Amy’s Will

           Whilethesethingswerehappeningathome,AmywashavinghardtimesatAuntMarch’s.Shefeltherexiledeeply,andforthefirsttimeinherlife,realizedhowmuchshewasbelovedandpettedathome.AuntMarchneverpettedanyone;shedidnotapproveofit,butshemeanttobekind,forthewell-behavedlittlegirlpleasedherverymuch,andAuntMarchhadasoftplaceinheroldheartforhernephew’schildren,thoughshedidn’tthinkitpropertoconfessit.ShereallydidherbesttomakeAmyhappy,but,dearme,whatmistakesshemade.Someoldpeoplekeepyoungatheartinspiteofwrinklesandgrayhairs,cansympathizewithchildren’slittlecaresandjoys,makethemfeelathome,andcanhidewiselessonsunderpleasantplays,givingandreceivingfriendshipinthesweetestway.ButAuntMarchhadnotthisgift,andsheworriedAmyverymuchwithherrulesandorders,herprimways,andlong,prosytalks.Findingthechildmoredocileandamiablethanhersister,theoldladyfeltitherdutytotryandcounteract,asfaraspossible,thebadeffectsofhomefreedomandindulgence.SoshetookAmybythehand,andtaughtherassheherselfhadbeentaughtsixtyyearsago,aprocesswhichcarrieddismaytoAmy’ssoul,andmadeherfeellikeaflyinthewebofaverystrictspider.

           Shehadtowashthecupseverymorning,andpolishuptheold-fashionedspoons,thefatsilverteapot,andtheglassestilltheyshone.Thenshemustdusttheroom,andwhatatryingjobthatwas.