I remember the first time I read “Little Women”. I was about 10 years old and it was one of those books that became part of the very fiber of my being. Jo was the perfect protagonist for any young girl. Laurie was an ideal first literary crush.
I remember, as if I had been there, when Laurie proposed to Jo. And she said 'No'! I had to re-read that part several times. I was certain I had mis-understood because I, like Laurie, thought he and Jo should marry. I would have said 'Yes'! But then I got to 'watch' the relationship grow between Laurie and Amy. I recall it didn't seem right at first but then, as I watched them grow and change as people, I began to understand. So, when they were out rowing and Laurie proposed, and Amy accepted, I thought, 'Perfect'!
Enjoy this little reminder of a wonderful story and a sweet romance.
"Amy had been dabbling her hand in the water during the little pause that fell between them, and, when she looked up, Laurie was leaning on his oars, with an expression in his eyes that made her say hastily, merely for the sake of saying something,-
'You must be tired; rest a little, and let me row.'
'I'm not tired; but you may take an oar, if you like.'
Amy accepted. She rowed as well as she did many other things; and, though, she used both hands, and Laurie but one, the oars kept time, and the boat went smoothly through the water.
'How well we pull together, don't we?' said Amy, who objected to silence just then.
'So well that I wish we might always pull in the same boat. Will you, Amy?' very tenderly.
'Yes, Laurie,' very low.
Then they stopped rowing, and unconsciously added a pretty little tableau of human love and happiness to the dissolving views reflected in the lake."
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