Bothseemedtotryhispatiencesorely，formorethanonceIheardhimsayemphatically，"No，no，itisnotso，youhafnotattendtowhatIsay，"andoncetherewasaloudrap，asifhestruckthetablewithhisbook，followedbythedespairingexclamation，"Prut！Itallgoesbadthisday。"
　　Poorman，Ipitiedhim，andwhenthegirlsweregone，tookjustonemorepeeptoseeifhesurvivedit。Heseemedtohavethrownhimselfbackinhischair，tiredout，andsattherewithhiseyesshuttilltheclockstrucktwo，whenhejumpedup，puthisbooksinhispocket，asifreadyforanotherlesson，andtakinglittleTinawhohadfallenasleeponthesofainhisarms，hecarriedherquietlyaway。Ifancyhehasahardlifeofit。Mrs。KirkeaskedmeifIwouldn’tgodowntothefiveo’clockdinner，andfeelingalittlebithomesick，IthoughtIwould，justtoseewhatsortofpeopleareunderthesameroofwithme。SoImademyselfrespectableandtriedtoslipinbehindMrs。Kirke，butassheisshortandI’mtall，myeffortsatconcealmentwereratherafailure。Shegavemeaseatbyher，andaftermyfacecooledoff，Ipluckedupcourageandlookedaboutme。Thelongtablewasfull，andevery——oneintentongettingtheirdinner，thegentlemenespecially，whoseemedtobeeatingontime，fortheyboltedineverysenseoftheword，vanishingassoonastheyweredone。Therewastheusualassortmentofyoungmenabsorbedinthemselves，youngcouplesabsorbedineachother，marriedladiesintheirbabies，andoldgentlemeninpolitics。Idon’tthinkIshallcaretohavemuchtodowithanyofthem，exceptonesweet—facedmaidenlady，wholooksasifshehadsomethinginher。
　　CastawayattheverybottomofthetablewastheProfessor，shoutinganswerstothequestionsofaveryinquisitive，deafoldgentlemanononeside，andtalkingphilosophywithaFrenchmanontheother。IfAmyhadbeenhere，she’dhaveturnedherbackonhimforeverbecause，sadtorelate，hehadagreatappetite，andshoveledinhisdinnerinamannerwhichwouldhavehorrified`herladyship’。Ididn’tmind，forIlike`toseefolkseatwitharelish’，asHannahsays，andthepoormanmusthaveneededadealoffoodafterteachingidiotsallday。
　　AsIwentupstairsafterdinner，twooftheyoungmenweresettlingtheirhatsbeforethehallmirror，andIheardonesaylowtotheother，"Who’sthenewparty？"
　　"Governess，orsomethingofthatsort。"
　　"Whatthedeuceissheatourtablefor？"
　　"Friendoftheoldlady’s。"
　　"Handsomehead，butnostyle。"
　　"Notabitofit。Giveusalightandcomeon。"
　　Ifeltangryatfirst，andthenIdidn’tcare，foragovernessisasgoodasaclerk，andI’vegotsense，ifIhaven’tstyle，whichismorethansomepeoplehave，judgingfromtheremarksoftheelegantbeingswhoclatteredaway，smokinglikebadchimneys。Ihateordinarypeople！
　　ThursdayYesterdaywasaquietdayspentinteaching，sewing，andwritinginmylittleroom，whichisverycozy，withalightandfire。IpickedupafewbitsofnewsandwasintroducedtotheProfessor。ItseemsthatTinaisthechildoftheFrenchwomanwhodoesthefineironinginthelaundryhere。ThelittlethinghaslostherhearttoMr。Bhaer，andfollowshimaboutthehouselikeadogwheneverheisathome，whichdelightshim，asheisveryfondofchildren，thougha`bacheldore’。KittyandMinnieKirklikewiseregardhimwithaffection，andtellallsortsofstoriesabouttheplaysheinvents，thepresentshebrings，andthesplendidtaleshetells。Theyoungermenquizhim，itseems，callhimOldFritz，LagerBeer，UrsaMajor，andmakeallmannerofjokesonhisname。Butheenjoysitlikeaboy，Mrs。Kirkesays，andtakesitsogood—naturedlythattheyalllikehiminspiteofhisforeignways。
　　ThemaidenladyisaMissNorton，rich，cultivated，andkind。Shespoketomeatdinnertoday（forIwenttotableagain，it’ssuchfuntowatchpeople），andaskedmetocomeandseeheratherroom。Shehasfinebooksandpictures，knowsinterestingpersons，andseemsfriendly，soIshallmakemyselfagreeable，forIdowanttogetintogoodsociety，onlyitisn’tthesamesortthatAmylikes。
　　IwasinourparlorlasteveningwhenMr。BhaercameinwithsomenewspapersforMrs。Kirke。Shewasn’tthere，butMinnie，whoisalittleoldwoman，introducedmeveryprettily。"ThisisMamma’sfriend，MissMarch。"
　　"Yes，andshe’sjollyandwelikeherlots，"addedKitty，whoisand`enfantterrible’。
　　Webothbowed，andthenwelaughed，fortheprimintroductionandthebluntadditionwereratheracomicalcontrast。
　　"Ah，yes，Ihearthesenaughtyonesgotovexyou，MeesMarsch。Ifsoagain，callatmeandIcome，"hesaid，withathreateningfrownthatdelightedthelittlewretches。
　　IpromisedIwould，andhedeparted，butitseemsasifIwasdoomedtoseeagooddealofhim，fortodayasIpassedhisdooronmywayout，byaccidentIknockedagainstitwithmyumbrella。Itflewopen，andtherehestoodinhisdressinggown，withabigbluesockononehandandadarningneedleintheother。Hedidn’tseematallashamedofit，forwhenIexplainedandhurriedon，hewavedhishand，sockandall，sayinginhisloud，cheerfulway……
　　"Youhafafinedaytomakeyourwalk。Bonvoyage，Mademoiselle。"
　　Ilaughedallthewaydownstairs，butitwasalittlepathetic，alsotothinkofthepoormanhavingtomendhisownclothes。TheGermangentlemenembroider，Iknow，butdarninghoseisanotherthingandnotsopretty。
　　SaturdayNothinghashappenedtowriteabout，exceptacallonMissNorton，whohasaroomfullofprettythings，andwhowasverycharming，forsheshowedmeallhertreasures，andaskedmeifIwouldsometimesgowithhertolecturesandconcerts，asherescort，ifIenjoyedthem。Sheputitasafavor，butI’msureMrs。Kirkehastoldheraboutus，andshedoesitoutofkindnesstome。I’masproudasLucifer，butsuchfavorsfromsuchpeopledon’tburdenme，andIacceptedgratefully。WhenIgotbacktothenurserytherewassuchanuproarintheparlorthatIlookedin，andtherewasMr。Bhaerdownonhishandsandknees，withTinaonhisback，Kittyleadinghimwithajumprope，andMinniefeedingtwosmallboyswithseedcakes，astheyroaredandrampedincagesbuiltofchairs。
　　"Weareplayingnargerie，"explainedKitty。
　　"Disismineeffalunt！"addedTina，holdingonbytheProfessor’shair。
　　"MammaalwaysallowsustodowhatwelikeSaturdayafternoon，whenFranzandEmilcome，doesn’tshe，Mr。Bhaer？"saidMinnie。
　　The`effalunt’satup，lookingasmuchinearnestasanyofthem，andsaidsoberlytome，"Igifyoumywortitisso，ifwemaketoolargeanoiseyoushallsayHush！tous，andwegomoresoftly。"
　　Ipromisedtodoso，butleftthedooropenandenjoyedthefunasmuchastheydid，foramoregloriousfrolicIneverwitnessed。Theyplayedtagandsoldiers，dancedandsang，andwhenitbegantogrowdarktheyallpiledontothesofaabouttheProfessor，whilehetoldcharmingfairystoriesofthestorksonthechimneytops，andthelittle`koblods’，whoridethesnowflakesastheyfall。IwishAmericanswereassimpleandnaturalasGermans，don’tyou？
　　I’msofondofwriting，Ishouldgospinningonforeverifmotivesofeconomydidn’tstopme，forthoughI’veusedthinpaperandwrittenfine，Itrembletothinkofthestampsthislongletterwillneed。PrayforwardAmy’sassoonasyoucansparethem。Mysmallnewswillsoundveryflatafterhersplendors，butyouwilllikethem，Iknow。IsTeddystudyingsohardthathecan’tfindtimetowritetohisfriends？Takegoodcareofhimforme，Beth，andtellmeallaboutthebabies，andgiveheapsoflovetoeveryone。
　　FromyourfaithfulJo。
　　P。S。Onreadingovermyletter，itstrikesmeasratherBhaery，butIamalwaysinterestedinoddpeople，andIreallyhadnothingelsetowriteabout。Blessyou！
　　DECEMBER
　　MyPreciousBetsey，Asthisistobeascribble—scrabbleletter，Idirectittoyou，foritmayamuseyou，andgiveyousomeideaofmygoingson，forthoughquiet，theyareratheramusing，forwhich，oh，bejoyful！AfterwhatAmywouldcallHerculaneumefforts，inthewayofmentalandmoralagriculture，myyoungideasbegintoshootandmylittletwigstobendasIcouldwish。TheyarenotsointerestingtomeasTinaandtheboys，butIdomydutybythem，andtheyarefondofme。FranzandEmilarejollylittlelads，quiteaftermyownheart，forthemixtureofGermanandAmericanspiritintheproducesaconstantstateofeffervescence。Saturdayafternoonsareriotoustimes，whetherspentinthehouseorout，foronpleasantdaystheyallgotowalk，likeaseminary，withtheProfessorandmyselftokeeporder，andthensuchfun！
　　Weareverygoodfriendsnow，andI’vebeguntotakelessons。Ireallycouldn’thelpit，anditallcameaboutinsuchadrollwaythatImusttellyou。Tobeginatthebeginning，Mrs。KirkecalledtomeonedayasIpassedMr。Bhaer’sroomwhereshewasrummaging。
　　"Didyoueverseesuchaden，mydear？Justcomeandhelpmeputthesebookstorights，forI’veturnedeverythingupsidedown，tryingtodiscoverwhathehasdonewiththesixnewhandkerchiefsIgavehimnotlongago。"
　　Iwentin，andwhileweworkedIlookedaboutme，foritwas`aden’tobesure。Booksandpaperseverywhere，abrokenmeerschaum，andanoldfluteoverthemantlepieceasifdonewith，araggedbirdwithoutanytailchirpedononewindowseat，andaboxofwhitemiceadornedtheother。Half—finishedboatsandbitsofstringlayamongthemanuscripts。Dirtylittlebootsstooddryingbeforethefire，andtracesofthedearlybelovedboys，forwhomhemakesaslaveofhimself，weretobeseenallovertheroom。Afteragrandrummagethreeofthemissingarticleswerefound，oneoverthebirdcage，onecoveredwithink，andathirdburnedbrown，havingbeenusedasaholder。
　　"Suchaman！"laughedgood—naturedMrs。K。，assheputtherelicsintheragbay。"Isupposetheothersaretornuptorigships，bandagecutfingers，ormakekitetails。It’sdreadful，butIcan’tscoldhim。He’ssoabsent—mindedandgood—natured，heletsthoseboysrideoverhimroughshod。Iagreedtodohiswashingandmending，butheforgetstogiveouthisthingsandIforgettolookthemover，sohecomestoasadpasssometimes。"
　　"Letmemendthem，"saidI。"Idon’tmindit，andheneedn’tknow。I’dliketo，he’ssokindtomeaboutbringingmylettersandlendingbooks。"
　　SoIhavegothisthingsinorder，andknitheelsintotwopairsofthesocks，fortheywereboggledoutofshapewithhisqueerdarns。Nothingwassaid，andIhopedhewouldn’tfinditout，butonedaylastweekhecaughtmeatit。HearingthelessonshegivestoothershasinterestedandamusedmesomuchthatItookafancytolearn;forTinarunsinandout，leavingthedooropen，andIcanhear。Ihadbeensittingnearthisdoor，finishingoffthelastsock，andtryingtounderstandwhathesaidtoanewscholar，whoisasstupidasIam。Thegirlhadgone，andIthoughthehadalso，itwassostill，andIwasbusilygabblingoveraverb，androckingtoandfroinamostabsurdway，whenalittlecrowmademelookup，andtherewasMr。Bhaerlookingandlaughingquietly，whilehemadesignstoTinanottobetrayhim。
　　"So！"hesaid，asIstoppedandstaredlikeagoose，"youpeepatme，Ipeepatyou，andthisisnotbad，butsee，IamnotpleasantingwhenIsay，hafyouawishforGerman？"
　　"Yes，butyouaretoobusy。Iamtoostupidtolearn，"Iblunderedout，asredasapeony。
　　"Prut！Wewillmakethetime，andwefailnottofindthesense。AtefeningIshallgifalittlelessonwithmuchgladness，forlookyou，MeesMarsch，Ihafthisdebttopay。"Andhepointedtomywork`Yes，’theysaytooneanother，thesesokindladies，`heisastupidoldfellow，hewillseenotwhatwedo，hewillneverobservethathissockheelsgonotinholesanymore，hewillthinkhisbuttonsgrowoutnewwhentheyfall，andbelievethatstringsmaketheirselves。’"Ah！ButIhafaneye，andIseemuch。Ihafaheart，andIfeelthanksforthis。Come，alittlelessonthenandnow，ornomoregoodfairyworksformeandmine。"
　　OfcourseIcouldn’tsayanythingafterthat，andasitreallyisasplendidopportunity，Imadethebargain，andwebegan。Itookfourlessons，andthenIstuckfastinagrammaticalbog。TheProfessorwasverypatientwithme，butitmusthavebeentormenttohim，andnowandthenhe’dlookatmewithsuchanexpressionofmilddespairthatitwasatoss—upwithmewhethertolaughorcry。Itriedbothways，andwhenitcametoasnifforuttermortificationandwoe，hejustthrewthegrammarontothefloorandmarchedoutoftheroom。Ifeltmyselfdisgracedanddesertedforever，butdidn’tblamehimaparticle，andwasscramblingmypaperstogether，meaningtorushupstairsandshakemyselfhard，wheninhecame，asbriskandbeamingasifI’dcoveredmyselfinglory。
　　"Nowweshalltryanewway。YouandIwillreadthesepleasantlittleMäarchentogether，anddignomoreinthatdrybook，thatgoesinthecornerformakingustrouble。"
　　Hespokesokindly，andopenedHansAndersons’sfairytalessoinvitinglybeforeme，thatIwasmoreashamedthanever，andwentatmylessoninaneck—or—nothingstylethatseemedtoamusehimimmensely。Iforgotmybashfulness，andpeggedaway（nootherwordwillexpressit）withallmymight，tumblingoverlongwords，pronouncingaccordingtoinspirationoftheminute，anddoingmyverybest。WhenIfinishedreadingmyfirstpage，andstoppedforbreath，heclappedhishandsandcriedoutinhisheartyway，"Dasistgut！’Nowwegowell！Myturn。IdohiminGerman，gifmeyourear。"Andawayhewent，rumblingoutthewordswithhisstrongvoiceandarelishwhichwasgoodtoseeaswellashear。FortunatelythestorywastheCONSTANTTINSOLDIER，whichisdroll，youknow，soIcouldlaugh，andIdid，thoughIdidn’tunderstandhalfheread，forIcouldn’thelpit，hewassoearnest，Isoexcited，andthewholethingsocomical。Afterthatwegotonbetter，andnowIreadmylessonsprettywell，forthiswayofstudyingsuitsme，andIcanseethatthegrammargetstuckedintothetalesandpoetryasonegivespillsinjelly。Ilikeitverymuch，andhedoesn’tseemtiredofityet，whichisverygoodofhim，isn’tit？ImeantogivehimsomethingonChristmas，forIdarenotoffermoney。Tellmesomethingnice，Marmee。
　　I’mgladLaurieseemssohappyandbusy，thathehasgivenupsmokingandletshishairgrow。YouseeBethmanageshimbetterthanIdid。I’mnotjealous，dear，doyourbest，onlydon’tmakeasaintofhim。I’mafraidIcouldn’tlikehimwithoutaspiceofhumannaughtiness。Readhimbitsofmyletters。Ihaven’ttimetowritemuch，andthatwilldojustaswell。ThankHeavenBethcontinuessocomfortable。
　　JANUARY
　　AHappyNewYeartoyouall，mydearestfamily，whichofcourseincludesMr。L。andayoungmanbythenameofTeddy。Ican’ttellyouhowmuchIenjoyedyourChristmasbundle，forididn’tgetittillnightandhadgivenuphoping。Yourlettercameinthemorning，butyousaidnothingaboutaparcel，meaningitforasurprise，soIwasdisappointed，forI’dhada`kindoffeeling’thatyouwouldn’tforgetme。IfeltalittlelowinmymindasIsatupinmyroomaftertea，andwhenthebig，muddy，battered—lookingbundlewasbroughttome，Ijusthuggeditandpranced。ItwassohomeyandrefreshingthatIsatdownonthefloorandreadandlookedandateandlaughedandcried，inmyusualabsurdway。ThethingswerejustwhatIwanted，andallthebetterforbeingmadeinsteadofbought。Beth’snew`inkbib’wascapital，andHannah’sboxofhardgingerbreadwillbeatreasure。I’llbesureandweartheniceflannelsyousent，Marmee，andreadcarefullythebooksFatherhasmarked。Thankyouall，heapsandheaps！
　　SpeakingofbooksremindsmethatI’mgettingrichinthatline，foronNewYear’sDayMr。BhaergavemeafineShakespeare。Itisonehevaluesmuch，andI’veoftenadmiredit，setupintheplaceofhonorwithhisGermanBible，Plato，Homer，andMilton，soyoumayimaginehowIfeltwhenhebroughtitdown，withoutitscover，andshowedmemyownnameinit，"frommyfriendFriedrichBhaer"。
　　"Yousayoftenyouwishalibrary。HereIgifyouone，forbetweentheselids（hemeantcovers）ismanybooksinone。Readhimwell，andhewillhelpyoumuch，forthestudyofcharacterinthisbookwillhelpyoutoreaditintheworldandpaintitwithyourpen。"
　　IthankedhimaswellasIcould，andtalknowabout`mylibrary’，asifIhadahundredbooks。IneverknewhowmuchtherewasinShakespearebefore，butthenIneverhadaBhaertoexplainittome。Nowdon’tlaughathishorridname。Itisn’tpronouncedeitherBearorBeer，aspeoplewillsayit，butsomethingbetweenthetwo，asonlyGermanscangiveit。I’mgladyoubothlikewhatItellyouabouthim，andhopeyouwillknowhimsomeday。Motherwouldadmirehiswarmheart，Fatherhiswisehead。Iadmireboth，andfeelrichinmynew`friendFriedrichBhaer’。
　　Nothavingmuchmoney，orknowingwhathe’dlike，Igotseverallittlethings，andputthemabouttheroom，wherehewouldfindthemunexpectedly。Theywereuseful，pretty，orfunny，anewstandishonhistable，alittlevaseforhisflower，healwayshasone，orabitofgreeninaglass，tokeephimfresh，hesays，andaholderforhisblower，sothatheneedn’tburnupwhatAmycalls`mouchoirs’。ImadeitlikethoseBethinvented，abigbutterflywithafatbody，andblackandyellowwings，worstedfeelers，andbeadeyes。Ittookhisfancyimmensely，andheputitonhismantlepieceasanarticleofvertu，soitwasratherafailureafterall。Poorasheis，hedidn’tforgetaservantorachildinthehouse，andnotasoulhere，fromtheFrenchlaundrywomantoMissNortonforgothim。Iwassogladofthat。
　　Theygotupamasquerade，andhadagaytimeNewYear’sEve。Ididn’tmeantogodown，havingnodress。Butatthelastminute，Mrs。Kirkerememberedsomeoldbrocades，andMissNortonlentmelaceandfeathers。SoIdressedupasMrs。Malaprop，andsailedinwithamaskon。Nooneknewme，forIdisguisedmyvoice，andnoonedreamedofthesilent，haughtyMissMarch（fortheythinkIamverystiffandcool，mostofthem，andsoIamtowhippersnappers）coulddanceanddress，andburstoutintoa`nicederangementofepitaphs，likeanallegoryonthebanksoftheNile’。Ienjoyeditverymuch，andwhenweunmaskeditwasfuntoseethemstareatme。IheardoneoftheyoungmentellanotherthatheknewI’dbeenanactress，infact，hethoughtherememberedseeingmeatoneoftheminortheaters。Megwillrelishthatjoke。Mr。BhaerwasNickBottom，andTinawasTitania，aperfectlittlefairyinhisarms。Toseethemdancewas`quitealandscape’，touseaTeddyism。
　　IhadaveryhappyNewYear，afterall，andwhenIthoughtitoverinmyroom，IfeltasifIwasgettingonalittleinspiteofmymanyfailures，forI’mcheerfulallthetimenow，workwithawill，andtakemoreinterestinotherpeoplethanIusedto，whichissatisfactory。Blessyouall！Everyourloving……
　　JoGoodWives:Chapter11CHAPTER11AFriendThoughveryhappyinthesocialatmosphereabouther，andverybusywiththedailyworkthatearnedherbreadandmadeitsweeterfortheeffort，Jostillfoundtimeforliterarylabors。Thepurposewhichnowtookpossessionofherwasanaturalonetoapoorandambitiousgirl，butthemeansshetooktogainherendwerenotthebest。Shesawthatmoneyconferredpower，therefore，sheresolvedtohave，nottobeusedforherselfalone，butforthosewhomshelovedmorethanlife。
　　Thedreamoffillinghomewithcomforts，givingBetheverythingshewanted，fromstrawberriesinwintertoanorganinherbedroom，goingabroadherself，andalwayshavingmorethanenough，sothatshemightindulgeintheluxuryofcharity，hadbeenforyearsJo’smostcherishedcastleintheair。
　　Theprize—storyexperiencehadseemedtoopenawaywhichmight，afterlongtravelingandmuchuphillwork，leadtothisdelightfulchâteauenEspagne。Butthenoveldisasterquenchedhercourageforatime，forpublicopinionisagiantwhichhasfrightenedstouter—heartedJacksonbiggerbeanstalksthanhers。Likethatimmortalhero，shereposedawhileafterthefirstattempt，whichresultedinatumbleandtheleastlovelyofthegiant’streasures，ifIrememberrightly。Butthe`upagainandtakeanother’spiritwasasstronginJoasinJack，soshescrambledupontheshadysidethistimeandgotmorebooty，butnearlyleftbehindherwhatwasfarmorepreciousthanthemoneybags。
　　Shetooktowritingsensationstories，forinthosedarkages，evenall—perfectAmericareadrubbish。Shetoldnoone，butconcocteda`thrillingtale’，andboldlycarrieditherselftoMr。Dashwood，editoroftheWeeklyVolcano。ShehadneverreadSartorResartus，butshehadawomanlyinstinctthatclothespossessaninfluencemorepowerfulovermanythantheworthofcharacterorthemagicofmanners。Soshedressedherselfinherbest，andtryingtopersuadeherselfthatshewasneitherexcitednornervous，bravelyclimbedtwopairsofdarkanddirtystairstofindherselfinadisorderlyroom，acloudofcigarsmoke，andthepresenceofthreegentlemen，sittingwiththeirheelsratherhigherthantheirhats，whicharticlesofdressnoneofthemtookthetroubletoremoveonherappearance。somewhatdauntedbythisreception，Johesitatedonthethreshold，murmuringinmuchembarrassment……
　　"Excuseme，IwaslookingfortheWeeklyVolcanooffice。IwishedtoseeMr。Dashwood。"
　　Downwentthehighestpairofheels，uprosethesmokiestgentleman，andcarefullycherishinghiscigarbetweenhisfingers，headvancedwithanodandacountenanceexpressiveofnothingbutsleep。Feelingthatshemustgetthroughthemattersomehow，Joproducedhermanuscriptand，blushingredderandredderwitheachsentence，blunderedoutfragmentsofthelittlespeechcarefullypreparedfortheoccasion。
　　"Afriendofminedesiredmetooffer——astory——justasanexperiment——wouldlikeyouropinion——begladtowritemoreifthissuits。"
　　Whilesheblushedandblundered，Mr。Dashwoodhadtakenthemanuscript，andwasturningovertheleaveswithapairofratherdirtyfingers，andcastingcriticalglancesupanddowntheneatpages。
　　"Notafirstattempt，Itakeit？"observingthatthepageswerenumbered，coveredonlyononeside，andnottiedupwitharibbon——suresignofanovice。
　　"No，sir。Shehashadsomeexperience，andgotaprizeforataleintheBlarneystoneBanner。"
　　"Oh，didshe？"AndMr。DashwoodgaveJOaquicklook，whichseemedtotakenoteofeverythingshehadon，fromthebowinherbonnettothebuttonsonherboots。"Well，youcanleaveit，ifyoulike。We’vemoreofthissortofthingonhandthanweknowwhattodowithatpresent，butI’llrunmyeyeoverit，andgiveyouananswernextweek。"
　　Now，Jodidnotliketoleaveit，forMr。Dashwooddidn’tsuitheratall，but，underthecircumstances，therewasnothingforhertodobutbowandwalkaway，lookingparticularlytallanddignified，asshewasapttodowhennettledorabashed。Justthenshewasboth，foritwasperfectlyevidentfromtheknowingglancesexchangedamongthegentlementhatherlittlefictionof`myfriend’wasconsideredagoodjoke，andalaugh，producedbysomeinaudibleremarkoftheeditor，asheclosedthedoor，completedherdiscomfiture。Halfresolvingnevertoreturn，shewenthome，andworkedoffherirritationbystitchingpinaforesvigorously，andinanhourortwowascoolenoughtolaughoverthesceneandlongfornextweek。
　　Whenshewentagain，Mr。Dashwoodwasalone，whereatsherejoiced。Mr。Dashwoodwasmuchwiderawakethanbefore，whichwasagreeableandMr。Dashwoodwasnottoodeeplyabsorbedinacigartorememberhismanners，sothesecondinterviewwasmuchmorecomfortablethanthefirst。
　　"We’lltakethis（editorsneversayI），ifyoudon’tobjecttoafewalterations。It’stoolong，butomittingthepassagesI’vemarkedwillmakeitjusttherightlength，"hesaid，inabusinessliketone。
　　JohardlyknewherownMSagain，socrumpledandunderscoredwereitspagesandparagraphs，butfeelingasatenderpatentmightonbeingaskedtocutoffherbaby’slegsinorderthatitmightfitintoanewcradle，shelookedatthemarkedpassagesandwassurprisedtofindthatallthemoralreflections——whichshehadcarefullyputinasballastformuchromance——hadbeenstrickenout。
　　"But，Sir，Ithoughteverystoryshouldhavesomesortofamoral，soItookcaretohaveafewofmysinnersrepent。"
　　Mr。Dashwoods’seditorialgravityrelaxedintoasmile，forJohadforgottenher`friend’，andspokenasonlyanauthorcould。
　　"Peoplewanttobeamused，notpreachedat，youknow。Moralsdon’tsellnowadays。"Whichwasnotquiteacorrectstatement，bytheway。
　　"Youthinkitwoulddowiththesealterations，then？"
　　"Yes，it’sanewplot，andprettywellworkedup——languagegood，andsoon，"wasMr。Dashwood’saffablereply。
　　"Whatdoyou——thatis，whatcompensation——"beganJo，notexactlyknowinghowtoexpressherself。
　　"Oh，yes，well，wegivefromtwenty—fivetothirtyforthingsofthissort。Paywhenitcomesout，"returnedMr。Dashwood，asifthatpointhadescapedhim。Suchtriflesdoescapetheeditorialmind，itissaid。
　　"Verywell，youcanhaveit，"saidJo，handingbackthestorywithasatisfiedair，forafterthedollar—a—columnwork，eventwenty—fiveseemedgoodpay。
　　"ShallItellmyfriendyouwilltakeanotherifshehasonebetterthanthis？"askedJo，unconsciousofherlittleslipofthetongue，andemboldenedbyhersuccess。
　　"Well，we’lllookatit。Can’tpromisetotakeit。Tellhertomakeitshortandspicy，andnevermindthemoral。Whatnamewouldyourfriendliketoputonit？"inacarelesstone。
　　"Noneatall，ifyouplease，shedoesn’twishhernametoappearandhasnonomdeplume，"saidJo，blushinginspiteofherself。
　　"Justasshelikes，ofcourse。Thetalewillbeoutnextweek。Willyoucallforthemoney，orshallIsendit？"askedMr。Dashwood，whofeltanaturaldesiretoknowwhohisnewcontributormightbe。
　　"I’llcall。Goodmorning，Sir。"
　　Asshedeparted，Mr。Dashwoodputuphisfeet，withthegracefulremark，"Poorandproud，asusual，butshe’lldo。"
　　FollowingMr。Dashwood’sdirections，andmakingMrs。Northburyhermodel，Jorashlytookaplungeintothefrothyseaofsensationalliterature，butthankstothelifepreserverthrownherbyafriend，shecameupagainnotmuchtheworseforherducking。
　　Likemostyoungscribblers，shewentabroadforhercharactersandscenery，andbanditti，counts，gypsies，nuns，andduchessesappeareduponherstage，andplayedtheirpartswithasmuchaccuracyandspiritascouldbeexpected。Herreaderswerenotparticularaboutsuchtriflesasgrammar，punctuation，andprobability，andMr。Dashwoodgraciouslypermittedhertofillhiscolumnsatthelowestprices，notthinkingitnecessarytotellherthattherealcauseofhishospitalitywasthefactthatoneofhishacks，onbeingofferedhigherwages，hadbaselylefthiminthelurch。
　　Shesoonbecameinterestedinherwork，forheremaciatedpursegrewstout，andthelittlehoardshewasmakingtotakeBethtothemountainsnextsummergrewslowlybutsurelyastheweekspassed。Onethingdisturbedhersatisfaction，andthatwasthatshedidnottellthemathome。ShehadafeelingthatFatherandMotherwouldnotapprove，andpreferredtohaveherownwayfirst，andbegpardonafterward。Itwaseasytokeephersecret，fornonameappearedwithherstories。Mr。Dashwoodhadofcoursefounditoutverysoon，butpromisedtobedumb，andforawonderkepthisword。
　　Shethoughtitwoulddohernoharm，forshesincerelymeanttowritenothingofwhichshewouldbeashamed，andquietedallpricksofconsciencebyanticipationsofthehappyminutewhensheshouldshowherearningsandlaughoverherwell—keptsecret。
　　ButMr。Dashwoodrejectedanybutthrillingtales，andasthrillscouldnotbeproducedexceptbyharrowingupthesoulsofthereaders，historyandromance，landandsea，scienceandart，policerecordsandlunaticasylums，hadtoberansackedforthepurpose。Josoonfoundthatherinnocentexperiencehadgivenherbutfewglimpsesofthetragicworldwhichunderliessociety，soregardingitinabusinesslight，shesetaboutsupplyingherdeficiencieswithcharacteristicenergy。Eagertofindmaterialforstories，andbentonmakingthemoriginalinplot，ifnotmasterlyinexecution，shesearchednewspapersforaccidents，incidents，andcrimes。Sheexcitedthesuspicionsofpubliclibrariansbyaskingforworksonpoisons。Shestudiedfacesinthestreet，andcharacters，good，bad，andindifferent，allabouther。Shedelvedinthedustofancienttimesforfactsorfictionssooldthattheywereasgoodasnew，andintroducedherselftofolly，sin，andmisery，aswellasherlimitedopportunitiesallowed。Shethoughtshewasprosperingfinely，butunconsciouslyshewasbeginningtodesecratesomeofthewomanliestattributesofawoman’scharacter。Shewaslivinginbadsociety，andimaginarythoughitwas，itsinfluenceaffectedher，forshewasfeedingheartandfancyondangerousandunsubstantialfood，andwasfastbrushingtheinnocentbloomfromhernaturebyaprematureacquaintancewiththedarkersideoflife，whichcomessoonenoughtoallofus。
　　Shewasbeginningtofeelratherthanseethis，formuchdescribingofotherpeople’spassionsandfeelingssethertostudyingandspeculatingaboutherown。amorbidamusementinwhichhealthyyoungmindsdonotvoluntarilyindulge。Wrongdoingalwaysbringsitsownpunishment，andwhenJomostneededhers，shegotit。
　　Idon’tknowwhetherthestudyofShakespearehelpedhertoreadcharacter，orthenaturalinstinctofawomanforwhatwashonest，brave，andstrong，butwhileendowingherimaginaryheroeswitheveryperfectionunderthesun，Jowasdiscoveringalivehero，whointerestedherinspiteofmanyhumanimperfections。Mr。Bhaer，inoneoftheirconversations，hadadvisedhertostudysimple，true，andlovelycharacters，wherevershefoundthem，asgoodtrainingforawriter。Jotookhimathisword，forshecoollyturnedroundandstudiedhim——aproceedingwhichwouldhavemuchsurprisedhim，hadheknowit，fortheworthyProfessorwasveryhumbleinhisownconceit。