Shemeantitkindly，butAmymistookhermeaning，andsaidquickly……
“Oh，certainly，iftheyareinyourway，“andsweepinghercontributionsintoherapron，pell-mell，shewalkedoff，feelingthatherselfandherworksofarthadbeeninsultedpastforgiveness。
“Nowshe’smad。Oh，dear，IwishIhadn’taskedyoutospeak，Mama，“
saidMay，lookingdisconsolatelyattheemptyspacesonhertable。
“Girls’quarrelsaresoonover，“returnedhermother，feelingatrifleashamedofherownpartinthisone，aswellshemight。
ThelittlegirlshailedAmyandhertreasureswithdelight，whichcordialreceptionsomewhatsoothedherperturbedspirit，andshefelltowork，determinedtosucceedflorally，ifshecouldnotartistically。Buteverythingseemedagainsther。Itwaslate，andshewastired。Everyonewastoobusywiththeirownaffairstohelpher，andthelittlegirlswereonlyhindrances，forthedearsfussedandchatteredlikesomanymagpies，makingagreatdealofconfusionintheirartlesseffortstopreservethemostperfectorder。Theevergreenarchwouldn’tstayfirmaftershegotitup，butwiggledandthreatenedtotumbledownonherheadwhenthehangingbasketswerefilled。Herbesttilegotasplashofwater，whichleftasephiatearontheCupid’scheek。Shebruisedherhandswithhammering，andgotcoldworkinginadraft，whichlastafflictionfilledherwithapprehensionsforthemorrow。AnygirlreaderwhohassufferedlikeafflictionswillsympathizewithpoorAmyandwishherwellthroughhertask。
Therewasgreatindignationathomewhenshetoldherstorythatevening。Hermothersaiditwasashame，buttoldhershehaddoneright。Bethdeclaredshewouldn’tgotothefairatall，andJodemandedwhyshedidn’ttakeallherprettythingsandleavethosemeanpeopletogetonwithouther。
“Becausetheyaremeanisnoreasonwhyishouldbe。Ihatesuchthings，andthoughIthinkI’vearighttobehurt，Idon’tintendtoshowit。Theywillfeelthatmorethanangryspeechesorhuffyactions，won’tthey，Marmee？“
“That’stherightspirit，mydear。Akissforablowisalwaysbest，thoughit’snotveryeasytogiveitsometimes，“saidhermother，withtheairofonewhohadlearnedthedifferencebetweenpreachingandpracticing。
Inspiteofvariousverynaturaltemptationstoresentandretaliate，Amyadheredtoherresolutionallthenextday，bentonconqueringherenemybykindness。Shebeganwell，thankstoasilentreminderthatcametoherunexpectedly，butmostopportunely。
Asshearrangedhertablethatmorning，whilethelittlegirlswereintheanteroomfillingthebaskets，shetookupherpetproduction，alittlebook，theantiquecoverofwhichherfatherhadfoundamonghistreasures，andinwhichonleavesofvellumshehadbeautifullyilluminateddifferenttexts。Assheturnedthepagesrichindaintydeviceswithverypardonablepride，hereyefellupononeversethatmadeherstopandthink。Framedinabrilliantscrollworkofscarlet，blueandgold，withlittlespiritsofgoodwillhelpingoneanotherupanddownamongthethornsandflowers，werethewords，“Thoushaltlovethyneighborasthyself。“
“Iought，butIdon’t，“thoughtAmy，ashereyewentfromthebrightpagetoMay’sdiscontentedfacebehindthebigvases，thatcouldnothidethevacanciesherprettyworkhadoncefilled。
Amystoodaminute，turningtheleavesinherhand，readingoneachsomesweetrebukeforallheartburningsanduncharitablenessofspirit。
Manywiseandtruesermonsarepreacheduseverydaybyunconsciousministersinstreet，school，office，orhome。Evenafairtablemaybecomeapulpit，ifitcanofferthegoodandhelpfulwordswhichareneveroutofseason。Amy’sconsciencepreachedheralittlesermonfromthattext，thenandthere，andshedidwhatmanyofusdonotalwaysdo，tookthesermontoheart，andstraightwayputitinpractice。
AgroupofgirlswerestandingaboutMay’stable，admiringtheprettythings，andtalkingoverthechangeofsaleswomen。
Theydroppedtheirvoices，butAmyknewtheywerespeakingofher，hearingonesideofthestoryandjudgingaccordingly。Itwasnotpleasant，butabetterspirithadcomeoverher，andpresentlyachanceofferedforprovingit。SheheardMaysaysorrowfully……
“It’stoobad，forthereisnotimetomakeotherthings，andIdon’twanttofillupwithoddsandends。Thetablewasjustcompletethen。Nowit’sspoiled。“
“Idaresayshe’dputthembackifyouaskedher，“suggestedsomeone。
“HowcouldIafterallthefuss？“beganMay，butshedidnotfinish，forAmy’svoicecameacrossthehall，sayingpleasantly……
“Youmayhavethem，andwelcome，withoutasking，ifyouwantthem。IwasjustthinkingI’doffertoputthemback，fortheybelongtoyourtableratherthanmine。Heretheyare，pleasetakethem，andforgivemeifIwashastyincarryingthemawaylastnight。“
Asshespoke，Amyreturnedhercontribution，withanodandasmile，andhurriedawayagain，feelingthatitwaseasiertodoafriendlythingthanitwastostayandbethankedforit。
“Now，Icallthatlovelyofher，don’tyou？“criedonegirl。
May’sanswerwasinaudible，butanotheryounglady，whosetemperwasevidentlyalittlesouredbymakinglemonade，added，withadisagreeablelaugh，“Verylovely，forsheknewshewouldn’tsellthematherowntable。“
Now，thatwashard。Whenwemakelittlesacrificesweliketohavethemappreciated，atleast，andforaminuteAmywassorryshehaddoneit，feelingthatvirtuewasnotalwaysitswonreward。
Butitis，asshepresentlydiscovered，forherspiritsbegantorise，andhertabletoblossomunderherskillfulhands，thegirlswereverykind，andthatonelittleactseemedtohaveclearedtheatmosphereamazingly。
ItwasaverylongdayandahardoneforAmy，asshesatbehindhertable，oftenquitealone，forthelittlegirlsdesertedverysoon。Fewcaredtobuyflowersinsummer，andherbouquetsbegantodrooplongbeforenight。
Thearttablewasthemostattractiveintheroom。Therewasacrowdaboutitalldaylong，andthetenderswereconstantlyflyingtoandfrowithimportantfacesandrattlingmoneyboxes。Amyoftenlookedwistfullyacross，longingtobethere，whereshefeltathomeandhappy，insteadofinacornerwithnothingtodo。
Itmightseemnohardshiptosomeofus，buttoapretty，blitheyounggirl，itwasnotonlytedious，butverytrying，andthethoughtofLaurieandhisfriendsmadeitarealmartyrdom。
Shedidnotgohometillnight，andthenshelookedsopaleandquietthattheyknewthedayhadbeenahardone，thoughshemadenocomplaint，anddidnoteventellwhatshehaddone。Hermothergaveheranextracordialcupoftea。Bethhelpedherdress，andmadeacharminglittlewreathforherhair，whileJoastonishedherfamilybygettingherselfupwithunusualcare，andhintingdarklythatthetableswereabouttobeturned。
“Don’tdoanythingrude，prayJo。Iwon’thaveanyfussmade，soletitallpassandbehaveyourself，“beggedAmy，asshedepartedearly，hopingtofindareinforcementofflowerstorefreshherpoorlittletable。
“ImerelyintendtomakemyselfentrancinglyagreeabletoeveroneIknow，andtokeeptheminyourcorneraslongaspossible。
Teddyandhisboyswilllendahand，andwe’llhaveagoodtimeyet。“
returnedJo，leaningoverthegatetowatchforLaurie。Presentlythefamiliartrampwasheardinthedusk，andsheranouttomeethim。
“Isthatmyboy？“
“Assureasthisismygirl!“AndLaurietuckedherhandunderhisarmwiththeairofamanwhoseeverywishwasgratified。
“Oh，teddy，suchdoings!“AndJotoldAmy’swrongswithsisterlyzeal。
“Aflockofourfellowsaregoingtodriveoverby-and-by，andI’llbehangedifIdon’tmakethembuyeveryflowershe’sgot，andcampdownbeforehertableafterward，“saidLaurie，espousinghercausewithwarmth。
“Theflowersarenotatallnice，Amysays，andthefreshonesmaynotarriveintime。Idon’twishtobeunjustorsuspicious，butIshouldn’twonderiftheynevercameatall。Whenpeopledoonemeanthingtheyareverylikelytodoanother，“observedJoinadisgustedtone。
“Didn’tHayesgiveyouthebestoutofourgardens？Itoldhimto。“
“Ididn’tknowthat，heforgot，Isuppose，and，asyourgrandpawaspoorly，Ididn’tliketoworryhimbyasking，thoughIdidwantsome。“
“Now，Jo，howcouldyouthinktherewasanyneedofasking？
Theyarejustasmuchyoursasmine。Don’twealwaysgohalvesineverything？“beganLaurie，inthetonethatalwaysmadeJoturnthorny。
“Gracious，Ihopenot!Halfofsomeofyourthingswouldn’tsuitmeatall。Butwemustn’tstandphilanderinghere。
I’vegottohelpAmy，soyougoandmakeyourselfsplendid，andifyou’llbesoverykindastoletHayestakeafewniceflowersuptotheHall，I’llblessyouforever。“
“Couldn’tyoudoitnow？“askedLaurie，sosuggestivelythatJoshutthegateinhisfacewithinhospitablehaste，andcalledthroughthebars，“Goaway，Teddy，I’mbusy。“
Thankstotheconspirators，thetableswereturnedthatnight，forHayessentupawildernessofflowers，withaloverlybasketarrangedinhisbestmannerforacenterpiece。ThentheMarchfamilyturnedoutenmasse，andJoexertedherselftosomepurpose，forpeoplenotonlycame，butstayed，laughingathernonsense，admiringAmy’staste，andapparentlyenjoyingthemselvesverymuch。Laurieandhisfriendsgallantlythrewthemselvesintothebreach，boughtupthebouquets，encampedbeforethetable，andmadethatcornertheliveliestspotintheroom。Amywasinherelementnow，andoutofgratitude，ifnothingmore，wasasspritelyandgraciousaspossible，comingtotheconclusion，aboutthattime，thatvirtuewasit’sownreward，afterall。
Jobehavedherselfwithexemplarypropriety，andwhenAmywashappilysurroundedbyherguardofhonor，Jocirculatedaboutthehall，pickingupvariousbitsofgossip，whichenlightenedheruponthesubjectoftheChesterchangeofbase。ShereproachedherselfforhershareoftheillfeelingandresolvedtoexonerateAmyassoonaspossible。ShealsodiscoveredwhatAmyhaddoneaboutthethingsinthemorning，andconsideredheramodelofmagnanimity。
Asshepassedthearttable，sheglancedoveritforhersister’sthings，butsawnosignofthem。“Tuckedawayoutofsight，I
daresay，“thoughtJo，whocouldforgiverherownwrongs，buthotlyresentedanyinsultofferedherfamily。
“Goodevening，MissJo。HowdoesAmygeton？“askedMaywithaconciliatoryair，forshewantedtoshowthatshealsocouldbegenerous。
“Shehassoldeverythingshehadthatwasworthselling，andnowsheisenjoyingherself。Theflowertableisalwaysattractive，youknow，`especiallytogentlemen’。“
Jocouldn’tresistgivingthatlittleslap，butMaytookitsomeeklysheregretteditaminuteafter，andfelltopraisingthegreatvases，whichstillremainedunsold。
“IsAmy’silluminationanywhereabout“ItookafancytobuythatforFather，“saidJo，veryanxioustolearnthefateofhersister’swork。
“EverythingofAmy’ssoldlongago。Itookcarethattherightpeoplesawthem，andtheymadeanicelittlesumofmoneyforus，“returnedMay，whohadovercomesundrysmalltemptations，aswellasAmyhad，thatday。
Muchgratified，Jorushedbacktotellthegoodnews，andAmylookedbothtouchedandsurprisedbythereportofMay’swordandmanner。
“Now，gentlemen，Iwantyoutogoanddoyourdutybytheothertablesasgenerouslyasyouhavebymine，especiallythearttable，“shesaid，orderingout`Teddy’sown’，asthegirlscalledthecollegefriends。
“`Charge，Chester，charge!’isthemottoforthattable，butdoyourdutylikemen，andyou’llgetyourmoney’sworthofartineverysenseoftheword，“saidtheirrepressibleJo，asthedevotedphalanxpreparedtotakethefield。
“Tohearistoobey，butMarchisfairerfarthanMay，“saidlittleParker，makingafranticefforttobebothwittyandtender，andgettingpromptlyquenchedbyLaurie，whosaid……
“Verywell，myson，forasmallboy!“andwalkedhimoff，withapaternalpatonthehead。
“Buythevases，“whisperedAmytoLaurie，asafinalheapingofcoalsoffireonherenemy’shead。
ToMay’sgreatdelight，Mr。Laurencenotonlyboughtthevases，butpervadedthehallwithoneundereacharm。Theothergentlemenspeculatedwithequalrashnessinallsortsoffrailtrifles，andwanderedhelplesslyaboutafterward，burdenedwithwaxflowers，paintedfans，filigreeportfolios，andotherusefulandappropriatepurchases。
AuntCarrolwasthere，heardthestory，lookedpleased，andsaidsomethingtoMrs。Marchinacorner，whichmadethelatterladybeamwithsatisfaction，andwatchAmywithafacefullofmingledprideandanxiety，thoughshedidnotbetraythecauseofherpleasuretillseveraldayslater。
Thefairwaspronouncedasuccess，andwhenMaybadeAmygoodnight，shedidnotgushasusual，butgaveheranaffectionatekiss，andalookwhichsaid`forgiveandforget’。ThatsatisfiedAmy，andwhenshegothomeshefoundthevasesparadedontheparlorchimneypiecewithagreatbouquetineach。“TherewardofmeritforamagnanimousMarch，“asLaurieannouncedwithaflourish。
“You’veadealmoreprincipleandgenerosityandnoblenessofcharacterthanIevergaveyoucreditfor，Amy。You’vebehavedsweetly，andIrespectyouwithallmyheart，“saidJowarmly，astheybrushedtheirhairtogetherlatethatnight。
“Yes，wealldo，andloveherforbeingsoreadytoforgive。
Itmusthavebeendreadfullyhard，afterworkingsolongandsettingyourheartonsellingyourownprettythings。Idon’tbelieveIcouldhavedoneitaskindlyasyoudid，“addedBethfromherpillow。
“Why，girls，youneedn’tpraisemeso。IonlydidasI’dbedoneby。YoulaughatmewhenIsayIwanttobealady，butImeanatruegentlewomaninmindandmanners，andItrytodoitasfarasIknowhow。Ican’texplainexactly，butIwanttobeabovethelittlemeannessesandfolliesandfaultsthatspoilsomanywomen。I’mfarfromitnow，butIdomybest，andhopeintimetobewhatMotheris。“
Amyspokeearnestly，andJosaid，withacordialhug，“I
understandnowwhatyoumean，andI’llneverlaughatyouagain。
Youaregettingonfasterthanyouthink，andI’lltakelessonsofyouintruepoliteness，foryou’velearnedthesecret，Ibelieve。
Tryaway，deary，you’llgetyourrewardsomeday，andnoonewillbemoredelightedthanIshall。“