Little Women

as without any presents,' g

poor!' sighed Meg, looki

plenty of pretty things, and other girls nothing

r and each other,' said Beth,

light shone brightened at the cheerful w

time.' She didn't say `perhaps never', but each silently a

minute; then Meg sa

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 our little sacrific

rmy wouldn't be much helped by our giving that. I agree not to expect anything from mother or you, bu

aid Beth, with a little sigh, which no one

ber's drawing pencils; I really

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

nearly all day when I am longing to enjoy myself a

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

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

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

not talk about labels, as if papa was

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

ey papa lost when we were little, Jo? Dear me! how happy and good we'

happier than the King children, for they were fightin

ough we do have to work, we make fun for ourselv

ing look at the long figure stretched on the rug. Jo immediat

Jo; it's s

's why

rude, unlady

ected, niminy

ce maker, with such a funny face that both sharp voice s

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

and wear long gowns, and look as prim as a China-aster! It's bad enough to be a girl, anyway, when I like boys' games and work an manners! I can't get over my disappointment in not being boy; and it's worse than ever

r name boyish, and playing brother to us girls,' said Beth, stroking the rough head at her knee w

o particular and prim. Your airs are funny now; but you'll

f speaking when you don't try to he elegant; b

oose, what am I, please?' asked

ed Meg, warmly; and no one contradicted her

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

ughtful. Her long, thick hair was her one beauty; but it was usually bundled in a net, to be out of her way. Round shoulders had Jo, big hands and feet, a fly-away 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 `

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

orn out; Marmee mus

t her some with my

shall!' c

began Meg, hut Jo cu

nd I shall provide the slippers, for he told me

h; `let's each get her something for Chri

soberly for a minute; then Meg announced as if the idea was suggested by t

, best to be

chiefs, all hem

likes it, and it won't cost much, so I'll

give the thin

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

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

shopping tomorrow afternoon, Meg; there is so much to do about the play for Christmas nig

getting too old for such things,' observed Meg, who w

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

n 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

as truly thrilling. Amy followed, but she poked her hands out stiffly before her, and jerked herself along as if she went by machinery; and her `Ow!' was more suggestive of

en the time comes, and if the audience

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

,' said Meg, as the dead villa

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

I'd like to try Macbeth, if we only had a trap-door for Banquo I always wanted to do the killing part. "Is that a dag

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

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

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

est 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, overturni

March said, with a particularly happy fac

clapped her ds, regardless of the biscuit she held, and Jo tossed u

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

in her tea, and dropping her bread, butter side down, on the carpet in her haste to get at the treat. Beth ate no

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

- what's its name? or a nurse, so I could be ne

a tent, and eat all sorts of bad-tasting thi

Marmee?' asked Beth, with a

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

be 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 home-sickness co

e I see them, but remind them that while we wait we may all work, so that these hard days need not be wasted. I know they will remember all I said to them, that they will be loving children to y

of her nose, and Amy never minded the rumpling of her curls as she hid her face on her mother's shoulder and s

oo much of my looks, and hate to work,

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

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

hings? 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

ions, fighting Apollyon, and passing through

the bundles fell off and tu

d arbours and pretty things were, and all stood and sang for joy up there in th

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

before 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 Cel

our bundles?' asked Amy, who

as just now, except Beth; I rather thi

lusters, and envying girls with nice

verybody wanted to laugh; but nobody did, f

or trying to be good, and the story may help us; for though we do wa

book. We ought to have our roll of directions like Christian. What shall we do about that?' aske

tmas morning, and you will find y

nt 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

ork, and sang, as usual,

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 through the airs at her own

crinkle, '

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