Touchedtotheheart，Mrs。Marchcouldonlystretchoutherarms，asiftogatherchildrenandgrandchildrentoherself，andsay，withfaceandvoicefullofmotherlylove，gratitude，andhumility……
　　"Oh，mygirls，howeverlongyoumaylive，Inevercanwishyouagreaterhappinessthanthis！"
　　GoodWives:Chapter3CHAPTER3ArtisticAttemptsIttakespeoplealongtimetolearnthedifferencebetweentalentandgenius，especiallyambitiousyoungmenandwomen。Amywaslearningthisdistinctionthroughmuchtribulation，formistakingenthusiasmforinspiration，sheattemptedeverybranchofartwithyouthfulaudacity。Foralongtimetherewasalullinthe`mud—pie’business，andshedevotedherselftothefinestpen—and—inkdrawing，inwhichsheshowedsuchtasteandskillthathergracefulhandiworkprovedbothpleasantandprofitable。Butover—strainedeyescausedpenandinktobelaidasideforaboldattemptatpokersketching。
　　Whilethisattacklasted，thefamilylivedinconstantfearofaconflagration，fortheodorofburningwoodpervadedthehouseatallhours，smokeissuedfromatticandshedwithalarmingfrequency，red—hotpokerslayaboutpromiscuously，andHannahneverwenttobedwithoutapailofwaterandthedinnerbellatherdoorincaseoffire。Raphael’sfacewasfoundboldlyexecutedontheundersideofthemouldingboard，andBacchusontheheadofabeerbarrel。Achantingcherubadornedthecoverofthesugarbucket，andattemptstoportrayRomeoandJulietsuppliedkindlingforsometime。
　　Fromfiretooilwasanaturaltransitionforburnedfingers，andAmyfelltopaintingwithundiminishedardor。Anartistfriendfittedheroutwithhiscastoffpalettes，brushes，andcolors，andshedaubedaway，producingpastoralandmarineviewssuchaswereneverseenonlandorsea。Hermonstrositiesinthewayofcattlewouldhavetakenprizesatanagriculturalfair，andtheperilouspitchingofhervesselswouldhaveproducedseasicknessinthemostnauticalobserver，iftheutterdisregardtoallknownrulesofshipbuildingandrigginghadnotconvulsedhimwithlaughteratthefirstglance。Swarthyboysanddark—eyedMadonnas，staringatyoufromonecornerofthestudio，suggestedMurillo。Oilybrownshadowsoffaceswithaluridstreakinthewrongplace，meantRembrandt。Buxomladiesanddropiscalinfants，Rubens，andTurnerappearedintempestsofbluethunder，orangelightning，brownrain，andpurpleclouds，withatomato—coloredsplashinthemiddle，whichmightbethesunorabouy，asailor’sshirtoraking’srobe，asthespectatorpleased。
　　Charcoalportraitscamenext，andtheentirefamilyhunginarow，lookingaswildandcrockyasifjustevokedfromacoalbin。Softenedintocrayonsketches，theydidbetter，forthelikenessesweregood，andAmy’shair，Jo’snose，Meg’smouth，andLaurie’seyeswerepronounced`wonderfullyfine’。Areturntoclayandplasterfollowed，andghostlycastsofheracquaintanceshauntedcornersofthehouse，ortumbledoffclosetshelvesontopeople’sheads。Childrenwereenticedinasmodels，tilltheirincoherentaccountsofhermysteriousdoingscausedMissAmytoberegardedinthelightofayoungogress。Hereffortsinthisline，however，werebroughttoanabruptclosebyanuntowardaccident，whichquenchedherardor。Othermodelsfailingherforatime，sheundertooktocastherownprettyfoot，andthefamilywereonedayalarmedbyanunearthlybumpingandscreamingandrunningtotherescue，foundtheyoungenthusiasthoppingwildlyabouttheshedwithherfootheldfastinapanfullofplaster，whichhadhardenedwithunexpectedrapidity。Withmuchdifficultyandsomedangershewasdugout，forJowassoovercomewithlaughterwhilesheexcavatedthatherknifewenttoofar，cutthepoorfoot，andleftalastingmemorialofoneartisticattempt，atleast。
　　AfterthisAmysubsided，tillamaniaforsketchingfromnaturesethertohauntingriver，field，andwood，forpicturesquestudies，andsighingforruinstocopy。Shecaughtendlesscoldssittingondampgrasstobook`deliciousbit’，composedofastone，astump，onemushroom，andabrokenmulleinstalk，or`aheavenlymassofclouds’，thatlookedlikeachoicedisplayoffeatherbedswhendone。Shesacrificedhercomplexionfloatingontheriverinthemidsummersuntostudylightandshade，andgotawrinkleoverhernosetryingafter`pointsofsight’，orwhateverthesquint—and—stringperformanceiscalled。
　　If`geniusiseternalpatience’，asMichelangeloaffirms，Amyhadsomeclaimtothedivineattribute，forsheperseveredinspiteofallobstacles，failures，anddiscouragements，firmlybelievingthatintimesheshoulddosomethingworthytobecalled`highart’。
　　Shewaslearning，doing，andenjoyingotherthings，meanwhile，forshehadresolvedtobeanattractiveandaccomplishedwoman，evenifsheneverbecameagreatartist。Hereshesucceededbetter，forshewasoneofthosehappilycreatedbeingswhopleasewithouteffort，makefriendseverywhere，andtakelifesogracefullyandeasilythatlessfortunatesoulsaretemptedtobelievethatsucharebornunderaluckystar。Everybodylikedher，foramonghergoodgiftswastact。Shehadaninstinctivesenseofwhatwaspleasingandproper，alwayssaidtherightthingtotherightperson，didjustwhatsuitedthetimeandplace，andwassoself—possessedthathersistersusedtosay，"IfAmywenttocourtwithoutanyrehearsalbeforehand，she’dknowexactlywhattodo。"
　　Oneofherweaknesseswasadesiretomovein`ourbestsociety’，withoutbeingquitesurewhatthebestreallywas。Money，position，fashionableaccomplishments，andelegantmannersweremostdesirablethingsinhereyes，andshelikedtoassociatewiththosewhopossessedthem，oftenmistakingthefalseforthetrue，andadmiringwhatwasnotadmirable。Neverforgettingthatbybirthshewasagentlewoman，shecultivatedheraristocratictastesandfeelings，sothatwhentheopportunitycameshemightbereadytotaketheplacefromwhichpovertynowexcludedher。
　　"Mylady，"asherfriendscalledher，sincerelydesiredtobeagenuinelady，andwassoatheart，buthadyettolearnthatmoneycannotbuyrefinementofnature，thatrankdoesnotalwaysconfernobility，andthattruebreedingmakesitselffeltinspiteofexternaldrawbacks。
　　"Iwanttoaskafavorofyou，Mamma，"Amysaid，cominginwithanimportantaironeday。
　　"Well，littlegirl，whatisit？"repliedhermother，inwhoseeyesthestatelyyoungladystillremained`thebaby’。
　　"Ourdrawingclassbreaksupnextweek，andbeforethegirlsseparateforthesummer，Iwanttoaskthemouthereforaday。Theyarewildtoseetheriver，sketchthebrokenbridge，andcopysomeofthethingstheyadmireinmybook。Theyhavebeenverykindtomeinmanyways，andIamgrateful，fortheyareallrichandIknowIampoor，yettheynevermadeanydifference。"
　　"Whyshouldthey？"AndMrs。Marchputthequestionwithwhatthegirlscalledher`MariaTheresaair’。
　　"YouknowaswellasIthatitdoesmakeadifferencewithnearlyeveryone，sodon’truffleuplikeadear，motherlyhen，whenyourchickensgetpeckedbysmarterbirds。Theuglyducklingturnedoutaswan，youknow。"AndAmysmiledwithoutbitterness，forshepossessedahappytemperandhopefulspirit。
　　Mrs。Marchlaughed，andsmootheddownhermaternalprideassheasked，"Well，myswan，whatisyourplan？"
　　"Ishouldliketoaskthegirlsouttolunchnextweek，totakethemforadrivetotheplacestheywanttosee，arowontheriver，perhaps，andmakealittleartisticfêeteforthem。"
　　"Thatlooksfeasible。Whatdoyouwantforlunch？Cake，sandwiches，fruit，andcoffeewillbeallthatisnecessary，Isuppose？"
　　"Oh，dear，no！Wemusthavecoldtongueandchicken，Frenchchocolateandicecream，besides。Thegirlsareusedtosuchthings，andIwantmylunchtobeproperandelegant，thoughIdoworkformyliving。"
　　"Howmanyyoungladiesarethere？"askedhermother，beginningtolooksober。
　　"Twelveorfourteenintheclass，butIdaresaytheywon’tallcome。"
　　"Blessme，child，youwillhavetocharteranomnibustocarrythemabout。"
　　"Why，Mother，howcanyouthinkofsuchathing？Notmorethansixoreightwillprobablycome，soIshallhireabeachwagonandborrowMr。Laurence’scherry—bounce。"（Hannah’spronunciationofcharabanc。）
　　"Allofthiswillbeexpensive，Amy。"
　　"Notvery。I’vecalculatedthecost，andI’llpayforitmyself。"
　　"Don’tyouthink，dear，thatasthesegirlsareusedtosuchthings，andthebestwecandowillbenothingnew，thatsomesimplerplanwouldbepleasantertothem，asachangeifnothingmore，andmuchbetterforusthanbuyingorborrowingwhatwedon’tneed，andattemptingastylenotinkeepingwithourcircumstances？"
　　"IfIcan’thaveitasIlike，Idon’tcaretohaveitatall。IknowthatIcancarryitoutperfectlywell，ifyouandthegirlswillhelpalittle，andIdon’tseewhyIcan’tifI’mwillingtopayforit，"saidAmy，withthedecisionwhichoppositionwasapttochangeintoobstinacy。
　　Mrs。Marchknewthatexperiencewasanexcellentteacher，andwhenitwaspossiblesheleftherchildrentolearnalonethelessonswhichshewouldgladlyhavemadeeasier，iftheyhadnotobjectedtotakingadviceasmuchastheydidsaltsandsenna。
　　"Verywell，Amy，ifyourheartissetuponit，andyouseeyourwaythroughwithouttoogreatanoutlayofmoney，time，andtemper，I’llsaynomore。Talkitoverwiththegirls，andwhicheverwayyoudecide，I’lldomybesttohelpyou。"
　　"Thanks，Mother，youarealwayssokind。"AndawaywentAmytolayherplanbeforehersisters。Megagreedatonce，andpromisedtoheraid，gladlyofferinganythingshepossessed，fromherlittlehouseitselftoherverybestsaltspoons。ButJofrowneduponthewholeprojectandwouldhavenothingtodowithitatfirst。
　　"Whyintheworldshouldyouspendyourmoney，worryyourfamily，andturnthehouseupsidedownforaparcelofgirlswhodon’tcareasixpenceforyou？IthoughtyouhadtoomuchprideandsensetotruckletoanymortalwomanjustbecauseshewearsFrenchbootsandridesinacoupé，"saidJo，who，beingcalledfromthetragicclimaxofhernovel，wasnotinthebestmoodforsocialenterprises。
　　"Idon’ttruckle，andIhatebeingpatronizedasmuchasyoudo！"returnedAmyindignantly，forthetwostilljangledwhensuchquestionsarose。"Thegirlsdocareforme，andIforthem，andthere’sagreatdealofkindnessandsenseandtalentamongthem，inspiteofwhatyoucallfashionablenonsense。Youdon’tcaretomakepeoplelikeyou，togointogoodsociety，andcultivateyourmannersandtastes。Ido，andImeantomakethemostofeverychancethatcomes。Youcangothroughtheworldwithyourelbowsoutandyournoseintheair，andcallitindependence，ifyoulike。That’snotmyway。"
　　WhenAmyhadwhettedhertongueandfreedhermindsheusuallygotthebestofit，forsheseldomfailedtohavecommonsenseonherside，whileJocarriedherloveoflibertyandhateofconventionalitiestosuchanunlimitedextentthatshenaturallyfoundherselfworstedinanargument。Amy’sdefinitionofJo’sideaofindependencewassuchagoodhitthatbothburstoutlaughing，andthediscussiontookamoreamiableturn。Muchagainstherwill，JoatlengthconsentedtosacrificeadaytoMrs。Grundy，andhelphersisterthroughwhatsheregardedas`anonsensicalbusiness’。
　　Theinvitationsweresent，nearlyallaccepted，andthefollowingMondaywassetapartforthegrandevent。Hannahwasoutofhumorbecauseherweek’sworkwasderanged，andprophesiedthat"efthewashin’andironin’warn’tdonereg’lar，nothin’wouldgowellanywheres"。Thishitchinthemainspringofthedomesticmachineryhadabadeffectuponthewholeconcern，butAmy’smottowas`Nildesperandum’，andhavingmadeuphermindwhattodo，sheproceededtodoitinspiteofallobstacles。Tobeginwith，Hannah’scookingdidn’tturnoutwell。Thechickenwastough，thetonguetoosalt，andthechocolatewouldn’tfrothproperly。ThenthecakeandicecostmorethanAmyexpected，sodidthewagon，andvariousotherexpenses，whichseemedtriflingattheoutset，countedupratheralarminglyafterward。Bethgotacoldandtooktoherbed。Meghadanunusualnumberofcallerstokeepherathome，andJowasinsuchadividedstateofmindthatherbreakages，accidents，andmistakeswereuncommonlynumerous，serious，andtrying。
　　IfitwasnotfaironMonday，theyoungladiesweretocomeonTuesday，andarrangementwhichaggravatedJoandHannahtothelastdegree。OnMondaymorningtheweatherwasinthatundecidedstatewhichismoreexasperatingthanasteadypour。Itdrizzledalittle，shonealittle，blewalittle，anddidn’tmakeupitsmindtillitwastoolateforanyoneelsetomakeuptheirs。Amywasupatdawn，hustlingpeopleoutoftheirbedsandthroughtheirbreakfasts，thatthehousemightbegotinorder。Theparlorstruckheraslookinguncommonlyshabby，butwithoutstoppingtosighforwhatshehadnot，sheskillfullymadethebestofwhatshehad，arrangingchairsoverthewornplacesinthecarpet，coveringstainsonthewallswithhome—madestatuary，whichgaveanartisticairtotheroom，asdidthelovelyvasesofflowersJoscatteredabout。
　　Thelunchlookedcharming，andasshesurveyedit，shesincerelyhopeditwouldtastewell，andthattheborrowedglass，china，andsilverwouldgetsafelyhomeagain。Thecarriageswerepromised，MegandMotherwereallreadytodothehonors，BethwasabletohelpHannahbehindthescenes，Johadengagedtobeaslivelyandamiableasanabsentmind，andachinghead，andaverydecideddisapprovalofeverybodyandeverythingwouldallow，andasshewearilydressed，Amycheeredherselfwithanticipationsofthehappymomentwhen，lunchsafelyover，sheshoulddriveawaywithherfriendsforanafternoonofartisticdelights，forthe`cherrybounce’andthebrokenbridgewereherstrongpoints。
　　Thencamethehoursofsuspense，duringwhichshevibratedfromparlortoporch，whilepublicopinionvariedliketheweathercock。Asmartshoweratelevenhadevidentlyquenchedtheenthusiasmoftheyoungladieswhoweretoarriveattwelve，fornobodycame，andattwotheexhaustedfamilysatdowninablazeofsunshinetoconsumetheperishableportionsofthefeast，thatnothingmightbelost。
　　"Nodoubtabouttheweathertoday，theywillcertainlycome，sowemustflyroundandbereadyforthem，"saidAmy，asthesunwokehernextmorning。Shespokebriskly，butinhersecretsoulshewishedshehadsaidnothingaboutTuesday，forherinterestlikehercakewasgettingalittlestale。
　　"Ican’tgetanylobsters，soyouwillhavetodowithoutsaladtoday，"saidMr。March，cominginhalfanhourlater，withanexpressionofplaciddespair。
　　"Usethechickenthen，thetoughnesswon’tmatterinasalad，"advisedhiswife。
　　"Hannahleftitonthekitchentableaminute，andthekittensgotatit。I’mverysorry，amy，"addedBeth，whowasstillapatronessofcats。
　　"ThenImusthavealobster，fortonguealonewon’tdo，"saidAmydecidedly。
　　"ShallIrushintotownanddemandone？"askedJo，withthemagnanimityofamartyr。
　　"You’dcomebringingithomeunderyourarmwithoutanypaper，justtotryme。I’llgomyself，"answeredAmy，whosetemperwasbeginningtofail。
　　Shroudedinathickveilandarmedwithagenteeltravelingbasket，shedeparted，feelingthatacooldrivewouldsootheherruffledspiritandfitherforthelaborsoftheday。Aftersomedelay，theobjectofherdesirewasprocured，likewiseabottleofdressingtopreventfurtherlossoftimeathome，andoffshedroveagain，wellpleasedwithherownforethought。
　　Astheomnibuscontainedonlyoneotherpassenger，asleepyoldlady，Amypocketedherveilandbeguiledthetediumofthewaybytryingtofindoutwhereallhermoneyhadgoneto。Sobusywasshewithhercardfullofrefractoryfiguresthatshedidnotobserveanewcomer，whoenteredwithoutstoppingthevehicle，tillamasculinevoicesaid，"Goodmorning，MissMarch，"and，lookingup，shebeheldoneofLaurie’smostelegantcollegefriends。Ferventlyhopingthathewouldgetoutbeforeshedid，Amyutterlyignoredthebasketatherfeet，andcongratulatingherselfthatshehadonhernewtravelingdress，returnedtheyoungman’sgreetingwithherusualsuavityandspirit。
　　Theygotonexcellently，forAmy’schiefcarewassoonsetatrestbylearningthatthegentlemanwouldleavefirst，andshewaschattingawayinapeculiarlyloftystrain，whentheoldladygotout。Instumblingtothedoor，sheupsetthebasket，and——ohhorror！——thelobster，inallitsvulgarsizeandbrilliancy，wasrevealedtothehighborneyesofaTudor。
　　"ByJove，she’sforgottenherdinner！"criedtheunconsciousyouth，pokingthescarletmonsterintoitsplacewithhiscane，andpreparingtohandoutthebasketaftertheoldlady。
　　"Pleasedon’t——it’s——it’smine，"murmuredAmy，withafacenearlyasredasherfish。
　　"Oh，really，Ibegpardon。It’sanuncommonlyfineone，isn’tit？"saidTudor，withgreatpresenceofmind，andanairofsoberinterestthatdidcredittohisbreeding。
　　Amyrecoveredherselfinabreath，setherbasketboldlyontheseat，andsaid，laughing，"Don’tyouwishyouweretohavesomeofthesaladhe’sgoingtomake，andtoseethecharmingyoungladieswhoaretoeatit？"
　　Nowthatwastact，fortwooftherulingfoiblesofthemasculinemindweretouched。Thelobsterwasinstantlysurroundedbyahaloofpleasingreminiscences，andcuriosityabout`thecharmingyoungladies’divertedhismindfromthecomicalmishap。
　　"Isupposehe’lllaughandjokeoveritwithLaurie，butIshan’tseethem，that’sacomfort，"thoughtAmy，asTudorbowedanddeparted。
　　Shedidnotmentionthismeetingathome（thoughshediscoveredthat，thankstotheupset，hernewdresswasmuchdamagedbytherivuletsofdressingthatmeandereddowntheskirt），butwentthroughwiththepreparationswhichnowseemedmoreirksomethanbefore，andattwelveo’clockallwasreadyagain。feelingthattheneighborswereinterestedinhermovements，shewishedtoeffacethememoryofyesterday’sfailurebyagrandsuccesstoday，sosheorderedthe`cherrybounce’，anddroveawayinstatetomeetandescorthergueststothebanquet。
　　"There’stherumble，they’recoming！I’llgoontotheporchandmeetthem。Itlookshospitable，andIwantthepoorchildtohaveagoodtimeafterallhertrouble，"saidMrs。March，suitingtheactiontotheword。Butafteroneglance，sheretired，withanindescribableexpression，forlookingquitelostinthebigcarriage，satAmyandoneyounglady。
　　"Run，Beth，andhelpHannahclearhalfthethingsoffthetable。Itwillbetooabsurdtoputaluncheonfortwelvebeforeasinglegirl，"criedJo，hurryingawaytothelowerregions，tooexcitedtostopevenforalaugh。
　　IncameAmy，quitecalmanddelightfullycordialtotheoneguestwhohadkeptherpromise。Therestofthefamily，beingofadramaticturn，playedtheirpartsequallywell，andMissEliottfoundthemamosthilariousset，foritwasimpossibletocontrolentirelythemerrimentwhichpossessedthem。Theremodeledlunchbeinggailypartakenof，thestudioandgardenvisited，andartdiscussedwithenthusiasm，Amyorderedabuggy（alasfortheelegantcherry—bounce），anddroveherfriendquietlyabouttheneighborhoodtillsunset，when`thepartywentout’。
　　Asshecamewalkingin，lookingverytiredbutascomposedasever，sheobservedthateveryvestigeoftheunfortunatefêtehaddisappeared，exceptasuspiciouspuckeraboutthecornersofJo’smouth。
　　"You’vehadalovelyafternoonforyourdrive，dear，"saidhermother，asrespectfullyasifthewholetwelvehadcome。
　　"MissEliottisaverysweetgirl，andseemedtoenjoyherself，Ithought，"observedBeth，withunusualwarmth。
　　"Couldyousparemesomeofyourcake？Ireallyneedsome，Ihavesomuchcompany，andIcan’tmakesuchdeliciousstuffasyours，"askedMegsoberly。
　　"Takeitall。I’mtheonlyoneherewholikessweetthings，anditwillmoldbeforeIcandisposeofit，"answeredAmy，thinkingwithasighofthegenerousstoreshehadlaidinforsuchanendasthis。
　　"It’sapityLaurieisn’theretohelpus，"beganJo，astheysatdowntoicecreamandsaladforthesecondtimeintwodays。
　　Awarninglookfromhermothercheckedanyfurtherremarks，andthewholefamilyateinheroicsilence，tillMr。Marchmildlyobserved，"saladwasoneofthefavoritedishesoftheancients，andEvelyn……"Hereageneralexplosionoflaughtercutshortthe`historyofsalads’，tothegreatsurpriseofthelearnedgentleman。
　　"BundleeverythingintoabasketandsendittotheHummels。Germanslikemesses。I’msickofthesightofthis，andthere’snoreasonyoushouldalldieofasurfeitbecauseI’vebeenafool，"criedAmy，wipinghereyes。"IthoughtIshouldhavediedwhenIsawyoutwogirlsrattlingaboutinthewhat—you—call—it，liketwolittlekernelsinaverybignutshell，andMotherwaitinginstatetoreceivethethrong，"sighedJo，quitespentwithlaughter。
　　"I’mverysorryyouweredisappointed，dear，butwealldidourbesttosatisfyyou，"saidMrs。March，inatonefullofmotherlyregret。
　　"Iamsatisfied。I’vedonewhatIundertook，andit’snotmyfaultthatitfailed。Icomfortmyselfwiththat，"saidAmywithalittlequiverinhervoice。"Ithankyouallverymuchforhelpingme，andI’llthankyoustillmoreifyouwon’talludetoitforamonth，atleast。"
　　Noonedidforseveralmonths，buttheword`fête’alwaysproducedageneralsmile，andLaurie’sbirthdaygifttoAmywasatinycorallobsterintheshapeofacharmforherwatchguard。
　　GoodWives:Chapter4CHAPTER4LiteraryLessonsFortunesuddenlysmileduponJo，anddroppedagoodluckpennyinherpath。Notagoldenpenny，exactly，butIdoubtifhalfamillionwouldhavegivenmorerealhappinessthendidthelittlesumthatcametoherinthiswise。Everyfewweeksshewouldshutherselfupinherroom，putonherscribblingsuit，and`fallintoavortex’，assheexpressedit，writingawayathernovelwithallherheartandsoul，fortillthatwasfinishedshecouldfindnopeace。Her`scribblingsuit’consistedofablackwoolenpinaforeonwhichshecouldwipeherpenatwill，andacapofthesamematerial，adornedwithacheerfulredbow，intowhichshebundledherhairwhenthedeckswereclearedforaction。Thiscapwasabeacontotheinquiringeyesofherfamily，whoduringtheseperiodskepttheirdistance，merelypoppingintheirheadssemi—occasionallytoask，withinterest，"Doesgeniusburn，Jo？"Theydidnotalwaysventureeventoaskthisquestion，buttookanobservationofthecap，andjudgedaccordingly。Ifthisexpressivearticleofdresswasdrawnlowupontheforehead，itwasasignthathardworkwasgoingon，inexcitingmomentsitwaspushedrakishlyaskew，andwhendespairseizedtheauthoritwaspluckedwhollyoff，andcastuponthefloor，andcastuponthefloor。Atsuchtimestheintrudersilentlywithdrew，andnotuntiltheredbowwasseengailyerectuponthegiftedbrow，didanyonedareaddressJo。Shedidnotthinkherselfageniusbyanymeans，butwhenthewritingfitcameon，shegaveherselfuptoitwithentireabandon，andledablissfullife，unconsciousofwant，care，orbadweather，whileshesatsafeandhappyinanimaginaryworld，fulloffriendsalmostasrealanddeartoherasanyintheflesh。Sleepforsookhereyes，mealsstooduntasted，dayandnightwerealltooshorttoenjoythehappinesswhichblessedheronlyatsuchtimes，andmadethesehoursworthliving，eveniftheyborenootherfruit。Thedevineafflatususuallylastedaweekortwo，andthensheemergedfromher`vortex’，hungry，sleepy，cross，ordespondent。ShewasjustrecoveringfromoneoftheseattackswhenshewasprevailedupontoescortMissCrockertoalecture，andinreturnforhervirtuewasrewardedwithanewidea。ItwasaPeople’sCourse，thelectureonthePyramids，andJoratherwonderedatthechoiceofsuchasubjectforsuchanaudience，buttookitforgrantedthatsomegreatsocialevilwouldberemediedorsomegreatwantsuppliedbyunfoldingthegloriesofthePharaohstoanaudiencewhosethoughtswerebusywiththepriceofcoalandflour，andwhoseliveswerespentintryingtosolveharderriddlesthanthatoftheSphinx。Theywereearly，andwhileMissCrockersettheheelofherstocking，Joamusedherselfbyexaminingthefacesofthepeoplewhooccupiedtheseatwiththem。Onherleftweretwomatrons，withmassiveforeheadsandbonnetstomatch，discussingWomen’sRightsandmakingtatting。Beyondsatapairofhumblelovers，artlesslyholdingeachotherbythehand，asomberspinstereatingpeppermintsoutofapaperbag，andanoldgentlemantakinghispreparatorynapbehindayellowbandanna。Onherright，heronlyneighborwasastudiouslookingladabsorbedinanewspaper。Itwasapictorialsheet，andJoexaminedtheworkofartnearesther，idlywonderingwhatfortuitousconcatenationofcircumstancesneededthemelodramaticillustrationofanIndianinfullwarcostume，tumblingoveraprecipicewithawolfathisthroat，whiletwoinfuriatedyounggentlemen，withunnaturallysmallfeetandbigeyes，werestabbingeachothercloseby，andadisheveledfemalewasflyingawayinthebackgroundwithhermouthwideopen。Pausingtoturnapage，theladsawherlookingand，withboyishgoodnatureofferedhalfhispaper，sayingbluntly，"wanttoreadit？That’safirst—ratestory。"Joaccepteditwithasmile，forshehadneveroutgrownherlikingforlads，andsoonfoundherselfinvolvedintheusuallabyrinthoflove，mystery，andmurder，forthestorybelongedtothatclassoflightliteratureinwhichthepassionshaveaholiday，andwhentheauthor’sinventionfails，agrandcatastropheclearsthestageofonehalfthedramatispersonae，leavingtheotherhalftoexultovertheirdownfall。"Prime，isn’tit？"askedtheboy，ashereyewentdownthelastparagraphofherportion。"IthinkyouandIcoulddoaswellasthatifwetried，"returnedJo，amusedathisadmirationofthetrash。"IshouldthinkIwasaprettyluckychapifIcould。Shemakesagoodlivingoutofsuchstories，theysay。"AndhepointedtothenameofMrs。S。L。A。N。G。Northbury，underthetitleofthetale。"Doyouknowher？"askedJo，withsuddeninterest。"No，butIreadallherpieces，andIknowafellowwhoworksintheofficewherethispaperisprinted。""Doyousayshemakesagoodlivingoutofstorieslikethis？"AndJolookedmorerespectfullyattheagitatedgroupandthicklysprinkledexclamationpointsthatadornedthepage。"Guessshedoes！Sheknowsjustwhatfolkslike，andgetspaidwellforwritingit。"Herethelecturebegan，butJoheardverylittleofit，forwhileProfessorSandswasprosingawayaboutBelzoni，Cheops，scarabei，andhieroglyphics，shewascovertlytakingdowntheaddressofthepaper，andboldlyresolvingtotryforthehundred—dollarprizeofferedinitscolumnsforasensationalstory。Bythetimethelectureendedandtheaudienceawoke，shehadbuiltupasplendidfortuneforherself（notthefirstfoundedonpaper），andwasalreadydeepintheconcoctionofherstory，beingunabletodecidewhethertheduelshouldcomebeforetheelopementorafterthemurder。shesaidnothingofherplanathome，butfelltoworknextday，muchtothedisquietofhermother，whoalwayslookedalittleanxiouswhen`geniustooktoburning’。Johadnevertriedthisstylebefore，contentingherselfwithverymildromancesforTHESPREADEAGLE。Herexperienceandmiscellaneousreadingwereofservicenow，fortheygavehersomeideaofdramaticeffect，andsuppliedplot，language，andcostumes。Herstorywasasfullofdesperationanddespairasherlimitedacquaintancewiththoseuncomfortableemotionsenabledhertomakeit，andhavinglocateditinLisbon，shewoundupwithanearthquake，asastrikingandappropriatedenouement。Themanuscriptwasprivatelydispatched，accompaniedbyanote，modestlysayingthatifthetaledidn’tgettheprize，whichthewriterhardlydaredexpect，shewouldbeverygladtoreceiveanysumitmightbeconsideredworth。Sixweeksisalongtimetowait，andastilllongertimeforagirltokeepasecret，butJodidboth，andwasjustbeginningtogiveupallhopeofeverseeinghermanuscriptagain，whenaletterarrivedwhichalmosttookherbreathaway，foronopeningit，acheckforahundreddollarsfellintoherlap。Foraminuteshestaredatitasifithadbeenasnake，thenshereadherletterandbegantocry。Iftheamiablegentlemanwhowrotethatkindlynotecouldhaveknownwhatintensehappinesshewasgivingafellowcreature，Ithinkhewoulddevotehisleisurehours，ifhehasany，tothatamusement，forJovaluedthelettermorethanthemoney，becauseitwasencouraging，andafteryearsofeffortitwassopleasanttofindthatshehadlearnedtodosomething，thoughitwasonlytowriteasensationstory。Aprouderyoungwomanwasseldomseenthanshe，when，havingcomposedherself，sheelectrifiedthefamilybyappearingbeforethemwiththeletterinonehand，thecheckintheother，announcingthatshehadwontheprize。Ofcoursetherewasagreatjubilee，andwhenthestorycameeveryonereadandpraisedit，thoughafterherfatherhadtoldherthatthelanguagewasgood，theromancefreshandhearty，andthetragedyquitethrilling，heshookhishead，andsaidinhisunworldlyway……"Youcandobetterthanthis，Jo。Aimatthehighest，andnevermindthemoney。""Ithinkthemoneyisthebestpartofit。Whatwillyoudowithsuchafortune？"askedAmy，regardingthemagicslipofpaperwithareverentialeye。"SendBethandMothertotheseasideforamonthortwo，"answeredJopromptly。Totheseasidetheywent，aftermuchdiscussion，andthoughBethdidn’tcomehomeasplumpandrosyascouldbedesired，shewasmuchbetter，whileMrs。Marchdeclaredshefelttenyearsyounger。SoJowassatisfiedwiththeinvestmentofherprizemoney，andfelltoworkwithacheeryspirit，bentonearningmoreofthosedelightfulchecks。