Itwasdreadful，andtheworstofitwasJohnwentonsoquietlyafterward，justasifnothinghadhappened，exceptthathestayedintownlater，andworkedatnightwhenshehadgonetocryherselftosleep。AweekorremorsenearlymadeMegsick，andthediscoverythatJohnhadcountermandedtheorderforhisnewgreatcoatreducedhertoastateofdespairwhichwaspathetictobehold。Hehadsimplysaid，inanswertohersurprisedinquiriesastothechange，\"Ican’taffordit，mydear。\"
Megsaidnomore，butafewminutesafterhefoundherinthehallwithherfaceburiedintheoldgreatcoat，cryingasifherheartwouldbreak。
Theyhadalongtalkthatnight，andMeglearnedtoloveherhusbandbetterforhispoverty，becauseitseemedtohavemadeamanofhim，givenhimthestrengthandcouragetofighthisownway，andtaughthimatenderpatiencewithwhichtobearandcomfortthenaturallongingsandfailuresofthoseheloved。
Nextdaysheputherprideinherpocket，wenttoSallie，toldthetruth，andaskedhertobuythesilkasafavor。Thegood—naturedMrs。Moffatwillinglydidso，andhadthedelicacynottomakeherapresentofitimmediatelyafterward。ThenMegorderedhomethegreatcoat，andwhenJohnarrived，sheputiton，andaskedhimhowhelikedhernewsilkgown。Onecanimaginewhatanswerhemade，howhereceivedhispresent，andwhatablissfulstateofthingsensued。Johncamehomeearly，Meggaddednomore，andthatgreatcoatwasputoninthemorningbyaveryhappyhusband，andtakenoffatnightbyamostdevotedlittlewife。Sotheyearrolledround，andatmidsummertherecametoMeganewexperience，thedeepestandtenderestofawoman’slife。
LauriecamesneakingintothekitchenoftheDovecoteoneSaturday，withanexcitedface，andwasreceivedwiththeclashofcymbals，forHannahclappedherhandswithasaucepaninoneandthecoverintheother。
\"How’sthelittlemamma？Whereiseverybody？Whydidn’tyoutellmebeforeIcamehome？\"beganLaurieinaloudwhisper。
\"Happyasaqueen，thedear！Everysoulof’emisupstairsaworshipin’。Wedidn’twantnohurrycanesround。Nowyougointotheparlor，andI’llsend’emdowntoyou，\"withwhichsomewhatinvolvedreplyHannahvanished，chucklingecstatically。
PresentlyJoappeared，proudlybearingaflannelbundlelaidforthuponalargepillow。Jo’sfacewasverysober，buthereyestwinkled，andtherewasanoddsoundinhervoiceofrepressedemotionofsomesort。
\"Shutyoureyesandholdoutyourarms，\"shesaidinvitingly。
Lauriebackedprecipitatelyintoacorner，andputhishandsbehindhimwithanimploringgesture。\"No，thankyou。I’drathernot。Ishalldropitorsmashit，assureasfate。\"
\"Thenyoushan’tseeyournevvy，\"saidJodecidedly，turningasiftogo。
\"Iwill，Iwill！Onlyyoumustberesponsiblefordamages。\"Andobeyingorders，Laurieheroicallyshuthiseyeswhilesomethingwasputintohisarms。ApealoflaughterfromJo，Amy，Mrs。March，Hannah，andJohncausedhimtoopenthemthenextminute，tofindhimselfinvestedwithtwobabiesinsteadofone。
Nowondertheylaughed，fortheexpressionofhisfacewasdrollenoughtoconvulseaQuaker，ashestoodandstaredwildlyfromtheunconsciousinnocentstothehilariousspectatorswithsuchdismaythatJosatdownonthefloorandscreamed。
\"Twins，byJupiter！\"wasallhesaidforaminute，thenturningtothewomenwithanappealinglookthatwascomicallypiteous，headded，\"Take’emquick，somebody！I’mgoingtolaugh，andIshalldrop’em。\"
Jorescuedhisbabies，andmarchedupanddown，withoneoneachare，asifalreadyinitiatedintothemysteriesofbaby—tending，whileLaurielaughedtillthetearsrandownhischeeks。
\"It’sthebestjokeoftheseason，isn’tit？Iwouldn’thavetoldyou，forIsetmyheartonsurprisingyou，andIflattermyselfI’vedoneit，\"saidJo，whenshegotherbreath。
\"Ineverwasmorestaggeredinmylife。Isn’titfun？Aretheyboys？Whatareyougoingtonamethem？Let’shaveanotherlook。Holdmeup，Jo，foruponmylifeit’sonetoomanyforme，\"returnedLaurie，regardingtheinfantswiththeairofabig，benevolentNewfoundlandlookingatapairofinfantilekittens。
\"Boyandgirl。Aren’ttheybeauties？\"saidtheproudpapa，beaminguponthelittleredsquirmersasiftheywereunfledgedangels。
\"MostremarkablechildrenIeversaw。Whichiswhich？\"andLauriebentlikeawell—sweeptoexaminetheprodigies。
\"Amyputablueribbonontheboyandapinkonthegirl，Frenchfashion，soyoucanalwaystell。Besides，onehasblueeyesandonebrown。Kissthem，UncleTeddy，\"saidwickedJo。
\"I’mafraidtheymightn’tlikeit，\"beganLaurie，withunusualtimidityinsuchmatters。
\"Ofcoursetheywill，theyareusedtoitnow。Doitthisminute，sir！\"commandedJo，fearinghemightproposeaproxy。
Lauriescreweduphisfaceandobeyedwithagingerlypeckateachlittlecheekthatproducedanotherlaugh，andmadethebabiessqueal。
\"There，Iknewtheydidn’tlikeit！That’stheboy，seehimkick，hehitsoutwithhisfistslikeagoodone。Nowthen，youngBrooke，pitchintoamanofyourownsize，willyou？\"criedLaurie，delightedwithapokeinthefacefromatinyfist，flappingaimlesslyabout。
\"He’stobenamedJohnLaurence，andthegirlMargaret，aftermotherandgrandmother。WeshallcallherDaisy，soasnottohavetwoMegs，andIsupposethemanniewillbeJack，unlesswefindabettername，\"saidAmy，withaunt—likeinterest。
\"NamehimDemijohn，andcallhimDemiforshort，\"saidLaurie\"DaisyandDemi，justthething！IknewTeddywoulddoit，\"criedJoclappingherhands。
Teddycertainlyhaddoneitthattime，forthebabieswere`Daisy’and`Demi’totheendofthechapter。
GoodWives:Chapter6CHAPTER6Calls\"Come，Jo，it’stime。\"
\"Forwhat？\"
\"Youdon’tmeantosayyouhaveforgottenthatyoupromisedtomakehalfadozencallswithmetoday？\"
\"I’vedoneagoodmanyrashandfoolishthingsinmylife，butIdon’tthinkIeverwasmadenoughtosayI’dmakesixcallsinoneday，whenasingleoneupsetsmeforaweek。\"
\"Yes，youdid，itwasabargainbetweenus。IwastofinishthecrayonofBethforyou，andyouweretogoproperlywithme，andreturnourneighbors’visits。\"
\"Ifitwasfair，thatwasinthebond，andIstandtotheletterofmybond，Shylock。Thereisapileofcloudsintheeast，it’snotfair，andIdon’tgo。\"
\"Now，that’sshirking。It’salovelyday，noprospectofrain，andyouprideyourselfonkeeping;promises，sobehonorable，comeanddoyourduty，andthenbeatpeaceforanothersixmonths。\"
AtthatminuteJowasparticularlyabsorbedindressmaking，forshewasmantua—makergeneraltothefamily，andtookespecialcredittoherselfbecauseshecoulduseaneedleaswellasapen。Itwasveryprovokingtobearrestedintheactofafirsttrying—on，andorderedouttomakecallsinherbestarrayonawarmJulyday。Shehatedcallsoftheformalsort，andnevermadeanytillAmycompelledherwithabargain，bribe，orpromise。Inthepresentinstancetherewasnoescape，andhavingclashedherscissorsrebelliously，whileprotestingthatshesmelledthunder，shegavein，putawayherwork，andtakingupherhatandgloveswithanairofresignation，toldAmythevictimwasready。
\"JoMarch，youareperverseenoughtoprovokeasaint！Youdon’tintendtomakecallsinthatstate，Ihope，\"criedAmy，surveyingherwithamazement。
\"Whynot？I’mneatandcoolandcomfortable，quiteproperforadustywalkonawarmday。Ifpeoplecaremoreformyclothesthantheydoforme，Idon’twishtoseethem。Youcandressforboth，andbeaselegantasyouplease。Itpaysforyoutobefine。Itdoesn’tforme，andfurbelowsonlyworryme。\"
\"Oh，dear！\"sighedAmy，\"nowshe’sinacontraryfit，andwilldrivemedistractedbeforeIcangetherproperlyready。I’msureit’snopleasuretometogotoday，butit’sadebtweowesociety，andthere’snoonetopayitbutyouandme。I’lldoanythingforyou，Jo，ifyou’llonlydressyourselfnicely，andcomeandhelpmedothecivil。Youcantalksowell，looksoaristocraticinyourbestthings，andbehavesobeautifully，ifyoutry，thatI’mproudofyou。I’mafraidtogoalone，docomeandtakecareofme。\"
\"You’reanartfullittlepusstoflatterandwheedleyourcrossoldsisterinthatway。Theideaofmybeingaristocraticandwell—bred，andyourbeingafraidtogoanywherealone！Idon’tknowwhichisthemostabsurd。Well，I’llgoifImust，anddomybest。Youshallbecommanderoftheexpedition，andI’llobeyblindly，willthatsatisfyyou？\"saidJo，withasuddenchangefromperversitytolamb—likesubmission。
\"You’reaperfectcherub！Nowputonallyourbestthings，andI’lltellyouhowtobehaveateachplace，sothatyouwillmakeagoodimpression。Iwantpeopletolikeyou，andtheywouldifyou’donlytrytobealittlemoreagreeable。Doyourhairtheprettyway，andputthepinkroseinyourbonnet。It’sbecoming，andyoulooktoosoberinyourplainsuit。Takeyourlightglovesandtheembroideredhandkerchief。We’llstopatMeg’s，andborrowherwhitesunshade，andthenyoucanhavemydove—coloredone。\"
WhileAmydressed，sheissuedherorders，andJoobeyedthem，notwithoutenteringherprotest，however，forshesighedassherustledintoherneworgandie，frowneddarklyatherselfasshetiedherbonnetstringsinanirreproachablebow，wrestledviciouslywithpinsassheputonhercollar，wrinkledupherfeaturesgenerallyassheshookoutthehandkerchief，whoseembroiderywasasirritatingtohernoseasthepresentmissionwastoherfeelings，andwhenshehadsqueezedherhandsintotightgloveswiththreebuttonsandatassel，asthelasttouchofelegance，sheturnedtoAmywithanimbecileexpressionofcountenance，sayingmeekly……
\"I’mperfectlymiserable，butifyouconsidermepresentable，Idiehappy。\"
\"You’rehighlysatisfactory。turnslowlyround，andletmegetacarefulview。\"Jorevolved，andAmygaveatouchhereandthere，thenfellback，withherheadononeside，observinggraciously，\"Yes，you’lldo。YourheadisallIcouldask，forthatwhitebonnetwiththeroseisquiteravishing。Holdbackyourshoulders，andcarryyourhandseasily，nomatterifyourglovesdopinch。There’sonethingyoucandowell，Jo，thatis，wearashawl。Ican’t，butit’sverynicetoseeyou，andI’msogladAuntMarchgaveyouthatlovelyone。It’ssimple，buthandsome，andthosefoldsoverthearmarereallyartistic。Isthepointofmymantleinthemiddle，andhaveIloopedmydressevenly？Iliketoshowmyboots，formyfeetarepretty，thoughmynoseisn’t。\"
\"Youareathingofbeautyandajoyforever，\"saidJo，lookingthroughherhandwiththeairofaconnoisseuratthebluefeatheragainstthegoldenhair。\"AmItodragmybestdressthroughthedust，orloopitup，please，ma’am？\"
\"Holditupwhenyouwalk，butdropitinthehouse。Thesweepingstylesuitsyoubest，andyoumustlearntotrailyourskirtsgracefully。Youhaven’thalfbuttonedonecuff，doitatonce。You’llneverlookfinishedifyouarenotcarefulaboutthelittledetails，fortheymakeupthepleasingwhole。\"
Josighed，andproceededtoburstthebuttonsoffherglove，indoinguphercuff，butatlastbothwereready，andsailedaway，lookingas`prettyaspicters’，Hannahsaid，asshehungoutoftheupperwindowtowatchthem。
\"Now，Jodear，theChestersconsiderthemselvesveryelegantpeople，soIwantyoutoputonyourbestdeportment。Don’tmakeanyofyourabruptremarks，ordoanythingodd，willyou？Justbecalm，cool，andquiet，that’ssafeandladylike，andyoucaneasilydoitforfifteenminutes，\"saidAmy，astheyapproachedthefirstplace，havingborrowedthewhiteparasolandbeeninspectedbyMeg，withababyoneacharm。
\"Letmesee。`Calm，cool，andquiet’，yes，IthinkIcanpromisethat。I’veplayedthepartofaprimyoungladyonthestage，andI’lltryitoff。Mypowersaregreat，asyoushallsee，sobeeasyinyourmind，mychild。\"
Amylookedrelieved，butnaughtyJotookheratherword，forduringthefirstcallshesatwitheverylimbgracefullycomposed，everyfoldcorrectlydraped，calmasasummersea，coolasasnowbank，andassilentasthesphinx。InvainMrs。Chesteralludedtoher`charmingnovel’，andtheMissesChesterintroducedparties，picnics，theopera，andthefashions。Eachandallwereansweredbyasmile，abow，andademure\"Yes\"or\"No\"withthechillon。InvainAmytelegraphedtheword`talk’，triedtodrawherout，andadministeredcovertpokeswithherfoot。Josatasifblandlyunconciousofitall，withdeportmentlikeMaud’sface，`icilyregular，splendidlynull’。
\"Whatahaughty，uninterestingcreaturethatoldestMissMarchis！\"wastheunfortunatelyaudibleremarkofoneoftheladies，asthedoorclosedupontheirguests。Jolaughednoiselesslyallthroughthehall，butAmylookeddisgustedatthefailureofherinstructions，andverynaturallylaidtheblameuponJo。
\"Howcouldyoumistakemeso？Imerelymeantyoutobeproperlydignifiedandcomposed，andyoumadeyourselfaperfectstockandstone。TrytobesociableattheLamb’s’。Gossipasothergirlsdo，andbeinterestedindressandflirtationsandwhatevernonsensecomesup。Theymoveinthebestsociety，arevaluablepersonsforustoknow，andIwouldn’tfailtomakeagoodimpressionthereforanything。\"
\"I’llbeagreeable。I’llgossipandgiggle，andhavehorrorsandrapturesoveranytrifleyoulike。Iratherenjoythis，andnowI’llimitatewhatiscalled`acharminggirl’。Icandoit，forIhaveMayChesterasamodel，andI’llimproveuponher。SeeiftheLambsdon’tsay，`Whatalively，nicecreaturethatJoMarchis！\"
Amyfeltanxious，aswellshemight，forwhenJoturnedfreakishtherewasnoknowingwhereshewouldstop。Amy’sfacewasastudywhenshesawhersisterskimintothenextdrawingroom，kissalltheyoungladieswitheffusion，beamgraciouslyupontheyounggentlemen，andjoininthechatwithaspiritwhichamazedthebeholder。AmywastakenpossessionofbyMrs。Lamb，withwhomshewasafavorite，andforcedtohearalongaccountofLucretia’slastattack，whilethreedelightfulyounggentlemenhoverednear，waitingforapausewhentheymightrushinandrescueher。Sosituated，shewaspowerlesstocheckJo，whoseemedpossessedbyaspiritofmischief，andtalkedawayasvolublyasthelady。Aknotofheadsgatheredabouther，andAmystrainedherearstohearwhatwasgoingon，forbrokensentencesfilledherwithcuriosity，andfrequentpealsoflaughtermadeherwildtosharethefun。Onemayimaginehersufferingonoverhearingfragmentsofthissortofconversation。
\"Sheridessplendidly。whotaughther？\"
\"Noone。Sheusedtopracticemounting，holdingthereins，andsittingstraightonanoldsaddleinatree。Nowsheridesanything，forshedoesn’tknowwhatfearis，andthestablemanletsherhavehorsescheapbecauseshetrainsthemtocarryladiessowell。Shehassuchapassionforit，Ioftentellherifeverythingelsefails，shecanbeahorsebreaker，andgetherlivingso。\"
AtthisawfulspeechAmycontainedherselfwithdifficulty，fortheimpressionwasbeinggiventhatshewasratherafastyounglady，whichwasherespecialaversion。Butwhatcouldshedo？Fortheoldladywasinthemiddleofherstory，andlongbeforeitwasdone，Jowasoffagain，makemoredrollrevelationsandcommittingstillmorefearfulblunders。
\"Yes，Amywasindespairthatday，forallthegoodbeastsweregone，andofthreeleft，onewaslame，oneblind，andtheothersobalkythatyouhadtoputdirtinhismouthbeforehewouldstart。Niceanimalforapleasureparty，wasn’tit？\"
\"Whichdidshechoose？\"askedoneofthelaughinggentlemen，whoenjoyedthesubject。
\"Noneofthem。Sheheardofayounghorseatthefarmhouseovertheriver，andthoughaladyhadneverriddenhim，sheresolvedtotry，becausehewashandsomeandspirited。Herstruggleswerereallypathetic。Therewasnoonetobringthehorsetothesaddle，soshetookthesaddletothehorse。Mydearcreature，sheactuallyroweditovertheriver，putitonherhead，andmarcheduptothebarntotheutteramazementoftheoldman！\"
\"Didsheridethehorse？’
\"Ofcourseshedid，andhadacapitaltime。Iexpectedtoseeherbroughthomeinfragments，butshemanagedhimperfectly，andwasthelifeoftheparty。\"
\"Well，Icallthatplucky！\"AndyoungMr。LambturnedanapprovingglanceuponAmy，wonderingwhathismothercouldbesayingtomakethegirllooksoredanduncomfortable。
Shewasstillredderandmoreuncomfortableamomentafter，whenasuddenturnintheconversationintroducedthesubjectofdress。OneoftheyoungladiesaskedJowhereshegottheprettydrabhatsheworetothepicnicandstupidJo，insteadofmentioningtheplacewhereitwasboughttwoyearsago，mustneedsanswerwithunnecessaryfrankness，\"Oh，Amypaintedit。Youcan’tbuythosesoftshades，sowepaintoursanycolorwelike。It’sagreatcomforttohaveanartisticsister。\"
\"Isn’tthatanoriginalidea？\"criedMissLamb，whofoundJogreatfun。
\"That’snothingcomparedtosomeofherbrilliantperformances。There’snothingthechildcan’tdo。Why，shewantedapairofbluebootsforSallie’sparty，soshejustpaintedhersoiledwhiteonestheloveliestshadeofskyblueyoueversaw，andtheylookedexactlylikesatin，\"addedJo，withanairofprideinhersister’saccomplishmentsthatexasperatedAmytillshefeltthatitwouldbearelieftothrowhercardcaseather。
\"Wereadastoryofyourstheotherday，andenjoyeditverymuch，\"observedtheelderMissLamb，wishingtocomplimenttheliterarylady，whodidnotlookthecharacterjustthen，itmustbeconfessed。
Anymentionofher`works’alwayshadabadeffectuponJo，whoeithergrewrigidandlookedoffended，orchangedthesubjectwithabrusqueremark，asnow。\"Sorryyoucouldfindnothingbettertoread。Iwritethatrubbishbecauseitsells，andordinarypeoplelikeit。AreyougoingtoNewYorkthiswinter？’
AsMissLambhad`enjoyed’thestory，thisspeechwasnotexactlygratefulorcomplimentary。TheminuteitwasmadeJosawhermistake，butfearingtomakethematterworse，suddenlyrememberedthatitwasforhertomakethefirstmovetowarddeparture，anddidsowithanabruptnessthatleftthreepeoplewithhalf—finishedsentencesintheirmouths。
\"Amy，wemustgo。Good—by，dear，docomeandseeus。Wearepiningforavisit。Idon’tdaretoaskyou，Mr。Lamb，butifyoushouldcome，Idon’tthinkIshallhavethehearttosendyouaway。\"
JosaidthiswithsuchadrollimitationofMayChester’sgushingstylethatAmygotoutoftheroomasrapidlyaspossible，feelingastrongdesiretolaughandcryatthesametime。
\"Didn’tIdowell？\"askedJo，withasatisfiedairastheywalkedaway。
\"Nothingcouldhavebeenworse，\"wasAmy’scrushingreply。\"Whatpossessedyoutotellthosestoriesaboutmysaddle，andthehatsandboots，andalltherestofit？\"
\"Why，it’sfunny，andamusespeople。Theyknowwearepoor，soit’snousepretendingthatwehavegrooms，buythreeorfourhatsaseason，andhavethingsaseasyandfineastheydo。\"
\"Youneedn’tgoandtellthemallourlittleshifts，andexposeour;povertyinthatperfectlyunnecessaryway。Youhaven’tabitofproperpride，andneverwilllearnwhentoholdyourtongueandwhentospeak，\"saidAmydespairingly。
PoorJolookedabashed，andsilentlychafedtheendofhernosewiththestiffhandkerchief，asifperformingapenanceforhermisdemeanors。
\"HowshallIbehavehere？\"sheasked，astheyapproachedthethirdmansion。
\"Justasyouplease。Iwashmyhandsofyou，\"wasAmy’sshortanswer。
\"ThenI’llenjoymyself。Theboysareathome，andwe’llhaveacomfortabletime。GoodnessknowsIneedalittlechange，forelegancehasabadeffectuponmyconstitution，\"returnedJogruffly，beingdisturbedbyherfailuretosuit。
Anenthusiasticwelcomefromthreebigboysandseveralprettychildrenspeedilysoothedherruffledfeelings，andleavingAmytoentertainthehostessandMr。Tudor，whohappenedtobecallinglikewise，Jodevotedherselftotheyoungfolksandfoundthechangerefreshing。Shelistenedtocollegestorieswithdeepinterest，caressedpointersandpoodleswithoutamurmur，agreedheartilythat\"TomBrownwasabrick，\"regardlessoftheimproperformofpraise，andwhenoneladproposedavisittohisturtletank，shewentwithanalacritywhichcausedMammatosmileuponher，asthatmotherlyladysettledthecapwhichwasleftinaruinousconditionbyfilialhugs，bear—likebutaffectionate，anddearertoherthanthemostfaultlesscoiffurefromthehandsofaninspiredFrenchwoman。
Leavinghersistertoherowndevices，Amyproceededtoenjoyherselftoherheart’scontent。Mr。Tudor’sunclehadmarriedanEnglishladywhowasthirdcousintoalivinglord，andAmyregardedthewholefamilywithgreatrespect，forinspiteofherAmericanbirthandbreeding，shepossessedthatreverencefortitleswhichhauntsthebestofus——thatunacknowledgedloyaltytotheearlyfaithinkingswhichsetthemostdemocraticnationunderthesuninfermentatthecomingofaroyalyellow—hairedladdie，someyearsago，andwhichstillhassomethingtodowiththelovetheyoungcountrybearstheold，likethatofabigsonforanimperiouslittlemother，whoheldhimwhileshecould，andlethimgowithafarewellscoldingwhenherebelled。ButeventhesatisfactionoftalkingwithadistantconnectionoftheBritishnobilitydidnotrenderAmyforgetfuloftime，andwhenthepropernumberofminuteshadpassed，shereluctantlytoreherselffromthisaristocraticsociety，andlookedaboutforJo，ferventlyhopingthatherincorrigiblesisterwouldnotbefoundinanypositionwhichshouldbringdisgraceuponthenameofMarch。
Itmighthavebeenworse，butAmyconsidereditbad。ForJosatonthegrass，withanencampmentofboysabouther，andadirty—footeddogreposingontheskirtofherstateandfestivaldress，assherelatedoneofLaurie’sprankstoheradmiringaudience。OnesmallchildwaspokingturtleswithAmy’scherishedparasol，asecondwaseatinggingerbreadoverJo’sbestbonnet，andathirdplayingballwithhergloves。butallwereenjoyingthemselves，andwhenJocollectedherdamagedpropertytogo，herescortaccompaniedher，begginghertocomeagain，\"ItwassuchfuntohearaboutLaurie’slarks。\"
\"Capitalboys，aren’tthey？Ifeelquiteyoungandbriskagainafterthat。\"saidJo，strollingalongwithherhandsbehindher，partlyfromhabit，partlytoconcealthebespatteredparasol。
\"WhydoyoualwaysavoidMr。Tudor？\"askedAmy，wiselyrefrainingfromanycommentuponJo’sdilapidatedappearance。
\"Don’tlikehim，heputsonairs，snubshissisters，worrieshisfather，anddoesn’tspeakrespectfullyofhismother。Lauriesaysheisfast，andIdon’tconsiderhimadesirableacquaintance，soIlethimalone。\"
\"Youmighttreathimcivilly，atleast。Yougavehimacoolnod，andjustnowyoubowedandsmiledinthepolitestwaytoTommyChamberlain，whosefatherkeepsagrocerystore。Ifyouhadjustreversedthenodandthebow，itwouldhavebeenright，\"saidAmyreprovingly。
\"No，itwouldn’t，\"returnedJo，\"Ineitherlike，respect，noradmireTudor，thoughhisgrandfather’suncle’snephew’sniecewasathirdcousintoalord。Tommyispoorandbashfulandgoodandveryclever。Ithinkwellofhim，andliketoshowthatIdo，forheisagentlemaninspiteofthebrownpaperparcels。\"
\"It’snousetryingtoarguewithyou，\"beganAmy。
\"Nottheleast，mydear，\"interruptedJo，\"soletuslookamiable，anddropacardhere，astheKingsareevidentlyout，forwhichI’mdeeplygrateful。\"
Thefamilycardcasehavingdoneitsdutythegirlswalkedon，andJoutteredanotherthanksgivingonreachingthefifthhouse，andbeingtoldthattheyoungladieswereengaged。
\"nowletusgohome，andnevermindAuntMarchtoday。Wecanrundownthereanytime，andit’sreallyapitytotrailthroughthedustinourbestbibsandtuckers，whenwearetiredandcross。\"
\"Speakforyourself，ifyouplease。AuntMarchlikestohaveuspayherthecomplimentofcominginstyle，andmakingaformalcall。It’salittlethingtodo，butitgivesherpleasure，andIdon’tbelieveitwillhurtyourthingshalfsomuchaslettingdirtydogsandclumpingboysspoilthem。Stoopdown，andletmetakethecrumbsoffofyourbonnet。\"
\"Whatagoodgirlyouare，Amy！\"saidJo，witharepentantglancefromherowndamagedcostumetothatofhersister，whichwasfreshandspotlessstill。\"Iwishitwasaseasyformetodolittlethingstopleasepeopleasitisforyou。Ithinkofthem，butittakestoomuchtimetodothem，soIwaitforachancetoconferagreatfavor，andletthesmallonesslip，buttheytellbestintheend，Ifancy。\"
Amysmiledandwasmollifiedatonce，sayingwithamaternalair，\"Womenshouldlearntobeagreeable，particularlypoorones，fortheyhavenootherwayofrepayingthekindnessestheyreceive。Ifyou’drememberthat，andpracticeit，you’dbebetterlikedthanIam，becausethereismoreofyou。\"
\"I’macrotchetyoldthing，andalwaysshallbe，butI’mwillingtoownthatyouareright，onlyit’seasierformetoriskmylifeforapersonthantobepleasanttohimwhenIdon’tfeellikeit。It’sagreatmisfortunetohavesuchstronglikesanddislikes，isn’tit？\"
\"It’sagreaternottobeabletohidethem。Idon’tmindsayingthatIdon’tapproveofTudoranymorethanyoudo，butI’mnotcalledupontotellhimso。Neitherareyou，andthereisnouseinmakingyourselfdisagreeablebecauseheis。\"
\"ButIthinkgirlsoughttoshowwhentheydisapproveofyoungmen，andhowcantheydoitexceptbytheirmanners？Preachingdoesnotdoanygood，asIknowtomysorrow，sinceI’vehadTeddietomanage。ButtherearemanylittlewaysinwhichIcaninfluencehimwithoutaword，andIsayweoughttodoittoothersifwecan。\"
\"Teddyisaremarkableboy，andcan’tbetakenasasampleofotherboys，\"saidAmy，inatoneofsolemnconviction，whichwouldhaveconvulsedthe`remarkableboy’ifhehadheardit。\"Ifwewerebelles，orwomenofwealthandposition，wemightdosomething，perhaps，butforustofrownatonesetofyounggentlemenbecausewedon’tapproveofthem，andsmileuponanothersetbecausewedo，wouldn’thaveaparticleofeffect，andweshouldonlybeconsideredoddandpuritanical。\"
\"Sowearetocountenancethingsandpeoplewhichwedetest，merelybecausewearenotbellesandmillionaires，arewe？That’sanicesortofmorality。\"
\"Ican’targueaboutit，Ionlyknowthatit’sthewayoftheworld，andpeoplewhosetthemselvesagainstitonlygetlaughedatfortheirpains。Idon’tlikereformers，andIhopeyounevertrytobeone。\"
\"Idolikethem，andIshallbeoneifIcan，forinspiteofthelaughingtheworldwouldnevergetonwithoutthem。Wecan’tagreeaboutthat。foryoubelongtotheoldset，andItothenew。Youwillgetonthebest，butIshallhavetheliveliesttimeofit。Ishouldratherenjoythebrickbatsandhooting，Ithink。\"
\"Well，composeyourselfnow，anddon’tworryAuntwithyournewideas。\"
\"I’lltrynotto，butI’malwayspossessedtoburstoutwithsomeparticularlybluntspeechorrevolutionarysentimentbeforeher。It’smydoom，andIcan’thelpit。\"
TheyfoundAuntCarrolwiththeoldlady，bothabsorbedinsomeveryinterestingsubject，buttheydroppeditasthegirlscamein，withaconsciouslookwhichbetrayedthattheyhadbeentalkingabouttheirnieces。Jowasnotinagoodhumor，andtheperversefitreturned，butAmy，whohadvirtuouslydoneherduty，kepthertemperandpleasedeverybody，wasinamostangelicframeofmind。Thisamiablespiritwasfeltatonce，andbothaunts`mydeared’heraffectionately，lookingwhattheyafterwardsaidemphatically，\"Thatchildimproveseveryday。\"
\"Areyougoingtohelpaboutthefair，dear？\"askedMrs。Carrol，asAmysatdownbesideherwiththeconfidingairelderlypeoplelikesowellintheyoung。
\"Yes，Aunt。Mrs。ChesteraskedmeifIwould，andIofferedtotendatable，asIhavenothingbutmytimetogive。\"
\"I’mnot，\"putinJodecidedly。\"Ihatetobepatronized，andtheChestersthinkit’sagreatfavortoallowustohelpwiththeirhighlyconnectedfair。Iwonderyouconsented，Amy，theyonlywantyoutowork。\"