saidLaurie。
“Rather。“
“Don’tyouthinktheEnglishnationperfectineveryrespect？“
askedSallie。
“IshouldbeashamedofmyselfifIdidn’t。“
“He’satrueJohnBull。Now，MissSallie，youshallhaveachancewithoutwaitingtodraw。I’llharrrowupyourfeelingsfirstbyaskingifyoudon’tthinkyouaresomethingofaflirt，“
saidLaurie，asJonoddedtoFredasasignthatpeacewasdeclared。
“Youimpertinentboy!OfcourseI’mnot，“exclaimedSallie，withanairthatprovedthecontrary。
“Whatdoyouhatemost？“askedFred。
“Spidersandricepudding。“
“Whatdoyoulikebest？“askedJo。
“DancingandFrenchgloves。“
“Well，IthinkTruthisaverysillyplay。Let’shaveasensiblegameofAuthorstorefreshourminds，“proposedJo。
Ned，frank，andthelittlegirlsjoinedinthis，andwhileitwenton，thethreeelderssatapart，talking。MissKatetookouthersketchagain，andMargaretwatchedher，whileMr。Brookelayonthegrasswithabook，whichhedidnotread。
“Howbeautifullyyoudoit!IwishIcoulddraw，“saidMeg，withmingledadmirationandregretinhervoice。
“Whydon’tyoulearn？Ishouldthinkyouhadtasteandtalentforit，“repliedMissKategraciously。
“Ihaven’ttime。“
“Yourmammaprefersotheraccomplishments，Ifancy。Sodidmine，butIprovedtoherthatIhadtalentbytakingafewlessonsprivately，andthenshewasquitewillingIshouldgoon。Can’tyoudothesamewithyourgoverness？“
“Ihavenone。“
“IforgotyoungladiesinAmericagotoschoolmorethanwithus。Veryfineschoolstheyare，too，Papasays。Yougotoaprivateone，Isuppose？“
“Idon’tgoatall。Iamagovernessmyself。“
“Oh。indeed!“saidMissKate，butshemightaswellhavesaid，“Dearme，howdreadful!“forhertoneimpliedit，andsomethinginherfacemadeMegcolor，andwishshehadnotbeensofrank。
Mr。Brookelookedupandsaidquickly，YoungladiesinAmericaloveindependenceasmuchastheirancestorsdid，andareadmiredandrespectedforsupportingthemselves。“
“Oh，yes，ofcourseit’sveryniceandproperinthemtodoso。Wehavemanymostrespectableandworthyyoungwomenwhodothesameandareemployedbythenobility，because，beingthedaughtersofgentlemen，theyarebothwellbredandaccomplished，youknow，“saidMissKateinapatronizingtonethathurtMeg’spride，andmadeherworkseemnotonlymoredistasteful，butdegrading。
“DidtheGermansongsuit，MissMarch？“inquiredMr。Brooke，breakinganawkwardpause。
“Oh，yes!Itwasverysweet，andI’mmuchobligedtowhoevertranslateditforme。“AndMeg’sdowncastfacebrightenedasshespoke。
“Don’tyoureadGerman？“askedMissKatewithalookofsurprise。
“Notverywell。Myfather，whotaughtme，isaway，andIdon’tgetonveryfastalone，forI’venoonetocorrectmypronunciation。“
“Tryalittlenow。HereisSchiller’sMaryStuartandatutorwholovestoteach。“AndMr。Brookelaidhisbookonherlapwithaninvitingsmile。
“It’ssohardI’mafraidtotry，“saidMeg，grateful，butbashfulinthepresenceoftheaccomplishedyoungladybesideher。
“I’llreadabittoencourageyou。“AndMissKatereadoneofthemostbeautifulpassagesinaperfectlycorrectbutperfectlyexpressionlessmanner。
Mr。BrookemadenocommentasshereturnedthebooktoMeg，whosaidinnocently，“Ithoughtitwaspoetry。“
“Someofitis。Trythispassage。“
TherewasaqueersmileaboutMr。Brooke’smouthasheopenedatpoorMary’slament。
Megobedientlyfollowingthelonggrass-bladewhichhernewtutorusedtopointwith，readslowlyandtimidly，unconsciouslymakingpoetryofthehardwordsbythesoftintonationofhermusicalvoice。Downthepagewentthegreenguide，andpresently，forgettingherlistenerinthebeautyofthesadscene，Megreadasifalone，givingalittletouchoftragedytothewordsoftheunhappyqueen。Ifshehadseenthebrowneyesthen，shewouldhavestoppedshort，butsheneverlookedup，andthelessonwasnotspoiledforher。
“Verywellindeed!“saidMr。Brooke，asshepaused，quiteignoringhermanymistakes，andlookingasifhedidindeedlovetoteach。
MissKateputupherglass，and，havingtakenasurveyofthelittletableaubeforeher，shuthersketchbook，sayingwithcondescension，“You’veaniceaccentandintimewillbeacleverreader。Iadviseyoutolearn，forGermanisavaluableaccomplishmenttoteachers。ImustlookafterGrace，sheisromping。“
AndMissKatestrolledaway，addingtoherselfwithashrug，“I
didn’tcometochaperoneagoverness，thoughsheisyoungandpretty。WhatoddpeopletheseYankeesare。I’mafraidLauriewillbequitespoiledamongthem。“
“IforgotthatEnglishpeopleratherturnuptheirnosesatgovernessesanddon’ttreatthemaswedo，“saidMeg，lookingaftertheretreatingfigurewithanannoyedexpression。
“Tutorsalsohaveratherahardtimeofitthere，asIknowtomysorrow。There’snoplacelikeAmericaforusworkers，MissMargaret。“AndMr。BrookelookedsocontentedandcheerfulthatMegwasashamedtolamentherhardlot。
“I’mgladIliveinitthen。Idon’tlikemywork，butIgetagooddealofsatisfactionoutofitafterall，soIwon’tcomplain。
IonlywishedIlikedteachingasyoudo。“
“IthinkyouwouldifyouhadLaurieforapupil。Ishallbeverysorrytolosehimnextyear，“saidMr。Brooke，busilypunchingholesintheturf。
“Goingtocollege，Isuppose？“Meg’slipsaskedthequestion，buthereyesadded，“Andwhatbecomesofyou？“
“Yes，it’shightimehewent，forheisready，andassoonasheisoff，Ishallturnsoldier。Iamneeded。“
“Iamgladofthat!“exclaimedMeg。“Ishouldthinkeveryyoungmanwouldwanttogo，thoughitishardforthemothersandsisterswhostayathome，“sheaddedsorrowfully。
“Ihaveneither，andveryfewfriendstocarewhetherIliveordie，“saidMr。Brookeratherbitterlyasheabsentlyputthedeadroseintheholehehadmadeandcovereditup，likealittlegrave。
“Laurieandhisgrandfatherwouldcareagreatdeal，andweshouldallbeverysorrytohaveanyharmhappentoyou，“saidMegheartily。
“Thankyou，thatsoundspleasant，“beganMr。Brooke，lookingcheerfulagain，butbeforehecouldfinishhisspeech，Ned，mountedontheoldhorse，camelumberinguptodisplayhisequestrianskillbeforetheyoungladies，andtherewasnomorequietthatday。
“Don’tyoulovetoride？“askedGraceofAmy，astheystoodrestingafteraraceroundthefieldwiththeothers，ledbyNed。
“Idoteuponit。Mysister，Meg，usedtoridewhenPapawasrich，butwedon’tkeepanyhorsesnow，exceptEllenTree，“addedAmy，laughing。
“TellmeaboutEllenTree。Isitadonkey？“askedGracecuriously。
“Why，yousee，JoiscrazyabouthorsesandsoamI，butwe’veonlygotanoldsidesaddleandnohorse。Outinourgardenisanappletreethathasanicelowbranch，soJoputthesaddleonit，fixedsomereinsonthepartthatturnsup，andwebounceawayonEllenTreewheneverwelike。“
“Howfunny!“laughedGrace。“Ihaveaponyathome，andridenearlyeverydayintheparkwithFredandKate。It’sverynice，formyfriendsgotoo，andtheRowisfullofladiesandgentlemen。“
“Dear，howcharming!IhopeIshallgoabroadsomeday，butI’drathergotoRomethantherow，“saidAmy，whohadnottheremotestideawhattheRowwasandwouldn’thaveaskedfortheworld。
Frank，sittingjustbehindthelittlegirls，heardwhattheyweresaying，andpushedhiscrutchawayfromhimwithanimpatientgestureashewatchedtheactiveladsgoingthroughallsortsofcomicalgymnastics。Beth，whowascollectingthescatteredAuthorcards，lookedupandsaid，inhershyyetfriendlyway，“I’mafraidyouaretired。CanIdoanythingforyou？“
“Talktome，please。It’sdull，sittingbymyself，“answeredFrank，whohadevidentlybeenusedtobeingmademuchofathome。
IfheaskedhertodeliveraLatinoration，itwouldnothaveseemedamoreimpossibletasktobashfulBeth，buttherewasnoplacetorunto，noJotohidebehindnow，andthepoorboylookedsowistfullyatherthatshebravelyresolvedtotry。
“Whatdoyouliketotalkabout？“sheasked，fumblingoverthecardsanddroppinghalfasshetriedtotiethemup。
“Well，Iliketohearaboutcricketandboatingandhunting，“
saidFrank，whohadnotyetlearnedtosuithisamusementstohisstrength。
Myheart!WhatshallIdo？Idon’tknowanythingaboutthem，thoughtBeth，andforgettingtheboy’smisfortuneinherflurry，shesaid，hopingtomakehimtalk，“Ineversawanyhunting，butIsupposeyouknowallaboutit。“
“Ididonce，butIcanneverhuntagain，forIgothurtleapingaconfoundedfive-barredgate，sotherearenomorehorsesandhoundsforme，“saidFrankwithasighthatmadeBethhateherselfforherinnocentblunder。
“Yourdeeraremuchprettierthanouruglybuffaloes，“shesaid，turningtotheprairiesforhelpandfeelinggladthatshehadreadoneoftheboys’booksinwhichJodelighted。
Buffaloesprovedsoothingandsatisfactory，andinhereagernesstoamuseanother，Bethforgotherself，andwasquiteunconsciousofhersisters’surpriseanddelightattheunusualspectacleofBethtalkingawaytooneofthedreadfulboys，againstwhomshehadbeggedprotection。
“Blessherheart!Shepitieshim，sosheisgoodtohim，“
aidJo，beamingatherfromthecroquetground。
“Ialwayssaidshewasalittlesaint，“addedMeg，asiftherecouldbenofurtherdoubtofit。
“Ihaven’theardFranklaughsomuchforeversolong，“saidGracetoAmy，astheysatdiscussingdollsandmakingteasetsoutoftheacorncups。
“MysisterBethisaveryfastidiousgirl，whenshelikestobe，“
saidAmy，wellpleasedatBeth’ssuccess。Shemeant`facinating’，butasGracedidn’tknowtheexactmeaningofeitherword，fastidioussoundedwellandmadeagoodimpression。
Animpromptucircus，foxandgeese，andanamicablegameofcroquetfinishedtheafternoon。Atsunsetthetentwasstruck，hamperspacked，wicketspulledup，boatsloaded，andthewholepartyfloateddowntheriver，singingatthetopsoftheirvoices。
Ned，gettingsentimental，warbledaserenadewiththepensiverefrain……
Alone，alone，ah!Woe，alone，andatthelines……
Weeachareyoung，weeachhaveaheart，Oh，whyshouldwestandthuscoldlyapart？
helookedatMegwithsuchalackadiasicalexpressionthatshelaughedoutrightandspoiledhissong。
“Howcanyoubesocrueltome？“hewhispered，undercoverofalivelychorus。“You’vekeptclosetothatstarched-upEnglishwomanallday，andnowyousnubme。“
“Ididn’tmeanto，butyoulookedsofunnyIreallycouldn’thelpit，“repliedMeg，passingoverthefirstpartofhisreproach，foritwasquitetruethatshehadshunnedhim，rememberingtheMoffatpartyandthetalkafterit。
NedwasoffendedandturnedtoSallieforconsolation，sayingtoherratherpettishly，“Thereisn’tabitofflirtinthatgirl，isthere？“
“Notaparticle，butshe’sadear，“returnedSallie，defendingherfriendevenwhileconfessinghershortcomings。
“She’snotastrickendeeranyway，“saidNed，tryingtobewitty，andsucceedingaswellasveryyounggentlemenusuallydo。
Onthelawnwhereithadgathered，thelittlepartyseparatedwithcordialgoodnightsandgood-bys，fortheVaughnsweregoingtoCanada。Asthefoursisterswenthomethroughthegarden，MissKatelookedafterthem，saying，withoutthepatronizingtoneinhervoice，“Inspiteoftheirdemonstrativemanners，Americangirlsareverynicewhenoneknowsthem。“
“Iquiteagreewithyou，“saidMr。Brooke。
Chapter13CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
LaurielayluxuriouslyswingingtoandfroinhishammockonewarmSeptemberafternoon，wonderingwhathisneighborswereabout，buttoolazytogoandfindout。Hewasinoneofhismoods，forthedayhadbeenbothunprofitableandunsatisfactory，andhewaswishinghecouldliveitoveragain。Thehotweathermadehimindolent，andhehadshirkedhisstudies，triedMr。
Brooke’spatiencetotheutmost，displeasedhisgrandfatherbypracticinghalftheafternoon，frightenedthemaidservantshalfoutoftheirwitsbymischievouslyhintingthatoneofhisdogswasgoingmad，and，afterhighwordswiththestablemanaboutsomefanciedneglectofhishorse，hehadflunghimselfintohishammocktofumeoverthestupidityoftheworldingeneral，tillthepeaceofthelovelydayquietedhiminspiteofhimself。
Staringupintothegreengloomofthehorse-chestnuttreesabovehim，hedreameddreamsofallsorts，andwasjustimagininghimselftossingontheoceaninavoyageroundtheworld，whenthesoundofvoicesbroughthimashoreinaflash。
Peepingthroughthemeshesofthehammock，hesawtheMarchescomingout，asifboundonsomeexpedition。
“Whatintheworldarethosegirlsaboutnow？“thoughtLaurie，openinghissleepyeyestotakeagoodlook，fortherewassomethingratherpeculiarintheappearanceofhisneighbors。Eachworealarge，flappinghat，abrownlinenpouchslungoveroneshoulder，andcarriedalongstaff。Meghadacushion，Joabook，Bethabasket，andAmyaportfolio。Allwalkedquietlythroughthegarden，outatthelittlebackgate，andbegantoclimbthehillthatlaybetweenthehouseandriver。
“Well，that’scool，“saidLaurietohimself，“tohaveapicnicandneveraskme!Theycan’tbegoingintheboat，fortheyhaven’tgotthekey。Perhapstheyforgotit。I’lltakeittothem，andseewhat’sgoingon。“
Thoughpossessedofhalfadozenhats，ittookhimsometimetofindone，thentherewasahuntforthekey，whichwasatlastdiscoveredinhispocket，sothatthegirlswerequiteoutofsightwhenleapedthefenceandranafterthem。Takingtheshortestwaytotheboathouse，hewaitedforthemtoappear，butnoonecame，andhewentupthehilltotakeanobservation。Agroveofpinescoveredonepartofit，andfromtheheartofthisgreenspotcameaclearersoundthanthesoftsighofthepinesorthedrowsychirpofthecrickets。