Lauriesmiled，tookit，putitinhisvestpocket`tokeepitfromblowingaway’，andlistenedwithinteresttothelivelyletterAmyreadhim。
\"ThiswillbearegularlymerryChristmastome，withpresentsinthemorning，youandlettersintheafternoon，andapartyatnight，\"saidAmy，astheyalightedamongtheruinsoftheoldfort，andaflockofsplendidpeacockscametroopingaboutthem，tamelywaitingtobefed。WhileAmystoodlaughingonthebankabovehimasshescatteredcrumbstothebrilliantbirds，Laurielookedatherasshehadlookedathim，withanaturalcuriositytoseewhatchangestimeandabsencehadwrought。Hefoundnothingtoperplexordisappoint，muchtoadmireandapprove，foroverlookingafewlittleaffectationsofspeechandmanner，shewasassprightlyandgracefulasever，withtheadditionofthatindescribablesomethingindressandbearingwhichwecallelegance。Alwaysmatureforherage，shehadgainedacertainaplombinbothcarriageandconversation，whichmadeherseemmoreofawomanoftheworldthanshewas，butheroldpetulancenowandthenshoweditself，herstrongwillstillhelditsown，andhernativefranknesswasunspoiledbyforeignpolish。
Lauriedidnotreadallthiswhilehewatchedherfeedthepeacocks，buthesawenoughtosatisfyandinteresthim，andcarriedawayaprettylittlepictureofabright—facedgirlstandinginthesunshine，whichbroughtoutthesofthueofherdress，thefreshcolorofhercheeks，thegoldenglossofherhair，andmadeheraprominentfigureinthepleasantscene。
Astheycameupontothestoneplateauthatcrownsthehill，Amywavedherhandasifwelcominghimtoherfavoritehaunt，andsaid，pointinghereandthere，\"DoyouremembertheCathedralandtheCorso，thefishermendraggingtheirnetsinthebay，andthelovelyroadtoVillaFranca，Schubert’sTower，justbelow，andbestofall，thatspeckfarouttoseawhichtheysayilsCorsica？\"
\"Iremember。It’snotmuchchanged，\"heansweredwithoutenthusiasm。
\"WhatJowouldgiveforasightofthatfamousspeck！\"saidAmy，feelingingoodspiritsandanxioustoseehimsoalso。
\"Yes，\"wasallhesaid，butheturnedandstrainedhiseyestoseetheislandwhichagreaterusurperthanevenNapoleonnowmadeinterestinginhissight。
\"Takeagoodlookatitforhersake，andthencomeandtellmewhatyouhavebeendoingwithyourselfallthiswhile，\"saidAmy，seatingherself，readyforagoodtalk。
Butshedidnotgetit，forthoughhejoinedherandansweredallherquestionsfreely，shecouldonlylearnthathehadrovedabouttheContinentandbeentoGreece。Soafteridlingawayanhour，theydrovehomeagain，andhavingpaidhisrespectstoMrs。Carrol，Laurieleftthem，promisingtoreturnintheevening。
ItmustberecordedofAmythatshedeliberatelyprinkedthatnight。Timeandabsencehaddoneitsworkonboththeyoungpeople。Shehadseenheroldfriendinanewlight，notas`ourboy’，butasahandsomeandagreeableman，andshewasconsciousofaverynaturaldesiretofindfavorinhissight。Amyknewhergoodpoints，andmadethemostofthemwiththetasteandskillwhichisafortunetoapoorandprettywoman。
TarlatanandtullewerecheapatNice，sosheenvelopedherselfinthemonsuchoccasions，andfollowingthesensibleEnglishfashionofsimpledressforyounggirls，gotupcharminglittletoiletteswithfreshflowers，afewtrinkets，andallmannerofdaintydevices，whichwerebothinexpensiveandeffective。Itmustbeconfessedthattheartistsometimesgotpossessionofthewoman，andindulgedinantiquecoiffures，statuesqueattitudes，andclassicdraperies。But，dearheart，weallhaveoutlittleweaknesses，andfinditeasytopardonsuchintheyoung，whosatisfyoureyeswiththeircomeliness，andkeepourheartsmerrywiththeirartlessvanities。
\"IdowanthimtothinkIlookwell，andtellthemsoathome，\"saidAmytoherself，assheputonFlo’soldwhitesilkballdress，andcovereditwithacloudoffreshillusion，outofwhichherwhiteshouldersandgoldenheademergedwithamostartisticeffect。Herhairshehadthesensetoletalone，aftergatheringupthethickwavesandcurlsintoaHebe—likeknotatthebackofherhead。
\"It’snotthefashion，butit’sbecoming，andIcan’taffordtomakeafrightofmyself，\"sheusedtosay，whenadvisedtofrizzle，puff，orbraid，asthelateststylecommanded。
Havingnoornamentsfineenoughforthisimportantoccasion，Amyloopedherfleecyskirtswithrosyclustersofazalea，andframedthewhiteshouldersindelicategreenvines。Rememberingthepaintedboots，shesurveyedherwhitesatinslipperswithgirlishsatisfaction，andchasséeddowntheroom，admiringheraristocraticfeetallbyherself。
\"Mynewfanjustmatchesmyflowers，myglovesfittoacharm，andthereallaceonAunt’smouchoirgivesanairtomywholedress。IfIonlyhadaclassicalnoseandmouthIshouldbeperfectlyhappy，\"shesaid，surveyingherselfwithacriticaleyeandacandleineachhand。
Inspiteofthisaffliction，shelookedunusuallygayandgracefulassheglidedaway。Sheseldomran——itdidnotsuitherstyle，shethought，forbeingtall，thestatelyandJunoesquewasmoreappropriatethanthesportiveorpiquante。ShewalkedupanddownthelongsaloonwhilewaitingforLaurie，andoncearrangedherselfunderthechandelier，whichhadagoodeffectuponherhair，thenshethoughtbetterofit，andwentawaytotheotherendoftheroom，asifashamedofthegirlishdesiretohavethefirstviewapropitiousone。Itsohappenedthatshecouldnothavedoneabetterthing，forLauriecameinsoquietlyshedidnothearhim，andasshestoodatthedistantwindow，withherheadhalfturnedandonehandgatheringupherdress，theslender，whitefigureagainsttheredcurtainswasaseffectiveasawell—placedstatue。
\"Goodevening，Diana！\"saidLaurie，withthelookofsatisfactionshelikedtoseeinhiseyeswhentheyrestedonher。
\"Goodevening，Apollo！\"sheanswered，smilingbackathim，forhetoolookedunusuallydébonair，andthethoughtofenteringtheballroomonthearmofsuchapersonablemancausedAmytopitythefourplainMissesDavisfromthebottomofherheart。
\"Hereareyourflowers。Iarrangedthemmyself，rememberingthatyoudidn’tlikewhatHannahcallsa`sot—bookay’，saidLaurie，handingheradelicatenosegay，inaholderthatshehadlongcovetedasshedailypasseditinCardiglia’swindow。
\"Howkindyouare！\"sheexclaimedgratefully。\"IfI’dknownyouwerecomingI’dhavehadsomethingreadyforyoutoday，thoughnotasprettyasthis，I’mafraid。\"
\"Thankyou。Itisn’twhatitshouldbe，butyouhaveimprovedit，\"headded，asshesnappedthesilverbraceletonherwrist。
\"Pleasedon’t。\"
\"Ithoughtyoulikedthatsortofthing。\"
\"Notfromyou，itdoesn’tsoundnatural，andIlikeyouroldbluntnessbetter。\"
\"I’mgladofit，\"heanswered，withalookofrelief，thenbuttonedherglovesforher，andaskedifhistiewasstraight，justasheusedtodowhentheywenttopartiestogetherathome。
ThecompanyassembledinthelongsalleàmangerthateveningwassuchasoneseesnowherebutontheContinent。ThehospitableAmericanshadinvitedeveryacquaintancetheyhadinNice，andhavingnoprejudiceagainsttitles，securedafewtoaddlustertotheirChristmasball。
ARussianprincecondescendedtositinacornerforanhourandtalkwithamassivelady，dressedlikeHamlet’smotherinblackvelvetwithapearlbridleunderherchin。APolishcount，agedeighteen，devotedhimselftotheladies，whopronouncedhim，`afascinatingdear’，andaGermanSereneSomething，havingcometosupperalone，roamedvaguelyabout，seekingwhathemightdevour。BaronRothschild’sprivatesecretary，alarge—nosedJewintightboots，affablybeamedupontheworld，asifhismaster’snamecrownedhimwithagoldenhalo。AstoutFrenchman，whoknewtheEmperor，cametoindulgehismaniafordancing，andLadydeJones，aBritishmatron，adornedthescenewithherlittlefamilyofeight。Ofcourse，thereweremanylight—footed，shrill—voicedAmericangirls，handsome，lifeless—lookingEnglishditto，andafewplainbutpiquanteFrenchdemoiselles，likewisetheusualsetoftravelingyounggentlemenwhodisportedthemselvesgaily，whilemammasofallnationslinedthewallsandsmileduponthembenignlywhentheydancedwiththeirdaughters。
AnyyounggirlcanimagineAmy’sstateofmindwhenshe`tookthestage’thatnight，leaningonLaurie’sarm。Sheknewshelookedwell，shelovedtodance，shefeltthatherfootwasonhernativeheathinaballroom，andenjoyedthedelightfulsenseofpowerwhichcomeswhenyounggirlsfirstdiscoverthenewandlovelykingdomtheyareborntorulebyvirtueofbeauty，youth，andwomanhood。ShedidpitytheDavisgirls，whowereawkward，plain，anddestituteofescort，exceptagrimpapaandthreegrimmermaidenaunts，andshebowedtotheminherfriendliestmannerasshepassed，whichwasgoodofher，asitpermittedthemtoseeherdress，andburnwithcuriositytoknowwhoherdistinguished—lookingfriendmightbe。Withthefirstburstoftheband，Amy’scolorrose，hereyesbegantosparkle，andherfeettotapthefloorimpatiently，forshedancedwellandwantedLaurietoknowit。Thereforetheshockshereceivedcanbetterbeimaginedthandescribed，whenhesaidinaperfectlytranquiltone，\"Doyoucaretodance？\"
\"Oneusuallydoesataball。\"
HeramazedlookandquickanswercausedLaurietorepairhiserrorasfastaspossible。
\"Imeantthefirstdance。MayIhavethehonor？\"
\"IcangiveyouoneifIputofftheCount。Hedancesdivinely，buthewillexcuseme，asyouareanoldfriend，\"saidAmy，hopingthatthenamewouldhaveagoodeffect，andshowLauriethatshewasnottobetrifledwith。
\"Nicelittleboy，butratherashortPoletosupportthestepsofAdaughterofthegods，Divinelytall，andmostdivinelyfair，\"
wasallthesatisfactionshegot，however。
ThesetinwhichtheyfoundthemselveswascomposedofEnglish，andAmywascompelledtowalkdecorouslythroughacotillion，feelingallthewhileasifshecoulddancethetarantellawithrelish。Laurieresignedhertothe`nicelittleboy’，andwenttodohisdutytoFlo，withoutsecuringAmyforthejoystocome，whichreprehensiblewantofforethoughtwasproperlypunished，forsheimmediatelyengagedherselftillsupper，meaningtorelentifhethengaveanysignspenitence。Sheshowedhimherballbookwithdemuresatisfactionwhenhestrolledinsteadofrusheduptoclaimherforthenext，agloriouspolka—redowa。Buthispoliteregretsdidn’timposeuponher，andwhenshegallopedawaywiththeCount，shesawLauriesitdownbyherauntwithanactualexpressionofrelief。
Thatwasunpardonable，andAmytooknomorenoticeofhimforalongwhile，exceptawordnowandthenwhenshecametoherchaperonbetweenthedancesforanecessarypinoramoment’srest。Herangerhadagoodeffect，however，forshehiditunderasmilingface，andseemedunusuallyblitheandbrilliant。Laurie’seyesfollowedherwithpleasure，forsheneitherrompednorsauntered，butdancedwithspiritandgrace，makingthedelightsomepastimewhatitshouldbe。Heverynaturallyfelltostudyingherfromthisnewpointofview，andbeforetheeveningwashalfover，haddecidedthat`littleAmywasgoingtomakeaverycharmingwoman’。
Itwasalivelyscene，forsoonthespiritofthesocialseasontookpossessionofeveryone，andChristmasmerrimentmadeallfacesshine，heartshappy，andheelslight。Themusiciansfiddled，tooted，andbangedasiftheyenjoyedit，everybodydancedwhocould，andthosewhocouldn’tadmiredtheirneighborswithuncommonwarmth。TheairwasdarkwithDavises，andmanyJonesgamboledlikeaflockofyounggiraffes。Thegoldensecretarydartedthroughtheroomlikeameteorwithadashingfrenchwomanwhocarpedthefloorwithherpinksatintrain。ThesereneTeutonfoundthesuppertableandwashappy，eatingsteadilythroughthebilloffare，anddismayedthegarçonsbytheravageshecommitted。ButtheEmperor’sfriendcoveredhimselfwithglory，forhedancedeverything，whetherheknewitornot，andintroducedimpromptupirouetteswhenthefiguresbewilderedhim。Theboyishabandonofthatstoutmanwascharmingtobehold，forthoughhe`carriedweight’，hedancedlikeanIndia—rubberball。Heran，heflew，hepranced，hisfaceglowed，hisbaldheadshown，hiscoat—tailswavedwildly，hispumpsactuallytwinkledintheair，andwhenthemusicstopped，hewipedthedropsfromhisbrow，andbeameduponhisfellowmenlikeaFrenchPickwickwithoutglasses。
AmyandherPoledistinguishedthemselvesbyequalenthusiasmbutmoregracefulagility，andLauriefoundhimselfinvoluntarilykeepingtimetotherhythmicriseandfallofthewhiteslippersastheyflewbyasindefatigablyasifwinged。WhenlittleVladimirfinallyrelinquishedher，withassurancesthathewas`desolatedtoleavesoearly’，shewasreadytorest，andseehowherrecreantknighthadbornehispunishment。
Ithadbeensuccessful，foratthree—and—twenty，blightedaffectionsfindabalminfriendlysociety，andyoungnerveswillthrill，youngblooddance，andhealthyyoungspiritsrise，whensubjectedtotheenchantmentofbeauty，light，music，andmotion。Lauriehadawaked—uplookasherosetogiveherhisseat，andwhenhehurriedawaytobringhersomesupper，shesaidtoherself，withasatisfiedsmile，\"Ah，Ithoughtthatwoulddohimgood！\"
\"YoulooklikeBalzac’s`Femmepeinteparelle—même’，\"hesaid，ashefannedherwithonehandandheldhercoffeecupintheother。
\"Myrougewon’tcomeoff。\"AndAmyrubbedherbrilliantcheek，andshowedhimherwhiteglovewithasobersimplicitythatmadehimlaughoutright。
\"Whatdoyoucallthisstuff？\"heasked，touchingafoldofherdressthathadblownoverhisknee。
\"Illusion。\"
\"Goodnameforit。It’sverypretty——newthing，isn’tit？\"
\"It’sasoldasthehills。Youhaveseenitondozensofgirls，andyouneverfoundoutthatitwasprettytillnow？Stupide！\"
\"Ineversawitonyoubefore，whichaccountsforthemistake，yousee。\"
\"Noneofthat，itisforbidden。I’drathertakecoffeethancomplimentsjustnow。No，don’tlounge，itmakesmenervous。\"
Lauriesatboldupright，andmeeklytookheremptyplatefeelinganoddsortofpleasureinhaving`littleAmy’orderhimabout，forshehadlosthershynessnow，andfeltanirrestibledesiretotrampleonhim，asgirlshaveadelightfulwayofdoingwhenlordsofcreationshowanysignsofsubjection。
\"Wheredidyoulearnallthissortofthing？\"heaskedwithaquizzicallook。
\"As`thissortofthing’isratheravagueexpression，wouldyoukindlyexplain？\"returnedAmy，knowingperfectlywellwhathemeant，butwickedlyleavinghimtodescribewhatisindescribable。
\"Well——thegeneralair，thestyle，theself—possession，the——the——illusion——youknow\"，laughedLaurie，breakingdownandhelpinghimselfoutofhisquandarywiththenewword。
Amywasgratified，butofcoursedidn’tshowit，anddemurelyanswered，\"Foreignlifepolishesoneinspiteofone’sself。Istudyaswellasplay，andasforthis\"——withalittlegesturetowardherdress——\"why，tulleischeap，posiestobehadfornothing，andIamusedtomakingthemostofmypoorlittlethings。\"
Amyratherregrettedthatlastsentence，fearingitwasn’tingoodtaste，butLaurielikedherbetterforit，andfoundhimselfbothadmiringandrespectingthebravepatiencethatmadethemostofopportunity，andthecheerfulspiritthatcoveredpovertywithflowers。Amydidnotknowwhyhelookedathersokindly，nowwhyhefilledupherbookwithhisownname，anddevotedhimselftoherfortherestoftheeveninginthemostdelightfulmanner，buttheimpulsethatwroughtthisagreeablechangewastheresultofoneofthenewimpressionswhichbothofthemwereunconsciouslygivingandreceiving。
GoodWives:Chapter15CHAPTER15OntheShelfInFrancetheyounggirlshaveadulltimeofittilltheyaremarried，when`Vivelaliberté！’becomestheirmotto。InAmerica，aseveryoneknows，girlsearlysignthedeclarationofindependence，andenjoytheirfreedomwithrepublicanzest，buttheyoungmatronsusuallyabdicatewiththefirstheirtothethroneandgointoaseclusionalmostascloseasaFrenchnunnery，thoughbynomeansasquiet。Whethertheylikeitornot，theyarevirtuallyputupontheshelfassoonastheweddingexcitementisover，andmostofthemmightexclaim，asdidaveryprettywomantheotherday，\"I’mashandsomeasever，butnoonetakesanynoticeofmebecauseI’mmarried。\"
Notbeingabelleorevenafashionablelady，Megdidnotexperiencethisafflictiontillherbabieswereayearold，forinherlittleworldprimitivecustomsprevailed，andshefoundherselfmoreadmiredandbelovedthanever。
Asshewasawomanlylittlewoman，thematernalinstinctwasverystrong，andshewasentirelyabsorbedinherchildren，totheutterexclusionofeverythingandeverybodyelse。Dayandnightshebroodedoverthemwithtirelessdevotionandanxiety，leavingJohntothetendermerciesofthehelp，foranIrishladynowpresidedoverthekitchendepartment。Beingadomesticman，Johndecidedlymissedthewifelyattentionshehadbeenaccustomedtoreceive，butasheadoredhisbabies，hecheerfullyrelinquishedhiscomfortforatime，supposingwithmasculineignorancethatpeacewouldsoonberestored。Butthreemonthspassed，andtherewasnoreturnofrepose。Meglookedwornandnervous，thebabiesabsorbedeveryminuteofhertime，thehousewasneglected，andKitty，thecook，whotooklife`aisy’，kepthimonshortcommons。Whenhewentoutinthemorninghewasbewilderedbysmallcommissionsforthecaptivemamma，ifhecamegailyinatnight，eagertoembracehisfamily，hewasquenchedbya\"Hush！Theyarejustasleepafterworryingallday。\"Ifheproposedalittleamusementathome，\"No，itwoulddisturbthebabies。\"Ifhehintedatalectureoraconcert，hewasansweredwithareproachfullook，andadecided\"Leavemychildrenforpleasure，never！\"Hissleepwasbrokenbyinfantwailsandvisionsofaphantomfigurepacingnoiselesslytoandfrointhewatchesofthenight。Hismealswereinterruptedbythefrequentflightofthepresidinggenius，whodesertedhim，half—helped，ifamuffledchirpsoundedfromthenestabove。Andwhenhereadhispaperofanevening，Demi’scolicgotintotheshippinglistandDaisy’sfallaffectedthepriceofstocks，forMrs。Brookewasonlyinterestedindomesticnews。
Thepoormanwasveryuncomfortable，forthechildrenhadberefthimofhiswife，homewasmerelyanurseryandtheperpetual`hushing’madehimfeellikeabrutalintruderwheneverheenteredthesacredprecinctsofBabyland。Heboreitverypatientlyforsixmonths，andwhennosignsofamendmentappeared，hedidwhatotherpaternalexilesdo——triedtogetalittlecomfortelsewhere。Scotthadmarriedandgonetohousekeepingnotfaroff，andJohnfellintothewayofrunningoverforanhourortwoofanevening，whenhisownparlorwasempty，andhisownwifesinginglullabiesthatseemedtohavenoend。Mrs。Scottwasalively，prettygirl，withnothingtodobutbeagreeable，andsheperformedhermissionmostsuccessfully。Theparlorwasalwaysbrightandattractive，thechessboardready，thepianointune，plentyofgaygossip，andanicelittlesuppersetforthintemptingstyle。
Johnwouldhavepreferredhisownfiresideifithadnotbeensolonely，butasitwashegratefullytookthenextbestthingandenjoyedhisneighbor’ssociety。
Megratherapprovedofthenewarrangementatfirst，andfounditarelieftoknowthatJohnwashavingagoodtimeinsteadofdozingintheparlor，ortrampingaboutthehouseandwakingthechildren。Butby—and—by，whentheteethingworrywasoverandtheidolswenttosleepatproperhours，leavingMammatimetorest，shebegantomissJohn，andfindherwork—basketdullcompany，whenhewasnotsittingoppositeinhisolddressinggown，comfortablyscorchinghisslippersonthefender。Shewouldnotaskhimtostayathome，butfeltinjuredbecausehedidnotknowthatshewantedhimwithoutbeingtold，entirelyforgettingthemanyeveningshehadwaitedforherinvain。Shewasnervousandwornoutwithwatchingandworry，andinthatunreasonableframeofmindwhichthebestofmothersoccasionallyexperiencewhendomesticcaresoppressthem。Wantofexerciserobsthemofcheerfulness，andtoomuchdevotiontothatidolofAmericanwomen，theteapot，makesthemfeelasiftheywereallnerveandnomuscle。
\"Yes，\"shewouldsay，lookingintheglass，\"I’mgettingoldandugly。Johndoesn’tfindmeinterestinganylonger，soheleaveshisfadedwifeandgoestoseehisprettyneighbor，whohasnoincumbrances。Well，thebabiesloveme，theydon’tcareifIamthinandpaleandhaven’ttimetocrimpmyhair，theyaremycomfort，andsomedayJohnwillseewhatI’vegladlysacrificedforthem，won’the，myprecious？\"
Towhichpatheticappealdaisywouldanswerwithacoo，orDemiwithacrow，andMegwouldputbyherlamentationsforamaternalrevel，whichsoothedhersolitudeforthetimebeing。ButthepainincreasedaspoliticsabsorbedJohn，whowasalwaysrunningovertodiscussinterestingpointswithScott，quiteunconsciousthatMegmissedhim。Notaworddidshesay，however，tillhermotherfoundherintearsoneday，andinsistedonknowingwhatthematterwas，forMeg’sdroopingspiritshadnotescapedherobservation。
\"Iwouldn’ttellanyoneexceptyou，Mother，butIreallydoneedadvice，forifJohngoesonmuchlongerImightaswellbewidowed，\"repliedMrs。Brooke，dryinghertearsonDaisy’sbibwithaninjuredair。
\"Goesonhow，mydear？\"askedhermotheranxiously。
\"He’sawayallday，andatnightwhenIwanttoseehim，heiscontinuallygoingovertotheScotts’。Itisn’tfairthatIshouldhavethehardestwork，andneveranyamusement。Menareveryselfish，eventhebestofthem。\"
\"Soarewomen。Don’tblameJohntillyouseewhereyouarewrongyourself。\"
\"Butitcan’tberightforhimtoneglectme。\"
\"Don’tyouneglecthim？\"
\"Why，Mother，Ithoughtyou’dtakemypart！\"
\"SoIdo，asfarassympathizinggoes，butIthinkthefaultisyours，Meg。\"
\"Idon’tseehow。\"
\"Letmeshowyou。DidJohneverneglectyou，asyoucallit，whileyoumadeitapointtogivehimyoursocietyofanevening，hisonlyleisuretime？\"
\"No，butIcan’tdoitnow，withtwobabiestotend。\"
\"Ithinkyoucould，dear，andIthinkyouought。MayIspeakquitefreely，andwillyourememberthatit’sMotherwhoblamesaswellasMotherwhosympathizes？\"
\"IndeedIwill！SpeaktomeasifIwerelittleMegagain。IoftenfeelasifIneededteachingmorethaneversincethesebabieslooktomeforeverything。\"
Megdrewherlowchairbesidehermother’s，andwithalittleinterruptionineitherlap，thetwowomenrockedandtalkedlovinglytogether，feelingthatthetieofmotherhoodmadethemmoreonethanever。
\"Youhaveonlymadethemistakethatmostyoungwivesmake—forgottenyourdutytoyourhusbandinyourloveforyourchildren。Averynaturalandforgivablemistake，Meg，butonethathadbetterberemediedbeforeyoutaketodifferentways，forchildrenshoulddrawyounearerthanever，notseparateyou，asiftheywereallyours，andJohnhadnothingtodobutsupportthem。I’veseenitforsomeweeks，buthavenotspoken，feelingsureitwouldcomerightintime。\"
\"I’mafraiditwon’t。IfIaskhimtostay，he’llthinkI’mjealous，andIwouldn’tinsulthimbysuchanidea。Hedoesn’tseethatIwanthim，andIdon’tknowhowtotellhimwithoutwords。\"
\"Makeitsopleasanthewon’twanttogoaway。Mydear，he’slongingforhislittlehome，butitisn’thomewithoutyou，andyouarealwaysinthenursery。\"
\"Oughtn’tItobethere？\"
\"Notallthetime，toomuchconfinementmakesyounervous，andthenyouareunfittedforeverything。Besides，youowesomethingtoJohnaswellastothebabies。Don’tneglecthusbandforchildren，don’tshuthimoutofthenursery，butteachhimhowtohelpinit。Hisplaceisthereaswellasyours，andthechildrenneedhim。Lethimfeelthathehasaparttodo，andhewilldoitgladlyandfaithfully，anditwillbebetterforyouall。\"
\"Youreallythinkso，Mother？\"
\"Iknowit，Meg，forI’vetriedit，andIseldomgiveadviceunlessI’veproveditspracticability。WhenyouandJowerelittle，Iwentonjustasyouare，feelingasifIdidn’tdomydutyunlessIdevotedmyselfwhollytoyou。PoorFathertooktohisbooks，afterIhadrefusedalloffersofhelp，andleftmetotrymyexperimentalone。IstruggledalongaswellasIcould，butJowastoomuchforme。Inearlyspoiledherbyindulgence。Youwerepoorly，andIworriedaboutyoutillIfellsickmyself。ThenFathercametotherescue，quietlymanagedeverything，andmadehimselfsohelpfulthatIsawmymistake，andneverhavebeenabletogotonwithouthimsince。Thatisthesecretofourhomehappiness。Hedoesnotletbusinessweanhimfromthelittlecaresanddutiesthataffectusall，andItrynottoletdomesticworriesdestroymyinterestinhispursuits。Eachdoourpartaloneinmanythings，butathomeweworktogether，always。\"
\"Itisso，Mother，andmygreatwishistobetomyhusbandandchildrenwhatyouhavebeentoyours。Showmehow，I’lldoanythingyousay。\"
\"Youwerealwaysmydociledaughter。Well，dear，ifIwereyou，I’dletJohnhavemoretodowiththemanagementofDemi，fortheboyneedstraining，andit’snonetoosoontobegin。ThenI’ddowhatIhaveoftenproposed，letHannahcomeandhelpyou。Sheisacapitalnurse，andyoumaytrustthepreciousbabiestoherwhileyoudomorehousework。Youneedtheexercise，Hannahwouldenjoytherest，andJohnwouldfindhiswifeagain。Gooutmore，keepcheerfulaswellasbusy，foryouarethesunshine—makerofthefamily，andifyougetdismalthereisnofairweather。ThenI’dtrytotakeaninterestinwhateverJohnlikes——talkwithhim，lethimreadtoyou，exchangeideas，andhelpeachotherinthatway。Don’tshutyourselfupinabandboxbecauseyouareawoman，butunderstandwhatisgoingon，andeducateyourselftotakeyourpartintheworld’swork，foritallaffectsyouandyours。\"
\"Johnissosensible，I’mafraidhewillthinkI’mstupidifIaskquestionsaboutpoliticsandthings。\"
\"Idon’tbelievehewould。Lovecoversamultitudeofsins，andofwhomcouldyouaskmorefreelythanofhim？Tryit，andseeifhedoesn’tfindyoursocietyfarmoreagreeablethanMrs。Scott’ssuppers。\"
\"Iwill。PoorJohn！I’mafraidIhaveneglectedhimsadly，butIthoughtIwasright，andheneversaidanything。\"
\"Hetriednottobeselfish，buthehasfeltratherforlorn，Ifancy。Thisisjustthetime，Meg，whenyoungmarriedpeopleareapttogrowapart，andtheverytimewhentheyoughttobemosttogether，forthefirsttendernesssoonwearsoff，unlesscareistakentopreserveit。Andnotimeissobeautifulandprecioustoparentsasthefirstyearsofthelittlelivesgiventothemtotrain。Don’tletJohnbeastrangertothebabies，fortheywilldomoretokeephimsafeandhappyinthisworldoftrialandtemptationthananythingelse，andthroughthemyouwilllearntoknowandloveoneanotherasyoushould。Now，dear，good—by。ThinkoverMother’spreachment，actuponitifitseemsgood，andGodblessyouall。\"
Megdidthinkitover，founditgood，andacteduponit，thoughthefirstattemptwasnotmadeexactlyassheplannedtohaveit。Ofcoursethechildrentyrannizedoverher，andruledthehouseassoonastheyfoundoutthatkickingandsquallingbroughtthemwhatevertheywanted。Mammawasanabjectslavetotheircaprices，butPapawasnotsoeasilysubjugated，andoccasionallyafflictedhistenderspousebyanattemptatpaternaldisciplinewithhisobstreperousson。ForDemiinheritedatrifleofhissire’sfirmnessofcharacter，wewon’tcallitobstinacy，andwhenhemadeuphislittletohaveortodoanything，alltheking’shorsesandalltheking’smencouldnotchangethatpertinaciouslittlemind。Mammathoughtthedeartooyoungtobetaughttoconquerhisprejudices，butPapabelievedthatitneverwastoosoontolearnobedience。SoMasterDemiearlydiscoveredthatwhenheundertookto`wrastle’with`Parpar’，healwaysgottheworstofit，yetliketheEnglishman，babyrespectedthemanwhoconqueredhim，andlovedthefatherwhosegrave\"No，no，\"wasmoreimpressivethanallMamma’slovepats。Afewdaysafterthetalkwithhermother，MegresolvedtotryasocialeveningwithJohn，sosheorderedanicesupper，settheparlorinorder，dressedherselfprettily，andputthechildrentobedearly，thatnothingshouldinterferewithherexperiment。ButunfortunatelyDemi’smostunconquerableprejudicewasagainstgoingtobed，andthatnighthedecidedtogoonarampage。SopoorMegsangandrocked，toldstoriesandtriedeverysleep—prevokingwileshecoulddevise，butallinvain，thebigeyeswouldn’tshut，andlongafterDaisyhadgonetobyelow，likethechubbylittlebunchofgoodnatureshewas，naughtyDemilaystaringatthelight，withthemostdiscouraginglywide—awakeexpressionofcountenance。
\"WillDemiliestilllikeagoodboy，whileMammarunsdownandgivespoorPapahistea？\"askedMeg，asthehalldoorsoftlyclosed，andthewell—knownstepwenttip—toeingintothediningroom。
\"Mehastea！\"saidDemi，preparingtojoinintherevel。
\"No，butI’llsaveyousomelittlecakiesforbreakfast，ifyou’llgobye—bylikeDaisy。Willyou，lovey？\"
\"Iss！\"andDemishuthiseyestight，asiftocatchsleepandhurrythedesiredday。