第9章

"Waitforme，myfriend。Imaybealittlelate，butIshallsurelycome。"

"Oh，ifheonlywould！Sokind，sogood，sopatientwithmealways，mydearoldFritz。Ididn’tvaluehimhalfenoughwhenIhadhim，butnowhowIshouldlovetoseehim，foreveryoneseemsgoingawayfromme，andI’mallalone。"

Andholdingthelittlepaperfast，asifitwereapromiseyettobefulfilled，Jolaidherheaddownonacomfortableragbag，andcried，asifinoppositiontotherainpatteringontheroof。

Wasitallself—pity，loneliness，orlowspirits？Orwasitthewakingupofasentimentwhichhadbideditstimeaspatientlyasitsinspirer？Whoshallsay？

GoodWives:Chapter2CHAPTER2TheFirstWeddingTheJunerosesovertheporchwereawakebrightandearlyonthatmorning，rejoicingwithalltheirheartsinthecloudlesssunshine，likefriendlylittleneighbors，astheywere。Quiteflushedwithexcitementweretheirruddyfaces，astheyswunginthewind，whisperingtooneanotherwhattheyhadseen，forsomepeepedinatthediningroomwindowswherethefeastwasspread，someclimbeduptonodandsmileatthesistersastheydressedthebride，otherswavedawelcometothosewhocameandwentonvariouserrandsingarden，porch，andhall，andall，fromtherosiestfull—blownflowertothepalestbabybud，offeredtheirtributeofbeautyandfragrancetothegentlemistresswhohadlovedandtendedthemsolong。

Meglookedverylikearoseherself，forallthatwasbestandsweetestinheartandsoulseemedtobloomintoherfacethatday，makingitfairandtender，withacharmmorebeautifulthanbeauty。Neithersilk，lace，nororangeflowerswouldshehave。"Idon’twantafashionablewedding，butonlythoseaboutmewhomIlove，andtothemIwishtolookandbemyfamiliarself。"

Soshemadeherweddinggownherself，sewingintoitthetenderhopesandinnocentromancesofagirlishheart。hersistersbraidedupherprettyhair，andtheonlyornamentssheworeweretheliliesofthevalley，which`herJohn’likedbestofalltheflowersthatgrew。

"YoudolookjustlikeourowndearMeg，onlysoverysweetandlovelythatIshouldhugyouifitwouldn’tcrumpleyourdress，"criedAmy，surveyingherwithdelightwhenallwasdone。

"ThenIamsatisfied。Butpleasehugandkissme，everyone，anddon’tmindmydress。Iwantagreatmanycrumplesofthissortputintoittoday。"AndMegopenedherarmstohersisters，whoclungaboutherwithAprilfacesforaminute，feelingthatthenewlovehadnotchangedtheold。

"NowI’mgoingtotieJohn’scravatforhim，andthentostayafewminuteswithFatherquietlyinthestudy。"AndMegrandowntoperformtheselittleceremonies，andthentofollowhermotherwherevershewent，consciousthatinspiteofthesmilesonthemotherlyface，therewasasecretsorrowhidinthemotherlyheartattheflightofthefirstbirdfromthenest。

Astheyoungergirlsstandtogether，givingthelasttouchestotheirsimpletoilet，itmaybeagoodtimetotellofafewchangeswhichthreeyearshavewroughtintheirappearance，forallarelookingtheirbestjustnow。

Jo’sanglesaremuchsoftened，shehaslearnedtocarryherselfwithease，ifnotgrace。Thecurlycrophaslengthenedintoathickcoil，morebecomingtothesmallheadatopofthetallfigure。Thereisafreshcolorinherbrowncheeks，asoftshineinhereyes，andonlygentlewordsfallfromhersharptonguetoday。

Bethhasgrownslender，pale，andmorequietthanever。Thebeautiful，kindeyesarelarger，andinthemliesanexpressionthatsaddensone，althoughitisnotsaditself。Itistheshadowofpainwhichtouchestheyoungfacewithsuchpatheticpatience，butBethseldomcomplainsandalwaysspeakshopefullyof`beingbettersoon’。

Amyiswithtruthconsidered`theflowerofthefamily’，foratsixteenshehastheairandbearingofafull—grownwoman，notbeautiful，butpossessedofthatindescribablecharmcalledgrace。Onesawitinthelinesofherfigure，themakeandmotionofherhands，theflowofherdress，thedroopofherhair，unconsciousyetharmonious，andasattractivetomanyasbeautyitself。Amy’snosestillafflictedher，foritneverwouldgrowGrecian，sodidhermouth，beingtoowide，andhavingadecidedchin。Theseoffendingfeaturesgavecharactertoherwholeface，butshenevercouldseeit，andconsoledherselfwithherwonderfullyfaircomplexion，keenblueeyes，andcurlsmoregoldenandabundantthanever。

Allthreeworesuitsofthinsilvergray（theirbestgownsforthesummer），withblushrosesinhairandbosom，andallthreelookedjustwhattheywere，fresh—faced，happy—heartedgirls，pausingamomentintheirbusylivestoreadwithwistfuleyesthesweetestchapterintheromanceofwomanhood。

Thereweretobenoceremoniousperformances，everythingwastobeasnaturalandhomelikeaspossible，sowhenAuntMarcharrived，shewasscandalizedtoseethebridecomerunningtowelcomeandleadherin，tofindthebridegroomfasteningupagarlandthathadfallendown，andtocatchaglimpseofthepaternalministermarchingupstairswithagravecountenanceandawinebottleundereacharm。

"Uponmyword，here’sastateofthings！"criedtheoldlady，takingtheseatofhonorpreparedforher，andsettlingthefoldsofherlavendermoirewithagreatrustle。"Yououghtn’ttobeseentillthelastminute，child。"

"I’mnotashow，Aunty，andnooneiscomingtostareatme，tocriticizemydress，orcountthecostofmyluncheon。I’mtoohappytocarewhatanyonesaysorthinks，andI’mgoingtohavemylittleweddingjustasIlikeit。John，dear，here’syourhammer。"AndawaywentMegtohelp`thatman’inhishighlyimproperemployment。

Mr。Brookedidn’tevensay，"Thankyou，"butashestoopedfortheunromantictool，hekissedhislittlebridebehindthefoldingdoor，withalookthatmadeAuntMarchwhiskoutherpockethandkerchiefwithasuddendewinhersharpoldeyes。

Acrash，acry，andalaughfromLaurie，accompaniedbytheindecorousexclamation，"JupiterAmmon！Jo’supsetthecakeagain！"causedamomentaryflurry，whichwashardlyoverwhenaflockofcousinsarrived，and`thepartycamein’，asBethusedtosaywhenachild。

"Don’tletthatyounggiantcomenearme，heworriesmeworsethanmosquitoes，"whisperedtheoldladytoAmy，astheroomsfilledandLaurie’sblackheadtoweredabovetherest。

"Hehaspromisedtobeverygoodtoday，andhecanbeperfectlyelegantifhelikes，"returnedAmy，andglidingawaytowarnHerculestobewareofthedragon，whichwarningcausedhimtohaunttheoldladywithadevotionthatnearlydistractedher。

Therewasnobridalprocession，butasuddensilencefellupontheroomasMr。Marchandtheyoungcoupletooktheirplacesunderthegreenarch。Motherandsistersgatheredclose，asifloathtogiveMegup。Thefatherlyvoicebrokemorethanonce，whichonlyseemedtomaketheservicemorebeautifulandsolemn。Thebridegroom’shandtrembledvisibly，andnooneheardhisreplies。ButMeglookedstraightupinherhusband’seyes，andsaid，"Iwill！"withsuchtendertrustinherownfaceandvoicethathermother’sheartrejoicedandAuntMarchsniffedaudibly。

Jodidnotcry，thoughshewasverynearitonce，andwasonlysavedfromademonstrationbytheconsciousnessthatLauriewasstaringfixedlyather，withacomicalmixtureofmerrimentandemotioninhiswickedblackeyes。Bethkeptherfacehiddenonhermother’sshoulder，butAmystoodlikeagracefulstatue，withamostbecomingrayofsunshinetouchingherwhiteforeheadandtheflowerinherhair。

Itwasn’tatallthething，I’mafraid，buttheminuteshewasfairlymarried，Megcried，"ThefirstkissforMarmee！"andturning，gaveitwithherheartonherlips。Duringthenextfifteenminutesshelookedmorelikearosethanever，foreveryoneavailedthemselvesoftheirprivilegestothefullestextent，fromMr。LaurencetooldHannah，who，adornedwithaheaddressfearfullyandwonderfullymade，felluponherinthehall，cryingwithasobandachuckle，"Blessyou，deary，ahundredtimes！Thecakeain’thurtamite，andeverythinglookslovely。"

Everybodyclearedupafterthat，andsaidsomethingbrilliant，ortriedto，whichdidjustaswell，forlaughterisreadywhenheartsarelight。Therewasnodisplayofgifts，fortheywerealreadyinthelittlehouse，norwasthereanelaboratebreakfast，butaplentifullunchofcakeandfruit，dressedwithflowers。Mr。LaurenceandAuntMarchshruggedandsmiledatoneanotherwhenwater，lemonade，andcoffeewerefoundtobetoonlysortsofnectarwhichthethreeHebescarriedaround。Noonesaidanything，tillLaurie，whoinsistedonservingthebride，appearedbeforeher，withaloadedsalverinhishandandapuzzledexpressiononhisface。

"HasJosmashedallthebottlesbyaccident？"hewhispered，"oramImerelylaboringunderadelusionthatIsawsomelyingaboutloosethismorning？"

"No，yourgrandfatherkindlyofferedushisbest，andAuntMarchactuallysentsome，butFatherputawayalittleforBeth，anddispatchedtheresttotheSoldier’sHome。Youknowhethinksthatwineshouldbeusedonlyinillness，andMothersaysthatneithershenorherdaughterswilleverofferittoanyyoungmanunderherroof。"

MegspokeseriouslyandexpectedtoseeLauriefrownorlaugh，buthedidneither，forafteraquicklookather，hesaid，inhisimpetuousway，"Ilikethat！ForI’veseenenoughharmdonetowishotherwomenwouldthinkasyoudo。"

"Youarenotmadewisebyexperience，Ihope？"AndtherewasananxiousaccentinMeg’svoice。

"No。Igiveyoumywordforit。Don’tthinktoowellofme，either，thisisnotoneofmytemptations。Beingbroughtupwherewineisascommonaswaterandalmostasharmless，Idon’tcareforit，butwhenaprettygirloffersit，onedoesn’tliketorefuse，yousee。"

"Butyouwill，forthesakeofothers，ifnotforyourown。Come，Laurie，promise，andgivemeonemorereasontocallthisthehappiestdayofmylife。"

Ademandsosuddenandsoseriousmadetheyoungmanhesitateamoment，forridiculeisoftenhardertobearthanself—denial。Megknewthatifhegavethepromisehewouldkeepitatallcosts，andfeelingherpower，useditasawomanmayforherfriend’sgood。Shedidnotspeak，butshelookedupathimwithafacemadeveryeloquentbyhappiness，andasmilewhichsaid，"Noonecanrefusemeanythingtoday。"

Lauriecertainlycouldnot，andwithanansweringsmile，hegaveherhishand，sayingheartily，"Ipromise，Mrs。Brooke！"

"Ithankyou，very，verymuch。"

"AndIdrink`longlifetoyourresolution’，Teddy，"criedJo，baptizinghimwithasplashoflemonade，asshewavedherglassandbeamedapprovinglyuponhim。

Sothetoastwasdrunk，thepledgemadeandloyallykeptinspiteofmanytemptations，forwithinstinctivewisdom，thegirlsseizedahappymomenttodotheirfriendaservice，forwhichhethankedthemallhislife。

Afterlunch，peoplestrolledabout，bytwosandthrees，throughthehouseandgarden，enjoyingthesunshinewithoutandwithin。MegandJohnhappenedtobestandingtogetherinthemiddleofthegrassplot，whenLauriewasseizedwithaninspirationwhichputthefinishingtouchtothisunfashionablewedding。

"Allthemarriedpeopletakehandsanddanceroundthenew—madehusbandandwife，astheGermansdo，whilewebachelorsandspinsterspranceincouplesoutside！"criedLaurie，promenadingdownthepathwithAmy，withsuchinfectiousspiritandskillthateveryoneelsefollowedtheirexamplewithoutamurmur。Mr。andMrs。March，AuntandUncleCarrolbeganit，othersrapidlyjoinedin，evenSallieMoffat，afteramoment’shesitation，threwhertrainoverherarmandwhiskedNedintothering。ButthecrowningjokewasMr。LaurenceandAuntMarch，forwhenthestatelyoldgentlemanchasséedsolemnlyuptotheoldlady，shejusttuckedhercaneunderarm，andhoppedbrisklyawaytojoinhandswiththerestanddanceaboutthebridalpair，whiletheyoungfolkspervadedthegardenlikebutterfliesonamidsummerday。

Wantofbreathbroughttheimpromptuballtoaclose，andthenpeoplebegantogo。

"Iwishyouwell，mydear，Iheartilywishyouwell，butIthinkyou’llbesorryforit，"saidAuntMarchtoMeg，addingtothebridegroom，asheledhertothecarriage，"You’vegotatreasure，youngman，seethatyoudeserveit。"

"ThatistheprettiestweddingI’vebeentoforanage，Ned，andIdon’tseewhy，fortherewasn’tabitofstyleaboutit，"observedMrs。Moffattoherhusband，astheydroveaway。

"Laurie，mylad，ifyoueverwanttoindulgeinthissortofthing，getoneofthoselittlegirlstohelpyou，andIshallbeperfectlysatisfied，"saidMr。Laurence，settlinghimselfinhiseasychairtorestaftertheexcitementofthemorning。

"I’lldomybesttogratifyyou，Sir，"wasLaurie’sunusuallydutifulreply，ashecarefullyunpinnedtheposyJohadputinhisbuttonhole。

Thelittlehousewasnotfaraway，andtheonlybridaljourneyMeghadwasthequietwalkwithJohnfromtheoldhometothenew。Whenshecamedown，lookinglikeaprettyQuakeressinherdove—coloredsuitandstrawbonnettiedwithwhite，theyallgatheredabouthertosaygoodby，astenderlyasifshehadbeengoingtomakethegrandtour。

"Don’tfeelthatIamseparatedfromyou，Marmeedear，orthatIloveyouanythelessforlovingJohnsomuch，"shesaid，clingingtohermother，withfulleyesforamoment。"Ishallcomeeveryday，Father，andexpecttokeepmyoldplaceinallyourhearts，thoughIammarried。Bethisgoingtobewithmeagreatdeal，andtheothergirlswilldropinnowandthentolaughatmyhousekeepingstruggles。Thankyouallformyhappyweddingday。Goodby，goodby！"

Theystoodwatchingher，withfacesfullofloveandhopeandtenderprideasshewalkedaway，leaningonherhusband’sarm，withherhandsfullofflowersandtheJunesunshinebrighteningherhappyface——andsoMeg’smarriedlifebegan。

GoodWives:Chapter20CHAPTER20SurprisesJowasaloneinthetwilight，lyingontheoldsofa，lookingatthefire，andthinking。Itwasherfavoritewayofspendingthehourofdusk。Noonedisturbedher，andsheusedtoliethereonBeth’slittleredpillow，planningstories，dreamingdreams，orthinkingtenderthoughtsofthesisterwhoneverseemedfaraway。Herfacelookedtired，grave，andrathersad，fortomorrowwasherbirthday，andshewasthinkinghowfasttheyearswentby，howoldshewasgetting，andhowlittlesheseemedtohaveaccomplished。Almosttwenty—five，andnothingtoshowforit。Jowasmistakeninthat。Therewasagooddealtoshow，andby—and—byshesaw，andwasgratefulforit。

"Anoldmaid，that’swhatI’mtobe。Aliteraryspinster，withapenforaspouse，afamilyofstoriesforchildren，andtwentyyearshenceamorseloffame，perhaps，when，likepoorJohnson，I’moldandcan’tenjoyit，solitary，andcan’tshareit，independent，anddon’tneedit。Well，Ineedn’tbeasoursaintnoraselfishsinner，and，Idaresay，oldmaidsareverycomfortablewhentheygetusedtoit，but……"AndthereJosighed，asiftheprospectwasnotinviting。

Itseldomis，atfirst，andthirtyseemstheendofallthingstofive—and—twenty。Butit’snotasbadasitlooks，andonecangetonquitehappilyifonehassomethinginone’sselftofallbackupon。Attwenty—five，girlsbegintotalkaboutbeingoldmaids，butsecretlyresolvethattheyneverwillbe。Atthirtytheysaynothingaboutit，butquietlyacceptthefact，andifsensible，consolethemselvesbyrememberingthattheyhavetwentymoreuseful，happyyears，inwhichtheymaybelearningtogrowoldgracefully。Don’tlaughatthespinsters，deargirls，foroftenverytender，tragicromancesarehiddenawayintheheartsthatbeatsoquietlyunderthesobergowns，andmanysilentsacrificesofyouth，health，ambition，loveitself，makethefadedfacesbeautifulinGod’ssight。Eventhesad，soursistersshouldbekindlydealtwith，becausetheyhavemissedthesweetestpartoflife，iffornootherreason。Andlookingatthemwithcompassion，notcontempt，girlsintheirbloomshouldrememberthattheytoomaymisstheblossomtime。Thatrosycheeksdon’tlastforever，thatsilverthreadswillcomeinthebonniebrownhair，andthat，by—and—by，kindnessandrespectwillbeassweetasloveandadmirationnow。

Gentlemen，whichmeansboys，becourteoustotheoldmaids，nomatterhowpoorandplainandprim，fortheonlychivalryworthhavingisthatwhichisthereadiesttopaydeferencetotheold，protectthefeeble，andservewomankind，regardlessofrank，age，orcolor。Justrecollectthegoodauntswhohavenotonlylecturedandfussed，butnursedandpetted，toooftenwithoutthanks，thescrapestheyhavehelpedyououtof，thetipstheyhavegivenyoufromtheirsmallstore，thestitchesthepatientoldfingershavesetforyou，thestepsthewillingoldfeethavetaken，andgratefullypaythedearoldladiesthelittleattentionsthatwomenlovetoreceiveaslongastheylive。Thebright—eyedgirlsarequicktoseesuchtraits，andwilllikeyouallthebetterforthem，andifdeath，almosttheonlypowerthatcanpartmotherandson，shouldrobyouofyours，youwillbesuretofindatenderwelcomeandmaternalcherishingfromsomeAuntPriscilla，whohaskeptthewarmestcornerofherlonelyoldheartfor`thebestnevvyintheworld’。

Jomusthavefallenasleep（asIdaresaymyreaderhasduringthislittlehomily），forsuddenlyLaurie’sghostseemedtostandbeforeher，asubstantial，lifelikeghost，leaningoverherwiththeverylookheusedtowearwhenhefeltagooddealanddidn’tliketoshowit。But，likeJennyintheballad……Shecouldnotthinkithe，andlaystaringupathiminstartledsilence，tillhestoopedandkissedher。Thensheknewhim，andflewup，cryingjoyfully……

"OhmyTeddy！OhmyTeddy！"

"DearJo，youaregladtoseeme，then？"

"Glad！Myblessedboy，wordscan’texpressmygladness。Where’sAmy？""YourmotherhasgotherdownatMeg’s。Westoppedtherebytheway，andtherewasnogettingmywifeoutoftheirclutches。"

"Yourwhat？"criedJo，forLaurieutteredthosetwowordswithanunconsciousprideandsatisfactionwhichbetrayedhim。

"Oh，thedickens！NowI’vedoneit。"AndhelookedsoguiltythatJowasdownonhimlikeaflash。

"You’vegoneandgotmarried！"

"Yes，please，butIneverwillagain。"Andhewentdownuponhisknees，withapenitentclaspingofhands，andafacefullofmischief，mirth，andtriumph。

"Actuallymarried？"

"Verymuchso，thankyou。"

"Mercyonus。Whatdreadfulthingwillyoudonext？"AndJofellintoherseatwithagasp。

"Acharacteristic，butnotexactlycomplimentary，congratulation，"returnedLaurie，stillinanabjectattitude，butbeamingwithsatisfaction。

"Whatcanyouexpect，whenyoutakeone’sbreathaway，creepinginlikeaburglar，andlettingcatsoutofbagslikethat？Getup，youridiculousboy，andtellmeallaboutit。"

"Notaword，unlessyouletmecomeinmyoldplace，andpromisenottobarricade。"

Jolaughedatthatasshehadnotdoneformanyalongday，andpattedthesofainvitingly，asshesaidinacordialtone，"Theoldpillowisupgarret，andwedon’tneeditnow。So，comeand’fess，Teddy。"

"Howgooditsoundstohearyousay`Teddy’！Nooneevercallsmethatbutyou。"AndLauriesatdownwithanairofgreatcontent。

"WhatdoesAmycallyou？"

"Mylord。"

"That’slikeher。Well，youlookit。"AndJo’seyeplainlybetrayedthatshefoundherboycomelierthanever。

Thepillowwasgone，buttherewasabarricade，nevertheless，anaturalone，raisedbytimeabsence，andchangeofheart。Bothfeltit，andforaminutelookedatoneanotherasifthatinvisiblebarriercastalittleshadowoverthem。Itwasgonedirectlyhowever，forLauriesaid，withavainattemptatdignity……

"Don’tIlooklikeamarriedmanandtheheadofafamily？""Notabit，andyouneverwill。You’vegrownbiggerandbonnier，butyouarethesamescapegraceasever。"

"Nowreally，Jo，yououghttotreatmewithmorerespect，"beganLaurie，whoenjoyeditallimmensely。

"HowcanI，whenthemereideaofyou，marriedandsettled，issoirresistiblyfunnythatIcan’tkeepsober！"answeredJo，smilingalloverherface，soinfectiouslythattheyhadanotherlaugh，andthensettleddownforagoodtalk，quiteinthepleasantoldfashion。

"It’snouseyourgoingoutinthecoldtogetAmy，fortheyareallcominguppresently。Icouldn’twait。Iwantedtobetheonetotellyouthegrandsurprise，andhave`firstskim’asweusedtosaywhenwesquabbledaboutthecream。"

"Ofcourseyoudid，andspoiledyourstorybybeginningatthewrongend。Now，startright，andtellmehowitallhappened。I’mpiningtoknow。"

"Well，IdidittopleaseAmy，"beganLaurie，withatwinklethatmadeJoexclaim……

"Fibnumberone。Amydidittopleaseyou。Goon，andtellthetruth，ifyoucan，sir。"

"Nowshe’sbeginningtomarmit。Isn’titjollytohearher？"saidLaurietothefire，andthefireglowedandsparkledasifitquiteagreed。"It’sallthesame，youknow，sheandIbeingone。WeplannedtocomehomewiththeCarrols，amonthormoreago，buttheysuddenlychangedtheirminds，anddecidedtopassanotherwinterinParis。ButGrandpawantedtocomehome。Hewenttopleaseme，andIcouldn’tlethimgoalong，neithercouldIleaveAmy，andMrs。CarrolhadgotEnglishnotionsaboutchaperonsandsuchnonsense，andwouldn’tletAmycomewithus。SoIjustsettledthedifficultybysaying，`Let’sbemarried，andthenwecandoaswelike’。"

"Ofcourseyoudid。Youalwayshavethingstosuityou。"

"Notalways。"AndsomethinginLaurie’svoicemadeJosayhastily……

"HowdidyouevergetAunttoagree？"

"Itwashardwork，butbetweenus，wetalkedherover，forwehadheapsofgoodreasonsonourside。Therewasn’ttimetowriteandaskleave，butyoualllikedit，hadconsentedtoitby—and—by，anditwasonly`takingtimebythefetlock’，asmywifesays。"

"Aren’tweproudofthosetwoword，anddon’tweliketosaythem？"interruptedJo，addressingthefireinherturn，andwatchingwithdelightthehappylightitseemedtokindleintheeyesthathadbeensotragicallygloomywhenshesawthemlast。"Atrifle，perhaps，she’ssuchacaptivatinglittlewomanIcan’thelpbeingproudofher。Well，thenUncleandAuntweretheretoplaypropriety。Weweresoabsorbedinoneanotherwewereofnomortaluseapart，andthatcharmingarrangementwouldmakeeverythingeasyallround，sowedidit。"

"When，where，how？"askedJo，inafeveroffeminineinterestandcuriosity，forshecouldnotrealizeitaparticle。

"Sixweeksago，attheAmericanconsul’s，inParis，averyquietweddingofcourse，foreveninourhappinesswedidn’tforgetdearlittleBeth。"

Joputherhandinhisashesaidthat，andLauriegentlysmoothedthelittleredpillow，whichherememberedwell。

"Whydidn’tyouletusknowafterward？"askedJo，inaquietertone，whentheyhadsatquitestillaminute。

"Wewantedtosurpriseyou。Wethoughtwewerecomingdirectlyhome，atfirst，butthedearoldgentleman，assoonasweweremarried，foundhecouldn’tbereadyunderamonth，atleast，andsentusofftospendourhoneymoonwhereverweliked。AmyhadoncecalledValrosaaregularhoneymoonhome，sowewentthere，andwereashappyaspeoplearebutonceintheirlives。Myfaith！Wasn’titloveamongtheroses！"

LaurieseemedtoforgetJoforaminute，andJowasgladofit，forthefactthathetoldherthesethingssofreelyandsonaturallyassuredherthathehadquiteforgivenandforgotten。Shetriedtodrawawayherhand，butasifheguessedthethoughtthatpromptedthehalf—involuntaryimpulse，Lauriehelditfast，andsaid，withamanlygravityshehadneverseeninhimbefore……

"Jo，dear，Iwanttosayonething，andthenwe’llputitbyforever。AsItoldyouinmyletterwhenIwrotethatAmyhadbeensokindtome，Inevershallstoplovingyou，buttheloveisaltered，andIhavelearnedtoseethatitisbetterasitis。Amyandyouchangedplacesinmyheart，that’sall。Ithinkitwasmeanttobeso，andwouldhavecomeaboutnaturally，ifIhadwaited，asyoutriedtomakeme，butInevercouldbepatient，andsoIgotaheartache。Iwasaboythen，headstrongandviolent，andittookahardlessontoshowmemymistake。Foritwasone，Jo，asyousaid，andIfounditout，aftermakingafoolofmyself。Uponmyword，Iwassotumbledupinmymind，atonetime，thatIdidn’tknowwhichIlovedbest，youorAmy，andtriedtoloveyoubothalike。ButIcouldn’t，andwhenIsawherinSwitzerland，everythingseemedtoclearupallatonce。Youbothgotintoyourrightplaces，andIfeltsurethatitwaswelloffwiththeoldlovebeforeitwasonwiththenew，thatIcouldhonestlysharemyheartbetweensisterJoandwifeAmy，andlovethemdearly。Willyoubelieveit，andgobacktothehappyoldtimeswhenwefirstknewoneanother？"

"I’llbelieveit，withallmyheart，but，Teddy，wenevercanbeboyandgirlagain。Thehappyoldtimescan’tcomeback，andwemustn’texpectit。Wearemanandwomannow，withsoberworktodo，forplaytimeisover，andwemustgiveupfrolicking。I’msureyoufeelthis。Iseethechangeinyou，andyou’llfinditinme。Ishallmissmyboy，butIshalllovethemanasmuch，andadmirehimmore，becausehemeanstobewhatIhopedhewould。Wecan’tbelittleplaymatesanylonger，butwewillbebrotherandsister，toloveandhelponeanotherallourlives，won’twe，Laurie？"

Hedidnotsayaword，buttookthehandsheofferedhim，andlaidhisfacedownonitforaminute，feelingthatoutofthegraveofaboyishpassion，therehadrisenabeautiful，strongfriendshiptoblessthemboth。PresentlyJosaidcheerfully，forshedidn’tthecominghometobeasadone，"Ican’tmakeittruethatyouchildrenarereallymarriedandgoingtosetuphousekeeping。Why，itseemsonlyyesterdaythatIwasbuttoningAmy’spinafore，andpullingyourhairwhenyouteased。Mercyme，howtimedoesfly！"

"Asoneofthechildrenisolderthanyourself，youneedn’ttalksolikeagrandma。IflattermyselfI’ma`gentlemangrowed’asPeggottysaidofDavid，andwhenyouseeAmy，you’llfindherratheraprecociousinfant，"saidLaurie，lookingamusedathermaternalair。

"Youmaybealittleolderinyears，butI’meversomucholderinfeeling，Teddy。Womenalwaysare，andthislastyearhasbeensuchahardonethatIfeelforty。"

"PoorJo！Weleftyoutobearitalone，whilewewentpleasuring。Youareolder。Here’saline，andthere’sanother。Unlessyousmile，youreyeslooksad，andwhenItouchedthecushion，justnow，Ifoundatearonit。You’vehadagreatdealtobear，andhadtobearitallalone。WhataselfishbeastI’vebeen！"AndLauriepulledhisownhair，witharemorsefullook。

ButJoonlyturnedoverthetraitorouspillow，andanswered，inatonewhichshetriedtomakemorecheerful，"No，IhadFatherandMothertohelpme，andthedearbabiestocomfortme，andthethoughtthatyouandAmyweresafeandhappy，tomakethetroubleshereeasiertobear。Iamlonely，sometimes，butIdaresayit’sgoodforme，and……"

"Younevershallbeagain，"brokeinLaurie，puttinghisarmabouther，asiftofenceouteveryhumanill。"AmyandIcan’tgetonwithoutyou，soyoumustcomeandteach`thechildren’tokeephouse，andgohalvesineverything，justasweusedtodo，andletuspetyou，andallbeblissfullyhappyandfriendlytogether。"

"IfIshouldn’tbeintheway，itwouldbeverypleasant。Ibegintofeelquiteyoungalready，forsomehowallmytroublesseemedtoflyawaywhenyoucame。Youalwayswereacomfort，Teddy。"AndJoleanedherheadonhisshoulder，justasshedidyearsago，whenBethlayillandLaurietoldhertoholdontohim。

Helookeddownather，wonderingifsherememberedthetime，butJowassmilingtoherself，asifintruthhertroubleshadallvanishedathiscoming。

"YouarethesameJostill，droppingtearsaboutoneminute，andlaughingthenext。Youlookalittlewickednow。Whatisit，Grandma？"

"IwaswonderinghowyouandAmygetontogether。"

"Likeangels！"

"Yes，ofcourse，butwhichrules？"

"Idon’tmindtellingyouthatshedoesnow，atleastIletherthinkso，itpleasesher，youknow。By—and—byweshalltaketurns，formarriage，theysay，halvesone’srightsanddoublesone’sduties。"

"You’llgoonasyoubegin，andAmywillruleyouallthedaysofyourlife。"

"Well，shedoesitsoimperceptiblythatIdon’tthinkIshallmindmuch。Sheisthesortofwomanwhoknowshowtorulewell。Infact，Iratherlikeit，forshewindsoneroundherfingerassoftlyandprettilyasaskeinofsilk，andmakesyoufeelasifshewasdoingyouafavorallthewhile。"

"ThateverIshouldlivetoseeyouahenpeckedhusbandandenjoyingit！"criedJo，withupliftedhands。