English
Jowasaloneinthetwilight,lyingontheoldsofa,lookingatthefire,andthinking.
Itwasherfavoritewayofspendingthehourofdusk.
Noonedisturbedher,andsheusedtoliethereonBeth'slittleredpillow,planningstories,dreamingdreams,orthinkingtenderthoughtsofthesisterwhoneverseemedfaraway.
Herfacelookedtired,grave,andrathersad,fortomorrowwasherbirthday,andshewasthinkinghowfasttheyearswentby,howoldshewasgetting,andhowlittlesheseemedtohaveaccomplished.
Almosttwenty–five,andnothingtoshowforit.Jowasmistakeninthat.
Therewasagooddealtoshow,andby–and–byshesaw,andwasgratefulforit.
"Anoldmaid,that'swhatI'mtobe.Aliteraryspinster,withapenforaspouse,afamilyofstoriesforchildren,andtwentyyearshenceamorseloffame,perhaps,when,likepoorJohnson,I'moldandcan'tenjoyit,solitary,andcan'tshareit,independent,anddon'tneedit.
Well,Ineedn'tbeasoursaintnoraselfishsinner,and,Idaresay,oldmaidsareverycomfortablewhentheygetusedtoit,but..."andthereJosighed,asiftheprospectwasnotinviting.
Itseldomis,atfirst,andthirtyseemstheendofallthingstofive–and–twenty.
Butit'snotasbadasitlooks,andonecangetonquitehappilyifonehassomethinginone'sselftofallbackupon.
Attwenty–five,girlsbegintotalkaboutbeingoldmaids,butsecretlyresolvethattheyneverwillbe.
Atthirtytheysaynothingaboutit,butquietlyacceptthefact,andifsensible,consolethemselvesbyrememberingthattheyhavetwentymoreuseful,happyyears,inwhichtheymaybelearningtogrowoldgracefully.
Don'tlaughatthespinsters,deargirls,foroftenverytender,tragicromancesarehiddenawayintheheartsthatbeatsoquietlyunderthesobergowns,andmanysilentsacrificesofyouth,health,ambition,loveitself,makethefadedfacesbeautifulinGod'ssight.
Eventhesad,soursistersshouldbekindlydealtwith,becausetheyhavemissedthesweetestpartoflife,iffornootherreason.
Andlookingatthemwithcompassion,notcontempt,girlsintheirbloomshouldrememberthattheytoomaymisstheblossomtime.
Thatrosycheeksdon'tlastforever,thatsilverthreadswillcomeinthebonniebrownhair,andthat,by–and–by,kindnessandrespectwillbeassweetasloveandadmirationnow.
Gentlemen,whichmeansboys,becourteoustotheoldmaids,nomatterhowpoorandplainandprim,fortheonlychivalryworthhavingisthatwhichisthereadiesttopaydeferencetotheold,protectthefeeble,andservewomankind,regardlessofrank,age,orcolor.
Justrecollectthegoodauntswhohavenotonlylecturedandfussed,butnursedandpetted,toooftenwithoutthanks,thescrapestheyhavehelpedyououtof,thetipstheyhavegivenyoufromtheirsmallstore,thestitchesthepatientoldfingershavesetforyou,thestepsthewillingoldfeethavetaken,andgratefullypaythedearoldladiesthelittleattentionsthatwomenlovetoreceiveaslongastheylive.
Thebright–eyedgirlsarequicktoseesuchtraits,andwilllikeyouallthebetterforthem,andifdeath,almosttheonlypowerthatcanpartmotherandson,shouldrobyouofyours,youwillbesuretofindatenderwelcomeandmaternalcherishingfromsomeAuntPriscilla,whohaskeptthewarmestcornerofherlonelyoldheartfor'thebestnevvyintheworld'.
Jomusthavefallenasleep(asIdaresaymyreaderhasduringthislittlehomily),forsuddenlyLaurie'sghostseemedtostandbeforeher,asubstantial,lifelikeghost,leaningoverherwiththeverylookheusedtowearwhenhefeltagooddealanddidn'tliketoshowit.But,likeJennyintheballad...
"Shecouldnotthinkithe,"
andlaystaringupathiminstartledsilence,tillhestoopedandkissedher.Thensheknewhim,andflewup,cryingjoyfully...
"OhmyTeddy!OhmyTeddy!"
"DearJo,youaregladtoseeme,then?"
"Glad!Myblessedboy,wordscan'texpressmygladness.Where'sAmy?"
"YourmotherhasgotherdownatMeg's.Westoppedtherebytheway,andtherewasnogettingmywifeoutoftheirclutches."
"Yourwhat?"criedJo,forLaurieutteredthosetwowordswithanunconsciousprideandsatisfactionwhichbetrayedhim.
"Oh,thedickens!NowI'vedoneit,"andhelookedsoguiltythatJowasdownonhimlikeaflash.
"You'vegoneandgotmarried!"
"Yes,please,butIneverwillagain,"andhewentdownuponhisknees,withapenitentclaspingofhands,andafacefullofmischief,mirth,andtriumph.
"Actuallymarried?"
"Verymuchso,thankyou."
"Mercyonus.Whatdreadfulthingwillyoudonext?"andJofellintoherseatwithagasp.
"Acharacteristic,butnotexactlycomplimentary,congratulation,"returnedLaurie,stillinanabjectattitude,butbeamingwithsatisfaction.
"Whatcanyouexpect,whenyoutakeone'sbreathaway,creepinginlikeaburglar,andlettingcatsoutofbagslikethat?Getup,youridiculousboy,andtellmeallaboutit."
"Notaword,unlessyouletmecomeinmyoldplace,andpromisenottobarricade."
Jolaughedatthatasshehadnotdoneformanyalongday,andpattedthesofainvitingly,asshesaidinacordialtone,"Theoldpillowisupgarret,andwedon'tneeditnow.So,comeand'fess,Teddy."
"Howgooditsoundstohearyousay'Teddy'!Nooneevercallsmethatbutyou,"andLauriesatdownwithanairofgreatcontent.
"WhatdoesAmycallyou?"
"Mylord."
"That'slikeher.Well,youlookit,"andJo'seyeplainlybetrayedthatshefoundherboycomelierthanever.
Thepillowwasgone,buttherewasabarricade,nevertheless,anaturalone,raisedbytime,absence,andchangeofheart.
Bothfeltit,andforaminutelookedatoneanotherasifthatinvisiblebarriercastalittleshadowoverthem.
Itwasgonedirectlyhowever,forLauriesaid,withavainattemptatdignity...
"Don'tIlooklikeamarriedmanandtheheadofafamily?"
"Notabit,andyouneverwill.You'vegrownbiggerandbonnier,butyouarethesamescapegraceasever."
"Nowreally,Jo,yououghttotreatmewithmorerespect,"beganLaurie,whoenjoyeditallimmensely.
"HowcanI,whenthemereideaofyou,marriedandsettled,issoirresistiblyfunnythatIcan'tkeepsober!"
answeredJo,smilingalloverherface,soinfectiouslythattheyhadanotherlaugh,andthensettleddownforagoodtalk,quiteinthepleasantoldfashion.
"It'snouseyourgoingoutinthecoldtogetAmy,fortheyareallcominguppresently.Icouldn'twait.
Iwantedtobetheonetotellyouthegrandsurprise,andhave'firstskim'asweusedtosaywhenwesquabbledaboutthecream."
"Ofcourseyoudid,andspoiledyourstorybybeginningatthewrongend.Now,startright,andtellmehowitallhappened.I'mpiningtoknow."
"Well,IdidittopleaseAmy,"beganLaurie,withatwinklethatmadeJoexclaim...
"Fibnumberone.Amydidittopleaseyou.Goon,andtellthetruth,ifyoucan,sir."
"Nowshe'sbeginningtomarmit.Isn'titjollytohearher?"
saidLaurietothefire,andthefireglowedandsparkledasifitquiteagreed.
"It'sallthesame,youknow,sheandIbeingone.
WeplannedtocomehomewiththeCarrols,amonthormoreago,buttheysuddenlychangedtheirminds,anddecidedtopassanotherwinterinParis.ButGrandpawantedtocomehome.
Hewenttopleaseme,andIcouldn'tlethimgoalone,neithercouldIleaveAmy,andMrs.CarrolhadgotEnglishnotionsaboutchaperonsandsuchnonsense,andwouldn'tletAmycomewithus.
SoIjustsettledthedifficultybysaying,'Let'sbemarried,andthenwecandoaswelike'."
"Ofcourseyoudid.Youalwayshavethingstosuityou."
"Notalways,"andsomethinginLaurie'svoicemadeJosayhastily...
"HowdidyouevergetAunttoagree?"
"Itwashardwork,butbetweenus,wetalkedherover,forwehadheapsofgoodreasonsonourside.
Therewasn'ttimetowriteandaskleave,butyoualllikedit,hadconsentedtoitby–and–by,anditwasonly'takingtimebythefetlock',asmywifesays."
"Aren'tweproudofthosetwowords,anddon'tweliketosaythem?"
interruptedJo,addressingthefireinherturn,andwatchingwithdelightthehappylightitseemedtokindleintheeyesthathadbeensotragicallygloomywhenshesawthemlast.
"Atrifle,perhaps,she'ssuchacaptivatinglittlewomanIcan'thelpbeingproudofher.
Well,thenUncleandAuntweretheretoplaypropriety.
Weweresoabsorbedinoneanotherwewereofnomortaluseapart,andthatcharmingarrangementwouldmakeeverythingeasyallround,sowedidit."
"When,where,how?"askedJo,inafeveroffeminineinterestandcuriosity,forshecouldnotrealizeitaparticle.
"Sixweeksago,attheAmericanconsul's,inParis,averyquietweddingofcourse,foreveninourhappinesswedidn'tforgetdearlittleBeth."
Joputherhandinhisashesaidthat,andLauriegentlysmoothedthelittleredpillow,whichherememberedwell.
"Whydidn'tyouletusknowafterward?"askedJo,inaquietertone,whentheyhadsatquitestillaminute.
"Wewantedtosurpriseyou.Wethoughtwewerecomingdirectlyhome,atfirst,butthedearoldgentleman,assoonasweweremarried,foundhecouldn'tbereadyunderamonth,atleast,andsentusofftospendourhoneymoonwhereverweliked.
AmyhadoncecalledValrosaaregularhoneymoonhome,sowewentthere,andwereashappyaspeoplearebutonceintheirlives.Myfaith!Wasn'titloveamongtheroses!"
LaurieseemedtoforgetJoforaminute,andJowasgladofit,forthefactthathetoldherthesethingssofreelyandsonaturallyassuredherthathehadquiteforgivenandforgotten.
Shetriedtodrawawayherhand,butasifheguessedthethoughtthatpromptedthehalf–involuntaryimpulse,Lauriehelditfast,andsaid,withamanlygravityshehadneverseeninhimbefore...
"Jo,dear,Iwanttosayonething,andthenwe'llputitbyforever.
AsItoldyouinmyletterwhenIwrotethatAmyhadbeensokindtome,Inevershallstoplovingyou,buttheloveisaltered,andIhavelearnedtoseethatitisbetterasitis.
Amyandyouchangedplacesinmyheart,that'sall.
Ithinkitwasmeanttobeso,andwouldhavecomeaboutnaturally,ifIhadwaited,asyoutriedtomakeme,butInevercouldbepatient,andsoIgotaheartache.
Iwasaboythen,headstrongandviolent,andittookahardlessontoshowmemymistake.
Foritwasone,Jo,asyousaid,andIfounditout,aftermakingafoolofmyself.
Uponmyword,Iwassotumbledupinmymind,atonetime,thatIdidn'tknowwhichIlovedbest,youorAmy,andtriedtoloveyoubothalike.
ButIcouldn't,andwhenIsawherinSwitzerland,everythingseemedtoclearupallatonce.
Youbothgotintoyourrightplaces,andIfeltsurethatitwaswelloffwiththeoldlovebeforeitwasonwiththenew,thatIcouldhonestlysharemyheartbetweensisterJoandwifeAmy,andlovethemdearly.
Willyoubelieveit,andgobacktothehappyoldtimeswhenwefirstknewoneanother?"
"I'llbelieveit,withallmyheart,but,Teddy,wenevercanbeboyandgirlagain.
Thehappyoldtimescan'tcomeback,andwemustn'texpectit.
Wearemanandwomannow,withsoberworktodo,forplaytimeisover,andwemustgiveupfrolicking.I'msureyoufeelthis.
Iseethechangeinyou,andyou'llfinditinme.
Ishallmissmyboy,butIshalllovethemanasmuch,andadmirehimmore,becausehemeanstobewhatIhopedhewould.
Wecan'tbelittleplaymatesanylonger,butwewillbebrotherandsister,toloveandhelponeanotherallourlives,won'twe,Laurie?"
Hedidnotsayaword,buttookthehandsheofferedhim,andlaidhisfacedownonitforaminute,feelingthatoutofthegraveofaboyishpassion,therehadrisenabeautiful,strongfriendshiptoblessthemboth.
PresentlyJosaidcheerfully,forshedidn'twantthecominghometobeasadone,"Ican'tmakeittruethatyouchildrenarereallymarriedandgoingtosetuphousekeeping.
Why,itseemsonlyyesterdaythatIwasbuttoningAmy'spinafore,andpullingyourhairwhenyouteased.Mercyme,howtimedoesfly!"
"Asoneofthechildrenisolderthanyourself,youneedn'ttalksolikeagrandma.
IflattermyselfI'ma'gentlemangrowed'asPeggottysaidofDavid,andwhenyouseeAmy,you'llfindherratheraprecociousinfant,"saidLaurie,lookingamusedathermaternalair.
"Youmaybealittleolderinyears,butI'meversomucholderinfeeling,Teddy.Womenalwaysare,andthislastyearhasbeensuchahardonethatIfeelforty."
"PoorJo!Weleftyoutobearitalone,whilewewentpleasuring.Youareolder.Here'saline,andthere'sanother.
Unlessyousmile,youreyeslooksad,andwhenItouchedthecushion,justnow,Ifoundatearonit.
You'vehadagreatdealtobear,andhadtobearitallalone.WhataselfishbeastI'vebeen!"
andLauriepulledhisownhair,witharemorsefullook.
ButJoonlyturnedoverthetraitorouspillow,andanswered,inatonewhichshetriedtomakemorecheerful,"No,IhadFatherandMothertohelpme,andthedearbabiestocomfortme,andthethoughtthatyouandAmyweresafeandhappy,tomakethetroubleshereeasiertobear.
Iamlonely,sometimes,butIdaresayit'sgoodforme,and..."
"Younevershallbeagain,"brokeinLaurie,puttinghisarmabouther,asiftofenceouteveryhumanill.
"AmyandIcan'tgetonwithoutyou,soyoumustcomeandteach'thechildren'tokeephouse,andgohalvesineverything,justasweusedtodo,andletuspetyou,andallbeblissfullyhappyandfriendlytogether."
"IfIshouldn'tbeintheway,itwouldbeverypleasant.
Ibegintofeelquiteyoungalready,forsomehowallmytroublesseemedtoflyawaywhenyoucame.
Youalwayswereacomfort,Teddy,"andJoleanedherheadonhisshoulder,justasshedidyearsago,whenBethlayillandLaurietoldhertoholdontohim.
Helookeddownather,wonderingifsherememberedthetime,butJowassmilingtoherself,asifintruthhertroubleshadallvanishedathiscoming.
"YouarethesameJostill,droppingtearsaboutoneminute,andlaughingthenext.Youlookalittlewickednow.Whatisit,Grandma?"
"IwaswonderinghowyouandAmygetontogether."
"Likeangels!"
"Yes,ofcourse,butwhichrules?"
"Idon'tmindtellingyouthatshedoesnow,atleastIletherthinkso,itpleasesher,youknow.
By–and–byweshalltaketurns,formarriage,theysay,halvesone'srightsanddoublesone'sduties."
"You'llgoonasyoubegin,andAmywillruleyouallthedaysofyourlife."
"Well,shedoesitsoimperceptiblythatIdon'tthinkIshallmindmuch.
Sheisthesortofwomanwhoknowshowtorulewell.
Infact,Iratherlikeit,forshewindsoneroundherfingerassoftlyandprettilyasaskeinofsilk,andmakesyoufeelasifshewasdoingyouafavorallthewhile."
"ThateverIshouldlivetoseeyouahenpeckedhusbandandenjoyingit!"criedJo,withupliftedhands.
ItwasgoodtoseeLauriesquarehisshoulders,andsmilewithmasculinescornatthatinsinuation,ashereplied,withhis"highandmighty"air,"Amyistoowell–bredforthat,andIamnotthesortofmantosubmittoit.
MywifeandIrespectourselvesandoneanothertoomuchevertotyrannizeorquarrel."
Jolikedthat,andthoughtthenewdignityverybecoming,buttheboyseemedchangingveryfastintotheman,andregretmingledwithherpleasure.
"Iamsureofthat.Amyandyouneverdidquarrelasweusedto.SheisthesunandIthewind,inthefable,andthesunmanagedthemanbest,youremember."
"Shecanblowhimupaswellasshineonhim,"laughedLaurie."suchalectureasIgotatNice!
Igiveyoumyworditwasadealworsethananyofyourscoldings,aregularrouser.
I'lltellyouallaboutitsometime,sheneverwill,becauseaftertellingmethatshedespisedandwasashamedofme,shelostherhearttothedespicablepartyandmarriedthegood–for–nothing."
"Whatbaseness!Well,ifsheabusesyou,cometome,andI'lldefendyou."
"IlookasifIneededit,don'tI?"saidLaurie,gettingupandstrikinganattitudewhichsuddenlychangedfromtheimposingtotherapturous,asAmy'svoicewasheardcalling,"Whereisshe?Where'smydearoldJo?"
Introopedthewholefamily,andeveryonewashuggedandkissedalloveragain,andafterseveralvainattempts,thethreewanderersweresetdowntobelookedatandexultedover.
Mr.Laurence,haleandheartyasever,wasquiteasmuchimprovedastheothersbyhisforeigntour,forthecrustinessseemedtobenearlygone,andtheold–fashionedcourtlinesshadreceivedapolishwhichmadeitkindlierthanever.
Itwasgoodtoseehimbeamat'mychildren',ashecalledtheyoungpair.
ItwasbetterstilltoseeAmypayhimthedaughterlydutyandaffectionwhichcompletelywonhisoldheart,andbestofall,towatchLaurierevolveaboutthetwo,asifnevertiredofenjoyingtheprettypicturetheymade.
TheminutesheputhereyesuponAmy,Megbecameconsciousthatherowndresshadn'taParisianair,thatyoungMrs.MoffatwouldbeentirelyeclipsedbyyoungMrs.Laurence,andthat'herladyship'wasaltogetheramostelegantandgracefulwoman.
Jothought,asshewatchedthepair,"Howwelltheylooktogether!
Iwasright,andLauriehasfoundthebeautiful,accomplishedgirlwhowillbecomehishomebetterthanclumsyoldJo,andbeapride,notatormenttohim."
Mrs.Marchandherhusbandsmiledandnoddedateachotherwithhappyfaces,fortheysawthattheiryoungesthaddonewell,notonlyinworldlythings,butthebetterwealthoflove,confidence,andhappiness.
ForAmy'sfacewasfullofthesoftbrightnesswhichbetokensapeacefulheart,hervoicehadanewtendernessinit,andthecool,primcarriagewaschangedtoagentledignity,bothwomanlyandwinning.
Nolittleaffectationsmarredit,andthecordialsweetnessofhermannerwasmorecharmingthanthenewbeautyortheoldgrace,foritstampedheratoncewiththeunmistakablesignofthetruegentlewomanshehadhopedtobecome.
"Lovehasdonemuchforourlittlegirl,"saidhermothersoftly.
"Shehashadagoodexamplebeforeherallherlife,mydear,"Mr.Marchwhisperedback,withalovinglookatthewornfaceandgrayheadbesidehim.
Daisyfounditimpossibletokeephereyesoffher'pittyaunty',butattachedherselflikealapdogtothewonderfulchatelainefullofdelightfulcharms.
Demipausedtoconsiderthenewrelationshipbeforehecompromisedhimselfbytherashacceptanceofabribe,whichtookthetemptingformofafamilyofwoodenbearsfromBerne.
Aflankmovementproducedanunconditionalsurrender,however,forLaurieknewwheretohavehim.
"Youngman,whenIfirsthadthehonorofmakingyouracquaintanceyouhitmeintheface.
NowIdemandthesatisfactionofagentleman,"andwiththatthetalluncleproceededtotossandtouslethesmallnephewinawaythatdamagedhisphilosophicaldignityasmuchasitdelightedhisboyishsoul.
"Blestifsheain'tinsilkfromheadtofoot;ain'titarelishin'sighttoseehersettin'thereasfineasafiddle,andhearfolkscallinglittleAmy'Mis.Laurence!'"
mutteredoldHannah,whocouldnotresistfrequent"peeks"throughtheslideasshesetthetableinamostdecidedlypromiscuousmanner.
Mercyonus,howtheydidtalk!firstone,thentheother,thenallburstouttogether––tryingtotellthehistoryofthreeyearsinhalfanhour.
Itwasfortunatethatteawasathand,toproducealullandproviderefreshment––fortheywouldhavebeenhoarseandfaintiftheyhadgoneonmuchlonger.
Suchahappyprocessionasfiledawayintothelittlediningroom!
Mr.MarchproudlyescortedMrs.Laurence.
Mrs.Marchasproudlyleanedonthearmof'myson'.
TheoldgentlemantookJo,withawhispered,"Youmustbemygirlnow,"andaglanceattheemptycornerbythefire,thatmadeJowhisperback,"I'lltrytofillherplace,sir."
Thetwinsprancedbehind,feelingthatthemillenniumwasathand,foreveryonewassobusywiththenewcomersthattheywerelefttorevelattheirownsweetwill,andyoumaybesuretheymadethemostoftheopportunity.
Didn'ttheystealsipsoftea,stuffgingerbreadadlibitum,getahotbiscuitapiece,andasacrowningtrespass,didn'ttheyeachwhiskacaptivatinglittletartintotheirtinypockets,theretostickandcrumbletreacherously,teachingthemthatbothhumannatureandapastryarefrail?
Burdenedwiththeguiltyconsciousnessofthesequesteredtarts,andfearingthatDodo'ssharpeyeswouldpiercethethindisguiseofcambricandmerinowhichhidtheirbooty,thelittlesinnersattachedthemselvesto'Dranpa',whohadn'thisspectacleson.
Amy,whowashandedaboutlikerefreshments,returnedtotheparloronFatherLaurence'sarm.
Theotherspairedoffasbefore,andthisarrangementleftJocompanionless.
Shedidnotminditattheminute,forshelingeredtoanswerHannah'seagerinquiry.
"WillMissAmyrideinhercoop(coupe),anduseallthemlovelysilverdishesthat'sstoredawayoveryander?"
"Shouldn'twonderifshedrovesixwhitehorses,ateoffgoldplate,andworediamondsandpointlaceeveryday.Teddythinksnothingtoogoodforher,"returnedJowithinfinitesatisfaction.
"Nomorethereis!Willyouhavehashorfishballsforbreakfast?"askedHannah,whowiselymingledpoetryandprose.
"Idon'tcare,"andJoshutthedoor,feelingthatfoodwasanuncongenialtopicjustthen.
Shestoodaminutelookingatthepartyvanishingabove,andasDemi'sshortplaidlegstoiledupthelaststair,asuddensenseoflonelinesscameoverhersostronglythatshelookedaboutherwithdimeyes,asiftofindsomethingtoleanupon,forevenTeddyhaddesertedher.
Ifshehadknownwhatbirthdaygiftwascomingeveryminutenearerandnearer,shewouldnothavesaidtoherself,"I'llweepalittleweepwhenIgotobed.Itwon'tdotobedismalnow."
Thenshedrewherhandoverhereyes,foroneofherboyishhabitswasnevertoknowwhereherhandkerchiefwas,andhadjustmanagedtocallupasmilewhentherecameaknockattheporchdoor.
Sheopenedwithhospitablehaste,andstartedasifanotherghosthadcometosurpriseher,fortherestoodatallbeardedgentleman,beamingonherfromthedarknesslikeamidnightsun.
"Oh,Mr.Bhaer,Iamsogladtoseeyou!"criedJo,withaclutch,asifshefearedthenightwouldswallowhimupbeforeshecouldgethimin.
"AndItoseeMissMarsch,butno,youhafaparty,"andtheProfessorpausedasthesoundofvoicesandthetapofdancingfeetcamedowntothem.
"No,wehaven't,onlythefamily.Mysisterandfriendshavejustcomehome,andweareallveryhappy.Comein,andmakeoneofus."
Thoughaverysocialman,IthinkMr.Bhaerwouldhavegonedecorouslyaway,andcomeagainanotherday,buthowcouldhe,whenJoshutthedoorbehindhim,andberefthimofhishat?
Perhapsherfacehadsomethingtodowithit,forsheforgottohideherjoyatseeinghim,andshoweditwithafranknessthatprovedirresistibletothesolitaryman,whosewelcomefarexceededhisboldesthopes.
"IfIshallnotbeMonsieurdeTrop,Iwillsogladlyseethemall.Youhafbeenill,myfriend?"
Heputthequestionabruptly,for,asJohunguphiscoat,thelightfellonherface,andhesawachangeinit.
"Notill,buttiredandsorrowful.WehavehadtroublesinceIsawyoulast."
"Ah,yes,Iknow.MyheartwassoreforyouwhenIheardthat,"andheshookhandsagain,withsuchasympatheticfacethatJofeltasifnocomfortcouldequalthelookofthekindeyes,thegraspofthebig,warmhand.
"Father,Mother,thisismyfriend,ProfessorBhaer,"shesaid,withafaceandtoneofsuchirrepressibleprideandpleasurethatshemightaswellhaveblownatrumpetandopenedthedoorwithaflourish.
Ifthestrangerhadanydoubtsabouthisreception,theyweresetatrestinaminutebythecordialwelcomehereceived.
Everyonegreetedhimkindly,forJo'ssakeatfirst,butverysoontheylikedhimforhisown.
Theycouldnothelpit,forhecarriedthetalismanthatopensallhearts,andthesesimplepeoplewarmedtohimatonce,feelingeventhemorefriendlybecausehewaspoor.
Forpovertyenrichesthosewholiveaboveit,andisasurepassporttotrulyhospitablespirits.
Mr.Bhaersatlookingabouthimwiththeairofatravelerwhoknocksatastrangedoor,andwhenitopens,findshimselfathome.
Thechildrenwenttohimlikebeestoahoneypot,andestablishingthemselvesoneachknee,proceededtocaptivatehimbyriflinghispockets,pullinghisbeard,andinvestigatinghiswatch,withjuvenileaudacity.
Thewomentelegraphedtheirapprovaltooneanother,andMr.March,feelingthathehadgotakindredspirit,openedhischoiceststoresforhisguest'sbenefit,whilesilentJohnlistenedandenjoyedthetalk,butsaidnotaword,andMr.Laurencefounditimpossibletogotosleep.
IfJohadnotbeenotherwiseengaged,Laurie'sbehaviorwouldhaveamusedher,forafainttwinge,notofjealousy,butsomethinglikesuspicion,causedthatgentlemantostandaloofatfirst,andobservethenewcomerwithbrotherlycircumspection.Butitdidnotlastlong.
Hegotinterestedinspiteofhimself,andbeforeheknewit,wasdrawnintothecircle.
ForMr.Bhaertalkedwellinthisgenialatmosphere,anddidhimselfjustice.
HeseldomspoketoLaurie,buthelookedathimoften,andashadowwouldpassacrosshisface,asifregrettinghisownlostyouth,ashewatchedtheyoungmaninhisprime.
ThenhiseyeswouldturntoJosowistfullythatshewouldhavesurelyansweredthemuteinquiryifshehadseenit.
ButJohadherowneyestotakecareof,andfeelingthattheycouldnotbetrusted,sheprudentlykeptthemonthelittlesockshewasknitting,likeamodelmaidenaunt.
Astealthyglancenowandthenrefreshedherlikesipsoffreshwaterafteradustywalk,forthesidelongpeepsshowedherseveralpropitiousomens.
Mr.Bhaer'sfacehadlosttheabsent–mindedexpression,andlookedallalivewithinterestinthepresentmoment,actuallyyoungandhandsome,shethought,forgettingtocomparehimwithLaurie,assheusuallydidstrangemen,totheirgreatdetriment.
Thenheseemedquiteinspired,thoughtheburialcustomsoftheancients,towhichtheconversationhadstrayed,mightnotbeconsideredanexhilaratingtopic.
JoquiteglowedwithtriumphwhenTeddygotquenchedinanargument,andthoughttoherself,asshewatchedherfather'sabsorbedface,"HowhewouldenjoyhavingsuchamanasmyProfessortotalkwitheveryday!"
Lastly,Mr.Bhaerwasdressedinanewsuitofblack,whichmadehimlookmorelikeagentlemanthanever.
Hisbushyhairhadbeencutandsmoothlybrushed,butdidn'tstayinorderlong,forinexcitingmoments,herumpleditupinthedrollwayheusedtodo,andJolikeditrampantlyerectbetterthanflat,becauseshethoughtitgavehisfineforeheadaJove–likeaspect.
PoorJo,howshedidglorifythatplainman,asshesatknittingawaysoquietly,yetlettingnothingescapeher,noteventhefactthatMr.Bhaeractuallyhadgoldsleeve–buttonsinhisimmaculatewristbands.
"Dearoldfellow!Hecouldn'thavegothimselfupwithmorecareifhe'dbeengoinga–wooing,"saidJotoherself,andthenasuddenthoughtbornofthewordsmadeherblushsodreadfullythatshehadtodropherball,andgodownafterittohideherface.
Themaneuverdidnotsucceedaswellassheexpected,however,forthoughjustintheactofsettingfiretoafuneralpyre,theProfessordroppedhistorch,metaphoricallyspeaking,andmadeadiveafterthelittleblueball.
Ofcoursetheybumpedtheirheadssmartlytogether,sawstars,andbothcameupflushedandlaughing,withouttheball,toresumetheirseats,wishingtheyhadnotleftthem.
Nobodyknewwheretheeveningwentto,forHannahskillfullyabstractedthebabiesatanearlyhour,noddingliketworosypoppies,andMr.Laurencewenthometorest.
Theotherssatroundthefire,talkingaway,utterlyregardlessofthelapseoftime,tillMeg,whosematernalmindwasimpressedwithafirmconvictionthatDaisyhadtumbledoutofbed,andDemisethisnightgownafirestudyingthestructureofmatches,madeamovetogo.
"Wemusthaveoursing,inthegoodoldway,forwearealltogetheragainoncemore,"saidJo,feelingthatagoodshoutwouldbeasafeandpleasantventforthejubilantemotionsofhersoul.
Theywerenotallthere.Butnoonefoundthewordsthougtlessoruntrue,forBethstillseemedamongthem,apeacefulpresence,invisible,butdearerthanever,sincedeathcouldnotbreakthehouseholdleaguethatlovemadedisoluble.
Thelittlechairstoodinitsoldplace.
Thetidybasket,withthebitofworksheleftunfinishedwhentheneedlegrew'soheavy',wasstillonitsaccustomedshelf.
Thebelovedinstrument,seldomtouchednowhadnotbeenmoved,andaboveitBeth'sface,sereneandsmiling,asintheearlydays,lookeddownuponthem,seemingtosay,"Behappy.Iamhere."
"Playsomething,Amy.Letthemhearhowmuchyouhaveimproved,"saidLaurie,withpardonableprideinhispromisingpupil.
ButAmywhispered,withfulleyes,asshetwirledthefadedstool,"Nottonight,dear.Ican'tshowofftonight."
Butshedidshowsomethingbetterthanbrilliancyorskill,forshesangBeth'ssongswithatendermusicinhervoicewhichthebestmastercouldnothavetaught,andtouchedthelistener'sheartswithasweeterpowerthananyotherinspirationcouldhavegivenher.
Theroomwasverystill,whentheclearvoicefailedsuddenlyatthelastlineofBeth'sfavoritehymn.Itwashardtosay...
Earthhathnosorrowthatheavencannotheal;
andAmyleanedagainstherhusband,whostoodbehindher,feelingthatherwelcomehomewasnotquiteperfectwithoutBeth'skiss.
"Now,wemustfinishwithMignon'ssong,forMr.Bhaersingsthat,"saidJo,beforethepausegrewpainful.
AndMr.Bhaerclearedhisthroatwithagratified"Hem!"
ashesteppedintothecornerwhereJostood,saying...
"Youwillsingwithme?Wegoexcellentlywelltogether."
Apleasingfiction,bytheway,forJohadnomoreideaofmusicthanagrasshopper.
Butshewouldhaveconsentedifhehadproposedtosingawholeopera,andwarbledaway,blissfullyregardlessoftimeandtune.
Itdidn'tmuchmatter,forMr.BhaersanglikeatrueGerman,heartilyandwell,andJosoonsubsidedintoasubduedhum,thatshemightlistentothemellowvoicethatseemedtosingforheralone.
Know'stthouthelandwherethecitronblooms,
usedtobetheProfessor'sfavoriteline,for'dasland'meantGermanytohim,butnowheseemedtodwell,withpeculiarwarmthandmelody,uponthewords...
There,ohthere,mightIwiththee,
O,mybeloved,go
andonelistenerwassothrilledbythetenderinvitationthatshelongedtosayshedidknowtheland,andwouldjoyfullydepartthitherwheneverheliked.
Thesongwasconsideredagreatsuccess,andthesingerretiredcoveredwithlaurels.
Butafewminutesafterward,heforgothismannersentirely,andstaredatAmyputtingonherbonnet,forshehadbeenintroducedsimplyas'mysister',andnoonehadcalledherbyhernewnamesincehecame.
HeforgothimselfstillfurtherwhenLauriesaid,inhismostgraciousmanner,atparting...
"MywifeandIareverygladtomeetyou,sir.Pleaserememberthatthereisalwaysawelcomewaitingforyouovertheway."
ThentheProfessorthankedhimsoheartily,andlookedsosuddenlyilluminatedwithsatisfaction,thatLauriethoughthimthemostdelightfullydemonstrativeoldfellowheevermet.
"Itooshallgo,butIshallgladlycomeagain,ifyouwillgifmeleave,dearmadame,foralittlebusinessinthecitywillkeepmeheresomedays."
HespoketoMrs.March,buthelookedatJo,andthemother'svoicegaveascordialanassentasdidthedaughter'seyes,forMrs.Marchwasnotsoblindtoherchildren'sinterestasMrs.Moffatsupposed.
"Isuspectthatisawiseman,"remarkedMr.March,withplacidsatisfaction,fromthehearthrug,afterthelastguesthadgone.
"Iknowheisagoodone,"addedMrs.March,withdecidedapproval,asshewounduptheclock.
"Ithoughtyou'dlikehim,"wasallJosaid,assheslippedawaytoherbed.
ShewonderedwhatthebusinesswasthatbroughtMr.Bhaertothecity,andfinallydecidedthathehadbeenappointedtosomegreathonor,somewhere,buthadbeentoomodesttomentionthefact.
Ifshehadseenhisfacewhen,safeinhisownroom,helookedatthepictureofasevereandrigidyounglady,withagooddealofhair,whoappearedtobegazingdarklyintofuturity,itmighthavethrownsomelightuponthesubject,especiallywhenheturnedoffthegas,andkissedthepictureinthedark.
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