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 first 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 . In the autumn , new trials and experiences came to Meg . Sallie Moffat renewed her friendship , was always running out for a dish of gossip at the little house , or inviting ` that poor dear ' to come in and spend the day at the big house . It was pleasant , for in dull weather Meg often felt lonely . All were busy at home , John absent till night , and nothing to do but sew , or read , or potter about . So it naturally fell out that Meg got into the way of gadding and gossiping with her friend . Seeing Sallie 's pretty things made her long for such , and pity herself because she had not got them . Sallie was very kind , and often offered her the coveted trifles , but Meg declined them , knowing that John would n't like it , and then this foolish little woman went and did what John disliked even worse . She knew her husband 's income , and she loved to feel that he trusted her , not only with his happiness , but what some men seem to value more -- his money . She knew where it was , was free to take what she liked , and all he asked was that she should keep account of every penny , pay bills once a month , and remember that she was a poor man 's wife . Till now she had done well , been prudent and exact , kept her little account books neatly , and showed them to him monthly without fear .
But that autumn the serpent got into XXXXX 's paradise , and tempted her like many a modern Eve , not with apples , but with dress .
John Meg Moffat Scott bachelorhood first minute monthly night trifles