English
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.
Megwasabsentminded,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'sshowingyouhowyourJohnwillgoonbyandby.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,andmyexperiencewillbeusefultoyoubyandby,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'llchangeyourmindbyandby?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.
"Hightytighty!Isthatthewayyoutakemyadvice,Miss?You'llbesorryforitbyandby,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.
Goingintoexultoverafallenenemyandtopraiseastrongmindedsisterforthebanishmentofanobjectionablelover,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,bearingagreatbridallookingbouquetfor'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.
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