ItwasgoodtoseeLauriesquarehisshoulders，andsmilewithmasculinescornatthatinsinuation，ashereplied，withhis\"highandmighty\"air，\"Amyistoowell—bredforthat，andIamnotthesortofmantosubmittoit。MywifeandIrespectourselvesandoneanothertoomuchevertotyrannizeorquarrel。\"
Jolikethat，andthoughtthenewdignityverybecoming，buttheboyseemedchangingveryfastintotheman，andregretmingledwithherpleasure。
\"Iamsureofthat。Amyandyouneverdidquarrelasweusedto。SheisthesunandIthewind，inthefable，andthesunmanagedthemanbest，youremember。\"
\"Shecanblowhimupaswellasshineonhim，\"laughedLaurie。\"suchalectureasIgotatNice！Igiveyoumyworditwasadealworsethananyoryourscoldings，aregularrouser。I’lltellyouallaboutitsometime，sheneverwill，becauseaftertellingmethatshedespisedandwasashamedofme，shelostherhearttothedespicablepartyandmarriedthegood—for—nothing。\"
\"Whatbaseness！Well，ifsheabusesyou，cometome，andI’lldefendyou。\"
\"IlookasifIneededit，don’tI？\"saidLaurie，gettingupandstrikinganattitudewhichsuddenlychangedfromtheimposingtotherapturous，asAmy’svoicewasheardcalling，\"Whereisshe？Where’smydearoldJo？\"
Introopedthewholefamily，andeveryonewashuggedandkissedalloveragain，andafterseveralvainattempts，thethreewanderersweresetdowntobelookedatandexultedover。Mr。Laurence，haleandheartyasever，wasquiteasmuchimprovedastheothersbyhisforeigntour，forthecrustinessseemedtobenearlygone，andtheold—fashionedcourtlinesshadreceivedapolishwhichmadeitkindlierthanever。Itwasgoodtoseehimbeamat`mychildren’，ashecalledtheyoungpair。ItwasbetterstilltoseeAmypayhimthedaughterlydutyandaffectionwhichcompletelywonhisoldheart，andbestofall，towatchLaurierevolveaboutthetwo，asifnevertiredofenjoyingtheprettypicturetheymade。
TheminutesheputhereyesuponAmy，Megbecameconsciousthatherowndresshadn’taParisianair，thatyoungMrs。MofffatwouldbeentirelyeclipsedbyyoungMrs。Laurence，andthat`herladyship’wasaltogetheramostelegantandgracefulwoman。Jothought，asshewatchedthepair，\"Howwelltheylooktogether！Iwasright，andLauriehasfoundthebeautiful，accomplishedgirlwhowillbecomehishomebetterthanclumsyoldJo，andbeapride，notatormenttohim。\"Mrs。Marchandherhusbandsmiledandnoddedateachotherwithhappyfaces，fortheysawthattheiryoungesthaddonewell，notonlyinworldlythings，butthebetterwealthoflove，confidence，andhappiness。
ForAmy’sfacewasfullofthesoftbrightnesswhichbetokensapeacefulheart，hervoicehadanewtendernessinit，andthecool，primcarriagewaschangedtoagentledignity，bothwomanlyandwinning。Nolittleaffectationsmarredit，andthecordialsweetnessofhermannerwasmorecharmingthanthenewbeautyortheoldgrace，foritstampedheratoncewiththeunmistakablesignofthetruegentlewomanshehadhopedtobecome。
\"Lovehasdonemuchforourlittlegirl，\"saidhermothersoftly。
\"Shehashadagoodexamplebeforeherallherlife，mydear，\"Mr。Marchwhisperedback，withalovinglookatthewornfaceandgrayheadbesidehim。
Daisyfounditimpossibletokeephereyesoffher`pittyaunty’，butattachedherselflikealapdogtothewonderfulchatelainefullofdelightfulcharms。Demipausedtoconsiderthenewrelationshipbeforehecompromisedhimselfbytherashacceptanceofabribe，whichtookthetemptingformofafamilyofwoodenbearsfromBerne。Aflankmovementproducedanunconditionalsurrender，however，forLaurieknewwheretohavehim。
\"Youngman，whenIfirsthadthehonorofmakingyouracquaintanceyouhitmeintheface。NowIdemandthesatisfactionofagentleman，\"andwiththatthetalluncleproceededtotossandtouslethesmallnephewinawaythatdamagedhisphilosophicaldignityasmuchasitdelightedhisboyishsoul。
\"Blestifsheain’tinsilkfromheadtofoot？Ain’titarelishin’sighttoseehersettin’thereasfineasafiddle，anchahappyprocessionasfiledawayintothelittlediningroom！Mr。MarchproudlyescortedMrs。Laurence。Mrs。Marchasproudlyleanedonthearmof`myson’。TheoldgentlemantookJo，withawhispered，\"Youmustbemygirlnow，\"andaglanceattheemptycornerbythefire，thatmadeJowhisperback，\"I’lltrytofillherplace，sir。
Thetwinsprancedbehind，feelingthatthemillenniumwasathand，foreveryonewassobusywiththenewcomersthattheywerelefttorevelattheirownsweetwill，andyoumaybesuretheymadethemostoftheopportunity。Didn’ttheystealsipsoftea，stuffgingerbreadadlibitum，getahotbiscuitapiece，andasacrowningtrespass，didn’ttheyeachwhiskacaptivatinglittletartintotheirtinypockets，theretostickandcrumbletreacherously，teachingthemthatbothhumannatureandapastryarefrail？Burdenedwiththeguiltyconsciousnessofthesequesteredtarts，andfearingthatDodo’ssharpeyeswouldpiercethethindisguiseofcambricandmerinowhichhidtheirbooty，thelittlesinnersattachedthemselvesto`Dranpa’，whohadn’thisspectacleson。Amy，whowashandedaboutlikerefreshments，returnedtotheparloronFatherLaurence’sarm。Theotherspairedoffasbefore，andthisarrangementleftJocompanionless。Shedidnotminditattheminute，forshelingeredtoanswerHannah’seagerinquiry。
\"WillMissAmyrideinhercoop（coupé），anduseallthemlovelysilverdishesthat’sstoredawayoveryander？\"
\"Shouldn’twonderifshedrovesixwhitehorses，ateoffgoldplate，andworediamondsandpointlaceeveryday。Teddythinksnothingtoogoodforher，\"returnedJowithinfinitesatisfaction。
\"Nomorethereis！Willyouhavehashorfishballsforbreakfast？\"askedHannah，whowiselymingledpoetryandprose。
\"Idon’tcare。\"AndJoshutthedoor，feelingthatfoodwasanuncongenialtopicjustthen。Shestoodaminutelookingatthepartyvanishingabove，andasDemi’sshortplaidlegstoiledupthelaststair，asuddensenseoflonlinesscameoverhersostronglythatshelookedaboutherwithdimeyes，asiftofindsomethingtoleanupon，forevenTeddyhaddesertedher。Ifshehadknownwhatbirthdaygiftwascomingeveryminutenearerandnearer，shewouldnothavesaidtoherself，\"I’llweepalittleweepwhenIgotobed。Itwon’tdotobedismalnow。\"Thenshedrewherhandoverhereyes，foroneofherboyishhabitswasnevertoknowwhereherhandkerchiefwas，andhadjustmanagedtocallupasmilewhentherecameaknockattheporchdoor。
Sheopenedwithhospitablehaste，andstartedasifanotherghosthadcometosurpriseher，fortherestoodatallbeardedgentleman，beamingonherfromthedarknesslikeamidnightsun。
\"Oh，Mr。Bhaer，Iamsogladtoseeyou！\"criedJo，withaclutch，asifshefearedthenightwouldswallowhimupbeforeshecouldgethimin。
\"AndItoseeMissMarsch，butno，youhafaparty，\"andtheProfessorpausedasthesoundofvoicesandthetapofdancingfeetcamedowntothem。
\"No，wehaven’t，onlythefamily。Mysisterandfriendshavejustcomehome，andweareallveryhappy。Comein，andmakeoneofus。\"
Thoughaverysocialman，IthinkMr。Bhaerwouldhavegonedecorouslyaway，andcomeagainanotherday，buthowcouldhe，whenJoshutthedoorbehindhim，andberefthimofhishat？Perhapsherfacehadsomethingtodowithit，forsheforgottohideherjoyatseeinghim，andshoweditwithafranknessthatprovedirresistibletothesolitaryman，whosewelcomefarexceededhisboldesthopes。
\"IfIshallnotbeMonsieurdeTrop，Iwillsogladlyseethemall。Youhafbeenill，myfriend？\"
Heputthequestionabruptly，for，asJohunguphiscoat，thelightfellonherface，andhesawachangeinit。
\"Notill，buttiredandsorrowful。WehavehadtroublesinceIsawyoulast。\"
\"Ah，yes，Iknow。MyheartwassoreforyouwhenIheardthat，\"Andheshookhandsagain，withsuchasympatheticfacethatJofeltasifnocomfortcouldequalthelookofthekindeyes，thegraspofthebig，warmhand。
\"Father，Mother，thisismyfriend，ProfessorBhaer，\"shesaid，withafaceandtoneofsuchirrepressibleprideandpleasurethatshemightaswellhaveblownatrumpetandopenedthedoorwithaflourish。
Ifthestrangerhadanydoubtsabouthisreception，theyweresetatrestinaminutebythecordialwelcomehereceived。Everyonegreetedhimkindly，forJo’ssakeatfirst，butverysoontheylikedhimforhisown。Theycouldnothelpit，forhecarriedthetalismanthatopensallhearts，andthesesimplepeoplewarmedtohimatonce，feelingeventhemorefriendlybecausehewaspoor。Forpovertyenrichesthosewholiveaboveit，andisasurepassporttotrulyhospitablespirits。Mr。Bhaersatlookingabouthimwiththeairofatravelerwhoknocksatastrangedoor，andwhenitopens，findshimselfathome。Thechildrenwenttohimlikebeestoahoneypot，andestablishingthemselvesoneachknee，proceededtocaptivatehimbyriflinghispockets，pullinghisbeard，andinvestigatinghiswatch，withjuvenileaudacity。Thewomentelegraphedtheirapprovaltooneanother，andMr。March，feelingthathehadgotakindredspirit，openedhischoiceststoresforhisguest’sbenefit，whilesilentJohnlistenedandenjoyedthetalk，butsaidnotaword，andMr。Laurencefounditimpossibletogotosleep。
IfJohadnotbeenotherwiseengaged，Laurie’sbehaviorwouldhaveamusedher，forafainttwinge，notofjealousy，butsomethinglikesuspicion，causedthatgentlemantostandaloofatfirst，andobservethenewcomerwithbrotherlycircumspection。Butitdidnotlastlong。Hegotinterestedinspiteofhimself，andbeforeheknewit，wasdrawnintothecircle。ForMr。Bhaertalkedwellinthisgenialatmosphere，anddidhimselfjustice。HeseldomspoketoLaurie，buthelookedathimoften，andashadowwouldpassacrosshisface，asifregrettinghisownlostyouth，ashewatchedtheyoungmaninhisprime。ThenhiseyeswouldturntoJosowistfullythatshewouldhavesurelyansweredthemuteinquiryifshehadseenit。ButJohadherowneyestotakecareof，andfeelingthattheycouldnotbetrusted，sheprudentlykeptthemonthelittlesockshewasknitting，likeamodelmaidenaunt。
Astealthyglancenowandthenrefreshedherlikesipsoffreshwaterafteradustywalk，forthesidelongpeepsshowedherseveralpropitiousomens。Mr。Bhaer’sfacehadlosttheabsent—mindedexpression，andlookedallalivewithinterestinthepresentmoment，actuallyyoungandhandsome，shethought，forgettingtocomparehimwithLaurie，assheusuallydidstrangemen，totheirgreatdetriment。Thenheseemedquiteinspired，thoughtheburialcustomsoftheancients，towhichtheconversationhadstrayed，mightnotbeconsideredanexhilaratingtopic。JoquiteglowedwithtriumphwhenTeddygotquenchedinanargument，andthoughttoherself，asshewatchedherfather’sabsorbedface，\"HowhewouldenjoyhavingsuchamanasmyProfessortotalkwitheveryday！\"Lastly，Mr。Bhaerwasdressedinanewsuitofblack，whichmadehimlookmorelikeagentlemanthanever。Hisbushyhairhadbeencutandsmoothlybrushed，butdidn’tstayinorderlong，forinexcitingmoments，herumpleditupinthedrollwayheusedtodo，andJolikeditrampantlyerectbetterthanflat，becauseshethoughtitgavehisfineforeheadaJove—likeaspect。PoorJo，howshedidglorifythatplainman，asshesatknittingawaysoquietly，yetlettingnothingescapeher，noteventhefactthatMr。Bhaeractuallyhadgoldsleeve—buttonsinhisimmaculatewristbands。
\"Dearoldfellow！Hecouldn’thavegothimselfupwithmorecareifhe’dbeengoinga—wooing，\"saidJotoherself，andthenasuddenthoughtbornofthewordsmadeherblushsodreadfullythatshehadtodropherball，andgodownafterittohideherface。
Themaneuverdidnotsucceedaswellassheexpected，however，forthoughjustintheactofsettingfiretoafuneralpyre，theProfessordroppedhistorch，metaphoricallyspeaking，andmadeadiveafterthelittleblueball。Ofcoursetheybumpedtheirheadssmartlytogether，sawstars，andbothcameupflushedandlaughing，withouttheball，toresumetheirseats，wishingtheyhadnotleftthem。
Nobodyknewwheretheeveningwentto，forHannahskillfullyabstractedthebabiesatanearlyhour，noddingliketworosypoppies，andMr。Laurencewenthometorest。Theotherssatroundthefire，talkingaway，utterlyregardlessofthelapseoftime，tillMeg，whosematernalwasimpressedwithafirmconvictionthatDaisyhadtumbledoutofbe，andDemisethisnightgownafirestudyingthestructureofmatches，madeamovetogo。
\"Wemusthaveoursing，inthegoodoldway，forwearealltogetheragainoncemore，\"saidJo，feelingthatagoodshoutwouldbeasafeandpleasantventforthejubilantemotionsofhersoul。
Theywerenotallthere。Butnoonefoundthewordsthougtlessoruntrue，forBethstillseemedamongthem，apeacefulpresence，invisible，butdearerthanever，sincedeathcouldnotbreakthehouseholdleaguethatlovemadedisoluble。Thelittlechairstoodinitsoldplace。Thetidybasket，withthebitofworksheleftunfinishedwhentheneedlegrew`soheavy’，wasstillonitsaccustomedshelf。Thebelovedinstrument，seldomtouchednowhadnotbeenmoved，andaboveitBeth’sface，sereneandsmiling，asintheearlydays，lookeddownuponthem，seemingtosay，\"Behappy。Iamhere。\"
\"Playsomething，Amy。Letthemhearhowmuchyouhaveimproved，\"saidLaurie，withpardonableprideinhispromisingpupil。
ButAmywhispered，withfulleyes，asshetwirledthefadedstool，\"Nottonight，dear。Ican’tshowofftonight。\"
Butshedidshowsomethingbetterthanbrilliancyorskill，forshesangBeth’ssongswithatendermusicinhervoicewhichthebestmastercouldnothavetaught，andtouchedthelistener’sheartswithasweeterpowerthananyotherinspirationcouldhavegivenher。Theroomwasverystill，whentheclearvoicefailedsuddenlyatthelastlineofBeth’sfavoritehymn。Itwashardtosay……Earthhathnosorrowthatheavencannotheal;
andAmyleanedagainstherhusband，whostoodbehindher，feelingthatherwelcomehomewasnotquiteperfectwithoutBeth’skiss。
\"Now，wemustfinishwithMignon’ssong，forMr。Bhaersingsthat，\"saidJo，beforethepausegrewpainful。AndMr。Bhaerclearedhisthroatwithagratified\"Hem！\"ashesteppedintothecornerwhereJostood，saying……
\"Youwillsingwithme？Wegoexcellentlywelltogether。\"
Apleasingfiction，bytheway，forJohadnomoreideaofmusicthanagrasshopper。Butshewouldhaveconsentedifhehadproposedtosingawholeopera，andwarbledaway，blissfullyregardlessoftimeandtune。Itdidn’tmuchmatter，forMr。BhaersanglikeatrueGerman，heartilyandwell，andJosoonsubsidedintoasubduedhum，thatshemightlistentothemellowvoicethatseemedtosingforheralone。Know’stthouthelandwherethecitronblooms，usedtobetheProfessor’sfavoriteline，for`dasland’meantGermanytohim，butnowheseemedtodwell，withpeculiarwarmthandmelody，uponthewords……There，ohthere，mightIwiththee，O，mybeloved，goandonelistenerwassothrilledbythetenderinvitationthatshelongedtosayshedidknowtheland，andwouldjoyfullydepartthitherwheneverhelikedThesongwasconsideredagreatsuccess，andthesingerretiredcoveredwithlaurels。Butafewminutesafterward，heforgothismannersentirely，andstaredatAmyputtingonherbonnet，forshehadbeenintroducedsimplyas`mysister’，andononehadcalledherbyhernewnamesincehercame。HeforgothimselfstillfurtherwhenLauriesaid，inhismostgraciousmanner，atparting……
\"MywifeandIareverygladtomeetyou，sir。Pleaserememberthatthereisalwaysawelcomewaitingforyouovertheway。\"
ThentheProfessorthankedhimsoheartily，andlookedsosuddenlyilluminatedwithsatisfaction，thatLauriethoughthimthemostdelightfullydemonstrativeoldfellowheevermet。
\"Itooshallgo，butIshallgladlycomeagain，ifyouwillgifmeleave，dearmadame，foralittlebusinessinthecitywillkeepmeheresomedays。\"
HespoketoMrs。March，buthelookedatJo，andthemother’svoicegaveascordialanassentasdidthedaughter’seyes，forMrs。Marchwasnotsoblindtoherchildren’sinterestasMrs。Moffatsupposed。
\"Isuspectthatisawiseman，\"remarkedMr。March，withplacidsatisfaction，fromthehearthrug，afterthelastguesthadgone。
\"Iknowheisagoodone，\"addedMrs。March，withdecidedapproval，asshewounduptheclock。
\"Ithoughtyou’dlikehim，\"wasallJosaid，assheslippedawaytoherbed。
ShewonderedwhatthebusinesswasthatbroughtMr。Bhaertothecity，andfinallydecidedthathehadbeenappointedtosomegreathonor，somewhere，buthadbeentoomodesttomentionthefact。Ifshehadseenhisfacewhen，safeinhisownroom，helookedatthepictureofasevereandrigidyounglady，withagooddealofhair，whoappearedtobegazingdarklyintofuturity，itmighthavethrownsomelightuponthesubject，especiallywhenheturnedoffthegas，andkissedthepictureinthedark。
GoodWives:Chapter21CHAPTER21MyLordandLady\"Please，MadamMother，couldyoulendmemywifeforhalfanhour？Theluggagehascome，andI’vebeenmakinghayofAmy’sParisfinery，tryingtofindsomethingsIwant，\"saidLaurie，cominginthenextdaytofindMrs。Laurencesittinginhermother’slap，asifbeingmade`thebaby’again。
\"Certainly。Go，dear，Iforgotthatyouhaveanyhomebutthis。\"AndMrs。Marchpressedthewhitehandthatworetheweddingring，asifaskingpardonforhermaternalcovetousness。
\"Ishouldn’thavecomeoverifIcouldhavehelpedit，butIcan’tgetonwithoutmylittlewomananymorethana……\"
\"Weathercockcanwithoutthewind，\"suggestedJo，ashepausedforasimile。JohadgrownquiteherownsaucyselfagainsinceTeddycamehome。
\"Exactly，forAmykeepsmepointingduewestmostofthetime，withonlyanoccasionalwhiffleroundtothesouth，andIhaven’thadaneasterlyspellsinceIwasmarried。Don’tknowanythingaboutthenorth，butamaltogethersalubriousandbalmy，hey，mylady？\"
\"Lovelyweathersofar。Idon’tknowhowlongitwilllast，butI’mnotafraidofstorms，forI’mlearninghowtosailmyship。Comehome，dear，andI’llfindyourbootjack。Isupposethat’swhatyouarerummagingafteramongmythings。Menaresohelpless，Mother，\"saidAmy，withamatronlyair，whichdelightedherhusband。
\"Whatareyougoingtodowithyourselvesafteryougetsettled？\"askedJo，buttoningAmy’scloakassheusedtobuttonherpinafores。
\"Wehaveourplans。Wedon’tmeantosaymuchaboutthemyet，becausewearesuchverynewbrooms，butwedon’tintendtobeidle。I’mgoingintobusinesswithadevotionthatshalldelightGrandfather，andprovetohimthatI’mnotspoiled。Ineedsomethingofthesorttokeepmesteady。I’mtiredofdawdling，andmeantoworklikeaman。\"
\"AndAmy，whatisshegoingtodo？\"askedMrs。March，wellpleasedatLaurie’sdecisionandtheenergywithwhichhespoke。
\"Afterdoingthecivilallround，andairingourbestbonnet，weshallastonishyoubytheeleganthospitalitiesofourmansion，thebrilliantsocietyweshalldrawaboutus，andthebeneficialinfluenceweshallexertovertheworldatlarge。That’saboutit，isn’tit，MadameRecamier？\"askedLauriewithaquizzicallookatAmy。
\"Timewillshow。Comeaway，Impertinence，anddon’tshockmyfamilybycallingmenamesbeforetheirfaces，\"answeredAmy，resolvingthatthereshouldbeahomewithagoodwifeinitbeforeshesetupasalonasaqueenofsociety。
\"Howhappythosechildrenseemtogether！\"observedMr。March，findingitdifficulttobecomeabsorbedinhisAristotleaftertheyoungcouplehadgone。
\"Yes，andIthinkitwilllast，\"addedMrs。March，withtherestfulexpressionofapilotwhohasbroughtashipsafelyintoport。
\"Iknowitwill。HappyAmy！\"AndJosighed，thensmiledbrightlyasProfessorBhaeropenedthegatewithanimpatientpush。
Laterintheevening，whenhismindhadbeensetatrestaboutthebootjack，Lauriesaidsuddenlytohiswife，\"Mrs。Laurence。\"
\"MyLord！\"
\"ThatmanintendstomarryourJo！\"
\"Ihopeso，don’tyou，dear？\"
\"Well，mylove，Iconsiderhimatrump，inthefullestsenseofthatexpressiveword，butIdowishhewasalittleyoungerandagooddealricher。\"
\"Now，Laurie，don’tbetoofastidiousandworldly—minded。Iftheyloveoneanotheritdoesn’tmatteraparticlehowoldtheyarenorhowpoor。Womennevershouldmarryformoney……\"Amycaughtherselfupshortasthewordsescapedher，andlookedatherhusband，whoreplied，withmaliciousgravity……
\"Certainlynot，thoughyoudohearcharminggirlssaythattheyintendtodoitsometimes。Ifmymemoryservesme，youoncethoughtityourdutytomakearichmatch。Thataccounts，perhaps，foryourmarryingagood—for—nothinglikeme。\"
\"Oh，mydearestboy，don’t，don’tsaythat！IforgotyouwererichwhenIsaid`Yes’。I’dhavemarriedyouifyouhadn’tapenny，andIsometimeswishyouwerepoorthatImightshowhowmuchIloveyou。\"AndAmy，whowasverydignifiedinpublicandveryfondinprivate，gaveconvincingproofsofthetruthofherwords。
\"Youdon’treallythinkIamsuchamercenarycreatureasItriedtobeonce，doyou？Itwouldbreakmyheartifyoudidn’tbelievethatI’dgladlypullinthesameboatwithyou，evenifyouhadtogetyourlivingbyrowingonthelake。\"2
\"AmIanidiotandabrute？HowcouldIthinkso，whenyourefusedarichermanforme，andwon’tletmegiveyouhalfIwanttonow，whenIhavetheright？Girlsdoiteveryday，poorthings，andaretaughttothinkitistheironlysalvation，butyouhadbetterlessons，andthoughItrembledforyouatonetime，Iwasnotdisappointed，forthedaughterwastruetothemother’steaching。ItoldMammasoyesterday，andshelookedasgladandgratefulasifI’dgivenheracheckforamillion，tobespentincharity。Youarenotlisteningtomymoralremarks，Mrs。Laurence。\"AndLauriepaused，forAmy’seyeshadanabsentlook，thoughfixeduponhisface。
\"Yes，Iam，andadmiringthedimpleinyourchinatthesametime。Idon’twishtomakeyouvain，butImustconfessthatI’mprouderofmyhandsomehusbandthanofallhismoney。Don’tlaugh，butyournoseissuchacomforttome。\"AndAmysoftlycaressedthewell—cutfeaturewithartisticsatisfaction。
Lauriehadreceivedmanycomplimentsinhislife，butneveronethatsuitedhimbetter，asheplainlyshowedthoughhedidlaughathiswife’speculiartaste，whileshesaidslowly，\"MayIaskyouaquestion，dear？\"
\"Ofcourse，youmay。\"
\"ShallyoucareifJodoesmarryMr。Bhaer？\"
\"Oh，that’sthetroubleisit？Ithoughttherewassomethinginthedimplethatdidn’tquitesuityou。Notbeingadoginthemanger，butthehappiestfellowalive，IassureyouIcandanceatJo’sweddingwithaheartaslightasmyheels。Doyoudoubtit，mymonamie？\"
Amylookedupathim，andwassatisfied。Herlittlejealousfearvanishedforever，andshethankedhim，withafacefullofloveandconfidence。
\"IwishwecoulddosomethingforthatcapitaloldProfessor。Couldn’tweinventarichrelation，whoshallobliginglydieoutthereinGermany，andleavehimatidylittlefortune？\"saidLaurie，whentheybegantopaceupanddownthelongdrawingroom，arminarm，astheywerefondofdoing，inmemoryofthechateaugarden。
\"Jowouldfindusout，andspoilitall。Sheisveryproudofhim，justasheis，andsaidyesterdaythatshethoughtpovertywasabeautifulthing。\"
\"Blessherdearheart！Shewon’tthinksowhenshehasaliteraryhusband，andadozenlittleprofessorsandprofessorinstosupport。Wewon’tinterferenow，butwatchourchance，anddothemagoodturninspiteofthemselves。IoweJoforapartofmyeducation，andshebelievesinpeople’spayingtheirhonestdebts，soI’llgetroundherinthatway。\"
\"Howdelightfulitistobeabletohelpothers，isn’tit？Thatwasalwaysoneofmydreams，tohavethepowerofgivingfreely，andthankstoyou，thedreamhascometrue。\"
\"Ah，we’lldoquantitiesofgood，won’twe？There’sonesortofpovertythatIparticularlyliketohelp。Out—and—outbeggarsgettakencareof，butpoorgentlefolksfarebadly，becausetheywon’task，andpeopledon’tdaretooffercharity。Yetthereareathousandwaysofhelpingthem，ifoneonlyknowshowtodoitsodelicatelythatitdoesnotoffend。Imustsay，Iliketoserveadecayedgentlemanbetterthanablarneryingbeggar。Isupposeit’swrong，butIdo，thoughitisharder。\"
\"Becauseittakesagentlemantodoit，\"addedtheothermemberofthedomesticadmirationsociety。
\"Thankyou，I’mafraidIdon’tdeservethatprettycompliment。ButIwasgoingtosaythatwhileIwasdawdlingaboutabroad，Isawagoodmanytalentedyoungfellowsmakingallsortsofsacrifices，andenduringrealhardships，thattheymightrealizetheirdreams。Splendidfellows，someofthem，workinglikeheros，poorandfriendless，butsofullofcourage，patience，andambitionthatIwasashamedofmyself，andlongedtogivethemarightgoodlift。Thosearepeoplewhomit’sasatisfactiontohelp，forifthey’vegotgenius，it’sanhonortobeallowedtoservethem，andnotletitbelostordelayedforwantoffueltokeepthepotboiling。Iftheyhaven’t，it’sapleasuretocomfortthepoorsouls，andkeepthemfromdespairwhentheyfinditout。\"
\"Yes，indeed，andthere’sanotherclasswhocan’task，andwhosufferinsilence。Iknowsomethingofit，forIbelongedtoitbeforeyoumadeaprincessofme，asthekingdoesthebeggarmaidintheoldstory。Ambitiousgirlshaveahardtime，Laurie，andoftenhavetoseeyouth，health，andpreciousopportunitiesgoby，justforwantofalittlehelpattherightminute。Peoplehavebeenverykindtome，andwheneverIseegirlsstrugglingalong，asweusedtodo，Iwanttoputoutmyhandandhelpthem，asIwashelped。\"
\"Andsoyoushall，likeanangelasyouare！\"criedLaurie，resolving，withaglowofphilanthropiczeal，tofoundandendowaninstitutionfortheexpressbenefitofyoungwomenwithartistictendencies。\"Richpeoplehavenorighttositdownandenjoythemselves，orlettheirmoneyaccumulateforotherstowaste。It’snothalfsosensibletoleavelegacieswhenonediesasitistousethemoneywiselywhilealive，andenjoymakingone’sfellowcreatureshappywithit。We’llhaveagoodtimeourselves，andaddanextrarelishtoourownpleasurebygivingotherpeopleageneroustaste。WillyoubealittleDorcal，goingaboutemptyingabigbasketofcomforts，andfillingitupwithgooddeeds？\"
\"Withallmyheart，ifyouwillbeabraveSt。Martin，stoppingasyouridegallantlythroughtheworldtoshareyourcloakwiththebeggar。\"
\"It’sabargain，andweshallgetthebestofit！\"
Sotheyoungpairshookhandsuponit，andthenpacedhappilyonagain，feelingthattheirpleasanthomewasmorehomelikebecausetheyhopedtobrightenotherhomes，believingthattheirownfeetwouldwalkmoreuprightlyalongtheflowerypathbeforethem，iftheysmoothedroughwaysforotherfeet，andfeelingthattheirheartsweremorecloselyknittogetherbyalovewhichcouldtenderlyrememberthoselessblestthanthey。
GoodWives:Chapter22CHAPTER22DaisyandDemiIcannotfeelthatIhavedonemydutyashumblehistorianoftheMarchfamily，withoutdevotingatleastonechaptertothetwomostpreciousandimportantmembersofit。DaisyandDemihadnowarrivedatyearsofdiscretion，forinthisfastagebabiesofthreeorfourasserttheirrights，andgetthem，too，whichismorethanmanyoftheireldersdo。Ifthereeverwereapairoftwinsindangerofbeingutterlyspoiledbyadoration，itwastheseprattlingBrookes。Ofcoursetheywerethemostremarkablechildreneverborn，aswillbeshownwhenImentionthattheywalkedateightmonths，talkedfluentlyattwelvemonths，andattwoyearstheytooktheirplacesattable，andbehavedwithaproprietywhichcharmedallbeholders。Atthree，Daisydemandeda`needler’，andactuallymadeabagwithfourstitchesinit。Shelikewisesetuphousekeepinginthesideboard，andmanagedamicroscopiccookingstovewithaskillthatbroughttearsofpridetoHannah’seyes，whileDemilearnedhisletterswithhisgrandfather，whoinventedanewmodeofteachingthealphabetbyformingletterswithhisarmsandlegs，thusunitinggymnasticsforheadandheels。Theboyearlydevelopedamechanicalgeniuswhichdelightedhisfatheranddistractedhismother，forhetriedtoimitateeverymachinehesaw，andkeptthenurseryinachaoticcondition，withhis`sewinsheen’，amysteriousstructureofstring，chairs，clothespins，andspools，forwheelstogo`woundandwound’。Alsoabaskethungoverthebackofachair，inwhichhevainlytriedtohoisthistooconfidingsister，who，withfemininedevotion，allowedherlittleheadtobebumpedtillrescued，whentheyounginventorindignantlyremarked，\"Why，Marmar，dat’smylellywaiter，andme’stryingtopullherup。\"
Thoughutterlyunlikeincharacter，thetwinsgotonremarkablywelltogether，andseldomquarreledmorethanthriceaday。Ofcourse，DemityrannizedoverDaisy，andgallantlydefendedherfromeveryotheraggressor，whileDaisymadeagalleyslaveofherself，andadoredherbrotherastheoneperfectbeingintheworld。Arosy，chubby，sunshinylittlesoulwasDaisy，whofoundherwaytoeverybody’sheart，andnestledthere。Oneofthecaptivatingchildren，whoseemmadetobekissedandcuddled，adornedandadoredlikelittlegoddesses，andproducedforgeneralapprovalonallfestiveoccasions。Hersmallvirtuesweresosweetthatshewouldhavebeenquiteangelicifafewsmallnaughtinesseshadnotkeptherdelightfullyhuman。Itwasallfairweatherinherworld，andeverymorningshescrambleduptothewindowinherlittlenightgowntolookour，andsay，nomatterwhetheritrainedorshone，\"Oh，pittyday，oh，pittyday！\"Everyonewasafriend，andsheofferedkissestoastrangersoconfidinglythatthemostinveteratebachelorrelented，andbaby—loversbecamefaithfulworshipers。