CHAPTER1
GossipInorderthatwemaystartafreshandgotoMeg’sweddingwithfreeminds，itwillbewelltobeginwithalittlegossipabouttheMarches。Andhereletmepremisethatifanyoftheeldersthinkthereistoomuch`lovering’inthestory，asIfeartheymay（I’mnotafraidtheyoungfolkswillmakethatobjection），IcanonlysaywithMrs。March，\"WhatcanyouexpectwhenIhavefourgaygirlsinthehouse，andadashingyoungneighborovertheway？\"
Thethreeyearsthathavepassedhavebroughtbutfewchangestothequietfamily。Thewarisover，andMr。Marchsafelyathome，busywithhisbooksandthesmallparishwhichfoundinhimaministerbynatureasbygrace，aquiet，studiousman，richinthewisdomthatisbetterthanlearning，thecharitywhichcallsallmankind`brother’，thepietythatblossomsintocharacter，makingitaugustandlovely。
Theseattributes，inspiteofpovertyandthestrictintegritywhichshuthimoutfromthemoreworldlysuccesses，attractedtohimmanyadmirablepersons，asnaturallyassweetherbsdrawbees，andasnaturallyhegavethemthehoneyintowhichfiftyyearsofhardexperiencehaddistillednobitterdrop。Earnestyoungmenfoundthegray—headedscholarasyoungatheartasthey，thoughtfulortroubledwomeninstinctivelybroughttheirdoubtstohim，sureoffindingthegentlestsympathy，thewisestcounsel。Sinnerstoldtheirsinstothepure—heartedoldmanandwerebothrebukedandsaved。Giftedmenfoundacompanioninhim。Ambitiousmencaughtglimpsesofnoblerambitionsthantheirown，andevenworldlingsconfessedthathisbeliefswerebeautifulandtrue，although`theywouldn’tpay’。
Tooutsidersthefiveenergeticwomenseemedtorulethehouse，andsotheydidinmanythings，butthequietscholar，sittingamonghisbooks，wasstilltheheadofthefamily，thehouseholdconscience，anchor，andcomforter，fortohimthebusy，anxiouswomenalwaysturnedintroubloustimes，findinghim，inthetruestsenseofthosesacredwords，husbandandfather。
Thegirlsgavetheirheartsintotheirmother’skeeping，theirsoulsintotheirfather’s，andtobothparents，wholivedandlaboredsofaithfullyforthem，theygavealovethatgrewwiththeirgrowthandboundthemtenderlytogetherbythesweetesttiewhichblesseslifeandoutlivesdeath。
Mrs。Marchisasbriskandcheery，thoughrathergrayer，thanwhenwesawherlast，andjustnowsoabsorbedinMeg’saffairsthatthehospitalsandhomesstillfullofwounded`boys’andsoldiers’widows，decidedlymissthemotherlymissionary’svisits。
JohnBrookedidhisdutymanfullyforayear，gotwounded，wassenthome，andnotallowedtoreturn。Hereceivednostarsorbars，buthedeservedthem，forhecheerfullyriskedallhehad，andlifeandloveareverypreciouswhenbothareinfullbloom。Perfectlyresignedtohisdischarge，hedevotedhimselftogettingwell，preparingforbusiness，andearningahomeforMeg。Withthegoodsenseandsturdyindependencethatcharacterizedhim，herefusedMr。Laurence’smoregenerousoffers，andacceptedtheplaceofbookkeeper，feelingbettersatisfiedtobeginwithanhonestlyearnedsalarythanbyrunninganyriskswithborrowedmoney。
Meghadspentthetimeinworkingaswellaswaiting，growingwomanlyincharacter，wiseinhousewifelyarts，andprettierthanever，forloveisagreatbeautifier。Shehadhergirlishambitionsandhopes，andfeltsomedisappointmentatthehumblewayinwhichthenewlifemustbegin。NedMoffathadjustmarriedSallieGardiner，andMegcouldn’thelpcontrastingtheirfinehouseandcarriage，manygifts，andsplendidoutfitwithherown，andsecretlywishingshecouldhavethesame。ButsomehowenvyanddiscontentsoonvanishedwhenshethoughtofallthepatientloveandlaborJohnhadputintothelittlehomeawaitingher，andwhentheysattogetherinthetwilight，talkingovertheirsmallplans，thefuturealwaysgrewsobeautifulandbrightthatsheforgotSallie’ssplendorandfeltherselftherichest，happiestgirlinChristendom。
JoneverwentbacktoAuntMarch，fortheoldladytooksuchafancytoAmythatshebribedherwiththeofferofdrawinglessonsfromoneofthebestteachersgoing，andforthesakeofthisadvantage，Amywouldhaveservedafarhardermistress。Soshegavehermorningstoduty，herafternoonstopleasure，andprosperedfinely。JomeantimedevotedherselftoliteratureandBeth，whoremaineddelicatelongafterthefeverwasathingofthepast。Notaninvalidexactly，butneveragaintherosy，healthycreatureshehadbeen，yetalwayshopeful，happy，andserene，andbusywiththequietdutiessheloved，everyone’sfriend，andanangelinthehouse，longbeforethosewholovedhermosthadlearnedtoknowit。
AslongasTHESPREADEAGLEpaidheradollaracolumnforher`rubbish’，asshecalledit，Jofeltherselfawomanofmeans，andspunherlittleromancesdiligently。Butgreatplansfermentedinherbusybrainandambitiousmind，andtheoldtinkitcheninthegarretheldaslowlyincreasingpileofblottedmanuscript，whichwasonedaytoplacethenameofMarchupontherolloffame。
Laurie，havingdutifullygonetocollegetopleasehisgrandfather，wasnowgettingthroughitintheeasiestpossiblemannertopleasehimself。Auniversalfavorite，thankstomoney，manners，muchtalent，andthekindestheartthatevergotitsownerintoscrapesbytryingtogetotherpeopleoutofthem，hestoodingreatdangerofbeingspoiled，andprobablywouldhavebeen，likemanyanotherpromisingboy，ifhehadnotpossessedatalismanagainstevilinthememoryofthekindoldmanwhowasboundupinhissuccess，themotherlyfriendwhowatchedoverhimasifhewereherson，andlast，butnotleastbyanymeans，theknowledgethatfourinnocentgirlsloved，admired，andbelievedinhimwithalltheirhearts。
Beingonly`aglorioushumanboy’，ofcoursehefrolickedandflirted，grewdandified，aquatic，sentimental，orgymnastic，ascollegefashionsordained，hazedandwashazed，talkedslang，andmorethanoncecameperilouslynearsuspensionandexpulsion。Butashighspiritsandtheloveoffunwerethecausesofthesepranks，healwaysmanagedtosavehimselfbyfrankconfession，honorableatonement，ortheirresistiblepowerofpersuasionwhichhepossessedinperfection。Infact，heratherpridedhimselfonhisnarrowescapes，andlikedtothrillthegirlswithgraphicaccountsofhistriumphsoverwrathfultutors，dignifiedprofessors，andvanquishedenemies。The`menofmyclass’，wereheroesintheeyesofthegirls，whoneverweariedoftheexploitsof`ourfellows’，andwerefrequentlyallowedtobaskinthesmilesofthesegreatcreatures，whenLauriebroughtthemhomewithhim。
Amyespeciallyenjoyedthishighhonor，andbecamequiteabelleamongthem，forherladyshipearlyfeltandlearnedtousethegiftoffascinationwithwhichshewasendowed。MegwastoomuchabsorbedinherprivateandparticularJohntocareforanyotherlordsofcreation，andBethtooshytodomorethanpeepatthemandwonderhowAmydaredtoorderthemaboutso，butJofeltquiteinherownelement，andfounditverydifficulttorefrainfromimitatingthegentlemanlyattitudes，phrases，andfeats，whichseemedmorenaturaltoherthanthedecorumsprescribedforyoungladies。TheyalllikedJoimmensely，butneverfellinlovewithher，thoughveryfewescapedwithoutpayingthetributeofasentimentalsighortwoatAmy’sshrine。Andspeakingofsentimentbringsusverynaturallytothe`Dovecote’。
ThatwasthenameofthelittlebrownhouseMr。BrookehadpreparedforMeg’sfirsthome。Lauriehadchristenedit，sayingitwashighlyappropriatetothegentleloverswho`wentontogetherlikeapairofturtledoves，withfirstabillandthenacoo’。Itwasatinyhouse，withalittlegardenbehindandalawnaboutasbigasapockethandkerchiefinthefront。HereMegmeanttohaveafountain，shrubbery，andaprofusionoflovelyflowers，thoughjustatpresentthefountainwasrepresentedbyaweather—beatenurn，verylikeadilapidatedslopbowl，theshrubberyconsistedofseveralyounglarches，undecidedwhethertoliveordie，andtheprofusionofflowerswasmerelyhintedbyregimentsofstickstoshowwhereseedswereplanted。Butinside，itwasaltogethercharming，andthehappybridesawnofaultfromgarrettocellar。Tobesure，thehallwassonarrowitwasfortunatethattheyhadnopiano，foronenevercouldhavebeengotinwhole，thediningroomwassosmallthatsixpeoplewereatightfit，andthekitchenstairsseemedbuiltfortheexpresspurposeofprecipitatingbothservantsandchinapell—mellintothecoalbin。Butoncegetusedtotheseslightblemishesandnothingcouldbemorecomplete，forgoodsenseandgoodtastehadpresidedoverthefurnishing，andtheresultwashighlysatisfactory。Therewerenomarble—toppedtables，longmirrors，orlacecurtainsinthelittleparlor，butsimplefurniture，plentyofbooks，afinepictureortwo，astandofflowersinthebaywindow，and，scatteredallabout，theprettygiftswhichcamefromfriendlyhandsandwerethefairerforthelovingmessagestheybrought。
Idon’tthinktheParianPsycheLauriegavelostanyofitsbeautybecauseJohnputupthebracketitstoodupon，thatanyupholsterercouldhavedrapedtheplainmuslincurtainsmoregracefullythanAmy’sartistichand，orthatanystore—roomwaseverbetterprovidedwithgoodwishes，merrywords，andhappyhopesthanthatinwhichJoandhermotherputawayMeg’sfewboxes，barrels，andbundles，andIammorallycertainthatthespandynewkitchennevercouldhavelookedsocozyandneatifHannahhadnotarrangedeverypotandpanadozentimesover，andlaidthefireallreadyforlightingtheminute`Mis。Brookecamehome’。Ialsodoubtifanyyoungmatroneverbeganlifewithsorichasupplyofdusters，holders，andpiecebags，forBethmadeenoughtolasttillthesilverweddingcameround，andinventedthreedifferentkindsofdishclothsfortheexpressserviceofthebridalchina。
Peoplewhohaveallthesethingsdoneforthemneverknowwhattheylose，forthehomeliesttasksgetbeautifiediflovinghandsdothem，andMegfoundsomanyproofsofthisthateverythinginhersmallnest，fromthekitchenrollertothesilvervaseonherparlortable，waseloquentofhomeloveandtenderforethought。
Whathappytimestheyhadplanningtogether，whatsolemnshoppingexcursions，whatfunnymistakestheymade，andwhatshoutsoflaughteraroseoverLaurie’sridiculousbargains。Inhisloveofjokes，thisyounggentleman，thoughnearlythroughcollege，wasamuchofaboyasever。Hislastwhimhadbeentobringwithhimonhisweeklyvisitssomenew，useful，andingeniousarticlefortheyounghousekeeper。Nowabagofremarkableclothespins，next，awonderfulnutmeggraterwhichfelltopiecesatthefirsttrial，aknifecleanerthatspoiledalltheknives，orasweeperthatpickedthenapneatlyoffthecarpetandleftthedirt，labor—savingsoapthattooktheskinoffone’shands，infalliblecementswhichstuckfirmlytonothingbutthefingersofthedeludedbuyer，andeverykindoftinware，fromatoysavingsbankforoddpennies，toawonderfulboilerwhichwouldwasharticlesinitsownsteamwitheveryprospectofexplodingintheprocess。
InvainMegbeggedhimtostop。Johnlaughedathim，andJocalledhim`Mr。Toodles’。HewaspossessedwithamaniaforpatronizingYankeeingenuity，andseeinghisfriendsfitlyfurnishedforth。Soeachweekbeheldsomefreshabsurdity。
Everythingwasdoneatlast，eventoAmy’sarrangingdifferentcoloredsoapstomatchthedifferentcoloredrooms，andBeth’ssettingthetableforthefirstmeal。
\"Areyousatisfied？Doesitseemlikehome，anddoyoufeelasifyoushouldbehappyhere？\"askedMrs。March，assheandherdaughterwentthroughthenewkingdomarminarm，forjustthentheyseemedtoclingtogethermoretenderlythanever。
\"Yes，Mother，perfectlysatisfied，thankstoyouall，andsohappythatIcan’ttalkaboutit，\"withalookthatwasfarbetterthanwords。
\"Ifsheonlyhadaservantortwoitwouldbeallright，\"saidAmy，comingoutoftheparlor，whereshehadbeentryingtodecidewhetherthebronzeMercurylookedbestonthewhatnotorthemantlepiece。
\"MotherandIhavetalkedthatover，andIhavemadeupmymindtotryherwayfirst。TherewillbesolittletodothatwithLottytorunmyerrandsandhelpmehereandthere，Ishallonlyhaveenoughworktokeepmefromgettinglazyorhomesick，\"answeredMegtranquilly。
\"SallieMoffathasfour，\"beganAmy。
\"IfMeghadfour，thehousewouldn’tholdthem，andmasterandmissiswouldhavetocampinthegarden，\"brokeinJo，who，envelopedinabigbluepinafore，wasgivingthelastpolishtothedoorhandles。
\"Sallieisn’tapoorman’swife，andmanymaidsareinkeepingwithherfineestablishment。MegandJohnbeginhumbly，butIhaveafeelingthattherewillbequiteasmuchhappinessinthelittlehouseasinthebigone。It’sagreatmistakeforyounggirlslikeMegtoleavethemselvesnothingtodobutdress，giveorders，andgossip。WhenIwasfirstmarried，Iusedtolongformynewclothestowearoutorgettorn，sothatImighthavethepleasureofmendingthem，forIgotheartilysickofdoingfancyworkandtendingmypockethandkerchief。\"
\"Whydidn’tyougointothekitchenandmakemesses，asSalliesaysshedoestoamuseherself，thoughtheyneverturnoutwellandtheservantslaughather，\"saidMeg。
\"Ididafterawhile，notto`mess’buttolearnofHannahhowthingsshouldbedone，thatmyservantsneednotlaughatme。Itwasplaythen，buttherecameatimewhenIwastrulygratefulthatInotonlypossessedthewillbutthepowertocookwholesomefoodformylittlegirls，andhelpmyselfwhenIcouldnolongeraffordtohirehelp。Youbeginattheotherend，Meg，dear，butthelessonsyoulearnnowwillbeofusetoyouby—and—bywhenJohnisaricherman，forthemistressofahouse，howeversplendid，shouldknowhowworkoughttobedone，ifshewishestobewellandhonestlyserved。\"
\"Yes，Mother，I’msureofthat，\"saidMeg，listeningrespectfullytothelittlelecture，forthebestofwomenwillholdforthupontheallabsorbingsubjectofhousekeeping。\"DoyouknowIlikethisroommostofallinmybabyhouse，\"addedMeg，aminuteafter，astheywentupstairsandshelookedintoherwell—storedlinencloset。
Bethwasthere，layingthesnowypilessmoothlyontheshelvesandexultingoverthegoodlyarray。AllthreelaughedasMegspoke，forthatlinenclosetwasajoke。Yousee，havingsaidthatifMegmarried`thatBrooke’sheshouldn’thaveacentofhermoney，AuntMarchwasratherinaquandarywhentimehadappeasedherwrathandmadeherrepenthervow。Sheneverbrokeherword，andwasmuchexercisedinhermindhowtogetroundit，andatlastdevisedaplanwherebyshecouldsatisfyherself。Mrs。Carrol，Florence’smamma，wasorderedtobuy，havemade，andmarkedageneroussupplyofhouseandtablelinen，andsenditasherpresent，allofwhichwasfaithfullydone，butthesecretleakedout，andwasgreatlyenjoyedbythefamily，forAuntMarchtriedtolookutterlyunconscious，andinsistedthatshecouldgivenothingbuttheold—fashionedpearlslongpromisedtothefirstbride。
\"That’sahousewifelytastewhichIamgladtosee。Ihadayoungfriendwhosetuphousekeepingwithsixsheets，butshehadfingerbowlsforcompanyandthatsatisfiedher，\"saidMrs。March，pattingthedamasktablecloths，withatrulyfeminineappreciationoftheirfineness。
\"Ihaven’tasinglefingerbowl，butthisisaset—outthatwilllastmeallmydays，Hannahsays。\"AndMeglookedquitecontented，aswellshemight。
Atall，broad—shoulderedyoungfellow，withacroppedhead，afeltbasinofahat，andaflyawaycoat，cametrampingdowntheroadatagreatpace，walkedoverthelowfencewithoutstoppingtoopenthegate，straightuptoMrs。March，withbothhandsoutandahearty……
\"HereIam，Mother！Yes，it’sallright。\"
Thelastwordswereinanswertothelooktheelderladygavehim，akindlyquestioninglookwhichthehandsomeeyesmetsofranklythatthelittleceremonyclosed，asusual，withamotherlykiss。
\"ForMrs。JohnBrooke，withthemaker’scongratulationsandcompliments。Blessyou，Beth！Whatarefreshingspectacleyouare，Jo。Amy，youaregettingaltogethertoohandsomeforasinglelady。\"
AsLauriespoke，hedeliveredabrownpaperparceltoMeg，pilledBeth’shairribbon，staredatJo’sbibpinafore，andfellintoanattitudeofmockrapturebeforeAmy，thenshookhandsallround，andeveryonebegantotalk。
\"WhereisJohn？\"askedMeganxiously。
\"Stoppedtogetthelicensefortomorrow，ma’am。\"
\"Whichsidewonthelastmatch，Teddy？\"inquiredJo，whopersistedinfeelinganinterestinmanlysportsdespitehernineteenyears。
\"Ours，ofcourse。Wishyou’dbeentheretosee。\"
\"HowisthelovelyMissRandal？\"askedAmywithasignificantsmile。
\"Morecruelthanever。Don’tyouseehowI’mpiningaway？\"AndLauriegavehisbroadchestasoundingslapandheavedamelodramaticsigh。
\"What’sthelastjoke？Undothebundleandsee，Meg，\"saidBeth，eyingtheknobbyparcelwithcuriosity。
\"It’sausefulthingtohaveinthehouseincaseoffireorthieves，\"observedLaurie，asawatchman’srattleappeared，amidthelaughterofthegirls。
\"AnytimewhenJohnisawayandyougetfrightened，Mrs。Meg，justswingthatoutofthefrontwindow，anditwillrousetheneighborhoodinajiffy。Nicething，isn’tit？\"AndLauriegavethemasampleofitspowersthatmadethemcoveruptheirears。
\"There’sgratitudeforyou！AndspeakingofgratituderemindsmetomentionthatyoumaythankHannahforsavingyourweddingcakefromdestruction。IsawitgoingintoyourhouseasIcameby，andifshehadn’tdefendeditmanfullyI’dhavehadapickatit，foritlookedlikearemarkablyplummyone。\"
\"Iwonderifyouwillevergrowup，Laurie，\"saidMeginamatronlytone。
\"I’mdoingmybest，ma’am，butcan’tgetmuchhigher，I’mafraid，assixfeetisaboutallmencandointhesedegeneratedays，\"respondedtheyounggentleman，whoseheadwasaboutlevelwiththelittlechandelier。
\"Isupposeitwouldbeprofanationtoeatanythinginthisspick—and—spanbower，soasI’mtremendouslyhungry，Iproposeanadjournment，\"headdedpresently。
\"MotherandIaregoingtowaitforJohn。Therearesomelastthingstosettle，\"saidMeg，bustlingaway。
\"BethandIaregoingovertoKittyBryant’stogetmoreflowersfortomorrow，\"addedAmy，tyingapicturesquehatoverherpicturesquecurls，andenjoyingtheeffectasmuchasanybody。
\"Come，Jo，don’tdesertafellow。I’minsuchastateofexhaustionIcan’tgethomewithouthelp。Don’ttakeoffyourapron，whateveryoudo，it’speculiarlybecoming，\"saidLaurie，asJobestowedhisespecialaversioninhercapaciouspocketandofferedherarmtosupporthisfeeblesteps。
\"Now，Teddy，Iwanttotalkseriouslytoyouabouttomorrow，\"beganJo，astheystrolledawaytogether。\"Youmustpromisetobehavewell，andnotcutupanypranks，andspoilourplans。\"
\"Notaprank。\"
\"Anddon’tsayfunnythingswhenweoughttobesober。\"
\"Ineverdo。Youaretheoneforthat。\"
\"AndIimploreyounottolookatmeduringtheceremony。Ishallcertainlylaughifyoudo。\"
\"Youwon’tseeme，you’llbecryingsohardthatthethickfogroundyouwillobscuretheprospect。\"
\"Inevercryunlessforsomegreataffliction。\"
\"Suchasfellowsgoingtocollege，hey？\"cutinLaurie，withsuggestivelaugh。
\"Don’tbeapeacock。Ionlymoanedatrifletokeepthegirlscompany。\"\"Exactly。Isay，Jo，howisGrandpathisweek？Prettyamiable？\"
\"Very。Why，haveyougotintoascrapeandwanttoknowhowhe’lltakeit？\"askedJorathersharply。
\"Now，Jo，doyouthinkI’dlookyourmotherinthefaceandsay`Allright’，ifitwasn’t？\"AndLauriestoppedshort，withaninjuredair。
\"No，Idon’t。\"
\"Thendon’tgoandbesuspicious。Ionlywantsomemoney，\"saidLaurie，walkingonagain，appeasedbyherheartytone。
\"Youspendagreatdeal，Teddy。\"
\"Blessyou，Idon’tspendit，itspendsitselfsomehow，andisgonebeforeIknowit。\"
\"Youaresogenerousandkind—heartedthatyouletpeopleborrow，andcan’tsay`No’toanyone。WeheardaboutHenshawandallyoudidforhim。Ifyoualwaysspentmoneyinthatway，noonewouldblameyou，\"saidJowarmly。
\"Oh，hemadeamountainoutofamolehill。Youwouldn’thavemeletthatfinefellowworkhimselftodeathjustforwantofalittlehelp，whenheisworthadozenofuslazychaps，wouldyou？\"
\"Ofcoursenot，butIdon’tseetheuseofyourhavingseventeenwaistcoats，endlessneckties，andanewhateverytimeyoucomehome。Ithoughtyou’dgotoverthedandyperiod，buteverynowandthenitbreaksoutinanewspot。Justnowit’sthefashiontobehideous，tomakeyourheadlooklikeascrubbingbrush，wearastraitjacket，orangegloves，andclumpingsquare—toedboots。Ifitwascheapugliness，I’dsaynothing，butitcostsasmuchastheother，andIdon’tgetanysatisfactionoutofit。\"
Lauriethrewbackhishead，andlaughedsoheartilyatthisattack，thatthefelthatfelloff，andJowalkedonit，whichinsultonlyaffordedhimanopportunityforexpatiatingontheadvantagesofarough—and—readycostume，ashefoldedupthemaltreatedhat，andstuffeditintohispocket。
\"Don’tlectureanymore，there’sagoodsoul！Ihaveenoughallthroughtheweek，andliketoenjoymyselfwhenIcomehome。I’llgetmyselfupregardlessofexpensetomorrowandbeasatisfactiontomyfriends。\"
\"I’llleaveyouinpeaceifyou’llonlyletyourhairgrow。I’mnotaristocratic，butIdoobjecttobeingseenwithapersonwholookslikeayoungprizefighter，\"observedJoseverely。
\"Thisunassumingstylepromotesstudy，that’swhyweadoptit，\"returnedLaurie，whocertainlycouldnotbeaccusedofvanity，havingvoluntarilysacrificedahandsomecurlycroptothedemandforquarter—inch—longstubble。
\"Bytheway，Jo，IthinkthatlittleParkerisreallygettingdesperateaboutAmy。Hetalksofherconstantly，writespoetry，andmoonsaboutinamostsuspiciousmanner。He’dbetterniphislittlepassioninthebud，hadn’the？\"addedLaurie，inaconfidential，elderbrotherlytone，afteraminute’ssilence。
\"Ofcoursehehad。Wedon’twantanymoremarryinginthisfamilyforyearstocome。Mercyonus，whatarethechildrenthinkingof？\"AndJolookedasmuchscandalizedasifAmyandlittleParkerwerenotyetintheirteens。
\"It’safastage，andIdon’tknowwhatwearecomingto，ma’am。Youareamereinfant，butyou’llgonext，Jo，andwe’llbeleftlamenting，\"saidLaurie，shakinghisheadoverthedegeneracyofthetimes。
\"Don’tbealarmed。I’mnotoneoftheagreeablesort。Nobodywillwantme，andit’samercy，forthereshouldalwaysbeoneoldmaidinafamily。\"
\"Youwon’tgiveanyoneachance，\"saidLaurie，withasidelongglanceandalittlemorecolorthanbeforeinhissunburnedface。\"Youwon’tshowthesoftsideofyourcharacter，andifafellowgetsapeepatitbyaccidentandcan’thelpshowingthathelikesit，youtreathimasMrs。Gummidgedidhersweetheart，throwcoldwateroverhim，andgetsothornynoonedarestouchorlookatyou。\"
\"Idon’tlikethatsortofthing。I’mtoobusytobeworriedwithnonsense，andIthinkit’sdreadfultobreakupfamiliesso。Nowdon’tsayanymoreaboutit。Meg’sweddinghasturnedallourheads，andwetalkofnothingbutloversandsuchabsurdities。Idon’twishtogetcross，solet’schangethesubject。\"AndJolookedquitereadytoflingcoldwaterontheslightestprovocation。
Whateverhisfeelingsmighthavebeen，Lauriefoundaventfortheminalonglowwhistleandthefearfulpredictionastheypartedatthegate，\"Markmywords，Jo，you’llgonext。\"
GoodWives:Chapter10CHAPTER10Jo’sJournalNewYork，NovemberDearMarmeeandBeth，I’mgoingtowriteyouaregularvolume，forI’vegotheapstotell，thoughI’mnotafineyoungladytravelingonthecontinent。WhenIlostsightofFather’sdearoldface，Ifeltatrifleblue，andmighthaveshedabrinydroportwo，ifanIrishladywithfoursmallchildren，allcryingmoreorless，hadn’tdivertedmymind，forIamusedmyselfbydroppinggingerbreadnutsovertheseateverytimetheyopenedtheirmouthstoroar。
Soonthesuncameout，andtakingitasagoodomen，Icleareduplikewiseandenjoyedmyjourneywithallmyheart。
Mrs。KirkewelcomedmesokindlyIfeltathomeatonce，eveninthatbighousefullofstrangers。Shegavemeafunnylittleskyparlor——allshehad，butthereisastoveinit，andanicetableinasunnywindow，soIcansithereandwritewheneverIlike。Afineviewandachurchtoweroppositeatoneforthemanystairs，andItookafancytomydenonthespot。Thenursery，whereIamtoteachandsew，isapleasantroomnextMrs。Kirke’sprivateparlor，andthetwolittlegirlsareprettychildren，ratherspoiled，Ifancy，buttheytooktomeaftertellingthemTheSevenBadPigs，andI’venodoubtIshallmakeamodelgoverness。
Iamtohavemymealswiththechildren，ifIpreferittothegreattable，andforthepresentIdo，forIambashful，thoughnoonewillbelieveit。
\"Now，mydear，makeyourselfathome，\"saidMrs。K。inhermotherlyway，\"I’monthedrivefrommorningtonight，asyoumaysupposewithsuchafamily，butagreatanxietywillbeoffmymindifIknowthechildrenaresafewithyou。Myroomsarealwaysopentoyou，andyourownshallbeascomfortableasIcanmakeit。Therearesomepleasantpeopleinthehouseifyoufeelsociable，andyoureveningsarealwaysfree。Cometomeifanythinggoeswrong，andbeashappyasyoucan。There’stheteabell，Imustrunandchangemycap。\"Andoffshebustled，leavingmetosettlemyselfinmynewnest。
AsIwentdownstairssoonafter，IsawsomethingIliked。Theflightsareverylonginthistallhouse，andasIstoodwaitingattheheadofthethirdoneforalittleservantgirltolumberup，Isawagentlemancomealongbehindher，taketheheavyhodofcoaloutofherhand，carryitallthewayup，putitdownatadoornearby，andwalkaway，saying，withakindnodandaforeignaccent，\"Itgoesbetterso。Thelittlebackistooyoungtohafsuchheaviness。\"
Wasn’titgoodofhim？Ilikesuchthings，forasFathersays，triflesshowcharacter。WhenImentionedittoMrs。K。，thatevening，shelaughed，andsaid，\"ThatmusthavebeenProfessorBhaer，he’salwaysdoingthingsofthatsort。\"
Mrs。K。toldmehewasfromBerlin，verylearnedandgood，butpoorasachurchmouse，andgiveslessonstosupporthimselfandtwolittleorphannephewswhomheiseducatinghere，accordingtothewishesofhissister，whomarriedanAmerican。Notaveryromanticstory，butitinterestedme，andIwasgladtohearthatMrs。K。lendshimherparlorforsomeofhisscholars。Thereisaglassdoorbetweenitandthenursery，andImeantopeepathim，andthenI’lltellyouhowhelooks。He’salmostforty，soit’snoharm，Marmee。
Afterteaandago—to—bedrompwiththelittlegirls，Iattackedthebigwork—basket，andhadaquieteveningchattingwithmynewfriend。Ishallkeepajournal—letter，andsenditonceaweek，sogoodnight，andmoretomorrow。
TuesdayEveHadalivelytimeinmyseminarythismorning，forthechildrenactedlikeSancho，andatonetimeIreallythoughtIshouldshakethemallround。Somegoodangelinspiredmetotrygymnastics，andIkeptituptilltheyweregladtositdownandkeepstill。Afterluncheon，thegirltookthemoutforawalk，andIwenttomyneedleworklikelittleMabel`withawillingmind’。IwasthankingmystarsthatI’dlearnedtomakenicebuttonholes，whentheparlordooropenedandshut，andsomeonebegantohum:KennstDuDasLand’，likeabigbumblebee。Itwasdreadfullyimproper，Iknow，butIcouldn’tresistthetemptation，andliftingoneendofthecurtainbeforetheglassdoor，Ipeepedin。ProfessorBhaerwasthere，andwhilehearrangedhisbooks，Itookagoodlookathim。AregularGerman——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。