\"Prut！ThatIdonotbelieve。Itwasasleeptillthefairyprincecamethroughthewood，andwakeditup。Ah，well，`DieersteLiebeistdiebeste’，butthatIshouldnotexpect。\"
\"Yes，thefirstloveisthebest，butbesocontented，forIneverhadanother。Teddywasonlyaboy，andsoongotoverhislittlefancy，\"saidJo，anxioustocorrecttheProfessor’smistake。
\"Good！ThenIshallresthappy，andbesurethatthougivestmeall。Ihafwaitedsolong，Iamgrownselfish，asthouwiltfind，Professorin。\"
\"Ilikethat，\"criedJo，delightedwithhernewname。\"Nowtellmewhatbroughtyou，atlast，justwhenIwantedyou？\"
\"This。\"AndMr。Bhaertookalittlewornpaperoutofhiswaistcoatpocket。
Jounfoldedit，andlookedmuchabashed，foritwasoneofherowncontributionstoapaperthatpaidforpoetry，whichaccountedforhersendingitanoccasionalattempt。
\"Howcouldthatbringyou？\"sheasked，wonderingwhathemeant。
\"Ifounditbychance。Iknewitbythenamesandtheinitials，andinittherewasonelittleversethatseemedtocallme。Readandfindhim。Iwillseethatyougonotinthewet。\"INTHEGARRETFourlittlechestsallinarow，Dimwithdust，andwornbytime，Allfashionedandfilled，longago，Bychildrennowintheirprime。
Fourlittlekeyshungsidebyside，Withfadedribbons，braveandgayWhenfastenedthere，withchildishpride，Longago，onarainyday。
Fourlittlenames，oneoneachlid，Carvedoutbyaboyishhand，AndunderneaththereliethhidHistoriesofthehapppybandOnceplayinghere，andpausingoftTohearthesweetrefrain，Thatcameandwentontheroofaloft，Inthefallingsummerrain。\"Meg\"onthefirstlid，smoothandfair。
Ilookinwithlovingeyes，Forfoldedhere，withwell—knowncare，Agoodlygatheringlies，Therecordofapeacefullife——
Giftstogentlechildandgirl，Abridalgown，linestoawife，Atinyshoe，ababycurl。
Notoysinthisfirstchestremain，Forallarecarriedaway，Intheiroldage，tojoinagainInanothersmallMeg’splay。
Ah，happymother！
WellIknowYouhear，likeasweetrefrain，LullabieseversoftandlowInthefallingsummerrain。\"Jo\"onthenextlid，scratchedandworn，AndwithinamotleystoreOfheadless，dolls，ofschoolbookstorn，Birdsandbeaststhatspeaknomore，SpoilsbroughthomefromthefairygroundOnlytrodbyyouthfulfeet，Dreamsofafutureneverfound，Memoriesofapaststillsweet，Half—writpoems，storieswild，Aprilletters，warmandcold，Diariesofawilfulchild，Hintsofawomanearlyold，Awomaninalonelyhome，Hearing，likeasadrefrain——
\"Beworthy，love，andlovewillcome，\"
Inthefallingsummerrain。MyBeth！thedustisalwayssweptFromthelidthatbearsyourname，Asifbylovingeyesthatwept，Bycarefulhandsthatoftencame。
Deathcannonizedforusonesaint，Everlesshumanthandivine，Andstillwelay，withtenderplaint，Relicsinthishouseholdshrine——
Thesilverbell，soseldomrung，Thelittlecapwhichlastshewore，Thefair，deadCatherinethathungByangelsborneaboveherdoor。
Thesongsshesang，withoutlament，Inherprison—houseofpain，ForeveraretheysweetlyblentWiththefallingsummerrain。Uponthelastlid’spolishedfield——
LegendnowbothfairandtrueAgallantknightbearsonhisshield，\"Amy\"inlettersgoldandblue。
Withinliesnoodsthatboundherhair，Slippersthathavedancedtheirlast，Fadedflowerslaidbywithcare，Fanswhoseairytoilsarepast，Gayvalentines，allardentflames，TriflesthathavebornetheirpartIngirlishhopesandfearsandshames，TherecordofamaidenheartNowlearningfairer，truerspells，Hearing，likeablitherefrain，ThesilversoundofbridalbellsInthefallingsummerrain。Fourlittlechestsallinarow，Dimwithdust，andwornbytime，Fourwomen，taughtbywealandwoeToloveandlaborintheirprime。
Foursisters，partedforanhour，Nonelost，oneonlygonebefore，Madebylove’simmortalpower，Nearestanddearestevermore。
Oh，whenthesehiddenstoresofoursLieopentotheFather’ssight，Maytheyberichingoldenhours，Deedsthatshowfairerforthelight，Liveswhosebravemusiclongshallring，Likeaspirit—stirringstrain，SoulsthatshallgladlysoarandsingInthelongsunshineafterrain。
\"It’sverybadpoetry，butIfeltitwhenIwroteit，onedaywhenIwasverylonely，andhadagoodcryonaragbag。Ineverthoughtitwouldgowhereitcouldtelltales，\"saidJo，tearinguptheversestheProfessorhadtreasuredsolong。
\"Letitgo，ithasdoneit’sduty，andIwillhafafreshonewhenIreadallthebrownbookinwhichshekeepsherlittlesecrets，\"saidMr。Bhaerwithasmileashewatchedthefragmentsflyawayonthewind。\"Yes，\"headdedearnestly，\"Ireadthat，andIthinktomyself，Shehasasorrow，sheislonely，shewouldfindcomfortintruelove。Ihafaheartfull，fullforher。ShallInotgoandsay，\"IfthisisnottoopoorathingtogifforwhatIshallhopetoreceive，takeitinGott’sname？\"
\"Andsoyoucametofindthatitwasnottoopoor，buttheonepreciousthingIneeded，\"whisperedJo。
\"Ihadnocouragetothinkthatatfirst，heavenlykindaswasyourwelcometome。ButsoonIbegantohope，andthenIsaid，`IwillhafherifIdieforit，’andsoIwill！\"criedMr。Bhaer，withadefiantnod，asifthewallsofmistclosingroundthemwerebarrierswhichhewastosurmountorvaliantlyknockdown。
Jothoughtthatwassplendid，andresolvedtobeworthyofherknight，thoughhedidnotcomeprancingonachargeringorgeousarray。
\"Whatmadeyoustayawaysolong？\"sheaskedpresently，findingitsopleasanttoaskconfidentialquestionsandgetdelightfulanswersthatshecouldnotkeepsilent。
\"Itwasnoteasy，butIcouldnotfindthehearttotakeyoufromthatsohappyhomeuntilIcouldhafaprospectofonetogifyou，aftermuchtime，perhaps，andhardwork。HowcouldIaskyoutogifupsomuchforapooroldfellow，whohasnofortunebutalittlelearning？\"
\"I’mgladyouarepoor。Icouldn’tbeararichhusband，\"saidJodecidedly，addinginasoftertone，\"Don’tfearpoverty。I’veknownitlongenoughtolosemydreadandbehappyworkingforthoseIlove，anddon’tcallyourselfold——fortyistheprimeoflife。Icouldn’thelplovingyouifyouwereseventy！\"
TheProfessorfoundthatsotouchingthathewouldhavebeengladofhishandkerchief，ifhecouldhavegotatit。Ashercouldn’t，Jowipedhiseyesforhim，andsaid，laughing，asshetookawayabundleortwo……
\"Imaybestrong—minded，butnoonecansayI’moutofmyspherenow，forwoman’sspecialmissionissupposedtobedryingtearsandbearingburdens。I’mtocarrymyshare，Friedrich，andhelptoearnthehome。Makeupyourmindtothat，orI’llnevergo，\"sheaddedresolutely，ashetriedtoreclaimhisload。
\"Weshallsee。Hafyoupatiencetowaitalongtime，Jo？Imustgoawayanddomyworkalone。Imusthelpmyboysfirst，because，evenforyou，ImaynotbreakmywordtoMinna。Canyouforgifthat，andbehappywhilewehopeandwait？\"
\"Yes，IknowIcan，forweloveoneanother，andthatmakesalltheresteasytobear。Ihavemyduty，also，andmywork。Icouldn’tenjoymyselfifIneglectedthemevenforyou，sothere’snoneedofhurryorimpatience。YoucandoyourpartoutWest，Icandominehere，andbothbehappyhopingforthebest，andleavingthefuturetobeasGodwills。\"
\"Ah！Thougifestmesuchhopeandcourage，andIhafnothingtogifbackbutafullheartandtheseemptyhands，\"criedtheProfessor，quiteovercome。
Jonever，neverwouldlearntobeproper，forwhenhesaidthatastheystooduponthesteps，shejustputbothhandsintohis，whisperingtenderly，\"Notemptynow，\"andstoopingdown，kissedherFriedrichundertheumbrella。Itwasdreadful，butshewouldhavedoneitiftheflockofdraggle—tailedsparrowsonthehedgehadbeenhumanbeings，forshewasveryfargoneindeed，andquiteregardlessofeverythingbutherownhappiness。Thoughitcameinsuchaverysimpleguise，thatwasthecrowningmomentofboththeirlives，when，turningfromthenightandstormandlonelinesstothehouseholdlightandwarmthandpeacewaitingtoreceivethem，withaglad\"Welcomehome！\"Joledherloverin，andshutthedoor。
GoodWives:Chapter24CHAPTER24HarvestTimeForayearJoandherProfessorworkedandwaited，hopedandloved，metoccasionally，andwrotesuchvoluminouslettersthattheriseinthepriceofpaperwasaccountedfor，Lauriesaid。Thesecondyearbeganrathersoberly，fortheirprospectsdidnotbrighten，andAuntMarchdiedsuddenly。Butwhentheirfirstsorrowwasover——fortheylovedtheoldladyinspiteofhersharptongue——theyfoundtheyhadcauseforrejoicing，forshehadleftPlumfieldtoJo，whichmadeallsortsofjoyfulthingspossible。
\"It’safineoldplace，andwillbringahandsomesum，forofcourseyouintendtosellit，\"saidLaurie，astheywerealltalkingthematteroversomeweekslater。
\"No，Idon’t，\"wasJo’sdecidedanswer，asshepettedthefatpoodle，whomshehadadopted，outofrespecttohisformermistress。
\"Youdon’tmeantolivethere？\"
\"Yes，Ido。\"
\"But，mydeargirl，it’sanimmensehouse，andwilltakeapowerofmoneytokeepitinorder。Thegardenandorchardaloneneedtwoorthreemen，andfarmingisn’tinBhaer’sline，Itakeit。\"
\"He’lltryhishandatitthere，ifIproposeit。\"
\"Andyouexpecttoliveontheproduceoftheplace？Well，thatsoundsparadisiacal，butyou’llfinditdesperatehardwork。\"
\"Thecropwearegoingtoraiseisaprofitableone，\"AndJolaughed。
\"Ofwhatisthisfinecroptoconsist，ma’am？\"
\"Boys。Iwanttoopenaschoolforlittlelads——agood，happy，homelikeschool，withmetotakecareofthemandFritztoteachthem。\"\"That’satrulyJoianplanforyou！Isn’tthatjustlikeher？\"criedLaurie，appealingtothefamily，wholookedasmuchsurprisedashe。
\"Ilikeit，\"saidMrs。Marchdecidedly。
\"SodoI，\"addedherhusband，whowelcomedthethoughtofachancefortryingtheSocraticmethodofeducationonmodernyouth。
\"ItwillbeanimmensecareforJo，\"saidMeg，strokingtheheadorheroneall—absorbingson。
\"Jocandoit，andbehappyinit。It’sasplendididea。Tellusallaboutit，\"criedMr。Laurence，whohadbeenlongingtolendtheloversahand，butknewthattheywouldrefusehishelp。
\"Iknewyou’dstandbyme，sir。Amydoestoo——Iseeitinhereyes，thoughsheprudentlywaitstoturnitoverinhermindbeforeshespeaks。Now，mydearpeople，\"continuedJoearnestly，\"justunderstandthatthisisn’tanewideaofmine，butalongcherishedplan。BeforemyFritzcame，Iusedtothinkhow，whenI’dmademyfortune，andnooneneededmeathome，I’dhireabighouse，andpickupsomepoor，forlornlittleladswhohadn’tanymothers，andtakecareofthem，andmakelifejollyforthembeforeitwastoolate。Iseesomanygoingtoruinforwantofhelpattherightminute，Ilovesotodoanythingforthem，Iseemtofeeltheirwants，andsympathizewiththeirtroubles，andoh，Ishouldsoliketobeamothertothem！\"
Mrs。MarchheldoutherhandtoJo，whotookit，smiling，withtearsinhereyes，andwentonintheoldenthusiasticway，whichtheyhadnotseenforalongwhile。
\"ItoldmyplantoFritzonce，andhesaiditwasjustwhathewouldlike，andagreedtotryitwhenwegotrich。Blesshisdearheart，he’sbeendoingitallhislife——helpingpoorboys，Imean，notgettingrich，thathe’llneverbe。Moneydoesn’tstayinhispocketlongenoughtolayupany。Butnow，thankstomygoodoldaunt，wholovedmebetterthanIeverdeserved，I’mrich，atleastIfeelso，andwecanliveatPlumfieldperfectlywell，ifwehaveaflourishingschool。It’sjusttheplaceforboys，thehouseisbig，andthefurniturestrongandplain。There’splentyofroomfordozensinside，andsplendidgroundsoutside。Theycouldhelpinthegardenandorchard。Suchworkishealthy，isn’tit，sir？ThenFritzcouldtrainandteachinhisownway，andFatherwillhelphim。Icanfeedandnurseandpetandscoldthem，andMotherwillbemystand—by。I’vealwayslongedforlotsofboys，andneverhadenough，nowIcanfillthehousefullandrevelinthelittledearstomyheart’scontent。Thinkwhatluxury——Plumfieldmyown，andawildernessofboystoenjoyitwithme。\"
AsJowavedherhandsandgaveasighofrapture，thefamilywentoffintoagaleofmerriment，andMr。Laurencelaughedtilltheythoughthe’dhaveanapoplecticfit。
\"Idon’tseeanythingfunny，\"shesaidgravely，whenshecouldbeheard。\"NothingcouldbemorenaturalandproperthanformyProfessortoopenaschool，andformetoprefertoresideinmyownestate。\"
\"Sheisputtingonairsalready，\"saidLaurie，whoregardedtheideainthelightofacapitaljoke。\"ButmayIinquirehowyouintendtosupporttheestablishment？Ifallthepupilsarelittleragamuffins，I’mafraidyourcropwon’tbeprofitableinaworldlysense，Mr。Bhaer。\"
\"Nowdon’tbeawet—blanket，Teddy。OfcourseIshallhaverichpupils，also——perhapsbeginwithsuchaltogether。Then，whenI’vegotastart，Icantakeinaragamuffinortwo，justforarelish。Richpeople’schildrenoftenneedcareandcomfort，aswellaspoor。I’veseenunfortunatelittlecreatureslefttoservants，orbackwardonespushedforward，whenit’srealcruelty。Somearenaughtythroughmismanagmentorneglect，andsomelosetheirmothers。Besides，thebesthavetogetthroughthehobbledehoyage，andthat’stheverytimetheyneedmostpatienceandkindness。Peoplelaughatthem，andhustlethemabout，trytokeepthemoutofsight，andexpectthemtoturnallatoncefromprettychildrenintofineyoungmen。Theydon’tcomplainmuch——pluckylittlesouls——buttheyfeelit。I’vebeenthroughsome—thingofit，andIknowallaboutit。I’veaspecialinterestinsuchyoungbears，andliketoshowthemthatIseethewarm，honest，well—meaningboys’hearts，inspiteoftheclumsyarmsandlegsandthetopsy—turvyheads。I’vehadexperience，too，forhaven’tIbroughtuponeboytobeaprideandhonortohisfamily？\"
\"I’lltestifythatyoutriedtodoit，\"saidLauriewithagratefullook。
\"AndI’vesucceededbeyondmyhopes，forhereyouare，asteady，sensiblebusinessman，doingheapsofgoodwithyourmoney，andlayinguptheblessingsofthepoor，insteadofdollars。Butyouarenotmerelyabusinessman，youlovegoodandbeautifulthings，enjoythemyourself，andletothersgohalves，asyoualwaysdidintheoldtimes。Iamproudofyou，Teddy，foryougetbettereveryyear，andeveryonefeelsit，thoughyouwon’tletthemsayso。Yes，andwhenIhavemyflock，I’lljustpointtoyou，andsay`There’syourmodel，mylads’。\"
PoorLauriedidn’tknowwheretolook，for，manthoughhewas，somethingoftheoldbashfulnesscameoverhimasthisburstofpraisemadeallfacesturnapprovinglyuponhim。
\"Isay，Jo，that’srathertoomuch，\"hebegan，justinhisoldboyishway。\"YouhavealldonemoreformethanIcaneverthankyoufor，exceptbydoingmybestnottodisapointyou。Youhaverathercastmeofflately，Jo，butI’vehadthebestofhelp，nevertheless。So，ifI’vegotonatall，youmaythankthesetwoforit。\"Andhelaidonehandgentlyonhisgrandfather’shead，andtheotheronAmy’sgoldenone，forthethreewereneverfarapart。
\"Idothinkthatfamiliesarethemostbeautifulthingsinalltheworld！\"burstoutJo，whowasinanunusuallyup—liftedframeofmindjustthen。\"WhenIhaveoneofmyown，IhopeitwillbeashappyasthethreeIknowandlovethebest。IfJohnandmyFritzwereonlyhere，itwouldbequitealittleheavenonearth，\"sheaddedmorequietly。Andthatnightwhenshewenttoherroomafterablissfuleveningoffamilycounsels，hopes，andplans，herheartwassofullofhappinessthatshecouldonlycalmitbykneelingbesidetheemptybedalwaysnearherown，andthinkingtenderthoughtsofBeth。Itwasaveryastonishingyearaltogether，forthingsseemedtohappeninanunusuallyrapidanddelightfulmanner。Almostbeforesheknewwhereshewas，JofoundherselfmarriedandsettledatPlumfield。Thenafamilyofsixorsevenboyssprunguplikemushrooms，andflourishedsurprisingly，poorboysaswellasrich，forMr。Laurencewascontinuallyfindingsometouchingcaseofdestitution，andbeggingtheBhaerstotakepityonthechild，andhewouldgladlypayatrifleforitssupport。Inthisway，theslyoldgentlemangotroundproudJo，andfurnishedherwiththestyleofboyinwhichshemostdelighted。
Ofcourseitwasuphillworkatfirst，andJomadequeermistakes，butthewiseProfessorsteeredhersafelyintocalmerwaters，andthemostrampantragamuffinwasconqueredintheend。HowJodidenjoyher`wildernessofboys’，andhowpoor，dearAuntMarchwouldhavelamentedhadshebeentheretoseethesacredprecinctsofprim，well—orderedPlumfieldoverrunwithToms，Dicks，andHarrys！Therewasasortofpoeticjusticeaboutit，afterall，fortheoldladyhadbeentheterroroftheboysformilesaround，andnowtheexilesfeastedfreelyonforbiddenplums，kickedupthegravelwithprofanebootsunreproved，andplayedcricketinthebigfieldwheretheirritable`cowwithacrumpledhorn’usedtoinviterashyouthstocomeandbetossed。Itbecameasortofboys’paradise，andLauriesuggestedthatitshouldbecalledthe`Bhaer—garten’，asacomplimenttoitsmasterandappropriatetoitsinhabitants。
Itneverwasafashionableschool，andtheProfessordidnotlayupafortune，butitwasjustwhatJointendedittobe——`ahappy，homelikeplaceforboys，whoneededteaching，care，andkindness’。Everyroominthebighousewassoonfull。Everylittleplotinthegardensoonhaditsowner。Aregularmenagerieappearedinbarnandshed，forpetanimalswereallowed。Andthreetimesaday，JosmiledatherFritzfromtheheadofalongtablelinedoneithersidewithrowsofhappyyoungfaces，whichallturnedtoherwithaffectionateeyes，confidingwords，andgratefulhearts，fulloflovefor`MotherBhaer’。Shehadboysenoughnow，anddidnottireofthem，thoughtheywerenotangels，byanymeans，andsomeofthemcausedbothProfessorandProfessorinmuchtroubleandanxiety。Butherfaithinthegoodspotwhichexistsintheheartofthenaughtiest，sauciest，mosttantalizinglittleragamuffingaveherpatience，skill，andintimesuccess，fornomortalboycouldholdoutlongwithFatherBhaershiningonhimasbenevolentlyasthesun，andMotherBhaerforgivinghimseventytimesseven。VeryprecioustoJowasthefriendshipofthelads，theirpenitentsniffsandwhispersafterwrongdoing，theirdrollortouchinglittleconfidences，theirpleasantenthusiasms，hopes，andplans，eventheirmisfortunes，fortheyonlyendearedthemtoherallthemore。Therewereslowboysandbashfulboys，feebleboysandriotousboys，boysthatlispedandboysthatstuttered，oneortwolameones，andamerrylittlequadroon，whocouldnotbetakeninelsewhere，butwhowaswelcometothe`Bhaer—garten’，thoughsomepeoplepredictedthathisadmissionwouldruintheschool。
Yes，Jowasaveryhappywomanthere，inspiteofhardwork，muchanxiety，andaperpetualracket。Sheenjoyeditheartilyandfoundtheapplauseofherboysmoresatisfyingthananypraiseoftheworld，fornowshetoldnostoriesexcepttoherflockofenthusiasticbelieversandadmirers。Astheyearswenton，twolittleladsofherowncametoincreaseherhappiness——Rob，namedforGrandpa，andTeddy，ahappy—go—luckybaby，whoseemedtohaveinheritedhispapa’ssunshinytemperaswellashismother’slivelyspirit。Howtheyevergrewupaliveinthatwhirlpoolofboyswasamysterytotheirgrandmaandaunts，buttheyflourishedlikedandelionsinspring，andtheirroughnurseslovedandservedthemwell。
TherewereagreatmanyholidaysatPlumfield，andoneofthemostdelightfulwastheyearlyapple—picking。ForthentheMarches，Laurences，Brookes。AndBhaersturnedoutinfullforceandmadeadayofit。FiveyearsafterJo’swedding，oneofthesefruitfulfestivalsoccurred，amellowOctoberday，whentheairwasfullofanexhilaratingfreshnesswhichmadethespiritsriseandtheblooddancehealthilyintheveins。Theoldorchardworeitsholidayattire。Goldenrodandastersfringedthemossywalls。Grasshoppersskippedbrisklyintheseregrass，andcricketschirpedlikefairypipersatafeast。Squirrelswerebusywiththeirsmallharvesting。Birdstwitteredtheiradieuxfromthealdersinthelane，andeverytreestoodreadytosenddownitsshowerofredoryellowapplesatthefirstshake。Everybodywasthere。Everybodylaughedandsang，climbedupandtumbleddown。Everybodydeclaredthatthereneverhadbeensuchaperfectdayorsuchajollysettoenjoyit，andeveryonegavethemselvesuptothesimplepleasuresofthehourasfreelyasiftherewerenosuchthingsascareorsorrowintheworld。
Mr。Marchstrolledplacidlyabout，quotingTusser，Cowley，andColumellatoMr。Laurence，whileenjoying……Thegentleapple’swineyjuice。
TheProfessorchargedupanddownthegreenaisleslikeastoutTeutonicknight，withapoleforalance，leadingontheboys，whomadeahookandladdercompanyofthemselves，andperformedwondersinthewayofgroundandloftytumbling。Lauriedevotedhimselftothelittleones，rodehissmalldaughterinabushel—basket，tookDaisyupamongthebird’snests，andkeptadventurousRobfrombreakinghisneck。Mrs。MarchandMegsatamongtheapplepileslikeapairofPomonas，sortingthecontributionsthatkeptpouringin，whileAmywithabeautifulmotherlyexpressioninherfacesketchedthevariousgroups，andwatchedoveronepalelad，whosatadoringherwithhislittlecrutchbesidehim。
Jowasinherelementthatday，andrushedabout，withhergownpinnedup，andherhatanywherebutonherhead，andherbabytuckedunderherarm，readyforanylivelyadventurewhichmightturnup。LittleTeddyboreacharmedlife，fornothingeverhappenedtohim，andJoneverfeltanyanxietywhenhewaswhiskedupintoatreebyonelad，gallopedoffonthebackofanother，orsuppliedwithsourrussetsbyhisindulgentpapa，wholaboredundertheGermanicdelusionthatbabiescoulddigestanything，frompickledcabbagetobuttons，nails，andtheirownsmallshoes。SheknewthatlittleTedwouldturnupagainintime，safeandrosy，dirtyandserene，andshealwaysreceivedhimbackwithaheartywelcome，forJolovedherbabiestenderly。
Atfouro’clockalulltookplace，andbasketsremainedempty，whiletheapplepickersrestedandcomparedrentsandbruises。ThenJoandMeg，withadetachmentofthebiggerboys，setforththesupperonthegrass，foranout—of—doorteawasalwaysthecrowningjoyoftheday。Thelandliterallyflowedwithmilkandhoneyonsuchoccasions，fortheladswerenotrequiredtositattable，butallowedtopartakeofrefreshmentastheyliked——freedombeingthesaucebestbelovedbytheboyishsoul。Theyavailedthemselvesoftherareprivilegetothefullestextent，forsometriedthepleasingexperimentofdrinkingmildwhilestandingontheirheads，otherslentacharmtoleapfrogbyeatingpieinthepausesofthegame，cookiesweresownbroadcastoverthefield，andappleturnoversroostedinthetreeslikeanewstyleofbird。Thelittlegirlshadaprivateteaparty，andTedrovedamongtheediblesathisownsweetwill。
Whennoonecouldeatanymore，theProfessorproposedthefirstregulartoast，whichwasalwaysdrunkatsuchtimes——\"AuntMarch，Godblessher！\"Atoastheartilygivenbythegoodman，whoneverforgothowmuchheowedher，andquietlydrunkbytheboys，whohadbeentaughttokeephermemorygreen。
\"Now，Grandma’ssixtiethbirthday！Longlifetoher，withthreetimesthree！\"
Thatwasgivenwithawill，asyoumaywellbelieve，andthecheeringoncebegun，itwashardtostopit。Everybody’shealthwasproposed，formMr。Laurence，whowasconsideredtheirspecialpatron，totheastonishedguineapig，whohadstrayedfromitspropersphereinsearchofitsyoungmaster。Demi，astheoldestgrandchild，thenpresentedthequeenofthedaywithvariousgifts，sonumerousthattheyweretransportedtothefestivesceneinawheelbarrow。Funnypresents，someofthem，butwhatwouldhavebeendefectstoothereyeswereornamentstoGrandma’s——forthechildren’sgiftswerealltheirown。EverystitchDaisy’spatientlittlefingershadputintothehandkerchiefsshehemmedwasbetterthanembroiderytoMrs。March。Demi’smiracleofmechanicalskill，thoughthecoverwouldn’tshut，Rob’sfootstoolhadawiggleinitsunevenlegsthatshedeclaredwassoothing，andnopageofthecostlybookAmy’schildgaveherwassofairasthatonwhichappearedintipsycapitals，thewords——\"TodearGrandma，fromherlittleBeth。\"
Duringtheceremonytheboyshadmysteriouslydisappeared，andwhenMrs。Marchhadtriedtothankherchildren，andbrokendown，whileTeddywipedhereyesonhispinafore，theProfessorsuddenlybegantosing。Then，fromabovehim，voiceaftervoicetookupthewords，andfromtreetotreeechoedthemusicoftheunseenchoir，astheboyssangwithalltheirheartsthelittlesongthatJohadwritten，Lauriesettomusic，andtheProfessortrainedhisladstogivewiththebesteffect。Thiswassomethingaltogethernew，anditprovedagrandsuccess，forMrs。Marchcouldn’tgetoverhersurprise，andinsistedonshakinghandswitheveryoneofthefeatherlessbirds，fromtallFranzandEmiltothelittlequadroon，whohadthesweetestvoiceofall。
Afterthis，theboysdispersedforafinallark，leavingMrs。Marchandherdaughtersunderthefestivaltree。
\"Idon’tthinkIeveroughttocallmyself`unluckyJo’again，whenmygreatestwishhasbeensobeautifullygratified，\"saidMrs。Bhaer，takingTeddy’slittlefistoutofthemilkpitcher，inwhichhewasrapturouslychurning。
\"Andyetyourlifeisverydifferentfromtheoneyoupicturedsolongago。Doyourememberourcastlesintheair？\"askedAmy，smilingasshewatchedLaurieandJohnplayingcricketwiththeboys。
\"Dearfellows！Itdoesmyheartgoodtoseethemforgetbusinessandfrolicforaday，\"answeredJo，whonowspokeinamaternalwayofallmankind。\"Yes，Iremember，butthelifeIwantedthenseemsselfish，lonely，andcoldtomenow。Ihaven’tgivenupthehopethatImaywriteagoodbookyet，butIcanwait，andI’msureitwillbeallthebetterforsuchexperiencesandillustrationsasthese。\"AndJopointedfromthelivelyladsinthedistancetoherfather，leaningontheProfessor’sarm，astheywalkedtoandfrointhesunshine，deepinoneoftheconversationswhichbothenjoyedsomuch，andthentohermother，sittingenthronedamongherdaughters，withtheirchildreninherlapandatherfeet，asifallfoundhelpandhappinessinthefacewhichnevercouldgrowoldtothem。
\"Mycastlewasthemostnearlyrealizedofall。Iaskedforsplendidthings，tobesure，butinmyheartIknewIshouldbesatisfied，ifIhadalittlehome，andJohn，andsomedearchildrenlikethese。I’vegotthemall，thankGod，andamthehappiestwomanintheworld。\"AndMeglaidherhandonhertallboy’shead，withafacefulloftenderanddevoutcontent。
\"MycastleisverydifferentfromwhatIplanned，butIwouldnotalterit，though，likeJo，Idon’trelinquishallmyartistichopes，orconfinemyselftohelpingothersfulfilltheirdreamsofbeauty。I’vebeguntomodelafigureofbaby，andLauriesaysitisthebestthingI’veeverdone。Ithinkso，myself，andmeantodoitinmarble，sothat，whateverhappens，Imayatleastkeeptheimageofmylittleangel。\"
AsAmyspoke，agreatteardroppedonthegoldenhairofthesleepingchildinherarms，forheronewell—beloveddaughterwasafraillittlecreatureandthedreadoflosingherwastheshadowoverAmy’ssunshine。Thiscrosswasdoingmuchforbothfatherandmother，foroneloveandsorrowboundthemcloselytogether。Amy’snaturewasgrowingsweeter，deeper，andmoretender。Lauriewasgrowingmoreserious，strong，andfirm，andbothwerelearningthatbeauty，youth，goodfortune，evenloveitself，cannotkeepcareandpain，lossandsorrow，fromthemostblessedfor……Intoeachlifesomerainmustfall，Somedaysmustbedarkandsadanddreary。
\"Sheisgrowingbetter，Iamsureofit，mydear。Don’tdespond，buthopeandkeephappy，\"saidMrs。March，astenderheartedDaisystoopedfromherkneetolayherrosycheekagainstherlittlecousin’spaleone。
\"Ineveroughtto，whileIhaveyoutocheermeup，Marmee，andLaurietotakemorethanhalfofeveryburden，\"repliedAmywarmly。\"Heneverletsmeseehisanxiety，butissosweetandpatientwithme，sodevotedtoBeth，andsuchastayandcomforttomealwaysthatIcan’tlovehimenough。So，inspiteofmyonecross，IcansaywithMeg，`ThankGod，I’mahappywoman。’\"
\"There’snoneedformetosayit，foreveryonecanseethatI’mfarhappierthanIdeserve，\"addedJo，glancingfromhergoodhusbandtoherchubbychildren，tumblingonthegrassbesideher。\"Fritzisgettinggrayandstout。I’mgrowingasthinasashadow，andamthirty。Wenevershallberich，andPlumfieldmayburnupanynight，forthatincorrigibleTommyBangswillsmokesweet—ferncigarsunderthebed—clothes，thoughhe’ssethimselfafirethreetimesalready。Butinspiteoftheseunromanticfacts，Ihavenothingtocomplainof，andneverwassojollyinmylife。Excusetheremark，butlivingamongboys，Ican’thelpusingtheirexpressionsnowandthen。\"
\"Yes，Jo，Ithinkyourharvestwillbeagoodone，\"beganMrs。March，frighteningawayabigblackcricketthatwasstaringTeddyoutofcountenance。
\"Nothalfsogoodasyours，Mother。Hereitis，andwenevercanthankyouenoughforthepatientsowingandreapingyouhavedone，\"criedJo，withthelovingimpetuositywhichsheneverwouldoutgrow。
\"Ihopetherewillbemorewheatandfewertareseveryyear，\"saidAmysoftly。
\"Alargesheaf，butIknowthere’sroominyourheartforit，Marmeedear，\"addedMeg’stendervoice。