Chapter 17 Pleasant Prospects The weeks leading up to Christmas were peaceful.
Mr. March sent word he'd be home early in the new year.
Beth was improving every day.
Amy was home from her aunt's.
Everyone was busy preparing for a very merry holiday.
Christmas Day itself was crowned with good feeling.
Beth was able to stand by the window and admire the brilliant snowmaiden Joe and Lori had built for her.
Presents were distributed, and all were pleased with their gifts.
Beth said, I'm so happy if only Father was here.
The other girls heartily agreed.
The impish lorry poked his head through the parlor door and called One more present for the March family.
Suddenly, their beloved father appeared.
In an instant, all pairs of loving arms embraced him.
There were hugs, kisses, giggles, and even a few happy tears.
There was never such a Christmas dinner as they had that day.
Hannah had cooked a big, juicy turkey.
The dinner table was filled with all the trimmings.
Mr. Lawrence, Lori, and Mr. Brooke joined the March family.
It was just a year ago that we all complained about the miserable Christmas we expected.
Joe pointed out.
The year ended up being pleasant on the whole, didn't it?
Meg asked as she quietly thought about Mr. Brooks' handsome eyes.
Then Amy said, it's been a very hard year, too.
I'm so glad it's over, Beth commented, looking at her father, because now we have you back.
Mr. March smiled at his brood of lovely daughters.
He congratulated each for working hard and overcoming her faults and for being kind and considerate.
But most of all, he praised them for loving each other and truly becoming his little women.
Before Beth played the piano, she recalled reading about a pleasant green meadow where lilies bloomed all year.
This loving mood continued with the singing of hymns.
The air was filled with happy voices and fond wishes for a Merry Christmas to all.
The next day, regular chores were neglected as mother and daughters tended to Mr. March.
Joe grumbled at the umbrella Mr. Brooke had left behind.
Poor Meg was absent-minded, shy and silent, blushing whenever John's name was mentioned.
The underlying question weighed heavily upon Mr. and Mrs. March.
Meg and Joe had a heart-to-heart talk after they watched Lori stagger around outside the window pretending to be a wounded lover.
What would you say if he did ask?
Joe wondered.
Well, I'd be calm.
I'd say, Thank you, Mr. Brooke.
You were very kind, but I'm too young to be engaged.
Joe laughed.
I don't think you'll say that.
Yes, I will.
Then I'll walk out of the room with dignity.
Meg rose to show Joe exactly how she'd leave, only to bump into Mr. Brooke.
Joe slipped out to give Meg the chance to make her speech.
Good afternoon, Mr. Brooke said calmly.
I came for my umbrella and to see how your father's doing today.
Meg said, It's very well.
He's in the rack.
I'll get him and tell it you were here.
In her nervousness, she had confused her father with the umbrella.
Are you afraid of me, Margaret?
Mr. Brooke looked so hurt that Meg blushed.
How can I be afraid of you?
She said.
You've been so kind to my father.
I wish I could thank you.
Should I tell you how?
He held tightly to her small hand.
Meg desperately tried to withdraw her hand.
Oh, please don't.
I just want to know if you love me a little, because I love you so very much.
This was the time for the calm, proper speech.
Only Meg forgot every word.
Instead, she stuttered, I'm far too young.
Annoyed by his assumption of success, Meg pulled her hand free and said, Now please go away.
If a broken heart could be reflected in a face, then that's how poor Mr. Brooke looked.
Is that what you really want?
Yes, Father thinks I shouldn't worry about such things, and I don't intend to.
Could you change your mind?
I'll wait if you need more time.
Meg's eyes blazed and her tone changed.
I would rather you didn't think of me at all.
He turned very pale.
Meg felt her heart relenting, but Aunt March walked into the house at that moment.
She saw the pair and asked angrily, What's going on here?
Mr. Brooke vanished into the other room and Meg replied, Nothing.
It's...
Just a friend of father's who has come to see how he's doing.
She pulled herself together.
I'm surprised to see you, Aunt March.
Obviously.
You are beet red.
I demand to know what's going on here.
Mr. Brooke and I were just talking.
Aunt March grunted.
So that's Brooke, the tutor.
You haven't accepted his proposal, have you?
Meg was very upset now.
Shh, he'll hear you.
Please, I'll get mother.
One minute, child, Aunt March insisted.
I have something I want to say.
It was Meg's duty, she explained, to marry a rich man and save her family.
She should not marry a poor man with no prospects of someone thinking so little of her.
John angered Meg.
She praised John as being kind and generous.
"'I'll marry whom I please,' she said.
"'My John isn't a rich man, but I know I'll be happy because he loves me.'"
After uttering harsh words, Aunt March turned and slammed the door in Meg's face.
Meg didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
John came back into the hallway, having overheard the conversation.
He said quietly, We'll be happy together, won't we, Meg?
Meg looked up at his kind, handsome face and said, Yes, John.
John spent the rest of the afternoon convincing Mr. and Mrs. March of his good intentions.
The entire family soon accepted the engagement.
Even Jo came around once she saw how happy her sister was with John.
They had a lovely dinner to celebrate the engagement.
Lori came over with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and Mr. Lawrence brought a bottle of champagne.
As the sun fell, a happy group gathered in the parlor.
The young couple was excited about their plans.
A more pleasant picture could not be imagined.
The reunited family sat happily around the fireplace with good friends and joyful thoughts for the future.
