“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 couldn’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 wouldn’t like it, and then this foolish little woman went and did what John disliked even worse.