Buthedid，ohblessyou，yes，hundredsoftimes，andsodidMeg，bothdeclaringthatitwasthesweetestjellytheyevermade，forfamilypeacewaspreservedinthatlittlefamilyjar。
Afterthis，MeghadMr。Scotttodinnerbyspecialinvitation，andservedhimupapleasantfeastwithoutacookedwifeforthefirstcourse，onwhichoccasionshewassogayandgracious，andmadeeverythinggooffsocharmingly，thatMr。ScotttoldJohnhewasaluckyfellow，andshookhisheadoverthehardshipsofbachelorhoodallthewayhome。
Intheautumn，newtrialsandexperiencescametoMeg。SallieMoffatrenewedherfriendship，wasalwaysrunningoutforadishofgossipatthelittlehouse，orinviting`thatpoordear’tocomeinandspendthedayatthebighouse。Itwaspleasant，forindullweatherMegoftenfeltlonely。Allwerebusyathome，Johnabsenttillnight，andnothingtodobutsew，orread，orpotterabout。
SoitnaturallyfelloutthatMeggotintothewayofgaddingandgossipingwithherfriend。SeeingSallie’sprettythingsmadeherlongforsuch，andpityherselfbecauseshehadnotgotthem。Salliewasverykind，andoftenofferedherthecovetedtrifles，butMegdeclinedthem，knowingthatJohnwouldn’tlikeit，andthenthisfoolishlittlewomanwentanddidwhatJohndislikedevenworse。
Sheknewherhusband’sincome，andshelovedtofeelthathetrustedher，notonlywithhishappiness，butwhatsomemenseemtovaluemore——hismoney。Sheknewwhereitwas，wasfreetotakewhatsheliked，andallheaskedwasthatsheshouldkeepaccountofeverypenny，paybillsonceamonth，andrememberthatshewasapoorman’swife。Tillnowshehaddonewell，beenprudentandexact，keptherlittleaccountbooksneatly，andshowedthemtohimmonthlywithoutfear。ButthatautumntheserpentgotintoMeg’sparadise，andtemptedherlikemanyamodernEve，notwithapples，butwithdress。Megdidn’tliketobepitiedandmadetofeelpoor。Itirritatedher，butshewasashamedtoconfessit，andnowandthenshetriedtoconsoleherselfbybuyingsomethingpretty，sothatSallieneedn’tthinkshehadtoeconomize。Shealwaysfeltwickedafterit，fortheprettythingswereseldomnecessaries，butthentheycostsolittle，itwasn’tworthworryingabout，sothetriflesincreasedunconsciously，andintheshoppingexcursionsshewasnolongerapassivelooker-on。