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。
“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，theredlegstoktheshapeofapairofcompasses，andtheintelligentpupiltriumphantlyshouted，“It’saWe，Dranpa，it’saWe!“
“He’sabornWeller，“laughedJo，asherparentgatheredhimselfup，andhernephewtriedtostandonhishead，astheonlymodeofexpressinghissatisfactionthatschoolwasover。
“Whathaveyoubeenattoday，bubchen？“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。
Chapter46CHAPTERFORTY-SIX
WhileLaurieandAmyweretakingconjugalstrollsovervelvetcarpets，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。