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InorderthatwemaystartafreshandgotoMeg'sweddingwithfreeminds,itwillbewelltobeginwithalittlegossipabouttheMarches.
Andhereletmepremisethatifanyoftheeldersthinkthereistoomuch'lovering'inthestory,asIfeartheymay(I'mnotafraidtheyoungfolkswillmakethatobjection),IcanonlysaywithMrs.March,"WhatcanyouexpectwhenIhavefourgaygirlsinthehouse,andadashingyoungneighborovertheway?"
Thethreeyearsthathavepassedhavebroughtbutfewchangestothequietfamily.
Thewarisover,andMr.Marchsafelyathome,busywithhisbooksandthesmallparishwhichfoundinhimaministerbynatureasbygrace,aquiet,studiousman,richinthewisdomthatisbetterthanlearning,thecharitywhichcallsallmankind'brother',thepietythatblossomsintocharacter,makingitaugustandlovely.
Theseattributes,inspiteofpovertyandthestrictintegritywhichshuthimoutfromthemoreworldlysuccesses,attractedtohimmanyadmirablepersons,asnaturallyassweetherbsdrawbees,andasnaturallyhegavethemthehoneyintowhichfiftyyearsofhardexperiencehaddistillednobitterdrop.
Earnestyoungmenfoundthegray–headedscholarasyoungatheartasthey;thoughtfulortroubledwomeninstinctivelybroughttheirdoubtstohim,sureoffindingthegentlestsympathy,thewisestcounsel.
Sinnerstoldtheirsinstothepure–heartedoldmanandwerebothrebukedandsaved.Giftedmenfoundacompanioninhim.
Ambitiousmencaughtglimpsesofnoblerambitionsthantheirown,andevenworldlingsconfessedthathisbeliefswerebeautifulandtrue,although'theywouldn'tpay'.
Tooutsidersthefiveenergeticwomenseemedtorulethehouse,andsotheydidinmanythings,butthequietscholar,sittingamonghisbooks,wasstilltheheadofthefamily,thehouseholdconscience,anchor,andcomforter,fortohimthebusy,anxiouswomenalwaysturnedintroubloustimes,findinghim,inthetruestsenseofthosesacredwords,husbandandfather.
Thegirlsgavetheirheartsintotheirmother'skeeping,theirsoulsintotheirfather's,andtobothparents,wholivedandlaboredsofaithfullyforthem,theygavealovethatgrewwiththeirgrowthandboundthemtenderlytogetherbythesweetesttiewhichblesseslifeandoutlivesdeath.
Mrs.Marchisasbriskandcheery,thoughrathergrayer,thanwhenwesawherlast,andjustnowsoabsorbedinMeg'saffairsthatthehospitalsandhomesstillfullofwounded'boys'andsoldiers'widows,decidedlymissthemotherlymissionary'svisits.
JohnBrookedidhisdutymanfullyforayear,gotwounded,wassenthome,andnotallowedtoreturn.
Hereceivednostarsorbars,buthedeservedthem,forhecheerfullyriskedallhehad,andlifeandloveareverypreciouswhenbothareinfullbloom.
Perfectlyresignedtohisdischarge,hedevotedhimselftogettingwell,preparingforbusiness,andearningahomeforMeg.
Withthegoodsenseandsturdyindependencethatcharacterizedhim,herefusedMr.Laurence'smoregenerousoffers,andacceptedtheplaceofbookkeeper,feelingbettersatisfiedtobeginwithanhonestlyearnedsalarythanbyrunninganyriskswithborrowedmoney.
Meghadspentthetimeinworkingaswellaswaiting,growingwomanlyincharacter,wiseinhousewifelyarts,andprettierthanever,forloveisagreatbeautifier.
Shehadhergirlishambitionsandhopes,andfeltsomedisappointmentatthehumblewayinwhichthenewlifemustbegin.
NedMoffathadjustmarriedSallieGardiner,andMegcouldn'thelpcontrastingtheirfinehouseandcarriage,manygifts,andsplendidoutfitwithherown,andsecretlywishingshecouldhavethesame.
ButsomehowenvyanddiscontentsoonvanishedwhenshethoughtofallthepatientloveandlaborJohnhadputintothelittlehomeawaitingher,andwhentheysattogetherinthetwilight,talkingovertheirsmallplans,thefuturealwaysgrewsobeautifulandbrightthatsheforgotSallie'ssplendorandfeltherselftherichest,happiestgirlinChristendom.
JoneverwentbacktoAuntMarch,fortheoldladytooksuchafancytoAmythatshebribedherwiththeofferofdrawinglessonsfromoneofthebestteachersgoing,andforthesakeofthisadvantage,Amywouldhaveservedafarhardermistress.
Soshegavehermorningstoduty,herafternoonstopleasure,andprosperedfinely.
JomeantimedevotedherselftoliteratureandBeth,whoremaineddelicatelongafterthefeverwasathingofthepast.
Notaninvalidexactly,butneveragaintherosy,healthycreatureshehadbeen,yetalwayshopeful,happy,andserene,andbusywiththequietdutiessheloved,everyone'sfriend,andanangelinthehouse,longbeforethosewholovedhermosthadlearnedtoknowit.
AslongasTheSpreadEaglepaidheradollaracolumnforher'rubbish',asshecalledit,Jofeltherselfawomanofmeans,andspunherlittleromancesdiligently.
Butgreatplansfermentedinherbusybrainandambitiousmind,andtheoldtinkitcheninthegarretheldaslowlyincreasingpileofblottedmanuscript,whichwasonedaytoplacethenameofMarchupontherolloffame.
Laurie,havingdutifullygonetocollegetopleasehisgrandfather,wasnowgettingthroughitintheeasiestpossiblemannertopleasehimself.
Auniversalfavorite,thankstomoney,manners,muchtalent,andthekindestheartthatevergotitsownerintoscrapesbytryingtogetotherpeopleoutofthem,hestoodingreatdangerofbeingspoiled,andprobablywouldhavebeen,likemanyanotherpromisingboy,ifhehadnotpossessedatalismanagainstevilinthememoryofthekindoldmanwhowasboundupinhissuccess,themotherlyfriendwhowatchedoverhimasifhewereherson,andlast,butnotleastbyanymeans,theknowledgethatfourinnocentgirlsloved,admired,andbelievedinhimwithalltheirhearts.
Beingonly'aglorioushumanboy',ofcoursehefrolickedandflirted,grewdandified,aquatic,sentimental,orgymnastic,ascollegefashionsordained,hazedandwashazed,talkedslang,andmorethanoncecameperilouslynearsuspensionandexpulsion.
Butashighspiritsandtheloveoffunwerethecausesofthesepranks,healwaysmanagedtosavehimselfbyfrankconfession,honorableatonement,ortheirresistiblepowerofpersuasionwhichhepossessedinperfection.
Infact,heratherpridedhimselfonhisnarrowescapes,andlikedtothrillthegirlswithgraphicaccountsofhistriumphsoverwrathfultutors,dignifiedprofessors,andvanquishedenemies.
The'menofmyclass',wereheroesintheeyesofthegirls,whoneverweariedoftheexploitsof'ourfellows',andwerefrequentlyallowedtobaskinthesmilesofthesegreatcreatures,whenLauriebroughtthemhomewithhim.
Amyespeciallyenjoyedthishighhonor,andbecamequiteabelleamongthem,forherladyshipearlyfeltandlearnedtousethegiftoffascinationwithwhichshewasendowed.
MegwastoomuchabsorbedinherprivateandparticularJohntocareforanyotherlordsofcreation,andBethtooshytodomorethanpeepatthemandwonderhowAmydaredtoorderthemaboutso,butJofeltquiteinherownelement,andfounditverydifficulttorefrainfromimitatingthegentlemanlyattitudes,phrases,andfeats,whichseemedmorenaturaltoherthanthedecorumsprescribedforyoungladies.
TheyalllikedJoimmensely,butneverfellinlovewithher,thoughveryfewescapedwithoutpayingthetributeofasentimentalsighortwoatAmy'sshrine.
Andspeakingofsentimentbringsusverynaturallytothe'Dovecote'.
ThatwasthenameofthelittlebrownhouseMr.BrookehadpreparedforMeg'sfirsthome.
Lauriehadchristenedit,sayingitwashighlyappropriatetothegentleloverswho'wentontogetherlikeapairofturtledoves,withfirstabillandthenacoo'.
Itwasatinyhouse,withalittlegardenbehindandalawnaboutasbigasapockethandkerchiefinthefront.
HereMegmeanttohaveafountain,shrubbery,andaprofusionoflovelyflowers,thoughjustatpresentthefountainwasrepresentedbyaweather–beatenurn,verylikeadilapidatedslopbowl,theshrubberyconsistedofseveralyounglarches,undecidedwhethertoliveordie,andtheprofusionofflowerswasmerelyhintedbyregimentsofstickstoshowwhereseedswereplanted.
Butinside,itwasaltogethercharming,andthehappybridesawnofaultfromgarrettocellar.
Tobesure,thehallwassonarrowitwasfortunatethattheyhadnopiano,foronenevercouldhavebeengotinwhole,thediningroomwassosmallthatsixpeoplewereatightfit,andthekitchenstairsseemedbuiltfortheexpresspurposeofprecipitatingbothservantsandchinapell–mellintothecoalbin.
Butoncegetusedtotheseslightblemishesandnothingcouldbemorecomplete,forgoodsenseandgoodtastehadpresidedoverthefurnishing,andtheresultwashighlysatisfactory.
Therewerenomarble–toppedtables,longmirrors,orlacecurtainsinthelittleparlor,butsimplefurniture,plentyofbooks,afinepictureortwo,astandofflowersinthebaywindow,and,scatteredallabout,theprettygiftswhichcamefromfriendlyhandsandwerethefairerforthelovingmessagestheybrought.
Idon'tthinktheParianPsycheLauriegavelostanyofitsbeautybecauseJohnputupthebracketitstoodupon,thatanyupholsterercouldhavedrapedtheplainmuslincurtainsmoregracefullythanAmy'sartistichand,orthatanystore–roomwaseverbetterprovidedwithgoodwishes,merrywords,andhappyhopesthanthatinwhichJoandhermotherputawayMeg'sfewboxes,barrels,andbundles,andIammorallycertainthatthespandynewkitchennevercouldhavelookedsocozyandneatifHannahhadnotarrangedeverypotandpanadozentimesover,andlaidthefireallreadyforlightingtheminute'Mis.
Brookecamehome'.
Ialsodoubtifanyyoungmatroneverbeganlifewithsorichasupplyofdusters,holders,andpiecebags,forBethmadeenoughtolasttillthesilverweddingcameround,andinventedthreedifferentkindsofdishclothsfortheexpressserviceofthebridalchina.
Peoplewhohireallthesethingsdoneforthemneverknowwhattheylose,forthehomeliesttasksgetbeautifiediflovinghandsdothem,andMegfoundsomanyproofsofthisthateverythinginhersmallnest,fromthekitchenrollertothesilvervaseonherparlortable,waseloquentofhomeloveandtenderforethought.
Whathappytimestheyhadplanningtogether,whatsolemnshoppingexcursions,whatfunnymistakestheymade,andwhatshoutsoflaughteraroseoverLaurie'sridiculousbargains.
Inhisloveofjokes,thisyounggentleman,thoughnearlythroughcollege,wasamuchofaboyasever.
Hislastwhimhadbeentobringwithhimonhisweeklyvisitssomenew,useful,andingeniousarticlefortheyounghousekeeper.
Nowabagofremarkableclothespins,next,awonderfulnutmeggraterwhichfelltopiecesatthefirsttrial,aknifecleanerthatspoiledalltheknives,orasweeperthatpickedthenapneatlyoffthecarpetandleftthedirt,labor–savingsoapthattooktheskinoffone'shands,infalliblecementswhichstuckfirmlytonothingbutthefingersofthedeludedbuyer,andeverykindoftinware,fromatoysavingsbankforoddpennies,toawonderfulboilerwhichwouldwasharticlesinitsownsteamwitheveryprospectofexplodingintheprocess.
InvainMegbeggedhimtostop.Johnlaughedathim,andJocalledhim'Mr.Toodles'.
HewaspossessedwithamaniaforpatronizingYankeeingenuity,andseeinghisfriendsfitlyfurnishedforth.
Soeachweekbeheldsomefreshabsurdity.
Everythingwasdoneatlast,eventoAmy'sarrangingdifferentcoloredsoapstomatchthedifferentcoloredrooms,andBeth'ssettingthetableforthefirstmeal.
"Areyousatisfied?Doesitseemlikehome,anddoyoufeelasifyoushouldbehappyhere?"
askedMrs.March,assheandherdaughterwentthroughthenewkingdomarminarm,forjustthentheyseemedtoclingtogethermoretenderlythanever.
"Yes,Mother,perfectlysatisfied,thankstoyouall,andsohappythatIcan'ttalkaboutit,"withalookthatwasfarbetterthanwords.
"Ifsheonlyhadaservantortwoitwouldbeallright,"saidAmy,comingoutoftheparlor,whereshehadbeentryingtodecidewhetherthebronzeMercurylookedbestonthewhatnotorthemantlepiece.
"MotherandIhavetalkedthatover,andIhavemadeupmymindtotryherwayfirst.
TherewillbesolittletodothatwithLottytorunmyerrandsandhelpmehereandthere,Ishallonlyhaveenoughworktokeepmefromgettinglazyorhomesick,"answeredMegtranquilly.
"SallieMoffathasfour,"beganAmy.
"IfMeghadfour,thehousewouldn'tholdthem,andmasterandmissiswouldhavetocampinthegarden,"brokeinJo,who,envelopedinabigbluepinafore,wasgivingthelastpolishtothedoorhandles.
"Sallieisn'tapoorman'swife,andmanymaidsareinkeepingwithherfineestablishment.
MegandJohnbeginhumbly,butIhaveafeelingthattherewillbequiteasmuchhappinessinthelittlehouseasinthebigone.
It'sagreatmistakeforyounggirlslikeMegtoleavethemselvesnothingtodobutdress,giveorders,andgossip.
WhenIwasfirstmarried,Iusedtolongformynewclothestowearoutorgettorn,sothatImighthavethepleasureofmendingthem,forIgotheartilysickofdoingfancyworkandtendingmypockethandkerchief."
"Whydidn'tyougointothekitchenandmakemesses,asSalliesaysshedoestoamuseherself,thoughtheyneverturnoutwellandtheservantslaughather,"saidMeg.
"Ididafterawhile,notto'mess'buttolearnofHannahhowthingsshouldbedone,thatmyservantsneednotlaughatme.
Itwasplaythen,buttherecameatimewhenIwastrulygratefulthatInotonlypossessedthewillbutthepowertocookwholesomefoodformylittlegirls,andhelpmyselfwhenIcouldnolongeraffordtohirehelp.
Youbeginattheotherend,Meg,dear,butthelessonsyoulearnnowwillbeofusetoyouby–and–bywhenJohnisaricherman,forthemistressofahouse,howeversplendid,shouldknowhowworkoughttobedone,ifshewishestobewellandhonestlyserved."
"Yes,Mother,I'msureofthat,"saidMeg,listeningrespectfullytothelittlelecture,forthebestofwomenwillholdforthupontheallabsorbingsubjectofhousekeeping.
"DoyouknowIlikethisroommostofallinmybabyhouse,"addedMeg,aminuteafter,astheywentupstairsandshelookedintoherwell–storedlinencloset.
Bethwasthere,layingthesnowypilessmoothlyontheshelvesandexultingoverthegoodlyarray.
AllthreelaughedasMegspoke,forthatlinenclosetwasajoke.
Yousee,havingsaidthatifMegmarried'thatBrooke'sheshouldn'thaveacentofhermoney,AuntMarchwasratherinaquandarywhentimehadappeasedherwrathandmadeherrepenthervow.
Sheneverbrokeherword,andwasmuchexercisedinhermindhowtogetroundit,andatlastdevisedaplanwherebyshecouldsatisfyherself.
Mrs.Carrol,Florence'smamma,wasorderedtobuy,havemade,andmarkedageneroussupplyofhouseandtablelinen,andsenditasherpresent,allofwhichwasfaithfullydone,butthesecretleakedout,andwasgreatlyenjoyedbythefamily,forAuntMarchtriedtolookutterlyunconscious,andinsistedthatshecouldgivenothingbuttheold–fashionedpearlslongpromisedtothefirstbride.
"That'sahousewifelytastewhichIamgladtosee.
Ihadayoungfriendwhosetuphousekeepingwithsixsheets,butshehadfingerbowlsforcompanyandthatsatisfiedher,"saidMrs.March,pattingthedamasktablecloths,withatrulyfeminineappreciationoftheirfineness.
"Ihaven'tasinglefingerbowl,butthisisasetoutthatwilllastmeallmydays,Hannahsays."AndMeglookedquitecontented,aswellshemight.
Atall,broad–shoulderedyoungfellow,withacroppedhead,afeltbasinofahat,andaflyawaycoat,cametrampingdowntheroadatagreatpace,walkedoverthelowfencewithoutstoppingtoopenthegate,straightuptoMrs.March,withbothhandsoutandahearty...
"HereIam,Mother!Yes,it'sallright."
Thelastwordswereinanswertothelooktheelderladygavehim,akindlyquestioninglookwhichthehandsomeeyesmetsofranklythatthelittleceremonyclosed,asusual,withamotherlykiss.
"ForMrs.JohnBrooke,withthemaker'scongratulationsandcompliments.Blessyou,Beth!Whatarefreshingspectacleyouare,Jo.Amy,youaregettingaltogethertoohandsomeforasinglelady."
AsLauriespoke,hedeliveredabrownpaperparceltoMeg,pulledBeth'shairribbon,staredatJo'sbigpinafore,andfellintoanattitudeofmockrapturebeforeAmy,thenshookhandsallround,andeveryonebegantotalk.
"WhereisJohn?"askedMeganxiously.
"Stoppedtogetthelicensefortomorrow,ma'am."
"Whichsidewonthelastmatch,Teddy?"inquiredJo,whopersistedinfeelinganinterestinmanlysportsdespitehernineteenyears.
"Ours,ofcourse.Wishyou'dbeentheretosee."
"HowisthelovelyMissRandal?"askedAmywithasignificantsmile.
"Morecruelthanever.Don'tyouseehowI'mpiningaway?"andLauriegavehisbroadchestasoundingslapandheavedamelodramaticsigh.
"What'sthelastjoke?Undothebundleandsee,Meg,"saidBeth,eyingtheknobbyparcelwithcuriosity.
"It'sausefulthingtohaveinthehouseincaseoffireorthieves,"observedLaurie,asawatchman'srattleappeared,amidthelaughterofthegirls.
"AnytimewhenJohnisawayandyougetfrightened,Mrs.Meg,justswingthatoutofthefrontwindow,anditwillrousetheneighborhoodinajiffy.Nicething,isn'tit?"
andLauriegavethemasampleofitspowersthatmadethemcoveruptheirears.
"There'sgratitudeforyou!AndspeakingofgratituderemindsmetomentionthatyoumaythankHannahforsavingyourweddingcakefromdestruction.
IsawitgoingintoyourhouseasIcameby,andifshehadn'tdefendeditmanfullyI'dhavehadapickatit,foritlookedlikearemarkablyplummyone."
"Iwonderifyouwillevergrowup,Laurie,"saidMeginamatronlytone.
"I'mdoingmybest,ma'am,butcan'tgetmuchhigher,I'mafraid,assixfeetisaboutallmencandointhesedegeneratedays,"respondedtheyounggentleman,whoseheadwasaboutlevelwiththelittlechandelier.
"Isupposeitwouldbeprofanationtoeatanythinginthisspick–and–spanbower,soasI'mtremendouslyhungry,Iproposeanadjournment,"headdedpresently.
"MotherandIaregoingtowaitforJohn.Therearesomelastthingstosettle,"saidMeg,bustlingaway.
"BethandIaregoingovertoKittyBryant'stogetmoreflowersfortomorrow,"addedAmy,tyingapicturesquehatoverherpicturesquecurls,andenjoyingtheeffectasmuchasanybody.
"Come,Jo,don'tdesertafellow.I'minsuchastateofexhaustionIcan'tgethomewithouthelp.
Don'ttakeoffyourapron,whateveryoudo,it'speculiarlybecoming,"saidLaurie,asJobestowedhisespecialaversioninhercapaciouspocketandofferedherarmtosupporthisfeeblesteps.
"Now,Teddy,Iwanttotalkseriouslytoyouabouttomorrow,"beganJo,astheystrolledawaytogether."Youmustpromisetobehavewell,andnotcutupanypranks,andspoilourplans."
"Notaprank."
"Anddon'tsayfunnythingswhenweoughttobesober."
"Ineverdo.Youaretheoneforthat."
"AndIimploreyounottolookatmeduringtheceremony.Ishallcertainlylaughifyoudo."
"Youwon'tseeme,you'llbecryingsohardthatthethickfogroundyouwillobscuretheprospect."
"Inevercryunlessforsomegreataffliction."
"Suchasfellowsgoingtocollege,hey?"cutinLaurie,withsuggestivelaugh.
"Don'tbeapeacock.Ionlymoanedatrifletokeepthegirlscompany."
"Exactly.Isay,Jo,howisGrandpathisweek?Prettyamiable?"
"Very.Why,haveyougotintoascrapeandwanttoknowhowhe'lltakeit?"askedJorathersharply.
"Now,Jo,doyouthinkI'dlookyourmotherinthefaceandsay'Allright',ifitwasn't?"andLauriestoppedshort,withaninjuredair.
"No,Idon't."
"Thendon'tgoandbesuspicious.Ionlywantsomemoney,"saidLaurie,walkingonagain,appeasedbyherheartytone.
"Youspendagreatdeal,Teddy."
"Blessyou,Idon'tspendit,itspendsitselfsomehow,andisgonebeforeIknowit."
"Youaresogenerousandkind–heartedthatyouletpeopleborrow,andcan'tsay'No'toanyone.
WeheardaboutHenshawandallyoudidforhim.
Ifyoualwaysspentmoneyinthatway,noonewouldblameyou,"saidJowarmly.
"Oh,hemadeamountainoutofamolehill.Youwouldn'thavemeletthatfinefellowworkhimselftodeathjustforwantofalittlehelp,whenheisworthadozenofuslazychaps,wouldyou?"
"Ofcoursenot,butIdon'tseetheuseofyourhavingseventeenwaistcoats,endlessneckties,andanewhateverytimeyoucomehome.
Ithoughtyou'dgotoverthedandyperiod,buteverynowandthenitbreaksoutinanewspot.
Justnowit'sthefashiontobehideous,tomakeyourheadlooklikeascrubbingbrush,wearastraitjacket,orangegloves,andclumpingsquare–toedboots.
Ifitwascheapugliness,I'dsaynothing,butitcostsasmuchastheother,andIdon'tgetanysatisfactionoutofit."
Lauriethrewbackhishead,andlaughedsoheartilyatthisattack,thatthefelthatfelloff,andJowalkedonit,whichinsultonlyaffordedhimanopportunityforexpatiatingontheadvantagesofarough–and–readycostume,ashefoldedupthemaltreatedhat,andstuffeditintohispocket.
"Don'tlectureanymore,there'sagoodsoul!
Ihaveenoughallthroughtheweek,andliketoenjoymyselfwhenIcomehome.
I'llgetmyselfupregardlessofexpensetomorrowandbeasatisfactiontomyfriends."
"I'llleaveyouinpeaceifyou'llonlyletyourhairgrow.I'mnotaristocratic,butIdoobjecttobeingseenwithapersonwholookslikeayoungprizefighter,"observedJoseverely.
"Thisunassumingstylepromotesstudy,that'swhyweadoptit,"returnedLaurie,whocertainlycouldnotbeaccusedofvanity,havingvoluntarilysacrificedahandsomecurlycroptothedemandforquarter–inch–longstubble.
"Bytheway,Jo,IthinkthatlittleParkerisreallygettingdesperateaboutAmy.
Hetalksofherconstantly,writespoetry,andmoonsaboutinamostsuspiciousmanner.
He'dbetterniphislittlepassioninthebud,hadn'the?"
addedLaurie,inaconfidential,elderbrotherlytone,afteraminute'ssilence.
"Ofcoursehehad.Wedon'twantanymoremarryinginthisfamilyforyearstocome.
Mercyonus,whatarethechildrenthinkingof?"
andJolookedasmuchscandalizedasifAmyandlittleParkerwerenotyetintheirteens.
"It'safastage,andIdon'tknowwhatwearecomingto,ma'am.
Youareamereinfant,butyou'llgonext,Jo,andwe'llbeleftlamenting,"saidLaurie,shakinghisheadoverthedegeneracyofthetimes.
"Don'tbealarmed.I'mnotoneoftheagreeablesort.Nobodywillwantme,andit'samercy,forthereshouldalwaysbeoneoldmaidinafamily."
"Youwon'tgiveanyoneachance,"saidLaurie,withasidelongglanceandalittlemorecolorthanbeforeinhissunburnedface.
"Youwon'tshowthesoftsideofyourcharacter,andifafellowgetsapeepatitbyaccidentandcan'thelpshowingthathelikesit,youtreathimasMrs.Gummidgedidhersweetheart,throwcoldwateroverhim,andgetsothornynoonedarestouchorlookatyou."
"Idon'tlikethatsortofthing.I'mtoobusytobeworriedwithnonsense,andIthinkit'sdreadfultobreakupfamiliesso.Nowdon'tsayanymoreaboutit.
Meg'sweddinghasturnedallourheads,andwetalkofnothingbutloversandsuchabsurdities.
Idon'twishtogetcross,solet'schangethesubject;"andJolookedquitereadytoflingcoldwaterontheslightestprovocation.
Whateverhisfeelingsmighthavebeen,Lauriefoundaventfortheminalonglowwhistleandthefearfulpredictionastheypartedatthegate,"Markmywords,Jo,you'llgonext."
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