“ThateverIshouldlivetoseeyouahenpeckedhusbandandenjoyingit!“criedJo，withupliftedhands。
ItwasgoodtoseeLauriesquarehisshoulders，andsmilewithmasculinescornatthatinsinuation，ashereplied，withhis“highandmighty“air，“Amyistoowell-bredforthat，andIamnotthesortofmantosubmittoit。MywifeandIrespectourselvesandoneanothertoomuchevertotyrannizeorquarrel。“
Jolikethat，andthoughtthenewdignityverybecoming，buttheboyseemedchangingveryfastintotheman，andregretmingledwithherpleasure。
“Iamsureofthat。Amyandyouneverdidquarrelasweusedto。
SheisthesunandIthewind，inthefable，andthesunmanagedthemanbest，youremember。“
“Shecanblowhimupaswellasshineonhim，“laughedLaurie。
“suchalectureasIgotatNice!Igiveyoumyworditwasadealworsethananyoryourscoldings，aregularrouser。I’lltellyouallaboutitsometime，sheneverwill，becauseaftertellingmethatshedespisedandwasashamedofme，shelostherhearttothedespicablepartyandmarriedthegood-for-nothing。“
“Whatbaseness!Well，ifsheabusesyou，cometome，andI’lldefendyou。“
“IlookasifIneededit，don’tI？“saidLaurie，gettingupandstrikinganattitudewhichsuddenlychangedfromtheimposingtotherapturous，asAmy’svoicewasheardcalling，“Whereisshe？
Where’smydearoldJo？“
Introopedthewholefamily，andeveryonewashuggedandkissedalloveragain，andafterseveralvainattempts，thethreewanderersweresetdowntobelookedatandexultedover。Mr。Laurence，haleandheartyasever，wasquiteasmuchimprovedastheothersbyhisforeigntour，forthecrustinessseemedtobenearlygone，andtheold-fashionedcourtlinesshadreceivedapolishwhichmadeitkindlierthanever。Itwasgoodtoseehimbeamat`mychildren’，ashecalledtheyoungpair。ItwasbetterstilltoseeAmypayhimthedaughterlydutyandaffectionwhichcompletelywonhisoldheart，andbestofall，towatchLaurierevolveaboutthetwo，asifnevertiredofenjoyingtheprettypicturetheymade。
TheminutesheputhereyesuponAmy，Megbecameconsciousthatherowndresshadn’taParisianair，thatyoungMrs。MofffatwouldbeentirelyeclipsedbyyoungMrs。Laurence，andthat`herladyship’wasaltogetheramostelegantandgracefulwoman。Jothought，asshewatchedthepair，“Howwelltheylooktogether!Iwasright，andLauriehasfoundthebeautiful，accomplishedgirlwhowillbecomehishomebetterthanclumsyoldJo，andbeapride，notatormenttohim。“Mrs。Marchandherhusbandsmiledandnoddedateachotherwithhappyfaces，fortheysawthattheiryoungesthaddonewell，notonlyinworldlythings，butthebetterwealthoflove，confidence，andhappiness。
ForAmy’sfacewasfullofthesoftbrightnesswhichbetokensapeacefulheart，hervoicehadanewtendernessinit，andthecool，primcarriagewaschangedtoagentledignity，bothwomanlyandwinning。
Nolittleaffectationsmarredit，andthecordialsweetnessofhermannerwasmorecharmingthanthenewbeautyortheoldgrace，foritstampedheratoncewiththeunmistakablesignofthetruegentlewomanshehadhopedtobecome。
“Lovehasdonemuchforourlittlegirl，“saidhermothersoftly。
“Shehashadagoodexamplebeforeherallherlife，mydear，“
Mr。Marchwhisperedback，withalovinglookatthewornfaceandgrayheadbesidehim。
Daisyfounditimpossibletokeephereyesoffher`pittyaunty’，butattachedherselflikealapdogtothewonderfulchatelainefullofdelightfulcharms。Demipausedtoconsiderthenewrelationshipbeforehecompromisedhimselfbytherashacceptanceofabribe，whichtookthetemptingformofafamilyofwoodenbearsfromBerne。
Aflankmovementproducedanunconditionalsurrender，however，forLaurieknewwheretohavehim。
“Youngman，whenIfirsthadthehonorofmakingyouracquaintanceyouhitmeintheface。NowIdemandthesatisfactionofagentleman，“
andwiththatthetalluncleproceededtotossandtouslethesmallnephewinawaythatdamagedhisphilosophicaldignityasmuchasitdelightedhisboyishsoul。
“Blestifsheain’tinsilkfromheadtofoot？Ain’titarelishin’
sighttoseehersettin’thereasfineasafiddle，anchahappyprocessionasfiledawayintothelittlediningroom!Mr。MarchproudlyescortedMrs。Laurence。Mrs。Marchasproudlyleanedonthearmof`myson’。TheoldgentlemantookJo，withawhispered，“Youmustbemygirlnow，“andaglanceattheemptycornerbythefire，thatmadeJowhisperback，“I’lltrytofillherplace，sir。
Thetwinsprancedbehind，feelingthatthemillenniumwasathand，foreveryonewassobusywiththenewcomersthattheywerelefttorevelattheirownsweetwill，andyoumaybesuretheymadethemostoftheopportunity。Didn’ttheystealsipsoftea，stuffgingerbreadadlibitum，getahotbiscuitapiece，andasacrowningtrespass，didn’ttheyeachwhiskacaptivatinglittletartintotheirtinypockets，theretostickandcrumbletreacherously，teachingthemthatbothhumannatureandapastryarefrail？
Burdenedwiththeguiltyconsciousnessofthesequesteredtarts，andfearingthatDodo’ssharpeyeswouldpiercethethindisguiseofcambricandmerinowhichhidtheirbooty，thelittlesinnersattachedthemselvesto`Dranpa’，whohadn’thisspectacleson。
Amy，whowashandedaboutlikerefreshments，returnedtotheparloronFatherLaurence’sarm。Theotherspairedoffasbefore，andthisarrangementleftJocompanionless。Shedidnotminditattheminute，forshelingeredtoanswerHannah’seagerinquiry。
“WillMissAmyrideinhercoopcoupe，anduseallthemlovelysilverdishesthat’sstoredawayoveryander？“
“Shouldn’twonderifshedrovesixwhitehorses，ateoffgoldplate，andworediamondsandpointlaceeveryday。Teddythinksnothingtoogoodforher，“returnedJowithinfinitesatisfaction。
“Nomorethereis!Willyouhavehashorfishballsforbreakfast？“
askedHannah，whowiselymingledpoetryandprose。
“Idon’tcare。“AndJoshutthedoor，feelingthatfoodwasanuncongenialtopicjustthen。Shestoodaminutelookingatthepartyvanishingabove，andasDemi’sshortplaidlegstoiledupthelaststair，asuddensenseoflonlinesscameoverhersostronglythatshelookedaboutherwithdimeyes，asiftofindsomethingtoleanupon，forevenTeddyhaddesertedher。Ifshehadknownwhatbirthdaygiftwascomingeveryminutenearerandnearer，shewouldnothavesaidtoherself，“I’llweepalittleweepwhenIgotobed。
Itwon’tdotobedismalnow。“Thenshedrewherhandoverhereyes，foroneofherboyishhabitswasnevertoknowwhereherhandkerchiefwas，andhadjustmanagedtocallupasmilewhentherecameaknockattheporchdoor。
Sheopenedwithhospitablehaste，andstartedasifanotherghosthadcometosurpriseher，fortherestoodatallbeardedgentleman，beamingonherfromthedarknesslikeamidnightsun。
“Oh，Mr。Bhaer，Iamsogladtoseeyou!“criedJo，withaclutch，asifshefearedthenightwouldswallowhimupbeforeshecouldgethimin。
“AndItoseeMissMarsch，butno，youhafaparty，“andtheProfessorpausedasthesoundofvoicesandthetapofdancingfeetcamedowntothem。
“No，wehaven’t，onlythefamily。Mysisterandfriendshavejustcomehome，andweareallveryhappy。Comein，andmakeoneofus。“
Thoughaverysocialman，IthinkMr。Bhaerwouldhavegonedecorouslyaway，andcomeagainanotherday，buthowcouldhe，whenJoshutthedoorbehindhim，andberefthimofhishat？
Perhapsherfacehadsomethingtodowithit，forsheforgottohideherjoyatseeinghim，andshoweditwithafranknessthatprovedirresistibletothesolitaryman，whosewelcomefarexceededhisboldesthopes。
“IfIshallnotbeMonsieurdeTrop，Iwillsogladlyseethemall。Youhafbeenill，myfriend？“
Heputthequestionabruptly，for，asJohunguphiscoat，thelightfellonherface，andhesawachangeinit。
“Notill，buttiredandsorrowful。WehavehadtroublesinceIsawyoulast。“
“Ah，yes，Iknow。MyheartwassoreforyouwhenIheardthat，“Andheshookhandsagain，withsuchasympatheticfacethatJofeltasifnocomfortcouldequalthelookofthekindeyes，thegraspofthebig，warmhand。
“Father，Mother，thisismyfriend，ProfessorBhaer，“shesaid，withafaceandtoneofsuchirrepressibleprideandpleasurethatshemightaswellhaveblownatrumpetandopenedthedoorwithaflourish。
Ifthestrangerhadanydoubtsabouthisreception，theyweresetatrestinaminutebythecordialwelcomehereceived。
Everyonegreetedhimkindly，forJo’ssakeatfirst，butverysoontheylikedhimforhisown。Theycouldnothelpit，forhecarriedthetalismanthatopensallhearts，andthesesimplepeoplewarmedtohimatonce，feelingeventhemorefriendlybecausehewaspoor。Forpovertyenrichesthosewholiveaboveit，andisasurepassporttotrulyhospitablespirits。Mr。
Bhaersatlookingabouthimwiththeairofatravelerwhoknocksatastrangedoor，andwhenitopens，findshimselfathome。Thechildrenwenttohimlikebeestoahoneypot，andestablishingthemselvesoneachknee，proceededtocaptivatehimbyriflinghispockets，pullinghisbeard，andinvestigatinghiswatch，withjuvenileaudacity。Thewomentelegraphedtheirapprovaltooneanother，andMr。March，feelingthathehadgotakindredspirit，openedhischoiceststoresforhisguest’sbenefit，whilesilentJohnlistenedandenjoyedthetalk，butsaidnotaword，andMr。Laurencefounditimpossibletogotosleep。
IfJohadnotbeenotherwiseengaged，Laurie’sbehaviorwouldhaveamusedher，forafainttwinge，notofjealousy，butsomethinglikesuspicion，causedthatgentlemantostandaloofatfirst，andobservethenewcomerwithbrotherlycircumspection。
Butitdidnotlastlong。Hegotinterestedinspiteofhimself，andbeforeheknewit，wasdrawnintothecircle。ForMr。Bhaertalkedwellinthisgenialatmosphere，anddidhimselfjustice。
HeseldomspoketoLaurie，buthelookedathimoften，andashadowwouldpassacrosshisface，asifregrettinghisownlostyouth，ashewatchedtheyoungmaninhisprime。ThenhiseyeswouldturntoJosowistfullythatshewouldhavesurelyansweredthemuteinquiryifshehadseenit。ButJohadherowneyestotakecareof，andfeelingthattheycouldnotbetrusted，sheprudentlykeptthemonthelittlesockshewasknitting，likeamodelmaidenaunt。
Astealthyglancenowandthenrefreshedherlikesipsoffreshwaterafteradustywalk，forthesidelongpeepsshowedherseveralpropitiousomens。Mr。Bhaer’sfacehadlosttheabsent-mindedexpression，andlookedallalivewithinterestinthepresentmoment，actuallyyoungandhandsome，shethought，forgettingtocomparehimwithLaurie，assheusuallydidstrangemen，totheirgreatdetriment。Thenheseemedquiteinspired，thoughtheburialcustomsoftheancients，towhichtheconversationhadstrayed，mightnotbeconsideredanexhilaratingtopic。
JoquiteglowedwithtriumphwhenTeddygotquenchedinanargument，andthoughttoherself，asshewatchedherfather’sabsorbedface，“HowhewouldenjoyhavingsuchamanasmyProfessortotalkwitheveryday!“Lastly，Mr。Bhaerwasdressedinanewsuitofblack，whichmadehimlookmorelikeagentlemanthanever。Hisbushyhairhadbeencutandsmoothlybrushed，butdidn’tstayinorderlong，forinexcitingmoments，herumpleditupinthedrollwayheusedtodo，andJolikeditrampantlyerectbetterthanflat，becauseshethoughtitgavehisfineforeheadaJove-likeaspect。PoorJo，howshedidglorifythatplainman，asshesatknittingawaysoquietly，yetlettingnothingescapeher，noteventhefactthatMr。Bhaeractuallyhadgoldsleeve-buttonsinhisimmaculatewristbands。
“Dearoldfellow!Hecouldn’thavegothimselfupwithmorecareifhe’dbeengoinga-wooing，“saidJotoherself，andthenasuddenthoughtbornofthewordsmadeherblushsodreadfullythatshehadtodropherball，andgodownafterittohideherface。
Themaneuverdidnotsucceedaswellassheexpected，however，forthoughjustintheactofsettingfiretoafuneralpyre，theProfessordroppedhistorch，metaphoricallyspeaking，andmadeadiveafterthelittleblueball。Ofcoursetheybumpedtheirheadssmartlytogether，sawstars，andbothcameupflushedandlaughing，withouttheball，toresumetheirseats，wishingtheyhadnotleftthem。
Nobodyknewwheretheeveningwentto，forHannahskillfullyabstractedthebabiesatanearlyhour，noddingliketworosypoppies，andMr。Laurencewenthometorest。Theotherssatroundthefire，talkingaway，utterlyregardlessofthelapseoftime，tillMeg，whosematernalwasimpressedwithafirmconvictionthatDaisyhadtumbledoutofbe，andDemisethisnightgownafirestudyingthestructureofmatches，madeamovetogo。
“Wemusthaveoursing，inthegoodoldway，forwearealltogetheragainoncemore，“saidJo，feelingthatagoodshoutwouldbeasafeandpleasantventforthejubilantemotionsofhersoul。
Theywerenotallthere。Butnoonefoundthewordsthougtlessoruntrue，forBethstillseemedamongthem，apeacefulpresence，invisible，butdearerthanever，sincedeathcouldnotbreakthehouseholdleaguethatlovemadedisoluble。Thelittlechairstoodinitsoldplace。Thetidybasket，withthebitofworksheleftunfinishedwhentheneedlegrew`soheavy’，wasstillonitsaccustomedshelf。Thebelovedinstrument，seldomtouchednowhadnotbeenmoved，andaboveitBeth’sface，sereneandsmiling，asintheearlydays，lookeddownuponthem，seemingtosay，“Behappy。Iamhere。“
“Playsomething，Amy。Letthemhearhowmuchyouhaveimproved，“
saidLaurie，withpardonableprideinhispromisingpupil。
ButAmywhispered，withfulleyes，asshetwirledthefadedstool，“Nottonight，dear。Ican’tshowofftonight。“
Butshedidshowsomethingbetterthanbrilliancyorskill，forshesangBeth’ssongswithatendermusicinhervoicewhichthebestmastercouldnothavetaught，andtouchedthelistener’sheartswithasweeterpowerthananyotherinspirationcouldhavegivenher。Theroomwasverystill，whentheclearvoicefailedsuddenlyatthelastlineofBeth’sfavoritehymn。Itwashardtosay……
Earthhathnosorrowthatheavencannotheal；
andAmyleanedagainstherhusband，whostoodbehindher，feelingthatherwelcomehomewasnotquiteperfectwithoutBeth’skiss。
“Now，wemustfinishwithMignon’ssong，forMr。Bhaersingsthat，“saidJo，beforethepausegrewpainful。AndMr。Bhaerclearedhisthroatwithagratified“Hem!“ashesteppedintothecornerwhereJostood，saying……
“Youwillsingwithme？Wegoexcellentlywelltogether。“
Apleasingfiction，bytheway，forJohadnomoreideaofmusicthanagrasshopper。Butshewouldhaveconsentedifhehadproposedtosingawholeopera，andwarbledaway，blissfullyregardlessoftimeandtune。Itdidn’tmuchmatter，forMr。BhaersanglikeatrueGerman，heartilyandwell，andJosoonsubsidedintoasubduedhum，thatshemightlistentothemellowvoicethatseemedtosingforheralone。