第10章

ItwasgoodtoseeLauriesquarehisshoulders，andsmilewithmasculinescornatthatinsinuation，ashereplied，withhis"highandmighty"air，"Amyistoowell—bredforthat，andIamnotthesortofmantosubmittoit。MywifeandIrespectourselvesandoneanothertoomuchevertotyrannizeorquarrel。"

Jolikethat，andthoughtthenewdignityverybecoming，buttheboyseemedchangingveryfastintotheman，andregretmingledwithherpleasure。

"Iamsureofthat。Amyandyouneverdidquarrelasweusedto。SheisthesunandIthewind，inthefable，andthesunmanagedthemanbest，youremember。"

"Shecanblowhimupaswellasshineonhim，"laughedLaurie。"suchalectureasIgotatNice！Igiveyoumyworditwasadealworsethananyoryourscoldings，aregularrouser。I’lltellyouallaboutitsometime，sheneverwill，becauseaftertellingmethatshedespisedandwasashamedofme，shelostherhearttothedespicablepartyandmarriedthegood—for—nothing。"

"Whatbaseness！Well，ifsheabusesyou，cometome，andI’lldefendyou。"

"IlookasifIneededit，don’tI？"saidLaurie，gettingupandstrikinganattitudewhichsuddenlychangedfromtheimposingtotherapturous，asAmy’svoicewasheardcalling，"Whereisshe？Where’smydearoldJo？"

Introopedthewholefamily，andeveryonewashuggedandkissedalloveragain，andafterseveralvainattempts，thethreewanderersweresetdowntobelookedatandexultedover。Mr。Laurence，haleandheartyasever，wasquiteasmuchimprovedastheothersbyhisforeigntour，forthecrustinessseemedtobenearlygone，andtheold—fashionedcourtlinesshadreceivedapolishwhichmadeitkindlierthanever。Itwasgoodtoseehimbeamat`mychildren’，ashecalledtheyoungpair。ItwasbetterstilltoseeAmypayhimthedaughterlydutyandaffectionwhichcompletelywonhisoldheart，andbestofall，towatchLaurierevolveaboutthetwo，asifnevertiredofenjoyingtheprettypicturetheymade。

TheminutesheputhereyesuponAmy，Megbecameconsciousthatherowndresshadn’taParisianair，thatyoungMrs。MofffatwouldbeentirelyeclipsedbyyoungMrs。Laurence，andthat`herladyship’wasaltogetheramostelegantandgracefulwoman。Jothought，asshewatchedthepair，"Howwelltheylooktogether！Iwasright，andLauriehasfoundthebeautiful，accomplishedgirlwhowillbecomehishomebetterthanclumsyoldJo，andbeapride，notatormenttohim。"Mrs。Marchandherhusbandsmiledandnoddedateachotherwithhappyfaces，fortheysawthattheiryoungesthaddonewell，notonlyinworldlythings，butthebetterwealthoflove，confidence，andhappiness。

ForAmy’sfacewasfullofthesoftbrightnesswhichbetokensapeacefulheart，hervoicehadanewtendernessinit，andthecool，primcarriagewaschangedtoagentledignity，bothwomanlyandwinning。Nolittleaffectationsmarredit，andthecordialsweetnessofhermannerwasmorecharmingthanthenewbeautyortheoldgrace，foritstampedheratoncewiththeunmistakablesignofthetruegentlewomanshehadhopedtobecome。

"Lovehasdonemuchforourlittlegirl，"saidhermothersoftly。

"Shehashadagoodexamplebeforeherallherlife，mydear，"Mr。Marchwhisperedback，withalovinglookatthewornfaceandgrayheadbesidehim。

Daisyfounditimpossibletokeephereyesoffher`pittyaunty’，butattachedherselflikealapdogtothewonderfulchatelainefullofdelightfulcharms。Demipausedtoconsiderthenewrelationshipbeforehecompromisedhimselfbytherashacceptanceofabribe，whichtookthetemptingformofafamilyofwoodenbearsfromBerne。Aflankmovementproducedanunconditionalsurrender，however，forLaurieknewwheretohavehim。

"Youngman，whenIfirsthadthehonorofmakingyouracquaintanceyouhitmeintheface。NowIdemandthesatisfactionofagentleman，"andwiththatthetalluncleproceededtotossandtouslethesmallnephewinawaythatdamagedhisphilosophicaldignityasmuchasitdelightedhisboyishsoul。

"Blestifsheain’tinsilkfromheadtofoot？Ain’titarelishin’sighttoseehersettin’thereasfineasafiddle，anchahappyprocessionasfiledawayintothelittlediningroom！Mr。MarchproudlyescortedMrs。Laurence。Mrs。Marchasproudlyleanedonthearmof`myson’。TheoldgentlemantookJo，withawhispered，"Youmustbemygirlnow，"andaglanceattheemptycornerbythefire，thatmadeJowhisperback，"I’lltrytofillherplace，sir。

Thetwinsprancedbehind，feelingthatthemillenniumwasathand，foreveryonewassobusywiththenewcomersthattheywerelefttorevelattheirownsweetwill，andyoumaybesuretheymadethemostoftheopportunity。Didn’ttheystealsipsoftea，stuffgingerbreadadlibitum，getahotbiscuitapiece，andasacrowningtrespass，didn’ttheyeachwhiskacaptivatinglittletartintotheirtinypockets，theretostickandcrumbletreacherously，teachingthemthatbothhumannatureandapastryarefrail？Burdenedwiththeguiltyconsciousnessofthesequesteredtarts，andfearingthatDodo’ssharpeyeswouldpiercethethindisguiseofcambricandmerinowhichhidtheirbooty，thelittlesinnersattachedthemselvesto`Dranpa’，whohadn’thisspectacleson。Amy，whowashandedaboutlikerefreshments，returnedtotheparloronFatherLaurence’sarm。Theotherspairedoffasbefore，andthisarrangementleftJocompanionless。Shedidnotminditattheminute，forshelingeredtoanswerHannah’seagerinquiry。

"WillMissAmyrideinhercoop（coupé），anduseallthemlovelysilverdishesthat’sstoredawayoveryander？"

"Shouldn’twonderifshedrovesixwhitehorses，ateoffgoldplate，andworediamondsandpointlaceeveryday。Teddythinksnothingtoogoodforher，"returnedJowithinfinitesatisfaction。

"Nomorethereis！Willyouhavehashorfishballsforbreakfast？"askedHannah，whowiselymingledpoetryandprose。

"Idon’tcare。"AndJoshutthedoor，feelingthatfoodwasanuncongenialtopicjustthen。Shestoodaminutelookingatthepartyvanishingabove，andasDemi’sshortplaidlegstoiledupthelaststair，asuddensenseoflonlinesscameoverhersostronglythatshelookedaboutherwithdimeyes，asiftofindsomethingtoleanupon，forevenTeddyhaddesertedher。Ifshehadknownwhatbirthdaygiftwascomingeveryminutenearerandnearer，shewouldnothavesaidtoherself，"I’llweepalittleweepwhenIgotobed。Itwon’tdotobedismalnow。"Thenshedrewherhandoverhereyes，foroneofherboyishhabitswasnevertoknowwhereherhandkerchiefwas，andhadjustmanagedtocallupasmilewhentherecameaknockattheporchdoor。

Sheopenedwithhospitablehaste，andstartedasifanotherghosthadcometosurpriseher，fortherestoodatallbeardedgentleman，beamingonherfromthedarknesslikeamidnightsun。

"Oh，Mr。Bhaer，Iamsogladtoseeyou！"criedJo，withaclutch，asifshefearedthenightwouldswallowhimupbeforeshecouldgethimin。

"AndItoseeMissMarsch，butno，youhafaparty，"andtheProfessorpausedasthesoundofvoicesandthetapofdancingfeetcamedowntothem。

"No，wehaven’t，onlythefamily。Mysisterandfriendshavejustcomehome，andweareallveryhappy。Comein，andmakeoneofus。"

Thoughaverysocialman，IthinkMr。Bhaerwouldhavegonedecorouslyaway，andcomeagainanotherday，buthowcouldhe，whenJoshutthedoorbehindhim，andberefthimofhishat？Perhapsherfacehadsomethingtodowithit，forsheforgottohideherjoyatseeinghim，andshoweditwithafranknessthatprovedirresistibletothesolitaryman，whosewelcomefarexceededhisboldesthopes。

"IfIshallnotbeMonsieurdeTrop，Iwillsogladlyseethemall。Youhafbeenill，myfriend？"

Heputthequestionabruptly，for，asJohunguphiscoat，thelightfellonherface，andhesawachangeinit。

"Notill，buttiredandsorrowful。WehavehadtroublesinceIsawyoulast。"

"Ah，yes，Iknow。MyheartwassoreforyouwhenIheardthat，"Andheshookhandsagain，withsuchasympatheticfacethatJofeltasifnocomfortcouldequalthelookofthekindeyes，thegraspofthebig，warmhand。

"Father，Mother，thisismyfriend，ProfessorBhaer，"shesaid，withafaceandtoneofsuchirrepressibleprideandpleasurethatshemightaswellhaveblownatrumpetandopenedthedoorwithaflourish。

Ifthestrangerhadanydoubtsabouthisreception，theyweresetatrestinaminutebythecordialwelcomehereceived。Everyonegreetedhimkindly，forJo’ssakeatfirst，butverysoontheylikedhimforhisown。Theycouldnothelpit，forhecarriedthetalismanthatopensallhearts，andthesesimplepeoplewarmedtohimatonce，feelingeventhemorefriendlybecausehewaspoor。Forpovertyenrichesthosewholiveaboveit，andisasurepassporttotrulyhospitablespirits。Mr。Bhaersatlookingabouthimwiththeairofatravelerwhoknocksatastrangedoor，andwhenitopens，findshimselfathome。Thechildrenwenttohimlikebeestoahoneypot，andestablishingthemselvesoneachknee，proceededtocaptivatehimbyriflinghispockets，pullinghisbeard，andinvestigatinghiswatch，withjuvenileaudacity。Thewomentelegraphedtheirapprovaltooneanother，andMr。March，feelingthathehadgotakindredspirit，openedhischoiceststoresforhisguest’sbenefit，whilesilentJohnlistenedandenjoyedthetalk，butsaidnotaword，andMr。Laurencefounditimpossibletogotosleep。

IfJohadnotbeenotherwiseengaged，Laurie’sbehaviorwouldhaveamusedher，forafainttwinge，notofjealousy，butsomethinglikesuspicion，causedthatgentlemantostandaloofatfirst，andobservethenewcomerwithbrotherlycircumspection。Butitdidnotlastlong。Hegotinterestedinspiteofhimself，andbeforeheknewit，wasdrawnintothecircle。ForMr。Bhaertalkedwellinthisgenialatmosphere，anddidhimselfjustice。HeseldomspoketoLaurie，buthelookedathimoften，andashadowwouldpassacrosshisface，asifregrettinghisownlostyouth，ashewatchedtheyoungmaninhisprime。ThenhiseyeswouldturntoJosowistfullythatshewouldhavesurelyansweredthemuteinquiryifshehadseenit。ButJohadherowneyestotakecareof，andfeelingthattheycouldnotbetrusted，sheprudentlykeptthemonthelittlesockshewasknitting，likeamodelmaidenaunt。

Astealthyglancenowandthenrefreshedherlikesipsoffreshwaterafteradustywalk，forthesidelongpeepsshowedherseveralpropitiousomens。Mr。Bhaer’sfacehadlosttheabsent—mindedexpression，andlookedallalivewithinterestinthepresentmoment，actuallyyoungandhandsome，shethought，forgettingtocomparehimwithLaurie，assheusuallydidstrangemen，totheirgreatdetriment。Thenheseemedquiteinspired，thoughtheburialcustomsoftheancients，towhichtheconversationhadstrayed，mightnotbeconsideredanexhilaratingtopic。JoquiteglowedwithtriumphwhenTeddygotquenchedinanargument，andthoughttoherself，asshewatchedherfather’sabsorbedface，"HowhewouldenjoyhavingsuchamanasmyProfessortotalkwitheveryday！"Lastly，Mr。Bhaerwasdressedinanewsuitofblack，whichmadehimlookmorelikeagentlemanthanever。Hisbushyhairhadbeencutandsmoothlybrushed，butdidn’tstayinorderlong，forinexcitingmoments，herumpleditupinthedrollwayheusedtodo，andJolikeditrampantlyerectbetterthanflat，becauseshethoughtitgavehisfineforeheadaJove—likeaspect。PoorJo，howshedidglorifythatplainman，asshesatknittingawaysoquietly，yetlettingnothingescapeher，noteventhefactthatMr。Bhaeractuallyhadgoldsleeve—buttonsinhisimmaculatewristbands。

"Dearoldfellow！Hecouldn’thavegothimselfupwithmorecareifhe’dbeengoinga—wooing，"saidJotoherself，andthenasuddenthoughtbornofthewordsmadeherblushsodreadfullythatshehadtodropherball，andgodownafterittohideherface。

Themaneuverdidnotsucceedaswellassheexpected，however，forthoughjustintheactofsettingfiretoafuneralpyre，theProfessordroppedhistorch，metaphoricallyspeaking，andmadeadiveafterthelittleblueball。Ofcoursetheybumpedtheirheadssmartlytogether，sawstars，andbothcameupflushedandlaughing，withouttheball，toresumetheirseats，wishingtheyhadnotleftthem。

Nobodyknewwheretheeveningwentto，forHannahskillfullyabstractedthebabiesatanearlyhour，noddingliketworosypoppies，andMr。Laurencewenthometorest。Theotherssatroundthefire，talkingaway，utterlyregardlessofthelapseoftime，tillMeg，whosematernalwasimpressedwithafirmconvictionthatDaisyhadtumbledoutofbe，andDemisethisnightgownafirestudyingthestructureofmatches，madeamovetogo。

"Wemusthaveoursing，inthegoodoldway，forwearealltogetheragainoncemore，"saidJo，feelingthatagoodshoutwouldbeasafeandpleasantventforthejubilantemotionsofhersoul。

Theywerenotallthere。Butnoonefoundthewordsthougtlessoruntrue，forBethstillseemedamongthem，apeacefulpresence，invisible，butdearerthanever，sincedeathcouldnotbreakthehouseholdleaguethatlovemadedisoluble。Thelittlechairstoodinitsoldplace。Thetidybasket，withthebitofworksheleftunfinishedwhentheneedlegrew`soheavy’，wasstillonitsaccustomedshelf。Thebelovedinstrument，seldomtouchednowhadnotbeenmoved，andaboveitBeth’sface，sereneandsmiling，asintheearlydays，lookeddownuponthem，seemingtosay，"Behappy。Iamhere。"

"Playsomething，Amy。Letthemhearhowmuchyouhaveimproved，"saidLaurie，withpardonableprideinhispromisingpupil。

ButAmywhispered，withfulleyes，asshetwirledthefadedstool，"Nottonight，dear。Ican’tshowofftonight。"

Butshedidshowsomethingbetterthanbrilliancyorskill，forshesangBeth’ssongswithatendermusicinhervoicewhichthebestmastercouldnothavetaught，andtouchedthelistener’sheartswithasweeterpowerthananyotherinspirationcouldhavegivenher。Theroomwasverystill，whentheclearvoicefailedsuddenlyatthelastlineofBeth’sfavoritehymn。Itwashardtosay……Earthhathnosorrowthatheavencannotheal;

andAmyleanedagainstherhusband，whostoodbehindher，feelingthatherwelcomehomewasnotquiteperfectwithoutBeth’skiss。

"Now，wemustfinishwithMignon’ssong，forMr。Bhaersingsthat，"saidJo，beforethepausegrewpainful。AndMr。Bhaerclearedhisthroatwithagratified"Hem！"ashesteppedintothecornerwhereJostood，saying……

"Youwillsingwithme？Wegoexcellentlywelltogether。"

Apleasingfiction，bytheway，forJohadnomoreideaofmusicthanagrasshopper。Butshewouldhaveconsentedifhehadproposedtosingawholeopera，andwarbledaway，blissfullyregardlessoftimeandtune。Itdidn’tmuchmatter，forMr。BhaersanglikeatrueGerman，heartilyandwell，andJosoonsubsidedintoasubduedhum，thatshemightlistentothemellowvoicethatseemedtosingforheralone。Know’stthouthelandwherethecitronblooms，usedtobetheProfessor’sfavoriteline，for`dasland’meantGermanytohim，butnowheseemedtodwell，withpeculiarwarmthandmelody，uponthewords……There，ohthere，mightIwiththee，O，mybeloved，goandonelistenerwassothrilledbythetenderinvitationthatshelongedtosayshedidknowtheland，andwouldjoyfullydepartthitherwheneverhelikedThesongwasconsideredagreatsuccess，andthesingerretiredcoveredwithlaurels。Butafewminutesafterward，heforgothismannersentirely，andstaredatAmyputtingonherbonnet，forshehadbeenintroducedsimplyas`mysister’，andononehadcalledherbyhernewnamesincehercame。HeforgothimselfstillfurtherwhenLauriesaid，inhismostgraciousmanner，atparting……

"MywifeandIareverygladtomeetyou，sir。Pleaserememberthatthereisalwaysawelcomewaitingforyouovertheway。"

ThentheProfessorthankedhimsoheartily，andlookedsosuddenlyilluminatedwithsatisfaction，thatLauriethoughthimthemostdelightfullydemonstrativeoldfellowheevermet。

"Itooshallgo，butIshallgladlycomeagain，ifyouwillgifmeleave，dearmadame，foralittlebusinessinthecitywillkeepmeheresomedays。"

HespoketoMrs。March，buthelookedatJo，andthemother’svoicegaveascordialanassentasdidthedaughter’seyes，forMrs。Marchwasnotsoblindtoherchildren’sinterestasMrs。Moffatsupposed。

"Isuspectthatisawiseman，"remarkedMr。March，withplacidsatisfaction，fromthehearthrug，afterthelastguesthadgone。

"Iknowheisagoodone，"addedMrs。March，withdecidedapproval，asshewounduptheclock。

"Ithoughtyou’dlikehim，"wasallJosaid，assheslippedawaytoherbed。

ShewonderedwhatthebusinesswasthatbroughtMr。Bhaertothecity，andfinallydecidedthathehadbeenappointedtosomegreathonor，somewhere，buthadbeentoomodesttomentionthefact。Ifshehadseenhisfacewhen，safeinhisownroom，helookedatthepictureofasevereandrigidyounglady，withagooddealofhair，whoappearedtobegazingdarklyintofuturity，itmighthavethrownsomelightuponthesubject，especiallywhenheturnedoffthegas，andkissedthepictureinthedark。

GoodWives:Chapter21CHAPTER21MyLordandLady"Please，MadamMother，couldyoulendmemywifeforhalfanhour？Theluggagehascome，andI’vebeenmakinghayofAmy’sParisfinery，tryingtofindsomethingsIwant，"saidLaurie，cominginthenextdaytofindMrs。Laurencesittinginhermother’slap，asifbeingmade`thebaby’again。

"Certainly。Go，dear，Iforgotthatyouhaveanyhomebutthis。"AndMrs。Marchpressedthewhitehandthatworetheweddingring，asifaskingpardonforhermaternalcovetousness。

"Ishouldn’thavecomeoverifIcouldhavehelpedit，butIcan’tgetonwithoutmylittlewomananymorethana……"

"Weathercockcanwithoutthewind，"suggestedJo，ashepausedforasimile。JohadgrownquiteherownsaucyselfagainsinceTeddycamehome。

"Exactly，forAmykeepsmepointingduewestmostofthetime，withonlyanoccasionalwhiffleroundtothesouth，andIhaven’thadaneasterlyspellsinceIwasmarried。Don’tknowanythingaboutthenorth，butamaltogethersalubriousandbalmy，hey，mylady？"

"Lovelyweathersofar。Idon’tknowhowlongitwilllast，butI’mnotafraidofstorms，forI’mlearninghowtosailmyship。Comehome，dear，andI’llfindyourbootjack。Isupposethat’swhatyouarerummagingafteramongmythings。Menaresohelpless，Mother，"saidAmy，withamatronlyair，whichdelightedherhusband。

"Whatareyougoingtodowithyourselvesafteryougetsettled？"askedJo，buttoningAmy’scloakassheusedtobuttonherpinafores。

"Wehaveourplans。Wedon’tmeantosaymuchaboutthemyet，becausewearesuchverynewbrooms，butwedon’tintendtobeidle。I’mgoingintobusinesswithadevotionthatshalldelightGrandfather，andprovetohimthatI’mnotspoiled。Ineedsomethingofthesorttokeepmesteady。I’mtiredofdawdling，andmeantoworklikeaman。"

"AndAmy，whatisshegoingtodo？"askedMrs。March，wellpleasedatLaurie’sdecisionandtheenergywithwhichhespoke。

"Afterdoingthecivilallround，andairingourbestbonnet，weshallastonishyoubytheeleganthospitalitiesofourmansion，thebrilliantsocietyweshalldrawaboutus，andthebeneficialinfluenceweshallexertovertheworldatlarge。That’saboutit，isn’tit，MadameRecamier？"askedLauriewithaquizzicallookatAmy。

"Timewillshow。Comeaway，Impertinence，anddon’tshockmyfamilybycallingmenamesbeforetheirfaces，"answeredAmy，resolvingthatthereshouldbeahomewithagoodwifeinitbeforeshesetupasalonasaqueenofsociety。

"Howhappythosechildrenseemtogether！"observedMr。March，findingitdifficulttobecomeabsorbedinhisAristotleaftertheyoungcouplehadgone。

"Yes，andIthinkitwilllast，"addedMrs。March，withtherestfulexpressionofapilotwhohasbroughtashipsafelyintoport。

"Iknowitwill。HappyAmy！"AndJosighed，thensmiledbrightlyasProfessorBhaeropenedthegatewithanimpatientpush。

Laterintheevening，whenhismindhadbeensetatrestaboutthebootjack，Lauriesaidsuddenlytohiswife，"Mrs。Laurence。"

"MyLord！"

"ThatmanintendstomarryourJo！"

"Ihopeso，don’tyou，dear？"

"Well，mylove，Iconsiderhimatrump，inthefullestsenseofthatexpressiveword，butIdowishhewasalittleyoungerandagooddealricher。"

"Now，Laurie，don’tbetoofastidiousandworldly—minded。Iftheyloveoneanotheritdoesn’tmatteraparticlehowoldtheyarenorhowpoor。Womennevershouldmarryformoney……"Amycaughtherselfupshortasthewordsescapedher，andlookedatherhusband，whoreplied，withmaliciousgravity……

"Certainlynot，thoughyoudohearcharminggirlssaythattheyintendtodoitsometimes。Ifmymemoryservesme，youoncethoughtityourdutytomakearichmatch。Thataccounts，perhaps，foryourmarryingagood—for—nothinglikeme。"

"Oh，mydearestboy，don’t，don’tsaythat！IforgotyouwererichwhenIsaid`Yes’。I’dhavemarriedyouifyouhadn’tapenny，andIsometimeswishyouwerepoorthatImightshowhowmuchIloveyou。"AndAmy，whowasverydignifiedinpublicandveryfondinprivate，gaveconvincingproofsofthetruthofherwords。

"Youdon’treallythinkIamsuchamercenarycreatureasItriedtobeonce，doyou？Itwouldbreakmyheartifyoudidn’tbelievethatI’dgladlypullinthesameboatwithyou，evenifyouhadtogetyourlivingbyrowingonthelake。"2

"AmIanidiotandabrute？HowcouldIthinkso，whenyourefusedarichermanforme，andwon’tletmegiveyouhalfIwanttonow，whenIhavetheright？Girlsdoiteveryday，poorthings，andaretaughttothinkitistheironlysalvation，butyouhadbetterlessons，andthoughItrembledforyouatonetime，Iwasnotdisappointed，forthedaughterwastruetothemother’steaching。ItoldMammasoyesterday，andshelookedasgladandgratefulasifI’dgivenheracheckforamillion，tobespentincharity。Youarenotlisteningtomymoralremarks，Mrs。Laurence。"AndLauriepaused，forAmy’seyeshadanabsentlook，thoughfixeduponhisface。

"Yes，Iam，andadmiringthedimpleinyourchinatthesametime。Idon’twishtomakeyouvain，butImustconfessthatI’mprouderofmyhandsomehusbandthanofallhismoney。Don’tlaugh，butyournoseissuchacomforttome。"AndAmysoftlycaressedthewell—cutfeaturewithartisticsatisfaction。

Lauriehadreceivedmanycomplimentsinhislife，butneveronethatsuitedhimbetter，asheplainlyshowedthoughhedidlaughathiswife’speculiartaste，whileshesaidslowly，"MayIaskyouaquestion，dear？"

"Ofcourse，youmay。"

"ShallyoucareifJodoesmarryMr。Bhaer？"

"Oh，that’sthetroubleisit？Ithoughttherewassomethinginthedimplethatdidn’tquitesuityou。Notbeingadoginthemanger，butthehappiestfellowalive，IassureyouIcandanceatJo’sweddingwithaheartaslightasmyheels。Doyoudoubtit，mymonamie？"

Amylookedupathim，andwassatisfied。Herlittlejealousfearvanishedforever，andshethankedhim，withafacefullofloveandconfidence。

"IwishwecoulddosomethingforthatcapitaloldProfessor。Couldn’tweinventarichrelation，whoshallobliginglydieoutthereinGermany，andleavehimatidylittlefortune？"saidLaurie，whentheybegantopaceupanddownthelongdrawingroom，arminarm，astheywerefondofdoing，inmemoryofthechateaugarden。

"Jowouldfindusout，andspoilitall。Sheisveryproudofhim，justasheis，andsaidyesterdaythatshethoughtpovertywasabeautifulthing。"

"Blessherdearheart！Shewon’tthinksowhenshehasaliteraryhusband，andadozenlittleprofessorsandprofessorinstosupport。Wewon’tinterferenow，butwatchourchance，anddothemagoodturninspiteofthemselves。IoweJoforapartofmyeducation，andshebelievesinpeople’spayingtheirhonestdebts，soI’llgetroundherinthatway。"

"Howdelightfulitistobeabletohelpothers，isn’tit？Thatwasalwaysoneofmydreams，tohavethepowerofgivingfreely，andthankstoyou，thedreamhascometrue。"

"Ah，we’lldoquantitiesofgood，won’twe？There’sonesortofpovertythatIparticularlyliketohelp。Out—and—outbeggarsgettakencareof，butpoorgentlefolksfarebadly，becausetheywon’task，andpeopledon’tdaretooffercharity。Yetthereareathousandwaysofhelpingthem，ifoneonlyknowshowtodoitsodelicatelythatitdoesnotoffend。Imustsay，Iliketoserveadecayedgentlemanbetterthanablarneryingbeggar。Isupposeit’swrong，butIdo，thoughitisharder。"

"Becauseittakesagentlemantodoit，"addedtheothermemberofthedomesticadmirationsociety。

"Thankyou，I’mafraidIdon’tdeservethatprettycompliment。ButIwasgoingtosaythatwhileIwasdawdlingaboutabroad，Isawagoodmanytalentedyoungfellowsmakingallsortsofsacrifices，andenduringrealhardships，thattheymightrealizetheirdreams。Splendidfellows，someofthem，workinglikeheros，poorandfriendless，butsofullofcourage，patience，andambitionthatIwasashamedofmyself，andlongedtogivethemarightgoodlift。Thosearepeoplewhomit’sasatisfactiontohelp，forifthey’vegotgenius，it’sanhonortobeallowedtoservethem，andnotletitbelostordelayedforwantoffueltokeepthepotboiling。Iftheyhaven’t，it’sapleasuretocomfortthepoorsouls，andkeepthemfromdespairwhentheyfinditout。"

"Yes，indeed，andthere’sanotherclasswhocan’task，andwhosufferinsilence。Iknowsomethingofit，forIbelongedtoitbeforeyoumadeaprincessofme，asthekingdoesthebeggarmaidintheoldstory。Ambitiousgirlshaveahardtime，Laurie，andoftenhavetoseeyouth，health，andpreciousopportunitiesgoby，justforwantofalittlehelpattherightminute。Peoplehavebeenverykindtome，andwheneverIseegirlsstrugglingalong，asweusedtodo，Iwanttoputoutmyhandandhelpthem，asIwashelped。"

"Andsoyoushall，likeanangelasyouare！"criedLaurie，resolving，withaglowofphilanthropiczeal，tofoundandendowaninstitutionfortheexpressbenefitofyoungwomenwithartistictendencies。"Richpeoplehavenorighttositdownandenjoythemselves，orlettheirmoneyaccumulateforotherstowaste。It’snothalfsosensibletoleavelegacieswhenonediesasitistousethemoneywiselywhilealive，andenjoymakingone’sfellowcreatureshappywithit。We’llhaveagoodtimeourselves，andaddanextrarelishtoourownpleasurebygivingotherpeopleageneroustaste。WillyoubealittleDorcal，goingaboutemptyingabigbasketofcomforts，andfillingitupwithgooddeeds？"

"Withallmyheart，ifyouwillbeabraveSt。Martin，stoppingasyouridegallantlythroughtheworldtoshareyourcloakwiththebeggar。"

"It’sabargain，andweshallgetthebestofit！"

Sotheyoungpairshookhandsuponit，andthenpacedhappilyonagain，feelingthattheirpleasanthomewasmorehomelikebecausetheyhopedtobrightenotherhomes，believingthattheirownfeetwouldwalkmoreuprightlyalongtheflowerypathbeforethem，iftheysmoothedroughwaysforotherfeet，andfeelingthattheirheartsweremorecloselyknittogetherbyalovewhichcouldtenderlyrememberthoselessblestthanthey。

GoodWives:Chapter22CHAPTER22DaisyandDemiIcannotfeelthatIhavedonemydutyashumblehistorianoftheMarchfamily，withoutdevotingatleastonechaptertothetwomostpreciousandimportantmembersofit。DaisyandDemihadnowarrivedatyearsofdiscretion，forinthisfastagebabiesofthreeorfourasserttheirrights，andgetthem，too，whichismorethanmanyoftheireldersdo。Ifthereeverwereapairoftwinsindangerofbeingutterlyspoiledbyadoration，itwastheseprattlingBrookes。Ofcoursetheywerethemostremarkablechildreneverborn，aswillbeshownwhenImentionthattheywalkedateightmonths，talkedfluentlyattwelvemonths，andattwoyearstheytooktheirplacesattable，andbehavedwithaproprietywhichcharmedallbeholders。Atthree，Daisydemandeda`needler’，andactuallymadeabagwithfourstitchesinit。Shelikewisesetuphousekeepinginthesideboard，andmanagedamicroscopiccookingstovewithaskillthatbroughttearsofpridetoHannah’seyes，whileDemilearnedhisletterswithhisgrandfather，whoinventedanewmodeofteachingthealphabetbyformingletterswithhisarmsandlegs，thusunitinggymnasticsforheadandheels。Theboyearlydevelopedamechanicalgeniuswhichdelightedhisfatheranddistractedhismother，forhetriedtoimitateeverymachinehesaw，andkeptthenurseryinachaoticcondition，withhis`sewinsheen’，amysteriousstructureofstring，chairs，clothespins，andspools，forwheelstogo`woundandwound’。Alsoabaskethungoverthebackofachair，inwhichhevainlytriedtohoisthistooconfidingsister，who，withfemininedevotion，allowedherlittleheadtobebumpedtillrescued，whentheyounginventorindignantlyremarked，"Why，Marmar，dat’smylellywaiter，andme’stryingtopullherup。"

Thoughutterlyunlikeincharacter，thetwinsgotonremarkablywelltogether，andseldomquarreledmorethanthriceaday。Ofcourse，DemityrannizedoverDaisy，andgallantlydefendedherfromeveryotheraggressor，whileDaisymadeagalleyslaveofherself，andadoredherbrotherastheoneperfectbeingintheworld。Arosy，chubby，sunshinylittlesoulwasDaisy，whofoundherwaytoeverybody’sheart，andnestledthere。Oneofthecaptivatingchildren，whoseemmadetobekissedandcuddled，adornedandadoredlikelittlegoddesses，andproducedforgeneralapprovalonallfestiveoccasions。Hersmallvirtuesweresosweetthatshewouldhavebeenquiteangelicifafewsmallnaughtinesseshadnotkeptherdelightfullyhuman。Itwasallfairweatherinherworld，andeverymorningshescrambleduptothewindowinherlittlenightgowntolookour，andsay，nomatterwhetheritrainedorshone，"Oh，pittyday，oh，pittyday！"Everyonewasafriend，andsheofferedkissestoastrangersoconfidinglythatthemostinveteratebachelorrelented，andbaby—loversbecamefaithfulworshipers。