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。
　　LondonDearestPeople，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。
　　AtQueenstownonofmynewacquaintancesleftus，Mr。
　　Lennox，andwhenIsaidsomethingabouttheLakesofKillarney，hesighedandand，withalookatme……
　　“Oh，haveyoue’erheardofKateKearney？
　　ShelivesonthebanksofKillarney；
　　Fromtheglanceofhereye，Shundangerandfly，Forfatal’stheglanceofKateKearney。“
　　Wasn’tthatnonsensical？
　　WeonlystoppedatLiverpoolafewhours。It’sadirty，noisyplace，andIwasgladtoleaveit。Unclerushedoutandboughtapairofdogskingloves，someugly，thickshoes，andanumbrella，andgotshaved`alamuttonchop，thefirstthing。
　　ThenheflatteredhimselfthathelookedlikeatrueBriton，butthefirsttimehehadthemudcleanedoffhisshoes，thelittlebootblackknewthatanAmericanstoodinthem，andsaid，withagrin，“Thereyerhar，sir。I’vegiven`emthelatestYankeeshine。“ItamusedUncleimmensely。Oh，ImusttellyouwhatthatabsurdLennoxdid!HegothisfriendWard，whocameonwithus，toorderabouquetforme，andthefirstthingI
　　sawinmyroomwasalovelyone，with“RobertLennox’scompliments，“
　　onthecard。Wasn’tthatfun，girls？Iliketraveling。
　　InevershallgettoLondonifIdon’thurry。Thetripwaslikeridingthroughalongpicturegallery，fulloflovelylandscapes。
　　Thefarmhousesweremydelight，withthatchedroofs，ivyuptotheeaves，latticedwindows，andstoutwomenwithrosychildrenatthedoors。Theverycattlelookedmoretranquilthanours，astheystoodknee-deepinclover，andthehenshadacontentedcluck，asiftheynevergotnervouslikeYankeebiddies。SuchperfectcolorIneversaw，thegrasssogreen，skysoblue，grainsoyellow，woodssodark，Iwasinarapturealltheway。SowasFlo，andwekeptbouncingfromonesidetotheother，tryingtoseeeverythingwhilewewerewhiskingalongattherateofsixtymilesanhour。Auntwastiredandwenttosleep，butUnclereadhisguidebook，andwouldn’tbeastonishedatanything。
　　Thisisthewaywewenton。Amy，flyingup——“Oh，thatmustbeKenilworth，thatgrayplaceamongthetrees!“Flo，dartingtomywindow——“Howsweet!Wemustgotheresometime，won’twePapa？“Uncle，calmlyadmiringhisboots——“No，mydear，notunlessyouwantbeer，that’sabrewery。“
　　Apause——thenFlocriedout，“Blessme，there’sagallowsandamangoingup。““Where，where？“shrieksAmy，staringoutattwotallpostswithacrossbeamandsomedanglingchains。“Acolliery，“
　　remarksUncle，withatwinkleoftheeye。“Here’salovelyflockoflambsalllyingdown，“saysAmy。“See，Papa，aren’ttheypretty？“addedFlosentimentally。“Geese，youngladies，“returnsUncle，inatonethatkeepsusquiettillFlosettlesdowntoenjoytheFLIRTATIONSOFCAPTAINCAVENDISH，andIhavethesceneryalltomyself。
　　OfcourseitrainedwhenwegottoLondon，andtherewasnothingtobeseenbutfogandumbrellas。Werested，unpacked，andshoppedalittlebetweentheshowers。AuntMarygotmesomenewthings，forIcameoffinsuchahurryIwasn’thalfready。
　　Awhitehatandbluefeather，amuslindresstomatch，andtheloveliestmantleyoueversaw。ShoppinginRegentStreetisperfectlysplendid。Thingsseemsocheap，niceribbonsonlysixpenceayard。Ilaidinastock，butshallgetmyglovesinParis。Doesn’tthatsoundsortofelegantandrich？
　　FloandI，forthefunofit，orderedahansomcab，whileAuntandUnclewereout，andwentforadrive，thoughwelearnedafterwardthatitwasn’tthethingforyoungladiestorideinthemalone。Itwassodroll!Forwhenwewereshutinbythewoodenapron，themandrovesofastthatFlowasfrightened，andtoldmetostophim。buthewasupoutsidebehindsomewhere，andIcouldn’tgetathim。Hedidn’thearmecall，norseemeflapmyparasolinfront，andtherewewere，quitehelpless，rattlingaway，andwhirlingaroundcornersatabreakneckpace。
　　Atlast，inmydespair，Isawalittledoorintheroof，andonpokingitopen，aredeyeappeared，andabeeryvoicesaid……
　　“Now，then，mum？“
　　IgavemyorderassoberlyasIcould，andslammingdownthedoor，withan“Aye，aye，mum，“themanmadehishorsewalk，asifgoingtoafuneral。Ipokedagainandsaid，“Alittlefaster，“thenoffhewent，helter-skelterasbefore，andweresignedourselvestoourfate。
　　Todaywasfair，andwewenttoHydePark，closeby，forwearemorearistocraticthanwelook。TheDukeofDevonshirelivesnear。Ioftenseehisfootmenloungingatthebackgate，andtheDukeofWellington’shouseisnotfaroff。SuchsightsasI
　　saw，mydear!ItwasasgoodasPunch，fortherewerefatdowagersrollingaboutintheirredandyellowcoaches，withgorgeousJeamesesinsilkstockingsandvelvetcoats，upbehind，andpowderedcoachmeninfront。Smartmaids，withtherosiestchildrenIeversaw，handsomegirls，lookinghalfasleep，dandiesinqueerEnglishhatsandlavenderkidsloungingabout，andtallsoldiers，inshortredjacketsandmuffincapsstuckononeside，lookingsofunnyIlongedtosketchthem。
　　RottenRowmeans`RoutedeRoi’，ortheking’sway，butnowit’smorelikearidingschoolthananythingelse。Thehorsesaresplendid，andthemen，especiallythegrooms，ridewell，butthewomenarestiff，andbounce，whichisn’taccordingtoourrules。IlongedtoshowthematearingAmericangallop，fortheytrottedsolemnlyupanddown，intheirscanthabitsandhighhats，lookinglikethewomeninatoyNoah’sArk。Everyonerides——oldmen，stoutladies，littlechildren——
　　andtheyoungfolksdoadealofflirtinghere，Isayapairexchangerosebuds，forit’sthethingtowearoneinthebutton-hole，andIthoughtitratheranicelittleidea。
　　IntheP。M。toWestminsterAbbey，butdon’texpectmetodescribeit，that’simpossible，soI’llonlysayitwassublime!
　　ThiseveningwearegoingtoseeFechter，whichwillbeanappropriateendtothehappiestdayofmylife。
　　It’sverylate，butIcan’tletmylettergointhemorningwithouttellingyouwhathappenedlastevening。Whodoyouthinkcamein，aswewereattea？Laurie’sEnglishfriends，FredandFrankVaughn!Iwassosurprised，forIshouldn’thaveknownthembutforthecards。botharetallfellowswithwhiskers，FredhandsomeintheEnglishstyle，andFrankmuchbetter，forheonlylimpsslightly，andusesnocrutches。TheyhadheardfromLauriewhereweweretobe，andcametoaskustotheirhouse，butUnclewon’tgo，soweshallreturnthecall，andseethemaswecan。Theywenttothetheaterwithus，andwedidhavesuchagoodtime，forFrankdevotedhimselftoFlo，andFredandItalkedoverpast，present，andfuturefunasifwehadknoweachotherallourdays。TellBethFrankaskedforher，andwassorrytohearofherillhealth。FredlaughedwhenI
　　spokeofJo，andsenthis`respectfulcomplimentstothebighat’。
　　NeitherofthemhadforgottenCampLaurence，orthefunwehadthere。Whatagesagoitseems，doesn’tit？
　　Auntistappingonthewallforthethirdtime，soImuststop。IreallyfeellikeadissipatedLondonfinelady，writingheresolate，withmyroomfullofprettythings，andmyheadajumbleofparks，theaters，newgowns，andgallantcreatureswhosay“Ah!“andtwirltheirblondmustacheswiththetrueEnglishlordliness。Ilongtoseeyouall，andinspiteofmynonsenseam，asever，yourloving