AtQueenstownonofmynewacquaintancesleftus，Mr。Lennox，andwhenIsaidsomethingabouttheLakesofKillarney，hesighedandand，withalookatme……"Oh，haveyoue’erheardofKateKearney？
　　ShelivesonthebanksofKillarney;
　　Fromtheglanceofhereye，Shundangerandfly，Forfatal’stheglanceofKateKearney。"
　　Wasn’tthatnonsensical？
　　WeonlystoppedatLiverpoolafewhours。It’sadirty，noisyplace，andIwasgladtoleaveit。Unclerushedoutandboughtapairofdog—skingloves，someugly，thickshoes，andanumbrella，andgotshavedàlamuttonchop，thefirstthing。ThenheflatteredhimselfthathelookedlikeatrueBriton，butthefirsttimehehadthemudcleanedoffhisshoes，thelittlebootblackknewthatanAmericanstoodinthem，andsaid，withagrin，"Thereyerhar，sir。I’vegiven`emthelatestYankeeshine。"ItamusedUncleimmensely。Oh，ImusttellyouwhatthatabsurdLennoxdid！HegothisfriendWard，whocameonwithus，toorderabouquetforme，andthefirstthingIsawinmyroomwasalovelyone，with"RobertLennox’scompliments，"onthecard。Wasn’tthatfun，girls？Iliketraveling。
　　InevershallgettoLondonifIdon’thurry。Thetripwaslikeridingthroughalongpicturegallery，fulloflovelylandscapes。Thefarmhousesweremydelight，withthatchedroofs，ivyuptotheeaves，latticedwindows，andstoutwomenwithrosychildrenatthedoors。Theverycattlelookedmoretranquilthanours，astheystoodknee—deepinclover，andthehenshadacontentedcluck，asiftheynevergotnervouslikeYankeebiddies。SuchperfectcolorIneversaw，thegrasssogreen，skysoblue，grainsoyellow，woodssodark，Iwasinarapturealltheway。SowasFlo，andwekeptbouncingfromonesidetotheother，tryingtoseeeverythingwhilewewerewhiskingalongattherateofsixtymilesanhour。Auntwastiredandwenttosleep，butUnclereadhisguidebook，andwouldn’tbeastonishedatanything。Thisisthewaywewenton。Amy，flyingup——"Oh，thatmustbeKenilworth，thatgrayplaceamongthetrees！"Flo，dartingtomywindow——"Howsweet！Wemustgotheresometime，won’twePapa？"Uncle，calmlyadmiringhisboots——"No，mydear，notunlessyouwantbeer，that’sabrewery。"
　　Apause——thenFlocriedout，"Blessme，there’sagallowsandamangoingup。""Where，where？"shrieksAmy，staringoutattwotallpostswithacrossbeamandsomedanglingchains。"Acolliery，"remarksUncle，withatwinkleoftheeye。"Here’salovelyflockoflambsalllyingdown，"saysAmy。"See，Papa，aren’ttheypretty？"addedFlosentimentally。"Geese，youngladies，"returnsUncle，inatonethatkeepsusquiettillFlosettlesdowntoenjoytheFLIRTATIONSOFCAPTAINCAVENDISH，andIhavethesceneryalltomyself。
　　OfcourseitrainedwhenwegottoLondon，andtherewasnothingtobeseenbutfogandumbrellas。Werested，unpacked，andshoppedalittlebetweentheshowers。AuntMarygotmesomenewthings，forIcameoffinsuchahurryIwasn’thalfready。Awhitehatandbluefeather，amuslindresstomatch，andtheloveliestmantleyoueversaw。ShoppinginRegentStreetisperfectlysplendid。Thingsseemsocheap，niceribbonsonlysixpenceayard。Ilaidinastock，butshallgetmyglovesinParis。Doesn’tthatsoundsortofelegantandrich？
　　FloandI，forthefunofit，orderedahansomcab，whileAuntandUnclewereout，andwentforadrive，thoughwelearnedafterwardthatitwasn’tthethingforyoungladiestorideinthemalone。Itwassodroll！Forwhenwewereshutinbythewoodenapron，themandrovesofastthatFlowasfrightened，andtoldmetostophim。buthewasupoutsidebehindsomewhere，andIcouldn’tgetathim。Hedidn’thearmecall，norseemeflapmyparasolinfront，andtherewewere，quitehelpless，rattlingaway，andwhirlingaroundcornersatabreakneckpace。Atlast，inmydespair，Isawalittledoorintheroof，andonpokingitopen，aredeyeappeared，andabeeryvoicesaid……
　　"Now，then，mum？"
　　IgavemyorderassoberlyasIcould，andslammingdownthedoor，withan"Aye，aye，mum，"themanmadehishorsewalk，asifgoingtoafuneral。Ipokedagainandsaid，"Alittlefaster，"thenoffhewent，helter—skelterasbefore，andweresignedourselvestoourfate。
　　Todaywasfair，andwewenttoHydePark，closeby，forwearemorearistocraticthanwelook。TheDukeofDevonshirelivesnear。Ioftenseehisfootmenloungingatthebackgate，andtheDukeofWellington’shouseisnotfaroff。SuchsightsasIsaw，mydear！ItwasasgoodasPunch，fortherewerefatdowagersrollingaboutintheirredandyellowcoaches，withgorgeousJeamesesinsilkstockingsandvelvetcoats，upbehind，andpowderedcoachmeninfront。Smartmaids，withtherosiestchildrenIeversaw，handsomegirls，lookinghalfasleep，dandiesinqueerEnglishhatsandlavenderkidsloungingabout，andtallsoldiers，inshortredjacketsandmuffincapsstuckononeside，lookingsofunnyIlongedtosketchthem。
　　RottenRowmeans`RoutedeRoi’，ortheking’sway，butnowit’smorelikearidingschoolthananythingelse。Thehorsesaresplendid，andthemen，especiallythegrooms，ridewell，butthewomenarestiff，andbounce，whichisn’taccordingtoourrules。IlongedtoshowthematearingAmericangallop，fortheytrottedsolemnlyupanddown，intheirscanthabitsandhighhats，lookinglikethewomeninatoyNoah’sArk。Everyonerides——oldmen，stoutladies，littlechildren——andtheyoungfolksdoadealofflirtinghere，Isayapairexchangerosebuds，forit’sthethingtowearoneinthebutton—hole，andIthoughtitratheranicelittleidea。
　　IntheP。M。toWestminsterAbbey，butdon’texpectmetodescribeit，that’simpossible，soI’llonlysayitwassublime！ThiseveningwearegoingtoseeFlechter，whichwillbeanappropriateendtothehappiestdayofmylife。
　　MidnightIt’sverylate，butIcan’tletmylettergointhemorningwithouttellingyouwhathappenedlastevening。Whodoyouthinkcamein，aswewereattea？Laurie’sEnglishfriends，FredandFrankVaughn！Iwassosurprised，forIshouldn’thaveknownthembutforthecards。botharetallfellowswithwhiskers，FredhandsomeintheEnglishstyle，andFrankmuchbetter，forheonlylimpsslightly，andusesnocrutches。TheyhadheardfromLauriewhereweweretobe，andcametoaskustotheirhouse，butUnclewon’tgo，soweshallreturnthecall，andseethemaswecan。Theywenttothetheaterwithus，andwedidhavesuchagoodtime，forFrankdevotedhimselftoFlo，andFredandItalkedoverpast，present，andfuturefunasifwehadknoweachotherallourdays。TellBethFrankaskedforher，andwassorrytohearofherillhealth。FredlaughedwhenIspokeofJo，andsenthis`respectfulcomplimentstothebighat’。NeitherofthemhadforgottenCampLaurence，orthefunwehadthere。Whatagesagoitseems，doesn’tit？
　　Auntistappingonthewallforthethirdtime，soImuststop。IreallyfeellikeadissipatedLondonfinelady，writingheresolate，withmyroomfullofprettythings，andmyheadajumbleofparks，theaters，newgowns，andgallantcreatureswhosay"Ah！"andtwirltheirblondmustacheswiththetrueEnglishlordliness。Ilongtoseeyouall，andinspiteofmynonsenseam，asever，yourloving……
　　AmyPARIS
　　Deargirls，InmylastItoldyouaboutourLondonvisit，howkindtheVaughnswere，andwhatpleasantpartiestheymadeforus。IenjoyedthetripstoHamptonCourtandtheKensingtonMuseummorethananythingelse，foratHamptonIsawRaphael’scartoons，andattheMuseum，roomsfullofpicturesbyTurner，Lawrence，Reynolds，Hogarth，andtheothergreatcreatures。ThedayinRichmondParkwascharming，forwehadaregularEnglishpicnic，andIhadmoresplendidoaksandgroupsofdeerthanIcouldcopy，alsoheardanightingale，andsawlarksgoup。We`did’Londontoourheart’scontent，thankstoFredandFrank，andweresorrytogoaway，forthoughEnglishpeopleareslowtotakeyouin，whentheyoncemakeuptheirmindstodoittheycannotbeoutdoneinhospitality，Ithink。TheVaughnshopetomeetusinRomenextwinter，andIshallbedreadfullydisappointediftheydon’t，forGraceandIaregreatfriends，andtheboysverynicefellows，especiallyFred。
　　Well，wewerehardlysettledhere，whenheturnedupagain，sayinghehadcomeforaholiday，andwasgoingtoSwitzerland。Auntlookedsoberatfirst，buthewassocoolaboutitshecouldn’tsayaword。Andnowwegetonnicely，andareverygladhecame，forhespeaksFrenchlikeanative，andIdon’tknowwhatweshoulddowithouthim。Uncledoesn’tknowtenwords，andinsistsontalkingEnglishveryloud，asifitwouldmakepeopleunderstandhim。Aunt’spronunciationisold—fashioned，andFloandI，thoughweflatteredourselvesthatweknewagooddeal，findwedon’t，andareverygratefultohaveFreddothe`parleyvooing’，asUnclecallsit。
　　Suchdelightfultimesaswearehaving！Sight—seeingfrommorningtillnight，stoppingfornicelunchesinthegaycafés，andmeetingwithallsortsofdrolladventures。RainydaysIspendintheLouvre，revellinginpictures。Jowouldturnuphernaughtynoseatsomeofthefinest，becauseshehasnosoulforart，butIhave，andI’mcultivationeyeandtasteasfastasIcan。Shewouldliketherelicsofgreatpeoplebetter，forI’veseenherNapoleon’scockedhatandgraycoat，hisbaby’scradleandhisoldtoothbrush，alsoMarieAntoinette’slittleshoe，theringofSaintDenis，Charlemagne’ssword，andmanyotherinterestingthings。I’lltalkforhoursaboutthemwhenIcome，buthaven’ttimetowrite。
　　ThePalaisRoyaleisaheavenlyplace，sofullofbijouterieandlovelythingsthatI’mnearlydistractedbecauseIcan’tbuythem。Fredwantedtogetmesome，butofcourseIdidn’tallowit。ThentheBoisandChampsElyséesaretrè:smagnifique。I’veseentheimperialfamilyseveraltimes，theemperoranugly，hard—lookingman，theempresspaleandpretty，butdressedinbadtaste，Ithought——purpledress，greenhat，andyellowgloves。LittleNapisahandsomeboy，whositschattingtohistutor，andkissedhishandtothepeopleashepassesinhisfour—horsebarouche，withpostilionsinredsatinjacketsandamountedguardbeforeandbehind。
　　WeoftenwalkintheTuileriesGardens，fortheyarelovely，thoughtheantiqueLuxembourgGardenssuitmebetter。PèrelaChaiseisverycurious，formanyofthetombsarelikesmallrooms，andlookingin，oneseesatable，withimagesorpicturesofthedead，andchairsforthemournerstositinwhentheycometolament。ThatissoFrenchy——n’est—cepas？。
　　OurroomsareontheRuedeRivoli，andsittingonthebalcony，welookupanddownthelong，brilliantstreet。Itissopleasantthatwespendoureveningstalkingtherewhentootiredwithourday’sworktogoout。Fredisveryentertaining，andisaltogetherthemostagreeableyoungmanIeverknew——exceptLaurie，whosemannersaremorecharming。IwishFredwasdark，forIdon’tfancylightmen，however，theVaughnsareveryrichandcomeofanexcellentfamily，soIwon’tfindfaultwiththeiryellowhair，asmyownisyellower。
　　NextweekweareofftoGermanyandSwitzerland，andasweshalltravelfast，Ishallonlybeabletogiveyouhastyletters。Ikeepmydiary，andtryto`remembercorrectlyanddescribeclearlyallthatIseeandadmire’，asFatheradvised。Itisgoodpracticeforme，andwithmysketchbookwillgiveyouabetterideaofmytourthanthesescribbles。
　　Adieu，Iembraceyoutenderly。
　　VotreAmieHEIDELBERG
　　MydearMamma，HavingaquiethourbeforeweleaveforBerne，I’lltrytotellyouwhathashappened，forsomeofitisveryimportant，asyouwillsee。
　　ThesailuptheRhinewasperfect，andIjustsatandenjoyeditwithallmymight。GetFather’soldguidebooksandreadaboutit。Ihaven’twordsbeautifulenoughtodescribeit。AtCoblenzwehadalovelytime，forsomestudentsfromBonn，withwhomFredgotacquaintedontheboat，gaveusaserenade。Itwasamoonlightnight，andaboutoneo’clockFloandIwerewakedbythemostdeliciousmusicunderourwindows。Weflewup，andhidbehindthecurtains，butslypeepsshowedusFredandthestudentssingingawaydownbelow。ItwasthemostromanticthingIeversaw——theriver，thebridgeofboats，thegreatfortressopposite，moonlighteverywhere，andmusicfittomeltaheartofstone。
　　Whentheyweredonewethrewdownsomeflowers，andsawthemscrambleforthem，kisstheirhandstotheinvisibleladies，andgolaughingaway，tosmokeanddrinkbeer，Isuppose。NextmorningFredshowedmeoneofthecrumpledflowersinhisvestpocket，andlookedverysentimental。Ilaughedathim，andsaidIdidn’tthrowit，butFlo，whichseemedtodisgusthim，forhetosseditoutofthewindow，andturnedsensibleagain。I’mafraidI’mgoingtohavetroublewiththatboy，itbeginstolooklikeit。
　　ThebathsatNassauwereverygay，sowasBaden—Baden，whereFredlostsomemoney，andIscoldedhim。HeneedssomeonetolookafterhimwhenFrankisnotwithhim。Katesaidonceshehopedhe’dmarrysoon，andIquiteagreewithherthatitwouldbewellforhim。Frankfurtwasdelightful。IsawGoeth’shouse，Schiller’sstatue，andDannecker’sfamousAriadne。Itwasverylovely，butIshouldhaveenjoyeditmoreifIhadknownthestorybetter。Ididn’tliketoask，aseveryoneknewitorpretendedtheydid。IwishJowouldtellmeallaboutit。Ioughttohavereadmore，forIfindIdon’tknowanything，anditmortifiesme。
　　Nowcomestheseriouspart，forithappenedhere，andFredhasjustgone。Hehasbeensokindandjollythatweallgotquitefondofhim。Ineverthoughtofanythingbutatravelingfriendshiptilltheserenadenight。SincethenI’vebeguntofeelthatthemoonlightwalks，balconytalks，anddailyadventuresweresomethingmoretohimthanfun。Ihaven’tflirted，Mother，truly，butrememberedwhatyousaidtome，andhavedonemyverybest。Ican’thelpitifpeoplelikeme。Idon’ttrytomakethem，anditworriesmeifIdon’tcareforthem，thoughJosaysIhaven’tgotanyheart。NowIknowMotherwillshakeherhead，andthegirlssay，"Oh，themercenarylittlewretch！"，butI’vemadeupmymind，andifFredasksme，Ishallaccepthim，thoughI’mnotmadlyinlove。Ilikehim，andwegetoncomfortablytogether。Heishandsome，young，cleverenough，andveryrich——eversomuchricherthantheLaurences。Idon’tthinkhisfamilywouldobject，andIshouldbeveryhappy，fortheyareallkind，well—bred，generouspeople，andtheylikeme。Fred，astheeldesttwin，willhavetheestate，Isuppose，andsuchasplendidoneitis！Acityhouseinafashionablestreet，notsoshowyasourbighouses，buttwiceascomfortableandfullofsolidluxury，suchasEnglishpeoplebelievein。Ilikeit，forit’sgenuine。I’veseentheplate，thefamilyjewels，theoldservants，andpicturesofthecountryplace，withitspark，greathouse，lovelygrounds，andfinehorses。Oh，itwouldbeallIshouldask！AndI’dratherhaveitthananytitlesuchasgirlssnapupsoreadily，andfindnothingbehind。Imaybemercenary，butIhatepoverty，anddon’tmeantobearitaminutelongerthanIcanhelp。Oneofusmustmarrywell。Megdidn’t，Jowon’t，Bethcan’tyet，soIshall，andmakeeverythingokayallround。Iwouldn’tmarryamanIhatedordespised。Youmaybesureofthat，andthoughFredisnotmymodelhero，hedoesverywell，andintimeIshouldgetfondenoughofhimifhewasveryfondofme，andletmedojustasIliked。SoI’vebeenturningthematteroverinmymindthelastweek，foritwasimpossibletohelpseeingthatFredlikedme。Hesaidnothing，butlittlethingsshowedit。HenevergoeswithFlo，alwaysgetsonmysideofthecarriage，table，orpromenade，lookssentimentalwhenwearealone，andfrownsatanyoneelsewhoventurestospeaktome。Yesterdayatdinner，whenanAustrianofficerstaredatusandthensaidsomethingtohisfriend，arakish—lookingbaron，about`einwonderschönesBlöndchen’，Fredlookedasfierceasalion，andcuthismeatsosavagelyitnearlyflewoffhisplate。Heisn’toneofthecool，stiffEnglishmen，butisratherpeppery，forhehasScotchbloodinhim，asonemightguessfromhisbonnieblueeyes。
　　Well，lasteveningwewentuptothecastleaboutsunset，atleastallofusbutFred，whowastomeetusthereaftergoingtothePostRestanteforletters。Wehadacharmingtimepokingabouttheruins，thevaultswherethemonstertunis，andthebeautifulgardensmadebytheelectorlongagoforhisEnglishwife。Ilikedthegreatterracebest，fortheviewwasdivine，sowhiletherestwenttoseetheroomsinside，Isattheretryingtosketchthegraystonelion’sheadonthewall，withscarletwoodbinesprayshangingroundit。IfeltasifI’dgotintoaromance，sittingthere，watchingtheMeckarrollingthroughthevalley，listeningtothemusicoftheAustrianbandbelow，andwaitingformylover，likearealstorybookgirl。IhadafeelingthatsomethingwasgoingtohappenandIwasreadyforit。Ididn’tfeelblushyorquakey，butquitecoolandonlyalittleexcited。
　　By—and—byIheardFred’svoice，andthenhecamehurryingthroughthegreatarchtofindme。HelookedsotroubledthatIforgotallaboutmyself，andaskedwhatthematterwas。Hesaidhe’djustgotaletterbegginghimtocomehome，forFrankwasveryill。Sohewasgoingatonceonthenighttrainandonlyhadtimetosaygood—by。Iwasverysorryforhim，anddisappointedformyself，butonlyforaminutebecausehesaid，asheshookhands，andsaiditinawaythatIcouldnotmistake，"Ishallsooncomeback，youwon’tforgetme，Amy？"
　　Ididn’tpromise，butIlookedathim，andheseemedsatisfied，andtherewasnotimeforanythingbutmessagesandgood—byes，forhewasoffinanhour，andweallmisshimverymuch。Iknowhewantedtospeak，butIthink，fromsomethingheoncehinted，thathehadpromisedhisfathernottodoanythingofthesortyetawhile，forheisarashboy，andtheoldgentlemandreadsaforeigndaughter—in—law。WeshallsoonmeetinRome，andthen，ifIdon’tchangemymind，I’llsay"Yes，thankyou，"whenhesays"Willyou，please？"
　　Ofcoursethisisallveryprivate，butIwishedyoutoknowwhatwasgoingon。Don’tbeanxiousaboutme，rememberIamyour`prudentAmy’，andbesureIwilldonothingrashly。Sendmeasmuchadviceasyoulike。I’lluseitifIcan。IwishIcouldseeyouforagoodtalk，Marmee。Loveandtrustme。
　　EveryourAMY
　　GoodWives:Chapter9CHAPTER9TenderTroubles"Jo，I’manxiousaboutBeth。"
　　"Why，Mother，shehasseemedunusuallywellsincethebabiescame。"
　　"It’snotherhealththattroublesmenow，it’sherspirits。I’msurethereissomethingonhermind，andIwantyoutodiscoverwhatitis。"
　　"Whatmakesyouthinkso，Mother？"
　　"Shesitsaloneagooddeal，anddoesn’ttalktoherfatherasmuchassheused。Ifoundhercryingoverthebabiestheotherday。Whenshesings，thesongsarealwayssadones，andnowandthenIseealookinherfacethatIdon’tunderstand。Thisisn’tlikeBeth，anditworriesme。"
　　"Haveyouaskedheraboutit？’
　　"Ihavetriedonceortwice，butsheeitherevadedmyquestionsorlookedsodistressedthatIstopped。Ineverforcemychildren’sconfidence，andIseldomhavetowaitforlong。"
　　Mrs。MarchglancedatJoasshespoke，butthefaceoppositeseemedquiteunconsciousofanysecretdisquietudebutBeth’s，andaftersewingthoughtfullyforaminute，Josaid，"Ithinksheisgrowingup，andsobeginstodreamdreams，andhavehopesandfearsandfidgets，withoutknowingwhyorbeingabletoexplainthem。Why，Mother，Beth’seighteen，butwedon’trealizeit，andtreatherlikeachild，forgettingshe’sawoman。"
　　"Sosheis。Dearheart，howfastyoudogrowup，"returnedhermotherwithasighandasmile。
　　"Can’tbehelped，Marmee，soyoumustresignyourselftoallsortsofworries，andletyourbirdshopoutofthenest，onebyone。Ipromisenevertohopveryfar，ifthatisanycomforttoyou。"
　　"It’sagreatcomfort，Jo。Ialwaysfeelstrongwhenyouareathome，nowMegisgone。BethistoofeebleandAmytooyoungtodependupon，butwhenthetugcomes，youarealwaysready。"
　　"Why，youknowIdon’tmindhardjobsmuch，andtheremustalwaysbeonescrubinafamily。AmyissplendidinfineworksandI’mnot，butIfeelinmyelementwhenallthecarpetsaretobetakenup，orhalfthefamilyfallsickatonce。Amyisdistinguishingherselfabroad，butifanythingisamissathome，I’myourman。"
　　"IleaveBethtoyourhands，then，forshewillopenhertenderlittlehearttoherJosoonerthantoanyoneelse。Beverykind，anddon’tletherthinkanyonewatchesortalksabout;her。Ifsheonlywouldgetquitestrongandcheerfulagain，Ishouldn’thaveawishintheworld。"
　　"Happywoman！I’vegotheaps。"
　　"Mydear，whatarethey？"
　　"I’llsettleBethy’stroubles，andthenI’lltellyoumine。Theyarenotverywearing，sothey’llkeep。"AndJostitchedaway，withawisenodwhichsethermother’sheartatrestaboutherforthepresentatleast。
　　Whileapparentlyabsorbedinherownaffairs，JowatchedBeth，andaftermanyconflictingconjectures，finallysettledupononewhichseemedtoexplainthechangeinher。AslightincidentgaveJothecluetothemystery，shethought，andlivelyfancy，lovingheartdidtherest。ShewasaffectingtowritebusilyoneSaturdayafternoon，whensheandBethwerealonetogether。Yetasshescribbled，shekepthereyeonhersister，whoseemedunusuallyquiet。Sittingatthewindow，Beth’sworkoftendroppedintoherlap，andsheleanedherheaduponherhand，inadejectedattitude，whilehereyesrestedonthedull，autumnallandscape。Suddenlysomeonepassedbelow，whistlinglikeanoperaticblackbird，andavoicecalledout，"Allserene！Comingintonight。"
　　Bethstarted，leanedforward，smiledandnodded，watchedthepasser—bytillhisquicktrampdiedaway，thensaidsoftlyasiftoherself，"Howstrongandwellandhappythatdearboylooks。"
　　"Hum！"saidJo，stillintentuponhersister’sface，forthebrightcolorfadedasquicklyasitcame，thesmilevanished，andpresentlyatearlayshiningonthewindowledge。Bethwhiskeditoff，andinherhalf—avertedfacereadatendersorrowthatmadeherowneyesfill。Fearingtobetrayherself，sheslippedaway，murmuringsomethingaboutneedingmorepaper。
　　"Mercyonme，BethlovesLaurie！"shesaid，sittingdowninherownroom，palewiththeshockofthediscoverywhichshebelievedshehadjustmade。"Ineverdreamedofsuchathing。WhatwillMothersay？Iwonderifher……"thereJostoppedandturnedscarletwithasuddenthought。"Ifheshouldn’tlovebackagain，howdreadfulitwouldbe。Hemust。I’llmakehim！"Andsheshookherheadthreateninglyatthepictureofthemischievous—lookingboylaughingatherfromthewall。"Ohdear，wearegrowingupwithavengeance。Here’sMegmarriedandamamma，AmyflourishingawayatParis，andBethinlove。I’mtheonlyonethathassenseenoughtokeepoutofmischief。"Jothoughtintentlyforaminutewithhereyesfixedonthepicture，thenshesmoothedoutherwrinkledforeheadandsaid，withadecidednodatthefaceopposite，"Nothankyou，sir，you’reverycharming，butyou’venomorestabilitythanaweathercock。Soyouneedn’twritetouchingnotesandsmileinthatinsinuatingway，foritwon’tdoabitofgood，andIwon’thaveit。"
　　Thenshesighed，andfellintoareveriefromwhichshedidnotwaketilltheearlytwilightsentherdowntotakenewobservations，whichonlyconfirmedhersuspicion。ThoughLaurieflirtedwithAmyandjokedwithJo，hismannertoBethhadalwaysbeenpeculiarlykindandgentle，butsowaseverybody’s。Therefore，noonethoughtofimaginingthathecaredmoreforherthanfortheothers。Indeed，ageneralimpressionhadprevailedinthefamilyoflatethat`ourboy’wasgettingfonderthaneverofJo，who，however，wouldn’thearaworduponthesubjectandscoldedviolentlyifanyonedaredtosuggestit。Iftheyhadknownthevarioustenderpassageswhichhadbeennippedinthebud，theywouldhavehadtheimmensesatisfactionofsaying，"Itoldyouso。"ButJohated`philandering’，andwouldn’tallowit，alwayshavingajokeorasmilereadyattheleastsignofimpendingdanger。WhenLauriefirstwenttocollege，hefellinloveaboutonceamonth，butthesesmallflameswereasbriefasardent，didnodamage，andmuchamusedJo，whotookgreatinterestinthealternationsofhop，despair，andresignation，whichwereconfidedtoherintheirweeklyconferences。ButtherecameatimewhenLaurieceasedtoworshipatmanyshrines，hinteddarklyatoneall—absorbingpassion，andindulgedoccasionallyinByronicfitsofgloom。Thenheavoidedthetendersubjectaltogether，wrotephilosophicalnotestoJo，turnedstudious，andgaveoutthathewasgoingto`dig’，intendingtograduateinablazeofglory。Thissuitedtheyoungladybetterthantwilightconfidences，tenderpressuresofthehand，andeloquentglancesoftheeye，forwithJo，braindevelopedearlierthanheart，andshepreferredimaginaryheroestorealones，becausewhentiredofthem，theformercouldbeshutupinthetinkitchentillcalledfor，andthelatterwerelessmanageable。
　　Thingswereinthisstatewhenthegranddiscoverywasmade，andJowatchedLauriethatnightasshehadneverdonebefore。Ifshehadnotgotthenewideaintoherhead，shewouldhaveseennothingunusualinthefactthatBethwasveryquiet，andLaurieverykindtoher。Buthavinggiventhereintoherlivelyfancy，itgallopedawaywithheratagreatpace，andcommonsense，beingratherweakenedbyalongcourseorromancewriting，didnotcometotherescue。AsusualBethlayonthesofaandLauriesatinalowchaircloseby，amusingherwithallsortsofgossip，forshedependedonherweekly`spin’，andheneverdisappointedher。ButthateveningJofanciedthatBeth’seyesrestedonthelively，darkfacebesideherwithpeculiarpleasure，andthatshelistenedwithintenseinteresttoanaccountofsomeexcitingcricketmatch，thoughthephrases，`caughtoffatice’，`stumpedoffhisground’’，and`theleghitforthree’，wereasintelligibletoherasSanskrit。Shealsofancied，havingsetherheartuponseeingit，thatshesawacertainincreaseofgentlenessinLaurie’smanner，thathedroppedhisvoicenowandthen，laughedlessthanusual，wasalittleabsent——minded，andsettledtheafghanoverBeth’sfeetwithanassiduitythatwasreallyalmosttender。
　　"Whoknows？Strangerthingshavehappened，"thoughtJo，asshefussedabouttheroom。"Shewillmakequiteanangelofhim，andhewillmakelifedelightfullyeasyandpleasantforthedear，iftheyonlyloveeachother。Idon’tseehowhecanhelpit，andIdobelievehewouldiftherestofuswereoutoftheway。"
　　Aseveryonewasoutofthewaybutherself，Jobegantofeelthatsheoughttodisposeofherselfwithallspeed。Butwhereshouldshego？Andburningtolayherselfupontheshrineofsisterlydevotion，shesatdowntosettlethatpoint。