English
TheJunerosesovertheporchwereawakebrightandearlyonthatmorning,rejoicingwithalltheirheartsinthecloudlesssunshine,likefriendlylittleneighbors,astheywere.
Quiteflushedwithexcitementweretheirruddyfaces,astheyswunginthewind,whisperingtooneanotherwhattheyhadseen,forsomepeepedinatthediningroomwindowswherethefeastwasspread,someclimbeduptonodandsmileatthesistersastheydressedthebride,otherswavedawelcometothosewhocameandwentonvariouserrandsingarden,porch,andhall,andall,fromtherosiestfull–blownflowertothepalestbabybud,offeredtheirtributeofbeautyandfragrancetothegentlemistresswhohadlovedandtendedthemsolong.
Meglookedverylikearoseherself,forallthatwasbestandsweetestinheartandsoulseemedtobloomintoherfacethatday,makingitfairandtender,withacharmmorebeautifulthanbeauty.
Neithersilk,lace,nororangeflowerswouldshehave.
"Idon'twantafashionablewedding,butonlythoseaboutmewhomIlove,andtothemIwishtolookandbemyfamiliarself."
Soshemadeherweddinggownherself,sewingintoitthetenderhopesandinnocentromancesofagirlishheart.
Hersistersbraidedupherprettyhair,andtheonlyornamentssheworeweretheliliesofthevalley,which'herJohn'likedbestofalltheflowersthatgrew.
"YoudolookjustlikeourowndearMeg,onlysoverysweetandlovelythatIshouldhugyouifitwouldn'tcrumpleyourdress,"criedAmy,surveyingherwithdelightwhenallwasdone.
"ThenIamsatisfied.Butpleasehugandkissme,everyone,anddon'tmindmydress.
Iwantagreatmanycrumplesofthissortputintoittoday,"andMegopenedherarmstohersisters,whoclungaboutherwithAprilfacesforaminute,feelingthatthenewlovehadnotchangedtheold.
"NowI'mgoingtotieJohn'scravatforhim,andthentostayafewminuteswithFatherquietlyinthestudy,"andMegrandowntoperformtheselittleceremonies,andthentofollowhermotherwherevershewent,consciousthatinspiteofthesmilesonthemotherlyface,therewasasecretsorrowhidinthemotherlyheartattheflightofthefirstbirdfromthenest.
Astheyoungergirlsstandtogether,givingthelasttouchestotheirsimpletoilet,itmaybeagoodtimetotellofafewchangeswhichthreeyearshavewroughtintheirappearance,forallarelookingtheirbestjustnow.
Jo'sanglesaremuchsoftened,shehaslearnedtocarryherselfwithease,ifnotgrace.
Thecurlycrophaslengthenedintoathickcoil,morebecomingtothesmallheadatopofthetallfigure.
Thereisafreshcolorinherbrowncheeks,asoftshineinhereyes,andonlygentlewordsfallfromhersharptonguetoday.
Bethhasgrownslender,pale,andmorequietthanever.
Thebeautiful,kindeyesarelarger,andinthemliesanexpressionthatsaddensone,althoughitisnotsaditself.
Itistheshadowofpainwhichtouchestheyoungfacewithsuchpatheticpatience,butBethseldomcomplainsandalwaysspeakshopefullyof'beingbettersoon'.
Amyiswithtruthconsidered'theflowerofthefamily',foratsixteenshehastheairandbearingofafull–grownwoman,notbeautiful,butpossessedofthatindescribablecharmcalledgrace.
Onesawitinthelinesofherfigure,themakeandmotionofherhands,theflowofherdress,thedroopofherhair,unconsciousyetharmonious,andasattractivetomanyasbeautyitself.
Amy'snosestillafflictedher,foritneverwouldgrowGrecian,sodidhermouth,beingtoowide,andhavingadecidedchin.
Theseoffendingfeaturesgavecharactertoherwholeface,butshenevercouldseeit,andconsoledherselfwithherwonderfullyfaircomplexion,keenblueeyes,andcurlsmoregoldenandabundantthanever.
Allthreeworesuitsofthinsilvergray(theirbestgownsforthesummer),withblushrosesinhairandbosom,andallthreelookedjustwhattheywere,fresh–faced,happy–heartedgirls,pausingamomentintheirbusylivestoreadwithwistfuleyesthesweetestchapterintheromanceofwomanhood.
Thereweretobenoceremoniousperformances,everythingwastobeasnaturalandhomelikeaspossible,sowhenAuntMarcharrived,shewasscandalizedtoseethebridecomerunningtowelcomeandleadherin,tofindthebridegroomfasteningupagarlandthathadfallendown,andtocatchaglimpseofthepaternalministermarchingupstairswithagravecountenanceandawinebottleundereacharm.
"Uponmyword,here'sastateofthings!"
criedtheoldlady,takingtheseatofhonorpreparedforher,andsettlingthefoldsofherlavendermoirewithagreatrustle.
"Yououghtn'ttobeseentillthelastminute,child."
"I'mnotashow,Aunty,andnooneiscomingtostareatme,tocriticizemydress,orcountthecostofmyluncheon.
I'mtoohappytocarewhatanyonesaysorthinks,andI'mgoingtohavemylittleweddingjustasIlikeit.John,dear,here'syourhammer."
AndawaywentMegtohelp'thatman'inhishighlyimproperemployment.
Mr.Brookedidn'tevensay,"Thankyou,"butashestoopedfortheunromantictool,hekissedhislittlebridebehindthefoldingdoor,withalookthatmadeAuntMarchwhiskoutherpockethandkerchiefwithasuddendewinhersharpoldeyes.
Acrash,acry,andalaughfromLaurie,accompaniedbytheindecorousexclamation,"JupiterAmmon!Jo'supsetthecakeagain!"
causedamomentaryflurry,whichwashardlyoverwhenaflockofcousinsarrived,and'thepartycamein',asBethusedtosaywhenachild.
"Don'tletthatyounggiantcomenearme,heworriesmeworsethanmosquitoes,"whisperedtheoldladytoAmy,astheroomsfilledandLaurie'sblackheadtoweredabovetherest.
"Hehaspromisedtobeverygoodtoday,andhecanbeperfectlyelegantifhelikes,"returnedAmy,andglidingawaytowarnHerculestobewareofthedragon,whichwarningcausedhimtohaunttheoldladywithadevotionthatnearlydistractedher.
Therewasnobridalprocession,butasuddensilencefellupontheroomasMr.Marchandtheyoungcoupletooktheirplacesunderthegreenarch.
Motherandsistersgatheredclose,asifloathtogiveMegup.
Thefatherlyvoicebrokemorethanonce,whichonlyseemedtomaketheservicemorebeautifulandsolemn.
Thebridegroom'shandtrembledvisibly,andnooneheardhisreplies.
ButMeglookedstraightupinherhusband'seyes,andsaid,"Iwill!"
withsuchtendertrustinherownfaceandvoicethathermother'sheartrejoicedandAuntMarchsniffedaudibly.
Jodidnotcry,thoughshewasverynearitonce,andwasonlysavedfromademonstrationbytheconsciousnessthatLauriewasstaringfixedlyather,withacomicalmixtureofmerrimentandemotioninhiswickedblackeyes.
Bethkeptherfacehiddenonhermother'sshoulder,butAmystoodlikeagracefulstatue,withamostbecomingrayofsunshinetouchingherwhiteforeheadandtheflowerinherhair.
Itwasn'tatallthething,I'mafraid,buttheminuteshewasfairlymarried,Megcried,"ThefirstkissforMarmee!"
andturning,gaveitwithherheartonherlips.
Duringthenextfifteenminutesshelookedmorelikearosethanever,foreveryoneavailedthemselvesoftheirprivilegestothefullestextent,fromMr.LaurencetooldHannah,who,adornedwithaheaddressfearfullyandwonderfullymade,felluponherinthehall,cryingwithasobandachuckle,"Blessyou,deary,ahundredtimes!
Thecakeain'thurtamite,andeverythinglookslovely."
Everybodyclearedupafterthat,andsaidsomethingbrilliant,ortriedto,whichdidjustaswell,forlaughterisreadywhenheartsarelight.
Therewasnodisplayofgifts,fortheywerealreadyinthelittlehouse,norwasthereanelaboratebreakfast,butaplentifullunchofcakeandfruit,dressedwithflowers.
Mr.LaurenceandAuntMarchshruggedandsmiledatoneanotherwhenwater,lemonade,andcoffeewerefoundtobetoonlysortsofnectarwhichthethreeHebescarriedround.
Noonesaidanything,tillLaurie,whoinsistedonservingthebride,appearedbeforeher,withaloadedsalverinhishandandapuzzledexpressiononhisface.
"HasJosmashedallthebottlesbyaccident?"hewhispered,"oramImerelylaboringunderadelusionthatIsawsomelyingaboutloosethismorning?"
"No,yourgrandfatherkindlyofferedushisbest,andAuntMarchactuallysentsome,butFatherputawayalittleforBeth,anddispatchedtheresttotheSoldier'sHome.
Youknowhethinksthatwineshouldbeusedonlyinillness,andMothersaysthatneithershenorherdaughterswilleverofferittoanyyoungmanunderherroof."
MegspokeseriouslyandexpectedtoseeLauriefrownorlaugh,buthedidneither,forafteraquicklookather,hesaid,inhisimpetuousway,"Ilikethat!
ForI'veseenenoughharmdonetowishotherwomenwouldthinkasyoudo."
"Youarenotmadewisebyexperience,Ihope?"andtherewasananxiousaccentinMeg'svoice.
"No.Igiveyoumywordforit.
Don'tthinktoowellofme,either,thisisnotoneofmytemptations.
Beingbroughtupwherewineisascommonaswaterandalmostasharmless,Idon'tcareforit,butwhenaprettygirloffersit,onedoesn'tliketorefuse,yousee."
"Butyouwill,forthesakeofothers,ifnotforyourown.Come,Laurie,promise,andgivemeonemorereasontocallthisthehappiestdayofmylife."
Ademandsosuddenandsoseriousmadetheyoungmanhesitateamoment,forridiculeisoftenhardertobearthanself–denial.
Megknewthatifhegavethepromisehewouldkeepitatallcosts,andfeelingherpower,useditasawomanmayforherfriend'sgood.
Shedidnotspeak,butshelookedupathimwithafacemadeveryeloquentbyhappiness,andasmilewhichsaid,"Noonecanrefusemeanythingtoday."
Lauriecertainlycouldnot,andwithanansweringsmile,hegaveherhishand,sayingheartily,"Ipromise,Mrs.Brooke!"
"Ithankyou,very,verymuch."
"AndIdrink'longlifetoyourresolution',Teddy,"criedJo,baptizinghimwithasplashoflemonade,asshewavedherglassandbeamedapprovinglyuponhim.
Sothetoastwasdrunk,thepledgemadeandloyallykeptinspiteofmanytemptations,forwithinstinctivewisdom,thegirlsseizedahappymomenttodotheirfriendaservice,forwhichhethankedthemallhislife.
Afterlunch,peoplestrolledabout,bytwosandthrees,throughthehouseandgarden,enjoyingthesunshinewithoutandwithin.
MegandJohnhappenedtobestandingtogetherinthemiddleofthegrassplot,whenLauriewasseizedwithaninspirationwhichputthefinishingtouchtothisunfashionablewedding.
"Allthemarriedpeopletakehandsanddanceroundthenew–madehusbandandwife,astheGermansdo,whilewebachelorsandspinsterspranceincouplesoutside!"
criedLaurie,promenadingdownthepathwithAmy,withsuchinfectiousspiritandskillthateveryoneelsefollowedtheirexamplewithoutamurmur.
Mr.andMrs.March,AuntandUncleCarrolbeganit,othersrapidlyjoinedin,evenSallieMoffat,afteramoment'shesitation,threwhertrainoverherarmandwhiskedNedintothering.
ButthecrowningjokewasMr.LaurenceandAuntMarch,forwhenthestatelyoldgentlemanchasseedsolemnlyuptotheoldlady,shejusttuckedhercaneunderherarm,andhoppedbrisklyawaytojoinhandswiththerestanddanceaboutthebridalpair,whiletheyoungfolkspervadedthegardenlikebutterfliesonamidsummerday.
Wantofbreathbroughttheimpromptuballtoaclose,andthenpeoplebegantogo.
"Iwishyouwell,mydear,Iheartilywishyouwell,butIthinkyou'llbesorryforit,"saidAuntMarchtoMeg,addingtothebridegroom,asheledhertothecarriage,"You'vegotatreasure,youngman,seethatyoudeserveit."
"ThatistheprettiestweddingI'vebeentoforanage,Ned,andIdon'tseewhy,fortherewasn'tabitofstyleaboutit,"observedMrs.Moffattoherhusband,astheydroveaway.
"Laurie,mylad,ifyoueverwanttoindulgeinthissortofthing,getoneofthoselittlegirlstohelpyou,andIshallbeperfectlysatisfied,"saidMr.Laurence,settlinghimselfinhiseasychairtorestaftertheexcitementofthemorning.
"I'lldomybesttogratifyyou,Sir,"wasLaurie'sunusuallydutifulreply,ashecarefullyunpinnedtheposyJohadputinhisbuttonhole.
Thelittlehousewasnotfaraway,andtheonlybridaljourneyMeghadwasthequietwalkwithJohnfromtheoldhometothenew.
Whenshecamedown,lookinglikeaprettyQuakeressinherdove–coloredsuitandstrawbonnettiedwithwhite,theyallgatheredabouthertosay'good–by',astenderlyasifshehadbeengoingtomakethegrandtour.
"Don'tfeelthatIamseparatedfromyou,Marmeedear,orthatIloveyouanythelessforlovingJohnsomuch,"shesaid,clingingtohermother,withfulleyesforamoment.
"Ishallcomeeveryday,Father,andexpecttokeepmyoldplaceinallyourhearts,thoughIammarried.
Bethisgoingtobewithmeagreatdeal,andtheothergirlswilldropinnowandthentolaughatmyhousekeepingstruggles.Thankyouallformyhappyweddingday.Goodby,goodby!"
Theystoodwatchingher,withfacesfullofloveandhopeandtenderprideasshewalkedaway,leaningonherhusband'sarm,withherhandsfullofflowersandtheJunesunshinebrighteningherhappyface––andsoMeg'smarriedlifebegan.
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