Little Women - 912 Freedom Library

Little Womenit was to have a superior wife. But, although they had hadcompany from time to time, it never happened to beunexpected, and Meg had never had an opportunity todistinguish herself till now. It always happens so in thisvale of tears, there is an inevitability about such thingswhich we can only wonder at, deplore, and bear as webest can.If John had not forgotten all about the jelly, it reallywould have been unpardonable in him to choose that day,of all the days in the year, to bring a friend home todinner unexpectedly. Congratulating himself that ahandsome repast had been ordered that morning, feelingsure that it would be ready to the minute, and indulgingin pleasant anticipations of the charming effect it wouldproduce, when his pretty wife came running out to meethim, he escorted his friend to his mansion, with theirrepressible satisfaction of a young host and husband.It is a world of disappointments, as John discoveredwhen he reached the Dovecote. the front door usuallystood hospitably open. Now it was not only shut, butlocked, and yesterday’s mud still adorned the steps. Theparlor windows were closed and curtained, no picture ofthe pretty wife sewing on the piazza, in white, with adistracting little bow in her hair, or a bright-eyed hostess,482 of 861