English
Inthecoldgraydawnthesisterslittheirlampandreadtheirchapterwithanearnestnessneverfeltbefore.
Fornowtheshadowofarealtroublehadcome,thelittlebookswerefullofhelpandcomfort,andastheydressed,theyagreedtosaygoodbyecheerfullyandhopefully,andsendtheirmotheronheranxiousjourneyunsaddenedbytearsorcomplaintsfromthem.
Everythingseemedverystrangewhentheywentdown,sodimandstilloutside,sofulloflightandbustlewithin.
Breakfastatthatearlyhourseemedodd,andevenHannah'sfamiliarfacelookedunnaturalassheflewaboutherkitchenwithhernightcapon.
Thebigtrunkstoodreadyinthehall,Mother'scloakandbonnetlayonthesofa,andMotherherselfsattryingtoeat,butlookingsopaleandwornwithsleeplessnessandanxietythatthegirlsfounditveryhardtokeeptheirresolution.
Meg'seyeskeptfillinginspiteofherself,Jowasobligedtohideherfaceinthekitchenrollermorethanonce,andthelittlegirlsworeagrave,troubledexpression,asifsorrowwasanewexperiencetothem.
Nobodytalkedmuch,butasthetimedrewverynearandtheysatwaitingforthecarriage,Mrs.Marchsaidtothegirls,whowereallbusiedabouther,onefoldinghershawl,anothersmoothingoutthestringsofherbonnet,athirdputtingonherovershoes,andafourthfasteninguphertravellingbag...
"Children,IleaveyoutoHannah'scareandMr.Laurence'sprotection.
Hannahisfaithfulnessitself,andourgoodneighborwillguardyouasifyouwerehisown.
Ihavenofearsforyou,yetIamanxiousthatyoushouldtakethistroublerightly.
Don'tgrieveandfretwhenIamgone,orthinkthatyoucanbeidleandcomfortyourselvesbybeingidleandtryingtoforget.
Goonwithyourworkasusual,forworkisablessedsolace.
Hopeandkeepbusy,andwhateverhappens,rememberthatyounevercanbefatherless."
"Yes,Mother."
"Meg,dear,beprudent,watchoveryoursisters,consultHannah,andinanyperplexity,gotoMr.Laurence.
Bepatient,Jo,don'tgetdespondentordorashthings,writetomeoften,andbemybravegirl,readytohelpandcheerall.
Beth,comfortyourselfwithyourmusic,andbefaithfultothelittlehomeduties,andyou,Amy,helpallyoucan,beobedient,andkeephappysafeathome."
"Wewill,Mother!Wewill!"
Therattleofanapproachingcarriagemadethemallstartandlisten.
Thatwasthehardminute,butthegirlsstooditwell.
Noonecried,nooneranawayorutteredalamentation,thoughtheirheartswereveryheavyastheysentlovingmessagestoFather,remembering,astheyspokethatitmightbetoolatetodeliverthem.
Theykissedtheirmotherquietly,clungabouthertenderly,andtriedtowavetheirhandscheerfullywhenshedroveaway.
Laurieandhisgrandfathercameovertoseeheroff,andMr.Brookelookedsostrongandsensibleandkindthatthegirlschristenedhim'Mr.Greatheart'onthespot.
"Goodby,mydarlings!Godblessandkeepusall!"whisperedMrs.March,asshekissedonedearlittlefaceaftertheother,andhurriedintothecarriage.
Assherolledaway,thesuncameout,andlookingback,shesawitshiningonthegroupatthegatelikeagoodomen.
Theysawitalso,andsmiledandwavedtheirhands,andthelastthingshebeheldassheturnedthecornerwasthefourbrightfaces,andbehindthemlikeabodyguard,oldMr.Laurence,faithfulHannah,anddevotedLaurie.
"Howkindeveryoneistous!"shesaid,turningtofindfreshproofofitintherespectfulsympathyoftheyoungman'sface.
"Idon'tseehowtheycanhelpit,"returnedMr.Brooke,laughingsoinfectiouslythatMrs.Marchcouldnothelpsmiling.
Andsothejourneybeganwiththegoodomensofsunshine,smiles,andcheerfulwords.
"Ifeelasiftherehadbeenanearthquake,"saidJo,astheirneighborswenthometobreakfast,leavingthemtorestandrefreshthemselves.
"Itseemsasifhalfthehousewasgone,"addedMegforlornly.
Bethopenedherlipstosaysomething,butcouldonlypointtothepileofnicelymendedhosewhichlayonMother'stable,showingthateveninherlasthurriedmomentsshehadthoughtandworkedforthem.
Itwasalittlething,butitwentstraighttotheirhearts,andinspiteoftheirbraveresolutions,theyallbrokedownandcriedbitterly.
Hannahwiselyallowedthemtorelievetheirfeelings,andwhentheshowershowedsignsofclearingup,shecametotherescue,armedwithacoffeepot.
"Now,mydearyoungladies,rememberwhatyourmasaid,anddon'tfret.Comeandhaveacupofcoffeeallround,andthenlet'sfalltoworkandbeacredittothefamily."
Coffeewasatreat,andHannahshowedgreattactinmakingitthatmorning.
Noonecouldresistherpersuasivenods,orthefragrantinvitationissuingfromthenoseofthecoffeepot.
Theydrewuptothetable,exchangedtheirhandkerchiefsfornapkins,andintenminuteswereallrightagain.
"'Hopeandkeepbusy',that'sthemottoforus,solet'sseewhowillrememberitbest.IshallgotoAuntMarch,asusual.Oh,won'tshelecturethough!"saidJo,asshesippedwithreturningspirit.
"IshallgotomyKings,thoughI'dmuchratherstayathomeandattendtothingshere,"saidMeg,wishingshehadn'tmadehereyessored.
"Noneedofthat.BethandIcankeephouseperfectlywell,"putinAmy,withanimportantair.
"Hannahwilltelluswhattodo,andwe'llhaveeverythingnicewhenyoucomehome,"addedBeth,gettingouthermopanddishtubwithoutdelay.
"Ithinkanxietyisveryinteresting,"observedAmy,eatingsugarpensively.
Thegirlscouldn'thelplaughing,andfeltbetterforit,thoughMegshookherheadattheyoungladywhocouldfindconsolationinasugarbowl.
ThesightoftheturnoversmadeJosoberagain;andwhenthetwowentouttotheirdailytasks,theylookedsorrowfullybackatthewindowwheretheywereaccustomedtoseetheirmother'sface.
Itwasgone,butBethhadrememberedthelittlehouseholdceremony,andthereshewas,noddingawayatthemlikearosyfacedmandarin.
"That'ssolikemyBeth!"saidJo,wavingherhat,withagratefulface."Goodbye,Meggy,IhopetheKingswon'tstraintoday.Don'tfretaboutFather,dear,"sheadded,astheyparted.
"AndIhopeAuntMarchwon'tcroak.Yourhairisbecoming,anditlooksveryboyishandnice,"returnedMeg,tryingnottosmileatthecurlyhead,whichlookedcomicallysmallonhertallsister'sshoulders.
"That'smyonlycomfort."And,touchingherhatalaLaurie,awaywentJo,feelinglikeashornsheeponawintryday.
Newsfromtheirfathercomfortedthegirlsverymuch,forthoughdangerouslyill,thepresenceofthebestandtenderestofnurseshadalreadydonehimgood.
Mr.Brookesentabulletineveryday,andastheheadofthefamily,Meginsistedonreadingthedispatches,whichgrewmorecheerfulastheweekpassed.
Atfirst,everyonewaseagertowrite,andplumpenvelopeswerecarefullypokedintotheletterboxbyoneorotherofthesisters,whofeltratherimportantwiththeirWashingtoncorrespondence.
Asoneofthesepacketscontainedcharacteristicnotesfromtheparty,wewillrobanimaginarymail,andreadthem.
MydearestMother:
Itisimpossibletotellyouhowhappyyourlastlettermadeus,forthenewswassogoodwecouldn'thelplaughingandcryingoverit.
HowverykindMr.Brookeis,andhowfortunatethatMr.Laurence'sbusinessdetainshimnearyousolong,sinceheissousefultoyouandFather.Thegirlsareallasgoodasgold.
Johelpsmewiththesewing,andinsistsondoingallsortsofhardjobs.
Ishouldbeafraidshemightoverdo,ifIdidn'tknowher'moralfit'wouldn'tlastlong.
Bethisasregularabouthertasksasaclock,andneverforgetswhatyoutoldher.
ShegrievesaboutFather,andlookssoberexceptwhensheisatherlittlepiano.
Amymindsmenicely,andItakegreatcareofher.
Shedoesherownhair,andIamteachinghertomakebuttonholesandmendherstockings.
Shetriesveryhard,andIknowyouwillbepleasedwithherimprovementwhenyoucome.
Mr.Laurencewatchesoveruslikeamotherlyoldhen,asJosays,andLaurieisverykindandneighborly.
HeandJokeepusmerry,forwegetprettybluesometimes,andfeellikeorphans,withyousofaraway.Hannahisaperfectsaint.
Shedoesnotscoldatall,andalwayscallsmeMissMargaret,whichisquiteproper,youknow,andtreatsmewithrespect.
Weareallwellandbusy,butwelong,dayandnight,tohaveyouback.
GivemydearestlovetoFather,andbelieveme,everyourown...
MEG
Thisnote,prettilywrittenonscentedpaper,wasagreatcontrasttothenext,whichwasscribbledonabigsheetofthinforeignpaper,ornamentedwithblotsandallmannerofflourishesandcurly–tailedletters.
MypreciousMarmee:
ThreecheersfordearFather!Brookewasatrumptotelegraphrightoff,andletusknowtheminutehewasbetter.
Irushedupgarretwhenthelettercame,andtriedtothankgodforbeingsogoodtous,butIcouldonlycry,andsay,"I'mglad!I'mglad!"
Didn'tthatdoaswellasaregularprayer?ForIfeltagreatmanyinmyheart.
Wehavesuchfunnytimes,andnowIcanenjoythem,foreveryoneissodesperatelygood,it'slikelivinginanestofturtledoves.
You'dlaughtoseeMegheadthetableandtrytobemotherish.
Shegetsprettiereveryday,andI'minlovewithhersometimes.
Thechildrenareregulararchangels,andI––well,I'mJo,andnevershallbeanythingelse.
Oh,ImusttellyouthatIcamenearhavingaquarrelwithLaurie.
Ifreedmymindaboutasillylittlething,andhewasoffended.
Iwasright,butdidn'tspeakasIought,andhemarchedhome,sayinghewouldn'tcomeagaintillIbeggedpardon.IdeclaredIwouldn'tandgotmad.Itlastedallday.Ifeltbadandwantedyouverymuch.
LaurieandIarebothsoproud,it'shardtobegpardon.
ButIthoughthe'dcometoit,forIwasintheright.
Hedidn'tcome,andjustatnightIrememberedwhatyousaidwhenAmyfellintotheriver.
Ireadmylittlebook,feltbetter,resolvednottoletthesunsetonmyanger,andranovertotellLaurieIwassorry.
Imethimatthegate,comingforthesamething.
Webothlaughed,beggedeachother'spardon,andfeltallgoodandcomfortableagain.
Imadea'pome'yesterday,whenIwashelpingHannahwash,andasFatherlikesmysillylittlethings,Iputitintoamusehim.
Givehimmylovingesthugthateverwas,andkissyourselfadozentimesforyour...
TOPSY–TURVYJO
ASONGFROMTHESUDS
Queenofmytub,Imerrilysing,
Whilethewhitefoamriseshigh,
Andsturdilywashandrinseandwring,
Andfastentheclothestodry.
Thenoutinthefreefreshairtheyswing,
Underthesunnysky.
Iwishwecouldwashfromourheartsandsouls
Thestainsoftheweekaway,
Andletwaterandairbytheirmagicmake
Ourselvesaspureasthey.
Thenontheearththerewouldbeindeed,
Agloriouswashingday!
Alongthepathofausefullife,
Willheartseaseeverbloom.
Thebusymindhasnotimetothink
Ofsorroworcareorgloom.
Andanxiousthoughtsmaybesweptaway,
Aswebravelywieldabroom.
Iamgladatasktomeisgiven,
Tolaboratdaybyday,
Foritbringsmehealthandstrengthandhope,
AndIcheerfullylearntosay,
"Head,youmaythink,Heart,youmayfeel,
But,Hand,youshallworkalway!"
DearMother,
Thereisonlyroomformetosendmylove,andsomepressedpansiesfromtherootIhavebeenkeepingsafeinthehouseforFathertosee.
Ireadeverymorning,trytobegoodallday,andsingmyselftosleepwithFather'stune.
Ican'tsing'LANDOFTHELEAL'now,itmakesmecry.
Everyoneisverykind,andweareashappyaswecanbewithoutyou.
Amywantstherestofthepage,soImuststop.
Ididn'tforgettocovertheholders,andIwindtheclockandairtheroomseveryday.
KissdearFatheronthecheekhecallsmine.Oh,docomesoontoyourloving...
LITTLEBETH
MaChereMamma,
WeareallwellIdomylessonsalwaysandnevercorroberatethegirls––MegsaysImeancontradicksoIputinbothwordsandyoucantaketheproperest.
MegisagreatcomforttomeandletsmehavejellyeverynightatteaitssogoodformeJosaysbecauseitkeepsmesweettempered.
LaurieisnotasrespeckfulasheoughttobenowIamalmostinmyteens,hecallsmeChickandhurtsmyfeelingsbytalkingFrenchtomeveryfastwhenIsayMerciorBonjourasHattieKingdoes.
Thesleevesofmybluedresswereallwornout,andMegputinnewones,butthefullfrontcamewrongandtheyaremorebluethanthedress.
IfeltbadbutdidnotfretIbearmytroubleswellbutIdowishHannahwouldputmorestarchinmyapronsandhavebuckwheatseveryday.Can'tshe?
Didn'tImakethatinterrigationpointnice?
MegsaysmypunchtuationandspellingaredisgracefulandIammortyfiedbutdearmeIhavesomanythingstodo,Ican'tstop.Adieu,IsendheapsoflovetoPapa.Youraffectionatedaughter...
AMYCURTISMARCH
DearMisMarch,
Ijesdropalinetosaywegitonfustrate.
Thegirlsiscleverandflyroundrightsmart.
MissMegisgoingtomakeapropergoodhousekeeper.
Shehesthelikingforit,andgitsthehangofthingssurprisinquick.
Jodoosbeatallforgoinahead,butshedon'tstoptocal'k'latefust,andyouneverknowwhereshe'sliketobringup.
ShedoneoutatubofclothesonMonday,butshestarched'emaforetheywaswrenched,andbluedapinkcalicodresstillIthoughtIshouldadiedalaughin.
Bethisthebestoflittlecreeters,andasightofhelptome,beinsoforehandedanddependable.
Shetriestolearneverything,andreallygoestomarketbeyondheryears,likewisekeepsaccounts,withmyhelp,quitewonderful.Wehavegotonveryeconomicalsofur.
Idon'tletthegirlshevcoffeeonlyonceaweek,accordintoyourwish,andkeepemonplainwholesomevittles.
Amydoeswellwithoutfrettin,wearinherbestclothesandeatinsweetstuff.
Mr.Laurieisasfullofdidoesasusual,andturnsthehouseupsidedownfrequent,butheheartensthegirls,soIletemhevfullswing.
Theoldgentlemansendsheapsofthings,andisratherwearin,butmeanswal,anditaintmyplacetosaynothin.
Mybreadisriz,sonomoreatthistime.
IsendmydutytoMr.March,andhopehe'sseenthelastofhisPewmonia.
Yoursrespectful,
HannahMullet
HeadNurseofWardNo.2,
AllsereneontheRappahannock,troopsinfinecondition,commisarydepartmentwellconducted,theHomeGuardunderColonelTeddyalwaysonduty,CommanderinChiefGeneralLaurencereviewsthearmydaily,QuartermasterMulletkeepsorderincamp,andMajorLiondoespicketdutyatnight.
Asaluteoftwenty–fourgunswasfiredonrecieptofgoodnewsfromWashington,andadressparadetookplaceatheadquarters.
Commanderinchiefsendsbestwishes,inwhichheisheartilyjoinedby...
COLONELTEDDY
DearMadam:
Thelittlegirlsareallwell.Bethandmyboyreportdaily.
Hannahisamodelservant,andguardsprettyMeglikeadragon.Gladthefineweatherholds.
PraymakeBrookeuseful,anddrawonmeforfundsifexpensesexceedyourestimate.Don'tletyourhusbandwantanything.ThankGodheismending.
Yoursincerefriendandservant,
JAMESLAURENCE
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