"Yes，youwill！"persistedJo。"You’llgetoverthisafterawhile，andfindsomelovelyaccomplishedgirl，whowilladoreyou，andmakeafinemistressforyourfinehouse。Ishouldn’t。I’mhomelyandawkwardandoddandold，andyou’dbeashamedofme，andweshouldquarrel——wecan’thelpitevennow，yousee—andIshouldn’tlikeelegantsocietyandyouwould，andyou’dhatemyscribbling，andIcouldn’tgetonwithoutit，andweshouldbeunhappy，andwishwehadn’tdoneit，andeverythingwouldbehorrid！"
　　"Anythingmore？"askedLaurie，findingithardtolistenpatientlytothispropheticburst。
　　"Nothingmore，exceptthatIdon’tbelieveIshallevermarry。I’mhappyasIam，andlovemylibertytoowelltobeinahurrytogiveitupforanymortalman。"
　　"Iknowbetter！"brokeinLaurie。"Youthinksonow，butthere’llcomeatimewhenyouwillcareforsomebody，andyou’lllovehimtremendously，andliveanddieforhim。Iknowyouwill，it’syourway，andIshallhavetostandbyandseeit。"Andthedespairinglovercasthishatuponthegroundwithagesturethatwouldhaveseemedcomical，ifhisfacehadnotbeensotragic。
　　"Yes，Iwillliveanddieforhim，ifherevercomesandmakesmelovehiminspiteofmyself，andyoumustdothebestyoucan！"criedJo，losingpatiencewithpoorTeddy。"I’vedonemybest，butyouwon’tbereasonable，andit’sselfishofyoutokeepteasingforwhatIcan’tgive。Ishallalwaysbefondofyou，veryfondindeed，asafriend，butI’llnevermarryyou，andthesooneryoubelieveitthebetterforbothofus——sonow！"
　　Thatspeechwaslikegunpowder。Laurielookedatheraminuteasifhedidnotquiteknowwhattodowithhimself，thenturnedsharplyaway，sayinginadesperatesortoftone，"You’llbesorrysomeday，Jo。"
　　"Oh，whereareyougoing？"shecried，forhisfacefrightenedher。
　　"Tothedevil！"wastheconsolinganswer。
　　ForaminuteJo’sheartstoodstill，asheswunghimselfdownthebanktowardtheriver，butittakesmuchfolly，sinormiserytosendayoungmantoaviolentdeath，andLauriewasnotoneoftheweaksortwhoareconqueredbyasinglefailure。Hehadnothoughtofamelodramaticplunge，butsomeblindinstinctledhimtoflinghatandcoatintohisboat，androwawaywithallhismight，makingbettertimeuptheriverthanhehaddoneinanyrace。Jodrewalongbreathandunclaspedherhandsasshewatchedthepoorfellowtryingtooutstripthetroublewhichhecarriedinhisheart。
　　"Thatwilldohimgood，andhe’llcomehomeinsuchatender，penitentstateofmind，thatIshan’tdaretoseehim。"shesaid，adding，asshewentslowlyhome，feelingasifshehadmurderedsomeinnocentthing，andburieditundertheleaves。"NowImustgoandprepareMr。Laurencetobeverykindtomypoorboy。Iwishhe’dloveBeth，perhapshemayintime，butIbegintothinkIwasmistakenabouther。Ohdear！Howcangirlsliketohaveloversandrefusethem？Ithinkit’sdreadful。"Beingsurethatnoonecoulddoitsowellasherself，shewentstraighttoMr。Laurence，toldthehardstorybravelythrough，andthenbrokedown，cryingsodismallyoverherowninsensibilitythatthekindoldgentleman，thoughsorelydisappointed，didnotutterareproach。HefounditdifficulttounderstandhowanygirlcouldhelplovingLaurie，andhopedshewouldchangehermind，butheknewevenbetterthanJothatlovecannotbeforced，soheshookhisheadsadlyandresolvedtocarryhisboyoutofharm’sway，forYoungImpetuosity’spartingwordstoJodisturbedhimmorethanhewouldconfess。
　　WhenLauriecamehome，deadtiredbutquitecomposed，hisgrandfathermethimasifheknewnothing，andkeptupthedelusionverysuccessfullyforanhourortwo。Butwhentheysattogetherinthetwilight，thetimetheyusedtoenjoysomuch，itwashardworkfortheoldmantorambleonasusual，andharderstillfortheyoungonetolistentopraisesofthelastyear’ssuccess，whichtohimnowseemedlikelove’slaborlost。Heboreitaslongashecould，thenwenttohispianoandbegantoplay。Thewindow’swereopen，andJo，walkinginthegardenwithBeth，foronceunderstoodmusicbetterthanhersister，forheplayedthe`SonataPathétique’，andplayeditasheneverdidbefore。
　　"That’sveryfine，Idaresay，butit’ssadenoughtomakeonecry。Giveussomethinggayer，lad，"saidMr。Laurence，whosekindoldheartwasfullofsympathy，whichhelongedtoshowbutknewnothow。
　　Lauriedashedintoalivelierstrain，playedstormilyforseveralminutes，andwouldhavegotthroughbravely，ifinamomentarylullMrs。March’svoicehadnotbeenheardcalling，"Jo，dear，comein。Iwantyou。"
　　JustwhatLaurielongedtosay，withadifferentmeaning！Ashelistened，helosthisplace，themusicendedwithabrokenchord，andthemusiciansatsilentinthedark。
　　"Ican’tstandthis，"mutteredtheoldgentleman。Uphegot，gropedhiswaytothepiano，laidakindhandoneitherofthebroadshoulders，andsaid，asgentlyasawoman，"Iknow，myboy，Iknow。"
　　Noanswerforaninstant，thenLaurieaskedsharply，"Whotoldyou？"
　　"Joherself。"
　　"Thenthere’sanendofit！"Andheshookoffhisgrandfather’shandswithanimpatientmotion，forthoughgratefulforthesympathy，hisman’spridecouldnotbearaman’spity。
　　"Notquite。Iwanttosayonething，andthenthereshallbeanendofit，"returnedMr。Laurencewithunusualmildness。"Youwon’tcaretostayathomenow，perhaps？"
　　"Idon’tintendtorunawayfromagirl。Jocan’tpreventmyseeingher，andIshallstayanddoitaslongasIlike，"interruptedLaurieinadefianttone。
　　"NotifyouarethegentlemanIthinkyou。I’mdisappointed，butthegirlcan’thelpit，andtheonlythingleftforyoutodoistogoawayforatime。Wherewillyougo？"
　　"Anywhere。Idon’tcarewhatbecomesofme。"AndLauriegotupwitharecklesslaughthatgratedonhisgrandfather’sear。
　　"Takeitlikeaman，anddon’tdoanythingrash，forGod’ssake。Whynotgoabroad，asyouplanned，andforgetit？"
　　"Ican’t。"
　　"Butyou’vebeenwildtogo，andIpromisedyoushouldwhenyougotthroughcollege。"
　　"Ah，butIdidn’tmeantogoalone！"AndLauriewalkedfastthroughtheroomwithanexpressionwhichitwaswellhisgrandfatherdidnotsee。
　　"Idon’taskyoutogoalone。There’ssomeonereadyandgladtogowithyou，anywhereintheworld。"
　　"Who，Sir？’stoppingtolisten。
　　"Myself。"
　　Lauriecamebackasquicklyashewent，andputouthishand，sayinghuskily，"I’maselfishbrute，but——youknow—Grandfather——"
　　"Lordhelpme，yes，Idoknow，forI’vebeenthroughitallbefore，onceinmyownyoungdays，andthenwithyourfather。Now，mydearboy，justsitquietlydownandhearmyplan。It’sallsettled，andcanbecarriedoutatonce，"saidMr。Laurence，keepingholdoftheyoungman，asiffearfulthathewouldbreakawayashisfatherhaddonebeforehim。
　　"Well，sir，whatisit？"AndLauriesatdown，withoutasignofinterestinfaceorvoice。
　　"ThereisbusinessinLondonthatneedslookingafter。Imeantyoushouldattendtoit，butIcandoitbettermyself，andthingsherewillgetonverywellwithBrooketomanagethem。Mypartnersdoalmosteverything，I’mmerelyholdingonuntilyoutakemyplace，andcanbeoffatanytime。"
　　"Butyouhatetraveling，Sir。Ican’taskitofyouatyourage，"beganLaurie，whowasgratefulforthesacrifice，butmuchpreferredtogoalone，ifhewentatall。Theoldgentlemanknewthatperfectlywell，andparticularlydesiredtopreventit，forthemoodinwhichhefoundhisgrandsonassuredhimthatitwouldnotbewisetoleavehimtohisowndevices。So，stiflinganaturalregretatthethoughtofthehomecomfortshewouldleavebehindhim，hesaidstoutly，Blessyoursoul，I’mnotsuperannuatedyet。Iquiteenjoytheidea。Itwilldomegood，andmyoldboneswon’tsuffer，fortravelingnowadaysisalmostaseasyassittinginachair。"
　　ArestlessmovementfromLauriesuggestedthathischairwasnoteasy，orthathedidnotliketheplan，andmadetheoldmanaddhastily，"Idon’tmeantobeamarplotoraburden。IgobecauseIthinkyou’dfeelhappierthanifIwasleftbehind。Idon’tintendtogadaboutwithyou，butleaveyoufreetogowhereyoulike，whileIamusemyselfinmyownway。I’vefriendsinLondonandParis，andshouldliketovisitthem。MeantimeyoucangotoItaly，Germany，Switzerland，whereyouwill，andenjoypictures，music，scenery，andadventurestoyourheart’scontent。"
　　Now，Lauriefeltjustthenthathisheartwasentirelybrokenandtheworldahowlingwilderness，butatthesoundofcertainwordswhichtheoldgentlemanartfullyintroducedintohisclosingsentence，thebrokenheartgaveanunexpectedleap，andagreenoasisortwosuddenlyappearedinthehowlingwilderness。Hesighed，andthensaid，inaspiritlesstone，"Justasyoulike，Sir。Itdoesn’tmatterwhereIgoorwhatIdo。"
　　"Itdoestome，rememberthat，mylad。Igiveyouentireliberty，butItrustyoutomakeanhonestuseofit。Promisemethat，Laurie。"
　　"Anythingyoulike，Sir。"
　　"Good，"thoughttheoldgentleman。"Youdon’tcarenow，butthere’llcomeatimewhenthatpromisewillkeepyououtofmischief，orI’mmuchmistaken。"
　　Beinganenergeticindividual，Mr。Laurencestruckwhiletheironwashot，andbeforetheblightedbeingrecoveredspiritenoughtorebel，theywereoff。Duringthetimenecessaryforpreparation，Laurieborehimselfasyounggentlemanusuallydoinsuchcases。Hewasmoody，irritable，andpensivebyturns，losthisappetite，neglectedhisdressanddevotedmuchtimetoplayingtempestuouslyonhispiano，avoidedJo，butconsoledhimselfbystaringatherfromhiswindow，withatragicfacethathauntedherdreamsbynightandoppressedherwithaheavysenseofguiltbyday。Unlikesomesufferers，heneverspokeofhisunrequitedpassion，andwouldallownoone，notevenMrs。March，toattemptconsolationoroffersympathy。Onsomeaccounts，thiswasarelieftohisfriends，buttheweeksbeforehisdeparturewereveryuncomfortable，andeveryonerejoicedthatthe`poor，dearfellowwasgoingawaytoforgethistrouble，andcomehomehappy’。Ofcourse，hesmileddarklyattheirdelusion，butpasseditbywiththesadsuperiorityofonewhoknewthathisfidelitylikehislovewasunalterable。
　　Whenthepartingcameheaffectedhighspirits，toconcealcertaininconvenientemotionswhichseemedinclinedtoassertthemselves。Thisgaietydidnotimposeuponanybody，buttheytriedtolookasifitdidforhissake，andhegotonverywelltillMrs。Marchkissedhim，whitawhisperfullofmotherlysolicitude。Thenfeelingthathewasgoingveryfast，hehastilyembracedthemallround，notforgettingtheafflictedHannah，andrandownstairsasifforhislife。Jofollowedaminuteaftertowaveherhandtohimifhelookedround。Hedidlookround，cameback，puthisarmsaboutherasshestoodonthestepabovehim，andlookedupatherwithafacethatmadehisshortappealeloquentandpathetic。
　　"Oh，Jo，can’tyou？"
　　"Teddy，dear，IwishIcould！"
　　Thatwasall，exceptalittlepause。ThenLauriestraightenedhimselfup，said，"It’sallright，nevermind，"andwentawaywithoutanotherword。Ah，butitwasn’tallright，andJodidmind，forwhilethecurlyheadlayonherarmaminuteafterherhardanswer，shefeltasifshehadstabbedherdearestfriend，andwhenheleftherwithoutalookbehindhim，sheknewthattheboyLaurieneverwouldcomeagain。
　　GoodWives:Chapter13CHAPTER13Beth’sSecretWhenJocamehomethatspring，shehadbeenstruckwiththechangeinBeth。Noonespokeofitorseemedawareofit，forithadcometoograduallytostartlethosewhosawherdaily，buttoeyessharpenedbyabsence，itwasveryplainandaheavyweightfellonJo’sheartasshesawhersister’sface。Itwasnopalerandbutlittlerthinnerthanintheautumn，yettherewasastrange，transparentlookaboutit，asifthemortalwasbeingslowlyrefinedaway，andtheimmortalshiningthroughthefrailfleshwithanindescribablypatheticbeauty。Josawandfeltit，butsaidnothingatthetime，andsoonthefirstimpressionlostmuchofitspower，forBethseemedhappy，nooneappearedtodoubtthatshewasbetter，andpresentlyinothercaresJoforatimeforgotherfear。
　　ButwhenLauriewasgone，andpeaceprevailedagain，thevagueanxietyreturnedandhauntedher。Shehadconfessedhersinsandbeenforgiven，butwhensheshowedhersavingsandproposedamountaintrip，Bethhadthankedherheartily，butbeggednottogosofarawayfromhome。Anotherlittlevisittotheseashorewouldsuitherbetter，andasGrandmacouldnotbeprevailedupontoleavethebabies，JotookBethdowntothequietplace，whereshecouldlivemuchintheopenair，andletthefreshseabreezesblowalittlecolorintoherpalecheeks。
　　Itwasnotafashionableplace，butevenamongthepleasantpeoplethere，thegirlsmadefewfriends，preferringtoliveforoneanother。Bethwastooshytoenjoysociety，andJotoowrappedupinhertocareforanyoneelse。Sotheywereallinalltoeachother，andcameandwent，quiteunconsciousoftheinteresttheyexitedinthoseaboutthem，whowatchedwithsympatheticeyesthestrongsisterandthefeebleone，alwaystogether，asiftheyfeltinstinctivelythatalongseparationwasnotfaraway。
　　Theydidfeelit，yetneitherspokeofit，foroftenbetweenourselvesandthosenearestanddearesttousthereexistsareservewhichitisveryhardtoovercome。JofeltasifaveilhadfallenbetweenherheartandBeth’s，butwhensheputoutherhandtoliftitup，thereseemedsomethingsacredinthesilence，andshewaitedforBethtospeak。Shewondered，andwasthankfulalso，thatherparentsdidnotseemtoseewhatshesaw，andduringthequietweekswhentheshadowsgrewsoplaintoher，shesaidnothingofittothoseathome，believingthatitwouldtellitselfwhenBethcamebacknobetter。Shewonderedstillmoreifhersisterreallyguessedthehardtruth，andwhatthoughtswerepassingthroughhermindduringthelonghourswhenshelayonthewarmrockswithherheadinJo’slap，whilethewindsblewhealthfullyoverherandtheseamademusicatherfeet。
　　OnedayBethtoldher。Jothoughtshewasasleep，shelaysostill，andputtingdownherbook，satlookingatherwithwistfuleyes，tryingtoseesignsofhopeinthefaintcoloronBeth’scheeks。Butshecouldnotfindenoughtosatisfyher，forthecheekswereverythin，andthehandsseemedtoofeebletoholdeventherosylittleshellstheyhadbeencollecting。ItcametoherthenmorebitterlythaneverthatBethwasslowlydriftingawayformher，andherarmsinstinctivelytightenedtheirholduponthedearesttreasureshepossessed。Foraminutehereyesweretoodimforseeing，andwhentheycleared，Bethwaslookingupathersotenderlythattherewashardlyanyneedforhertosay，"Jo，dear，I’mgladyouknowit。I’vetriedtotellyou，butIcouldn’t。"
　　Therewasnoanswerexcepthersister’scheekagainstherown，noteventears，forwhenmostdeeplymoved，Jodidnotcry。Shewastheweakerthen，landBethtriedtocomfortandsustainher，withherarmsaboutherandthesoothingwordsshewhisperedinherear。
　　"I’veknownitforagoodwhile，dear，andnowI’musedtoit，itisn’thardtothinkofortobear。Trytoseeitsoanddon’tbetroubledaboutme，becauseit’sbest，indeeditis。"
　　"Isthiswhatmadeyousounhappyintheautumn，Beth？Youdidnotfeelitthen，landkeepittoyourselfsolong，didyou？"askedJo，refusingtoseeorsaythatitwasbest，butgladtoknowthatLauriehadnopartinBeth’strouble。
　　"Yes，Igaveuphopingthen，butIdidn’tliketoownit。Itriedtothinkitwasasickfancy，andwouldnotletittroubleanyone。ButwhenIsawyouallsowellandstrongandfullofhappyplans，itwashardtofeelthatIcouldneverbelikeyou，andthenIwasmiserable，Jo。"
　　"Oh，Beth，andyoudidn’ttellme，didn’tletmecomfortandhelpyou？Howcouldyoushutmeout，bearitallalone？"
　　Jo’svoicewasfulloftenderreproach，andherheartachedtothinkofthesolitarystrugglethatmusthavegoneonwhileBethlearnedtosaygoodbyetohealth，love，andlive，andtakeuphercrosssocheerfully。
　　"Perhapsitwaswrong，butItriedtodoright。Iwasn’tsure，noonesaidanything，andIhopedIwasmistaken。ItwouldhavebeenselfishtofrightenyouallwhenMarmeewassoanxiousaboutMeg，andAmyaway，andyousohappywithLaurie——atleastIthoughtsothen。"
　　"AndIthoughtyoulovedhim，Beth，andIwentawaybecauseIcouldn’t，"criedJo，gladtosayallthetruth。
　　BethlookedsoamazedattheideathatJosmiledinspiteofherpain，andaddedsoftly，"Thenyoudidn’t，dearie？Iwasafraiditwasso，andimaginedyourpoorlittleheartfulloflovelornityallthatwhile。"
　　"Why，Jo，howcouldI，whenhewassofondofyou？"askedBeth，asinnocentlyasachild。"Idolovehimdearly。Heissogoodtome，howcanIhelpIt？Buthecouldneverbeanythingtomebutmybrother。Ihopehetrulywillbe，sometime。"
　　"Notthroughme，"saidJodecidedly。"Amyisleftforhim，andtheywouldsuitexcellently，butIhavenoheartforsuchthings，now。Idon’tcarewhatbecomesofanybodybutyou，Beth。Youmustgetwell。"
　　"Iwantto，oh，somuch！Itry，buteverydayIlosealittle，andfeelmoresurethatIshallnevergainitback。It’slikethetide，Jo，whenitturns，itgoesslowly，butitcan’tbestopped……"
　　"Itshallbestopped，yourtidemustnotturnsosoon，nineteenistooyoung，Beth。Ican’tletyougo。I’llworkandprayandfightagainstit。I’llkeepyouinspiteofeverything。Theremustbeways，itcan’tbetoolate。Godwon’tbesocruelastotakeyoufromme，"criedpoorJorebelliously，forherspiritwasfarlesspiouslysubmissivethanBeth’s。
　　Simple，sincerepeopleseldomspeakmuchoftheirpiety。Itshowsitselfinactsratherthaninwords，andhasmoreinfluencethanhomiliesorprotestations。Bethcouldnotreasonuponorexplainthefaiththatgavehercourageandpatiencetogiveuplife，andcheerfullywaitfordeath。Likeaconfidingchild，sheaskednoquestions，butlefteverythingtoGodandnature，FatherandMotherofusall，feelingsurethatthey，andtheyonly，couldteachandstrengthenheartandspiritforthislifeandthelifetocome。ShedidnotrebukeJowithsaintlyspeeches，onlylovedherbetterforherpassionateaffection，andclungmorecloselytothedearhumanlove，fromwhichourFathernevermeansustobeweaned，butthroughwhichHedrawsusclosertoHimself。Shecouldnotsay，"I’mgladtogo，"forlifewasverysweetforher。Shecouldonlysobout，"Itrytobewilling，"whilesheheldfasttoJo，asthefirstbitterwaveofthisgreatsorrowbrokeoverthemtogether。
　　ByandbyBethsaid，withrecoveredserenity，"You’lltellthemthiswhenwegohome？"
　　"Ithinktheywillseeitwithoutwords，"sighedJo，fornowitseemedtoherthatBethchangedeveryday。
　　"Perhapsnot。I’veheardthatthepeoplewholovebestareoftenblindesttosuchthings。Iftheydon’tseeit，youwilltellthemforme。Idon’twantanysecrets，andit’skindertopreparethem。MeghasJohnandthebabiestocomforther，butyoumuststandbyFatherandMother，won’tyouJo？"
　　"IfIcan。But，Beth，Idon’tgiveupyet。I’mgoingtobelievethatitisasickfancy，andnotletyouthinkit’strue。"saidJo，tryingtospeakcheerfully。
　　Bethlayaminutethinking，andthensaidinherquietway，"Idon’tknowhowtoexpressmyself，andshouldn’ttrytoanyonebutyou，becauseIcan’tspeakoutexcepttomyJo。IonlymeantosaythatIhaveafeelingthatitneverwasintendedIshouldlivelong。I’mnotliketherestofyou。InevermadeanyplansaboutwhatI’ddowhenIgrewup。Ineverthoughtofbeingmarried，asyoualldid。Icouldn’tseemtoimaginemyselfanythingbutstupidlittleBeth，trottingaboutathome，ofnouseanywherebutthere。Ineverwantedtogoaway，andthehardpartnowistheleavingyouall。I’mnotafraid，butitseemsasifIshouldbehomesickforyoueveninheaven。"
　　Jocouldnotspeak，andforseveralminutestherewasnosoundbutthesighofthewindandthelappingofthetide。Awhite—wingedgullflewby，withtheflashofsunshineonitssilverybreast。Bethwatchedittillitvanished，andhereyeswerefullofsadness。Alittlegray—coatedsandbirdcametrippingoverthebeach`peeping’softlytoitself，asifenjoyingthesunandsea。ItcamequiteclosetoBeth，andlookedatherwithafriendlyeyeandsatuponawarmstone，dressingitswetfeathers，quiteathome。Bethsmiledandfeltcomforted，forthetinythingseemedtoofferitssmallfriendshipandremindherthatapleasantworldwasstilltobeenjoyed。
　　"Dearlittlebird！See，Jo，howtameitis。Ilikepeepsbetterthanthegulls。Theyarenotsowildandhandsome，buttheyseemhappy，confidinglittlethings。Iusedtocallthemmybirdslastsummer，andMothersaidtheyremindedherofme——busy，quaker—coloredcreatures，alwaysneartheshore，andalwayschirpingthatcontentedlittlesongoftheirs。Youarethegull，Jo，strongandwild，fondofthestormandthewind，flyingfarouttosea，andhappyallalone。Megistheturtledove，andAmyislikethelarkshewriteabout，tryingtogetupamongtheclouds，butalwaysdroppingdownintoitsnestagain。Dearlittlegirl！She’ssoambitious，butherheartisgoodandtender，andnomatterhowhighsheflies，sheneverwillforgethome。IhopeIshallseeheragain，butsheseemssofaraway。"
　　"Sheiscominginthespring，andImeanthatyoushallbeallreadytoseeandenjoyher。I’mgoingtohaveyouwellandrosybythattime。"beganJo，feelingthatofallthechangesinBeth，thetalkingchangewasthegreatest，foritseemedtocostnoeffortnow，andshethoughtaloudinawayquiteunlikebashfulBeth。
　　"Jo，dear，don’thopeanymore。Itwon’tdoanygood。I’msureofthat。Wewon’tbemiserable，butenjoybeingtogetherwhilewewait。We’llhavehappytimes，forIdon’tsuffermuch，andIthinkthetidewillgoouteasily，ifyouhelpme。"
　　Joleaneddowntokissthetranquilface，andwiththatsilentkiss，shededicatedherselfsoulandbodytoBeth。
　　Shewasright。Therewasnoneedofanywordswhentheygothome，forFatherandMothersawplainlynowwhattheyhadprayedtobesavedfromseeing。Tiredwithhershortjourney，Bethwentatoncetobed，sayinghowgladshewastobehome，andwhenJowentdown，shefoundthatshewouldbesparedthehardtaskoftellingBeth’ssecret。Herfatherstoodleaninghisheadonthemantelpieceanddidnotturnasshecamein，buthermotherstretchedoutherarmsasifforhelp，andJowenttocomfortherwithoutaword。
　　GoodWives:Chapter14CHAPTER14NewImpressionsAtthreeo’clockintheafternoon，allthefashionableworldatNicemaybeseenonthePromenadedesAnglais——acharmingplace，forthewidewalk，borderedwithpalms，flowers，andtropicalshrubs，isboundedononesidebythesea，ontheotherbythegranddrive，linedwithhotelsandvillas，whilebeyondlieorangeorchardsandthehills。Manynationsarerepresented，manylanguagesspoken，manycostumesworn，andonasunnydaythespectacleisasgayandbrilliantasacarnival。HaughtyEnglish，livelyFrench，soberGermans，handsomeSpaniards，uglyRussians，meekJews，free—and—easyAmericans，alldrive，sit，orsaunterhere，chattingoverthenews，andcriticzingthelatestcelebritywhohasarrived——RistoriorDickens，VictorEmmanuelortheQueenoftheSandwichIslands。Theequipagesareasvariedasthecompanyandattractasmuchattention，especiallythelowbasketbarouchesinwhichladiesdrivethemselves，withapairofdashingponies，gaynetstokeeptheirvoluminousflouncesfromoverflowingthediminutivevehicles，andlittlegroomsontheperchbehind。
　　Alongthiswalk，onChristmasDay，atallyoungmanwalkedslowly，withhishandsbehindhim，andasomewhatabsentexpressionofcountenance。HelookedlikeanItalian，wasdressedlikeanEnglishman，andhadtheindependentairofanAmerican——acombinationwhichcausedsundrypairsoffeminineeyestolookapprovinglyafterhim，andsundrydandiesinblackvelvetsuits，withrose—coloredneckties，buffgloves，andorangeflowersintheirbuttonholes，toshrugtheirshoulders，andthenenvyhimhisinches。Therewereplentyofprettyfacestoadmire，buttheyoungmantooklittlenoticeofthem，excepttoglancenowandthenatsomeblondegirlinblue。Presentlyhestrolledoutofthepromenadeandstoodamomentatthecrossing，asifundecidedwhethertogoandlistentothebandintheJardinPublique，ortowanderalongthebeachtowardCastleHill。Thequicktrotofponiesfeetmadehimlookup，asoneofthelittlecarriages，containingasingleyounglady，camerapidlydownthestreet。Theladywasyoung，blonde，anddressedinblue。Hestaredaminute，thenhiswholefacewokeup，and，wavinghishatlikeaboy，hehurriedforwardtomeether。
　　"Oh，Laurie，isitreallyyou？Ithoughtyou’dnevercome！"criedAmy，droppingthereinsandholdingoutbothhands，tothegreatscandalizationofaFrenchmamma，whohastenedherdaughter’ssteps，lestsheshouldbedemoralizedbybeholdingthefreemannersofthese`madEnglish’。
　　"Iwasdetainedbytheway，butIpromisedtospendChristmaswithyou，andhereIam。"
　　"Howisyourgrandfather？Whendidyoucome？Whereareyoustaying？"
　　"Verywell——lastnight——attheChauvain。Icalledatyourhotel，butyouwereout。"
　　"Ihavesomuchtosay，Idon’tknowwheretobegin！Getinandwecantalkatourease。Iwasgoingforadriveandlongingforcompany。Flo’ssavingupfortonight。"
　　"Whathappensthen，aball？"
　　"AChristmaspartyatouthotel。TherearemanyAmericansthere，andtheygiveitinhonoroftheday。You’llgowithus，ofcourse？Auntwillbecharmed。"
　　"Thankyou。Wherenow？"askedLaurie，leaningbackandfoldinghisarms，aproceedingwhichsuitedAmy，whopreferredtodrive，forherparasolwhipandbluereinsoverthewhiteponiesbacksaffordedherinfinitesatisfaction。
　　"I’mgoingtothebankersfirstforletters，andthentoCastleHill。Theviewissolovely，andIliketofeedthepeacocks。Haveyoueverbeenthere？"
　　"Often，yearsago，butIdon’tmindhavingalookatit。"
　　"Nowtellmeallaboutyourself。ThelastIheardofyou，yourgrandfatherwrotethatheexpectedyoufromBerlin。""Yes，IspentamonththereandthenjoinedhiminParis，wherehehassettledforthewinter。Hehasfriendsthereandfindsplentytoamusehim，soIgoandcome，andwegotoncapitally。"
　　"That’sasociablearrangement，"saidAmy，missingsomethinginLaurie’smanner，thoughshecouldn’ttellwhat。
　　"Why，yousee，hehatestotravel，andIhatetokeepstill，soweeachsuitourselves，andthereisnotrouble。Iamoftenwithhim，andheenjoysmyadventures，whileIliketofeelthatsomeoneisgladtoseemewhenIgetbackfrommywanderings。Dirtyoldhole，isn’tit？"headded，withalookofdisgustastheydrovealongtheboulevardtothePlaceNapoleonintheoldcity。
　　"Thedirtispicturesque，soIdon’tmind。Theriverandthehillsaredelicious，andtheseglimpsesofthenarrowcrossstreetsaremydelight。Nowweshallhavetowaitforthatprocessiontopass。It’sgoingtotheChurchofSt。John。"
　　WhileLaurielistlesslywatchedtheprocessionofpriestsundertheircanopies，white—veilednunsbearinglightedtapers，andsomebrotherhoodinbluechantingastheywalked，Amywatchedhim，andfeltanewsortofshynessstealoverher，forhewaschanged，andshecouldnotfindthemerry—facedboysheleftinthemoody—lookingmanbesideher。Hewashandsomerthaneverandgreatlyimproved，shethought，butnowthattheflushofpleasureatmeetingherwasover，helookedtiredandspiritless——notsick，norexactlyunhappy，butolderandgraverthanayearortwoofprosperouslifeshouldhavemadehim。Shecouldn’tunderstanditanddidnotventuretoaskquestions，sosheshookherheadandtouchedupherponies，astheprocessionwoundawayacrossthearchesofthePaglionibridgeandvanishedinthechurch。
　　"Quepensez—vous？"shesaid，airingherFrench，whichhadimprovedinquantity，ifnotinquality，sinceshecameabroad。
　　"Thatmademoisellehasmadegooduseofhertime，andtheresultischarming，"repliedLaurie，bowingwithhishandonhisheartandanadmiringlook。
　　Sheblushedwithpleasure，butsomehowthecomplimentdidnotsatisfyherlikethebluntpraisesheusedtogiveherathome，whenhepromenadedroundheronfestivaloccasions，andtoldhershewas`altogetherjolly’，withaheartysmileandanapprovingpatonthehead。Shedidn’tlikethenewtone，forthoughnotblase，itsoundedindifferentinspiteofthelook。
　　"Ifthat’sthewayhe’sgoingtogrowup，Iwishhe’sstayaboy，"shethought，withacurioussenseofdisappointmentanddiscomfort，tryingmeantimetoseemquiteeasyandgay。
　　AtAvigdor’sshefoundtheprecioushomelettersand，givingthereinstoLaurie，readthemluxuriouslyastheywounduptheshadyroadbetweengreenhedges，wheretearosesbloomedasfreshlyasinJune。
　　"Bethisverypoorly，Mothersays。IoftenthinkIoughttogohome，buttheyallsay`stay’。SoIdo，forIshallneverhaveanotherchancelikethis，"saidAmy，lookingsoberoveronepage。
　　"Ithinkyouareright，there。Youcoulddonothingathome，anditisagreatcomforttothemtoknowthatyouarewellandhappy，andenjoyingsomuch，mydear。"
　　Hedrewalittlenearer，andlookedmorelikehisoldselfashesaidthat，andthefearthatsometimesweighedonAmy’sheartwaslightened，forthelook，theact，thebrotherly`mydear’，seemedtoassureherthatifanytroubledidcome，shewouldnotbealoneinastrangeland。PresentlyshelaughedandshowedhimasmallsketchofJoinherscribblingsuit，withthebowrampantlyerectuponhercap，andissuingfromhermouththewords，`Geniusburns！’。