The word ` Mother ' suggested other maternal counsels given long ago , and received with unbelieving protests . `` John is a good man , but he has his faults , and you must learn to see and bear with them , remembering your own . He is very decided , but never will be obstinate , if you reason kindly , not oppose impatiently . He is very accurate , and particular about the truth -- a good trait , though you call him ` fussy ' . Never deceive him by look or word , Meg , and he will give you the confidence you deserve , the support you need . He has a temper , not like ours -- one flash and then all over -- but the white , still anger that is seldom stirred , but once kindled is hard to quench . Be careful , be very careful , not to wake his anger against yourself , for peace and happiness depend on keeping his respect . Watch yourself , be the first to ask pardon if you both err , and guard against the little piques , misunderstandings , and hasty words that often pave the way for bitter sorrow and regret . '' These words came back to Meg , as she sat sewing in the sunset , especially the last . This was the first serious disagreement , her own hasty speeches sounded both silly and unkind , as she recalled them , her own anger looked childish now , and thoughts of poor John coming home to such a scene quite melted her heart . She glanced at him with tears in her eyes , but he did not see them . She put down her work and got up , thinking , `` I will be the first to say , ` Forgive me ' '' , but he did not seem to hear her . She went very slowly across the room , for pride was hard to swallow , and stood by him , but he did not turn his head . For a minute she felt as if she really could n't do it , then came the thought , `` This is the beginning . I 'll do my part , and have nothing to reproach myself with , '' and stooping down , she softly kissed her husband on the forehead . Of course that settled it . The penitent kiss was better than a world of words , and John had her on his knee in a minute , saying tenderly ... `` It was too bad to laugh at the poor little jelly pots . Forgive me , dear . I never will again ! '' But he did , oh bless you , yes , hundreds of times , and so did Meg , both declaring that it was the sweetest jelly they ever made , for family peace was preserved in that little family jar .
After this , Meg had Mr. Scott to dinner by special invitation , and served him up a pleasant feast without a cooked wife for the XXXXX course , on which occasion she was so gay and gracious , and made everything go off so charmingly , that Mr. Scott told John he was a lucky fellow , and shook his head over the hardships of bachelorhood all the way home .
John Meg Mother first flash guard heart minute piques protests