\"Melovesevvybody，\"sheoncesaid，openingherarms，withherspooninonehand，andhermugintheother，asifeagertoembraceandnourishthewholeworld。
Asshegrew，hermotherbegantofeelthattheDovecotewouldbeblessedbythepresenceofaninmateassereneandlovingasthatwhichhadhelpedtomaketheoldhousehome，andtopraythatshemightbesparedalosslikethatwhichhadlatelytaughtthemhowlongtheyhadentertainedanangelunawares。Hergrandfatheroftencalledher`Beth’，andhergrandmotherwatchedoverherwithuntiringdevotion，asiftryingtoatoneforsomepastmistake，whichnoeyebutherowncouldsee。
Demi，likeatrueYankee，wasofaninquiringturn，wantingtoknoweverything，andoftengettingmuchdisturbedbecausehecouldnotgetsatisfactoryanswerstohisperpetual\"Whatfor？\"
Healsopossessedaphilosophicbent，tothegreatdelightofhisgrandfather，whousedtoholdSocraticconversationswithhim，inwhichtheprecociouspupiloccasionallyposedhisteacher，totheundisguisedsatisfactionofthewomenfolk。
\"Whatmakesmylegsgo，Dranpa？\"askedtheyoungphilosopher，surveyingthoseactiveportionsofhisframewithameditativeair，whilerestingafterago—to—bedfroliconenight。
\"It’syourlittlemind，Demi，\"repliedthesage，strokingtheyellowheadrespectfully。
\"Whatisalittlemine？\"
\"Itissomethingwhichmakesyourbodymove，asthespringmadethewheelsgoinmywatchwhenIshowedittoyou。\"
\"Openme。Iwanttoseeitgowound。\"
\"Ican’tdothatanymorethanyoucouldopenthewatch。Godwindsyouup，andyougotillHestopsyou。\"
\"DoesI？\"AndDemi’sbrowneyesgrewbigandbrightashetookinthenewthought。\"IsIwoundeduplikethewatch？\"
\"Yes，butIcan’tshowyouhow，foritisdonewhenwedon’tsee。\"
Demifelthisback，asifexpectingtofinditlikethatofthewatch，andthengravelyremarked，\"IdessDoddoesitwhenI’sasleep。\"
Acarefulexplanationfollowed，towhichhelistenedsoattentivelythathisanxiousgrandmothersaid，\"Mydear，doyouthinkitwisetotalkaboutsuchthingstothatbaby？He’sgettinggreatbumpsoverhiseyes，andlearningtoaskthemostunanswerablequestions。\"
\"Ifheisoldenoughtoaskthequestionheisoldenoughtoreceivetrueanswers。Iamnotputtingthethoughtsintohishead，buthelpinghimunfoldthosealreadythere。Thesechildrenarewiserthanweare，andIhavenodoubttheboyunderstandseverywordIhavesaidtohim。Now，Demi，tellmewhereyoukeepyourmind。\"
IftheboyhadrepliedlikeAlcibiades，\"Bythegods，Socrates，Icannottell，\"hisgrandfatherwouldnothavebeensurprised，butwhen，afterstandingamomentononeleg，likeameditativeyoungstork，heanswered，inatoneofcalmconviction，\"Inmylittlebelly，\"theoldgentlemancouldonlyjoininGrandma’slaugh，anddismisstheclassinmetaphysics。
Theremighthavebeencauseformaternalanxiety，ifDemihadnotgivenconvincingproofsthathewasatrueboy，aswellasabuddingphilosopher，foroften，afteradiscussionwhichcausedHannahtoprophesy，withominousnods，\"Thatchildain’tlongforthisworld，\"hewouldturnaboutandsetherfearsatrestbysomeoftheprankswithwhichdear，dirty，naughtylittlerascalsdistractanddelighttheirparent’ssouls。
Megmademanymoralrules，andtriedtokeepthem，butwhatmotherwaseverproofagainstthewinningwiles，theingeniousevasions，orthetranquilaudacityoftheminiaturemenandwomenwhosoearlyshowthemselvesaccomplishedArtfulDodgers？
\"Nomoreraisins，Demi。They’llmakeyousick，\"saysMammatotheyoungpersonwhooffershisservicesinthekitchenwithunfailingregularityonplum—puddingday。
\"Melikestobesick。\"
\"Idon’twanttohaveyou，sorunawayandhelpDaisymakepattycakes。\"
Hereluctantlydeparts，buthiswrongsweighuponhisspirit，andby—and—bywhenanopportunitycomestoredressthem，heoutwitsMammabyashrewdbargain。
\"Nowyouhavebeengoodchildren，andI’llplayanythingyoulike，\"saysMeg，assheleadsherassistantcooksupstairs，whenthepuddingissafelybouncinginthepot。
\"Truly，Marmar？\"asksDemi，withabrilliantideainhiswell—powderedhead。
\"Yes，truly。Anythingyousay，\"repliestheshortsightedparent，preparingherselftosing，\"TheThreeLittleKittens\"halfadozentimesover，ortotakeherfamilyto\"Buyapennybun，\"regardlessofwindorlimb。ButDemicornersherbythecoolreply……
\"Thenwe’llgoandeatupalltheraisins。\"
AuntDodowaschiefplaymateandconfidanteofbothchildren，andthetrioturnedthelittlehousetopsy—turvy。AuntAmywasasyetonlyanametothem，AuntBethsoonfadedintoapleasantlyvaguememory，butAuntDodowasalivingreality，andtheymadethemostofher，forwhichcomplimentshewasdeeplygrateful。ButwhenMr。Bhaercame，Joneglectedherplayfellows，anddismayanddesolationfellupontheirlittlesouls。Daisy，whowasfondofgoingaboutpeddlingkisses，lostherbestcustomerandbecamebankrupt。Demi，withinfantilepenetration，soondiscoveredthatDodoliketoplaywith`thebear—man’betterthanshedidhim，butthoughhurt，heconcealedhisanguish，forhehadn’tthehearttoinsultarivalwhokeptamineofchocolatedropsinhiswaistcoatpocket，andawatchthatcouldbetakenoutofitscaseandfreelyshakenbyardentadmirers。
Somepersonsmighthaveconsideredthesepleasinglibertiesasbribes，butDemididn’tseeitinthatlight，andcontinuedtopatronizethe`thebear—man’withpensiveaffability，whileDaisybestowedhersmallaffectionsuponhimatthethirdcall，andconsideredhisshoulderherthrone，hisarmherrefuge，hisgiftstreasuressurpassingworth。
Gentlemenaresometimesseizedwithsuddenfitsofadmirationfortheyoungrelativesofladieswhomtheyhonorwiththeirregard，butthiscounterfeitphiloprogenitivenesssitsuneasilyuponthem，anddoesnotdeceiveanybodyaparticle。Mr。Bhaer’sdevotionwassincere，howeverlikewiseeffective——forhonestyisthebestpolicyinloveasinlaw。Hewasoneofthemenwhoareathomewithchildren，andlookedparticularlywellwhenlittlefacesmadeapleasantcontrastwithhismanlyone。Hisbusiness，whateveritwas，detainedhimfromdaytoday，buteveningseldomfailedtobringhimouttosee——well，healwaysaskedforMr。March，soIsupposehewastheattraction。Theexcellentpapalaboredunderthedelusionthathewas，andreveledinlongdiscussionswiththekindredspirit，tillachanceremarkofhismoreobservinggrandsonsuddenlyenlightenedhim。
Mr。Bhaercameinoneeveningtopauseonthethresholdofthestudy，astonishedbythespectaclethatmethiseye。ProneuponthefloorlayMr。March，withhisrespectablelegsintheair，andbesidehim，likewiseprone，wasDemi，tryingtoimitatetheattitudewithhisownshort，scarlet—stockingedlegs，bothgrovelerssoseriouslyabsorbedthattheywereunconsciousofspectators，tillMr。Bhaerlaughedhissonorouslaugh，andJocriedout，withascandalizedface……
\"Father，Father，here’stheProfessor！\"
Downwenttheblacklegsandupcamethegrayhead，asthepreceptorsaid，withundisturbeddignity，\"Goodevening，Mr。Bhaer。Excusemeforamoment。Wearejustfinishingourlesson。Now，Demi，maketheletterandtellitsname。\"
\"Iknowshim！\"And，afterafewconvulsiveefforts，theredlegstooktheshapeofapairofcompasses，andtheintelligentpupiltriumphantlyshouted，\"It’saWe，Dranpa，it’saWe！\"
\"He’sabornWeller，\"laughedJo，asherparentgatheredhimselfup，andhernephewtriedtostandonhishead，astheonlymodeofexpressinghissatisfactionthatschoolwasover。
\"Whathaveyoubeenattoday，bübchen？\"askedMr。Bhaer，pickingupthegymnast。
\"MewenttoseelittleMary。\"
\"Andwhatdidyouthere？\"
\"Ikissedher，\"beganDemi，withartlessfrankness。\"Prut！Thoubeginnestearly。WhatdidthelittleMarysaytothat？\"askedMr。Bhaer，continuingtoconfesstheyoungsinner，whostoodupontheknee，exploringthewaistcoatpocket。
\"Oh，shelikedit，andshekissedme，andIlikedit。Don’tlittleboyslikelittlegirls？\"askedDemi，withhismouthfull，andanairofblandsatisfaction。
\"Youpreciouschick！Whoputthatintoyourhead？\"saidJo，enjoyingtheinnocentrevelationasmuchastheProfessor。
\"`Tisn’tinminehead，it’sinminemouf，\"answeredliteralDemi，puttingouthistongue，withachocolatedroponit，thinkingshealludedtoconfectionery，notideas。
\"Thoushouldstsavesomeforthelittlefriend。Sweetstothesweet，mannling。\"AndMr。BhaerofferedJosome，withalookthatmadeherwonderifchocolatewasnotthenectardrunkbythegods。Demialsosawthesmile，wasimpressedbyit，andartlessyinquired……
\"Dogreatboyslikegreatgirls，to，’Fessor？\"
LikeyoungWashington，Mr。Bhaer`couldn’ttellalie’，sohegavethesomewhatvaguereplythathebelievedtheydidsometimes，inatonethatmadeMr。Marchputdownhisclothesbrush，glanceatJo’sretiringface，andthensinkintohischair，lookingasifthe`precociouschick’hadputanideaintohisheadthatwasbothsweetandsour。
WhyDodo，whenshecaughthiminthechinaclosethalfanhourafterward，nearlysqueezedthebreathoutofhislittlebodywithatenderembrace，insteadofshakinghimforbeingthere，andwhyshefollowedupthisnovelperformancebytheunexpectedgiftofabigsliceofbreadandjelly，remainedoneoftheproblemsoverwhichDemipuzzledhissmallwits，andwasforcedtoleaveunsolvedforever。
GoodWives:Chapter23CHAPTER23UndertheUmbrellaWhileLaurieandAmyweretakingconjugalstrollsovervelvetcarpets，astheysettheirhouseinorder，andplannedablissfulfuture，Mr。BhaerandJowereenjoyingpromenadesofadifferentsort，alongmuddyroadsandsoddenfields。
\"Ialwaysdotakeawalktowardevening，andIdon’tknowwhyIshouldgiveitup，justbecauseIhappentomeettheProfessoronhiswayout，\"saidJotoherself，aftertwoorthreeencounters，forthoughthereweretwopathstoMeg’swhicheveroneshetookshewassuretomeethim。，eithergoingorreturning。Hewasalwayswalkingrapidly，andneverseemedtoseeheruntilquiteclose，whenhewouldlookasifhisshort—sightedeyeshadfailedtorecognizetheapproachingladytillthatmoment。Then，ifshewasgoingtoMeg’shealwayshadsomethingforthebabies。Ifherfacewasturnedhomeward，hehadmerelystrolleddowntoseetheriver，andwasjustreturning，unlesstheyweretiredofhisfrequentcalls。
Underthecircumstances，whatcouldJodobutgreethimcivilly，andinvitehimin？Ifshewastiredofhisvisits，sheconcealedherwearinesswithperfectskill，andtookcarethatthereshouldbecoffeeforsupper，\"asFriedrich——ImeanMr。Bhaer——doesn’tliketea。\"
Bythesecondweek，everyoneknewperfectlywellwhatwasgoingon，yeteveryonetriedtolookasiftheywerestone—blindtothechangesinJo’sface。Theyneveraskedwhyshesangaboutherwork，didupherhairthreetimesaday，andgotsobloomingwithhereveningexercise。AndnooneseemedtohavetheslightestsuspicionthatProfessorBhaer，whiletalkingphilosophywiththefather，wasgivingthedaughterlessonsinlove。
Jocouldn’tevenloseherheartinadecorousmanner，butsternlytriedtoquenchherfeelings，andfailingtodoso，ledasomewhatagitatedlife。Shewasmortallyafraidofbeinglaughedatforsurrendering，afterhermanyandvehementdeclarationsofindependence。Lauriewasherespecialdread，butthankstothenewmanager，hebehavedwithpraiseworthypropriety，nevercalledMr。Bhaer`acapitaloldfellow’inpublic，neveralluded，intheremotestmanner，toJo’simprovedappearance，orexpressedtheleastsurpriseatseeingtheProfessor’shatontheMarches’tablenearlyeveryevening。ButheexultedinprivateandlongedforthetimetocomewhenhecouldgiveJoapieceofplate，withabearandaraggedstaffonitasanappropriatecoatofarms。
Forafortnight，theProfessorcameandwentwithlover—likeregularity。Thenhestayedawayforthreewholedays，andmadenosign，aproceedingwhichcausedeverybodytolooksober，andJotobecomepensive，atfirst，andthen——alasforromance——verycross。
\"Disgusted，Idaresay，andgonehomeassuddenlyashecame。It’snothingtome，ofcourse，butIshouldthinkhewouldhavecomeandbidusgoodbyelikeagentleman，\"shesaidtoherself，withadespairinglookatthegate，assheputonherthingsforthecustomarywalkonedullafternoon。
\"You’dbettertakethelittleumbrella，dear。Itlookslikerain，\"saidhermother，observingthatshehadonhernewbonnet，butnotalludingtothefact。\"Yes，Marmee，doyouwantanythingintown？I’vegottoruninandgetsomepaper，\"returnedJo，pullingoutthebowunderherchinbeforetheglassasanexcusefornotlookingathermother。
\"Yes，Iwantsometwilledsilesia，apaperofnumbernineneedles，andtwoyardsofnarrowlavenderribbon。Haveyougotyourthickbootson，andsomethingwarmunderyourcloak？\"
\"Ibelieveso，\"answeredJoabsently。
\"IfyouhappentomeetMr。Bhaer，bringhimhometotea。Iquitelongtoseethedearman，\"addedMrs。March。
Joheardthat，butmadenoanswer，excepttokisshermother，andwalkrapidlyaway，thinkingwithaglowofgratitude，inspiteofherheartache，\"Howgoodsheistome！Whatdogirlsdowhohaven’tanymotherstohelpthemthroughtheirtroubles？\"
Thedry—goodsstoreswerenotdownamongthecounting—houses，banks，andwholesalewarerooms，wheregentlemenmostdocongregate，butJofoundherselfinthatpartofthecitybeforeshedidasingleerrand，loiteringalongasifwaitingforsomeone，examiningengineeringinstrumentsinonewindowandsamplesofwoolinanother，withmostunfeminineinterest，tumblingoverbarrels，beinghalf—smotheredbydescendingbales，andhustledunceremoniouslybybusymenwholookedasiftheywondered`howthedeuceshegotthere’。Adropofrainonhercheekrecalledherthoughtsfrombaffledhopestoruinedribbons。Forthedropscontinuedtofall，andbeingawomanaswellasalover，shefeltthat，thoughitwastoolatetosaveherheart，shemightherbonnet。Nowsherememberedthelittleumbrella，whichshehadforgottentotakeinherhurrytobeoff，butregretwasunavailing，andnothingcouldbedonebutborrowoneorsubmittotoadrenching。Shelookedupattheloweringsky，downatthecrimsonbowalreadyfleckedwithblack，forwardalongthemuddystreet，thenonelong，lingeringlookbehind，atacertaingrimywarehouse，with`Hoffmann，Swartz，&Co。’overthedoor，andsaidtoherself，withasternlyreproachfulair……
\"Itservesmeright！whatbusinesshadItoputonallmybestthingsandcomephilanderingdownhere，hopingtoseetheProfessor？Jo，I’mashamedofyou！No，youshallnotgotheretoborrowanumbrella，orfindoutwhereheis，fromhisfriends。Youshalltrudgeaway，anddoyourerrandsintherain，andifyoucatchyourdeathandruinyourbonnet，it’snomorethanyoudeserve。Nowthen！\"
Withthatsherushedacrossthestreetsoimpetuouslythatshenarrowlyescapedannihilationfromapassingtruck，andprecipitatedherselfintothearmsofastatelyoldgentleman，whosaid，\"Ibegpardon，ma’am，\"andlookedmortallyoffended。Somewhatdaunted，Jorightedherself，spreadherhandkerchiefoverthedevotedribbons，andputtingtemptationbehindher，hurriedon，withincreasingdampnessabouttheankles，andmuchclashingofumbrellasoverhead。Thefactthatasomewhatdilapidatedblueoneremainedstationaryabovetheunprotectedbonnetattractedherattention，andlookingup，shesawMr。Bhaerlookingdown。
\"Ifeeltoknowthestrong—mindedladywhogoessobravelyundermanyhorsenoses，andsofastthroughmuchmud。Whatdoyoudownhere，myfriend？\"
\"I’mshopping。\"
Mr。Bhaersmiled，asheglancedfromthepicklefactoryononesidetothewholesalehideandleatherconcernontheother，butheronlysaidpolitely，\"Youhafnoumbrella。MayIgoalso，andtakeforyouthebundles？\"
\"Yes，thankyou。\"
Jo’scheekswereasredasherribbon，andshewonderedwhathethoughtofher，butshedidn’tcare，forinaminuteshefoundherselfwalkingawayarminarmwithherProfessor，feelingasifthesunhadsuddenlyburstoutwithuncommonbrilliancy，thattheworldwasallrightagain，andthatonethoroughlyhappywomanwaspaddlingthroughthewetthatday。
\"Wethoughtyouhadgone，\"saidJohastily，forsheknewhewaslookingather。Herbonnetwasn’tbigenoughtohideherface，andshefearedhemightthinkthejoyitbetrayedunmaidenly。
\"DidyoubelievethatIshouldgowithnofarewelltothosewhohafbeensoheavenlykindtome？\"heaskedsoreproachfullythatshefeltasifshehadinsultedhimbythesuggestion，andansweredheartily……
\"No，Ididn’t。Iknewyouwerebusyaboutyourownaffairs，butwerathermissedyou，FatherandMotherespecially。\"
\"Andyou？\"
\"I’malwaysgladtoseeyou，sir。\"
Inheranxietytokeephervoicequitecalm，Jomadeitrathercool，andthefrostylittlemonosyllableattheendseemedtochilltheProfessor，forhissmilevanished，ashesaidgravely……
\"Ithankyou，andcomeonemoretimebeforeIgo。\"
\"Youaregoing，then？\"
\"Ihafnolongeranybusinesshere，itisdone。\"
\"Successfully，Ihope？\"saidJo，forthebitternessofdisappointmentwasinthatshortreplyofhis。
\"Ioughttothinkso，forIhafawayopenedtomebywhichIcanmakemybreadandgifmyJunglingsmuchhelp。\"
\"Tellme，please！Iliketoknowallaboutthe——theboys，\"
saidJoeagerly。
\"Thatissokind，Igladlytellyou。Myfriendsfindformeaplaceinacollege，whereIteachasathome，andearnenoughtomakethewaysmoothforFranzandEmil。ForthisIshouldbegrateful，shouldInot？\"
\"Indeedyoushould。Howsplendiditwillbetohaveyoudoingwhatyoulike，andbeabletoseeyouoften，andtheboys！\"criedJo，clingingtotheladsasanexcuseforthesatisfactionshecouldnothelpbetraying。
\"Ah！Butweshallnotmeetoften，Ifear，thisplaceisattheWest。\"
\"Sofaraway！\"AndJoleftherskirtstotheirfate，asifitdidn’tmatternowwhatbecameofherclothesorherself。
Mr。Bhaercouldreadseverallanguages，buthehadnotlearnedtoreadwomenyet。HeflatteredhimselfthatheknewJoprettywell，andwas，therefore，muchamazedbythecontradictionsofvoice，face，andmanner，whichsheshowedhiminrapidsuccessionthatday，forshewasinhalfadozendifferentmoodsinthecourseofhalfanhour。Whenshemethimshelookedsurprised，thoughitwasimpossibletohelpsuspectingthatshehadcomeforthatexpresspurpose。Whenheofferedherhisarm，shetookitwithalookthatfilledhimwithdelight，butwhenheaskedifshemissedhim，shegavesuchachilly，formalreplythatdespairfelluponhim。Onlearninghisgoodfortuneshealmostclappedherhands。Wasthejoyallfortheboys？Thenonhearinghisdestination，shesaid，\"Sofaraway！\"inatoneofdespairthatliftedhimontoapinnacleofhope，butthenextminuteshetumbledhimdownagainbyobserving，likeoneentirelyabsorbedinthematter……
\"Here’stheplaceformyerrands。Willyoucomein？Itwon’ttakelong。\"
Joratherpridedherselfuponhershoppingcapabilities，andparticularlywishedtoimpressherescortwiththeneatnessanddispatchwithwhichshewouldaccomplishthebusiness。Butowingtothefluttershewasin，everythingwentamiss。Sheupsetthetrayofneedles，forgotthesilesiawastobe`twilled’tillitwascutoff，gavethewrongchange，andcoveredherselfwithconfusionbyaskingforlavenderribbonatthecalicocounter。Mr。Bhaerstoodby，watchingherblushandblunder，andashewatched，hisownbewildermentseemedtosubside，forhewasbeginningtoseethatonsomeoccasions，women，likedreams，gobycontraries。
Whentheycameout，heputtheparcelunderhisarmwithamorecheerfulaspect，andsplashedthroughthepuddlesasifheratherenjoyeditonthewhole。
\"Shouldwenodoalittlewhatyoucallshoppingforthebabies，andhafafarewellfeasttonightifIgoformylastcallatyoursopleasanthome？\"heasked，stoppingbeforeawindowfulloffruitandflowers。
\"Whatwillwebuy？\"askedJo，ignoringthelatterpartofhisspeech，andsniffingthemingledodorswithanaffectationofdelightastheywentin。
\"Maytheyhaforangesandfigs？\"askedMr。Bhaer，withapaternalair。
\"Theyeatthemwhentheycangetthem。\"\"Doyoucarefornuts？\"
\"Likeasquirrel。\"
\"Hamburggrapes。Yes，weshalldrinktotheFatherlandinthose？\"
Jofrowneduponthatpieceofextravagance，andaskedwhyhedidn’tbuyafrailofdated，acaskofraisins，andabagofalmonds，andbedonewithit？WhereatMr。Bhaerconfiscatedherpurse，producedhisown，andfinishedthemarketingbybuyingseveralpoundsofgrapes，apotofrosydaisies，andaprettyjarofhoney，toberegardedinthelightofademijohn。Thendistortinghispocketswithknobbybundles，andgivinghertheflowerstohold，heputuptheoldumbrella，andtheytraveledonagain。
\"MissMarsch，Ihafagreatfavortoaskofyou，\"begantheProfessor，afteramoistpromenadeofhalfablock。
\"Yes，sir。\"AndJo’sheartbegantobeatsohardshewasafraidhewouldhearit。
\"Iamboldtosayitinspiteoftherain，becausesoshortatimeremainstome。\"
\"Yes，sir。\"AndJonearlycrushedthesmallflowerpotwiththesuddensqueezeshegaveit。
\"IwishtogetalittledressformyTina，andIamtoostupidtogoalone。Willyoukindlygifmeawordoftasteandhelp？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"AndJOfeltascalmandcoolallofasuddenasifshehadsteppedintoarefrigerator。
\"PerhapsalsoashawlforTina’smother，sheissopoorandsick，andthehusbandissuchacare。Yes，yes，athick，warmshawlwouldbeafriendlythingtotakethelittlemother。\"
\"I’lldoitwithpleasure，Mr。Bhaer。I’mgoingveryfast，andhe’sgettingdearereveryminute，\"addedJotoherself，thenwithamentalshakesheenteredintothebusinesswithanenergythatwaspleasanttobehold。Mr。Bhaerleftitalltoher，soshechoseaprettygownforTina，andthenorderedouttheshawls。Theclerk，beingamarriedman，condescendedtotakeaninterestinthecouple，whoappearedtobeshoppingfortheirfamily。
\"Yourladymaypreferthis。It’sasuperiorarticle，amostdesirablecolor，quitechasteandgenteel，\"hesaid，shakingoutacomfortablegrayshawl，andthrowingitoverJo’sshoulders。
\"Doesthissuityou，Mr。Bhaer？\"sheasked，turningherbacktohim，andfeelingdeeplygratefulforthechanceofhidingherface。\"Excellentlywell，wewillhafit，\"answeredtheProfessor，smilingtohimselfashepaidforit，whileJocontinuedtorummagethecounterslikeaconfirmedbargain—hunter。
\"Nowshallwegohome？\"heasked，asifthewordswereverypleasanttohim。
\"Yes，it’slate，andI’msotired。\"Jo’svoicewasmorepatheticthansheknew。Fornowthesunseemedtohavegoneinassuddenlyasitcameout，andtheworldgrewmuddyandmiserableagain，andforthefirsttimeshediscoveredthatherfeetwerecold，herheadached，andthatherheartwascolderthantheformer，fullerofpainthanthelatter。Mr。Bhaerwasgoingaway，heonlycaredforherasafriend，itwasallamistake，andthesooneritwasoverthebetter。Withthisideainherhead，shehailedanapproachingomnibuswithsuchahastygesturethatthedaisiesflewoutofthepotandwerebadlydamaged。
\"Thisisnotouromniboos，\"saidtheProfessor，wavingtheloadedvehicleaway，andstoppingtopickupthepoorlittleflowers。
\"Ibegyourpardon。Ididn’tseethenamedistinctly。Nevermind，Icanwalk。I’musedtoploddinginthemud，\"returnedJo，winkinghard，becauseshewouldhavediedratherthanopenlywipehereyes。Mr。Bhaersawthedropsonhercheeks，thoughsheturnedherheadaway。Thesightseemedtotouchhimverymuch，forsuddenlystoopingdown，heaskedinatonethatmeantagreatdeal，\"Heart’sdearest，whydoyoucry？\"
Now，ifJohadnotbeennewtothissortofthingshewouldhavesaidshewasn’tcrying，hadacoldinherhead，ortoldanyotherfemininefibpropertotheoccasion。Insteadofwhich，thatundignifiedcreatureanswered，withanirrepressiblesob，\"Becauseyouaregoingaway。\"
\"Ach，meinGott，thatissogood！\"criedMr。Bhaer，managingtoclasphishandsinspiteoftheumbrellaandthebundles，\"Jo，Ihafnothingbutmuchlovetogifyou。Icametoseeifyoucouldcareforit，andIwaitedtobesurethatIwassomethingmorethanafriend。AmI？CanyoumakealittleplaceinyourheartforoldFritz？\"headded，allinonebreath。
\"Oh，yes！\"saidJo，andhewasquitesatisfied，forshefoldedbothhandsoverhisare，andlookedupathimwithanexpressionthatplainlyshowedhowhappyshewouldbetowalkthroughlifebesidehim，eventhoughshehadnobettershelterthantheoldumbrella，ifhecarriedit。
Itwascertainlyproposingunderdifficulties，forevenifhehaddesiredtodoso，Mr。Bhaercouldnotgodownuponhisknees，onaccountofthemud。NeithercouldheofferJohishand，exceptfiguratively，forbothwerefull。Muchlesscouldheindulgeintenderremonstrationsintheopenstreet，thoughhewasnearit。Sotheonlywayinwhichhecouldexpresshisrapturewastolookather，withanexpressionwhichglorifiedhisfacetosuchadegreethatthereactuallyseemedtobelittlerainbowsinthedropsthatsparkledonhisbeard。IfhehadnotlovedJoverymuch，Idon’tthinkhecouldhavedoneitthen，forshelookedfarfromlovely，withherskirtsinadeplorablestate，herrubberbootssplashedtotheankle，andherbonnetaruin。Fortunately，Mr。Bhaerconsideredherthemostbeautifulwomanliving，andshefoundhimmore`Jove—like\"thanever，thoughhishat—brimwasquitelimpwiththelittlerillstricklingthenceuponhisshoulders（forheheldtheumbrellaalloverJo），andeveryfingerofhisglovesneededmending。
Passers—byprobablythoughtthemapairofharmlesslunatics，fortheyentirelyforgottohailabus，andstrolledleisurelyalong，obliviousofdeepeningduskandfog。Littletheycaredwhatanybodythought，fortheywereenjoyingthehappyhourthatseldomcomesbutonceinanylife，themagicalmomentwhichbestowsyouthontheold，beautyontheplain，wealthonthepoor，andgiveshumanheartsaforetasteofheaven。TheProfessorlookedasifhehadconqueredakingdom，andtheworldhadnothingmoretoofferhiminthewayofbliss。WhileJotrudgedbesidehim，feelingasifherplacehadalwaysbeenthere，andwonderinghowsheevercouldhavechosenanyotherlot。Ofcourse，shewasthefirsttospeak——intelligibly，Imean，fortheemotionalremarkswhichfollowedherimpetuous\"Oh，yes！\"werenotofacoherentorreportablecharacter。
\"Friedrich，whydidn’tyou……\"
\"Ah，heaven，shegifsmethenamethatnoonespeakssinceMinnadied！\"criedtheProfessor，pausinginapuddletoregardherwithgratefuldelight。
\"Ialwayscallyousotomyself——Iforgot，butIwon’tunlessyoulikeit。\"
\"Likeit？ItismoresweettomethanIcantell。Say`thou’，also，andIshallsayyourlanguageisalmostasbeautifulasmine。\"
\"Isn’t`thou’alittlesentimental？\"askedJo，privatelythinkingitalovelymonosyllable。
\"Sentimental？Yes。ThankGott，weGermansbelieveinsentiment，andkeepourselvesyoungmitit。YourEnglish`you’issocold，say`thou’，heart’sdearest，itmeanssomuchtome，\"pleadedMr。Bhaer，morelikearomanticstudentthanagraveprofessor。
\"Well，then，whydidn’tthoutellmeallthissooner？\"askedJobashfully。
\"NowIshallhaftoshowtheeallmyheart，andIsogladlywill，becausethoumusttakecareofithereafter。See，then，myJo——ah，thedear，funnylittlename——IhadawishtotellsomethingthedayIsaidgoodbyeinNewYork，butIthoughtthehandsomefriendwasbetrothedtothee，andsoIspokenot。Wouldstthouhavesaid`Yes’，then，ifIhadspoken？\"
\"Idon’tknow。I’mafraidnot，forIdidn’thaveanyheartjustthen。\"