第1章

CHAPTER1

GossipInorderthatwemaystartafreshandgotoMeg’sweddingwithfreeminds，itwillbewelltobeginwithalittlegossipabouttheMarches。Andhereletmepremisethatifanyoftheeldersthinkthereistoomuch`lovering’inthestory，asIfeartheymay（I’mnotafraidtheyoungfolkswillmakethatobjection），IcanonlysaywithMrs。March，"WhatcanyouexpectwhenIhavefourgaygirlsinthehouse，andadashingyoungneighborovertheway？"

Thethreeyearsthathavepassedhavebroughtbutfewchangestothequietfamily。Thewarisover，andMr。Marchsafelyathome，busywithhisbooksandthesmallparishwhichfoundinhimaministerbynatureasbygrace，aquiet，studiousman，richinthewisdomthatisbetterthanlearning，thecharitywhichcallsallmankind`brother’，thepietythatblossomsintocharacter，makingitaugustandlovely。

Theseattributes，inspiteofpovertyandthestrictintegritywhichshuthimoutfromthemoreworldlysuccesses，attractedtohimmanyadmirablepersons，asnaturallyassweetherbsdrawbees，andasnaturallyhegavethemthehoneyintowhichfiftyyearsofhardexperiencehaddistillednobitterdrop。Earnestyoungmenfoundthegray—headedscholarasyoungatheartasthey，thoughtfulortroubledwomeninstinctivelybroughttheirdoubtstohim，sureoffindingthegentlestsympathy，thewisestcounsel。Sinnerstoldtheirsinstothepure—heartedoldmanandwerebothrebukedandsaved。Giftedmenfoundacompanioninhim。Ambitiousmencaughtglimpsesofnoblerambitionsthantheirown，andevenworldlingsconfessedthathisbeliefswerebeautifulandtrue，although`theywouldn’tpay’。

Tooutsidersthefiveenergeticwomenseemedtorulethehouse，andsotheydidinmanythings，butthequietscholar，sittingamonghisbooks，wasstilltheheadofthefamily，thehouseholdconscience，anchor，andcomforter，fortohimthebusy，anxiouswomenalwaysturnedintroubloustimes，findinghim，inthetruestsenseofthosesacredwords，husbandandfather。

Thegirlsgavetheirheartsintotheirmother’skeeping，theirsoulsintotheirfather’s，andtobothparents，wholivedandlaboredsofaithfullyforthem，theygavealovethatgrewwiththeirgrowthandboundthemtenderlytogetherbythesweetesttiewhichblesseslifeandoutlivesdeath。

Mrs。Marchisasbriskandcheery，thoughrathergrayer，thanwhenwesawherlast，andjustnowsoabsorbedinMeg’saffairsthatthehospitalsandhomesstillfullofwounded`boys’andsoldiers’widows，decidedlymissthemotherlymissionary’svisits。

JohnBrookedidhisdutymanfullyforayear，gotwounded，wassenthome，andnotallowedtoreturn。Hereceivednostarsorbars，buthedeservedthem，forhecheerfullyriskedallhehad，andlifeandloveareverypreciouswhenbothareinfullbloom。Perfectlyresignedtohisdischarge，hedevotedhimselftogettingwell，preparingforbusiness，andearningahomeforMeg。Withthegoodsenseandsturdyindependencethatcharacterizedhim，herefusedMr。Laurence’smoregenerousoffers，andacceptedtheplaceofbookkeeper，feelingbettersatisfiedtobeginwithanhonestlyearnedsalarythanbyrunninganyriskswithborrowedmoney。

Meghadspentthetimeinworkingaswellaswaiting，growingwomanlyincharacter，wiseinhousewifelyarts，andprettierthanever，forloveisagreatbeautifier。Shehadhergirlishambitionsandhopes，andfeltsomedisappointmentatthehumblewayinwhichthenewlifemustbegin。NedMoffathadjustmarriedSallieGardiner，andMegcouldn’thelpcontrastingtheirfinehouseandcarriage，manygifts，andsplendidoutfitwithherown，andsecretlywishingshecouldhavethesame。ButsomehowenvyanddiscontentsoonvanishedwhenshethoughtofallthepatientloveandlaborJohnhadputintothelittlehomeawaitingher，andwhentheysattogetherinthetwilight，talkingovertheirsmallplans，thefuturealwaysgrewsobeautifulandbrightthatsheforgotSallie’ssplendorandfeltherselftherichest，happiestgirlinChristendom。

JoneverwentbacktoAuntMarch，fortheoldladytooksuchafancytoAmythatshebribedherwiththeofferofdrawinglessonsfromoneofthebestteachersgoing，andforthesakeofthisadvantage，Amywouldhaveservedafarhardermistress。Soshegavehermorningstoduty，herafternoonstopleasure，andprosperedfinely。JomeantimedevotedherselftoliteratureandBeth，whoremaineddelicatelongafterthefeverwasathingofthepast。Notaninvalidexactly，butneveragaintherosy，healthycreatureshehadbeen，yetalwayshopeful，happy，andserene，andbusywiththequietdutiessheloved，everyone’sfriend，andanangelinthehouse，longbeforethosewholovedhermosthadlearnedtoknowit。

AslongasTHESPREADEAGLEpaidheradollaracolumnforher`rubbish’，asshecalledit，Jofeltherselfawomanofmeans，andspunherlittleromancesdiligently。Butgreatplansfermentedinherbusybrainandambitiousmind，andtheoldtinkitcheninthegarretheldaslowlyincreasingpileofblottedmanuscript，whichwasonedaytoplacethenameofMarchupontherolloffame。

Laurie，havingdutifullygonetocollegetopleasehisgrandfather，wasnowgettingthroughitintheeasiestpossiblemannertopleasehimself。Auniversalfavorite，thankstomoney，manners，muchtalent，andthekindestheartthatevergotitsownerintoscrapesbytryingtogetotherpeopleoutofthem，hestoodingreatdangerofbeingspoiled，andprobablywouldhavebeen，likemanyanotherpromisingboy，ifhehadnotpossessedatalismanagainstevilinthememoryofthekindoldmanwhowasboundupinhissuccess，themotherlyfriendwhowatchedoverhimasifhewereherson，andlast，butnotleastbyanymeans，theknowledgethatfourinnocentgirlsloved，admired，andbelievedinhimwithalltheirhearts。

Beingonly`aglorioushumanboy’，ofcoursehefrolickedandflirted，grewdandified，aquatic，sentimental，orgymnastic，ascollegefashionsordained，hazedandwashazed，talkedslang，andmorethanoncecameperilouslynearsuspensionandexpulsion。Butashighspiritsandtheloveoffunwerethecausesofthesepranks，healwaysmanagedtosavehimselfbyfrankconfession，honorableatonement，ortheirresistiblepowerofpersuasionwhichhepossessedinperfection。Infact，heratherpridedhimselfonhisnarrowescapes，andlikedtothrillthegirlswithgraphicaccountsofhistriumphsoverwrathfultutors，dignifiedprofessors，andvanquishedenemies。The`menofmyclass’，wereheroesintheeyesofthegirls，whoneverweariedoftheexploitsof`ourfellows’，andwerefrequentlyallowedtobaskinthesmilesofthesegreatcreatures，whenLauriebroughtthemhomewithhim。

Amyespeciallyenjoyedthishighhonor，andbecamequiteabelleamongthem，forherladyshipearlyfeltandlearnedtousethegiftoffascinationwithwhichshewasendowed。MegwastoomuchabsorbedinherprivateandparticularJohntocareforanyotherlordsofcreation，andBethtooshytodomorethanpeepatthemandwonderhowAmydaredtoorderthemaboutso，butJofeltquiteinherownelement，andfounditverydifficulttorefrainfromimitatingthegentlemanlyattitudes，phrases，andfeats，whichseemedmorenaturaltoherthanthedecorumsprescribedforyoungladies。TheyalllikedJoimmensely，butneverfellinlovewithher，thoughveryfewescapedwithoutpayingthetributeofasentimentalsighortwoatAmy’sshrine。Andspeakingofsentimentbringsusverynaturallytothe`Dovecote’。

ThatwasthenameofthelittlebrownhouseMr。BrookehadpreparedforMeg’sfirsthome。Lauriehadchristenedit，sayingitwashighlyappropriatetothegentleloverswho`wentontogetherlikeapairofturtledoves，withfirstabillandthenacoo’。Itwasatinyhouse，withalittlegardenbehindandalawnaboutasbigasapockethandkerchiefinthefront。HereMegmeanttohaveafountain，shrubbery，andaprofusionoflovelyflowers，thoughjustatpresentthefountainwasrepresentedbyaweather—beatenurn，verylikeadilapidatedslopbowl，theshrubberyconsistedofseveralyounglarches，undecidedwhethertoliveordie，andtheprofusionofflowerswasmerelyhintedbyregimentsofstickstoshowwhereseedswereplanted。Butinside，itwasaltogethercharming，andthehappybridesawnofaultfromgarrettocellar。Tobesure，thehallwassonarrowitwasfortunatethattheyhadnopiano，foronenevercouldhavebeengotinwhole，thediningroomwassosmallthatsixpeoplewereatightfit，andthekitchenstairsseemedbuiltfortheexpresspurposeofprecipitatingbothservantsandchinapell—mellintothecoalbin。Butoncegetusedtotheseslightblemishesandnothingcouldbemorecomplete，forgoodsenseandgoodtastehadpresidedoverthefurnishing，andtheresultwashighlysatisfactory。Therewerenomarble—toppedtables，longmirrors，orlacecurtainsinthelittleparlor，butsimplefurniture，plentyofbooks，afinepictureortwo，astandofflowersinthebaywindow，and，scatteredallabout，theprettygiftswhichcamefromfriendlyhandsandwerethefairerforthelovingmessagestheybrought。

Idon’tthinktheParianPsycheLauriegavelostanyofitsbeautybecauseJohnputupthebracketitstoodupon，thatanyupholsterercouldhavedrapedtheplainmuslincurtainsmoregracefullythanAmy’sartistichand，orthatanystore—roomwaseverbetterprovidedwithgoodwishes，merrywords，andhappyhopesthanthatinwhichJoandhermotherputawayMeg’sfewboxes，barrels，andbundles，andIammorallycertainthatthespandynewkitchennevercouldhavelookedsocozyandneatifHannahhadnotarrangedeverypotandpanadozentimesover，andlaidthefireallreadyforlightingtheminute`Mis。Brookecamehome’。Ialsodoubtifanyyoungmatroneverbeganlifewithsorichasupplyofdusters，holders，andpiecebags，forBethmadeenoughtolasttillthesilverweddingcameround，andinventedthreedifferentkindsofdishclothsfortheexpressserviceofthebridalchina。

Peoplewhohaveallthesethingsdoneforthemneverknowwhattheylose，forthehomeliesttasksgetbeautifiediflovinghandsdothem，andMegfoundsomanyproofsofthisthateverythinginhersmallnest，fromthekitchenrollertothesilvervaseonherparlortable，waseloquentofhomeloveandtenderforethought。

Whathappytimestheyhadplanningtogether，whatsolemnshoppingexcursions，whatfunnymistakestheymade，andwhatshoutsoflaughteraroseoverLaurie’sridiculousbargains。Inhisloveofjokes，thisyounggentleman，thoughnearlythroughcollege，wasamuchofaboyasever。Hislastwhimhadbeentobringwithhimonhisweeklyvisitssomenew，useful，andingeniousarticlefortheyounghousekeeper。Nowabagofremarkableclothespins，next，awonderfulnutmeggraterwhichfelltopiecesatthefirsttrial，aknifecleanerthatspoiledalltheknives，orasweeperthatpickedthenapneatlyoffthecarpetandleftthedirt，labor—savingsoapthattooktheskinoffone’shands，infalliblecementswhichstuckfirmlytonothingbutthefingersofthedeludedbuyer，andeverykindoftinware，fromatoysavingsbankforoddpennies，toawonderfulboilerwhichwouldwasharticlesinitsownsteamwitheveryprospectofexplodingintheprocess。

InvainMegbeggedhimtostop。Johnlaughedathim，andJocalledhim`Mr。Toodles’。HewaspossessedwithamaniaforpatronizingYankeeingenuity，andseeinghisfriendsfitlyfurnishedforth。Soeachweekbeheldsomefreshabsurdity。

Everythingwasdoneatlast，eventoAmy’sarrangingdifferentcoloredsoapstomatchthedifferentcoloredrooms，andBeth’ssettingthetableforthefirstmeal。

"Areyousatisfied？Doesitseemlikehome，anddoyoufeelasifyoushouldbehappyhere？"askedMrs。March，assheandherdaughterwentthroughthenewkingdomarminarm，forjustthentheyseemedtoclingtogethermoretenderlythanever。

"Yes，Mother，perfectlysatisfied，thankstoyouall，andsohappythatIcan’ttalkaboutit，"withalookthatwasfarbetterthanwords。

"Ifsheonlyhadaservantortwoitwouldbeallright，"saidAmy，comingoutoftheparlor，whereshehadbeentryingtodecidewhetherthebronzeMercurylookedbestonthewhatnotorthemantlepiece。

"MotherandIhavetalkedthatover，andIhavemadeupmymindtotryherwayfirst。TherewillbesolittletodothatwithLottytorunmyerrandsandhelpmehereandthere，Ishallonlyhaveenoughworktokeepmefromgettinglazyorhomesick，"answeredMegtranquilly。

"SallieMoffathasfour，"beganAmy。

"IfMeghadfour，thehousewouldn’tholdthem，andmasterandmissiswouldhavetocampinthegarden，"brokeinJo，who，envelopedinabigbluepinafore，wasgivingthelastpolishtothedoorhandles。

"Sallieisn’tapoorman’swife，andmanymaidsareinkeepingwithherfineestablishment。MegandJohnbeginhumbly，butIhaveafeelingthattherewillbequiteasmuchhappinessinthelittlehouseasinthebigone。It’sagreatmistakeforyounggirlslikeMegtoleavethemselvesnothingtodobutdress，giveorders，andgossip。WhenIwasfirstmarried，Iusedtolongformynewclothestowearoutorgettorn，sothatImighthavethepleasureofmendingthem，forIgotheartilysickofdoingfancyworkandtendingmypockethandkerchief。"

"Whydidn’tyougointothekitchenandmakemesses，asSalliesaysshedoestoamuseherself，thoughtheyneverturnoutwellandtheservantslaughather，"saidMeg。

"Ididafterawhile，notto`mess’buttolearnofHannahhowthingsshouldbedone，thatmyservantsneednotlaughatme。Itwasplaythen，buttherecameatimewhenIwastrulygratefulthatInotonlypossessedthewillbutthepowertocookwholesomefoodformylittlegirls，andhelpmyselfwhenIcouldnolongeraffordtohirehelp。Youbeginattheotherend，Meg，dear，butthelessonsyoulearnnowwillbeofusetoyouby—and—bywhenJohnisaricherman，forthemistressofahouse，howeversplendid，shouldknowhowworkoughttobedone，ifshewishestobewellandhonestlyserved。"

"Yes，Mother，I’msureofthat，"saidMeg，listeningrespectfullytothelittlelecture，forthebestofwomenwillholdforthupontheallabsorbingsubjectofhousekeeping。"DoyouknowIlikethisroommostofallinmybabyhouse，"addedMeg，aminuteafter，astheywentupstairsandshelookedintoherwell—storedlinencloset。

Bethwasthere，layingthesnowypilessmoothlyontheshelvesandexultingoverthegoodlyarray。AllthreelaughedasMegspoke，forthatlinenclosetwasajoke。Yousee，havingsaidthatifMegmarried`thatBrooke’sheshouldn’thaveacentofhermoney，AuntMarchwasratherinaquandarywhentimehadappeasedherwrathandmadeherrepenthervow。Sheneverbrokeherword，andwasmuchexercisedinhermindhowtogetroundit，andatlastdevisedaplanwherebyshecouldsatisfyherself。Mrs。Carrol，Florence’smamma，wasorderedtobuy，havemade，andmarkedageneroussupplyofhouseandtablelinen，andsenditasherpresent，allofwhichwasfaithfullydone，butthesecretleakedout，andwasgreatlyenjoyedbythefamily，forAuntMarchtriedtolookutterlyunconscious，andinsistedthatshecouldgivenothingbuttheold—fashionedpearlslongpromisedtothefirstbride。

"That’sahousewifelytastewhichIamgladtosee。Ihadayoungfriendwhosetuphousekeepingwithsixsheets，butshehadfingerbowlsforcompanyandthatsatisfiedher，"saidMrs。March，pattingthedamasktablecloths，withatrulyfeminineappreciationoftheirfineness。

"Ihaven’tasinglefingerbowl，butthisisaset—outthatwilllastmeallmydays，Hannahsays。"AndMeglookedquitecontented，aswellshemight。

Atall，broad—shoulderedyoungfellow，withacroppedhead，afeltbasinofahat，andaflyawaycoat，cametrampingdowntheroadatagreatpace，walkedoverthelowfencewithoutstoppingtoopenthegate，straightuptoMrs。March，withbothhandsoutandahearty……

"HereIam，Mother！Yes，it’sallright。"

Thelastwordswereinanswertothelooktheelderladygavehim，akindlyquestioninglookwhichthehandsomeeyesmetsofranklythatthelittleceremonyclosed，asusual，withamotherlykiss。

"ForMrs。JohnBrooke，withthemaker’scongratulationsandcompliments。Blessyou，Beth！Whatarefreshingspectacleyouare，Jo。Amy，youaregettingaltogethertoohandsomeforasinglelady。"

AsLauriespoke，hedeliveredabrownpaperparceltoMeg，pilledBeth’shairribbon，staredatJo’sbibpinafore，andfellintoanattitudeofmockrapturebeforeAmy，thenshookhandsallround，andeveryonebegantotalk。

"WhereisJohn？"askedMeganxiously。

"Stoppedtogetthelicensefortomorrow，ma’am。"

"Whichsidewonthelastmatch，Teddy？"inquiredJo，whopersistedinfeelinganinterestinmanlysportsdespitehernineteenyears。

"Ours，ofcourse。Wishyou’dbeentheretosee。"

"HowisthelovelyMissRandal？"askedAmywithasignificantsmile。

"Morecruelthanever。Don’tyouseehowI’mpiningaway？"AndLauriegavehisbroadchestasoundingslapandheavedamelodramaticsigh。

"What’sthelastjoke？Undothebundleandsee，Meg，"saidBeth，eyingtheknobbyparcelwithcuriosity。

"It’sausefulthingtohaveinthehouseincaseoffireorthieves，"observedLaurie，asawatchman’srattleappeared，amidthelaughterofthegirls。

"AnytimewhenJohnisawayandyougetfrightened，Mrs。Meg，justswingthatoutofthefrontwindow，anditwillrousetheneighborhoodinajiffy。Nicething，isn’tit？"AndLauriegavethemasampleofitspowersthatmadethemcoveruptheirears。

"There’sgratitudeforyou！AndspeakingofgratituderemindsmetomentionthatyoumaythankHannahforsavingyourweddingcakefromdestruction。IsawitgoingintoyourhouseasIcameby，andifshehadn’tdefendeditmanfullyI’dhavehadapickatit，foritlookedlikearemarkablyplummyone。"

"Iwonderifyouwillevergrowup，Laurie，"saidMeginamatronlytone。

"I’mdoingmybest，ma’am，butcan’tgetmuchhigher，I’mafraid，assixfeetisaboutallmencandointhesedegeneratedays，"respondedtheyounggentleman，whoseheadwasaboutlevelwiththelittlechandelier。

"Isupposeitwouldbeprofanationtoeatanythinginthisspick—and—spanbower，soasI’mtremendouslyhungry，Iproposeanadjournment，"headdedpresently。

"MotherandIaregoingtowaitforJohn。Therearesomelastthingstosettle，"saidMeg，bustlingaway。

"BethandIaregoingovertoKittyBryant’stogetmoreflowersfortomorrow，"addedAmy，tyingapicturesquehatoverherpicturesquecurls，andenjoyingtheeffectasmuchasanybody。

"Come，Jo，don’tdesertafellow。I’minsuchastateofexhaustionIcan’tgethomewithouthelp。Don’ttakeoffyourapron，whateveryoudo，it’speculiarlybecoming，"saidLaurie，asJobestowedhisespecialaversioninhercapaciouspocketandofferedherarmtosupporthisfeeblesteps。

"Now，Teddy，Iwanttotalkseriouslytoyouabouttomorrow，"beganJo，astheystrolledawaytogether。"Youmustpromisetobehavewell，andnotcutupanypranks，andspoilourplans。"

"Notaprank。"

"Anddon’tsayfunnythingswhenweoughttobesober。"

"Ineverdo。Youaretheoneforthat。"

"AndIimploreyounottolookatmeduringtheceremony。Ishallcertainlylaughifyoudo。"

"Youwon’tseeme，you’llbecryingsohardthatthethickfogroundyouwillobscuretheprospect。"

"Inevercryunlessforsomegreataffliction。"

"Suchasfellowsgoingtocollege，hey？"cutinLaurie，withsuggestivelaugh。

"Don’tbeapeacock。Ionlymoanedatrifletokeepthegirlscompany。""Exactly。Isay，Jo，howisGrandpathisweek？Prettyamiable？"

"Very。Why，haveyougotintoascrapeandwanttoknowhowhe’lltakeit？"askedJorathersharply。

"Now，Jo，doyouthinkI’dlookyourmotherinthefaceandsay`Allright’，ifitwasn’t？"AndLauriestoppedshort，withaninjuredair。

"No，Idon’t。"

"Thendon’tgoandbesuspicious。Ionlywantsomemoney，"saidLaurie，walkingonagain，appeasedbyherheartytone。

"Youspendagreatdeal，Teddy。"

"Blessyou，Idon’tspendit，itspendsitselfsomehow，andisgonebeforeIknowit。"

"Youaresogenerousandkind—heartedthatyouletpeopleborrow，andcan’tsay`No’toanyone。WeheardaboutHenshawandallyoudidforhim。Ifyoualwaysspentmoneyinthatway，noonewouldblameyou，"saidJowarmly。

"Oh，hemadeamountainoutofamolehill。Youwouldn’thavemeletthatfinefellowworkhimselftodeathjustforwantofalittlehelp，whenheisworthadozenofuslazychaps，wouldyou？"

"Ofcoursenot，butIdon’tseetheuseofyourhavingseventeenwaistcoats，endlessneckties，andanewhateverytimeyoucomehome。Ithoughtyou’dgotoverthedandyperiod，buteverynowandthenitbreaksoutinanewspot。Justnowit’sthefashiontobehideous，tomakeyourheadlooklikeascrubbingbrush，wearastraitjacket，orangegloves，andclumpingsquare—toedboots。Ifitwascheapugliness，I’dsaynothing，butitcostsasmuchastheother，andIdon’tgetanysatisfactionoutofit。"

Lauriethrewbackhishead，andlaughedsoheartilyatthisattack，thatthefelthatfelloff，andJowalkedonit，whichinsultonlyaffordedhimanopportunityforexpatiatingontheadvantagesofarough—and—readycostume，ashefoldedupthemaltreatedhat，andstuffeditintohispocket。

"Don’tlectureanymore，there’sagoodsoul！Ihaveenoughallthroughtheweek，andliketoenjoymyselfwhenIcomehome。I’llgetmyselfupregardlessofexpensetomorrowandbeasatisfactiontomyfriends。"

"I’llleaveyouinpeaceifyou’llonlyletyourhairgrow。I’mnotaristocratic，butIdoobjecttobeingseenwithapersonwholookslikeayoungprizefighter，"observedJoseverely。

"Thisunassumingstylepromotesstudy，that’swhyweadoptit，"returnedLaurie，whocertainlycouldnotbeaccusedofvanity，havingvoluntarilysacrificedahandsomecurlycroptothedemandforquarter—inch—longstubble。

"Bytheway，Jo，IthinkthatlittleParkerisreallygettingdesperateaboutAmy。Hetalksofherconstantly，writespoetry，andmoonsaboutinamostsuspiciousmanner。He’dbetterniphislittlepassioninthebud，hadn’the？"addedLaurie，inaconfidential，elderbrotherlytone，afteraminute’ssilence。

"Ofcoursehehad。Wedon’twantanymoremarryinginthisfamilyforyearstocome。Mercyonus，whatarethechildrenthinkingof？"AndJolookedasmuchscandalizedasifAmyandlittleParkerwerenotyetintheirteens。

"It’safastage，andIdon’tknowwhatwearecomingto，ma’am。Youareamereinfant，butyou’llgonext，Jo，andwe’llbeleftlamenting，"saidLaurie，shakinghisheadoverthedegeneracyofthetimes。

"Don’tbealarmed。I’mnotoneoftheagreeablesort。Nobodywillwantme，andit’samercy，forthereshouldalwaysbeoneoldmaidinafamily。"

"Youwon’tgiveanyoneachance，"saidLaurie，withasidelongglanceandalittlemorecolorthanbeforeinhissunburnedface。"Youwon’tshowthesoftsideofyourcharacter，andifafellowgetsapeepatitbyaccidentandcan’thelpshowingthathelikesit，youtreathimasMrs。Gummidgedidhersweetheart，throwcoldwateroverhim，andgetsothornynoonedarestouchorlookatyou。"

"Idon’tlikethatsortofthing。I’mtoobusytobeworriedwithnonsense，andIthinkit’sdreadfultobreakupfamiliesso。Nowdon’tsayanymoreaboutit。Meg’sweddinghasturnedallourheads，andwetalkofnothingbutloversandsuchabsurdities。Idon’twishtogetcross，solet’schangethesubject。"AndJolookedquitereadytoflingcoldwaterontheslightestprovocation。

Whateverhisfeelingsmighthavebeen，Lauriefoundaventfortheminalonglowwhistleandthefearfulpredictionastheypartedatthegate，"Markmywords，Jo，you’llgonext。"

GoodWives:Chapter10CHAPTER10Jo’sJournalNewYork，NovemberDearMarmeeandBeth，I’mgoingtowriteyouaregularvolume，forI’vegotheapstotell，thoughI’mnotafineyoungladytravelingonthecontinent。WhenIlostsightofFather’sdearoldface，Ifeltatrifleblue，andmighthaveshedabrinydroportwo，ifanIrishladywithfoursmallchildren，allcryingmoreorless，hadn’tdivertedmymind，forIamusedmyselfbydroppinggingerbreadnutsovertheseateverytimetheyopenedtheirmouthstoroar。

Soonthesuncameout，andtakingitasagoodomen，Icleareduplikewiseandenjoyedmyjourneywithallmyheart。

Mrs。KirkewelcomedmesokindlyIfeltathomeatonce，eveninthatbighousefullofstrangers。Shegavemeafunnylittleskyparlor——allshehad，butthereisastoveinit，andanicetableinasunnywindow，soIcansithereandwritewheneverIlike。Afineviewandachurchtoweroppositeatoneforthemanystairs，andItookafancytomydenonthespot。Thenursery，whereIamtoteachandsew，isapleasantroomnextMrs。Kirke’sprivateparlor，andthetwolittlegirlsareprettychildren，ratherspoiled，Ifancy，buttheytooktomeaftertellingthemTheSevenBadPigs，andI’venodoubtIshallmakeamodelgoverness。

Iamtohavemymealswiththechildren，ifIpreferittothegreattable，andforthepresentIdo，forIambashful，thoughnoonewillbelieveit。

"Now，mydear，makeyourselfathome，"saidMrs。K。inhermotherlyway，"I’monthedrivefrommorningtonight，asyoumaysupposewithsuchafamily，butagreatanxietywillbeoffmymindifIknowthechildrenaresafewithyou。Myroomsarealwaysopentoyou，andyourownshallbeascomfortableasIcanmakeit。Therearesomepleasantpeopleinthehouseifyoufeelsociable，andyoureveningsarealwaysfree。Cometomeifanythinggoeswrong，andbeashappyasyoucan。There’stheteabell，Imustrunandchangemycap。"Andoffshebustled，leavingmetosettlemyselfinmynewnest。

AsIwentdownstairssoonafter，IsawsomethingIliked。Theflightsareverylonginthistallhouse，andasIstoodwaitingattheheadofthethirdoneforalittleservantgirltolumberup，Isawagentlemancomealongbehindher，taketheheavyhodofcoaloutofherhand，carryitallthewayup，putitdownatadoornearby，andwalkaway，saying，withakindnodandaforeignaccent，"Itgoesbetterso。Thelittlebackistooyoungtohafsuchheaviness。"

Wasn’titgoodofhim？Ilikesuchthings，forasFathersays，triflesshowcharacter。WhenImentionedittoMrs。K。，thatevening，shelaughed，andsaid，"ThatmusthavebeenProfessorBhaer，he’salwaysdoingthingsofthatsort。"

Mrs。K。toldmehewasfromBerlin，verylearnedandgood，butpoorasachurchmouse，andgiveslessonstosupporthimselfandtwolittleorphannephewswhomheiseducatinghere，accordingtothewishesofhissister，whomarriedanAmerican。Notaveryromanticstory，butitinterestedme，andIwasgladtohearthatMrs。K。lendshimherparlorforsomeofhisscholars。Thereisaglassdoorbetweenitandthenursery，andImeantopeepathim，andthenI’lltellyouhowhelooks。He’salmostforty，soit’snoharm，Marmee。

Afterteaandago—to—bedrompwiththelittlegirls，Iattackedthebigwork—basket，andhadaquieteveningchattingwithmynewfriend。Ishallkeepajournal—letter，andsenditonceaweek，sogoodnight，andmoretomorrow。

TuesdayEveHadalivelytimeinmyseminarythismorning，forthechildrenactedlikeSancho，andatonetimeIreallythoughtIshouldshakethemallround。Somegoodangelinspiredmetotrygymnastics，andIkeptituptilltheyweregladtositdownandkeepstill。Afterluncheon，thegirltookthemoutforawalk，andIwenttomyneedleworklikelittleMabel`withawillingmind’。IwasthankingmystarsthatI’dlearnedtomakenicebuttonholes，whentheparlordooropenedandshut，andsomeonebegantohum:KennstDuDasLand’，likeabigbumblebee。Itwasdreadfullyimproper，Iknow，butIcouldn’tresistthetemptation，andliftingoneendofthecurtainbeforetheglassdoor，Ipeepedin。ProfessorBhaerwasthere，andwhilehearrangedhisbooks，Itookagoodlookathim。AregularGerman——ratherstout，withbrownhairtumbledalloverhishead，abushybeard，goodnose，thekindesteyesIeversaw，andasplendidbigvoicethatdoesone’searsgood，afteroursharporslipshodAmericangabble。Hisclotheswererusty，hishandswerelarge，andhehadn’tareallyhandsomefeatureinhisface，excepthisbeautifulteeth，yetIlikedhim，forhehadafinehead，hislinenwasverynice，andhelookedlikeagentleman，thoughtwobuttonswereoffhiscoatandtherewasapatchononeshoe。Helookedsoberinspiteofhishumming，tillhewenttothewindowtoturnthehyacinthbulbstowardthesun，andstrokethecat，whoreceivedhimlikeanoldfriend。Thenhesmiled，andwhenatapcameatthedoor，calledoutinaloud，brisktone，"Herein！"

Iwasjustgoingtorun，whenIcaughtsightofamorselofachildcarryingabigbook，andstopped，toseewhatwasgoingon。

"MewantsmeBhaer，"saidthemite，slammingdownherbookandrunningtomeethim。

"ThoushalthafthyBhaer。Come，then，andtakeagoothugfromhim，myTina，"saidtheProfessor，catchingherupwithalaugh，andholdinghersohighoverhisheadthatshehadtostoopherlittlefacetokisshim。

"Nowmemustuddymylessin，"wentonthefunnylittlething。Soheputherupatthetable，openedthegreatdictionaryshehadbrought，andgaveherapaperandpencil，andshescribbledaway，turningaleafnowandthen，andpassingherlittlefatfingerdownthepage，asiffindingaword，sosoberlythatInearlybetrayedmyselfbyalaugh，whileMr。Bhaerstoodstrokingherprettyhairwithafatherlylookthatmademethinkshemustbehisown，thoughshelookedmoreFrenchthanGerman。

Anotherknockandtheappearanceoftwoyoungladiessentmebacktomywork，andthereIvirtuouslyremainedthroughallthenoiseandgabblingthatwentonnextdoor。Oneofthegirlskeptlaughingaffectedly，andsaying，"NowProfessor，"inacoquettishtone，andtheotherpronouncedherGermanwithanaccentthatmusthavemadeithardforhimtokeepsober。