第11章

"Melovesevvybody，"sheoncesaid，openingherarms，withherspooninonehand，andhermugintheother，asifeagertoembraceandnourishthewholeworld。

Asshegrew，hermotherbegantofeelthattheDovecotewouldbeblessedbythepresenceofaninmateassereneandlovingasthatwhichhadhelpedtomaketheoldhousehome，andtopraythatshemightbesparedalosslikethatwhichhadlatelytaughtthemhowlongtheyhadentertainedanangelunawares。Hergrandfatheroftencalledher`Beth’，andhergrandmotherwatchedoverherwithuntiringdevotion，asiftryingtoatoneforsomepastmistake，whichnoeyebutherowncouldsee。

Demi，likeatrueYankee，wasofaninquiringturn，wantingtoknoweverything，andoftengettingmuchdisturbedbecausehecouldnotgetsatisfactoryanswerstohisperpetual"Whatfor？"

Healsopossessedaphilosophicbent，tothegreatdelightofhisgrandfather，whousedtoholdSocraticconversationswithhim，inwhichtheprecociouspupiloccasionallyposedhisteacher，totheundisguisedsatisfactionofthewomenfolk。

"Whatmakesmylegsgo，Dranpa？"askedtheyoungphilosopher，surveyingthoseactiveportionsofhisframewithameditativeair，whilerestingafterago—to—bedfroliconenight。

"It’syourlittlemind，Demi，"repliedthesage，strokingtheyellowheadrespectfully。

"Whatisalittlemine？"

"Itissomethingwhichmakesyourbodymove，asthespringmadethewheelsgoinmywatchwhenIshowedittoyou。"

"Openme。Iwanttoseeitgowound。"

"Ican’tdothatanymorethanyoucouldopenthewatch。Godwindsyouup，andyougotillHestopsyou。"

"DoesI？"AndDemi’sbrowneyesgrewbigandbrightashetookinthenewthought。"IsIwoundeduplikethewatch？"

"Yes，butIcan’tshowyouhow，foritisdonewhenwedon’tsee。"

Demifelthisback，asifexpectingtofinditlikethatofthewatch，andthengravelyremarked，"IdessDoddoesitwhenI’sasleep。"

Acarefulexplanationfollowed，towhichhelistenedsoattentivelythathisanxiousgrandmothersaid，"Mydear，doyouthinkitwisetotalkaboutsuchthingstothatbaby？He’sgettinggreatbumpsoverhiseyes，andlearningtoaskthemostunanswerablequestions。"

"Ifheisoldenoughtoaskthequestionheisoldenoughtoreceivetrueanswers。Iamnotputtingthethoughtsintohishead，buthelpinghimunfoldthosealreadythere。Thesechildrenarewiserthanweare，andIhavenodoubttheboyunderstandseverywordIhavesaidtohim。Now，Demi，tellmewhereyoukeepyourmind。"

IftheboyhadrepliedlikeAlcibiades，"Bythegods，Socrates，Icannottell，"hisgrandfatherwouldnothavebeensurprised，butwhen，afterstandingamomentononeleg，likeameditativeyoungstork，heanswered，inatoneofcalmconviction，"Inmylittlebelly，"theoldgentlemancouldonlyjoininGrandma’slaugh，anddismisstheclassinmetaphysics。

Theremighthavebeencauseformaternalanxiety，ifDemihadnotgivenconvincingproofsthathewasatrueboy，aswellasabuddingphilosopher，foroften，afteradiscussionwhichcausedHannahtoprophesy，withominousnods，"Thatchildain’tlongforthisworld，"hewouldturnaboutandsetherfearsatrestbysomeoftheprankswithwhichdear，dirty，naughtylittlerascalsdistractanddelighttheirparent’ssouls。

Megmademanymoralrules，andtriedtokeepthem，butwhatmotherwaseverproofagainstthewinningwiles，theingeniousevasions，orthetranquilaudacityoftheminiaturemenandwomenwhosoearlyshowthemselvesaccomplishedArtfulDodgers？

"Nomoreraisins，Demi。They’llmakeyousick，"saysMammatotheyoungpersonwhooffershisservicesinthekitchenwithunfailingregularityonplum—puddingday。

"Melikestobesick。"

"Idon’twanttohaveyou，sorunawayandhelpDaisymakepattycakes。"

Hereluctantlydeparts，buthiswrongsweighuponhisspirit，andby—and—bywhenanopportunitycomestoredressthem，heoutwitsMammabyashrewdbargain。

"Nowyouhavebeengoodchildren，andI’llplayanythingyoulike，"saysMeg，assheleadsherassistantcooksupstairs，whenthepuddingissafelybouncinginthepot。

"Truly，Marmar？"asksDemi，withabrilliantideainhiswell—powderedhead。

"Yes，truly。Anythingyousay，"repliestheshortsightedparent，preparingherselftosing，"TheThreeLittleKittens"halfadozentimesover，ortotakeherfamilyto"Buyapennybun，"regardlessofwindorlimb。ButDemicornersherbythecoolreply……

"Thenwe’llgoandeatupalltheraisins。"

AuntDodowaschiefplaymateandconfidanteofbothchildren，andthetrioturnedthelittlehousetopsy—turvy。AuntAmywasasyetonlyanametothem，AuntBethsoonfadedintoapleasantlyvaguememory，butAuntDodowasalivingreality，andtheymadethemostofher，forwhichcomplimentshewasdeeplygrateful。ButwhenMr。Bhaercame，Joneglectedherplayfellows，anddismayanddesolationfellupontheirlittlesouls。Daisy，whowasfondofgoingaboutpeddlingkisses，lostherbestcustomerandbecamebankrupt。Demi，withinfantilepenetration，soondiscoveredthatDodoliketoplaywith`thebear—man’betterthanshedidhim，butthoughhurt，heconcealedhisanguish，forhehadn’tthehearttoinsultarivalwhokeptamineofchocolatedropsinhiswaistcoatpocket，andawatchthatcouldbetakenoutofitscaseandfreelyshakenbyardentadmirers。

Somepersonsmighthaveconsideredthesepleasinglibertiesasbribes，butDemididn’tseeitinthatlight，andcontinuedtopatronizethe`thebear—man’withpensiveaffability，whileDaisybestowedhersmallaffectionsuponhimatthethirdcall，andconsideredhisshoulderherthrone，hisarmherrefuge，hisgiftstreasuressurpassingworth。

Gentlemenaresometimesseizedwithsuddenfitsofadmirationfortheyoungrelativesofladieswhomtheyhonorwiththeirregard，butthiscounterfeitphiloprogenitivenesssitsuneasilyuponthem，anddoesnotdeceiveanybodyaparticle。Mr。Bhaer’sdevotionwassincere，howeverlikewiseeffective——forhonestyisthebestpolicyinloveasinlaw。Hewasoneofthemenwhoareathomewithchildren，andlookedparticularlywellwhenlittlefacesmadeapleasantcontrastwithhismanlyone。Hisbusiness，whateveritwas，detainedhimfromdaytoday，buteveningseldomfailedtobringhimouttosee——well，healwaysaskedforMr。March，soIsupposehewastheattraction。Theexcellentpapalaboredunderthedelusionthathewas，andreveledinlongdiscussionswiththekindredspirit，tillachanceremarkofhismoreobservinggrandsonsuddenlyenlightenedhim。

Mr。Bhaercameinoneeveningtopauseonthethresholdofthestudy，astonishedbythespectaclethatmethiseye。ProneuponthefloorlayMr。March，withhisrespectablelegsintheair，andbesidehim，likewiseprone，wasDemi，tryingtoimitatetheattitudewithhisownshort，scarlet—stockingedlegs，bothgrovelerssoseriouslyabsorbedthattheywereunconsciousofspectators，tillMr。Bhaerlaughedhissonorouslaugh，andJocriedout，withascandalizedface……

"Father，Father，here’stheProfessor！"

Downwenttheblacklegsandupcamethegrayhead，asthepreceptorsaid，withundisturbeddignity，"Goodevening，Mr。Bhaer。Excusemeforamoment。Wearejustfinishingourlesson。Now，Demi，maketheletterandtellitsname。"

"Iknowshim！"And，afterafewconvulsiveefforts，theredlegstooktheshapeofapairofcompasses，andtheintelligentpupiltriumphantlyshouted，"It’saWe，Dranpa，it’saWe！"

"He’sabornWeller，"laughedJo，asherparentgatheredhimselfup，andhernephewtriedtostandonhishead，astheonlymodeofexpressinghissatisfactionthatschoolwasover。

"Whathaveyoubeenattoday，bübchen？"askedMr。Bhaer，pickingupthegymnast。

"MewenttoseelittleMary。"

"Andwhatdidyouthere？"

"Ikissedher，"beganDemi，withartlessfrankness。"Prut！Thoubeginnestearly。WhatdidthelittleMarysaytothat？"askedMr。Bhaer，continuingtoconfesstheyoungsinner，whostoodupontheknee，exploringthewaistcoatpocket。

"Oh，shelikedit，andshekissedme，andIlikedit。Don’tlittleboyslikelittlegirls？"askedDemi，withhismouthfull，andanairofblandsatisfaction。

"Youpreciouschick！Whoputthatintoyourhead？"saidJo，enjoyingtheinnocentrevelationasmuchastheProfessor。

"`Tisn’tinminehead，it’sinminemouf，"answeredliteralDemi，puttingouthistongue，withachocolatedroponit，thinkingshealludedtoconfectionery，notideas。

"Thoushouldstsavesomeforthelittlefriend。Sweetstothesweet，mannling。"AndMr。BhaerofferedJosome，withalookthatmadeherwonderifchocolatewasnotthenectardrunkbythegods。Demialsosawthesmile，wasimpressedbyit，andartlessyinquired……

"Dogreatboyslikegreatgirls，to，’Fessor？"

LikeyoungWashington，Mr。Bhaer`couldn’ttellalie’，sohegavethesomewhatvaguereplythathebelievedtheydidsometimes，inatonethatmadeMr。Marchputdownhisclothesbrush，glanceatJo’sretiringface，andthensinkintohischair，lookingasifthe`precociouschick’hadputanideaintohisheadthatwasbothsweetandsour。

WhyDodo，whenshecaughthiminthechinaclosethalfanhourafterward，nearlysqueezedthebreathoutofhislittlebodywithatenderembrace，insteadofshakinghimforbeingthere，andwhyshefollowedupthisnovelperformancebytheunexpectedgiftofabigsliceofbreadandjelly，remainedoneoftheproblemsoverwhichDemipuzzledhissmallwits，andwasforcedtoleaveunsolvedforever。

GoodWives:Chapter23CHAPTER23UndertheUmbrellaWhileLaurieandAmyweretakingconjugalstrollsovervelvetcarpets，astheysettheirhouseinorder，andplannedablissfulfuture，Mr。BhaerandJowereenjoyingpromenadesofadifferentsort，alongmuddyroadsandsoddenfields。

"Ialwaysdotakeawalktowardevening，andIdon’tknowwhyIshouldgiveitup，justbecauseIhappentomeettheProfessoronhiswayout，"saidJotoherself，aftertwoorthreeencounters，forthoughthereweretwopathstoMeg’swhicheveroneshetookshewassuretomeethim。，eithergoingorreturning。Hewasalwayswalkingrapidly，andneverseemedtoseeheruntilquiteclose，whenhewouldlookasifhisshort—sightedeyeshadfailedtorecognizetheapproachingladytillthatmoment。Then，ifshewasgoingtoMeg’shealwayshadsomethingforthebabies。Ifherfacewasturnedhomeward，hehadmerelystrolleddowntoseetheriver，andwasjustreturning，unlesstheyweretiredofhisfrequentcalls。

Underthecircumstances，whatcouldJodobutgreethimcivilly，andinvitehimin？Ifshewastiredofhisvisits，sheconcealedherwearinesswithperfectskill，andtookcarethatthereshouldbecoffeeforsupper，"asFriedrich——ImeanMr。Bhaer——doesn’tliketea。"

Bythesecondweek，everyoneknewperfectlywellwhatwasgoingon，yeteveryonetriedtolookasiftheywerestone—blindtothechangesinJo’sface。Theyneveraskedwhyshesangaboutherwork，didupherhairthreetimesaday，andgotsobloomingwithhereveningexercise。AndnooneseemedtohavetheslightestsuspicionthatProfessorBhaer，whiletalkingphilosophywiththefather，wasgivingthedaughterlessonsinlove。

Jocouldn’tevenloseherheartinadecorousmanner，butsternlytriedtoquenchherfeelings，andfailingtodoso，ledasomewhatagitatedlife。Shewasmortallyafraidofbeinglaughedatforsurrendering，afterhermanyandvehementdeclarationsofindependence。Lauriewasherespecialdread，butthankstothenewmanager，hebehavedwithpraiseworthypropriety，nevercalledMr。Bhaer`acapitaloldfellow’inpublic，neveralluded，intheremotestmanner，toJo’simprovedappearance，orexpressedtheleastsurpriseatseeingtheProfessor’shatontheMarches’tablenearlyeveryevening。ButheexultedinprivateandlongedforthetimetocomewhenhecouldgiveJoapieceofplate，withabearandaraggedstaffonitasanappropriatecoatofarms。

Forafortnight，theProfessorcameandwentwithlover—likeregularity。Thenhestayedawayforthreewholedays，andmadenosign，aproceedingwhichcausedeverybodytolooksober，andJotobecomepensive，atfirst，andthen——alasforromance——verycross。

"Disgusted，Idaresay，andgonehomeassuddenlyashecame。It’snothingtome，ofcourse，butIshouldthinkhewouldhavecomeandbidusgoodbyelikeagentleman，"shesaidtoherself，withadespairinglookatthegate，assheputonherthingsforthecustomarywalkonedullafternoon。

"You’dbettertakethelittleumbrella，dear。Itlookslikerain，"saidhermother，observingthatshehadonhernewbonnet，butnotalludingtothefact。"Yes，Marmee，doyouwantanythingintown？I’vegottoruninandgetsomepaper，"returnedJo，pullingoutthebowunderherchinbeforetheglassasanexcusefornotlookingathermother。

"Yes，Iwantsometwilledsilesia，apaperofnumbernineneedles，andtwoyardsofnarrowlavenderribbon。Haveyougotyourthickbootson，andsomethingwarmunderyourcloak？"

"Ibelieveso，"answeredJoabsently。

"IfyouhappentomeetMr。Bhaer，bringhimhometotea。Iquitelongtoseethedearman，"addedMrs。March。

Joheardthat，butmadenoanswer，excepttokisshermother，andwalkrapidlyaway，thinkingwithaglowofgratitude，inspiteofherheartache，"Howgoodsheistome！Whatdogirlsdowhohaven’tanymotherstohelpthemthroughtheirtroubles？"

Thedry—goodsstoreswerenotdownamongthecounting—houses，banks，andwholesalewarerooms，wheregentlemenmostdocongregate，butJofoundherselfinthatpartofthecitybeforeshedidasingleerrand，loiteringalongasifwaitingforsomeone，examiningengineeringinstrumentsinonewindowandsamplesofwoolinanother，withmostunfeminineinterest，tumblingoverbarrels，beinghalf—smotheredbydescendingbales，andhustledunceremoniouslybybusymenwholookedasiftheywondered`howthedeuceshegotthere’。Adropofrainonhercheekrecalledherthoughtsfrombaffledhopestoruinedribbons。Forthedropscontinuedtofall，andbeingawomanaswellasalover，shefeltthat，thoughitwastoolatetosaveherheart，shemightherbonnet。Nowsherememberedthelittleumbrella，whichshehadforgottentotakeinherhurrytobeoff，butregretwasunavailing，andnothingcouldbedonebutborrowoneorsubmittotoadrenching。Shelookedupattheloweringsky，downatthecrimsonbowalreadyfleckedwithblack，forwardalongthemuddystreet，thenonelong，lingeringlookbehind，atacertaingrimywarehouse，with`Hoffmann，Swartz，&Co。’overthedoor，andsaidtoherself，withasternlyreproachfulair……

"Itservesmeright！whatbusinesshadItoputonallmybestthingsandcomephilanderingdownhere，hopingtoseetheProfessor？Jo，I’mashamedofyou！No，youshallnotgotheretoborrowanumbrella，orfindoutwhereheis，fromhisfriends。Youshalltrudgeaway，anddoyourerrandsintherain，andifyoucatchyourdeathandruinyourbonnet，it’snomorethanyoudeserve。Nowthen！"

Withthatsherushedacrossthestreetsoimpetuouslythatshenarrowlyescapedannihilationfromapassingtruck，andprecipitatedherselfintothearmsofastatelyoldgentleman，whosaid，"Ibegpardon，ma’am，"andlookedmortallyoffended。Somewhatdaunted，Jorightedherself，spreadherhandkerchiefoverthedevotedribbons，andputtingtemptationbehindher，hurriedon，withincreasingdampnessabouttheankles，andmuchclashingofumbrellasoverhead。Thefactthatasomewhatdilapidatedblueoneremainedstationaryabovetheunprotectedbonnetattractedherattention，andlookingup，shesawMr。Bhaerlookingdown。

"Ifeeltoknowthestrong—mindedladywhogoessobravelyundermanyhorsenoses，andsofastthroughmuchmud。Whatdoyoudownhere，myfriend？"

"I’mshopping。"

Mr。Bhaersmiled，asheglancedfromthepicklefactoryononesidetothewholesalehideandleatherconcernontheother，butheronlysaidpolitely，"Youhafnoumbrella。MayIgoalso，andtakeforyouthebundles？"

"Yes，thankyou。"

Jo’scheekswereasredasherribbon，andshewonderedwhathethoughtofher，butshedidn’tcare，forinaminuteshefoundherselfwalkingawayarminarmwithherProfessor，feelingasifthesunhadsuddenlyburstoutwithuncommonbrilliancy，thattheworldwasallrightagain，andthatonethoroughlyhappywomanwaspaddlingthroughthewetthatday。

"Wethoughtyouhadgone，"saidJohastily，forsheknewhewaslookingather。Herbonnetwasn’tbigenoughtohideherface，andshefearedhemightthinkthejoyitbetrayedunmaidenly。

"DidyoubelievethatIshouldgowithnofarewelltothosewhohafbeensoheavenlykindtome？"heaskedsoreproachfullythatshefeltasifshehadinsultedhimbythesuggestion，andansweredheartily……

"No，Ididn’t。Iknewyouwerebusyaboutyourownaffairs，butwerathermissedyou，FatherandMotherespecially。"

"Andyou？"

"I’malwaysgladtoseeyou，sir。"

Inheranxietytokeephervoicequitecalm，Jomadeitrathercool，andthefrostylittlemonosyllableattheendseemedtochilltheProfessor，forhissmilevanished，ashesaidgravely……

"Ithankyou，andcomeonemoretimebeforeIgo。"

"Youaregoing，then？"

"Ihafnolongeranybusinesshere，itisdone。"

"Successfully，Ihope？"saidJo，forthebitternessofdisappointmentwasinthatshortreplyofhis。

"Ioughttothinkso，forIhafawayopenedtomebywhichIcanmakemybreadandgifmyJunglingsmuchhelp。"

"Tellme，please！Iliketoknowallaboutthe——theboys，"

saidJoeagerly。

"Thatissokind，Igladlytellyou。Myfriendsfindformeaplaceinacollege，whereIteachasathome，andearnenoughtomakethewaysmoothforFranzandEmil。ForthisIshouldbegrateful，shouldInot？"

"Indeedyoushould。Howsplendiditwillbetohaveyoudoingwhatyoulike，andbeabletoseeyouoften，andtheboys！"criedJo，clingingtotheladsasanexcuseforthesatisfactionshecouldnothelpbetraying。

"Ah！Butweshallnotmeetoften，Ifear，thisplaceisattheWest。"

"Sofaraway！"AndJoleftherskirtstotheirfate，asifitdidn’tmatternowwhatbecameofherclothesorherself。

Mr。Bhaercouldreadseverallanguages，buthehadnotlearnedtoreadwomenyet。HeflatteredhimselfthatheknewJoprettywell，andwas，therefore，muchamazedbythecontradictionsofvoice，face，andmanner，whichsheshowedhiminrapidsuccessionthatday，forshewasinhalfadozendifferentmoodsinthecourseofhalfanhour。Whenshemethimshelookedsurprised，thoughitwasimpossibletohelpsuspectingthatshehadcomeforthatexpresspurpose。Whenheofferedherhisarm，shetookitwithalookthatfilledhimwithdelight，butwhenheaskedifshemissedhim，shegavesuchachilly，formalreplythatdespairfelluponhim。Onlearninghisgoodfortuneshealmostclappedherhands。Wasthejoyallfortheboys？Thenonhearinghisdestination，shesaid，"Sofaraway！"inatoneofdespairthatliftedhimontoapinnacleofhope，butthenextminuteshetumbledhimdownagainbyobserving，likeoneentirelyabsorbedinthematter……

"Here’stheplaceformyerrands。Willyoucomein？Itwon’ttakelong。"

Joratherpridedherselfuponhershoppingcapabilities，andparticularlywishedtoimpressherescortwiththeneatnessanddispatchwithwhichshewouldaccomplishthebusiness。Butowingtothefluttershewasin，everythingwentamiss。Sheupsetthetrayofneedles，forgotthesilesiawastobe`twilled’tillitwascutoff，gavethewrongchange，andcoveredherselfwithconfusionbyaskingforlavenderribbonatthecalicocounter。Mr。Bhaerstoodby，watchingherblushandblunder，andashewatched，hisownbewildermentseemedtosubside，forhewasbeginningtoseethatonsomeoccasions，women，likedreams，gobycontraries。

Whentheycameout，heputtheparcelunderhisarmwithamorecheerfulaspect，andsplashedthroughthepuddlesasifheratherenjoyeditonthewhole。

"Shouldwenodoalittlewhatyoucallshoppingforthebabies，andhafafarewellfeasttonightifIgoformylastcallatyoursopleasanthome？"heasked，stoppingbeforeawindowfulloffruitandflowers。

"Whatwillwebuy？"askedJo，ignoringthelatterpartofhisspeech，andsniffingthemingledodorswithanaffectationofdelightastheywentin。

"Maytheyhaforangesandfigs？"askedMr。Bhaer，withapaternalair。

"Theyeatthemwhentheycangetthem。""Doyoucarefornuts？"

"Likeasquirrel。"

"Hamburggrapes。Yes，weshalldrinktotheFatherlandinthose？"

Jofrowneduponthatpieceofextravagance，andaskedwhyhedidn’tbuyafrailofdated，acaskofraisins，andabagofalmonds，andbedonewithit？WhereatMr。Bhaerconfiscatedherpurse，producedhisown，andfinishedthemarketingbybuyingseveralpoundsofgrapes，apotofrosydaisies，andaprettyjarofhoney，toberegardedinthelightofademijohn。Thendistortinghispocketswithknobbybundles，andgivinghertheflowerstohold，heputuptheoldumbrella，andtheytraveledonagain。

"MissMarsch，Ihafagreatfavortoaskofyou，"begantheProfessor，afteramoistpromenadeofhalfablock。

"Yes，sir。"AndJo’sheartbegantobeatsohardshewasafraidhewouldhearit。

"Iamboldtosayitinspiteoftherain，becausesoshortatimeremainstome。"

"Yes，sir。"AndJonearlycrushedthesmallflowerpotwiththesuddensqueezeshegaveit。

"IwishtogetalittledressformyTina，andIamtoostupidtogoalone。Willyoukindlygifmeawordoftasteandhelp？"

"Yes，sir。"AndJOfeltascalmandcoolallofasuddenasifshehadsteppedintoarefrigerator。

"PerhapsalsoashawlforTina’smother，sheissopoorandsick，andthehusbandissuchacare。Yes，yes，athick，warmshawlwouldbeafriendlythingtotakethelittlemother。"

"I’lldoitwithpleasure，Mr。Bhaer。I’mgoingveryfast，andhe’sgettingdearereveryminute，"addedJotoherself，thenwithamentalshakesheenteredintothebusinesswithanenergythatwaspleasanttobehold。Mr。Bhaerleftitalltoher，soshechoseaprettygownforTina，andthenorderedouttheshawls。Theclerk，beingamarriedman，condescendedtotakeaninterestinthecouple，whoappearedtobeshoppingfortheirfamily。

"Yourladymaypreferthis。It’sasuperiorarticle，amostdesirablecolor，quitechasteandgenteel，"hesaid，shakingoutacomfortablegrayshawl，andthrowingitoverJo’sshoulders。

"Doesthissuityou，Mr。Bhaer？"sheasked，turningherbacktohim，andfeelingdeeplygratefulforthechanceofhidingherface。"Excellentlywell，wewillhafit，"answeredtheProfessor，smilingtohimselfashepaidforit，whileJocontinuedtorummagethecounterslikeaconfirmedbargain—hunter。

"Nowshallwegohome？"heasked，asifthewordswereverypleasanttohim。

"Yes，it’slate，andI’msotired。"Jo’svoicewasmorepatheticthansheknew。Fornowthesunseemedtohavegoneinassuddenlyasitcameout，andtheworldgrewmuddyandmiserableagain，andforthefirsttimeshediscoveredthatherfeetwerecold，herheadached，andthatherheartwascolderthantheformer，fullerofpainthanthelatter。Mr。Bhaerwasgoingaway，heonlycaredforherasafriend，itwasallamistake，andthesooneritwasoverthebetter。Withthisideainherhead，shehailedanapproachingomnibuswithsuchahastygesturethatthedaisiesflewoutofthepotandwerebadlydamaged。

"Thisisnotouromniboos，"saidtheProfessor，wavingtheloadedvehicleaway，andstoppingtopickupthepoorlittleflowers。

"Ibegyourpardon。Ididn’tseethenamedistinctly。Nevermind，Icanwalk。I’musedtoploddinginthemud，"returnedJo，winkinghard，becauseshewouldhavediedratherthanopenlywipehereyes。Mr。Bhaersawthedropsonhercheeks，thoughsheturnedherheadaway。Thesightseemedtotouchhimverymuch，forsuddenlystoopingdown，heaskedinatonethatmeantagreatdeal，"Heart’sdearest，whydoyoucry？"

Now，ifJohadnotbeennewtothissortofthingshewouldhavesaidshewasn’tcrying，hadacoldinherhead，ortoldanyotherfemininefibpropertotheoccasion。Insteadofwhich，thatundignifiedcreatureanswered，withanirrepressiblesob，"Becauseyouaregoingaway。"

"Ach，meinGott，thatissogood！"criedMr。Bhaer，managingtoclasphishandsinspiteoftheumbrellaandthebundles，"Jo，Ihafnothingbutmuchlovetogifyou。Icametoseeifyoucouldcareforit，andIwaitedtobesurethatIwassomethingmorethanafriend。AmI？CanyoumakealittleplaceinyourheartforoldFritz？"headded，allinonebreath。

"Oh，yes！"saidJo，andhewasquitesatisfied，forshefoldedbothhandsoverhisare，andlookedupathimwithanexpressionthatplainlyshowedhowhappyshewouldbetowalkthroughlifebesidehim，eventhoughshehadnobettershelterthantheoldumbrella，ifhecarriedit。

Itwascertainlyproposingunderdifficulties，forevenifhehaddesiredtodoso，Mr。Bhaercouldnotgodownuponhisknees，onaccountofthemud。NeithercouldheofferJohishand，exceptfiguratively，forbothwerefull。Muchlesscouldheindulgeintenderremonstrationsintheopenstreet，thoughhewasnearit。Sotheonlywayinwhichhecouldexpresshisrapturewastolookather，withanexpressionwhichglorifiedhisfacetosuchadegreethatthereactuallyseemedtobelittlerainbowsinthedropsthatsparkledonhisbeard。IfhehadnotlovedJoverymuch，Idon’tthinkhecouldhavedoneitthen，forshelookedfarfromlovely，withherskirtsinadeplorablestate，herrubberbootssplashedtotheankle，andherbonnetaruin。Fortunately，Mr。Bhaerconsideredherthemostbeautifulwomanliving，andshefoundhimmore`Jove—like"thanever，thoughhishat—brimwasquitelimpwiththelittlerillstricklingthenceuponhisshoulders（forheheldtheumbrellaalloverJo），andeveryfingerofhisglovesneededmending。

Passers—byprobablythoughtthemapairofharmlesslunatics，fortheyentirelyforgottohailabus，andstrolledleisurelyalong，obliviousofdeepeningduskandfog。Littletheycaredwhatanybodythought，fortheywereenjoyingthehappyhourthatseldomcomesbutonceinanylife，themagicalmomentwhichbestowsyouthontheold，beautyontheplain，wealthonthepoor，andgiveshumanheartsaforetasteofheaven。TheProfessorlookedasifhehadconqueredakingdom，andtheworldhadnothingmoretoofferhiminthewayofbliss。WhileJotrudgedbesidehim，feelingasifherplacehadalwaysbeenthere，andwonderinghowsheevercouldhavechosenanyotherlot。Ofcourse，shewasthefirsttospeak——intelligibly，Imean，fortheemotionalremarkswhichfollowedherimpetuous"Oh，yes！"werenotofacoherentorreportablecharacter。

"Friedrich，whydidn’tyou……"

"Ah，heaven，shegifsmethenamethatnoonespeakssinceMinnadied！"criedtheProfessor，pausinginapuddletoregardherwithgratefuldelight。

"Ialwayscallyousotomyself——Iforgot，butIwon’tunlessyoulikeit。"

"Likeit？ItismoresweettomethanIcantell。Say`thou’，also，andIshallsayyourlanguageisalmostasbeautifulasmine。"

"Isn’t`thou’alittlesentimental？"askedJo，privatelythinkingitalovelymonosyllable。

"Sentimental？Yes。ThankGott，weGermansbelieveinsentiment，andkeepourselvesyoungmitit。YourEnglish`you’issocold，say`thou’，heart’sdearest，itmeanssomuchtome，"pleadedMr。Bhaer，morelikearomanticstudentthanagraveprofessor。

"Well，then，whydidn’tthoutellmeallthissooner？"askedJobashfully。

"NowIshallhaftoshowtheeallmyheart，andIsogladlywill，becausethoumusttakecareofithereafter。See，then，myJo——ah，thedear，funnylittlename——IhadawishtotellsomethingthedayIsaidgoodbyeinNewYork，butIthoughtthehandsomefriendwasbetrothedtothee，andsoIspokenot。Wouldstthouhavesaid`Yes’，then，ifIhadspoken？"

"Idon’tknow。I’mafraidnot，forIdidn’thaveanyheartjustthen。"