Маленькі жінки

           Hehasbeensokindandjollythatweallgotquitefondofhim.Ineverthoughtofanythingbutatravelingfriendshiptilltheserenadenight.SincethenI’vebeguntofeelthatthemoonlightwalks,balconytalks,anddailyadventuresweresomethingmoretohimthanfun.Ihaven’tflirted,Mother,truly,butrememberedwhatyousaidtome,andhavedonemyverybest.Ican’thelpitifpeoplelikeme.Idon’ttrytomakethem,anditworriesmeifIdon’tcareforthem,thoughJosaysIhaven’tgotanyheart.NowIknowMotherwillshakeherhead,andthegirlssay,"Oh,themercenarylittlewretch!",butI’vemadeupmymind,andifFredasksme,Ishallaccepthim,thoughI’mnotmadlyinlove.Ilikehim,andwegetoncomfortablytogether.Heishandsome,young,cleverenough,andveryrich—eversomuchricherthantheLaurences.Idon’tthinkhisfamilywouldobject,andIshouldbeveryhappy,fortheyareallkind,well-bred,generouspeople,andtheylikeme.Fred,astheeldesttwin,willhavetheestate,Isuppose,andsuchasplendidoneitis!Acityhouseinafashionablestreet,notsoshowyasourbighouses,buttwiceascomfortableandfullofsolidluxury,suchasEnglishpeoplebelievein.Ilikeit,forit’sgenuine.I’veseentheplate,thefamilyjewels,theoldservants,andpicturesofthecountryplace,withitspark,greathouse,lovelygrounds,andfinehorses.Oh,itwouldbeallIshouldask!AndI’dratherhaveitthananytitlesuchasgirlssnapupsoreadily,andfindnothingbehind.