TuesdayEveHadalivelytimeinmyseminarythismorning，forthechildrenactedlikeSancho，andatonetimeIreallythoughtI
　　shouldshakethemallround。Somegoodangelinspiredmetotrygymnastics，andIkeptituptilltheyweregladtositdownandkeepstill。Afterluncheon，thegirltookthemoutforawalk，andIwenttomyneedleworklikelittleMabel`withawillingmind’。IwasthankingmystarsthatI’dlearnedtomakenicebuttonholes，whentheparlordooropenedandshut，andsomeonebegantohum，KennstDuDasLand，likeabigbumblebee。
　　Itwasdreadfullyimproper，Iknow，butIcouldn’tresistthetemptation，andliftingoneendofthecurtainbeforetheglassdoor，Ipeepedin。ProfessorBhaerwasthere，andwhilehearrangedhisbooks，Itookagoodlookathim。A
　　regularGerman——ratherstout，withbrownhairtumbledalloverhishead，abushybeard，goodnose，thekindesteyesIeversaw，andasplendidbigvoicethatdoesone’searsgood，afteroursharporslipshodAmericangabble。Hisclotheswererusty，hishandswerelarge，andhehadn’tareallyhandsomefeatureinhisface，excepthisbeautifulteeth，yetIlikedhim，forhehadafinehead，hislinenwasverynice，andhelookedlikeagentleman，thoughtwobuttonswereoffhiscoatandtherewasapatchononeshoe。Helookedsoberinspiteofhishumming，tillhewenttothewindowtoturnthehyacinthbulbstowardthesun，andstrokethecat，whoreceivedhimlikeanoldfriend。Thenhesmiled，andwhenatapcameatthedoor，calledoutinaloud，brisktone，“Herein!“
　　Iwasjustgoingtorun，whenIcaughtsightofamorselofachildcarryingabigbook，andstopped，toseewhatwasgoingon。
　　“MewantsmeBhaer，“saidthemite，slammingdownherbookandrunningtomeethim。
　　“ThoushalthafthyBhaer。Come，then，andtakeagoothugfromhim，myTina，“saidtheProfessor，catchingherupwithalaugh，andholdinghersohighoverhisheadthatshehadtostoopherlittlefacetokisshim。
　　“Nowmemustuddymylessin，“wentonthefunnylittlething。Soheputherupatthetable，openedthegreatdictionaryshehadbrought，andgaveherapaperandpencil，andshescribbledaway，turningaleafnowandthen，andpassingherlittlefatfingerdownthepage，asiffindingaword，sosoberlythatInearlybetrayedmyselfbyalaugh，whileMr。Bhaerstoodstrokingherprettyhairwithafatherlylookthatmademethinkshemustbehisown，thoughshelookedmoreFrenchthanGerman。
　　Anotherknockandtheappearanceoftwoyoungladiessentmebacktomywork，andthereIvirtuouslyremainedthroughallthenoiseandgabblingthatwentonnextdoor。Oneofthegirlskeptlaughingaffectedly，andsaying，“NowProfessor，“inacoquettishtone，andtheotherpronouncedherGermanwithanaccentthatmusthavemadeithardforhimtokeepsober。
　　Bothseemedtotryhispatiencesorely，formorethanonceIheardhimsayemphatically，“No，no，itisnotso，youhafnotattendtowhatIsay，“andoncetherewasaloudrap，asifhestruckthetablewithhisbook，followedbythedespairingexclamation，“Prut!Itallgoesbadthisday。“
　　Poorman，Ipitiedhim，andwhenthegirlsweregone，tookjustonemorepeeptoseeifhesurvivedit。Heseemedtohavethrownhimselfbackinhischair，tiredout，andsattherewithhiseyesshuttilltheclockstrucktwo，whenhejumpedup，puthisbooksinhispocket，asifreadyforanotherlesson，andtakinglittleTinawhohadfallenasleeponthesofainhisarms，hecarriedherquietlyaway。Ifancyhehasahardlifeofit。Mrs。KirkeaskedmeifIwouldn’tgodowntothefiveo’clockdinner，andfeelingalittlebithomesick，IthoughtIwould，justtoseewhatsortofpeopleareunderthesameroofwithme。SoImademyselfrespectableandtriedtoslipinbehindMrs。Kirke，butassheisshortandI’mtall，myeffortsatconcealmentwereratherafailure。Shegavemeaseatbyher，andaftermyfacecooledoff，Ipluckedupcourageandlookedaboutme。Thelongtablewasfull，andevery——
　　oneintentongettingtheirdinner，thegentlemenespecially，whoseemedtobeeatingontime，fortheyboltedineverysenseoftheword，vanishingassoonastheyweredone。Therewastheusualassortmentofyoungmenabsorbedinthemselves，youngcouplesabsorbedineachother，marriedladiesintheirbabies，andoldgentlemeninpolitics。Idon’tthinkIshallcaretohavemuchtodowithanyofthem，exceptonesweetfacedmaidenlady，wholooksasifshehadsomethinginher。
　　CastawayattheverybottomofthetablewastheProfessor，shoutinganswerstothequestionsofaveryinquisitive，deafoldgentlemanononeside，andtalkingphilosophywithaFrenchmanontheother。IfAmyhadbeenhere，she’dhaveturnedherbackonhimforeverbecause，sadtorelate，hehadagreatappetite，andshoveledinhisdinnerinamannerwhichwouldhavehorrified`herladyship’。Ididn’tmind，forIlike`toseefolkseatwitharelish’，asHannahsays，andthepoormanmusthaveneededadealoffoodafterteachingidiotsallday。
　　AsIwentupstairsafterdinner，twooftheyoungmenweresettlingtheirhatsbeforethehallmirror，andIheardonesaylowtotheother，“Who’sthenewparty？“
　　“Governess，orsomethingofthatsort。“
　　“Whatthedeuceissheatourtablefor？“
　　“Friendoftheoldlady’s。“
　　“Handsomehead，butnostyle。“
　　“Notabitofit。Giveusalightandcomeon。“
　　Ifeltangryatfirst，andthenIdidn’tcare，foragovernessisasgoodasaclerk，andI’vegotsense，ifIhaven’tstyle，whichismorethansomepeoplehave，judgingfromtheremarksoftheelegantbeingswhoclatteredaway，smokinglikebadchimneys。Ihateordinarypeople!
　　ThursdayYesterdaywasaquietdayspentinteaching，sewing，andwritinginmylittleroom，whichisverycozy，withalightandfire。IpickedupafewbitsofnewsandwasintroducedtotheProfessor。ItseemsthatTinaisthechildoftheFrenchwomanwhodoesthefineironinginthelaundryhere。ThelittlethinghaslostherhearttoMr。Bhaer，andfollowshimaboutthehouselikeadogwheneverheisathome，whichdelightshim，asheisveryfondofchildren，thougha`bacheldore’。KittyandMinnieKirklikewiseregardhimwithaffection，andtellallsortsofstoriesabouttheplaysheinvents，thepresentshebrings，andthesplendidtaleshetells。Theyoungermenquizhim，itseems，callhimOldFritz，LagerBeer，UrsaMajor，andmakeallmannerofjokesonhisname。Butheenjoysitlikeaboy，Mrs。Kirkesays，andtakesitsogood-naturedlythattheyalllikehiminspiteofhisforeignways。
　　ThemaidenladyisaMissNorton，rich，cultivated，andkind。ShespoketomeatdinnertodayforIwenttotableagain，it’ssuchfuntowatchpeople，andaskedmetocomeandseeheratherroom。Shehasfinebooksandpictures，knowsinterestingpersons，andseemsfriendly，soIshallmakemyselfagreeable，forIdowanttogetintogoodsociety，onlyitisn’tthesamesortthatAmylikes。
　　IwasinourparlorlasteveningwhenMr。BhaercameinwithsomenewspapersforMrs。Kirke。Shewasn’tthere，butMinnie，whoisalittleoldwoman，introducedmeveryprettily。
　　“ThisisMamma’sfriend，MissMarch。“
　　“Yes，andshe’sjollyandwelikeherlots，“addedKitty，whoisand`enfantterrible’。
　　Webothbowed，andthenwelaughed，fortheprimintroductionandthebluntadditionwereratheracomicalcontrast。
　　“Ah，yes，Ihearthesenaughtyonesgotovexyou，MeesMarsch。Ifsoagain，callatmeandIcome，“hesaid，withathreateningfrownthatdelightedthelittlewretches。
　　IpromisedIwould，andhedeparted，butitseemsasifI
　　wasdoomedtoseeagooddealofhim，fortodayasIpassedhisdooronmywayout，byaccidentIknockedagainstitwithmyumbrella。Itflewopen，andtherehestoodinhisdressinggown，withabigbluesockononehandandadarningneedleintheother。Hedidn’tseematallashamedofit，forwhenIexplainedandhurriedon，hewavedhishand，sockandall，sayinginhisloud，cheerfulway……
　　“Youhafafinedaytomakeyourwalk。Bonvoyage，Mademoiselle。“
　　Ilaughedallthewaydownstairs，butitwasalittlepathetic，alsotothinkofthepoormanhavingtomendhisownclothes。
　　TheGermangentlemenembroider，Iknow，butdarninghoseisanotherthingandnotsopretty。
　　Nothinghashappenedtowriteabout，exceptacallonMissNorton，whohasaroomfullofprettythings，andwhowasverycharming，forsheshowedmeallhertreasures，andaskedmeifIwouldsometimesgowithhertolecturesandconcerts，asherescort，ifIenjoyedthem。Sheputitasafavor，butI’msureMrs。Kirkehastoldheraboutus，andshedoesitoutofkindnesstome。I’masproudasLucifer，butsuchfavorsfromsuchpeopledon’tburdenme，andIacceptedgratefully。
　　WhenIgotbacktothenurserytherewassuchanuproarintheparlorthatIlookedin，andtherewasMr。Bhaerdownonhishandsandknees，withTinaonhisback，Kittyleadinghimwithajumprope，andMinniefeedingtwosmallboyswithseedcakes，astheyroaredandrampedincagesbuiltofchairs。
　　“Weareplayingnargerie，“explainedKitty。
　　“Disismineeffalunt!“addedTina，holdingonbytheProfessor’shair。
　　“MammaalwaysallowsustodowhatwelikeSaturdayafternoon，whenFranzandEmilcome，doesn’tshe，Mr。Bhaer？“
　　saidMinnie。
　　The`effalunt’satup，lookingasmuchinearnestasanyofthem，andsaidsoberlytome，“Igifyoumywortitisso，ifwemaketoolargeanoiseyoushallsayHush!tous，andwegomoresoftly。“
　　Ipromisedtodoso，butleftthedooropenandenjoyedthefunasmuchastheydid，foramoregloriousfrolicIneverwitnessed。Theyplayedtagandsoldiers，dancedandsang，andwhenitbegantogrowdarktheyallpiledontothesofaabouttheProfessor，whilehetoldcharmingfairystoriesofthestorksonthechimneytops，andthelittle`koblods’，whoridethesnowflakesastheyfall。IwishAmericanswereassimpleandnaturalasGermans，don’tyou？
　　I’msofondofwriting，Ishouldgospinningonforeverifmotivesofeconomydidn’tstopme，forthoughI’veusedthinpaperandwrittenfine，Itrembletothinkofthestampsthislongletterwillneed。PrayforwardAmy’sassoonasyoucansparethem。Mysmallnewswillsoundveryflatafterhersplendors，butyouwilllikethem，Iknow。IsTeddystudyingsohardthathecan’tfindtimetowritetohisfriends？Takegoodcareofhimforme，Beth，andtellmeallaboutthebabies，andgiveheapsoflovetoeveryone。FromyourfaithfulJo。
　　P。S。Onreadingovermyletter，itstrikesmeasratherBhaery，butIamalwaysinterestedinoddpeople，andIreallyhadnothingelsetowriteabout。Blessyou!
　　DECEMBER
　　MyPreciousBetsey，Asthisistobeascribble-scrabbleletter，Idirectittoyou，foritmayamuseyou，andgiveyousomeideaofmygoingson，forthoughquiet，theyareratheramusing，forwhich，oh，bejoyful!AfterwhatAmywouldcallHerculaneumefforts，inthewayofmentalandmoralagriculture，myyoungideasbegintoshootandmylittletwigstobendasIcouldwish。TheyarenotsointerestingtomeasTinaandtheboys，butIdomydutybythem，andtheyarefondofme。FranzandEmilarejollylittlelads，quiteaftermyownheart，forthemixtureofGermanandAmericanspiritintheproducesaconstantstateofeffervescence。Saturdayafternoonsareriotoustimes，whetherspentinthehouseorout，foronpleasantdaystheyallgotowalk，likeaseminary，withtheProfessorandmyselftokeeporder，andthensuchfun!
　　Weareverygoodfriendsnow，andI’vebeguntotakelessons。Ireallycouldn’thelpit，anditallcameaboutinsuchadrollwaythatImusttellyou。Tobeginatthebeginning，Mrs。KirkecalledtomeonedayasIpassedMr。Bhaer’sroomwhereshewasrummaging。
　　“Didyoueverseesuchaden，mydear？Justcomeandhelpmeputthesebookstorights，forI’veturnedeverythingupsidedown，tryingtodiscoverwhathehasdonewiththesixnewhandkerchiefsIgavehimnotlongago。“
　　Iwentin，andwhileweworkedIlookedaboutme，foritwas`aden’tobesure。Booksandpaperseverywhere，abrokenmeerschaum，andanoldfluteoverthemantlepieceasifdonewith，araggedbirdwithoutanytailchirpedononewindowseat，andaboxofwhitemiceadornedtheother。Half-finishedboatsandbitsofstringlayamongthemanuscripts。Dirtylittlebootsstooddryingbeforethefire，andtracesofthedearlybelovedboys，forwhomhemakesaslaveofhimself，weretobeseenallovertheroom。Afteragrandrummagethreeofthemissingarticleswerefound，oneoverthebirdcage，onecoveredwithink，andathirdburnedbrown，havingbeenusedasaholder。
　　“Suchaman!“laughedgood-naturedMrs。K。，assheputtherelicsintheragbay。“Isupposetheothersaretornuptorigships，bandagecutfingers，ormakekitetails。It’sdreadful，butIcan’tscoldhim。He’ssoabsent-mindedandgoodnatured，heletsthoseboysrideoverhimroughshod。Iagreedtodohiswashingandmending，butheforgetstogiveouthisthingsandIforgettolookthemover，sohecomestoasadpasssometimes。“
　　“Letmemendthem，“saidI。“Idon’tmindit，andheneedn’tknow。I’dliketo，he’ssokindtomeaboutbringingmylettersandlendingbooks。“
　　SoIhavegothisthingsinorder，andknitheelsintotwopairsofthesocks，fortheywereboggledoutofshapewithhisqueerdarns。Nothingwassaid，andIhopedhewouldn’tfinditout，butonedaylastweekhecaughtmeatit。HearingthelessonshegivestoothershasinterestedandamusedmesomuchthatItookafancytolear，forTinarunsinandout，leavingthedooropen，andIcanhear。Ihadbeensittingnearthisdoor，finishingoffthelastsock，andtryingtounderstandwhathesaidtoanewscholar，whoisasstupidasIam。Thegirlhadgone，andIthoughthehadalso，itwassostill，andIwasbusilygabblingoveraverb，androckingtoandfroinamostabsurdway，whenalittlecrowmademelookup，andtherewasMr。Bhaerlookingandlaughingquietly，whilehemadesignstoTinanottobetrayhim。
　　“So!“hesaid，asIstoppedandstaredlikeagoose，“youpeepatme，Ipeepatyou，andthisisnotbad，butsee，IamnotpleasantingwhenIsay，hafyouawishforGerman？“
　　“Yes，butyouaretoobusy。Iamtoostupidtolearn，“I
　　blunderedout，asredasapeony。