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，exceptonesweet—facedmaidenlady，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。Shespoketomeatdinnertoday（forIwenttotableagain，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，butitseemsasifIwasdoomedtoseeagooddealofhim，fortodayasIpassedhisdooronmywayout，byaccidentIknockedagainstitwithmyumbrella。Itflewopen，andtherehestoodinhisdressinggown，withabigbluesockononehandandadarningneedleintheother。Hedidn’tseematallashamedofit，forwhenIexplainedandhurriedon，hewavedhishand，sockandall，sayinginhisloud，cheerfulway……
\"Youhafafinedaytomakeyourwalk。Bonvoyage，Mademoiselle。\"
Ilaughedallthewaydownstairs，butitwasalittlepathetic，alsotothinkofthepoormanhavingtomendhisownclothes。TheGermangentlemenembroider，Iknow，butdarninghoseisanotherthingandnotsopretty。
SaturdayNothinghashappenedtowriteabout，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—mindedandgood—natured，heletsthoseboysrideoverhimroughshod。Iagreedtodohiswashingandmending，butheforgetstogiveouthisthingsandIforgettolookthemover，sohecomestoasadpasssometimes。\"
\"Letmemendthem，\"saidI。\"Idon’tmindit，andheneedn’tknow。I’dliketo，he’ssokindtomeaboutbringingmylettersandlendingbooks。\"
SoIhavegothisthingsinorder，andknitheelsintotwopairsofthesocks，fortheywereboggledoutofshapewithhisqueerdarns。Nothingwassaid，andIhopedhewouldn’tfinditout，butonedaylastweekhecaughtmeatit。HearingthelessonshegivestoothershasinterestedandamusedmesomuchthatItookafancytolearn;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，\"Iblunderedout，asredasapeony。
\"Prut！Wewillmakethetime，andwefailnottofindthesense。AtefeningIshallgifalittlelessonwithmuchgladness，forlookyou，MeesMarsch，Ihafthisdebttopay。\"Andhepointedtomywork`Yes，’theysaytooneanother，thesesokindladies，`heisastupidoldfellow，hewillseenotwhatwedo，hewillneverobservethathissockheelsgonotinholesanymore，hewillthinkhisbuttonsgrowoutnewwhentheyfall，andbelievethatstringsmaketheirselves。’\"Ah！ButIhafaneye，andIseemuch。Ihafaheart，andIfeelthanksforthis。Come，alittlelessonthenandnow，ornomoregoodfairyworksformeandmine。\"
OfcourseIcouldn’tsayanythingafterthat，andasitreallyisasplendidopportunity，Imadethebargain，andwebegan。Itookfourlessons，andthenIstuckfastinagrammaticalbog。TheProfessorwasverypatientwithme，butitmusthavebeentormenttohim，andnowandthenhe’dlookatmewithsuchanexpressionofmilddespairthatitwasatoss—upwithmewhethertolaughorcry。Itriedbothways，andwhenitcametoasnifforuttermortificationandwoe，hejustthrewthegrammarontothefloorandmarchedoutoftheroom。Ifeltmyselfdisgracedanddesertedforever，butdidn’tblamehimaparticle，andwasscramblingmypaperstogether，meaningtorushupstairsandshakemyselfhard，wheninhecame，asbriskandbeamingasifI’dcoveredmyselfinglory。
\"Nowweshalltryanewway。YouandIwillreadthesepleasantlittleMäarchentogether，anddignomoreinthatdrybook，thatgoesinthecornerformakingustrouble。\"
Hespokesokindly，andopenedHansAndersons’sfairytalessoinvitinglybeforeme，thatIwasmoreashamedthanever，andwentatmylessoninaneck—or—nothingstylethatseemedtoamusehimimmensely。Iforgotmybashfulness，andpeggedaway（nootherwordwillexpressit）withallmymight，tumblingoverlongwords，pronouncingaccordingtoinspirationoftheminute，anddoingmyverybest。WhenIfinishedreadingmyfirstpage，andstoppedforbreath，heclappedhishandsandcriedoutinhisheartyway，\"Dasistgut！’Nowwegowell！Myturn。IdohiminGerman，gifmeyourear。\"Andawayhewent，rumblingoutthewordswithhisstrongvoiceandarelishwhichwasgoodtoseeaswellashear。FortunatelythestorywastheCONSTANTTINSOLDIER，whichisdroll，youknow，soIcouldlaugh，andIdid，thoughIdidn’tunderstandhalfheread，forIcouldn’thelpit，hewassoearnest，Isoexcited，andthewholethingsocomical。Afterthatwegotonbetter，andnowIreadmylessonsprettywell，forthiswayofstudyingsuitsme，andIcanseethatthegrammargetstuckedintothetalesandpoetryasonegivespillsinjelly。Ilikeitverymuch，andhedoesn’tseemtiredofityet，whichisverygoodofhim，isn’tit？ImeantogivehimsomethingonChristmas，forIdarenotoffermoney。Tellmesomethingnice，Marmee。
I’mgladLaurieseemssohappyandbusy，thathehasgivenupsmokingandletshishairgrow。YouseeBethmanageshimbetterthanIdid。I’mnotjealous，dear，doyourbest，onlydon’tmakeasaintofhim。I’mafraidIcouldn’tlikehimwithoutaspiceofhumannaughtiness。Readhimbitsofmyletters。Ihaven’ttimetowritemuch，andthatwilldojustaswell。ThankHeavenBethcontinuessocomfortable。
JANUARY
AHappyNewYeartoyouall，mydearestfamily，whichofcourseincludesMr。L。andayoungmanbythenameofTeddy。Ican’ttellyouhowmuchIenjoyedyourChristmasbundle，forididn’tgetittillnightandhadgivenuphoping。Yourlettercameinthemorning，butyousaidnothingaboutaparcel，meaningitforasurprise，soIwasdisappointed，forI’dhada`kindoffeeling’thatyouwouldn’tforgetme。IfeltalittlelowinmymindasIsatupinmyroomaftertea，andwhenthebig，muddy，battered—lookingbundlewasbroughttome，Ijusthuggeditandpranced。ItwassohomeyandrefreshingthatIsatdownonthefloorandreadandlookedandateandlaughedandcried，inmyusualabsurdway。ThethingswerejustwhatIwanted，andallthebetterforbeingmadeinsteadofbought。Beth’snew`inkbib’wascapital，andHannah’sboxofhardgingerbreadwillbeatreasure。I’llbesureandweartheniceflannelsyousent，Marmee，andreadcarefullythebooksFatherhasmarked。Thankyouall，heapsandheaps！
SpeakingofbooksremindsmethatI’mgettingrichinthatline，foronNewYear’sDayMr。BhaergavemeafineShakespeare。Itisonehevaluesmuch，andI’veoftenadmiredit，setupintheplaceofhonorwithhisGermanBible，Plato，Homer，andMilton，soyoumayimaginehowIfeltwhenhebroughtitdown，withoutitscover，andshowedmemyownnameinit，\"frommyfriendFriedrichBhaer\"。
\"Yousayoftenyouwishalibrary。HereIgifyouone，forbetweentheselids（hemeantcovers）ismanybooksinone。Readhimwell，andhewillhelpyoumuch，forthestudyofcharacterinthisbookwillhelpyoutoreaditintheworldandpaintitwithyourpen。\"
IthankedhimaswellasIcould，andtalknowabout`mylibrary’，asifIhadahundredbooks。IneverknewhowmuchtherewasinShakespearebefore，butthenIneverhadaBhaertoexplainittome。Nowdon’tlaughathishorridname。Itisn’tpronouncedeitherBearorBeer，aspeoplewillsayit，butsomethingbetweenthetwo，asonlyGermanscangiveit。I’mgladyoubothlikewhatItellyouabouthim，andhopeyouwillknowhimsomeday。Motherwouldadmirehiswarmheart，Fatherhiswisehead。Iadmireboth，andfeelrichinmynew`friendFriedrichBhaer’。
Nothavingmuchmoney，orknowingwhathe’dlike，Igotseverallittlethings，andputthemabouttheroom，wherehewouldfindthemunexpectedly。Theywereuseful，pretty，orfunny，anewstandishonhistable，alittlevaseforhisflower，healwayshasone，orabitofgreeninaglass，tokeephimfresh，hesays，andaholderforhisblower，sothatheneedn’tburnupwhatAmycalls`mouchoirs’。ImadeitlikethoseBethinvented，abigbutterflywithafatbody，andblackandyellowwings，worstedfeelers，andbeadeyes。Ittookhisfancyimmensely，andheputitonhismantlepieceasanarticleofvertu，soitwasratherafailureafterall。Poorasheis，hedidn’tforgetaservantorachildinthehouse，andnotasoulhere，fromtheFrenchlaundrywomantoMissNortonforgothim。Iwassogladofthat。
Theygotupamasquerade，andhadagaytimeNewYear’sEve。Ididn’tmeantogodown，havingnodress。Butatthelastminute，Mrs。Kirkerememberedsomeoldbrocades，andMissNortonlentmelaceandfeathers。SoIdressedupasMrs。Malaprop，andsailedinwithamaskon。Nooneknewme，forIdisguisedmyvoice，andnoonedreamedofthesilent，haughtyMissMarch（fortheythinkIamverystiffandcool，mostofthem，andsoIamtowhippersnappers）coulddanceanddress，andburstoutintoa`nicederangementofepitaphs，likeanallegoryonthebanksoftheNile’。Ienjoyeditverymuch，andwhenweunmaskeditwasfuntoseethemstareatme。IheardoneoftheyoungmentellanotherthatheknewI’dbeenanactress，infact，hethoughtherememberedseeingmeatoneoftheminortheaters。Megwillrelishthatjoke。Mr。BhaerwasNickBottom，andTinawasTitania，aperfectlittlefairyinhisarms。Toseethemdancewas`quitealandscape’，touseaTeddyism。
IhadaveryhappyNewYear，afterall，andwhenIthoughtitoverinmyroom，IfeltasifIwasgettingonalittleinspiteofmymanyfailures，forI’mcheerfulallthetimenow，workwithawill，andtakemoreinterestinotherpeoplethanIusedto，whichissatisfactory。Blessyouall！Everyourloving……
JoGoodWives:Chapter11CHAPTER11AFriendThoughveryhappyinthesocialatmosphereabouther，andverybusywiththedailyworkthatearnedherbreadandmadeitsweeterfortheeffort，Jostillfoundtimeforliterarylabors。Thepurposewhichnowtookpossessionofherwasanaturalonetoapoorandambitiousgirl，butthemeansshetooktogainherendwerenotthebest。Shesawthatmoneyconferredpower，therefore，sheresolvedtohave，nottobeusedforherselfalone，butforthosewhomshelovedmorethanlife。
Thedreamoffillinghomewithcomforts，givingBetheverythingshewanted，fromstrawberriesinwintertoanorganinherbedroom，goingabroadherself，andalwayshavingmorethanenough，sothatshemightindulgeintheluxuryofcharity，hadbeenforyearsJo’smostcherishedcastleintheair。
Theprize—storyexperiencehadseemedtoopenawaywhichmight，afterlongtravelingandmuchuphillwork，leadtothisdelightfulchâteauenEspagne。Butthenoveldisasterquenchedhercourageforatime，forpublicopinionisagiantwhichhasfrightenedstouter—heartedJacksonbiggerbeanstalksthanhers。Likethatimmortalhero，shereposedawhileafterthefirstattempt，whichresultedinatumbleandtheleastlovelyofthegiant’streasures，ifIrememberrightly。Butthe`upagainandtakeanother’spiritwasasstronginJoasinJack，soshescrambledupontheshadysidethistimeandgotmorebooty，butnearlyleftbehindherwhatwasfarmorepreciousthanthemoneybags。
Shetooktowritingsensationstories，forinthosedarkages，evenall—perfectAmericareadrubbish。Shetoldnoone，butconcocteda`thrillingtale’，andboldlycarrieditherselftoMr。Dashwood，editoroftheWeeklyVolcano。ShehadneverreadSartorResartus，butshehadawomanlyinstinctthatclothespossessaninfluencemorepowerfulovermanythantheworthofcharacterorthemagicofmanners。Soshedressedherselfinherbest，andtryingtopersuadeherselfthatshewasneitherexcitednornervous，bravelyclimbedtwopairsofdarkanddirtystairstofindherselfinadisorderlyroom，acloudofcigarsmoke，andthepresenceofthreegentlemen，sittingwiththeirheelsratherhigherthantheirhats，whicharticlesofdressnoneofthemtookthetroubletoremoveonherappearance。somewhatdauntedbythisreception，Johesitatedonthethreshold，murmuringinmuchembarrassment……
\"Excuseme，IwaslookingfortheWeeklyVolcanooffice。IwishedtoseeMr。Dashwood。\"
Downwentthehighestpairofheels，uprosethesmokiestgentleman，andcarefullycherishinghiscigarbetweenhisfingers，headvancedwithanodandacountenanceexpressiveofnothingbutsleep。Feelingthatshemustgetthroughthemattersomehow，Joproducedhermanuscriptand，blushingredderandredderwitheachsentence，blunderedoutfragmentsofthelittlespeechcarefullypreparedfortheoccasion。
\"Afriendofminedesiredmetooffer——astory——justasanexperiment——wouldlikeyouropinion——begladtowritemoreifthissuits。\"
Whilesheblushedandblundered，Mr。Dashwoodhadtakenthemanuscript，andwasturningovertheleaveswithapairofratherdirtyfingers，andcastingcriticalglancesupanddowntheneatpages。
\"Notafirstattempt，Itakeit？\"observingthatthepageswerenumbered，coveredonlyononeside，andnottiedupwitharibbon——suresignofanovice。
\"No，sir。Shehashadsomeexperience，andgotaprizeforataleintheBlarneystoneBanner。\"
\"Oh，didshe？\"AndMr。DashwoodgaveJOaquicklook，whichseemedtotakenoteofeverythingshehadon，fromthebowinherbonnettothebuttonsonherboots。\"Well，youcanleaveit，ifyoulike。We’vemoreofthissortofthingonhandthanweknowwhattodowithatpresent，butI’llrunmyeyeoverit，andgiveyouananswernextweek。\"
Now，Jodidnotliketoleaveit，forMr。Dashwooddidn’tsuitheratall，but，underthecircumstances，therewasnothingforhertodobutbowandwalkaway，lookingparticularlytallanddignified，asshewasapttodowhennettledorabashed。Justthenshewasboth，foritwasperfectlyevidentfromtheknowingglancesexchangedamongthegentlementhatherlittlefictionof`myfriend’wasconsideredagoodjoke，andalaugh，producedbysomeinaudibleremarkoftheeditor，asheclosedthedoor，completedherdiscomfiture。Halfresolvingnevertoreturn，shewenthome，andworkedoffherirritationbystitchingpinaforesvigorously，andinanhourortwowascoolenoughtolaughoverthesceneandlongfornextweek。
Whenshewentagain，Mr。Dashwoodwasalone，whereatsherejoiced。Mr。Dashwoodwasmuchwiderawakethanbefore，whichwasagreeableandMr。Dashwoodwasnottoodeeplyabsorbedinacigartorememberhismanners，sothesecondinterviewwasmuchmorecomfortablethanthefirst。
\"We’lltakethis（editorsneversayI），ifyoudon’tobjecttoafewalterations。It’stoolong，butomittingthepassagesI’vemarkedwillmakeitjusttherightlength，\"hesaid，inabusinessliketone。
JohardlyknewherownMSagain，socrumpledandunderscoredwereitspagesandparagraphs，butfeelingasatenderpatentmightonbeingaskedtocutoffherbaby’slegsinorderthatitmightfitintoanewcradle，shelookedatthemarkedpassagesandwassurprisedtofindthatallthemoralreflections——whichshehadcarefullyputinasballastformuchromance——hadbeenstrickenout。
\"But，Sir，Ithoughteverystoryshouldhavesomesortofamoral，soItookcaretohaveafewofmysinnersrepent。\"
Mr。Dashwoods’seditorialgravityrelaxedintoasmile，forJohadforgottenher`friend’，andspokenasonlyanauthorcould。
\"Peoplewanttobeamused，notpreachedat，youknow。Moralsdon’tsellnowadays。\"Whichwasnotquiteacorrectstatement，bytheway。
\"Youthinkitwoulddowiththesealterations，then？\"
\"Yes，it’sanewplot，andprettywellworkedup——languagegood，andsoon，\"wasMr。Dashwood’saffablereply。
\"Whatdoyou——thatis，whatcompensation——\"beganJo，notexactlyknowinghowtoexpressherself。
\"Oh，yes，well，wegivefromtwenty—fivetothirtyforthingsofthissort。Paywhenitcomesout，\"returnedMr。Dashwood，asifthatpointhadescapedhim。Suchtriflesdoescapetheeditorialmind，itissaid。
\"Verywell，youcanhaveit，\"saidJo，handingbackthestorywithasatisfiedair，forafterthedollar—a—columnwork，eventwenty—fiveseemedgoodpay。
\"ShallItellmyfriendyouwilltakeanotherifshehasonebetterthanthis？\"askedJo，unconsciousofherlittleslipofthetongue，andemboldenedbyhersuccess。
\"Well，we’lllookatit。Can’tpromisetotakeit。Tellhertomakeitshortandspicy，andnevermindthemoral。Whatnamewouldyourfriendliketoputonit？\"inacarelesstone。
\"Noneatall，ifyouplease，shedoesn’twishhernametoappearandhasnonomdeplume，\"saidJo，blushinginspiteofherself。
\"Justasshelikes，ofcourse。Thetalewillbeoutnextweek。Willyoucallforthemoney，orshallIsendit？\"askedMr。Dashwood，whofeltanaturaldesiretoknowwhohisnewcontributormightbe。
\"I’llcall。Goodmorning，Sir。\"
Asshedeparted，Mr。Dashwoodputuphisfeet，withthegracefulremark，\"Poorandproud，asusual，butshe’lldo。\"
FollowingMr。Dashwood’sdirections，andmakingMrs。Northburyhermodel，Jorashlytookaplungeintothefrothyseaofsensationalliterature，butthankstothelifepreserverthrownherbyafriend，shecameupagainnotmuchtheworseforherducking。
Likemostyoungscribblers，shewentabroadforhercharactersandscenery，andbanditti，counts，gypsies，nuns，andduchessesappeareduponherstage，andplayedtheirpartswithasmuchaccuracyandspiritascouldbeexpected。Herreaderswerenotparticularaboutsuchtriflesasgrammar，punctuation，andprobability，andMr。Dashwoodgraciouslypermittedhertofillhiscolumnsatthelowestprices，notthinkingitnecessarytotellherthattherealcauseofhishospitalitywasthefactthatoneofhishacks，onbeingofferedhigherwages，hadbaselylefthiminthelurch。
Shesoonbecameinterestedinherwork，forheremaciatedpursegrewstout，andthelittlehoardshewasmakingtotakeBethtothemountainsnextsummergrewslowlybutsurelyastheweekspassed。Onethingdisturbedhersatisfaction，andthatwasthatshedidnottellthemathome。ShehadafeelingthatFatherandMotherwouldnotapprove，andpreferredtohaveherownwayfirst，andbegpardonafterward。Itwaseasytokeephersecret，fornonameappearedwithherstories。Mr。Dashwoodhadofcoursefounditoutverysoon，butpromisedtobedumb，andforawonderkepthisword。
Shethoughtitwoulddohernoharm，forshesincerelymeanttowritenothingofwhichshewouldbeashamed，andquietedallpricksofconsciencebyanticipationsofthehappyminutewhensheshouldshowherearningsandlaughoverherwell—keptsecret。
ButMr。Dashwoodrejectedanybutthrillingtales，andasthrillscouldnotbeproducedexceptbyharrowingupthesoulsofthereaders，historyandromance，landandsea，scienceandart，policerecordsandlunaticasylums，hadtoberansackedforthepurpose。Josoonfoundthatherinnocentexperiencehadgivenherbutfewglimpsesofthetragicworldwhichunderliessociety，soregardingitinabusinesslight，shesetaboutsupplyingherdeficiencieswithcharacteristicenergy。Eagertofindmaterialforstories，andbentonmakingthemoriginalinplot，ifnotmasterlyinexecution，shesearchednewspapersforaccidents，incidents，andcrimes。Sheexcitedthesuspicionsofpubliclibrariansbyaskingforworksonpoisons。Shestudiedfacesinthestreet，andcharacters，good，bad，andindifferent，allabouther。Shedelvedinthedustofancienttimesforfactsorfictionssooldthattheywereasgoodasnew，andintroducedherselftofolly，sin，andmisery，aswellasherlimitedopportunitiesallowed。Shethoughtshewasprosperingfinely，butunconsciouslyshewasbeginningtodesecratesomeofthewomanliestattributesofawoman’scharacter。Shewaslivinginbadsociety，andimaginarythoughitwas，itsinfluenceaffectedher，forshewasfeedingheartandfancyondangerousandunsubstantialfood，andwasfastbrushingtheinnocentbloomfromhernaturebyaprematureacquaintancewiththedarkersideoflife，whichcomessoonenoughtoallofus。
Shewasbeginningtofeelratherthanseethis，formuchdescribingofotherpeople’spassionsandfeelingssethertostudyingandspeculatingaboutherown。amorbidamusementinwhichhealthyyoungmindsdonotvoluntarilyindulge。Wrongdoingalwaysbringsitsownpunishment，andwhenJomostneededhers，shegotit。
Idon’tknowwhetherthestudyofShakespearehelpedhertoreadcharacter，orthenaturalinstinctofawomanforwhatwashonest，brave，andstrong，butwhileendowingherimaginaryheroeswitheveryperfectionunderthesun，Jowasdiscoveringalivehero，whointerestedherinspiteofmanyhumanimperfections。Mr。Bhaer，inoneoftheirconversations，hadadvisedhertostudysimple，true，andlovelycharacters，wherevershefoundthem，asgoodtrainingforawriter。Jotookhimathisword，forshecoollyturnedroundandstudiedhim——aproceedingwhichwouldhavemuchsurprisedhim，hadheknowit，fortheworthyProfessorwasveryhumbleinhisownconceit。