第12章

"Prut！ThatIdonotbelieve。Itwasasleeptillthefairyprincecamethroughthewood，andwakeditup。Ah，well，`DieersteLiebeistdiebeste’，butthatIshouldnotexpect。"

"Yes，thefirstloveisthebest，butbesocontented，forIneverhadanother。Teddywasonlyaboy，andsoongotoverhislittlefancy，"saidJo，anxioustocorrecttheProfessor’smistake。

"Good！ThenIshallresthappy，andbesurethatthougivestmeall。Ihafwaitedsolong，Iamgrownselfish，asthouwiltfind，Professorin。"

"Ilikethat，"criedJo，delightedwithhernewname。"Nowtellmewhatbroughtyou，atlast，justwhenIwantedyou？"

"This。"AndMr。Bhaertookalittlewornpaperoutofhiswaistcoatpocket。

Jounfoldedit，andlookedmuchabashed，foritwasoneofherowncontributionstoapaperthatpaidforpoetry，whichaccountedforhersendingitanoccasionalattempt。

"Howcouldthatbringyou？"sheasked，wonderingwhathemeant。

"Ifounditbychance。Iknewitbythenamesandtheinitials，andinittherewasonelittleversethatseemedtocallme。Readandfindhim。Iwillseethatyougonotinthewet。"INTHEGARRETFourlittlechestsallinarow，Dimwithdust，andwornbytime，Allfashionedandfilled，longago，Bychildrennowintheirprime。

Fourlittlekeyshungsidebyside，Withfadedribbons，braveandgayWhenfastenedthere，withchildishpride，Longago，onarainyday。

Fourlittlenames，oneoneachlid，Carvedoutbyaboyishhand，AndunderneaththereliethhidHistoriesofthehapppybandOnceplayinghere，andpausingoftTohearthesweetrefrain，Thatcameandwentontheroofaloft，Inthefallingsummerrain。"Meg"onthefirstlid，smoothandfair。

Ilookinwithlovingeyes，Forfoldedhere，withwell—knowncare，Agoodlygatheringlies，Therecordofapeacefullife——

Giftstogentlechildandgirl，Abridalgown，linestoawife，Atinyshoe，ababycurl。

Notoysinthisfirstchestremain，Forallarecarriedaway，Intheiroldage，tojoinagainInanothersmallMeg’splay。

Ah，happymother！

WellIknowYouhear，likeasweetrefrain，LullabieseversoftandlowInthefallingsummerrain。"Jo"onthenextlid，scratchedandworn，AndwithinamotleystoreOfheadless，dolls，ofschoolbookstorn，Birdsandbeaststhatspeaknomore，SpoilsbroughthomefromthefairygroundOnlytrodbyyouthfulfeet，Dreamsofafutureneverfound，Memoriesofapaststillsweet，Half—writpoems，storieswild，Aprilletters，warmandcold，Diariesofawilfulchild，Hintsofawomanearlyold，Awomaninalonelyhome，Hearing，likeasadrefrain——

"Beworthy，love，andlovewillcome，"

Inthefallingsummerrain。MyBeth！thedustisalwayssweptFromthelidthatbearsyourname，Asifbylovingeyesthatwept，Bycarefulhandsthatoftencame。

Deathcannonizedforusonesaint，Everlesshumanthandivine，Andstillwelay，withtenderplaint，Relicsinthishouseholdshrine——

Thesilverbell，soseldomrung，Thelittlecapwhichlastshewore，Thefair，deadCatherinethathungByangelsborneaboveherdoor。

Thesongsshesang，withoutlament，Inherprison—houseofpain，ForeveraretheysweetlyblentWiththefallingsummerrain。Uponthelastlid’spolishedfield——

LegendnowbothfairandtrueAgallantknightbearsonhisshield，"Amy"inlettersgoldandblue。

Withinliesnoodsthatboundherhair，Slippersthathavedancedtheirlast，Fadedflowerslaidbywithcare，Fanswhoseairytoilsarepast，Gayvalentines，allardentflames，TriflesthathavebornetheirpartIngirlishhopesandfearsandshames，TherecordofamaidenheartNowlearningfairer，truerspells，Hearing，likeablitherefrain，ThesilversoundofbridalbellsInthefallingsummerrain。Fourlittlechestsallinarow，Dimwithdust，andwornbytime，Fourwomen，taughtbywealandwoeToloveandlaborintheirprime。

Foursisters，partedforanhour，Nonelost，oneonlygonebefore，Madebylove’simmortalpower，Nearestanddearestevermore。

Oh，whenthesehiddenstoresofoursLieopentotheFather’ssight，Maytheyberichingoldenhours，Deedsthatshowfairerforthelight，Liveswhosebravemusiclongshallring，Likeaspirit—stirringstrain，SoulsthatshallgladlysoarandsingInthelongsunshineafterrain。

"It’sverybadpoetry，butIfeltitwhenIwroteit，onedaywhenIwasverylonely，andhadagoodcryonaragbag。Ineverthoughtitwouldgowhereitcouldtelltales，"saidJo，tearinguptheversestheProfessorhadtreasuredsolong。

"Letitgo，ithasdoneit’sduty，andIwillhafafreshonewhenIreadallthebrownbookinwhichshekeepsherlittlesecrets，"saidMr。Bhaerwithasmileashewatchedthefragmentsflyawayonthewind。"Yes，"headdedearnestly，"Ireadthat，andIthinktomyself，Shehasasorrow，sheislonely，shewouldfindcomfortintruelove。Ihafaheartfull，fullforher。ShallInotgoandsay，"IfthisisnottoopoorathingtogifforwhatIshallhopetoreceive，takeitinGott’sname？"

"Andsoyoucametofindthatitwasnottoopoor，buttheonepreciousthingIneeded，"whisperedJo。

"Ihadnocouragetothinkthatatfirst，heavenlykindaswasyourwelcometome。ButsoonIbegantohope，andthenIsaid，`IwillhafherifIdieforit，’andsoIwill！"criedMr。Bhaer，withadefiantnod，asifthewallsofmistclosingroundthemwerebarrierswhichhewastosurmountorvaliantlyknockdown。

Jothoughtthatwassplendid，andresolvedtobeworthyofherknight，thoughhedidnotcomeprancingonachargeringorgeousarray。

"Whatmadeyoustayawaysolong？"sheaskedpresently，findingitsopleasanttoaskconfidentialquestionsandgetdelightfulanswersthatshecouldnotkeepsilent。

"Itwasnoteasy，butIcouldnotfindthehearttotakeyoufromthatsohappyhomeuntilIcouldhafaprospectofonetogifyou，aftermuchtime，perhaps，andhardwork。HowcouldIaskyoutogifupsomuchforapooroldfellow，whohasnofortunebutalittlelearning？"

"I’mgladyouarepoor。Icouldn’tbeararichhusband，"saidJodecidedly，addinginasoftertone，"Don’tfearpoverty。I’veknownitlongenoughtolosemydreadandbehappyworkingforthoseIlove，anddon’tcallyourselfold——fortyistheprimeoflife。Icouldn’thelplovingyouifyouwereseventy！"

TheProfessorfoundthatsotouchingthathewouldhavebeengladofhishandkerchief，ifhecouldhavegotatit。Ashercouldn’t，Jowipedhiseyesforhim，andsaid，laughing，asshetookawayabundleortwo……

"Imaybestrong—minded，butnoonecansayI’moutofmyspherenow，forwoman’sspecialmissionissupposedtobedryingtearsandbearingburdens。I’mtocarrymyshare，Friedrich，andhelptoearnthehome。Makeupyourmindtothat，orI’llnevergo，"sheaddedresolutely，ashetriedtoreclaimhisload。

"Weshallsee。Hafyoupatiencetowaitalongtime，Jo？Imustgoawayanddomyworkalone。Imusthelpmyboysfirst，because，evenforyou，ImaynotbreakmywordtoMinna。Canyouforgifthat，andbehappywhilewehopeandwait？"

"Yes，IknowIcan，forweloveoneanother，andthatmakesalltheresteasytobear。Ihavemyduty，also，andmywork。Icouldn’tenjoymyselfifIneglectedthemevenforyou，sothere’snoneedofhurryorimpatience。YoucandoyourpartoutWest，Icandominehere，andbothbehappyhopingforthebest，andleavingthefuturetobeasGodwills。"

"Ah！Thougifestmesuchhopeandcourage，andIhafnothingtogifbackbutafullheartandtheseemptyhands，"criedtheProfessor，quiteovercome。

Jonever，neverwouldlearntobeproper，forwhenhesaidthatastheystooduponthesteps，shejustputbothhandsintohis，whisperingtenderly，"Notemptynow，"andstoopingdown，kissedherFriedrichundertheumbrella。Itwasdreadful，butshewouldhavedoneitiftheflockofdraggle—tailedsparrowsonthehedgehadbeenhumanbeings，forshewasveryfargoneindeed，andquiteregardlessofeverythingbutherownhappiness。Thoughitcameinsuchaverysimpleguise，thatwasthecrowningmomentofboththeirlives，when，turningfromthenightandstormandlonelinesstothehouseholdlightandwarmthandpeacewaitingtoreceivethem，withaglad"Welcomehome！"Joledherloverin，andshutthedoor。

GoodWives:Chapter24CHAPTER24HarvestTimeForayearJoandherProfessorworkedandwaited，hopedandloved，metoccasionally，andwrotesuchvoluminouslettersthattheriseinthepriceofpaperwasaccountedfor，Lauriesaid。Thesecondyearbeganrathersoberly，fortheirprospectsdidnotbrighten，andAuntMarchdiedsuddenly。Butwhentheirfirstsorrowwasover——fortheylovedtheoldladyinspiteofhersharptongue——theyfoundtheyhadcauseforrejoicing，forshehadleftPlumfieldtoJo，whichmadeallsortsofjoyfulthingspossible。

"It’safineoldplace，andwillbringahandsomesum，forofcourseyouintendtosellit，"saidLaurie，astheywerealltalkingthematteroversomeweekslater。

"No，Idon’t，"wasJo’sdecidedanswer，asshepettedthefatpoodle，whomshehadadopted，outofrespecttohisformermistress。

"Youdon’tmeantolivethere？"

"Yes，Ido。"

"But，mydeargirl，it’sanimmensehouse，andwilltakeapowerofmoneytokeepitinorder。Thegardenandorchardaloneneedtwoorthreemen，andfarmingisn’tinBhaer’sline，Itakeit。"

"He’lltryhishandatitthere，ifIproposeit。"

"Andyouexpecttoliveontheproduceoftheplace？Well，thatsoundsparadisiacal，butyou’llfinditdesperatehardwork。"

"Thecropwearegoingtoraiseisaprofitableone，"AndJolaughed。

"Ofwhatisthisfinecroptoconsist，ma’am？"

"Boys。Iwanttoopenaschoolforlittlelads——agood，happy，homelikeschool，withmetotakecareofthemandFritztoteachthem。""That’satrulyJoianplanforyou！Isn’tthatjustlikeher？"criedLaurie，appealingtothefamily，wholookedasmuchsurprisedashe。

"Ilikeit，"saidMrs。Marchdecidedly。

"SodoI，"addedherhusband，whowelcomedthethoughtofachancefortryingtheSocraticmethodofeducationonmodernyouth。

"ItwillbeanimmensecareforJo，"saidMeg，strokingtheheadorheroneall—absorbingson。

"Jocandoit，andbehappyinit。It’sasplendididea。Tellusallaboutit，"criedMr。Laurence，whohadbeenlongingtolendtheloversahand，butknewthattheywouldrefusehishelp。

"Iknewyou’dstandbyme，sir。Amydoestoo——Iseeitinhereyes，thoughsheprudentlywaitstoturnitoverinhermindbeforeshespeaks。Now，mydearpeople，"continuedJoearnestly，"justunderstandthatthisisn’tanewideaofmine，butalongcherishedplan。BeforemyFritzcame，Iusedtothinkhow，whenI’dmademyfortune，andnooneneededmeathome，I’dhireabighouse，andpickupsomepoor，forlornlittleladswhohadn’tanymothers，andtakecareofthem，andmakelifejollyforthembeforeitwastoolate。Iseesomanygoingtoruinforwantofhelpattherightminute，Ilovesotodoanythingforthem，Iseemtofeeltheirwants，andsympathizewiththeirtroubles，andoh，Ishouldsoliketobeamothertothem！"

Mrs。MarchheldoutherhandtoJo，whotookit，smiling，withtearsinhereyes，andwentonintheoldenthusiasticway，whichtheyhadnotseenforalongwhile。

"ItoldmyplantoFritzonce，andhesaiditwasjustwhathewouldlike，andagreedtotryitwhenwegotrich。Blesshisdearheart，he’sbeendoingitallhislife——helpingpoorboys，Imean，notgettingrich，thathe’llneverbe。Moneydoesn’tstayinhispocketlongenoughtolayupany。Butnow，thankstomygoodoldaunt，wholovedmebetterthanIeverdeserved，I’mrich，atleastIfeelso，andwecanliveatPlumfieldperfectlywell，ifwehaveaflourishingschool。It’sjusttheplaceforboys，thehouseisbig，andthefurniturestrongandplain。There’splentyofroomfordozensinside，andsplendidgroundsoutside。Theycouldhelpinthegardenandorchard。Suchworkishealthy，isn’tit，sir？ThenFritzcouldtrainandteachinhisownway，andFatherwillhelphim。Icanfeedandnurseandpetandscoldthem，andMotherwillbemystand—by。I’vealwayslongedforlotsofboys，andneverhadenough，nowIcanfillthehousefullandrevelinthelittledearstomyheart’scontent。Thinkwhatluxury——Plumfieldmyown，andawildernessofboystoenjoyitwithme。"

AsJowavedherhandsandgaveasighofrapture，thefamilywentoffintoagaleofmerriment，andMr。Laurencelaughedtilltheythoughthe’dhaveanapoplecticfit。

"Idon’tseeanythingfunny，"shesaidgravely，whenshecouldbeheard。"NothingcouldbemorenaturalandproperthanformyProfessortoopenaschool，andformetoprefertoresideinmyownestate。"

"Sheisputtingonairsalready，"saidLaurie，whoregardedtheideainthelightofacapitaljoke。"ButmayIinquirehowyouintendtosupporttheestablishment？Ifallthepupilsarelittleragamuffins，I’mafraidyourcropwon’tbeprofitableinaworldlysense，Mr。Bhaer。"

"Nowdon’tbeawet—blanket，Teddy。OfcourseIshallhaverichpupils，also——perhapsbeginwithsuchaltogether。Then，whenI’vegotastart，Icantakeinaragamuffinortwo，justforarelish。Richpeople’schildrenoftenneedcareandcomfort，aswellaspoor。I’veseenunfortunatelittlecreatureslefttoservants，orbackwardonespushedforward，whenit’srealcruelty。Somearenaughtythroughmismanagmentorneglect，andsomelosetheirmothers。Besides，thebesthavetogetthroughthehobbledehoyage，andthat’stheverytimetheyneedmostpatienceandkindness。Peoplelaughatthem，andhustlethemabout，trytokeepthemoutofsight，andexpectthemtoturnallatoncefromprettychildrenintofineyoungmen。Theydon’tcomplainmuch——pluckylittlesouls——buttheyfeelit。I’vebeenthroughsome—thingofit，andIknowallaboutit。I’veaspecialinterestinsuchyoungbears，andliketoshowthemthatIseethewarm，honest，well—meaningboys’hearts，inspiteoftheclumsyarmsandlegsandthetopsy—turvyheads。I’vehadexperience，too，forhaven’tIbroughtuponeboytobeaprideandhonortohisfamily？"

"I’lltestifythatyoutriedtodoit，"saidLauriewithagratefullook。

"AndI’vesucceededbeyondmyhopes，forhereyouare，asteady，sensiblebusinessman，doingheapsofgoodwithyourmoney，andlayinguptheblessingsofthepoor，insteadofdollars。Butyouarenotmerelyabusinessman，youlovegoodandbeautifulthings，enjoythemyourself，andletothersgohalves，asyoualwaysdidintheoldtimes。Iamproudofyou，Teddy，foryougetbettereveryyear，andeveryonefeelsit，thoughyouwon’tletthemsayso。Yes，andwhenIhavemyflock，I’lljustpointtoyou，andsay`There’syourmodel，mylads’。"

PoorLauriedidn’tknowwheretolook，for，manthoughhewas，somethingoftheoldbashfulnesscameoverhimasthisburstofpraisemadeallfacesturnapprovinglyuponhim。

"Isay，Jo，that’srathertoomuch，"hebegan，justinhisoldboyishway。"YouhavealldonemoreformethanIcaneverthankyoufor，exceptbydoingmybestnottodisapointyou。Youhaverathercastmeofflately，Jo，butI’vehadthebestofhelp，nevertheless。So，ifI’vegotonatall，youmaythankthesetwoforit。"Andhelaidonehandgentlyonhisgrandfather’shead，andtheotheronAmy’sgoldenone，forthethreewereneverfarapart。

"Idothinkthatfamiliesarethemostbeautifulthingsinalltheworld！"burstoutJo，whowasinanunusuallyup—liftedframeofmindjustthen。"WhenIhaveoneofmyown，IhopeitwillbeashappyasthethreeIknowandlovethebest。IfJohnandmyFritzwereonlyhere，itwouldbequitealittleheavenonearth，"sheaddedmorequietly。Andthatnightwhenshewenttoherroomafterablissfuleveningoffamilycounsels，hopes，andplans，herheartwassofullofhappinessthatshecouldonlycalmitbykneelingbesidetheemptybedalwaysnearherown，andthinkingtenderthoughtsofBeth。Itwasaveryastonishingyearaltogether，forthingsseemedtohappeninanunusuallyrapidanddelightfulmanner。Almostbeforesheknewwhereshewas，JofoundherselfmarriedandsettledatPlumfield。Thenafamilyofsixorsevenboyssprunguplikemushrooms，andflourishedsurprisingly，poorboysaswellasrich，forMr。Laurencewascontinuallyfindingsometouchingcaseofdestitution，andbeggingtheBhaerstotakepityonthechild，andhewouldgladlypayatrifleforitssupport。Inthisway，theslyoldgentlemangotroundproudJo，andfurnishedherwiththestyleofboyinwhichshemostdelighted。

Ofcourseitwasuphillworkatfirst，andJomadequeermistakes，butthewiseProfessorsteeredhersafelyintocalmerwaters，andthemostrampantragamuffinwasconqueredintheend。HowJodidenjoyher`wildernessofboys’，andhowpoor，dearAuntMarchwouldhavelamentedhadshebeentheretoseethesacredprecinctsofprim，well—orderedPlumfieldoverrunwithToms，Dicks，andHarrys！Therewasasortofpoeticjusticeaboutit，afterall，fortheoldladyhadbeentheterroroftheboysformilesaround，andnowtheexilesfeastedfreelyonforbiddenplums，kickedupthegravelwithprofanebootsunreproved，andplayedcricketinthebigfieldwheretheirritable`cowwithacrumpledhorn’usedtoinviterashyouthstocomeandbetossed。Itbecameasortofboys’paradise，andLauriesuggestedthatitshouldbecalledthe`Bhaer—garten’，asacomplimenttoitsmasterandappropriatetoitsinhabitants。

Itneverwasafashionableschool，andtheProfessordidnotlayupafortune，butitwasjustwhatJointendedittobe——`ahappy，homelikeplaceforboys，whoneededteaching，care，andkindness’。Everyroominthebighousewassoonfull。Everylittleplotinthegardensoonhaditsowner。Aregularmenagerieappearedinbarnandshed，forpetanimalswereallowed。Andthreetimesaday，JosmiledatherFritzfromtheheadofalongtablelinedoneithersidewithrowsofhappyyoungfaces，whichallturnedtoherwithaffectionateeyes，confidingwords，andgratefulhearts，fulloflovefor`MotherBhaer’。Shehadboysenoughnow，anddidnottireofthem，thoughtheywerenotangels，byanymeans，andsomeofthemcausedbothProfessorandProfessorinmuchtroubleandanxiety。Butherfaithinthegoodspotwhichexistsintheheartofthenaughtiest，sauciest，mosttantalizinglittleragamuffingaveherpatience，skill，andintimesuccess，fornomortalboycouldholdoutlongwithFatherBhaershiningonhimasbenevolentlyasthesun，andMotherBhaerforgivinghimseventytimesseven。VeryprecioustoJowasthefriendshipofthelads，theirpenitentsniffsandwhispersafterwrongdoing，theirdrollortouchinglittleconfidences，theirpleasantenthusiasms，hopes，andplans，eventheirmisfortunes，fortheyonlyendearedthemtoherallthemore。Therewereslowboysandbashfulboys，feebleboysandriotousboys，boysthatlispedandboysthatstuttered，oneortwolameones，andamerrylittlequadroon，whocouldnotbetakeninelsewhere，butwhowaswelcometothe`Bhaer—garten’，thoughsomepeoplepredictedthathisadmissionwouldruintheschool。

Yes，Jowasaveryhappywomanthere，inspiteofhardwork，muchanxiety，andaperpetualracket。Sheenjoyeditheartilyandfoundtheapplauseofherboysmoresatisfyingthananypraiseoftheworld，fornowshetoldnostoriesexcepttoherflockofenthusiasticbelieversandadmirers。Astheyearswenton，twolittleladsofherowncametoincreaseherhappiness——Rob，namedforGrandpa，andTeddy，ahappy—go—luckybaby，whoseemedtohaveinheritedhispapa’ssunshinytemperaswellashismother’slivelyspirit。Howtheyevergrewupaliveinthatwhirlpoolofboyswasamysterytotheirgrandmaandaunts，buttheyflourishedlikedandelionsinspring，andtheirroughnurseslovedandservedthemwell。

TherewereagreatmanyholidaysatPlumfield，andoneofthemostdelightfulwastheyearlyapple—picking。ForthentheMarches，Laurences，Brookes。AndBhaersturnedoutinfullforceandmadeadayofit。FiveyearsafterJo’swedding，oneofthesefruitfulfestivalsoccurred，amellowOctoberday，whentheairwasfullofanexhilaratingfreshnesswhichmadethespiritsriseandtheblooddancehealthilyintheveins。Theoldorchardworeitsholidayattire。Goldenrodandastersfringedthemossywalls。Grasshoppersskippedbrisklyintheseregrass，andcricketschirpedlikefairypipersatafeast。Squirrelswerebusywiththeirsmallharvesting。Birdstwitteredtheiradieuxfromthealdersinthelane，andeverytreestoodreadytosenddownitsshowerofredoryellowapplesatthefirstshake。Everybodywasthere。Everybodylaughedandsang，climbedupandtumbleddown。Everybodydeclaredthatthereneverhadbeensuchaperfectdayorsuchajollysettoenjoyit，andeveryonegavethemselvesuptothesimplepleasuresofthehourasfreelyasiftherewerenosuchthingsascareorsorrowintheworld。

Mr。Marchstrolledplacidlyabout，quotingTusser，Cowley，andColumellatoMr。Laurence，whileenjoying……Thegentleapple’swineyjuice。

TheProfessorchargedupanddownthegreenaisleslikeastoutTeutonicknight，withapoleforalance，leadingontheboys，whomadeahookandladdercompanyofthemselves，andperformedwondersinthewayofgroundandloftytumbling。Lauriedevotedhimselftothelittleones，rodehissmalldaughterinabushel—basket，tookDaisyupamongthebird’snests，andkeptadventurousRobfrombreakinghisneck。Mrs。MarchandMegsatamongtheapplepileslikeapairofPomonas，sortingthecontributionsthatkeptpouringin，whileAmywithabeautifulmotherlyexpressioninherfacesketchedthevariousgroups，andwatchedoveronepalelad，whosatadoringherwithhislittlecrutchbesidehim。

Jowasinherelementthatday，andrushedabout，withhergownpinnedup，andherhatanywherebutonherhead，andherbabytuckedunderherarm，readyforanylivelyadventurewhichmightturnup。LittleTeddyboreacharmedlife，fornothingeverhappenedtohim，andJoneverfeltanyanxietywhenhewaswhiskedupintoatreebyonelad，gallopedoffonthebackofanother，orsuppliedwithsourrussetsbyhisindulgentpapa，wholaboredundertheGermanicdelusionthatbabiescoulddigestanything，frompickledcabbagetobuttons，nails，andtheirownsmallshoes。SheknewthatlittleTedwouldturnupagainintime，safeandrosy，dirtyandserene，andshealwaysreceivedhimbackwithaheartywelcome，forJolovedherbabiestenderly。

Atfouro’clockalulltookplace，andbasketsremainedempty，whiletheapplepickersrestedandcomparedrentsandbruises。ThenJoandMeg，withadetachmentofthebiggerboys，setforththesupperonthegrass，foranout—of—doorteawasalwaysthecrowningjoyoftheday。Thelandliterallyflowedwithmilkandhoneyonsuchoccasions，fortheladswerenotrequiredtositattable，butallowedtopartakeofrefreshmentastheyliked——freedombeingthesaucebestbelovedbytheboyishsoul。Theyavailedthemselvesoftherareprivilegetothefullestextent，forsometriedthepleasingexperimentofdrinkingmildwhilestandingontheirheads，otherslentacharmtoleapfrogbyeatingpieinthepausesofthegame，cookiesweresownbroadcastoverthefield，andappleturnoversroostedinthetreeslikeanewstyleofbird。Thelittlegirlshadaprivateteaparty，andTedrovedamongtheediblesathisownsweetwill。

Whennoonecouldeatanymore，theProfessorproposedthefirstregulartoast，whichwasalwaysdrunkatsuchtimes——"AuntMarch，Godblessher！"Atoastheartilygivenbythegoodman，whoneverforgothowmuchheowedher，andquietlydrunkbytheboys，whohadbeentaughttokeephermemorygreen。

"Now，Grandma’ssixtiethbirthday！Longlifetoher，withthreetimesthree！"

Thatwasgivenwithawill，asyoumaywellbelieve，andthecheeringoncebegun，itwashardtostopit。Everybody’shealthwasproposed，formMr。Laurence，whowasconsideredtheirspecialpatron，totheastonishedguineapig，whohadstrayedfromitspropersphereinsearchofitsyoungmaster。Demi，astheoldestgrandchild，thenpresentedthequeenofthedaywithvariousgifts，sonumerousthattheyweretransportedtothefestivesceneinawheelbarrow。Funnypresents，someofthem，butwhatwouldhavebeendefectstoothereyeswereornamentstoGrandma’s——forthechildren’sgiftswerealltheirown。EverystitchDaisy’spatientlittlefingershadputintothehandkerchiefsshehemmedwasbetterthanembroiderytoMrs。March。Demi’smiracleofmechanicalskill，thoughthecoverwouldn’tshut，Rob’sfootstoolhadawiggleinitsunevenlegsthatshedeclaredwassoothing，andnopageofthecostlybookAmy’schildgaveherwassofairasthatonwhichappearedintipsycapitals，thewords——"TodearGrandma，fromherlittleBeth。"

Duringtheceremonytheboyshadmysteriouslydisappeared，andwhenMrs。Marchhadtriedtothankherchildren，andbrokendown，whileTeddywipedhereyesonhispinafore，theProfessorsuddenlybegantosing。Then，fromabovehim，voiceaftervoicetookupthewords，andfromtreetotreeechoedthemusicoftheunseenchoir，astheboyssangwithalltheirheartsthelittlesongthatJohadwritten，Lauriesettomusic，andtheProfessortrainedhisladstogivewiththebesteffect。Thiswassomethingaltogethernew，anditprovedagrandsuccess，forMrs。Marchcouldn’tgetoverhersurprise，andinsistedonshakinghandswitheveryoneofthefeatherlessbirds，fromtallFranzandEmiltothelittlequadroon，whohadthesweetestvoiceofall。

Afterthis，theboysdispersedforafinallark，leavingMrs。Marchandherdaughtersunderthefestivaltree。

"Idon’tthinkIeveroughttocallmyself`unluckyJo’again，whenmygreatestwishhasbeensobeautifullygratified，"saidMrs。Bhaer，takingTeddy’slittlefistoutofthemilkpitcher，inwhichhewasrapturouslychurning。

"Andyetyourlifeisverydifferentfromtheoneyoupicturedsolongago。Doyourememberourcastlesintheair？"askedAmy，smilingasshewatchedLaurieandJohnplayingcricketwiththeboys。

"Dearfellows！Itdoesmyheartgoodtoseethemforgetbusinessandfrolicforaday，"answeredJo，whonowspokeinamaternalwayofallmankind。"Yes，Iremember，butthelifeIwantedthenseemsselfish，lonely，andcoldtomenow。Ihaven’tgivenupthehopethatImaywriteagoodbookyet，butIcanwait，andI’msureitwillbeallthebetterforsuchexperiencesandillustrationsasthese。"AndJopointedfromthelivelyladsinthedistancetoherfather，leaningontheProfessor’sarm，astheywalkedtoandfrointhesunshine，deepinoneoftheconversationswhichbothenjoyedsomuch，andthentohermother，sittingenthronedamongherdaughters，withtheirchildreninherlapandatherfeet，asifallfoundhelpandhappinessinthefacewhichnevercouldgrowoldtothem。

"Mycastlewasthemostnearlyrealizedofall。Iaskedforsplendidthings，tobesure，butinmyheartIknewIshouldbesatisfied，ifIhadalittlehome，andJohn，andsomedearchildrenlikethese。I’vegotthemall，thankGod，andamthehappiestwomanintheworld。"AndMeglaidherhandonhertallboy’shead，withafacefulloftenderanddevoutcontent。

"MycastleisverydifferentfromwhatIplanned，butIwouldnotalterit，though，likeJo，Idon’trelinquishallmyartistichopes，orconfinemyselftohelpingothersfulfilltheirdreamsofbeauty。I’vebeguntomodelafigureofbaby，andLauriesaysitisthebestthingI’veeverdone。Ithinkso，myself，andmeantodoitinmarble，sothat，whateverhappens，Imayatleastkeeptheimageofmylittleangel。"

AsAmyspoke，agreatteardroppedonthegoldenhairofthesleepingchildinherarms，forheronewell—beloveddaughterwasafraillittlecreatureandthedreadoflosingherwastheshadowoverAmy’ssunshine。Thiscrosswasdoingmuchforbothfatherandmother，foroneloveandsorrowboundthemcloselytogether。Amy’snaturewasgrowingsweeter，deeper，andmoretender。Lauriewasgrowingmoreserious，strong，andfirm，andbothwerelearningthatbeauty，youth，goodfortune，evenloveitself，cannotkeepcareandpain，lossandsorrow，fromthemostblessedfor……Intoeachlifesomerainmustfall，Somedaysmustbedarkandsadanddreary。

"Sheisgrowingbetter，Iamsureofit，mydear。Don’tdespond，buthopeandkeephappy，"saidMrs。March，astenderheartedDaisystoopedfromherkneetolayherrosycheekagainstherlittlecousin’spaleone。

"Ineveroughtto，whileIhaveyoutocheermeup，Marmee，andLaurietotakemorethanhalfofeveryburden，"repliedAmywarmly。"Heneverletsmeseehisanxiety，butissosweetandpatientwithme，sodevotedtoBeth，andsuchastayandcomforttomealwaysthatIcan’tlovehimenough。So，inspiteofmyonecross，IcansaywithMeg，`ThankGod，I’mahappywoman。’"

"There’snoneedformetosayit，foreveryonecanseethatI’mfarhappierthanIdeserve，"addedJo，glancingfromhergoodhusbandtoherchubbychildren，tumblingonthegrassbesideher。"Fritzisgettinggrayandstout。I’mgrowingasthinasashadow，andamthirty。Wenevershallberich，andPlumfieldmayburnupanynight，forthatincorrigibleTommyBangswillsmokesweet—ferncigarsunderthebed—clothes，thoughhe’ssethimselfafirethreetimesalready。Butinspiteoftheseunromanticfacts，Ihavenothingtocomplainof，andneverwassojollyinmylife。Excusetheremark，butlivingamongboys，Ican’thelpusingtheirexpressionsnowandthen。"

"Yes，Jo，Ithinkyourharvestwillbeagoodone，"beganMrs。March，frighteningawayabigblackcricketthatwasstaringTeddyoutofcountenance。

"Nothalfsogoodasyours，Mother。Hereitis，andwenevercanthankyouenoughforthepatientsowingandreapingyouhavedone，"criedJo，withthelovingimpetuositywhichsheneverwouldoutgrow。

"Ihopetherewillbemorewheatandfewertareseveryyear，"saidAmysoftly。

"Alargesheaf，butIknowthere’sroominyourheartforit，Marmeedear，"addedMeg’stendervoice。