English
"Oh,dear,howharditdoesseemtotakeupourpacksandgoon,"sighedMegthemorningaftertheparty,fornowtheholidayswereover,theweekofmerrymakingdidnotfitherforgoingoneasilywiththetasksheneverliked.
"IwishitwasChristmasorNewYear'sallthetime.Wouldn'titbefun?"answeredJo,yawningdismally.
"Weshouldn'tenjoyourselveshalfsomuchaswedonow.
Butitdoesseemsonicetohavelittlesuppersandbouquets,andgotoparties,anddrivehome,andreadandrest,andnotwork.
It'slikeotherpeople,youknow,andIalwaysenvygirlswhodosuchthings,I'msofondofluxury,"saidMeg,tryingtodecidewhichoftwoshabbygownswastheleastshabby.
"Well,wecan'thaveit,sodon'tletusgrumblebutshoulderourbundlesandtrudgealongascheerfullyasMarmeedoes.
I'msureAuntMarchisaregularOldManoftheSeatome,butIsupposewhenI'velearnedtocarryherwithoutcomplaining,shewilltumbleoff,orgetsolightthatIshan'tmindher."
ThisideatickledJo'sfancyandputheringoodspirits,butMegdidn'tbrighten,forherburden,consistingoffourspoiledchildren,seemedheavierthanever.
Shehadnotheartenougheventomakeherselfprettyasusualbyputtingonablueneckribbonanddressingherhairinthemostbecomingway.
"Where'stheuseoflookingnice,whennooneseesmebutthosecrossmidgets,andnoonecareswhetherI'mprettyornot?"
shemuttered,shuttingherdrawerwithajerk.
"Ishallhavetotoilandmoilallmydays,withonlylittlebitsoffunnowandthen,andgetoldanduglyandsour,becauseI'mpoorandcan'tenjoymylifeasothergirlsdo.It'sashame!"
SoMegwentdown,wearinganinjuredlook,andwasn'tatallagreeableatbreakfasttime.Everyoneseemedratheroutofsortsandinclinedtocroak.
Bethhadaheadacheandlayonthesofa,tryingtocomfortherselfwiththecatandthreekittens.
Amywasfrettingbecauseherlessonswerenotlearned,andshecouldn'tfindherrubbers.
Jowouldwhistleandmakeagreatracketgettingready.
Mrs.Marchwasverybusytryingtofinishaletter,whichmustgoatonce,andHannahhadthegrumps,forbeinguplatedidn'tsuither.
"Thereneverwassuchacrossfamily!"criedJo,losinghertemperwhenshehadupsetaninkstand,brokenbothbootlacings,andsatdownuponherhat.
"You'rethecrossestpersoninit!"returnedAmy,washingoutthesumthatwasallwrongwiththetearsthathadfallenonherslate.
"Beth,ifyoudon'tkeepthesehorridcatsdowncellarI'llhavethemdrowned,"exclaimedMegangrilyasshetriedtogetridofthekittenwhichhadscrambledupherbackandstucklikeaburrjustoutofreach.
Jolaughed,Megscolded,Bethimplored,andAmywailedbecauseshecouldn'trememberhowmuchninetimestwelvewas.
"Girls,girls,dobequietoneminute!Imustgetthisoffbytheearlymail,andyoudrivemedistractedwithyourworry,"criedMrs.March,crossingoutthethirdspoiledsentenceinherletter.
Therewasamomentarylull,brokenbyHannah,whostalkedin,laidtwohotturnoversonthetable,andstalkedoutagain.
Theseturnoverswereaninstitution,andthegirlscalledthem'muffs',fortheyhadnoothersandfoundthehotpiesverycomfortingtotheirhandsoncoldmornings.
Hannahneverforgottomakethem,nomatterhowbusyorgrumpyshemightbe,forthewalkwaslongandbleak.Thepoorthingsgotnootherlunchandwereseldomhomebeforetwo.
"Cuddleyourcatsandgetoveryourheadache,Bethy.Goodbye,Marmee.
Weareasetofrascalsthismorning,butwe'llcomehomeregularangels.Nowthen,Meg!"
AndJotrampedaway,feelingthatthepilgrimswerenotsettingoutastheyoughttodo.
Theyalwayslookedbackbeforeturningthecorner,fortheirmotherwasalwaysatthewindowtonodandsmile,andwaveherhandtothem.
Somehowitseemedasiftheycouldn'thavegotthroughthedaywithoutthat,forwhatevertheirmoodmightbe,thelastglimpseofthatmotherlyfacewassuretoaffectthemlikesunshine.
"IfMarmeeshookherfistinsteadofkissingherhandtous,itwouldserveusright,formoreungratefulwretchesthanwearewereneverseen,"criedJo,takingaremorsefulsatisfactioninthesnowywalkandbitterwind.
"Don'tusesuchdreadfulexpressions,"repliedMegfromthedepthsoftheveilinwhichshehadshroudedherselflikeanunsickoftheworld.
"Ilikegoodstrongwordsthatmeansomething,"repliedJo,catchingherhatasittookaleapoffherheadpreparatorytoflyingawayaltogether.
"Callyourselfanynamesyoulike,butIamneitherarascalnorawretchandIdon'tchoosetobecalledso."
"You'reablightedbeing,anddecidedlycrosstodaybecauseyoucan'tsitinthelapofluxuryallthetime.
Poordear,justwaittillImakemyfortune,andyoushallrevelincarriagesandicecreamandhigh–heeledslippers,andposies,andred–headedboystodancewith."
"Howridiculousyouare,Jo!"ButMeglaughedatthenonsenseandfeltbetterinspiteofherself.
"LuckyforyouIam,forifIputoncrushedairsandtriedtobedismal,asyoudo,weshouldbeinanicestate.
Thankgoodness,Icanalwaysfindsomethingfunnytokeepmeup.
Don'tcroakanymore,butcomehomejolly,there'sadear."
Jogavehersisteranencouragingpatontheshoulderastheypartedfortheday,eachgoingadifferentway,eachhuggingherlittlewarmturnover,andeachtryingtobecheerfulinspiteofwintryweather,hardwork,andtheunsatisfieddesiresofpleasure–lovingyouth.
WhenMr.Marchlosthispropertyintryingtohelpanunfortunatefriend,thetwooldestgirlsbeggedtobeallowedtodosomethingtowardtheirownsupport,atleast.
Believingthattheycouldnotbegintooearlytocultivateenergy,industry,andindependence,theirparentsconsented,andbothfelltoworkwiththeheartygoodwillwhichinspiteofallobstaclesissuretosucceedatlast.
Margaretfoundaplaceasnurserygovernessandfeltrichwithhersmallsalary.
Asshesaid,shewas'fondofluxury',andherchieftroublewaspoverty.
Shefoundithardertobearthantheothersbecauseshecouldrememberatimewhenhomewasbeautiful,lifefullofeaseandpleasure,andwantofanykindunknown.
Shetriednottobeenviousordiscontented,butitwasverynaturalthattheyounggirlshouldlongforprettythings,gayfriends,accomplishments,andahappylife.
AttheKings'shedailysawallshewanted,forthechildren'soldersisterswerejustout,andMegcaughtfrequentglimpsesofdaintyballdressesandbouquets,heardlivelygossipabouttheaters,concerts,sleighingparties,andmerrymakingsofallkinds,andsawmoneylavishedontrifleswhichwouldhavebeensoprecioustoher.
PoorMegseldomcomplained,butasenseofinjusticemadeherfeelbittertowardeveryonesometimes,forshehadnotyetlearnedtoknowhowrichshewasintheblessingswhichalonecanmakelifehappy.
JohappenedtosuitAuntMarch,whowaslameandneededanactivepersontowaituponher.
Thechildlessoldladyhadofferedtoadoptoneofthegirlswhenthetroublescame,andwasmuchoffendedbecauseherofferwasdeclined.
OtherfriendstoldtheMarchesthattheyhadlostallchanceofbeingrememberedinthericholdlady'swill,buttheunworldlyMarchesonlysaid...
"Wecan'tgiveupourgirlsforadozenfortunes.Richorpoor,wewillkeeptogetherandbehappyinoneanother."
Theoldladywouldn'tspeaktothemforatime,buthappeningtomeetJoatafriend's,somethinginhercomicalfaceandbluntmannersstrucktheoldlady'sfancy,andsheproposedtotakeherforacompanion.
ThisdidnotsuitJoatall,butsheacceptedtheplacesincenothingbetterappearedand,toeveryone'ssurprise,gotonremarkablywellwithherirasciblerelative.
Therewasanoccasionaltempest,andonceJomarchedhome,declaringshecouldn'tbearitlonger,butAuntMarchalwaysclearedupquickly,andsentforhertocomebackagainwithsuchurgencythatshecouldnotrefuse,forinherheartsheratherlikedthepepperyoldlady.
Isuspectthattherealattractionwasalargelibraryoffinebooks,whichwaslefttodustandspiderssinceUncleMarchdied.
Jorememberedthekindoldgentleman,whousedtoletherbuildrailroadsandbridgeswithhisbigdictionaries,tellherstoriesaboutqueerpicturesinhisLatinbooks,andbuyhercardsofgingerbreadwheneverhemetherinthestreet.
Thedim,dustyroom,withthebustsstaringdownfromthetallbookcases,thecozychairs,theglobes,andbestofall,thewildernessofbooksinwhichshecouldwanderwheresheliked,madethelibraryaregionofblisstoher.
ThemomentAuntMarchtookhernap,orwasbusywithcompany,Johurriedtothisquietplace,andcurlingherselfupintheeasychair,devouredpoetry,romance,history,travels,andpictureslikearegularbookworm.
But,likeallhappiness,itdidnotlastlong,forassureasshehadjustreachedtheheartofthestory,thesweetestverseofasong,orthemostperilousadventureofhertraveler,ashrillvoicecalled,"Josy–phine!Josy–phine!"
andshehadtoleaveherparadisetowindyarn,washthepoodle,orreadBelsham'sEssaysbythehourtogether.
Jo'sambitionwastodosomethingverysplendid.
Whatitwas,shehadnoideaasyet,butleftitfortimetotellher,andmeanwhile,foundhergreatestafflictioninthefactthatshecouldn'tread,run,andrideasmuchassheliked.
Aquicktemper,sharptongue,andrestlessspiritwerealwaysgettingherintoscrapes,andherlifewasaseriesofupsanddowns,whichwerebothcomicandpathetic.
ButthetrainingshereceivedatAuntMarch'swasjustwhatsheneeded,andthethoughtthatshewasdoingsomethingtosupportherselfmadeherhappyinspiteoftheperpetual"Josy–phine!"
Bethwastoobashfultogotoschool.Ithadbeentried,butshesufferedsomuchthatitwasgivenup,andshedidherlessonsathomewithherfather.
Evenwhenhewentaway,andhermotherwascalledtodevoteherskillandenergytoSoldiers'AidSocieties,Bethwentfaithfullyonbyherselfanddidthebestshecould.
Shewasahousewifelylittlecreature,andhelpedHannahkeephomeneatandcomfortablefortheworkers,neverthinkingofanyrewardbuttobeloved.
Long,quietdaysshespent,notlonelynoridle,forherlittleworldwaspeopledwithimaginaryfriends,andshewasbynatureabusybee.
Thereweresixdollstobetakenupanddressedeverymorning,forBethwasachildstillandlovedherpetsaswellasever.
Notonewholeorhandsomeoneamongthem,allwereoutcaststillBethtookthemin,forwhenhersistersoutgrewtheseidols,theypassedtoherbecauseAmywouldhavenothingoldorugly.
Bethcherishedthemallthemoretenderlyforthatveryreason,andsetupahospitalforinfirmdolls.
Nopinswereeverstuckintotheircottonvitals,noharshwordsorblowswereevergiventhem,noneglecteversaddenedtheheartofthemostrepulsive,butallwerefedandclothed,nursedandcaressedwithanaffectionwhichneverfailed.
OneforlornfragmentofdollanityhadbelongedtoJoand,havingledatempestuouslife,wasleftawreckintheragbag,fromwhichdrearypoorhouseitwasrescuedbyBethandtakentoherrefuge.
Havingnotoptoitshead,shetiedonaneatlittlecap,andasbotharmsandlegsweregone,shehidthesedeficienciesbyfoldingitinablanketanddevotingherbestbedtothischronicinvalid.
Ifanyonehadknownthecarelavishedonthatdolly,Ithinkitwouldhavetouchedtheirhearts,evenwhiletheylaughed.
Shebroughtitbitsofbouquets,shereadtoit,tookitouttobreathefreshair,hiddenunderhercoat,shesangitlullabiesandneverwenttobedwithoutkissingitsdirtyfaceandwhisperingtenderly,"Ihopeyou'llhaveagoodnight,mypoordear."
Bethhadhertroublesaswellastheothers,andnotbeinganangelbutaveryhumanlittlegirl,sheoften'weptalittleweep'asJosaid,becauseshecouldn'ttakemusiclessonsandhaveafinepiano.
Shelovedmusicsodearly,triedsohardtolearn,andpracticedawaysopatientlyatthejinglingoldinstrument,thatitdidseemasifsomeone(nottohintAuntMarch)oughttohelpher.
Nobodydid,however,andnobodysawBethwipethetearsofftheyellowkeys,thatwouldn'tkeepintune,whenshewasallalone.
Shesanglikealittlelarkaboutherwork,neverwastootiredforMarmeeandthegirls,anddayafterdaysaidhopefullytoherself,"IknowI'llgetmymusicsometime,ifI'mgood."
TherearemanyBethsintheworld,shyandquiet,sittingincornerstillneeded,andlivingforotherssocheerfullythatnooneseesthesacrificestillthelittlecricketonthehearthstopschirping,andthesweet,sunshinypresencevanishes,leavingsilenceandshadowbehind.
IfanybodyhadaskedAmywhatthegreatesttrialofherlifewas,shewouldhaveansweredatonce,"Mynose."
Whenshewasababy,Johadaccidentlydroppedherintothecoalhod,andAmyinsistedthatthefallhadruinedhernoseforever.
Itwasnotbignorred,likepoor'Petrea's',itwasonlyratherflat,andallthepinchingintheworldcouldnotgiveitanaristocraticpoint.
Noonemindeditbutherself,anditwasdoingitsbesttogrow,butAmyfeltdeeplythewantofaGreciannose,anddrewwholesheetsofhandsomeonestoconsoleherself.
"LittleRaphael,"ashersisterscalledher,hadadecidedtalentfordrawing,andwasneversohappyaswhencopyingflowers,designingfairies,orillustratingstorieswithqueerspecimensofart.
Herteacherscomplainedthatinsteadofdoinghersumsshecoveredherslatewithanimals,theblankpagesofheratlaswereusedtocopymapson,andcaricaturesofthemostludicrousdescriptioncameflutteringoutofallherbooksatunluckymoments.
Shegotthroughherlessonsaswellasshecould,andmanagedtoescapereprimandsbybeingamodelofdeportment.
Shewasagreatfavoritewithhermates,beinggood–temperedandpossessingthehappyartofpleasingwithouteffort.
Herlittleairsandgracesweremuchadmired,sowereheraccomplishments,forbesidesherdrawing,shecouldplaytwelvetunes,crochet,andreadFrenchwithoutmispronouncingmorethantwo–thirdsofthewords.
Shehadaplaintivewayofsaying,"WhenPapawasrichwedidso–and–so,"whichwasverytouching,andherlongwordswereconsidered'perfectlyelegant'bythegirls.
Amywasinafairwaytobespoiled,foreveryonepettedher,andhersmallvanitiesandselfishnessesweregrowingnicely.
Onething,however,ratherquenchedthevanities.Shehadtowearhercousin'sclothes.
NowFlorence'smamahadn'taparticleoftaste,andAmysuffereddeeplyathavingtoweararedinsteadofabluebonnet,unbecominggowns,andfussyapronsthatdidnotfit.
Everythingwasgood,wellmade,andlittleworn,butAmy'sartisticeyesweremuchafflicted,especiallythiswinter,whenherschooldresswasadullpurplewithyellowdotsandnotrimming.
"Myonlycomfort,"shesaidtoMeg,withtearsinhereyes,"isthatMotherdoesn'ttaketucksinmydresseswheneverI'mnaughty,asMariaParks'smotherdoes.
Mydear,it'sreallydreadful,forsometimessheissobadherfrockisuptoherknees,andshecan'tcometoschool.
WhenIthinkofthisdeggerredation,IfeegorcerIcanbearevenmyflatnoseandpurplegownwithyellowskyrocketsonit."
MegwasAmy'sconfidantandmonitor,andbysomestrangeattractionofoppositesJowasgentleBeth's.
ToJoalonedidtheshychildtellherthoughts,andoverherbigharum–scarumsisterBethunconsciouslyexercisedmoreinfluencethananyoneinthefamily.
Thetwooldergirlswereagreatdealtooneanother,buteachtookoneoftheyoungersistersintoherkeepingandwatchedoverherinherownway,'playingmother'theycalledit,andputtheirsistersintheplacesofdiscardeddollswiththematernalinstinctoflittlewomen.
"Hasanybodygotanythingtotell?It'sbeensuchadismaldayI'mreallydyingforsomeamusement,"saidMeg,astheysatsewingtogetherthatevening.
"IhadaqueertimewithAunttoday,and,asIgotthebestofit,I'lltellyouaboutit,"beganJo,whodearlylovedtotellstories.
"IwasreadingthateverlastingBelsham,anddroningawayasIalwaysdo,forAuntsoondropsoff,andthenItakeoutsomenicebook,andreadlikefurytillshewakesup.
Iactuallymademyselfsleepy,andbeforeshebegantonod,IgavesuchagapethatsheaskedmewhatImeantbyopeningmymouthwideenoughtotakethewholebookinatonce."
"IwishIcould,andbedonewithit,"saidI,tryingnottobesaucy.
"Thenshegavemealonglectureonmysins,andtoldmetositandthinkthemoverwhileshejust'lost'herselfforamoment.
Sheneverfindsherselfverysoon,sotheminutehercapbegantoboblikeatop–heavydahlia,IwhippedtheVicarofWakefieldoutofmypocket,andreadaway,withoneeyeonhimandoneonAunt.
I'djustgottowheretheyalltumbledintothewaterwhenIforgotandlaughedoutloud.
Auntwokeupand,beingmoregood–naturedafterhernap,toldmetoreadabitandshowwhatfrivolousworkIpreferredtotheworthyandinstructiveBelsham.
Ididmyverybest,andshelikedit,thoughsheonlysaid...
"'Idon'tunderstandwhatit'sallabout.Gobackandbeginit,child.'"
"BackIwent,andmadethePrimrosesasinterestingaseverIcould.OnceIwaswickedenoughtostopinathrillingplace,andsaymeekly,'I'mafraidittiresyou,ma'am.Shan'tIstopnow?'"
"Shecaughtupherknitting,whichhaddroppedoutofherhands,gavemeasharplookthroughherspecs,andsaid,inhershortway,'Finishthechapter,anddon'tbeimpertinent,miss'."
"Didsheownshelikedit?"askedMeg.
"Oh,blessyou,no!ButsheletoldBelshamrest,andwhenIranbackaftermyglovesthisafternoon,thereshewas,sohardattheVicarthatshedidn'thearmelaughasIdancedajiginthehallbecauseofthegoodtimecoming.
Whatapleasantlifeshemighthaveifonlyshechose!
Idon'tenvyhermuch,inspiteofhermoney,forafterallrichpeoplehaveaboutasmanyworriesaspoorones,Ithink,"addedJo.
"Thatremindsme,"saidMeg,"thatI'vegotsomethingtotell.
Itisn'tfunny,likeJo'sstory,butIthoughtaboutitagooddealasIcamehome.
AttheKings'todayIfoundeverybodyinaflurry,andoneofthechildrensaidthatheroldestbrotherhaddonesomethingdreadful,andPapahadsenthimaway.
IheardMrs.KingcryingandMr.Kingtalkingveryloud,andGraceandEllenturnedawaytheirfaceswhentheypassedme,soIshouldn'tseehowredandswollentheireyeswere.
Ididn'taskanyquestions,ofcourse,butIfeltsosorryforthemandwasrathergladIhadn'tanywildbrotherstodowickedthingsanddisgracethefamily."
"Ithinkbeingdisgracedinschoolisagreatdealtryingerthananythingbadboyscando,"saidAmy,shakingherhead,asifherexperienceoflifehadbeenadeepone.
"SusiePerkinscametoschooltodaywithalovelyredcarnelianring.
Iwanteditdreadfully,andwishedIwasherwithallmymight.
Well,shedrewapictureofMr.Davis,withamonstrousnoseandahump,andthewords,'Youngladies,myeyeisuponyou!'
comingoutofhismouthinaballoonthing.
Wewerelaughingoveritwhenallofasuddenhiseyewasonus,andheorderedSusietobringupherslate.
Shewasparrylizedwithfright,butshewent,andoh,whatdoyouthinkhedid?Hetookherbytheear––theear!Justfancyhowhorrid!
––andledhertotherecitationplatform,andmadeherstandtherehalfanhour,holdingtheslatesoeveryonecouldsee."
"Didn'tthegirlslaughatthepicture?"askedJo,whorelishedthescrape.
"Laugh?Notone!
Theysatstillasmice,andSusiecriedquarts,Iknowshedid.
Ididn'tenvyherthen,forIfeltthatmillionsofcarnelianringswouldn'thavemademehappyafterthat.
Inever,nevershouldhavegotoversuchaagonizingmortification."
AndAmywentonwithherwork,intheproudconsciousnessofvirtueandthesuccessfulutteranceoftwolongwordsinabreath.
"IsawsomethingIlikedthismorning,andImeanttotellitatdinner,butIforgot,"saidBeth,puttingJo'stopsy–turvybasketinorderasshetalked.
"WhenIwenttogetsomeoystersforHannah,Mr.Laurencewasinthefishshop,buthedidn'tseeme,forIkeptbehindthefishbarrel,andhewasbusywithMr.Cutterthefishman.
Apoorwomancameinwithapailandamop,andaskedMr.Cutterifhewouldletherdosomescrubbingforabitoffish,becauseshehadn'tanydinnerforherchildren,andhadbeendisappointedofaday'swork.
Mr.Cutterwasinahurryandsaid'No',rathercrossly,soshewasgoingaway,lookinghungryandsorry,whenMr.Laurencehookedupabigfishwiththecrookedendofhiscaneandhelditouttoher.
Shewassogladandsurprisedshetookitrightintoherarms,andthankedhimoverandover.
Hetoldherto'goalongandcookit',andshehurriedoff,sohappy!Wasn'titgoodofhim?
Oh,shedidlooksofunny,huggingthebig,slipperyfish,andhopingMr.Laurence'sbedinheavenwouldbe'aisy'."
WhentheyhadlaughedatBeth'sstory,theyaskedtheirmotherforone,andafteramomentsthought,shesaidsoberly,"AsIsatcuttingoutblueflanneljacketstodayattherooms,IfeltveryanxiousaboutFather,andthoughthowlonelyandhelplessweshouldbe,ifanythinghappenedtohim.
Itwasnotawisethingtodo,butIkeptonworryingtillanoldmancameinwithanorderforsomeclothes.
Hesatdownnearme,andIbegantotalktohim,forhelookedpoorandtiredandanxious.
"'Haveyousonsinthearmy?'Iasked,forthenotehebroughtwasnottome."
"Yes,ma'am.Ihadfour,buttwowerekilled,oneisaprisoner,andI'mgoingtotheother,whoisverysickinaWashingtonhospital.'heansweredquietly."
"'Youhavedoneagreatdealforyourcountry,sir,'Isaid,feelingrespectnow,insteadofpity."
"'NotamitemorethanIought,ma'am.I'dgomyself,ifIwasanyuse.AsIain't,Igivemyboys,andgive'emfree.'"
"Hespokesocheerfully,lookedsosincere,andseemedsogladtogivehisall,thatIwasashamedofmyself.
I'dgivenonemanandthoughtittoomuch,whilehegavefourwithoutgrudgingthem.
Ihadallmygirlstocomfortmeathome,andhislastsonwaswaiting,milesaway,tosaygood–bytohim,perhaps!
Ifeltsorich,sohappythinkingofmyblessings,thatImadehimanicebundle,gavehimsomemoney,andthankedhimheartilyforthelessonhehadtaughtme."
"Tellanotherstory,Mother,onewithamoraltoit,likethis.Iliketothinkaboutthemafterward,iftheyarerealandnottoopreachy,"saidJo,afteraminute'ssilence.
Mrs.Marchsmiledandbeganatonce,forshehadtoldstoriestothislittleaudienceformanyyears,andknewhowtopleasethem.
"Onceuponatime,therewerefourgirls,whohadenoughtoeatanddrinkandwear,agoodmanycomfortsandpleasures,kindfriendsandparentswholovedthemdearly,andyettheywerenotcontented."
(Herethelistenersstoleslylooksatoneanother,andbegantosewdiligently.)
"Thesegirlswereanxioustobegoodandmademanyexcellentresolutions,buttheydidnotkeepthemverywell,andwereconstantlysaying,'Ifonlywehadthis,'or'Ifwecouldonlydothat,'quiteforgettinghowmuchtheyalreadyhad,andhowmanythingstheyactuallycoulddo.
Sotheyaskedanoldwomanwhatspelltheycouldusetomakethemhappy,andshesaid,'Whenyoufeeldiscontented,thinkoveryourblessings,andbegrateful.'"
(HereJolookedupquickly,asifabouttospeak,butchangedhermind,seeingthatthestorywasnotdoneyet.)
"Beingsensiblegirls,theydecidedtotryheradvice,andsoonweresurprisedtoseehowwellofftheywere.
Onediscoveredthatmoneycouldn'tkeepshameandsorrowoutofrichpeople'shouses,anotherthat,thoughshewaspoor,shewasagreatdealhappier,withheryouth,health,andgoodspirits,thanacertainfretful,feebleoldladywhocouldn'tenjoyhercomforts,athirdthat,disagreeableasitwastohelpgetdinner,itwasharderstilltogobeggingforitandthefourth,thatevencarnelianringswerenotsovaluableasgoodbehavior.
Sotheyagreedtostopcomplaining,toenjoytheblessingsalreadypossessed,andtrytodeservethem,lesttheyshouldbetakenawayentirely,insteadofincreased,andIbelievetheywereneverdisappointedorsorrythattheytooktheoldwoman'sadvice."
"Now,Marmee,thatisverycunningofyoutoturnourownstoriesagainstus,andgiveusasermoninsteadofaromance!"criedMeg.
"Ilikethatkindofsermon.It'sthesortFatherusedtotellus,"saidBeththoughtfully,puttingtheneedlesstraightonJo'scushion.
"Idon'tcomplainnearasmuchastheothersdo,andIshallbemorecarefulthanevernow,forI'vehadwarningfromSusie'sdownfall,"saidAmymorally.
"Weneededthatlesson,andwewon'tforgetit.
Ifwedoso,youjustsaytous,asoldChloedidinUncleTom,'Tinkobyermarcies,chillen!''Tinkobyermarcies!'"
addedJo,whocouldnot,forthelifeofher,helpgettingamorseloffunoutofthelittlesermon,thoughshetookittoheartasmuchasanyofthem.
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