Under the Umbrella

           WhileLaurieandAmyweretakingconjugalstrollsovervelvetcarpets,astheysettheirhouseinorder,andplannedablissfulfuture,Mr.BhaerandJowereenjoyingpromenadesofadifferentsort,alongmuddyroadsandsoddenfields.

           "Ialwaysdotakeawalktowardevening,andIdon’tknowwhyIshouldgiveitup,justbecauseIhappentomeettheProfessoronhiswayout,"saidJotoherself,aftertwoorthreeencounters,forthoughthereweretwopathstoMeg’swhicheveroneshetookshewassuretomeethim,eithergoingorreturning.Hewasalwayswalkingrapidly,andneverseemedtoseeheruntilquiteclose,whenhewouldlookasifhisshort-sightedeyeshadfailedtorecognizetheapproachingladytillthatmoment.Then,ifshewasgoingtoMeg’shealwayshadsomethingforthebabies.Ifherfacewasturnedhomeward,hehadmerelystrolleddowntoseetheriver,andwasjustreturning,unlesstheyweretiredofhisfrequentcalls.

           Underthecircumstances,whatcouldJodobutgreethimcivilly,andinvitehimin?Ifshewastiredofhisvisits,sheconcealedherwearinesswithperfectskill,andtookcarethatthereshouldbecoffeeforsupper,"asFriedrich—ImeanMr.Bhaer—doesn’tliketea."

           Bythesecondweek,everyoneknewperfectlywellwhatwasgoingon,yeteveryonetriedtolookasiftheywerestone-blindtothechangesinJo’sface.