第2章

Bothseemedtotryhispatiencesorely，formorethanonceIheardhimsayemphatically，"No，no，itisnotso，youhafnotattendtowhatIsay，"andoncetherewasaloudrap，asifhestruckthetablewithhisbook，followedbythedespairingexclamation，"Prut！Itallgoesbadthisday。"

Poorman，Ipitiedhim，andwhenthegirlsweregone，tookjustonemorepeeptoseeifhesurvivedit。Heseemedtohavethrownhimselfbackinhischair，tiredout，andsattherewithhiseyesshuttilltheclockstrucktwo，whenhejumpedup，puthisbooksinhispocket，asifreadyforanotherlesson，andtakinglittleTinawhohadfallenasleeponthesofainhisarms，hecarriedherquietlyaway。Ifancyhehasahardlifeofit。Mrs。KirkeaskedmeifIwouldn’tgodowntothefiveo’clockdinner，andfeelingalittlebithomesick，IthoughtIwould，justtoseewhatsortofpeopleareunderthesameroofwithme。SoImademyselfrespectableandtriedtoslipinbehindMrs。Kirke，butassheisshortandI’mtall，myeffortsatconcealmentwereratherafailure。Shegavemeaseatbyher，andaftermyfacecooledoff，Ipluckedupcourageandlookedaboutme。Thelongtablewasfull，andevery——oneintentongettingtheirdinner，thegentlemenespecially，whoseemedtobeeatingontime，fortheyboltedineverysenseoftheword，vanishingassoonastheyweredone。Therewastheusualassortmentofyoungmenabsorbedinthemselves，youngcouplesabsorbedineachother，marriedladiesintheirbabies，andoldgentlemeninpolitics。Idon’tthinkIshallcaretohavemuchtodowithanyofthem，exceptonesweet—facedmaidenlady，wholooksasifshehadsomethinginher。

CastawayattheverybottomofthetablewastheProfessor，shoutinganswerstothequestionsofaveryinquisitive，deafoldgentlemanononeside，andtalkingphilosophywithaFrenchmanontheother。IfAmyhadbeenhere，she’dhaveturnedherbackonhimforeverbecause，sadtorelate，hehadagreatappetite，andshoveledinhisdinnerinamannerwhichwouldhavehorrified`herladyship’。Ididn’tmind，forIlike`toseefolkseatwitharelish’，asHannahsays，andthepoormanmusthaveneededadealoffoodafterteachingidiotsallday。

AsIwentupstairsafterdinner，twooftheyoungmenweresettlingtheirhatsbeforethehallmirror，andIheardonesaylowtotheother，"Who’sthenewparty？"

"Governess，orsomethingofthatsort。"

"Whatthedeuceissheatourtablefor？"

"Friendoftheoldlady’s。"

"Handsomehead，butnostyle。"

"Notabitofit。Giveusalightandcomeon。"

Ifeltangryatfirst，andthenIdidn’tcare，foragovernessisasgoodasaclerk，andI’vegotsense，ifIhaven’tstyle，whichismorethansomepeoplehave，judgingfromtheremarksoftheelegantbeingswhoclatteredaway，smokinglikebadchimneys。Ihateordinarypeople！

ThursdayYesterdaywasaquietdayspentinteaching，sewing，andwritinginmylittleroom，whichisverycozy，withalightandfire。IpickedupafewbitsofnewsandwasintroducedtotheProfessor。ItseemsthatTinaisthechildoftheFrenchwomanwhodoesthefineironinginthelaundryhere。ThelittlethinghaslostherhearttoMr。Bhaer，andfollowshimaboutthehouselikeadogwheneverheisathome，whichdelightshim，asheisveryfondofchildren，thougha`bacheldore’。KittyandMinnieKirklikewiseregardhimwithaffection，andtellallsortsofstoriesabouttheplaysheinvents，thepresentshebrings，andthesplendidtaleshetells。Theyoungermenquizhim，itseems，callhimOldFritz，LagerBeer，UrsaMajor，andmakeallmannerofjokesonhisname。Butheenjoysitlikeaboy，Mrs。Kirkesays，andtakesitsogood—naturedlythattheyalllikehiminspiteofhisforeignways。

ThemaidenladyisaMissNorton，rich，cultivated，andkind。Shespoketomeatdinnertoday（forIwenttotableagain，it’ssuchfuntowatchpeople），andaskedmetocomeandseeheratherroom。Shehasfinebooksandpictures，knowsinterestingpersons，andseemsfriendly，soIshallmakemyselfagreeable，forIdowanttogetintogoodsociety，onlyitisn’tthesamesortthatAmylikes。

IwasinourparlorlasteveningwhenMr。BhaercameinwithsomenewspapersforMrs。Kirke。Shewasn’tthere，butMinnie，whoisalittleoldwoman，introducedmeveryprettily。"ThisisMamma’sfriend，MissMarch。"

"Yes，andshe’sjollyandwelikeherlots，"addedKitty，whoisand`enfantterrible’。

Webothbowed，andthenwelaughed，fortheprimintroductionandthebluntadditionwereratheracomicalcontrast。

"Ah，yes，Ihearthesenaughtyonesgotovexyou，MeesMarsch。Ifsoagain，callatmeandIcome，"hesaid，withathreateningfrownthatdelightedthelittlewretches。

IpromisedIwould，andhedeparted，butitseemsasifIwasdoomedtoseeagooddealofhim，fortodayasIpassedhisdooronmywayout，byaccidentIknockedagainstitwithmyumbrella。Itflewopen，andtherehestoodinhisdressinggown，withabigbluesockononehandandadarningneedleintheother。Hedidn’tseematallashamedofit，forwhenIexplainedandhurriedon，hewavedhishand，sockandall，sayinginhisloud，cheerfulway……

"Youhafafinedaytomakeyourwalk。Bonvoyage，Mademoiselle。"

Ilaughedallthewaydownstairs，butitwasalittlepathetic，alsotothinkofthepoormanhavingtomendhisownclothes。TheGermangentlemenembroider，Iknow，butdarninghoseisanotherthingandnotsopretty。

SaturdayNothinghashappenedtowriteabout，exceptacallonMissNorton，whohasaroomfullofprettythings，andwhowasverycharming，forsheshowedmeallhertreasures，andaskedmeifIwouldsometimesgowithhertolecturesandconcerts，asherescort，ifIenjoyedthem。Sheputitasafavor，butI’msureMrs。Kirkehastoldheraboutus，andshedoesitoutofkindnesstome。I’masproudasLucifer，butsuchfavorsfromsuchpeopledon’tburdenme，andIacceptedgratefully。WhenIgotbacktothenurserytherewassuchanuproarintheparlorthatIlookedin，andtherewasMr。Bhaerdownonhishandsandknees，withTinaonhisback，Kittyleadinghimwithajumprope，andMinniefeedingtwosmallboyswithseedcakes，astheyroaredandrampedincagesbuiltofchairs。

"Weareplayingnargerie，"explainedKitty。

"Disismineeffalunt！"addedTina，holdingonbytheProfessor’shair。

"MammaalwaysallowsustodowhatwelikeSaturdayafternoon，whenFranzandEmilcome，doesn’tshe，Mr。Bhaer？"saidMinnie。

The`effalunt’satup，lookingasmuchinearnestasanyofthem，andsaidsoberlytome，"Igifyoumywortitisso，ifwemaketoolargeanoiseyoushallsayHush！tous，andwegomoresoftly。"

Ipromisedtodoso，butleftthedooropenandenjoyedthefunasmuchastheydid，foramoregloriousfrolicIneverwitnessed。Theyplayedtagandsoldiers，dancedandsang，andwhenitbegantogrowdarktheyallpiledontothesofaabouttheProfessor，whilehetoldcharmingfairystoriesofthestorksonthechimneytops，andthelittle`koblods’，whoridethesnowflakesastheyfall。IwishAmericanswereassimpleandnaturalasGermans，don’tyou？

I’msofondofwriting，Ishouldgospinningonforeverifmotivesofeconomydidn’tstopme，forthoughI’veusedthinpaperandwrittenfine，Itrembletothinkofthestampsthislongletterwillneed。PrayforwardAmy’sassoonasyoucansparethem。Mysmallnewswillsoundveryflatafterhersplendors，butyouwilllikethem，Iknow。IsTeddystudyingsohardthathecan’tfindtimetowritetohisfriends？Takegoodcareofhimforme，Beth，andtellmeallaboutthebabies，andgiveheapsoflovetoeveryone。

FromyourfaithfulJo。

P。S。Onreadingovermyletter，itstrikesmeasratherBhaery，butIamalwaysinterestedinoddpeople，andIreallyhadnothingelsetowriteabout。Blessyou！

DECEMBER

MyPreciousBetsey，Asthisistobeascribble—scrabbleletter，Idirectittoyou，foritmayamuseyou，andgiveyousomeideaofmygoingson，forthoughquiet，theyareratheramusing，forwhich，oh，bejoyful！AfterwhatAmywouldcallHerculaneumefforts，inthewayofmentalandmoralagriculture，myyoungideasbegintoshootandmylittletwigstobendasIcouldwish。TheyarenotsointerestingtomeasTinaandtheboys，butIdomydutybythem，andtheyarefondofme。FranzandEmilarejollylittlelads，quiteaftermyownheart，forthemixtureofGermanandAmericanspiritintheproducesaconstantstateofeffervescence。Saturdayafternoonsareriotoustimes，whetherspentinthehouseorout，foronpleasantdaystheyallgotowalk，likeaseminary，withtheProfessorandmyselftokeeporder，andthensuchfun！

Weareverygoodfriendsnow，andI’vebeguntotakelessons。Ireallycouldn’thelpit，anditallcameaboutinsuchadrollwaythatImusttellyou。Tobeginatthebeginning，Mrs。KirkecalledtomeonedayasIpassedMr。Bhaer’sroomwhereshewasrummaging。

"Didyoueverseesuchaden，mydear？Justcomeandhelpmeputthesebookstorights，forI’veturnedeverythingupsidedown，tryingtodiscoverwhathehasdonewiththesixnewhandkerchiefsIgavehimnotlongago。"

Iwentin，andwhileweworkedIlookedaboutme，foritwas`aden’tobesure。Booksandpaperseverywhere，abrokenmeerschaum，andanoldfluteoverthemantlepieceasifdonewith，araggedbirdwithoutanytailchirpedononewindowseat，andaboxofwhitemiceadornedtheother。Half—finishedboatsandbitsofstringlayamongthemanuscripts。Dirtylittlebootsstooddryingbeforethefire，andtracesofthedearlybelovedboys，forwhomhemakesaslaveofhimself，weretobeseenallovertheroom。Afteragrandrummagethreeofthemissingarticleswerefound，oneoverthebirdcage，onecoveredwithink，andathirdburnedbrown，havingbeenusedasaholder。

"Suchaman！"laughedgood—naturedMrs。K。，assheputtherelicsintheragbay。"Isupposetheothersaretornuptorigships，bandagecutfingers，ormakekitetails。It’sdreadful，butIcan’tscoldhim。He’ssoabsent—mindedandgood—natured，heletsthoseboysrideoverhimroughshod。Iagreedtodohiswashingandmending，butheforgetstogiveouthisthingsandIforgettolookthemover，sohecomestoasadpasssometimes。"

"Letmemendthem，"saidI。"Idon’tmindit，andheneedn’tknow。I’dliketo，he’ssokindtomeaboutbringingmylettersandlendingbooks。"

SoIhavegothisthingsinorder，andknitheelsintotwopairsofthesocks，fortheywereboggledoutofshapewithhisqueerdarns。Nothingwassaid，andIhopedhewouldn’tfinditout，butonedaylastweekhecaughtmeatit。HearingthelessonshegivestoothershasinterestedandamusedmesomuchthatItookafancytolearn;forTinarunsinandout，leavingthedooropen，andIcanhear。Ihadbeensittingnearthisdoor，finishingoffthelastsock，andtryingtounderstandwhathesaidtoanewscholar，whoisasstupidasIam。Thegirlhadgone，andIthoughthehadalso，itwassostill，andIwasbusilygabblingoveraverb，androckingtoandfroinamostabsurdway，whenalittlecrowmademelookup，andtherewasMr。Bhaerlookingandlaughingquietly，whilehemadesignstoTinanottobetrayhim。

"So！"hesaid，asIstoppedandstaredlikeagoose，"youpeepatme，Ipeepatyou，andthisisnotbad，butsee，IamnotpleasantingwhenIsay，hafyouawishforGerman？"

"Yes，butyouaretoobusy。Iamtoostupidtolearn，"Iblunderedout，asredasapeony。

"Prut！Wewillmakethetime，andwefailnottofindthesense。AtefeningIshallgifalittlelessonwithmuchgladness，forlookyou，MeesMarsch，Ihafthisdebttopay。"Andhepointedtomywork`Yes，’theysaytooneanother，thesesokindladies，`heisastupidoldfellow，hewillseenotwhatwedo，hewillneverobservethathissockheelsgonotinholesanymore，hewillthinkhisbuttonsgrowoutnewwhentheyfall，andbelievethatstringsmaketheirselves。’"Ah！ButIhafaneye，andIseemuch。Ihafaheart，andIfeelthanksforthis。Come，alittlelessonthenandnow，ornomoregoodfairyworksformeandmine。"

OfcourseIcouldn’tsayanythingafterthat，andasitreallyisasplendidopportunity，Imadethebargain，andwebegan。Itookfourlessons，andthenIstuckfastinagrammaticalbog。TheProfessorwasverypatientwithme，butitmusthavebeentormenttohim，andnowandthenhe’dlookatmewithsuchanexpressionofmilddespairthatitwasatoss—upwithmewhethertolaughorcry。Itriedbothways，andwhenitcametoasnifforuttermortificationandwoe，hejustthrewthegrammarontothefloorandmarchedoutoftheroom。Ifeltmyselfdisgracedanddesertedforever，butdidn’tblamehimaparticle，andwasscramblingmypaperstogether，meaningtorushupstairsandshakemyselfhard，wheninhecame，asbriskandbeamingasifI’dcoveredmyselfinglory。

"Nowweshalltryanewway。YouandIwillreadthesepleasantlittleMäarchentogether，anddignomoreinthatdrybook，thatgoesinthecornerformakingustrouble。"

Hespokesokindly，andopenedHansAndersons’sfairytalessoinvitinglybeforeme，thatIwasmoreashamedthanever，andwentatmylessoninaneck—or—nothingstylethatseemedtoamusehimimmensely。Iforgotmybashfulness，andpeggedaway（nootherwordwillexpressit）withallmymight，tumblingoverlongwords，pronouncingaccordingtoinspirationoftheminute，anddoingmyverybest。WhenIfinishedreadingmyfirstpage，andstoppedforbreath，heclappedhishandsandcriedoutinhisheartyway，"Dasistgut！’Nowwegowell！Myturn。IdohiminGerman，gifmeyourear。"Andawayhewent，rumblingoutthewordswithhisstrongvoiceandarelishwhichwasgoodtoseeaswellashear。FortunatelythestorywastheCONSTANTTINSOLDIER，whichisdroll，youknow，soIcouldlaugh，andIdid，thoughIdidn’tunderstandhalfheread，forIcouldn’thelpit，hewassoearnest，Isoexcited，andthewholethingsocomical。Afterthatwegotonbetter，andnowIreadmylessonsprettywell，forthiswayofstudyingsuitsme，andIcanseethatthegrammargetstuckedintothetalesandpoetryasonegivespillsinjelly。Ilikeitverymuch，andhedoesn’tseemtiredofityet，whichisverygoodofhim，isn’tit？ImeantogivehimsomethingonChristmas，forIdarenotoffermoney。Tellmesomethingnice，Marmee。

I’mgladLaurieseemssohappyandbusy，thathehasgivenupsmokingandletshishairgrow。YouseeBethmanageshimbetterthanIdid。I’mnotjealous，dear，doyourbest，onlydon’tmakeasaintofhim。I’mafraidIcouldn’tlikehimwithoutaspiceofhumannaughtiness。Readhimbitsofmyletters。Ihaven’ttimetowritemuch，andthatwilldojustaswell。ThankHeavenBethcontinuessocomfortable。

JANUARY

AHappyNewYeartoyouall，mydearestfamily，whichofcourseincludesMr。L。andayoungmanbythenameofTeddy。Ican’ttellyouhowmuchIenjoyedyourChristmasbundle，forididn’tgetittillnightandhadgivenuphoping。Yourlettercameinthemorning，butyousaidnothingaboutaparcel，meaningitforasurprise，soIwasdisappointed，forI’dhada`kindoffeeling’thatyouwouldn’tforgetme。IfeltalittlelowinmymindasIsatupinmyroomaftertea，andwhenthebig，muddy，battered—lookingbundlewasbroughttome，Ijusthuggeditandpranced。ItwassohomeyandrefreshingthatIsatdownonthefloorandreadandlookedandateandlaughedandcried，inmyusualabsurdway。ThethingswerejustwhatIwanted，andallthebetterforbeingmadeinsteadofbought。Beth’snew`inkbib’wascapital，andHannah’sboxofhardgingerbreadwillbeatreasure。I’llbesureandweartheniceflannelsyousent，Marmee，andreadcarefullythebooksFatherhasmarked。Thankyouall，heapsandheaps！

SpeakingofbooksremindsmethatI’mgettingrichinthatline，foronNewYear’sDayMr。BhaergavemeafineShakespeare。Itisonehevaluesmuch，andI’veoftenadmiredit，setupintheplaceofhonorwithhisGermanBible，Plato，Homer，andMilton，soyoumayimaginehowIfeltwhenhebroughtitdown，withoutitscover，andshowedmemyownnameinit，"frommyfriendFriedrichBhaer"。

"Yousayoftenyouwishalibrary。HereIgifyouone，forbetweentheselids（hemeantcovers）ismanybooksinone。Readhimwell，andhewillhelpyoumuch，forthestudyofcharacterinthisbookwillhelpyoutoreaditintheworldandpaintitwithyourpen。"

IthankedhimaswellasIcould，andtalknowabout`mylibrary’，asifIhadahundredbooks。IneverknewhowmuchtherewasinShakespearebefore，butthenIneverhadaBhaertoexplainittome。Nowdon’tlaughathishorridname。Itisn’tpronouncedeitherBearorBeer，aspeoplewillsayit，butsomethingbetweenthetwo，asonlyGermanscangiveit。I’mgladyoubothlikewhatItellyouabouthim，andhopeyouwillknowhimsomeday。Motherwouldadmirehiswarmheart，Fatherhiswisehead。Iadmireboth，andfeelrichinmynew`friendFriedrichBhaer’。

Nothavingmuchmoney，orknowingwhathe’dlike，Igotseverallittlethings，andputthemabouttheroom，wherehewouldfindthemunexpectedly。Theywereuseful，pretty，orfunny，anewstandishonhistable，alittlevaseforhisflower，healwayshasone，orabitofgreeninaglass，tokeephimfresh，hesays，andaholderforhisblower，sothatheneedn’tburnupwhatAmycalls`mouchoirs’。ImadeitlikethoseBethinvented，abigbutterflywithafatbody，andblackandyellowwings，worstedfeelers，andbeadeyes。Ittookhisfancyimmensely，andheputitonhismantlepieceasanarticleofvertu，soitwasratherafailureafterall。Poorasheis，hedidn’tforgetaservantorachildinthehouse，andnotasoulhere，fromtheFrenchlaundrywomantoMissNortonforgothim。Iwassogladofthat。

Theygotupamasquerade，andhadagaytimeNewYear’sEve。Ididn’tmeantogodown，havingnodress。Butatthelastminute，Mrs。Kirkerememberedsomeoldbrocades，andMissNortonlentmelaceandfeathers。SoIdressedupasMrs。Malaprop，andsailedinwithamaskon。Nooneknewme，forIdisguisedmyvoice，andnoonedreamedofthesilent，haughtyMissMarch（fortheythinkIamverystiffandcool，mostofthem，andsoIamtowhippersnappers）coulddanceanddress，andburstoutintoa`nicederangementofepitaphs，likeanallegoryonthebanksoftheNile’。Ienjoyeditverymuch，andwhenweunmaskeditwasfuntoseethemstareatme。IheardoneoftheyoungmentellanotherthatheknewI’dbeenanactress，infact，hethoughtherememberedseeingmeatoneoftheminortheaters。Megwillrelishthatjoke。Mr。BhaerwasNickBottom，andTinawasTitania，aperfectlittlefairyinhisarms。Toseethemdancewas`quitealandscape’，touseaTeddyism。

IhadaveryhappyNewYear，afterall，andwhenIthoughtitoverinmyroom，IfeltasifIwasgettingonalittleinspiteofmymanyfailures，forI’mcheerfulallthetimenow，workwithawill，andtakemoreinterestinotherpeoplethanIusedto，whichissatisfactory。Blessyouall！Everyourloving……

JoGoodWives:Chapter11CHAPTER11AFriendThoughveryhappyinthesocialatmosphereabouther，andverybusywiththedailyworkthatearnedherbreadandmadeitsweeterfortheeffort，Jostillfoundtimeforliterarylabors。Thepurposewhichnowtookpossessionofherwasanaturalonetoapoorandambitiousgirl，butthemeansshetooktogainherendwerenotthebest。Shesawthatmoneyconferredpower，therefore，sheresolvedtohave，nottobeusedforherselfalone，butforthosewhomshelovedmorethanlife。

Thedreamoffillinghomewithcomforts，givingBetheverythingshewanted，fromstrawberriesinwintertoanorganinherbedroom，goingabroadherself，andalwayshavingmorethanenough，sothatshemightindulgeintheluxuryofcharity，hadbeenforyearsJo’smostcherishedcastleintheair。

Theprize—storyexperiencehadseemedtoopenawaywhichmight，afterlongtravelingandmuchuphillwork，leadtothisdelightfulchâteauenEspagne。Butthenoveldisasterquenchedhercourageforatime，forpublicopinionisagiantwhichhasfrightenedstouter—heartedJacksonbiggerbeanstalksthanhers。Likethatimmortalhero，shereposedawhileafterthefirstattempt，whichresultedinatumbleandtheleastlovelyofthegiant’streasures，ifIrememberrightly。Butthe`upagainandtakeanother’spiritwasasstronginJoasinJack，soshescrambledupontheshadysidethistimeandgotmorebooty，butnearlyleftbehindherwhatwasfarmorepreciousthanthemoneybags。

Shetooktowritingsensationstories，forinthosedarkages，evenall—perfectAmericareadrubbish。Shetoldnoone，butconcocteda`thrillingtale’，andboldlycarrieditherselftoMr。Dashwood，editoroftheWeeklyVolcano。ShehadneverreadSartorResartus，butshehadawomanlyinstinctthatclothespossessaninfluencemorepowerfulovermanythantheworthofcharacterorthemagicofmanners。Soshedressedherselfinherbest，andtryingtopersuadeherselfthatshewasneitherexcitednornervous，bravelyclimbedtwopairsofdarkanddirtystairstofindherselfinadisorderlyroom，acloudofcigarsmoke，andthepresenceofthreegentlemen，sittingwiththeirheelsratherhigherthantheirhats，whicharticlesofdressnoneofthemtookthetroubletoremoveonherappearance。somewhatdauntedbythisreception，Johesitatedonthethreshold，murmuringinmuchembarrassment……

"Excuseme，IwaslookingfortheWeeklyVolcanooffice。IwishedtoseeMr。Dashwood。"

Downwentthehighestpairofheels，uprosethesmokiestgentleman，andcarefullycherishinghiscigarbetweenhisfingers，headvancedwithanodandacountenanceexpressiveofnothingbutsleep。Feelingthatshemustgetthroughthemattersomehow，Joproducedhermanuscriptand，blushingredderandredderwitheachsentence，blunderedoutfragmentsofthelittlespeechcarefullypreparedfortheoccasion。

"Afriendofminedesiredmetooffer——astory——justasanexperiment——wouldlikeyouropinion——begladtowritemoreifthissuits。"

Whilesheblushedandblundered，Mr。Dashwoodhadtakenthemanuscript，andwasturningovertheleaveswithapairofratherdirtyfingers，andcastingcriticalglancesupanddowntheneatpages。

"Notafirstattempt，Itakeit？"observingthatthepageswerenumbered，coveredonlyononeside，andnottiedupwitharibbon——suresignofanovice。

"No，sir。Shehashadsomeexperience，andgotaprizeforataleintheBlarneystoneBanner。"

"Oh，didshe？"AndMr。DashwoodgaveJOaquicklook，whichseemedtotakenoteofeverythingshehadon，fromthebowinherbonnettothebuttonsonherboots。"Well，youcanleaveit，ifyoulike。We’vemoreofthissortofthingonhandthanweknowwhattodowithatpresent，butI’llrunmyeyeoverit，andgiveyouananswernextweek。"

Now，Jodidnotliketoleaveit，forMr。Dashwooddidn’tsuitheratall，but，underthecircumstances，therewasnothingforhertodobutbowandwalkaway，lookingparticularlytallanddignified，asshewasapttodowhennettledorabashed。Justthenshewasboth，foritwasperfectlyevidentfromtheknowingglancesexchangedamongthegentlementhatherlittlefictionof`myfriend’wasconsideredagoodjoke，andalaugh，producedbysomeinaudibleremarkoftheeditor，asheclosedthedoor，completedherdiscomfiture。Halfresolvingnevertoreturn，shewenthome，andworkedoffherirritationbystitchingpinaforesvigorously，andinanhourortwowascoolenoughtolaughoverthesceneandlongfornextweek。

Whenshewentagain，Mr。Dashwoodwasalone，whereatsherejoiced。Mr。Dashwoodwasmuchwiderawakethanbefore，whichwasagreeableandMr。Dashwoodwasnottoodeeplyabsorbedinacigartorememberhismanners，sothesecondinterviewwasmuchmorecomfortablethanthefirst。

"We’lltakethis（editorsneversayI），ifyoudon’tobjecttoafewalterations。It’stoolong，butomittingthepassagesI’vemarkedwillmakeitjusttherightlength，"hesaid，inabusinessliketone。

JohardlyknewherownMSagain，socrumpledandunderscoredwereitspagesandparagraphs，butfeelingasatenderpatentmightonbeingaskedtocutoffherbaby’slegsinorderthatitmightfitintoanewcradle，shelookedatthemarkedpassagesandwassurprisedtofindthatallthemoralreflections——whichshehadcarefullyputinasballastformuchromance——hadbeenstrickenout。

"But，Sir，Ithoughteverystoryshouldhavesomesortofamoral，soItookcaretohaveafewofmysinnersrepent。"

Mr。Dashwoods’seditorialgravityrelaxedintoasmile，forJohadforgottenher`friend’，andspokenasonlyanauthorcould。

"Peoplewanttobeamused，notpreachedat，youknow。Moralsdon’tsellnowadays。"Whichwasnotquiteacorrectstatement，bytheway。

"Youthinkitwoulddowiththesealterations，then？"

"Yes，it’sanewplot，andprettywellworkedup——languagegood，andsoon，"wasMr。Dashwood’saffablereply。

"Whatdoyou——thatis，whatcompensation——"beganJo，notexactlyknowinghowtoexpressherself。

"Oh，yes，well，wegivefromtwenty—fivetothirtyforthingsofthissort。Paywhenitcomesout，"returnedMr。Dashwood，asifthatpointhadescapedhim。Suchtriflesdoescapetheeditorialmind，itissaid。

"Verywell，youcanhaveit，"saidJo，handingbackthestorywithasatisfiedair，forafterthedollar—a—columnwork，eventwenty—fiveseemedgoodpay。

"ShallItellmyfriendyouwilltakeanotherifshehasonebetterthanthis？"askedJo，unconsciousofherlittleslipofthetongue，andemboldenedbyhersuccess。

"Well，we’lllookatit。Can’tpromisetotakeit。Tellhertomakeitshortandspicy，andnevermindthemoral。Whatnamewouldyourfriendliketoputonit？"inacarelesstone。

"Noneatall，ifyouplease，shedoesn’twishhernametoappearandhasnonomdeplume，"saidJo，blushinginspiteofherself。

"Justasshelikes，ofcourse。Thetalewillbeoutnextweek。Willyoucallforthemoney，orshallIsendit？"askedMr。Dashwood，whofeltanaturaldesiretoknowwhohisnewcontributormightbe。

"I’llcall。Goodmorning，Sir。"

Asshedeparted，Mr。Dashwoodputuphisfeet，withthegracefulremark，"Poorandproud，asusual，butshe’lldo。"

FollowingMr。Dashwood’sdirections，andmakingMrs。Northburyhermodel，Jorashlytookaplungeintothefrothyseaofsensationalliterature，butthankstothelifepreserverthrownherbyafriend，shecameupagainnotmuchtheworseforherducking。

Likemostyoungscribblers，shewentabroadforhercharactersandscenery，andbanditti，counts，gypsies，nuns，andduchessesappeareduponherstage，andplayedtheirpartswithasmuchaccuracyandspiritascouldbeexpected。Herreaderswerenotparticularaboutsuchtriflesasgrammar，punctuation，andprobability，andMr。Dashwoodgraciouslypermittedhertofillhiscolumnsatthelowestprices，notthinkingitnecessarytotellherthattherealcauseofhishospitalitywasthefactthatoneofhishacks，onbeingofferedhigherwages，hadbaselylefthiminthelurch。

Shesoonbecameinterestedinherwork，forheremaciatedpursegrewstout，andthelittlehoardshewasmakingtotakeBethtothemountainsnextsummergrewslowlybutsurelyastheweekspassed。Onethingdisturbedhersatisfaction，andthatwasthatshedidnottellthemathome。ShehadafeelingthatFatherandMotherwouldnotapprove，andpreferredtohaveherownwayfirst，andbegpardonafterward。Itwaseasytokeephersecret，fornonameappearedwithherstories。Mr。Dashwoodhadofcoursefounditoutverysoon，butpromisedtobedumb，andforawonderkepthisword。

Shethoughtitwoulddohernoharm，forshesincerelymeanttowritenothingofwhichshewouldbeashamed，andquietedallpricksofconsciencebyanticipationsofthehappyminutewhensheshouldshowherearningsandlaughoverherwell—keptsecret。

ButMr。Dashwoodrejectedanybutthrillingtales，andasthrillscouldnotbeproducedexceptbyharrowingupthesoulsofthereaders，historyandromance，landandsea，scienceandart，policerecordsandlunaticasylums，hadtoberansackedforthepurpose。Josoonfoundthatherinnocentexperiencehadgivenherbutfewglimpsesofthetragicworldwhichunderliessociety，soregardingitinabusinesslight，shesetaboutsupplyingherdeficiencieswithcharacteristicenergy。Eagertofindmaterialforstories，andbentonmakingthemoriginalinplot，ifnotmasterlyinexecution，shesearchednewspapersforaccidents，incidents，andcrimes。Sheexcitedthesuspicionsofpubliclibrariansbyaskingforworksonpoisons。Shestudiedfacesinthestreet，andcharacters，good，bad，andindifferent，allabouther。Shedelvedinthedustofancienttimesforfactsorfictionssooldthattheywereasgoodasnew，andintroducedherselftofolly，sin，andmisery，aswellasherlimitedopportunitiesallowed。Shethoughtshewasprosperingfinely，butunconsciouslyshewasbeginningtodesecratesomeofthewomanliestattributesofawoman’scharacter。Shewaslivinginbadsociety，andimaginarythoughitwas，itsinfluenceaffectedher，forshewasfeedingheartandfancyondangerousandunsubstantialfood，andwasfastbrushingtheinnocentbloomfromhernaturebyaprematureacquaintancewiththedarkersideoflife，whichcomessoonenoughtoallofus。

Shewasbeginningtofeelratherthanseethis，formuchdescribingofotherpeople’spassionsandfeelingssethertostudyingandspeculatingaboutherown。amorbidamusementinwhichhealthyyoungmindsdonotvoluntarilyindulge。Wrongdoingalwaysbringsitsownpunishment，andwhenJomostneededhers，shegotit。

Idon’tknowwhetherthestudyofShakespearehelpedhertoreadcharacter，orthenaturalinstinctofawomanforwhatwashonest，brave，andstrong，butwhileendowingherimaginaryheroeswitheveryperfectionunderthesun，Jowasdiscoveringalivehero，whointerestedherinspiteofmanyhumanimperfections。Mr。Bhaer，inoneoftheirconversations，hadadvisedhertostudysimple，true，andlovelycharacters，wherevershefoundthem，asgoodtrainingforawriter。Jotookhimathisword，forshecoollyturnedroundandstudiedhim——aproceedingwhichwouldhavemuchsurprisedhim，hadheknowit，fortheworthyProfessorwasveryhumbleinhisownconceit。