington, Mr. Bhaer 'couldn't tell a lie', so he gave the
19520 somewhat vague reply that he believed they did sometimes, in a tone
19521 that made Mr. March put down his clothesbrush, glance at Jo's retiring
19522 face, and then sink into his chair, looking as if the 'precocious
19523 chick' had put an idea into his head that was both sweet and sour.
19524 
19525 Why Dodo, when she caught him in the china closet half an hour
19526 afterward, nearly squeezed the breath out of his little body with a
19527 tender embrace, instead of shaking him for being there, and why she
19528 followed up this novel performance by the unexpected gift of a big
19529 slice of bread and jelly, remained one of the problems over which Demi
19530 puzzled his small wits, and was forced to leave unsolved forever.
19531 
19532 
19533 
19534 CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
19535 
19536 UNDER THE UMBRELLA
19537 
19538 While Laurie and Amy were taking conjugal strolls over velvet carpets,
19539 as they set their house in order, and planned a blissful future, Mr.
19540 Bhaer and Jo were enjoying promenades of a different sort, along muddy
19541 roads and sodden fields.
19542 
19543 "I always do take a walk toward evening, and I don't know why I should
19544 give it up, just because I happen to meet the Professor on his way
19545 out," said Jo to herself, after two or three encounters, for though
19546 there were two paths to Meg's whichever one she took she was sure to
19547 meet him, either going or returning. He was always walking rapidly, and
19548 never seemed to see her until quite close, when he would look as if his
19549 short-sighted eyes had failed to recognize the approaching lady till
19550 that moment.  Then, if she was going to Meg's he always had something
19551 for the babies.  If her face was turned homeward, he had merely
19552 strolled down to see the river, and was just returning, unless they
19553 were tired of his frequent calls.
19554 
19555 Under the circumstances, what could Jo do but greet him civilly, and
19556 invite him in?  If she was tired of his visits, she concealed her
19557 weariness with perfect skill, and took care that there should be coffee
19558 for supper, "as Friedrich -- I mean Mr. Bhaer -- doesn't like tea."
19559 
19560 By the second week, everyone knew perfectly well what was going on, yet
19561 everyone tried to look as if they were stone-blind to the changes in
19562 Jo's face.  They never asked why she sang about her work, did up her
19563 hair three times a day, and got so blooming with her evening exercise.
19564 And no one seemed to have the slightest suspicion that Professor Bhaer,
19565 while talking philosophy with the father, was giving the daughter
19566 lessons in love.
19567 
19568 Jo couldn't even lose her heart in a decorous manner, but sternly tried
19569 to quench her feelings, and failing to do so, led a somewhat agitated
19570 life.  She was mortally afraid of being laughed at for surrendering,
19571 after her many and vehement declarations of independence.  Laurie was
19572 her especial dread, but thanks to the new manager, he behaved with
19573 praiseworthy propriety, never called Mr. Bhaer 'a capital old fellow'
19574 in public, never alluded, in the remotest manner, to Jo's improved
19575 appearance, or expressed the least surprise at seeing the Professor's
19576 hat on the Marches' table nearly every evening.  But he exulted in
19577 private and longed for the time to come when he could give Jo a piece
19578 of plate, with a bear and a ragged staff on it as an appropriate coat
19579 of arms.
19580 
19581 For a fortnight, the Professor came and went with lover-like
19582 regularity.  Then he stayed away for three whole days, and made no
19583 sign, a proceeding which caused everybody to look sober, and Jo to
19584 become pensive, at first, and then -- alas for romance -- very cross.
19585 
19586 "Disgusted, I dare say, and gone home as suddenly as he came. It's
19587 nothing to me, of course, but I should think he would have come and bid
19588 us goodbye like a gentleman," she said to herself, with a despairing
19589 look at the gate, as she put on her things for the customary walk one
19590 dull afternoon.
19591 
19592 "You'd better take the little umbrella, dear.  It looks like rain,"
19593 said her mother, observing that she had on her new bonnet, but not
19594 alluding to the fact.
19595 
19596 "Yes, Marmee, do you want anything in town?  I've got to run in and get
19597 some paper," returned Jo, pulling out the bow under her chin before the
19598 glass as an excuse for not looking at her mother.
19599 
19600 "Yes, I want some twilled silesia, a paper of number nine needles, and
19601 two yards of narrow lavender ribbon.  Have you got your thick boots on,
19602 and something warm under your cloak?"
19603 
19604 "I believe so," answered Jo absently.
19605 
19606 "If you happen to meet Mr. Bhaer, bring him home to tea. I quite long
19607 to see the dear man," added Mrs. March.
19608 
19609 Jo heard that, but made no answer, except to kiss her mother, and walk
19610 rapidly away, thinking with a glow of gratitude, in spite of her
19611 heartache, "How good she is to me! What do girls do who haven't any
19612 mothers to help them through their troubles?"
19613 
19614 The dry-goods stores were not down among the counting-houses, banks,
19615 and wholesale warerooms, where gentlemen most do congregate, but Jo
19616 found herself in that part of the city before she did a single errand,
19617 loitering along as if waiting for someone, examining engineering
19618 instruments in one window and samples of wool in another, with most
19619 unfeminine interest, tumbling over barrels, being half-smothered by
19620 descending bales, and hustled unceremoniously by busy men who looked as
19621 if they wondered 'how the deuce she got there'.  A drop of rain on her
19622 cheek recalled her thoughts from baffled hopes to ruined ribbons.  For
19623 the drops continued to fall, and being a woman as well as a lover, she
19624 felt that, though it was too late to save her heart, she might her
19625 bonnet.  Now she remembered the little umbrella, which she had
19626 forgotten to take in her hurry to be off, but regret was unavailing,
19627 and nothing could be done but borrow one or submit to a drenching.  She
19628 looked up at the lowering sky, down at the crimson bow already flecked
19629 with black, forward along the muddy street, then one long, lingering
19630 look behind, at a certain grimy warehouse, with 'Hoffmann, Swartz, &
19631 Co.' over the door, and said to herself, with a sternly reproachful
19632 air...
19633 
19634 "It serves me right! what business had I to put on all my best things
19635 and come philandering down here, hoping to see the Professor?  Jo, I'm
19636 ashamed of you!  No, you shall not go there to borrow an umbrella, or
19637 find out where he is, from his friends. You shall trudge away, and do
19638 your errands in the rain, and if you catch your death and ruin your
19639 bonnet, it's no more than you deserve.  Now then!"
19640 
19641 With that she rushed across the street so impetuously that she narrowly
19642 escaped annihilation from a passing truck, and precipitated herself
19643 into the arms of a stately old gentleman, who said, "I beg pardon,
19644 ma'am," and looked mortally offended.  Somewhat daunted, Jo righted
19645 herself, spread her handkerchief over the devoted ribbons, and putting
19646 temptation behind her, hurried on, with increasing dampness about the
19647 ankles, and much clashing of umbrellas overhead.  The fact that a
19648 somewhat dilapidated blue one remained stationary above the unprotected
19649 bonnet attracted her attention, and looking up, she saw Mr. Bhaer
19650 looking down.
19651 
19652 "I feel to know the strong-minded lady who goes so bravely under many
19653 horse noses, and so fast through much mud.  What do you down here, my
19654 friend?"
19655 
19656 "I'm shopping."
19657 
19658 Mr. Bhaer smiled, as he glanced from the pickle factory on one side to
19659 the wholesale hide and leather concern on the other, but he only said
19660 politely, "You haf no umbrella.  May I go also, and take for you the
19661 bundles?"
19662 
19663 "Yes, thank you."
19664 
19665 Jo's cheeks were as red as her ribbon, and she wondered what he thought
19666 of her, but she didn't care, for in a minute she found herself walking
19667 away arm in arm with her Professor, feeling as if the sun had suddenly
19668 burst out with uncommon brilliancy, that the world was all right again,
19669 and that one thoroughly happy woman was paddling through the wet that
19670 day.
19671 
19672 "We thought you had gone," said Jo hastily, for she knew he was looking
19673 at her.  Her bonnet wasn't big enough to hide her face, and she feared
19674 he might think the joy it betrayed unmaidenly.
19675 
19676 "Did you believe that I should go with no farewell to those who haf
19677 been so heavenly kind to me?" he asked so reproachfully that she felt
19678 as if she had insulted him by the suggestion, and answered heartily...
19679 
19680 "No, I didn't.  I knew you were busy about your own affairs, but we
19681 rather missed you, Father and Mother especially."
19682 
19683 "And you?"
19684 
19685 "I'm always glad to see you, sir."
19686 
19687 In her anxiety to keep her voice quite calm, Jo made it rather cool,
19688 and the frosty little monosyllable at the end seemed to chill the
19689 Professor, for his smile vanished, as he said gravely...
19690 
19691 "I thank you, and come one more time before I go."
19692 
19693 "You are going, then?"
19694 
19695 "I haf no longer any business here, it is done."
19696 
19697 "Successfully, I hope?" said Jo, for the bitterness of disappointment
19698 was in that short reply of his.
19699 
19700 "I ought to think so, for I haf a way opened to me by which I can make
19701 my bread and gif my Junglings much help."
19702 
19703 "Tell me, please!  I like to know all about the -- the boys," said Jo
19704 eagerly.
19705 
19706 "That is so kind, I gladly tell you.  My friends find for me a place in
19707 a college, where I teach as at home, and earn enough to make the way
19708 smooth for Franz and Emil.  For this I should be grateful, should I
19709 not?"
19710 
19711 "Indeed you should.  How splendid it will be to have you doing what you
19712 like, and be able to see you often, and the boys!" cried Jo, clinging
19713 to the lads as an excuse for the satisfaction she could not help
19714 betraying.
19715 
19716 "Ah!  But we shall not meet often, I fear, this place is at the West."
19717 
19718 "So far away!" and Jo left her skirts to their fate, as if it didn't
19719 matter now what became of her clothes or herself.
19720 
19721 Mr. Bhaer could read several languages, but he had not learned to read
19722 women yet.  He flattered himself that he knew Jo pretty well, and was,
19723 therefore, much amazed by the contradictions of voice, face, and
19724 manner, which she showed him in rapid succession that day, for she was
19725 in half a dozen different moods in the course of half an hour.  When
19726 she met him she looked surprised, though it was impossible to help
19727 suspecting that she had come for that express purpose.  When he offered
19728 her his arm, she took it with a look that filled him with delight, but
19729 when he asked if she missed him, she gave such a chilly, formal reply
19730 that despair fell upon him.  On learning his good fortune she almost
19731 clapped her hands.  Was the joy all for the boys? Then on hearing his
19732 destination, she said, "So far away!" in a tone of despair that lifted
19733 him on to a pinnacle of hope, but the next minute she tumbled him down
19734 again by observing, like one entirely absorbed in the matter...
19735 
19736 "Here's the place for my errands.  Will you come in? It won't take
19737 long."
19738 
19739 Jo rather prided herself upon her shopping capabilities, and
19740 particularly wished to impress her escort with the neatness and
19741 dispatch with which she would accomplish the business. But owing to the
19742 flutter she was in, everything went amiss. She upset the tray of
19743 needles, forgot the silesia was to be 'twilled' till it was cut off,
19744 gave the wrong change, and covered herself with confusion by asking for
19745 lavender ribbon at the calico counter.  Mr. Bhaer stood by, watching
19746 her blush and blunder, and as he watched, his own bewilderment seemed
19747 to subside, for he was beginning to see that on some occasions, women,
19748 like dreams, go by contraries.
19749 
19750 When they came out, he put the parcel under his arm with a more
19751 cheerful aspect, and splashed through the puddles as if he rather
19752 enjoyed it on the whole.
19753 
19754 "Should we no do a little what you call shopping for the babies, and
19755 haf a farewell feast tonight if I go for my last call at your so
19756 pleasant home?" he asked, stopping before a window full of fruit and
19757 flowers.
19758 
19759 "What will we buy?" asked Jo, ignoring the latter part of his speech,
19760 and sniffing the mingled odors with an affectation of delight as they
19761 went in.
19762 
19763 "May they haf oranges and figs?" asked Mr. Bhaer, with a paternal air.
19764 
19765 "They eat them when they can get them."
19766 
19767 "Do you care for nuts?"
19768 
19769 "Like a squirrel."
19770 
19771 "Hamburg grapes.  Yes, we shall drink to the Fatherland in those?"
19772 
19773 Jo frowned upon that piece of extravagance, and asked why he didn't buy
19774 a frail of dates, a cask of raisins, and a bag of almonds, and be done
19775 with it?  Whereat Mr. Bhaer confiscated her purse, produced his own,
19776 and finished the marketing by buying several pounds of grapes, a pot of
19777 rosy daisies, and a pretty jar of honey, to be regarded in the light of
19778 a demijohn.  Then distorting his pockets with knobby bundles, and
19779 giving her the flowers to hold, he put up the old umbrella, and they
19780 traveled on again.
19781 
19782 "Miss Marsch, I haf a great favor to ask of you," began the Professor,
19783 after a moist promenade of half a block.
19784 
19785 "Yes, sir?" and Jo's heart began to beat so hard she was afraid he
19786 would hear it.
19787 
19788 "I am bold to say it in spite of the rain, because so short a time
19789 remains to me."
19790 
19791 "Yes, sir," and Jo nearly crushed the small flowerpot with the sudden
19792 squeeze she gave it.
19793 
19794 "I wish to get a little dress for my Tina, and I am too stupid to go
19795 alone.  Will you kindly gif me a word of taste and help?"
19796 
19797 "Yes, sir," and Jo felt as calm and cool all of a sudden as if she had
19798 stepped into a refrigerator.
19799 
19800 "Perhaps also a shawl for Tina's mother, she is so poor and sick, and
19801 the husband is such a care.  Yes, yes, a thick, warm shawl would be a
19802 friendly thing to take the little mother."
19803 
19804 "I'll do it with pleasure, Mr. Bhaer."  "I'm going very fast, and he's
19805 getting dearer every minute," added Jo to herself, then with a mental
19806 shake she entered into the business with an energy that was pleasant to
19807 behold.
19808 
19809 Mr. Bhaer left it all to her, so she chose a pretty gown for Tina, and
19810 then ordered out the shawls.  The clerk, being a married man,
19811 condescended to take an interest in the couple, who appeared to be
19812 shopping for their family.
19813 
19814 "Your lady may prefer this.  It's a superior article, a most desirable
19815 color, quite chaste and genteel," he said, shaking out a comfortable
19816 gray shawl, and throwing it over Jo's shoulders.
19817 
19818 "Does this suit you, Mr. Bhaer?" she asked, turning her back to him,
19819 and feeling deeply grateful for the chance of hiding her face.
19820 
19821 "Excellently well, we will haf it," answered the Professor, smiling to
19822 himself as he paid for it, while Jo continued to rummage the counters
19823 like a confirmed bargain-hunter.
19824 
19825 "Now shall we go home?" he asked, as if the words were very pleasant to
19826 him.
19827 
19828 "Yes, it's late, and I'm _so_ tired." Jo's voice was more pathetic than
19829 she knew.  For now the sun seemed to have gone in as suddenly as it
19830 came out, and the world grew muddy and miserable again, and for the
19831 first time she discovered that her feet were cold, her head ached, and
19832 that her heart was colder than the former, fuller of pain than the
19833 latter.  Mr. Bhaer was going away, he only cared for her as a friend,
19834 it was all a mistake, and the sooner it was over the better.  With this
19835 idea in her head, she hailed an approaching omnibus with such a hasty
19836 gesture that the daisies flew out of the pot and were badly damaged.
19837 
19838 "This is not our omniboos," said the Professor, waving the loaded
19839 vehicle away, and stopping to pick up the poor little flowers.
19840 
19841 "I beg your pardon.  I didn't see the name distinctly.  Never mind, I
19842 can walk.  I'm used to plodding in the mud," returned Jo, winking hard,
19843 because she would have died rather than openly wipe her eyes.
19844 
19845 Mr. Bhaer saw the drops on her cheeks, though she turned her head away.
19846 The sight seemed to touch him very much, for suddenly stooping down, he
19847 asked in a tone that meant a great deal, "Heart's dearest, why do you
19848 cry?"
19849 
19850 Now, if Jo had not been new to this sort of thing she would have said
19851 she wasn't crying, had a cold in her head, or told any other feminine
19852 fib proper to the occasion.  Instead of which, that undignified
19853 creature answered, with an irrepressible sob, "Because you are going
19854 away."
19855 
19856 "Ach, mein Gott, that is so good!" cried Mr. Bhaer, managing to clasp
19857 his hands in spite of the umbrella and the bundles, "Jo, I haf nothing
19858 but much love to gif you.  I came to see if you could care for it, and
19859 I waited to be sure that I was something more than a friend.  Am I?
19860 Can you make a little place in your heart for old Fritz?" he added, all
19861 in one breath.
19862 
19863 "Oh, yes!" said Jo, and he was quite satisfied, for she folded both
19864 hands over his arm, and looked up at him with an expression that
19865 plainly showed how happy she would be to walk through life beside him,
19866 even though she had no better shelter than the old umbrella, if he
19867 carried it.
19868 
19869 It was certainly proposing under difficulties, for even if he had
19870 desired to do so, Mr. Bhaer could not go down upon his knees, on
19871 account of the mud.  Neither could he offer Jo his hand, except
19872 figuratively, for both were full.  Much less could he indulge in tender
19873 remonstrations in the open street, though he was near it.  So the only
19874 way in which he could express his rapture was to look at her, with an
19875 expression which glorified his face to such a degree that there
19876 actually seemed to be little rainbows in the drops that sparkled on his
19877 beard.  If he had not loved Jo very much, I don't think he could have
19878 done it then, for she looked far from lovely, with her skirts in a
19879 deplorable state, her rubber boots splashed to the ankle, and her
19880 bonnet a ruin.  Fortunately, Mr. Bhaer considered her the most
19881 beautiful woman living, and she found him more "Jove-like" than ever,
19882 though his hatbrim was quite limp with the little rills trickling
19883 thence upon his shoulders (for he held the umbrella all over Jo), and
19884 every finger of his gloves needed mending.
19885 
19886 Passers-by probably thought them a pair of harmless lunatics, for they
19887 entirely forgot to hail a bus, and strolled leisurely along, oblivious
19888 of deepening dusk and fog.  Little they cared what anybody thought, for
19889 they were enjoying the happy hour that seldom comes but once in any
19890 life, the magical moment which bestows youth on the old, beauty on the
19891 plain, wealth on the poor, and gives human hearts a foretaste of
19892 heaven. The Professor looked as if he had conquered a kingdom, and the
19893 world had nothing more to offer him in the way of bliss.  While Jo
19894 trudged beside him, feeling as if her place had always been there, and
19895 wondering how she ever could have chosen any other lot.  Of course, she
19896 was the first to speak -- intelligibly, I mean, for the emotional remarks
19897 which followed her impetuous "Oh, yes!" were not of a coherent or
19898 reportable character.
19899 
19900 "Friedrich, why didn't you..."
19901 
19902 "Ah, heaven, she gifs me the name that no one speaks since Minna died!"
19903 cried the Professor, pausing in a puddle to regard her with grateful
19904 delight.
19905 
19906 "I always call you so to myself -- I forgot, but I won't unless you like
19907 it."
19908 
19909 "Like it?  It is more sweet to me than I can tell.  Say 'thou', also,
19910 and I shall say your language is almost as beautiful as mine."
19911 
19912 "Isn't 'thou' a little sentimental?" asked Jo, privately thinking it a
19913 lovely monosyllable.
19914 
19915 "Sentimental? Yes.  Thank Gott, we Germans believe in sentiment, and
19916 keep ourselves young mit it.  Your English 'you' is so cold, say
19917 'thou', heart's dearest, it means so much to me," pleaded Mr. Bhaer,
19918 more like a romantic student than a grave professor.
19919 
19920 "Well, then, why didn't thou tell me all this sooner?" asked Jo
19921 bashfully.
19922 
19923 "Now I shall haf to show thee all my heart, and I so gladly will,
19924 because thou must take care of it hereafter.  See, then, my Jo -- ah, the
19925 dear, funny little name -- I had a wish to tell something the day I said
19926 goodbye in New York, but I thought the handsome friend was betrothed to
19927 thee, and so I spoke not.  Wouldst thou have said 'Yes', then, if I had
19928 spoken?"
19929 
19930 "I don't know.  I'm afraid not, for I didn't have any heart just then."
19931 
19932 "Prut!  That I do not believe.  It was asleep till the fairy prince
19933 came through the wood, and waked it up.  Ah, well, 'Die erste Liebe ist
19934 die beste', but that I should not expect."
19935 
19936 "Yes, the first love is the best, but be so contented, for I never had
19937 another.  Teddy was only a boy, and soon got over his little fancy,"
19938 said Jo, anxious to correct the Professor's mistake.
19939 
19940 "Good!  Then I shall rest happy, and be sure that thou givest me all.
19941 I haf waited so long, I am grown selfish, as thou wilt find,
19942 Professorin."
19943 
19944 "I like that," cried Jo, delighted with her new name.  "Now tell me
19945 what brought you, at last, just when I wanted you?"
19946 
19947 "This," and Mr. Bhaer took a little worn paper out of his waistcoat
19948 pocket.
19949 
19950 Jo unfolded it, and looked much abashed, for it was one of her own
19951 contributions to a paper that paid for poetry, which accounted for her
19952 sending it an occasional attempt.
19953 
19954 "How could that bring you?" she asked, wondering what he meant.
19955 
19956 "I found it by chance.  I knew it by the names and the initials, and in
19957 it there was one little verse that seemed to call me.  Read and find
19958 him.  I will see that you go not in the wet."
19959 
19960 
19961     IN THE GARRET
19962 
19963     Four little chests all in a row,
19964     Dim with dust, and worn by time,
19965     All fashioned and filled, long ago,
19966     By children now in their prime.
19967     Four little keys hung side by side,
19968     With faded ribbons, brave and gay
19969     When fastened there, with childish pride,
19970     Long ago, on a rainy day.
19971     Four little names, one on each lid,
19972     Carved out by a boyish hand,
19973     And underneath there lieth hid
19974     Histories of the happy band
19975     Once playing here, and pausing oft
19976     To hear the sweet refrain,
19977     That came and went on the roof aloft,
19978     In the falling summer rain.
19979 
19980     "Meg" on the first lid, smooth and fair.
19981     I look in with loving eyes,
19982     For folded here, with well-known care,
19983     A goodly gathering lies,
19984     The record of a peaceful life -- 
19985     Gifts to gentle child and girl,
19986     A bridal gown, lines to a wife,
19987     A tiny shoe, a baby curl.
19988     No toys in this first chest remain,
19989     For all are carried away,
19990     In their old age, to join again
19991     In another small Meg's play.
19992     Ah, happy mother!  Well I know
19993     You hear, like a sweet refrain,
19994     Lullabies ever soft and low
19995     In the falling summer rain.
19996 
19997     "Jo" on the next lid, scratched and worn,
19998     And within a motley store
19999     Of headless dolls, of schoolbooks torn,
20000     Birds and beasts that speak no more,
20001     Spoils brought home from the fairy ground
20002     Only trod by youthful feet,
20003     Dreams of a future never found,
20004     Memories of a past still sweet,
20005     Half-writ poems, stories wild,
20006     April letters, warm and cold,
20007     Diaries of a wilful child,
20008     Hints of a woman early old,
20009     A woman in a lonely home,
20010     Hearing, like a sad refrain -- 
20011     "Be worthy, love, and love will come,"
20012     In the falling summer rain.
20013 
20014     My Beth!  the dust is always swept
20015     From the lid that bears your name,
20016     As if by loving eyes that wept,
20017     By careful hands that often came.
20018     Death canonized for us one saint,
20019     Ever less human than divine,
20020     And still we lay, with tender plaint,
20021     Relics in this household shrine -- 
20022     The silver bell, so seldom rung,
20023     The little cap which last she wore,
20024     The fair, dead Catherine that hung
20025     By angels borne above her door.
20026     The songs she sang, without lament,
20027     In her prison-house of pain,
20028     Forever are they sweetly blent
20029     With the falling summer rain.
20030 
20031     Upon the last lid's polished field -- 
20032     Legend now both fair and true
20033     A gallant knight bears on his shield,
20034     "Amy" in letters gold and blue.
20035     Within lie snoods that bound her hair,
20036     Slippers that have danced their last,
20037     Faded flowers laid by with care,
20038     Fans whose airy toils are past,
20039     Gay valentines, all ardent flames,
20040     Trifles that have borne their part
20041     In girlish hopes and fears and shames,
20042     The record of a maiden heart
20043     Now learning fairer, truer spells,
20044     Hearing, like a blithe refrain,
20045     The silver sound of bridal bells
20046     In the falling summer rain.
20047 
20048     Four little chests all in a row,
20049     Dim with dust, and worn by time,
20050     Four women, taught by weal and woe
20051     To love and labor in their prime.
20052     Four sisters, parted for an hour,
20053     None lost, one only gone before,
20054     Made by love's immortal power,
20055     Nearest and dearest evermore.
20056     Oh, when these hidden stores of ours
20057     Lie open to the Father's sight,
20058     May they be rich in golden hours,
20059     Deeds that show fairer for the light,
20060     Lives whose brave music long shall ring,
20061     Like a spirit-stirring strain,
20062     Souls that shall gladly soar and sing
20063     In the long sunshine after rain.
20064 
20065 "It's very bad poetry, but I felt it when I wrote it, one day when I
20066 was very lonely, and had a good cry on a rag bag.  I never thought it
20067 would go where it could tell tales," said Jo, tearing up the verses the
20068 Professor had treasured so long.
20069 
20070 "Let it go, it has done its duty, and I will haf a fresh one when I
20071 read all the brown book in which she keeps her little secrets," said
20072 Mr. Bhaer with a smile as he watched the fragments fly away on the
20073 wind.  "Yes," he added earnestly, "I read that, and I think to myself,
20074 She has a sorrow, she is lonely, she would find comfort in true love.
20075 I haf a heart full, full for her.  Shall I not go and say, 'If this is
20076 not too poor a thing to gif for what I shall hope to receive, take it
20077 in Gott's name?'"
20078 
20079 "And so you came to find that it was not too poor, but the one precious
20080 thing I needed," whispered Jo.
20081 
20082 "I had no courage to think that at first, heavenly kind as was your
20083 welcome to me.  But soon I began to hope, and then I said, 'I will haf
20084 her if I die for it,' and so I will!" cried Mr. Bhaer, with a defiant
20085 nod, as if the walls of mist closing round them were barriers which he
20086 was to surmount or valiantly knock down.
20087 
20088 Jo thought that was splendid, and resolved to be worthy of her knight,
20089 though he did not come prancing on a charger in gorgeous array.
20090 
20091 "What made you stay away so long?" she asked presently, finding it so
20092 pleasant to ask confidential questions and get delightful answers that
20093 she could not keep silent.
20094 
20095 "It was not easy, but I could not find the heart to take you from that
20096 so happy home until I could haf a prospect of one to gif you, after
20097 much time, perhaps, and hard work.  How could I ask you to gif up so
20098 much for a poor old fellow, who has no fortune but a little learning?"
20099 
20100 "I'm glad you are poor.  I couldn't bear a rich husband," said Jo
20101 decidedly, adding in a softer tone, "Don't fear poverty. I've known it
20102 long enough to lose my dread and be happy working for those I love, and
20103 don't call yourself old -- forty is the prime of life.  I couldn't help
20104 loving you if you were seventy!"
20105 
20106 The Professor found that so touching that he would have been glad of
20107 his handkerchief, if he could have got at it.  As he couldn't, Jo wiped
20108 his eyes for him, and said, laughing, as she took away a bundle or
20109 two...
20110 
20111 "I may be strong-minded, but no one can say I'm out of my sphere now,
20112 for woman's special mission is supposed to be drying tears and bearing
20113 burdens.  I'm to carry my share, Friedrich, and help to earn the home.
20114 Make up your mind to that, or I'll never go," she added resolutely, as
20115 he tried to reclaim his load.
20116 
20117 "We shall see.  Haf you patience to wait a long time, Jo? I must go
20118 away and do my work alone.  I must help my boys first, because, even
20119 for you, I may not break my word to Minna.  Can you forgif that, and be
20120 happy while we hope and wait?"
20121 
20122 "Yes, I know I can, for we love one another, and that makes all the
20123 rest easy to bear.  I have my duty, also, and my work. I couldn't enjoy
20124 myself if I neglected them even for you, so there's no need of hurry or
20125 impatience.  You can do your part out West, I can do mine here, and
20126 both be happy hoping for the best, and leaving the future to be as God
20127 wills."
20128 
20129 "Ah! Thou gifest me such hope and courage, and I haf nothing to gif
20130 back but a full heart and these empty hands," cried the Professor,
20131 quite overcome.
20132 
20133 Jo never, never would learn to be proper, for when he said that as they
20134 stood upon the steps, she just put both hands into his, whispering
20135 tenderly, "Not empty now," and stooping down, kissed her Friedrich
20136 under the umbrella.  It was dreadful, but she would have done it if the
20137 flock of draggle-tailed sparrows on the hedge had been human beings,
20138 for she was very far gone indeed, and quite regardless of everything
20139 but her own happiness. Though it came in such a very simple guise, that
20140 was the crowning moment of both their lives, when, turning from the
20141 night and storm and loneliness to the household light and warmth and
20142 peace waiting to receive them, with a glad "Welcome home!"  Jo led her
20143 lover in, and shut the door.
20144 
20145 
20146 
20147 CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
20148 
20149 HARVEST TIME
20150 
20151 For a year Jo and her Professor worked and waited, hoped and loved, met
20152 occasionally, and wrote such voluminous letters that the rise in the
20153 price of paper was accounted for, Laurie said.  The second year began
20154 rather soberly, for their prospects did not brighten, and Aunt March
20155 died suddenly.  But when their first sorrow was over -- for they loved
20156 the old lady in spite of her sharp tongue -- they found they had cause
20157 for rejoicing, for she had left Plumfield to Jo, which made all sorts
20158 of joyful things possible.
20159 
20160 "It's a fine old place, and will bring a handsome sum, for of course
20161 you intend to sell it," said Laurie, as they were all talking the
20162 matter over some weeks later.
20163 
20164 "No, I don't," was Jo's decided answer, as she petted the fat poodle,
20165 whom she had adopted, out of respect to his former mistress.
20166 
20167 "You don't mean to live there?"
20168 
20169 "Yes, I do."
20170 
20171 "But, my dear girl, it's an immense house, and will take a power of
20172 money to keep it in order.  The garden and orchard alone need two or
20173 three men, and farming isn't in Bhaer's line, I take it."
20174 
20175 "He'll try his hand at it there, if I propose it."
20176 
20177 "And you expect to live on the produce of the place?  Well, that sounds
20178 paradisiacal, but you'll find it desperate hard work."
20179 
20180 "The crop we are going to raise is a profitable one," and Jo laughed.
20181 
20182 "Of what is this fine crop to consist, ma'am?"
20183 
20184 "Boys.  I want to open a school for little lads -- a good, happy,
20185 homelike school, with me to take care of them and Fritz to teach them."
20186 
20187 "That's a truly Joian plan for you!  Isn't that just like her?" cried
20188 Laurie, appealing to the family, who looked as much surprised as he.
20189 
20190 "I like it," said Mrs. March decidedly.
20191 
20192 "So do I," added her husband, who welcomed the thought of a chance for
20193 trying the Socratic method of education on modern youth.
20194 
20195 "It will be an immense care for Jo," said Meg, stroking the head of her
20196 one all-absorbing son.
20197 
20198 "Jo can do it, and be happy in it.  It's a splendid idea. Tell us all
20199 about it," cried Mr. Laurence, who had been longing to lend the lovers
20200 a hand, but knew that they would refuse his help.
20201 
20202 "I knew you'd stand by me, sir.  Amy does too -- I see it in her eyes,
20203 though she prudently waits to turn it over in her mind before she
20204 speaks.  Now, my dear people," continued Jo earnestly, "just understand
20205 that this isn't a new idea of mine, but a long cherished plan.  Before
20206 my Fritz came, I used to think how, when I'd made my fortune, and no
20207 one needed me at home, I'd hire a big house, and pick up some poor,
20208 forlorn little lads who hadn't any mothers, and take care of them, and
20209 make life jolly for them before it was too late.  I see so many going
20210 to ruin for want of help at the right minute, I love so to do anything
20211 for them, I seem to feel their wants, and sympathize with their
20212 troubles, and oh, I should so like to be a mother to them!"
20213 
20214 Mrs. March held out her hand to Jo, who took it, smiling, with tears in
20215 her eyes, and went on in the old enthusiastic way, which they had not
20216 seen for a long while.
20217 
20218 "I told my plan to Fritz once, and he said it was just what he would
20219 like, and agreed to try it when we got rich.  Bless his dear heart,
20220 he's been doing it all his life -- helping poor boys, I mean, not getting
20221 rich, that he'll never be.  Money doesn't stay in his pocket long
20222 enough to lay up any.  But now, thanks to my good old aunt, who loved
20223 me better than I ever deserved, I'm rich, at least I feel so, and we
20224 can live at Plumfield perfectly well, if we have a flourishing school.
20225 It's just the place for boys, the house is big, and the furniture
20226 strong and plain.  There's plenty of room for dozens inside, and
20227 splendid grounds outside. They could help in the garden and orchard.
20228 Such work is healthy, isn't it, sir?  Then Fritz could train and teach
20229 in his own way, and Father will help him.  I can feed and nurse and pet
20230 and scold them, and Mother will be my stand-by.  I've always longed for
20231 lots of boys, and never had enough, now I can fill the house full and
20232 revel in the little dears to my heart's content.  Think what luxury -- 
20233 Plumfield my own, and a wilderness of boys to enjoy it with me."
20234 
20235 As Jo waved her hands and gave a sigh of rapture, the family went off
20236 into a gale of merriment, and Mr. Laurence laughed till they thought
20237 he'd have an apoplectic fit.
20238 
20239 "I don't see anything funny," she said gravely, when she could be
20240 heard.  "Nothing could be more natural and proper than for my Professor
20241 to open a school, and for me to prefer to reside in my own estate."
20242 
20243 "She is putting on airs already," said Laurie, who regarded the idea in
20244 the light of a capital joke.  "But may I inquire how you intend to
20245 support the establishment? If all the pupils are little ragamuffins,
20246 I'm afraid your crop won't be profitable in a worldly sense, Mrs.
20247 Bhaer."
20248 
20249 "Now don't be a wet-blanket, Teddy.  Of course I shall have rich
20250 pupils, also -- perhaps begin with such altogether.  Then, when I've got
20251 a start, I can take in a ragamuffin or two, just for a relish. Rich
20252 people's children often need care and comfort, as well as poor. I've
20253 seen unfortunate little creatures left to servants, or backward ones
20254 pushed forward, when it's real cruelty.  Some are naughty through
20255 mismanagment or neglect, and some lose their mothers. Besides, the best
20256 have to get through the hobbledehoy age, and that's the very time they
20257 need most patience and kindness.  People laugh at them, and hustle them
20258 about, try to keep them out of sight, and expect them to turn all at
20259 once from pretty children into fine young men.  They don't complain
20260 much -- plucky little souls -- but they feel it.  I've been through
20261 something of it, and I know all about it. I've a special interest in
20262 such young bears, and like to show them that I see the warm, honest,
20263 well-meaning boys' hearts, in spite of the clumsy arms and legs and the
20264 topsy-turvy heads.  I've had experience, too, for haven't I brought up
20265 one boy to be a pride and honor to his family?"
20266 
20267 "I'll testify that you tried to do it," said Laurie with a grateful
20268 look.
20269 
20270 "And I've succeeded beyond my hopes, for here you are, a steady,
20271 sensible businessman, doing heaps of good with your money, and laying
20272 up the blessings of the poor, instead of dollars. But you are not
20273 merely a businessman, you love good and beautiful things, enjoy them
20274 yourself, and let others go halves, as you always did in the old times.
20275 I am proud of you, Teddy, for you get better every year, and everyone
20276 feels it, though you won't let them say so.  Yes, and when I have my
20277 flock, I'll just point to you, and say 'There's your model, my lads'."
20278 
20279 Poor Laurie didn't know where to look, for, man though he was,
20280 something of the old bashfulness came over him as this burst of praise
20281 made all faces turn approvingly upon him.
20282 
20283 "I say, Jo, that's rather too much," he began, just in his old boyish
20284 way.  "You have all done more for me than I can ever thank you for,
20285 except by doing my best not to disappoint you.  You have rather cast me
20286 off lately, Jo, but I've had the best of help, nevertheless.  So, if
20287 I've got on at all, you may thank these two for it," and he laid one
20288 hand gently on his grandfather's head, and the other on Amy's golden
20289 one, for the three were never far apart.
20290 
20291 "I do think that families are the most beautiful things in all the
20292 world!" burst out Jo, who was in an unusually up-lifted frame of mind
20293 just then.  "When I have one of my own, I hope it will be as happy as
20294 the three I know and love the best.  If John and my Fritz were only
20295 here, it would be quite a little heaven on earth," she added more
20296 quietly.  And that night when she went to her room after a blissful
20297 evening of family counsels, hopes, and plans, her heart was so full of
20298 happiness that she could only calm it by kneeling beside the empty bed
20299 always near her own, and thinking tender thoughts of Beth.
20300 
20301 It was a very astonishing year altogether, for things seemed to happen
20302 in an unusually rapid and delightful manner.  Almost before she knew
20303 where she was, Jo found herself married and settled at Plumfield.  Then
20304 a family of six or seven boys sprung up like mushrooms, and flourished
20305 surprisingly, poor boys as well as rich, for Mr. Laurence was
20306 continually finding some touching case of destitution, and begging the
20307 Bhaers to take pity on the child, and he would gladly pay a trifle for
20308 its support.  In this way, the sly old gentleman got round proud Jo,
20309 and furnished her with the style of boy in which she most delighted.
20310 
20311 Of course it was uphill work at first, and Jo made queer mistakes, but
20312 the wise Professor steered her safely into calmer waters, and the most
20313 rampant ragamuffin was conquered in the end. How Jo did enjoy her
20314 'wilderness of boys', and how poor, dear Aunt March would have lamented
20315 had she been there to see the sacred precincts of prim, well-ordered
20316 Plumfield overrun with Toms, Dicks, and Harrys!  There was a sort of
20317 poetic justice about it, after all, for the old lady had been the
20318 terror of the boys for miles around, and now the exiles feasted freely
20319 on forbidden plums, kicked up the gravel with profane boots unreproved,
20320 and played cricket in the big field where the irritable 'cow with a
20321 crumpled horn' used to invite rash youths to come and be tossed.  It
20322 became a sort of boys' paradise, and Laurie suggested that it should be
20323 called the 'Bhaer-garten', as a compliment to its master and
20324 appropriate to its inhabitants.
20325 
20326 It never was a fashionable school, and the Professor did not lay up a
20327 fortune, but it was just what Jo intended it to be -- 'a happy, homelike
20328 place for boys, who needed teaching, care, and kindness'.  Every room
20329 in the big house was soon full.  Every little plot in the garden soon
20330 had its owner.  A regular menagerie appeared in barn and shed, for pet
20331 animals were allowed. And three times a day, Jo smiled at her Fritz
20332 from the head of a long table lined on either side with rows of happy
20333 young faces, which all turned to her with affectionate eyes, confiding
20334 words, and grateful hearts, full of love for 'Mother Bhaer'.  She had
20335 boys enough now, and did not tire of them, though they were not angels,
20336 by any means, and some of them caused both Professor and Professorin
20337 much trouble and anxiety.  But her faith in the good spot which exists
20338 in the heart of the naughtiest, sauciest, most tantalizing little
20339 ragamuffin gave her patience, skill, and in time success, for no mortal
20340 boy could hold out long with Father Bhaer shining on him as
20341 benevolently as the sun, and Mother Bhaer forgiving him seventy times
20342 seven.  Very precious to Jo was the friendship of the lads, their
20343 penitent sniffs and whispers after wrongdoing, their droll or touching
20344 little confidences, their pleasant enthusiasms, hopes, and plans, even
20345 their misfortunes, for they only endeared them to her all the more.
20346 There were slow boys and bashful boys, feeble boys and riotous boys,
20347 boys that lisped and boys that stuttered, one or two lame ones, and a
20348 merry little quadroon, who could not be taken in elsewhere, but who was
20349 welcome to the 'Bhaer-garten', though some people predicted that his
20350 admission would ruin the school.
20351 
20352 Yes, Jo was a very happy woman there, in spite of hard work, much
20353 anxiety, and a perpetual racket.  She enjoyed it heartily and found the
20354 applause of her boys more satisfying than any praise of the world, for
20355 now she told no stories except to her flock of enthusiastic believers
20356 and admirers.  As the years went on, two little lads of her own came to
20357 increase her happiness -- Rob, named for Grandpa, and Teddy, a
20358 happy-go-lucky baby, who seemed to have inherited his papa's sunshiny
20359 temper as well as his mother's lively spirit.  How they ever grew up
20360 alive in that whirlpool of boys was a mystery to their grandma and
20361 aunts, but they flourished like dandelions in spring, and their rough
20362 nurses loved and served them well.
20363 
20364 There were a great many holidays at Plumfield, and one of the most
20365 delightful was the yearly apple-picking.  For then the Marches,
20366 Laurences, Brookes and Bhaers turned out in full force and made a day
20367 of it.  Five years after Jo's wedding, one of these fruitful festivals
20368 occurred, a mellow October day, when the air was full of an
20369 exhilarating freshness which made the spirits rise and the blood dance
20370 healthily in the veins.  The old orchard wore its holiday attire.
20371 Goldenrod and asters fringed the mossy walls. Grasshoppers skipped
20372 briskly in the sere grass, and crickets chirped like fairy pipers at a
20373 feast.  Squirrels were busy with their small harvesting.  Birds
20374 twittered their adieux from the alders in the lane, and every tree
20375 stood ready to send down its shower of red or yellow apples at the
20376 first shake.  Everybody was there. Everybody laughed and sang, climbed
20377 up and tumbled down.  Everybody declared that there never had been such
20378 a perfect day or such a jolly set to enjoy it, and everyone gave
20379 themselves up to the simple pleasures of the hour as freely as if there
20380 were no such things as care or sorrow in the world.
20381 
20382 Mr. March strolled placidly about, quoting Tusser, Cowley, and
20383 Columella to Mr. Laurence, while enjoying...
20384 
20385 The gentle apple's winey juice.
20386 
20387 The Professor charged up and down the green aisles like a stout
20388 Teutonic knight, with a pole for a lance, leading on the boys, who made
20389 a hook and ladder company of themselves, and performed wonders in the
20390 way of ground and lofty tumbling.  Laurie devoted himself to the little
20391 ones, rode his small daughter in a bushel-basket, took Daisy up among
20392 the bird's nests, and kept adventurous Rob from breaking his neck.
20393 Mrs. March and Meg sat among the apple piles like a pair of Pomonas,
20394 sorting the contributions that kept pouring in, while Amy with a
20395 beautiful motherly expression in her face sketched the various groups,
20396 and watched over one pale lad, who sat adoring her with his little
20397 crutch beside him.
20398 
20399 Jo was in her element that day, and rushed about, with her gown pinned
20400 up, and her hat anywhere but on her head, and her baby tucked under her
20401 arm, ready for any lively adventure which might turn up.  Little Teddy
20402 bore a charmed life, for nothing ever happened to him, and Jo never
20403 felt any anxiety when he was whisked up into a tree by one lad,
20404 galloped off on the back of another, or supplied with sour russets by
20405 his indulgent papa, who labored under the Germanic delusion that babies
20406 could digest anything, from pickled cabbage to buttons, nails, and
20407 their own small shoes.  She knew that little Ted would turn up again in
20408 time, safe and rosy, dirty and serene, and she always received him back
20409 with a hearty welcome, for Jo loved her babies tenderly.
20410 
20411 At four o'clock a lull took place, and baskets remained empty, while
20412 the apple pickers rested and compared rents and bruises.  Then Jo and
20413 Meg, with a detachment of the bigger boys, set forth the supper on the
20414 grass, for an out-of-door tea was always the crowning joy of the day.
20415 The land literally flowed with milk and honey on such occasions, for
20416 the lads were not required to sit at table, but allowed to partake of
20417 refreshment as they liked -- freedom being the sauce best beloved by the
20418 boyish soul.  They availed themselves of the rare privilege to the
20419 fullest extent, for some tried the pleasing experiment of drinking milk
20420 while standing on their heads, others lent a charm to leapfrog by
20421 eating pie in the pauses of the game, cookies were sown broadcast over
20422 the field, and apple turnovers roosted in the trees like a new style of
20423 bird.  The little girls had a private tea party, and Ted roved among
20424 the edibles at his own sweet will.
20425 
20426 When no one could eat any more, the Professor proposed the first
20427 regular toast, which was always drunk at such times -- "Aunt March, God
20428 bless her!"  A toast heartily given by the good man, who never forgot
20429 how much he owed her, and quietly drunk by the boys, who had been
20430 taught to keep her memory green.
20431 
20432 "Now, Grandma's sixtieth birthday!  Long life to her, with three times
20433 three!"
20434 
20435 That was given with a will, as you may well believe, and the cheering
20436 once begun, it was hard to stop it.  Everybody's health was proposed,
20437 from Mr. Laurence, who was considered their special patron, to the
20438 astonished guinea pig, who had strayed from its proper sphere in search
20439 of its young master.  Demi, as the oldest grandchild, then presented
20440 the queen of the day with various gifts, so numerous that they were
20441 transported to the festive scene in a wheelbarrow.  Funny presents,
20442 some of them, but what would have been defects to other eyes were
20443 ornaments to Grandma's -- for the children's gifts were all their own.
20444 Every stitch Daisy's patient little fingers had put into the
20445 handkerchiefs she hemmed was better than embroidery to Mrs. March.
20446 Demi's miracle of mechanical skill, though the cover wouldn't shut,
20447 Rob's footstool had a wiggle in its uneven legs that she declared was
20448 soothing, and no page of the costly book Amy's child gave her was so
20449 fair as that on which appeared in tipsy capitals, the words -- "To dear
20450 Grandma, from her little Beth."
20451 
20452 During the ceremony the boys had mysteriously disappeared, and when
20453 Mrs. March had tried to thank her children, and broken down, while
20454 Teddy wiped her eyes on his pinafore, the Professor suddenly began to
20455 sing.  Then, from above him, voice after voice took up the words, and
20456 from tree to tree echoed the music of the unseen choir, as the boys
20457 sang with all their hearts the little song that Jo had written, Laurie
20458 set to music, and the Professor trained his lads to give with the best
20459 effect.  This was something altogether new, and it proved a grand
20460 success, for Mrs. March couldn't get over her surprise, and insisted on
20461 shaking hands with every one of the featherless birds, from tall Franz
20462 and Emil to the little quadroon, who had the sweetest voice of all.
20463 
20464 After this, the boys dispersed for a final lark, leaving Mrs. March and
20465 her daughters under the festival tree.
20466 
20467 "I don't think I ever ought to call myself 'unlucky Jo' again, when my
20468 greatest wish has been so beautifully gratified," said Mrs. Bhaer,
20469 taking Teddy's little fist out of the milk pitcher, in which he was
20470 rapturously churning.
20471 
20472 "And yet your life is very different from the one you pictured so long
20473 ago.  Do you remember our castles in the air?" asked Amy, smiling as
20474 she watched Laurie and John playing cricket with the boys.
20475 
20476 "Dear fellows!  It does my heart good to see them forget business and
20477 frolic for a day," answered Jo, who now spoke in a maternal way of all
20478 mankind.  "Yes, I remember, but the life I wanted then seems selfish,
20479 lonely, and cold to me now.  I haven't given up the hope that I may
20480 write a good book yet, but I can wait, and I'm sure it will be all the
20481 better for such experiences and illustrations as these," and Jo pointed
20482 from the lively lads in the distance to her father, leaning on the
20483 Professor's arm, as they walked to and fro in the sunshine, deep in one
20484 of the conversations which both enjoyed so much, and then to her
20485 mother, sitting enthroned among her daughters, with their children in
20486 her lap and at her feet, as if all found help and happiness in the face
20487 which never could grow old to them.
20488 
20489 "My castle was the most nearly realized of all.  I asked for splendid
20490 things, to be sure, but in my heart I knew I should be satisfied, if I
20491 had a little home, and John, and some dear children like these.  I've
20492 got them all, thank God, and am the happiest woman in the world," and
20493 Meg laid her hand on her tall boy's head, with a face full of tender
20494 and devout content.
20495 
20496 "My castle is very different from what I planned, but I would not alter
20497 it, though, like Jo, I don't relinquish all my artistic hopes, or
20498 confine myself to helping others fulfill their dreams of beauty.  I've
20499 begun to model a figure of baby, and Laurie says it is the best thing
20500 I've ever done.  I think so, myself, and mean to do it in marble, so
20501 that, whatever happens, I may at least keep the image of my little
20502 angel."
20503 
20504 As Amy spoke, a great tear dropped on the golden hair of the sleeping
20505 child in her arms, for her one well-beloved daughter was a frail little
20506 creature and the dread of losing her was the shadow over Amy's
20507 sunshine.  This cross was doing much for both father and mother, for
20508 one love and sorrow bound them closely together. Amy's nature was
20509 growing sweeter, deeper, and more tender.  Laurie was growing more
20510 serious, strong, and firm, and both were learning that beauty, youth,
20511 good fortune, even love itself, cannot keep care and pain, loss and
20512 sorrow, from the most blessed for ...
20513 
20514 
20515     Into each life some rain must fall,
20516     Some days must be dark and sad and dreary.
20517 
20518 
20519 "She is growing better, I am sure of it, my dear.  Don't despond, but
20520 hope and keep happy," said Mrs. March, as tenderhearted Daisy stooped
20521 from her knee to lay her rosy cheek against her little cousin's pale
20522 one.
20523 
20524 "I never ought to, while I have you to cheer me up, Marmee, and Laurie
20525 to take more than half of every burden," replied Amy warmly.  "He never
20526 lets me see his anxiety, but is so sweet and patient with me, so
20527 devoted to Beth, and such a stay and comfort to me always that I can't
20528 love him enough.  So, in spite of my one cross, I can say with Meg,
20529 'Thank God, I'm a happy woman.'"
20530 
20531 "There's no need for me to say it, for everyone can see that I'm far
20532 happier than I deserve," added Jo, glancing from her good husband to
20533 her chubby children, tumbling on the grass beside her.  "Fritz is
20534 getting gray and stout.  I'm growing as thin as a shadow, and am
20535 thirty.  We never shall be rich, and Plumfield may burn up any night,
20536 for that incorrigible Tommy Bangs will smoke sweet-fern cigars under
20537 the bed-clothes, though he's set himself afire three times already.
20538 But in spite of these unromantic facts, I have nothing to complain of,
20539 and never was so jolly in my life.  Excuse the remark, but living among
20540 boys, I can't help using their expressions now and then."
20541 
20542 "Yes, Jo, I think your harvest will be a good one," began Mrs. March,
20543 frightening away a big black cricket that was staring Teddy out of
20544 countenance.
20545 
20546 "Not half so good as yours, Mother.  Here it is, and we never can thank
20547 you enough for the patient sowing and reaping you have done," cried Jo,
20548 with the loving impetuosity which she never would outgrow.
20549 
20550 "I hope there will be more wheat and fewer tares every year," said Amy
20551 softly.
20552 
20553 "A large sheaf, but I know there's room in your heart for it, Marmee
20554 dear," added Meg's tender voice.
20555 
20556 Touched to the heart, Mrs. March could only stretch out her arms, as if
20557 to gather children and grandchildren to herself, and say, with face and
20558 voice full of motherly love, gratitude, and humility...
20559 
20560 "Oh, my girls, however long you may live, I never can wish you a
20561 greater happiness than this!"
20562 
20563