“Uponmyword，here’sastateofthings!“criedtheoldlady，takingtheseatofhonorpreparedforher，andsettlingthefoldsofherlavendermoirewithagreatrustle。“Yououghtn’ttobeseentillthelastminute，child。“
　　“I’mnotashow，Aunty，andnooneiscomingtostareatme，tocriticizemydress，orcountthecostofmyluncheon。I’mtoohappytocarewhatanyonesaysorthinks，andI’mgoingtohavemylittleweddingjustasIlikeit。John，dear，here’syourhammer。“AndawaywentMegtohelp`thatman’inhishighlyimproperemployment。
　　Mr。Brookedidn’tevensay，“Thankyou，“butashestoopedfortheunromantictool，hekissedhislittlebridebehindthefoldingdoor，withalookthatmadeAuntMarchwhiskoutherpockethandkerchiefwithasuddendewinhersharpoldeyes。
　　Acrash，acry，andalaughfromLaurie，accompaniedbytheindecorousexclamation，“JupiterAmmon!Jo’supsetthecakeagain!“
　　causedamomentaryflurry，whichwashardlyoverwhenaflockofcousinsarrived，and`thepartycamein’，asBethusedtosaywhenachild。
　　“Don’tletthatyounggiantcomenearme，heworriesmeworsethanmosquitoes，“whisperedtheoldladytoAmy，astheroomsfilledandLaurie’sblackheadtoweredabovetherest。
　　“Hehaspromisedtobeverygoodtoday，andhecanbeperfectlyelegantifhelikes，“returnedAmy，andglidingawaytowarnHerculestobewareofthedragon，whichwarningcausedhimtohaunttheoldladywithadevotionthatnearlydistractedher。
　　Therewasnobridalprocession，butasuddensilencefellupontheroomasMr。Marchandtheyoungcoupletooktheirplacesunderthegreenarch。Motherandsistersgatheredclose，asifloathtogiveMegup。Thefatherlyvoicebrokemorethanonce，whichonlyseemedtomaketheservicemorebeautifulandsolemn。Thebridegroom’shandtrembledvisibly，andnooneheardhisreplies。ButMeglookedstraightupinherhusband’seyes，andsaid，“Iwill!“
　　withsuchtendertrustinherownfaceandvoicethathermother’sheartrejoicedandAuntMarchsniffedaudibly。
　　Jodidnotcry，thoughshewasverynearitonce，andwasonlysavedfromademonstrationbytheconsciousnessthatLauriewasstaringfixedlyather，withacomicalmixtureofmerrimentandemotioninhiswickedblackeyes。Bethkeptherfacehiddenonhermother’sshoulder，butAmystoodlikeagracefulstatue，withamostbecomingrayofsunshinetouchingherwhiteforeheadandtheflowerinherhair。
　　Itwasn’tatallthething，I’mafraid，buttheminuteshewasfairlymarried，Megcried，“ThefirstkissforMarmee!“andturning，gaveitwithherheartonherlips。Duringthenextfifteenminutesshelookedmorelikearosethanever，foreveryoneavailedthemselvesoftheirprivilegestothefullestextent，fromMr。LaurencetooldHannah，who，adornedwithaheaddressfearfullyandwonderfullymade，felluponherinthehall，cryingwithasobandachuckle，“Blessyou，deary，ahundredtimes!Thecakeain’thurtamite，andeverythinglookslovely。“
　　Everybodyclearedupafterthat，andsaidsomethingbrilliant，ortriedto，whichdidjustaswell，forlaughterisreadywhenheartsarelight。Therewasnodisplayofgifts，fortheywerealreadyinthelittlehouse，norwasthereanelaboratebreakfast，butaplentifullunchofcakeandfruit，dressedwithflowers。
　　Mr。LaurenceandAuntMarchshruggedandsmiledatoneanotherwhenwater，lemonade，andcoffeewerefoundtobetoonlysortsofnectarwhichthethreeHebescarriedaround。Noonesaidanything，tillLaurie，whoinsistedonservingthebride，appearedbeforeher，withaloadedsalverinhishandandapuzzledexpressiononhisface。
　　“HasJosmashedallthebottlesbyaccident？“hewhispered，“oramImerelylaboringunderadelusionthatIsawsomelyingaboutloosethismorning？“
　　“No，yourgrandfatherkindlyofferedushisbest，andAuntMarchactuallysentsome，butFatherputawayalittleforBeth，anddispatchedtheresttotheSoldier’sHome。Youknowhethinksthatwineshouldbeusedonlyinillness，andMothersaysthatneithershenorherdaughterswilleverofferittoanyyoungmanunderherroof。“
　　MegspokeseriouslyandexpectedtoseeLauriefrownorlaugh，buthedidneither，forafteraquicklookather，hesaid，inhisimpetuousway，“Ilikethat!ForI’veseenenoughharmdonetowishotherwomenwouldthinkasyoudo。“
　　“Youarenotmadewisebyexperience，Ihope？“AndtherewasananxiousaccentinMeg’svoice。
　　“No。Igiveyoumywordforit。Don’tthinktoowellofme，either，thisisnotoneofmytemptations。Beingbroughtupwherewineisascommonaswaterandalmostasharmless，Idon’tcareforit，butwhenaprettygirloffersit，onedoesn’tliketorefuse，yousee。“
　　“Butyouwill，forthesakeofothers，ifnotforyourown。
　　Come，Laurie，promise，andgivemeonemorereasontocallthisthehappiestdayofmylife。“
　　Ademandsosuddenandsoseriousmadetheyoungmanhesitateamoment，forridiculeisoftenhardertobearthanself-denial。
　　Megknewthatifhegavethepromisehewouldkeepitatallcosts，andfeelingherpower，useditasawomanmayforherfriend’sgood。
　　Shedidnotspeak，butshelookedupathimwithafacemadeveryeloquentbyhappiness，andasmilewhichsaid，“Noonecanrefusemeanythingtoday。“
　　Lauriecertainlycouldnot，andwithanansweringsmile，hegaveherhishand，sayingheartily，“Ipromise，Mrs。Brooke!“
　　“Ithankyou，very，verymuch。“
　　“AndIdrink`longlifetoyourresolution’，Teddy，“criedJo，baptizinghimwithasplashoflemonade，asshewavedherglassandbeamedapprovinglyuponhim。
　　Sothetoastwasdrunk，thepledgemadeandloyallykeptinspiteofmanytemptations，forwithinstinctivewisdom，thegirlsseizedahappymomenttodotheirfriendaservice，forwhichhethankedthemallhislife。
　　Afterlunch，peoplestrolledabout，bytwosandthrees，throughthehouseandgarden，enjoyingthesunshinewithoutandwithin。
　　MegandJohnhappenedtobestandingtogetherinthemiddleofthegrassplot，whenLauriewasseizedwithaninspirationwhichputthefinishingtouchtothisunfashionablewedding。
　　“Allthemarriedpeopletakehandsanddanceroundthenew-madehusbandandwife，astheGermansdo，whilewebachelorsandspinsterspranceincouplesoutside!“criedLaurie，promenadingdownthepathwithAmy，withsuchinfectiousspiritandskillthateveryoneelsefollowedtheirexamplewithoutamurmur。Mr。andMrs。March，AuntandUncleCarrolbeganit，othersrapidlyjoinedin，evenSallieMoffat，afteramoment’shesitation，threwhertrainoverherarmandwhiskedNedintothering。ButthecrowningjokewasMr。
　　LaurenceandAuntMarch，forwhenthestatelyoldgentlemanchass’edsolemnlyuptotheoldlady，shejusttuckedhercaneunderarm，andhoppedbrisklyawaytojoinhandswiththerestanddanceaboutthebridalpair，whiletheyoungfolkspervadedthegardenlikebutterfliesonamidsummerday。
　　Wantofbreathbroughttheimpromptuballtoaclose，andthenpeoplebegantogo。
　　“Iwishyouwell，mydear，Iheartilywishyouwell，butIthinkyou’llbesorryforit，“saidAuntMarchtoMeg，addingtothebridegroom，asheledhertothecarriage，“You’vegotatreasure，youngman，seethatyoudeserveit。“
　　“ThatistheprettiestweddingI’vebeentoforanage，Ned，andIdon’tseewhy，fortherewasn’tabitofstyleaboutit，“observedMrs。Moffattoherhusband，astheydroveaway。
　　“Laurie，mylad，ifyoueverwanttoindulgeinthissortofthing，getoneofthoselittlegirlstohelpyou，andIshallbeperfectlysatisfied，“saidMr。Laurence，settlinghimselfinhiseasychairtorestaftertheexcitementofthemorning。
　　“I’lldomybesttogratifyyou，Sir，“wasLaurie’sunusuallydutifulreply，ashecarefullyunpinnedtheposyJohadputinhisbuttonhole。
　　Thelittlehousewasnotfaraway，andtheonlybridaljourneyMeghadwasthequietwalkwithJohnfromtheoldhometothenew。
　　Whenshecamedown，lookinglikeaprettyQuakeressinherdovecoloredsuitandstrawbonnettiedwithwhite，theyallgatheredabouthertosaygoodby，astenderlyasifshehadbeengoingtomakethegrandtour。
　　“Don’tfeelthatIamseparatedfromyou，Marmeedear，orthatIloveyouanythelessforlovingJohnsomuch，“shesaid，clingingtohermother，withfulleyesforamoment。“Ishallcomeeveryday，Father，andexpecttokeepmyoldplaceinallyourhearts，thoughI
　　ammarried。Bethisgoingtobewithmeagreatdeal，andtheothergirlswilldropinnowandthentolaughatmyhousekeepingstruggles。
　　Thankyouallformyhappyweddingday。Goodby，goodby!“
　　Theystoodwatchingher，withfacesfullofloveandhopeandtenderprideasshewalkedaway，leaningonherhusband’sarm，withherhandsfullofflowersandtheJunesunshinebrighteningherhappyface——andsoMeg’smarriedlifebegan。
　　Chapter26CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
　　Ittakespeoplealongtimetolearnthedifferencebetweentalentandgenius，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。