THE LOYAL WIFE
An incident is related from the life of Amos Bronson Alcott, the father of Louisa May Alcott (author of Little Women). The Alcott family finances were very low, but they placed great hopes on Bronson Alcott’s latest lecture tour. When he arrived home one night in February, the family gathered around to welcome him, offer him food and drink, and rejoice in his homecoming. Then a little silence fell, and it was daughter May who asked the question that was in all their minds: “Did they pay you?” Slowly Bronson Alcott drew out his pocketbook and displayed its contents — a single dollar. He said, “Another year I shall do better.” There was a stunned hush in the group around him. Then Mrs. Alcott flung her arms around his neck and said, stoutly, “I call that doing very well.” From The Little Brown Book of Anecdotes, Clifton Fadiman, Ed.
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