English
WhileLaurieandAmyweretakingconjugalstrollsovervelvetcarpets,astheysettheirhouseinorder,andplannedablissfulfuture,Mr.BhaerandJowereenjoyingpromenadesofadifferentsort,alongmuddyroadsandsoddenfields.
"Ialwaysdotakeawalktowardevening,andIdon'tknowwhyIshouldgiveitup,justbecauseIhappentomeettheProfessoronhiswayout,"saidJotoherself,aftertwoorthreeencounters,forthoughthereweretwopathstoMeg'swhicheveroneshetookshewassuretomeethim,eithergoingorreturning.
Hewasalwayswalkingrapidly,andneverseemedtoseeheruntilquiteclose,whenhewouldlookasifhisshort–sightedeyeshadfailedtorecognizetheapproachingladytillthatmoment.
Then,ifshewasgoingtoMeg'shealwayshadsomethingforthebabies.
Ifherfacewasturnedhomeward,hehadmerelystrolleddowntoseetheriver,andwasjustreturning,unlesstheyweretiredofhisfrequentcalls.
Underthecircumstances,whatcouldJodobutgreethimcivilly,andinvitehimin?
Ifshewastiredofhisvisits,sheconcealedherwearinesswithperfectskill,andtookcarethatthereshouldbecoffeeforsupper,"asFriedrich––ImeanMr.Bhaer––doesn'tliketea."
Bythesecondweek,everyoneknewperfectlywellwhatwasgoingon,yeteveryonetriedtolookasiftheywerestone–blindtothechangesinJo'sface.
Theyneveraskedwhyshesangaboutherwork,didupherhairthreetimesaday,andgotsobloomingwithhereveningexercise.
AndnooneseemedtohavetheslightestsuspicionthatProfessorBhaer,whiletalkingphilosophywiththefather,wasgivingthedaughterlessonsinlove.
Jocouldn'tevenloseherheartinadecorousmanner,butsternlytriedtoquenchherfeelings,andfailingtodoso,ledasomewhatagitatedlife.
Shewasmortallyafraidofbeinglaughedatforsurrendering,afterhermanyandvehementdeclarationsofindependence.
Lauriewasherespecialdread,butthankstothenewmanager,hebehavedwithpraiseworthypropriety,nevercalledMr.Bhaer'acapitaloldfellow'inpublic,neveralluded,intheremotestmanner,toJo'simprovedappearance,orexpressedtheleastsurpriseatseeingtheProfessor'shatontheMarches'tablenearlyeveryevening.
ButheexultedinprivateandlongedforthetimetocomewhenhecouldgiveJoapieceofplate,withabearandaraggedstaffonitasanappropriatecoatofarms.
Forafortnight,theProfessorcameandwentwithlover–likeregularity.
Thenhestayedawayforthreewholedays,andmadenosign,aproceedingwhichcausedeverybodytolooksober,andJotobecomepensive,atfirst,andthen––alasforromance––verycross.
"Disgusted,Idaresay,andgonehomeassuddenlyashecame.
It'snothingtome,ofcourse,butIshouldthinkhewouldhavecomeandbidusgoodbyelikeagentleman,"shesaidtoherself,withadespairinglookatthegate,assheputonherthingsforthecustomarywalkonedullafternoon.
"You'dbettertakethelittleumbrella,dear.Itlookslikerain,"saidhermother,observingthatshehadonhernewbonnet,butnotalludingtothefact.
"Yes,Marmee,doyouwantanythingintown?I'vegottoruninandgetsomepaper,"returnedJo,pullingoutthebowunderherchinbeforetheglassasanexcusefornotlookingathermother.
"Yes,Iwantsometwilledsilesia,apaperofnumbernineneedles,andtwoyardsofnarrowlavenderribbon.Haveyougotyourthickbootson,andsomethingwarmunderyourcloak?"
"Ibelieveso,"answeredJoabsently.
"IfyouhappentomeetMr.Bhaer,bringhimhometotea.Iquitelongtoseethedearman,"addedMrs.March.
Joheardthat,butmadenoanswer,excepttokisshermother,andwalkrapidlyaway,thinkingwithaglowofgratitude,inspiteofherheartache,"Howgoodsheistome!
Whatdogirlsdowhohaven'tanymotherstohelpthemthroughtheirtroubles?"
Thedry–goodsstoreswerenotdownamongthecounting–houses,banks,andwholesalewarerooms,wheregentlemenmostdocongregate,butJofoundherselfinthatpartofthecitybeforeshedidasingleerrand,loiteringalongasifwaitingforsomeone,examiningengineeringinstrumentsinonewindowandsamplesofwoolinanother,withmostunfeminineinterest,tumblingoverbarrels,beinghalf–smotheredbydescendingbales,andhustledunceremoniouslybybusymenwholookedasiftheywondered'howthedeuceshegotthere'.
Adropofrainonhercheekrecalledherthoughtsfrombaffledhopestoruinedribbons.
Forthedropscontinuedtofall,andbeingawomanaswellasalover,shefeltthat,thoughitwastoolatetosaveherheart,shemightherbonnet.
Nowsherememberedthelittleumbrella,whichshehadforgottentotakeinherhurrytobeoff,butregretwasunavailing,andnothingcouldbedonebutborrowoneorsubmittoadrenching.
Shelookedupattheloweringsky,downatthecrimsonbowalreadyfleckedwithblack,forwardalongthemuddystreet,thenonelong,lingeringlookbehind,atacertaingrimywarehouse,with'Hoffmann,Swartz,&Co.'overthedoor,andsaidtoherself,withasternlyreproachfulair...
"Itservesmeright!whatbusinesshadItoputonallmybestthingsandcomephilanderingdownhere,hopingtoseetheProfessor?Jo,I'mashamedofyou!
No,youshallnotgotheretoborrowanumbrella,orfindoutwhereheis,fromhisfriends.
Youshalltrudgeaway,anddoyourerrandsintherain,andifyoucatchyourdeathandruinyourbonnet,it'snomorethanyoudeserve.Nowthen!"
Withthatsherushedacrossthestreetsoimpetuouslythatshenarrowlyescapedannihilationfromapassingtruck,andprecipitatedherselfintothearmsofastatelyoldgentleman,whosaid,"Ibegpardon,ma'am,"andlookedmortallyoffended.
Somewhatdaunted,Jorightedherself,spreadherhandkerchiefoverthedevotedribbons,andputtingtemptationbehindher,hurriedon,withincreasingdampnessabouttheankles,andmuchclashingofumbrellasoverhead.
Thefactthatasomewhatdilapidatedblueoneremainedstationaryabovetheunprotectedbonnetattractedherattention,andlookingup,shesawMr.Bhaerlookingdown.
"Ifeeltoknowthestrong–mindedladywhogoessobravelyundermanyhorsenoses,andsofastthroughmuchmud.Whatdoyoudownhere,myfriend?"
"I'mshopping."
Mr.Bhaersmiled,asheglancedfromthepicklefactoryononesidetothewholesalehideandleatherconcernontheother,butheonlysaidpolitely,"Youhafnoumbrella.
MayIgoalso,andtakeforyouthebundles?"
"Yes,thankyou."
Jo'scheekswereasredasherribbon,andshewonderedwhathethoughtofher,butshedidn'tcare,forinaminuteshefoundherselfwalkingawayarminarmwithherProfessor,feelingasifthesunhadsuddenlyburstoutwithuncommonbrilliancy,thattheworldwasallrightagain,andthatonethoroughlyhappywomanwaspaddlingthroughthewetthatday.
"Wethoughtyouhadgone,"saidJohastily,forsheknewhewaslookingather.Herbonnetwasn'tbigenoughtohideherface,andshefearedhemightthinkthejoyitbetrayedunmaidenly.
"DidyoubelievethatIshouldgowithnofarewelltothosewhohafbeensoheavenlykindtome?"
heaskedsoreproachfullythatshefeltasifshehadinsultedhimbythesuggestion,andansweredheartily...
"No,Ididn't.Iknewyouwerebusyaboutyourownaffairs,butwerathermissedyou,FatherandMotherespecially."
"Andyou?"
"I'malwaysgladtoseeyou,sir."
Inheranxietytokeephervoicequitecalm,Jomadeitrathercool,andthefrostylittlemonosyllableattheendseemedtochilltheProfessor,forhissmilevanished,ashesaidgravely...
"Ithankyou,andcomeonemoretimebeforeIgo."
"Youaregoing,then?"
"Ihafnolongeranybusinesshere,itisdone."
"Successfully,Ihope?"saidJo,forthebitternessofdisappointmentwasinthatshortreplyofhis.
"Ioughttothinkso,forIhafawayopenedtomebywhichIcanmakemybreadandgifmyJunglingsmuchhelp."
"Tellme,please!Iliketoknowallaboutthe––theboys,"saidJoeagerly.
"Thatissokind,Igladlytellyou.Myfriendsfindformeaplaceinacollege,whereIteachasathome,andearnenoughtomakethewaysmoothforFranzandEmil.
ForthisIshouldbegrateful,shouldInot?"
"Indeedyoushould.Howsplendiditwillbetohaveyoudoingwhatyoulike,andbeabletoseeyouoften,andtheboys!"
criedJo,clingingtotheladsasanexcuseforthesatisfactionshecouldnothelpbetraying.
"Ah!Butweshallnotmeetoften,Ifear,thisplaceisattheWest."
"Sofaraway!"andJoleftherskirtstotheirfate,asifitdidn'tmatternowwhatbecameofherclothesorherself.
Mr.Bhaercouldreadseverallanguages,buthehadnotlearnedtoreadwomenyet.
HeflatteredhimselfthatheknewJoprettywell,andwas,therefore,muchamazedbythecontradictionsofvoice,face,andmanner,whichsheshowedhiminrapidsuccessionthatday,forshewasinhalfadozendifferentmoodsinthecourseofhalfanhour.
Whenshemethimshelookedsurprised,thoughitwasimpossibletohelpsuspectingthatshehadcomeforthatexpresspurpose.
Whenheofferedherhisarm,shetookitwithalookthatfilledhimwithdelight,butwhenheaskedifshemissedhim,shegavesuchachilly,formalreplythatdespairfelluponhim.
Onlearninghisgoodfortuneshealmostclappedherhands.Wasthejoyallfortheboys?
Thenonhearinghisdestination,shesaid,"Sofaraway!"
inatoneofdespairthatliftedhimontoapinnacleofhope,butthenextminuteshetumbledhimdownagainbyobserving,likeoneentirelyabsorbedinthematter...
"Here'stheplaceformyerrands.Willyoucomein?Itwon'ttakelong."
Joratherpridedherselfuponhershoppingcapabilities,andparticularlywishedtoimpressherescortwiththeneatnessanddispatchwithwhichshewouldaccomplishthebusiness.
Butowingtothefluttershewasin,everythingwentamiss.
Sheupsetthetrayofneedles,forgotthesilesiawastobe'twilled'tillitwascutoff,gavethewrongchange,andcoveredherselfwithconfusionbyaskingforlavenderribbonatthecalicocounter.
Mr.Bhaerstoodby,watchingherblushandblunder,andashewatched,hisownbewildermentseemedtosubside,forhewasbeginningtoseethatonsomeoccasions,women,likedreams,gobycontraries.
Whentheycameout,heputtheparcelunderhisarmwithamorecheerfulaspect,andsplashedthroughthepuddlesasifheratherenjoyeditonthewhole.
"Shouldwenodoalittlewhatyoucallshoppingforthebabies,andhafafarewellfeasttonightifIgoformylastcallatyoursopleasanthome?"
heasked,stoppingbeforeawindowfulloffruitandflowers.
"Whatwillwebuy?"askedJo,ignoringthelatterpartofhisspeech,andsniffingthemingledodorswithanaffectationofdelightastheywentin.
"Maytheyhaforangesandfigs?"askedMr.Bhaer,withapaternalair.
"Theyeatthemwhentheycangetthem."
"Doyoucarefornuts?"
"Likeasquirrel."
"Hamburggrapes.Yes,weshalldrinktotheFatherlandinthose?"
Jofrowneduponthatpieceofextravagance,andaskedwhyhedidn'tbuyafrailofdates,acaskofraisins,andabagofalmonds,andbedonewithit?
WhereatMr.Bhaerconfiscatedherpurse,producedhisown,andfinishedthemarketingbybuyingseveralpoundsofgrapes,apotofrosydaisies,andaprettyjarofhoney,toberegardedinthelightofademijohn.
Thendistortinghispocketswithknobbybundles,andgivinghertheflowerstohold,heputuptheoldumbrella,andtheytraveledonagain.
"MissMarsch,Ihafagreatfavortoaskofyou,"begantheProfessor,afteramoistpromenadeofhalfablock.
"Yes,sir?"andJo'sheartbegantobeatsohardshewasafraidhewouldhearit.
"Iamboldtosayitinspiteoftherain,becausesoshortatimeremainstome."
"Yes,sir,"andJonearlycrushedthesmallflowerpotwiththesuddensqueezeshegaveit.
"IwishtogetalittledressformyTina,andIamtoostupidtogoalone.Willyoukindlygifmeawordoftasteandhelp?"
"Yes,sir,"andJofeltascalmandcoolallofasuddenasifshehadsteppedintoarefrigerator.
"PerhapsalsoashawlforTina'smother,sheissopoorandsick,andthehusbandissuchacare.Yes,yes,athick,warmshawlwouldbeafriendlythingtotakethelittlemother."
"I'lldoitwithpleasure,Mr.Bhaer.""I'mgoingveryfast,andhe'sgettingdearereveryminute,"addedJotoherself,thenwithamentalshakesheenteredintothebusinesswithanenergythatwaspleasanttobehold.
Mr.Bhaerleftitalltoher,soshechoseaprettygownforTina,andthenorderedouttheshawls.
Theclerk,beingamarriedman,condescendedtotakeaninterestinthecouple,whoappearedtobeshoppingfortheirfamily.
"Yourladymaypreferthis.It'sasuperiorarticle,amostdesirablecolor,quitechasteandgenteel,"hesaid,shakingoutacomfortablegrayshawl,andthrowingitoverJo'sshoulders.
"Doesthissuityou,Mr.Bhaer?"sheasked,turningherbacktohim,andfeelingdeeplygratefulforthechanceofhidingherface.
"Excellentlywell,wewillhafit,"answeredtheProfessor,smilingtohimselfashepaidforit,whileJocontinuedtorummagethecounterslikeaconfirmedbargain–hunter.
"Nowshallwegohome?"heasked,asifthewordswereverypleasanttohim.
"Yes,it'slate,andI'msotired."Jo'svoicewasmorepatheticthansheknew.
Fornowthesunseemedtohavegoneinassuddenlyasitcameout,andtheworldgrewmuddyandmiserableagain,andforthefirsttimeshediscoveredthatherfeetwerecold,herheadached,andthatherheartwascolderthantheformer,fullerofpainthanthelatter.
Mr.Bhaerwasgoingaway,heonlycaredforherasafriend,itwasallamistake,andthesooneritwasoverthebetter.
Withthisideainherhead,shehailedanapproachingomnibuswithsuchahastygesturethatthedaisiesflewoutofthepotandwerebadlydamaged.
"Thisisnotouromniboos,"saidtheProfessor,wavingtheloadedvehicleaway,andstoppingtopickupthepoorlittleflowers.
"Ibegyourpardon.Ididn'tseethenamedistinctly.Nevermind,Icanwalk.I'musedtoploddinginthemud,"returnedJo,winkinghard,becauseshewouldhavediedratherthanopenlywipehereyes.
Mr.Bhaersawthedropsonhercheeks,thoughsheturnedherheadaway.
Thesightseemedtotouchhimverymuch,forsuddenlystoopingdown,heaskedinatonethatmeantagreatdeal,"Heart'sdearest,whydoyoucry?"
Now,ifJohadnotbeennewtothissortofthingshewouldhavesaidshewasn'tcrying,hadacoldinherhead,ortoldanyotherfemininefibpropertotheoccasion.
Insteadofwhich,thatundignifiedcreatureanswered,withanirrepressiblesob,"Becauseyouaregoingaway."
"Ach,meinGott,thatissogood!"criedMr.Bhaer,managingtoclasphishandsinspiteoftheumbrellaandthebundles,"Jo,Ihafnothingbutmuchlovetogifyou.
Icametoseeifyoucouldcareforit,andIwaitedtobesurethatIwassomethingmorethanafriend.AmI?
CanyoumakealittleplaceinyourheartforoldFritz?"headded,allinonebreath.
"Oh,yes!"saidJo,andhewasquitesatisfied,forshefoldedbothhandsoverhisarm,andlookedupathimwithanexpressionthatplainlyshowedhowhappyshewouldbetowalkthroughlifebesidehim,eventhoughshehadnobettershelterthantheoldumbrella,ifhecarriedit.
Itwascertainlyproposingunderdifficulties,forevenifhehaddesiredtodoso,Mr.Bhaercouldnotgodownuponhisknees,onaccountofthemud.
NeithercouldheofferJohishand,exceptfiguratively,forbothwerefull.
Muchlesscouldheindulgeintenderremonstrationsintheopenstreet,thoughhewasnearit.
Sotheonlywayinwhichhecouldexpresshisrapturewastolookather,withanexpressionwhichglorifiedhisfacetosuchadegreethatthereactuallyseemedtobelittlerainbowsinthedropsthatsparkledonhisbeard.
IfhehadnotlovedJoverymuch,Idon'tthinkhecouldhavedoneitthen,forshelookedfarfromlovely,withherskirtsinadeplorablestate,herrubberbootssplashedtotheankle,andherbonnetaruin.
Fortunately,Mr.Bhaerconsideredherthemostbeautifulwomanliving,andshefoundhimmore"Jove–like"thanever,thoughhishatbrimwasquitelimpwiththelittlerillstricklingthenceuponhisshoulders(forheheldtheumbrellaalloverJo),andeveryfingerofhisglovesneededmending.
Passers–byprobablythoughtthemapairofharmlesslunatics,fortheyentirelyforgottohailabus,andstrolledleisurelyalong,obliviousofdeepeningduskandfog.
Littletheycaredwhatanybodythought,fortheywereenjoyingthehappyhourthatseldomcomesbutonceinanylife,themagicalmomentwhichbestowsyouthontheold,beautyontheplain,wealthonthepoor,andgiveshumanheartsaforetasteofheaven.
TheProfessorlookedasifhehadconqueredakingdom,andtheworldhadnothingmoretoofferhiminthewayofbliss.
WhileJotrudgedbesidehim,feelingasifherplacehadalwaysbeenthere,andwonderinghowsheevercouldhavechosenanyotherlot.
Ofcourse,shewasthefirsttospeak––intelligibly,Imean,fortheemotionalremarkswhichfollowedherimpetuous"Oh,yes!"
werenotofacoherentorreportablecharacter.
"Friedrich,whydidn'tyou..."
"Ah,heaven,shegifsmethenamethatnoonespeakssinceMinnadied!"criedtheProfessor,pausinginapuddletoregardherwithgratefuldelight.
"Ialwayscallyousotomyself––Iforgot,butIwon'tunlessyoulikeit."
"Likeit?ItismoresweettomethanIcantell.Say'thou',also,andIshallsayyourlanguageisalmostasbeautifulasmine."
"Isn't'thou'alittlesentimental?"askedJo,privatelythinkingitalovelymonosyllable.
"Sentimental?Yes.
ThankGott,weGermansbelieveinsentiment,andkeepourselvesyoungmitit.
YourEnglish'you'issocold,say'thou',heart'sdearest,itmeanssomuchtome,"pleadedMr.Bhaer,morelikearomanticstudentthanagraveprofessor.
"Well,then,whydidn'tthoutellmeallthissooner?"askedJobashfully.
"NowIshallhaftoshowtheeallmyheart,andIsogladlywill,becausethoumusttakecareofithereafter.
See,then,myJo––ah,thedear,funnylittlename––IhadawishtotellsomethingthedayIsaidgoodbyeinNewYork,butIthoughtthehandsomefriendwasbetrothedtothee,andsoIspokenot.
Wouldstthouhavesaid'Yes',then,ifIhadspoken?"
"Idon'tknow.I'mafraidnot,forIdidn'thaveanyheartjustthen."
"Prut!ThatIdonotbelieve.Itwasasleeptillthefairyprincecamethroughthewood,andwakeditup.Ah,well,'DieersteLiebeistdiebeste',butthatIshouldnotexpect."
"Yes,thefirstloveisthebest,butbesocontented,forIneverhadanother.Teddywasonlyaboy,andsoongotoverhislittlefancy,"saidJo,anxioustocorrecttheProfessor'smistake.
"Good!ThenIshallresthappy,andbesurethatthougivestmeall.Ihafwaitedsolong,Iamgrownselfish,asthouwiltfind,Professorin."
"Ilikethat,"criedJo,delightedwithhernewname."Nowtellmewhatbroughtyou,atlast,justwhenIwantedyou?"
"This,"andMr.Bhaertookalittlewornpaperoutofhiswaistcoatpocket.
Jounfoldedit,andlookedmuchabashed,foritwasoneofherowncontributionstoapaperthatpaidforpoetry,whichaccountedforhersendingitanoccasionalattempt.
"Howcouldthatbringyou?"sheasked,wonderingwhathemeant.
"Ifounditbychance.Iknewitbythenamesandtheinitials,andinittherewasonelittleversethatseemedtocallme.Readandfindhim.Iwillseethatyougonotinthewet."
INTHEGARRET
Fourlittlechestsallinarow,
Dimwithdust,andwornbytime,
Allfashionedandfilled,longago,
Bychildrennowintheirprime.
Fourlittlekeyshungsidebyside,
Withfadedribbons,braveandgay
Whenfastenedthere,withchildishpride,
Longago,onarainyday.
Fourlittlenames,oneoneachlid,
Carvedoutbyaboyishhand,
Andunderneaththereliethhid
Historiesofthehappyband
Onceplayinghere,andpausingoft
Tohearthesweetrefrain,
Thatcameandwentontheroofaloft,
Inthefallingsummerrain.
"Meg"onthefirstlid,smoothandfair.
Ilookinwithlovingeyes,
Forfoldedhere,withwell–knowncare,
Agoodlygatheringlies,
Therecordofapeacefullife––
Giftstogentlechildandgirl,
Abridalgown,linestoawife,
Atinyshoe,ababycurl.
Notoysinthisfirstchestremain,
Forallarecarriedaway,
Intheiroldage,tojoinagain
InanothersmallMeg'splay.
Ah,happymother!WellIknow
Youhear,likeasweetrefrain,
Lullabieseversoftandlow
Inthefallingsummerrain.
"Jo"onthenextlid,scratchedandworn,
Andwithinamotleystore
Ofheadlessdolls,ofschoolbookstorn,
Birdsandbeaststhatspeaknomore,
Spoilsbroughthomefromthefairyground
Onlytrodbyyouthfulfeet,
Dreamsofafutureneverfound,
Memoriesofapaststillsweet,
Half–writpoems,storieswild,
Aprilletters,warmandcold,
Diariesofawilfulchild,
Hintsofawomanearlyold,
Awomaninalonelyhome,
Hearing,likeasadrefrain––
"Beworthy,love,andlovewillcome,"
Inthefallingsummerrain.
MyBeth!thedustisalwaysswept
Fromthelidthatbearsyourname,
Asifbylovingeyesthatwept,
Bycarefulhandsthatoftencame.
Deathcanonizedforusonesaint,
Everlesshumanthandivine,
Andstillwelay,withtenderplaint,
Relicsinthishouseholdshrine––
Thesilverbell,soseldomrung,
Thelittlecapwhichlastshewore,
Thefair,deadCatherinethathung
Byangelsborneaboveherdoor.
Thesongsshesang,withoutlament,
Inherprison–houseofpain,
Foreveraretheysweetlyblent
Withthefallingsummerrain.
Uponthelastlid'spolishedfield––
Legendnowbothfairandtrue
Agallantknightbearsonhisshield,
"Amy"inlettersgoldandblue.
Withinliesnoodsthatboundherhair,
Slippersthathavedancedtheirlast,
Fadedflowerslaidbywithcare,
Fanswhoseairytoilsarepast,
Gayvalentines,allardentflames,
Triflesthathavebornetheirpart
Ingirlishhopesandfearsandshames,
Therecordofamaidenheart
Nowlearningfairer,truerspells,
Hearing,likeablitherefrain,
Thesilversoundofbridalbells
Inthefallingsummerrain.
Fourlittlechestsallinarow,
Dimwithdust,andwornbytime,
Fourwomen,taughtbywealandwoe
Toloveandlaborintheirprime.
Foursisters,partedforanhour,
Nonelost,oneonlygonebefore,
Madebylove'simmortalpower,
Nearestanddearestevermore.
Oh,whenthesehiddenstoresofours
LieopentotheFather'ssight,
Maytheyberichingoldenhours,
Deedsthatshowfairerforthelight,
Liveswhosebravemusiclongshallring,
Likeaspirit–stirringstrain,
Soulsthatshallgladlysoarandsing
Inthelongsunshineafterrain.
"It'sverybadpoetry,butIfeltitwhenIwroteit,onedaywhenIwasverylonely,andhadagoodcryonaragbag.
Ineverthoughtitwouldgowhereitcouldtelltales,"saidJo,tearinguptheversestheProfessorhadtreasuredsolong.
"Letitgo,ithasdoneitsduty,andIwillhafafreshonewhenIreadallthebrownbookinwhichshekeepsherlittlesecrets,"saidMr.Bhaerwithasmileashewatchedthefragmentsflyawayonthewind.
"Yes,"headdedearnestly,"Ireadthat,andIthinktomyself,Shehasasorrow,sheislonely,shewouldfindcomfortintruelove.Ihafaheartfull,fullforher.
ShallInotgoandsay,'IfthisisnottoopoorathingtogifforwhatIshallhopetoreceive,takeitinGott'sname?'"
"Andsoyoucametofindthatitwasnottoopoor,buttheonepreciousthingIneeded,"whisperedJo.
"Ihadnocouragetothinkthatatfirst,heavenlykindaswasyourwelcometome.
ButsoonIbegantohope,andthenIsaid,'IwillhafherifIdieforit,'andsoIwill!"
criedMr.Bhaer,withadefiantnod,asifthewallsofmistclosingroundthemwerebarrierswhichhewastosurmountorvaliantlyknockdown.
Jothoughtthatwassplendid,andresolvedtobeworthyofherknight,thoughhedidnotcomeprancingonachargeringorgeousarray.
"Whatmadeyoustayawaysolong?"sheaskedpresently,findingitsopleasanttoaskconfidentialquestionsandgetdelightfulanswersthatshecouldnotkeepsilent.
"Itwasnoteasy,butIcouldnotfindthehearttotakeyoufromthatsohappyhomeuntilIcouldhafaprospectofonetogifyou,aftermuchtime,perhaps,andhardwork.
HowcouldIaskyoutogifupsomuchforapooroldfellow,whohasnofortunebutalittlelearning?"
"I'mgladyouarepoor.Icouldn'tbeararichhusband,"saidJodecidedly,addinginasoftertone,"Don'tfearpoverty.
I'veknownitlongenoughtolosemydreadandbehappyworkingforthoseIlove,anddon'tcallyourselfold––fortyistheprimeoflife.
Icouldn'thelplovingyouifyouwereseventy!"
TheProfessorfoundthatsotouchingthathewouldhavebeengladofhishandkerchief,ifhecouldhavegotatit.
Ashecouldn't,Jowipedhiseyesforhim,andsaid,laughing,asshetookawayabundleortwo...
"Imaybestrong–minded,butnoonecansayI'moutofmyspherenow,forwoman'sspecialmissionissupposedtobedryingtearsandbearingburdens.
I'mtocarrymyshare,Friedrich,andhelptoearnthehome.
Makeupyourmindtothat,orI'llnevergo,"sheaddedresolutely,ashetriedtoreclaimhisload.
"Weshallsee.Hafyoupatiencetowaitalongtime,Jo?Imustgoawayanddomyworkalone.
Imusthelpmyboysfirst,because,evenforyou,ImaynotbreakmywordtoMinna.
Canyouforgifthat,andbehappywhilewehopeandwait?"
"Yes,IknowIcan,forweloveoneanother,andthatmakesalltheresteasytobear.Ihavemyduty,also,andmywork.
Icouldn'tenjoymyselfifIneglectedthemevenforyou,sothere'snoneedofhurryorimpatience.
YoucandoyourpartoutWest,Icandominehere,andbothbehappyhopingforthebest,andleavingthefuturetobeasGodwills."
"Ah!Thougifestmesuchhopeandcourage,andIhafnothingtogifbackbutafullheartandtheseemptyhands,"criedtheProfessor,quiteovercome.
Jonever,neverwouldlearntobeproper,forwhenhesaidthatastheystooduponthesteps,shejustputbothhandsintohis,whisperingtenderly,"Notemptynow,"andstoopingdown,kissedherFriedrichundertheumbrella.
Itwasdreadful,butshewouldhavedoneitiftheflockofdraggle–tailedsparrowsonthehedgehadbeenhumanbeings,forshewasveryfargoneindeed,andquiteregardlessofeverythingbutherownhappiness.
Thoughitcameinsuchaverysimpleguise,thatwasthecrowningmomentofboththeirlives,when,turningfromthenightandstormandlonelinesstothehouseholdlightandwarmthandpeacewaitingtoreceivethem,withaglad"Welcomehome!"Joledherloverin,andshutthedoor.
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