Thoughutterlyunlikeincharacter，thetwinsgotonremarkablywelltogether，andseldomquarreledmorethanthriceaday。Ofcourse，DemityrannizedoverDaisy，andgallantlydefendedherfromeveryotheraggressor，whileDaisymadeagalleyslaveofherself，andadoredherbrotherastheoneperfectbeingintheworld。Arosy，chubby，sunshinylittlesoulwasDaisy，whofoundherwaytoeverybody’sheart，andnestledthere。Oneofthecaptivatingchildren，whoseemmadetobekissedandcuddled，adornedandadoredlikelittlegoddesses，andproducedforgeneralapprovalonallfestiveoccasions。
　　Hersmallvirtuesweresosweetthatshewouldhavebeenquiteangelicifafewsmallnaughtinesseshadnotkeptherdelightfullyhuman。Itwasallfairweatherinherworld，andeverymorningshescrambleduptothewindowinherlittlenightgowntolookour，andsay，nomatterwhetheritrainedorshone，“Oh，pittyday，oh，pittyday!“Everyonewasafriend，andsheofferedkissestoastrangersoconfidinglythatthemostinveteratebachelorrelented，andbaby-loversbecamefaithfulworshipers。
　　“Melovesevvybody，“sheoncesaid，openingherarms，withherspooninonehand，andhermugintheother，asifeagertoembraceandnourishthewholeworld。
　　Asshegrew，hermotherbegantofeelthattheDovecotewouldbeblessedbythepresenceofaninmateassereneandlovingasthatwhichhadhelpedtomaketheoldhousehome，andtopraythatshemightbesparedalosslikethatwhichhadlatelytaughtthemhowlongtheyhadentertainedanangelunawares。Hergrandfatheroftencalledher`Beth’，andhergrandmotherwatchedoverherwithuntiringdevotion，asiftryingtoatoneforsomepastmistake，whichnoeyebutherowncouldsee。
　　Demi，likeatrueYankee，wasofaninquiringturn，wantingtoknoweverything，andoftengettingmuchdisturbedbecausehecouldnotgetsatisfactoryanswerstohisperpetual“Whatfor？“
　　Healsopossessedaphilosophicbent，tothegreatdelightofhisgrandfather，whousedtoholdSocraticconversationswithhim，inwhichtheprecociouspupiloccasionallyposedhisteacher，totheundisguisedsatisfactionofthewomenfolk。
　　“Whatmakesmylegsgo，Dranpa？“askedtheyoungphilosopher，surveyingthoseactiveportionsofhisframewithameditativeair，whilerestingafterago-to-bedfroliconenight。
　　“It’syourlittlemind，Demi，“repliedthesage，strokingtheyellowheadrespectfully。
　　“Whatisalittlemine？“
　　“Itissomethingwhichmakesyourbodymove，asthespringmadethewheelsgoinmywatchwhenIshowedittoyou。“
　　“Openme。Iwanttoseeitgowound。“
　　“Ican’tdothatanymorethanyoucouldopenthewatch。Godwindsyouup，andyougotillHestopsyou。“
　　“DoesI？“AndDemi’sbrowneyesgrewbigandbrightashetookinthenewthought。“IsIwoundeduplikethewatch？“
　　“Yes，butIcan’tshowyouhow，foritisdonewhenwedon’tsee。“
　　Demifelthisback，asifexpectingtofinditlikethatofthewatch，andthengravelyremarked，“IdessDoddoesitwhenI’sasleep。“
　　Acarefulexplanationfollowed，towhichhelistenedsoattentivelythathisanxiousgrandmothersaid，“Mydear，doyouthinkitwisetotalkaboutsuchthingstothatbaby？He’sgettinggreatbumpsoverhiseyes，andlearningtoaskthemostunanswerablequestions。“
　　“Ifheisoldenoughtoaskthequestionheisoldenoughtoreceivetrueanswers。Iamnotputtingthethoughtsintohishead，buthelpinghimunfoldthosealreadythere。Thesechildrenarewiserthanweare，andIhavenodoubttheboyunderstandseverywordIhavesaidtohim。Now，Demi，tellmewhereyoukeepyourmind。“
　　IftheboyhadrepliedlikeAlcibiades，“Bythegods，Socrates，Icannottell，“hisgrandfatherwouldnothavebeensurprised，butwhen，afterstandingamomentononeleg，likeameditativeyoungstork，heanswered，inatoneofcalmconviction，“Inmylittlebelly，“theoldgentlemancouldonlyjoininGrandma’slaugh，anddismisstheclassinmetaphysics。
　　Theremighthavebeencauseformaternalanxiety，ifDemihadnotgivenconvincingproofsthathewasatrueboy，aswellasabuddingphilosopher，foroften，afteradiscussionwhichcausedHannahtoprophesy，withominousnods，“Thatchildain’tlongforthisworld，“hewouldturnaboutandsetherfearsatrestbysomeoftheprankswithwhichdear，dirty，naughtylittlerascalsdistractanddelighttheirparent’ssouls。
　　Megmademanymoralrules，andtriedtokeepthem，butwhatmotherwaseverproofagainstthewinningwiles，theingeniousevasions，orthetranquilaudacityoftheminiaturemenandwomenwhosoearlyshowthemselvesaccomplishedArtfulDodgers？
　　“Nomoreraisins，Demi。They’llmakeyousick，“saysMammatotheyoungpersonwhooffershisservicesinthekitchenwithunfailingregularityonplum-puddingday。
　　“Melikestobesick。“
　　“Idon’twanttohaveyou，sorunawayandhelpDaisymakepattycakes。“
　　Hereluctantlydeparts，buthiswrongsweighuponhisspirit，andby-and-bywhenanopportunitycomestoredressthem，heoutwitsMammabyashrewdbargain。
　　“Nowyouhavebeengoodchildren，andI’llplayanythingyoulike，“saysMeg，assheleadsherassistantcooksupstairs，whenthepuddingissafelybouncinginthepot。
　　“Truly，Marmar？“asksDemi，withabrilliantideainhiswell-powderedhead。
　　“Yes，truly。Anythingyousay，“repliestheshortsightedparent，preparingherselftosing，“TheThreeLittleKittens“halfadozentimesover，ortotakeherfamilyto“Buyapennybun，“regardlessofwindorlimb。ButDemicornersherbythecoolreply……
　　“Thenwe’llgoandeatupalltheraisins。“
　　AuntDodowaschiefplaymateandconfidanteofbothchildren，andthetrioturnedthelittlehousetopsy-turvy。AuntAmywasasyetonlyanametothem，AuntBethsoonfadedintoapleasantlyvaguememory，butAuntDodowasalivingreality，andtheymadethemostofher，forwhichcomplimentshewasdeeplygrateful。ButwhenMr。Bhaercame，Joneglectedherplayfellows，anddismayanddesolationfellupontheirlittlesouls。Daisy，whowasfondofgoingaboutpeddlingkisses，lostherbestcustomerandbecamebankrupt。Demi，withinfantilepenetration，soondiscoveredthatDodoliketoplaywith`thebear-man’betterthanshedidhim，butthoughhurt，heconcealedhisanguish，forhehadn’tthehearttoinsultarivalwhokeptamineofchocolatedropsinhiswaistcoatpocket，andawatchthatcouldbetakenoutofitscaseandfreelyshakenbyardentadmirers。
　　Somepersonsmighthaveconsideredthesepleasinglibertiesasbribes，butDemididn’tseeitinthatlight，andcontinuedtopatronizethe`thebear-man’withpensiveaffability，whileDaisybestowedhersmallaffectionsuponhimatthethirdcall，andconsideredhisshoulderherthrone，hisarmherrefuge，hisgiftstreasuressurpassingworth。
　　Gentlemenaresometimesseizedwithsuddenfitsofadmirationfortheyoungrelativesofladieswhomtheyhonorwiththeirregard，butthiscounterfeitphiloprogenitivenesssitsuneasilyuponthem，anddoesnotdeceiveanybodyaparticle。Mr。Bhaer’sdevotionwassincere，howeverlikewiseeffective——forhonestyisthebestpolicyinloveasinlaw。Hewasoneofthemenwhoareathomewithchildren，andlookedparticularlywellwhenlittlefacesmadeapleasantcontrastwithhismanlyone。Hisbusiness，whateveritwas，detainedhimfromdaytoday，buteveningseldomfailedtobringhimouttosee——well，healwaysaskedforMr。March，soIsupposehewastheattraction。Theexcellentpapalaboredunderthedelusionthathewas，andreveledinlongdiscussionswiththekindredspirit，tillachanceremarkofhismoreobservinggrandsonsuddenlyenlightenedhim。
　　Mr。Bhaercameinoneeveningtopauseonthethresholdofthestudy，astonishedbythespectaclethatmethiseye。ProneuponthefloorlayMr。March，withhisrespectablelegsintheair，andbesidehim，likewiseprone，wasDemi，tryingtoimitatetheattitudewithhisownshort，scarlet-stockingedlegs，bothgrovelerssoseriouslyabsorbedthattheywereunconsciousofspectators，tillMr。Bhaerlaughedhissonorouslaugh，andJocriedout，withascandalizedface……
　　“Father，Father，here’stheProfessor!“
　　Downwenttheblacklegsandupcamethegrayhead，asthepreceptorsaid，withundisturbeddignity，“Goodevening，Mr。Bhaer。
　　Excusemeforamoment。Wearejustfinishingourlesson。
　　Now，Demi，maketheletterandtellitsname。“
　　“Iknowshim!“And，afterafewconvulsiveefforts，theredlegstoktheshapeofapairofcompasses，andtheintelligentpupiltriumphantlyshouted，“It’saWe，Dranpa，it’saWe!“
　　“He’sabornWeller，“laughedJo，asherparentgatheredhimselfup，andhernephewtriedtostandonhishead，astheonlymodeofexpressinghissatisfactionthatschoolwasover。
　　“Whathaveyoubeenattoday，bubchen？“askedMr。Bhaer，pickingupthegymnast。
　　“MewenttoseelittleMary。“
　　“Andwhatdidyouthere？“
　　“Ikissedher，“beganDemi，withartlessfrankness。
　　“Prut!Thoubeginnestearly。WhatdidthelittleMarysaytothat？“askedMr。Bhaer，continuingtoconfesstheyoungsinner，whostoodupontheknee，exploringthewaistcoatpocket。
　　“Oh，shelikedit，andshekissedme，andIlikedit。Don’tlittleboyslikelittlegirls？“askedDemi，withhismouthfull，andanairofblandsatisfaction。
　　“Youpreciouschick!Whoputthatintoyourhead？“saidJo，enjoyingtheinnocentrevelationasmuchastheProfessor。
　　“`Tisn’tinminehead，it’sinminemouf，“answeredliteralDemi，puttingouthistongue，withachocolatedroponit，thinkingshealludedtoconfectionery，notideas。
　　“Thoushouldstsavesomeforthelittlefriend。Sweetstothesweet，mannling。“AndMr。BhaerofferedJosome，withalookthatmadeherwonderifchocolatewasnotthenectardrunkbythegods。Demialsosawthesmile，wasimpressedbyit，andartlessyinquired……
　　“Dogreatboyslikegreatgirls，to，’Fessor？“
　　LikeyoungWashington，Mr。Bhaer`couldn’ttellalie’，sohegavethesomewhatvaguereplythathebelievedtheydidsometimes，inatonethatmadeMr。Marchputdownhisclothesbrush，glanceatJo’sretiringface，andthensinkintohischair，lookingasifthe`precociouschick’hadputanideaintohisheadthatwasbothsweetandsour。
　　WhyDodo，whenshecaughthiminthechinaclosethalfanhourafterward，nearlysqueezedthebreathoutofhislittlebodywithatenderembrace，insteadofshakinghimforbeingthere，andwhyshefollowedupthisnovelperformancebytheunexpectedgiftofabigsliceofbreadandjelly，remainedoneoftheproblemsoverwhichDemipuzzledhissmallwits，andwasforcedtoleaveunsolvedforever。
　　Chapter46CHAPTERFORTY-SIX
　　WhileLaurieandAmyweretakingconjugalstrollsovervelvetcarpets，astheysettheirhouseinorder，andplannedablissfulfuture，Mr。BhaerandJowereenjoyingpromenadesofadifferentsort，alongmuddyroadsandsoddenfields。
　　“Ialwaysdotakeawalktowardevening，andIdon’tknowwhyIshouldgiveitup，justbecauseIhappentomeettheProfessoronhiswayout，“saidJotoherself，aftertwoorthreeencounters，forthoughthereweretwopathstoMeg’swhicheveroneshetookshewassuretomeethim。，eithergoingorreturning。
　　Hewasalwayswalkingrapidly，andneverseemedtoseeheruntilquiteclose，whenhewouldlookasifhisshort-sightedeyeshadfailedtorecognizetheapproachingladytillthatmoment。Then，ifshewasgoingtoMeg’shealwayshadsomethingforthebabies。Ifherfacewasturnedhomeward，hehadmerelystrolleddowntoseetheriver，andwasjustreturning，unlesstheyweretiredofhisfrequentcalls。
　　Underthecircumstances，whatcouldJodobutgreethimcivilly，andinvitehimin？Ifshewastiredofhisvisits，sheconcealedherwearinesswithperfectskill，andtookcarethatthereshouldbecoffeeforsupper，“asFriedrich——ImeanMr。
　　Bhaer——doesn’tliketea。“
　　Bythesecondweek，everyoneknewperfectlywellwhatwasgoingon，yeteveryonetriedtolookasiftheywerestone-blindtothechangesinJo’sface。Theyneveraskedwhyshesangaboutherwork，didupherhairthreetimesaday，andgotsobloomingwithhereveningexercise。AndnooneseemedtohavetheslightestsuspicionthatProfessorBhaer，whiletalkingphilosophywiththefather，wasgivingthedaughterlessonsinlove。
　　Jocouldn’tevenloseherheartinadecorousmanner，butsternlytriedtoquenchherfeelings，andfailingtodoso，ledasomewhatagitatedlife。Shewasmortallyafraidofbeinglaughedatforsurrendering，afterhermanyandvehementdeclarationsofindependence。Lauriewasherespecialdread，butthankstothenewmanager，hebehavedwithpraiseworthypropriety，nevercalledMr。Bhaer`acapitaloldfellow’inpublic，neveralluded，intheremotestmanner，toJo’simprovedappearance，orexpressedtheleastsurpriseatseeingtheProfessor’shatontheMarches’tablenearlyeveryevening。ButheexultedinprivateandlongedforthetimetocomewhenhecouldgiveJoapieceofplate，withabearandaraggedstaffonitasanappropriatecoatofarms。
　　Forafortnight，theProfessorcameandwentwithlover-likeregularity。Thenhestayedawayforthreewholedays，andmadenosign，aproceedingwhichcausedeverybodytolooksober，andJotobecomepensive，atfirst，andthen——alasforromance——verycross。
　　“Disgusted，Idaresay，andgonehomeassuddenlyashecame。
　　It’snothingtome，ofcourse，butIshouldthinkhewouldhavecomeandbidusgoodbyelikeagentleman，“shesaidtoherself，withadespairinglookatthegate，assheputonherthingsforthecustomarywalkonedullafternoon。
　　“You’dbettertakethelittleumbrella，dear。Itlookslikerain，“saidhermother，observingthatshehadonhernewbonnet，butnotalludingtothefact。
　　“Yes，Marmee，doyouwantanythingintown？I’vegottoruninandgetsomepaper，“returnedJo，pullingoutthebowunderherchinbeforetheglassasanexcusefornotlookingathermother。
　　“Yes，Iwantsometwilledsilesia，apaperofnumbernineneedles，andtwoyardsofnarrowlavenderribbon。Haveyougotyourthickbootson，andsomethingwarmunderyourcloak？“
　　“Ibelieveso，“answeredJoabsently。
　　“IfyouhappentomeetMr。Bhaer，bringhimhometotea。