Now I must go and tell Laurie the news. Come with me, Meg, a littlestroll will do us good'; and sticking Ted's straw hat on her head,Mrs Jo walked off with her sister, leaving Daisy to attend to themuffins, Ted to appease Josie, and Tom and Nan to give theirrespective patients a very bad quarter of an hour.
Chapter 2 Parnassus
It was well named; and the Muses seemed to be at home that day, foras the newcomers went up the The cheap North Face Gore Tex Soft Shell Jacket Mens slope appropriate sights and soundsgreeted them. Passing an open window, they looked in upon a The north face denali Gore Tex Jacket men’s discount librarypresided over by Clio, Calliope, and Urania; Melpomene and Thaliawere disporting themselves in the hall, where some young people weredancing and rehearsing a play; Erato was walking in the garden withher lover, and in the North Face Women’s Denali Jacket Brown discount music-room Phoebus himself was drilling atuneful choir.
　　A mature Apollo was our old friend Laurie, but comely and genial asever; for time had ripened the freakish boy into a noble man. Careand sorrow, as well as ease and happiness, had done much for him; andthe responsibility of carrying out his grandfather's wishes had beena duty most faithfully performed. Prosperity suits some people, andthey blossom best in a glow of sunshine; others need the shade, andare the sweeter for a touch of frost. Laurie was one of the formersort, and Amy was another; so life had been a kind of poem to themsince they married--not only harmonious and happy, but earnest,useful, and rich in the beautiful benevolence which can do so muchwhen wealth and wisdom go hand in hand with charity. Their house wasfull of unostentatious beauty and comfort, and here the art-lovinghost and hostess attracted and entertained artists of all kinds.
　　Laurie had music enough now, and was a generous patron to the classhe most liked to help. Amy had her proteges among ambitious youngpainters and sculptors, and found her own art double dear as herdaughter grew old enough to share its labours and delights with her;for she was one of those The north face denali Gore Tex Jacket men’s discount who prove that women can be faithful wivesand mothers without sacrificing the special gift bestowed upon themfor their own development and the good of others.
　　Her sisters knew where to The North Face Nuptse Goose Down Jacket The cheap North Face Apex Bionic Jacket Men’s discount find her, and Jo went at once to thestudio, where mother and daughter worked together. Bess was busy withthe bust of a little child, while her mother added the last touchesto a fine head of her husband. Time seemed to have stood still withAmy, for happiness had kept her young and prosperity given her theculture she needed. A stately, graceful woman, who showed how elegantsimplicity could be made by the taste with which she chose her dressand the grace with which she wore it. As someone said: 'I never knowwhat Mrs Laurence has on, but I always receive the impression thatshe is the best-dressed lady in the room.'
　　It was evident that she adored her daughter, and well she might; forthe beauty she had longed for seemed, to her fond eyes at least, tobe impersonated in this younger self. Bess inherited her mother'sDiana-like figure, blue eyes, fair skin, and golden hair, tied up inthe same classic knot of curls. Also--ah! never-ending source of joyto Amy--she had her father's North Face Women’s Denali Jacket Brown discount handsome nose and mouth, cast in afeminine mould. The severe simplicity of a long linen pinafore suitedher; and she worked away with the entire absorption of the trueartist, unconscious of the loving eyes upon her, till Aunt Jo came inexclaiming eagerly:
　　'My dear girls, stop your mud-pies and hear the news!'
　　Both artists dropped their tools and greeted the irrepressible womancordially, though genius had been burning splendidly and her comingspoilt a precious hour. They were in the full tide of gossip whenLaurie, who had been summoned by Meg, arrived, and sitting downbetween the sisters, with no barricade anywhere, listened withinterest to the news of Franz and Emil.
　　'The epidemic has broke out, and now it will rage and ravage yourflock. Be prepared for every sort of romance and rashness for thenext ten years, Jo. Your boys are growing up and will plunge headlonginto a sea of worse scrapes than any you have had yet,' said Laurie,enjoying her look of mingled delight and despair.