“I’llwait，andinthemeantime，youcouldbelearningtolikeme。Woulditbeaveryhardlesson，dear？“
“NotifIchosetolearnit，but……“
“Pleasechoosetolearn，Meg。Iloveyoutoteach，andthisiseasierthanGerman，“brokeinJohn，gettingpossessionoftheotherhand，sothatshehadnowayofhidingherfaceashebenttolookintoit。
Histonewasproperlybeseeching，butstealingashylookathim，Megsawthathiseyesweremerryaswellastender，andthatheworethesatisfiedsmileofonewhohadnodoubtofhissuccess。Thisnettledher。AnnieMoffat’sfoolishlessonsincoquetrycameintohermind，andtheloveofpower，whichsleepsinthebosomsofthebestoflittlewomen，wokeupallofasuddenandtookpossessionofher。Shefeltexcitedandstrange，andnotknowingwhatelsetodo，followedacapriciousimpulse，and，withdrawingherhands，saidpetulantly，“Idon’tchoose。Pleasegoawayandletmebe!“
PoorMr。Brookelookedasifhislovelycastleintheairwastumblingabouthisears，forhehadneverseenMeginsuchamoodbefore，anditratherbewilderedhim。
“Doyoureallymeanthat？“heaskedanxiously，followingherasshewalkedaway。
“Yes，Ido。Idon’twanttobeworriedaboutsuchthings。
FathersaysIneedn’t，it’stoosoonandI’drathernot。“
“Mayn’tIhopeyou’llchangeyourmindby-and-by？I’llwaitandsaynothingtillyouhavehadmoretime。Don’tplaywithme，Meg。Ididn’tthinkthatofyou。“
“Don’tthinkofmeatall。I’dratheryouwouldn’t，“saidMeg，takinganaughtysatisfactionintryingherlover’spatienceandherownpower。
Hewasgraveandpalenow，andlookeddecidedlymorelikethenovelheroeswhomsheadmired，butheneitherslappedhisforeheadnortrampedabouttheroomastheydid。Hejuststoodlookingathersowistfully，sotenderly，thatshefoundherheartrelentinginspiteofherself。WhatwouldhavehappenednextIcannotsay，ifAuntMarchhadnotcomehobblinginatthisinterestingminute。
Theoldladycouldn’tresistherlongingtoseehernephew，forshehadmetLaurieasshetookherairing，andhearingofMr。March’sarrival，drovestraightouttoseehim。Thefamilywereallbusyinthebackpartofthehouse，andshehadmadeherwayquietlyin，hopingtosurprisethem。ShedidsurprisetwoofthemsomuchthatMegstartedasifshehadseenaghost，andMr。Brookevanishedintothestudy。
“Blessme，what’sallthis？“criedtheoldladywitharapofhercaneassheglancedfromthepaleyounggentlemantothescarletyounglady。
“It’sFather’sfriend。I’msosurprisedtoseeyou!“stammeredMeg，feelingthatshewasinforalecturenow。
“That’sevident，“returnedAuntMarch，sittingdown。“ButwhatisFather’sfriendsayingtomakeyoulooklikeapeony？
There’smischiefgoingon，andIinsistuponknowingwhatitis，“withanotherrap。
“Wewereonlytalking。Mr。Brookecameforhisumbrella，“
beganMeg，wishingthatMr。Brookeandtheumbrellaweresafelyoutofthehouse。
“Brooke？Thatboy’stutor？Ah!Iunderstandnow。I
knowallaboutit。JoblunderedintoawrongmessageinoneofyourFather’sletters，andImadehertellme。Youhaven’tgoneandacceptedhim，child？“criedAuntMarch，lookingscandalized。
“Hush!He’llhear。Shan’tIcallMother？“saidMeg，muchtroubled。
“Notyet。I’vesomethingtosaytoyou，andImustfreemymindatonce。Tellme，doyoumeantomarrythisCook？Ifyoudo，notonepennyofmymoneyevergoestoyou。Rememberthat，andbeasensiblegirl，“saidtheoldladyimpressively。
NowAuntMarchpossessedinperfectiontheartofrousingthespiritofoppositioninthegentlestpeople，andenjoyeddoingit。Thebestofushaveaspiceofperversityinus，especiallywhenweareyoungandinlove。IfAuntMarchhadbeggedMegtoacceptJohnBrooke，shewouldprobablyhavedeclaredshecouldn’tthinkofit，butasshewaspreemptorilyorderednottolikehim，sheimmediatelymadeuphermindthatshewould。Inclinationaswellasperversitymadethedecisioneasy，andbeingalreadymuchexcited，Megopposedtheoldladywithunusualspirit。
“IshallmarrywhomIplease，AuntMarch，andyoucanleaveyourmoneytoanyoneyoulike，“shesaid，noddingherheadwitharesoluteair。
“Highty-tighty!Isthatthewayyoutakemyadvice，Miss？
You’llbesorryforitby-and-by，whenyou’vetriedloveinacottageandfounditafailure。“
“Itcan’tbeaworseonethansomepeoplefindinbighouses，“retortedMeg。
AuntMarchputonherglassesandtookalookatthegirl，forshedidnotknowherinthisnewmood。Meghardlyknewherself，shefeltsobraveandindependent，sogladtodefendJohnandassertherrighttolovehim，ifsheliked。AuntMarchsawthatshehadbegunwrong，andafteralittlepause，madeafreshstart，sayingasmildlyasshecould，“Now，Meg，mydear，bereasonableandtakemyadvice。Imeanitkindly，anddon’twantyoutospoilyourwholelifebymakingamistakeatthebeginning。Yououghttomarrywellandhelpyourfamily。
It’syourdutytomakearichmatchanditoughttobeimpresseduponyou。“
“FatherandMotherdon’tthinkso。TheylikeJohnthoughheispoor。“
“Yourparents，mydear，havenomoreworldlywisdomthanapairofbabies。“
“I’mgladofit，“criedMegstoutly。
AuntMarchtooknonotice，butwentonwithherlecture。
“ThisRookispoorandhasn’tgotanyrichrelations，hashe？“
“No，buthehasmanywarmfriends。“
“Youcan’tliveonfriends，tryitandseehowcoolthey’llgrow。Hehasn’tanybusiness，hashe？“
“Notyet。Mr。Laurenceisgoingtohelphim。“
“Thatwon’tlastlong。JamesLaurenceisacrotchetyoldfellowandnottobedependedon。Soyouintendtomarryamanwithoutmoney，position，orbusiness，andgoonworkingharderthanyoudonow，whenyoumightbecomfortableallyourdaysbymindingmeanddoingbetter？Ithoughtyouhadmoresense，Meg。“
“Icouldn’tdobetterifIwaitedhalfmylife!Johnisgoodandwise，he’sgotheapsoftalent，he’swillingtoworkandsuretogeton，he’ssoenergeticandbrave。Everyonelikesandrespectshim，andI’mproudtothinkhecaresforme，thoughI’msopoorandyoungandsilly，“saidMeg，lookingprettierthaneverinherearnestness。
“Heknowsyouhavegotrichrelations，child。That’sthesecretofhisliking，Isuspect。“
“AuntMarch，howdareyousaysuchathing？Johnisabovesuchmeanness，andIwon’tlistentoyouaminuteifyoutalkso，“
criedMegindignantly，forgettingeverythingbuttheinjusticeoftheoldlady’ssuspicions。“MyJohnwouldn’tmarryformoney，anymorethanIwould。Wearewillingtoworkandwemeantowait。
I’mnotafraidofbeingpoor，forI’vebeenhappysofar，andIknowI
shallbewithhimbecausehelovesme，andI……“
Megstoppedthere，rememberingallofasuddenthatshehadn’tmadeuphermind，thatshehadtold`herJohn’togoaway，andthathemightbeoverhearingherinconsistentremarks。
AuntMarchwasveryangry，forshehadsetherheartonhavingherprettyniecemakeafinematch，andsomethinginthegirl’shappyyoungfacemadethelonelyoldwomanfeelbothsadandsour。
“Well，Iwashmyhandsofthewholeaffair!Youareawillfulchild，andyou’velostmorethanyouknowbythispieceoffolly。
No，Iwon’tstop。I’mdisappointedinyou，andhaven’tspiritstoseeyourfathernow。Don’texpectanythingfrommewhenyouaremarried。YourMr。Book’sfriendsmusttakecareofyou。
I’mdonewithyouforever。“
AndslammingthedoorinMeg’sface，AuntMarchdroveoffinhighdudgeon。Sheseemedtotakeallthegirl’scouragewithher，forwhenleftalone，Megstoodforamoment，undecidedwhethertolaughorcry。Beforeshecouldmakeuphermind，shewastakenpossessionofbyMr。Brooke，whosaidallinonebreath，“Icouldn’thelphearing，Meg。Thankyoufordefendingme，andAuntMarchforprovingthatyoudocareformealittlebit。“
“Ididn’tknowhowmuchtillsheabusedyou，“beganMeg。
“AndIneedn’tgoaway，butmystayandbehappy，mayI，dear？“
Herewasanotherfinechancetomakethecrushingspeechandthestatelyexit，butMegneverthoughtofdoingeither，anddisgracedherselfforeverinJo’seyesbymeeklywhispering，“Yes，John，“andhidingherfaceonMr。Brooke’swaistcoat。
FifteenminutesafterAuntMarch’sdeparture，Jocamesoftlydownstairs，pausedaninstantattheparlordoor，andhearingnosoundwithin，noddedandsmiledwithasatisfiedexpression，sayingtoherself，“Shehasseenhimawayasweplanned，andthataffairissettled。I’llgoandhearthefun，andhaveagoodlaughoverit。“
ButpoorJonevergotherlaugh，forshewastransfixeduponthethresholdbyaspectaclewhichheldherthere，staringwithhermouthnearlyaswideopenashereyes。Goingintoexultoverafallenenemyandtopraiseastrong-mindedsisterforthebanishmentofanobjectionablelover，itcertainlywasashocktobeholdtheaforesaidenemyserenelysittingonthesofa，withthestrongmindedsisterenthroneduponhiskneeandwearinganexpressionofthemostabjectsubmission。Jogaveasortofgasp，asifacoldshowerbathhadsuddenlyfallenuponher，forsuchanunexpectedturningofthetablesactuallytookherbreathaway。Attheoddsoundtheloversturnedandsawher。Megjumpedup，lookingbothproudandshy，but`thatman’，asJocalledhim，actuallylaughedandsaidcoolly，ashekissedtheastonishednewcomer，“SisterJo，congratulateus!“
Thatwasaddinginsulttoinjury，itwasaltogethertoomuch，andmakingsomewilddemonstrationwithherhands，Jovanishedwithoutaword。Rushingupstairs，shestartledtheinvalidsbyexclaimingtragicallyassheburstintotheroom，“Oh，dosomebodygodownquick!JohnBrookeisactingdreadfully，andMeglikesit!“
Mr。andMrs。Marchlefttheroomwithspeed，andcastingherselfuponthebe，JocriedandscoldedtempestuouslyasshetoldtheawfulnewstoBethandAmy。Thelittlegirls，however，considereditamostagreeableandinterestingevent，andJogotlittlecomfortfromthem，soshewentuptoherrefugeinthegarret，andconfidedhertroublestotherats。
Nobodyeverknewwhatwentonintheparlorthatafternoon，butagreatdealoftalkingwasdone，andquietMr。Brookeastonishedhisfriendsbytheeloquenceandspiritwithwhichhepleadedhissuit，toldhisplans，andpersuadedthemtoarrangeeverythingjustashewantedit。
TheteabellrangbeforehehadfinisheddescribingtheparadisewhichhemeanttoearnforMeg，andheproudlytookherintosupper，bothlookingsohappythatJohadn’tthehearttobejealousordismal。
AmywasverymuchimpressedbyJohn’sdevotionandMeg’sdignity，Bethbeamedatthemfromadistance，whileMr。andMrs。MarchsurveyedtheyoungcouplewithsuchtendersatisfactionthatitwasperfectlyevidentAuntMarchwasrightincallingthemas`unworldlyasapairofbabies’。Nooneatemuch，buteveryonelookedveryhappy，andtheoldroomseemedtobrightenupamazinglywhenthefirstromanceofthefamilybeganthere。
“Youcan’tsaynothingpleasanteverhappensnow，canyou，Meg？“
saidAmy，tryingtodecidehowshewouldgrouptheloversinasketchshewasplanningtomake。
“No，I’msureIcan’t。HowmuchhashappenedsinceIsaidthat!
Itseemsayearago，“answeredMeg，whowasinablissfuldreamliftedfarabovesuchcommonthingsasbreadandbutter。
“Thejoyscomecloseuponthesorrowsthistime，andIratherthinkthechangeshavebegun，“saidMrs。March。“Inmostfamiliestherecomes，nowandthen，ayearfullofevents。Thishasbeensuchaone，butitendswell，afterall。“
“Hopethenextwillendbetter，“mutteredJo，whofounditveryhardtoseeMegabsorbedinastrangerbeforeherface，forJolovedafewpersonsverydearlyanddreadedtohavetheiraffectionlostorlessenedinanyway。
“Ihopethethirdyearfromthiswillendbetter。Imeanitshall，ifIlivetoworkoutmyplans，“saidMr。Brooke，smilingatMeg，asifeverythinghadbecomepossibletohimnow。
“Doesn’titseemverylongtowait？“askedAmy，whowasinahurryforthewedding。
“I’vegotsomuchtolearnbeforeIshallbeready，itseemsashorttimetome，“answeredMeg，withasweetgravityinherfaceneverseentherebefore。
“Youhaveonlytowait，Iamtodothework，“saidJohnbeginninghislaborsbypickingupMeg’snapkin，withanexpressionwhichcausedJotoshakeherhead，andthensaytoherselfwithanairofreliefasthefrontdoorbanged，“HerecomesLaurie。Nowweshallhavesomesensibleconversation。“
ButJowasmistaken，forLauriecameprancingin，overflowingwithgoodspirits，bearingagreatbridal-lookingbouquetfor`Mrs。
JohnBrooke’，andevidentlylaboringunderthedelusionthatthewholeaffairhadbeenbroughtaboutbyhisexcellentmanagement。
“IknewBrookewouldhaveitallhisownway，healwaysdoes，forwhenhemakesuphismindtoaccomplishanything，it’sdonethoughtheskyfalls，“saidLaurie，whenhehadpresentedhisofferingandhiscongratulations。
“Muchobligedforthatrecommendation。Itakeitasagoodomenforthefutureandinviteyoutomyweddingonthespot，“
answeredMr。Brooke，whofeltatpeacewithallmankind，evenhismischievouspupil。
“I’llcomeifI’mattheensoftheearth，forthesightofJo’sfacealoneonthatoccasionwouldbeworthalongjourney。
Youdon’tlookfestive，ma’am，what’sthematter？“askedLaurie，followingherintoacorneroftheparlor，whitherallhadadjournedtogreetMr。Laurence。
“Idon’tapproveofthematch，butI’vemadeupmymindtobearit，andshallnotsayawordagainstit，“saidJosolemnly。“Youcan’tknowhowharditisformetogiveupMeg，“shecontinuedwithalittlequiverinhervoice。
“Youdon’tgiveherup。Youonlygohalves，“saidLaurieconsolingly。
“Itcanneverbethesameagain。I’velostmydearestfriend，“
sighedJo。
“You’vegotme，anyhow。I’mnotgoodformuch，Iknow，butI’llstandbyyou，Jo，allthedaysofmylife。UponmywordI
will!“