I've wanted it so longIt would do me so much good, and be so altogether splendidI must go!" "I'm afraid it's impossible, JoAunt says Amy, decidedly, and it is not for us to dictate when she offers such a favorAmy has all the fun and I have all the workIt isn't fair, oh, it isn't fair!" cried Jo passionately "I'm afraid it's partly your own fault, dearWhen Aunt spoke to me the other day, she regretted your blunt manners and too independent spirit, and here she writes, as if quoting something you had said--`I planned at first to ask Jo, but as `favors burden her', and she `hates French', I think I won't venture to invite herAmy is more docile, will make a good companion for Flo, and receive gratefully any help the trip may give her "Oh, my tongue, my abominable tongue! Why can't I learn to keep it quiet?' groaned Jo, remembering words which had been her undoingWhen she had heard the explanation of the quoted phrases, MrsMarch said sorrowfully "I wish you could have gone, but there is no hope of it this time, so try to bear it cheerfully, and don't sadden Amy's pleasure by reproaches or regrets "I'll try," said Jo, winking hard as she knelt down to pick up the basket she had joyfully buy a chanel bag upset"I'll take a leaf out of her book, and try not only to seem glad, but to be so, and not grudge her one minute of happinessBut it won't be easy, for it is a dreadful disappointment And poor Jo bedewed the little fat pincushion she held with several very bitter tears"Jo, dear, I'm very selfish, but I couldn't spare you, and I'm glad you are not going quite yet," whispered Beth, embracing her, basket and all, with such a clinging touch and loving face that Jo felt comforted in spite of the sharp regret that made her want to box her own ears, and humbly beg Aunt Carrol to burden her with this favor, and see how gratefully she would bear it By the time Amy came in, Jo was able to take her part in the family jubilation, not quite as heartily as usual, perhaps, but without repinings at Amy's good fortuneThe young lady herself received the news as tidings of great joy, went about in a solemn sort of rapture, and began to sort her colors and pack her pencils that evening, leaving such trifles as clothes, money, and passports to those less absorbed in visions of art than herself "It isn't a mere pleasure trip to me, girls," she said impressively, as she scraped her best palette"It will decide my career, for if balenciaga yellow I have any genius, I shall find it out in Rome, and will do something to prove it "Suppose you haven't?" said Jo, sewing away, with red eyes, at the new collars which were to be handed over to Amy "Then I shall come home and teach drawing for my living," replied the aspirant for fame, with philosophic composureBut she made a wry face at the prospect, and scratched away at her palette as if bent on vigorous measures before she gave up her hopesYou hate hard work, and you'll marry some rich man, and come home to sit in the lap of luxury all your days," said Jo "Your predictions sometimes come to pass, but I don't believe that one willI'm sure I wish it would, for if I can't be an artist myself, I should like to be able to help those who are," said Amy, smiling, as if the part of Lady Bountiful would suit her better than that of a poor drawing teacher "Hum!" said Jo, with a sigh"If you wish it you'll have it, for your wishes are always granted--mine never "Would you like to go?" asked Amy, thoughtfully patting her nose with her knife "Rather!" "Well, in a year or two I'll send for you, and we'll dig in the Forum for relics, and carry out all the plans we've made so many timesI'll remind you of rock of love tiffany's necklace your promise when that joyful day comes, if it ever does," returned Jo, accepting the vague but magnificent offer as gratefully as she could"There was not much time for preparation, and the house was in a ferment till Amy was offJo bore up very well till the last flutter of blue ribbon vanished, when she retired to her refuge, the garret, and cried till she couldn't cry any moreAmy likewise bore up stoutly till the steamer sailedThen just as the gangway was about to be withdrawn, it suddenly came over her that a whole ocean was soon to roll between her and those who loved her best, and she clung to Laurie, the last lingerer, saying with a sob "Oh, take care of them for me, and if anything should happen" "I will, dear, I will, and if anything happens, I'll come and comfort you," whispered Laurie, little dreaming that he would be called upon to keep his word So Amy sailed away to find the Old World, which is always new and beautiful to young eyes, while her father and friend watched her from the shore, fervently hoping that none but gentle fortunes would befall the happy-hearted girl, who waved her hand to them till they could see nothing but the summer sunshine dazzling on the sea CHAPTER gucci bag THIRTY-ONE London Dearest People, Here I really sit at a front window of the Bath Hotel, PiccadillyIt's not a fashionable place, but Uncle stopped here years ago, and won't go anywhere elseHowever, we don't mean to stay long, so it's no great matterOh, I can't begin to tell you how I enjoy it all! I never can, so I'll only give you bits out of my notebook, for I've done nothing but sketch and scribble since I started I sent a line from Halifax, when I felt pretty miserable, but after that I got on delightfully, seldom ill, on deck all day, with plenty of pleasant people to amuse meEveryone was very kind to me, especially the officersDon't laugh, Jo, gentlemen really are very necessary aboard ship, to hold on to, or to wait upon one, and as they have nothing to do, it's a mercy to make them useful, otherwise they would smoke themselves to death, I'm afraid Aunt and Flo were poorly all the way, and liked to be let alone, so when I had done what I could for them, I went and enjoyed myselfSuch walks on deck, such sunsets, such splendid air and waves! It was almost as exciting as riding a fast horse, when we went rushing on so grandlyI wish Beth could have come, it would have done her so much tiffany heart link necklace good