Little Women

, the morning after the party; for, now the holidays were over, the week of m

Year all the time; wouldn't it be

and go to parties, and drive home, and read and rest, and not work. It's like other people, you know, and I always envy g

s grumble, but shoulder our bundles and t

hat I shan't mind her.' This idea tickled Jo's fancy, and put her in good spirits; but Meg didn't brighten, for her burden, consisting of four spoilt children, seeme

t?' she muttered, shutting her drawer with a jerk. `I shall have to toil and moil all my days, with only little bits of fu

lay on the sofa, trying to comfort herself with the cat and three kittens; Amy was fretting because her lessons were not learned, and she couldn't find her rubbers; Jo would whi

losing her temper when she had upset an inkstand,

d Amy, washing out the sum, that was all wron

drowned,' exclaimed Meg, angrily, as she tried to get rid of the kitten,

d, and Amy wailed, because she couldn't

he early mail, and you drive me distracted with your worry,' crie

ion; and the girls called them `muffs', for they had no others, and found the hot pies very comforting to their hands on cold mornings. Hannah never forgot

et of rascals this morning, but we'll come home regular angels. Now then, Meg!' and

le, and wave her hand to them. Somehow it seemed as if they couldn't have got through the day without that; fo

rve us right, for more ungrateful wretches than we are were never seen,' c

eg, from the depths of the veil in which she ha

replied Jo, catching her hat as it took a leap o

but I am neither a rascal nor a wretc

ury all the time. Poor dear, just wait till I make my fortune, and you shall revel in carriage

ut Meg laughed at the nonsense, a

you do, we should be in a nice state. Thank goodness, I can always find somethin

ing a different way, each hugging her little warm turnover, and each trying to be cheerful

lary. As she said, she was `fond of luxury', and her chief trouble was poverty. She found it harder to bear than the others, because she could remember a time when home was beautiful, life full of ease and pleasure, and want of any kind unknown. She tried not to be envious or discontented but it was very natural that the young girl should long for pretty things, gay friends, accomplishments, and a happy life. At the Kings' she daily saw all she wanted, for the children's

ed to adopt one of the girls when the troubles came, and was much offended because her offer was declined. Other friends told

en fortunes. Rich or poor, we will keep

did not suit Jo at all; but she accepted the place since nothing better appeared, and, to everyone's surprise, got on remarkably well with her irascible relative. There was an occasional tempest, and once Jo had marched

oom, with the busts staring down from the tall bookcases, the cosy chairs, the globes, and, best of all, the wilderness of books, in which she could wander where she liked,, made the library a region of bliss to her. The moment Aunt March took her nar was busy with company Jo hurried to this quiet place, and curling herself up in the easy-chair, devoured poetry, romance, history, travels

ead, run, and ride as much as she liked. A quick temper, sharp tongue, and restless spirit were always getting her into scrapes, and her life was a series of ups and downs, which were both comic and

rkers, never thinking of any reward but to be loved. Long, quiet days she spent, not lonely nor idle, for her little world was peopled with imaginary friends, and she was by nature a busy bee. There were six dolls to be taken up and dressed every morning, for Beth was a child still, and loved her pets as well as ever. Not one whole or handsome one among them all were outcasts till Beth took them in; for, when her sisters ou

and, as both arms and legs were gone, she hid those deficiencies by folding it in a blanket, and devoting her best bed to this chronic invalid. If anyone had known the care lavished on that dolly, I think it would have touched their hearts, even while they lau

n, and practised away so patiently at the jingling old instrument, that it did seem as if someone (not to hint Aunt March) ought to help her. Nobody did, however, and nobody saw Beth wipe the tears off the yellow keys, that wouldn't

for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the heart

Amy insisted that the fall had ruined her nose for ever. It was not big, nor red, like poor `Petrea's', it was only rather flat, and all the pinching in the world could not give it an ar

ricatures of the most ludicrous description came fluttering out of all her books at unlucky moments. She got through her lessons as well as she could, and managed to escape reprimands by being a model of deportment. She was a great favourite with her mates, being good-tempered and possessing the happy art of pleasing without effort. Her little airs and g

cousin's clothes. Now Florence's mamma hadn't a particle of taste, and Amy suffered deeply at having to wear a red instead of a blue bonnet, unbecoming gowns, and fussy aprons that did not fit.

Maria Park's mother does. My dear, it's really dreadful; for sometimes she is so bad, her frock is up to her knees, and she can't come t

scarum sister Beth unconsciously exercised more influence than anyone in the family. The two elder girls were a great deal to one another, but each took one of the younger into her

a dismal day I'm really dying for some amusement,'

sting Belsham, and droning away as I always do, for aunt soon drops off, and then I take out some nice book, and read like fury till she wakes up. I actually mad

e done with it,' said I

avy dahlia, I whipped the Vicar of Wakefield out of my pocket, and read away, with one eye on him, and one on aunt. I'd just got to where they all tumbled into the water, when I forgot, and laughed out loud. Aunt w

at it's all about. Go ba

could. Once I was wicked enough to stop in a thrilling place, an

pped out of her hands, gave me a sharp look

ter, and don't be

n she liked i

that she didn't hear me laugh as I danced a jig in the hall, because of the good time coming. What a pleasant: life she might have, if she on

he children said that her oldest brother had done something dreadful, and papa had sent him away. I heard Mrs. King crying and Mr. King talking very loud, and Grace and Ellen turned away their faces when they pas

y, shaking her head, as if her experience of life had been a deep one. `Susie Perkins came to school

laughing over it, when all of a sudden his eye was on us, and he ordered Susie to bring up her slate. She was parrylized with fright, but she went, and oh, what do you think he did?

at the picture?' asked J

ions of carnelian rings wouldn't have made me happy after that. I never, never should have got over such an agonizing mortificatio

eant to tell it at dinner, but I forgot,' said Beth,

because she hadn't any dinner for her children, and had being disappointed of a day's work. Mr. Cutter was in a hurry, and said "No," rather crossly; so she was going away, looking hungry and sorry, when Mr. Laurence hooked up a big fish with the crooked end of his cane, and held it out to her. She

oday, at the rooms, I felt very anxious about Father, and thought how lonely and helpless we should be if anything happened to him. It, was not a wise thing to do; but

my?' I asked; for the note

s a prisoner, and I'm going to the other, who is very

r your country, sir,' I said, fe

I'd go myself, if I was any use; as I ai

le he gave four without grudging them. I had all my girls to comfort me at home; and his last son was waiting, miles away, to say "good-bye" to him, perhaps! I

this. I like, to think about them afterwards, if they are r

she had told stories to this little: audienc

actually could do. So they asked an old woman what spell they could use to make them happy, and she said, `When you feel discontented, think over your blessings and be grateful.' (Here Jo looked up quickly, as if about to speak, but changed her mind, seeing that the story was not done yet.) `Being sensible girls, they decided to try her advice, and soon were surprised to see how well off they were. One discovered that money couldn't keep shame and sorrow out of rich people's houses; another that, though she was poor, she was a great deal happier, with

to turn our own stories against us, and give

ather used to tell us,' said Beth, thoughtfull

nd I shall be more careful than ever now; for I've h

Tom, "Tink ob yer marcie, chillen! tink ob yer marcies!"' added Jo, who could not for the life of her he