English
"Christmaswon'tbeChristmaswithoutanypresents,"grumbledJo,lyingontherug.
"It'ssodreadfultobepoor!"sighedMeg,lookingdownatherolddress.
"Idon'tthinkit'sfairforsomegirlstohaveplentyofprettythings,andothergirlsnothingatall,"addedlittleAmy,withaninjuredsniff.
"We'vegotFatherandMother,andeachother,"saidBethcontentedlyfromhercorner.
Thefouryoungfacesonwhichthefirelightshonebrightenedatthecheerfulwords,butdarkenedagainasJosaidsadly,"Wehaven'tgotFather,andshallnothavehimforalongtime."
Shedidn'tsay"perhapsnever,"buteachsilentlyaddedit,thinkingofFatherfaraway,wherethefightingwas.
Nobodyspokeforaminute;thenMegsaidinanalteredtone,"YouknowthereasonMotherproposednothavinganypresentsthisChristmaswasbecauseitisgoingtobeahardwinterforeveryone;andshethinksweoughtnottospendmoneyforpleasure,whenourmenaresufferingsointhearmy.
Wecan'tdomuch,butwecanmakeourlittlesacrifices,andoughttodoitgladly.
ButIamafraidIdon't,"andMegshookherhead,asshethoughtregretfullyofalltheprettythingsshewanted.
"ButIdon'tthinkthelittleweshouldspendwoulddoanygood.
We'veeachgotadollar,andthearmywouldn'tbemuchhelpedbyourgivingthat.
IagreenottoexpectanythingfromMotheroryou,butIdowanttobuyUndineandSintranformyself.
I'vewanteditsolong,"saidJo,whowasabookworm.
"Iplannedtospendmineinnewmusic,"saidBeth,withalittlesigh,whichnooneheardbutthehearthbrushandkettle–holder.
"IshallgetaniceboxofFaber'sdrawingpencils;Ireallyneedthem,"saidAmydecidedly.
"Motherdidn'tsayanythingaboutourmoney,andshewon'twishustogiveupeverything.
Let'seachbuywhatwewant,andhavealittlefun;I'msureweworkhardenoughtoearnit,"criedJo,examiningtheheelsofhershoesinagentlemanlymanner.
"IknowIdo––teachingthosetiresomechildrennearlyallday,whenI'mlongingtoenjoymyselfathome,"beganMeg,inthecomplainingtoneagain.
"Youdon'thavehalfsuchahardtimeasIdo,"saidJo.
"Howwouldyouliketobeshutupforhourswithanervous,fussyoldlady,whokeepsyoutrotting,isneversatisfied,andworriesyoutillyou'rereadytoflyoutthewindoworcry?"
"It'snaughtytofret,butIdothinkwashingdishesandkeepingthingstidyistheworstworkintheworld.
Itmakesmecross,andmyhandsgetsostiff,Ican'tpracticewellatall."
AndBethlookedatherroughhandswithasighthatanyonecouldhearthattime.
"Idon'tbelieveanyofyousufferasIdo,"criedAmy,"foryoudon'thavetogotoschoolwithimpertinentgirls,whoplagueyouifyoudon'tknowyourlessons,andlaughatyourdresses,andlabelyourfatherifheisn'trich,andinsultyouwhenyournoseisn'tnice."
"Ifyoumeanlibel,I'dsayso,andnottalkaboutlabels,asifPapawasapicklebottle,"advisedJo,laughing.
"IknowwhatImean,andyouneedn'tbestatiricalaboutit.It'spropertousegoodwords,andimproveyourvocabilary,"returnedAmy,withdignity.
"Don'tpeckatoneanother,children.Don'tyouwishwehadthemoneyPapalostwhenwewerelittle,Jo?Dearme!
Howhappyandgoodwe'dbe,ifwehadnoworries!"
saidMeg,whocouldrememberbettertimes.
"YousaidtheotherdayyouthoughtwewereadealhappierthantheKingchildren,fortheywerefightingandfrettingallthetime,inspiteoftheirmoney."
"SoIdid,Beth.Well,Ithinkweare.Forthoughwedohavetowork,wemakefunofourselves,andareaprettyjollyset,asJowouldsay."
"Jodoesusesuchslangwords!"observedAmy,withareprovinglookatthelongfigurestretchedontherug.
Joimmediatelysatup,putherhandsinherpockets,andbegantowhistle.
"Don't,Jo.It'ssoboyish!"
"That'swhyIdoit."
"Idetestrude,unladylikegirls!"
"Ihateaffected,niminy–piminychits!"
"Birdsintheirlittlenestsagree,"sangBeth,thepeacemaker,withsuchafunnyfacethatbothsharpvoicessoftenedtoalaugh,andthe"pecking"endedforthattime.
"Really,girls,youarebothtobeblamed,"saidMeg,beginningtolectureinherelder–sisterlyfashion.
"Youareoldenoughtoleaveoffboyishtricks,andtobehavebetter,Josephine.
Itdidn'tmattersomuchwhenyouwerealittlegirl,butnowyouaresotall,andturnupyourhair,youshouldrememberthatyouareayounglady."
"I'mnot!Andifturningupmyhairmakesmeone,I'llwearitintwotailstillI'mtwenty,"criedJo,pullingoffhernet,andshakingdownachestnutmane.
"IhatetothinkI'vegottogrowup,andbeMissMarch,andwearlonggowns,andlookasprimasaChinaAster!
It'sbadenoughtobeagirl,anyway,whenIlikeboy'sgamesandworkandmanners!
Ican'tgetovermydisappointmentinnotbeingaboy.
Andit'sworsethanevernow,forI'mdyingtogoandfightwithPapa.
AndIcanonlystayhomeandknit,likeapokyoldwoman!"
AndJoshookthebluearmysocktilltheneedlesrattledlikecastanets,andherballboundedacrosstheroom.
"PoorJo!It'stoobad,butitcan'tbehelped.
Soyoumusttrytobecontentedwithmakingyournameboyish,andplayingbrothertousgirls,"saidBeth,strokingtheroughheadwithahandthatallthedishwashinganddustingintheworldcouldnotmakeungentleinitstouch.
"Asforyou,Amy,"continuedMeg,"youarealtogethertooparticularandprim.
Yourairsarefunnynow,butyou'llgrowupanaffectedlittlegoose,ifyoudon'ttakecare.
Ilikeyournicemannersandrefinedwaysofspeaking,whenyoudon'ttrytobeelegant.
ButyourabsurdwordsareasbadasJo'sslang."
"IfJoisatomboyandAmyagoose,whatamI,please?"askedBeth,readytosharethelecture.
"You'readear,andnothingelse,"answeredMegwarmly,andnoonecontradictedher,forthe'Mouse'wasthepetofthefamily.
Asyoungreadersliketoknow'howpeoplelook',wewilltakethismomenttogivethemalittlesketchofthefoursisters,whosatknittingawayinthetwilight,whiletheDecembersnowfellquietlywithout,andthefirecrackledcheerfullywithin.
Itwasacomfortableroom,thoughthecarpetwasfadedandthefurnitureveryplain,foragoodpictureortwohungonthewalls,booksfilledtherecesses,chrysanthemumsandChristmasrosesbloomedinthewindows,andapleasantatmosphereofhomepeacepervadedit.
Margaret,theeldestofthefour,wassixteen,andverypretty,beingplumpandfair,withlargeeyes,plentyofsoftbrownhair,asweetmouth,andwhitehands,ofwhichshewasrathervain.
Fifteen–year–oldJowasverytall,thin,andbrown,andremindedoneofacolt,forsheneverseemedtoknowwhattodowithherlonglimbs,whichwereverymuchinherway.
Shehadadecidedmouth,acomicalnose,andsharp,grayeyes,whichappearedtoseeeverything,andwerebyturnsfierce,funny,orthoughtful.
Herlong,thickhairwasheronebeauty,butitwasusuallybundledintoanet,tobeoutofherway.
RoundshouldershadJo,bighandsandfeet,aflyawaylooktoherclothes,andtheuncomfortableappearanceofagirlwhowasrapidlyshootingupintoawomananddidn'tlikeit.
Elizabeth,orBeth,aseveryonecalledher,wasarosy,smooth–haired,bright–eyedgirlofthirteen,withashymanner,atimidvoice,andapeacefulexpressionwhichwasseldomdisturbed.
Herfathercalledher'LittleMissTranquility',andthenamesuitedherexcellently,forsheseemedtoliveinahappyworldofherown,onlyventuringouttomeetthefewwhomshetrustedandloved.
Amy,thoughtheyoungest,wasamostimportantperson,inherownopinionatleast.
Aregularsnowmaiden,withblueeyes,andyellowhaircurlingonhershoulders,paleandslender,andalwayscarryingherselflikeayoungladymindfulofhermanners.
Whatthecharactersofthefoursisterswerewewillleavetobefoundout.
Theclockstrucksixand,havingsweptupthehearth,Bethputapairofslippersdowntowarm.
Somehowthesightoftheoldshoeshadagoodeffectuponthegirls,forMotherwascoming,andeveryonebrightenedtowelcomeher.
Megstoppedlecturing,andlightedthelamp,Amygotoutoftheeasychairwithoutbeingasked,andJoforgothowtiredshewasasshesatuptoholdtheslippersnearertotheblaze.
"Theyarequitewornout.Marmeemusthaveanewpair."
"IthoughtI'dgethersomewithmydollar,"saidBeth.
"No,Ishall!"criedAmy.
"I'mtheoldest,"beganMeg,butJocutinwithadecided,"I'mthemanofthefamilynowPapaisaway,andIshallprovidetheslippers,forhetoldmetotakespecialcareofMotherwhilehewasgone."
"I'lltellyouwhatwe'lldo,"saidBeth,"let'seachgethersomethingforChristmas,andnotgetanythingforourselves."
"That'slikeyou,dear!Whatwillweget?"exclaimedJo.
Everyonethoughtsoberlyforaminute,thenMegannounced,asiftheideawassuggestedbythesightofherownprettyhands,"Ishallgiveheranicepairofgloves."
"Armyshoes,besttobehad,"criedJo.
"Somehandkerchiefs,allhemmed,"saidBeth.
"I'llgetalittlebottleofcologne.Shelikesit,anditwon'tcostmuch,soI'llhavesomelefttobuymypencils,"addedAmy.
"Howwillwegivethethings?"askedMeg.
"Putthemonthetable,andbringherinandseeheropenthebundles.Don'tyourememberhowweusedtodoonourbirthdays?"answeredJo.
"Iusedtobesofrightenedwhenitwasmyturntositinthechairwiththecrownon,andseeyouallcomemarchingroundtogivethepresents,withakiss.
Ilikedthethingsandthekisses,butitwasdreadfultohaveyousitlookingatmewhileIopenedthebundles,"saidBeth,whowastoastingherfaceandthebreadforteaatthesametime.
"LetMarmeethinkwearegettingthingsforourselves,andthensurpriseher.
Wemustgoshoppingtomorrowafternoon,Meg.
ThereissomuchtodoabouttheplayforChristmasnight,"saidJo,marchingupanddown,withherhandsbehindherback,andhernoseintheair.
"Idon'tmeantoactanymoreafterthistime.I'mgettingtoooldforsuchthings,"observedMeg,whowasasmuchachildaseverabout'dressing–up'frolics.
"Youwon'tstop,Iknow,aslongasyoucantrailroundinawhitegownwithyourhairdown,andweargold–paperjewelry.
Youarethebestactresswe'vegot,andthere'llbeanendofeverythingifyouquittheboards,"saidJo."Weoughttorehearsetonight.
Comehere,Amy,anddothefaintingscene,foryouareasstiffasapokerinthat."
"Ican'thelpit.Ineversawanyonefaint,andIdon'tchoosetomakemyselfallblackandblue,tumblingflatasyoudo.IfIcangodowneasily,I'lldrop.
IfIcan't,Ishallfallintoachairandbegraceful.
Idon'tcareifHugodoescomeatmewithapistol,"returnedAmy,whowasnotgiftedwithdramaticpower,butwaschosenbecauseshewassmallenoughtobeborneoutshriekingbythevillainofthepiece.
"Doitthisway.Claspyourhandsso,andstaggeracrosstheroom,cryingfrantically,'Roderigo!Saveme!Saveme!'"andawaywentJo,withamelodramaticscreamwhichwastrulythrilling.
Amyfollowed,butshepokedherhandsoutstifflybeforeher,andjerkedherselfalongasifshewentbymachinery,andher"Ow!"
wasmoresuggestiveofpinsbeingrunintoherthanoffearandanguish.
Jogaveadespairinggroan,andMeglaughedoutright,whileBethletherbreadburnasshewatchedthefunwithinterest."It'snouse!
Dothebestyoucanwhenthetimecomes,andiftheaudiencelaughs,don'tblameme.Comeon,Meg."
Thenthingswentsmoothly,forDonPedrodefiedtheworldinaspeechoftwopageswithoutasinglebreak.
Hagar,thewitch,chantedanawfulincantationoverherkettlefulofsimmeringtoads,withweirdeffect.
Roderigorenthischainsasundermanfully,andHugodiedinagoniesofremorseandarsenic,withawild,"Ha!Ha!"
"It'sthebestwe'vehadyet,"saidMeg,asthedeadvillainsatupandrubbedhiselbows.
"Idon'tseehowyoucanwriteandactsuchsplendidthings,Jo.You'rearegularShakespeare!"exclaimedBeth,whofirmlybelievedthathersistersweregiftedwithwonderfulgeniusinallthings.
"Notquite,"repliedJomodestly."IdothinkTheWitchesCurse,anOperaticTragedyisratheranicething,butI'dliketotryMacbeth,ifweonlyhadatrapdoorforBanquo.Ialwayswantedtodothekillingpart.
'IsthatadaggerthatIseebeforeme?"
mutteredJo,rollinghereyesandclutchingattheair,asshehadseenafamoustragediando.
"No,it'sthetoastingfork,withMother'sshoeonitinsteadofthebread.Beth'sstage–struck!"criedMeg,andtherehearsalendedinageneralburstoflaughter.
"Gladtofindyousomerry,mygirls,"saidacheeryvoiceatthedoor,andactorsandaudienceturnedtowelcomeatall,motherlyladywitha'canIhelpyou'lookaboutherwhichwastrulydelightful.
Shewasnotelegantlydressed,butanoble–lookingwoman,andthegirlsthoughtthegraycloakandunfashionablebonnetcoveredthemostsplendidmotherintheworld.
"Well,dearies,howhaveyougotontoday?
Therewassomuchtodo,gettingtheboxesreadytogotomorrow,thatIdidn'tcomehometodinner.Hasanyonecalled,Beth?Howisyourcold,Meg?Jo,youlooktiredtodeath.Comeandkissme,baby."
WhilemakingthesematernalinquiriesMrs.Marchgotherwetthingsoff,herwarmslipperson,andsittingdownintheeasychair,drewAmytoherlap,preparingtoenjoythehappiesthourofherbusyday.
Thegirlsflewabout,tryingtomakethingscomfortable,eachinherownway.
Megarrangedtheteatable,Jobroughtwoodandsetchairs,dropping,over–turning,andclatteringeverythingshetouched.
Bethtrottedtoandfrobetweenparlorkitchen,quietandbusy,whileAmygavedirectionstoeveryone,asshesatwithherhandsfolded.
Astheygatheredaboutthetable,Mrs.Marchsaid,withaparticularlyhappyface,"I'vegotatreatforyouaftersupper."
Aquick,brightsmilewentroundlikeastreakofsunshine.
Bethclappedherhands,regardlessofthebiscuitsheheld,andJotosseduphernapkin,crying,"Aletter!Aletter!ThreecheersforFather!"
"Yes,anicelongletter.Heiswell,andthinksheshallgetthroughthecoldseasonbetterthanwefeared.
HesendsallsortsoflovingwishesforChristmas,andanespecialmessagetoyougirls,"saidMrs.March,pattingherpocketasifshehadgotatreasurethere.
"Hurryandgetdone!Don'tstoptoquirkyourlittlefingerandsimperoveryourplate,Amy,"criedJo,chokingonherteaanddroppingherbread,buttersidedown,onthecarpetinherhastetogetatthetreat.
Bethatenomore,butcreptawaytositinhershadowycornerandbroodoverthedelighttocome,tilltheotherswereready.
"IthinkitwassosplendidinFathertogoaschaplainwhenhewastoooldtobedrafted,andnotstrongenoughforasoldier,"saidMegwarmly.
"Don'tIwishIcouldgoasadrummer,avivan––what'sitsname?Oranurse,soIcouldbenearhimandhelphim,"exclaimedJo,withagroan.
"Itmustbeverydisagreeabletosleepinatent,andeatallsortsofbad–tastingthings,anddrinkoutofatinmug,"sighedAmy.
"Whenwillhecomehome,Marmee?"askedBeth,withalittlequiverinhervoice.
"Notformanymonths,dear,unlessheissick.
Hewillstayanddohisworkfaithfullyaslongashecan,andwewon'taskforhimbackaminutesoonerthanhecanbespared.Nowcomeandheartheletter."
Theyalldrewtothefire,MotherinthebigchairwithBethatherfeet,MegandAmyperchedoneitherarmofthechair,andJoleaningontheback,wherenoonewouldseeanysignofemotionifthelettershouldhappentobetouching.
Veryfewletterswerewritteninthosehardtimesthatwerenottouching,especiallythosewhichfatherssenthome.
Inthisonelittlewassaidofthehardshipsendured,thedangersfaced,orthehomesicknessconquered.
Itwasacheerful,hopefulletter,fulloflivelydescriptionsofcamplife,marches,andmilitarynews,andonlyattheenddidthewriter'sheartover–flowwithfatherlyloveandlongingforthelittlegirlsathome.
"Givethemallofmydearloveandakiss.
TellthemIthinkofthembyday,prayforthembynight,andfindmybestcomfortintheiraffectionatalltimes.
AyearseemsverylongtowaitbeforeIseethem,butremindthemthatwhilewewaitwemayallwork,sothattheseharddaysneednotbewasted.
IknowtheywillrememberallIsaidtothem,thattheywillbelovingchildrentoyou,willdotheirdutyfaithfully,fighttheirbosomenemiesbravely,andconquerthemselvessobeautifullythatwhenIcomebacktothemImaybefonderandprouderthaneverofmylittlewomen."
Everybodysniffedwhentheycametothatpart.
Jowasn'tashamedofthegreattearthatdroppedofftheendofhernose,andAmynevermindedtherumplingofhercurlsasshehidherfaceonhermother'sshoulderandsobbedout,"Iamaselfishgirl!
ButI'lltrulytrytobebetter,sohemayn'tbedisappointedinmeby–and–by."
"Weallwill,"criedMeg."Ithinktoomuchofmylooksandhatetowork,butwon'tanymore,ifIcanhelpit."
"I'lltryandbewhathelovestocallme,'alittlewoman'andnotberoughandwild,butdomydutyhereinsteadofwantingtobesomewhereelse,"saidJo,thinkingthatkeepinghertemperathomewasamuchhardertaskthanfacingarebelortwodownSouth.
Bethsaidnothing,butwipedawayhertearswiththebluearmysockandbegantoknitwithallhermight,losingnotimeindoingthedutythatlaynearesther,whilesheresolvedinherquietlittlesoultobeallthatFatherhopedtofindherwhentheyearbroughtroundthehappycominghome.
Mrs.MarchbrokethesilencethatfollowedJo'swords,bysayinginhercheeryvoice,"DoyourememberhowyouusedtoplayPilgrimsProgresswhenyouwerelittlethings?
Nothingdelightedyoumorethantohavemetiemypiecebagsonyourbacksforburdens,giveyouhatsandsticksandrollsofpaper,andletyoutravelthroughthehousefromthecellar,whichwastheCityofDestruction,up,up,tothehousetop,whereyouhadallthelovelythingsyoucouldcollecttomakeaCelestialCity."
"Whatfunitwas,especiallygoingbythelions,fightingApollyon,andpassingthroughthevalleywherethehob–goblinswere,"saidJo.
"Ilikedtheplacewherethebundlesfelloffandtumbleddownstairs,"saidMeg.
"Idon'tremembermuchaboutit,exceptthatIwasafraidofthecellarandthedarkentry,andalwayslikedthecakeandmilkwehadupatthetop.
IfIwasn'ttoooldforsuchthings,I'dratherliketoplayitoveragain,"saidAmy,whobegantotalkofrenouncingchildishthingsatthematureageoftwelve.
"Weneveraretoooldforthis,mydear,becauseitisaplayweareplayingallthetimeinonewayoranother.
Ourburdensarehere,ourroadisbeforeus,andthelongingforgoodnessandhappinessistheguidethatleadsusthroughmanytroublesandmistakestothepeacewhichisatrueCelestialCity.
Now,mylittlepilgrims,supposeyoubeginagain,notinplay,butinearnest,andseehowfaronyoucangetbeforeFathercomeshome."
"Really,Mother?Whereareourbundles?"askedAmy,whowasaveryliteralyounglady.
"Eachofyoutoldwhatyourburdenwasjustnow,exceptBeth.Iratherthinkshehasn'tgotany,"saidhermother.
"Yes,Ihave.Mineisdishesanddusters,andenvyinggirlswithnicepianos,andbeingafraidofpeople."
Beth'sbundlewassuchafunnyonethateverybodywantedtolaugh,butnobodydid,foritwouldhavehurtherfeelingsverymuch.
"Letusdoit,"saidMegthoughtfully."Itisonlyanothernamefortryingtobegood,andthestorymayhelpus,forthoughwedowanttobegood,it'shardworkandweforget,anddon'tdoourbest."
"WewereintheSloughofDespondtonight,andMothercameandpulledusoutasHelpdidinthebook.
Weoughttohaveourrollofdirections,likeChristian.Whatshallwedoaboutthat?"
askedJo,delightedwiththefancywhichlentalittleromancetotheverydulltaskofdoingherduty.
"LookunderyourpillowsChristmasmorning,andyouwillfindyourguidebook,"repliedMrs.March.
TheytalkedoverthenewplanwhileoldHannahclearedthetable,thenoutcamethefourlittleworkbaskets,andtheneedlesflewasthegirlsmadesheetsforAuntMarch.
Itwasuninterestingsewing,buttonightnoonegrumbled.
TheyadoptedJo'splanofdividingthelongseamsintofourparts,andcallingthequartersEurope,Asia,Africa,andAmerica,andinthatwaygotoncapitally,especiallywhentheytalkedaboutthedifferentcountriesastheystitchedtheirwaythroughthem.
Atninetheystoppedwork,andsang,asusual,beforetheywenttobed.
NoonebutBethcouldgetmuchmusicoutoftheoldpiano,butshehadawayofsoftlytouchingtheyellowkeysandmakingapleasantaccompanimenttothesimplesongstheysang.
Meghadavoicelikeaflute,andsheandhermotherledthelittlechoir.
Amychirpedlikeacricket,andJowanderedthroughtheairsatherownsweetwill,alwayscomingoutatthewrongplacewithacroakoraquaverthatspoiledthemostpensivetune.
Theyhadalwaysdonethisfromthetimetheycouldlisp...
Crinkle,crinkle,'ittle'tar,
andithadbecomeahouseholdcustom,forthemotherwasabornsinger.
Thefirstsoundinthemorningwashervoiceasshewentaboutthehousesinginglikealark,andthelastsoundatnightwasthesamecheerysound,forthegirlsnevergrewtoooldforthatfamiliarlullaby.
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