Buteventhatrefugeprovedunavailing，forhewasdeliveredovertotheenemy，witha“Begentlewithhim，John，“
whichstrucktheculpritwithdismay，forwhenMammadesertedhim，thenthejudgmentdaywasathand。Bereftofhiscake，defraudedofhisfrolic，andborneawaybyastronghandtothatdetestedbed，poorDemicouldnotrestrainhiswrath，butopenlydefiedPapa，andkickedandscreamedlustilyallthewayupstairs。Theminutehewasputintobedononeside，herolledoutontheother，andmadeforthedoor，onlytobeignominiouslycaughtupbythetailofhislittletogaandputbackagain，whichlivelyperformancewaskeptuptilltheyoungman’sstrengthgaveout，whenhedevotedhimselftoroaringatthetopofhisvoice。ThisvocalexerciseusuallyconqueredMeg，butJohnsatasunmovedasthepostwhichispopularlybelievedtobedeaf。Nocoaxing，nosugar，nolullaby，nostory，eventhelightwasputoutandonlytheredglowofthefireenlivenedthe`bigdark’whichDemiregardedwithcuriosityratherthanfear。Thisneworderofthingsdisgustedhim，andhehowleddismallyfor`Marmar’，ashisangrypassionssubsided，andrecollectionsofhistenderbondwomanreturnedtothecaptiveautocrat。TheplaintivewailwhichsucceededthepassionateroarwenttoMeg’sheart，andsheranuptosaybeseechingly……
“Letmestaywithhim，he’llbegoodnow，John。“
“No，mydear。I’vetoldhimhemustgotosleep，asyoubidhim，andhemust，ifIstayhereallnight。“
“Buthe’llcryhimselfsick，“pleadedMeg，reproachingherselffordesertingherboy。
“No，hewon’t，he’ssotiredhewillsoondropoffandthenthematterissettled，forhewillunderstandthathehasgottomind。Don’tinterfere，I’llmanagehim。“
“He’smychild，andIcan’thavehisspiritbrokenbyharshness。“
“He’smychild，andIwon’thavehistemperspoiledbyindulgence。Godown，mydear，andleavetheboytome。“
WhenJohnspokeinthatmasterfultone，Megalwaysobeyed，andneverregrettedherdocility。
“Pleaseletmekisshimonce，John？“
“Certainly。Demi，saygoodnighttoMamma，andlethergoandrest，forsheisverytiredwithtakingcareofyouallday。“
Megalwaysinsisteduponitthatthekisswonthevictory，forafteritwasgiven，Demisobbedmorequietly，andlayquitestillatthebottomofthebed，whitherhehadwriggledinhisanguishofmind。
“Poorlittleman，he’swornoutwithsleepandcrying。I’llcoverhimup，andthengoandsetMeg’sheartatrest。“thoughtJohn，creepingtothebedside，hopingtofindhisrebelliousheirasleep。
Buthewasn’t，forthemomenthisfatherpeepedathim，Demi’seyesopened，hislittlechinbegantoquiver，andheputuphisarms，sayingwithapenitenthiccough，“Me’sdood，now。“
SittingonthestairsoutsideMegwonderedatthelongsilencewhichfollowedtheuproar，andafterimaginingallsortsofimpossibleaccidents，sheslippedintotheroomtosetherfearsatrest。Demilayfastasleep，notinhisusualspreadeagleattitude，butinasubduedbunch，cuddledcloseinthecircleofhisfather’sarmandholdinghisfather’sfinger，asifhefeltthatjusticewastemperedwithmercy，andhadgonetosleepasadderandwiserbaby。Soheld，Johnhadwaitedwithawomanlypatiencetillthelittlehandrelaxeditshold，andwhilewaitinghadfallenasleep，moretiredbythattusslewithhissonthanwithhiswholeday’swork。
AsMegstoodwatchingthetwofacesonthepillow，shesmiledtoherself，andthenslippedawayagain，sayinginasatisfiedtone，“IneverneedfearthatJohnwillbetooharshwithmybabies。Hedoesknowhowtomanagethem，andwillbeagreathelp，forDemiisgettingtoomuchforme。“
WhenJohncamedownatlast，expectingtofindapensiveorreproachfulwife，hewasagreeablysurprisedtofindMegplacidlytrimmingabonnet，andtobegreetedwiththerequesttoreadsomethingabouttheelection，ifhewasnottootired。Johnsawinaminutethatarevolutionofsomekindwasgoingon，butwiselyaskednoquestions，knowingthatMegwassuchatransparentlittleperson，shecouldn’tkeepasecrettosaveherlife，andthereforethecluewouldsoonappear。Hereadalongdebatewiththemostamiablereadinessandthenexplaineditinhismostlucidmanner，whileMegtriedtolookdeeplyinterested，toaskintelligentquestions，andkeepherthoughtsfromwanderingfromthestateofthenationtothestateofherbonnet。Inhersecretsoul，however，shedecidedthatpoliticswereasbadasmathematics，andthethemissionofpoliticiansseemedtobecallingeachothernames，butshekeptthesefeminineideastoherself，andwhenJohnpaused，shookherheadandsaidwithwhatshethoughtdiplomaticambiguity，“Well，Ireallydon’tseewhatwearecomingto。“
Johnlaughed，andwatchedherforaminute，asshepoisedaprettylittlepreparationoflaceandflowersonherhand，andregardeditwiththegenuineinterestwhichhisharanguehadfailedtowaken。
“Sheistryingtolikepoliticsformysake，soI’lltryandlikemillineryforhers，that’sonlyfair，“thoughtJohntheJust，addingaloud，“That’sverypretty。Isitwhatyoucallabreakfastcap？“
“Mydearman，it’sabonnet!Myverybestgo-to-concert-and-theaterbonnet。“
“Ibegyourpardon，itwassosmall，Inaturallymistookitforoneoftheflyawaythingsyousometimeswear。
Howdoyoukeepiton？“
“Thesebitsoflacearefastenedunderthechinwitharosebud，so。“
AndMegillustratedbyputtingonthebonnetandregardinghimwithanairofcalmsatisfactionthatwasirresistible。
“It’saloveofabonnet，butIpreferthefaceinside，foritlooksyoungandhappyagain。“AndJohnkissedthesmilingface，tothegreatdetrimentoftherosebudunderthechin。
“I’mgladyoulikeit，forIwantyoutotakemetooneofthenewconcertssomenight。Ireallyneedsomemusictoputmeintune。Willyou，please？“
“OfcourseIwill，withallmyheart，oranywhereelseyoulike。Youhavebeenshutupsolong，itwilldoyounoendofgood，andIshallenjoyit，ofallthings。Whatputitintoyourhead，littlemother？“
“Well，IhadatalkwithMarmeetheotherday，andtoldherhownervousandcrossandoutofsortsIfelt，andshesaidIneededchangeandlesscare，soHannahistohelpmewiththechildren，andI’mtoseetothingsaboutthehousemore，andnowandthenhavealittlefun，justtokeepmefromgettingtobeafidgety，broken-downoldwomanbeforemytime。It’sonlyanexperiment，John，andIwanttotryitforyoursakeasmuchasformine，becauseI’veneglectedyoushamefullylately，andI’mgoingtomakehomewhatitusedtobe，ifI
can。Youdon’tobject，Ihope？“
NevermindwhatJohnsaid，orwhataverynarrowescapethelittlebonnethadfromutterruin。AllthatwehaveanybusinesstoknowisthatJohndidnotappeartoobject，judgingfromthechangeswhichgraduallytookplaceinthehouseanditsinmates。ItwasnotallParadisebyanymeans，buteveryonewasbetterforthedivisionoflaborsystem。Thechildrenthroveunderthepaternalrule，foraccurate，stedfastJohnbroughtorderandobedienceintoBabydom，whileMegrecoveredherspiritsandcomposedhernervesbyplentyofwholesomeexercise，alittlepleasure，andmuchconfidentialconversationwithhersensiblehusband。Homegrewhomelikeagain，andJohnhadnowishtoleaveit，unlesshetookMegwithhim。TheScottscametotheBrookes’now，andeveryonefoundthelittlehouseacheerfulplace，fullofhappiness，content，andfamilylove。EvenSallieMoffattlikedtogothere。“Itisalwayssoquietandpleasanthere，itdoesmegood，Meg，“sheusedtosay，lookingaboutherwithwistfuleyes，asiftryingtodiscoverthecharm，thatshemightuseitinhergreathouse，fullofsplendidlonliness，fortherewerenoriotous，sunny-facedbabiesthere，andNedlivedinaworldoflisown，wheretherewasnoplaceforher。
Thishouseholdhappinessdidnotcomeallatonce，butJohnandMeghadfoundthekeytoit，andeachyearofMarriedlifetaughtthemhowtouseit，unlockingthetreasuriesofrealhomeloveandmutualhelpfulness，whichthepoorestmaypossess，andtherichestcannotbuy。Thisisthesortofshelfonwhichyoungwivesandmothersmayconsenttobelaid，safefromtherestlessfretandfeveroftheworld，findingloyalloversinthelittlesonsanddaughterswhoclingtothem，undauntedbysorrow，poverty，orage，walkingsidebyside，throughfairandstormyweather，withafaithfulfriend，whois，inthetruesenseofthegoodoldSaxonword，the`house-band’，andlearning，asMeglearned，thatawoman’shappiestkingdomishome，herhighesthonortheartofrulingitnotasaqueen，butasawisewifeandmother。
LauriewenttoNiceintendingtostayaweek，andremainedamonth。Hewastiredofwanderingaboutalone，andAmy’sfamiliarpresenceseemedtogiveahomelikecharmtotheforeignscenesinwhichsheboreapart。Herathermissedthe`petting’heusedtoreceive，andenjoyedatasteofitagain，fornoattentions，howeverflattering，fromstrangers，werehalfsopleasantasthesisterlyadorationofthegirlsathome。Amyneverwouldpethimliketheothers，butshewasverygladtoseehimnow，andquiteclungtohim，feelingthathewastherepresentativeofthedearfamilyforwhomshelongedmorethanshewouldconfess。Theynaturallytookcomfortineachother’ssocietyandweremuchtogether，riding，walking，dancing，ordawdling，foratNicenoonecanbeveryindustriousduringthegayseason。But，whileapparentlyamusingthemselvesinthemostcarelessfashion，theywerehalf-consciouslymakingdiscoveriesandformingopinionsabouteachother。Amyrosedailyintheestimationofherfriend，buthesankinhers，andeachfeltthetruthbeforeawordwasspoken。Amytriedtoplease，andsucceeded，forshewasgratefulforthemanypleasureshegaveher，andrepaidhimwiththelittleservicestowhichwomanlywomenknowhowtolendanindescribablecharm。Lauriemadenoeffortofanykind，butjustlethimselfdriftalongascomfortablyaspossible，tryingtoforget，andfeelingthatallwomenowedhimakindwordbecauseonehadbeencoldtohim。Itcosthimnoefforttobegenerous，andhewouldhavegivenAmyallthetrinketsinNiceifshewouldhavetakenthem，butatthesametimehefeltthathecouldnotchangetheopinionshewasformingofhim，andheratherdreadedthekeenblueeyesthatseemedtowatchhimwithsuchhalf-sorrowful，half-scornfulsurprise。
“AlltheresthavegonetoMonacofortheday。Ipreferredtostayathomeandwriteletters。Theyaredonenow，andIamgoingtoValrosatosketch，willyoucome？’saidAmy，asshejoinedLaurieonelovelydaywhenheloungedinasusualaboutnoon。
“Well，yes，butisn’titratherwarmforsuchalongwalk？“
heansweredslowly，fortheshadedsalonlookedinvitingaftertheglarewithout。
“I’mgoingtohavethelittlecarriage，andBaptistecandrive，soyou’llhavenothingtodobutholdyourumbrella，andkeepyourglovesnice，“returnedAmy，withasarcasticglanceattheimmaculatekids，whichwereaweakpointwithLaurie。
“ThenI’llgowithpleasure。“Andheputouthishandforhersketchbook。Butshetuckeditunderherarmwithasharp……
“Don’ttroubleyourself。It’snoexertiontome，butyoudon’tlookequaltoit。“
Laurieliftedhiseyebrowsandfollowedataleisurelypaceassherandownstairs，butwhentheygotintothecarriagehetookthereinshimself，andleftlittleBaptistenothingtodobutfoldhisarmsandfallasleeponhisperch。
Thetwoneverquarreled。Amywastoowell-bred，andjustnowLauriewastoolazy，soinaminutehepeepedunderherhatbrimwithaninquiringair。Sheansweredhimwithasmile，andtheywentontogetherinthemostamicablemanner。
Itwasalovelydrive，alongwindingroadsrichinthepicturesquescenesthatdelightbeauty-lovingeyes。Hereanancientmonastery，whencethesolemnchantingofthemonkscamedowntothem。Thereabare-leggedshepherd，inwoodenshoes，pointedhat，androughjacketoveroneshoulder，satpipingonastonewhilehisgoatsskippedamongtherocksorlayathisfeet。Meek，mouse-coloreddonkeys，ladenwithpanniersoffreshlycutgrasspassedby，withaprettygirlinacapalinesittingbetweenthegreenpiles，oranoldwomanspinningwithadistaffasshewent。
Brown，soft-eyedchildrenranoutfromthequaintstonehovelstooffernosegays，orbunchesoforangesstillonthebough。
Gnarledolivetreescoveredthehillswiththeirduskyfoliage，fruithunggoldenintheorchard，andgreatscarletanemonesfringedtheroadside，whilebeyondgreenslopesandcraggyheights，theMaritimeAlpsrosesharpandwhiteagainsttheblueItaliansky。
Valrosawelldeserveditsname，forinthatclimateofperpetualsummerrosesblossomedeverywhere。Theyoverhungthearchway，thrustthemselvesbetweenthebarsofthegreatgatewithasweetwelcometopassers-by，andlinedtheavenue，windingthroughlemontreesandfeatherypalmsuptothevillaonthehill。
Everyshadowynook，whereseatsinvitedonetostopandrest，wasamassofbloom，everycoolgrottohaditsmarblenymphsmilingfromaveilofflowersandeveryfountainreflectedcrimson，white，orpalepinkroses，leaningdowntosmileattheirownbeauty。
Rosescoveredthewallsofthehouse，drapedthecornices，climbedthepillars，andranriotoverthebalustradeofthewideterrace，whenceonelookeddownonthesunnyMediterranean，andthewhite-walledcityonitsshore。
“Thisisaregularhoneymoonparadise，isn’tit？Didyoueverseesuchroses？“askedAmy，pausingontheterracetoenjoytheview，andaluxuriouswhiffofperfumethatcamewanderingby。
“No，norfeltsuchthorns，“returnedLaurie，withhisthumbinhismouth，afteravainattempttocaptureasolitaryscarletflowerthatgrewjustbeyondhisreach。
“Trylowerdown，andpickthosethathavenothorns，“saidAmy，gatheringthreeofthetinycream-coloredonesthatstarredthewallbehindher。Sheputtheminhisbuttonholeasapeaceoffering，andhestoodaminutelookingdownatthemwithacuriousexpression，forintheItalianpartofhisnaturetherewasatouchofsuperstition，andhewasjusttheninthatstateofhalf-sweet，half-bittermelancholy，whenimaginativeyoungmenfindsignificanceintriflesandfoodforromanceeverywhere。
HehadthoughtofJoinreachingafterthethornyredrose，forvividflowersbecameher，andshehadoftenwornoneslikethatfromthegreenhouseathome。ThepalerosesAmygavehimwerethesortthattheItalianslayindeadhands，neverinbridalwreaths，andforamomenthewonderediftheomenwasforJoorforhimself，butthenextinstanthisAmericancommonsensegotthebetterofsentimentality，andhelaughedaheartierlaughthanAmyhadheardsincehecame。
“It’sgoodadvice，you’dbettertakeitandsaveyourfingers，“
shesaid，thinkingherspeechamusedhim。
“Thankyou，Iwill，“heansweredinjest，andafewmonthslaterhediditinearnest。
“Laurie，whenareyougoingtoyourgrandfather？“sheaskedpresently，asshesettledherselfonarusticseat。
“Verysoon。“
“Youhavesaidthatadozentimeswithinthelastthreeweeks。“
“Idaresay，shortanswerssavetrouble。“
“Heexpectsyou，andyoureallyoughttogo。“
“Hospitablecreature!Iknowit。“
“Thenwhydon’tyoudoit？“
“Naturaldepravity，Isuppose。“