Iquitelongtoseethedearman，“addedMrs。March。
　　Joheardthat，butmadenoanswer，excepttokisshermother，andwalkrapidlyaway，thinkingwithaglowofgratitude，inspiteofherheartache，“Howgoodsheistome!Whatdogirlsdowhohaven’tanymotherstohelpthemthroughtheirtroubles？“
　　Thedry-goodsstoreswerenotdownamongthecounting-houses，banks，andwholesalewarerooms，wheregentlemenmostdocongregate，butJofoundherselfinthatpartofthecitybeforeshedidasingleerrand，loiteringalongasifwaitingforsomeone，examiningengineeringinstrumentsinonewindowandsamplesofwoolinanother，withmostunfeminineinterest，tumblingoverbarrels，beinghalf-smotheredbydescendingbales，andhustledunceremoniouslybybusymenwholookedasiftheywondered`howthedeuceshegotthere’。Adropofrainonhercheekrecalledherthoughtsfrombaffledhopestoruinedribbons。Forthedropscontinuedtofall，andbeingawomanaswellasalover，shefeltthat，thoughitwastoolatetosaveherheart，shemightherbonnet。Nowsherememberedthelittleumbrella，whichshehadforgottentotakeinherhurrytobeoff，butregretwasunavailing，andnothingcouldbedonebutborrowoneorsubmittotoadrenching。Shelookedupattheloweringsky，downatthecrimsonbowalreadyfleckedwithblack，forwardalongthemuddystreet，thenonelong，lingeringlookbehind，atacertaingrimywarehouse，with`Hoffmann，Swartz，&；Co。’overthedoor，andsaidtoherself，withasternlyreproachfulair……
　　“Itservesmeright!whatbusinesshadItoputonallmybestthingsandcomephilanderingdownhere，hopingtoseetheProfessor？Jo，I’mashamedofyou!No，youshallnotgotheretoborrowanumbrella，orfindoutwhereheis，fromhisfriends。
　　Youshalltrudgeaway，anddoyourerrandsintherain，andifyoucatchyourdeathandruinyourbonnet，it’snomorethanyoudeserve。Nowthen!“
　　Withthatsherushedacrossthestreetsoimpetuouslythatshenarrowlyescapedannihilationfromapassingtruck，andprecipitatedherselfintothearmsofastatelyoldgentleman，whosaid，“Ibegpardon，ma’am，“andlookedmortallyoffended。Somewhatdaunted，Jorightedherself，spreadherhandkerchiefoverthedevotedribbons，andputtingtemptationbehindher，hurriedon，withincreasingdampnessabouttheankles，andmuchclashingofumbrellasoverhead。Thefactthatasomewhatdilapidatedblueoneremainedstationaryabovetheunprotectedbonnetattractedherattention，andlookingup，shesawMr。Bhaerlookingdown。
　　“Ifeeltoknowthestrong-mindedladywhogoessobravelyundermanyhorsenoses，andsofastthroughmuchmus。Whatdoyoudownhere，myfriend？“
　　“I’mshopping。“
　　Mr。Bhaersmiled，asheglancedfromthepicklefactoryononesidetothewholesalehideandleatherconcernontheother，butheronlysaidpolitely，“Youhafnoumbrella。MayIgoalso，andtakeforyouthebundles？“
　　“Yes，thankyou。“
　　Jo’scheekswereasredasherribbon，andshewonderedwhathethoughtofher，butshedidn’tcare，forinaminuteshefoundherselfwalkingawayarminarmwithherProfessor，feelingasifthesunhadsuddenlyburstoutwithuncommonbrilliancy，thattheworldwasallrightagain，andthatonethoroughlyhappywomanwaspaddlingthroughthewetthatday。
　　“Wethoughtyouhadgone，“saidJohastily，forsheknewhewaslookingather。Herbonnetwasn’tbigenoughtohideherface，andshefearedhemightthinkthejoyitbetrayedunmaidenly。
　　“DidyoubelievethatIshouldgowithnofarewelltothosewhohafbeensoheavenlykindtome？“heaskedsoreproachfullythatshefeltasifshehadinsultedhimbythesuggestion，andansweredheartily……
　　“No，Ididn’t。Iknewyouwerebusyaboutyourownaffairs，butwerathermissedyou，FatherandMotherespecially。“
　　“Andyou？“
　　“I’malwaysgladtoseeyou，sir。“
　　Inheranxietytokeephervoicequitecalm，Jomadeitrathercool，andthefrostylittlemonosyllableattheendseemedtochilltheProfessor，forhissmilevanished，ashesaidgravely……
　　“Ithankyou，andcomeonemoretimebeforeIgo。“
　　“Youaregoing，then？“
　　“Ihafnolongeranybusinesshere，itisdone。“
　　“Successfully，Ihope？“saidJo，forthebitternessofdisappointmentwasinthatshortreplyofhis。
　　“Ioughttothinkso，forIhafawayopenedtomebywhichIcanmakemybreadandgifmyJunglingsmuchhelp。“
　　“Tellme，please!Iliketoknowallaboutthe——theboys，“
　　saidJoeagerly。
　　“Thatissokind，Igladlytellyou。Myfriendsfindformeaplaceinacollege，whereIteachasathome，andearnenoughtomakethewaysmoothforFranzandEmil。ForthisIshouldbegrateful，shouldInot？“
　　“Indeedyoushould。Howsplendiditwillbetohaveyoudoingwhatyoulike，andbeabletoseeyouoften，andtheboys!“
　　criedJo，clingingtotheladsasanexcuseforthesatisfactionshecouldnothelpbetraying。
　　“Ah!Butweshallnotmeetoften，Ifear，thisplaceisattheWest。“
　　“Sofaraway!“AndJoleftherskirtstotheirfate，asifitdidn’tmatternowwhatbecameofherclothesorherself。
　　Mr。Bhaercouldreadseverallanguages，buthehadnotlearnedtoreadwomenyet。HeflatteredhimselfthatheknewJoprettywell，andwas，therefore，muchamazedbythecontradictionsofvoice，face，andmanner，whichsheshowedhiminrapidsuccessionthatday，forshewasinhalfadozendifferentmoodsinthecourseofhalfanhour。Whenshemethimshelookedsurprised，thoughitwasimpossibletohelpsuspectingthatshehadcomeforthatexpresspurpose。Whenheofferedherhisarm，shetookitwithalookthatfilledhimwithdelight，butwhenheaskedifshemissedhim，shegavesuchachilly，formalreplythatdespairfelluponhim。Onlearninghisgoodfortuneshealmostclappedherhands。Wasthejoyallfortheboys？
　　Thenonhearinghisdestination，shesaid，“Sofaraway!“inatoneofdespairthatliftedhimontoapinnacleofhope，butthenextminuteshetumbledhimdownagainbyobserving，likeoneentirelyabsorbedinthematter……
　　“Here’stheplaceformyerrands。Willyoucomein？Itwon’ttakelong。“
　　Joratherpridedherselfuponhershoppingcapabilities，andparticularlywishedtoimpressherescortwiththeneatnessanddispatchwithwhichshewouldaccomplishthebusiness。
　　Butowingtothefluttershewasin，everythingwentamiss。
　　Sheupsetthetrayofneedles，forgotthesilesiawastobe`twilled’tillitwascutoff，gavethewrongchange，andcoveredherselfwithconfusionbyaskingforlavenderribbonatthecalicocounter。Mr。Bhaerstoodby，watchingherblushandblunder，andashewatched，hisownbewildermentseemedtosubside，forhewasbeginningtoseethatonsomeoccasions，women，likedreams，gobycontraries。
　　Whentheycameout，heputtheparcelunderhisarmwithamorecheerfulaspect，andsplashedthroughthepuddlesasifheratherenjoyeditonthewhole。
　　“Shouldwenodoalittlewhatyoucallshoppingforthebabies，andhafafarewellfeasttonightifIgoformylastcallatyoursopleasanthome？“heasked，stoppingbeforeawindowfulloffruitandflowers。
　　“Whatwillwebuy？“askedJo，ignoringthelatterpartofhisspeech，andsniffingthemingledodorswithanaffectationofdelightastheywentin。
　　“Maytheyhaforangesandfigs？“askedMr。Bhaer，withapaternalair。
　　“Theyeatthemwhentheycangetthem。“
　　“Doyoucarefornuts？“
　　“Likeasquirrel。“
　　“Hamburggrapes。Yes，weshalldrinktotheFatherlandinthose？“
　　Jofrowneduponthatpieceofextravagance，andaskedwhyhedidn’tbuyafrailofdated，acaskofraisins，andabagofalmonds，andbedonewithit？WhereatMr。Bhaerconfiscatedherpurse，producedhisown，andfinishedthemarketingbybuyingseveralpoundsofgrapes，apotofrosydaisies，andaprettyjarofhoney，toberegardedinthelightofademijohn。Thendistortinghispocketswithknobbybundles，andgivinghertheflowerstohold，heputuptheoldumbrella，andtheytraveledonagain。
　　“MissMarsch，Ihafagreatfavortoaskofyou，“begantheProfessor，afteramoistpromenadeofhalfablock。
　　“Yes，sir。“AndJo’sheartbegantobeatsohardshewasafraidhewouldhearit。
　　“Iamboldtosayitinspiteoftherain，becausesoshortatimeremainstome。“
　　“Yes，sir。“AndJonearlycrushedthesmallflowerpotwiththesuddensqueezeshegaveit。
　　“IwishtogetalittledressformyTina，andIamtoostupidtogoalone。Willyoukindlygifmeawordoftasteandhelp？“
　　“Yes，sir。“AndJOfeltascalmandcoolallofasuddenasifshehadsteppedintoarefrigerator。
　　“PerhapsalsoashawlforTina’smother，sheissopoorandsick，andthehusbandissuchacare。Yes，yes，athick，warmshawlwouldbeafriendlythingtotakethelittlemother。“
　　“I’lldoitwithpleasure，Mr。Bhaer。I’mgoingveryfast，andhe’sgettingdearereveryminute，“addedJotoherself，thenwithamentalshakesheenteredintothebusinesswithanenergythatwaspleasanttobehold。
　　Mr。Bhaerleftitalltoher，soshechoseaprettygownforTina，andthenorderedouttheshawls。Theclerk，beingamarriedman，condescendedtotakeaninterestinthecouple，whoappearedtobeshoppingfortheirfamily。
　　“Yourladymaypreferthis。It’sasuperiorarticle，amostdesirablecolor，quitechasteandgenteel，“hesaid，shakingoutacomfortablegrayshawl，andthrowingitoverJo’sshoulders。
　　“Doesthissuityou，Mr。Bhaer？“sheasked，turningherbacktohim，andfeelingdeeplygratefulforthechanceofhidingherface。
　　“Excellentlywell，wewillhafit，“answeredtheProfessor，smilingtohimselfashepaidforit，whileJocontinuedtorummagethecounterslikeaconfirmedbargain-hunter。
　　“Nowshallwegohome？“heasked，asifthewordswereverypleasanttohim。
　　“Yes，it’slate，andI’msotired。“Jo’svoicewasmorepatheticthansheknew。Fornowthesunseemedtohavegoneinassuddenlyasitcameout，andtheworldgrewmuddyandmiserableagain，andforthefirsttimeshediscoveredthatherfeetwerecold，herheadached，andthatherheartwascolderthantheformer，fullerofpainthanthelatter。Mr。Bhaerwasgoingaway，heonlycaredforherasafriend，itwasallamistake，andthesooneritwasoverthebetter。Withthisideainherhead，shehailedanapproachingomnibuswithsuchahastygesturethatthedaisiesflewoutofthepotandwerebadlydamaged。
　　“Thisisnotouromniboos，“saidtheProfessor，wavingtheloadedvehicleaway，andstoppingtopickupthepoorlittleflowers。
　　“Ibegyourpardon。Ididn’tseethenamedistinctly。Nevermind，Icanwalk。I’musedtoploddinginthemud，“returnedJo，winkinghard，becauseshewouldhavediedratherthanopenlywipehereyes。
　　Mr。Bhaersawthedropsonhercheeks，thoughsheturnedherheadaway。Thesightseemedtotouchhimverymuch，forsuddenlystoopingdown，heaskedinatonethatmeantagreatdeal，“Heart’sdearest，whydoyoucry？“
　　Now，ifJohadnotbeennewtothissortofthingshewouldhavesaidshewasn’tcrying，hadacoldinherhead，ortoldanyotherfemininefibpropertotheoccasion。Insteadofwhich，thatundignifiedcreatureanswered，withanirrepressiblesob，“Becauseyouaregoingaway。“
　　“Ach，meinGott，thatissogood!“criedMr。Bhaer，managingtoclasphishandsinspiteoftheumbrellaandthebundles，“Jo，Ihafnothingbutmuchlovetogifyou。Icametoseeifyoucouldcareforit，andIwaitedtobesurethatIwassomethingmorethanafriend。AmI？CanyoumakealittleplaceinyourheartforoldFritz？“headded，allinonebreath。
　　“Oh，yes!“saidJo，andhewasquitesatisfied，forshefoldedbothhandsoverhisare，andlookedupathimwithanexpressionthatplainlyshowedhowhappyshewouldbetowalkthroughlifebesidehim，eventhoughshehadnobettershelterthantheoldumbrella，ifhecarriedit。
　　Itwascertainlyproposingunderdifficulties，forevenifhehaddesiredtodoso，Mr。Bhaercouldnotgodownuponhisknees，onaccountofthemud。NeithercouldheofferJohishand，exceptfiguratively，forbothwerefull。Muchlesscouldheindulgeintenderremonstrationsintheopenstreet，thoughhewasnearit。Sotheonlywayinwhichhecouldexpresshisrapturewastolookather，withanexpressionwhichglorifiedhisfacetosuchadegreethatthereactuallyseemedtobelittlerainbowsinthedropsthatsparkledonhisbeard。IfhehadnotlovedJoverymuch，Idon’tthinkhecouldhavedoneitthen，forshelookedfarfromlovely，withherskirtsinadeplorablestate，herrubberbootssplashedtotheankle，andherbonnetaruin。Fortunately，Mr。Bhaerconsideredherthemostbeautifulwomanliving，andshefoundhimmore`Jove-like“
　　thanever，thoughhishatbrimwasquitelimpwiththelittlerillstricklingthenceuponhisshouldersforheheldtheumbrellaalloverJo，andeveryfingerofhisglovesneededmending。
　　Passers-byprobablythoughtthemapairofharmlesslunatics，fortheyentirelyforgottohailabus，andstrolledleisurelyalong，obliviousofdeepeningduskandfog。Littletheycaredwhatanybodythought，fortheywereenjoyingthehappyhourthatseldomcomesbutonceinanylife，themagicalmomentwhichbestowsyouthontheold，beautyontheplain，wealthonthepoor，andgiveshumanheartsaforetasteofheaven。
　　TheProfessorlookedasifhehadconqueredakingdom，andtheworldhadnothingmoretoofferhiminthewayofbliss。WhileJotrudgedbesidehim，feelingasifherplacehadalwaysbeenthere，andwonderinghowsheevercouldhavechosenanyotherlot。Ofcourse，shewasthefirsttospeak——intelligibly，I
　　mean，fortheemotionalremarkswhichfollowedherimpetuous“Oh，yes!“werenotofacoherentorreportablecharacter。
　　“Friedrich，whydidn’tyou……“
　　“Ah，heaven，shegifsmethenamethatnoonespeakssinceMinnadied!“criedtheProfessor，pausinginapuddletoregardherwithgratefuldelight。
　　“Ialwayscallyousotomyself——Iforgot，butIwon’tunlessyoulikeit。“
　　“Likeit？ItismoresweettomethanIcantell。Say`thou’，also，andIshallsayyourlanguageisalmostasbeautifulasmine。“
　　“Isn’t`thou’alittlesentimental？“askedJo，privatelythinkingitalovelymonosyllable。
　　“Sentimental？Yes。ThankGott，weGermansbelieveinsentiment，andkeepourselvesyoungmitit。YourEnglish`you’issocold，say`thou’，heart’sdearest，itmeanssomuchtome，“pleadedMr。Bhaer，morelikearomanticstudentthanagraveprofessor。