After lunch , people strolled about , by twos and threes , through the house and garden , enjoying the sunshine without and within . Meg and John happened to be standing together in the middle of the grass plot , when Laurie was seized with an inspiration which put the finishing touch to this unfashionable wedding . `` All the married people take hands and dance round the new-made husband and wife , as the Germans do , while we bachelors and spinsters prance in couples outside ! '' cried Laurie , promenading down the path with Amy , with such infectious spirit and skill that everyone else followed their example without a murmur . Mr. and Mrs. March , Aunt and Uncle Carrol began it , others rapidly joined in , even Sallie Moffat , after a moment 's hesitation , threw her train over her arm and whisked Ned into the ring . But the crowning joke was Mr. Laurence and Aunt March , for when the stately old gentleman chasseed solemnly up to the old lady , she just tucked her cane under her arm , and hopped briskly away to join hands with the rest and dance about the bridal pair , while the young folks pervaded the garden like butterflies on a midsummer day . Want of breath brought the impromptu ball to a close , and then people began to go . `` I wish you well , my dear , I heartily wish you well , but I think you 'll be sorry for it , '' said Aunt March to Meg , adding to the bridegroom , as he led her to the carriage , `` You 've got a treasure , young man , see that you deserve it . '' `` That is the prettiest wedding I 've been to for an age , Ned , and I do n't see why , for there was n't a bit of style about it , '' observed Mrs. Moffat to her husband , as they drove away . `` Laurie , my lad , if you ever want to indulge in this sort of thing , get one of those little girls to help you , and I shall be perfectly satisfied , '' said Mr. Laurence , settling himself in his easy chair to rest after the excitement of the morning . `` I 'll do my best to gratify you , Sir , '' was Laurie 's unusually dutiful reply , as he carefully unpinned the posy Jo had put in his buttonhole . The little house was not far away , and the only bridal journey Meg had was the quiet walk with John from the old home to the new . When she came down , looking like a pretty Quakeress in her dove-colored suit and straw bonnet tied with white , they all gathered about her to say ` good-by ' , as tenderly as if she had been going to make the grand tour . `` Do n't feel that I am separated from you , Marmee dear , or that I love you any the less for loving John so much , '' she said , clinging to her mother , with full eyes for a moment . `` I shall come every day , Father , and expect to keep my old place in all your hearts , though I am married . Beth is going to be with me a great deal , and the other girls will drop in now and then to laugh at my housekeeping struggles . Thank you all for my happy wedding day . Good-by , good-by ! '' They stood watching her , with faces full of love and hope and tender pride as she walked away , leaning on her husband 's arm , with her hands full of flowers and the June sunshine brightening her happy face -- and so Meg 's married life began . CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX ARTISTIC ATTEMPTS It takes people a long time to learn the difference between talent and genius , especially ambitious young men and women .
XXXXX was learning this distinction through much tribulation , for mistaking enthusiasm for inspiration , she attempted every branch of art with youthful audacity .
Amy Beth Father Germans Marmee Meg Moffat day morning spinsters