Itwasdreadful，andtheworstofitwasJohnwentonsoquietlyafterward，justasifnothinghadhappened，exceptthathestayedintownlater，andworkedatnightwhenshehadgonetocryherselftosleep。AweekorremorsenearlymadeMegsick，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，withoneoneachare，asifalreadyinitiatedintothemysteriesofbaby—tending，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。WeshallcallherDaisy，soasnottohavetwoMegs，andIsupposethemanniewillbeJack，unlesswefindabettername，"saidAmy，withaunt—likeinterest。
　　"NamehimDemijohn，andcallhimDemiforshort，"saidLaurie"DaisyandDemi，justthething！IknewTeddywoulddoit，"criedJoclappingherhands。
　　Teddycertainlyhaddoneitthattime，forthebabieswere`Daisy’and`Demi’totheendofthechapter。
　　GoodWives:Chapter6CHAPTER6Calls"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，andyouprideyourselfonkeeping;promises，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，withasuddenchangefromperversitytolamb—likesubmission。
　　"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。Josatasifblandlyunconciousofitall，withdeportmentlikeMaud’sface，`icilyregular，splendidlynull’。
　　"Whatahaughty，uninterestingcreaturethatoldestMissMarchis！"wastheunfortunatelyaudibleremarkofoneoftheladies，asthedoorclosedupontheirguests。Jolaughednoiselesslyallthroughthehall，butAmylookeddisgustedatthefailureofherinstructions，andverynaturallylaidtheblameuponJo。
　　"Howcouldyoumistakemeso？Imerelymeantyoutobeproperlydignifiedandcomposed，andyoumadeyourselfaperfectstockandstone。TrytobesociableattheLamb’s’。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，makemoredrollrevelationsandcommittingstillmorefearfulblunders。
　　"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，andexposeour;povertyinthatperfectlyunnecessaryway。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，bear—likebutaffectionate，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。"