`` That ever I should live to see you a henpecked husband and enjoying it ! '' cried Jo , with uplifted hands . It was good to see Laurie square his shoulders , and smile with masculine scorn at that insinuation , as he replied , with his `` high and mighty '' air , `` Amy is too well-bred for that , and I am not the sort of man to submit to it . My wife and I respect ourselves and one another too much ever to tyrannize or quarrel . '' Jo liked that , and thought the new dignity very becoming , but the boy seemed changing very fast into the man , and regret mingled with her pleasure . `` I am sure of that . Amy and you never did quarrel as we used to . She is the sun and I the wind , in the fable , and the sun managed the man best , you remember . '' `` She can blow him up as well as shine on him , '' laughed Laurie . `` Such a lecture as I got at Nice ! I give you my word it was a deal worse than any of your scoldings , a regular rouser . I 'll tell you all about it sometime , she never will , because after telling me that she despised and was ashamed of me , she lost her heart to the despicable party and married the good-for-nothing . '' `` What baseness ! Well , if she abuses you , come to me , and I 'll defend you . '' `` I look as if I needed it , do n't I ? '' said Laurie , getting up and striking an attitude which suddenly changed from the imposing to the rapturous , as Amy 's voice was heard calling , `` Where is she ? Where 's my dear old Jo ? '' In trooped the whole family , and everyone was hugged and kissed all over again , and after several vain attempts , the three wanderers were set down to be looked at and exulted over . Mr. Laurence , hale and hearty as ever , was quite as much improved as the others by his foreign tour , for the crustiness seemed to be nearly gone , and the old-fashioned courtliness had received a polish which made it kindlier than ever . It was good to see him beam at ` my children ' , as he called the young pair .
It was better still to see Amy pay him the daughterly duty and affection which completely won his old XXXXX , and best of all , to watch Laurie revolve about the two , as if never tired of enjoying the pretty picture they made .
Mr. boy deal dignity hale hands heart man shoulders word