“Uponmyword，here’sastateofthings!“criedtheoldlady，takingtheseatofhonorpreparedforher，andsettlingthefoldsofherlavendermoirewithagreatrustle。“Yououghtn’ttobeseentillthelastminute，child。“
“I’mnotashow，Aunty，andnooneiscomingtostareatme，tocriticizemydress，orcountthecostofmyluncheon。I’mtoohappytocarewhatanyonesaysorthinks，andI’mgoingtohavemylittleweddingjustasIlikeit。John，dear，here’syourhammer。“AndawaywentMegtohelp`thatman’inhishighlyimproperemployment。
Mr。Brookedidn’tevensay，“Thankyou，“butashestoopedfortheunromantictool，hekissedhislittlebridebehindthefoldingdoor，withalookthatmadeAuntMarchwhiskoutherpockethandkerchiefwithasuddendewinhersharpoldeyes。
Acrash，acry，andalaughfromLaurie，accompaniedbytheindecorousexclamation，“JupiterAmmon!Jo’supsetthecakeagain!“
causedamomentaryflurry，whichwashardlyoverwhenaflockofcousinsarrived，and`thepartycamein’，asBethusedtosaywhenachild。