Jo's Boys

en window, they looked in upon a library presided over by Clio, Calliope, and Urania; Melpomene and Thalia were disporting themselves in the hall, where some yo

rost. Laurie was one of the former sort, and Amy was another; so life had been a kind of poem to them since they married-not only harmonious and happy, but earnest, useful, and rich in the beautiful benevolence which can do so much when wealth and wisdom go hand in hand with charity. Their house was full of unostentatious beauty and comfort, and here the art-loving host and hostess attracted and entertained artists of all kinds. Laurie ha

f her husband. Time seemed to have stood still with Amy, for happiness had kept her young and prosperity given her the culture she needed. A stately, graceful woman, who showed how elegant simplicity could be made by

-like figure, blue eyes, fair skin, and golden hair, tied up in the same classic knot of curls. Also-ah! never-ending source of joy to Amy-she had her father's handsome nose and mouth, cast in a feminine moul

op your mud-pies a

nd her coming spoilt a precious hour. They were in the full tide of gossip when Laurie, who had been summoned by Meg, arriv

ance and rashness for the next ten years, Jo. Your boys are growing up and will plunge headlong into a sea

l come to me and insist that I can make their poor little loves run smoothly. I like it, though, and Meg is such a mush of senti

hat means? As musical director I am also his confidante, and would like to know what advice to give,' sa

by to sleep, and go for a run. Aunt Meg is in the parlour; go and show her the new pictures till we come,' added Laurie,

ood'; and Bess obediently put down her to

the other; and the curls upon its infant brow are rather too much like horns for

pts were so like Amy's early ones, it was impossible t

d Bess, shaking the golden head that made the one bri

nd marble into the sunshine, to dance and laugh as the others do. I want a flesh-and-blood girl, not a sweet statue in a grey pinafore, who forgets ev

o stop; but when we get in here we forget there is any world outside, we are so busy and so happy. Now I'll go and run and sing,

reams for one so young. It is my fault; but I sympathize so deeply in it all,

hare in the education of both girls and boys; so I leave Ted to his father all I can, and Fritz lends me Rob, whose quiet ways are as restful and good for me as Ted's tempes

ord for me. I am a little jealous of Amy, and want more of a share in my girl. Come, my lady, let me have her t

our Bess is older than most girls of that age, and cannot be treated like a child. She is so very precio

the lovely room where she had spent so man

to ride on Ellen Tree or wear the russet boots,' said Jo briskly; 'so yo

nts, laughing at the recollection

ever gave me half the pleasure or the exercise,' said Amy, looking out of the high

the relics now. The boys reduced them to rags; but I love them still,

d! And how long ago it seems!' said Laurie, staring at the two women before him as

ouquet we make with our buds about us,' answered Mrs Amy, shaking out the folds of her r

ith a sigh; for life had never been very easy to her, an

ant to be "stayed with flagons and comforted with apples",' said Laurie, offering an arm to each sis

of flowers, were the only articles of furniture the nook contained. The busts were John Brooke and Beth-Amy's work-both excellent likenesses, and both full of the placid beauty which always recalls the saying, that 'Clay represents life; plaster, death; marble, immortality'. On the right, as became the founder of the house, hung the portrait of Mr Laurence, with its expression of mingled pride and benevolence, as fre

's beloved face, painted with grateful skill by a great artist whom she had befriended when poor and un

I am with

been so much to them that no one could ever fill her place. Only two years since she had gone away to live and love anew, leaving such a sweet memory behind her that

be a woman like our mother. Please God, she shall be, if

hes. The soft sound of the air Marmee used to sing led the listeners back into the world again from that momentary reaching after the loved and lost, and they

anxious to hear more about 'the boys'. The rattle of cups and tongues grew brisk, and the set

hat the whole college felt his beautiful influence. Rob was as much like him as it was possible for a boy to be, an

, and may rejoice greatly,' said Mr Bhaer, seating himself be

id you know Ludmilla? Is it a wise match?' asked Mrs Jo, handing him her cup of

harming. Blumenthal is satisfied, I think, and the boy will be happy. He is too German to be content awa

e well; you gave up so much for them and their mother. You make light of it, dear, but I never forget it,'

a for the poor lads, I never should have found my Jo. The hard times are very sweet now

his father's amusement; for the Professor never was ashamed of the fact that he still considered his wife the dearest woman in the world. Rob promptly ejected hi

d stood before them with a face full of the respectful affect

ll befriend thee in that new life. It is well to have them, for thou wilt be heartbroken with H

music and the hope of getting on will cheer me up,' answered Nat, who both

ayed the music-loving nature of the youth. Modest, affectionate, and dutiful, Nat was considered a pleasant though not a brilliant success by Mrs Jo. She loved and trusted him, and was sure he wou

, we can see about the packing,' said Mrs Jo, who was so used to fitting boys off for all

he would have chosen for her niece, she felt that Nat would always need just the wise and loving care Daisy could give him, and that without it there was danger of his being one of the amiable and aimless men who fail for want of the right pilot to steer them safely through the world. Mrs Meg decidedly frowned upon the poor boy's love, and would not hear of giving her dear girl to any but the best man to be found on the face of the earth. She was very kind, but as firm as such gentle souls can be; and Nat fled for comfort to Mrs Jo, who always espoused the interests of her boys heartily. A new set of anxieties was beginning now that the aforesaid boys were growing up, and she foresaw no end

lear understanding with him before he went; for she was used to confidences, and talked freely with her boys about the trials

the watchful care, the gentle warning, which makes self-knowledge and self-co

men and women about him; for the wise old man was universally beloved, and ministered so beautifully

al care, and it was sweet to see the golden head bend over the silver on

osia?' asked Laurie, who was wandering about with a sugar-basin in one hand and a pla

e'; and Mr March turned to Bess, who sat on one

outh and age cannot live together"!' answered Laurie, smiling at the pair. '"Crabbed age", papa; tha

ou see fres

rend bed

looking like a very thorny little rose; for she had been ha

the strongest?' she cried, looking fiercely at her cousin, who came stalking up with a p

k; and it looks to me as if the boys must do their best, for the girls are abreast now, and may reach the goal first,' answered M

lden apples, by any means-but I think they will stand a fair chance when they have learned to run bette

'll show him that a woman can act as well, if not better, than a man. It has been done, and will be again; and

'll addle what brains you have got; and I'd tak

ith a gentle emphasis on the adjective, which cau

whip her, and Jo was disgusted because Juno meekly hushed up. I said it was all right, and agreed with the old

battles and had to be hustled off by Pallas, and Venus, and Juno, when they were going to get beaten. The idea of two armies stopping and s

olded at an ostrich, and everyone laughed as she s

she? That's just the way girls argue-firs

tegorical, but all wiggle-waggle",' added U

er if she asked a natural question; and if Napoleon did do wrong about Josephine, he could fight, and didn't want any Minerva to come fussing over him. They were a stup

obedient armies looking on while you and Ted have it out,' began Un

cend and carry off our Hector,' said Mr March, smiling

sses to interfere,' said Teddy, as he turned away w

after him, exulting in an opportunity to use

retired in good order by replying,

s a soldier'

ever uttered the scathing speech upon her lips, for a very brown young man in a b

d was upon him, and the late enemies ended th

he children returned to the parlour, where Emil kissed all the women and shook hands with all the men

and bore away for Parnassus, and here is every man Jack of you. Bless your hearts, how glad I am to see you all!' excla

you do smell!' said Josie, sniffing at him with great enjoyment of the fresh sea odours he brought with him. This was her favou

and holding her off with one hand while with the other he rummaged out sundry foreign little boxes and parcels marke

throwing a necklace of pretty pink coral over Josie's head; 'and here's something the me

er a beau,' continued the sailor, with a laugh, as he u

d Nat, as he vanished, glad of an errand, and sure

ear whose head opened, showing a capacious ink-st

these fine animals, I bro

gift, which caused the Professor to prophesy 'works of Shakespeare' fr

me bits of lace. Hope you'll like 'em'; and out of a soft paper came some filmy

t a little picture that always makes me think of her when Bess was a baby'; and he handed her an oval

bout her neck on the blue ribbon from Bess's hair, charmed w

dy, a sort of sign you see, and very appropriate for a doctor,' said Emi

d ugly things, turned her ey

ear earrings

ve got a lot of plunder for you fellows in my chest, but I knew I should have no peace till my cargo for the girls was unloaded. Now tell me all the news.' And, seated on Amy's