“ThateverIshouldlivetoseeyouahenpeckedhusbandandenjoyingit!“criedJo，withupliftedhands。
　　ItwasgoodtoseeLauriesquarehisshoulders，andsmilewithmasculinescornatthatinsinuation，ashereplied，withhis“highandmighty“air，“Amyistoowell-bredforthat，andIamnotthesortofmantosubmittoit。MywifeandIrespectourselvesandoneanothertoomuchevertotyrannizeorquarrel。“
　　Jolikethat，andthoughtthenewdignityverybecoming，buttheboyseemedchangingveryfastintotheman，andregretmingledwithherpleasure。
　　“Iamsureofthat。Amyandyouneverdidquarrelasweusedto。
　　SheisthesunandIthewind，inthefable，andthesunmanagedthemanbest，youremember。“
　　“Shecanblowhimupaswellasshineonhim，“laughedLaurie。
　　“suchalectureasIgotatNice!Igiveyoumyworditwasadealworsethananyoryourscoldings，aregularrouser。I’lltellyouallaboutitsometime，sheneverwill，becauseaftertellingmethatshedespisedandwasashamedofme，shelostherhearttothedespicablepartyandmarriedthegood-for-nothing。“
　　“Whatbaseness!Well，ifsheabusesyou，cometome，andI’lldefendyou。“
　　“IlookasifIneededit，don’tI？“saidLaurie，gettingupandstrikinganattitudewhichsuddenlychangedfromtheimposingtotherapturous，asAmy’svoicewasheardcalling，“Whereisshe？
　　Where’smydearoldJo？“
　　Introopedthewholefamily，andeveryonewashuggedandkissedalloveragain，andafterseveralvainattempts，thethreewanderersweresetdowntobelookedatandexultedover。Mr。Laurence，haleandheartyasever，wasquiteasmuchimprovedastheothersbyhisforeigntour，forthecrustinessseemedtobenearlygone，andtheold-fashionedcourtlinesshadreceivedapolishwhichmadeitkindlierthanever。Itwasgoodtoseehimbeamat`mychildren’，ashecalledtheyoungpair。ItwasbetterstilltoseeAmypayhimthedaughterlydutyandaffectionwhichcompletelywonhisoldheart，andbestofall，towatchLaurierevolveaboutthetwo，asifnevertiredofenjoyingtheprettypicturetheymade。
　　TheminutesheputhereyesuponAmy，Megbecameconsciousthatherowndresshadn’taParisianair，thatyoungMrs。MofffatwouldbeentirelyeclipsedbyyoungMrs。Laurence，andthat`herladyship’wasaltogetheramostelegantandgracefulwoman。Jothought，asshewatchedthepair，“Howwelltheylooktogether!Iwasright，andLauriehasfoundthebeautiful，accomplishedgirlwhowillbecomehishomebetterthanclumsyoldJo，andbeapride，notatormenttohim。“Mrs。Marchandherhusbandsmiledandnoddedateachotherwithhappyfaces，fortheysawthattheiryoungesthaddonewell，notonlyinworldlythings，butthebetterwealthoflove，confidence，andhappiness。
　　ForAmy’sfacewasfullofthesoftbrightnesswhichbetokensapeacefulheart，hervoicehadanewtendernessinit，andthecool，primcarriagewaschangedtoagentledignity，bothwomanlyandwinning。
　　Nolittleaffectationsmarredit，andthecordialsweetnessofhermannerwasmorecharmingthanthenewbeautyortheoldgrace，foritstampedheratoncewiththeunmistakablesignofthetruegentlewomanshehadhopedtobecome。
　　“Lovehasdonemuchforourlittlegirl，“saidhermothersoftly。
　　“Shehashadagoodexamplebeforeherallherlife，mydear，“
　　Mr。Marchwhisperedback，withalovinglookatthewornfaceandgrayheadbesidehim。
　　Daisyfounditimpossibletokeephereyesoffher`pittyaunty’，butattachedherselflikealapdogtothewonderfulchatelainefullofdelightfulcharms。Demipausedtoconsiderthenewrelationshipbeforehecompromisedhimselfbytherashacceptanceofabribe，whichtookthetemptingformofafamilyofwoodenbearsfromBerne。
　　Aflankmovementproducedanunconditionalsurrender，however，forLaurieknewwheretohavehim。
　　“Youngman，whenIfirsthadthehonorofmakingyouracquaintanceyouhitmeintheface。NowIdemandthesatisfactionofagentleman，“
　　andwiththatthetalluncleproceededtotossandtouslethesmallnephewinawaythatdamagedhisphilosophicaldignityasmuchasitdelightedhisboyishsoul。
　　“Blestifsheain’tinsilkfromheadtofoot？Ain’titarelishin’
　　sighttoseehersettin’thereasfineasafiddle，anchahappyprocessionasfiledawayintothelittlediningroom!Mr。MarchproudlyescortedMrs。Laurence。Mrs。Marchasproudlyleanedonthearmof`myson’。TheoldgentlemantookJo，withawhispered，“Youmustbemygirlnow，“andaglanceattheemptycornerbythefire，thatmadeJowhisperback，“I’lltrytofillherplace，sir。
　　Thetwinsprancedbehind，feelingthatthemillenniumwasathand，foreveryonewassobusywiththenewcomersthattheywerelefttorevelattheirownsweetwill，andyoumaybesuretheymadethemostoftheopportunity。Didn’ttheystealsipsoftea，stuffgingerbreadadlibitum，getahotbiscuitapiece，andasacrowningtrespass，didn’ttheyeachwhiskacaptivatinglittletartintotheirtinypockets，theretostickandcrumbletreacherously，teachingthemthatbothhumannatureandapastryarefrail？
　　Burdenedwiththeguiltyconsciousnessofthesequesteredtarts，andfearingthatDodo’ssharpeyeswouldpiercethethindisguiseofcambricandmerinowhichhidtheirbooty，thelittlesinnersattachedthemselvesto`Dranpa’，whohadn’thisspectacleson。
　　Amy，whowashandedaboutlikerefreshments，returnedtotheparloronFatherLaurence’sarm。Theotherspairedoffasbefore，andthisarrangementleftJocompanionless。Shedidnotminditattheminute，forshelingeredtoanswerHannah’seagerinquiry。
　　“WillMissAmyrideinhercoopcoupe，anduseallthemlovelysilverdishesthat’sstoredawayoveryander？“
　　“Shouldn’twonderifshedrovesixwhitehorses，ateoffgoldplate，andworediamondsandpointlaceeveryday。Teddythinksnothingtoogoodforher，“returnedJowithinfinitesatisfaction。
　　“Nomorethereis!Willyouhavehashorfishballsforbreakfast？“
　　askedHannah，whowiselymingledpoetryandprose。
　　“Idon’tcare。“AndJoshutthedoor，feelingthatfoodwasanuncongenialtopicjustthen。Shestoodaminutelookingatthepartyvanishingabove，andasDemi’sshortplaidlegstoiledupthelaststair，asuddensenseoflonlinesscameoverhersostronglythatshelookedaboutherwithdimeyes，asiftofindsomethingtoleanupon，forevenTeddyhaddesertedher。Ifshehadknownwhatbirthdaygiftwascomingeveryminutenearerandnearer，shewouldnothavesaidtoherself，“I’llweepalittleweepwhenIgotobed。
　　Itwon’tdotobedismalnow。“Thenshedrewherhandoverhereyes，foroneofherboyishhabitswasnevertoknowwhereherhandkerchiefwas，andhadjustmanagedtocallupasmilewhentherecameaknockattheporchdoor。
　　Sheopenedwithhospitablehaste，andstartedasifanotherghosthadcometosurpriseher，fortherestoodatallbeardedgentleman，beamingonherfromthedarknesslikeamidnightsun。
　　“Oh，Mr。Bhaer，Iamsogladtoseeyou!“criedJo，withaclutch，asifshefearedthenightwouldswallowhimupbeforeshecouldgethimin。
　　“AndItoseeMissMarsch，butno，youhafaparty，“andtheProfessorpausedasthesoundofvoicesandthetapofdancingfeetcamedowntothem。
　　“No，wehaven’t，onlythefamily。Mysisterandfriendshavejustcomehome，andweareallveryhappy。Comein，andmakeoneofus。“
　　Thoughaverysocialman，IthinkMr。Bhaerwouldhavegonedecorouslyaway，andcomeagainanotherday，buthowcouldhe，whenJoshutthedoorbehindhim，andberefthimofhishat？
　　Perhapsherfacehadsomethingtodowithit，forsheforgottohideherjoyatseeinghim，andshoweditwithafranknessthatprovedirresistibletothesolitaryman，whosewelcomefarexceededhisboldesthopes。
　　“IfIshallnotbeMonsieurdeTrop，Iwillsogladlyseethemall。Youhafbeenill，myfriend？“
　　Heputthequestionabruptly，for，asJohunguphiscoat，thelightfellonherface，andhesawachangeinit。
　　“Notill，buttiredandsorrowful。WehavehadtroublesinceIsawyoulast。“
　　“Ah，yes，Iknow。MyheartwassoreforyouwhenIheardthat，“Andheshookhandsagain，withsuchasympatheticfacethatJofeltasifnocomfortcouldequalthelookofthekindeyes，thegraspofthebig，warmhand。
　　“Father，Mother，thisismyfriend，ProfessorBhaer，“shesaid，withafaceandtoneofsuchirrepressibleprideandpleasurethatshemightaswellhaveblownatrumpetandopenedthedoorwithaflourish。
　　Ifthestrangerhadanydoubtsabouthisreception，theyweresetatrestinaminutebythecordialwelcomehereceived。
　　Everyonegreetedhimkindly，forJo’ssakeatfirst，butverysoontheylikedhimforhisown。Theycouldnothelpit，forhecarriedthetalismanthatopensallhearts，andthesesimplepeoplewarmedtohimatonce，feelingeventhemorefriendlybecausehewaspoor。Forpovertyenrichesthosewholiveaboveit，andisasurepassporttotrulyhospitablespirits。Mr。
　　Bhaersatlookingabouthimwiththeairofatravelerwhoknocksatastrangedoor，andwhenitopens，findshimselfathome。Thechildrenwenttohimlikebeestoahoneypot，andestablishingthemselvesoneachknee，proceededtocaptivatehimbyriflinghispockets，pullinghisbeard，andinvestigatinghiswatch，withjuvenileaudacity。Thewomentelegraphedtheirapprovaltooneanother，andMr。March，feelingthathehadgotakindredspirit，openedhischoiceststoresforhisguest’sbenefit，whilesilentJohnlistenedandenjoyedthetalk，butsaidnotaword，andMr。Laurencefounditimpossibletogotosleep。
　　IfJohadnotbeenotherwiseengaged，Laurie’sbehaviorwouldhaveamusedher，forafainttwinge，notofjealousy，butsomethinglikesuspicion，causedthatgentlemantostandaloofatfirst，andobservethenewcomerwithbrotherlycircumspection。
　　Butitdidnotlastlong。Hegotinterestedinspiteofhimself，andbeforeheknewit，wasdrawnintothecircle。ForMr。Bhaertalkedwellinthisgenialatmosphere，anddidhimselfjustice。
　　HeseldomspoketoLaurie，buthelookedathimoften，andashadowwouldpassacrosshisface，asifregrettinghisownlostyouth，ashewatchedtheyoungmaninhisprime。ThenhiseyeswouldturntoJosowistfullythatshewouldhavesurelyansweredthemuteinquiryifshehadseenit。ButJohadherowneyestotakecareof，andfeelingthattheycouldnotbetrusted，sheprudentlykeptthemonthelittlesockshewasknitting，likeamodelmaidenaunt。
　　Astealthyglancenowandthenrefreshedherlikesipsoffreshwaterafteradustywalk，forthesidelongpeepsshowedherseveralpropitiousomens。Mr。Bhaer’sfacehadlosttheabsent-mindedexpression，andlookedallalivewithinterestinthepresentmoment，actuallyyoungandhandsome，shethought，forgettingtocomparehimwithLaurie，assheusuallydidstrangemen，totheirgreatdetriment。Thenheseemedquiteinspired，thoughtheburialcustomsoftheancients，towhichtheconversationhadstrayed，mightnotbeconsideredanexhilaratingtopic。
　　JoquiteglowedwithtriumphwhenTeddygotquenchedinanargument，andthoughttoherself，asshewatchedherfather’sabsorbedface，“HowhewouldenjoyhavingsuchamanasmyProfessortotalkwitheveryday!“Lastly，Mr。Bhaerwasdressedinanewsuitofblack，whichmadehimlookmorelikeagentlemanthanever。Hisbushyhairhadbeencutandsmoothlybrushed，butdidn’tstayinorderlong，forinexcitingmoments，herumpleditupinthedrollwayheusedtodo，andJolikeditrampantlyerectbetterthanflat，becauseshethoughtitgavehisfineforeheadaJove-likeaspect。PoorJo，howshedidglorifythatplainman，asshesatknittingawaysoquietly，yetlettingnothingescapeher，noteventhefactthatMr。Bhaeractuallyhadgoldsleeve-buttonsinhisimmaculatewristbands。
　　“Dearoldfellow!Hecouldn’thavegothimselfupwithmorecareifhe’dbeengoinga-wooing，“saidJotoherself，andthenasuddenthoughtbornofthewordsmadeherblushsodreadfullythatshehadtodropherball，andgodownafterittohideherface。
　　Themaneuverdidnotsucceedaswellassheexpected，however，forthoughjustintheactofsettingfiretoafuneralpyre，theProfessordroppedhistorch，metaphoricallyspeaking，andmadeadiveafterthelittleblueball。Ofcoursetheybumpedtheirheadssmartlytogether，sawstars，andbothcameupflushedandlaughing，withouttheball，toresumetheirseats，wishingtheyhadnotleftthem。
　　Nobodyknewwheretheeveningwentto，forHannahskillfullyabstractedthebabiesatanearlyhour，noddingliketworosypoppies，andMr。Laurencewenthometorest。Theotherssatroundthefire，talkingaway，utterlyregardlessofthelapseoftime，tillMeg，whosematernalwasimpressedwithafirmconvictionthatDaisyhadtumbledoutofbe，andDemisethisnightgownafirestudyingthestructureofmatches，madeamovetogo。
　　“Wemusthaveoursing，inthegoodoldway，forwearealltogetheragainoncemore，“saidJo，feelingthatagoodshoutwouldbeasafeandpleasantventforthejubilantemotionsofhersoul。
　　Theywerenotallthere。Butnoonefoundthewordsthougtlessoruntrue，forBethstillseemedamongthem，apeacefulpresence，invisible，butdearerthanever，sincedeathcouldnotbreakthehouseholdleaguethatlovemadedisoluble。Thelittlechairstoodinitsoldplace。Thetidybasket，withthebitofworksheleftunfinishedwhentheneedlegrew`soheavy’，wasstillonitsaccustomedshelf。Thebelovedinstrument，seldomtouchednowhadnotbeenmoved，andaboveitBeth’sface，sereneandsmiling，asintheearlydays，lookeddownuponthem，seemingtosay，“Behappy。Iamhere。“
　　“Playsomething，Amy。Letthemhearhowmuchyouhaveimproved，“
　　saidLaurie，withpardonableprideinhispromisingpupil。
　　ButAmywhispered，withfulleyes，asshetwirledthefadedstool，“Nottonight，dear。Ican’tshowofftonight。“
　　Butshedidshowsomethingbetterthanbrilliancyorskill，forshesangBeth’ssongswithatendermusicinhervoicewhichthebestmastercouldnothavetaught，andtouchedthelistener’sheartswithasweeterpowerthananyotherinspirationcouldhavegivenher。Theroomwasverystill，whentheclearvoicefailedsuddenlyatthelastlineofBeth’sfavoritehymn。Itwashardtosay……
　　Earthhathnosorrowthatheavencannotheal；
　　andAmyleanedagainstherhusband，whostoodbehindher，feelingthatherwelcomehomewasnotquiteperfectwithoutBeth’skiss。
　　“Now，wemustfinishwithMignon’ssong，forMr。Bhaersingsthat，“saidJo，beforethepausegrewpainful。AndMr。Bhaerclearedhisthroatwithagratified“Hem!“ashesteppedintothecornerwhereJostood，saying……
　　“Youwillsingwithme？Wegoexcellentlywelltogether。“
　　Apleasingfiction，bytheway，forJohadnomoreideaofmusicthanagrasshopper。Butshewouldhaveconsentedifhehadproposedtosingawholeopera，andwarbledaway，blissfullyregardlessoftimeandtune。Itdidn’tmuchmatter，forMr。BhaersanglikeatrueGerman，heartilyandwell，andJosoonsubsidedintoasubduedhum，thatshemightlistentothemellowvoicethatseemedtosingforheralone。