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Takingadvantageofthepropitiousmoment，Megslippedawayandrandowntogreetherhusbandwithasmilingfaceandthelittlebluebowinherhairwhichwashisespecialadmiration。Hesawitatonceandsaidwithpleasedsurprise，"Why，littlemother，howgaywearetonight。Doyouexpectcompany？"
"Onlyyou，dear。"
"No，I’mtiredofbeingdowdy，soIdressedupasachange。Youalwaysmakeyourselfnicefortable，nomatterhowtiredyouare，sowhyshouldn’tIwhenIhavethetime？’
"Idoitoutofrespectforyou，mydear，"saidold—fashionedJohn。
"Ditto，ditto，Mr。Brooke，"laughedMeg，lookingyoungandprettyagain，asshenoddedtohimovertheteapot。
"Well，it’saltogetherdelightful，andlikeoldtimes。Thistastesright。Idrinkyourhealth，dear。"AndJohnsippedhisteawithanairofreposefulrapture，whichwasofveryshortdurationhowever，forasheputdownhiscup，thedoorhandlerattledmysteriously，andalittlevoicewasheard，sayingimpatiently……
"Opydoy。Me’stummin！"
"It’sthatnaughtyboy。Itoldhimtogotosleepalone，andhereheis，downstairs，gettinghisdeatha—coldpatteringoverthatcanvas，"saidMeg，answeringthecall。
"Mornin’now，"announcedDemiinjoyfultoneasheentered，withhislongnightgowngracefullyfestoonedoverhisarmandeverycurlbobbinggaylyasheprancedaboutthetable，eyeingthe`cakies’withlovingglances。
"No，itisn’tmorningyet。Youmustgotobed，andnottroublepoorMamma。Thenyoucanhavethelittlecakewithsugaronit。"
"MelovesParpar，"saidtheartfulone，preparingtoclimbthepaternalkneeandrevelinforbiddenjoys。ButJohnshookhishead，andsaidtoMeg……
"Ifyoutoldhimtostayupthere，andgotosleepalone，makehimdoit，orhewillneverlearntomindyou。"
"Yes，ofcourse。Come，Demi。"AndMegledhersonaway，feelingastrongdesiretospankthelittlemarplotwhohoppedbesideher，laboringunderthedelusionthatthebribewastobeadministeredassoonastheyreachedthenursery。
Norwashedisappointed，forthatshortsightedwomanactuallygavehimalumpofsugar，tuckedhimintohisbed，andforbadeanymorepromenadestillmorning。
"Iss！"saidDemitheperjured，blissfullysuckinghissugar，andregardinghisfirstattemptaseminentlysuccessful。
Megreturnedtoherplace，andsupperwasprogressingpleasantly，whenthelittleghostwalkedagainandexposedthematernaldelinquenciesbyboldlydemanding，"Moresudar，Marmar。"
"Nowthiswon’tdo，"saidJohn，hardeninghisheartagainsttheengaginglittlesinner。"Weshallneverknowanypeacetillthatchildlearnstogotobedproperly。Youhavemadeaslaveofyourselflongenough。Givehimonelesson，andthentherewillbeanendofit。Puthiminhisbedandleavehim，Meg。"
"Hewon’tstaythere，heneverdoesunlessIsitbyhim。"
"I’llmanagehim。Demi，goupstairs，andgetintoyourbed，asMammabidsyou。"
"S’ant！"repliedtheyoungrebel，helpinghimselftothecoveted`cakie’，andbeginningtoeatthesamewithcalmaudacity。
"YoumustneversaythattoPapa。Ishallcarryyouifyoudon’tgoyourself。"
"Go’way，medon’tloveParpar。"AndDemiretiredtohismother’sskirtsforprotection。
Buteventhatrefugeprovedunavailing，forhewasdeliveredovertotheenemy，witha"Begentlewithhim，John，"whichstrucktheculpritwithdismay，forwhenMammadesertedhim，thenthejudgmentdaywasathand。Bereftofhiscake，defraudedofhisfrolic，andborneawaybyastronghandtothatdetestedbed，poorDemicouldnotrestrainhiswrath，butopenlydefiedPapa，andkickedandscreamedlustilyallthewayupstairs。Theminutehewasputintobedononeside，herolledoutontheother，andmadeforthedoor，onlytobeignominiouslycaughtupbythetailofhislittletogaandputbackagain，whichlivelyperformancewaskeptuptilltheyoungman’sstrengthgaveout，whenhedevotedhimselftoroaringatthetopofhisvoice。ThisvocalexerciseusuallyconqueredMeg，butJohnsatasunmovedasthepostwhichispopularlybelievedtobedeaf。Nocoaxing，nosugar，nolullaby，nostory，eventhelightwasputoutandonlytheredglowofthefireenlivenedthe`bigdark’whichDemiregardedwithcuriosityratherthanfear。Thisneworderofthingsdisgustedhim，andhehowleddismallyfor`Marmar’，ashisangrypassionssubsided，andrecollectionsofhistenderbondwomanreturnedtothecaptiveautocrat。TheplaintivewailwhichsucceededthepassionateroarwenttoMeg’sheart，andsheranuptosaybeseechingly……
"Letmestaywithhim，he’llbegoodnow，John。"
"No，mydear。I’vetoldhimhemustgotosleep，asyoubidhim，andhemust，ifIstayhereallnight。"
"Buthe’llcryhimselfsick，"pleadedMeg，reproachingherselffordesertingherboy。
"No，hewon’t，he’ssotiredhewillsoondropoffandthenthematterissettled，forhewillunderstandthathehasgottomind。Don’tinterfere，I’llmanagehim。"
"He’smychild，andIcan’thavehisspiritbrokenbyharshness。"
"He’smychild，andIwon’thavehistemperspoiledbyindulgence。Godown，mydear，andleavetheboytome。"
WhenJohnspokeinthatmasterfultone，Megalwaysobeyed，andneverregrettedherdocility。
"Pleaseletmekisshimonce，John？"
"Certainly。Demi，saygoodnighttoMamma，andlethergoandrest，forsheisverytiredwithtakingcareofyouallday。"
Megalwaysinsisteduponitthatthekisswonthevictory，forafteritwasgiven，Demisobbedmorequietly，andlayquitestillatthebottomofthebed，whitherhehadwriggledinhisanguishofmind。
"Poorlittleman，he’swornoutwithsleepandcrying。I’llcoverhimup，andthengoandsetMeg’sheartatrest。"thoughtJohn，creepingtothebedside，hopingtofindhisrebelliousheirasleep。
Buthewasn’t，forthemomenthisfatherpeepedathim，Demi’seyesopened，hislittlechinbegantoquiver，andheputuphisarms，sayingwithapenitenthiccough，"Me’sdood，now。"
SittingonthestairsoutsideMegwonderedatthelongsilencewhichfollowedtheuproar，andafterimaginingallsortsofimpossibleaccidents，sheslippedintotheroomtosetherfearsatrest。Demilayfastasleep，notinhisusualspread—eagleattitude，butinasubduedbunch，cuddledcloseinthecircleofhisfather’sarmandholdinghisfather’sfinger，asifhefeltthatjusticewastemperedwithmercy，andhadgonetosleepasadderandwiserbaby。Soheld，Johnhadwaitedwithawomanlypatiencetillthelittlehandrelaxeditshold，andwhilewaitinghadfallenasleep，moretiredbythattusslewithhissonthanwithhiswholeday’swork。
AsMegstoodwatchingthetwofacesonthepillow，shesmiledtoherself，andthenslippedawayagain，sayinginasatisfiedtone，"IneverneedfearthatJohnwillbetooharshwithmybabies。Hedoesknowhowtomanagethem，andwillbeagreathelp，forDemiisgettingtoomuchforme。"
WhenJohncamedownatlast，expectingtofindapensiveorreproachfulwife，hewasagreeablysurprisedtofindMegplacidlytrimmingabonnet，andtobegreetedwiththerequesttoreadsomethingabouttheelection，ifhewasnottootired。Johnsawinaminutethatarevolutionofsomekindwasgoingon，butwiselyaskednoquestions，knowingthatMegwassuchatransparentlittleperson，shecouldn’tkeepasecrettosaveherlife，andthereforethecluewouldsoonappear。Hereadalongdebatewiththemostamiablereadinessandthenexplaineditinhismostlucidmanner，whileMegtriedtolookdeeplyinterested，toaskintelligentquestions，andkeepherthoughtsfromwanderingfromthestateofthenationtothestateofherbonnet。Inhersecretsoul，however，shedecidedthatpoliticswereasbadasmathematics，andthemissionofpoliticiansseemedtobecallingeachothernames，butshekeptthesefeminineideastoherself，andwhenJohnpaused，shookherheadandsaidwithwhatshethoughtdiplomaticambiguity，"Well，Ireallydon’tseewhatwearecomingto。"
Johnlaughed，andwatchedherforaminute，asshepoisedaprettylittlepreparationoflaceandflowersonherhand，andregardeditwiththegenuineinterestwhichhisharanguehadfailedtowaken。
"Sheistryingtolikepoliticsformysake，soI’lltryandlikemillineryforhers，that’sonlyfair，"thoughtJohntheJust，addingaloud，"That’sverypretty。Isitwhatyoucallabreakfastcap？"
"Mydearman，it’sabonnet！Myverybestgo—to—concert—and—theaterbonnet。"
"Ibegyourpardon，itwassosmall，Inaturallymistookitforoneoftheflyawaythingsyousometimeswear。Howdoyoukeepiton？"
"Thesebitsoflacearefastenedunderthechinwitharosebud，so。"AndMegillustratedbyputtingonthebonnetandregardinghimwithanairofcalmsatisfactionthatwasirresistible。
"It’saloveofabonnet，butIpreferthefaceinside，foritlooksyoungandhappyagain。"AndJohnkissedthesmilingface，tothegreatdetrimentoftherosebudunderthechin。
"I’mgladyoulikeit，forIwantyoutotakemetooneofthenewconcertssomenight。Ireallyneedsomemusictoputmeintune。Willyou，please？"
"OfcourseIwill，withallmyheart，oranywhereelseyoulike。Youhavebeenshutupsolong，itwilldoyounoendofgood，andIshallenjoyit，ofallthings。Whatputitintoyourhead，littlemother？"
"Well，IhadatalkwithMarmeetheotherday，andtoldherhownervousandcrossandoutofsortsIfelt，andshesaidIneededchangeandlesscare，soHannahistohelpmewiththechildren，andI’mtoseetothingsaboutthehousemore，andnowandthenhavealittlefun，justtokeepmefromgettingtobeafidgety，broken—downoldwomanbeforemytime。It’sonlyanexperiment，John，andIwanttotryitforyoursakeasmuchasformine，becauseI’veneglectedyoushamefullylately，andI’mgoingtomakehomewhatitusedtobe，ifIcan。Youdon’tobject，Ihope？"
NevermindwhatJohnsaid，orwhataverynarrowescapethelittlebonnethadfromutterruin。AllthatwehaveanybusinesstoknowisthatJohndidnotappeartoobject，judgingfromthechangeswhichgraduallytookplaceinthehouseanditsinmates。ItwasnotallParadisebyanymeans，buteveryonewasbetterforthedivisionoflaborsystem。Thechildrenthroveunderthepaternalrule，foraccurate，steadfastJohnbroughtorderandobedienceintoBabydom，whileMegrecoveredherspiritsandcomposedhernervesbyplentyofwholesomeexercise，alittlepleasure，andmuchconfidentialconversationwithhersensiblehusband。Homegrewhomelikeagain，andJohnhadnowishtoleaveit，unlesshetookMegwithhim。TheScottscametotheBrookes’now，andeveryonefoundthelittlehouseacheerfulplace，fullofhappiness，content，andfamilylove。EvenSallieMoffattlikedtogothere。"Itisalwayssoquietandpleasanthere，itdoesmegood，Meg，"sheusedtosay，lookingaboutherwithwistfuleyes，asiftryingtodiscoverthecharm，thatshemightuseitinhergreathouse，fullofsplendidloneliness，fortherewerenoriotous，sunny—facedbabiesthere，andNedlivedinaworldoflisown，wheretherewasnoplaceforher。
Thishouseholdhappinessdidnotcomeallatonce，butJohnandMeghadfoundthekeytoit，andeachyearofMarriedlifetaughtthemhowtouseit，unlockingthetreasuriesofrealhomeloveandmutualhelpfulness，whichthepoorestmaypossess，andtherichestcannotbuy。Thisisthesortofshelfonwhichyoungwivesandmothersmayconsenttobelaid，safefromtherestlessfretandfeveroftheworld，findingloyalloversinthelittlesonsanddaughterswhoclingtothem，undauntedbysorrow，poverty，orage，walkingsidebyside，throughfairandstormyweather，withafaithfulfriend，whois，inthetruesenseofthegoodoldSaxonword，the`house—band’，andlearning，asMeglearned，thatawoman’shappiestkingdomishome，herhighesthonortheartofrulingitnotasaqueen，butasawisewifeandmother。
GoodWives:Chapter16CHAPTER16LazyLaurenceLauriewenttoNiceintendingtostayaweek，andremainedamonth。Hewastiredofwanderingaboutalone，andAmy’sfamiliarpresenceseemedtogiveahomelikecharmtotheforeignscenesinwhichsheboreapart。Herathermissedthe`petting’heusedtoreceive，andenjoyedatasteofitagain，fornoattentions，howeverflattering，fromstrangers，werehalfsopleasantasthesisterlyadorationofthegirlsathome。Amyneverwouldpethimliketheothers，butshewasverygladtoseehimnow，andquiteclungtohim，feelingthathewastherepresentativeofthedearfamilyforwhomshelongedmorethanshewouldconfess。Theynaturallytookcomfortineachother’ssocietyandweremuchtogether，riding，walking，dancing，ordawdling，foratNicenoonecanbeveryindustriousduringthegayseason。But，whileapparentlyamusingthemselvesinthemostcarelessfashion，theywerehalf—consciouslymakingdiscoveriesandformingopinionsabouteachother。Amyrosedailyintheestimationofherfriend，buthesankinhers，andeachfeltthetruthbeforeawordwasspoken。Amytriedtoplease，andsucceeded，forshewasgratefulforthemanypleasureshegaveher，andrepaidhimwiththelittleservicestowhichwomanlywomenknowhowtolendanindescribablecharm。Lauriemadenoeffortofanykind，butjustlethimselfdriftalongascomfortablyaspossible，tryingtoforget，andfeelingthatallwomenowedhimakindwordbecauseonehadbeencoldtohim。Itcosthimnoefforttobegenerous，andhewouldhavegivenAmyallthetrinketsinNiceifshewouldhavetakenthem，butatthesametimehefeltthathecouldnotchangetheopinionshewasformingofhim，andheratherdreadedthekeenblueeyesthatseemedtowatchhimwithsuchhalf—sorrowful，half—scornfulsurprise。
"AlltheresthavegonetoMonacofortheday。Ipreferredtostayathomeandwriteletters。Theyaredonenow，andIamgoingtoValrosatosketch，willyoucome？’saidAmy，asshejoinedLaurieonelovelydaywhenheloungedinasusualaboutnoon。
"Well，yes，butisn’titratherwarmforsuchalongwalk？"heansweredslowly，fortheshadedsalonlookedinvitingaftertheglarewithout。
"I’mgoingtohavethelittlecarriage，andBaptistecandrive，soyou’llhavenothingtodobutholdyourumbrella，andkeepyourglovesnice，"returnedAmy，withasarcasticglanceattheimmaculatekids，whichwereaweakpointwithLaurie。
"ThenI’llgowithpleasure。"Andheputouthishandforhersketchbook。Butshetuckeditunderherarmwithasharp……
"Don’ttroubleyourself。It’snoexertiontome，butyoudon’tlookequaltoit。"
Laurieliftedhiseyebrowsandfollowedataleisurelypaceassherandownstairs，butwhentheygotintothecarriagehetookthereinshimself，andleftlittleBaptistenothingtodobutfoldhisarmsandfallasleeponhisperch。
Thetwoneverquarreled。Amywastoowell—bred，andjustnowLauriewastoolazy，soinaminutehepeepedunderherhat—brimwithaninquiringair。Sheansweredhimwithasmile，andtheywentontogetherinthemostamicablemanner。
Itwasalovelydrive，alongwindingroadsrichinthepicturesquescenesthatdelightbeauty—lovingeyes。Hereanancientmonastery，whencethesolemnchantingofthemonkscamedowntothem。Thereabare—leggedshepherd，inwoodenshoes，pointedhat，androughjacketoveroneshoulder，satpipingonastonewhilehisgoatsskippedamongtherocksorlayathisfeet。Meek，mouse—coloreddonkeys，ladenwithpanniersoffreshlycutgrasspassedby，withaprettygirlinacapalinesittingbetweenthegreenpiles，oranoldwomanspinningwithadistaffasshewent。Brown，soft—eyedchildrenranoutfromthequaintstonehovelstooffernosegays，orbunchesoforangesstillonthebough。Gnarledolivetreescoveredthehillswiththeirduskyfoliage，fruithunggoldenintheorchard，andgreatscarletanemonesfringedtheroadside，whilebeyondgreenslopesandcraggyheights，theMaritimeAlpsrosesharpandwhiteagainsttheblueItaliansky。
Valrosawelldeserveditsname，forinthatclimateofperpetualsummerrosesblossomedeverywhere。Theyoverhungthearchway，thrustthemselvesbetweenthebarsofthegreatgatewithasweetwelcometopassers—by，andlinedtheavenue，windingthroughlemontreesandfeatherypalmsuptothevillaonthehill。Everyshadowynook，whereseatsinvitedonetostopandrest，wasamassofbloom，everycoolgrottohaditsmarblenymphsmilingfromaveilofflowersandeveryfountainreflectedcrimson，white，orpalepinkroses，leaningdowntosmileattheirownbeauty。Rosescoveredthewallsofthehouse，drapedthecornices，climbedthepillars，andranriotoverthebalustradeofthewideterrace，whenceonelookeddownonthesunnyMediterranean，andthewhite—walledcityonitsshore。
"Thisisaregularhoneymoonparadise，isn’tit？Didyoueverseesuchroses？"askedAmy，pausingontheterracetoenjoytheview，andaluxuriouswhiffofperfumethatcamewanderingby。
"No，norfeltsuchthorns，"returnedLaurie，withhisthumbinhismouth，afteravainattempttocaptureasolitaryscarletflowerthatgrewjustbeyondhisreach。
"Trylowerdown，andpickthosethathavenothorns，"saidAmy，gatheringthreeofthetinycream—coloredonesthatstarredthewallbehindher。Sheputtheminhisbuttonholeasapeaceoffering，andhestoodaminutelookingdownatthemwithacuriousexpression，forintheItalianpartofhisnaturetherewasatouchofsuperstition，andhewasjusttheninthatstateofhalf—sweet，half—bittermelancholy，whenimaginativeyoungmenfindsignificanceintriflesandfoodforromanceeverywhere。HehadthoughtofJoinreachingafterthethornyredrose，forvividflowersbecameher，andshehadoftenwornoneslikethatfromthegreenhouseathome。ThepalerosesAmygavehimwerethesortthattheItalianslayindeadhands，neverinbridalwreaths，andforamomenthewonderediftheomenwasforJoorforhimself，butthenextinstanthisAmericancommonsensegotthebetterofsentimentality，andhelaughedaheartierlaughthanAmyhadheardsincehecame。
"It’sgoodadvice，you’dbettertakeitandsaveyourfingers，"shesaid，thinkingherspeechamusedhim。
"Thankyou，Iwill，"heansweredinjest，andafewmonthslaterhediditinearnest。
"Laurie，whenareyougoingtoyourgrandfather？"sheaskedpresently，asshesettledherselfonarusticseat。
"Verysoon。"
"Youhavesaidthatadozentimeswithinthelastthreeweeks。"
"Idaresay，shortanswerssavetrouble。"
"Heexpectsyou，andyoureallyoughttogo。"
"Hospitablecreature！Iknowit。"
"Thenwhydon’tyoudoit？"
"Naturaldepravity，Isuppose。"
"Naturalindolence，youmean。It’sreallydreadful！"AndAmylookedsevere。
"Notsobadasitseems，forIshouldonlyplaguehimifIwent，soImightaswellstayandplagueyoualittlelonger，youcanbearitbetter，infactIthinkitagreeswithyouexcellently。"AndLauriecomposedhimselfforaloungeonthebroadledgeofthebalustrade。
Amyshookherheadandopenedhersketchbookwithanairofresignation，butshehadmadeuphermindtolecture`thatboy’andinaminuteshebeganagain。
"Whatareyoudoingjustnow？"
"Watchinglizards。"
"No，no。Imeanwhatdoyouintendandwishtodo？"
"Smokeacigarette，ifyou’llallowme。"
"Howprovokingyouare！Idon’tapproveofcigarsandIwillonlyallowitonconditionthatyouletmeputyouintomysketch。Ineedafigure。"
"Withallthepleasureinlife。Howwillyouhaveme，fulllengthorthree—quarters，onmyheadormyheels？Ishouldrespectfullysuggestarecumbentposture，thenputyourselfinalsoandcallit`Dolcefarniente’。"
"Stayasyouare，andgotosleepifyoulike。Iintendtoworkhard，"saidAmyinhermostenergetictone。
"Whatdelightfulenthusiasm！"Andheleanedagainstatallurnwithanirofentiresatisfaction。
"WhatwouldJosayifshesawyounow？"askedAmyimpatiently，hopingtostirhimupbythementionofherstillmoreenergeticsister’sname。
"Asusual，`Goaway，Teddy。I’mbusy！’"Helaughedashespoke，butthelaughwasnotnatural，andashadepassedoverhisface，fortheutteranceofthefamiliarnametouchedthewoundthatwasnothealedyet。BothtoneandshadowstruckAmy，forshehadseenandheardthembefore，andnowshelookedupintimetocatchanewexpressiononLaurie’sface——ahardbitterlook，fullofpain，dissatisfaction，andregret。Itwasgonebeforeshecouldstudyitandthelistlessexpressionbackagain。Shewatchedhimforamomentwithartisticpleasure，thinkinghowlikeanItalianhelooked，ashelaybaskinginthesunwithuncoveredheadandeyesfullofsoutherndreaminess，forheseemedtohaveforgottenherandfallenintoareverie。
"Youlookliketheeffigyofayoungknightasleeponhistomb，"shesaid，carefullytracingthewell—cutprofiledefinedagainstthedarkstone。
"WishIwas！"
"That’safoolishwish，unlessyouhavespoiledyourlife。Youaresochanged，Isometimesthink——"ThereAmystopped，withahalf—timid，half—wistfullook，moresignificantthanherunfinishedspeech。
Lauriesawandunderstoodtheaffectionateanxietywhichshehesitatedtoexpress，andlookingstraightintohereyes，said，justasheusedtosayittohermother，"It’sallright，ma’am。"
Thatsatisfiedherandsetatrestthedoubtsthathadbeguntoworryherlately。Italsotouchedher，andsheshowedthatitdid，bythecordialtoneinwhichshesaid……
"I’mgladofthat！Ididn’tthinkyou’dbeenaverybadboy，butIfanciedyoumighthavewastedmoneyatthatwickedBaden—Baden，lostyourhearttosomecharmingFrenchwomanwithahusband，orgotintosomeofthescrapesthatyoungmenseemtoconsideranecessarypartofaforeigntour。Don’tstayoutthereinthesun，comeandlieonthegrasshereand`letusbefriendly’，asJousedtosaywhenwegotinthesofacornerandtoldsecrets。"
Laurieobedientlythrewhimselfdownontheturf，andbegantoamusehimselfbystickingdaisiesintotheribbonsofAmy’shat，thatlaythere。
"I’mallreadyforthesecrets。"Andheglancedupwithadecidedexpressionofinterestinhiseyes。
"I’venonetotell。Youmaybegin。"
"Haven’tonetoblessmyselfwith。Ithoughtperhapsyou’dhadsomenewsfromhome……"
"Youhaveheardallthathascomelately。Don’tyouhearoften？IfanciedJowouldsendyouvolumes。"
"She’sverybusy。I’mrovingaboutso，it’simpossibletoberegular，youknow。Whendoyoubeginyourgreatworkofart，Raphaella？’heasked。changingthesubjectabruptlyafteranotherpause，inwhichhehadbeenwonderingifAmyknewhissecretandwantedtotalkaboutit。
"Never，"sheanswered，withadespondentbutdecidedair。"Rometookallthevanityoutofme，forafterseeingthewondersthere，Ifelttooinsignificanttoliveandgaveupallmyfoolishhopesindespair。"
"Whyshouldyou，withsomuchenergyandtalent？"
"That’sjustwhy，becausetalentisn’tgenius，andnoamountofenergycanmakeitso。Iwanttobegreat，ornothing。Iwon’tbeacommon—placedauber，soIdon’tintendtotryanymore。"
"Andwhatareyougoingtodowithyourselfnow，ifImayask？"
"Polishupmyothertalents，andbeanornamenttosociety，ifIgetthechance。"
Itwasacharacteristicspeech，andsoundeddaring，butaudacitybecomesyoungpeople，andAmy’sambitionhadagoodfoundation。Lauriesmiled，buthelikedthespiritwithwhichshetookupanewpurposewhenalong—cherishedonedied，andspentnotimelamenting。
"Good！AndhereiswhereFredVaughncomesin，Ifancy。"
Amypreservedadiscreetsilence，buttherewasaconsciouslookinherdowncastfacethatmadeLauriesitupandsaygravely，"NowI’mgoingtoplaybrother，andaskquestions。MayI？"
"Idon’tpromisetoanswer。"
"Yourfacewill，ifyourtonguewon’t。Youaren’twomanoftheworldenoughyettohideyourfeelings，mydear。IheardrumorsaboutFredandyoulastyear，andit’smyprivateopinionthatifhehadnotbeencalledhomesosuddenlyanddetainedsolong，somethingwouldhavecomeofit，hey？"
"That’snotformetosay，"wasAmy’sgrimreply，butherlipswouldsmile，andtherewasatraitoroussparkleoftheeyewhichbetrayedthatsheknewherpowerandenjoyedtheknowledge。
"Youarenotengaged，Ihope？"AndLaurielookedveryelder—brotherlyandgraveallofasudden。
"No。"
"Butyouwillbe，ifhecomesbackandgoesproperlydownonhisknees，won’tyou？"
"Verylikely。"
"ThenyouarefondofoldFred？"
"Icouldbe，ifItried。"
"Butyoudon’tintendtotrytillthepropermoment？Blessmysoul，whatunearthlyprudence！He’sagoodfellow，Amy，butnotthemanIfanciedyou’dlike。"
"Heisrich，agentleman，andhasdelightfulmanners，"beganAmy，tryingtobequitecoolanddignified，butfeelingalittleashamedofherself，inspiteofthesincerityofherintentions。
"Iunderstand。Queensofsocietycan’tgetonwithoutmoney，soyoumeantomakeagoodmatch，andstartinthatway？Quiterightandproper，astheworldgoes，butitsoundsoddfromthelipsofoneofyourmother’sgirls。"
"True，nevertheless。"
Ashortspeech，butthequietdecisionwithwhichitwasutteredcontrastedcuriouslywiththeyoungspeaker。Lauriefeltthisinstinctivelyandlaidhimselfdownagain，withasenseofdisappointmentwhichhecouldnotexplain。Hislookandsilence，aswellasacertaininwardself—disapproval，ruffledAmy，andmadeherresolvetodeliverherlecturewithoutdelay。
"Iwishyou’ddomethefavortorouseyourselfalittle，"shesaidsharply。
"Doitforme，there’sadeargirl。"
"Icould，ifItried。"Andshelookedasifshewouldlikedoingitinthemostsummarystyle。
"Try，then。Igiveyouleave，"returnedLaurie，whoenjoyedhavingsomeonetotease，afterhislongabstinencefromhisfavoritepastime。
"You’dbeangryinfiveminutes。"
"I’mneverangrywithyou。Ittakestwoflintstomakeafire。Youareascoolandsoftassnow。"
"Youdon’tknowwhatIcando。Snowproducesaglowandatingle，ifappliedrightly。Yourindifferenceishalfaffectation，andagoodstirringupwouldproveit。"
"Stiraway，itwon’thurtmeanditmayamuseyou，asthebigmansaidwhenhislittlewifebeathim。Regardmeinthelightofahusbandoracarpet，andbeattillyouaretired，ifthatsortofexerciseagreeswithyou。"
Beingdecidedlynettledherself，andlongingtoseehimshakeofftheapathythatsoalteredhim，Amysharpenedbothtongueandpencil，andbegan。
"FloandIhavegotanewnameforyou。It’sLazyLaurence。Howdoyoulikeit？"
Shethoughtitwouldannoyhim，butheonlyfoldedhisarmsunderhishead，withanimperturbable，"That’snotbad。Thankyou，ladies。"
"DoyouwanttoknowwhatIhonestlythinkofyou？"
"Piningtobetold。"
"Well，Idespiseyou。"Ifshehadevensaid`Ihateyou’inapetulantorcoquettishtone，hewouldhavelaughedandratherlikedit，butthegrave，almostsad，accentinhervoicemadehimopenhiseyes，andaskquickly……
"Why，ifyouplease？"
"Because，witheverychanceforbeinggood，useful，andhappy，youarefaulty，lazy，andmiserable。"
"Stronglanguage，mademoiselle。"
"Ifyoulikeit，I’llgoon。"
"Praydo，it’squiteinteresting。"
"Ithoughtyou’dfinditso。Selfishpeoplealwaysliketotalkaboutthemselves。"
"AmIselfish？"Thequestionslippedoutinvoluntarilyandinatoneofsurprise，fortheonevirtueonwhichhepridedhimselfwasgenerosity。
"Yes，veryselfish，"continuedAmy，inacalm，coolvoice，twiceaseffectivejustthenasanangryone。"I’llshowyouhow，forI’vestudiedyouwhilewewerefrolicking，andI’mnotatallsatisfiedwithyou。Hereyouhavebeenabroadnearlysixmonths，anddonenothingbutwastetimeandmoneyanddisappointyourfriends。"
"Isn’tafellowtohaveanypleasureafterafour—yeargrind？"
"Youdon’tlookasifyou’dhadmuch。Atanyrate，youarenonethebetterforit，asfarasIcansee。Isaidwhenwefirstmetthatyouhadimproved。NowItakeitallback，forIdon’tthinkyouhalfsoniceaswhenIleftyouathome。Youhavegrownabominablylazy，youlikegossip，andwastetimeonfrivolousthings，youarecontentedtobepettedandadmiredbysillypeople，insteadofbeinglovedandrespectedbywiseones。Withmoney，talent，position，health，andbeauty，ahyoulikethatoldVanity！Butit’sthetruth，soIcan’thelpsayingit，withallthesesplendidthingstouseandenjoy，youcanfindnothingtodobutdawdle，andinsteadofbeingthemanyououghttobe，youareonly……"Thereshestopped，withalookthathadbothpainandpityinit。
"SaintLaurenceonagridiron，"addedLaurie，blandlyfinishingthesentence。Butthelecturebegantotakeeffect，fortherewasawide—awakesparkleinhiseyesnowandahalf—angry，half—injuredexpressionreplacedtheformerindifference。
"Isupposedyou’dtakeitso。Youmentellusweareangels，andsaywecanmakeyouwhatwewill，buttheinstantwehonestlytrytodoyougood，youlaughatusandwon’tlisten，whichproveshowmuchyourflatteryisworth。"Amyspokebitterly，andturnedherbackontheexasperatingmartyratherfeet。
Inaminuteahandcamedownoverthepage，sothatshecouldnotdraw，andLaurie’svoicesaid，withadrollimitationofapenitentchild，"Iwillbegood，oh，Iwillbegood！"
