“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。“
“Prut!ThatIdonotbelieve。Itwasasleeptillthefairyprincecamethroughthewood，andwakeditup。Ah，well，`DieersteLiebeistdiebeste’，butthatIshouldnotexpect。“
“Yes，thefirstloveisthebest，butbesocontented，forI
neverhadanother。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。“
INTHEGARRET
Fourlittlechestsallinarow，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。HowcouldI
askyoutogifupsomuchforapooroldfellow，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。
ForayearJoandherProfessorworkedandwaited，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，I
seemtofeeltheirwants，andsympathizewiththeirtroubles，andoh，Ishouldsoliketobeamothertothem!“
Mrs。MarchheldoutherhandtoJo，whotookit，smiling，withtearsinhereyes，andwentonintheoldenthusiasticway，whichtheyhadnotseenforalongwhile。
“ItoldmyplantoFritzonce，andhesaiditwasjustwhathewouldlike，andagreedtotryitwhenwegotrich。Blesshisdearheart，he’sbeendoingitallhislife——helpingpoorboys，I
mean，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？“