第三十章　后果

切斯特太太的交易会精致而有档次，被邀请参加交易会并负责一个展台，相邻的年轻小姐们都感到十分荣幸，所以大家都对此事兴致勃勃。艾美接到邀请了，而乔却没有，这对各方面来说都是件幸事，因为她正处在胳膊叉腰的盛气凌人阶段，要教会她如何与人和睦相处，还得让她多摔几个跟头。这个“傲慢无趣的家伙”被无情地排除在一边，而艾美由于是负责工艺品的展台，则其天赋和趣味得到了适时的赏识，她全身心地投入了筹备工作，确保艺术展台有合适的价值作品出现。

一切进展顺利，但交易会开幕的前一天出现了一场小冲突。要知道，老老少少总共有二十五六名太太小姐聚集一起工作，各自都有自己的脾气和偏见，这是不可避免的。

梅·切斯特相当嫉妒艾美，因为对方更受人喜爱，而此时出现的几个小情况，增加了这种情绪。艾美那精致的钢笔画，使梅描画的花瓶黯然失色，这是第一根刺。在最近的一次舞会上，所向披靡的都铎与艾美共舞四次，而与梅只有一次，这是第二根刺。但在她心里翻腾的主要怨情，给她的不友好行为以口实的是，某个仗义的长舌头把流言传给她，说马奇家的小姐在兰姆家嘲笑了她。这事儿本应全部怪乔，她那淘气的模仿太逼真了，旁人一看就知道在模仿谁，爱嬉闹的兰姆家就把这个笑话传了出去。然而，两个始作俑者对此一无所知，所以，艾美听了切斯特太太的话所表现出来的惊愕是可想而知的。得知女儿被人嘲弄，切斯特太太信以为真，当然非常气愤。在交易会开幕的前夕，见艾美正在给漂亮的展台作最后的修饰，她表情冷淡，口气却温和地说：

“乖乖，我发现小姐们对我把这个展台给人家而不给女儿挺有看法。这个展台最显眼，还有人说所有展台中这个最引人注目，而她们是这次交易会的主要张罗者，最好自己来用这个展台。很抱歉，但我知道你对这个交易会一片诚心，所以不会计较个人的小得失。如果你愿意，可以换展台。”

按切斯特太太预先的想象，说这几句官腔话会很容易，但是真到了要说的时候，她发现难以自然地说出口，艾美信任的双眼直视着她，充满了惊讶和苦恼。

艾美感到，此事的背后肯定有问题，但猜不透到底是什么。她觉得自己受到了伤害，而且没有加以掩饰，轻轻地说：“也许你更愿意我一个展台也不用？”

“哎，乖乖，不要生气，求你了。你瞧，这只是应急之计，我的女儿们自然是要带头的，大家认为这个展台最适合她们。我认为这个展台也很适合你，非常感谢你做了那么多，布置得这么漂亮。但是，我们当然必须放弃个人的意愿，我保证让你换个好位置。喜不喜欢那花卉展台？那几个小姑娘在负责那个展台，她们没信心了。你能把它装点得很迷人的，要知道，花卉展台总是诱人的。”

“尤其对男士而言。”梅补充道，她的表情向艾美提示了自己突然失宠的原因。她气红了脸，但没有进一步介意这女孩子的讽刺，而是用意想不到的友善语气回答说：

“听你的，切斯特太太，如果你喜欢，我马上放弃这个展位，去张罗花卉展台。”

“如果你愿意，可以把东西搬过去放到自己的展台上嘛。”梅开口说，看着艾美那些漂亮的搁物架、描绘鲜艳的贝壳、精致小巧的灯饰，她内心有点过意不去。毕竟，这些都是艾美精心制作、别致地摆放的东西。她的本意是友善的，但艾美误会了，抢着说：

“哦，当然，如果它们碍事的话。”说着她就把自己的东西一股脑儿揽进围裙里走开了，深感自己和自己的艺术品受到了不可饶恕的羞辱。

“哎，她气疯了。天哪，真希望我没叫你去说，妈妈。”梅说着，愁眉苦脸地看着自己空荡荡的展台。

“姑娘们吵架很快就会过去的。”她母亲回答道，但对自己在其中担任的角色感到有点羞愧。她确实也应该感到羞愧。

看到艾美和她带来的宝贝，小姑娘们高兴得欢呼雀跃起来，热忱的欢迎稍稍平息了她烦恼的情绪。她大干起来，决心无法在艺术上成功，就在花卉上取得成绩。但所有的事情似乎都在与她作对。时间来不及了，再说她也很累。每个人都自顾不暇，没法帮她；而小姑娘们只能帮倒忙，乖乖们就知道一惊一乍，唧唧喳喳的像是一帮喜鹊。她们为维护最完美的秩序笨拙地努力，却造成了一大堆的混乱。常春藤拱门竖立起来了，却站不稳，悬挂在上面的吊篮装满花卉后就摇摇晃晃，像是要朝她的头顶砸过来。她最好的瓷砖画溅上了水，结果在爱神丘比特的脸颊上留下一滴黑色眼泪。她使用榔头干活，结果擦伤了手。她在穿堂风口干活，结果患了伤风，更为第二天的活动忧心忡忡。任何一个有同样遭遇的女读者都会同情起可怜的艾美，祝愿她顺利完成任务。

那天晚上，她把情况说了，全家人都对此愤愤不平。母亲说真可惜，但告诉艾美说她做得对。贝丝宣布她绝对不去看交易会，乔问艾美为什么不带上自己所有的漂亮东西走掉，任由那些卑鄙小人去折腾那个交易会。

“没有理由因为她们卑鄙我也跟着卑鄙。我讨厌这种事，尽管我有权表示出我受到了伤害，但不想这么做。这会比怒言愤行更能让她们感觉到，是不是，妈咪？”

“你做得对路，乖乖。用亲吻回报拳头，永远是最好的办法，尽管有时候很难做到这一点。”母亲说，表露出对说得容易做到难深有体会的神情。

尽管嫌怨报复的各种诱惑不时油然而生，但次日艾美还是坚持了自己的决定，用善良的心来克敌制胜。她开局很不错，多亏一个意想不到却非常及时的无声提示。那天上午，她在布置展台，小姑娘们在前庭装花篮，她拿出自己最宠爱的作品——一本小书。封面是古董，是爸爸在宝贝里面找到的，而她在精制的犊皮纸书页上根据不同的主题画上了装饰插图。当她带着那种情有可原的自豪，翻动着画有很多精美图案的书页时，目光落在一行诗句上，于是停下来思考。醒目的鲜红、天蓝、金黄三种颜色的涡形边框衬托着诗句，插图中善良的小精灵在荆棘和鲜花丛里忙上忙下互相帮助。诗句的内容是：“爱邻居当如爱自己。”

“应该爱邻居，但我没有做哇。”艾美想，从鲜艳的书页上抬起头，望着大花瓶后面梅那张不满意的脸。显然，大花瓶遮不住取走可爱的小摆设后留下的空缺。艾美站了一会儿，翻动着手中的书页，每一页都有一些对嫉妒和刻薄的温和指责。在大街、学校、办公室、家里，每天都有人潜移默化地向我们宣讲许多智慧而实在的训诫。如果交易会能宣讲永远不会过时的善良有益的道理，连展台也可以成为讲道坛。艾美内心深处从那本书里得到了一点启迪，当时当地，她铭记在心里，并立刻付诸行动。她做了我们许多人很难做得到的事。

一群女孩站在梅的桌子周围，欣赏着漂亮的东西，议论着调动女销售员的事。她们把声音压得低低的，但艾美知道她们在议论她，想到这些女孩多半是听信一面之词，并做出评判，令人不舒服。但此时的她已有了一个更良善的信念，不久验证它的机会来了。她听到梅忧愁地说：

“太糟了，来不及制作其他东西了，我又不想用零星杂物滥竽充数。当时这张展台已布置好了，可现在全毁了。”

“我保证如果你开口，她会物归原处的。”有人建议说。

“那么折腾过了，怎能说得出口？”梅开口了。但她的话还没说完，展厅的另一边传来了艾美乐呵呵的声音：

“如果你喜欢，不用开口，尽管来拿去好了。我正在考虑主动物归原处呢，它们属于你那个展台，而不是我这个。喏，都在这里，请收下吧，原谅我昨晚匆匆地把它们撤走了。”

艾美点点头，面带微笑，边说边把她的那些宝贝放回去，而后又赶快离开。她觉得做一件友好的事比待在那里等人家道谢更容易。

“我说她可爱，是不是？”一个女孩叫起来。

梅的回答听不见，但另一个小姐冷笑着加了一句。她的情绪显然是调和进了柠檬汁，酸溜溜的：“很可爱，她知道这些东西在她那个展位卖不出去的。”

唉，真让人心寒。我们做出一点牺牲的时候，总希望至少能得到理解和欣赏。有一瞬间艾美甚至感到后悔，觉得善不总是有善报。但她不久发现，善的确有善报。她的情绪高涨起来，展台在她巧手的布置下花团锦簇了。姑娘们也很友好，那小小的举动似乎令人惊异地刷新了气氛。

这一天对艾美来说漫长而难熬，她坐在桌子后面，经常很孤独，小女孩们早就开小差了。几乎没人喜欢在夏天买花，还没到晚上她的花束就开始发蔫了

艺术展台果然最有人气。从早到晚，周围总是有一群人，服务员们得意地抱着咔嗒咔嗒响的钱箱跑来跑去。艾美不时若有所失地望着对面，渴望亲自上阵，那样就会感到自如，感到幸福，就不用晾在角落里无事可做。这对我们当中的一些人来说算不了什么，但对一个漂亮而活泼的姑娘来说，不仅沉闷，而且非常折磨人。一想到晚上家人、劳里和同学们要看到自己窝在那里，就觉得要英勇就义殉道了。

她到夜里才回家，家人见她脸色苍白，沉默不语，就知道那一天很难熬，尽管她没有抱怨什么，也没告诉大家她做了些什么。母亲额外给她沏了一杯热茶。贝丝帮助她穿衣服，还做了一个可爱的小花冠戴在她头上。而乔一反常态，精心地修饰起自己的外表来，神秘地暗示着交易会上的展台要被掀翻[1]，让家人吃惊不小。

“求求你，乔，别做任何鲁莽的事情。我不想乱折腾，让一切过去，你放规矩点吧。”艾美哀求道。她要早点出发，希望能增援鲜花，来振作那可怜的小展台。

“我只是想把自己打扮得迷人一点，让每一个熟人喜欢，让他们在你那个角落里尽可能待得长久些。特迪和他的同学们会助一臂之力的，我们还是会过得很愉快的。”乔回答说。她倚在门口等候着特迪的到来。不一会儿，熟悉的脚步声从暮色中传来，她跑出去迎接他。

“这是我的小伙子吗？”

“就像你是我的小姑娘一样确定！”劳里拽住她的手夹在胳膊下，一副志得意满的神态。

“噢，特迪，居然有这种事！”乔以姐姐的满腔热情讲述了艾美的委屈。

“我的那帮伙计马上就要驾车过来了，我非得让他们买光她的花不可，然后驻扎在她的展台前，否则我就不得好死。”劳里说道，热情地支持她的事业。

“艾美说，那些花一点也不可爱，新鲜的花也可能无法及时到货。我倒不想冤枉别人，也不是多疑，哪怕新鲜的花永远不到货，我也不会感到意外的。做了一件卑鄙的事，很可能会一不做，二不休的。”乔深恶痛绝地说。

“难道海斯没有把我家花园里最好的花采给你们？我吩咐过他的。”

“这倒不知道呀，我猜想他把这事儿给忘了。你爷爷的身体不舒服，所以我不想问他去要，免得让他操心，虽然我很想要一些。”

“哎呀，乔，你怎么能这样想，有什么好问的？花是我的也就是你的。我们不是什么东西都对半分的吗？”劳里应道。他这种语气总是让乔变得浑身带刺。

“得了，我可不想！你的一半东西，有些根本不适合我。不要站在这里说笑了。我得去帮助艾美，你去把自己打扮成帅哥。你要是真的这么好，就叫海斯送一些漂亮的鲜花到交易厅，我会永远为你祈福的。”

“难道现在不为我祈福？”劳里问。乔受不了他这种挑逗的口气，急忙不客气地当着他的面把门关上，透过栏杆叫着：“走开，特迪，我很忙。”

多亏这两位同谋者，那天晚上局面真的扭转过来了。海斯送来了如草原般丰富和水灵灵的鲜花，还送来一个可爱的花篮，用上了他最好的插花技术，放在展台的中心。接着，马奇一家全体上场了，乔特别卖力，成效显著。人们不仅走过来，而且还驻足，冲着她的胡扯哈哈大笑，还赞赏艾美有品位。他们显然都玩得很愉快。劳里和他的同学们殷勤地挺身而出，买光了花束，在展台前安营扎寨，使那个角落成为交易厅里最热闹的地方。艾美此刻如鱼得水，哪怕不是别有用心，就是出于感激之情，也尽可能做到了举止活泼和彬彬有礼。大约在那个时候她得出了一个结论：善人有善报。

那天晚上，乔的表现很恰当，堪称楷模。当艾美被她的仪仗队幸福地簇拥着的时候，乔在交易厅里转悠着，听到了各种闲言碎语，让她明白了切斯特改变初衷的原因。她责备自己，决心尽快去为艾美开脱责任。她也了解到艾美早上就事态都做了些什么，认为她是宽宏大量的模范。经过艺术展位时，她朝展台扫了一眼，想看看妹妹的东西，但都不见了。“恐怕都给藏起来不让人看了。”乔想。她对自己的委屈可以不和人计较，可对家人的侮辱，她可愤愤不平。

“晚上好，乔小姐，艾美那边怎么样啦？”梅用和解的口气问，想让人知道她也能做到很大度。

“她已卖完所有值得卖的东西，现在正尽情享受呢。花卉展台总是诱人的，你知道，‘尤其是对男士而言’。”

乔忍不住反唇相讥，但梅听了后表现得很温和。乔马上就后悔了，她开始赞美起摆在展台上还没卖出去的几个大花瓶。

“艾美的灯饰还在吗？我想给我爸爸买下。”乔说，很想知道妹妹作品的命运。

“艾美的东西早就卖光了，我特意摆在相关人士容易看到的地方，为我们赚了可观的一笔钱呢。”梅回答说。她那一天也跟艾美一样，克服了各种小诱惑。

乔感到很欣慰，急忙回去告诉大家这个好消息，艾美知道了梅的言行后，既感动又惊讶。

“好了，先生们，想让你们去别的展台尽点义务，就像在我的展台一样出手大方——要特别照顾工艺品展台。”她命令“特迪的家丁”出发，姑娘们对大学同学都是这么叫的。

“‘冲啊，切斯特，冲啊！’是那个展台的台训，要像男子汉那样尽你们的义务。从艺术品的角度来说，花出去的每一分钱都是物有所值的。”当义勇军准备冲锋陷阵时，乔按捺不住激动的情绪说。

“言听计从，但马奇比梅漂亮多了。”小帕克说。他拼命想说几句既诙谐又温柔的话，可是劳里迅速制止他说：“很好，孩子，真是个小孩子！”劳里慈父般地拍拍他的头，送他走开了。

“把花瓶买下来吧。”艾美对劳里耳语说，想最后一次以德报怨，让她的敌人感到后悔惭愧。

令梅惊喜不已的是，劳伦斯先生不仅买下了那对花瓶，而且还一手夹着一个，在交易厅里游走着。其他几位绅士同样投机，鲁莽地买下了各种易碎的小玩意儿，然后拿着沉甸甸的蜡花、手工绘画的扇子、金银丝公文包和其他一些实用的适用品，在大厅里瞎逛，茫然不知所措。

卡罗尔太太也在那里，听说了此事，显得非常高兴，把马奇太太拉到角落里不知嘀咕着什么。马奇太太听了非常满意，望着艾美，脸上神情复杂，既自豪又焦虑。不过，她没有说出为什么开心，直到几天以后。

大家都认为交易会圆满成功。梅和艾美道晚安时，没有像往常那样滔滔不绝，只是给了艾美一个深情的吻，脸上的神情仿佛在说：“请原谅，别放心上。”这使艾美感到心满意足。她到家时发现，两个花瓶陈列在客厅的壁炉架上，里面各插着一大束鲜花。劳里吆喝着宣布：“奖给宽宏大量的马奇小姐。”

“艾美，我表扬过你，可你的美德远不止这些。你为人正直、宽宏大量、品行高尚。你举止优雅，我佩服得五体投地。”那天深夜，一起梳头的时候，乔热切地说。

“说得对，她对别人这么宽容，我们都尊重她，爱她。这肯定艰难得要命，要知道，累了这么久，还一心想卖掉自己的漂亮东西呢。要是换了我，我相信，要像你这么宽容，肯定办不到。”贝丝躺在枕头上补充说。

“好了，姐姐们，用不着这么夸我。我做的算不了什么，只是希望别人也会这么待我。我说过要做一名淑女，你们还笑我呢，可我是说真正做言行端正的淑女。我只是按照我理解的去做。到底要怎么做，我说不清楚。小气、愚蠢，还有挑剔，这些都是小毛病，可它们毁了那么多女人，我只是不想这样。现在还做得远远不够，可我会尽力的，希望有朝一日能和妈妈一样。”

艾美说得很热切，乔热情地拥抱她说：“现在懂你的意思了，不会再笑你。你太小看自己了，进步得很快，我要虚心向你学习。我相信，你一定知道秘诀了。继续努力吧，乖乖。总有一天你会得到回报的，到时候，我会比谁都开心。”

一个礼拜后，艾美确实得到了回报，可怜的乔却感到很难开心起来。卡罗尔婶婶来信了，马奇太太看信的时候，脸上闪着喜悦的光芒。真巧，乔和贝丝和她在一起，忙问是什么喜讯。

“卡罗尔婶婶下个月出国，她想——”

“想拉我陪她一起去！”乔插嘴说。她抑制不住心中的狂喜，从椅子上跳了起来。

“不，乖乖，不是你，是艾美。”

“噢，妈妈！她太小了。该先轮到我。我早就想了——这对我很有好处的，太棒了——我非去不可。”

“恐怕这不行，乔。婶婶说是艾美，很肯定，她给了这样的恩惠，我们不能再提条件。”

“怎么老是这样。艾美享乐，我受罪。这不公平，噢，这不公平。”乔激动地喊道。

“这恐怕有一半还要怪你自己，乖乖。那天，婶婶跟我说，你做事太直率，性格太独立，她感到很遗憾。这里她就是这么写的，好像还有你说过的几句话：开始我打算让乔去，可‘恩惠给她负担’，她又‘讨厌法语’，我想我不敢邀请她。艾美更听话，她会成为弗洛的好伙伴的。她知道感恩，懂得这次旅行给她的馈赠。”

“噢，都是我这舌头，这该死的舌头！为什么就不学会闭嘴呢？”乔呻吟道，想起那毁了自己的话。听了乔对信中引用的这些话的解释，马奇太太伤心地说：

“我希望你能去，可这次是无望了。努力吧，开心地接受事实。别抱怨，也别后悔，那样艾美会不开心的。”

“我会尽力的。”乔说着使劲地眨眨眼，然后屈膝拾起刚才因兴奋而打翻的针织篮子，“我要跟她一样，不光看上去开心，而且真的开心。对她的幸福，一点也不嫉妒。可这不容易，这次失意太可怕了。”可怜的乔忍不住流下几滴伤心的泪，打湿了手中鼓鼓的小针垫。

“乔姐，我很自私，不能放你走。同时我很高兴，你暂时还不走。”贝丝一边轻声说，一边把乔和篮子一起抱住。这种执著的拥抱和爱意浓浓的神情，使乔感到莫大的欣慰，尽管她刚才还悔恨交加，恨不得打自己一个耳光，低声下气地恳求卡罗尔婶婶赐她这个恩惠，然后看看她怎样感激地承受这个负担。

等艾美回家时，乔已经能做到与家人同庆了，可能不像往常那样开怀，却也没有抱怨艾美的幸运。这位四小姐也把消息当作特大喜讯，心中一阵狂喜，可她还是不失风度。那天晚上，她开始收拾颜料，整理铅笔，而把衣服、钱和护照之类的小东西留给那些没她那么热衷于艺术憧憬的人去整理。

“姐姐们，对我来说这不仅仅是一次游乐，”她一边刮着那块最好的调色板，一边动情地说，“它将决定我的事业，如果我有任何天赋的话，在罗马就要发掘它出来，而且我将会想办法证实它。”

“假如你没有天赋呢？”乔问。她双眼红红的，正在缝制新的领口，准备把它让给艾美。

“那我就打道回府，靠教绘画过日子。”这个求名者用哲人的沉着口气回答道。但她对这个假如做了个鬼脸，并继续刮着她的调色板，仿佛在放弃希望之前要拼搏一番。

“不，你不会这样结局的。你讨厌苦干，会嫁个阔佬，然后回到家里，荣华富贵过一生。”乔说。

“你的预言有时候灵验，但我不信这个预言会实现。我倒希望我的预言实现，如果自己成不了艺术家，希望能够帮助那些是艺术家的人。”艾美微笑着说，仿佛一个慈善富婆的角色比一个贫穷的绘画老师更适合自己。

“哼！你的希望能实现的，你总是心想事成——而我永远不成。”乔叹口气说。

“你想去？”艾美若有所思地问，用刮刀拍拍自己的鼻子。

“非常想！”

“那行，一两年后我会来接你的。我们一起去古罗马广场发掘文物，实现我们反反复复做出的所有计划。”

“谢谢。当那个快乐的日子果真来临的时候，我会提醒你的承诺的。”乔接受了这个不确定但却是宏伟的邀请，尽力让自己表现出不胜感激之情。

准备的时间没多少，屋子里乱哄哄的，接着艾美便出发了。乔挺住了，表现得不错。可等到那飘动的蓝丝带一消失，她就躲到自己的避难所，在阁楼上哭了个够。艾美也在努力控制自己，直到汽船起航。就在舷梯收起的那一刻，她突然想到，波涛滚滚的大海就要把她和深爱她的家人隔开了。她一把抱住最后一个送客者劳里，哽咽着说：

“哦，替我照顾她们，万一有不测——”

“我会的，乖乖。要是有不测的话，我会来安慰你的。”劳里小声地说，可他怎么也想不到，后来真的被请去履行他的诺言。

就这样，艾美乘船走了，去寻访那个旧世界[2]，可在年轻人看来，它总是那么新奇、美丽。父亲和朋友在岸上目送着她，热切地希望只让好运降临到这个乐天的女孩身上。她也冲着他们挥手，直到什么都看不见了，只有夏日的海面阳光灿烂，金光闪闪。

* * *

[1]英语双关语，还表示局面扭转，参见下文的情节。

[2]欧洲人眼里的美国是新世界，所以欧洲在美国人看来是旧世界。

CHAPTER 30 CONSEQUENCES

MRS. CHESTER'S fair was so very elegant and select that it was considered a great honor by the young ladies of the neighborhood to be invited to take a table, and everyone was much interested in the matter. Amy was asked, but Jo was not, which was fortunate for all parties, as her elbows were decidedly akimbo at this period of her life, and it took a good many hard knocks to teach her how to get on easily. The “haughty, uninteresting creature” was let severely alone, but Amy's talent and taste were duly complimented by the offer of the art table, and she exerted herself to prepare and secure appropriate and valuable contributions to it.

Everything went on smoothly till the day before the fair opened, then there occurred one of the little skirmishes which it is almost impossible to avoid, when some five-and-twenty women, old and young, with all their private piques and prejudices, try to work together.

May Chester was rather jealous of Amy because the latter was a greater favorite than herself, and just at this time several trifling circumstances occurred to increase the feeling. Amy's dainty pen-and-ink work entirely eclipsed May's painted vases—that was one thorn; then the all-conquering Tudor had danced four times with Amy at a late party and only once with May—that was thorn number two; but the chief grievance that rankled in her soul, and gave an excuse for her unfriendly conduct, was a rumor which some obliging gossip had whispered to her, that the March girls had made fun of her at the Lambs'. All the blame of this should have fallen upon Jo, for her naughty imitation had been too lifelike to escape detection, and the frolicsome Lambs had permitted the joke to escape. No hint of this had reached the culprits, however, and Amy's dismay can be imagined, when, the very evening before the fair, as she was putting the last touches to her pretty table, Mrs. Chester, who, of course, resented the supposed ridicule of her daughter, said, in a bland tone, but with a cold look—

“I find, dear, that there is some feeling among the young ladies about my giving this table to anyone but my girls. As this is the most prominent, and some say the most attractive table of all, and they are the chief getters-up of the fair, it is thought best for them to take this place. I'm sorry, but I know you are too sincerely interested in the cause to mind a little personal disappointment, and you shall have another table if you like.”

Mrs. Chester had fancied beforehand that it would be easy to deliver this little speech, but when the time came, she found it rather difficult to utter it naturally, with Amy's unsuspicious eyes looking straight at her full of surprise and trouble.

Amy felt that there was something behind this, but could not guess what, and said quietly, feeling hurt, and showing that she did, “Perhaps you had rather I took no table at all? ”

“Now, my dear, don't have any ill feeling, I beg; it's merely a matter of expediency, you see; my girls will naturally take the lead, and this table is considered their proper place. I think it very appropriate to you, and feel very grateful for your efforts to make it so pretty; but we must give up our private wishes, of course, and I will see that you have a good place elsewhere. Wouldn't you like the flower table? The little girls undertook it, but they are discouraged. You could make a charming thing of it, and the flower table is always attractive, you know.”

“Especially to gentlemen, ” added May, with a look which enlightened Amy as to one cause of her sudden fall from favor. She colored angrily, but took no other notice of that girlish sarcasm, and answered with unexpected amiability—

“It shall be as you please, Mrs. Chester. I'll give up my place here at once, and attend to the flowers, if you like.”

“You can put your own things on your own table, if you prefer, ” began May, feeling a little conscience-stricken, as she looked at the pretty racks, the painted shells, and quaint illuminations Amy had so carefully made and so gracefully arranged. She meant it kindly, but Amy mistook her meaning, and said quickly—

“Oh, certainly, if they are in your way, ” and sweeping her contributio-ns into her apron, pell-mell, she walked off, feeling that herself and her works of art had been insulted past forgiveness.

“Now she's mad. Oh, dear, I wish I hadn't asked you to speak, Mama, ”said May, looking disconsolately at the empty spaces on her table.

“Girls' quarrels are soon over, ” returned her mother, feeling a trifle ashamed of her own part in this one, as well she might.

The little girls hailed Amy and her treasures with delight, which cordial reception somewhat soothed her perturbed spirit, and she fell to work, determined to succeed florally, if she could not artistically. But everything seemed against her; it was late, and she was tired; everyone was too busy with their own affairs to help her; and the little girls were only hindrances, for the dears fussed and chattered like so many magpies, making a great deal of confusion in their artless efforts to preserve the most perfect order. The evergreen arch wouldn't stay firm after she got it up, but wiggled and threatened to tumble down on her head when the hanging baskets were filled; her best tile got a splash of water, which left a sepia tear on the Cupid's cheek; she bruised her hands with hammering, and got cold working in a draft, which last affliction filled her with apprehensions for the morrow. Any girl reader who has suffered like afflictions will sympathize with poor Amy and wish her well through her task.

There was great indignation at home when she told her story that evening. Her mother said it was a shame, but told her she had done right. Beth declared she wouldn't go to the fair at all, and Jo demanded why she didn't take all her pretty things and leave those mean people to get on without her.

“Because they are mean is no reason why I should be. I hate such things, and though I think I've a right to be hurt, I don't intend to show it. They will feel that more than angry speeches or huffy actions, won't they, Marmee? ”

“That's the right spirit, my dear; a kiss for a blow is always best, though it's not very easy to give it sometimes, ” said her mother, with the air of one who had learned the difference between preaching and practicing.

In spite of various very natural temptations to resent and retaliate, Amy adhered to her resolution all the next day, bent on conquering her enemy by kindness. She began well, thanks to a silent reminder that came to her unexpectedly, but most opportunely. As she arranged her table that morning, while the little girls were in the anteroom filling the baskets, she took up her pet production—a little book, the antique cover of which her father had found among his treasures, and in which on leaves of vellum she had beautifully illuminated different texts. As she turned the pages rich in dainty devices with very pardonable pride, her eye fell upon one verse that made her stop and think. Framed in a brilliant scrollwork of scarlet, blue, and gold, with little spirits of good will helping one another up and down among the thorns and flowers, were the words, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

“I ought, but I don't, ” thought Amy, as her eye went from the bright page to May's discontented face behind the big vases, that could not hide the vacancies her pretty work had once filled. Amy stood a minute, turning the leaves in her hand, reading on each some sweet rebuke for all heartburnings and uncharitableness of spirit. Many wise and true sermons are preached us every day by unconscious ministers in street, school, office, or home; even a fair table may become a pulpit, if it can offer the good and helpful words which are never out of season. Amy's conscience preached her a little sermon from that text, then and there, and she did what many of us do not always do—took the sermon to heart, and straightway put it in practice.

A group of girls were standing about May's table, admiring the pretty things, and talking over the change of saleswomen. They dropped their voices, but Amy knew they were speaking of her, hearing one side of the story and judging accordingly. It was not pleasant, but a better spirit had come over her, and presently a chance offered for proving it. She heard May say sorrowfully—

“It's too bad, for there is no time to make other things, and I don't want to fill up with odds and ends. The table was just complete then: now it's spoiled.”

“I dare say she'd put them back if you asked her, ” suggested someone.

“How could I after all the fuss? ” began May, but she did not finish, for Amy's voice came across the hall, saying pleasantly—

“You may have them, and welcome, without asking, if you want them. I was just thinking I'd offer to put them back, for they belong to your table rather than mine. Here they are, please take them, and forgive me if I was hasty in carrying them away last night.”

As she spoke, Amy returned her contribution, with a nod and a smile, and hurried away again, feeling that it was easier to do a friendly thing than it was to stay and be thanked for it.

“Now, I call that lovely of her, don't you? ” cried one girl.

May's answer was inaudible, but another young lady, whose temper was evidently a little soured by making lemonade, added, with a disagreeable laugh, “Very lovely, for she knew she wouldn't sell them at her own table.”

Now, that was hard; when we make little sacrifices we like to have them appreciated, at least, and for a minute Amy was sorry she had done it, feeling that virtue was not always its own reward. But it is—as she presently discovered—for her spirits began to rise, and her table to blossom under her skillful hands, the girls were very kind, and that one little act seemed to have cleared the atmosphere amazingly.

It was a very long day and a hard one for Amy, as she sat behind her table, often quite alone, for the little girls deserted very soon: few cared to buy flowers in summer, and her bouquets began to droop long before night.

The art table was the most attractive in the room;there was a crowd about it all day long, and the tenders were constantly flying to and fro with important faces and rattling money boxes. Amy often looked wistfully across, longing to be there, where she felt at home and happy, instead of in a corner with nothing to do. It might seem no hardship to some of us, but to a pretty, blithe young girl, it was not only tedious, but very trying, and the thought of Laurie and his friends made it a real martyrdom.

She did not go home till night, and then she looked so pale and quiet that they knew the day had been a hard one, though she made no complaint, and did not even tell what she had done. Her mother gave her an extra cordial cup of tea. Beth helped her dress, and made a charming little wreath for her hair, while Jo astonished her family by getting herself up with unusual care, and hinting darkly that the tables were about to be turned.

“Don't do anything rude, pray, Jo. I won't have any fuss made, so let it all pass and behave yourself, ” begged Amy, as she departed early, hoping to find a reinforcement of flowers to refresh her poor little table.

“I merely intend to make myself entrancingly agreeable to everyone I know, and to keep them in your corner as long as possible. Teddy and his boys will lend a hand, and we'll have a good time yet, ” returned Jo, leaning over the gate to watch for Laurie. Presently the familiar tramp was heard in the dusk, and she ran out to meet him.

“Is that my boy? ”

“As sure as this is my girl! ” And Laurie tucked her hand under his arm with the air of a man whose every wish was gratified.

“Oh, Teddy, such doings! ” And Jo told Amy's wrongs with sisterly zeal.

“A flock of our fellows are going to drive over by-and-by, and I'll be hanged if I don't make them buy every flower she's got, and camp down before her table afterward, ” said Laurie, espousing her cause with warmth.

“The flowers are not at all nice, Amy says, and the fresh ones may not arrive in time. I don't wish to be unjust or suspicious, but I shouldn't wonder if they never came at all. When people do one mean thing they are very likely to do another, ” observed Jo in a disgusted tone.

“Didn't Hayes give you the best out of our gardens? I told him to.”

“I didn't know that, he forgot, I suppose, and, as your grandpa was poorly, I didn't like to worry him by asking, though I did want some.”

“Now, Jo, how could you think there was any need of asking! They are just as much yours as mine. Don't we always go halves in everything? ”began Laurie, in the tone that always made Jo turn thorny.

“Gracious, I hope not! Half of some of your things wouldn't suit me at all. But we mustn't stand philandering here. I've got to help Amy, so you go and make yourself splendid, and if you'll be so very kind as to let Hayes take a few nice flowers up to the Hall, I'll bless you forever.”

“Couldn't you do it now? ” asked Laurie, so suggestively that Jo shut the gate in his face with inhospitable haste, and called through the bars, “Go away, Teddy, I'm busy.”

Thanks to the conspirators,the tables were turned that night,for Hayes sent up a wilderness of flowers, with a loverly basket arranged in his best manner for a centerpiece; then the March family turned out en masse, and Jo exerted herself to some purpose, for people not only came, but stayed, laughing at her nonsense, admiring Amy's taste, and apparently enjoying themselves very much. Laurie and his friends gallantly threw themselves into the breach, bought up the bouquets, encamped before the table, and made that corner the liveliest spot in the room. Amy was in her element now, and out of gratitude, if nothing more, was as spritely and gracious as possible—coming to the conclusion,about that time,that virtue was its own reward, after all.

Jo behaved herself with exemplary propriety, and when Amy was happily surrounded by her guard of honor, Jo circulated about the hall, picking up various bits of gossip, which enlightened her upon the subject of the Chester change of base. She reproached herself for her share of the ill feeling and resolved to exonerate Amy as soon as possible. She also discovered what Amy had done about the things in the morning, and considered her a model of magnanimity. As she passed the art table, she glanced over it for her sister's things, but saw no sign of them. “Tucked away out of sight, I dare say, ” thought Jo, who could forgive her own wrongs, but hotly resented any insult offered her family.

“Good evening, Miss Jo. How does Amy get on? ” asked May with a conciliatory air, for she wanted to show that she also could be generous.

“She has sold everything she had that was worth selling, and now she is enjoying herself. The flower table is always attractive, you know,‘especially to gentlemen.'”

Jo couldn't resist giving that little slap,but May took it so meekly she regretted it a minute after, and fell to praising the great vases, which still remained unsold.

“Is Amy's illumination anywhere about? I took a fancy to buy that for Father, ” said Jo, very anxious to learn the fate of her sister's work.

“Everything of Amy's sold long ago; I took care that the right people saw them, and they made a nice little sum of money for us, ” returned May, who had overcome sundry small temptations, as well as Amy had, that day.

Much gratified, Jo rushed back to tell the good news, and Amy looked both touched and surprised by the report of May's word and manner.

“Now, gentlemen, I want you to go and do your duty by the other tables as generously as you have by mine—especially the art table, ” she said, ordering out “Teddy's own”, as the girls called the college friends.

“‘Charge, Chester, charge! ' is the motto for that table, but do your duty like men, and you'll get your money's worth of art in every sense of the word, ” said the irrepressible Jo, as the devoted phalanx prepared to take the field.

“To hear is to obey, but March is fairer far than May, ” said little Parker, making a frantic effort to be both witty and tender, and getting promptly quenched by Laurie, who said, “Very well, my son, for a small boy! ” and walked him off, with a paternal pat on the head.

“Buy the vases, ” whispered Amy to Laurie, as a final heaping of coals of fire on her enemy's head.

To May's great delight, Mr. Laurence not only bought the vases, but pervaded the hall with one under each arm. The other gentlemen speculated with equal rashness in all sorts of frail trifles, and wandered helplessly about afterward, burdened with wax flowers, painted fans, filigree portfolios, and other useful and appropriate purchases.

Aunt Carrol was there, heard the story, looked pleased, and said something to Mrs. March in a corner, which made the latter lady beam with satisfaction, and watch Amy with a face full of mingled pride and anxiety,though she did not betray the cause of her pleasure till several days later.

The fair was pronounced a success; and when May bade Amy goodnight, she did not gush as usual, but gave her an affectionate kiss, and a look which said “forgive and forget”. That satisfied Amy, and when she got home she found the vases paraded on the parlor chimney piece with a great bouquet in each. “The reward of merit for a magnanimous March, ” as Laurie announced with a flourish.

“You've a deal more principle and generosity and nobleness of character than I ever gave you credit for, Amy. You've behaved sweetly, and I respect you with all my heart, ” said Jo warmly, as they brushed their hair together late that night.

“Yes, we all do, and love her for being so ready to forgive. It must have been dreadfully hard, after working so long and setting your heart on selling your own pretty things. I don't believe I could have done it as kindly as you did, ” added Beth from her pillow.

“Why, girls, you needn't praise me so. I only did as I'd be done by. You laugh at me when I say I want to be a lady, but I mean a true gentlewoman in mind and manners, and I try to do it as far as I know how. I can't explain exactly, but I want to be above the little meannesses and follies and faults that spoil so many women. I'm far from it now, but I do my best, and hope in time to be what Mother is.”

Amy spoke earnestly, and Jo said, with a cordial hug, “I understand now what you mean, and I'll never laugh at you again. You are getting on faster than you think, and I'll take lessons of you in true politeness, for you've learned the secret, I believe. Try away, deary, you'll get your reward some day, and no one will be more delighted than I shall.”

A week later Amy did get her reward, and poor Jo found it hard to be delighted. A letter came from Aunt Carrol, and Mrs. March's face was illuminated to such a degree when she read it that Jo and Beth, who were with her, demanded what the glad tidings were.

“Aunt Carrol is going abroad next month, and wants—”

“Me to go with her! ” burst in Jo, flying out of her chair in an uncontrollable rapture.

“No, dear, not you; it's Amy.”

“Oh, Mother! She's too young, it's my turn first. I've wanted it so long. it would do me so much good,and be so altogether splendid—I must go! ”

“I'm afraid it's impossible, Jo. Aunt says Amy, decidedly, and it is not for us to dictate when she offers such a favor.”

“It's always so. Amy has all the fun and I have all the work. It isn't fair, oh, it isn't fair! ” cried Jo passionately.

“I'm afraid it's partly your own fault, dear. When Aunt spoke to me the other day, she regretted your blunt manners and too independent spirit; and here she writes, as if quoting something you had said—‘I planned at first to ask Jo, but as “favors burden her, ” and she “hates French, ” I think I won't venture to invite her. Amy is more docile, will make a good companion for Flo, and receive gratefully any help the trip may give her.'”

“Oh, my tongue, my abominable tongue! Why can't I learn to keep it quiet? ” groaned Jo, remembering words which had been her undoing. When she had heard the explanation of the quoted phrases, Mrs. March said sorrowfully—

“I wish you could have gone, but there is no hope of it this time, so try to bear it cheerfully, and don't sadden Amy's pleasure by reproaches or regrets.”

“I'll try, ” said Jo, winking hard as she knelt down to pick up the basket she had joyfully upset. “I'll take a leaf out of her book, and try not only to seem glad, but to be so, and not grudge her one minute of happiness; but it won't be easy, for it is a dreadful disappointment.” And poor Jo bedewed the little fat pincushion she held with several very bitter tears.

“Jo, dear, I'm very selfish, but I couldn't spare you, and I'm glad you are not going quite yet, ” whispered Beth, embracing her, basket and all, with such a clinging touch and loving face that Jo felt comforted in spite of the sharp regret that made her want to box her own ears, and humbly beg Aunt Carrol to burden her with this favor, and see how gratefully she would bear it.

By the time Amy came in, Jo was able to take her part in the family jubilation, not quite as heartily as usual, perhaps, but without repinings at Amy's good fortune. The young lady herself received the news as tidings of great joy, went about in a solemn sort of rapture, and began to sort her colors and pack her pencils that evening, leaving such trifles as clothes, money, and passports to those less absorbed in visions of art than herself.

“It isn't a mere pleasure trip to me, girls, ” she said impressively, as she scraped her best palette. “It will decide my career, for if I have any genius, I shall find it out in Rome, and will do something to prove it.”

“Suppose you haven't? ” said Jo, sewing away, with red eyes, at the new collars which were to be handed over to Amy.

“Then I shall come home and teach drawing for my living, ” replied the aspirant for fame, with philosophic composure. But she made a wry face at the prospect, and scratched away at her palette as if bent on vigorous measures before she gave up her hopes.

“No, you won't. You hate hard work, and you'll marry some rich man, and come home to sit in the lap of luxury all your days, ” said Jo.

“Your predictions sometimes come to pass, but I don't believe that one will. I'm sure I wish it would, for if I can't be an artist myself, I should like to be able to help those who are, ” said Amy, smiling, as if the part of Lady Bountiful would suit her better than that of a poor drawing teacher.

“Hum! ” said Jo, with a sigh. “If you wish it you'll have it, for your wishes are always granted—mine never.”

“Would you like to go? ” asked Amy, thoughtfully patting her nose with her knife.

“Rather! ”

“Well, in a year or two I'll send for you, and we'll dig in the Forum for relics, and carry out all the plans we've made so many times.”

“Thank you. I'll remind you of your promise when that joyful day comes, if it ever does, ” returned Jo, accepting the vague but magnificent offer as gratefully as she could.

There was not much time for preparation, and the house was in a ferment till Amy was off. Jo bore up very well till the last flutter of blue ribbon vanished, when she retired to her refuge, the garret, and cried till she couldn't cry any more. Amy likewise bore up stoutly till the steamer sailed. Then just as the gangway was about to be withdrawn, it suddenly came over her that a whole ocean was soon to roll between her and those who loved her best, and she clung to Laurie, the last lingerer, saying with a sob—

“Oh, take care of them for me, and if an