“I’lltestifythatyoutriedtodoit，“saidLauriewithagratefullook。
“AndI’vesucceededbeyondmyhopes，forhereyouare，asteady，sensiblebusinessman，doingheapsofgoodwithyourmoney，andlayinguptheblessingsofthepoor，insteadofdollars。
Butyouarenotmerelyabusinessman，youlovegoodandbeautifulthings，enjoythemyourself，andletothersgohalves，asyoualwaysdidintheoldtimes。Iamproudofyou，Teddy，foryougetbettereveryyear，andeveryonefeelsit，thoughyouwon’tletthemsayso。Yes，andwhenIhavemyflock，I’lljustpointtoyou，andsay`There’syourmodel，mylads’。“
PoorLauriedidn’tknowwheretolook，for，manthoughhewas，somethingoftheoldbashfulnesscameoverhimasthisburstofpraisemadeallfacesturnapprovinglyuponhim。
“Isay，Jo，that’srathertoomuch，“hebegan，justinhisoldboyishway。“YouhavealldonemoreformethanIcaneverthankyoufor，exceptbydoingmybestnottodisapointyou。Youhaverathercastmeofflately，Jo，butI’vehadthebestofhelp，nevertheless。So，ifI’vegotonatall，youmaythankthesetwoforit。“Andhelaidonehandgentlyonhisgrandfather’shead，andtheotheronAmy’sgoldenone，forthethreewereneverfarapart。
“Idothinkthatfamiliesarethemostbeautifulthingsinalltheworld!“burstoutJo，whowasinanunusuallyup-liftedframeofmindjustthen。“WhenIhaveoneofmyown，IhopeitwillbeashappyasthethreeIknowandlovethebest。IfJohnandmyFritzwereonlyhere，itwouldbequitealittleheavenonearth，“sheaddedmorequietly。Andthatnightwhenshewenttoherroomafterablissfuleveningoffamilycounsels，hopes，andplans，herheartwassofullofhappinessthatshecouldonlycalmitbykneelingbesidetheemptybedalwaysnearherown，andthinkingtenderthoughtsofBeth。
Itwasaveryastonishingyearaltogether，forthingsseemedtohappeninanunusuallyrapidanddelightfulmanner。Almostbeforesheknewwhereshewas，JofoundherselfmarriedandsettledatPlumfield。Thenafamilyofsixorsevenboyssprunguplikemushrooms，andflourishedsurprisingly，poorboysaswellasrich，forMr。Laurencewascontinuallyfindingsometouchingcaseofdestitution，andbeggingtheBhaerstotakepityonthechild，andhewouldgladlypayatrifleforitssupport。Inthisway，theslyoldgentlemangotroundproudJo，andfurnishedherwiththestyleofboyinwhichshemostdelighted。
Ofcourseitwasuphillworkatfirst，andJomadequeermistakes，butthewiseProfessorsteeredhersafelyintocalmerwaters，andthemostrampantragamuffinwasconqueredintheend。
HowJodidenjoyher`wildernessofboys’，andhowpoor，dearAuntMarchwouldhavelamentedhadshebeentheretoseethesacredprecinctsofprim，well-orderedPlumfieldoverrunwithToms，Dicks，andHarrys!Therewasasortofpoeticjusticeaboutit，afterall，fortheoldladyhadbeentheterroroftheboysformilesaround，andnowtheexilesfeastedfreelyonforbiddenplums，kickedupthegravelwithprofanebootsunreproved，andplayedcricketinthebigfieldwheretheirritable`cowwithacrumpledhorn’usedtoinviterashyouthstocomeandbetossed。Itbecameasortofboys’paradise，andLauriesuggestedthatitshouldbecalledthe`Bhaer-garten’，asacomplimenttoitsmasterandappropriatetoitsinhabitants。
Itneverwasafashionableschool，andtheProfessordidnotlayupafortune，butitwasjustwhatJointendedittobe——
`ahappy，homelikeplaceforboys，whoneededteaching，care，andkindness’。Everyroominthebighousewassoonfull。Everylittleplotinthegardensoonhaditsowner。Aregularmenagerieappearedinbarnandshed，forpetanimalswereallowed。
Andthreetimesaday，JosmiledatherFritzfromtheheadofalongtablelinedoneithersidewithrowsofhappyyoungfaces，whichallturnedtoherwithaffectionateeyes，confidingwords，andgratefulhearts，fulloflovefor`MotherBhaer’。Shehadboysenoughnow，anddidnottireofthem，thoughtheywerenotangels，byanymeans，andsomeofthemcausedbothProfessorandProfessorinmuchtroubleandanxiety。Butherfaithinthegoodspotwhichexistsintheheartofthenaughtiest，sauciest，mosttantalizinglittleragamuffingaveherpatience，skill，andintimesuccess，fornomortalboycouldholdoutlongwithFatherBhaershiningonhimasbenevolentlyasthesun，andMotherBhaerforgivinghimseventytimesseven。VeryprecioustoJowasthefriendshipofthelads，theirpenitentsniffsandwhispersafterwrongdoing，theirdrollortouchinglittleconfidences，theirpleasantenthusiasms，hopes，andplans，eventheirmisfortunes，fortheyonlyendearedthemtoherallthemore。Therewereslowboysandbashfulboys，feebleboysandriotousboys，boysthatlispedandboysthatstuttered，oneortwolameones，andamerrylittlequadroon，whocouldnotbetakeninelsewhere，butwhowaswelcometothe`Bhaer-garten’，thoughsomepeoplepredictedthathisadmissionwouldruintheschool。
Yes，Jowasaveryhappywomanthere，inspiteofhardwork，muchanxiety，andaperpetualracket。Sheenjoyeditheartilyandfoundtheapplauseofherboysmoresatisfyingthananypraiseoftheworld，fornowshetoldnostoriesexcepttoherflockofenthusiasticbelieversandadmirers。Astheyearswenton，twolittleladsofherowncametoincreaseherhappiness——Rob，namedforGrandpa，andTeddy，ahappy-go-luckybaby，whoseemedtohaveinheritedhispapa’ssunshinytemperaswellashismother’slivelyspirit。Howtheyevergrewupaliveinthatwhirlpoolofboyswasamysterytotheirgrandmaandaunts，buttheyflourishedlikedandelionsinspring，andtheirroughnurseslovedandservedthemwell。
TherewereagreatmanyholidaysatPlumfield，andoneofthemostdelightfulwastheyearlyapple-picking。ForthentheMarches，Laurences，Brookes。AndBhaersturnedoutinfullforceandmadeadayofit。FiveyearsafterJo’swedding，oneofthesefruitfulfestivalsoccurred，amellowOctoberday，whentheairwasfullofanexhilaratingfreshnesswhichmadethespiritsriseandtheblooddancehealthilyintheveins。Theoldorchardworeitsholidayattire。Goldenrodandastersfringedthemossywalls。
Grasshoppersskippedbrisklyintheseregrass，andcricketschirpedlikefairypipersatafeast。Squirrelswerebusywiththeirsmallharvesting。Birdstwitteredtheiradieuxfromthealdersinthelane，andeverytreestoodreadytosenddownitsshowerofredoryellowapplesatthefirstshake。Everybodywasthere。
Everybodylaughedandsang，climbedupandtumbleddown。Everybodydeclaredthatthereneverhadbeensuchaperfectdayorsuchajollysettoenjoyit，andeveryonegavethemselvesuptothesimplepleasuresofthehourasfreelyasiftherewerenosuchthingsascareorsorrowintheworld。
Mr。Marchstrolledplacidlyabout，quotingTusser，Cowley，andColumellatoMr。Laurence，whileenjoying……
Thegentleapple’swineyjuice。
TheProfessorchargedupanddownthegreenaisleslikeastoutTeutonicknight，withapoleforalance，leadingontheboys，whomadeahookandladdercompanyofthemselves，andperformedwondersinthewayofgroundandloftytumbling。Lauriedevotedhimselftothelittleones，rodehissmalldaughterinabushel-basket，tookDaisyupamongthebird’snests，andkeptadventurousRobfrombreakinghisneck。Mrs。MarchandMegsatamongtheapplepileslikeapairofPomonas，sortingthecontributionsthatkeptpouringin，whileAmywithabeautifulmotherlyexpressioninherfacesketchedthevariousgroups，andwatchedoveronepalelad，whosatadoringherwithhislittlecrutchbesidehim。
Jowasinherelementthatday，andrushedabout，withhergownpinnedup，andherhatanywherebutonherhead，andherbabytuckedunderherarm，readyforanylivelyadventurewhichmightturnup。LittleTeddyboreacharmedlife，fornothingeverhappenedtohim，andJoneverfeltanyanxietywhenhewaswhiskedupintoatreebyonelad，gallopedoffonthebackofanother，orsuppliedwithsourrussetsbyhisindulgentpapa，wholaboredundertheGermanicdelusionthatbabiescoulddigestanything，frompickledcabbagetobuttons，nails，andtheirownsmallshoes。SheknewthatlittleTedwouldturnupagainintime，safeandrosy，dirtyandserene，andshealwaysreceivedhimbackwithaheartywelcome，forJolovedherbabiestenderly。
Atfouro’clockalulltookplace，andbasketsremainedempty，whiletheapplepickersrestedandcomparedrentsandbruises。ThenJoandMeg，withadetachmentofthebiggerboys，setforththesupperonthegrass，foranout-of-doorteawasalwaysthecrowningjoyoftheday。Thelandliterallyflowedwithmilkandhoneyonsuchoccasions，fortheladswerenotrequiredtositattable，butallowedtopartakeofrefreshmentastheyliked——freedombeingthesaucebestbelovedbytheboyishsoul。Theyavailedthemselvesoftherareprivilegetothefullestextent，forsometriedthepleasingexperimentofdrinkingmildwhilestandingontheirheads，otherslentacharmtoleapfrogbyeatingpieinthepausesofthegame，cookiesweresownbroadcastoverthefield，andappleturnoversroostedinthetreeslikeanewstyleofbird。Thelittlegirlshadaprivateteaparty，andTedrovedamongtheediblesathisownsweetwill。
Whennoonecouldeatanymore，theProfessorproposedthefirstregulartoast，whichwasalwaysdrunkatsuchtimes——“AuntMarch，Godblessher!“Atoastheartilygivenbythegoodman，whoneverforgothowmuchheowedher，andquietlydrunkbytheboys，whohadbeentaughttokeephermemorygreen。
“Now，Grandma’ssixtiethbirthday!Longlifetoher，withthreetimesthree!“
Thatwasgivenwithawill，asyoumaywellbelieve，andthecheeringoncebegun，itwashardtostopit。Everybody’shealthwasproposed，formMr。Laurence，whowasconsideredtheirspecialpatron，totheastonishedguineapig，whohadstrayedfromitspropersphereinsearchofitsyoungmaster。Demi，astheoldestgrandchild，thenpresentedthequeenofthedaywithvariousgifts，sonumerousthattheyweretransportedtothefestivesceneinawheelbarrow。Funnypresents，someofthem，butwhatwouldhavebeendefectstoothereyeswereornamentstoGrandma’s——forthechildren’sgiftswerealltheirown。EverystitchDaisy’spatientlittlefingershadputintothehandkerchiefsshehemmedwasbetterthanembroiderytoMrs。March。Demi’smiracleofmechanicalskill，thoughthecoverwouldn’tshut，Rob’sfootstoolhadawiggleinitsunevenlegsthatshedeclaredwassoothing，andnopageofthecostlybookAmy’schildgaveherwassofairasthatonwhichappearedintipsycapitals，thewords——
“TodearGrandma，fromherlittleBeth。“
Duringtheceremonytheboyshadmysteriouslydisappeared，andwhenMrs。Marchhadtriedtothankherchildren，andbrokendown，whileTeddywipedhereyesonhispinafore，theProfessorsuddenlybegantosing。Then，fromabovehim，voiceaftervoicetookupthewords，andfromtreetotreeechoedthemusicoftheunseenchoir，astheboyssangwithalltheirheartsthelittlesongthatJohadwritten，Lauriesettomusic，andtheProfessortrainedhisladstogivewiththebesteffect。Thiswassomethingaltogethernew，anditprovedagrandsuccess，forMrs。Marchcouldn’tgetoverhersurprise，andinsistedonshakinghandswitheveryoneofthefeatherlessbirds，fromtallFranzandEmiltothelittlequadroon，whohadthesweetestvoiceofall。
Afterthis，theboysdispersedforafinallark，leavingMrs。
Marchandherdaughtersunderthefestivaltree。
“Idon’tthinkIeveroughttocallmyself`unluckyJo’again，whenmygreatestwishhasbeensobeautifullygratified，“saidMrs。
Bhaer，takingTeddy’slittlefistoutofthemilkpitcher，inwhichhewasrapturouslychurning。
“Andyetyourlifeisverydifferentfromtheoneyoupicturedsolongago。Doyourememberourcastlesintheair？“askedAmy，smilingasshewatchedLaurieandJohnplayingcricketwiththeboys。
“Dearfellows!Itdoesmyheartgoodtoseethemforgetbusinessandfrolicforaday，“answeredJo，whonowspokeinamaternalwayofallmankind。“Yes，Iremember，butthelifeIwantedthenseemsselfish，lonely，andcoldtomenow。Ihaven’tgivenupthehopethatImaywriteagoodbookyet，butIcanwait，andI’msureitwillbeallthebetterforsuchexperiencesandillustrationsasthese。“AndJopointedfromthelivelyladsinthedistancetoherfather，leaningontheProfessor’sarm，astheywalkedtoandfrointhesunshine，deepinoneoftheconversationswhichbothenjoyedsomuch，andthentohermother，sittingenthronedamongherdaughters，withtheirchildreninherlapandatherfeet，asifallfoundhelpandhappinessinthefacewhichnevercouldgrowoldtothem。
“Mycastlewasthemostnearlyrealizedofall。Iaskedforsplendidthings，tobesure，butinmyheartIknewIshouldbesatisfied，ifIhadalittlehome，andJohn，andsomedearchildrenlikethese。I’vegotthemall，thankGod，andamthehappiestwomanintheworld。“AndMeglaidherhandonhertallboy’shead，withafacefulloftenderanddevoutcontent。
“MycastleisverydifferentfromwhatIplanned，butIwouldnotalterit，though，likeJo，Idon’trelinquishallmyartistichopes，orconfinemyselftohelpingothersfulfilltheirdreamsofbeauty。I’vebeguntomodelafigureofbaby，andLauriesaysitisthebestthingI’veeverdone。Ithinkso，myself，andmeantodoitinmarble，sothat，whateverhappens，Imayatleastkeeptheimageofmylittleangel。“
AsAmyspoke，agreatteardroppedonthegoldenhairofthesleepingchildinherarms，forheronewell-beloveddaughterwasafraillittlecreatureandthedreadoflosingherwastheshadowoverAmy’ssunshine。Thiscrosswasdoingmuchforbothfatherandmother，foroneloveandsorrowboundthemcloselytogether。
Amy’snaturewasgrowingsweeter，deeper，andmoretender。Lauriewasgrowingmoreserious，strong，andfirm，andbothwerelearningthatbeauty，youth，goodfortune，evenloveitself，cannotkeepcareandpain，lossandsorrow，fromthemostblessedfor……
Intoeachlifesomerainmustfall，Somedaysmustbedarkandsadanddreary。
“Sheisgrowingbetter，Iamsureofit，mydear。Don’tdespond，buthopeandkeephappy，“saidMrs。March，astenderheartedDaisystoopedfromherkneetolayherrosycheekagainstherlittlecousin’spaleone。
“Ineveroughtto，whileIhaveyoutocheermeup，Marmee，andLaurietotakemorethanhalfofeveryburden，“repliedAmywarmly。“Heneverletsmeseehisanxiety，butissosweetandpatientwithme，sodevotedtoBeth，andsuchastayandcomforttomealwaysthatIcan’tlovehimenough。So，inspiteofmyonecross，IcansaywithMeg，`ThankGod，I’mahappywoman。’“
“There’snoneedformetosayit，foreveryonecanseethatI’mfarhappierthanIdeserve，“addedJo，glancingfromhergoodhusbandtoherchubbychildren，tumblingonthegrassbesideher。“Fritzisgettinggrayandstout。I’mgrowingasthinasashadow，andamthirty。Wenevershallberich，andPlumfieldmayburnupanynight，forthatincorrigibleTommyBangswillsmokesweet-ferncigarsunderthebed-clothes，thoughhe’ssethimselfafirethreetimesalready。Butinspiteoftheseunromanticfacts，Ihavenothingtocomplainof，andneverwassojollyinmylife。Excusetheremark，butlivingamongboys，Ican’thelpusingtheirexpressionsnowandthen。“
“Yes，Jo，Ithinkyourharvestwillbeagoodone，“beganMrs。March，frighteningawayabigblackcricketthatwasstaringTeddyoutofcountenance。
“Nothalfsogoodasyours，Mother。Hereitis，andwenevercanthankyouenoughforthepatientsowingandreapingyouhavedone，“criedJo，withthelovingimpetuositywhichsheneverwouldoutgrow。
“Ihopetherewillbemorewheatandfewertareseveryyear，“saidAmysoftly。
“Alargesheaf，butIknowthere’sroominyourheartforit，Marmeedear，“addedMeg’stendervoice。
Touchedtotheheart，Mrs。Marchcouldonlystretchoutherarms，asiftogatherchildrenandgrandchildrentoherself，andsay，withfaceandvoicefullofmotherlylove，gratitude，andhumility……
“Oh，mygirls，howeverlongyoumaylive，Inevercanwishyouagreaterhappinessthanthis!“
End