Likebeesswarmingaftertheirqueen,motheranddaughtershoveredaboutMr.Marchthenextday,neglectingeverythingtolookat,waitupon,andlistentothenewinvalid,whowasinafairwaytobekilledbykindness. AshesatproppedupinabigchairbyBeth'ssofa,withtheotherthreecloseby,andHannahpoppinginherheadnowandthen'topeekatthedearman',nothingseemedneededtocompletetheirhappiness. Butsomethingwasneeded,andtheelderonesfeltit,thoughnoneconfessedthefact. Mr.andMrs.Marchlookedatoneanotherwithananxiousexpression,astheireyesfollowedMeg. Johadsuddenfitsofsobriety,andwasseentoshakeherfistatMr.Brooke'sumbrella,whichhadbeenleftinthehall. Megwasabsent–minded,shy,andsilent,startedwhenthebellrang,andcoloredwhenJohn'snamewasmentioned. Amysaid,"Everyoneseemedwaitingforsomething,andcouldn'tsettledown,whichwasqueer,sinceFatherwassafeathome,"andBethinnocentlywonderedwhytheirneighborsdidn'trunoverasusual. Lauriewentbyintheafternoon,andseeingMegatthewindow,seemedsuddenlypossessedwithamelodramaticfit,forhefelldownononekneeinthesnow,beathisbreast,torehishair,andclaspedhishandsimploringly,asifbeggingsomeboon. AndwhenMegtoldhimtobehavehimselfandgoaway,hewrungimaginarytearsoutofhishandkerchief,andstaggeredroundthecornerasifinutterdespair. "Whatdoesthegoosemean?"saidMeg,laughingandtryingtolookunconscious. "He'sshowingyouhowyourJohnwillgoonby–and–by.Touching,isn'tit?"answeredJoscornfully. "Don'tsaymyJohn,itisn'tproperortrue,"butMeg'svoicelingeredoverthewordsasiftheysoundedpleasanttoher. "Pleasedon'tplagueme,Jo,I'vetoldyouIdon'tcaremuchabouthim,andthereisn'ttobeanythingsaid,butwearealltobefriendly,andgoonasbefore." "Wecan't,forsomethinghasbeensaid,andLaurie'smischiefhasspoiledyouforme.Iseeit,andsodoesMother. Youarenotlikeyouroldselfabit,andseemeversofarawayfromme. Idon'tmeantoplagueyouandwillbearitlikeaman,butIdowishitwasallsettled. Ihatetowait,soifyoumeanevertodoit,makehasteandhaveitoverquickly,"saidJopettishly. "Ican'tsayanythingtillhespeaks,andhewon't,becauseFathersaidIwastooyoung,"beganMeg,bendingoverherworkwithaqueerlittlesmile,whichsuggestedthatshedidnotquiteagreewithherfatheronthatpoint. "Ifhedidspeak,youwouldn'tknowwhattosay,butwouldcryorblush,orlethimhavehisownway,insteadofgivingagood,decidedno." "I'mnotsosillyandweakasyouthink.IknowjustwhatIshouldsay,forI'veplanneditall,soIneedn'tbetakenunawares.There'snoknowingwhatmayhappen,andIwishedtobeprepared." Jocouldn'thelpsmilingattheimportantairwhichMeghadunconsciouslyassumedandwhichwasasbecomingastheprettycolorvaryinginhercheeks. "Wouldyoumindtellingmewhatyou'dsay?"askedJomorerespectfully. "Notatall.Youaresixteennow,quiteoldenoughtobemyconfident,andmyexperiencewillbeusefultoyouby–and–by,perhaps,inyourownaffairsofthissort." "Don'tmeantohaveany.It'sfuntowatchotherpeoplephilander,butIshouldfeellikeafooldoingitmyself,"saidJo,lookingalarmedatthethought. "Ithinknot,ifyoulikedanyoneverymuch,andhelikedyou."Megspokeasiftoherself,andglancedoutatthelanewhereshehadoftenseenloverswalkingtogetherinthesummertwilight. "Ithoughtyouweregoingtotellyourspeechtothatman,"saidJo,rudelyshorteninghersister'slittlereverie. "Oh,Ishouldmerelysay,quitecalmlyanddecidedly,'Thankyou,Mr.Brooke,youareverykind,butIagreewithFatherthatIamtooyoungtoenterintoanyengagementatpresent,sopleasesaynomore,butletusbefriendsaswewere.'" "Hum,that'sstiffandcoolenough!Idon'tbelieveyou'lleversayit,andIknowhewon'tbesatisfiedifyoudo. Ifhegoesonliketherejectedloversinbooks,you'llgivein,ratherthanhurthisfeelings." "No,Iwon't.IshalltellhimI'vemadeupmymind,andshallwalkoutoftheroomwithdignity." Megroseasshespoke,andwasjustgoingtorehearsethedignifiedexit,whenastepinthehallmadeherflyintoherseatandbegintosewasfastasifherlifedependedonfinishingthatparticularseaminagiventime. Josmotheredalaughatthesuddenchange,andwhensomeonegaveamodesttap,openedthedoorwithagrimaspectwhichwasanythingbuthospitable. "Goodafternoon.Icametogetmyumbrella,thatis,toseehowyourfatherfindshimselftoday,"saidMr.Brooke,gettingatrifleconfusedashiseyeswentfromonetelltalefacetotheother. "It'sverywell,he'sintherack.I'llgethim,andtellityouarehere." Andhavingjumbledherfatherandtheumbrellawelltogetherinherreply,JoslippedoutoftheroomtogiveMegachancetomakeherspeechandairherdignity. Buttheinstantshevanished,Megbegantosidletowardthedoor,murmuring... "Motherwillliketoseeyou.Praysitdown,I'llcallher." "Don'tgo.Areyouafraidofme,Margaret?" andMr.BrookelookedsohurtthatMegthoughtshemusthavedonesomethingveryrude. Sheblusheduptothelittlecurlsonherforehead,forhehadnevercalledherMargaretbefore,andshewassurprisedtofindhownaturalandsweetitseemedtohearhimsayit. Anxioustoappearfriendlyandatherease,sheputoutherhandwithaconfidinggesture,andsaidgratefully... "HowcanIbeafraidwhenyouhavebeensokindtoFather?IonlywishIcouldthankyouforit." "ShallItellyouhow?"askedMr.Brooke,holdingthesmallhandfastinbothhisown,andlookingdownatMegwithsomuchloveinthebrowneyesthatherheartbegantoflutter,andshebothlongedtorunawayandtostopandlisten. "Ohno,pleasedon't,I'drathernot,"shesaid,tryingtowithdrawherhand,andlookingfrightenedinspiteofherdenial. "Iwon'ttroubleyou.Ionlywanttoknowifyoucareformealittle,Meg.Iloveyousomuch,dear,"addedMr.Brooketenderly. Thiswasthemomentforthecalm,properspeech,butMegdidn'tmakeit. Sheforgoteverywordofit,hungherhead,andanswered,"Idon'tknow,"sosoftlythatJohnhadtostoopdowntocatchthefoolishlittlereply. Heseemedtothinkitwasworththetrouble,forhesmiledtohimselfasifquitesatisfied,pressedtheplumphandgratefully,andsaidinhismostpersuasivetone,"Willyoutryandfindout? Iwanttoknowsomuch,forIcan'tgotoworkwithanyheartuntilIlearnwhetherIamtohavemyrewardintheendornot." "I'mtooyoung,"falteredMeg,wonderingwhyshewassofluttered,yetratherenjoyingit. "I'llwait,andinthemeantime,youcouldbelearningtolikeme.Woulditbeaveryhardlesson,dear?" "NotifIchosetolearnit,but..." "Pleasechoosetolearn,Meg.Ilovetoteach,andthisiseasierthanGerman,"brokeinJohn,gettingpossessionoftheotherhand,sothatshehadnowayofhidingherfaceashebenttolookintoit. Histonewasproperlybeseeching,butstealingashylookathim,Megsawthathiseyesweremerryaswellastender,andthatheworethesatisfiedsmileofonewhohadnodoubtofhissuccess.Thisnettledher. AnnieMoffat'sfoolishlessonsincoquetrycameintohermind,andtheloveofpower,whichsleepsinthebosomsofthebestoflittlewomen,wokeupallofasuddenandtookpossessionofher. Shefeltexcitedandstrange,andnotknowingwhatelsetodo,followedacapriciousimpulse,and,withdrawingherhands,saidpetulantly,"Idon'tchoose.Pleasegoawayandletmebe!" PoorMr.Brookelookedasifhislovelycastleintheairwastumblingabouthisears,forhehadneverseenMeginsuchamoodbefore,anditratherbewilderedhim. "Doyoureallymeanthat?"heaskedanxiously,followingherasshewalkedaway. "Yes,Ido.Idon'twanttobeworriedaboutsuchthings.FathersaysIneedn't,it'stoosoonandI'drathernot." "Mayn'tIhopeyou'llchangeyourmindby–and–by?I'llwaitandsaynothingtillyouhavehadmoretime.Don'tplaywithme,Meg.Ididn'tthinkthatofyou." "Don'tthinkofmeatall.I'dratheryouwouldn't,"saidMeg,takinganaughtysatisfactionintryingherlover'spatienceandherownpower. Hewasgraveandpalenow,andlookeddecidedlymorelikethenovelheroeswhomsheadmired,butheneitherslappedhisforeheadnortrampedabouttheroomastheydid. Hejuststoodlookingathersowistfully,sotenderly,thatshefoundherheartrelentinginspiteofherself. WhatwouldhavehappenednextIcannotsay,ifAuntMarchhadnotcomehobblinginatthisinterestingminute. Theoldladycouldn'tresistherlongingtoseehernephew,forshehadmetLaurieasshetookherairing,andhearingofMr.March'sarrival,drovestraightouttoseehim. Thefamilywereallbusyinthebackpartofthehouse,andshehadmadeherwayquietlyin,hopingtosurprisethem. ShedidsurprisetwoofthemsomuchthatMegstartedasifshehadseenaghost,andMr.Brookevanishedintothestudy. "Blessme,what'sallthis?"criedtheoldladywitharapofhercaneassheglancedfromthepaleyounggentlemantothescarletyounglady. "It'sFather'sfriend.I'msosurprisedtoseeyou!"stammeredMeg,feelingthatshewasinforalecturenow. "That'sevident,"returnedAuntMarch,sittingdown. "ButwhatisFather'sfriendsayingtomakeyoulooklikeapeony? There'smischiefgoingon,andIinsistuponknowingwhatitis,"withanotherrap. "Wewereonlytalking.Mr.Brookecameforhisumbrella,"beganMeg,wishingthatMr.Brookeandtheumbrellaweresafelyoutofthehouse. "Brooke?Thatboy'stutor?Ah!Iunderstandnow.Iknowallaboutit. JoblunderedintoawrongmessageinoneofyourFather'sletters,andImadehertellme. Youhaven'tgoneandacceptedhim,child?"criedAuntMarch,lookingscandalized. "Hush!He'llhear.Shan'tIcallMother?"saidMeg,muchtroubled. "Notyet.I'vesomethingtosaytoyou,andImustfreemymindatonce. Tellme,doyoumeantomarrythisCook? Ifyoudo,notonepennyofmymoneyevergoestoyou. Rememberthat,andbeasensiblegirl,"saidtheoldladyimpressively. NowAuntMarchpossessedinperfectiontheartofrousingthespiritofoppositioninthegentlestpeople,andenjoyeddoingit. Thebestofushaveaspiceofperversityinus,especiallywhenweareyoungandinlove. IfAuntMarchhadbeggedMegtoacceptJohnBrooke,shewouldprobablyhavedeclaredshecouldn'tthinkofit,butasshewaspreemptorilyorderednottolikehim,sheimmediatelymadeuphermindthatshewould. Inclinationaswellasperversitymadethedecisioneasy,andbeingalreadymuchexcited,Megopposedtheoldladywithunusualspirit. "IshallmarrywhomIplease,AuntMarch,andyoucanleaveyourmoneytoanyoneyoulike,"shesaid,noddingherheadwitharesoluteair. "Highty–tighty!Isthatthewayyoutakemyadvice,Miss?You'llbesorryforitby–and–by,whenyou'vetriedloveinacottageandfounditafailure." "Itcan'tbeaworseonethansomepeoplefindinbighouses,"retortedMeg. AuntMarchputonherglassesandtookalookatthegirl,forshedidnotknowherinthisnewmood. Meghardlyknewherself,shefeltsobraveandindependent,sogladtodefendJohnandassertherrighttolovehim,ifsheliked. AuntMarchsawthatshehadbegunwrong,andafteralittlepause,madeafreshstart,sayingasmildlyasshecould,"Now,Meg,mydear,bereasonableandtakemyadvice. Imeanitkindly,anddon'twantyoutospoilyourwholelifebymakingamistakeatthebeginning. Yououghttomarrywellandhelpyourfamily. It'syourdutytomakearichmatchanditoughttobeimpresseduponyou." "FatherandMotherdon'tthinkso.TheylikeJohnthoughheispoor." "Yourparents,mydear,havenomoreworldlywisdomthanapairofbabies." "I'mgladofit,"criedMegstoutly. AuntMarchtooknonotice,butwentonwithherlecture."ThisRookispoorandhasn'tgotanyrichrelations,hashe?" "No,buthehasmanywarmfriends." "Youcan'tliveonfriends,tryitandseehowcoolthey'llgrow.Hehasn'tanybusiness,hashe?" "Notyet.Mr.Laurenceisgoingtohelphim." "Thatwon'tlastlong.JamesLaurenceisacrotchetyoldfellowandnottobedependedon. Soyouintendtomarryamanwithoutmoney,position,orbusiness,andgoonworkingharderthanyoudonow,whenyoumightbecomfortableallyourdaysbymindingmeanddoingbetter?Ithoughtyouhadmoresense,Meg." "Icouldn'tdobetterifIwaitedhalfmylife! Johnisgoodandwise,he'sgotheapsoftalent,he'swillingtoworkandsuretogeton,he'ssoenergeticandbrave. Everyonelikesandrespectshim,andI'mproudtothinkhecaresforme,thoughI'msopoorandyoungandsilly,"saidMeg,lookingprettierthaneverinherearnestness. "Heknowsyouhavegotrichrelations,child.That'sthesecretofhisliking,Isuspect." "AuntMarch,howdareyousaysuchathing? Johnisabovesuchmeanness,andIwon'tlistentoyouaminuteifyoutalkso,"criedMegindignantly,forgettingeverythingbuttheinjusticeoftheoldlady'ssuspicions. "MyJohnwouldn'tmarryformoney,anymorethanIwould. Wearewillingtoworkandwemeantowait. I'mnotafraidofbeingpoor,forI'vebeenhappysofar,andIknowIshallbewithhimbecausehelovesme,andI..." Megstoppedthere,rememberingallofasuddenthatshehadn'tmadeuphermind,thatshehadtold'herJohn'togoaway,andthathemightbeoverhearingherinconsistentremarks. AuntMarchwasveryangry,forshehadsetherheartonhavingherprettyniecemakeafinematch,andsomethinginthegirl'shappyyoungfacemadethelonelyoldwomanfeelbothsadandsour. "Well,Iwashmyhandsofthewholeaffair! Youareawillfulchild,andyou'velostmorethanyouknowbythispieceoffolly.No,Iwon'tstop. I'mdisappointedinyou,andhaven'tspiritstoseeyourfathernow. Don'texpectanythingfrommewhenyouaremarried. YourMr.Brooke'sfriendsmusttakecareofyou.I'mdonewithyouforever." AndslammingthedoorinMeg'sface,AuntMarchdroveoffinhighdudgeon. Sheseemedtotakeallthegirl'scouragewithher,forwhenleftalone,Megstoodforamoment,undecidedwhethertolaughorcry. Beforeshecouldmakeuphermind,shewastakenpossessionofbyMr.Brooke,whosaidallinonebreath,"Icouldn'thelphearing,Meg. Thankyoufordefendingme,andAuntMarchforprovingthatyoudocareformealittlebit." "Ididn'tknowhowmuchtillsheabusedyou,"beganMeg. "AndIneedn'tgoaway,butmaystayandbehappy,mayI,dear?" Herewasanotherfinechancetomakethecrushingspeechandthestatelyexit,butMegneverthoughtofdoingeither,anddisgracedherselfforeverinJo'seyesbymeeklywhispering,"Yes,John,"andhidingherfaceonMr.Brooke'swaistcoat. FifteenminutesafterAuntMarch'sdeparture,Jocamesoftlydownstairs,pausedaninstantattheparlordoor,andhearingnosoundwithin,noddedandsmiledwithasatisfiedexpression,sayingtoherself,"Shehasseenhimawayasweplanned,andthataffairissettled. I'llgoandhearthefun,andhaveagoodlaughoverit." ButpoorJonevergotherlaugh,forshewastransfixeduponthethresholdbyaspectaclewhichheldherthere,staringwithhermouthnearlyaswideopenashereyes. Goingintoexultoverafallenenemyandtopraiseastrong–mindedsisterforthebanishmentofanobjectionablelover,itcertainlywasashocktobeholdtheaforesaidenemyserenelysittingonthesofa,withthestrongmindedsisterenthroneduponhiskneeandwearinganexpressionofthemostabjectsubmission. Jogaveasortofgasp,asifacoldshowerbathhadsuddenlyfallenuponher,forsuchanunexpectedturningofthetablesactuallytookherbreathaway. Attheoddsoundtheloversturnedandsawher. Megjumpedup,lookingbothproudandshy,but'thatman',asJocalledhim,actuallylaughedandsaidcoolly,ashekissedtheastonishednewcomer,"SisterJo,congratulateus!" Thatwasaddinginsulttoinjury,itwasaltogethertoomuch,andmakingsomewilddemonstrationwithherhands,Jovanishedwithoutaword. Rushingupstairs,shestartledtheinvalidsbyexclaimingtragicallyassheburstintotheroom,"Oh,dosomebodygodownquick! JohnBrookeisactingdreadfully,andMeglikesit!" Mr.andMrs.Marchlefttheroomwithspeed,andcastingherselfuponthebed,JocriedandscoldedtempestuouslyasshetoldtheawfulnewstoBethandAmy. Thelittlegirls,however,considereditamostagreeableandinterestingevent,andJogotlittlecomfortfromthem,soshewentuptoherrefugeinthegarret,andconfidedhertroublestotherats. Nobodyeverknewwhatwentonintheparlorthatafternoon,butagreatdealoftalkingwasdone,andquietMr.Brookeastonishedhisfriendsbytheeloquenceandspiritwithwhichhepleadedhissuit,toldhisplans,andpersuadedthemtoarrangeeverythingjustashewantedit. TheteabellrangbeforehehadfinisheddescribingtheparadisewhichhemeanttoearnforMeg,andheproudlytookherintosupper,bothlookingsohappythatJohadn'tthehearttobejealousordismal. AmywasverymuchimpressedbyJohn'sdevotionandMeg'sdignity,Bethbeamedatthemfromadistance,whileMr.andMrs.MarchsurveyedtheyoungcouplewithsuchtendersatisfactionthatitwasperfectlyevidentAuntMarchwasrightincallingthemas'unworldlyasapairofbabies'. Nooneatemuch,buteveryonelookedveryhappy,andtheoldroomseemedtobrightenupamazinglywhenthefirstromanceofthefamilybeganthere. "Youcan'tsaynothingpleasanteverhappensnow,canyou,Meg?"saidAmy,tryingtodecidehowshewouldgrouptheloversinasketchshewasplanningtomake. "No,I'msureIcan't.HowmuchhashappenedsinceIsaidthat!Itseemsayearago,"answeredMeg,whowasinablissfuldreamliftedfarabovesuchcommonthingsasbreadandbutter. "Thejoyscomecloseuponthesorrowsthistime,andIratherthinkthechangeshavebegun,"saidMrs.March. "Inmostfamiliestherecomes,nowandthen,ayearfullofevents. Thishasbeensuchaone,butitendswell,afterall." "Hopethenextwillendbetter,"mutteredJo,whofounditveryhardtoseeMegabsorbedinastrangerbeforeherface,forJolovedafewpersonsverydearlyanddreadedtohavetheiraffectionlostorlessenedinanyway. "Ihopethethirdyearfromthiswillendbetter.Imeanitshall,ifIlivetoworkoutmyplans,"saidMr.Brooke,smilingatMeg,asifeverythinghadbecomepossibletohimnow. "Doesn'titseemverylongtowait?"askedAmy,whowasinahurryforthewedding. "I'vegotsomuchtolearnbeforeIshallbeready,itseemsashorttimetome,"answeredMeg,withasweetgravityinherfaceneverseentherebefore. "Youhaveonlytowait,Iamtodothework,"saidJohnbeginninghislaborsbypickingupMeg'snapkin,withanexpressionwhichcausedJotoshakeherhead,andthensaytoherselfwithanairofreliefasthefrontdoorbanged,"HerecomesLaurie. Nowweshallhavesomesensibleconversation." ButJowasmistaken,forLauriecameprancingin,overflowingwithgoodspirits,bearingagreatbridal–lookingbouquetfor'Mrs.JohnBrooke',andevidentlylaboringunderthedelusionthatthewholeaffairhadbeenbroughtaboutbyhisexcellentmanagement. "IknewBrookewouldhaveitallhisownway,healwaysdoes,forwhenhemakesuphismindtoaccomplishanything,it'sdonethoughtheskyfalls,"saidLaurie,whenhehadpresentedhisofferingandhiscongratulations. "Muchobligedforthatrecommendation.Itakeitasagoodomenforthefutureandinviteyoutomyweddingonthespot,"answeredMr.Brooke,whofeltatpeacewithallmankind,evenhismischievouspupil. "I'llcomeifI'mattheendsoftheearth,forthesightofJo'sfacealoneonthatoccasionwouldbeworthalongjourney. Youdon'tlookfestive,ma'am,what'sthematter?" askedLaurie,followingherintoacorneroftheparlor,whitherallhadadjournedtogreetMr.Laurence. "Idon'tapproveofthematch,butI'vemadeupmymindtobearit,andshallnotsayawordagainstit,"saidJosolemnly. "Youcan'tknowhowharditisformetogiveupMeg,"shecontinuedwithalittlequiverinhervoice. "Youdon'tgiveherup.Youonlygohalves,"saidLaurieconsolingly. "Itcanneverbethesameagain.I'velostmydearestfriend,"sighedJo. "You'vegotme,anyhow.I'mnotgoodformuch,Iknow,butI'llstandbyyou,Jo,allthedaysofmylife.UponmywordIwill!"andLauriemeantwhathesaid. "Iknowyouwill,andI'meversomuchobliged.Youarealwaysagreatcomforttome,Teddy,"returnedJo,gratefullyshakinghands. "Well,now,don'tbedismal,there'sagoodfellow.It'sallrightyousee. Megishappy,Brookewillflyroundandgetsettledimmediately,Grandpawillattendtohim,anditwillbeveryjollytoseeMeginherownlittlehouse. We'llhavecapitaltimesaftersheisgone,forIshallbethroughcollegebeforelong,andthenwe'llgoabroadonsomenicetriporother.Wouldn'tthatconsoleyou?" "Iratherthinkitwould,butthere'snoknowingwhatmayhappeninthreeyears,"saidJothoughtfully. "That'strue.Don'tyouwishyoucouldtakealookforwardandseewhereweshallallbethen?Ido,"returnedLaurie. "Ithinknot,forImightseesomethingsad,andeveryonelookssohappynow,Idon'tbelievetheycouldbemuchimproved." AndJo'seyeswentslowlyroundtheroom,brighteningastheylooked,fortheprospectwasapleasantone. FatherandMothersattogether,quietlyrelivingthefirstchapteroftheromancewhichforthembegansometwentyyearsago. Amywasdrawingthelovers,whosatapartinabeautifulworldoftheirown,thelightofwhichtouchedtheirfaceswithagracethelittleartistcouldnotcopy. Bethlayonhersofa,talkingcheerilywithheroldfriend,whoheldherlittlehandasifhefeltthatitpossessedthepowertoleadhimalongthepeacefulwayshewalked. Joloungedinherfavoritelowseat,withthegravequietlookwhichbestbecameher,andLaurie,leaningonthebackofherchair,hischinonalevelwithhercurlyhead,smiledwithhisfriendliestaspect,andnoddedatherinthelongglasswhichreflectedthemboth. SothecurtainfallsuponMeg,Jo,Beth,andAmy.Whetheriteverrisesagain,dependsuponthereceptiongiventhefirstactofthedomesticdramacalledLittleWomen.