A week of remorse nearly made Meg sick , and the discovery that John had countermanded the order for his new greatcoat reduced her to a state of despair which was pathetic to behold . He had simply said , in answer to her surprised inquiries as to the change , `` I ca n't afford it , my dear . '' Meg said no more , but a few minutes after he found her in the hall with her face buried in the old greatcoat , crying as if her heart would break . They had a long talk that night , and Meg learned to love her husband better for his poverty , because it seemed to have made a man of him , given him the strength and courage to fight his own way , and taught him a tender patience with which to bear and comfort the natural longings and failures of those he loved . Next day she put her pride in her pocket , went to Sallie , told the truth , and asked her to buy the silk as a favor . The good-natured Mrs. Moffat willingly did so , and had the delicacy not to make her a present of it immediately afterward . Then Meg ordered home the greatcoat , and when John arrived , she put it on , and asked him how he liked her new silk gown . One can imagine what answer he made , how he received his present , and what a blissful state of things ensued . John came home early , Meg gadded no more , and that greatcoat was put on in the morning by a very happy husband , and taken off at night by a most devoted little wife . So the year rolled round , and at midsummer there came to Meg a new experience , the deepest and tenderest of a woman 's life . Laurie came sneaking into the kitchen of the Dovecote one Saturday , with an excited face , and was received with the clash of cymbals , for Hannah clapped her hands with a saucepan in one and the cover in the other . `` How 's the little mamma ? Where is everybody ? Why did n't you tell me before I came home ? '' began Laurie in a loud whisper . `` Happy as a queen , the dear ! Every soul of 'em is upstairs a worshipin ' . We did n't want no hurrycanes round . Now you go into the parlor , and I 'll send 'em down to you , '' with which somewhat involved reply Hannah vanished , chuckling ecstatically . Presently Jo appeared , proudly bearing a flannel bundle laid forth upon a large pillow .
XXXXX 's face was very sober , but her eyes twinkled , and there was an odd sound in her voice of repressed emotion of some sort .
Dovecote Jo John Laurie Moffat Sallie cymbals night week worshipin