Little Women

NG PI

as without any presents," g

poor!" sighed Meg, looki

plenty of pretty things, and other girls nothing

, and each other," said Beth

ain as Jo said sadly, "We haven't got Father, and shall not have him for a long time." She didn't s

be a hard winter for everyone; and she thinks we ought not to spend money for pleasure, when our men are suffering so in the army. We can't do much, but we can make

y wouldn't be much helped by our giving that. I agree not to expect anything from Mother or you, but

d Beth, with a little sigh, which no one he

er's drawing pencils; I really

thing. Let's each buy what we want, and have a little fun; I'm sure we work hard en

arly all day, when I'm longing to enjoy myself a

be shut up for hours with a nervous, fussy old lady, who keeps you trotting, is

work in the world. It makes me cross, and my hands get so stiff, I can't practice well a

l with impertinent girls, who plague you if you don't know your lessons, and laugh at your

ot talk about labels, as if Papa was

l about it. It's proper to use good words, and im

Papa lost when we were little, Jo? Dear me! How happy and good we'd

appier than the King children, for they were fightin

gh we do have to work, we make fun of ourselves

rved Amy, with a reproving look at t

ut her hands in her pock

o. It's s

why I

ude, unlady

ted, niminy-p

emaker, with such a funny face that both sharp voices so

re old enough to leave off boyish tricks, and to behave better, Josephine. It didn't matter so much when you wer

got to grow up, and be Miss March, and wear long gowns, and look as prim as a China Aster! It's bad enough to be a girl, anyway, when I like boy's games and work and manners! I ca

the needles rattled like castanets,

our name boyish, and playing brother to us girls," said Beth, stroking the rough head with a

but you'll grow up an affected little goose, if you don't take care. I like your nice manners and refi

ose, what am I, please?" asked

d Meg warmly, and no one contradicted her,

December snow fell quietly without, and the fire crackled cheerfully within. It was a comfortable room, though the carpet was faded and the furniture very plain, for a goo

ghtful. Her long, thick hair was her one beauty, but it was usually bundled into a net, to be out of her way. Round shoulders had Jo, big hands and feet, a flyaway look to her clothes, and the uncomfortable appearance of a girl who was rapidly shooting up into a woman and didn't like it. Elizabeth, or Beth, as everyone called her, was a rosy, smooth-haired, bright-eyed girl of thirteen, with a shy manner, a timid voice, and a peaceful expression which was seldom disturbed. Her father called her 'Li

good effect upon the girls, for Mother was coming, and everyone brightened to welcome her. Meg stopped lecturing, and lighted the lamp, A

rn out. Marmee mus

her some with my

hall!" c

man of the family now Papa is away, and I shall provide the slippe

"let's each get her something for Christ

dear! What will we

ed, as if the idea was suggested by the sight of her ow

best to be ha

hiefs, all hem

ikes it, and it won't cost much, so I'll ha

give the thin

ee her open the bundles. Don't you remember ho

round to give the presents, with a kiss. I liked the things and the kisses, but it was dreadful to have you sit loo

hopping tomorrow afternoon, Meg. There is so much to do about the play for Christmas night

tting too old for such things," observed Meg, who was

ewelry. You are the best actress we've got, and there'll be an end of everything if you quit the boards," said Jo.

easily, I'll drop. If I can't, I shall fall into a chair and be graceful. I don't care if Hugo does come at me with a pistol," returned Am

om, crying frantically, 'Roderigo! Save me! Save me!'" and away

ive of pins being run into her than of fear and anguish. Jo gave a despairing groan, and Meg laughed outright, while Beth let her bread burn as sh

agar, the witch, chanted an awful incantation over her kettleful of simmering toads, with weird effect. Rode

said Meg, as the dead villain

You're a regular Shakespeare!" exclaimed Beth, who firmly believe

like to try Macbeth, if we only had a trapdoor for Banquo. I always wanted to do the killing part. 'Is that a dagger

instead of the bread. Beth's stage-struck!" cried Meg,

otherly lady with a 'can I help you' look about her which was truly delightful. She was not elegantly dressed, but a noble-

oxes ready to go tomorrow, that I didn't come home to dinner. Has anyone called,

st hour of her busy day. The girls flew about, trying to make things comfortable, each in her own way. Meg arranged the tea table, Jo brought wood and set chairs, dropping, over-tur

rch said, with a particularly happy face,

apped her hands, regardless of the biscuit she held, and Jo tossed

er than we feared. He sends all sorts of loving wishes for Christmas, and an especial mess

over your plate, Amy," cried Jo, choking on her tea and dropping her

n her shadowy corner and brood over the d

haplain when he was too old to be drafted, and n

what's its name? Or a nurse, so I could be near

tent, and eat all sorts of bad-tasting thi

armee?" asked Beth, with a

is work faithfully as long as he can, and we won't ask for him back

e touching. Very few letters were written in those hard times that were not touching, especially those which fathers sent home. In this one little was said of the hardships endured, the dangers faced, or the homesickness conq

I know they will remember all I said to them, that they will be loving children to you, will do their duty faithfully, fight their bosom enemies bravely, and conquer themselves so beautifully that when I come back to them I may be fonder and prouder than ever of my little women." Everybody sniffed when t

o much of my looks and hate to work,

but do my duty here instead of wanting to be somewhere else," said Jo, thinking that

might, losing no time in doing the duty that lay nearest her, while she resolved in her quiet lit

ngs? Nothing delighted you more than to have me tie my piece bags on your backs for burdens, give you hats and sticks and rolls of paper, and let you travel through t

ns, fighting Apollyon, and passing through th

he bundles fell off and tu

iked the cake and milk we had up at the top. If I wasn't too old for such things, I'd rather like to pla

efore us, and the longing for goodness and happiness is the guide that leads us through many troubles and mistakes to the peace which is a true Cele

ur bundles?" asked Amy, who

just now, except Beth. I rather think

sters, and envying girls with nice

rybody wanted to laugh, but nobody did, for

trying to be good, and the story may help us, for though we do wan

ook. We ought to have our roll of directions, like Christian. What shall we do about that?" asked

as morning, and you will find yo

t March. It was uninteresting sewing, but tonight no one grumbled. They adopted Jo's plan of dividing the long seams into four parts, and calling the quarters Euro

making a pleasant accompaniment to the simple songs they sang. Meg had a voice like a flute, and she and her mother led the little choir. Amy chirped like a cricket, and Jo wandered throug

rinkle, 'i

e morning was her voice as she went about the house singing like a lark, and the last sound a