What happy instances that they had making plans collectively, what solemn purchasing tours, what funny mistakes they made, and what shouts of laughter arose over Laurie's ridiculous bargains. In his love of jokes, this young gentleman, though almost through university, turned into a far of a boy as ever. His ultimate whim have been to convey with him on his weekly visits a few new, beneficial, and imaginitive article for the younger housekeeper. Now a bag of notable clothespins, next, a wonderful nutmeg grater which fell to pieces at the first trial, a knife cleanser that spoiled all of the knives, or a sweeper that picked the nap neatly off the carpet and left the dust, hard work-saving soap that took the skin off one's hands, infallible cements which stuck firmly to nothing but the hands of the deluded consumer, and each kind of tinware, from a toy financial savings bank for atypical pennies, to a top notch boiler which could wash articles in its personal steam with each prospect of exploding within the technique.
In vain Meg begged him to forestall. John laughed at him, and Jo called him 'Mr. Toodles'. He changed into possessed with a mania for patronizing Yankee ingenuity, and seeing his buddies fitly provided forth. So each week beheld some clean absurdity.
Everything become achieved at remaining, even to Amy's arranging distinct colored soaps to match the different colored rooms, and Beth's setting the desk for the primary meal.
"Are you satisfied? Does it appear like domestic, and do you experience as if you should be glad right here?" requested Mrs. March, as she and her daughter went via the brand new nation arm in arm, for just then they appeared to dangle collectively greater tenderly than ever.
"Yes, Mother, flawlessly satisfied, thanks to you all, and so happy that I cannot speak approximately it," with a look that was some distance better than phrases.
"If she simplest had a servant or two it'd be all right," stated Amy, popping out of the parlor, wherein she had been trying to determine whether or not the bronze Mercury seemed first-rate at the whatnot or the mantlepiece.
"Mother and I actually have talked that over, and I even have made up my thoughts to attempt her way first. There might be so little to do that with Lotty to run my errands and help me right here and there, I shall simplest have sufficient work to preserve me from getting lazy or homesick," spoke back Meg tranquilly.
"Sallie Moffat has 4," commenced Amy.
"If Meg had 4, the residence wouldn't keep them, and grasp and missis would have to camp within the garden," broke in Jo, who, enveloped in a massive blue pinafore, become giving the closing polish to the door handles.
"Sallie is not a bad man's wife, and lots of maids are in keeping with her high-quality status quo. Meg and John begin humbly, but I have a sense that there might be quite as tons happiness in the little house as within the huge one. It's a incredible mistake for younger women like Meg to depart themselves not anything to do however get dressed, provide orders, and gossip. When I turned into first married, I used to lengthy for my new clothes to wear down or get torn, so that I may have the pleasure of mending them, for I were given heartily sick of doing fancywork and tending my pocket handkerchief."
"Why didn't you pass into the kitchen and make messes, as Sallie says she does to amuse herself, although they in no way flip out nicely and the servants snigger at her," stated Meg.
"I did after a while, not to 'mess' however to study of Hannah how things ought to be completed, that my servants need no longer laugh at me. It became play then, but there got here a time after I changed into in reality grateful that I no longer best possessed the desire however the power to cook wholesome meals for my little women, and assist myself once I ought to now not find the money for to lease help. You begin at the other quit, Meg, dear, however the training you examine now will be of use to you by means of-and-by using when John is a richer guy, for the mistress of a residence, but splendid, ought to realize how paintings have to be performed, if she wishes to be nicely and absolutely served."
"Yes, Mother, I'm positive of that," stated Meg, listening respectfully to the little lecture, for the quality of ladies will preserve forth upon the all absorbing situation of residence preserving. "Do you understand I like this room maximum of all in my toddler residence," delivered Meg, a minute after, as they went upstairs and she or he looked into her properly-saved linen closet.
Beth changed into there, laying the snowy piles smoothly at the cabinets and exulting over the goodly array. All three laughed as Meg spoke, for that linen closet become a comic story. You see, having said that if Meg married 'that Brooke' she shouldn't have a cent of her money, Aunt March became as an alternative in a catch 22 situation while time had appeased her wrath and made her repent her vow. She in no way broke her phrase, and turned into tons exercised in her mind the way to get spherical it, and at ultimate devised a plan wherein she should satisfy herself. Mrs. Carrol, Florence's mamma, become ordered to buy, have made, and marked a beneficiant supply of residence and desk linen, and ship it as her gift, all of which become faithfully done, however the secret leaked out, and changed into substantially enjoyed with the aid of the circle of relatives, for Aunt March tried to appearance fully unconscious, and insisted that she may want to deliver nothing however the old school pearls lengthy promised to the first bride.
"That's a housewifely flavor which I am happy to peer. I had a younger buddy who set up house responsibilities with six sheets, however she had finger bowls for organization and that satisfied her," stated Mrs. March, patting the damask tablecloths, with a sincerely female appreciation in their fineness.
"I haven't a single finger bowl, however that is a setout so that it will remaining me all my days, Hannah says." And Meg appeared pretty contented, as properly she might.
A tall, extensive-shouldered young fellow, with a cropped head, a felt basin of a hat, and a flyaway coat, got here tramping down the street at a first-rate pace, walked over the low fence with out preventing to open the gate, instantly as much as Mrs. March, with each hands out and a hearty...
"Here I am, Mother! Yes, it is all right."
The last words have been in answer to the appearance the elder lady gave him, a kindly thinking appearance which the handsome eyes met so frankly that the little ceremony closed, as typical, with a motherly kiss.
"For Mrs. John Brooke, with the maker's congratulations and compliments. Bless you, Beth! What a clean spectacle you are, Jo. Amy, you are getting altogether too handsome for a unmarried woman."
As Laurie spoke, he introduced a brown paper parcel to Meg, pulled Beth's hair ribbon, stared at Jo's huge pinafore, and fell into an attitude of mock rapture earlier than Amy, then shook palms all round, and everyone began to talk.
"Where is John?" requested Meg anxiously.
"Stopped to get the license for tomorrow, ma'am."
"Which side received the final in shape, Teddy?" inquired Jo, who continued in feeling an interest in manly sports despite her nineteen years.
"Ours, of route. Wish you'll been there to look."
"How is the adorable Miss Randal?" requested Amy with a vast smile.
"More merciless than ever. Don't you spot how I'm pining away?" and Laurie gave his huge chest a sounding slap and heaved a melodramatic sigh.
"What's the ultimate comic story? Undo the bundle and spot, Meg," stated Beth, eying the knobby parcel with interest.
"It's a beneficial element to have within the residence in case of fireplace or thieves," observed Laurie, as a watchman's rattle seemed, amid the laughter of the women.
"Any time while John is away and you get worried, Mrs. Meg, simply swing that out of the front window, and it's going to rouse the neighborhood in a few minutes. Nice element, isn't always it?" and Laurie gave them a sample of its powers that made them cover up their ears.
"There's gratitude for you! And talking of gratitude strikes a chord in my memory to mention that you may thank Hannah for saving your wedding ceremony cake from destruction. I noticed it going into your house as I got here by using, and if she hadn't defe
nded it manfully I'd have had a select at it, for it seemed like a remarkably plummy one."
"I surprise if you will ever grow up, Laurie," stated Meg in a matronly tone.
"I'm doing my nice, ma'am, however cannot get plenty better, I'm afraid, as six toes is set all guys can do in those degenerate days," responded the young gentleman, whose head was approximately degree with the little chandelier.
"I think it'd be profanation to consume something on this spick-and-span bower, so as I'm tremendously hungry, I propose an adjournment," he added currently.
"Mother and I are going to watch for John. There are a few ultimate matters to settle," said Meg, bustling away.
"Beth and I are going over to Kitty Bryant's to get extra vegetation for tomorrow," added Amy, tying a picturesque hat over her picturesque curls, and taking part in the impact as a great deal as every body.
"Come, Jo, don't wilderness a fellow. I'm in such a nation of exhaustion I can't get home without assist. Don't take off your apron, whatever you do, it is principally turning into," said Laurie, as Jo bestowed his especial aversion in her capacious pocket and offered her arm to aid his feeble steps.
"Now, Teddy, I want to talk seriously to you approximately the following day," commenced Jo, as they strolled away collectively. "You have to promise to act well, and no longer cut up any pranks, and break our plans."
"Not a prank."
"And don't say funny matters while we must be sober."
"I never do. You are the one for that."
"And I implore you now not to examine me in the course of the rite. I shall truly snicker if you do."
"You won't see me, you will be crying so difficult that the thick fog spherical you'll difficult to understand the chance."
"I never cry except for some remarkable ache."
"Such as fellows going to university, whats up?" cut in Laurie, with suggestive snicker.
"Don't be a peacock. I most effective moaned a trifle to hold the women corporation."
"Exactly. I say, Jo, how is Grandpa this week? Pretty amiable?"
"Very. Why, have you bought into a scrape and need to know how he's going to take it?" requested Jo as an alternative sharply.
"Now, Jo, do you believe you studied I'd look your mom inside the face and say 'All proper', if it wasn't?" and Laurie stopped brief, with an injured air.
"No, I don't."
"Then don't cross and be suspicious. I most effective need some money," said Laurie, on foot on once more, appeased through her hearty tone.
"You spend a tremendous deal, Teddy."
"Bless you, I don't spend it, it spends itself by hook or by crook, and is long gone earlier than I are aware of it."
"You are so beneficiant and type-hearted that you permit people borrow, and cannot say 'No' to all of us. We heard about Henshaw and all you did for him. If you continually spent money in that manner, no one might blame you," said Jo warmly.
"Oh, he made a mountain out of a molehill. You would not have me allow that quality fellow paintings himself to loss of life only for need of a little assist, whilst he's really worth a dozen of us lazy chaps, would you?"
"Of direction now not, but I do not see the use of your having seventeen waistcoats, endless neckties, and a brand new hat each time you come back home. I thought you would got over the dandy length, however once in a while it breaks out in a new spot. Just now it's the fashion to be hideous, to make your head appear like a scrubbing brush, put on a strait jacket, orange gloves, and clumping rectangular-toed boots. If it turned into cheap ugliness, I'd say not anything, however it charges as a good deal as the alternative, and I do not get any pride out of it."
Laurie threw again his head, and laughed so heartily at this attack, that the felt hat fell off, and Jo walked on it, which insult most effective afforded him an opportunity for expatiating on the benefits of a difficult-and-equipped costume, as he folded up the maltreated hat, and stuffed it into his pocket.
"Don't lecture any extra, there may be a very good soul! I have sufficient all through the week, and like to experience myself when I come home. I'll get myself up regardless of price tomorrow and be a satisfaction to my buddies."
"I'll go away you in peace if you will handiest permit your hair develop. I'm no longer aristocratic, however I do object to being visible with someone who seems like a young prize fighter," observed Jo severely.
"This unassuming style promotes take a look at, it really is why we adopt it," lower back Laurie, who truly could not be accused of conceitedness, having voluntarily sacrificed a handsome curly crop to the call for for area-inch-lengthy stubble.
"By the manner, Jo, I think that little Parker is without a doubt getting determined about Amy. He talks of her constantly, writes poetry, and moons approximately in a most suspicious way. He'd higher nip his little ardour inside the bud, hadn't he?" introduced Laurie, in a personal, elder brotherly tone, after a minute's silence.
"Of route he had. We do not need any extra marrying on this circle of relatives for future years. Mercy on us, what are the kids contemplating?" and Jo seemed as a good deal scandalized as though Amy and little Parker have been now not yet of their teens.
"It's a fast age, and I don't know what we're coming to, ma'am. You are a trifling infant, however you may move subsequent, Jo, and we're going to be left lamenting," stated Laurie, shaking his head over the degeneracy of the instances.
"Don't be alarmed. I'm now not one of the agreeable type. Nobody will need me, and it is a mercy, for there should constantly be one vintage maid in a circle of relatives."
"You won't provide anyone a danger," stated Laurie, with a sidelong glance and a bit extra colour than earlier than in his sunburned face. "You won't show the tender aspect of your person, and if a fellow gets a peep at it by coincidence and cannot assist showing that he likes it, you deal with him as Mrs. Gummidge did her sweetheart, throw cold water over him, and get so thorny no person dares contact or take a look at you."
"I don't like that kind of aspect. I'm too busy to be concerned with nonsense, and I assume it is dreadful to interrupt up families so. Now don't say any greater approximately it. Meg's wedding ceremony has became all our heads, and we talk of not anything but enthusiasts and such absurdities. I do not want to get go, so allow's change the problem;" and Jo regarded quite ready to fling bloodless water on the slightest provocation.
Whatever his feelings might have been, Laurie discovered a vent for them in a long low whistle and the apprehensive prediction as they parted on the gate, "Mark my words, Jo, you may pass subsequent."
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
THE FIRST WEDDING
The June roses over the porch had been wakeful vibrant and early on that morning, rejoicing with all their hearts within the cloudless sunshine, like pleasant little neighbors, as they have been. Quite flushed with pleasure had been their ruddy faces, as they swung inside the wind, whispering to each other what they'd visible, for a few peeped in on the eating room windows where the ceremonial dinner become spread, a few climbed up to nod and smile on the sisters as they dressed the bride, others waved a welcome to individuals who came and went on diverse errands in lawn, porch, and hall, and all, from the rosiest complete-blown flower to the palest baby bud, supplied their tribute of splendor and fragrance to the gentle mistress who had cherished and tended them so long.
Meg regarded very similar to a rose herself, for all that became first-rate and sweetest in coronary heart and soul regarded to bloom into her face that day, making it fair and tender, with a charm extra lovely than splendor. Neither silk, lace, nor orange plant life might she have. "I do not need a elegant wedding, however most effective those about me whom I love, and to them I want to look and be my acquainted self."
So she made her wedding ceremony robe herself, sewing into it the gentle hopes and innocent romances of a girlish heart. Her sisters braided up her quite hair, and the only ornaments she wore had been the lilies of the valley, which 'her John' appreciated first-cla
ss of all the vegetation that grew.
"You do appearance similar to our personal pricey Meg, handiest so very candy and lovable that I must hug you if it would not crumple your dress," cried Amy, surveying her with delight whilst all become done.
"Then I am happy. But please hug and kiss me, all and sundry, and don't mind my get dressed. I need a first rate many crumples of this type positioned into it these days," and Meg opened her arms to her sisters, who clung approximately her with April faces for a minute, feeling that the new love had now not changed the vintage.
"Now I'm going to tie John's cravat for him, after which to live a few minutes with Father quietly within the take a look at," and Meg ran all the way down to perform these little ceremonies, and then to observe her mom anyplace she went, conscious that during spite of the smiles at the motherly face, there was a secret sorrow concealed in the motherly coronary heart on the flight of the primary hen from the nest.
As the younger ladies stand together, giving the closing touches to their simple bathroom, it is able to be a good time to tell of a few changes which three years have wrought in their appearance, for all are searching their high-quality simply now.
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