“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。
Itwasveryprovokingtobearrestedintheactofafirsttryingon，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!I
don’tknowwhichisthemostabsurd。Well，I’llgoifImust，anddomybest。Youshallbecommanderoftheexpedition，andI’llobeyblindly，willthatsatisfyyou？“saidJo，withasuddenchangefromperversitytolamblikesubmission。
“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？I
liketoshowmyboots，formyfeetarepretty，thoughmynoseisn’t。“
“Youareathingofbeautyandajoyforever，“saidJo，lookingthroughherhandwiththeairofaconnoisseuratthebluefeatheragainstthegoldenhair。“AmItodragmybestdressthroughthedust，orloopitup，please，ma’am？“
“Holdityupwhenyouwalk，butdropitinthehouse。Thesweepingstylesuitsyoubest，andyoumustlearntotrailyourskirtsgracefully。Youhaven’thalfbuttonedonecuff，doitatonce。You’llneverlookfinishedifyouarenotcarefulaboutthelittledetails，fortheymakeyupthepleasingwhole。“
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。
A
knotofheadsgatheredabouther，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，bearlikebutaffectionate，anddearertoherthanthemostfaultlesscoiffurefromthehandsofaninspiredFrenchwoman。