English
"Whatintheworldareyougoingtodonow,Jo?"
askedMegonesnowyafternoon,ashersistercametrampingthroughthehall,inrubberboots,oldsack,andhood,withabroominonehandandashovelintheother.
"Goingoutforexercise,"answeredJowithamischievoustwinkleinhereyes.
"Ishouldthinktwolongwalksthismorningwouldhavebeenenough!It'scoldanddullout,andIadviseyoutostaywarmanddrybythefire,asIdo,"saidMegwithashiver.
"Nevertakeadvice!Can'tkeepstillallday,andnotbeingapussycat,Idon'tliketodozebythefire.Ilikeadventures,andI'mgoingtofindsome."
MegwentbacktotoastherfeetandreadIvanhoe,andJobegantodigpathswithgreatenergy.
Thesnowwaslight,andwithherbroomshesoonsweptapathallroundthegarden,forBethtowalkinwhenthesuncameoutandtheinvaliddollsneededair.
Now,thegardenseparatedtheMarches'housefromthatofMr.Laurence.
Bothstoodinasuburbofthecity,whichwasstillcountrylike,withgrovesandlawns,largegardens,andquietstreets.Alowhedgepartedthetwoestates.
Ononesidewasanold,brownhouse,lookingratherbareandshabby,robbedofthevinesthatinsummercovereditswallsandtheflowers,whichthensurroundedit.
Ontheothersidewasastatelystonemansion,plainlybetokeningeverysortofcomfortandluxury,fromthebigcoachhouseandwell–keptgroundstotheconservatoryandtheglimpsesoflovelythingsonecaughtbetweentherichcurtains.
Yetitseemedalonely,lifelesssortofhouse,fornochildrenfrolickedonthelawn,nomotherlyfaceeversmiledatthewindows,andfewpeoplewentinandout,excepttheoldgentlemanandhisgrandson.
ToJo'slivelyfancy,thisfinehouseseemedakindofenchantedpalace,fullofsplendorsanddelightswhichnooneenjoyed.
Shehadlongwantedtobeholdthesehiddenglories,andtoknowtheLaurenceboy,wholookedasifhewouldliketobeknown,ifheonlyknewhowtobegin.
Sincetheparty,shehadbeenmoreeagerthanever,andhadplannedmanywaysofmakingfriendswithhim,buthehadnotbeenseenlately,andJobegantothinkhehadgoneaway,whensheonedayspiedabrownfaceatanupperwindow,lookingwistfullydownintotheirgarden,whereBethandAmyweresnow–ballingoneanother.
"Thatboyissufferingforsocietyandfun,"shesaidtoherself.
"Hisgrandpadoesnotknowwhat'sgoodforhim,andkeepshimshutupallalone.
Heneedsapartyofjollyboystoplaywith,orsomebodyyoungandlively.
I'veagreatmindtogooverandtelltheoldgentlemanso!"
TheideaamusedJo,wholikedtododaringthingsandwasalwaysscandalizingMegbyherqueerperformances.
Theplanof'goingover'wasnotforgotten.
Andwhenthesnowyafternooncame,Joresolvedtotrywhatcouldbedone.
ShesawMr.Lawrencedriveoff,andthensalliedouttodigherwaydowntothehedge,whereshepausedandtookasurvey.
Allquiet,curtainsdownatthelowerwindows,servantsoutofsight,andnothinghumanvisiblebutacurlyblackheadleaningonathinhandattheupperwindow.
"Thereheis,"thoughtJo,"Poorboy!Allaloneandsickthisdismalday.It'sashame!I'lltossupasnowballandmakehimlookout,andthensayakindwordtohim."
Upwentahandfulofsoftsnow,andtheheadturnedatonce,showingafacewhichlostitslistlesslookinaminute,asthebigeyesbrightenedandthemouthbegantosmile.
Jonoddedandlaughed,andflourishedherbroomasshecalledout...
"Howdoyoudo?Areyousick?"
Laurieopenedthewindow,andcroakedoutashoarselyasaraven...
"Better,thankyou.I'vehadabadcold,andbeenshutupaweek."
"I'msorry.Whatdoyouamuseyourselfwith?"
"Nothing.It'sdullastombsuphere."
"Don'tyouread?"
"Notmuch.Theywon'tletme."
"Can'tsomebodyreadtoyou?"
"Grandpadoessometimes,butmybooksdon'tinteresthim,andIhatetoaskBrookeallthetime."
"Havesomeonecomeandseeyouthen."
"Thereisn'tanyoneI'dliketosee.Boysmakesucharow,andmyheadisweak."
"Isn'ttheresomenicegirlwho'dreadandamuseyou?Girlsarequietandliketoplaynurse."
"Don'tknowany."
"Youknowus,"beganJo,thenlaughedandstopped.
"SoIdo!Willyoucome,please?"criedLaurie.
"I'mnotquietandnice,butI'llcome,ifMotherwillletme.I'llgoaskher.Shutthewindow,likeagoodboy,andwaittillIcome."
Withthat,Joshoulderedherbroomandmarchedintothehouse,wonderingwhattheywouldallsaytoher.
Lauriewasinaflutterofexcitementattheideaofhavingcompany,andflewabouttogetready,forasMrs.Marchsaid,hewas'alittlegentleman',anddidhonortothecomingguestbybrushinghiscurlypate,puttingonafreshcolor,andtryingtotidyuptheroom,whichinspiteofhalfadozenservants,wasanythingbutneat.
Presentlytherecamealoudring,thanadecidedvoice,askingfor'Mr.Laurie',andasurprised–lookingservantcamerunninguptoannounceayounglady.
"Allright,showherup,it'sMissJo,"saidLaurie,goingtothedoorofhislittleparlortomeetJo,whoappeared,lookingrosyandquiteatherease,withacovereddishinonehandandBeth'sthreekittensintheother.
"HereIam,bagandbaggage,"shesaidbriskly.
"Mothersentherlove,andwasgladifIcoulddoanythingforyou.
Megwantedmetobringsomeofherblancmange,shemakesitverynicely,andBeththoughthercatswouldbecomforting.
Iknewyou'dlaughatthem,butIcouldn'trefuse,shewassoanxioustodosomething."
ItsohappenedthatBeth'sfunnyloanwasjustthething,forinlaughingoverthekits,Laurieforgothisbashfulness,andgrewsociableatonce.
"Thatlookstooprettytoeat,"hesaid,smilingwithpleasure,asJouncoveredthedish,andshowedtheblancmange,surroundedbyagarlandofgreenleaves,andthescarletflowersofAmy'spetgeranium.
"Itisn'tanything,onlytheyallfeltkindlyandwantedtoshowit.
Tellthegirltoputitawayforyourtea.
It'ssosimpleyoucaneatit,andbeingsoft,itwillslipdownwithouthurtingyoursorethroat.Whatacozyroomthisis!"
"Itmightbeifitwaskeptnice,butthemaidsarelazy,andIdon'tknowhowtomakethemmind.Itworriesmethough."
"I'llrightitupintwominutes,foritonlyneedstohavethehearthbrushed,so––andthethingsmadestraightonthemantelpiece,so––andthebooksputhere,andthebottlesthere,andyoursofaturnedfromthelight,andthepillowsplumpedupabit.Nowthen,you'refixed."
Andsohewas,for,asshelaughedandtalked,Johadwhiskedthingsintoplaceandgivenquiteadifferentairtotheroom.
Lauriewatchedherinrespectfulsilence,andwhenshebeckonedhimtohissofa,hesatdownwithasighofsatisfaction,sayinggratefully...
"Howkindyouare!Yes,that'swhatitwanted.Nowpleasetakethebigchairandletmedosomethingtoamusemycompany."
"No,Icametoamuseyou.ShallIreadaloud?"andJolookedaffectionatelytowardsomeinvitingbooksnearby.
"Thankyou!I'vereadallthose,andifyoudon'tmind,I'drathertalk,"answeredLaurie.
"Notabit.I'lltalkalldayifyou'llonlysetmegoing.BethsaysIneverknowwhentostop."
"IsBeththerosyone,whostaysathomegooddealandsometimesgoesoutwithalittlebasket?"askedLauriewithinterest.
"Yes,that'sBeth.She'smygirl,andaregulargoodonesheis,too."
"TheprettyoneisMeg,andthecurly–hairedoneisAmy,Ibelieve?"
"Howdidyoufindthatout?"
Lauriecoloredup,butansweredfrankly,"Why,youseeIoftenhearyoucallingtooneanother,andwhenI'maloneuphere,Ican'thelplookingoveratyourhouse,youalwaysseemtobehavingsuchgoodtimes.
Ibegyourpardonforbeingsorude,butsometimesyouforgettoputdownthecurtainatthewindowwheretheflowersare.
Andwhenthelampsarelighted,it'slikelookingatapicturetoseethefire,andyouallaroundthetablewithyourmother.
Herfaceisrightopposite,anditlookssosweetbehindtheflowers,Ican'thelpwatchingit.Ihaven'tgotanymother,youknow."
AndLauriepokedthefiretohidealittletwitchingofthelipsthathecouldnotcontrol.
Thesolitary,hungrylookinhiseyeswentstraighttoJo'swarmheart.
Shehadbeensosimplytaughtthattherewasnononsenseinherhead,andatfifteenshewasasinnocentandfrankasanychild.
Lauriewassickandlonely,andfeelinghowrichshewasinhomeandhappiness,shegladlytriedtoshareitwithhim.
Herfacewasveryfriendlyandhersharpvoiceunusuallygentleasshesaid...
"We'llneverdrawthatcurtainanymore,andIgiveyouleavetolookasmuchasyoulike.
Ijustwish,though,insteadofpeeping,you'dcomeoverandseeus.
Motherissosplendid,she'ddoyouheapsofgood,andBethwouldsingtoyouifIbeggedherto,andAmywoulddance.
MegandIwouldmakeyoulaughoverourfunnystageproperties,andwe'dhavejollytimes.Wouldn'tyourgrandpaletyou?"
"Ithinkhewould,ifyourmotheraskedhim.
He'sverykind,thoughhedoesnotlookso,andheletsmedowhatIlike,prettymuch,onlyhe'safraidImightbeabothertostrangers,"beganLaurie,brighteningmoreandmore.
"Wearenotstrangers,weareneighbors,andyouneedn'tthinkyou'dbeabother.
Wewanttoknowyou,andI'vebeentryingtodoitthiseversolong.
Wehaven'tbeenhereagreatwhile,youknow,butwehavegotacquaintedwithallourneighborsbutyou."
"Yousee,Grandpalivesamonghisbooks,anddoesn'tmindmuchwhathappensoutside.
Mr.Brooke,mytutor,doesn'tstayhere,youknow,andIhavenoonetogoaboutwithme,soIjuststopathomeandgetonasIcan."
"That'sbad.Yououghttomakeaneffortandgovisitingeverywhereyouareasked,thenyou'llhaveplentyoffriends,andpleasantplacestogoto.Nevermindbeingbashful.Itwon'tlastlongifyoukeepgoing."
Laurieturnedredagain,butwasn'toffendedatbeingaccusedofbashfulness,fortherewassomuchgoodwillinJoitwasimpossiblenottotakeherbluntspeechesaskindlyastheyweremeant.
"Doyoulikeyourschool?"askedtheboy,changingthesubject,afteralittlepause,duringwhichhestaredatthefireandJolookedabouther,wellpleased.
"Don'tgotoschool,I'mabusinessman––girl,Imean.Igotowaitonmygreat–aunt,andadear,crossoldsoulsheis,too,"answeredJo.
Laurieopenedhismouthtoaskanotherquestion,butrememberingjustintimethatitwasn'tmannerstomaketoomanyinquiriesintopeople'saffairs,heshutitagain,andlookeduncomfortable.
Jolikedhisgoodbreeding,anddidn'tmindhavingalaughatAuntMarch,soshegavehimalivelydescriptionofthefidgetyoldlady,herfatpoodle,theparrotthattalkedSpanish,andthelibrarywhereshereveled.
Laurieenjoyedthatimmensely,andwhenshetoldabouttheprimoldgentlemanwhocameoncetowooAuntMarch,andinthemiddleofafinespeech,howPollhadtweakedhiswigofftohisgreatdismay,theboylaybackandlaughedtillthetearsrandownhischeeks,andamaidpoppedherheadintoseewhatwasthematter.
"Oh!Thatdoesmenoendofgood.Tellon,please,"hesaid,takinghisfaceoutofthesofacushion,redandshiningwithmerriment.
Muchelatedwithhersuccess,Jodid'tellon',allabouttheirplaysandplans,theirhopesandfearsforFather,andthemostinterestingeventsofthelittleworldinwhichthesisterslived.
Thentheygottotalkingaboutbooks,andtoJo'sdelight,shefoundthatLaurielovedthemaswellasshedid,andhadreadevenmorethanherself.
"Ifyoulikethemsomuch,comedownandseeours.Grandfatherisout,soyouneedn'tbeafraid,"saidLaurie,gettingup.
"I'mnotafraidofanything,"returnedJo,withatossofthehead.
"Idon'tbelieveyouare!"exclaimedtheboy,lookingatherwithmuchadmiration,thoughheprivatelythoughtshewouldhavegoodreasontobeatrifleafraidoftheoldgentleman,ifshemethiminsomeofhismoods.
Theatmosphereofthewholehousebeingsummerlike,Laurieledthewayfromroomtoroom,lettingJostoptoexaminewhateverstruckherfancy.
Andso,atlasttheycametothelibrary,wheresheclappedherhandsandpranced,asshealwaysdidwhenespeciallydelighted.
Itwaslinedwithbooks,andtherewerepicturesandstatues,anddistractinglittlecabinetsfullofcoinsandcuriosities,andSleepyHollowchairs,andqueertables,andbronzes,andbestofall,agreatopenfireplacewithquainttilesallroundit.
"Whatrichness!"sighedJo,sinkingintothedepthofavelourchairandgazingaboutherwithanairofintensesatisfaction.
"TheodoreLaurence,yououghttobethehappiestboyintheworld,"sheaddedimpressively.
"Afellowcan'tliveonbooks,"saidLaurie,shakinghisheadasheperchedonatableopposite.
Beforehecouldmore,abellrang,andJoflewup,exclaimingwithalarm,"Mercyme!It'syourgrandpa!"
"Well,whatifitis?Youarenotafraidofanything,youknow,"returnedtheboy,lookingwicked.
"IthinkIamalittlebitafraidofhim,butIdon'tknowwhyIshouldbe.
MarmeesaidImightcome,andIdon'tthinkyou'reanytheworseforit,"saidJo,composingherself,thoughshekepthereyesonthedoor.
"I'magreatdealbetterforit,andeversomuchobliged.I'monlyafraidyouareverytiredoftalkingtome.Itwassopleasant,Icouldn'tbeartostop,"saidLauriegratefully.
"Thedoctortoseeyou,sir,"andthemaidbeckonedasshespoke.
"WouldyoumindifIleftyouforaminute?IsupposeImustseehim,"saidLaurie.
"Don'tmindme.I'mhappyasacrickethere,"answeredJo.
Lauriewentaway,andhisguestamusedherselfinherownway.
Shewasstandingbeforeafineportraitoftheoldgentlemanwhenthedooropenedagain,andwithoutturning,shesaiddecidedly,"I'msurenowthatIshouldn'tbeafraidofhim,forhe'sgotkindeyes,thoughhismouthisgrim,andhelooksasifhehadatremendouswillofhisown.
Heisn'tashandsomeasmygrandfather,butIlikehim."
"Thankyou,ma'am,"saidagruffvoicebehindher,andthere,tohergreatdismay,stoodoldMr.Laurence.
PoorJoblushedtillshecouldn'tblushanyredder,andherheartbegantobeatuncomfortablyfastasshethoughtwhatshehadsaid.
Foraminuteawilddesiretorunawaypossessedher,butthatwascowardly,andthegirlswouldlaughather,sosheresolvedtostayandgetoutofthescrapeasshecould.
Asecondlookshowedherthatthelivingeyes,underthebushyeyebrows,werekindereventhanthepaintedones,andtherewasaslytwinkleinthem,whichlessenedherfearagooddeal.
Thegruffvoicewasgrufferthanever,astheoldgentlemansaidabruptly,afterthedreadfulpause,"Soyou'renotafraidofme,hey?"
"Notmuch,sir."
"Andyoudon'tthinkmeashandsomeasyourgrandfather?"
"Notquite,sir."
"AndI'vegotatremendouswill,haveI?"
"IonlysaidIthoughtso."
"Butyoulikemeinspiteofit?"
"Yes,Ido,sir."
Thatanswerpleasedtheoldgentleman.Hegaveashortlaugh,shookhandswithher,and,puttinghisfingerunderherchin,turnedupherface,examineditgravely,andletitgo,sayingwithanod,"You'vegotyourgrandfather'sspirit,ifyouhaven'thisface.
Hewasafineman,mydear,butwhatisbetter,hewasabraveandanhonestone,andIwasproudtobehisfriend."
"Thankyou,sir,"AndJowasquitecomfortableafterthat,foritsuitedherexactly.
"Whathaveyoubeendoingtothisboyofmine,hey?"wasthenextquestion,sharplyput.
"Onlytryingtobeneighborly,sir."AndJotoldhowhervisitcameabout.
"Youthinkheneedscheeringupabit,doyou?"
"Yes,sir,heseemsalittlelonely,andyoungfolkswoulddohimgoodperhaps.
Weareonlygirls,butweshouldbegladtohelpifwecould,forwedon'tforgetthesplendidChristmaspresentyousentus,"saidJoeagerly.
"Tut,tut,tut!Thatwastheboy'saffair.Howisthepoorwoman?"
"Doingnicely,sir."AndoffwentJo,talkingveryfast,asshetoldallabouttheHummels,inwhomhermotherhadinterestedricherfriendsthantheywere.
"Justherfather'swayofdoinggood.Ishallcomeandseeyourmothersomefineday.Tellherso.There'stheteabell,wehaveitearlyontheboy'saccount.Comedownandgoonbeingneighborly."
"Ifyou'dliketohaveme,sir."
"Shouldn'taskyou,ifIdidn't."AndMr.Laurenceofferedherhisarmwithold–fashionedcourtesy.
"WhatwouldMegsaytothis?"thoughtJo,asshewasmarchedaway,whilehereyesdancedwithfunassheimaginedherselftellingthestoryathome.
"Hey!Why,whatthedickenshascometothefellow?"
saidtheoldgentleman,asLauriecamerunningdownstairsandbroughtupwithastartofsurpriseattheastoundingsightofJoarminarmwithhisredoubtablegrandfather.
"Ididn'tknowyou'dcome,sir,"hebegan,asJogavehimatriumphantlittleglance.
"That'sevident,bythewayyouracketdownstairs.
Cometoyourtea,sir,andbehavelikeagentleman."
Andhavingpulledtheboy'shairbywayofacaress,Mr.Laurencewalkedon,whileLauriewentthroughaseriesofcomicevolutionsbehindtheirbacks,whichnearlyproducedanexplosionoflaughterfromJo.
Theoldgentlemandidnotsaymuchashedrankhisfourcupsoftea,buthewatchedtheyoungpeople,whosoonchattedawaylikeoldfriends,andthechangeinhisgrandsondidnotescapehim.
Therewascolor,light,andlifeintheboy'sfacenow,vivacityinhismanner,andgenuinemerrimentinhislaugh.
"She'sright,theladislonely.I'llseewhattheselittlegirlscandoforhim,"thoughtMr.Laurence,ashelookedandlistened.
HelikedJo,forherodd,bluntwayssuitedhim,andsheseemedtounderstandtheboyalmostaswellasifshehadbeenoneherself.
IftheLaurenceshadbeenwhatJocalled'primandpoky',shewouldnothavegotonatall,forsuchpeoplealwaysmadehershyandawkward.
Butfindingthemfreeandeasy,shewassoherself,andmadeagoodimpression.
Whentheyrosesheproposedtogo,butLauriesaidhehadsomethingmoretoshowher,andtookherawaytotheconservatory,whichhadbeenlightedforherbenefit.
ItseemedquitefairyliketoJo,asshewentupanddownthewalks,enjoyingthebloomingwallsoneitherside,thesoftlight,thedampsweetair,andthewonderfulvinesandtreesthathungabouther,whilehernewfriendcutthefinestflowerstillhishandswerefull.
Thenhetiedthemup,saying,withthehappylookJolikedtosee,"Pleasegivethesetoyourmother,andtellherIlikethemedicineshesentmeverymuch."
TheyfoundMr.Laurencestandingbeforethefireinthegreatdrawingroom,butJo'sattentionwasentirelyabsorbedbyagrandpiano,whichstoodopen.
"Doyouplay?"sheasked,turningtoLauriewitharespectfulexpression.
"Sometimes,"heansweredmodestly.
"Pleasedonow.Iwanttohearit,soIcantellBeth."
"Won'tyoufirst?"
"Don'tknowhow.Toostupidtolearn,butIlovemusicdearly."
SoLaurieplayedandJolistened,withhernoseluxuriouslyburiedinheliotropeandtearoses.
Herrespectandregardforthe'Laurence'boyincreasedverymuch,forheplayedremarkablywellanddidn'tputonanyairs.
ShewishedBethcouldhearhim,butshedidnotsayso,onlypraisedhimtillhewasquiteabashed,andhisgrandfathercametohisrescue.
"Thatwilldo,thatwilldo,younglady.
Toomanysugarplumsarenotgoodforhim.
Hismusicisn'tbad,butIhopehewilldoaswellinmoreimportantthings.Going?
well,I'mmuchobligedtoyou,andIhopeyou'llcomeagain.Myrespectstoyourmother.Goodnight,DoctorJo."
Heshookhandskindly,butlookedasifsomethingdidnotpleasehim.Whentheygotintothehall,JoaskedLaurieifshehadsaidsomethingamiss.Heshookhishead.
"No,itwasme.Hedoesn'tliketohearmeplay."
"Whynot?"
"I'lltellyousomeday.Johnisgoinghomewithyou,asIcan't."
"Noneedofthat.Iamnotayounglady,andit'sonlyastep.Takecareofyourself,won'tyou?"
"Yes,butyouwillcomeagain,Ihope?"
"Ifyoupromisetocomeandseeusafteryouarewell."
"Iwill."
"Goodnight,Laurie!"
"Goodnight,Jo,goodnight!"
Whenalltheafternoon'sadventureshadbeentold,thefamilyfeltinclinedtogovisitinginabody,foreachfoundsomethingveryattractiveinthebighouseontheothersideofthehedge.
Mrs.Marchwantedtotalkofherfatherwiththeoldmanwhohadnotforgottenhim,Meglongedtowalkintheconservatory,Bethsighedforthegrandpiano,andAmywaseagertoseethefinepicturesandstatues.
"Mother,whydidn'tMr.LaurenceliketohaveLaurieplay?"askedJo,whowasofaninquiringdisposition.
"Iamnotsure,butIthinkitwasbecausehisson,Laurie'sfather,marriedanItalianlady,amusician,whichdispleasedtheoldman,whoisveryproud.
Theladywasgoodandlovelyandaccomplished,buthedidnotlikeher,andneversawhissonafterhemarried.
TheybothdiedwhenLauriewasalittlechild,andthenhisgrandfathertookhimhome.
Ifancytheboy,whowasborninItaly,isnotverystrong,andtheoldmanisafraidoflosinghim,whichmakeshimsocareful.
Lauriecomesnaturallybyhisloveofmusic,forheislikehismother,andIdaresayhisgrandfatherfearsthathemaywanttobeamusician.
Atanyrate,hisskillremindshimofthewomanhedidnotlike,andsohe'glowered'asJosaid."
"Dearme,howromantic!"exclaimedMeg.
"Howsilly!"saidJo."Lethimbeamusicianifhewantsto,andnotplaguehislifeoutsendinghimtocollege,whenhehatestogo."
"That'swhyhehassuchhandsomeblackeyesandprettymanners,Isuppose.Italiansarealwaysnice,"saidMeg,whowasalittlesentimental.
"Whatdoyouknowabouthiseyesandhismanners?Youneverspoketohim,hardly,"criedJo,whowasnotsentimental.
"Isawhimattheparty,andwhatyoutellshowsthatheknowshowtobehave.ThatwasanicelittlespeechaboutthemedicineMothersenthim."
"Hemeanttheblancmange,Isuppose."
"Howstupidyouare,child!Hemeantyou,ofcourse."
"Didhe?"AndJoopenedhereyesasifithadneveroccurredtoherbefore.
"Ineversawsuchagirl!Youdon'tknowacomplimentwhenyougetit,"saidMeg,withtheairofayoungladywhoknewallaboutthematter.
"Ithinktheyaregreatnonsense,andI'llthankyounottobesillyandspoilmyfun.
Laurie'saniceboyandIlikehim,andIwon'thaveanysentimentalstuffaboutcomplimentsandsuchrubbish.
We'llallbegoodtohimbecausehehasn'tgotanymother,andhemaycomeoverandseeus,mayn'the,Marmee?"
"Yes,Jo,yourlittlefriendisverywelcome,andIhopeMegwillrememberthatchildrenshouldbechildrenaslongastheycan."
"Idon'tcallmyselfachild,andI'mnotinmyteensyet,"observedAmy."Whatdoyousay,Beth?"
"Iwasthinkingaboutour'_Pilgrim'sProgress_',"answeredBeth,whohadnotheardaword.
"HowwegotoutoftheSloughandthroughtheWicketGatebyresolvingtobegood,andupthesteephillbytrying,andthatmaybethehouseoverthere,fullofsplendidthings,isgoingtobeourPalaceBeautiful."
"Wehavegottogetbythelionsfirst,"saidJo,asifsheratherlikedtheprospect.
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