"Iamwillingtowork。It’sforthefreedmenaswellastheChesters，andIthinkitverykindofthemtoletmesharethelaborandthefun。Patronagedoesnottroublemewhenitiswellmeant。"
　　"Quiterightandproper。Ilikeyourgratefulspirit，mydear。It’sapleasuretohelppeoplewhoappreciateourefforts。Somedonot，andthatistrying，"observedAuntMarch，lookingoverherspectaclesatJo，whosatapart，rockingherself，withasomewhatmoroseexpression。
　　IfJohadonlyknownwhatagreathappinesswaswaveringinthebalanceforoneofthem，shewouldhaveturneddove—likeinaminute，butunfortunately，wedon’thavewindowsinourbreasts，andcannotseewhatgoesoninthemindsofourfriends。Betterforusthatwecannotasageneralthing，butnowandthenitwouldbesuchacomfort，suchasavingoftimeandtemper。Byhernextspeech，Jodeprivedherselfofseveralyearsofpleasure，andreceivedatimelylessonintheartofholdinghertongue。
　　"Idon’tlikefavors，theyoppressandmakemefeellikeaslave。I’dratherdoeverythingformyself，andbeperfectlyindependent。"
　　"Ahem！"coughedAuntCarrolsoftly，withalookatAuntMarch。
　　"Itoldyouso，"saidAuntMarch，withadecidednodtoAuntCarrol。
　　Mercifullyunconsciousofwhatshehaddone，Josatwithhernoseintheair，andarevolutionaryaspectwhichwasanythingbutinviting。
　　"DoyouspeakFrench，dear？"askedMrs。Carrol，layingahandonAmy’s。
　　"Prettywell，thankstoAuntMarch，wholetsEsthertalktomeasoftenasIlike，"repliedamy，withagratefullook，whichcausedtheoldladytosmileaffably。
　　"Howareyouaboutlanguages？"askedMrs。CarrolofJO。
　　"Don’tknowaword。I’mverystupidaboutstudyinganything，can’tbearFrench，it’ssuchaslippery，sillysortoflanguage，"wasthebrusquereply。
　　Anotherlookpassedbetweentheladies，andAuntMarchsaidtoAmy，’Youarequitestrongandwellno，dear，Ibelieve？Eyesdon’ttroubleyouanymore，dothey？"
　　"Notatall，thankyou，ma’am。I’mverywell，andmeantodogreatthingsnextwinter，sothatImaybereadyforRome，wheneverthatjoyfultimearrives。"
　　"Goodgirl！Youdeservetogo，andI’msureyouwillsomeday，"saidAuntMarch，withanapproving;patonthehead，asAmypickedupherballforher。Crosspatch，drawthelatch，Sitbythefireandspin，squalledPolly，bendingdownfromhisperchonthebackofherchairtopeepintoJo’sface，withsuchacomicalairofimpertinentinquirythatitwasimpossibletohelplaughing。
　　"Mostobservingbird，"saidtheoldlady。
　　"Comeandtakeawalk，mydear？"criedPolly，hoppingtowardthechinacloset，withalooksuggestiveofalumpofsugar。
　　"Thankyou，Iwill。ComeAmy。"AndJobroughtthevisittoanend，feelingmorestronglythaneverthatcallsdidhaveabadeffectuponherconstitution。Sheshookhandsinagentlemanlymanner，butAmykissedboththeaunts，andthegirlsdeparted，leavingbehindthemtheimpressionofshadowandsunshine，whichimpressioncausedAuntMarchtosay，astheyvanished……
　　"You’dbetterdoit，Mary。I’llsupplythemoney。AndAuntCarroltoreplydecidedly，"Icertainlywill，ifherfatherandmotherconsent。"
　　GoodWives:Chapter7CHAPTER7ConsequencesMrs。Chester’sfairwassoveryelegantandselectthatitwasconsideredagreathonorbytheyoungladiesoftheneighborhoodtobeinvitedtotakeatable，andeveryonewasmuchinterestinthematter。Amywasasked，butJowasnot，whichwasfortunateforallparties，asherelbowsweredecidedlyakimboatthisperiodofherlife，andittookagoodmanyhardknockstoteachherhowtogetoneasily。The`haughty，uninterestingcreature’wasletseverelyalone，butAmy’stalentandtasteweredulycomplimentedbytheofferofthearttable，andsheexertedherselftoprepareandsecureappropriateandvaluablecontributionstoit。
　　Everythingwentonsmoothlytillthedaybeforethefairopened，thenthereoccurredoneofthelittleskirmisheswhichitisalmostimpossibletoavoid，whensomefive—and—twentywomen，oldandyoung，withalltheirprivatepiquesandprejudices，trytoworktogether。
　　MayChesterwasratherjealousofAmybecausethelatterwasagreaterfavoritethanherself，andjustatthistimeseveraltriflingcircumstancesoccurredtoincreasethefeeling。Amy’sdaintypen—and—inkworkentirelyeclipsedMay’spaintedvases——thatwasonethorn。ThentheallconqueringTudorhaddancedfourtimeswithAmyatalatepartyandonlyoncewithMay——thatwasthornnumbertwo。Butthechiefgrievancethatrankledinhersoul，andgaveanexcuseforherunfriendlyconduct，wasarumorwhichsomeobliginggossiphadwhisperedtoher，thattheMarchgirlshadmadefunofherattheLambs’。AlltheblameofthisshouldhavefallenuponJo，forhernaughtyimitationhadbeentoolifeliketoescapedetection，andthefrolicsomeLambshadpermittedthejoketoescape。Nohintofthishadreachedtheculprits，however，andAmy’sdismaycanbeimagined，when，theveryeveningbeforethefair，asshewasputtingthelasttouchestoherprettytable，Mrs。Chester，who，ofcourse，resentedthesupposedridiculeofherdaughter，said，inablandtone，butwithacoldlook……
　　"Ifind，dear，thatthereissomefeelingamongtheyoungladiesaboutmygivingthistabletoanyonebutmygirls。Asthisisthemostprominent，andsomesaythemostattractivetableofall，andtheyarethechiefgetters—upofthefair，itisthoughtbestforthemtotakethisplace。I’msorry，butIknowyouaretoosincerelyinterestedinthecausetomindalittlepersonaldisappointment，andyoushallhaveanothertableifyoulike。"
　　Mrs。Chesterfanciedbeforehandthatitwouldbeeasytodeliverthislittlespeech，butwhenthetimecame，shefounditratherdifficulttoutteritnaturally，withAmy’sunsuspiciouseyeslookingstraightatherfullofsurpriseandtrouble。
　　"Amyfeltthattherewassomethingbehindthis，butwouldnotguesswhat，andsaidquietly，feelinghurt，andshowingthatshedid，"PerhapsyouhadratherItooknotableatall？"
　　"Now，mydear，don’thaveanyillfeeling，Ibeg。It’smerelyamatterofexpediency，yousee，mygirlswillnaturallytakethelead，andthistableisconsideredtheirproperplace。Ithinkitveryappropriatetoyou，andfeelverygratefulforyoureffortstomakeitsopretty，butwemustgiveupourprivatewishes，ofcourse，andIwillseethatyouhaveagoodplaceelsewhere。Wouldn’tyouliketheflowertable？Thelittlegirlsundertookit，buttheyarediscouraged。Youcouldmakeacharmingthingofit，andtheflowertableisalwaysattractiveyouknow。"
　　"Especiallytogentlemen，"addedMay，withalookwhichenlightenedAmyastoonecauseofhersuddenfallfromfavor。Shecoloredangrily，buttooknoothernoticeofthatgirlishsarcasm，andansweredwithunexpectedamiability……
　　"Itshallbeasyouplease，Mrs。Chester。I’llgiveupmyplacehereatonce，andattendtotheflowers，ifyoulike。"
　　"Youcanputyourownthingsonyourowntable，ifyouprefer，"beganMay，feelingalittleconscience—stricken，asshelookedattheprettyracks，thepaintedshells，andquaintilluminationsAmyhadsocarefullymadeandsogracefullyarranged。Shemeantitkindly，butAmymistookhermeaning，andsaidquickly……
　　"Oh，certainly，iftheyareinyourway，"andsweepinghercontributionsintoherapron，pell—mell，shewalkedoff，feelingthatherselfandherworksofarthadbeeninsultedpastforgiveness。
　　"Nowshe’smad。Oh，dear，IwishIhadn’taskedyoutospeak，Mama，"saidMay，lookingdisconsolatelyattheemptyspacesonhertable。
　　"Girls’quarrelsaresoonover，"returnedhermother，feelingatrifleashamedofherownpartinthisone，aswellshemight。
　　ThelittlegirlshailedAmyandhertreasureswithdelight，whichcordialreceptionsomewhatsoothedherperturbedspirit，andshefelltowork，determinedtosucceedflorally，ifshecouldnotartistically。Buteverythingseemedagainsther。Itwaslate，andshewastired。Everyonewastoobusywiththeirownaffairstohelpher，andthelittlegirlswereonlyhindrances，forthedearsfussedandchatteredlikesomanymagpies，makingagreatdealofconfusionintheirartlesseffortstopreservethemostperfectorder。Theevergreenarchwouldn’tstayfirmaftershegotitup，butwiggledandthreatenedtotumbledownonherheadwhenthehangingbasketswerefilled。Herbesttilegotasplashofwater，whichleftasephiatearontheCupid’scheek。Shebruisedherhandswithhammering，andgotcoldworkinginadraft，whichlastafflictionfilledherwithapprehensionsforthemorrow。AnygirlreaderwhohassufferedlikeafflictionswillsympathizewithpoorAmyandwishherwellthroughhertask。
　　Therewasgreatindignationathomewhenshetoldherstorythatevening。Hermothersaiditwasashame，buttoldhershehaddoneright。Bethdeclaredshewouldn’tgotothefairatall，andJodemandedwhyshedidn’ttakeallherprettythingsandleavethosemeanpeopletogetonwithouther。
　　"Becausetheyaremeanisnoreasonwhyishouldbe。Ihatesuchthings，andthoughIthinkI’vearighttobehurt，Idon’tintendtoshowit。Theywillfeelthatmorethanangryspeechesorhuffyactions，won’tthey，Marmee？"
　　"That’stherightspirit，mydear。Akissforablowisalwaysbest，thoughit’snotveryeasytogiveitsometimes，"saidhermother，withtheairofonewhohadlearnedthedifferencebetweenpreachingandpracticing。
　　Inspiteofvariousverynaturaltemptationstoresentandretaliate，Amyadheredtoherresolutionallthenextday，bentonconqueringherenemybykindness。Shebeganwell，thankstoasilentreminderthatcametoherunexpectedly，butmostopportunely。Asshearrangedhertablethatmorning，whilethelittlegirlswereintheanteroomfillingthebaskets，shetookupherpetproduction，alittlebook，theantiquecoverofwhichherfatherhadfoundamonghistreasures，andinwhichonleavesofvellumshehadbeautifullyilluminateddifferenttexts。Assheturnedthepagesrichindaintydeviceswithverypardonablepride，hereyefellupononeversethatmadeherstopandthink。Framedinabrilliantscrollworkofscarlet，blueandgold，withlittlespiritsofgoodwillhelpingoneanotherupanddownamongthethornsandflowers，werethewords，"Thoushaltlovethyneighborasthyself。"
　　"Iought，butIdon’t，"thoughtAmy，ashereyewentfromthebrightpagetoMay’sdiscontentedfacebehindthebigvases，thatcouldnothidethevacanciesherprettyworkhadoncefilled。Amystoodaminute，turningtheleavesinherhand，readingoneachsomesweetrebukeforallheartburningsanduncharitablenessofspirit。Manywiseandtruesermonsarepreacheduseverydaybyunconsciousministersinstreet，school，office，orhome。Evenafairtablemaybecomeapulpit，ifitcanofferthegoodandhelpfulwordswhichareneveroutofseason。Amy’sconsciencepreachedheralittlesermonfromthattext，thenandthere，andshedidwhatmanyofusdonotalwaysdo，tookthesermontoheart，andstraightwayputitinpractice。AgroupofgirlswerestandingaboutMay’stable，admiringtheprettythings，andtalkingoverthechangeofsaleswomen。Theydroppedtheirvoices，butAmyknewtheywerespeakingofher，hearingonesideofthestoryandjudgingaccordingly。Itwasnotpleasant，butabetterspirithadcomeoverher，andpresentlyachanceofferedforprovingit。SheheardMaysaysorrowfully……
　　"It’stoobad，forthereisnotimetomakeotherthings，andIdon’twanttofillupwithoddsandends。Thetablewasjustcompletethen。Nowit’sspoiled。"
　　"Idaresayshe’dputthembackifyouaskedher，"suggestedsomeone。
　　"HowcouldIafterallthefuss？"beganMay，butshedidnotfinish，forAmy’svoicecameacrossthehall，sayingpleasantly……
　　"Youmayhavethem，andwelcome，withoutasking，ifyouwantthem。IwasjustthinkingI’doffertoputthemback，fortheybelongtoyourtableratherthanmine。Heretheyare，pleasetakethem，andforgivemeifIwashastyincarryingthemawaylastnight。"
　　Asshespoke，Amyreturnedhercontribution，withanodandasmile，andhurriedawayagain，feelingthatitwaseasiertodoafriendlythingthanitwastostayandbethankedforit。
　　"Now，Icallthatlovelyofher，don’tyou？"criedonegirl。
　　May’sanswerwasinaudible，butanotheryounglady，whosetemperwasevidentlyalittlesouredbymakinglemonade，added，withadisagreeablelaugh，"Verylovely，forsheknewshewouldn’tsellthematherowntable。"
　　Now，thatwashard。Whenwemakelittlesacrificesweliketohavethemappreciated，atleast，andforaminuteAmywassorryshehaddoneit，feelingthatvirtuewasnotalwaysitswonreward。Butitis，asshepresentlydiscovered，forherspiritsbegantorise，andhertabletoblossomunderherskillfulhands，thegirlswereverykind，andthatonelittleactseemedtohaveclearedtheatmosphereamazingly。
　　ItwasaverylongdayandahardoneforAmy，asshesatbehindhertable，oftenquitealone，forthelittlegirlsdesertedverysoon。Fewcaredtobuyflowersinsummer，andherbouquetsbegantodrooplongbeforenight。
　　Thearttablewasthemostattractiveintheroom。Therewasacrowdaboutitalldaylong，andthetenderswereconstantlyflyingtoandfrowithimportantfacesandrattlingmoneyboxes。Amyoftenlookedwistfullyacross，longingtobethere，whereshefeltathomeandhappy，insteadofinacornerwithnothingtodo。Itmightseemnohardshiptosomeofus，buttoapretty，blitheyounggirl，itwasnotonlytedious，butverytrying，andthethoughtofLaurieandhisfriendsmadeitarealmartyrdom。
　　Shedidnotgohometillnight，andthenshelookedsopaleandquietthattheyknewthedayhadbeenahardone，thoughshemadenocomplaint，anddidnoteventellwhatshehaddone。Hermothergaveheranextracordialcupoftea。Bethhelpedherdress，andmadeacharminglittlewreathforherhair，whileJoastonishedherfamilybygettingherselfupwithunusualcare，andhintingdarklythatthetableswereabouttobeturned。
　　"Don’tdoanythingrude，prayJo。Iwon’thaveanyfussmade，soletitallpassandbehaveyourself，"beggedAmy，asshedepartedearly，hopingtofindareinforcementofflowerstorefreshherpoorlittletable。
　　"ImerelyintendtomakemyselfentrancinglyagreeabletoeveroneIknow，andtokeeptheminyourcorneraslongaspossible。Teddyandhisboyswilllendahand，andwe’llhaveagoodtimeyet。"returnedJo，leaningoverthegatetowatchforLaurie。Presentlythefamiliartrampwasheardinthedusk，andsheranouttomeethim。
　　"Isthatmyboy？"
　　"Assureasthisismygirl！"AndLaurietuckedherhandunderhisarmwiththeairofamanwhoseeverywishwasgratified。
　　"Oh，teddy，suchdoings！"AndJotoldAmy’swrongswithsisterlyzeal。
　　"Aflockofourfellowsaregoingtodriveoverby—and—by，andI’llbehangedifIdon’tmakethembuyeveryflowershe’sgot，andcampdownbeforehertableafterward，"saidLaurie，espousinghercausewithwarmth。
　　"Theflowersarenotatallnice，Amysays，andthefreshonesmaynotarriveintime。Idon’twishtobeunjustorsuspicious，butIshouldn’twonderiftheynevercameatall。Whenpeopledoonemeanthingtheyareverylikelytodoanother，"observedJoinadisgustedtone。
　　"Didn’tHayesgiveyouthebestoutofourgardens？Itoldhimto。"
　　"Ididn’tknowthat，heforgot，Isuppose，and，asyourgrandpawaspoorly，Ididn’tliketoworryhimbyasking，thoughIdidwantsome。"
　　"Now，Jo，howcouldyouthinktherewasanyneedofasking？Theyarejustasmuchyoursasmine。Don’twealwaysgohalvesineverything？"beganLaurie，inthetonethatalwaysmadeJoturnthorny。
　　"Gracious，Ihopenot！Halfofsomeofyourthingswouldn’tsuitmeatall。Butwemustn’tstandphilanderinghere。I’vegottohelpAmy，soyougoandmakeyourselfsplendid，andifyou’llbesoverykindastoletHayestakeafewniceflowersuptotheHall，I’llblessyouforever。"
　　"Couldn’tyoudoitnow？"askedLaurie，sosuggestivelythatJoshutthegateinhisfacewithinhospitablehaste，andcalledthroughthebars，"Goaway，Teddy，I’mbusy。"
　　Thankstotheconspirators，thetableswereturnedthatnight，forHayessentupawildernessofflowers，withaloverlybasketarrangedinhisbestmannerforacenterpiece。ThentheMarchfamilyturnedoutenmasse，andJoexertedherselftosomepurpose，forpeoplenotonlycame，butstayed，laughingathernonsense，admiringAmy’staste，andapparentlyenjoyingthemselvesverymuch。Laurieandhisfriendsgallantlythrewthemselvesintothebreach，boughtupthebouquets，encampedbeforethetable，andmadethatcornertheliveliestspotintheroom。Amywasinherelementnow，andoutofgratitude，ifnothingmore，wasasspritelyandgraciousaspossible，comingtotheconclusion，aboutthattime，thatvirtuewasit’sownreward，afterall。
　　Jobehavedherselfwithexemplarypropriety，andwhenAmywashappilysurroundedbyherguardofhonor，Jocirculatedaboutthehall，pickingupvariousbitsofgossip，whichenlightenedheruponthesubjectoftheChesterchangeofbase。ShereproachedherselfforhershareoftheillfeelingandresolvedtoexonerateAmyassoonaspossible。ShealsodiscoveredwhatAmyhaddoneaboutthethingsinthemorning，andconsideredheramodelofmagnanimity。Asshepassedthearttable，sheglancedoveritforhersister’sthings，butsawnosignofthem。"Tuckedawayoutofsight，Idaresay，"thoughtJo，whocouldforgiverherownwrongs，buthotlyresentedanyinsultofferedherfamily。
　　"Goodevening，MissJo。HowdoesAmygeton？"askedMaywithaconciliatoryair，forshewantedtoshowthatshealsocouldbegenerous。
　　"Shehassoldeverythingshehadthatwasworthselling，andnowsheisenjoyingherself。Theflowertableisalwaysattractive，youknow，`especiallytogentlemen’。"
　　Jocouldn’tresistgivingthatlittleslap，butMaytookitsomeeklysheregretteditaminuteafter，andfelltopraisingthegreatvases，whichstillremainedunsold。
　　"IsAmy’silluminationanywhereabout"ItookafancytobuythatforFather，"saidJo，veryanxioustolearnthefateofhersister’swork。
　　"EverythingofAmy’ssoldlongago。Itookcarethattherightpeoplesawthem，andtheymadeanicelittlesumofmoneyforus，"returnedMay，whohadovercomesundrysmalltemptations，aswellasAmyhad，thatday。
　　Muchgratified，Jorushedbacktotellthegoodnews，andAmylookedbothtouchedandsurprisedbythereportofMay’swordandmanner。
　　"Now，gentlemen，Iwantyoutogoanddoyourdutybytheothertablesasgenerouslyasyouhavebymine，especiallythearttable，"shesaid，orderingout`Teddy’sown’，asthegirlscalledthecollegefriends。
　　"`Charge，Chester，charge！’isthemottoforthattable，butdoyourdutylikemen，andyou’llgetyourmoney’sworthofartineverysenseoftheword，"saidtheirrepressibleJo，asthedevotedphalanxpreparedtotakethefield。
　　"Tohearistoobey，butMarchisfairerfarthanMay，"saidlittleParker，makingafranticefforttobebothwittyandtender，andgettingpromptlyquenchedbyLaurie，whosaid……
　　"Verywell，myson，forasmallboy！"andwalkedhimoff，withapaternalpatonthehead。
　　"Buythevases，"whisperedAmytoLaurie，asafinalheapingofcoalsoffireonherenemy’shead。
　　ToMay’sgreatdelight，Mr。Laurencenotonlyboughtthevases，butpervadedthehallwithoneundereacharm。Theothergentlemenspeculatedwithequalrashnessinallsortsoffrailtrifles，andwanderedhelplesslyaboutafterward，burdenedwithwaxflowers，paintedfans，filigreeportfolios，andotherusefulandappropriatepurchases。
　　AuntCarrolwasthere，heardthestory，lookedpleased，andsaidsomethingtoMrs。Marchinacorner，whichmadethelatterladybeamwithsatisfaction，andwatchAmywithafacefullofmingledprideandanxiety，thoughshedidnotbetraythecauseofherpleasuretillseveraldayslater。
　　Thefairwaspronouncedasuccess，andwhenMaybadeAmygoodnight，shedidnotgushasusual，butgaveheranaffectionatekiss，andalookwhichsaid`forgiveandforget’。ThatsatisfiedAmy，andwhenshegothomeshefoundthevasesparadedontheparlorchimneypiecewithagreatbouquetineach。"TherewardofmeritforamagnanimousMarch，"asLaurieannouncedwithaflourish。
　　"You’veadealmoreprincipleandgenerosityandnoblenessofcharacterthanIevergaveyoucreditfor，Amy。You’vebehavedsweetly，andIrespectyouwithallmyheart，"saidJowarmly，astheybrushedtheirhairtogetherlatethatnight。
　　"Yes，wealldo，andloveherforbeingsoreadytoforgive。Itmusthavebeendreadfullyhard，afterworkingsolongandsettingyourheartonsellingyourownprettythings。Idon’tbelieveIcouldhavedoneitaskindlyasyoudid，"addedBethfromherpillow。
　　"Why，girls，youneedn’tpraisemeso。IonlydidasI’dbedoneby。YoulaughatmewhenIsayIwanttobealady，butImeanatruegentlewomaninmindandmanners，andItrytodoitasfarasIknowhow。Ican’texplainexactly，butIwanttobeabovethelittlemeannessesandfolliesandfaultsthatspoilsomanywomen。I’mfarfromitnow，butIdomybest，andhopeintimetobewhatMotheris。"
　　Amyspokeearnestly，andJosaid，withacordialhug，"Iunderstandnowwhatyoumean，andI’llneverlaughatyouagain。Youaregettingonfasterthanyouthink，andI’lltakelessonsofyouintruepoliteness，foryou’velearnedthesecret，Ibelieve。Tryaway，deary，you’llgetyourrewardsomeday，andnoonewillbemoredelightedthanIshall。"
　　AweeklaterAmydidgetherreward，andpoorJofoundithardtobedelighted。AlettercamefromAuntCarrol，andMrs。March’sfacewasilluminatedtosuchadegreewhenshereaditthatJoandBeth，whowerewithher，demandedwhatthegladtidingwere。
　　"AuntCarrolisgoingabroadnextmonth，andwants……"
　　"Metogowithher！"burstinJo，flyingoutofherchairinanuncontrollablerapture。
　　"No，dear，notyou。It’sAmy。"
　　"Oh，Mother！She’stooyoung，it’smyturnfirst。I’vewanteditsolong。Itwoulddomesomuchgood，andbesoaltogethersplendid。Imustgo！"
　　"I’mafraidit’simpossible，Jo。AuntsaysAmy，decidedly，anditisnotforustodictatewhensheofferssuchafavor。"
　　"It’salwaysso。AmyhasallthefunandIhaveallthework。Itisn’tfair，oh，itisn’tfair！"criedJopassionately。
　　"I’mafraidit’spartlyyourownfault，dear。WhenAuntspoketometheotherday，sheregrettedyourbluntmannersandtooindependentspirit，andhereshewrites，asifquotingsomethingyouhadsaid——`IplannedatfirsttoaskJo，butas`favorsburdenher’，andshe`hatesFrench’，IthinkIwon’tventuretoinviteher。Amyismoredocile，willmakeagoodcompanionforFlo，andreceivegratefullyanyhelpthetripmaygiveher。"
　　"Oh，mytongue，myabominabletongue！Whycan’tIlearntokeepitquiet？’groanedJo，rememberingwordswhichhadbeenherundoing。Whenshehadheardtheexplanationofthequotedphrases，Mrs。Marchsaidsorrowfully……
　　"Iwishyoucouldhavegone，butthereisnohopeofitthistime，sotrytobearitcheerfully，anddon’tsaddenAmy’spleasurebyreproachesorregrets。"
　　"I’lltry，"saidJo，winkinghardasshekneltdowntopickupthebasketshehadjoyfullyupset。"I’lltakealeafoutofherbook，andtrynotonlytoseemglad，buttobeso，andnotgrudgeheroneminuteofhappiness。Butitwon’tbeeasy，foritisadreadfuldisappointment。"AndpoorJobedewedthelittlefatpincushionsheheldwithseveralverybittertears。"Jo，dear，I’mveryselfish，butIcouldn’tspareyou，andI’mgladyouarenotgoingquiteyet，"whisperedBeth，embracingher，basketandall，withsuchaclingingtouchandlovingfacethatJofeltcomfortedinspiteofthesharpregretthatmadeherwanttoboxherownears，andhumblybegAuntCarroltoburdenherwiththisfavor，andseehowgratefullyshewouldbearit。
　　BythetimeAmycamein，Jowasabletotakeherpartinthefamilyjubilation，notquiteasheartilyasusual，perhaps，butwithoutrepiningsatAmy’sgoodfortune。Theyoungladyherselfreceivedthenewsastidingsofgreatjoy，wentaboutinasolemnsortofrapture，andbegantosorthercolorsandpackherpencilsthatevening，leavingsuchtriflesasclothes，money，andpassportstothoselessabsorbedinvisionsofartthanherself。
　　"Itisn’tamerepleasuretriptome，girls，"shesaidimpressively，asshescrapedherbestpalette。"Itwilldecidemycareer，forifIhaveanygenius，IshallfinditoutinRome，andwilldosomethingtoproveit。"
　　"Supposeyouhaven’t？"saidJo，sewingaway，withredeyes，atthenewcollarswhichweretobehandedovertoAmy。
　　"ThenIshallcomehomeandteachdrawingformyliving，"repliedtheaspirantforfame，withphilosophiccomposure。Butshemadeawryfaceattheprospect，andscratchedawayatherpaletteasifbentonvigorousmeasuresbeforeshegaveupherhopes。
　　"No，youwon’t。Youhatehardwork，andyou’llmarrysomerichman，andcomehometositinthelapofluxuryallyourdays，"saidJo。
　　"Yourpredictionssometimescometopass，butIdon’tbelievethatonewill。I’msureIwishitwould，forifIcan’tbeanartistmyself，Ishouldliketobeabletohelpthosewhoare，"saidAmy，smiling，asifthepartofLadyBountifulwouldsuitherbetterthanthatofapoordrawingteacher。
　　"Hum！"saidJo，withasigh。"Ifyouwishityou’llhaveit，foryourwishesarealwaysgranted——minenever。"
　　"Wouldyouliketogo？"askedAmy，thoughtfullypattinghernosewithherknife。
　　"Rather！"
　　"Well，inayearortwoI’llsendforyou，andwe’lldigintheForumforrelics，andcarryoutalltheplanswe’vemadesomanytimes。"
　　"Thankyou。I’llremindyouofyourpromisewhenthatjoyfuldaycomes，ifiteverdoes，"returnedJo，acceptingthevaguebutmagnificentofferasgratefullyasshecould。"Therewasnotmuchtimeforpreparation，andthehousewasinafermenttillAmywasoff。Joboreupverywelltillthelastflutterofblueribbonvanished，whensheretiredtoherrefuge，thegarret，andcriedtillshecouldn’tcryanymore。Amylikewiseboreupstoutlytillthesteamersailed。Thenjustasthegangwaywasabouttobewithdrawn，itsuddenlycameoverherthatawholeoceanwassoontorollbetweenherandthosewholovedherbest，andsheclungtoLaurie，thelastlingerer，sayingwithasob……
　　"Oh，takecareofthemforme，andifanythingshouldhappen……"
　　"Iwill，dear，Iwill，andifanythinghappens，I’llcomeandcomfortyou，"whisperedLaurie，littledreamingthathewouldbecalledupontokeephisword。
　　SoAmysailedawaytofindtheOldWorld，whichisalwaysnewandbeautifultoyoungeyes，whileherfatherandfriendwatchedherfromtheshore，ferventlyhopingthatnonebutgentlefortuneswouldbefallthehappy—heartedgirl，whowavedherhandtothemtilltheycouldseenothingbutthesummersunshinedazzlingonthesea。
　　GoodWives:Chapter8CHAPTER8OurForeignCorrespondentLondonDearestPeople，HereIreallysitatafrontwindowoftheBathHotel，Piccadilly。It’snotafashionableplace，butUnclestoppedhereyearsago，andwon’tgoanywhereelse。However，wedon’tmeantostaylong，soit’snogreatmatter。Oh，Ican’tbegintotellyouhowIenjoyitall！Inevercan，soI’llonlygiveyoubitsoutofmynotebook，forI’vedonenothingbutsketchandscribblesinceIstarted。
　　IsentalinefromHalifax，whenIfeltprettymiserable，butafterthatIgotondelightfully，seldomill，ondeckallday，withplentyofpleasantpeopletoamuseme。Everyonewasverykindtome，especiallytheofficers。Don’tlaugh，Jo，gentlemenreallyareverynecessaryaboardship，toholdonto，ortowaituponone，andastheyhavenothingtodo，it’samercytomakethemuseful，otherwisetheywouldsmokethemselvestodeath，I’mafraid。
　　AuntandFlowerepoorlyalltheway，andlikedtobeletalone，sowhenIhaddonewhatIcouldforthem，Iwentandenjoyedmyself。Suchwalksondeck，suchsunsets，suchsplendidairandwaves！Itwasalmostasexcitingasridingafasthorse，whenwewentrushingonsograndly。IwishBethcouldhavecome，itwouldhavedonehersomuchgood。AsforJo，shewouldhavegoneupandsatonthemaintopjib，orwhateverthehighthingiscalled，madefriendswiththeengineers，andtootedonthecaptain’sspeakingtrumpet，she’dhavebeeninsuchastateofrapture。
　　Itwasallheavenly，butIwasgladtoseetheIrishcoast，andfounditverylovely，sogreenandsunny，withbrowncabinshereandthere，ruinsonsomeofthehills，andgentlemen’scountryseatsinthevalleys，withdeerfeedingintheparks。Itwasearlyinthemorning，butIdidn’tregretgettinguptoseeit，forthebaywasfulloflittleboats，theshoresopicturesque，andarosyskyoverhead。Inevershallforgetit。