Itwasdreadful，andtheworstofitwasJohnwentonsoquietlyafterward，justasifnothinghadhappened，exceptthathestayedintownlater，andworkedatnightwhenshehadgonetocryherselftosleep。AweekorremorsenearlymadeMegsick，andthediscoverythatJohnhadcountermandedtheorderforhisnewgreatcoatreducedhertoastateofdespairwhichwaspathetictobehold。Hehadsimplysaid，inanswertohersurprisedinquiriesastothechange，\"Ican’taffordit，mydear。\"
Megsaidnomore，butafewminutesafterhefoundherinthehallwithherfaceburiedintheoldgreatcoat，cryingasifherheartwouldbreak。
Theyhadalongtalkthatnight，andMeglearnedtoloveherhusbandbetterforhispoverty，becauseitseemedtohavemadeamanofhim，givenhimthestrengthandcouragetofighthisownway，andtaughthimatenderpatiencewithwhichtobearandcomfortthenaturallongingsandfailuresofthoseheloved。
Nextdaysheputherprideinherpocket，wenttoSallie，toldthetruth，andaskedhertobuythesilkasafavor。Thegood—naturedMrs。Moffatwillinglydidso，andhadthedelicacynottomakeherapresentofitimmediatelyafterward。ThenMegorderedhomethegreatcoat，andwhenJohnarrived，sheputiton，andaskedhimhowhelikedhernewsilkgown。Onecanimaginewhatanswerhemade，howhereceivedhispresent，andwhatablissfulstateofthingsensued。Johncamehomeearly，Meggaddednomore，andthatgreatcoatwasputoninthemorningbyaveryhappyhusband，andtakenoffatnightbyamostdevotedlittlewife。Sotheyearrolledround，andatmidsummertherecametoMeganewexperience，thedeepestandtenderestofawoman’slife。
LauriecamesneakingintothekitchenoftheDovecoteoneSaturday，withanexcitedface，andwasreceivedwiththeclashofcymbals，forHannahclappedherhandswithasaucepaninoneandthecoverintheother。