Mrs. March is as brisk and cheery , though rather grayer , than when we saw her last , and just now so absorbed in Meg 's affairs that the hospitals and homes still full of wounded ` boys ' and soldiers ' widows , decidedly miss the motherly missionary 's visits . John Brooke did his duty manfully for a year , got wounded , was sent home , and not allowed to return . He received no stars or bars , but he deserved them , for he cheerfully risked all he had , and life and love are very precious when both are in full bloom . Perfectly resigned to his discharge , he devoted himself to getting well , preparing for business , and earning a home for Meg . With the good sense and sturdy independence that characterized him , he refused Mr. Laurence 's more generous offers , and accepted the place of bookkeeper , feeling better satisfied to begin with an honestly earned salary than by running any risks with borrowed money . Meg had spent the time in working as well as waiting , growing womanly in character , wise in housewifely arts , and prettier than ever , for love is a great beautifier . She had her girlish ambitions and hopes , and felt some disappointment at the humble way in which the new life must begin . Ned Moffat had just married Sallie Gardiner , and Meg could n't help contrasting their fine house and carriage , many gifts , and splendid outfit with her own , and secretly wishing she could have the same . But somehow envy and discontent soon vanished when she thought of all the patient love and labor John had put into the little home awaiting her , and when they sat together in the twilight , talking over their small plans , the future always grew so beautiful and bright that she forgot Sallie 's splendor and felt herself the richest , happiest girl in Christendom . Jo never went back to Aunt March , for the old lady took such a fancy to Amy that she bribed her with the offer of drawing lessons from one of the best teachers going , and for the sake of this advantage , Amy would have served a far harder mistress . So she gave her mornings to duty , her afternoons to pleasure , and prospered finely . Jo meantime devoted herself to literature and Beth , who remained delicate long after the fever was a thing of the past . Not an invalid exactly , but never again the rosy , healthy creature she had been , yet always hopeful , happy , and serene , and busy with the quiet duties she loved , everyone 's friend , and an angel in the house , long before those who loved her most had learned to know it . As long as The Spread Eagle paid her a dollar a column for her ` rubbish ' , as she called it , Jo felt herself a woman of means , and spun her little romances diligently . But great plans fermented in her busy brain and ambitious mind , and the old tin kitchen in the garret held a slowly increasing pile of blotted manuscript , which was one day to place the name of March upon the roll of fame . Laurie , having dutifully gone to college to please his grandfather , was now getting through it in the easiest possible manner to please himself . A universal favorite , thanks to money , manners , much talent , and the kindest heart that ever got its owner into scrapes by trying to get other people out of them , he stood in great danger of being spoiled , and probably would have been , like many another promising boy , if he had not possessed a talisman against evil in the memory of the kind old man who was bound up in his success , the motherly friend who watched over him as if he were her son , and last , but not least by any means , the knowledge that four innocent girls loved , admired , and believed in him with all their hearts . Being only ' a glorious human boy ' , of course he frolicked and flirted , grew dandified , aquatic , sentimental , or gymnastic , as college fashions ordained , hazed and was hazed , talked slang , and more than once came perilously near suspension and expulsion . But as high spirits and the love of fun were the causes of these pranks , he always managed to save himself by frank confession , honorable atonement , or the irresistible power of persuasion which he possessed in perfection . In fact , he rather prided himself on his narrow escapes , and liked to thrill the girls with graphic accounts of his triumphs over wrathful tutors , dignified professors , and vanquished enemies .
The ` men of my class ' , were heroes in the eyes of the girls , who never wearied of the exploits of ` our fellows ' , and were frequently allowed to bask in the smiles of these great creatures , when Laurie brought them XXXXX with him .
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