Takingadvantageofthepropitiousmoment，Megslippedawayandrandowntogreetherhusbandwithasmilingfaceandthelittlebluebowinherhairwhichwashisespecialadmiration。Hesawitatonceandsaidwithpleasedsurprise，\"Why，littlemother，howgaywearetonight。Doyouexpectcompany？\"
\"Onlyyou，dear。\"
\"No，I’mtiredofbeingdowdy，soIdressedupasachange。Youalwaysmakeyourselfnicefortable，nomatterhowtiredyouare，sowhyshouldn’tIwhenIhavethetime？’
\"Idoitoutofrespectforyou，mydear，\"saidold—fashionedJohn。
\"Ditto，ditto，Mr。Brooke，\"laughedMeg，lookingyoungandprettyagain，asshenoddedtohimovertheteapot。
\"Well，it’saltogetherdelightful，andlikeoldtimes。Thistastesright。Idrinkyourhealth，dear。\"AndJohnsippedhisteawithanairofreposefulrapture，whichwasofveryshortdurationhowever，forasheputdownhiscup，thedoorhandlerattledmysteriously，andalittlevoicewasheard，sayingimpatiently……
\"Opydoy。Me’stummin！\"
\"It’sthatnaughtyboy。Itoldhimtogotosleepalone，andhereheis，downstairs，gettinghisdeatha—coldpatteringoverthatcanvas，\"saidMeg，answeringthecall。
\"Mornin’now，\"announcedDemiinjoyfultoneasheentered，withhislongnightgowngracefullyfestoonedoverhisarmandeverycurlbobbinggaylyasheprancedaboutthetable，eyeingthe`cakies’withlovingglances。
\"No，itisn’tmorningyet。Youmustgotobed，andnottroublepoorMamma。Thenyoucanhavethelittlecakewithsugaronit。\"
\"MelovesParpar，\"saidtheartfulone，preparingtoclimbthepaternalkneeandrevelinforbiddenjoys。ButJohnshookhishead，andsaidtoMeg……
\"Ifyoutoldhimtostayupthere，andgotosleepalone，makehimdoit，orhewillneverlearntomindyou。\"
\"Yes，ofcourse。Come，Demi。\"AndMegledhersonaway，feelingastrongdesiretospankthelittlemarplotwhohoppedbesideher，laboringunderthedelusionthatthebribewastobeadministeredassoonastheyreachedthenursery。
Norwashedisappointed，forthatshortsightedwomanactuallygavehimalumpofsugar，tuckedhimintohisbed，andforbadeanymorepromenadestillmorning。
\"Iss！\"saidDemitheperjured，blissfullysuckinghissugar，andregardinghisfirstattemptaseminentlysuccessful。
Megreturnedtoherplace，andsupperwasprogressingpleasantly，whenthelittleghostwalkedagainandexposedthematernaldelinquenciesbyboldlydemanding，\"Moresudar，Marmar。\"
\"Nowthiswon’tdo，\"saidJohn，hardeninghisheartagainsttheengaginglittlesinner。\"Weshallneverknowanypeacetillthatchildlearnstogotobedproperly。Youhavemadeaslaveofyourselflongenough。Givehimonelesson，andthentherewillbeanendofit。Puthiminhisbedandleavehim，Meg。\"
\"Hewon’tstaythere，heneverdoesunlessIsitbyhim。\"
\"I’llmanagehim。Demi，goupstairs，andgetintoyourbed，asMammabidsyou。\"
\"S’ant！\"repliedtheyoungrebel，helpinghimselftothecoveted`cakie’，andbeginningtoeatthesamewithcalmaudacity。
\"YoumustneversaythattoPapa。Ishallcarryyouifyoudon’tgoyourself。\"
\"Go’way，medon’tloveParpar。\"AndDemiretiredtohismother’sskirtsforprotection。
Buteventhatrefugeprovedunavailing，forhewasdeliveredovertotheenemy，witha\"Begentlewithhim，John，\"whichstrucktheculpritwithdismay，forwhenMammadesertedhim，thenthejudgmentdaywasathand。Bereftofhiscake，defraudedofhisfrolic，andborneawaybyastronghandtothatdetestedbed，poorDemicouldnotrestrainhiswrath，butopenlydefiedPapa，andkickedandscreamedlustilyallthewayupstairs。Theminutehewasputintobedononeside，herolledoutontheother，andmadeforthedoor，onlytobeignominiouslycaughtupbythetailofhislittletogaandputbackagain，whichlivelyperformancewaskeptuptilltheyoungman’sstrengthgaveout，whenhedevotedhimselftoroaringatthetopofhisvoice。ThisvocalexerciseusuallyconqueredMeg，butJohnsatasunmovedasthepostwhichispopularlybelievedtobedeaf。Nocoaxing，nosugar，nolullaby，nostory，eventhelightwasputoutandonlytheredglowofthefireenlivenedthe`bigdark’whichDemiregardedwithcuriosityratherthanfear。Thisneworderofthingsdisgustedhim，andhehowleddismallyfor`Marmar’，ashisangrypassionssubsided，andrecollectionsofhistenderbondwomanreturnedtothecaptiveautocrat。TheplaintivewailwhichsucceededthepassionateroarwenttoMeg’sheart，andsheranuptosaybeseechingly……
\"Letmestaywithhim，he’llbegoodnow，John。\"
\"No，mydear。I’vetoldhimhemustgotosleep，asyoubidhim，andhemust，ifIstayhereallnight。\"
\"Buthe’llcryhimselfsick，\"pleadedMeg，reproachingherselffordesertingherboy。
\"No，hewon’t，he’ssotiredhewillsoondropoffandthenthematterissettled，forhewillunderstandthathehasgottomind。Don’tinterfere，I’llmanagehim。\"
\"He’smychild，andIcan’thavehisspiritbrokenbyharshness。\"
\"He’smychild，andIwon’thavehistemperspoiledbyindulgence。Godown，mydear，andleavetheboytome。\"
WhenJohnspokeinthatmasterfultone，Megalwaysobeyed，andneverregrettedherdocility。
\"Pleaseletmekisshimonce，John？\"
\"Certainly。Demi，saygoodnighttoMamma，andlethergoandrest，forsheisverytiredwithtakingcareofyouallday。\"
Megalwaysinsisteduponitthatthekisswonthevictory，forafteritwasgiven，Demisobbedmorequietly，andlayquitestillatthebottomofthebed，whitherhehadwriggledinhisanguishofmind。
\"Poorlittleman，he’swornoutwithsleepandcrying。I’llcoverhimup，andthengoandsetMeg’sheartatrest。\"thoughtJohn，creepingtothebedside，hopingtofindhisrebelliousheirasleep。
Buthewasn’t，forthemomenthisfatherpeepedathim，Demi’seyesopened，hislittlechinbegantoquiver，andheputuphisarms，sayingwithapenitenthiccough，\"Me’sdood，now。\"
SittingonthestairsoutsideMegwonderedatthelongsilencewhichfollowedtheuproar，andafterimaginingallsortsofimpossibleaccidents，sheslippedintotheroomtosetherfearsatrest。Demilayfastasleep，notinhisusualspread—eagleattitude，butinasubduedbunch，cuddledcloseinthecircleofhisfather’sarmandholdinghisfather’sfinger，asifhefeltthatjusticewastemperedwithmercy，andhadgonetosleepasadderandwiserbaby。Soheld，Johnhadwaitedwithawomanlypatiencetillthelittlehandrelaxeditshold，andwhilewaitinghadfallenasleep，moretiredbythattusslewithhissonthanwithhiswholeday’swork。
AsMegstoodwatchingthetwofacesonthepillow，shesmiledtoherself，andthenslippedawayagain，sayinginasatisfiedtone，\"IneverneedfearthatJohnwillbetooharshwithmybabies。Hedoesknowhowtomanagethem，andwillbeagreathelp，forDemiisgettingtoomuchforme。\"
WhenJohncamedownatlast，expectingtofindapensiveorreproachfulwife，hewasagreeablysurprisedtofindMegplacidlytrimmingabonnet，andtobegreetedwiththerequesttoreadsomethingabouttheelection，ifhewasnottootired。Johnsawinaminutethatarevolutionofsomekindwasgoingon，butwiselyaskednoquestions，knowingthatMegwassuchatransparentlittleperson，shecouldn’tkeepasecrettosaveherlife，andthereforethecluewouldsoonappear。Hereadalongdebatewiththemostamiablereadinessandthenexplaineditinhismostlucidmanner，whileMegtriedtolookdeeplyinterested，toaskintelligentquestions，andkeepherthoughtsfromwanderingfromthestateofthenationtothestateofherbonnet。Inhersecretsoul，however，shedecidedthatpoliticswereasbadasmathematics，andthemissionofpoliticiansseemedtobecallingeachothernames，butshekeptthesefeminineideastoherself，andwhenJohnpaused，shookherheadandsaidwithwhatshethoughtdiplomaticambiguity，\"Well，Ireallydon’tseewhatwearecomingto。\"
Johnlaughed，andwatchedherforaminute，asshepoisedaprettylittlepreparationoflaceandflowersonherhand，andregardeditwiththegenuineinterestwhichhisharanguehadfailedtowaken。
\"Sheistryingtolikepoliticsformysake，soI’lltryandlikemillineryforhers，that’sonlyfair，\"thoughtJohntheJust，addingaloud，\"That’sverypretty。Isitwhatyoucallabreakfastcap？\"
\"Mydearman，it’sabonnet！Myverybestgo—to—concert—and—theaterbonnet。\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，itwassosmall，Inaturallymistookitforoneoftheflyawaythingsyousometimeswear。Howdoyoukeepiton？\"
\"Thesebitsoflacearefastenedunderthechinwitharosebud，so。\"AndMegillustratedbyputtingonthebonnetandregardinghimwithanairofcalmsatisfactionthatwasirresistible。
\"It’saloveofabonnet，butIpreferthefaceinside，foritlooksyoungandhappyagain。\"AndJohnkissedthesmilingface，tothegreatdetrimentoftherosebudunderthechin。
\"I’mgladyoulikeit，forIwantyoutotakemetooneofthenewconcertssomenight。Ireallyneedsomemusictoputmeintune。Willyou，please？\"
\"OfcourseIwill，withallmyheart，oranywhereelseyoulike。Youhavebeenshutupsolong，itwilldoyounoendofgood，andIshallenjoyit，ofallthings。Whatputitintoyourhead，littlemother？\"
\"Well，IhadatalkwithMarmeetheotherday，andtoldherhownervousandcrossandoutofsortsIfelt，andshesaidIneededchangeandlesscare，soHannahistohelpmewiththechildren，andI’mtoseetothingsaboutthehousemore，andnowandthenhavealittlefun，justtokeepmefromgettingtobeafidgety，broken—downoldwomanbeforemytime。It’sonlyanexperiment，John，andIwanttotryitforyoursakeasmuchasformine，becauseI’veneglectedyoushamefullylately，andI’mgoingtomakehomewhatitusedtobe，ifIcan。Youdon’tobject，Ihope？\"
NevermindwhatJohnsaid，orwhataverynarrowescapethelittlebonnethadfromutterruin。AllthatwehaveanybusinesstoknowisthatJohndidnotappeartoobject，judgingfromthechangeswhichgraduallytookplaceinthehouseanditsinmates。ItwasnotallParadisebyanymeans，buteveryonewasbetterforthedivisionoflaborsystem。Thechildrenthroveunderthepaternalrule，foraccurate，steadfastJohnbroughtorderandobedienceintoBabydom，whileMegrecoveredherspiritsandcomposedhernervesbyplentyofwholesomeexercise，alittlepleasure，andmuchconfidentialconversationwithhersensiblehusband。Homegrewhomelikeagain，andJohnhadnowishtoleaveit，unlesshetookMegwithhim。TheScottscametotheBrookes’now，andeveryonefoundthelittlehouseacheerfulplace，fullofhappiness，content，andfamilylove。EvenSallieMoffattlikedtogothere。\"Itisalwayssoquietandpleasanthere，itdoesmegood，Meg，\"sheusedtosay，lookingaboutherwithwistfuleyes，asiftryingtodiscoverthecharm，thatshemightuseitinhergreathouse，fullofsplendidloneliness，fortherewerenoriotous，sunny—facedbabiesthere，andNedlivedinaworldoflisown，wheretherewasnoplaceforher。
Thishouseholdhappinessdidnotcomeallatonce，butJohnandMeghadfoundthekeytoit，andeachyearofMarriedlifetaughtthemhowtouseit，unlockingthetreasuriesofrealhomeloveandmutualhelpfulness，whichthepoorestmaypossess，andtherichestcannotbuy。Thisisthesortofshelfonwhichyoungwivesandmothersmayconsenttobelaid，safefromtherestlessfretandfeveroftheworld，findingloyalloversinthelittlesonsanddaughterswhoclingtothem，undauntedbysorrow，poverty，orage，walkingsidebyside，throughfairandstormyweather，withafaithfulfriend，whois，inthetruesenseofthegoodoldSaxonword，the`house—band’，andlearning，asMeglearned，thatawoman’shappiestkingdomishome，herhighesthonortheartofrulingitnotasaqueen，butasawisewifeandmother。
GoodWives:Chapter16CHAPTER16LazyLaurenceLauriewenttoNiceintendingtostayaweek，andremainedamonth。Hewastiredofwanderingaboutalone，andAmy’sfamiliarpresenceseemedtogiveahomelikecharmtotheforeignscenesinwhichsheboreapart。Herathermissedthe`petting’heusedtoreceive，andenjoyedatasteofitagain，fornoattentions，howeverflattering，fromstrangers，werehalfsopleasantasthesisterlyadorationofthegirlsathome。Amyneverwouldpethimliketheothers，butshewasverygladtoseehimnow，andquiteclungtohim，feelingthathewastherepresentativeofthedearfamilyforwhomshelongedmorethanshewouldconfess。Theynaturallytookcomfortineachother’ssocietyandweremuchtogether，riding，walking，dancing，ordawdling，foratNicenoonecanbeveryindustriousduringthegayseason。But，whileapparentlyamusingthemselvesinthemostcarelessfashion，theywerehalf—consciouslymakingdiscoveriesandformingopinionsabouteachother。Amyrosedailyintheestimationofherfriend，buthesankinhers，andeachfeltthetruthbeforeawordwasspoken。Amytriedtoplease，andsucceeded，forshewasgratefulforthemanypleasureshegaveher，andrepaidhimwiththelittleservicestowhichwomanlywomenknowhowtolendanindescribablecharm。Lauriemadenoeffortofanykind，butjustlethimselfdriftalongascomfortablyaspossible，tryingtoforget，andfeelingthatallwomenowedhimakindwordbecauseonehadbeencoldtohim。Itcosthimnoefforttobegenerous，andhewouldhavegivenAmyallthetrinketsinNiceifshewouldhavetakenthem，butatthesametimehefeltthathecouldnotchangetheopinionshewasformingofhim，andheratherdreadedthekeenblueeyesthatseemedtowatchhimwithsuchhalf—sorrowful，half—scornfulsurprise。
\"AlltheresthavegonetoMonacofortheday。Ipreferredtostayathomeandwriteletters。Theyaredonenow，andIamgoingtoValrosatosketch，willyoucome？’saidAmy，asshejoinedLaurieonelovelydaywhenheloungedinasusualaboutnoon。
\"Well，yes，butisn’titratherwarmforsuchalongwalk？\"heansweredslowly，fortheshadedsalonlookedinvitingaftertheglarewithout。
\"I’mgoingtohavethelittlecarriage，andBaptistecandrive，soyou’llhavenothingtodobutholdyourumbrella，andkeepyourglovesnice，\"returnedAmy，withasarcasticglanceattheimmaculatekids，whichwereaweakpointwithLaurie。
\"ThenI’llgowithpleasure。\"Andheputouthishandforhersketchbook。Butshetuckeditunderherarmwithasharp……
\"Don’ttroubleyourself。It’snoexertiontome，butyoudon’tlookequaltoit。\"
Laurieliftedhiseyebrowsandfollowedataleisurelypaceassherandownstairs，butwhentheygotintothecarriagehetookthereinshimself，andleftlittleBaptistenothingtodobutfoldhisarmsandfallasleeponhisperch。
Thetwoneverquarreled。Amywastoowell—bred，andjustnowLauriewastoolazy，soinaminutehepeepedunderherhat—brimwithaninquiringair。Sheansweredhimwithasmile，andtheywentontogetherinthemostamicablemanner。
Itwasalovelydrive，alongwindingroadsrichinthepicturesquescenesthatdelightbeauty—lovingeyes。Hereanancientmonastery，whencethesolemnchantingofthemonkscamedowntothem。Thereabare—leggedshepherd，inwoodenshoes，pointedhat，androughjacketoveroneshoulder，satpipingonastonewhilehisgoatsskippedamongtherocksorlayathisfeet。Meek，mouse—coloreddonkeys，ladenwithpanniersoffreshlycutgrasspassedby，withaprettygirlinacapalinesittingbetweenthegreenpiles，oranoldwomanspinningwithadistaffasshewent。Brown，soft—eyedchildrenranoutfromthequaintstonehovelstooffernosegays，orbunchesoforangesstillonthebough。Gnarledolivetreescoveredthehillswiththeirduskyfoliage，fruithunggoldenintheorchard，andgreatscarletanemonesfringedtheroadside，whilebeyondgreenslopesandcraggyheights，theMaritimeAlpsrosesharpandwhiteagainsttheblueItaliansky。
Valrosawelldeserveditsname，forinthatclimateofperpetualsummerrosesblossomedeverywhere。Theyoverhungthearchway，thrustthemselvesbetweenthebarsofthegreatgatewithasweetwelcometopassers—by，andlinedtheavenue，windingthroughlemontreesandfeatherypalmsuptothevillaonthehill。Everyshadowynook，whereseatsinvitedonetostopandrest，wasamassofbloom，everycoolgrottohaditsmarblenymphsmilingfromaveilofflowersandeveryfountainreflectedcrimson，white，orpalepinkroses，leaningdowntosmileattheirownbeauty。Rosescoveredthewallsofthehouse，drapedthecornices，climbedthepillars，andranriotoverthebalustradeofthewideterrace，whenceonelookeddownonthesunnyMediterranean，andthewhite—walledcityonitsshore。
\"Thisisaregularhoneymoonparadise，isn’tit？Didyoueverseesuchroses？\"askedAmy，pausingontheterracetoenjoytheview，andaluxuriouswhiffofperfumethatcamewanderingby。
\"No，norfeltsuchthorns，\"returnedLaurie，withhisthumbinhismouth，afteravainattempttocaptureasolitaryscarletflowerthatgrewjustbeyondhisreach。
\"Trylowerdown，andpickthosethathavenothorns，\"saidAmy，gatheringthreeofthetinycream—coloredonesthatstarredthewallbehindher。Sheputtheminhisbuttonholeasapeaceoffering，andhestoodaminutelookingdownatthemwithacuriousexpression，forintheItalianpartofhisnaturetherewasatouchofsuperstition，andhewasjusttheninthatstateofhalf—sweet，half—bittermelancholy，whenimaginativeyoungmenfindsignificanceintriflesandfoodforromanceeverywhere。HehadthoughtofJoinreachingafterthethornyredrose，forvividflowersbecameher，andshehadoftenwornoneslikethatfromthegreenhouseathome。ThepalerosesAmygavehimwerethesortthattheItalianslayindeadhands，neverinbridalwreaths，andforamomenthewonderediftheomenwasforJoorforhimself，butthenextinstanthisAmericancommonsensegotthebetterofsentimentality，andhelaughedaheartierlaughthanAmyhadheardsincehecame。
\"It’sgoodadvice，you’dbettertakeitandsaveyourfingers，\"shesaid，thinkingherspeechamusedhim。
\"Thankyou，Iwill，\"heansweredinjest，andafewmonthslaterhediditinearnest。
\"Laurie，whenareyougoingtoyourgrandfather？\"sheaskedpresently，asshesettledherselfonarusticseat。
\"Verysoon。\"
\"Youhavesaidthatadozentimeswithinthelastthreeweeks。\"
\"Idaresay，shortanswerssavetrouble。\"
\"Heexpectsyou，andyoureallyoughttogo。\"
\"Hospitablecreature！Iknowit。\"
\"Thenwhydon’tyoudoit？\"
\"Naturaldepravity，Isuppose。\"
\"Naturalindolence，youmean。It’sreallydreadful！\"AndAmylookedsevere。
\"Notsobadasitseems，forIshouldonlyplaguehimifIwent，soImightaswellstayandplagueyoualittlelonger，youcanbearitbetter，infactIthinkitagreeswithyouexcellently。\"AndLauriecomposedhimselfforaloungeonthebroadledgeofthebalustrade。
Amyshookherheadandopenedhersketchbookwithanairofresignation，butshehadmadeuphermindtolecture`thatboy’andinaminuteshebeganagain。
\"Whatareyoudoingjustnow？\"
\"Watchinglizards。\"
\"No，no。Imeanwhatdoyouintendandwishtodo？\"
\"Smokeacigarette，ifyou’llallowme。\"
\"Howprovokingyouare！Idon’tapproveofcigarsandIwillonlyallowitonconditionthatyouletmeputyouintomysketch。Ineedafigure。\"
\"Withallthepleasureinlife。Howwillyouhaveme，fulllengthorthree—quarters，onmyheadormyheels？Ishouldrespectfullysuggestarecumbentposture，thenputyourselfinalsoandcallit`Dolcefarniente’。\"
\"Stayasyouare，andgotosleepifyoulike。Iintendtoworkhard，\"saidAmyinhermostenergetictone。
\"Whatdelightfulenthusiasm！\"Andheleanedagainstatallurnwithanirofentiresatisfaction。
\"WhatwouldJosayifshesawyounow？\"askedAmyimpatiently，hopingtostirhimupbythementionofherstillmoreenergeticsister’sname。
\"Asusual，`Goaway，Teddy。I’mbusy！’\"Helaughedashespoke，butthelaughwasnotnatural，andashadepassedoverhisface，fortheutteranceofthefamiliarnametouchedthewoundthatwasnothealedyet。BothtoneandshadowstruckAmy，forshehadseenandheardthembefore，andnowshelookedupintimetocatchanewexpressiononLaurie’sface——ahardbitterlook，fullofpain，dissatisfaction，andregret。Itwasgonebeforeshecouldstudyitandthelistlessexpressionbackagain。Shewatchedhimforamomentwithartisticpleasure，thinkinghowlikeanItalianhelooked，ashelaybaskinginthesunwithuncoveredheadandeyesfullofsoutherndreaminess，forheseemedtohaveforgottenherandfallenintoareverie。
\"Youlookliketheeffigyofayoungknightasleeponhistomb，\"shesaid，carefullytracingthewell—cutprofiledefinedagainstthedarkstone。
\"WishIwas！\"
\"That’safoolishwish，unlessyouhavespoiledyourlife。Youaresochanged，Isometimesthink——\"ThereAmystopped，withahalf—timid，half—wistfullook，moresignificantthanherunfinishedspeech。
Lauriesawandunderstoodtheaffectionateanxietywhichshehesitatedtoexpress，andlookingstraightintohereyes，said，justasheusedtosayittohermother，\"It’sallright，ma’am。\"
Thatsatisfiedherandsetatrestthedoubtsthathadbeguntoworryherlately。Italsotouchedher，andsheshowedthatitdid，bythecordialtoneinwhichshesaid……
\"I’mgladofthat！Ididn’tthinkyou’dbeenaverybadboy，butIfanciedyoumighthavewastedmoneyatthatwickedBaden—Baden，lostyourhearttosomecharmingFrenchwomanwithahusband，orgotintosomeofthescrapesthatyoungmenseemtoconsideranecessarypartofaforeigntour。Don’tstayoutthereinthesun，comeandlieonthegrasshereand`letusbefriendly’，asJousedtosaywhenwegotinthesofacornerandtoldsecrets。\"
Laurieobedientlythrewhimselfdownontheturf，andbegantoamusehimselfbystickingdaisiesintotheribbonsofAmy’shat，thatlaythere。
\"I’mallreadyforthesecrets。\"Andheglancedupwithadecidedexpressionofinterestinhiseyes。
\"I’venonetotell。Youmaybegin。\"
\"Haven’tonetoblessmyselfwith。Ithoughtperhapsyou’dhadsomenewsfromhome……\"
\"Youhaveheardallthathascomelately。Don’tyouhearoften？IfanciedJowouldsendyouvolumes。\"
\"She’sverybusy。I’mrovingaboutso，it’simpossibletoberegular，youknow。Whendoyoubeginyourgreatworkofart，Raphaella？’heasked。changingthesubjectabruptlyafteranotherpause，inwhichhehadbeenwonderingifAmyknewhissecretandwantedtotalkaboutit。
\"Never，\"sheanswered，withadespondentbutdecidedair。\"Rometookallthevanityoutofme，forafterseeingthewondersthere，Ifelttooinsignificanttoliveandgaveupallmyfoolishhopesindespair。\"
\"Whyshouldyou，withsomuchenergyandtalent？\"
\"That’sjustwhy，becausetalentisn’tgenius，andnoamountofenergycanmakeitso。Iwanttobegreat，ornothing。Iwon’tbeacommon—placedauber，soIdon’tintendtotryanymore。\"
\"Andwhatareyougoingtodowithyourselfnow，ifImayask？\"
\"Polishupmyothertalents，andbeanornamenttosociety，ifIgetthechance。\"
Itwasacharacteristicspeech，andsoundeddaring，butaudacitybecomesyoungpeople，andAmy’sambitionhadagoodfoundation。Lauriesmiled，buthelikedthespiritwithwhichshetookupanewpurposewhenalong—cherishedonedied，andspentnotimelamenting。
\"Good！AndhereiswhereFredVaughncomesin，Ifancy。\"
Amypreservedadiscreetsilence，buttherewasaconsciouslookinherdowncastfacethatmadeLauriesitupandsaygravely，\"NowI’mgoingtoplaybrother，andaskquestions。MayI？\"
\"Idon’tpromisetoanswer。\"
\"Yourfacewill，ifyourtonguewon’t。Youaren’twomanoftheworldenoughyettohideyourfeelings，mydear。IheardrumorsaboutFredandyoulastyear，andit’smyprivateopinionthatifhehadnotbeencalledhomesosuddenlyanddetainedsolong，somethingwouldhavecomeofit，hey？\"
\"That’snotformetosay，\"wasAmy’sgrimreply，butherlipswouldsmile，andtherewasatraitoroussparkleoftheeyewhichbetrayedthatsheknewherpowerandenjoyedtheknowledge。
\"Youarenotengaged，Ihope？\"AndLaurielookedveryelder—brotherlyandgraveallofasudden。
\"No。\"
\"Butyouwillbe，ifhecomesbackandgoesproperlydownonhisknees，won’tyou？\"
\"Verylikely。\"
\"ThenyouarefondofoldFred？\"
\"Icouldbe，ifItried。\"
\"Butyoudon’tintendtotrytillthepropermoment？Blessmysoul，whatunearthlyprudence！He’sagoodfellow，Amy，butnotthemanIfanciedyou’dlike。\"
\"Heisrich，agentleman，andhasdelightfulmanners，\"beganAmy，tryingtobequitecoolanddignified，butfeelingalittleashamedofherself，inspiteofthesincerityofherintentions。
\"Iunderstand。Queensofsocietycan’tgetonwithoutmoney，soyoumeantomakeagoodmatch，andstartinthatway？Quiterightandproper，astheworldgoes，butitsoundsoddfromthelipsofoneofyourmother’sgirls。\"
\"True，nevertheless。\"
Ashortspeech，butthequietdecisionwithwhichitwasutteredcontrastedcuriouslywiththeyoungspeaker。Lauriefeltthisinstinctivelyandlaidhimselfdownagain，withasenseofdisappointmentwhichhecouldnotexplain。Hislookandsilence，aswellasacertaininwardself—disapproval，ruffledAmy，andmadeherresolvetodeliverherlecturewithoutdelay。
\"Iwishyou’ddomethefavortorouseyourselfalittle，\"shesaidsharply。
\"Doitforme，there’sadeargirl。\"
\"Icould，ifItried。\"Andshelookedasifshewouldlikedoingitinthemostsummarystyle。
\"Try，then。Igiveyouleave，\"returnedLaurie，whoenjoyedhavingsomeonetotease，afterhislongabstinencefromhisfavoritepastime。
\"You’dbeangryinfiveminutes。\"
\"I’mneverangrywithyou。Ittakestwoflintstomakeafire。Youareascoolandsoftassnow。\"
\"Youdon’tknowwhatIcando。Snowproducesaglowandatingle，ifappliedrightly。Yourindifferenceishalfaffectation，andagoodstirringupwouldproveit。\"
\"Stiraway，itwon’thurtmeanditmayamuseyou，asthebigmansaidwhenhislittlewifebeathim。Regardmeinthelightofahusbandoracarpet，andbeattillyouaretired，ifthatsortofexerciseagreeswithyou。\"
Beingdecidedlynettledherself，andlongingtoseehimshakeofftheapathythatsoalteredhim，Amysharpenedbothtongueandpencil，andbegan。
\"FloandIhavegotanewnameforyou。It’sLazyLaurence。Howdoyoulikeit？\"
Shethoughtitwouldannoyhim，butheonlyfoldedhisarmsunderhishead，withanimperturbable，\"That’snotbad。Thankyou，ladies。\"
\"DoyouwanttoknowwhatIhonestlythinkofyou？\"
\"Piningtobetold。\"
\"Well，Idespiseyou。\"Ifshehadevensaid`Ihateyou’inapetulantorcoquettishtone，hewouldhavelaughedandratherlikedit，butthegrave，almostsad，accentinhervoicemadehimopenhiseyes，andaskquickly……
\"Why，ifyouplease？\"
\"Because，witheverychanceforbeinggood，useful，andhappy，youarefaulty，lazy，andmiserable。\"
\"Stronglanguage，mademoiselle。\"
\"Ifyoulikeit，I’llgoon。\"
\"Praydo，it’squiteinteresting。\"
\"Ithoughtyou’dfinditso。Selfishpeoplealwaysliketotalkaboutthemselves。\"
\"AmIselfish？\"Thequestionslippedoutinvoluntarilyandinatoneofsurprise，fortheonevirtueonwhichhepridedhimselfwasgenerosity。
\"Yes，veryselfish，\"continuedAmy，inacalm，coolvoice，twiceaseffectivejustthenasanangryone。\"I’llshowyouhow，forI’vestudiedyouwhilewewerefrolicking，andI’mnotatallsatisfiedwithyou。Hereyouhavebeenabroadnearlysixmonths，anddonenothingbutwastetimeandmoneyanddisappointyourfriends。\"
\"Isn’tafellowtohaveanypleasureafterafour—yeargrind？\"
\"Youdon’tlookasifyou’dhadmuch。Atanyrate，youarenonethebetterforit，asfarasIcansee。Isaidwhenwefirstmetthatyouhadimproved。NowItakeitallback，forIdon’tthinkyouhalfsoniceaswhenIleftyouathome。Youhavegrownabominablylazy，youlikegossip，andwastetimeonfrivolousthings，youarecontentedtobepettedandadmiredbysillypeople，insteadofbeinglovedandrespectedbywiseones。Withmoney，talent，position，health，andbeauty，ahyoulikethatoldVanity！Butit’sthetruth，soIcan’thelpsayingit，withallthesesplendidthingstouseandenjoy，youcanfindnothingtodobutdawdle，andinsteadofbeingthemanyououghttobe，youareonly……\"Thereshestopped，withalookthathadbothpainandpityinit。
\"SaintLaurenceonagridiron，\"addedLaurie，blandlyfinishingthesentence。Butthelecturebegantotakeeffect，fortherewasawide—awakesparkleinhiseyesnowandahalf—angry，half—injuredexpressionreplacedtheformerindifference。
\"Isupposedyou’dtakeitso。Youmentellusweareangels，andsaywecanmakeyouwhatwewill，buttheinstantwehonestlytrytodoyougood，youlaughatusandwon’tlisten，whichproveshowmuchyourflatteryisworth。\"Amyspokebitterly，andturnedherbackontheexasperatingmartyratherfeet。
Inaminuteahandcamedownoverthepage，sothatshecouldnotdraw，andLaurie’svoicesaid，withadrollimitationofapenitentchild，\"Iwillbegood，oh，Iwillbegood！\"