English
Likemostotheryoungmatrons,Megbeganhermarriedlifewiththedeterminationtobeamodelhousekeeper.
Johnshouldfindhomeaparadise,heshouldalwaysseeasmilingface,shouldfaresumptuouslyeveryday,andneverknowthelossofabutton.
Shebroughtsomuchlove,energy,andcheerfulnesstotheworkthatshecouldnotbutsucceed,inspiteofsomeobstacles.
Herparadisewasnotatranquilone,forthelittlewomanfussed,wasover–anxioustoplease,andbustledaboutlikeatrueMartha,cumberedwithmanycares.
Shewastootired,sometimes,eventosmile,Johngrewdyspepticafteracourseofdaintydishesandungratefullydemandedplainfare.
Asforbuttons,shesoonlearnedtowonderwheretheywent,toshakeherheadoverthecarelessnessofmen,andtothreatentomakehimsewthemonhimself,andseeifhisworkwouldstandimpatientandclumsyfingersanybetterthanhers.
Theywereveryhappy,evenaftertheydiscoveredthattheycouldn'tliveonlovealone.
JohndidnotfindMeg'sbeautydiminished,thoughshebeamedathimfrombehindthefamiliarcoffeepot.
NordidMegmissanyoftheromancefromthedailyparting,whenherhusbandfolloweduphiskisswiththetenderinquiry,"ShallIsendsomevealormuttonfordinner,darling?"
Thelittlehouseceasedtobeaglorifiedbower,butitbecameahome,andtheyoungcouplesoonfeltthatitwasachangeforthebetter.
Atfirsttheyplayedkeep–house,andfrolickedoveritlikechildren.
ThenJohntooksteadilytobusiness,feelingthecaresoftheheadofafamilyuponhisshoulders,andMeglaidbyhercambricwrappers,putonabigapron,andfelltowork,asbeforesaid,withmoreenergythandiscretion.
WhilethecookingmanialastedshewentthroughMrs.Cornelius'sReceiptBookasifitwereamathematicalexercise,workingouttheproblemswithpatienceandcare.
Sometimesherfamilywereinvitedintohelpeatupatoobounteousfeastofsuccesses,orLottywouldbeprivatelydispatchedwithabatchoffailures,whichweretobeconcealedfromalleyesintheconvenientstomachsofthelittleHummels.
AneveningwithJohnovertheaccountbooksusuallyproducedatemporarylullintheculinaryenthusiasm,andafrugalfitwouldensue,duringwhichthepoormanwasputthroughacourseofbreadpudding,hash,andwarmed–overcoffee,whichtriedhissoul,althoughheboreitwithpraiseworthyfortitude.
Beforethegoldenmeanwasfound,however,Megaddedtoherdomesticpossessionswhatyoungcouplesseldomgetonlongwithout,afamilyjar.
Firedawithhousewifelywishtoseeherstoreroomstockedwithhomemadepreserves,sheundertooktoputupherowncurrantjelly.
Johnwasrequestedtoorderhomeadozenorsooflittlepotsandanextraquantityofsugar,fortheirowncurrantswereripeandweretobeattendedtoatonce.
AsJohnfirmlybelievedthat'mywife'wasequaltoanything,andtookanaturalprideinherskill,heresolvedthatsheshouldbegratified,andtheironlycropoffruitlaidbyinamostpleasingformforwinteruse.
Homecamefourdozendelightfullittlepots,halfabarrelofsugar,andasmallboytopickthecurrantsforher.
Withherprettyhairtuckedintoalittlecap,armsbaredtotheelbow,andacheckedapronwhichhadacoquettishlookinspiteofthebib,theyounghousewifefelltowork,feelingnodoubtsabouthersuccess,forhadn'tsheseenHannahdoithundredsoftimes?
Thearrayofpotsratheramazedheratfirst,butJohnwassofondofjelly,andthenicelittlejarswouldlooksowellonthetopshelf,thatMegresolvedtofillthemall,andspentalongdaypicking,boiling,straining,andfussingoverherjelly.
Shedidherbest,sheaskedadviceofMrs.Cornelius,sherackedherbraintorememberwhatHannahdidthatsheleftundone,shereboiled,resugared,andrestrained,butthatdreadfulstuffwouldn't'jell'.
Shelongedtorunhome,bibandall,andaskMothertolendherahand,butJohnandshehadagreedthattheywouldneverannoyanyonewiththeirprivateworries,experiments,orquarrels.
Theyhadlaughedoverthatlastwordasiftheideaitsuggestedwasamostpreposterousone,buttheyhadheldtotheirresolve,andwhenevertheycouldgetonwithouthelptheydidso,andnooneinterfered,forMrs.Marchhadadvisedtheplan.
SoMegwrestledalonewiththerefractorysweetmeatsallthathotsummerday,andatfiveo'clocksatdowninhertopsy–turveykitchen,wrungherbedaubedhands,lifteduphervoiceandwept.
Now,inthefirstflushofthenewlife,shehadoftensaid,"Myhusbandshallalwaysfeelfreetobringafriendhomewheneverhelikes.Ishallalwaysbeprepared.
Thereshallbenoflurry,noscolding,nodiscomfort,butaneathouse,acheerfulwife,andagooddinner.
John,dear,neverstoptoaskmyleave,invitewhomyouplease,andbesureofawelcomefromme."
Howcharmingthatwas,tobesure!Johnquiteglowedwithpridetohearhersayit,andfeltwhatablessedthingitwastohaveasuperiorwife.
But,althoughtheyhadhadcompanyfromtimetotime,itneverhappenedtobeunexpected,andMeghadneverhadanopportunitytodistinguishherselftillnow.
Italwayshappenssointhisvaleoftears,thereisaninevitabilityaboutsuchthingswhichwecanonlywonderat,deplore,andbearaswebestcan.
IfJohnhadnotforgottenallaboutthejelly,itreallywouldhavebeenunpardonableinhimtochoosethatday,ofallthedaysintheyear,tobringafriendhometodinnerunexpectedly.
Congratulatinghimselfthatahandsomerepasthadbeenorderedthatmorning,feelingsurethatitwouldbereadytotheminute,andindulginginpleasantanticipationsofthecharmingeffectitwouldproduce,whenhisprettywifecamerunningouttomeethim,heescortedhisfriendtohismansion,withtheirrepressiblesatisfactionofayounghostandhusband.
Itisaworldofdisappointments,asJohndiscoveredwhenhereachedtheDovecote.
Thefrontdoorusuallystoodhospitablyopen.
Nowitwasnotonlyshut,butlocked,andyesterday'smudstilladornedthesteps.
Theparlorwindowswereclosedandcurtained,nopictureoftheprettywifesewingonthepiazza,inwhite,withadistractinglittlebowinherhair,orabright–eyedhostess,smilingashywelcomeasshegreetedherguest.
Nothingofthesort,fornotasoulappearedbutasanginary–lookingboyasleepunderthecurrentbushes.
"I'mafraidsomethinghashappened.Stepintothegarden,Scott,whileIlookupMrs.Brooke,"saidJohn,alarmedatthesilenceandsolitude.
Roundthehousehehurried,ledbyapungentsmellofburnedsugar,andMr.Scottstrolledafterhim,withaqueerlookonhisface.
HepauseddiscreetlyatadistancewhenBrookedisappeared,buthecouldbothseeandhear,andbeingabachelor,enjoyedtheprospectmightily.
Inthekitchenreignedconfusionanddespair.
Oneeditionofjellywastrickledfrompottopot,anotherlayuponthefloor,andathirdwasburninggailyonthestove.
Lotty,withTeutonicphlegm,wascalmlyeatingbreadandcurrantwine,forthejellywasstillinahopelesslyliquidstate,whileMrs.Brooke,withherapronoverherhead,satsobbingdismally.
"Mydearestgirl,whatisthematter?"criedJohn,rushingin,withawfulvisionsofscaldedhands,suddennewsofaffliction,andsecretconsternationatthethoughtoftheguestinthegarden.
"Oh,John,Iamsotiredandhotandcrossandworried!I'vebeenatittillI'mallwornout.DocomeandhelpmeorIshalldie!"
andtheexhaustedhousewifecastherselfuponhisbreast,givinghimasweetwelcomeineverysenseoftheword,forherpinaforehadbeenbaptizedatthesametimeasthefloor.
"Whatworriesyoudear?Hasanythingdreadfulhappened?"askedtheanxiousJohn,tenderlykissingthecrownofthelittlecap,whichwasallaskew.
"Yes,"sobbedMegdespairingly.
"Tellmequick,then.Don'tcry.Icanbearanythingbetterthanthat.Outwithit,love."
"The...Thejellywon'tjellandIdon'tknowwhattodo!"
JohnBrookelaughedthenasheneverdaredtolaughafterward,andthederisiveScottsmiledinvoluntarilyasheheardtheheartypeal,whichputthefinishingstroketopoorMeg'swoe.
"Isthatall?Flingitoutofthewindow,anddon'tbotheranymoreaboutit.
I'llbuyyouquartsifyouwantit,butforheaven'ssakedon'thavehysterics,forI'vebroughtJackScotthometodinner,and..."
Johngotnofurther,forMegcasthimoff,andclaspedherhandswithatragicgestureasshefellintoachair,exclaiminginatoneofmingledindignation,reproach,anddismay...
"Amantodinner,andeverythinginamess!JohnBrooke,howcouldyoudosuchathing?"
"Hush,he'sinthegarden!Iforgottheconfoundedjelly,butitcan'tbehelpednow,"saidJohn,surveyingtheprospectwithananxiouseye.
"Yououghttohavesentword,ortoldmethismorning,andyououghttohaverememberedhowbusyIwas,"continuedMegpetulantly,foreventurtledoveswillpeckwhenruffled.
"Ididn'tknowitthismorning,andtherewasnotimetosendword,forImethimonthewayout.
Ineverthoughtofaskingleave,whenyouhavealwaystoldmetodoasIliked.
Inevertrieditbefore,andhangmeifIeverdoagain!"addedJohn,withanaggrievedair.
"Ishouldhopenot!Takehimawayatonce.Ican'tseehim,andthereisn'tanydinner."
"Well,Ilikethat!Where'sthebeefandvegetablesIsenthome,andthepuddingyoupromised?"criedJohn,rushingtothelarder.
"Ihadn'ttimetocookanything.ImeanttodineatMother's.I'msorry,butIwassobusy,"andMeg'stearsbeganagain.
Johnwasamildman,buthewashuman,andafteralongday'sworktocomehometired,hungry,andhopeful,tofindachaotichouse,anemptytable,andacrosswifewasnotexactlyconducivetoreposeofmindormanner.
Herestrainedhimselfhowever,andthelittlesquallwouldhaveblownover,butforoneunluckyword.
"It'sascrape,Iacknowledge,butifyouwilllendahand,we'llpullthroughandhaveagoodtimeyet.
Don'tcry,dear,butjustexertyourselfabit,andfixusupsomethingtoeat.
We'rebothashungryashunters,soweshan'tmindwhatitis.
Giveusthecoldmeat,andbreadandcheese.Wewon'taskforjelly."
Hemeantittobeagood–naturedjoke,butthatonewordsealedhisfate.Megthoughtitwastoocrueltohintabouthersadfailure,andthelastatomofpatiencevanishedashespoke.
"Youmustgetyourselfoutofthescrapeasyoucan.
I'mtoousedupto'exert'myselfforanyone.
It'slikeamantoproposeaboneandvulgarbreadandcheeseforcompany.
Iwon'thaveanythingofthesortinmyhouse.
TakethatScottuptoMother's,andtellhimI'maway,sick,dead,anything.
Iwon'tseehim,andyoutwocanlaughatmeandmyjellyasmuchasyoulike.Youwon'thaveanythingelsehere."
andhavingdeliveredherdefianceallononebreath,Megcastawayherpinaforeandprecipitatelyleftthefieldtobemoanherselfinherownroom.
Whatthosetwocreaturesdidinherabsence,sheneverknew,butMr.Scottwasnottaken'uptoMother's',andwhenMegdescended,aftertheyhadstrolledawaytogether,shefoundtracesofapromiscuouslunchwhichfilledherwithhorror.
Lottyreportedthattheyhadeaten"amuch,andgreatlylaughed,andthemasterbidherthrowawayallthesweetstuff,andhidethepots."
MeglongedtogoandtellMother,butasenseofshameatherownshort–comings,ofloyaltytoJohn,"whomightbecruel,butnobodyshouldknowit,"restrainedher,andafterasummarycleaningup,shedressedherselfprettily,andsatdowntowaitforJohntocomeandbeforgiven.
Unfortunately,Johndidn'tcome,notseeingthematterinthatlight.
HehadcarrieditoffasagoodjokewithScott,excusedhislittlewifeaswellashecould,andplayedthehostsohospitablythathisfriendenjoyedtheimpromptudinner,andpromisedtocomeagain,butJohnwasangry,thoughhedidnotshowit,hefeltthatMeghaddesertedhiminhishourofneed.
"Itwasn'tfairtotellamantobringfolkshomeanytime,withperfectfreedom,andwhenhetookyouatyourword,toflameupandblamehim,andleavehiminthelurch,tobelaughedatorpitied.No,byGeorge,itwasn't!AndMegmustknowit."
Hehadfumedinwardlyduringthefeast,butwhentheflurrywasoverandhestrolledhomeafterseeingScottoff,amildermoodcameoverhim."Poorlittlething!
Itwasharduponherwhenshetriedsoheartilytopleaseme.
Shewaswrong,ofcourse,butthenshewasyoung.Imustbepatientandteachher."
Hehopedshehadnotgonehome––hehatedgossipandinterference.
Foraminutehewasruffledagainatthemerethoughtofit,andthenthefearthatMegwouldcryherselfsicksoftenedhisheart,andsenthimonataquickerpace,resolvingtobecalmandkind,butfirm,quitefirm,andshowherwhereshehadfailedinherdutytoherspouse.
Meglikewiseresolvedtobe'calmandkind,butfirm',andshowhimhisduty.
Shelongedtoruntomeethim,andbegpardon,andbekissedandcomforted,asshewassureofbeing,but,ofcourse,shedidnothingofthesort,andwhenshesawJohncoming,begantohumquitenaturally,assherockedandsewed,likealadyofleisureinherbestparlor.
JohnwasalittledisappointednottofindatenderNiobe,butfeelingthathisdignitydemandedthefirstapology,hemadenone,onlycameleisurelyinandlaidhimselfuponthesofawiththesingularlyrelevantremark,"Wearegoingtohaveanewmoon,mydear."
"I'venoobjection,"wasMeg'sequallysoothingremark.
AfewothertopicsofgeneralinterestwereintroducedbyMr.Brookeandwet–blanketedbyMrs.Brooke,andconversationlanguished.
Johnwenttoonewindow,unfoldedhispaper,andwrappedhimselfinit,figurativelyspeaking.
Megwenttotheotherwindow,andsewedasifnewrosettesforslipperswereamongthenecessariesoflife.Neitherspoke.
Bothlookedquite'calmandfirm',andbothfeltdesperatelyuncomfortable.
"Oh,dear,"thoughtMeg,"marriedlifeisverytrying,anddoesneedinfinitepatienceaswellaslove,asMothersays."
Theword'Mother'suggestedothermaternalcounselsgivenlongago,andreceivedwithunbelievingprotests.
"Johnisagoodman,buthehashisfaults,andyoumustlearntoseeandbearwiththem,rememberingyourown.
Heisverydecided,butneverwillbeobstinate,ifyoureasonkindly,notopposeimpatiently.
Heisveryaccurate,andparticularaboutthetruth––agoodtrait,thoughyoucallhim'fussy'.
Neverdeceivehimbylookorword,Meg,andhewillgiveyoutheconfidenceyoudeserve,thesupportyouneed.
Hehasatemper,notlikeours––oneflashandthenallover––butthewhite,stillangerthatisseldomstirred,butoncekindledishardtoquench.
Becareful,beverycareful,nottowakehisangeragainstyourself,forpeaceandhappinessdependonkeepinghisrespect.
Watchyourself,bethefirsttoaskpardonifyoubotherr,andguardagainstthelittlepiques,misunderstandings,andhastywordsthatoftenpavethewayforbittersorrowandregret."
ThesewordscamebacktoMeg,asshesatsewinginthesunset,especiallythelast.
Thiswasthefirstseriousdisagreement,herownhastyspeechessoundedbothsillyandunkind,assherecalledthem,herownangerlookedchildishnow,andthoughtsofpoorJohncominghometosuchascenequitemeltedherheart.
Sheglancedathimwithtearsinhereyes,buthedidnotseethem.
Sheputdownherworkandgotup,thinking,"Iwillbethefirsttosay,'Forgiveme'",buthedidnotseemtohearher.
Shewentveryslowlyacrosstheroom,forpridewashardtoswallow,andstoodbyhim,buthedidnotturnhishead.
Foraminuteshefeltasifshereallycouldn'tdoit,thencamethethought,"Thisisthebeginning.
I'lldomypart,andhavenothingtoreproachmyselfwith,"andstoopingdown,shesoftlykissedherhusbandontheforehead.Ofcoursethatsettledit.
Thepenitentkisswasbetterthanaworldofwords,andJohnhadheronhiskneeinaminute,sayingtenderly...
"Itwastoobadtolaughatthepoorlittlejellypots.Forgiveme,dear.Ineverwillagain!"
Buthedid,ohblessyou,yes,hundredsoftimes,andsodidMeg,bothdeclaringthatitwasthesweetestjellytheyevermade,forfamilypeacewaspreservedinthatlittlefamilyjar.
Afterthis,MeghadMr.Scotttodinnerbyspecialinvitation,andservedhimupapleasantfeastwithoutacookedwifeforthefirstcourse,onwhichoccasionshewassogayandgracious,andmadeeverythinggooffsocharmingly,thatMr.ScotttoldJohnhewasaluckyfellow,andshookhisheadoverthehardshipsofbachelorhoodallthewayhome.
Intheautumn,newtrialsandexperiencescametoMeg.
SallieMoffatrenewedherfriendship,wasalwaysrunningoutforadishofgossipatthelittlehouse,orinviting'thatpoordear'tocomeinandspendthedayatthebighouse.
Itwaspleasant,forindullweatherMegoftenfeltlonely.
Allwerebusyathome,Johnabsenttillnight,andnothingtodobutsew,orread,orpotterabout.
SoitnaturallyfelloutthatMeggotintothewayofgaddingandgossipingwithherfriend.
SeeingSallie'sprettythingsmadeherlongforsuch,andpityherselfbecauseshehadnotgotthem.
Salliewasverykind,andoftenofferedherthecovetedtrifles,butMegdeclinedthem,knowingthatJohnwouldn'tlikeit,andthenthisfoolishlittlewomanwentanddidwhatJohndislikedevenworse.
Sheknewherhusband'sincome,andshelovedtofeelthathetrustedher,notonlywithhishappiness,butwhatsomemenseemtovaluemore––hismoney.
Sheknewwhereitwas,wasfreetotakewhatsheliked,andallheaskedwasthatsheshouldkeepaccountofeverypenny,paybillsonceamonth,andrememberthatshewasapoorman'swife.
Tillnowshehaddonewell,beenprudentandexact,keptherlittleaccountbooksneatly,andshowedthemtohimmonthlywithoutfear.
ButthatautumntheserpentgotintoMeg'sparadise,andtemptedherlikemanyamodernEve,notwithapples,butwithdress.
Megdidn'tliketobepitiedandmadetofeelpoor.
Itirritatedher,butshewasashamedtoconfessit,andnowandthenshetriedtoconsoleherselfbybuyingsomethingpretty,sothatSallieneedn'tthinkshehadtoeconomize.
Shealwaysfeltwickedafterit,fortheprettythingswereseldomnecessaries,butthentheycostsolittle,itwasn'tworthworryingabout,sothetriflesincreasedunconsciously,andintheshoppingexcursionsshewasnolongerapassivelooker–on.
Butthetriflescostmorethanonewouldimagine,andwhenshecastupheraccountsattheendofthemonththesumtotalratherscaredher.
Johnwasbusythatmonthandleftthebillstoher,thenextmonthhewasabsent,butthethirdhehadagrandquarterlysettlingup,andMegneverforgotit.
Afewdaysbeforeshehaddoneadreadfulthing,anditweigheduponherconscience.
Salliehadbeenbuyingsilks,andMeglongedforanewone,justahandsomelightoneforparties,herblacksilkwassocommon,andthinthingsforeveningwearwereonlyproperforgirls.
AuntMarchusuallygavethesistersapresentoftwenty–fivedollarsapieceatNewYear's.
Thatwasonlyamonthtowait,andherewasalovelyvioletsilkgoingatabargain,andshehadthemoney,ifsheonlydaredtotakeit.
Johnalwayssaidwhatwashiswashers,butwouldhethinkitrighttospendnotonlytheprospectivefive–and–twenty,butanotherfive–and–twentyoutofthehouseholdfund?Thatwasthequestion.
Salliehadurgedhertodoit,hadofferedtolendthemoney,andwiththebestintentionsinlifehadtemptedMegbeyondherstrength.
Inanevilmomenttheshopmanheldupthelovely,shimmeringfolds,andsaid,"Abargain,Iassure,you,ma'am."
Sheanswered,"I'lltakeit,"anditwascutoffandpaidfor,andSalliehadexulted,andshehadlaughedasifitwereathingofnoconsequence,anddrivenaway,feelingasifshehadstolensomething,andthepolicewereafterher.
Whenshegothome,shetriedtoassuagethepangsofremorsebyspreadingforththelovelysilk,butitlookedlesssilverynow,didn'tbecomeher,afterall,andthewords'fiftydollars'seemedstampedlikeapatterndowneachbreadth.
Sheputitaway,butithauntedher,notdelightfullyasanewdressshould,butdreadfullyliketheghostofafollythatwasnoteasilylaid.
WhenJohngotouthisbooksthatnight,Meg'sheartsank,andforthefirsttimeinhermarriedlife,shewasafraidofherhusband.
Thekind,browneyeslookedasiftheycouldbestern,andthoughhewasunusuallymerry,shefanciedhehadfoundherout,butdidn'tmeantoletherknowit.
Thehousebillswereallpaid,thebooksallinorder.
Johnhadpraisedher,andwasundoingtheoldpocketbookwhichtheycalledthe'bank',whenMeg,knowingthatitwasquiteempty,stoppedhishand,sayingnervously...
"Youhaven'tseenmyprivateexpensebookyet."
Johnneveraskedtoseeit,butshealwaysinsistedonhisdoingso,andusedtoenjoyhismasculineamazementatthequeerthingswomenwanted,andmadehimguesswhatpipingwas,demandfiercelythemeaningofahug–me–tight,orwonderhowalittlethingcomposedofthreerosebuds,abitofvelvet,andapairofstrings,couldpossiblybeabonnet,andcostsixdollars.
Thatnighthelookedasifhewouldlikethefunofquizzingherfiguresandpretendingtobehorrifiedatherextravagance,asheoftendid,beingparticularlyproudofhisprudentwife.
Thelittlebookwasbroughtslowlyoutandlaiddownbeforehim.
Meggotbehindhischairunderpretenseofsmoothingthewrinklesoutofhistiredforehead,andstandingthere,shesaid,withherpanicincreasingwitheveryword...
"John,dear,I'mashamedtoshowyoumybook,forI'vereallybeendreadfullyextravagantlately.
IgoaboutsomuchImusthavethings,youknow,andSallieadvisedmygettingit,soIdid,andmyNewYear'smoneywillpartlypayforit,butIwassorryafterIhaddoneit,forIknewyou'dthinkitwronginme."
Johnlaughed,anddrewherroundbesidehim,sayinggoodhumoredly,"Don'tgoandhide.
Iwon'tbeatyouifyouhavegotapairofkillingboots.
I'mratherproudofmywife'sfeet,anddon'tmindifshedoespayeightorninedollarsforherboots,iftheyaregoodones."
Thathadbeenoneofherlast'trifles',andJohn'seyehadfallenonitashespoke."Oh,whatwillhesaywhenhecomestothatawfulfiftydollars!"thoughtMeg,withashiver.
"It'sworsethanboots,it'sasilkdress,"shesaid,withthecalmnessofdesperation,forshewantedtheworstover.
"Well,dear,whatisthe'dem'dtotal',asMr.Mantalinisays?"
Thatdidn'tsoundlikeJohn,andsheknewhewaslookingupatherwiththestraightforwardlookthatshehadalwaysbeenreadytomeetandanswerwithoneasfranktillnow.
Sheturnedthepageandherheadatthesametime,pointingtothesumwhichwouldhavebeenbadenoughwithoutthefifty,butwhichwasappallingtoherwiththatadded.
Foraminutetheroomwasverystill,thenJohnsaidslowly––butshecouldfeelitcosthimanefforttoexpressnodispleasure––...
"Well,Idon'tknowthatfiftyismuchforadress,withallthefurbelowsandnotionsyouhavetohavetofinishitoffthesedays."
"Itisn'tmadeortrimmed,"sighedMeg,faintly,forasuddenrecollectionofthecoststilltobeincurredquiteoverwhelmedher.
"Twenty–fiveyardsofsilkseemsagooddealtocoveronesmallwoman,butI'venodoubtmywifewilllookasfineasNedMoffat'swhenshegetsiton,"saidJohndryly.
"Iknowyouareangry,John,butIcan'thelpit.
Idon'tmeantowasteyourmoney,andIdidn'tthinkthoselittlethingswouldcountupso.
Ican'tresistthemwhenIseeSalliebuyingallshewants,andpityingmebecauseIdon't.
Itrytobecontented,butitishard,andI'mtiredofbeingpoor."
Thelastwordswerespokensolowshethoughthedidnothearthem,buthedid,andtheywoundedhimdeeply,forhehaddeniedhimselfmanypleasuresforMeg'ssake.
Shecouldhavebittenhertongueouttheminuteshehadsaidit,forJohnpushedthebooksawayandgotup,sayingwithalittlequiverinhisvoice,"Iwasafraidofthis.Idomybest,Meg."
Ifhehadscoldedher,orevenshakenher,itwouldnothavebrokenherheartlikethosefewwords.
Sherantohimandheldhimclose,crying,withrepentanttears,"Oh,John,mydear,kind,hard–workingboy.Ididn'tmeanit!
Itwassowicked,sountrueandungrateful,howcouldIsayit!Oh,howcouldIsayit!"
Hewasverykind,forgaveherreadily,anddidnotutteronereproach,butMegknewthatshehaddoneandsaidathingwhichwouldnotbeforgottensoon,althoughhemightneveralludetoitagain.
Shehadpromisedtolovehimforbetterorworse,andthenshe,hiswife,hadreproachedhimwithhispoverty,afterspendinghisearningsrecklessly.
Itwasdreadful,andtheworstofitwasJohnwentonsoquietlyafterward,justasifnothinghadhappened,exceptthathestayedintownlater,andworkedatnightwhenshehadgonetocryherselftosleep.
AweekofremorsenearlymadeMegsick,andthediscoverythatJohnhadcountermandedtheorderforhisnewgreatcoatreducedhertoastateofdespairwhichwaspathetictobehold.
Hehadsimplysaid,inanswertohersurprisedinquiriesastothechange,"Ican'taffordit,mydear."
Megsaidnomore,butafewminutesafterhefoundherinthehallwithherfaceburiedintheoldgreatcoat,cryingasifherheartwouldbreak.
Theyhadalongtalkthatnight,andMeglearnedtoloveherhusbandbetterforhispoverty,becauseitseemedtohavemadeamanofhim,givenhimthestrengthandcouragetofighthisownway,andtaughthimatenderpatiencewithwhichtobearandcomfortthenaturallongingsandfailuresofthoseheloved.
Nextdaysheputherprideinherpocket,wenttoSallie,toldthetruth,andaskedhertobuythesilkasafavor.
Thegood–naturedMrs.Moffatwillinglydidso,andhadthedelicacynottomakeherapresentofitimmediatelyafterward.
ThenMegorderedhomethegreatcoat,andwhenJohnarrived,sheputiton,andaskedhimhowhelikedhernewsilkgown.
Onecanimaginewhatanswerhemade,howhereceivedhispresent,andwhatablissfulstateofthingsensued.
Johncamehomeearly,Meggaddednomore,andthatgreatcoatwasputoninthemorningbyaveryhappyhusband,andtakenoffatnightbyamostdevotedlittlewife.
Sotheyearrolledround,andatmidsummertherecametoMeganewexperience,thedeepestandtenderestofawoman'slife.
LauriecamesneakingintothekitchenoftheDovecoteoneSaturday,withanexcitedface,andwasreceivedwiththeclashofcymbals,forHannahclappedherhandswithasaucepaninoneandthecoverintheother.
"How'sthelittlemamma?Whereiseverybody?Whydidn'tyoutellmebeforeIcamehome?"beganLaurieinaloudwhisper.
"Happyasaqueen,thedear!Everysoulof'emisupstairsaworshipin'.Wedidn'twantnohurrycanesround.
Nowyougointotheparlor,andI'llsend'emdowntoyou,"withwhichsomewhatinvolvedreplyHannahvanished,chucklingecstatically.
PresentlyJoappeared,proudlybearingaflannelbundlelaidforthuponalargepillow.
Jo'sfacewasverysober,buthereyestwinkled,andtherewasanoddsoundinhervoiceofrepressedemotionofsomesort.
"Shutyoureyesandholdoutyourarms,"shesaidinvitingly.
Lauriebackedprecipitatelyintoacorner,andputhishandsbehindhimwithanimploringgesture."No,thankyou.I'drathernot.Ishalldropitorsmashit,assureasfate."
"Thenyoushan'tseeyournevvy,"saidJodecidedly,turningasiftogo.
"Iwill,Iwill!Onlyyoumustberesponsiblefordamages."
andobeyingorders,Laurieheroicallyshuthiseyeswhilesomethingwasputintohisarms.
ApealoflaughterfromJo,Amy,Mrs.March,Hannah,andJohncausedhimtoopenthemthenextminute,tofindhimselfinvestedwithtwobabiesinsteadofone.
Nowondertheylaughed,fortheexpressionofhisfacewasdrollenoughtoconvulseaQuaker,ashestoodandstaredwildlyfromtheunconsciousinnocentstothehilariousspectatorswithsuchdismaythatJosatdownonthefloorandscreamed.
"Twins,byJupiter!"wasallhesaidforaminute,thenturningtothewomenwithanappealinglookthatwascomicallypiteous,headded,"Take'emquick,somebody!
I'mgoingtolaugh,andIshalldrop'em."
Jorescuedhisbabies,andmarchedupanddown,withoneoneacharm,asifalreadyinitiatedintothemysteriesofbabytending,whileLaurielaughedtillthetearsrandownhischeeks.
"It'sthebestjokeoftheseason,isn'tit?Iwouldn'thavetoldyou,forIsetmyheartonsurprisingyou,andIflattermyselfI'vedoneit,"saidJo,whenshegotherbreath.
"Ineverwasmorestaggeredinmylife.Isn'titfun?Aretheyboys?Whatareyougoingtonamethem?Let'shaveanotherlook.
Holdmeup,Jo,foruponmylifeit'sonetoomanyforme,"returnedLaurie,regardingtheinfantswiththeairofabig,benevolentNewfoundlandlookingatapairofinfantilekittens.
"Boyandgirl.Aren'ttheybeauties?"saidtheproudpapa,beaminguponthelittleredsquirmersasiftheywereunfledgedangels.
"MostremarkablechildrenIeversaw.Whichiswhich?"andLauriebentlikeawell–sweeptoexaminetheprodigies.
"Amyputablueribbonontheboyandapinkonthegirl,Frenchfashion,soyoucanalwaystell.Besides,onehasblueeyesandonebrown.Kissthem,UncleTeddy,"saidwickedJo.
"I'mafraidtheymightn'tlikeit,"beganLaurie,withunusualtimidityinsuchmatters.
"Ofcoursetheywill,theyareusedtoitnow.Doitthisminute,sir!"commandedJo,fearinghemightproposeaproxy.
Lauriescreweduphisfaceandobeyedwithagingerlypeckateachlittlecheekthatproducedanotherlaugh,andmadethebabiessqueal.
"There,Iknewtheydidn'tlikeit!That'stheboy,seehimkick,hehitsoutwithhisfistslikeagoodone.
Nowthen,youngBrooke,pitchintoamanofyourownsize,willyou?"
criedLaurie,delightedwithapokeinthefacefromatinyfist,flappingaimlesslyabout.
"He'stobenamedJohnLaurence,andthegirlMargaret,aftermotherandgrandmother.
WeshallcallherDaisey,soasnottohavetwoMegs,andIsupposethemanniewillbeJack,unlesswefindabettername,"saidAmy,withaunt–likeinterest.
"NamehimDemijohn,andcallhimDemiforshort,"saidLaurie
"DaisyandDemi,justthething!IknewTeddywoulddoit,"criedJoclappingherhands.
Teddycertainlyhaddoneitthattime,forthebabieswere'Daisy'and'Demi'totheendofthechapter.
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