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雙語譯林·小婦人 第二十五章 第一個婚禮 THE FIRST WEDDING

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2022年04月22日

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第二十五章 第一個婚禮

那是一個六月的清晨,萬里無云。陽臺上的月季花睜開蒙眬的睡眼,在晨光的照耀下,滿懷喜悅地開得正艷,宛如一個個友好的小鄰居,事實(shí)也正是如此。它們隨風(fēng)搖曳,激動得滿臉通紅,竊竊私語,談?wù)撝吹降囊磺?。有些花兒正透過廚房的窗口往里面窺探,看到那里擺著宴席;有些花兒爬到上面,對著正為新娘打扮的姐妹們點(diǎn)頭微笑;還有些花兒揮手致意,迎接那些在花園、陽臺和過道里來來往往忙碌著的人們。無論鮮艷盛開的花朵,還是含苞欲放的蓓蕾,花園里所有的月季都把自己的美麗和芳香獻(xiàn)給這位溫柔的女主人。因?yàn)殚L期以來,女主人對它們呵護(hù)有加,細(xì)心照料。

美格自己看上去就像一朵玫瑰狀月季花。那天,她心靈深處最美好、最甜蜜的事似乎都升華在了臉上,使它顯得格外美麗動人,充滿魅力,漂亮無比。她不要絲綢禮服,婚紗上也沒有花邊,連白色香橙花都沒有要。“今天我不想見外人,不要打扮。”她說,“我不要時髦的婚禮,只要有我愛的一些人在身邊,對他們,我只想做他們熟悉的那個我。”

因此,她自己做結(jié)婚禮服,把少女內(nèi)心溫柔的期望和天真的浪漫向往都縫進(jìn)了婚紗。妹妹們給她的秀發(fā)扎起辮子,她僅有的飾品就是幾朵鈴蘭花,這是世上百花中,她的約翰最最喜歡的。

等打扮完了,艾美高興地審視著姐姐,嘴里喊道:“你真的是我們親愛的美格,這么漂亮,這么可愛,要不是怕你的衣服弄皺,我真想抱你。”

“這么說,我就心滿意足了。請你們每個人都抱我,吻我吧,別管衣服。今天,我還想在婚紗上添加很多這種褶皺呢。”美格向妹妹們張開雙臂,她們依偎在姐姐身邊一陣子,滿臉春意,心里覺得新的愛絲毫沒有改變往日的姐妹手足情。

“好了,我要去替約翰打領(lǐng)結(jié),再和爸爸在書房里靜靜地待上幾分鐘。”說完,美格跑下樓,去完成這些小禮節(jié),然后形影不離地跟著媽媽。她心里明白,雖然媽媽慈祥的臉上帶著微笑,可看到第一只小鳥就要離巢去翱翔,慈母心里不免黯然神傷。

妹妹們站在一起,為自己簡樸的打扮作最后的修飾。現(xiàn)在這個當(dāng)口,正好描繪一下過去三年里姑娘們外表上的一些變化,因?yàn)樗齻兇丝探y(tǒng)統(tǒng)打扮得最漂亮。

喬的棱角已經(jīng)磨平不少,雖然不很有風(fēng)度,可她學(xué)會了舉止自然。卷曲的短發(fā)已經(jīng)長成了濃密的一團(tuán),高個子和小腦袋更趨和諧。棕色的雙頰氣色很好,溫柔的雙眸閃閃發(fā)亮,那張利嘴里現(xiàn)在說出的都是溫和的話語。

貝絲身材更加纖細(xì),臉色更加蒼白,性格更加文靜。美麗、善良的雙眼更大了,可眼神卻哀而不怨。年輕的臉上點(diǎn)綴著痛苦的陰影,卻透出幾分堅(jiān)毅,真是可憐。貝絲很少抱怨,總是滿懷希望地說“很快就會好起來的”。

艾美作為家庭之花名副其實(shí)。她只有十六歲,卻已經(jīng)具有成熟女性的神態(tài)和風(fēng)度,并不算漂亮,卻擁有那種難以言喻的魅力——這就是風(fēng)姿綽約。顯而易見,她身上的曲線、舉手投足、飄垂的服飾和披散的秀發(fā),能吸引很多人——沒有刻意的修飾,卻非常協(xié)調(diào),正如美本身。艾美的鼻子仍舊是她的一塊心病,它永遠(yuǎn)都不可能長筆挺了。她的嘴巴太大,也讓她苦惱不堪,更甭提那個堅(jiān)定的下巴了。這些刺眼的特征使她整張臉都與眾不同,可她自己看不到。還好,她還有美白的肌膚,敏銳的藍(lán)眼睛和日益濃密的金色鬈發(fā),借此聊以自慰。

三個妹妹都身穿薄薄的銀灰色衣裙(她們夏天最好的裙服),頭上和胸前都別著紅玫瑰。三位姑娘都顯出了少女的本色——臉上充滿青春活力,心中洋溢著幸??鞓?。她們生活過得忙忙碌碌。此時,要在人生驛站駐足片刻,用渴望的雙眼,去解讀女人浪漫人生中最甜蜜的一章。

沒有隆重的儀式,一切都是那么自然、親切。這時,馬奇姑婆到了,看到眼前的一切大不以為然:新娘竟跑出來迎她,而新郎卻忙著固定掉下來的花環(huán),身為父親的牧師則兩只胳膊下各夾著一瓶酒一本正經(jīng)地往樓上走。

“我的天,真是好樣子??!”老太太叫著,在為她準(zhǔn)備的貴賓席上就座,拉扯著她那淡紫色波紋綢衣的皺褶,發(fā)出好一陣沙沙聲,“孩子,要到最后一刻才能露面呀。”

“姑婆,我又不是展品,沒有人來評頭論足,討論服飾,估算婚宴的費(fèi)用。我太幸福了,顧不上別人怎么說怎么想。我要以自己喜歡的方式舉行我的小小婚禮。約翰,親愛的,給你錘子。”美格就這樣走開了,去幫那人干那件完全不得體的工作。

布魯克先生甚至沒有說聲“謝謝”。但他彎腰去接那毫不浪漫的工具時,在折疊門背后吻了他的小新娘,見了他那種神態(tài),姑婆急速地掏出手帕,抹去突然涌進(jìn)她敏銳老眼的淚滴。

嘩啦聲,叫喊聲,勞里的笑聲,伴隨著不雅的驚嘆:“大神?。『眉一?!喬又把蛋糕倒翻了!”這下引起了一陣忙亂。這邊還沒完,那邊又來了一群堂表兄妹。正像貝絲小時候常說的:“大隊(duì)人馬駕到。”

“別讓那小巨人靠近我。他比蚊子還讓我煩。”老太太對艾美耳語道。屋子里擠滿了人,而勞里的黑色腦袋可謂鶴立雞群。

“他答應(yīng)過今天好好表現(xiàn)。如果他愿意,他能做到非常優(yōu)雅。”艾美回答道。她溜過去警告海格立斯要當(dāng)心火龍噴火,可警告反倒使他一心一意纏住老太太,讓她差點(diǎn)暈頭轉(zhuǎn)向。

沒有長長的婚禮隊(duì)伍,但當(dāng)馬奇先生和這對新人在綠色的拱門下站住時,房間里立刻顯得肅靜一片。母親和妹妹們緊緊地依偎在一起,仿佛舍不得美格出閣。父親的聲音不止一次地中斷,這使婚禮儀式更加美妙莊嚴(yán)。大家都看到,新郎的手在顫抖,連說話聲別人都聽不清楚了??擅栏駞s直視著丈夫說:“我愿意!”神情和聲音里都充滿深情和信任,這讓母親感到欣喜萬分,而姑婆卻嗤之以鼻。

盡管喬差一點(diǎn)就想號啕大哭,可還是沒有哭出聲,因?yàn)樗庾R到勞里正盯著她看,他那雙刻薄的黑眼睛里透出幾分喜悅和深情。貝絲把臉靠在母親肩上,艾美卻站在一邊,一縷柔和的陽光照著她那雪白的腦門和頭上的月季花,她活像一尊優(yōu)美的雕塑。

事情恐怕并非中規(guī)中矩啊,一等儀式結(jié)束,美格就哭出聲來:“第一個吻獻(xiàn)給媽咪!”說著轉(zhuǎn)過身,滿懷深情地給了母親一個親吻。在接下來的一刻鐘里,美格顯得更像一朵玫瑰,不管是勞倫斯先生,還是老漢娜,每個人都充分利用這個難得的機(jī)會,向美格表示祝福。漢娜圍著一條細(xì)心織就、非常精致的頭巾,在過道里就撲到美格身上,又哭又笑著喊道:“祝福你,乖乖,百福百福!蛋糕一點(diǎn)都沒有搞壞,一切都很好!”

隨后,大家都開心起來,說些高興的話,至少盡量這么做。這也有效,因?yàn)榇蠹倚那檩p松,很快就歡聲笑語。禮物沒有展示,都已經(jīng)放進(jìn)了小屋子新房,也沒有豐盛的早餐,只有午餐還算豐富,蛋糕加水果,又點(diǎn)綴了一些鮮花。勞倫斯先生和馬奇姑婆發(fā)現(xiàn)三位赫柏[1]往來穿梭,提供的玉液瓊漿只有水、檸檬水和咖啡。他們聳聳肩,相對而笑。但是誰也沒說話,直到勞里出現(xiàn)在新娘面前。他手端裝滿食物的托盤,臉上帶著迷惑的神情,堅(jiān)持讓新娘吃東西。

“是不是喬不慎把酒瓶都打碎了?”他輕聲問,“或許我張冠李戴了,早上看見地上有一些碎酒瓶。”

“不是的,你爺爺很客氣,把最好的酒拿來給了我們。而且,姑婆也送過來一些。但是爸爸給貝絲留了少許以后,便把剩下的送去軍人之家了。是這樣,他認(rèn)為只有生病時才應(yīng)該喝酒。媽媽說,她和女兒們都不會在家中用酒招待小伙子的。”

美格正經(jīng)八百地說著,以為勞里會皺眉或恥笑,但他不為所動,只是迅速地瞥了她一眼,以他習(xí)慣性的口吻說:“我喜歡那樣!我看夠了喝酒害人,希望別的女人也跟你們一個想法。”

“希望這不是經(jīng)驗(yàn)之談吧。”美格的口氣里有些擔(dān)心。

“不是,我向你保證。但也別把我想得太好,這不屬于我面臨的誘惑。在我長大的國家,葡萄酒和水一樣平常,而且?guī)缀鯚o害。我不喜歡喝酒,但是,如果美麗的姑娘前來敬酒,就不想拒絕了,是吧?”

“可你要拒絕的,即使不為自己,也要為別人著想。勞里,答應(yīng)我,就算給我增加一條理由,證明今天是畢生最幸福的日子好了。”

突如其來的殷殷請求使小伙子一時猶豫起來,因?yàn)槌芭茸晕铱酥聘y消受。美格知道,一旦答應(yīng)下來,他將不惜一切代價遵守諾言。她感覺到了自己的力量,為了朋友的好,她以女人的方式運(yùn)了力。她沒有說話,抬頭看著他。幸福洋溢在她的臉上,她的笑容似乎在說:“今天誰也不能拒絕我的要求。”勞里當(dāng)然不能。帶著會意的笑容,他把手伸給她,由衷地說道:“我答應(yīng)你,布魯克太太!”

“謝謝你,非常非常感謝。”

“祝你的決心健康長壽,干杯,特迪。”喬叫著,潑了一杯檸檬汁為他洗禮。她搖著杯子,贊許地朝他微笑。

就這樣,祝酒,發(fā)誓,盡管有許多的誘惑,勞里還是恪守了諾言。女孩們憑著本能的智慧,瞅準(zhǔn)了一個喜慶時刻替朋友效勞,為此勞里終身感謝她們。

午餐后,人們?nèi)齼蓛稍诜孔印⒒▓@里閑步,享受著屋里屋外的陽光。美格和約翰碰巧一起站在草地中央。勞里突然來了靈感,一下子給這不時髦的婚禮最后潤了色。

“所有結(jié)了婚的人拉起手來,圍著新郎新娘跳舞,就像德國人那樣,我們單身漢、姑娘家在外圍對跳!”勞里喊道,他正和艾美沿著小路散步。他說話很有技巧,極具感染力,大家毫無異議,跟著跳起來。馬奇先生和馬奇太太、卡羅爾叔叔和嬸嬸先開了頭,別的人很快加入進(jìn)去。薩莉·莫法特猶豫再三,也將裙裾挽在臂上,迅速將內(nèi)德拖進(jìn)舞圈。最可笑的是勞倫斯先生和馬奇姑婆這一對。穩(wěn)重的老先生跳著莊嚴(yán)的滑步過來邀請老太太,老太太將拐杖往胳膊下一夾,便輕快地跟大家一起繞著新人轉(zhuǎn)起來。而年輕人們像仲夏時節(jié)的蝴蝶一樣,滿花園地翩翩起舞。

大家跳得氣喘吁吁,即興舞會這才結(jié)束。隨后人們紛紛離去。

“祝你幸福,寶貝,衷心地祝你萬事如意!可你會后悔的。”姑婆對美格說。新郎把她送上馬車,她又對新郎說:“小伙子,你得了個寶貝,可要確保配得上她。”

“內(nèi)德,這婚禮一點(diǎn)都不時髦,可不知為什么,總覺得這是我多年參加過的最美妙的婚禮。”駕車離開時,薩莉·莫法特對丈夫說。

“勞里,我的孩子,要是你想享受這種福氣,就在那些小姑娘中挑一個,我沒意見。”興奮了一上午,勞倫斯先生說,他正坐在安樂椅上休息。

“我會盡力讓您稱心如意的,爺爺。”勞里一邊格外恭敬地回答,一邊小心翼翼地把花朵拔掉,這是喬插在他紐扣孔里的。

小房子離得不遠(yuǎn),美格僅有的蜜月旅行就是與約翰靜靜地散步,從老家走到新家。美格下樓來,身穿鴿灰色的衣裙,頭戴系著白結(jié)的草帽,宛如一位漂亮的貴格會[2]女教徒,全家人都圍在她身邊,依依不舍地說“再見”,仿佛她要去出遠(yuǎn)門。

“媽咪,不要覺得我和您分開了,千萬別認(rèn)為我愛約翰就不愛您了。”她滿含熱淚,依偎在母親身上,過了好一會兒又說,“爸爸,我每天都會回來的。我出嫁了,可但愿你們大家心里還能給我留個位置。貝絲沒事會常來陪我,喬和艾美也會常過來,看我在家務(wù)活上鬧的笑話。謝謝大家,讓我的婚禮過得很開心。再見,再見!”

他們一直站在那里,目送美格走遠(yuǎn),臉上個個都洋溢著愛意、希望和自豪。美格依靠在丈夫臂彎里,雙手捧滿鮮花。六月的陽光照亮了開心的臉——就這樣,美格的婚姻生活開始了。

* * *

[1]赫柏是斟酒女神,相傳為宙斯和赫拉的女兒,這里指的是三姐妹。

[2]原意為震顫者,禱告“主”時身體要求震顫的教會一宗派。

CHAPTER 25 THE FIRST WEDDING

THE JUNE ROSES over the porch were awake bright and early on that morning, rejoicing with all their hearts in the cloudless sunshine, like friendly little neighbors, as they were. Quite flushed with excitement were their ruddy faces, as they swung in the wind, whispering to one another what they had seen, for some peeped in at the dining room windows where the feast was spread, some climbed up to nod and smile at the sisters as they dressed the bride, others waved a welcome to those who came and went on various errands in garden, porch, and hall, and all, from the rosiest full-blown flower to the palest baby bud, offered their tribute of beauty and fragrance to the gentle mistress who had loved and tended them so long.

Meg looked very like a rose herself, for all that was best and sweetest in heart and soul seemed to bloom into her face that day, making it fair and tender, with a charm more beautiful than beauty. Neither silk, lace, nor orange flowers would she have. “I don't want a fashionable wedding, but only those about me whom I love, and to them I wish to look and be my familiar self.”

So she made her wedding gown herself, sewing into it the tender hopes and innocent romances of a girlish heart. Her sisters braided up her pretty hair, and the only ornaments she wore were the lilies of the valley,which “her John” liked best of all the flowers that grew.

“You do look just like our own dear Meg, only so very sweet and lovely that I should hug you if it wouldn't crumple your dress, ” cried Amy, surveying her with delight when all was done.

“Then I am satisfied. But please hug and kiss me, everyone, and don't mind my dress. I want a great many crumples of this sort put into it today.”and Meg opened her arms to her sisters, who clung about her with April faces for a minute, feeling that the new love had not changed the old.

“Now I'm going to tie John's cravat for him, and then to stay a few minutes with Father quietly in the study.” And Meg ran down to perform these little ceremonies, and then to follow her mother wherever she went, conscious that in spite of the smiles on the motherly face, there was a secret sorrow hid in the motherly heart at the flight of the first bird from the nest.

As the younger girls stand together, giving the last touches to their simple toilet, it may be a good time to tell of a few changes which three years have wrought in their appearance, for all are looking their best just now.

Jo's angles are much softened, she has learned to carry herself with ease, if not grace. The curly crop has lengthened into a thick coil, more becoming to the small head atop of the tall figure. There is a fresh color in her brown cheeks, a soft shine in her eyes, and only gentle words fall from her sharp tongue today.

Beth has grown slender, pale, and more quiet than ever; the beautiful, kind eyes are larger, and in them lies an expression that saddens one, although it is not sad itself. It is the shadow of pain which touches the young face with such pathetic patience, but Beth seldom complains and always speaks hopefully of “being better soon.”

Amy is with truth considered “the flower of the family”, for at sixteen she has the air and bearing of a full-grown woman—not beautiful, but possessed of that indescribable charm called grace. One saw it in the lines of her figure, the make and motion of her hands, the flow of her dress, the droop of her hair—unconscious yet harmonious, and as attractive to many as beauty itself.Amy's nose still afflicted her, for it never would grow Grecian, so did her mouth, being too wide, and having a decided chin. These offending features gave character to her whole face, but she never could see it, and consoled herself with her wonderfully fair complexion, keen blue eyes, and curls more golden and abundant than ever.

All three wore suits of thin silver gray (their best gowns for the summer), with blush roses in hair and bosom; and all three looked just what they were—fresh-faced, happy-hearted girls, pausing a moment in their busy lives to read with wistful eyes the sweetest chapter in the romance of womanhood.

There were to be no ceremonious performances, everything was to be as natural and homelike as possible, so when Aunt March arrived, she was scandalized to see the bride come running to welcome and lead her in, to find the bridegroom fastening up a garland that had fallen down, and to catch a glimpse of the paternal minister marching upstairs with a grave countenance and a wine bottle under each arm.

“Upon my word, here's a state of things! ” cried the old lady, taking the seat of honor prepared for her,and settling the folds of her lavender moiré with a great rustle. “You oughtn't to be seen till the last minute, child.”

“I'm not a show, Aunty, and no one is coming to stare at me, to criticize my dress, or count the cost of my luncheon. I'm too happy to care what anyone says or thinks, and I'm going to have my little wedding just as I like it. John, dear, here's your hammer.” And away went Meg to help “that man” in his highly improper employment.

Mr. Brooke didn't even say, “Thank you, ” but as he stooped for the unromantic tool, he kissed his little bride behind the folding door, with a look that made Aunt March whisk out her pocket handkerchief with a sudden dew in her sharp old eyes.

A crash, a cry, and a laugh from Laurie, accompanied by the indecorous exclamation, “Jupiter Ammon! Jo's upset the cake again! ”caused a momentary flurry, which was hardly over when a flock of cousins arrived, and the party came in, as Beth used to say when a child.

“Don't let that young giant come near me, he worries me worse than mosquitoes, ” whispered the old lady to Amy, as the rooms filled and Laurie's black head towered above the rest.

“He has promised to be very good today, and he can be perfectly elegant if he likes, ” returned Amy, and gliding away to warn Hercules to beware of the dragon, which warning caused him to haunt the old lady with a devotion that nearly distracted her.

There was no bridal procession, but a sudden silence fell upon the room as Mr. March and the young couple took their places under the green arch. Mother and sisters gathered close, as if loath to give Meg up;the fatherly voice broke more than once, which only seemed to make the service more beautiful and solemn; the bridegroom's hand trembled visibly, and no one heard his replies; but Meg looked straight up in her husband's eyes, and said, “I will! ” with such tender trust in her own face and voice that her mother's heart rejoiced and Aunt March sniffed audibly.

Jo did not cry,though she was very near it once,and was only saved from a demonstration by the consciousness that Laurie was staring fixedly at her, with a comical mixture of merriment and emotion in his wicked black eyes. Beth kept her face hidden on her mother's shoulder, but Amy stood like a graceful statue, with a most becoming ray of sunshine touching her white forehead and the flower in her hair.

It wasn't at all the thing, I'm afraid, but the minute she was fairly married, Meg cried, “The first kiss for Marmee! ” and turning, gave it with her heart on her lips. During the next fifteen minutes she looked more like a rose than ever, for everyone availed themselves of their privileges to the fullest extent, from Mr. Laurence to old Hannah, who, adorned with a headdress fearfully and wonderfully made, fell upon her in the hall, crying with a sob and a chuckle, “Bless you, deary, a hundred times! The cake ain't hurt a mite, and everything looks lovely.”

Everybody cleared up after that, and said something brilliant, or tried to, which did just as well, for laughter is ready when hearts are light. There was no display of gifts, for they were already in the little house, nor was there an elaborate breakfast, but a plentiful lunch of cake and fruit, dressed with flowers. Mr. Laurence and Aunt March shrugged and smiled at one another when water, lemonade, and coffee were found to be to only sorts of nectar which the three Hebes carried round. No one said anything, till Laurie, who insisted on serving the bride, appeared before her, with a loaded salver in his hand and a puzzled expression on his face.

“Has Jo smashed all the bottles by accident? ” he whispered, “or am I merely laboring under a delusion that I saw some lying about loose this morning? ”

“No, your grandfather kindly offered us his best, and Aunt March actually sent some, but Father put away a little for Beth, and dispatched the rest to the Soldier's Home. You know he thinks that wine should be used only in illness, and Mother says that neither she nor her daughters will ever offer it to any young man under her roof.”

Meg spoke seriously and expected to see Laurie frown or laugh, but he did neither, for after a quick look at her, he said, in his impetuous way,“I like that! For I've seen enough harm done to wish other women would think as you do.”

“You are not made wise by experience, I hope? ” And there was an anxious accent in Meg's voice.

“No. I give you my word for it. Don't think too well of me, either, this is not one of my temptations. Being brought up where wine is as common as water and almost as harmless, I don't care for it, but when a pretty girl offers it, one doesn't like to refuse, you see.”

“But you will, for the sake of others, if not for your own. Come, Laurie, promise, and give me one more reason to call this the happiest day of my life.”

A demand so sudden and so serious made the young man hesitate a moment, for ridicule is often harder to bear than self-denial. Meg knew that if he gave the promise he would keep it at all costs, and feeling her power, used it as a woman may for her friend's good. She did not speak, but she looked up at him with a face made very eloquent by happiness, and a smile which said, “No one can refuse me anything today.” Laurie certainly could not, and with an answering smile, he gave her his hand, saying heartily, “I promise, Mrs. Brooke! ”

“I thank you, very, very much.”

“And I drink ‘long life to your resolution, ' Teddy, ” cried Jo, baptizing him with a splash of lemonade, as she waved her glass and beamed approvingly upon him.

So the toast was drunk, the pledge made and loyally kept in spite of many temptations, for with instinctive wisdom, the girls seized a happy moment to do their friend a service, for which he thanked them all his life.

After lunch, people strolled about, by twos and threes, through the house and garden, enjoying the sunshine without and within. Meg and John happened to be standing together in the middle of the grass plot, when Laurie was seized with an inspiration which put the finishing touch to this unfashionable wedding.

“All the married people take hands and dance round the new-made husband and wife, as the Germans do, while we bachelors and spinsters prance in couples outside! ” cried Laurie, promenading down the path with Amy, with such infectious spirit and skill that everyone else followed their example without a murmur. Mr. and Mrs. March, Aunt and Uncle Carrol began it, others rapidly joined in, even Sallie Moffat, after a moment's hesitation, threw her train over her arm and whisked Ned into the ring. But the crowning joke was Mr. Laurence and Aunt March, for when the stately old gentleman chasseed solemnly up to the old lady, she just tucked her cane under her arm, and hopped briskly away to join hands with the rest and dance about the bridal pair, while the young folks pervaded the garden like butterflies on a midsummer day.

Want of breath brought the impromptu ball to a close, and then people began to go.

“I wish you well, my dear, I heartily wish you well; but I think you'll be sorry for it, ” said Aunt March to Meg, adding to the bridegroom, as he led her to the carriage, “You've got a treasure, young man, see that you deserve it.”

“That is the prettiest wedding I've been to for an age, Ned, and I don't see why, for there wasn't a bit of style about it, ” observed Mrs. Moffat to her husband, as they drove away.

“Laurie, my lad, if you ever want to indulge in this sort of thing, get one of those little girls to help you, and I shall be perfectly satisfied, ” said Mr. Laurence, settling himself in his easy chair to rest after the excitement of the morning.

“I'll do my best to gratify you, sir, ” was Laurie's unusually dutiful reply, as he carefully unpinned the posy Jo had put in his buttonhole.

The little house was not far away, and the only bridal journey Meg had was the quiet walk with John from the old home to the new. When she came down, looking like a pretty Quakeress in her dove-colored suit and straw bonnet tied with white, they all gathered about her to say good-by, as tenderly as if she had been going to make the grand tour.

“Don't feel that I am separated from you, Marmee dear, or that I love you any the less for loving John so much, ” she said, clinging to her mother, with full eyes for a moment. “I shall come every day, Father, and expect to keep my old place in all your hearts,though I am married.Beth is going to be with me a great deal, and the other girls will drop in now and then to laugh at my housekeeping struggles. Thank you all for my happy wedding day. Good-by, good-by! ”

They stood watching her, with faces full of love and hope and tender pride as she walked away, leaning on her husband's arm, with her hands full of flowers and the June sunshine brightening her happy face—and so Meg's married life began.

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