“IfIwasaboy，we’drunawaytogether，andhaveacapitaltime，butasI’mamiserablegirl，Imustbeproperandstopathome。
Don’ttemptme，Teddy，it’sacrazyplan。“
“That’sthefunofit，“beganLaurie，whohadgotawillfulfitonhimandwaspossessedtobreakoutofboundsinsomeway。
“Holdyourtongue!“criedJo，coveringherears。“`Prunesandprisms’aremydoom，andImayaswellmakeupmymindtoit。Icameheretomoralize，nottohearthingsthatmakemeskiptothinkof。“
“IknowMegwouldwet-blanketsuchaproposal，butI
thoughtyouhadmorespirit，“beganLaurieinsinuatingly。
“Badboy，bequiet!Sitdownandthinkofyourownsins，don’tgomakingmeaddtomine。IfIgetyourgrandpatoapologizefortheshaking，willyougiveuprunningaway？“
askedJoseriously。
“Yes，butyouwon’tdoit，“answeredLaurie，whowishedtomakeup，butfeltthathisoutrageddignitymustbeappeasedfirst。
“IfIcanmanagetheyoungone，Icantheoldone，“mutteredJo，asshewalkedaway，leavingLauriebentoverarailroadmapwithhisheadproppeduponbothhands。
“Comein!“AndMr。Laurence’sgruffvoicesoundedgrufferthanever，asJotappedathisdoor。
“It’sonlyme，Sir，cometoreturnabook，“shesaidblandly，assheentered。
“Wantanymore？“askedtheoldgentleman，lookinggrimandvexed，buttryingnottoshowit。
“Yes，please。IlikeoldSamsowell，IthinkI’lltrythesecondvolume，“returnedJo，hopingtopropitiatehimbyacceptingaseconddoseofBoswell’sJohnson，ashehadrecommendedthatlivelywork。
TheshaggyeyebrowsunbentalittleasherolledthestepstowardtheshelfwheretheJohnsonianliteraturewasplaced。Joskippedup，andsittingonthetopstep，affectedtobesearchingforherbook，butwasreallywonderinghowbesttointroducethedangerousobjectofhervisit。Mr。Laurenceseemedtosuspectthatsomethingwasbrewinginhermind，foraftertakingseveralbriskturnsabouttheroom，hefacedroundonher，speakingsoabruptlythatRasselastumbledfacedownwardonthefloor。
“Whathasthatboybeenabout？Don’ttrytoshieldhim。
I
knowhehasbeeninmischiefbythewayheactedwhenhecamehome。Ican’tgetawordfromhim，andwhenIthreatenedtoshakethetruthoutofhimheboltedupstairsandlockedhimselfintohisroom。“
“Hedidwrong，butweforgavehim，andallpromisednottosayawordtoanyone，“beganJoreluctantly。
“Thatwon’tdo。Heshallnotshelterhimselfbehindapromisefromyousoftheartedgirls。Ifhe’sdoneanythingamiss，heshallconfess，begpardon，andbepunished。Outwithit，Jo。
Iwon’tbekeptinthedark。“
Mr。LaurencelookedsoalarmingandspokesosharplythatJowouldhavegladlyrunaway，ifshecould，butshewasperchedaloftonthesteps，andhestoodatthefoot，alioninthepath，soshehadtostayandbraveitout。
“Indeed，Sir，Icannottell。Motherforbadeit。Lauriehasconfessed，askedpardon，andbeenpunishedquiteenough。Wedon’tkeepsilencetoshieldhim，butsomeoneelse，anditwillmakemoretroubleifyouinterfere。Pleasedon’t。Itwaspartlymyfault，butit’sallrightnow。Solet’sforgetit，andtalkabouttheRAMBLERorsomethingpleasant。“
“HangtheRAMBLER!Comedownandgivemeyourwordthatthisharum-scarumboyofminehasn’tdoneanythingungratefulorimpertinent。Ifhehas，afterallyourkindnesstohim，I’llthrashhimwithmyownhands。“
Thethreatsoundedawful，butdidnotalarmJo，forsheknewtheirascibleoldgentlemanwouldneverliftafingeragainsthisgrandson，whateverhemightsaytothecontrary。Sheobedientlydescended，andmadeaslightoftheprankasshecouldwithoutbetrayingMegorforgettingthetruth。
“Hum……ha……well，iftheboyheldhistonguebecausehepromised，andnotfromobstinacy，I’llforgivehim。
He’sastubbornfellowandhardtomanage，“saidMr。Laurence，rubbinguphishairtillitlookedasifhehadbeenoutinagale，andsmoothingthefrownfromhisbrowwithanairofrelief。
“SoamI，butakindwordwillgovernmewhenalltheking’shorsesandalltheking’smencouldn’t，“saidJo，tryingtosayakindwordforherfriend，whoseemedtogetoutofonescrapeonlytofallintoanother。
“YouthinkI’mnotkindtohim，hey？“wasthesharpanswer。
“Oh，dearno，Sir。Youarerathertookindsometimes，andthenjustatriflehastywhenhetriesyourpatience。Don’tyouthinkyouare？“
Jowasdeterminedtohaveitoutnow，andtriedtolookquiteplacid，thoughshequakedalittleafterherboldspeech。
Tohergreatreliefandsurprise，theoldgentlemanonlythrewhisspectaclesontothetablewitharattleandexclaimedfrankly，“You’reright，girl，Iam!Ilovetheboy，buthetriesmypatiencepastbearing，andIknowhowitwillend，ifwegoonso。“
“I’lltellyou，he’llrunaway。“Jowassorryforthatspeechtheminuteitwasmade。ShemeanttowarnhimthatLauriewouldnotbearmuchrestraint，andhopedhewouldbemoreforebearingwiththelad。
Mr。Laurence’sruddyfacechangedsuddenly，andhesatdown，withatroubledglanceatthepictureofahandsomeman，whichhungoverhistable。ItwasLaurie’sfather，whohadrunawayinhisyouth，andmarriedagainsttheimperiousoldman’swill。
Jofanciedherrememberedandregrettedthepast，andshewishedshehadheldhertongue。
“Hewon’tdoitunlessheisverymuchworried，andonlythreatensitsometimes，whenhegetstiredofstudying。IoftenthinkIshouldliketo，especiallysincemyhairwascut，soifyouevermissus，youmayadvertisefortwoboysandlookamongtheshipsboundforIndia。“
Shelaughedasshespoke，andMr。Laurencelookedrelieved，evidentlytakingthewholeasajoke。
“Youhussy，howdareyoutalkinthatway？Where’syourrespectforme，andyourproperbringingup？Blesstheboysandgirls!Whattormentstheyare，yetwecan’tdowithoutthem，“hesaid，pinchinghercheeksgood-humoredly。“Goandbringthatboydowntohisdinner，tellhimit’sallright，andadvisehimnottoputontragedyairswithhisgrandfather。I
won’tbearit。“
“Hewon’tcome，Sir。Hefeelsbadlybecauseyoudidn’tbelievehimwhenhesaidhecouldn’ttell。Ithinktheshakinghurthisfeelingsverymuch。“
Jotriedtolookpatheticbutmusthavefailed，forMr。
Laurencebegantolaugh，andsheknewthedaywaswon。
“I’msorryforthat，andoughttothankhimfornotshakingme，Isuppose。Whatthedickensdoesthefellowexpect？“Andtheoldgentlemanlookedatrifleashamedofhisowntestiness。
“IfIwereyou，I’dwritehimanapology，Sir。Hesayshewon’tcomedowntillhehasone，andtalksaboutWashington，andgoesoninanabsurdway。Aformalapologywillmakehimseehowfoolishheis，andbringhimdownquiteamiable。Tryit。
Helikesfun，andthiswasisbetterthantalking。I’llcarryitup，andteachhimhisduty。“
Mr。Laurencegaveherasharplook，andputonhisspectacles，sayingslowly，“You’reaslypuss，butIdon’tmindbeingmanagedbyyouandBeth。Here，givemeabitofpaper，andletushavedonewiththisnonsense。“
Thenotewaswritteninthetermswhichonegentlemanwouldusetoanotherafterofferingsomedeepinsult。JodroppedakissonthetopofMr。Laurence’sbaldhead，andranuptosliptheapologyunderLaurie’sdoor，advisinghimthroughthekeyholetobesubmissive，decorous，andafewotheragreeableimpossibilities。
Findingthedoorlockedagain，sheleftthenotetodoitswork，andwasgoingquietlyaway，whentheyounggentlemansliddownthebanisters，andwaitedforheratthebottom，saying，withhismostvirtuousexpressionofcountenance，“Whatagoodfellowyouare，Jo!Didyougetblownup？“headded，laughing。
“No，hewasprettymild，onthewhole。“
“AH!Igotitallround。Evenyoucastmeoffoverthere，andIfeltjustreadytogotothedeuce，“hebeganapologetically。
“Don’ttalkthatway，turnoveranewleafandbeginagain，Teddy，myson。“
“Ikeepturningovernewleaves，andspoilingthem，asI
usedtospoilmycopybooks，andImakesomanybeginningsthereneverwillbeanend，“hesaiddolefully。
“Goandeatyourdinner，you’llfeelbetterafterit。Menalwayscroakwhentheyarehungry，“andJowhiskedoutatthefrontdoorafterthat。
“That’sa`label’onmy`sect’，“answeredLaurie，quotingAmy，ashewenttopartakeofhumblepiedutifullywithhisgrandfather，whowasquitesaintlyintemperandoverwhelminglyrespectfulinmanneralltherestoftheday。
Everyonethoughtthematterendedandthelittlecloudblownover，butthemischiefwasdone，forthoughothersforgotit，Megremembered。Sheneveralludedtoacertainperson，butshethoughtofhimagooddeal，dreameddreamsmorethanever，andonceJo，rummaginghersister’sdeskforstamps，foundabitofpaperscribbledoverwiththewords，`Mrs。JohnBrooke’，whereatshegroanedtragicallyandcastitintothefire，feelingthatLaurie’sprankhadhastenedtheevildayforher。
Chapter22CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
Likesunshineafterastormwerethepeacefulweekswhichfollowed。Theinvalidsimprovedrapidly，andMr。Marchbegantotalkorreturningearlyinthenewyear。Bethwassoonabletolieonthestudysofaallday，amusingherselfwiththewell-belovedcatsatfirst，andintimewithdoll’ssewing，whichhadfallensadlybehindhand。HeronceactivelimbsweresostiffandfeeblethatJotookherforadailyairingaboutthehouseinherstrongarms。Megcheerfullyblackenedandburnedherwhitehandscookingdelicatemessesfor`thedear’，whileAmy，aloyalslaveofthering，celebratedherreturnbygivingawayasmanyofhertreasuresasshecouldprevailonhersisterstoaccept。
AsChristmasapproached，theusualmysteriesbegantohauntthehouse，andJofrequentlyconvulsedthefamilybyproposingutterlyimpossibleormagnificentlyabsurdceremonies，inhonorofthisunusuallymerryChristmas。Lauriewasequallyimpracticable，andwouldhavehadbonfires，skyrockets，andtriumphalarches，ifhehadhadhisownway。Aftermanyskirmishesandsnubbings，theambitiouspairwereconsideredeffectuallyquenchedandwentaboutwithforlornfaces，whichwereratherbeliedbyexplosionsoflaughterwhenthetwogottogether。
SeveraldaysofunusuallymildweatherfitlyusheredinasplendidChristmasDay。Hannah`feltinherbones’thatitwasgoingtobeanunusuallyfineday，andsheprovedherselfatrueprophetess，foreverybodyandeverythingseemedboundtoproduceagrandsuccess。Tobeginwith，Mr。Marchwrotethatheshouldsoonbewiththem，thenBethfeltuncommonlywellthatmorning，and，beingdressedinhermother’sgift，asoftcrimsonmerinowrapper，wasborneinhightriumphtothewindowtobeholdtheofferingofJoandLaurie。TheUnquenchableshaddonetheirbesttobeworthyofthename，forlikeelvestheyhadworkedbynightandconjuredupacomicalsurprise。Outinthegardenstoodastatelysnowmaiden，crownedwithholly，bearingabasketoffruitandflowersinonehand，agreatrollofmusicintheother，aperfectrainbowofanAfghanroundherchillyshoulders，andaChristmascarolissuingfromherlipsonapinkpaperstreamer。
THEJUNGFRAUTOBETH
Godblessyou，dearQueenBess!
Maynothingyoudismay，ButhealthandpeaceandhappinessBeyours，thisChristmasday。
Here’sfruittofeedourbusybee，Andflowersforhernose。
Here’smusicforherpianee，Anafghanforhertoes，AportraitofJoanna，see，ByRaphaelNo。2，WholabouredwithgreatindustryTomakeitfairandtrue。
Acceptaribbonred，Ibeg，ForMadamPurrer’stail，AndicecreammadebylovelyPeg，AMontBlancinapail。
TheirdearestlovemymakerslaidWithinmybreastofsnow。
Acceptit，andtheAlpinemaid，FromLaurieandfromJo。
HowBethlaughedwhenshesawit，howLaurieranupanddowntobringinthegifts，andwhatridiculousspeechesJomadeasshepresentedthem。
“I’msofullofhappiness，thatifFatherwasonlyhere，I
couldn’tholdonedropmore，“saidBeth，quitesighingwithcontentmentasJocarriedherofftothestudytorestaftertheexcitement，andtorefreshherselfwithsomeofthedeliciousgrapesthe`Jungfrau’hadsenther。
“SoamI，“addedJo，slappingthepocketwhereinreposedthelong-desiredUNDINEANDSINTRAM。
“I’msureIam，“echoedAmy，poringovertheengravedcopyoftheMadonnaandChild，whichhermotherhadgivenherinaprettyframe。
“OfcourseIam!“criedMeg，smoothingthesilveryfoldsofherfirstsilddress，forMr。Laurencehadinsistedongivingit。
“HowcanIbeotherwise？“saidMrs。Marchgratefully，ashereyeswentfromherhusband’slettertoBeth’ssmilingface，andherhandcarressedthebroochmadeofgrayandgolden，chestnutanddarkbrownhair，whichthegirlshadjustfastenedonherbreast。
Nowandthen，inthisworkadayworld，thingsdohappeninthedelightfulstorybookfashion，andwhatacomfortitis。Halfanhouraftereveryonehadsaidtheyweresohappytheycouldonlyholdonedropmore，thedropcame。Laurieopenedtheparlordoorandpoppedhisheadinveryquietly。HemightjustaswellhaveturnedasomersaultandutteredanIndianwarwhoop，forhisfacewassofullofsuppressedexcitementandhisvoicesotreacherouslyjoyfulthateveryonejumpedup，thoughheonlysaid，inaqueer，breathlessvoice，“Here’sanotherChristmaspresentfortheMarchfamily。“
Beforethewordswerewelloutofhismouth，hewaswhiskedawaysomehow，andinhisplaceappearedatallman，muffleduptotheeyes，leaningonthearmofanothertallman，whotriedtosaysomethingandcouldn’t。Ofcoursetherewasageneralstampede，andforseveralminuteseverybodyseemedtolosetheirwits，forthestrangestthingsweredone，andnoonesaidaword。
Mr。Marchbecameinvisibleintheembraceoffourpairsoflovingarms。Jodisgracedherselfbynearlyfaintingaway，andhadtobedoctoredbyLaurieinthechinacloset。Mr。BrookekissedMegentirelybymistake，ashesomewhatincoherentlyexplained。AndAmy，thedignified，tumbledoverastool，andneverstoppingtogetup，huggedandcriedoverherfather’sbootsinthemosttouchingmanner。Mrs。Marchwasthefirsttorecoverherself，andheldupherhandwithawarning，“Hush!RememberBeth。“
Butitwastoolate。Thestudydoorflewopen，thelittleredwrapperappearedonthethreshold，joyputstrengthintothefeeblelimbs，andBethranstraightintoherfather’sarms。Nevermindwhathappenedjustafterthat，forthefullheartsoverflowed，washingawaythebitternessofthepastandleavingonlythesweetnessofthepresent。
Itwasnotatallromantic，butaheartylaughseteverybodystraightagain，forHannahwasdiscoveredbehindthedoor，sobbingoverthefatturkey，whichshehadforgottentoputdownwhensherushedupfromthekitchen。Asthelaughsubsided，Mrs。MarchbegantothankMr。Brookeforhisfaithfulcareofherhusband，atwhichMr。BrookesuddenlyrememberedthatMr。Marchneededrest，andseizingLaurie，heprecipitatelyretired。Thenthetwoinvalidswereorderedtorepose，whichtheydid，bybothsittinginonebigchairandtalkinghard。