English
"Come,Jo,it'stime."
"Forwhat?"
"Youdon'tmeantosayyouhaveforgottenthatyoupromisedtomakehalfadozencallswithmetoday?"
"I'vedoneagoodmanyrashandfoolishthingsinmylife,butIdon'tthinkIeverwasmadenoughtosayI'dmakesixcallsinoneday,whenasingleoneupsetsmeforaweek."
"Yes,youdid,itwasabargainbetweenus.IwastofinishthecrayonofBethforyou,andyouweretogoproperlywithme,andreturnourneighbors'visits."
"Ifitwasfair,thatwasinthebond,andIstandtotheletterofmybond,Shylock.Thereisapileofcloudsintheeast,it'snotfair,andIdon'tgo."
"Now,that'sshirking.It'salovelyday,noprospectofrain,andyouprideyourselfonkeepingpromises,sobehonorable,comeanddoyourduty,andthenbeatpeaceforanothersixmonths."
AtthatminuteJowasparticularlyabsorbedindressmaking,forshewasmantua–makergeneraltothefamily,andtookespecialcredittoherselfbecauseshecoulduseaneedleaswellasapen.
Itwasveryprovokingtobearrestedintheactofafirsttrying–on,andorderedouttomakecallsinherbestarrayonawarmJulyday.
Shehatedcallsoftheformalsort,andnevermadeanytillAmycompelledherwithabargain,bribe,orpromise.
Inthepresentinstancetherewasnoescape,andhavingclashedherscissorsrebelliously,whileprotestingthatshesmelledthunder,shegavein,putawayherwork,andtakingupherhatandgloveswithanairofresignation,toldAmythevictimwasready.
"JoMarch,youareperverseenoughtoprovokeasaint!Youdon'tintendtomakecallsinthatstate,Ihope,"criedAmy,surveyingherwithamazement.
"Whynot?I'mneatandcoolandcomfortable,quiteproperforadustywalkonawarmday.
Ifpeoplecaremoreformyclothesthantheydoforme,Idon'twishtoseethem.
Youcandressforboth,andbeaselegantasyouplease.Itpaysforyoutobefine.
Itdoesn'tforme,andfurbelowsonlyworryme."
"Oh,dear!"sighedAmy,"nowshe'sinacontraryfit,andwilldrivemedistractedbeforeIcangetherproperlyready.
I'msureit'snopleasuretometogotoday,butit'sadebtweowesociety,andthere'snoonetopayitbutyouandme.
I'lldoanythingforyou,Jo,ifyou'llonlydressyourselfnicely,andcomeandhelpmedothecivil.
Youcantalksowell,looksoaristocraticinyourbestthings,andbehavesobeautifully,ifyoutry,thatI'mproudofyou.
I'mafraidtogoalone,docomeandtakecareofme."
"You'reanartfullittlepusstoflatterandwheedleyourcrossoldsisterinthatway.
Theideaofmybeingaristocraticandwell–bred,andyourbeingafraidtogoanywherealone!Idon'tknowwhichisthemostabsurd.
Well,I'llgoifImust,anddomybest.
Youshallbecommanderoftheexpedition,andI'llobeyblindly,willthatsatisfyyou?"
saidJo,withasuddenchangefromperversitytolamblikesubmission.
"You'reaperfectcherub!Nowputonallyourbestthings,andI'lltellyouhowtobehaveateachplace,sothatyouwillmakeagoodimpression.
Iwantpeopletolikeyou,andtheywouldifyou'donlytrytobealittlemoreagreeable.
Doyourhairtheprettyway,andputthepinkroseinyourbonnet.
It'sbecoming,andyoulooktoosoberinyourplainsuit.
Takeyourlightglovesandtheembroideredhandkerchief.
We'llstopatMeg's,andborrowherwhitesunshade,andthenyoucanhavemydove–coloredone."
WhileAmydressed,sheissuedherorders,andJoobeyedthem,notwithoutenteringherprotest,however,forshesighedassherustledintoherneworgandie,frowneddarklyatherselfasshetiedherbonnetstringsinanirreproachablebow,wrestledviciouslywithpinsassheputonhercollar,wrinkledupherfeaturesgenerallyassheshookoutthehandkerchief,whoseembroiderywasasirritatingtohernoseasthepresentmissionwastoherfeelings,andwhenshehadsqueezedherhandsintotightgloveswiththreebuttonsandatassel,asthelasttouchofelegance,sheturnedtoAmywithanimbecileexpressionofcountenance,sayingmeekly...
"I'mperfectlymiserable,butifyouconsidermepresentable,Idiehappy."
"You'rehighlysatisfactory.Turnslowlyround,andletmegetacarefulview."
Jorevolved,andAmygaveatouchhereandthere,thenfellback,withherheadononeside,observinggraciously,"Yes,you'lldo.
YourheadisallIcouldask,forthatwhitebonnetwiththeroseisquiteravishing.
Holdbackyourshoulders,andcarryyourhandseasily,nomatterifyourglovesdopinch.
There'sonethingyoucandowell,Jo,thatis,wearashawl.
Ican't,butit'sverynicetoseeyou,andI'msogladAuntMarchgaveyouthatlovelyone.
It'ssimple,buthandsome,andthosefoldsoverthearmarereallyartistic.
Isthepointofmymantleinthemiddle,andhaveIloopedmydressevenly?
Iliketoshowmyboots,formyfeetarepretty,thoughmynoseisn't."
"Youareathingofbeautyandajoyforever,"saidJo,lookingthroughherhandwiththeairofaconnoisseuratthebluefeatheragainstthegoldenhair.
"AmItodragmybestdressthroughthedust,orloopitup,please,ma'am?"
"Holditupwhenyouwalk,butdropitinthehouse.
Thesweepingstylesuitsyoubest,andyoumustlearntotrailyourskirtsgracefully.
Youhaven'thalfbuttonedonecuff,doitatonce.
You'llneverlookfinishedifyouarenotcarefulaboutthelittledetails,fortheymakeupthepleasingwhole."
Josighed,andproceededtoburstthebuttonsoffherglove,indoinguphercuff,butatlastbothwereready,andsailedaway,lookingas'prettyaspicters',Hannahsaid,asshehungoutoftheupperwindowtowatchthem.
"Now,Jodear,theChestersconsiderthemselvesveryelegantpeople,soIwantyoutoputonyourbestdeportment.
Don'tmakeanyofyourabruptremarks,ordoanythingodd,willyou?
Justbecalm,cool,andquiet,that'ssafeandladylike,andyoucaneasilydoitforfifteenminutes,"saidAmy,astheyapproachedthefirstplace,havingborrowedthewhiteparasolandbeeninspectedbyMeg,withababyoneacharm.
"Letmesee.'Calm,cool,andquiet',yes,IthinkIcanpromisethat.
I'veplayedthepartofaprimyoungladyonthestage,andI'lltryitoff.
Mypowersaregreat,asyoushallsee,sobeeasyinyourmind,mychild."
Amylookedrelieved,butnaughtyJotookheratherword,forduringthefirstcallshesatwitheverylimbgracefullycomposed,everyfoldcorrectlydraped,calmasasummersea,coolasasnowbank,andassilentasthesphinx.
InvainMrs.Chesteralludedtoher'charmingnovel',andtheMissesChesterintroducedparties,picnics,theopera,andthefashions.
Eachandallwereansweredbyasmile,abow,andademure"Yes"or"No"withthechillon.
InvainAmytelegraphedtheword'talk',triedtodrawherout,andadministeredcovertpokeswithherfoot.
Josatasifblandlyunconsciousofitall,withdeportmentlikeMaud'sface,'icilyregular,splendidlynull'.
"Whatahaughty,uninterestingcreaturethatoldestMissMarchis!"
wastheunfortunatelyaudibleremarkofoneoftheladies,asthedoorclosedupontheirguests.
Jolaughednoiselesslyallthroughthehall,butAmylookeddisgustedatthefailureofherinstructions,andverynaturallylaidtheblameuponJo.
"Howcouldyoumistakemeso?Imerelymeantyoutobeproperlydignifiedandcomposed,andyoumadeyourselfaperfectstockandstone.TrytobesociableattheLambs'.
Gossipasothergirlsdo,andbeinterestedindressandflirtationsandwhatevernonsensecomesup.
Theymoveinthebestsociety,arevaluablepersonsforustoknow,andIwouldn'tfailtomakeagoodimpressionthereforanything."
"I'llbeagreeable.I'llgossipandgiggle,andhavehorrorsandrapturesoveranytrifleyoulike.
Iratherenjoythis,andnowI'llimitatewhatiscalled'acharminggirl'.
Icandoit,forIhaveMayChesterasamodel,andI'llimproveuponher.
SeeiftheLambsdon'tsay,'Whatalively,nicecreaturethatJoMarchis!"
Amyfeltanxious,aswellshemight,forwhenJoturnedfreakishtherewasnoknowingwhereshewouldstop.
Amy'sfacewasastudywhenshesawhersisterskimintothenextdrawingroom,kissalltheyoungladieswitheffusion,beamgraciouslyupontheyounggentlemen,andjoininthechatwithaspiritwhichamazedthebeholder.
AmywastakenpossessionofbyMrs.Lamb,withwhomshewasafavorite,andforcedtohearalongaccountofLucretia'slastattack,whilethreedelightfulyounggentlemenhoverednear,waitingforapausewhentheymightrushinandrescueher.
Sosituated,shewaspowerlesstocheckJo,whoseemedpossessedbyaspiritofmischief,andtalkedawayasvolublyasthelady.
Aknotofheadsgatheredabouther,andAmystrainedherearstohearwhatwasgoingon,forbrokensentencesfilledherwithcuriosity,andfrequentpealsoflaughtermadeherwildtosharethefun.
Onemayimaginehersufferingonoverhearingfragmentsofthissortofconversation.
"Sheridessplendidly.Whotaughther?"
"Noone.Sheusedtopracticemounting,holdingthereins,andsittingstraightonanoldsaddleinatree.
Nowsheridesanything,forshedoesn'tknowwhatfearis,andthestablemanletsherhavehorsescheapbecauseshetrainsthemtocarryladiessowell.
Shehassuchapassionforit,Ioftentellherifeverythingelsefails,shecanbeahorsebreaker,andgetherlivingso."
AtthisawfulspeechAmycontainedherselfwithdifficulty,fortheimpressionwasbeinggiventhatshewasratherafastyounglady,whichwasherespecialaversion.Butwhatcouldshedo?
Fortheoldladywasinthemiddleofherstory,andlongbeforeitwasdone,Jowasoffagain,makingmoredrollrevelationsandcommittingstillmorefearfulblunders.
"Yes,Amywasindespairthatday,forallthegoodbeastsweregone,andofthreeleft,onewaslame,oneblind,andtheothersobalkythatyouhadtoputdirtinhismouthbeforehewouldstart.
Niceanimalforapleasureparty,wasn'tit?"
"Whichdidshechoose?"askedoneofthelaughinggentlemen,whoenjoyedthesubject.
"Noneofthem.Sheheardofayounghorseatthefarmhouseovertheriver,andthoughaladyhadneverriddenhim,sheresolvedtotry,becausehewashandsomeandspirited.Herstruggleswerereallypathetic.
Therewasnoonetobringthehorsetothesaddle,soshetookthesaddletothehorse.
Mydearcreature,sheactuallyroweditovertheriver,putitonherhead,andmarcheduptothebarntotheutteramazementoftheoldman!"
"Didsheridethehorse?"
"Ofcourseshedid,andhadacapitaltime.Iexpectedtoseeherbroughthomeinfragments,butshemanagedhimperfectly,andwasthelifeoftheparty."
"Well,Icallthatplucky!"andyoungMr.LambturnedanapprovingglanceuponAmy,wonderingwhathismothercouldbesayingtomakethegirllooksoredanduncomfortable.
Shewasstillredderandmoreuncomfortableamomentafter,whenasuddenturnintheconversationintroducedthesubjectofdress.
OneoftheyoungladiesaskedJowhereshegottheprettydrabhatsheworetothepicnicandstupidJo,insteadofmentioningtheplacewhereitwasboughttwoyearsago,mustneedsanswerwithunnecessaryfrankness,"Oh,Amypaintedit.
Youcan'tbuythosesoftshades,sowepaintoursanycolorwelike.
It'sagreatcomforttohaveanartisticsister."
"Isn'tthatanoriginalidea?"criedMissLamb,whofoundJogreatfun.
"That'snothingcomparedtosomeofherbrilliantperformances.There'snothingthechildcan'tdo.
Why,shewantedapairofbluebootsforSallie'sparty,soshejustpaintedhersoiledwhiteonestheloveliestshadeofskyblueyoueversaw,andtheylookedexactlylikesatin,"addedJo,withanairofprideinhersister'saccomplishmentsthatexasperatedAmytillshefeltthatitwouldbearelieftothrowhercardcaseather.
"Wereadastoryofyourstheotherday,andenjoyeditverymuch,"observedtheelderMissLamb,wishingtocomplimenttheliterarylady,whodidnotlookthecharacterjustthen,itmustbeconfessed.
Anymentionofher'works'alwayshadabadeffectuponJo,whoeithergrewrigidandlookedoffended,orchangedthesubjectwithabrusqueremark,asnow.
"Sorryyoucouldfindnothingbettertoread.
Iwritethatrubbishbecauseitsells,andordinarypeoplelikeit.AreyougoingtoNewYorkthiswinter?"
AsMissLambhad'enjoyed'thestory,thisspeechwasnotexactlygratefulorcomplimentary.
TheminuteitwasmadeJosawhermistake,butfearingtomakethematterworse,suddenlyrememberedthatitwasforhertomakethefirstmovetowarddeparture,anddidsowithanabruptnessthatleftthreepeoplewithhalf–finishedsentencesintheirmouths.
"Amy,wemustgo.Good–by,dear,docomeandseeus.Wearepiningforavisit.Idon'tdaretoaskyou,Mr.Lamb,butifyoushouldcome,Idon'tthinkIshallhavethehearttosendyouaway."
JosaidthiswithsuchadrollimitationofMayChester'sgushingstylethatAmygotoutoftheroomasrapidlyaspossible,feelingastrongdesiretolaughandcryatthesametime.
"Didn'tIdowell?"askedJo,withasatisfiedairastheywalkedaway.
"Nothingcouldhavebeenworse,"wasAmy'scrushingreply."Whatpossessedyoutotellthosestoriesaboutmysaddle,andthehatsandboots,andalltherestofit?"
"Why,it'sfunny,andamusespeople.Theyknowwearepoor,soit'snousepretendingthatwehavegrooms,buythreeorfourhatsaseason,andhavethingsaseasyandfineastheydo."
"Youneedn'tgoandtellthemallourlittleshifts,andexposeourpovertyinthatperfectlyunnecessaryway.
Youhaven'tabitofproperpride,andneverwilllearnwhentoholdyourtongueandwhentospeak,"saidAmydespairingly.
PoorJolookedabashed,andsilentlychafedtheendofhernosewiththestiffhandkerchief,asifperformingapenanceforhermisdemeanors.
"HowshallIbehavehere?"sheasked,astheyapproachedthethirdmansion.
"Justasyouplease.Iwashmyhandsofyou,"wasAmy'sshortanswer.
"ThenI'llenjoymyself.Theboysareathome,andwe'llhaveacomfortabletime.
GoodnessknowsIneedalittlechange,forelegancehasabadeffectuponmyconstitution,"returnedJogruffly,beingdisturbedbyherfailuretosuit.
Anenthusiasticwelcomefromthreebigboysandseveralprettychildrenspeedilysoothedherruffledfeelings,andleavingAmytoentertainthehostessandMr.Tudor,whohappenedtobecallinglikewise,Jodevotedherselftotheyoungfolksandfoundthechangerefreshing.
Shelistenedtocollegestorieswithdeepinterest,caressedpointersandpoodleswithoutamurmur,agreedheartilythat"TomBrownwasabrick,"regardlessoftheimproperformofpraise,andwhenoneladproposedavisittohisturtletank,shewentwithanalacritywhichcausedMammatosmileuponher,asthatmotherlyladysettledthecapwhichwasleftinaruinousconditionbyfilialhugs,bearlikebutaffectionate,anddearertoherthanthemostfaultlesscoiffurefromthehandsofaninspiredFrenchwoman.
Leavinghersistertoherowndevices,Amyproceededtoenjoyherselftoherheart'scontent.
Mr.Tudor'sunclehadmarriedanEnglishladywhowasthirdcousintoalivinglord,andAmyregardedthewholefamilywithgreatrespect,forinspiteofherAmericanbirthandbreeding,shepossessedthatreverencefortitleswhichhauntsthebestofus––thatunacknowledgedloyaltytotheearlyfaithinkingswhichsetthemostdemocraticnationunderthesuninfermentatthecomingofaroyalyellow–hairedladdie,someyearsago,andwhichstillhassomethingtodowiththelovetheyoungcountrybearstheold,likethatofabigsonforanimperiouslittlemother,whoheldhimwhileshecould,andlethimgowithafarewellscoldingwhenherebelled.
ButeventhesatisfactionoftalkingwithadistantconnectionoftheBritishnobilitydidnotrenderAmyforgetfuloftime,andwhenthepropernumberofminuteshadpassed,shereluctantlytoreherselffromthisaristocraticsociety,andlookedaboutforJo,ferventlyhopingthatherincorrigiblesisterwouldnotbefoundinanypositionwhichshouldbringdisgraceuponthenameofMarch.
Itmighthavebeenworse,butAmyconsidereditbad.
ForJosatonthegrass,withanencampmentofboysabouther,andadirty–footeddogreposingontheskirtofherstateandfestivaldress,assherelatedoneofLaurie'sprankstoheradmiringaudience.
OnesmallchildwaspokingturtleswithAmy'scherishedparasol,asecondwaseatinggingerbreadoverJo'sbestbonnet,andathirdplayingballwithhergloves,butallwereenjoyingthemselves,andwhenJocollectedherdamagedpropertytogo,herescortaccompaniedher,begginghertocomeagain,"ItwassuchfuntohearaboutLaurie'slarks."
"Capitalboys,aren'tthey?Ifeelquiteyoungandbriskagainafterthat."saidJo,strollingalongwithherhandsbehindher,partlyfromhabit,partlytoconcealthebespatteredparasol.
"WhydoyoualwaysavoidMr.Tudor?"askedAmy,wiselyrefrainingfromanycommentuponJo'sdilapidatedappearance.
"Don'tlikehim,heputsonairs,snubshissisters,worrieshisfather,anddoesn'tspeakrespectfullyofhismother.
Lauriesaysheisfast,andIdon'tconsiderhimadesirableacquaintance,soIlethimalone."
"Youmighttreathimcivilly,atleast.Yougavehimacoolnod,andjustnowyoubowedandsmiledinthepolitestwaytoTommyChamberlain,whosefatherkeepsagrocerystore.
Ifyouhadjustreversedthenodandthebow,itwouldhavebeenright,"saidAmyreprovingly.
"No,itwouldn't,"returnedJo,"Ineitherlike,respect,noradmireTudor,thoughhisgrandfather'suncle'snephew'sniecewasathirdcousintoalord.
Tommyispoorandbashfulandgoodandveryclever.
Ithinkwellofhim,andliketoshowthatIdo,forheisagentlemaninspiteofthebrownpaperparcels."
"It'snousetryingtoarguewithyou,"beganAmy.
"Nottheleast,mydear,"interruptedJo,"soletuslookamiable,anddropacardhere,astheKingsareevidentlyout,forwhichI'mdeeplygrateful."
Thefamilycardcasehavingdoneitsdutythegirlswalkedon,andJoutteredanotherthanksgivingonreachingthefifthhouse,andbeingtoldthattheyoungladieswereengaged.
"Nowletusgohome,andnevermindAuntMarchtoday.Wecanrundownthereanytime,andit'sreallyapitytotrailthroughthedustinourbestbibsandtuckers,whenwearetiredandcross."
"Speakforyourself,ifyouplease.AuntMarchlikestohaveuspayherthecomplimentofcominginstyle,andmakingaformalcall.
It'salittlethingtodo,butitgivesherpleasure,andIdon'tbelieveitwillhurtyourthingshalfsomuchaslettingdirtydogsandclumpingboysspoilthem.
Stoopdown,andletmetakethecrumbsoffofyourbonnet."
"Whatagoodgirlyouare,Amy!"saidJo,witharepentantglancefromherowndamagedcostumetothatofhersister,whichwasfreshandspotlessstill.
"Iwishitwasaseasyformetodolittlethingstopleasepeopleasitisforyou.
Ithinkofthem,butittakestoomuchtimetodothem,soIwaitforachancetoconferagreatfavor,andletthesmallonesslip,buttheytellbestintheend,Ifancy."
Amysmiledandwasmollifiedatonce,sayingwithamaternalair,"Womenshouldlearntobeagreeable,particularlypoorones,fortheyhavenootherwayofrepayingthekindnessestheyreceive.
Ifyou'drememberthat,andpracticeit,you'dbebetterlikedthanIam,becausethereismoreofyou."
"I'macrotchetyoldthing,andalwaysshallbe,butI'mwillingtoownthatyouareright,onlyit'seasierformetoriskmylifeforapersonthantobepleasanttohimwhenIdon'tfeellikeit.
It'sagreatmisfortunetohavesuchstronglikesanddislikes,isn'tit?"
"It'sagreaternottobeabletohidethem.
Idon'tmindsayingthatIdon'tapproveofTudoranymorethanyoudo,butI'mnotcalledupontotellhimso.
Neitherareyou,andthereisnouseinmakingyourselfdisagreeablebecauseheis."
"ButIthinkgirlsoughttoshowwhentheydisapproveofyoungmen,andhowcantheydoitexceptbytheirmanners?
Preachingdoesnotdoanygood,asIknowtomysorrow,sinceI'vehadTeddietomanage.
ButtherearemanylittlewaysinwhichIcaninfluencehimwithoutaword,andIsayweoughttodoittoothersifwecan."
"Teddyisaremarkableboy,andcan'tbetakenasasampleofotherboys,"saidAmy,inatoneofsolemnconviction,whichwouldhaveconvulsedthe'remarkableboy'ifhehadheardit.
"Ifwewerebelles,orwomenofwealthandposition,wemightdosomething,perhaps,butforustofrownatonesetofyounggentlemenbecausewedon'tapproveofthem,andsmileuponanothersetbecausewedo,wouldn'thaveaparticleofeffect,andweshouldonlybeconsideredoddandpuritanical."
"Sowearetocountenancethingsandpeoplewhichwedetest,merelybecausewearenotbellesandmillionaires,arewe?That'sanicesortofmorality."
"Ican'targueaboutit,Ionlyknowthatit'sthewayoftheworld,andpeoplewhosetthemselvesagainstitonlygetlaughedatfortheirpains.
Idon'tlikereformers,andIhopeyounevertrytobeone."
"Idolikethem,andIshallbeoneifIcan,forinspiteofthelaughingtheworldwouldnevergetonwithoutthem.
Wecan'tagreeaboutthat,foryoubelongtotheoldset,andItothenew.
Youwillgetonthebest,butIshallhavetheliveliesttimeofit.
Ishouldratherenjoythebrickbatsandhooting,Ithink."
"Well,composeyourselfnow,anddon'tworryAuntwithyournewideas."
"I'lltrynotto,butI'malwayspossessedtoburstoutwithsomeparticularlybluntspeechorrevolutionarysentimentbeforeher.It'smydoom,andIcan'thelpit."
TheyfoundAuntCarrolwiththeoldlady,bothabsorbedinsomeveryinterestingsubject,buttheydroppeditasthegirlscamein,withaconsciouslookwhichbetrayedthattheyhadbeentalkingabouttheirnieces.
Jowasnotinagoodhumor,andtheperversefitreturned,butAmy,whohadvirtuouslydoneherduty,kepthertemperandpleasedeverybody,wasinamostangelicframeofmind.
Thisamiablespiritwasfeltatonce,andbothaunts'mydeared'heraffectionately,lookingwhattheyafterwardsaidemphatically,"Thatchildimproveseveryday."
"Areyougoingtohelpaboutthefair,dear?"askedMrs.Carrol,asAmysatdownbesideherwiththeconfidingairelderlypeoplelikesowellintheyoung.
"Yes,Aunt.Mrs.ChesteraskedmeifIwould,andIofferedtotendatable,asIhavenothingbutmytimetogive."
"I'mnot,"putinJodecidedly."Ihatetobepatronized,andtheChestersthinkit'sagreatfavortoallowustohelpwiththeirhighlyconnectedfair.
Iwonderyouconsented,Amy,theyonlywantyoutowork."
"Iamwillingtowork.It'sforthefreedmenaswellastheChesters,andIthinkitverykindofthemtoletmesharethelaborandthefun.Patronagedoesnottroublemewhenitiswellmeant."
"Quiterightandproper.Ilikeyourgratefulspirit,mydear.
It'sapleasuretohelppeoplewhoappreciateourefforts.
Somedonot,andthatistrying,"observedAuntMarch,lookingoverherspectaclesatJo,whosatapart,rockingherself,withasomewhatmoroseexpression.
IfJohadonlyknownwhatagreathappinesswaswaveringinthebalanceforoneofthem,shewouldhaveturneddove–likeinaminute,butunfortunately,wedon'thavewindowsinourbreasts,andcannotseewhatgoesoninthemindsofourfriends.
Betterforusthatwecannotasageneralthing,butnowandthenitwouldbesuchacomfort,suchasavingoftimeandtemper.
Byhernextspeech,Jodeprivedherselfofseveralyearsofpleasure,andreceivedatimelylessonintheartofholdinghertongue.
"Idon'tlikefavors,theyoppressandmakemefeellikeaslave.I'dratherdoeverythingformyself,andbeperfectlyindependent."
"Ahem!"coughedAuntCarrolsoftly,withalookatAuntMarch.
"Itoldyouso,"saidAuntMarch,withadecidednodtoAuntCarrol.
Mercifullyunconsciousofwhatshehaddone,Josatwithhernoseintheair,andarevolutionaryaspectwhichwasanythingbutinviting.
"DoyouspeakFrench,dear?"askedMrs.Carrol,layingahandonAmy's.
"Prettywell,thankstoAuntMarch,wholetsEsthertalktomeasoftenasIlike,"repliedAmy,withagratefullook,whichcausedtheoldladytosmileaffably.
"Howareyouaboutlanguages?"askedMrs.CarrolofJo.
"Don'tknowaword.I'mverystupidaboutstudyinganything,can'tbearFrench,it'ssuchaslippery,sillysortoflanguage,"wasthebrusquereply.
Anotherlookpassedbetweentheladies,andAuntMarchsaidtoAmy,"Youarequitestrongandwellnow,dear,Ibelieve?Eyesdon'ttroubleyouanymore,dothey?"
"Notatall,thankyou,ma'am.I'mverywell,andmeantodogreatthingsnextwinter,sothatImaybereadyforRome,wheneverthatjoyfultimearrives."
"Goodgirl!Youdeservetogo,andI'msureyouwillsomeday,"saidAuntMarch,withanapprovingpatonthehead,asAmypickedupherballforher.
Crosspatch,drawthelatch,
Sitbythefireandspin,
squalledPolly,bendingdownfromhisperchonthebackofherchairtopeepintoJo'sface,withsuchacomicalairofimpertinentinquirythatitwasimpossibletohelplaughing.
"Mostobservingbird,"saidtheoldlady.
"Comeandtakeawalk,mydear?"criedPolly,hoppingtowardthechinacloset,withalooksuggestiveofalumpofsugar.
"Thankyou,Iwill.ComeAmy."
andJobroughtthevisittoanend,feelingmorestronglythaneverthatcallsdidhaveabadeffectuponherconstitution.
Sheshookhandsinagentlemanlymanner,butAmykissedboththeaunts,andthegirlsdeparted,leavingbehindthemtheimpressionofshadowandsunshine,whichimpressioncausedAuntMarchtosay,astheyvanished...
"You'dbetterdoit,Mary.I'llsupplythemoney."andAuntCarroltoreplydecidedly,"Icertainlywill,ifherfatherandmotherconsent."
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