Idon’tthinkIhaveanywordsinwhichtotellthemeetingofthemotheranddaughters。Suchhoursarebeautifultolive，butveryhardtodescribe，soIwillleaveittotheimaginationofmyreaders，merelysayingthatthehousewasfullofgenuinehappiness，andthatMeg’stenderhopewasrealized，forwhenBethwokefromthatlong，healingsleep，thefirstobjectsonwhichhereyesfellwerethelittleroseandMother’sface。Tooweaktowonderatanything，sheonlysmiledandnestledcloseinthelovingarmsabouther，feelingthatthehungrylongingwassatisfiedatlast。Thenshesleptagain，andthegirlswaitedupontheirmother，forshewouldnotunclaspthethinhandwhichclungtoherseveninsleep。
Hannahhad`dishedup’andastonishingbreakfastforthetraveler，findingitimpossibletoventherexcitementinanyotherway，andMegandJofedtheirmotherlikedutifulyoungstorks，whiletheylistenedtoherwhisperedaccountofFather’sstate，Mr。Brooke’spromisetostayandnursehim，thedelayswhichthestormoccasionedonthehomewardjourney，andtheunspeakablecomfortLaurie’shopefulfacehadgivenherwhenshearrived，wornoutwithfatigue，anxiety，andcold。
Whatastrangeyetpleasantdaythatwas。Sobrilliantandgaywithout，foralltheworldseemedabroadtowelcomethefirstsnow。Soquietandreposefulwithin，foreveryoneslept，spentwithwatching，andaSabbathstillnessreignedthroughthehouse，whilenoddingHannahmountedguardatthedoor。Withablissfulsenseofburdensliftedoff，MegandJoclosedtheirwearyeyes，andlayatrest，likestorm-beatenboatssafeatanchorinaquietharbor。Mrs。MarchwouldnotleaveBeth’sside，butrestedinthebigchair，wakingoftentolookat，touch，andbroodoverherchild，likeamiseroversomerecoveredtreasure。
LauriemeanwhilepostedofftocomfortAmy，andtoldhisstorysowellthatAuntMarchactually`sniffed’herself，andneveroncesaid“Itoldyouso“。AmycameoutsostrongonthisoccasionthatIthinkthegoodthoughtsinthelittlechapelreallybegantobearfruit。Shedriedhertearsquickly，restrainedherimpatiencetoseehermother，andnevereventhoughtoftheturquoisering，whentheoldladyheartilyagreedinLaurie’sopinion，thatshebehaved`likeacapitallittlewoman’。EvenPollyseemedimpressed，forhecalledheragoodgirl，blessedherbuttons，andbeggedherto“comeandtakeawalk，dear“，inhismostaffabletone。Shewouldverygladlyhavegoneouttoenjoythebrightwintryweather，butdiscoveringthatLauriewasdroppingwithsleepinspiteofmanfuleffortstoconcealthefact，shepersuadedhimtorestonthesofa，whileshewroteanotetohermother。Shewasalongtimeaboutit，andwhenshereturned，hewasstretchedoutwithbotharmsunderhishead，soundasleep，whileAuntMarchhadpulleddownthecurtainsandsatdoingnothinginanunusualfitofbenignity。
Afterawhile，theybegantothinkhewasnotgoingtowakeuptillnight，andI’mnotsurethathewould，hadhenotbeeneffectuallyrousedbyAmy’scryofjoyatsightofhermother。
Thereprobablywereagoodmanyhappylittlegirlsinandaboutthecitythatday，butitismyprivateopinionthatAmywasthehappiestofall，whenshesatinhermother’slapandtoldhertrials，receivingconsolationandcompensationintheshapeofapprovingsmilesandfondcaresses。Theywerealonetogetherinthechapel，towhichhermotherdidnotobjectwhenitspurposewasexplainedtoher。
“Onthecontrary，Ilikeitverymuch，dear，“lookingfromthedustyrosarytothewell-wornlittlebook，andthelovelypicturewithitsgarlandofevergreen。“Itisanexcellentplantohavesomeplacewherewecangotobequiet，whenthingsvexorgrieveus。Thereareagoodmanyhardtimesinthislifeofours，butwecanalwaysbearthemifweaskhelpintherightway。Ithinkmylittlegirlislearningthis。“
“Yes，Mother，andwhenIgohomeImeantohaveacornerinthebigclosettoputmybooksandthecopyofthatpicturewhichI’vetriedtomake。Thewoman’sfaceisnotgood，it’stoobeautifulformetodraw，butthebabyisdonebetter，andIloveitverymuch。IliketothinkHewasalittlechildonce，forthenIdon’tseemsofaraway，andthathelpsme。“
AsAmypointedtothesmilingChristchildonhisMother’sknee，Mrs。Marchsawsomethingontheliftedhandthatmadehersmile。Shesaidnothing，butAmyunderstoodthelook，andafteraminute’spause，sheaddedgravely，“Iwantedtospeaktoyouaboutthis，butIforgotit。Auntgavemetheringtoday。
Shecalledmetoherandkissedme，andputitonmyfinger，andsaidIwasacredittoher，andshe’dliketokeepmealways。
Shegavethatfunnyguardtokeeptheturquoiseon，asit’stoobig。I’dliketowearthemMother，canI？“
“Theyareverypretty，butIthinkyou’rerathertooyoungforsuchornaments，Amy，“saidMrs。March，lookingattheplumplittlehand，withthebandofsky-bluestonesontheforefinger，andthequaintguardformedoftwotinygoldenhandsclaspedtogether。
“I’lltrynottobevain，“saidAmy。“Idon’tthinkIlikeitonlybecauseit’ssopretty，butIwanttowearitasthegirlinthestoryworeherbracelet，toremindmeofsomething。“
“DoyoumeanAuntMarch？“askedhermother，laughing。
“No，toremindmenottobeselfish。“Amylookedsoearnestandsincereaboutitthathermotherstoppedlaughing，andlistenedrespectfullytothelittleplan。
“I’vethoughtagreatdeallatelyaboutmy`bundleofnaughties’，andbeingselfishisthelargestoneinit，soI’mgoingtotryhardtocureit，ifIcan。Bethisn’tselfish，andthat’sthereasoneveryonelovesherandfeelssobadatthethoughtsoflosingher。Peoplewouldn’tfeelsobataboutmeifIwassick，andIdon’tdeservetohavethem，butI’dliketobelovedandmissedbyagreatmanyfriends，soI’mgoingtotryandbelikeBethallIcan。I’mapttoforgetmyresolutions，butifIhadsomethingalwaysaboutmetoremindme，IguessIshoulddobetter。Maywetrythisway？“
“Yes，butIhavemorefaithinthecornerofthebigcloset。
Wearyourring，dear，anddoyourbest。Ithinkyouwillprosper，forthesincerewishtobegoodishalfthebattle。NowImustgobacktoBeth。Keepupyourheart，littledaughter，andwewillsoonhaveyouhomeagain。“
ThateveningwhileMegwaswritingtoherfathertoreportthetraveler’ssafearrival，JoslippedupstairsintoBeth’sroom，andfindinghermotherinherusualplace，stoodaminutetwistingherfingersinherhair，withaworriedgestureandanundecidedlook。
“Whatisit，deary？’askedMrs。March，holdingoutherhand，withafacewhichinvitedconfidence。
“Iwanttotellyousomething，Mother。“
“AboutMeg？“
“Howquicklyyouguessed!Yes，it’sabouther，andthoughit’salittlething，itfidgetsme。“
“Bethisasleep。Speaklow，andtellmeallaboutit。ThatMoffathasn’tbeenhere，Ihope？“askedMrs。Marchrathersharply。
“No。Ishouldhaveshutthedoorinhisfaceifhehad，“
saidJo，settlingherselfonthefloorathermother’sfeet。“LastsummerMegleftapairofglovesoverattheLaurences’andonlyonewasreturned。Weforgotaboutit，tillTeddytoldmethatMr。
BrookeownedthathelikedMegbutdidn’tdaresayso，shewassoyoungandhesopoor。Now，isn’titadreadfulstateofthings？“
“DoyouthinkMegcaresforhim？“askedMrs。March，withananxiouslook。
“Mercyme!Idon’tknowanythingaboutloveandsuchnonsense!“criedJo，withafunnymixtureofinterestandcontempt。
“Innovels，thegirlsshowitbystartingandblushing，faintingaway，growingthin，andactinglikefools。NowMegdoesnotdoanythingofthesort。Sheeatsanddrinksandsleepslikeasensiblecreature，shelooksstraightinmyfacewhenItalkaboutthatman，andonlyblushesalittlebitwhenTeddyjokesaboutlovers。Iforbidhimtodoit，buthedoesn’tmindmeasheought。“
“ThenyoufancythatMegisnotinterestedinJohn？’
“Who？“criedJo，staring。
“Mr。Brooke。Icallhim`John’now。Wefellintothewayofdoingsoatthehospital，andhelikesit。“
“Oh，dear!Iknowyou’lltakehispart。He’sbeengoodtoFather，andyouwon’tsendhimaway，butletMegmarryhim，ifshewantsto。Meanthing!TogopettingPapaandhelpingyou，justtowheedleyouintolikinghim。“AndJopulledherhairagainwithawrathfultweak。
“Mydear，don’tgetangryaboutit，andIwilltellyouhowithappened。JohnwentwithmeatMr。Laurence’srequest，andwassodevotedtopoorFatherthatwecouldn’thelpgettingfondofhim。HewasperfectlyopenandhonorableaboutMeg，forhetoldushelovedher，butwouldearnacomfortablehomebeforeheaskedhertomarryhim。Heonlywantedourleavetoloveherandworkforher，andtherighttomakeherlovehimifhecould。
Heisatrulyexcellentyoungman，andwecouldnotrefusetolistentohim，butIwillnotconsenttoMeg’sengagingherselfsoyoung。“
“Ofcoursenot。Itwouldbeidiotic!Iknewtherewasmischiefbrewing。Ifeltit，andnowit’sworsethanIimagined。
IjustwishIcouldmarryMegmyself，andkeephersafeinthefamily。“
ThisoddarrangementmadeMrs。Marchsmile，butshesaidgravely，“Jo，Iconfideinyouanddon’twishyoutosayanythingtoMegyet。WhenJohncomesback，andIseethemtogether，Icanjudgebetterofherfeelingstowardhim。“
“She’llseethosehandsomeeyesthatshetalksabout，andthenitwillbeallupwithher。She’sgotsuchasoftheart，itwillmeltlikebutterinthesunifanyonelookssentimentllyather。Shereadtheshortreportshesentmorethanshedidyourletters，andpinchedmewhenIspokeofit，andlikesbrowneyes，anddoesn’tthinkJohnanuglyname，andshe’llgoandfallinlove，andthere’sanendofpeaceandfun，andcozytimestogether。
Iseeitall!They’llgoloveringaroundthehouse，andweshallhavetododge。Megwillbeabsorbedandnogoodtomeanymore。
Brookewillscratchupafortunesomehow，carryheroff，andmakeaholeinthefamily，andIshallbreakmyheart，andeverythingwillbeabominablyuncomfortable。Oh，dearme!
Whyweren’tweallboys，thentherewouldn’tbeanybother。“
JoleanedherchinonherkneesinadisconsolateattitudeandshookherfistatthereprehensibleJohn。Mrs。Marchsighed，andJolookedupwithanairofrelief。
“Youdon’tlikeit，Mother？I’mgladofit。Let’ssendhimabouthisbusiness，andnottellMegawordofit，butallbehappytogetheraswealwayshavebeen。“
“Ididwrongtosigh，Jo。Itisnaturalandrightyoushouldallgotohomesofyourownintime，butIdowanttokeepmygirlsaslongasIcan，andIamsorrythatthishappenedsosoon，forMegisonlyseventeenanditwillbesomeyearsbeforeJohncanmakeahomeforher。YourfatherandIhaveagreedthatsheshallnotbindherselfinanyway，norbemarried，beforetwenty。IfsheandJohnloveoneanother，theycanwait，andtestthelovebydoingso。Sheisconscientious，andIhavenofearofhertreatinghimunkindly。Mypretty，tenderheartedgirl!I
hopethingswillgohappilywithher。“
“Hadn’tyouratherhavehermarryarichman？“askedJo，ashermother’svoicefalteredalittleoverthelastwords。
“Moneyisagoodandusefulthing，Jo，andIhopemygirlswillneverfeeltheneedofittoobitterlynotbetemptedbytoomuch。IshouldliketoknowthatJohnwasfirmlyestablishedinsomegoodbusiness，whichgavehimanincomelargeenoughtokeepfreefromdebtandmakeMegcomfortable。I’mnotambitiousforasplendidfortune，afashionableposition，oragreatnameformygirls。Ifrankandmoneycomewithloveandvirtue，also，Ishouldacceptthemgratefully，andenjoyyourgoodfortune，butIknow，byexperience，howmuchgenuinehappinesscanbehadinaplainlittlehouse，wherethedailybreadisearned，andsomeprivationsgivesweetnesstothefewpleasures。IamcontenttoseeMegbeginhumbly，forifIamnotmistaken，shewillberichinthepossessionofagoodman’sheart，andthatisbetterthanafortune。“
“Iunderstand，Mother，andquiteagree，butI’mdisappointedaboutMeg，forI’dplannedtohavehermarryTeddyby-and-byandsitinthelapofluxuryallherdays。Wouldn’titbenice？“
askedJo，lookingupwithabrighterface。
“Heisyoungerthanshe，youknow，“beganMrs。March，butJobrokein……
“Onlyalittle，he’soldforhisage，andtall，andcanbequitegrown-upinhismannersifhelikes。Thenhe’srichandgenerousandgood，andlovesusall，andIsayit’sapitymyplanisspoiled。“
“I’mafraidLaurieishardlygrown-upenoughforMeg，andaltogethertoomuchofaweathercockjustnowforanyonetodependon。Don’tmakeplans，Jo，butlettimeandtheirownheartsmateyourfriends。Wecan’tmeddlesafelyinsuchmatters，andhadbetternotget`romanticrubbish’asyoucallit，intoourheads，lestitspoilourfriendship。“
“Well，Iwon’t，butIhatetoseethingsgoingallcrisscrossandgettingsnarledup，whenapullherandasniptherewouldstraightenitout。Iwishwearingflatironsonourheadswouldkeepusfromgrowingup。Butbudswillberoses，andkittenscats，more’sthepity!“
“What’sthataboutflatironsandcats？“askedMeg，asshecreptintotheroomwiththefinishedletterinherhand。
“Onlyoneofmystupidspeeches。I’mgoingtobed。Come，Peggy，“saidJo，unfoldingherselflikeananimatedpuzzle。
“Quiteright，andbeautifullywritten。PleaseaddthatI
sendmylovetoJohn，“saidMrs。March，assheglancedovertheletterandgaveitback。
“Doyoucallhim`John’？“askedMeg，smiling，withherinnocenteyeslookingdownintohermother’s。
“Yes，hehasbeenlikeasontous，andweareveryfondofhim，“
repliedMrs。March，returningthelookwithakeenone。
“I’mgladofthat，heissolonely。Goodnight，Mother，dear。Itissoinexpressiblycomfortabletohaveyouhere，“
wasMeg’sanswer。
Thekisshermothergaveherwasaverytenderone，andasshewentaway，Mrs。Marchsaid，withamixtureofsatisfactionandregret，“ShedoesnotloveJohnyet，butwillsoonlearnto。