\"Waitforme，myfriend。Imaybealittlelate，butIshallsurelycome。\"
\"Oh，ifheonlywould！Sokind，sogood，sopatientwithmealways，mydearoldFritz。Ididn’tvaluehimhalfenoughwhenIhadhim，butnowhowIshouldlovetoseehim，foreveryoneseemsgoingawayfromme，andI’mallalone。\"
Andholdingthelittlepaperfast，asifitwereapromiseyettobefulfilled，Jolaidherheaddownonacomfortableragbag，andcried，asifinoppositiontotherainpatteringontheroof。
Wasitallself—pity，loneliness，orlowspirits？Orwasitthewakingupofasentimentwhichhadbideditstimeaspatientlyasitsinspirer？Whoshallsay？
GoodWives:Chapter2CHAPTER2TheFirstWeddingTheJunerosesovertheporchwereawakebrightandearlyonthatmorning，rejoicingwithalltheirheartsinthecloudlesssunshine，likefriendlylittleneighbors，astheywere。Quiteflushedwithexcitementweretheirruddyfaces，astheyswunginthewind，whisperingtooneanotherwhattheyhadseen，forsomepeepedinatthediningroomwindowswherethefeastwasspread，someclimbeduptonodandsmileatthesistersastheydressedthebride，otherswavedawelcometothosewhocameandwentonvariouserrandsingarden，porch，andhall，andall，fromtherosiestfull—blownflowertothepalestbabybud，offeredtheirtributeofbeautyandfragrancetothegentlemistresswhohadlovedandtendedthemsolong。
Meglookedverylikearoseherself，forallthatwasbestandsweetestinheartandsoulseemedtobloomintoherfacethatday，makingitfairandtender，withacharmmorebeautifulthanbeauty。Neithersilk，lace，nororangeflowerswouldshehave。\"Idon’twantafashionablewedding，butonlythoseaboutmewhomIlove，andtothemIwishtolookandbemyfamiliarself。\"
Soshemadeherweddinggownherself，sewingintoitthetenderhopesandinnocentromancesofagirlishheart。hersistersbraidedupherprettyhair，andtheonlyornamentssheworeweretheliliesofthevalley，which`herJohn’likedbestofalltheflowersthatgrew。
\"YoudolookjustlikeourowndearMeg，onlysoverysweetandlovelythatIshouldhugyouifitwouldn’tcrumpleyourdress，\"criedAmy，surveyingherwithdelightwhenallwasdone。
\"ThenIamsatisfied。Butpleasehugandkissme，everyone，anddon’tmindmydress。Iwantagreatmanycrumplesofthissortputintoittoday。\"AndMegopenedherarmstohersisters，whoclungaboutherwithAprilfacesforaminute，feelingthatthenewlovehadnotchangedtheold。
\"NowI’mgoingtotieJohn’scravatforhim，andthentostayafewminuteswithFatherquietlyinthestudy。\"AndMegrandowntoperformtheselittleceremonies，andthentofollowhermotherwherevershewent，consciousthatinspiteofthesmilesonthemotherlyface，therewasasecretsorrowhidinthemotherlyheartattheflightofthefirstbirdfromthenest。
Astheyoungergirlsstandtogether，givingthelasttouchestotheirsimpletoilet，itmaybeagoodtimetotellofafewchangeswhichthreeyearshavewroughtintheirappearance，forallarelookingtheirbestjustnow。
Jo’sanglesaremuchsoftened，shehaslearnedtocarryherselfwithease，ifnotgrace。Thecurlycrophaslengthenedintoathickcoil，morebecomingtothesmallheadatopofthetallfigure。Thereisafreshcolorinherbrowncheeks，asoftshineinhereyes，andonlygentlewordsfallfromhersharptonguetoday。
Bethhasgrownslender，pale，andmorequietthanever。Thebeautiful，kindeyesarelarger，andinthemliesanexpressionthatsaddensone，althoughitisnotsaditself。Itistheshadowofpainwhichtouchestheyoungfacewithsuchpatheticpatience，butBethseldomcomplainsandalwaysspeakshopefullyof`beingbettersoon’。
Amyiswithtruthconsidered`theflowerofthefamily’，foratsixteenshehastheairandbearingofafull—grownwoman，notbeautiful，butpossessedofthatindescribablecharmcalledgrace。Onesawitinthelinesofherfigure，themakeandmotionofherhands，theflowofherdress，thedroopofherhair，unconsciousyetharmonious，andasattractivetomanyasbeautyitself。Amy’snosestillafflictedher，foritneverwouldgrowGrecian，sodidhermouth，beingtoowide，andhavingadecidedchin。Theseoffendingfeaturesgavecharactertoherwholeface，butshenevercouldseeit，andconsoledherselfwithherwonderfullyfaircomplexion，keenblueeyes，andcurlsmoregoldenandabundantthanever。
Allthreeworesuitsofthinsilvergray（theirbestgownsforthesummer），withblushrosesinhairandbosom，andallthreelookedjustwhattheywere，fresh—faced，happy—heartedgirls，pausingamomentintheirbusylivestoreadwithwistfuleyesthesweetestchapterintheromanceofwomanhood。
Thereweretobenoceremoniousperformances，everythingwastobeasnaturalandhomelikeaspossible，sowhenAuntMarcharrived，shewasscandalizedtoseethebridecomerunningtowelcomeandleadherin，tofindthebridegroomfasteningupagarlandthathadfallendown，andtocatchaglimpseofthepaternalministermarchingupstairswithagravecountenanceandawinebottleundereacharm。
\"Uponmyword，here’sastateofthings！\"criedtheoldlady，takingtheseatofhonorpreparedforher，andsettlingthefoldsofherlavendermoirewithagreatrustle。\"Yououghtn’ttobeseentillthelastminute，child。\"
\"I’mnotashow，Aunty，andnooneiscomingtostareatme，tocriticizemydress，orcountthecostofmyluncheon。I’mtoohappytocarewhatanyonesaysorthinks，andI’mgoingtohavemylittleweddingjustasIlikeit。John，dear，here’syourhammer。\"AndawaywentMegtohelp`thatman’inhishighlyimproperemployment。
Mr。Brookedidn’tevensay，\"Thankyou，\"butashestoopedfortheunromantictool，hekissedhislittlebridebehindthefoldingdoor，withalookthatmadeAuntMarchwhiskoutherpockethandkerchiefwithasuddendewinhersharpoldeyes。
Acrash，acry，andalaughfromLaurie，accompaniedbytheindecorousexclamation，\"JupiterAmmon！Jo’supsetthecakeagain！\"causedamomentaryflurry，whichwashardlyoverwhenaflockofcousinsarrived，and`thepartycamein’，asBethusedtosaywhenachild。
\"Don’tletthatyounggiantcomenearme，heworriesmeworsethanmosquitoes，\"whisperedtheoldladytoAmy，astheroomsfilledandLaurie’sblackheadtoweredabovetherest。
\"Hehaspromisedtobeverygoodtoday，andhecanbeperfectlyelegantifhelikes，\"returnedAmy，andglidingawaytowarnHerculestobewareofthedragon，whichwarningcausedhimtohaunttheoldladywithadevotionthatnearlydistractedher。
Therewasnobridalprocession，butasuddensilencefellupontheroomasMr。Marchandtheyoungcoupletooktheirplacesunderthegreenarch。Motherandsistersgatheredclose，asifloathtogiveMegup。Thefatherlyvoicebrokemorethanonce，whichonlyseemedtomaketheservicemorebeautifulandsolemn。Thebridegroom’shandtrembledvisibly，andnooneheardhisreplies。ButMeglookedstraightupinherhusband’seyes，andsaid，\"Iwill！\"withsuchtendertrustinherownfaceandvoicethathermother’sheartrejoicedandAuntMarchsniffedaudibly。
Jodidnotcry，thoughshewasverynearitonce，andwasonlysavedfromademonstrationbytheconsciousnessthatLauriewasstaringfixedlyather，withacomicalmixtureofmerrimentandemotioninhiswickedblackeyes。Bethkeptherfacehiddenonhermother’sshoulder，butAmystoodlikeagracefulstatue，withamostbecomingrayofsunshinetouchingherwhiteforeheadandtheflowerinherhair。
Itwasn’tatallthething，I’mafraid，buttheminuteshewasfairlymarried，Megcried，\"ThefirstkissforMarmee！\"andturning，gaveitwithherheartonherlips。Duringthenextfifteenminutesshelookedmorelikearosethanever，foreveryoneavailedthemselvesoftheirprivilegestothefullestextent，fromMr。LaurencetooldHannah，who，adornedwithaheaddressfearfullyandwonderfullymade，felluponherinthehall，cryingwithasobandachuckle，\"Blessyou，deary，ahundredtimes！Thecakeain’thurtamite，andeverythinglookslovely。\"
Everybodyclearedupafterthat，andsaidsomethingbrilliant，ortriedto，whichdidjustaswell，forlaughterisreadywhenheartsarelight。Therewasnodisplayofgifts，fortheywerealreadyinthelittlehouse，norwasthereanelaboratebreakfast，butaplentifullunchofcakeandfruit，dressedwithflowers。Mr。LaurenceandAuntMarchshruggedandsmiledatoneanotherwhenwater，lemonade，andcoffeewerefoundtobetoonlysortsofnectarwhichthethreeHebescarriedaround。Noonesaidanything，tillLaurie，whoinsistedonservingthebride，appearedbeforeher，withaloadedsalverinhishandandapuzzledexpressiononhisface。
\"HasJosmashedallthebottlesbyaccident？\"hewhispered，\"oramImerelylaboringunderadelusionthatIsawsomelyingaboutloosethismorning？\"
\"No，yourgrandfatherkindlyofferedushisbest，andAuntMarchactuallysentsome，butFatherputawayalittleforBeth，anddispatchedtheresttotheSoldier’sHome。Youknowhethinksthatwineshouldbeusedonlyinillness，andMothersaysthatneithershenorherdaughterswilleverofferittoanyyoungmanunderherroof。\"
MegspokeseriouslyandexpectedtoseeLauriefrownorlaugh，buthedidneither，forafteraquicklookather，hesaid，inhisimpetuousway，\"Ilikethat！ForI’veseenenoughharmdonetowishotherwomenwouldthinkasyoudo。\"
\"Youarenotmadewisebyexperience，Ihope？\"AndtherewasananxiousaccentinMeg’svoice。
\"No。Igiveyoumywordforit。Don’tthinktoowellofme，either，thisisnotoneofmytemptations。Beingbroughtupwherewineisascommonaswaterandalmostasharmless，Idon’tcareforit，butwhenaprettygirloffersit，onedoesn’tliketorefuse，yousee。\"
\"Butyouwill，forthesakeofothers，ifnotforyourown。Come，Laurie，promise，andgivemeonemorereasontocallthisthehappiestdayofmylife。\"
Ademandsosuddenandsoseriousmadetheyoungmanhesitateamoment，forridiculeisoftenhardertobearthanself—denial。Megknewthatifhegavethepromisehewouldkeepitatallcosts，andfeelingherpower，useditasawomanmayforherfriend’sgood。Shedidnotspeak，butshelookedupathimwithafacemadeveryeloquentbyhappiness，andasmilewhichsaid，\"Noonecanrefusemeanythingtoday。\"
Lauriecertainlycouldnot，andwithanansweringsmile，hegaveherhishand，sayingheartily，\"Ipromise，Mrs。Brooke！\"
\"Ithankyou，very，verymuch。\"
\"AndIdrink`longlifetoyourresolution’，Teddy，\"criedJo，baptizinghimwithasplashoflemonade，asshewavedherglassandbeamedapprovinglyuponhim。
Sothetoastwasdrunk，thepledgemadeandloyallykeptinspiteofmanytemptations，forwithinstinctivewisdom，thegirlsseizedahappymomenttodotheirfriendaservice，forwhichhethankedthemallhislife。
Afterlunch，peoplestrolledabout，bytwosandthrees，throughthehouseandgarden，enjoyingthesunshinewithoutandwithin。MegandJohnhappenedtobestandingtogetherinthemiddleofthegrassplot，whenLauriewasseizedwithaninspirationwhichputthefinishingtouchtothisunfashionablewedding。
\"Allthemarriedpeopletakehandsanddanceroundthenew—madehusbandandwife，astheGermansdo，whilewebachelorsandspinsterspranceincouplesoutside！\"criedLaurie，promenadingdownthepathwithAmy，withsuchinfectiousspiritandskillthateveryoneelsefollowedtheirexamplewithoutamurmur。Mr。andMrs。March，AuntandUncleCarrolbeganit，othersrapidlyjoinedin，evenSallieMoffat，afteramoment’shesitation，threwhertrainoverherarmandwhiskedNedintothering。ButthecrowningjokewasMr。LaurenceandAuntMarch，forwhenthestatelyoldgentlemanchasséedsolemnlyuptotheoldlady，shejusttuckedhercaneunderarm，andhoppedbrisklyawaytojoinhandswiththerestanddanceaboutthebridalpair，whiletheyoungfolkspervadedthegardenlikebutterfliesonamidsummerday。
Wantofbreathbroughttheimpromptuballtoaclose，andthenpeoplebegantogo。
\"Iwishyouwell，mydear，Iheartilywishyouwell，butIthinkyou’llbesorryforit，\"saidAuntMarchtoMeg，addingtothebridegroom，asheledhertothecarriage，\"You’vegotatreasure，youngman，seethatyoudeserveit。\"
\"ThatistheprettiestweddingI’vebeentoforanage，Ned，andIdon’tseewhy，fortherewasn’tabitofstyleaboutit，\"observedMrs。Moffattoherhusband，astheydroveaway。
\"Laurie，mylad，ifyoueverwanttoindulgeinthissortofthing，getoneofthoselittlegirlstohelpyou，andIshallbeperfectlysatisfied，\"saidMr。Laurence，settlinghimselfinhiseasychairtorestaftertheexcitementofthemorning。
\"I’lldomybesttogratifyyou，Sir，\"wasLaurie’sunusuallydutifulreply，ashecarefullyunpinnedtheposyJohadputinhisbuttonhole。
Thelittlehousewasnotfaraway，andtheonlybridaljourneyMeghadwasthequietwalkwithJohnfromtheoldhometothenew。Whenshecamedown，lookinglikeaprettyQuakeressinherdove—coloredsuitandstrawbonnettiedwithwhite，theyallgatheredabouthertosaygoodby，astenderlyasifshehadbeengoingtomakethegrandtour。
\"Don’tfeelthatIamseparatedfromyou，Marmeedear，orthatIloveyouanythelessforlovingJohnsomuch，\"shesaid，clingingtohermother，withfulleyesforamoment。\"Ishallcomeeveryday，Father，andexpecttokeepmyoldplaceinallyourhearts，thoughIammarried。Bethisgoingtobewithmeagreatdeal，andtheothergirlswilldropinnowandthentolaughatmyhousekeepingstruggles。Thankyouallformyhappyweddingday。Goodby，goodby！\"
Theystoodwatchingher，withfacesfullofloveandhopeandtenderprideasshewalkedaway，leaningonherhusband’sarm，withherhandsfullofflowersandtheJunesunshinebrighteningherhappyface——andsoMeg’smarriedlifebegan。
GoodWives:Chapter20CHAPTER20SurprisesJowasaloneinthetwilight，lyingontheoldsofa，lookingatthefire，andthinking。Itwasherfavoritewayofspendingthehourofdusk。Noonedisturbedher，andsheusedtoliethereonBeth’slittleredpillow，planningstories，dreamingdreams，orthinkingtenderthoughtsofthesisterwhoneverseemedfaraway。Herfacelookedtired，grave，andrathersad，fortomorrowwasherbirthday，andshewasthinkinghowfasttheyearswentby，howoldshewasgetting，andhowlittlesheseemedtohaveaccomplished。Almosttwenty—five，andnothingtoshowforit。Jowasmistakeninthat。Therewasagooddealtoshow，andby—and—byshesaw，andwasgratefulforit。
\"Anoldmaid，that’swhatI’mtobe。Aliteraryspinster，withapenforaspouse，afamilyofstoriesforchildren，andtwentyyearshenceamorseloffame，perhaps，when，likepoorJohnson，I’moldandcan’tenjoyit，solitary，andcan’tshareit，independent，anddon’tneedit。Well，Ineedn’tbeasoursaintnoraselfishsinner，and，Idaresay，oldmaidsareverycomfortablewhentheygetusedtoit，but……\"AndthereJosighed，asiftheprospectwasnotinviting。
Itseldomis，atfirst，andthirtyseemstheendofallthingstofive—and—twenty。Butit’snotasbadasitlooks，andonecangetonquitehappilyifonehassomethinginone’sselftofallbackupon。Attwenty—five，girlsbegintotalkaboutbeingoldmaids，butsecretlyresolvethattheyneverwillbe。Atthirtytheysaynothingaboutit，butquietlyacceptthefact，andifsensible，consolethemselvesbyrememberingthattheyhavetwentymoreuseful，happyyears，inwhichtheymaybelearningtogrowoldgracefully。Don’tlaughatthespinsters，deargirls，foroftenverytender，tragicromancesarehiddenawayintheheartsthatbeatsoquietlyunderthesobergowns，andmanysilentsacrificesofyouth，health，ambition，loveitself，makethefadedfacesbeautifulinGod’ssight。Eventhesad，soursistersshouldbekindlydealtwith，becausetheyhavemissedthesweetestpartoflife，iffornootherreason。Andlookingatthemwithcompassion，notcontempt，girlsintheirbloomshouldrememberthattheytoomaymisstheblossomtime。Thatrosycheeksdon’tlastforever，thatsilverthreadswillcomeinthebonniebrownhair，andthat，by—and—by，kindnessandrespectwillbeassweetasloveandadmirationnow。
Gentlemen，whichmeansboys，becourteoustotheoldmaids，nomatterhowpoorandplainandprim，fortheonlychivalryworthhavingisthatwhichisthereadiesttopaydeferencetotheold，protectthefeeble，andservewomankind，regardlessofrank，age，orcolor。Justrecollectthegoodauntswhohavenotonlylecturedandfussed，butnursedandpetted，toooftenwithoutthanks，thescrapestheyhavehelpedyououtof，thetipstheyhavegivenyoufromtheirsmallstore，thestitchesthepatientoldfingershavesetforyou，thestepsthewillingoldfeethavetaken，andgratefullypaythedearoldladiesthelittleattentionsthatwomenlovetoreceiveaslongastheylive。Thebright—eyedgirlsarequicktoseesuchtraits，andwilllikeyouallthebetterforthem，andifdeath，almosttheonlypowerthatcanpartmotherandson，shouldrobyouofyours，youwillbesuretofindatenderwelcomeandmaternalcherishingfromsomeAuntPriscilla，whohaskeptthewarmestcornerofherlonelyoldheartfor`thebestnevvyintheworld’。
Jomusthavefallenasleep（asIdaresaymyreaderhasduringthislittlehomily），forsuddenlyLaurie’sghostseemedtostandbeforeher，asubstantial，lifelikeghost，leaningoverherwiththeverylookheusedtowearwhenhefeltagooddealanddidn’tliketoshowit。But，likeJennyintheballad……Shecouldnotthinkithe，andlaystaringupathiminstartledsilence，tillhestoopedandkissedher。Thensheknewhim，andflewup，cryingjoyfully……
\"OhmyTeddy！OhmyTeddy！\"
\"DearJo，youaregladtoseeme，then？\"
\"Glad！Myblessedboy，wordscan’texpressmygladness。Where’sAmy？\"\"YourmotherhasgotherdownatMeg’s。Westoppedtherebytheway，andtherewasnogettingmywifeoutoftheirclutches。\"
\"Yourwhat？\"criedJo，forLaurieutteredthosetwowordswithanunconsciousprideandsatisfactionwhichbetrayedhim。
\"Oh，thedickens！NowI’vedoneit。\"AndhelookedsoguiltythatJowasdownonhimlikeaflash。
\"You’vegoneandgotmarried！\"
\"Yes，please，butIneverwillagain。\"Andhewentdownuponhisknees，withapenitentclaspingofhands，andafacefullofmischief，mirth，andtriumph。
\"Actuallymarried？\"
\"Verymuchso，thankyou。\"
\"Mercyonus。Whatdreadfulthingwillyoudonext？\"AndJofellintoherseatwithagasp。
\"Acharacteristic，butnotexactlycomplimentary，congratulation，\"returnedLaurie，stillinanabjectattitude，butbeamingwithsatisfaction。
\"Whatcanyouexpect，whenyoutakeone’sbreathaway，creepinginlikeaburglar，andlettingcatsoutofbagslikethat？Getup，youridiculousboy，andtellmeallaboutit。\"
\"Notaword，unlessyouletmecomeinmyoldplace，andpromisenottobarricade。\"
Jolaughedatthatasshehadnotdoneformanyalongday，andpattedthesofainvitingly，asshesaidinacordialtone，\"Theoldpillowisupgarret，andwedon’tneeditnow。So，comeand’fess，Teddy。\"
\"Howgooditsoundstohearyousay`Teddy’！Nooneevercallsmethatbutyou。\"AndLauriesatdownwithanairofgreatcontent。
\"WhatdoesAmycallyou？\"
\"Mylord。\"
\"That’slikeher。Well，youlookit。\"AndJo’seyeplainlybetrayedthatshefoundherboycomelierthanever。
Thepillowwasgone，buttherewasabarricade，nevertheless，anaturalone，raisedbytimeabsence，andchangeofheart。Bothfeltit，andforaminutelookedatoneanotherasifthatinvisiblebarriercastalittleshadowoverthem。Itwasgonedirectlyhowever，forLauriesaid，withavainattemptatdignity……
\"Don’tIlooklikeamarriedmanandtheheadofafamily？\"\"Notabit，andyouneverwill。You’vegrownbiggerandbonnier，butyouarethesamescapegraceasever。\"
\"Nowreally，Jo，yououghttotreatmewithmorerespect，\"beganLaurie，whoenjoyeditallimmensely。
\"HowcanI，whenthemereideaofyou，marriedandsettled，issoirresistiblyfunnythatIcan’tkeepsober！\"answeredJo，smilingalloverherface，soinfectiouslythattheyhadanotherlaugh，andthensettleddownforagoodtalk，quiteinthepleasantoldfashion。
\"It’snouseyourgoingoutinthecoldtogetAmy，fortheyareallcominguppresently。Icouldn’twait。Iwantedtobetheonetotellyouthegrandsurprise，andhave`firstskim’asweusedtosaywhenwesquabbledaboutthecream。\"
\"Ofcourseyoudid，andspoiledyourstorybybeginningatthewrongend。Now，startright，andtellmehowitallhappened。I’mpiningtoknow。\"
\"Well，IdidittopleaseAmy，\"beganLaurie，withatwinklethatmadeJoexclaim……
\"Fibnumberone。Amydidittopleaseyou。Goon，andtellthetruth，ifyoucan，sir。\"
\"Nowshe’sbeginningtomarmit。Isn’titjollytohearher？\"saidLaurietothefire，andthefireglowedandsparkledasifitquiteagreed。\"It’sallthesame，youknow，sheandIbeingone。WeplannedtocomehomewiththeCarrols，amonthormoreago，buttheysuddenlychangedtheirminds，anddecidedtopassanotherwinterinParis。ButGrandpawantedtocomehome。Hewenttopleaseme，andIcouldn’tlethimgoalong，neithercouldIleaveAmy，andMrs。CarrolhadgotEnglishnotionsaboutchaperonsandsuchnonsense，andwouldn’tletAmycomewithus。SoIjustsettledthedifficultybysaying，`Let’sbemarried，andthenwecandoaswelike’。\"
\"Ofcourseyoudid。Youalwayshavethingstosuityou。\"
\"Notalways。\"AndsomethinginLaurie’svoicemadeJosayhastily……
\"HowdidyouevergetAunttoagree？\"
\"Itwashardwork，butbetweenus，wetalkedherover，forwehadheapsofgoodreasonsonourside。Therewasn’ttimetowriteandaskleave，butyoualllikedit，hadconsentedtoitby—and—by，anditwasonly`takingtimebythefetlock’，asmywifesays。\"
\"Aren’tweproudofthosetwoword，anddon’tweliketosaythem？\"interruptedJo，addressingthefireinherturn，andwatchingwithdelightthehappylightitseemedtokindleintheeyesthathadbeensotragicallygloomywhenshesawthemlast。\"Atrifle，perhaps，she’ssuchacaptivatinglittlewomanIcan’thelpbeingproudofher。Well，thenUncleandAuntweretheretoplaypropriety。Weweresoabsorbedinoneanotherwewereofnomortaluseapart，andthatcharmingarrangementwouldmakeeverythingeasyallround，sowedidit。\"
\"When，where，how？\"askedJo，inafeveroffeminineinterestandcuriosity，forshecouldnotrealizeitaparticle。
\"Sixweeksago，attheAmericanconsul’s，inParis，averyquietweddingofcourse，foreveninourhappinesswedidn’tforgetdearlittleBeth。\"
Joputherhandinhisashesaidthat，andLauriegentlysmoothedthelittleredpillow，whichherememberedwell。
\"Whydidn’tyouletusknowafterward？\"askedJo，inaquietertone，whentheyhadsatquitestillaminute。
\"Wewantedtosurpriseyou。Wethoughtwewerecomingdirectlyhome，atfirst，butthedearoldgentleman，assoonasweweremarried，foundhecouldn’tbereadyunderamonth，atleast，andsentusofftospendourhoneymoonwhereverweliked。AmyhadoncecalledValrosaaregularhoneymoonhome，sowewentthere，andwereashappyaspeoplearebutonceintheirlives。Myfaith！Wasn’titloveamongtheroses！\"
LaurieseemedtoforgetJoforaminute，andJowasgladofit，forthefactthathetoldherthesethingssofreelyandsonaturallyassuredherthathehadquiteforgivenandforgotten。Shetriedtodrawawayherhand，butasifheguessedthethoughtthatpromptedthehalf—involuntaryimpulse，Lauriehelditfast，andsaid，withamanlygravityshehadneverseeninhimbefore……
\"Jo，dear，Iwanttosayonething，andthenwe’llputitbyforever。AsItoldyouinmyletterwhenIwrotethatAmyhadbeensokindtome，Inevershallstoplovingyou，buttheloveisaltered，andIhavelearnedtoseethatitisbetterasitis。Amyandyouchangedplacesinmyheart，that’sall。Ithinkitwasmeanttobeso，andwouldhavecomeaboutnaturally，ifIhadwaited，asyoutriedtomakeme，butInevercouldbepatient，andsoIgotaheartache。Iwasaboythen，headstrongandviolent，andittookahardlessontoshowmemymistake。Foritwasone，Jo，asyousaid，andIfounditout，aftermakingafoolofmyself。Uponmyword，Iwassotumbledupinmymind，atonetime，thatIdidn’tknowwhichIlovedbest，youorAmy，andtriedtoloveyoubothalike。ButIcouldn’t，andwhenIsawherinSwitzerland，everythingseemedtoclearupallatonce。Youbothgotintoyourrightplaces，andIfeltsurethatitwaswelloffwiththeoldlovebeforeitwasonwiththenew，thatIcouldhonestlysharemyheartbetweensisterJoandwifeAmy，andlovethemdearly。Willyoubelieveit，andgobacktothehappyoldtimeswhenwefirstknewoneanother？\"
\"I’llbelieveit，withallmyheart，but，Teddy，wenevercanbeboyandgirlagain。Thehappyoldtimescan’tcomeback，andwemustn’texpectit。Wearemanandwomannow，withsoberworktodo，forplaytimeisover，andwemustgiveupfrolicking。I’msureyoufeelthis。Iseethechangeinyou，andyou’llfinditinme。Ishallmissmyboy，butIshalllovethemanasmuch，andadmirehimmore，becausehemeanstobewhatIhopedhewould。Wecan’tbelittleplaymatesanylonger，butwewillbebrotherandsister，toloveandhelponeanotherallourlives，won’twe，Laurie？\"
Hedidnotsayaword，buttookthehandsheofferedhim，andlaidhisfacedownonitforaminute，feelingthatoutofthegraveofaboyishpassion，therehadrisenabeautiful，strongfriendshiptoblessthemboth。PresentlyJosaidcheerfully，forshedidn’tthecominghometobeasadone，\"Ican’tmakeittruethatyouchildrenarereallymarriedandgoingtosetuphousekeeping。Why，itseemsonlyyesterdaythatIwasbuttoningAmy’spinafore，andpullingyourhairwhenyouteased。Mercyme，howtimedoesfly！\"
\"Asoneofthechildrenisolderthanyourself，youneedn’ttalksolikeagrandma。IflattermyselfI’ma`gentlemangrowed’asPeggottysaidofDavid，andwhenyouseeAmy，you’llfindherratheraprecociousinfant，\"saidLaurie，lookingamusedathermaternalair。
\"Youmaybealittleolderinyears，butI’meversomucholderinfeeling，Teddy。Womenalwaysare，andthislastyearhasbeensuchahardonethatIfeelforty。\"
\"PoorJo！Weleftyoutobearitalone，whilewewentpleasuring。Youareolder。Here’saline，andthere’sanother。Unlessyousmile，youreyeslooksad，andwhenItouchedthecushion，justnow，Ifoundatearonit。You’vehadagreatdealtobear，andhadtobearitallalone。WhataselfishbeastI’vebeen！\"AndLauriepulledhisownhair，witharemorsefullook。
ButJoonlyturnedoverthetraitorouspillow，andanswered，inatonewhichshetriedtomakemorecheerful，\"No，IhadFatherandMothertohelpme，andthedearbabiestocomfortme，andthethoughtthatyouandAmyweresafeandhappy，tomakethetroubleshereeasiertobear。Iamlonely，sometimes，butIdaresayit’sgoodforme，and……\"
\"Younevershallbeagain，\"brokeinLaurie，puttinghisarmabouther，asiftofenceouteveryhumanill。\"AmyandIcan’tgetonwithoutyou，soyoumustcomeandteach`thechildren’tokeephouse，andgohalvesineverything，justasweusedtodo，andletuspetyou，andallbeblissfullyhappyandfriendlytogether。\"
\"IfIshouldn’tbeintheway，itwouldbeverypleasant。Ibegintofeelquiteyoungalready，forsomehowallmytroublesseemedtoflyawaywhenyoucame。Youalwayswereacomfort，Teddy。\"AndJoleanedherheadonhisshoulder，justasshedidyearsago，whenBethlayillandLaurietoldhertoholdontohim。
Helookeddownather，wonderingifsherememberedthetime，butJowassmilingtoherself，asifintruthhertroubleshadallvanishedathiscoming。
\"YouarethesameJostill，droppingtearsaboutoneminute，andlaughingthenext。Youlookalittlewickednow。Whatisit，Grandma？\"
\"IwaswonderinghowyouandAmygetontogether。\"
\"Likeangels！\"
\"Yes，ofcourse，butwhichrules？\"
\"Idon’tmindtellingyouthatshedoesnow，atleastIletherthinkso，itpleasesher，youknow。By—and—byweshalltaketurns，formarriage，theysay，halvesone’srightsanddoublesone’sduties。\"
\"You’llgoonasyoubegin，andAmywillruleyouallthedaysofyourlife。\"
\"Well，shedoesitsoimperceptiblythatIdon’tthinkIshallmindmuch。Sheisthesortofwomanwhoknowshowtorulewell。Infact，Iratherlikeit，forshewindsoneroundherfingerassoftlyandprettilyasaskeinofsilk，andmakesyoufeelasifshewasdoingyouafavorallthewhile。\"
\"ThateverIshouldlivetoseeyouahenpeckedhusbandandenjoyingit！\"criedJo，withupliftedhands。