English
Mrs.Chester'sfairwassoveryelegantandselectthatitwasconsideredagreathonorbytheyoungladiesoftheneighborhoodtobeinvitedtotakeatable,andeveryonewasmuchinterestedinthematter.
Amywasasked,butJowasnot,whichwasfortunateforallparties,asherelbowsweredecidedlyakimboatthisperiodofherlife,andittookagoodmanyhardknockstoteachherhowtogetoneasily.
The'haughty,uninterestingcreature'wasletseverelyalone,butAmy'stalentandtasteweredulycomplimentedbytheofferofthearttable,andsheexertedherselftoprepareandsecureappropriateandvaluablecontributionstoit.
Everythingwentonsmoothlytillthedaybeforethefairopened,thenthereoccurredoneofthelittleskirmisheswhichitisalmostimpossibletoavoid,whensomefive–and–twentywomen,oldandyoung,withalltheirprivatepiquesandprejudices,trytoworktogether.
MayChesterwasratherjealousofAmybecausethelatterwasagreaterfavoritethanherself,andjustatthistimeseveraltriflingcircumstancesoccurredtoincreasethefeeling.
Amy'sdaintypen–and–inkworkentirelyeclipsedMay'spaintedvases––thatwasonethorn.
ThentheallconqueringTudorhaddancedfourtimeswithAmyatalatepartyandonlyoncewithMay––thatwasthornnumbertwo.
Butthechiefgrievancethatrankledinhersoul,andgaveanexcuseforherunfriendlyconduct,wasarumorwhichsomeobliginggossiphadwhisperedtoher,thattheMarchgirlshadmadefunofherattheLambs'.
AlltheblameofthisshouldhavefallenuponJo,forhernaughtyimitationhadbeentoolifeliketoescapedetection,andthefrolicsomeLambshadpermittedthejoketoescape.
Nohintofthishadreachedtheculprits,however,andAmy'sdismaycanbeimagined,when,theveryeveningbeforethefair,asshewasputtingthelasttouchestoherprettytable,Mrs.Chester,who,ofcourse,resentedthesupposedridiculeofherdaughter,said,inablandtone,butwithacoldlook...
"Ifind,dear,thatthereissomefeelingamongtheyoungladiesaboutmygivingthistabletoanyonebutmygirls.
Asthisisthemostprominent,andsomesaythemostattractivetableofall,andtheyarethechiefgetters–upofthefair,itisthoughtbestforthemtotakethisplace.
I'msorry,butIknowyouaretoosincerelyinterestedinthecausetomindalittlepersonaldisappointment,andyoushallhaveanothertableifyoulike."
Mrs.Chesterfanciedbeforehandthatitwouldbeeasytodeliverthislittlespeech,butwhenthetimecame,shefounditratherdifficulttoutteritnaturally,withAmy'sunsuspiciouseyeslookingstraightatherfullofsurpriseandtrouble.
Amyfeltthattherewassomethingbehindthis,butcouldnotguesswhat,andsaidquietly,feelinghurt,andshowingthatshedid,"PerhapsyouhadratherItooknotableatall?"
"Now,mydear,don'thaveanyillfeeling,Ibeg.
It'smerelyamatterofexpediency,yousee,mygirlswillnaturallytakethelead,andthistableisconsideredtheirproperplace.
Ithinkitveryappropriatetoyou,andfeelverygratefulforyoureffortstomakeitsopretty,butwemustgiveupourprivatewishes,ofcourse,andIwillseethatyouhaveagoodplaceelsewhere.Wouldn'tyouliketheflowertable?
Thelittlegirlsundertookit,buttheyarediscouraged.
Youcouldmakeacharmingthingofit,andtheflowertableisalwaysattractiveyouknow."
"Especiallytogentlemen,"addedMay,withalookwhichenlightenedAmyastoonecauseofhersuddenfallfromfavor.
Shecoloredangrily,buttooknoothernoticeofthatgirlishsarcasm,andansweredwithunexpectedamiability...
"Itshallbeasyouplease,Mrs.Chester.I'llgiveupmyplacehereatonce,andattendtotheflowers,ifyoulike."
"Youcanputyourownthingsonyourowntable,ifyouprefer,"beganMay,feelingalittleconscience–stricken,asshelookedattheprettyracks,thepaintedshells,andquaintilluminationsAmyhadsocarefullymadeandsogracefullyarranged.
Shemeantitkindly,butAmymistookhermeaning,andsaidquickly...
"Oh,certainly,iftheyareinyourway,"andsweepinghercontributionsintoherapron,pell–mell,shewalkedoff,feelingthatherselfandherworksofarthadbeeninsultedpastforgiveness.
"Nowshe'smad.Oh,dear,IwishIhadn'taskedyoutospeak,Mama,"saidMay,lookingdisconsolatelyattheemptyspacesonhertable.
"Girls'quarrelsaresoonover,"returnedhermother,feelingatrifleashamedofherownpartinthisone,aswellshemight.
ThelittlegirlshailedAmyandhertreasureswithdelight,whichcordialreceptionsomewhatsoothedherperturbedspirit,andshefelltowork,determinedtosucceedflorally,ifshecouldnotartistically.Buteverythingseemedagainsther.Itwaslate,andshewastired.
Everyonewastoobusywiththeirownaffairstohelpher,andthelittlegirlswereonlyhindrances,forthedearsfussedandchatteredlikesomanymagpies,makingagreatdealofconfusionintheirartlesseffortstopreservethemostperfectorder.
Theevergreenarchwouldn'tstayfirmaftershegotitup,butwiggledandthreatenedtotumbledownonherheadwhenthehangingbasketswerefilled.
Herbesttilegotasplashofwater,whichleftasepiatearontheCupid'scheek.
Shebruisedherhandswithhammering,andgotcoldworkinginadraft,whichlastafflictionfilledherwithapprehensionsforthemorrow.
AnygirlreaderwhohassufferedlikeafflictionswillsympathizewithpoorAmyandwishherwellthroughhertask.
Therewasgreatindignationathomewhenshetoldherstorythatevening.
Hermothersaiditwasashame,buttoldhershehaddoneright.
Bethdeclaredshewouldn'tgotothefairatall,andJodemandedwhyshedidn'ttakeallherprettythingsandleavethosemeanpeopletogetonwithouther.
"BecausetheyaremeanisnoreasonwhyIshouldbe.
Ihatesuchthings,andthoughIthinkI'vearighttobehurt,Idon'tintendtoshowit.
Theywillfeelthatmorethanangryspeechesorhuffyactions,won'tthey,Marmee?"
"That'stherightspirit,mydear.Akissforablowisalwaysbest,thoughit'snotveryeasytogiveitsometimes,"saidhermother,withtheairofonewhohadlearnedthedifferencebetweenpreachingandpracticing.
Inspiteofvariousverynaturaltemptationstoresentandretaliate,Amyadheredtoherresolutionallthenextday,bentonconqueringherenemybykindness.
Shebeganwell,thankstoasilentreminderthatcametoherunexpectedly,butmostopportunely.
Asshearrangedhertablethatmorning,whilethelittlegirlswereintheanteroomfillingthebaskets,shetookupherpetproduction,alittlebook,theantiquecoverofwhichherfatherhadfoundamonghistreasures,andinwhichonleavesofvellumshehadbeautifullyilluminateddifferenttexts.
Assheturnedthepagesrichindaintydeviceswithverypardonablepride,hereyefellupononeversethatmadeherstopandthink.
Framedinabrilliantscrollworkofscarlet,blueandgold,withlittlespiritsofgoodwillhelpingoneanotherupanddownamongthethornsandflowers,werethewords,"Thoushaltlovethyneighborasthyself."
"Iought,butIdon't,"thoughtAmy,ashereyewentfromthebrightpagetoMay'sdiscontentedfacebehindthebigvases,thatcouldnothidethevacanciesherprettyworkhadoncefilled.
Amystoodaminute,turningtheleavesinherhand,readingoneachsomesweetrebukeforallheartburningsanduncharitablenessofspirit.
Manywiseandtruesermonsarepreacheduseverydaybyunconsciousministersinstreet,school,office,orhome.
Evenafairtablemaybecomeapulpit,ifitcanofferthegoodandhelpfulwordswhichareneveroutofseason.
Amy'sconsciencepreachedheralittlesermonfromthattext,thenandthere,andshedidwhatmanyofusdonotalwaysdo,tookthesermontoheart,andstraightwayputitinpractice.
AgroupofgirlswerestandingaboutMay'stable,admiringtheprettythings,andtalkingoverthechangeofsaleswomen.
Theydroppedtheirvoices,butAmyknewtheywerespeakingofher,hearingonesideofthestoryandjudgingaccordingly.
Itwasnotpleasant,butabetterspirithadcomeoverher,andpresentlyachanceofferedforprovingit.SheheardMaysaysorrowfully...
"It'stoobad,forthereisnotimetomakeotherthings,andIdon'twanttofillupwithoddsandends.Thetablewasjustcompletethen.Nowit'sspoiled."
"Idaresayshe'dputthembackifyouaskedher,"suggestedsomeone.
"HowcouldIafterallthefuss?"beganMay,butshedidnotfinish,forAmy'svoicecameacrossthehall,sayingpleasantly...
"Youmayhavethem,andwelcome,withoutasking,ifyouwantthem.
IwasjustthinkingI'doffertoputthemback,fortheybelongtoyourtableratherthanmine.
Heretheyare,pleasetakethem,andforgivemeifIwashastyincarryingthemawaylastnight."
Asshespoke,Amyreturnedhercontribution,withanodandasmile,andhurriedawayagain,feelingthatitwaseasiertodoafriendlythingthanitwastostayandbethankedforit.
"Now,Icallthatlovelyofher,don'tyou?"criedonegirl.
May'sanswerwasinaudible,butanotheryounglady,whosetemperwasevidentlyalittlesouredbymakinglemonade,added,withadisagreeablelaugh,"Verylovely,forsheknewshewouldn'tsellthematherowntable."
Now,thatwashard.Whenwemakelittlesacrificesweliketohavethemappreciated,atleast,andforaminuteAmywassorryshehaddoneit,feelingthatvirtuewasnotalwaysitsownreward.
Butitis,asshepresentlydiscovered,forherspiritsbegantorise,andhertabletoblossomunderherskillfulhands,thegirlswereverykind,andthatonelittleactseemedtohaveclearedtheatmosphereamazingly.
ItwasaverylongdayandahardoneforAmy,asshesatbehindhertable,oftenquitealone,forthelittlegirlsdesertedverysoon.
Fewcaredtobuyflowersinsummer,andherbouquetsbegantodrooplongbeforenight.
Thearttablewasthemostattractiveintheroom.
Therewasacrowdaboutitalldaylong,andthetenderswereconstantlyflyingtoandfrowithimportantfacesandrattlingmoneyboxes.
Amyoftenlookedwistfullyacross,longingtobethere,whereshefeltathomeandhappy,insteadofinacornerwithnothingtodo.
Itmightseemnohardshiptosomeofus,buttoapretty,blitheyounggirl,itwasnotonlytedious,butverytrying,andthethoughtofLaurieandhisfriendsmadeitarealmartyrdom.
Shedidnotgohometillnight,andthenshelookedsopaleandquietthattheyknewthedayhadbeenahardone,thoughshemadenocomplaint,anddidnoteventellwhatshehaddone.
Hermothergaveheranextracordialcupoftea.
Bethhelpedherdress,andmadeacharminglittlewreathforherhair,whileJoastonishedherfamilybygettingherselfupwithunusualcare,andhintingdarklythatthetableswereabouttobeturned.
"Don'tdoanythingrude,prayJo;Iwon'thaveanyfussmade,soletitallpassandbehaveyourself,"beggedAmy,asshedepartedearly,hopingtofindareinforcementofflowerstorefreshherpoorlittletable.
"ImerelyintendtomakemyselfentrancinglyagreeabletoeveryoneIknow,andtokeeptheminyourcorneraslongaspossible.
Teddyandhisboyswilllendahand,andwe'llhaveagoodtimeyet."
returnedJo,leaningoverthegatetowatchforLaurie.
Presentlythefamiliartrampwasheardinthedusk,andsheranouttomeethim.
"Isthatmyboy?"
"Assureasthisismygirl!"andLaurietuckedherhandunderhisarmwiththeairofamanwhoseeverywishwasgratified.
"Oh,Teddy,suchdoings!"andJotoldAmy'swrongswithsisterlyzeal.
"Aflockofourfellowsaregoingtodriveoverby–and–by,andI'llbehangedifIdon'tmakethembuyeveryflowershe'sgot,andcampdownbeforehertableafterward,"saidLaurie,espousinghercausewithwarmth.
"Theflowersarenotatallnice,Amysays,andthefreshonesmaynotarriveintime.
Idon'twishtobeunjustorsuspicious,butIshouldn'twonderiftheynevercameatall.
Whenpeopledoonemeanthingtheyareverylikelytodoanother,"observedJoinadisgustedtone.
"Didn'tHayesgiveyouthebestoutofourgardens?Itoldhimto."
"Ididn'tknowthat,heforgot,Isuppose,and,asyourgrandpawaspoorly,Ididn'tliketoworryhimbyasking,thoughIdidwantsome."
"Now,Jo,howcouldyouthinktherewasanyneedofasking?Theyarejustasmuchyoursasmine.Don'twealwaysgohalvesineverything?"beganLaurie,inthetonethatalwaysmadeJoturnthorny.
"Gracious,Ihopenot!Halfofsomeofyourthingswouldn'tsuitmeatall.Butwemustn'tstandphilanderinghere.
I'vegottohelpAmy,soyougoandmakeyourselfsplendid,andifyou'llbesoverykindastoletHayestakeafewniceflowersuptotheHall,I'llblessyouforever."
"Couldn'tyoudoitnow?"askedLaurie,sosuggestivelythatJoshutthegateinhisfacewithinhospitablehaste,andcalledthroughthebars,"Goaway,Teddy,I'mbusy."
Thankstotheconspirators,thetableswereturnedthatnight,forHayessentupawildernessofflowers,withaloverlybasketarrangedinhisbestmannerforacenterpiece.
ThentheMarchfamilyturnedoutenmasse,andJoexertedherselftosomepurpose,forpeoplenotonlycame,butstayed,laughingathernonsense,admiringAmy'staste,andapparentlyenjoyingthemselvesverymuch.
Laurieandhisfriendsgallantlythrewthemselvesintothebreach,boughtupthebouquets,encampedbeforethetable,andmadethatcornertheliveliestspotintheroom.
Amywasinherelementnow,andoutofgratitude,ifnothingmore,wasasspritelyandgraciousaspossible,comingtotheconclusion,aboutthattime,thatvirtuewasitsownreward,afterall.
Jobehavedherselfwithexemplarypropriety,andwhenAmywashappilysurroundedbyherguardofhonor,JocirculatedabouttheHall,pickingupvariousbitsofgossip,whichenlightenedheruponthesubjectoftheChesterchangeofbase.
ShereproachedherselfforhershareoftheillfeelingandresolvedtoexonerateAmyassoonaspossible.
ShealsodiscoveredwhatAmyhaddoneaboutthethingsinthemorning,andconsideredheramodelofmagnanimity.
Asshepassedthearttable,sheglancedoveritforhersister'sthings,butsawnosignofthem.
"Tuckedawayoutofsight,Idaresay,"thoughtJo,whocouldforgiveherownwrongs,buthotlyresentedanyinsultofferedherfamily.
"Goodevening,MissJo.HowdoesAmygeton?"askedMaywithaconciliatoryair,forshewantedtoshowthatshealsocouldbegenerous.
"Shehassoldeverythingshehadthatwasworthselling,andnowsheisenjoyingherself.
Theflowertableisalwaysattractive,youknow,'especiallytogentlemen'."
Jocouldn'tresistgivingthatlittleslap,butMaytookitsomeeklysheregretteditaminuteafter,andfelltopraisingthegreatvases,whichstillremainedunsold.
"IsAmy'silluminationanywhereabout?ItookafancytobuythatforFather,"saidJo,veryanxioustolearnthefateofhersister'swork.
"EverythingofAmy'ssoldlongago.Itookcarethattherightpeoplesawthem,andtheymadeanicelittlesumofmoneyforus,"returnedMay,whohadovercomesundrysmalltemptations,aswellasAmyhad,thatday.
Muchgratified,Jorushedbacktotellthegoodnews,andAmylookedbothtouchedandsurprisedbythereportofMay'swordandmanner.
"Now,gentlemen,Iwantyoutogoanddoyourdutybytheothertablesasgenerouslyasyouhavebymine,especiallythearttable,"shesaid,orderingout'Teddy'sown',asthegirlscalledthecollegefriends.
"'Charge,Chester,charge!'isthemottoforthattable,butdoyourdutylikemen,andyou'llgetyourmoney'sworthofartineverysenseoftheword,"saidtheirrepressibleJo,asthedevotedphalanxpreparedtotakethefield.
"Tohearistoobey,butMarchisfairerfarthanMay,"saidlittleParker,makingafranticefforttobebothwittyandtender,andgettingpromptlyquenchedbyLaurie,whosaid...
"Verywell,myson,forasmallboy!"andwalkedhimoff,withapaternalpatonthehead.
"Buythevases,"whisperedAmytoLaurie,asafinalheapingofcoalsoffireonherenemy'shead.
ToMay'sgreatdelight,Mr.Laurencenotonlyboughtthevases,butpervadedthehallwithoneundereacharm.
Theothergentlemenspeculatedwithequalrashnessinallsortsoffrailtrifles,andwanderedhelplesslyaboutafterward,burdenedwithwaxflowers,paintedfans,filigreeportfolios,andotherusefulandappropriatepurchases.
AuntCarrolwasthere,heardthestory,lookedpleased,andsaidsomethingtoMrs.Marchinacorner,whichmadethelatterladybeamwithsatisfaction,andwatchAmywithafacefullofmingledprideandanxiety,thoughshedidnotbetraythecauseofherpleasuretillseveraldayslater.
Thefairwaspronouncedasuccess,andwhenMaybadeAmygoodnight,shedidnotgushasusual,butgaveheranaffectionatekiss,andalookwhichsaid'forgiveandforget'.
ThatsatisfiedAmy,andwhenshegothomeshefoundthevasesparadedontheparlorchimneypiecewithagreatbouquetineach.
"TherewardofmeritforamagnanimousMarch,"asLaurieannouncedwithaflourish.
"You'veadealmoreprincipleandgenerosityandnoblenessofcharacterthanIevergaveyoucreditfor,Amy.
You'vebehavedsweetly,andIrespectyouwithallmyheart,"saidJowarmly,astheybrushedtheirhairtogetherlatethatnight.
"Yes,wealldo,andloveherforbeingsoreadytoforgive.
Itmusthavebeendreadfullyhard,afterworkingsolongandsettingyourheartonsellingyourownprettythings.
Idon'tbelieveIcouldhavedoneitaskindlyasyoudid,"addedBethfromherpillow.
"Why,girls,youneedn'tpraisemeso.IonlydidasI'dbedoneby.
YoulaughatmewhenIsayIwanttobealady,butImeanatruegentlewomaninmindandmanners,andItrytodoitasfarasIknowhow.
Ican'texplainexactly,butIwanttobeabovethelittlemeannessesandfolliesandfaultsthatspoilsomanywomen.
I'mfarfromitnow,butIdomybest,andhopeintimetobewhatMotheris."
Amyspokeearnestly,andJosaid,withacordialhug,"Iunderstandnowwhatyoumean,andI'llneverlaughatyouagain.
Youaregettingonfasterthanyouthink,andI'lltakelessonsofyouintruepoliteness,foryou'velearnedthesecret,Ibelieve.
Tryaway,deary,you'llgetyourrewardsomeday,andnoonewillbemoredelightedthanIshall."
AweeklaterAmydidgetherreward,andpoorJofoundithardtobedelighted.
AlettercamefromAuntCarrol,andMrs.March'sfacewasilluminatedtosuchadegreewhenshereaditthatJoandBeth,whowerewithher,demandedwhatthegladtidingswere.
"AuntCarrolisgoingabroadnextmonth,andwants..."
"Metogowithher!"burstinJo,flyingoutofherchairinanuncontrollablerapture.
"No,dear,notyou.It'sAmy."
"Oh,Mother!She'stooyoung,it'smyturnfirst.I'vewanteditsolong.Itwoulddomesomuchgood,andbesoaltogethersplendid.Imustgo!"
"I'mafraidit'simpossible,Jo.AuntsaysAmy,decidedly,anditisnotforustodictatewhensheofferssuchafavor."
"It'salwaysso.AmyhasallthefunandIhaveallthework.Itisn'tfair,oh,itisn'tfair!"criedJopassionately.
"I'mafraidit'spartlyyourownfault,dear.
WhenAuntspoketometheotherday,sheregrettedyourbluntmannersandtooindependentspirit,andhereshewrites,asifquotingsomethingyouhadsaid––'IplannedatfirsttoaskJo,butas'favorsburdenher',andshe'hatesFrench',IthinkIwon'tventuretoinviteher.
Amyismoredocile,willmakeagoodcompanionforFlo,andreceivegratefullyanyhelpthetripmaygiveher."
"Oh,mytongue,myabominabletongue!Whycan'tIlearntokeepitquiet?"
groanedJo,rememberingwordswhichhadbeenherundoing.
Whenshehadheardtheexplanationofthequotedphrases,Mrs.Marchsaidsorrowfully...
"Iwishyoucouldhavegone,butthereisnohopeofitthistime,sotrytobearitcheerfully,anddon'tsaddenAmy'spleasurebyreproachesorregrets."
"I'lltry,"saidJo,winkinghardasshekneltdowntopickupthebasketshehadjoyfullyupset.
"I'lltakealeafoutofherbook,andtrynotonlytoseemglad,buttobeso,andnotgrudgeheroneminuteofhappiness.
Butitwon'tbeeasy,foritisadreadfuldisappointment,"andpoorJobedewedthelittlefatpincushionsheheldwithseveralverybittertears.
"Jo,dear,I'mveryselfish,butIcouldn'tspareyou,andI'mgladyouarenotgoingquiteyet,"whisperedBeth,embracingher,basketandall,withsuchaclingingtouchandlovingfacethatJofeltcomfortedinspiteofthesharpregretthatmadeherwanttoboxherownears,andhumblybegAuntCarroltoburdenherwiththisfavor,andseehowgratefullyshewouldbearit.
BythetimeAmycamein,Jowasabletotakeherpartinthefamilyjubilation,notquiteasheartilyasusual,perhaps,butwithoutrepiningsatAmy'sgoodfortune.
Theyoungladyherselfreceivedthenewsastidingsofgreatjoy,wentaboutinasolemnsortofrapture,andbegantosorthercolorsandpackherpencilsthatevening,leavingsuchtriflesasclothes,money,andpassportstothoselessabsorbedinvisionsofartthanherself.
"Itisn'tamerepleasuretriptome,girls,"shesaidimpressively,asshescrapedherbestpalette.
"Itwilldecidemycareer,forifIhaveanygenius,IshallfinditoutinRome,andwilldosomethingtoproveit."
"Supposeyouhaven't?"saidJo,sewingaway,withredeyes,atthenewcollarswhichweretobehandedovertoAmy.
"ThenIshallcomehomeandteachdrawingformyliving,"repliedtheaspirantforfame,withphilosophiccomposure.
Butshemadeawryfaceattheprospect,andscratchedawayatherpaletteasifbentonvigorousmeasuresbeforeshegaveupherhopes.
"No,youwon't.Youhatehardwork,andyou'llmarrysomerichman,andcomehometositinthelapofluxuryallyourdays,"saidJo.
"Yourpredictionssometimescometopass,butIdon'tbelievethatonewill.
I'msureIwishitwould,forifIcan'tbeanartistmyself,Ishouldliketobeabletohelpthosewhoare,"saidAmy,smiling,asifthepartofLadyBountifulwouldsuitherbetterthanthatofapoordrawingteacher.
"Hum!"saidJo,withasigh."Ifyouwishityou'llhaveit,foryourwishesarealwaysgranted––minenever."
"Wouldyouliketogo?"askedAmy,thoughtfullypattinghernosewithherknife.
"Rather!"
"Well,inayearortwoI'llsendforyou,andwe'lldigintheForumforrelics,andcarryoutalltheplanswe'vemadesomanytimes."
"Thankyou.I'llremindyouofyourpromisewhenthatjoyfuldaycomes,ifiteverdoes,"returnedJo,acceptingthevaguebutmagnificentofferasgratefullyasshecould.
Therewasnotmuchtimeforpreparation,andthehousewasinafermenttillAmywasoff.
Joboreupverywelltillthelastflutterofblueribbonvanished,whensheretiredtoherrefuge,thegarret,andcriedtillshecouldn'tcryanymore.
Amylikewiseboreupstoutlytillthesteamersailed.
Thenjustasthegangwaywasabouttobewithdrawn,itsuddenlycameoverherthatawholeoceanwassoontorollbetweenherandthosewholovedherbest,andsheclungtoLaurie,thelastlingerer,sayingwithasob...
"Oh,takecareofthemforme,andifanythingshouldhappen..."
"Iwill,dear,Iwill,andifanythinghappens,I'llcomeandcomfortyou,"whisperedLaurie,littledreamingthathewouldbecalledupontokeephisword.
SoAmysailedawaytofindtheOldWorld,whichisalwaysnewandbeautifultoyoungeyes,whileherfatherandfriendwatchedherfromtheshore,ferventlyhopingthatnonebutgentlefortuneswouldbefallthehappy–heartedgirl,whowavedherhandtothemtilltheycouldseenothingbutthesummersunshinedazzlingonthesea.
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