My Lord and Lady

           "Please,MadamMother,couldyoulendmemywifeforhalfanhour?Theluggagehascome,andI’vebeenmakinghayofAmy’sParisfinery,tryingtofindsomethingsIwant,"saidLaurie,cominginthenextdaytofindMrs.Laurencesittinginhermother’slap,asifbeingmade‘thebaby’again.

           "Certainly.Go,dear,Iforgotthatyouhaveanyhomebutthis,"andMrs.Marchpressedthewhitehandthatworetheweddingring,asifaskingpardonforhermaternalcovetousness.

           "Ishouldn’thavecomeoverifIcouldhavehelpedit,butIcan’tgetonwithoutmylittlewomananymorethana..."

           "Weathercockcanwithoutthewind,"suggestedJo,ashepausedforasimile.JohadgrownquiteherownsaucyselfagainsinceTeddycamehome.

           "Exactly,forAmykeepsmepointingduewestmostofthetime,withonlyanoccasionalwhiffleroundtothesouth,andIhaven’thadaneasterlyspellsinceIwasmarried.Don’tknowanythingaboutthenorth,butamaltogethersalubriousandbalmy,hey,mylady?"

           "Lovelyweathersofar.Idon’tknowhowlongitwilllast,butI’mnotafraidofstorms,forI’mlearninghowtosailmyship.Comehome,dear,andI’llfindyourbootjack.Isupposethat’swhatyouarerummagingafteramongmythings.Menaresohelpless,Mother,"saidAmy,withamatronlyair,whichdelightedherhusband.