wishI’dprintedthewholeornotatall，forIdohatetobesomisjudged。“
　　Herfamilyandfriendsadministeredcomfortandcommendationliberally。Yetitwasahardtimeforsensitive，high-spiritedJo，whomeantsowellandhadapparentlydonesoill。Butitdidhergood，forthosewhoseopinionhadrealvaluegaveherthecritismwhichisanauthor’sbesteducation，andwhenthefirstsorenesswasover，shecouldlaughatherpoorlittlebook，yetbelieveinitstill，andfeelherselfthewiserandstrongerforthebuffetingshehadreceived。
　　“Notbeingagenius，likeKeats，itwon’tkillme，“shesaidstoutly，“andI’vegotthejokeonmyside，afterall，forthepartsthatweretakenstraightoutofreallifearedenouncedasimpossibleandabsurd，andthescenesthatImadeupoutofmyownsillyheadarepronounced`charminglynatural，tender，andtrue’。SoI’llcomfortmyselfwiththat，andwhenI’mready，I’llupagainandtakeanother。“
　　Likemostotheryoungmatrons，Megbeganhermarriedlifewiththedeterminationtobeamodelhousekeeper。Johnshouldfindhomeaparadise，heshouldalwaysseeasmilingface，shouldfaresumptuouslyeveryday，andneverknowthelossofabutton。Shebroughtsomuchlove，energy，andcheerfulnesstotheworkthatshecouldnotbutsucceed，inspiteofsomeobstacles。Herparadisewasnotatranquilone，forthelittlewomanfussed，wasover-anxioustoplease，andbustledaboutlikeatrueMartha，cumberedwithmanycares。Shewastootired，sometimes，eventosmile，Johngrewdyspepticafteracourseofdaintydishesandungratefullydemandedplainfare。Asforbuttons，shesoonlearnedtowonderwheretheywent，toshakeherheadoverthecarelessnessofmen，andtothreatentomakehimsewthemonhimself，andseeifhisworkwouldstandimpatientandclumsyfingersanybetterthanhers。
　　Theywereveryhappy，evenaftertheydiscoveredthattheycouldn’tliveonlovealone。JohndidnotfindMeg’sbeautydiminished，thoughshebeamedathimfrombehindthefamiliarcoffeepot。
　　NordidMegmissanyoftheromancefromthedailyparting，whenherhusbandfolloweduphiskisswiththetenderinquiry，“ShallIsendsomevealormuttonfordinner，darling？“Thelittlehouseceasedtobeaglorifiedbower，butitbecameahome，andtheyoungcouplesoonfeltthatitwasachangeforthebetter。Atfirsttheyplayedkeep-house，andfrolickedoveritlikechildren。ThenJohntooksteadilytobusiness，feelingthecaresoftheheadofafamilyuponhisshoulders，andMeglaidbyhercambricwrappers，putonabigapron，andfelltowork，asbeforesaid，withmoreenergythandiscretion。
　　WhilethecookingmanialastedshewentthroughMrs。Cornelius’sReceiptBookasifitwereamathematicalexercise，workingouttheproblemswithpatienceandcare。Sometimesherfamilywereinvitedintohelpeatupatoobounteousfeastofsuccesses，orLottywouldbeprivatelydispatchedwithabatchoffailures，whichweretobeconcealedfromalleyesintheconvenientstomachsofthelittleHummels。AneveningwithJohnovertheaccountbooksusuallyproducedatemporarylullintheculinaryenthusiasm，andafrugalfitwouldensue，duringwhichthepoormanwasputthroughacourseofbreadpudding，hash，andwarmed-overcoffee，whichtriedhissoul，althoughheboreitwithpraiseworthyfortitude。Beforethegoldenmeanwasfound，however，Megaddedtoherdomesticpossessionswhatyoungcouplesseldomgetonlongwithout，afamilyjar。
　　Firedawithhousewifelywishtoseeherstoreroomstockedwithhomemadepreserves，sheundertooktoputupherowncurrantjelly。
　　Johnwasrequestedtoorderhomeadozenorsooflittlepotsandanextraquantityofsugar，fortheirowncurrantswereripeandweretobeattendedtoatonce。AsJohnfirmlybelievedthat`mywife’
　　wasequaltoanything，andtookanaturalprideinherskill，heresolvedthatsheshouldbegratified，andtheironlycropoffruitlaidbyinamostpleasingformforwinteruse。Homecamefourdozendelightfullittlepots，halfabarrelofsugar，andasmallboytopickthecurrantsforher。Withherprettyhairtuckedintoalittlecap，armsbaredtotheelbow，andacheckedapronwhichhadacoquettishlookinspiteofthebib，theyounghousewifefelltowork，feelingnodoubtsabouthersuccess，forhadn’tsheseenHannahdoithundredsoftimes？Thearrayofpotsratheramazedheratfirst，butJohnwassofondofjelly，andthenicelittlejarswouldlooksowellonthetopshelf，thatMegresolvedtofillthemall，andspendalongdaypicking，boiling，straining，andfussingoverherjelly。Shedidherbest，sheaskedadviceofMrs。Cornelius，sherackedherbraintorememberwhatHannahdidthatsheleftundone，shereboiled，resugared，andrestrained，butthatdreadfulstuffwouldn’t`jell’。
　　Shelongedtorunhome，bibandall，andaskMothertolendherahand，butJohnandshehadagreedthattheywouldneverannoyanyonewiththeirprivateworries，experiments，orquarrels。Theyhadlaughedoverthatlastwordasiftheideaitsuggestedwasamostpreposterousone，buttheyhadheldtotheirresolve，andwhenevertheycouldgetonwithouthelptheydidso，andnooneinterfered，forMrs。Marchhadadvisedtheplan。SoMegwrestledalonewiththerefractorysweetmeatsallthathotsummerday，andatfiveo’clocksatdowninhertopsy-turveykitchen，wrungherbedaubedhands，lifteduphervoiceandwept。
　　Now，inthefirstflushofthenewlife，shehadoftensaid，“Myhusbandshallalwaysfeelfreetobringafriendhomewheneverhelikes。Ishallalwaysbeprepared。Thereshallbenoflurry，noscolding，nodiscomfort，butaneathouse，acheerfulwife，andagooddinner。John，dear，neverstoptoaskmyleave，invitewhomyouplease，andbesureofawelcomefromme。“
　　Howcharmingthatwas，tobesure!Johnquiteglowedwithpridetohearhersayit，andfeltwhatablessedthingitwastohaveasuperiorwife。But，althoughtheyhadhadcompanyfromtimetotime，itneverhappenedtobeunexpected，andMeghadneverhadanopportunitytodistinguishherselftillnow。Italwayshappenssointhisvaleoftears，thereisaninevitabilityaboutsuchthingswhichwecanonlywonderat，deplore，andbearaswebestcan。
　　IfJohnhadnotforgottenallaboutthejelly，itreallywouldhavebeenunpardonableinhimtochoosethatday，ofallthedaysintheyear，tobringafriendhometodinnerunexpectedly。Congratulatinghimselfthatahandsomerepasthadbeenorderedthatmorning，feelingsurethatitwouldbereadytotheminute，andindulginginpleasantanticipationsofthecharmingeffectitwouldproduce，whenhisprettywifecamerunningouttomeethim，heescortedhisfriendtohismansion，withtheirrepressiblesatisfactionofayounghostandhusband。
　　Itisaworldofdisappointments，asJohndiscoveredwhenhereachedtheDovecote。thefrontdoorusuallystoodhospitablyopen。
　　Nowitwasnotonlyshut，butlocked，andyesterday’smudstilladornedthesteps。Theparlorwindowswereclosedandcurtained，nopictureoftheprettywifesewingonthepiazza，inwhite，withadistractinglittlebowinherhair，orabright-eyedhostess，smilingashywelcomeasshegreetedherguest。Nothingofthesort，fornotasoulappearedbutasanginary-lookingboyasleepunderthecurrentbushes。
　　“I’mafraidsomethinghashappened。Stepintothegarden，Scott，whileIlookupMrs。Brooke，“saidJohn，alarmedatthesilenceandsolitude。
　　Roundthehousehehurried，ledbyapungentsmellofburnedsugar，andMr。Scottstrolledafterhim，withaqueerlookonhisface。HepauseddiscreetlyatadistancewhenBrookedisappeared，buthecouldbothseeandhear，andbeingabachelor，enjoyedtheprospectmightily。
　　Inthekitchenreignedconfusionanddespair。Oneeditionofjellywastrickledfrompottopot，anotherlayuponthefloor，andathirdwasburninggailyonthestove。Lotty，withTeutonicphlegm，wascalmlyeatingbreadandcurrantwine，forthejellywasstillinahopelesslyliquidstate，whileMrs。Brooke，withherapronoverherhead，satsobbingdismally。
　　“Mydearestgirl，whatisthematter？“criedJohn，rushingin，withawfulvisionsofscaldedhands，suddennewsofaffliction，andsecretconsternationatthethoughtoftheguestinthegarden。
　　“Oh，John，Iamsotiredandhotandcrossandworried!I’vebeenatittillI’mallwornout。DocomeandhelpmeorIshalldie!“Andtheexhaustedhousewifecastherselfuponhisbreast，givinghimasweetwelcomeineverysenseoftheword，forherpinaforehadbeenbaptizedatthesametimeasthefloor。
　　“Whatworriesyoudear？Hasanythingdreadfulhappened？“
　　askedtheanxiousJohn，tenderlykissingthecrownofthelittlecap，whichwasallaskew。
　　“Yes，“sobbedMegdespairingly。
　　“Tellmequick，then。Don’tcry。Icanbearanythingbetterthanthat。Outwithit，love。“
　　“The……Thejellywon’tjellandIdon’tknowwhattodo!“
　　JohnBrookelaughedthenasheneverdaredtolaughafterward，andthederisiveScottsmiledinvoluntarilyasheheardtheheartypeal，whichputthefinishingstroketopoorMeg’swoe。
　　“Isthatall？Flingitoutofthewindow，anddon’tbotheranymoreaboutit。I’llbuyyouquartsifyouwantit，butforheaven’ssakedon’thavehysterics，forI’vebroughtJackScotthometodinner，and……“
　　Johngotnofurther，forMegcasthimoff，andclaspedherhandswithatragicgestureasshefellintoachair，exclaiminginatoneofmingledindignation，reproach，anddismay……
　　“Amantodinner，andeverythinginamess!JohnBrooke，howcouldyoudosuchathing？“
　　“Hush，he’sinthegarden!Iforgottheconfoundedjelly，butitcan’tbehelpednow，“saidJohn，surveyingtheprospectwithananxiouseye。
　　“Yououghttohavesentword，ortoldmethismorning，andyououghttohaverememberedhowbusyIwas，“continuedMegpetulantly，foreventurtledoveswillpeckwhenruffled。
　　“Ididn’tknowitthismorning，andtherewasnotimetosendword，forImethimonthewayout。Ineverthoughtofaskingleave，whenyouhavealwaystoldmetodoasIliked。Inevertrieditbefore，andhangmeifIeverdoagain!“addedJohn，withanaggrievedair。
　　“Ishouldhopenot!Takehimawayatonce。Ican’tseehim，andthereisn’tanydinner。“
　　“Well，Ilikethat!Where’sthebeefandvegetablesIsenthome，andthepuddingyoupromised？“criedJohn，rushingtothelarder。
　　“Ihadn’ttimetocookanything。ImeanttodineatMother’s。
　　I’msorry，butIwassobusy，“andMeg’stearsbeganagain。
　　Johnwasamildman，buthewashuman，andafteralongday’sworktocomehometired，hungry，andhopeful，tofindachaotichouse，anemptytable，andacrosswifewasnotexactlyconductivetoreposeofmindormanner。Herestrainedhimselfhowever，andthelittlesquallwouldhaveblownover，butforoneunluckyword。
　　“It’sascrape，Iacknowledge，butifyouwilllendahand，we’llpullthroughandhaveagoodtimeyet。Don’tcry，dear，butjustexertyourselfabit，andfixusupsomethingtoeat。We’rebothashungryashunters，soweshan’tmindwhatitis。Giveusthecoldmeat，andbreadandcheese。Wewon’taskforjelly。“
　　Hemeantittobeagood-naturedjoke，butthatonewordsealedhisfate。Megthoughtitwastoocrueltohintabouthersadfailure，andthelastatomofpatiencevanishedashespoke。
　　“Youmustgetyourselfoutofthescrapeasyoucan。I’mtoousedupto`exert’myselfforanyone。It’slikeamantoproposeaboneandvulgarbreadandcheeseforcompany。Iwon’thaveanythingofthesortinmyhouse。TakethatScottuptoMother’s，andtellhimI’maway，sick，dead，anything。Iwon’tseehim，andyoutwocanlaughatmeandmyjellyasmuchasyoulike。Youwon’thaveanythingelsehere。“Andhavingdeliveredherdefianceallononebreath，Megcastawayherpinaforeandprecipitatelyleftthefieldtobemoanherselfinherownroom。
　　Whatthosetwocreaturesdidinherabsence，sheneverknew，butMr。scottwasnottaken`uptoMother’s’，andwhenMegdescended，aftertheyhadstrolledawaytogether，shefoundtracesofapromiscuouslunchwhichfilledherwithhorror。Lottyreportedthattheyhadeaten“amuch，andgreatlylaughed，andthemasterbidherthrowawayallthesweetstuff，andhidethepots。“
　　MeglongedtogoandtellMother，butasenseofshameatherownshortcomings，ofloyaltytoJohn，“whomightbecruel，butnobodyshouldknowit，“restrainedher，andafterasummarycleaningup，shedressedherselfprettily，andsatdowntowaitforJohntocomeandbeforgiven。
　　Unfortunately，Johndidn’tcome，notseeingthematterinthatlight。HehadcarrieditoffasagoodjokewithScott，excusedhislittlewifeaswellashecould，andplayedthehostsohospitablythathisfriendenjoyedtheimpromptudinner，andpromisedtocomeagain，butJohnwasangry，thoughhedidnotshowit，hefeltthatMeghaddesertedhiminhishourofneed。“Itwasn’tfairtotellamantobringfolkshomeanytime，withperfectfreedom，andwhenhetookyouatyourword，toflameupandblamehim，andleavehiminthelurch，tobelaughedatorpitied。No，byGeorge，itwasn’t!
　　AndMegmustknowit。“
　　Hehadfumedinwardlyduringthefeast，butwhentheflurrywasoverandhestrolledhomeafterseeingScottoff，amildermoodcameoverhim。“Poorlittlething!Itwasharduponherwhenshetriedsoheartilytopleaseme。Shewaswrong，ofcourse，butthenshewasyoung。Imustbepatientandteachher。“Hehopedshehadnotgonehome——hehatedgossipandinterference。Foraminutehewasruffledagainatthemerethoughtofit，andthenthefearthatMegwouldcryherselfsicksoftenedhisheart，andsenthimonataquickerpace，resolvingtobecalmandkind，butfirm，quitefirm，andshowherwhereshehadfailedinherdutytoherspouse。
　　Meglikewiseresolvedtobe`calmandkind，butfirm’，andshowhimhisduty。Shelongedtoruntomeethim，andbegpardon，andbekissedandcomforted，asshewassureofbeing，but，ofcourse，shedidnothingofthesort，andwhenshesawJohncoming，begantohumquitenaturally，assherockedandsewed，likealadyofleisureinherbestparlor。
　　JohnwasalittledisappointednottofindatenderNiobe，butfeelingthathisdignitydemandedthefirstapology，hemadenone，onlycameleisurelyinandlaidhimselfuponthesofawiththesingularlyrelevantremark，“Wearegoingtohaveanewmoon，mydear。“
　　“I’venoobjection，“wasMeg’sequallysoothingremark。AfewothertopicsofgeneralinterestwereintroducedbyMr。Brookeandwet-blanketedbyMrs。Brooke，andconversationlanguished。Johnwenttoonewindow，unfoldedhispaper，andwrappedhimselfinit，figurativelyspeaking。Megwenttotheotherwindow，andsewedasifnewrosettesforslipperswereamongthenecessariesoflife。
　　Neitherspoke。Bothlookedquite`calmandfirm’，andbothfeltdesperatelyuncomfortable。
　　“Oh，dear，“thoughtMeg，“marriedlifeisverytrying，anddoesneedinfinitepatienceaswellaslove，asMothersays。“
　　Theword`Mother’suggestedothermaternalcounselsgivenlongago，andreceivedwithunbelievingprotests。
　　“Johnisagoodman，buthehashisfaults，andyoumustlearntoseeandbearwiththem，rememberingyourown。Heisverydecided，butneverwillbeobstinate，ifyoureasonkindly，notopposeimpatiently。
　　Heisveryaccurate，andparticularaboutthetruth——agoodtrait，thoughyoucallhim`fussy’。Neverdeceivehimbylookorword，Meg，andhewillgiveyoutheconfidenceyoudeserve，thesupportyouneed。Hehasatemper，notlikeours——oneflashandthenallover——butthewhite，stillangerthatisseldomstirred，butoncekindledishardtoquench。Becareful，beverycareful，nottowakehisangeragainstyourself，forpeaceandhappinessdependonkeepinghisrespect。Watchyourself，bethefirsttoaskpardonifyoubotherr，andguardagainstthelittlepiques，misunderstandings，andhastywordsthatoftenpavethewayforbittersorrowandregret。“
　　ThesewordscamebacktoMeg，asshesatsewinginthesunset，especiallythelast。Thiswasthefirstseriousdisagreement，herownhastyspeechessoundedbothsillyandunkind，assherecalledthem，herownangerlookedchildishnow，andthoughtsofpoorJohncominghometosuchascenequitemeltedherheart。Sheglancedathimwithtearsinhereyes，buthedidnotseethem。Sheputdownherworkandgotup，thinking，“Iwillbethefirsttosay，`Forgiveme’，buthedidnotseemtohearher。Shewentveryslowlyacrosstheroom，forpridewashardtoswallow，andstoodbyhim，buthedidnotturnhishead。Foraminuteshefeltasifshereallycouldn’tdoit，thencamethethought，Thisisthebeginning。
　　I’lldomypart，andhavenothingtoreproachmyselfwith，“
　　andstoopingsown，shesoftlykissedherhusbandontheforehead。
　　Ofcoursethatsettledit。Thepenitentkisswasbetterthanaworldofwords，andJohnhadheronhiskneeinaminute，sayingtenderly……
　　“Itwastoobadtolaughatthepoorlittlejellypots。
　　Forgiveme，dear。Ineverwillagain!“