No one felt the way she did about Meg and John. Beth and
Amy were impressed with him. And Mr. and Mrs. March were happy to
have him in the family. Even Laurie and Mr. Laurence joined in the cel-
ebration. They arrived with a big bouquet of flowers.〝You can't say no-
thing pleasantever happens now, can you, Meg?〞said Amy. She was
preparing to sketch the happy couple.〝No, I'm sure I can't,〞replied
Meg. And she smiled at John.〝I don't like this match,〞whispered Jo to
Laurie.〝I've lost my dearest friend. But I've made up my mind to bear it.
〞〝You've still got me,〞replied Laurie.〝When I'm done at college,
you and I will go on trips together. I'll stand by you, Jo. All the days of
my life!〞 Jo smiled at Laurie. He had become such good friend in just
one year. Father and Mother were sitting quictly in one corner. Amy was
drawing Meg and Mr. Brooke. Beth lay on the sofa talking cheerily to Mr.
Laurence. Jo sat in the favorite seat with Laurie leaning on the back of her
chair. She looked at the happy scene. 〝I don't believe things could ever
be better than this,〞said Jo.