'I never forget you, papa; but I do want to do something beautiful
that you may be proud of me by and by. Mamma often tells me to stop;
but when we get in here we forget there is any world outside, we are
so busy and so happy. Now I'll go and run and sing, and be a girl to
please you.' And throwing away the apron, Bess vanished from the
room, seeming to take all the light with her.

'I'm glad you said that. The dear child is too much absorbed in her
artistic dreams for one so young. It is my fault; but I sympathize so
deeply in it all, I forget to be wise,' sighed Amy, carefully
covering the baby with a wet towel.

'I think this power of living in our children is one of the sweetest
things in the world; but I try to remember what Marmee once said to
Meg--that fathers should have their share in the education of both
girls and boys; so I leave Ted to his father all I can, and Fritz
lends me Rob, whose quiet ways are as restful and good for me as
Ted's tempests are for his father. Now I advise you, Amy, to let Bess
drop the mud-pies for a time, and take up music with Laurie; then she
won't be one-sided, and he won't be jealous.'

'Hear, hear! A Daniel--a very Daniel!' cried Laurie, well pleased. 'I
thought you'd lend a hand, Jo, and say a word for me. I am a little
jealous of Amy, and want more of a share in my girl. Come, my lady,
let me have her this summer, and next year, when we go to Rome, I'll
give her up to you and high art. Isn't that a fair bargain?'

'I agree; but in trying your hobby, nature, with music thrown in,
don't forget that, though only fifteen, our Bess is older than most