第5章

Lauriesmiled，tookit，putitinhisvestpocket`tokeepitfromblowingaway’，andlistenedwithinteresttothelivelyletterAmyreadhim。

"ThiswillbearegularlymerryChristmastome，withpresentsinthemorning，youandlettersintheafternoon，andapartyatnight，"saidAmy，astheyalightedamongtheruinsoftheoldfort，andaflockofsplendidpeacockscametroopingaboutthem，tamelywaitingtobefed。WhileAmystoodlaughingonthebankabovehimasshescatteredcrumbstothebrilliantbirds，Laurielookedatherasshehadlookedathim，withanaturalcuriositytoseewhatchangestimeandabsencehadwrought。Hefoundnothingtoperplexordisappoint，muchtoadmireandapprove，foroverlookingafewlittleaffectationsofspeechandmanner，shewasassprightlyandgracefulasever，withtheadditionofthatindescribablesomethingindressandbearingwhichwecallelegance。Alwaysmatureforherage，shehadgainedacertainaplombinbothcarriageandconversation，whichmadeherseemmoreofawomanoftheworldthanshewas，butheroldpetulancenowandthenshoweditself，herstrongwillstillhelditsown，andhernativefranknesswasunspoiledbyforeignpolish。

Lauriedidnotreadallthiswhilehewatchedherfeedthepeacocks，buthesawenoughtosatisfyandinteresthim，andcarriedawayaprettylittlepictureofabright—facedgirlstandinginthesunshine，whichbroughtoutthesofthueofherdress，thefreshcolorofhercheeks，thegoldenglossofherhair，andmadeheraprominentfigureinthepleasantscene。

Astheycameupontothestoneplateauthatcrownsthehill，Amywavedherhandasifwelcominghimtoherfavoritehaunt，andsaid，pointinghereandthere，"DoyouremembertheCathedralandtheCorso，thefishermendraggingtheirnetsinthebay，andthelovelyroadtoVillaFranca，Schubert’sTower，justbelow，andbestofall，thatspeckfarouttoseawhichtheysayilsCorsica？"

"Iremember。It’snotmuchchanged，"heansweredwithoutenthusiasm。

"WhatJowouldgiveforasightofthatfamousspeck！"saidAmy，feelingingoodspiritsandanxioustoseehimsoalso。

"Yes，"wasallhesaid，butheturnedandstrainedhiseyestoseetheislandwhichagreaterusurperthanevenNapoleonnowmadeinterestinginhissight。

"Takeagoodlookatitforhersake，andthencomeandtellmewhatyouhavebeendoingwithyourselfallthiswhile，"saidAmy，seatingherself，readyforagoodtalk。

Butshedidnotgetit，forthoughhejoinedherandansweredallherquestionsfreely，shecouldonlylearnthathehadrovedabouttheContinentandbeentoGreece。Soafteridlingawayanhour，theydrovehomeagain，andhavingpaidhisrespectstoMrs。Carrol，Laurieleftthem，promisingtoreturnintheevening。

ItmustberecordedofAmythatshedeliberatelyprinkedthatnight。Timeandabsencehaddoneitsworkonboththeyoungpeople。Shehadseenheroldfriendinanewlight，notas`ourboy’，butasahandsomeandagreeableman，andshewasconsciousofaverynaturaldesiretofindfavorinhissight。Amyknewhergoodpoints，andmadethemostofthemwiththetasteandskillwhichisafortunetoapoorandprettywoman。

TarlatanandtullewerecheapatNice，sosheenvelopedherselfinthemonsuchoccasions，andfollowingthesensibleEnglishfashionofsimpledressforyounggirls，gotupcharminglittletoiletteswithfreshflowers，afewtrinkets，andallmannerofdaintydevices，whichwerebothinexpensiveandeffective。Itmustbeconfessedthattheartistsometimesgotpossessionofthewoman，andindulgedinantiquecoiffures，statuesqueattitudes，andclassicdraperies。But，dearheart，weallhaveoutlittleweaknesses，andfinditeasytopardonsuchintheyoung，whosatisfyoureyeswiththeircomeliness，andkeepourheartsmerrywiththeirartlessvanities。

"IdowanthimtothinkIlookwell，andtellthemsoathome，"saidAmytoherself，assheputonFlo’soldwhitesilkballdress，andcovereditwithacloudoffreshillusion，outofwhichherwhiteshouldersandgoldenheademergedwithamostartisticeffect。Herhairshehadthesensetoletalone，aftergatheringupthethickwavesandcurlsintoaHebe—likeknotatthebackofherhead。

"It’snotthefashion，butit’sbecoming，andIcan’taffordtomakeafrightofmyself，"sheusedtosay，whenadvisedtofrizzle，puff，orbraid，asthelateststylecommanded。

Havingnoornamentsfineenoughforthisimportantoccasion，Amyloopedherfleecyskirtswithrosyclustersofazalea，andframedthewhiteshouldersindelicategreenvines。Rememberingthepaintedboots，shesurveyedherwhitesatinslipperswithgirlishsatisfaction，andchasséeddowntheroom，admiringheraristocraticfeetallbyherself。

"Mynewfanjustmatchesmyflowers，myglovesfittoacharm，andthereallaceonAunt’smouchoirgivesanairtomywholedress。IfIonlyhadaclassicalnoseandmouthIshouldbeperfectlyhappy，"shesaid，surveyingherselfwithacriticaleyeandacandleineachhand。

Inspiteofthisaffliction，shelookedunusuallygayandgracefulassheglidedaway。Sheseldomran——itdidnotsuitherstyle，shethought，forbeingtall，thestatelyandJunoesquewasmoreappropriatethanthesportiveorpiquante。ShewalkedupanddownthelongsaloonwhilewaitingforLaurie，andoncearrangedherselfunderthechandelier，whichhadagoodeffectuponherhair，thenshethoughtbetterofit，andwentawaytotheotherendoftheroom，asifashamedofthegirlishdesiretohavethefirstviewapropitiousone。Itsohappenedthatshecouldnothavedoneabetterthing，forLauriecameinsoquietlyshedidnothearhim，andasshestoodatthedistantwindow，withherheadhalfturnedandonehandgatheringupherdress，theslender，whitefigureagainsttheredcurtainswasaseffectiveasawell—placedstatue。

"Goodevening，Diana！"saidLaurie，withthelookofsatisfactionshelikedtoseeinhiseyeswhentheyrestedonher。

"Goodevening，Apollo！"sheanswered，smilingbackathim，forhetoolookedunusuallydébonair，andthethoughtofenteringtheballroomonthearmofsuchapersonablemancausedAmytopitythefourplainMissesDavisfromthebottomofherheart。

"Hereareyourflowers。Iarrangedthemmyself，rememberingthatyoudidn’tlikewhatHannahcallsa`sot—bookay’，saidLaurie，handingheradelicatenosegay，inaholderthatshehadlongcovetedasshedailypasseditinCardiglia’swindow。

"Howkindyouare！"sheexclaimedgratefully。"IfI’dknownyouwerecomingI’dhavehadsomethingreadyforyoutoday，thoughnotasprettyasthis，I’mafraid。"

"Thankyou。Itisn’twhatitshouldbe，butyouhaveimprovedit，"headded，asshesnappedthesilverbraceletonherwrist。

"Pleasedon’t。"

"Ithoughtyoulikedthatsortofthing。"

"Notfromyou，itdoesn’tsoundnatural，andIlikeyouroldbluntnessbetter。"

"I’mgladofit，"heanswered，withalookofrelief，thenbuttonedherglovesforher，andaskedifhistiewasstraight，justasheusedtodowhentheywenttopartiestogetherathome。

ThecompanyassembledinthelongsalleàmangerthateveningwassuchasoneseesnowherebutontheContinent。ThehospitableAmericanshadinvitedeveryacquaintancetheyhadinNice，andhavingnoprejudiceagainsttitles，securedafewtoaddlustertotheirChristmasball。

ARussianprincecondescendedtositinacornerforanhourandtalkwithamassivelady，dressedlikeHamlet’smotherinblackvelvetwithapearlbridleunderherchin。APolishcount，agedeighteen，devotedhimselftotheladies，whopronouncedhim，`afascinatingdear’，andaGermanSereneSomething，havingcometosupperalone，roamedvaguelyabout，seekingwhathemightdevour。BaronRothschild’sprivatesecretary，alarge—nosedJewintightboots，affablybeamedupontheworld，asifhismaster’snamecrownedhimwithagoldenhalo。AstoutFrenchman，whoknewtheEmperor，cametoindulgehismaniafordancing，andLadydeJones，aBritishmatron，adornedthescenewithherlittlefamilyofeight。Ofcourse，thereweremanylight—footed，shrill—voicedAmericangirls，handsome，lifeless—lookingEnglishditto，andafewplainbutpiquanteFrenchdemoiselles，likewisetheusualsetoftravelingyounggentlemenwhodisportedthemselvesgaily，whilemammasofallnationslinedthewallsandsmileduponthembenignlywhentheydancedwiththeirdaughters。

AnyyounggirlcanimagineAmy’sstateofmindwhenshe`tookthestage’thatnight，leaningonLaurie’sarm。Sheknewshelookedwell，shelovedtodance，shefeltthatherfootwasonhernativeheathinaballroom，andenjoyedthedelightfulsenseofpowerwhichcomeswhenyounggirlsfirstdiscoverthenewandlovelykingdomtheyareborntorulebyvirtueofbeauty，youth，andwomanhood。ShedidpitytheDavisgirls，whowereawkward，plain，anddestituteofescort，exceptagrimpapaandthreegrimmermaidenaunts，andshebowedtotheminherfriendliestmannerasshepassed，whichwasgoodofher，asitpermittedthemtoseeherdress，andburnwithcuriositytoknowwhoherdistinguished—lookingfriendmightbe。Withthefirstburstoftheband，Amy’scolorrose，hereyesbegantosparkle，andherfeettotapthefloorimpatiently，forshedancedwellandwantedLaurietoknowit。Thereforetheshockshereceivedcanbetterbeimaginedthandescribed，whenhesaidinaperfectlytranquiltone，"Doyoucaretodance？"

"Oneusuallydoesataball。"

HeramazedlookandquickanswercausedLaurietorepairhiserrorasfastaspossible。

"Imeantthefirstdance。MayIhavethehonor？"

"IcangiveyouoneifIputofftheCount。Hedancesdivinely，buthewillexcuseme，asyouareanoldfriend，"saidAmy，hopingthatthenamewouldhaveagoodeffect，andshowLauriethatshewasnottobetrifledwith。

"Nicelittleboy，butratherashortPoletosupportthestepsofAdaughterofthegods，Divinelytall，andmostdivinelyfair，"

wasallthesatisfactionshegot，however。

ThesetinwhichtheyfoundthemselveswascomposedofEnglish，andAmywascompelledtowalkdecorouslythroughacotillion，feelingallthewhileasifshecoulddancethetarantellawithrelish。Laurieresignedhertothe`nicelittleboy’，andwenttodohisdutytoFlo，withoutsecuringAmyforthejoystocome，whichreprehensiblewantofforethoughtwasproperlypunished，forsheimmediatelyengagedherselftillsupper，meaningtorelentifhethengaveanysignspenitence。Sheshowedhimherballbookwithdemuresatisfactionwhenhestrolledinsteadofrusheduptoclaimherforthenext，agloriouspolka—redowa。Buthispoliteregretsdidn’timposeuponher，andwhenshegallopedawaywiththeCount，shesawLauriesitdownbyherauntwithanactualexpressionofrelief。

Thatwasunpardonable，andAmytooknomorenoticeofhimforalongwhile，exceptawordnowandthenwhenshecametoherchaperonbetweenthedancesforanecessarypinoramoment’srest。Herangerhadagoodeffect，however，forshehiditunderasmilingface，andseemedunusuallyblitheandbrilliant。Laurie’seyesfollowedherwithpleasure，forsheneitherrompednorsauntered，butdancedwithspiritandgrace，makingthedelightsomepastimewhatitshouldbe。Heverynaturallyfelltostudyingherfromthisnewpointofview，andbeforetheeveningwashalfover，haddecidedthat`littleAmywasgoingtomakeaverycharmingwoman’。

Itwasalivelyscene，forsoonthespiritofthesocialseasontookpossessionofeveryone，andChristmasmerrimentmadeallfacesshine，heartshappy，andheelslight。Themusiciansfiddled，tooted，andbangedasiftheyenjoyedit，everybodydancedwhocould，andthosewhocouldn’tadmiredtheirneighborswithuncommonwarmth。TheairwasdarkwithDavises，andmanyJonesgamboledlikeaflockofyounggiraffes。Thegoldensecretarydartedthroughtheroomlikeameteorwithadashingfrenchwomanwhocarpedthefloorwithherpinksatintrain。ThesereneTeutonfoundthesuppertableandwashappy，eatingsteadilythroughthebilloffare，anddismayedthegarçonsbytheravageshecommitted。ButtheEmperor’sfriendcoveredhimselfwithglory，forhedancedeverything，whetherheknewitornot，andintroducedimpromptupirouetteswhenthefiguresbewilderedhim。Theboyishabandonofthatstoutmanwascharmingtobehold，forthoughhe`carriedweight’，hedancedlikeanIndia—rubberball。Heran，heflew，hepranced，hisfaceglowed，hisbaldheadshown，hiscoat—tailswavedwildly，hispumpsactuallytwinkledintheair，andwhenthemusicstopped，hewipedthedropsfromhisbrow，andbeameduponhisfellowmenlikeaFrenchPickwickwithoutglasses。

AmyandherPoledistinguishedthemselvesbyequalenthusiasmbutmoregracefulagility，andLauriefoundhimselfinvoluntarilykeepingtimetotherhythmicriseandfallofthewhiteslippersastheyflewbyasindefatigablyasifwinged。WhenlittleVladimirfinallyrelinquishedher，withassurancesthathewas`desolatedtoleavesoearly’，shewasreadytorest，andseehowherrecreantknighthadbornehispunishment。

Ithadbeensuccessful，foratthree—and—twenty，blightedaffectionsfindabalminfriendlysociety，andyoungnerveswillthrill，youngblooddance，andhealthyyoungspiritsrise，whensubjectedtotheenchantmentofbeauty，light，music，andmotion。Lauriehadawaked—uplookasherosetogiveherhisseat，andwhenhehurriedawaytobringhersomesupper，shesaidtoherself，withasatisfiedsmile，"Ah，Ithoughtthatwoulddohimgood！"

"YoulooklikeBalzac’s`Femmepeinteparelle—même’，"hesaid，ashefannedherwithonehandandheldhercoffeecupintheother。

"Myrougewon’tcomeoff。"AndAmyrubbedherbrilliantcheek，andshowedhimherwhiteglovewithasobersimplicitythatmadehimlaughoutright。

"Whatdoyoucallthisstuff？"heasked，touchingafoldofherdressthathadblownoverhisknee。

"Illusion。"

"Goodnameforit。It’sverypretty——newthing，isn’tit？"

"It’sasoldasthehills。Youhaveseenitondozensofgirls，andyouneverfoundoutthatitwasprettytillnow？Stupide！"

"Ineversawitonyoubefore，whichaccountsforthemistake，yousee。"

"Noneofthat，itisforbidden。I’drathertakecoffeethancomplimentsjustnow。No，don’tlounge，itmakesmenervous。"

Lauriesatboldupright，andmeeklytookheremptyplatefeelinganoddsortofpleasureinhaving`littleAmy’orderhimabout，forshehadlosthershynessnow，andfeltanirrestibledesiretotrampleonhim，asgirlshaveadelightfulwayofdoingwhenlordsofcreationshowanysignsofsubjection。

"Wheredidyoulearnallthissortofthing？"heaskedwithaquizzicallook。

"As`thissortofthing’isratheravagueexpression，wouldyoukindlyexplain？"returnedAmy，knowingperfectlywellwhathemeant，butwickedlyleavinghimtodescribewhatisindescribable。

"Well——thegeneralair，thestyle，theself—possession，the——the——illusion——youknow"，laughedLaurie，breakingdownandhelpinghimselfoutofhisquandarywiththenewword。

Amywasgratified，butofcoursedidn’tshowit，anddemurelyanswered，"Foreignlifepolishesoneinspiteofone’sself。Istudyaswellasplay，andasforthis"——withalittlegesturetowardherdress——"why，tulleischeap，posiestobehadfornothing，andIamusedtomakingthemostofmypoorlittlethings。"

Amyratherregrettedthatlastsentence，fearingitwasn’tingoodtaste，butLaurielikedherbetterforit，andfoundhimselfbothadmiringandrespectingthebravepatiencethatmadethemostofopportunity，andthecheerfulspiritthatcoveredpovertywithflowers。Amydidnotknowwhyhelookedathersokindly，nowwhyhefilledupherbookwithhisownname，anddevotedhimselftoherfortherestoftheeveninginthemostdelightfulmanner，buttheimpulsethatwroughtthisagreeablechangewastheresultofoneofthenewimpressionswhichbothofthemwereunconsciouslygivingandreceiving。

GoodWives:Chapter15CHAPTER15OntheShelfInFrancetheyounggirlshaveadulltimeofittilltheyaremarried，when`Vivelaliberté！’becomestheirmotto。InAmerica，aseveryoneknows，girlsearlysignthedeclarationofindependence，andenjoytheirfreedomwithrepublicanzest，buttheyoungmatronsusuallyabdicatewiththefirstheirtothethroneandgointoaseclusionalmostascloseasaFrenchnunnery，thoughbynomeansasquiet。Whethertheylikeitornot，theyarevirtuallyputupontheshelfassoonastheweddingexcitementisover，andmostofthemmightexclaim，asdidaveryprettywomantheotherday，"I’mashandsomeasever，butnoonetakesanynoticeofmebecauseI’mmarried。"

Notbeingabelleorevenafashionablelady，Megdidnotexperiencethisafflictiontillherbabieswereayearold，forinherlittleworldprimitivecustomsprevailed，andshefoundherselfmoreadmiredandbelovedthanever。

Asshewasawomanlylittlewoman，thematernalinstinctwasverystrong，andshewasentirelyabsorbedinherchildren，totheutterexclusionofeverythingandeverybodyelse。Dayandnightshebroodedoverthemwithtirelessdevotionandanxiety，leavingJohntothetendermerciesofthehelp，foranIrishladynowpresidedoverthekitchendepartment。Beingadomesticman，Johndecidedlymissedthewifelyattentionshehadbeenaccustomedtoreceive，butasheadoredhisbabies，hecheerfullyrelinquishedhiscomfortforatime，supposingwithmasculineignorancethatpeacewouldsoonberestored。Butthreemonthspassed，andtherewasnoreturnofrepose。Meglookedwornandnervous，thebabiesabsorbedeveryminuteofhertime，thehousewasneglected，andKitty，thecook，whotooklife`aisy’，kepthimonshortcommons。Whenhewentoutinthemorninghewasbewilderedbysmallcommissionsforthecaptivemamma，ifhecamegailyinatnight，eagertoembracehisfamily，hewasquenchedbya"Hush！Theyarejustasleepafterworryingallday。"Ifheproposedalittleamusementathome，"No，itwoulddisturbthebabies。"Ifhehintedatalectureoraconcert，hewasansweredwithareproachfullook，andadecided"Leavemychildrenforpleasure，never！"Hissleepwasbrokenbyinfantwailsandvisionsofaphantomfigurepacingnoiselesslytoandfrointhewatchesofthenight。Hismealswereinterruptedbythefrequentflightofthepresidinggenius，whodesertedhim，half—helped，ifamuffledchirpsoundedfromthenestabove。Andwhenhereadhispaperofanevening，Demi’scolicgotintotheshippinglistandDaisy’sfallaffectedthepriceofstocks，forMrs。Brookewasonlyinterestedindomesticnews。

Thepoormanwasveryuncomfortable，forthechildrenhadberefthimofhiswife，homewasmerelyanurseryandtheperpetual`hushing’madehimfeellikeabrutalintruderwheneverheenteredthesacredprecinctsofBabyland。Heboreitverypatientlyforsixmonths，andwhennosignsofamendmentappeared，hedidwhatotherpaternalexilesdo——triedtogetalittlecomfortelsewhere。Scotthadmarriedandgonetohousekeepingnotfaroff，andJohnfellintothewayofrunningoverforanhourortwoofanevening，whenhisownparlorwasempty，andhisownwifesinginglullabiesthatseemedtohavenoend。Mrs。Scottwasalively，prettygirl，withnothingtodobutbeagreeable，andsheperformedhermissionmostsuccessfully。Theparlorwasalwaysbrightandattractive，thechessboardready，thepianointune，plentyofgaygossip，andanicelittlesuppersetforthintemptingstyle。

Johnwouldhavepreferredhisownfiresideifithadnotbeensolonely，butasitwashegratefullytookthenextbestthingandenjoyedhisneighbor’ssociety。

Megratherapprovedofthenewarrangementatfirst，andfounditarelieftoknowthatJohnwashavingagoodtimeinsteadofdozingintheparlor，ortrampingaboutthehouseandwakingthechildren。Butby—and—by，whentheteethingworrywasoverandtheidolswenttosleepatproperhours，leavingMammatimetorest，shebegantomissJohn，andfindherwork—basketdullcompany，whenhewasnotsittingoppositeinhisolddressinggown，comfortablyscorchinghisslippersonthefender。Shewouldnotaskhimtostayathome，butfeltinjuredbecausehedidnotknowthatshewantedhimwithoutbeingtold，entirelyforgettingthemanyeveningshehadwaitedforherinvain。Shewasnervousandwornoutwithwatchingandworry，andinthatunreasonableframeofmindwhichthebestofmothersoccasionallyexperiencewhendomesticcaresoppressthem。Wantofexerciserobsthemofcheerfulness，andtoomuchdevotiontothatidolofAmericanwomen，theteapot，makesthemfeelasiftheywereallnerveandnomuscle。

"Yes，"shewouldsay，lookingintheglass，"I’mgettingoldandugly。Johndoesn’tfindmeinterestinganylonger，soheleaveshisfadedwifeandgoestoseehisprettyneighbor，whohasnoincumbrances。Well，thebabiesloveme，theydon’tcareifIamthinandpaleandhaven’ttimetocrimpmyhair，theyaremycomfort，andsomedayJohnwillseewhatI’vegladlysacrificedforthem，won’the，myprecious？"

Towhichpatheticappealdaisywouldanswerwithacoo，orDemiwithacrow，andMegwouldputbyherlamentationsforamaternalrevel，whichsoothedhersolitudeforthetimebeing。ButthepainincreasedaspoliticsabsorbedJohn，whowasalwaysrunningovertodiscussinterestingpointswithScott，quiteunconsciousthatMegmissedhim。Notaworddidshesay，however，tillhermotherfoundherintearsoneday，andinsistedonknowingwhatthematterwas，forMeg’sdroopingspiritshadnotescapedherobservation。

"Iwouldn’ttellanyoneexceptyou，Mother，butIreallydoneedadvice，forifJohngoesonmuchlongerImightaswellbewidowed，"repliedMrs。Brooke，dryinghertearsonDaisy’sbibwithaninjuredair。

"Goesonhow，mydear？"askedhermotheranxiously。

"He’sawayallday，andatnightwhenIwanttoseehim，heiscontinuallygoingovertotheScotts’。Itisn’tfairthatIshouldhavethehardestwork，andneveranyamusement。Menareveryselfish，eventhebestofthem。"

"Soarewomen。Don’tblameJohntillyouseewhereyouarewrongyourself。"

"Butitcan’tberightforhimtoneglectme。"

"Don’tyouneglecthim？"

"Why，Mother，Ithoughtyou’dtakemypart！"

"SoIdo，asfarassympathizinggoes，butIthinkthefaultisyours，Meg。"

"Idon’tseehow。"

"Letmeshowyou。DidJohneverneglectyou，asyoucallit，whileyoumadeitapointtogivehimyoursocietyofanevening，hisonlyleisuretime？"

"No，butIcan’tdoitnow，withtwobabiestotend。"

"Ithinkyoucould，dear，andIthinkyouought。MayIspeakquitefreely，andwillyourememberthatit’sMotherwhoblamesaswellasMotherwhosympathizes？"

"IndeedIwill！SpeaktomeasifIwerelittleMegagain。IoftenfeelasifIneededteachingmorethaneversincethesebabieslooktomeforeverything。"

Megdrewherlowchairbesidehermother’s，andwithalittleinterruptionineitherlap，thetwowomenrockedandtalkedlovinglytogether，feelingthatthetieofmotherhoodmadethemmoreonethanever。

"Youhaveonlymadethemistakethatmostyoungwivesmake—forgottenyourdutytoyourhusbandinyourloveforyourchildren。Averynaturalandforgivablemistake，Meg，butonethathadbetterberemediedbeforeyoutaketodifferentways，forchildrenshoulddrawyounearerthanever，notseparateyou，asiftheywereallyours，andJohnhadnothingtodobutsupportthem。I’veseenitforsomeweeks，buthavenotspoken，feelingsureitwouldcomerightintime。"

"I’mafraiditwon’t。IfIaskhimtostay，he’llthinkI’mjealous，andIwouldn’tinsulthimbysuchanidea。Hedoesn’tseethatIwanthim，andIdon’tknowhowtotellhimwithoutwords。"

"Makeitsopleasanthewon’twanttogoaway。Mydear，he’slongingforhislittlehome，butitisn’thomewithoutyou，andyouarealwaysinthenursery。"

"Oughtn’tItobethere？"

"Notallthetime，toomuchconfinementmakesyounervous，andthenyouareunfittedforeverything。Besides，youowesomethingtoJohnaswellastothebabies。Don’tneglecthusbandforchildren，don’tshuthimoutofthenursery，butteachhimhowtohelpinit。Hisplaceisthereaswellasyours，andthechildrenneedhim。Lethimfeelthathehasaparttodo，andhewilldoitgladlyandfaithfully，anditwillbebetterforyouall。"

"Youreallythinkso，Mother？"

"Iknowit，Meg，forI’vetriedit，andIseldomgiveadviceunlessI’veproveditspracticability。WhenyouandJowerelittle，Iwentonjustasyouare，feelingasifIdidn’tdomydutyunlessIdevotedmyselfwhollytoyou。PoorFathertooktohisbooks，afterIhadrefusedalloffersofhelp，andleftmetotrymyexperimentalone。IstruggledalongaswellasIcould，butJowastoomuchforme。Inearlyspoiledherbyindulgence。Youwerepoorly，andIworriedaboutyoutillIfellsickmyself。ThenFathercametotherescue，quietlymanagedeverything，andmadehimselfsohelpfulthatIsawmymistake，andneverhavebeenabletogotonwithouthimsince。Thatisthesecretofourhomehappiness。Hedoesnotletbusinessweanhimfromthelittlecaresanddutiesthataffectusall，andItrynottoletdomesticworriesdestroymyinterestinhispursuits。Eachdoourpartaloneinmanythings，butathomeweworktogether，always。"

"Itisso，Mother，andmygreatwishistobetomyhusbandandchildrenwhatyouhavebeentoyours。Showmehow，I’lldoanythingyousay。"

"Youwerealwaysmydociledaughter。Well，dear，ifIwereyou，I’dletJohnhavemoretodowiththemanagementofDemi，fortheboyneedstraining，andit’snonetoosoontobegin。ThenI’ddowhatIhaveoftenproposed，letHannahcomeandhelpyou。Sheisacapitalnurse，andyoumaytrustthepreciousbabiestoherwhileyoudomorehousework。Youneedtheexercise，Hannahwouldenjoytherest，andJohnwouldfindhiswifeagain。Gooutmore，keepcheerfulaswellasbusy，foryouarethesunshine—makerofthefamily，andifyougetdismalthereisnofairweather。ThenI’dtrytotakeaninterestinwhateverJohnlikes——talkwithhim，lethimreadtoyou，exchangeideas，andhelpeachotherinthatway。Don’tshutyourselfupinabandboxbecauseyouareawoman，butunderstandwhatisgoingon，andeducateyourselftotakeyourpartintheworld’swork，foritallaffectsyouandyours。"

"Johnissosensible，I’mafraidhewillthinkI’mstupidifIaskquestionsaboutpoliticsandthings。"

"Idon’tbelievehewould。Lovecoversamultitudeofsins，andofwhomcouldyouaskmorefreelythanofhim？Tryit，andseeifhedoesn’tfindyoursocietyfarmoreagreeablethanMrs。Scott’ssuppers。"

"Iwill。PoorJohn！I’mafraidIhaveneglectedhimsadly，butIthoughtIwasright，andheneversaidanything。"

"Hetriednottobeselfish，buthehasfeltratherforlorn，Ifancy。Thisisjustthetime，Meg，whenyoungmarriedpeopleareapttogrowapart，andtheverytimewhentheyoughttobemosttogether，forthefirsttendernesssoonwearsoff，unlesscareistakentopreserveit。Andnotimeissobeautifulandprecioustoparentsasthefirstyearsofthelittlelivesgiventothemtotrain。Don’tletJohnbeastrangertothebabies，fortheywilldomoretokeephimsafeandhappyinthisworldoftrialandtemptationthananythingelse，andthroughthemyouwilllearntoknowandloveoneanotherasyoushould。Now，dear，good—by。ThinkoverMother’spreachment，actuponitifitseemsgood，andGodblessyouall。"

Megdidthinkitover，founditgood，andacteduponit，thoughthefirstattemptwasnotmadeexactlyassheplannedtohaveit。Ofcoursethechildrentyrannizedoverher，andruledthehouseassoonastheyfoundoutthatkickingandsquallingbroughtthemwhatevertheywanted。Mammawasanabjectslavetotheircaprices，butPapawasnotsoeasilysubjugated，andoccasionallyafflictedhistenderspousebyanattemptatpaternaldisciplinewithhisobstreperousson。ForDemiinheritedatrifleofhissire’sfirmnessofcharacter，wewon’tcallitobstinacy，andwhenhemadeuphislittletohaveortodoanything，alltheking’shorsesandalltheking’smencouldnotchangethatpertinaciouslittlemind。Mammathoughtthedeartooyoungtobetaughttoconquerhisprejudices，butPapabelievedthatitneverwastoosoontolearnobedience。SoMasterDemiearlydiscoveredthatwhenheundertookto`wrastle’with`Parpar’，healwaysgottheworstofit，yetliketheEnglishman，babyrespectedthemanwhoconqueredhim，andlovedthefatherwhosegrave"No，no，"wasmoreimpressivethanallMamma’slovepats。Afewdaysafterthetalkwithhermother，MegresolvedtotryasocialeveningwithJohn，sosheorderedanicesupper，settheparlorinorder，dressedherselfprettily，andputthechildrentobedearly，thatnothingshouldinterferewithherexperiment。ButunfortunatelyDemi’smostunconquerableprejudicewasagainstgoingtobed，andthatnighthedecidedtogoonarampage。SopoorMegsangandrocked，toldstoriesandtriedeverysleep—prevokingwileshecoulddevise，butallinvain，thebigeyeswouldn’tshut，andlongafterDaisyhadgonetobyelow，likethechubbylittlebunchofgoodnatureshewas，naughtyDemilaystaringatthelight，withthemostdiscouraginglywide—awakeexpressionofcountenance。

"WillDemiliestilllikeagoodboy，whileMammarunsdownandgivespoorPapahistea？"askedMeg，asthehalldoorsoftlyclosed，andthewell—knownstepwenttip—toeingintothediningroom。

"Mehastea！"saidDemi，preparingtojoinintherevel。

"No，butI’llsaveyousomelittlecakiesforbreakfast，ifyou’llgobye—bylikeDaisy。Willyou，lovey？"

"Iss！"andDemishuthiseyestight，asiftocatchsleepandhurrythedesiredday。