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，I
　　daresay，“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，“I
　　understandnowwhatyoumean，andI’llneverlaughatyouagain。
　　Youaregettingonfasterthanyouthink，andI’lltakelessonsofyouintruepoliteness，foryou’velearnedthesecret，Ibelieve。
　　Tryaway，deary，you’llgetyourrewardsomeday，andnoonewillbemoredelightedthanIshall。“