TuesdayEveHadalivelytimeinmyseminarythismorning，forthechildrenactedlikeSancho，andatonetimeIreallythoughtI
shouldshakethemallround。Somegoodangelinspiredmetotrygymnastics，andIkeptituptilltheyweregladtositdownandkeepstill。Afterluncheon，thegirltookthemoutforawalk，andIwenttomyneedleworklikelittleMabel`withawillingmind’。IwasthankingmystarsthatI’dlearnedtomakenicebuttonholes，whentheparlordooropenedandshut，andsomeonebegantohum，KennstDuDasLand，likeabigbumblebee。
Itwasdreadfullyimproper，Iknow，butIcouldn’tresistthetemptation，andliftingoneendofthecurtainbeforetheglassdoor，Ipeepedin。ProfessorBhaerwasthere，andwhilehearrangedhisbooks，Itookagoodlookathim。A
regularGerman——ratherstout，withbrownhairtumbledalloverhishead，abushybeard，goodnose，thekindesteyesIeversaw，andasplendidbigvoicethatdoesone’searsgood，afteroursharporslipshodAmericangabble。Hisclotheswererusty，hishandswerelarge，andhehadn’tareallyhandsomefeatureinhisface，excepthisbeautifulteeth，yetIlikedhim，forhehadafinehead，hislinenwasverynice，andhelookedlikeagentleman，thoughtwobuttonswereoffhiscoatandtherewasapatchononeshoe。Helookedsoberinspiteofhishumming，tillhewenttothewindowtoturnthehyacinthbulbstowardthesun，andstrokethecat，whoreceivedhimlikeanoldfriend。Thenhesmiled，andwhenatapcameatthedoor，calledoutinaloud，brisktone，“Herein!“
Iwasjustgoingtorun，whenIcaughtsightofamorselofachildcarryingabigbook，andstopped，toseewhatwasgoingon。
“MewantsmeBhaer，“saidthemite，slammingdownherbookandrunningtomeethim。
“ThoushalthafthyBhaer。Come，then，andtakeagoothugfromhim，myTina，“saidtheProfessor，catchingherupwithalaugh，andholdinghersohighoverhisheadthatshehadtostoopherlittlefacetokisshim。
“Nowmemustuddymylessin，“wentonthefunnylittlething。Soheputherupatthetable，openedthegreatdictionaryshehadbrought，andgaveherapaperandpencil，andshescribbledaway，turningaleafnowandthen，andpassingherlittlefatfingerdownthepage，asiffindingaword，sosoberlythatInearlybetrayedmyselfbyalaugh，whileMr。Bhaerstoodstrokingherprettyhairwithafatherlylookthatmademethinkshemustbehisown，thoughshelookedmoreFrenchthanGerman。
Anotherknockandtheappearanceoftwoyoungladiessentmebacktomywork，andthereIvirtuouslyremainedthroughallthenoiseandgabblingthatwentonnextdoor。Oneofthegirlskeptlaughingaffectedly，andsaying，“NowProfessor，“inacoquettishtone，andtheotherpronouncedherGermanwithanaccentthatmusthavemadeithardforhimtokeepsober。
Bothseemedtotryhispatiencesorely，formorethanonceIheardhimsayemphatically，“No，no，itisnotso，youhafnotattendtowhatIsay，“andoncetherewasaloudrap，asifhestruckthetablewithhisbook，followedbythedespairingexclamation，“Prut!Itallgoesbadthisday。“
Poorman，Ipitiedhim，andwhenthegirlsweregone，tookjustonemorepeeptoseeifhesurvivedit。Heseemedtohavethrownhimselfbackinhischair，tiredout，andsattherewithhiseyesshuttilltheclockstrucktwo，whenhejumpedup，puthisbooksinhispocket，asifreadyforanotherlesson，andtakinglittleTinawhohadfallenasleeponthesofainhisarms，hecarriedherquietlyaway。Ifancyhehasahardlifeofit。Mrs。KirkeaskedmeifIwouldn’tgodowntothefiveo’clockdinner，andfeelingalittlebithomesick，IthoughtIwould，justtoseewhatsortofpeopleareunderthesameroofwithme。SoImademyselfrespectableandtriedtoslipinbehindMrs。Kirke，butassheisshortandI’mtall，myeffortsatconcealmentwereratherafailure。Shegavemeaseatbyher，andaftermyfacecooledoff，Ipluckedupcourageandlookedaboutme。Thelongtablewasfull，andevery——
oneintentongettingtheirdinner，thegentlemenespecially，whoseemedtobeeatingontime，fortheyboltedineverysenseoftheword，vanishingassoonastheyweredone。Therewastheusualassortmentofyoungmenabsorbedinthemselves，youngcouplesabsorbedineachother，marriedladiesintheirbabies，andoldgentlemeninpolitics。Idon’tthinkIshallcaretohavemuchtodowithanyofthem，exceptonesweetfacedmaidenlady，wholooksasifshehadsomethinginher。
CastawayattheverybottomofthetablewastheProfessor，shoutinganswerstothequestionsofaveryinquisitive，deafoldgentlemanononeside，andtalkingphilosophywithaFrenchmanontheother。IfAmyhadbeenhere，she’dhaveturnedherbackonhimforeverbecause，sadtorelate，hehadagreatappetite，andshoveledinhisdinnerinamannerwhichwouldhavehorrified`herladyship’。Ididn’tmind，forIlike`toseefolkseatwitharelish’，asHannahsays，andthepoormanmusthaveneededadealoffoodafterteachingidiotsallday。
AsIwentupstairsafterdinner，twooftheyoungmenweresettlingtheirhatsbeforethehallmirror，andIheardonesaylowtotheother，“Who’sthenewparty？“
“Governess，orsomethingofthatsort。“
“Whatthedeuceissheatourtablefor？“
“Friendoftheoldlady’s。“
“Handsomehead，butnostyle。“
“Notabitofit。Giveusalightandcomeon。“
Ifeltangryatfirst，andthenIdidn’tcare，foragovernessisasgoodasaclerk，andI’vegotsense，ifIhaven’tstyle，whichismorethansomepeoplehave，judgingfromtheremarksoftheelegantbeingswhoclatteredaway，smokinglikebadchimneys。Ihateordinarypeople!
ThursdayYesterdaywasaquietdayspentinteaching，sewing，andwritinginmylittleroom，whichisverycozy，withalightandfire。IpickedupafewbitsofnewsandwasintroducedtotheProfessor。ItseemsthatTinaisthechildoftheFrenchwomanwhodoesthefineironinginthelaundryhere。ThelittlethinghaslostherhearttoMr。Bhaer，andfollowshimaboutthehouselikeadogwheneverheisathome，whichdelightshim，asheisveryfondofchildren，thougha`bacheldore’。KittyandMinnieKirklikewiseregardhimwithaffection，andtellallsortsofstoriesabouttheplaysheinvents，thepresentshebrings，andthesplendidtaleshetells。Theyoungermenquizhim，itseems，callhimOldFritz，LagerBeer，UrsaMajor，andmakeallmannerofjokesonhisname。Butheenjoysitlikeaboy，Mrs。Kirkesays，andtakesitsogood-naturedlythattheyalllikehiminspiteofhisforeignways。
ThemaidenladyisaMissNorton，rich，cultivated，andkind。ShespoketomeatdinnertodayforIwenttotableagain，it’ssuchfuntowatchpeople，andaskedmetocomeandseeheratherroom。Shehasfinebooksandpictures，knowsinterestingpersons，andseemsfriendly，soIshallmakemyselfagreeable，forIdowanttogetintogoodsociety，onlyitisn’tthesamesortthatAmylikes。
IwasinourparlorlasteveningwhenMr。BhaercameinwithsomenewspapersforMrs。Kirke。Shewasn’tthere，butMinnie，whoisalittleoldwoman，introducedmeveryprettily。
“ThisisMamma’sfriend，MissMarch。“
“Yes，andshe’sjollyandwelikeherlots，“addedKitty，whoisand`enfantterrible’。
Webothbowed，andthenwelaughed，fortheprimintroductionandthebluntadditionwereratheracomicalcontrast。
“Ah，yes，Ihearthesenaughtyonesgotovexyou，MeesMarsch。Ifsoagain，callatmeandIcome，“hesaid，withathreateningfrownthatdelightedthelittlewretches。
IpromisedIwould，andhedeparted，butitseemsasifI
wasdoomedtoseeagooddealofhim，fortodayasIpassedhisdooronmywayout，byaccidentIknockedagainstitwithmyumbrella。Itflewopen，andtherehestoodinhisdressinggown，withabigbluesockononehandandadarningneedleintheother。Hedidn’tseematallashamedofit，forwhenIexplainedandhurriedon，hewavedhishand，sockandall，sayinginhisloud，cheerfulway……
“Youhafafinedaytomakeyourwalk。Bonvoyage，Mademoiselle。“
Ilaughedallthewaydownstairs，butitwasalittlepathetic，alsotothinkofthepoormanhavingtomendhisownclothes。
TheGermangentlemenembroider，Iknow，butdarninghoseisanotherthingandnotsopretty。
Nothinghashappenedtowriteabout，exceptacallonMissNorton，whohasaroomfullofprettythings，andwhowasverycharming，forsheshowedmeallhertreasures，andaskedmeifIwouldsometimesgowithhertolecturesandconcerts，asherescort，ifIenjoyedthem。Sheputitasafavor，butI’msureMrs。Kirkehastoldheraboutus，andshedoesitoutofkindnesstome。I’masproudasLucifer，butsuchfavorsfromsuchpeopledon’tburdenme，andIacceptedgratefully。
WhenIgotbacktothenurserytherewassuchanuproarintheparlorthatIlookedin，andtherewasMr。Bhaerdownonhishandsandknees，withTinaonhisback，Kittyleadinghimwithajumprope，andMinniefeedingtwosmallboyswithseedcakes，astheyroaredandrampedincagesbuiltofchairs。
“Weareplayingnargerie，“explainedKitty。
“Disismineeffalunt!“addedTina，holdingonbytheProfessor’shair。
“MammaalwaysallowsustodowhatwelikeSaturdayafternoon，whenFranzandEmilcome，doesn’tshe，Mr。Bhaer？“
saidMinnie。
The`effalunt’satup，lookingasmuchinearnestasanyofthem，andsaidsoberlytome，“Igifyoumywortitisso，ifwemaketoolargeanoiseyoushallsayHush!tous，andwegomoresoftly。“
Ipromisedtodoso，butleftthedooropenandenjoyedthefunasmuchastheydid，foramoregloriousfrolicIneverwitnessed。Theyplayedtagandsoldiers，dancedandsang，andwhenitbegantogrowdarktheyallpiledontothesofaabouttheProfessor，whilehetoldcharmingfairystoriesofthestorksonthechimneytops，andthelittle`koblods’，whoridethesnowflakesastheyfall。IwishAmericanswereassimpleandnaturalasGermans，don’tyou？
I’msofondofwriting，Ishouldgospinningonforeverifmotivesofeconomydidn’tstopme，forthoughI’veusedthinpaperandwrittenfine，Itrembletothinkofthestampsthislongletterwillneed。PrayforwardAmy’sassoonasyoucansparethem。Mysmallnewswillsoundveryflatafterhersplendors，butyouwilllikethem，Iknow。IsTeddystudyingsohardthathecan’tfindtimetowritetohisfriends？Takegoodcareofhimforme，Beth，andtellmeallaboutthebabies，andgiveheapsoflovetoeveryone。FromyourfaithfulJo。
P。S。Onreadingovermyletter，itstrikesmeasratherBhaery，butIamalwaysinterestedinoddpeople，andIreallyhadnothingelsetowriteabout。Blessyou!
DECEMBER
MyPreciousBetsey，Asthisistobeascribble-scrabbleletter，Idirectittoyou，foritmayamuseyou，andgiveyousomeideaofmygoingson，forthoughquiet，theyareratheramusing，forwhich，oh，bejoyful!AfterwhatAmywouldcallHerculaneumefforts，inthewayofmentalandmoralagriculture，myyoungideasbegintoshootandmylittletwigstobendasIcouldwish。TheyarenotsointerestingtomeasTinaandtheboys，butIdomydutybythem，andtheyarefondofme。FranzandEmilarejollylittlelads，quiteaftermyownheart，forthemixtureofGermanandAmericanspiritintheproducesaconstantstateofeffervescence。Saturdayafternoonsareriotoustimes，whetherspentinthehouseorout，foronpleasantdaystheyallgotowalk，likeaseminary，withtheProfessorandmyselftokeeporder，andthensuchfun!
Weareverygoodfriendsnow，andI’vebeguntotakelessons。Ireallycouldn’thelpit，anditallcameaboutinsuchadrollwaythatImusttellyou。Tobeginatthebeginning，Mrs。KirkecalledtomeonedayasIpassedMr。Bhaer’sroomwhereshewasrummaging。
“Didyoueverseesuchaden，mydear？Justcomeandhelpmeputthesebookstorights，forI’veturnedeverythingupsidedown，tryingtodiscoverwhathehasdonewiththesixnewhandkerchiefsIgavehimnotlongago。“
Iwentin，andwhileweworkedIlookedaboutme，foritwas`aden’tobesure。Booksandpaperseverywhere，abrokenmeerschaum，andanoldfluteoverthemantlepieceasifdonewith，araggedbirdwithoutanytailchirpedononewindowseat，andaboxofwhitemiceadornedtheother。Half-finishedboatsandbitsofstringlayamongthemanuscripts。Dirtylittlebootsstooddryingbeforethefire，andtracesofthedearlybelovedboys，forwhomhemakesaslaveofhimself，weretobeseenallovertheroom。Afteragrandrummagethreeofthemissingarticleswerefound，oneoverthebirdcage，onecoveredwithink，andathirdburnedbrown，havingbeenusedasaholder。
“Suchaman!“laughedgood-naturedMrs。K。，assheputtherelicsintheragbay。“Isupposetheothersaretornuptorigships，bandagecutfingers，ormakekitetails。It’sdreadful，butIcan’tscoldhim。He’ssoabsent-mindedandgoodnatured，heletsthoseboysrideoverhimroughshod。Iagreedtodohiswashingandmending，butheforgetstogiveouthisthingsandIforgettolookthemover，sohecomestoasadpasssometimes。“
“Letmemendthem，“saidI。“Idon’tmindit，andheneedn’tknow。I’dliketo，he’ssokindtomeaboutbringingmylettersandlendingbooks。“
SoIhavegothisthingsinorder，andknitheelsintotwopairsofthesocks，fortheywereboggledoutofshapewithhisqueerdarns。Nothingwassaid，andIhopedhewouldn’tfinditout，butonedaylastweekhecaughtmeatit。HearingthelessonshegivestoothershasinterestedandamusedmesomuchthatItookafancytolear，forTinarunsinandout，leavingthedooropen，andIcanhear。Ihadbeensittingnearthisdoor，finishingoffthelastsock，andtryingtounderstandwhathesaidtoanewscholar，whoisasstupidasIam。Thegirlhadgone，andIthoughthehadalso，itwassostill，andIwasbusilygabblingoveraverb，androckingtoandfroinamostabsurdway，whenalittlecrowmademelookup，andtherewasMr。Bhaerlookingandlaughingquietly，whilehemadesignstoTinanottobetrayhim。
“So!“hesaid，asIstoppedandstaredlikeagoose，“youpeepatme，Ipeepatyou，andthisisnotbad，butsee，IamnotpleasantingwhenIsay，hafyouawishforGerman？“
“Yes，butyouaretoobusy。Iamtoostupidtolearn，“I
blunderedout，asredasapeony。