Page 780 - LITTLE WOMEN

Little Women

consented to it by-and-by, and it was only ‘taking time by
the fetlock’, as my wife says.’
‘Aren’t we proud of those two word, and don’t we like
to say them?’ interrupted Jo, addressing the fire in her

turn, and watching with delight the happy light it seemed
to kindle in the eyes that had been so tragically gloomy
when she saw them last. ‘A trifle, perhaps, she’s such a
captivating little woman I can’t help being proud of her.
Well, then Uncle and Aunt were there to play propriety.
We were so absorbed in one another we were of no
mortal use apart, and that charming arrangement would
make everything easy all round, so we did it.’
‘When, where, how?’ asked Jo, in a fever of feminine
interest and curiosity, for she could not realize it a particle.
‘Six weeks ago, at the American consul’s, in Paris, a
very quiet wedding of course, for even in our happiness
we didn’t forget dear little Beth.’
Jo put her hand in his as he said that, and Laurie gently
smoothed the little red pillow, which he remembered
well.
‘Why didn’t you let us know afterward?’ asked Jo, in a
quieter tone, when they had sat quite still a minute.
‘We wanted to surprise you. We thought we were
coming directly home, at first, but the dear old gentleman,

779 of 861