Mr。Marchtoldhowhehadlongedtosurprisethem，andhow，whenthefineweathercame，hehadbeenallowedbyhisdoctor，totakeadvantageofit，howdevotedBrookehadbeen，andhowhewasaltogetheramostestimableanduprightyoungman。WhyMr。Marchpausedaminutejustthere，andafteraglanceatMeg，whowasviolentlypokingthefire，lookedathiswifewithaninquiringliftoftheeyebrows，Ileaveyoutoimagine。AlsowhyMrs。
　　Marchgentlynoddedherheadandasked，ratherabruptly，ifhewouldn’tliketohavesomethingtoeat。Josawandunderstoodthelook，andshestalkedgrimlyawaytogetwineandbeeftea，mutteringtoherselfassheslammedthedoor，“Ihateestimableyoungmenwithbrowneyes!“
　　ThereneverwassuchaChristmasdinnerastheyhadthatday。
　　Thefatturkeywasasighttobehold，whenHannahsenthimup，stuffed，browned，anddecorated。Sowastheplumpudding，whichmeltedinone’smouth，likewisethejellies，inwhichAmyreveledlikeaflyinahoneypot。Everythingturnedoutwell，whichwasamercy，Hannahsaid，“Formymindwasthatflustered，Mum，thatit’samerrycleIdidn’troastthepudding，andstufftheturkeywithraisins，letalonebilin’ofitinacloth。“
　　Mr。Laurenceandhisgrandsondinedwiththem，alsoMr。
　　Brooke，atwhomJoglowereddarkly，toLaurie’sinfiniteamusement。
　　Twoeasychairsstoodsidebysideattheheadofthetable，inwhichsatBethandherfather，feastingmodestlyonchickenandalittlefruit。Theydrankhealths，toldstories，sangsongs，`reminisced’，astheoldfolkssay，andhadathoroughlygoodtime。
　　Asleighridehadbeenplanned，butthegirlswouldnotleavetheirfather，sotheguestsdepartedearly，andastwilightgathered，thehappyfamilysattogetherroundthefire。
　　“JustayearagoweweregroaningoverthedismalChristmasweexpectedtohave。Doyouremember？“askedJo，breakingashortpausewhichhadfollowedalongconversationaboutmanythings。
　　“Ratherapleasantyearonthewhole!“saidMeg，smilingatthefire，andcongratulatingherselfonhavingtreatedMr。Brookewithdignity。
　　“Ithinkit’sbeenaprettyhardone，“observedAmy，watchingthelightshineonherringwiththoughtfuleyes。
　　“i’mgladit’sover，becausewe’vegotyouback，“whisperedBeth，whosatonherfather’sknee。
　　“Ratheraroughroadforyoutotravel，mylittlepilgrims，especiallythelatterpartofit。Butyouhavegotonbravely，andIthinktheburdensareinafairwaytotumbleoffverysoon，“
　　saidMr。March，lookingwithfatherlysatisfactionatthefouryoungfacesgatheredroundhim。
　　“Howdoyouknow？DidMothertellyou？’askedJo。
　　“Notmuch。Strawsshowwhichwaythewindblows，andI’vemadeseveraldiscoveriestoday。“
　　“Oh，telluswhattheyare!“criedMeg，whosatbesidehim。
　　“Hereisone。“Andtakingupthehandwhichlayonthearmofhischair，hepointedtotheroughenedforefinger，aburnontheback，andtwoorthreelittlehardspotsonthepalm。“I
　　rememberatimewhenthishandwaswhiteandsmooth，andyourfirstcarewastokeepitso。Itwasveryprettythen，buttomeitismuchprettiernow，forinthisseemingblemishesIreadalittlehistory。Aburntofferinghasbeenmadetovanity，thishardenedpalmhasearnedsomethingbetterthanblisters，andI’msurethesewingdonebytheseprickedfingerswilllastalongtime，somuchgoodwillwentintothestitches。Meg，mydear，Ivaluethewomanlyskillwhichkeepshomehappymorethanwhitehandsorfashionableaccomplishments。I’mproudtoshakethisgood，industriouslittlehand，andhopeIshallnotsoonbeaskedtogiveitaway。“
　　IfMeghadwantedarewardforhoursofpatientlabor，shereceiveditintheheartypressureofherfather’shandandtheapprovingsmilehegaveher。
　　“WhataboutJo？Pleasesaysomethingnice，forshehastriedsohardandbeensovery，verygoodtome，“saidBethinherfather’sear。
　　Helaughedandlookedacrossatthetallgirlwhosatopposite，withandunusuallymildexpressioninherface。
　　“Inspiteofthecurlycrop，Idon’tseethe`sonJo’whomI
　　leftayearago，“saidMr。March。“Iseeayoungladywhopinshercollarstraight，lacesherbootsneatly，andneitherwhistles，talksslang，norliesontherugassheusedtodo。Herfaceisratherthinandpalejustnow，withwatchingandanxiety，butI
　　liketolookatit，forithasgrowngentler，andhervoiceislower。Shedoesn’tbounce，butmovesquietly，andtakescareofacertainlittlepersoninamotherlywaywhichdelightsme。I
　　rathermissmywildgirl，butifIgetastrong，helpful，tenderheartedwomaninherplace，Ishallfeelquitesatisfied。
　　Idon’tknowwhethertheshearingsoberedourblacksheep，butIdoknowthatinallWashingtonIcouldn’tfindanythingbeautifulenoughtobeboughtwiththefive-and-twentydollarsmygoodgirlsentme。“
　　Jo’skeeneyeswereratherdimforaminute，andherthinfacegrewrosyinthefirelightasshereceivedherfather’spraise，feelingthatshediddeserveaportionofit。
　　“Now，Beth，“saidAmy，longingforherturn，butreadytowait。
　　“There’ssolittleofher，I’mafraidtosaymuch，forfearshewillslipawayaltogether，thoughsheisnotsoshyassheusedtobe，“begantheirfathercheerfully。Butrecollectinghownearlyhehadlosther，heheldherclose，sayingtenderly，withhercheekagainsthisown，“I’vegotyousafe，myBeth，andI’llkeepyouso，pleaseGod。“
　　Afteraminute’ssilence，helookeddownatAmy，whosatonthecricketathisfeet，andsaid，withacaressoftheshininghair……
　　“IobservedthatAmytookdrumsticksatdinner，ranerrandsforhermotheralltheafternoon，gaveMegherplacetonight，andhaswaitedoneveryonwithpatienceandgoodhumor。Ialsoobservethatshedoesnotfretmuchnorlookintheglass，andhasnotevenmentionedaveryprettyringwhichshewears，soI
　　concludethatshehaslearnedtothinkofotherpeoplemoreandofherselfless，andhasdecidedtotryandmoldhercharacterascarefullyasshemoldsherlittleclayfigures。Iamgladofthis，forthoughIshouldbeveryproudofagracefulstatuemadebyher，Ishallbeinfinitelyprouderofalovabledaughterwithatalentformakinglifebeautifultoherselfandothers。“
　　“Whatareyouthinkingof，Beth？“askedJo，whenAmyhadthankedherfatherandtoldaboutherring。
　　“IreadinPILGRIM’SPROGRESStodayhow，aftermanytroubles，christianandHopefulcametoapleasantgreenmeadowwhereliliesbloomedallyearround，andtheretheyrestedhappily，aswedonow，beforetheywentontotheirjourney’send，“answeredBeth，adding，assheslippedoutofherfather’sarmsandwenttotheinstrument，“It’ssingingtimenow，andIwanttobeinmyoldplace。I’lltrytosingthesongoftheshepherdboywhichthePilgrimsheard。ImadethemusicforFather，becausehelikestheverses。“
　　So，sittingatthedearlittlepiano，Bethsoftlytouchedthekeys，andinthesweetvoicetheyhadneverthoughttohearagain，sangtoherownaccompanimentthequainthymn，whichwasasingularlyfittingsongforher。
　　Hethatisdownneedfearnofall，Hethatislownopride。
　　HethatishumbleevershallHaveGodtobehisguide。
　　IamcontentwithwhatIhave，Littlebeit，ormuch。
　　And，Lord!ContentmentstillIcrave，BecauseThousavestsuch。
　　Fulnesstothemaburdenis，Thatgoonpilgrimage。
　　Herelittle，andhereafterbliss，Isbestfromagetoage!
　　Likebeesswarmingaftertheirqueen，motheranddaughtershoveredaboutMr。Marchthenextday，neglectingeverythingtolookat，waitupon，andlistentothenewinvalid，whowasinafairwaytobekilledbykindness。AshesatproppedupinabigchairbyBeth’ssofa，withtheotherthreecloseby，andHannahpoppinginherheadnowandthen`topeekatthedearman’，nothingseemedneededtocompletetheirhappiness。Butsomethingwasneeded，andtheelderonesfeltit，thoughnoneconfessedthefact。Mr。andMrs。Marchlookedatoneanotherwithananxiousexpression，astheireyesfollowedMeg。Johadsuddenfitsofsobriety，andwasseentoshakeherfistatMr。Brooke’sumbrella，whichhadbeenleftinthehall。Megwasabsent-minded，shy，andsilent，startedwhenthebellrang，andcoloredwhenJohn’snamewasmentioned。Amysaid，“Everyoneseemedwaitingforsomething，andcouldn’tsettledown，whichwasqueer，sinceFatherwassafeathome，“andBethinnocentlywonderedwhytheirneighborsdidn’trunoverasusual。
　　Lauriewentbyintheafternoon，andseeingMegatthewindow，seemedsuddenlypossessedwithamelodramaticfit，forhefelldownononekneeinthesnow，beathisbreast，torehishair，andclaspedhishandsimploringly，asifbeggingsomeboon。
　　AndwhenMegtoldhimtobehavehimselfandgoaway，hewrungimaginarytearsoutofhishandkerchief，andstaggeredroundthecornerasifinutterdespair。
　　“Whatdoesthegoosemean？“saidMeg，laughingandtryingtolookunconscious。
　　“He’sshowingyouhowyourJohnwillgoonby-and-by。
　　Touchin，isn’tit？“answeredJoscornfully。
　　“Don’tsaymyJohn，itisn’tproperortrue，“butMeg’svoicelingeredoverthewordsasiftheysoundedpleasanttoher。“Pleasedon’tplagueme，Jo，I’vetoldyouIdon’tcaremuchabouthim，andthereisn’ttobeanythingsaid，butwearealltobefriendly，andgoonasbefore。“
　　“Wecan’t，forsomethinghasbeensaid，andLaurie’smischiefhasspoiledyouforme。Iseeit，andsodoesMother。Youarenotlikeyouroldselfabit，andseemeversofarawayfromme。I
　　don’tmeantoplagueyouandwillbearitlikeaman，butIdowishitwasallsettled。Ihatetowait，soifyoumeanevertodoit，makehasteandhaveitoverquickly，“saidJopettishly。
　　“Ican’tsayanythingtillhespeaks，andhewon’t，becauseFathersaidIwastooyoung，“beganMeg，bendingoverherworkwithaqueerlittlesmile，whichsuggestedthatshedidnotquiteagreewithherfatheronthatpoint。
　　“Ifhedidspeak，youwouldn’tknowwhattosay，butwouldcryorblush，orlethimhavehisownway，insteadofgivingagood，decidedno。“
　　“I’mnotsosillyandweakasyouthink。IknowjustwhatIshouldsay，forI’veplanneditall，soIneedn’tbetakenunawares。There’snoknowingwhatmayhappen，andIwishedtobeprepared。“
　　Jocouldn’thelpsmilingattheimportantairwhichMeghadunconsciouslyassumedandwhichwasasbecomingastheprettycolorvaryinginhercheeks。
　　“Wouldyoumindtellingmewhatyou’dsay？“askedJomorerespectfully。
　　“Notatall。Youaresixteennow，quiteoldenoughtobemyconfidente，andmyexperiencewillbeusefultoyouby-and-by，perhaps，inyourownaffairsofthissort。“
　　“Don’tmeantohaveany。It’sfuntowatchotherpeoplephilander，butIshouldfeellikeafooldoingitmyself，“saidJo，lookingalarmedatthethought。
　　“Ithinknot，ifyoulikedanyoneverymuch，andhelikedyou。“Megspokeasiftoherself，andglancedoutatthelanewhereshehadoftenseenloverswalkingtogetherinthesummertwilight。
　　“Ithoughtyouweregoingtotellyourspeechtothatman，“
　　saidJo，rudelyshorteninghersister’slittlereverie。
　　“Oh，Ishouldmerelysay，quitecalmlyanddecidedly，`Thankyou，Mr。Brooke，youareverykind，butIagreewithFatherthatIamtooyoungtoenterintoanyengagementatpresent，sopleasesaynomore，butletusbefriendsaswewere。“
　　“Hum，that’sstiffandcoolenough!Idon’tbelieveyou’lleversayit，andIknowhewon’tbesatisfiedifyoudo。Ifhegoesonliketherejectedloversinbooks，you’llgivein，ratherthanhurthisfeelings。“
　　“No，Iwon’t。IshalltellhimI’vemadeupmymind，andshallwalkoutoftheroomwithdignity。“
　　Megroseasshespoke，andwasjustgoingtorehearsethedignifiedexit，whenastepinthehallmadeherflyintoherseatandbegintosewasfastasifherlifedependedonfinishingthatparticularseaminagiventime。Josmotheredalaughatthesuddenchange，andwhensomeonegaveamodesttap，openedthedoorwithagrimaspectwhichwasanythingbuthospitable。
　　“Goodafternoon。Icametogetmyumbrella，thatis，toseehowyourfatherfindshimselftoday，“saidMr。Brooke，gettingatrifleconfusedashiseyeswentfromonetelltalefacetotheother。
　　“It’sverywell，he’sintherack。I’llgethim，andtellityouarehere。“Andhavingjumbledherfatherandtheumbrellawelltogetherinherreply，JoslippedoutoftheroomtogiveMegachancetomakeherspeechandairherdignity。Buttheinstantshevanished，Megbegantosidletowardthedoor，murmuring……
　　“Motherwillliketoseeyou。Praysitdown，I’llcallher。“
　　“Don’tgo。Areyouafraidofme，Margaret？“AndMr。BrookelookedsohurtthatMegthoughtshemusthavedonesomethingveryrude。Sheblusheduptothelittlecurlsonherforehead，forhehadnevercalledherMargaretbefore，andshewassurprisedtofindhownaturalandsweetitseemedtohearhimsayit。Anxioustoappearfriendlyandatherease，sheputoutherhandwithaconfidinggesture，andsaidgratefully……
　　“HowcanIbeafraidwhenyouhavebeensokindtoFather？
　　IonlywishIcouldthankyouforit。“
　　“ShallItellyouhow？“askedMr。Brooke，holdingthesmallhandfastinbothhisown，andlookingdownatMegwithsomuchloveinthebrowneyesthatherheartbegantoflutter，andshebothlongedtorunawayandtostopandlisten。
　　“Ohno，pleasedon’t，I’drathernot，“shesaid，tryingtowithdrawherhand，andlookingfrightenedinspiteofherdenial。
　　“Iwon’ttroubleyou。Ionlywanttoknowifyoucareformealittle，Meg。Iloveyousomuch，dear，“addedMr。Brooketenderly。
　　Thiswasthemomentforthecalm，properspeech，butMegdidn’tmakeit。Sheforgoteverywordofit，hungherhead，andanswered，“Idon’tknow，“sosoftlythatJohnhadtostoopdowntocatchthefoolishlittlereply。
　　Heseemedtothinkitwasworththetrouble，forhesmiledtohimselfasifquitesatisfied，pressedtheplumphandgratefully，andsaidinhismostpersuasivetone，“Willyoutryandfindout？Iwanttoknowsomuch，forIcan’tgotoworkwithanyheartuntilIlearnwhetherIamtohavemyrewardintheendornot。“
　　“I’mtooyoung，“falteredMeg，wonderingwasshewassofluttered，yetratherenjoyingit。