英语版 小妇人

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第一章:四姐妹"Christmaswon'tbeChristmaswithoutanypresents,"saidJocrossly."It'ssoawfultobepoor!"agreedMeg,lookingatherolddress."It'snotrightforsomegirlstohaveprettythings,andotherstohavenothingatall,"saidlittleAmy."We'vegotFatherandMother,andeachother,"saidBethgently.Thefouryoungfacesroundthefirecheeredupastheythoughtofthis,butthenJosaidsadly,"Wehaven'tgotFather,andwewon'thavehimforalongtime."Shedidn'tsay"perhapsnever,"buteachsilentlythoughtit,rememberingthathewasawayatthewarintheSouth.ThenMegsaid,"Mothersaysweshouldn'tspendmoneyonpresentswhenourmenarefightingawar.""Wecan'texpectanythingfromMotheroreachother,"saidJo,"butweonlyhaveadollareach,andthatwon'thelpthearmymuch.Let'seachbuyourselveswhatwewant,andhavealittlefun.Weworkhardtoearnit.""Ido,teachingthoseawfulchildren,"saidMeg."Whataboutme?"saidJo."I'mshutupalldayworkingforaterribleoldlady,whogivesmedifferentorderseveryfiveseconds!""Ithinkwashingcupsandplatesandkeepingthingstidyistheworstworkintheworld,"saidBeth."Myhandsgettootiredtoplaymymusic.""Ihavetogotoschoolwithgirlswholaughatmydressesandsaycruelthingsbecausemyfatherisn'trich,"saidAmy."IwishwehadthemoneyFatherlostwhenwewerelittle,Jo,"saidMeg."IwishIwasaboy,"saidJo."ThenIcouldgoandfightbesideFather!"Megwassixteenandverypretty,withlargeeyesandsoftbrownhair,andwhitehands.FifteenyearoldJowasverytallandthin.Herlong,dark--redhairwasusuallypushedupoutoftheway.Bethwasthirteen,averyshygirlwhoseemedtoliveinahappyworldofherown.Amywastheyoungest,butthoughtherselftobethemostimportant.Shehadblueeyes,andyellowhairwhichcurledontohershoulders.Atsixo'clock,BethputapairofslippersbythefiretowarmandMeglitthelamp.Amygotoutofthecomfortablechairwithoutbeingasked,andJoforgothowtiredshewasandheldtheslippersclosertothefire."Theseareold,"shesaid."Motherneedsanewpair.""I'llgethersomewithmydollar,"saidBeth."No,Ishall!"criedAmy."I'mtheoldest--"beganMeg."I'mthemanofthefamilynowFatherisaway,andIshallbuythem,"saidJo."Let'seachgethersomethingandnotgetanythingforourselves,"saidBeth."That'sakindidea!"saidJo."Whatshallweget?"Everyonethoughtforamoment,thenMegsaid,"I'llgiveheranicepairofgloves.""Thebestarmyslippers,"saidJo."Somehandkerchiefs,"saidBeth."Alittlebottleofperfume,"saidAmy."Itwon'tcostmuch,soI'llhavesomemoneylefttobuysomethingforme.""We'llletMotherthinkwe'regettingthingsforourselves,andthensurpriseher,"saidJo.

1MrsMarcharrivedhomesoonafter.Shetookoffherwetthingsandputonherwarmslippers.Megmadethetea,Jobroughtwoodforthefire,Bethwasquietandbusy,andAmygaveorders."I'vegotaletterfromFather!"criedMrsMarch.Itwasalettertocheerthemup,andthespecialmessageforthegirlscameattheend:Givethemallmyloveandakiss.Ithinkofthemeveryday.Iknowtheywillbelovingchildrentoyou,andthatwhenIcomeback,Iwillbeprouderthaneverofmylittlewomen.AteardroppedofftheendofJo'snose.Amyhidherfaceonhermother'sshoulder."I'mselfish,"shecried,"butI'lltrytobebetter.""Weallwill!"criedMeg."IthinktoomuchaboutthewayIlook,andhatetowork,butIwon'tanymore.""AndI'lltrytobea'littlewoman',"saidJo,"andnotberoughandwild."Bethsaidnothing,butshebegantoworkhardatabluearmygloveshewasmaking.Sothefourgirlsdecidedthattheywouldalltryveryhardtobegood.Theywouldneverbecross,orlazy,orselfish--andtheywouldallhelpeachother.Theytalkedovertheirplanthatevening,whiletheymadesheetsforAuntMarch.Thenatnineo'clocktheystoppedtosingasong.Bethplayedtheoldpiano,andMegandhermotherledthesinging.Joalwayssanginthewrongplace,butthegirlsnevergottoooldtosingtogether.第二章:快乐的圣诞节JowasthefirsttowakeuponChristmasmorningbutsoontheywereallawakeandtheywentdownstairs.Where'sMother?askedMegIdon’tknow,saidoldHannah.ShehadlivedwiththefamilysinceMegwasborn,andwasmorelikeafriendthanaservant.SomepoorwomancametothedoorandyourmotherwentofftoseewhatwasneededShe’llbebacksoon,"saidMeg.Shelookedatthepresentsforhermotherwhichwereinabasketunderachair,readytobringoutattherighttime.WhereisAmy'sbottleofperfume?Shewenttoputsomeprettypaperroundit,Ithink,saidJo.Suddenly,theyheardtheoutsidedoorclose.Here'sMother!Hidethebasket,quick!saidJo.ButitwasAmy.Shecameinquickly.Wherehaveyoubeen,andwhat'sthatbehindyou?askedMegIrantotheshopandchangedthelittlebottleofperfumeforabigone,saidAmy.Ispentallmymoneytogetit,andI'mnotgoingtobeselfishanymore!Megsmiledproudlyandputherarmsaroundhersister.Thentherewasanotherbangfromtheoutsidedoor,andthebasketwaspushedbackunderthechair.Thegirlstothetable,readyfortheirbreakfast.HappyChristmas,Mother!theyshouted.HappyChristmas,littledaughters!"saidMrsMarch.Thenthesmiledisappearedfromherface."Girls,listen.Notfarawayisapoorwoman,MrsHummel,withanewbaby.Hersixchildrenareinonebed,tryingtokeeptheyhavenowoodforafire.Thereisnothingtoeatandtheyarehungryandcold.WillyougivethemyourbreakfastasaChristmaspresent?

2Foraminutenoonespoke.ThenJosaid,"Mother,I'msogladyoucamebackbeforewebegantoeat!Andthegirlsquicklybegantoputtheirbreakfastinabasket.Iknewyouwoulddoit,saidMrsMarch,smiling.ShetookthegirlsandHannahtoacold,miserablelittleroominanoldbuilding,wheretheyfoundasickmother,acryingbaby,andagroupofchildrenwithwhitefrightenedfaces.Thechildrenwereonthebedunderablanket,tryingtokeepwarm.Thewomanalmostcriedwithhappinesswhenshesawthegirls.Hannah,whohadbroughtwood,madeafire.MrsMarchgavethemotherteaandhotfood,thenshedressedthelittlebabygently.Thegirlsputthechildrenroundthefireandfedthemlikehungrybirds.Itwasaveryhappymeal,althoughthegirlsatenoneofit.ButnoonewashappierthanthosehungryyoungladieswhogaveawaytheirbreakfastonChristmasmorning.MrsMarchwassurprisedandpleasedwhenshesawherpresentslater.Therewasalotoflaughingandkissingandexplaining.Then,fortherestoftheday,thegirlswerebusy.Jolikedtowriteplays,andthefourofthemweregoingtoactonethatevening.Theyhadlearnedtheirwords,andhadworkedhardtomakestrangeandwonderfulclothesforallthedifferentcharactersintheplay.OnChristmasnight,someothergirlscametowatch.Atfirst,therewasalotofwhisperingandlaughingfromthefoursistersbehindthecurtains.Thenthecurtainsopenedandtheplaybegan.ItwasanexcitingstoryaboutHugo(actedbyJowearingablackbeard!),beautifulZaraandbraveRoderigo.Therewerealsotwoghosts,acruelking,andatallcastlemadeofpaperandwool-whichunfortunatelyfelldownjustasRoderigoandZarawereescapingfromit.Therewerescreamsoflaughterfromeveryone,buttheactorpickedthemselvesupandcarriedonthroughmoredangersandmysteriesuntilthehappyendingwasreached.Allthevisitorslovedtheplay,andaftertheexcitementandfuncameasurpriseforeveryone.wouldtheyoungladlesliketostayforsupper?askedHannah.Andwhenthegirlssawthesuppertable,theycouldnotbelievetheireyes!Therewasice-cream,cake,fruit,andFrenchchocolate!Andinthemiddleofthetablewereflowersforeachofthefouractors.Wherediditallcomefrom?"askedAmy.FromFatherChristmas,perhaps?saidBeth.Motherdidit,saidMeg.AuntMarchsentit.saidJo.You'reallwrong,laughedMrsMarch."OldMrLaurencesentit.TheLaurenceboy'sgrandfather?saidMeg.Butwedon’tknowhim.Hannahtoldhisservantaboutyourbreakfastparty,andthatpleasedhim,"saidMrsMarch.Heknewmyfathermanyyearsago,andhesentmeanotethisafternoonaskingifhecouldsendmychildrenafewsmallChristmaspresents.Theideacamefromthatboy,Iknowitdid!"saidJo.I'msurehewantstoknowus,buthe'sshy,andMegwon’tletmespeaktohimwhenwepasshiminthestreet.Shesaysthatit'snotatallpoliteforyoungladiestointroducethemselvestostrangers.Youmeanthepeoplewholiveinthebighousenextdoor,don’tyou?"saidoneoftheothergirls.MymotherknowsoldMrLaurence.Shesayshekeepshisgrandsoninthehousewhentheboyisn’tridingorwalkingwithhistutor,andmakeshimstudyveryhard.Weinvitedtheboytoourpartybuthedidn’tcome.Thatboyneedstohavesomefun,saidJo.

3第三章:劳伦斯家的男孩Look!"saidMeg,excitedly,adayortwolater.ShewavedapieceofpaperatJo.AninvitationtoaNewYear'spartyatSallieGardiner'shouse,andit'sforbothofus.Mothersayswecango,butwhatshallwewear?Ourbestcottondresses,saidJo,becausewehaven’tgotanythingelse.Yoursisasgoodasnew,butminehasaburnandaholeintheback.Thenyoumustkeepyourbackoutofsight,"saidMeg.I'llhaveanewribbonformyhair,andmynewslippers.Andmyglovesareallright.Minearestained,soI’llhavetogowithoutit.Youmustwearglovestoadance,Jo!criedMeg.Thenwe’lleachwearonegoodoneandcarryabadone,saidJo.Meglookedworried.Allright,butyouwillbehavenicely,won’tyou?Don’tstare,orputyourhandsbehindyourback.OnNewYearsEve,thetwoyoungersisterswatchedthetwooldergirlsgetreadyfortheparty.Therewasalotofrunningupanddown,andlaughingandtalking.Megwantedsomecurlsaroundherface,soJobegantoworkonthepaperedendsofMegshairwithapairofhottongs.Shouldtheysmokelikethat?askedBeth.It'sthewetnessdrying,saidJo.Whatastrangeburningsmell!"saidAmy.I'lltakethepapersoffnow,saidJo,andyou’llseelotsoflittlecurls.Shetookthepapersoff-and,toherhorror,theburnthairoffwiththem!Oh,oh!Whathaveyoudonetomyhair!criedMeg.alwaysgetthingswrong,saidJounhappily.I’msosorry.Isupposethetongsweretoohot.Don’tworry,AmytoldMeg,whowascrying.Justtieyourribbonsothattheendscomeontoyourforeheadalittle,anditwilllookquitefashionable.Atlast,MegandJowerereadyandwentofftotheGardiner’shousewhereMrsGardinerwelcomedthemkindly.MegimmediatelybegantoenjoyherselfwithSallie,butJowasn’tinterestedingirlishtalkandstoodwithherbackcarefullyagainstwall,watchingthedancing.SoonMegwasaskedtodance,thenJosawabigred-hairedboycomingtowardsherandshequicklywentthroughadoorintoasmallroom.Unfortunately,anothershypersonwasalreadyhidingthereandshefoundherselflookingatLaurenceboy.Ohdear.Didn’tknowanyonewashere！”Josaid.Theboylaughed.Don’tgo.IcameinherebecauseIdon’tknowanypeople,butIthinkI’veseenyoubefore,"hesaid,Youlivenearus,don’tyou?Nextdoor,"saidJo."WeenjoyedyourniceChristmaspresent.Mygrandfathersentit,MissMarch.Butyougaveyourgrandfathertheidea,didn’tyou,MrLaurence?I'mnotMrLaurence,onlyLaurie,hesaid.AndI'mnotMissMarch,onlyJo,shesaid.Doyoulikeparties?Sometimes,heanswered.I’vebeenabroadalotrecently,andIdon’tknowhowyoudothingshere.Abroad!"saidJo."OhdidyougotoParis?Wewenttherelastwinter.

4CanyouspeakFrench?sheasked.HesaidsomethinginFrench,andJolistenedcarefully.Youasked,Whoistheyoungladyintheprettyslippers?"It'smysister,Meg,andyouknewitwas!Doyouthinksheispretty?Yes,hesaid.Shelookssofreshandquiet.ThispleasedJoverymuch,andsoonthetwoofthemweretalkingeasily,likeoldfriends.Ihearyou'realwaysstudyinghard,"saidJo."Areyougoingtocollegesoon?Notforayearortwo,hesaid."I'msixteennextmonth,andIwon’tgobeforeI'mseventeen.IwishIwasgoingtocollege,saidJo.Ihateeventheideaofit!"saidLaurie.Jowantedtoknowwhy,buthelookedsoseriousthatinsteadofaskingshesaid,Whydon’tyougoanddance?Iwillifyou'llcometoo,"Heanswered.Ican’tbecause-Jostopped.Becausewhat?Youwon’ttell?Never.I'veabadhabitofstandingnearafire,andIburnmydresses,saidJo."Ihavetokeepstillsothatnoonewillseetheburnonthisone.Laughifyoulike.ButLauriedidn’tlaugh.Nevermindthat,hesaidgently."Pleasecome.Josmiled.Allright,shesaid.Thankyou.Whenthemusicstopped,theysatdownandbegantotalk,butJosawMegwavingather.Shewentoverandfollowedhersisterintoasideroom.I’veturnedmyfootoverandhurtmyankle,saidMeg."Ican’twalkonit,andIdon’tknowhowI'mgoingtogethome.I'mnotsurprisedyouturnedyourfootoverinthosestupidhighshoes,saidJo.You'llhavetogetacarriageorstayhereallnight.Acarriagewillcostalot,saidMeg,andIcan’tstayhereforthenightbecausethehouseisfull.I'lljustrestuntilHannahcomestofetchus,thendothebestIcan.They’regoinginforsuppernow,saidJo."I’llstaywithyou.No,runandbringmesomecoffee,saidMeg.Jofoundthecoffee,butimmediatelydroppedsomedownthefrontofherdress.ShewascleaningitoffwithMegsglovewhenafriendlyvoicespoketoher.CanIhelp?saidLaurie.Hehadacupofcoffeeinonehandandaplatewithacakeonitintheother.IwastryingtogetsomethingforMeg,saidJo.AndIwaslookingforsomeonetogivethisto,hesaid.HefetchedmorecoffeeandacakeforJo,thenthethreeofthemhadahappytimetalkingtogetheruntilHannaharrived.Megcompletelyforgotaboutherfootandstoodupquickly.Shecriedoutwithpain,andwhenLauriesawthatshecouldnotwalk,heimmediatelyofferedtotakethemhomeinhisgrandfather'scarriage.Butyoucan’twanttogohomeyet,saidJo.Ialwaysgoearly,saidLaurie.Hesatwiththedriver,andthetwogirlssatwithHannahinsidethecarriageandtalkedexcitedlyabouttheparty.Ihadawonderfultime,didyou?saidJo.

5Yes,untilIhurtmyself,saidMeg.Sallie’sfriend,AnnieMoffat,hasaskedmetogoandstaywithherforaweekinthespring,whenSalliedoes.JotoldMegheradventures,andthentheywerehome.TheythankedLaurieandwentquietlyintothehouse,hopingtowakenoone.Butassoonastheyopenedbedroomdoor,twolittlevoicescriedout:Tellusabouttheparty!Tellusabouttheparty!第四章:隔壁的房子It'ssonicetogotopartiesanddrivehomeincarriages.saidMea,thenextmorning."Otherpeoplelivelikethatallthetime,andIwishwecould.Iwishwewererich.Well,werenot,saidJo.Sowemustdoourworkwithasmile,thewayMotherdoes.MrMarchhadlostmostofhismoneyhelpingafriend.Whenthetwooldergirlsdiscoveredthis,theywantedtodosomethingtoearnsomemoneyforthefamily,andassoonastheywereoldenough,theyfoundwork.Meggotajobteachingfoursmallchildren.Itwashardforhertobepoorbecauseshecouldrememberthetimewhentheirhomehadbeenbeautiful,witheverythingtheywanted.AndeverydayatMrsKing’shouseshesawprettydresses,andheardtalkofpartiesandthetheatre-allthethingswhichMegloved.JowenttoAuntMarch,whoneededsomeonetofetchandcarrythings,andreadtoher.Shewasadifficultoldladywhocomplainedalot,butJodidherbest.Bethwasmuchtooshytogotoschoolwithotherchildren,soshestudiedathomewithherfather.Whenhewentaway,andhermotherwasbusywithwarwork,BethcontinuedtostudybyherselfandhelpedHannahkeepthehometidyfortheothers.Shealsospentlong,quiethoursalone,talkingtoherdollsorplayingtheoldpianoBethlovedmusicand,althoughthefamilycouldnotaffordmusiclessonsoragoodpianoforher,shetriedhardtomakeherselfabettermusician.Amydrewthemostbeautifulpicturesandwantedtobeafamouspainteroneday.Shewasafavoritewitheveryone,exceptwhenshecomplainedabouthavingtowearhercousinsoldclothesbecausehermothercouldnotaffordtobuynewonesforher.Oneafternoonaweekortwolater,JowentoutsidetoclearthesnowawayfromsomeofthegardensothatBethcouldwalktherewhenthesuncameout.Shelookedacrosstothehousenextdoor-abigstonehousewithlovelythingsinsidethatJooccasionallysawthroughtheopencurtainsatthewindows.Butitseemedalonelylifelesskindofhouse,asnochildrenplayedoutside,nomotherlyfacesmiledatthewindows,andnotmanypeoplewentinandout,excepttheoldgentlemanandhisgrandson.ShehadnotseentheLaurenceboylatelyandwonderedifhewasaway,butsuddenlyshesawhimlookingoutofanupstairswindow.Shethrewupahandfulofsoftshowandcalledout,Areyouill?Laurieopenedthewindow"I'malmostbetter,thankyou,"hesaid."I’vehadabadcold.Whatdoyoufindtodo?saidJo.Nothing,hesaid.Theywon’tletme.Whydon’tyougetsomeonetocomeandseeyou.Idontknowanyone.Youknowus.saidJo.SoIdo!"laughedLaurie.Willyoucome,please?I'llcomeifMotherwillletmeI'llgoandaskher.ShutthewindowandwaituntilIcome.Laurie

6wasexcitedandbegantogetreadyforJo'svisit.Hebrushedhishairandtriedtomakehisroomtidy.Soonafter,heheardvoicesdownstairs,thenasurprisedservantranuptohisroom.There'sayoungladytoseeyou,sir,shesaid.Amomentlater,JoappearedwithaboxinonehandandBeth'sthreesmallcatsintheother."Mothersendsherlove,"shesaid."Megaskedmetobringsomeofhercake,andBeththoughtyouwouldliketoplaywithhercats.Isn’tshefunny?"Laurielaughed.Howkindyouallare,hesaid.ShallIreadtoyou?"saidJo.I'drathertalk."hesaidIcantalkallday,saidJo,smiling.BethsaysIneverknowwhentostory.IsBeththeonewhostaysathome?Yes,that'sBeth.She'sagoodgirl.TheprettyoneisMeg,andthecurly-hairedoneisAmy,isthatright?hesaidLaurie'sfacebecamered."Ihearyoucallingtoeachother,andyoualwaysseemtobehavingsomuchfun.Sometimes,intheevenings,youforgettocloseyourcurtainsandIcanseeyousittingroundthefirewithyourmother.Ihaven’tgotamother.Josawthesadnessinhiseyes.Whydon’tyoucomeoverandseeus?Wouldyourgrandfatherletyou?Perhaps,ifyourmotheraskedhim,saidLaurie.Hespendsalotoftimeamonghisbooks,andMrBrooke,mytutor,doesn’tlivehere.SoIhaven’tanyonetogooutwith,Doyoulikeyourschool?Idon’tgotoschool.Igoouttowork-tomyaunts,saidJo.Shedescribedthedifficultoldladyandmadehimlaughwithherstories.Shetoldhimallabouthersistertheplaystheyacted,andtheirhopesandfearsfortheirfather.Thentheytalkedaboutbooks,andJodiscoveredthatLaurielovedthemasmuchasshedid.Comeandseeourlibrary,hesaid."Grandfatherisout,soyouneedn’tbeafraid.I'mnotafraidofanything,repliedJo.Hetookherdowntoaroomwherethewallswerecoveredwithbooksandpictures.Youshouldbethehappiestboyintheworld!"saidJo,sittinginabigarmchairandlookinground.Apersoncan’tliveonbooks.hesaid.Suddenly,abellrang.Jojumpedupoutofthechair.It'syourgrandfather!"shesaid.Whatifitis?saidLaurie,withasmile.You'renotafraidofanything,remember?PerhapsIamalittlebitafraidofhim,Josaid.Theservantcameinatthatmoment.Thedoctorisheretoseeyou,sir.shesaidtoLaurie.CanIleaveyouforaminuteortwo,Jo?hesaid.Yes,I'mveryhappyhere,saidJo.HewentawayandJowasstaringatalargepictureoftheoldgentlemanwhenthedooropenedagainwithoutturning,shesaid,"Iwon’tbeafraidofhim,becausehe'sgotkindeyes,althoughhismouthlookshardandcold.He'snotashandsomeasmygrandfather,butIlikehim.Thankyou,"saidadeepvoicebehindher.Sheturnedquickly-andsawoldMrLaurence.Jo'sfaceturnedabrightredandshewantedtorunaway.Buttheoldman'seyeslookedkinderthanthoseinthepictureandseemedtohaveasmileinthem.Soyou’renotafraidofme,eh?hesaid.

7Notmuch.Sir.ButI'mnotashandsomeasyourgrandfather.Notquite,sir.Butyoulikeme."Helaughedandshookhandswithher.Now,whathaveyoubeendoingwithmygrandson?tryingtocheerhimup,sir,saidJo.Heseemsabitlonely.Thencomeandhavesometeawithus.LauriewasverysurprisedtoseeJowithhisgrandfather,butwassoontalkingandlaughinghappilywithJo.Theoldmanwatchedthetwoyoungpeopleandnoticedthechangeinhisgrandson.She'sright,hethought.Theboydoesneedcheeringup.Aftertea,theywentintoaroomwheretherewasalargeandbeautifulpiano.Doyouplay?JoaskedLaurie.Sometimesheanswered.Playnow.IwanttohearitsoIcantellBeth.SoLaurieplayedandJolistened.Afterwards,MrLaurencesaid,"Heplaysquitewell,butIwanthimtodowellinmoreimportantthings.Now,Ihopeyou'llcomeagain.Heshookhandswithher.Goodnight,JoLauriewalkedtothedoorwithher.Hedoesn’tliketohearmeplay,hesaid.whynot?saidJo.I'lltellyouoneday,hesaid.WhenJotoldthefamilyofherafternoon'sadventures,theyallwantedtogoandvisitthebighouse.Mother,whydoesn’tMrLaurenceliketohearLaurieplaythepiano?askedJo.Laurie'sfathermarriedanItalianlady,amusician,saidMrsMarch.Theoldmandidn’tlikeher,andneversawhissonaftertheyweremarried.LauriewasborninItalybuthisparentsdiedwhenhewasachild,andhisgrandfatherbroughthimhome.LaurielovesmusicandIexpecthisgrandfatherisafraidhe’llwanttobeamusicianlikehismother.Laurieshouldbeamusicianifhewantstobe,saidJo.Sendinghimtocollegewilljustmakehimunhappy.第五章:白丝的惊喜Laurieandthefourgirlsweresoongreatfriends.MrBrookecomplainedtotheoldgentlemanthathisstudentwasalwaysrunningacrosstoseeMarches.Lethimhaveabitofaholiday,saidMrLaurence.Hecancatchupwithhisstudieslater.Whatgoodtimestheyhad!Writingandactingplays,happyeveningsattheMarches,andlittlepartiesatthebighouse.OnlyBethwastooshytogothere.WhenMrLaurenceheardaboutBeth'sshyness,hecametohaveteawiththeirmotheroneday,andbegantotalkaboutmusicandgreatsingershehadheard.Bethfounditimpossibletostayinhercornerandcametolisten.Lauriehasn’tmuchtimeforhismusic,MrLaurencetoldMrsMarch,"sothepianoisnotusedveryoften.Wouldanyofyourgirlsliketoplayitsometimes?Theyneedn’tseeorspeaktoanyone,andI'llbeinmystudy.Hegotuptogo.Butiftheydon’twanttocome.Atthismoment,alittlehandtouchedhisown.ItwasBeth's.I-Iwanttocome,shesaid,hervoiceshaking.Verymuch.

8You'rethemusicalgirl,saidMrLaurence,gently.I'mBeth.Yes.Ilovemusic.andIshall.Thenextday,Bethwaiteduntiltheoldandtheyounggentlemenbothwentout,thensheranacrosstothebighouseandfoundherwaytotheroomwiththebeautifulpiano.Assoonasshebegantoplay,sheforgotherfearsimmediatelyinthedelightwhichthemusicgaveher.Afterthat,Bethwenteveryday.SheneverknewthatMrLaurenceoftenopenedhisstudydoortohearherplaying,orthatLauriestoodinthehalltokeeptheservantsawayfromtheshylittlegirl.Butshewassogratefulthatsheaskedhermotherandsisterstohelphermaketheoldgentlemanapairofslippers.Afterseveraldayscarefulsewing,theslipperswerefinished.ThenBethwroteashortletterand,withLaurie'shelp,leftitwiththeslippersintheoldman'sstudyonemorning,beforehewas.Thenextday,Bethwentoutforawalk,andwhenshecamebacktheotherswerewaitingforher.Here'saletterforyou,Beth!theycalledout."Comeandreadit!"Shehurriedtothehouseandtheytookherintothefrontroom."Lookthere!everyonewassayingatonce.Bethlooked-andgotthebiggestsurpriseofherlife!Fortheretendalovelylittlepiano,withaletteronthetopofit,addressedto:MissElizabethMarch.You-youreadit,Jo,whisperedBeth.Ican’t.SoJoopenedtheletterandbegantoread.DearMissMarch,sheread,"Ihavehadmanypairsofslippersbutnonewhichhavepleasedmesomuchasyours.Ishouldliketothankyouforyourkindnessbysendingyousomethingthatoncebelongedtomylittlegranddaughter,whodied.Withmanythanks.Iamyourgoodfriend,JamesLaurence.Joputanarmaroundhersister.Nowtryit,Beth,shesaid.Bethsatdownandbegantoplay,andeveryonethoughtitwasthemostperfectpianotheyhadeverheard.You’llhavetogoandthankhim,saidJo,withasmile,knowingthatBethwasmuchtooshytodoanythinglikethat.ButBethsurprisedthemall."Ildoitatonce,shesaidbravely,andawayshewalked,throughthegardenandintothebighousenextdoor.Shewentuptotheoldgentleman'sstudyandknockedonthedoor.Comein.saidMrLaurence.Bethwentin."Icametosaythankyou,sir,shebegan,inherquietlittlevoice.Buthelookedsofriendlythatsheranandputbothherarmsaroundhisneckandkissed.Theoldgentlemanwassosurprisedthathenearlyfelloffhischair.Buthewasverypleasedindeedbythatshylittlekiss,andsoonthetwoofthemweretalkinglikeoldfriends.Later,hewalkedhomewithBeth.Thegirls,watchingwithgreatinterestfromthewindow,couldnotbelievetheireyes.Well,Megsaid,Idobelievetheworldiscomingtoanend.第六章:艾米遇到麻烦Whereareyougoing?AmyaskedMegandJooneafternoon.Iwanttocome,too.Youcant,dear,you'renotinvited,saidMeg.You'regoingsomewherewithLaurie,Iknowyouare.Yes,weare,saidJo."Nowstopannoying.You'regoingtothetheatre!Amysaidsuddenly.IwanttogoWithyou!

9Wecouldtakeher,Isuppose,beganMeg.No,Laurieonlyinvitedus,saidJo.Ishallgo,shoutedAmy.MegsaysIcan.Youjuststaywhereyouare!saidJo,ang.I'makeyousorryforthis,JoMarch!Amyshouted,asMegandJoleftthehouse.Thetwooldersistersenjoyedthemselvesatthetheatre,butJocouldn’tstopworryingasshewonderedwhatAmywoulddotomakehersorry.Shefoundoutthenextafternoon.Beth,AmyandMegweresittingtogetherwhenJoranintotheroom.Hasanyonetakenmynotebook?"Joasked.MegandBethsaid"Noatonce,butAmysaidnothing.Amy,you'vegotit,saidJo.No,Ihaven’t,saidAmy.That’salie!saidJo.Tellmethetruthorlmakeyou.Dowhatyoulike,saidAmy.You’llneverseeyourstupidbookagain,becauseIburnedit.Jo’sfacewentwhite.What!ButIworkedsohardwritingmystories.IsaidI'dmakeyousorry,andIhave!saidAmy.JojumpedatAmyandshookhershoulders.Youwicked,wickedgirl!criedJo.I’llnever,everforgiveyou!Andsheranoutoftheroom.MrsMarchcamehomeandheardthestory.Oh,howcouldyoudothat,Amy?shesaid.ThatwasJo’sbookofstories.Shewrotethemallherself,andwashopingtomakethemgoodenoughtoprint.Slowly,Amybegantounderstandtheterriblethingshehaddone,andstartedtocry.Later,whenJoappearedfortea,Amybeggedhersistertoforgiveher.Ishallneverforgiveyou,Joanswered.Itwasnotahappyevening,andwhensingingtimecame,Joremainedsilent.Afterwards,shekissedhermotherandsaid"Goodnight”.Mydear,don’tgotobedfeelingsoangrywithyoursister,whisperedMrsMarch.I'msorry,Mother,Ican’tforgiveher,repliedJo,Nextday,Jowantedtogetoutofthehouse,soshepickedupherskatesandwentnextdoortoaskLaurietotakeherskating.Amyheardthemgoing.Jopromisedtotakemewithhernexttime!shecomplained.It'shardforhertoforgiveyou,Amy,saidMeg.GoafterthemandwaituntilJoisenjoyingherself,thengiveherakissordosomethingkind.Itwasnotfartotheriver,butJoandLauriewerealreadyskatingwhenAmyarrived.JosawAmybutturnedaway.Lauriewascarefullyskatingalongtheedgeoftheiceanddidn’tseetheyoungergirl.Amyputherskatesonandstoodontheice.Keepneartheedge.Theiceisn’tsafeinthemiddle,LauriecalledtoJo,thenhedisappearedroundthefirstbendintheriver.Joheard,butAmydidnot.JorealizedthatAmyprobablyhadn’theard,butshesaidnothingandskatedafterLaurie.LetAmylookafterherself!"Jothought.Amyskatedouttowardsthesmoothericeinthemiddleoftheriver.Joreachedthebend,andforamomentshestoodstill,astrangefeelinginherheart.Somethingmadeherturnround-justintimetoseeAmythrowupherhandsandgocrashingthroughtheiceintothecoldwater!Amy

10gaveacrythatmakeJo'sheartstopwithfear.ShetriedtocallLaurie,buthervoicewasgone,andforasecond,shecouldonlystandandstareatthelittlebluehoodofAmy'scoatabovetheblackwater.Suddenly,Laurieskatedpastherandshouted,Bringapieceofwoodfromthesideoftheriver,quickly.Wildwithfear,Jofetchedsomewoodandpulleditacrosstheice,whileLaurieheldAmy'sheadabovethewater.Together,theygotherout.Shewasmorefrightenedthanhurt,andwasquicklytakenhome.Theycoveredherinblanketsandtriedtocalmher,andafteralittlewhileshefellasleepinfrontofthewarmfire.Later,wheneverythingwasquiet,Joaskedhermother,"Areyousureshessafe?Quitesafe,dear.Itwassensibletogetherhomeasquicklyasyoudid.Lauriediditall,saidJo.Mother,ifsheshoulddie,itwillbemyfault.Igetangrysoquickly.Oh,whycantIbemorelikeyou?"Igetangrynearlyeverydayofmylife,Jo,"saidMrsMarch,"but‘Ivelearnednottoshowit.I’velearnedtostopmyselfsayingtheangrywordsthatcometomylips,andyoumusttrytodothesame,mydear.AmymovedinhersleepandJolookedather.Irefusedtoforgiveher,andtoday,shenearlydied!AnditwasLauriewhosavedher.HowcouldIbesowicked?Jobegan.ThenAmyopenedhereyesandheldoutherarms,withasmilethatwentstraighttoJosheart.Neitherofthemsaidaword,buttheyheldeachotherclose,andevewasforgivenandforgotten.第七章:麦格听到了闲言碎语AnnieMoffatdidnotforgetherpromisedinvitation,andoneAprildayMegwenttostayattheMoffat'slargehouse.Megthoughtitwaswonderful.Shelovedridinginfinecarriages,wearingherbestdresseveryday,anddoingnothingexceptenjoyherself.Shesoonbegantotalkaboutfashionableclothesandhairstylesinthewaythattheothergirlsdid.AndthemoreMegsawofAnnie'sprettythings,themoreshewishedthatshe,too,wasrich.Annie'soldersisters,BelleandClara,werefineyoungladies:MrMoffatwasafat,friendlygentleman;andMrsMoffatwasafat,friendlylady.TheywereallverykindtoMeganddidtheirbesttomakeherfeelathome.Whentheeveningforasmallpartycame,MegsbestdresslookedveryoldnexttoSallie'snewone,butnoonesaidanythingaboutit.Thegirlsweregettingreadywhenaservantbroughtinaboxofflowers.Whatfun!Whoaretheyfrom?saidthegirls.Wedidn’tknowyouhadayoungman.TheletterisfromMotherandtheflowersarefromLaurie,saidMeg,simply.Oh,saidAnnie,withastrangelook.Hermother'slovingwordsandLaurie'skindnessmadeMegfeelmuchhappierandsheenjoyedthepartyverymuch.Anniemadehersing,andsomeonesaidthatMeghadafinevoiceSoMegwashavinganicetime-untilsheheardsomeonesay,ontheothersideofalargetableofflowers:HowoldistheLaurenceboy?Sixteenorseventeen.Ithink."saidanothervoice.Itwouldbeanexcellentthingforoneofthosegirls,saidathirdvoice.Salliesaystheyareveryfriendly,andtheoldmanthinkstheyareallwonderful.

11expectMrsM.hasmadeherplans,saidMrsMoffatsvoice,butdoyouthinkthegirlknowsofthem?Shetoldthatlittlelieabouthermother,andhercheekswentpink.I'msurethenotewasfromtheboyreally.Poorthing!Shedbeveryprettyifshehadsomeniceclothes.DoyouthinkshellmindifweoffertolendheradressforThursday?IshallaskyoungLaurencetocome,andwellhavesomefunwithherafterwards.Megtriedtoforgetwhatshedheard,butcouldnot.Thegossipmadeherangry,andshewasunhappywhenthepartywasoverandshewasaloneinherbed.Shecriedquietlytoherself.Whydidpeoplehavetosaythosethings?SheandLauriewerejustfriends,butnowthatfriendshipfeltdamagedbytheunkindgossip.Thenextday,MissBellesaid,Meg,dear,we’vesentaninvitationtoyourfriend,MrLaurence,forThursday.Megpretendedtomisunderstand.Youreverykind,butI'mafraidhewontcome.He'snearlyseventy.MissBellelaughed.Imeantheyoungman.Thereisn’tone,saidMeg.Laurieisonlyaboy.Isn’theaboutyourage?"saidClara.NearerJos,saidMeg.I’mseventeeninAugust.It'sniceofhimtosendyouflowerssaidAnnie.Heoftendoes,toallofus,saidMeg."MymotherandoldMrLaurencearefriends,youknow.WhatwillyouwearonThursday?askedSallie.Mywhitedressagain,Ihaven’tgotanyothers.oothers?saidSallie.Howfunny.IhaveaprettybluedressIcantwearanymore,Meg,saidBelle."Itwillpleasemeifyouwearit.You'reverykind,but-,beganMeg.Please,do,saidBelle.You’lllookquitebeautifulinit.Megcouldn’trefusethiskindofferand,ontheThursdayevening,BellehelpedtochangeMegintoafinelady.Shebrushedandcurledherhair,reddenedherlips,thenhertogetintothesky-bluedress.Theneckofthedresswascutverylow,andMegwasquiteshockedwhenshesawherselfinthemirror.Anecklaceandearringsadded,andMegwasreadyfortheparty.Atfirst,shefeltstrangeinallthefineclothes,butshesoondiscoveredthatpeoplewhodidnotusuallynoticehernowcametospeaktoher.Severalyoungmenwhohadonlystaredbeforenowaskedtobeintroduced.Suddenly,MegsawLaurieacrosstheroom.Hewasstaringather,andhedidn’tlookverypleased.Megbegantofeeluncomfortable,andshewishedthatshehadwornherolddressAsshewalkeduptoLaurie,shesawBelleandAnniewatchingthembothandsmiling.I'mgladyoucame,"MegsaidtoLaurie,inhermostgrown-upvoice."Iwasafraidyouwouldn’t.Jowantedmetocomeandtellherhowyoulooked,saidLaurie.Whatwillyoutellher?I'llsayIdidn’tknowyou,becauseyoulooksounlikeyourself.I'mquiteafraidofyou,hesaid.Thegirlsdressedmeupforfun,saidMeg.Don’tyoulikeit?No,Idon’t,camethecoolreply.Megbecameangry.ThenIshan’tstaywithyou!"Andshewalkedofftowardsthewindow.Amomentortwolater,anoldermanwentpastherandsheheardhimsaytohisfriend,Thatgirl

12hasbeendresseduplikeadoll.Ohdear,thoughtMeg.Whydidn’tIwearmyownthings?SheturnedandsawLauriebehindher."Pleaseforgiveme,hesaid."Comeandhavesomethingtoeat.Megtriedtolookannoyed.Pleasecome,hesaidagain."Idon’tlikeyourdress,butIdothinkyouare-wonderful.Megsmiledandfounditimpossibletostayangrywithhim."Pleasedon’ttellthemathomeaboutmydress,shesaid."Theywontunderstandthatitwasjustforfun,anditwillworryMother.Iwasstupidtowearit,butI'lltellthemmyself.Won’tsayanything,hepromised.Hedidnotseeheragainuntilsuppertime,whenshewasdrinkingwinewithtwootherboy.You’llfeelilltomorrow,ifyoudrinkmuchofthat,Meg,Lauriewhisperedtoher.I'mnotMegtonight,shesaid.I'madollwhodoescrazythings.Tomorrow,I'llbegoodagain.Megdancedandlaughedandtalkedtoasmanyyoungmenasshecouldmanage,butwenttobedfeelingthatshehadn’tenjoyedherselfasmuchasshehadexpected.Shewassickallthenextday,andonSaturdaywenthome,quitetiredofherfortnight'sfun.I'mgladtobehome,shesaidtohermotherandJo,aftertellingthemhowshewasdresseduplikeadoll,dranktoomuchwine,andwasillafterwards.Shehadlaughedwhiletellingthemthestory,butherfacestilllookedworriedattheend.Thereissomethingelse,Ithink,"saidMrsMarch,smoothingMeg'scheek,whichsuddenlybecamerose-red.Yes,Megsaidslowly."IhatepeoplesayingandthinkingawfulthingsaboutusandLaurie.Thenshetoldthemthegossipshehadheard.Whatrubbish!"saidJo.JustwaituntilIseeAnnieMoffat!HowstupidtothinkthatMotherhasplans,andthatwearekindtoLauriebecauseheisrichandmaymarryoneofusoneday.HelllaughwhenItellhim!No,Jo,saidhermother.Youmustneverrepeatwickedgossip.Doyouhaveplans,Mother?askedMeg.Allmothersdo,dear,saidMrsMarch.ButmyplansaredifferentfromMrsMoffat's,Isuspect.Iwantmydaughterstobeloved,andIwantpeopletothinkwellofthemIwantthemtomarrywell,butnottomarryrichmenjustbecausetheyarerich.I'dratheryouwerepoormen'swives,ifthatmeantyouhadhappy,peacefullives.ButyourfatherandIbelievethatwellalwaysbeproudofourdaughters,whethertheyaremarriedorsingle.“Youwill,youwill.”saidMegandJo,together.第八章:只有玩乐没有工作ThefirstofJune,andtheKingfamilyisgoingonholidaytomorrow!saidMeg."I’mfreeforthreemonths.AndAuntMarchwentawayforherholidaytoday,saidJo.Isn’tlifewonderful.Whatwillyoudoallyourholiday?"askedAmy.Illstayinbedlate,anddonothing,saidMeg.havelotsofbookstoread.saidJo.Let'snotdoanystudying,Beth,saidAmy."Let'splayallthetime,andrest,asJoandMegaregoingtodo.

13IwillifMotherdoesn’tmind.saidBeth.MrsMarchagreedtotheplanandsaidtheycouldtryitforaweek.But,sheadded,"IthinkbySaturdaynightyouwillfindthatallplayandnoworkisasbadasallworkandnoplay.Nextday,Megappearedattenoclockandatebreakfastalone.Itwasalonelymealandtheroomwasuntidy,becauseBethhadnotcleanedit.JowenttotheriverwithLaurie,thensatintheappletreeandreadabookBethbegantotidythingsinhercupboard,butshegottiredandleftithalf-done.Shewenttoherpiano,gladthatshedidnothavetowashthecupsandplates.Amysatinthegardentodraw,hopingsomeonewouldseeherandsaysomethingniceaboutherpictureButnooneappeared,soshewentforawalk,gotcaughtintherainandcamehomeverywet.Attea,everyonesaidthatithadbeenadelightfulbutunusuallylongday.Meg,whohadbeenshoppingintheafternoon,nowdecidedthatshedidnotlikethedressshehadbought.Johadaheadachefromreadingtoolong.Bethcouldn’tfindanythinginhercupboard,andtherainhadmadeAmy'sdresssowetthatshecouldn’twearittoKatyBrown'spartythenextday.MrsMarchlistened,smiledandsaidnothing.Theweekseemedtogetlongerandlongerwithnothingmuchtodo,andbyFridaythegirlsweregladthatitwasnearlyover.ThenMrsMarchgaveHannahaholiday,AndwhenthegirlsgotuponSaturday,therewasnobreakfastready,nofireinthekitchen,andnomotherwaitingforthem.Whathashappened?saidJo.Megranupstairs,thencamedowntosaythatMotherwasstayinginherroomtohavearest.Shesayswemustlookafterourselvestoday,Megsaid.Good,Iwantsomethingtodo,saidJo.Secretly,theywereallpleasedtohavesomethingusefultodoagain.BethandAmyputcupsandplatesonthetablewhileJoandMeggotthebreakfast,thenMegtooksometeaandanegguptoMrsMarch.Theteawastoostrongandtheeggwasburned.MrsMarchdidnotcomplain,butshelaughedtoherselfafterwards.JodecidedtoinviteLaurietodinner.There'smeatandvegetablesandplentyofpotatoes,shetoldMeg,andwecanhavestrawberries,andthencoffee."Hermothersaidshedidnotmindatallbecauseshewasgoingoutfordinner.Jodidherbest,butthepotatoeswerestillhardinthemiddle,thevegetableswerecookedtoolongandfelltopieces,andthemeatwasburnedblack.Thestrawberrieswerenotreadyforeating,andsheputsaltontheminsteadofsugar!Unfortunately,thiswasnotdiscovereduntilLauriebeganeatingthem.Hepretendedeverythingwasallright,butAmytookaspoonfulandranfromthetable.What'swrong?saidJo.MegandLaurietoldher.Oh,no!"saidJo.ThenshesawLauriestarttosmile,andshebegantolaugh.Sooneveryonewaslaughingwithher.Whataterribleday!"saidJo,aftertheyhadclearedeverythingaway.MrsMarchreturnedhomelater.Haveyouenjoyedyourweekofallplayandnowork,girls,ordoyouwantanotherweekofit?shesaid.Idon’t!saidJo.Nordoll"shoutedtheothers.

14Mother,didyougooutandleaveusjusttoseehowwewouldmanage?askedMeg.Yes,saidMrsMarch."Iwantedyoutoseethatbeingcomfortabledependsonusallhelpingeachotherandnotjustthinkingofourselves.Isn’titbettertohavetimeforplayandtimeforwork,andtomakeeachdayusefulandenjoyable?Oh,itis,Mother,itis!saidthegirls.Somedayslater,allfourgirlswentonapicnicwithLaurieandhistutor,MrBrooke,andsomeotheryoungpeople.SallieGardinerandherEnglishfriend,MissKateVaughn,wereamongthem.Itwasasunnydayandtheyhadtheirpicniconahill,undersometrees.Afterthemeal,mostoftheyoungladiesandgentlemenplayedgames,butMissKatesatunderatreeandbegantodraw.Megwatched,whileMrBrookelayonthegrassbesideher.withabookwhichhedidnotread.IwishIcoulddraw,saidMeg.Whydon’tyoulearn?"repliedMissKate.Shewasalittleolderthantheothergirlsandwasverymuchthefashionableyounglady.Ihaven’ttime,saidMeg.Ihaveajob,teachingfourchildreninafamily.Oh!"saidMissKate,lookingrathershocked.Shesaidnomore,butherfaceshowedthatshethoughtbeingaprivateteacherwaslittlebetterthanbeingaservant,andMegscheeksquicklybecamered.inAmerica,youngladiesprefertoworkandearnmoneyforthemselves,saidMrBrookequickly,andnotexpectotherstopayforeverything.aidMissKate,coldly.Soonafter,shetookherdrawingandmovedaway.There'snoplacelikeAmericaforusworkers,MissMeg,saidMrBrooke,smiling.HisbrowneyeslookedatMegwarmly,andshesmiledbackathim.IwishIlikedteachingasmuchasyoudo,shesaid.YouwouldifyouwereteachingLaurie,saidMrBrooke.I'llbesorrywhenhegoestocollegenextyear.ButthenIshallbecomeasoldier.Ithinkeveryyoungmanwantstobeasoldier,saidMeg,butit'shardforthefamilywhostayathome.Ihavenofamily,andnotmanyfriendstocareifIliveordie,saidMrBrooke,sadly.Laurieandhisgrandfatherwouldcare,"saidMeg,andwewouldallbeverysorryifanythinghappenedtoyou.“thankyou”saidMrBrooke,cheeringupimmediately.第九章:秘密OneOctoberafternoon,Jocaughtabusintothetownandstoppedoutsideabuildinginoneofthebusystreets.Shewentin,lookedupthestairsand,afteraminute,ranoutagain.Shedidthisseveraltimes,tothegreatamusementofayoungmanwhowaswatchingfromtheoppositesideoftheroad.Butthefourthtime,Jogaveherselfashakeandwalkedupthestairs.Theyoungmancrossedtheroadandwaited.ItwasLaurie.Tenminuteslater,Jocamerunningout,butdidnotlookpleasedtoseehim.Whatareyoudoinghere?shesaid.I'mwaitingtowalkhomewithyou,hesaid.Iveasecrettotellyou,butfirstyoumusttellmeyours.

15Youwon’tsayanythingathome,willyou?"saidJo.Notaword,promisedLaurie.I’velefttwoofmystorieswithanewspaperman,saidJo,butI'llhavetowaituntilnextweekbeforeIknowiftheywillbeprinted.MissMarch.thefamousAmericanwriter!"saidLithrowinghishatintotheairandcatchingit.Jolookedpleased.Now,what'syoursecret?YourememberMeglostagloveatthepicnic?saidLaurie.Well,Iknowwhereitis.Isthatall?"saidJo,lookingdisappointed.WaituntilItellyouwhereitishesaid.TellmethensaidJo.LauriewhisperedthreewordsinJo’sear.Shestaredathim,lookingbothsurprisedanddispleased.Howdoyouknow?Isawit.Where?"askedJo.Pocket.What'swrong,don’tyoulikeit?Ofcoursenot.It'sstupid!WhatwouldMegsayifsheknew?Youmustn’ttellanyone,saidLaurie.Ididn’tpromise,Joremindedhim.Ithoughtyouwouldbepleased,hesaid.PleasedattheideaofsomeonecomingtotakeMegaway?saidJo.No,thankyou.Sheranoffdownthehill,butLauriecameafterherandreachedthebottomfirst.Shecameupbehindhim,herfaceredandherhairblowinginthewind.Thatwasfun!shesaid,forgettinghercrossnessintheenjoymentofagoodrun.Atthatmoment,someonepassedby,thenstoppedandlookedback.ItwasMeg.Whatareyoudoinghere?shesaidwhenshesawJo.You’vebeenrunning,haven’tyou?Jo,whenwillyoustarttobehavelikeayounglady?Don’tmakemegrowupyet,Meg,saidJo,lookingsad."It'shardenoughhavingyouchangesosuddenly.andLaurie'ssecretmadeJorealizethatMegwouldleavehomeoneday,perhapssoon.TwoSaturdaysafterJohadgonesecretlyintotown,MegsawLauriechasingJoalloverthegardenbeforethetwoofthemfellonthegrass,laughingandwavinganewspaper.Whatcanwedowiththatgirl?"saidMeg."Sheneverwillbehavelikeayounglady.Minuteslater,Jocameinwiththenewspaper.Shesatdownandbegantoreadit.Areyoureadinganythinginteresting?askedMeg.Onlyastory,saidJo.Readitaloud,saidAmy.Itmayamuseus.Jobegantoreadveryfast,andthegirlslistened.ItwasalovestoryabouttwopeoplecalledViolaandAngelo,andmostofthecharactersdiedintheendButthegirlsenjoyedit,andMegevencriedalittleatthesadparts.Whowroteit?askedBeth,watchingJo'sface.Joputdownthenewspaper.Idid,shesaid,hereyesbrightandshining.You?"saidMeg,surprised.It'sverygood,saidAmy.Iknewit!saidBeth.Sheranacrossandputherarmsaroundhersister.Oh,Jo,Iamsoproud.

16AndhowproudMrsmarchwaswhenshewastold.Everyonebegantospeakatthesametime.Tellusallaboutit.Howmuchdidyougetforit?WhatwillFathersay?WontLaurielaugh.SoJotoldthemallaboutit,andthateveningtherewasnohappierorprouderfamilythattheMarches.第十章:一封电报MrsMarch,thegirlsandLaurieweresittingtogetheronadullNovemberafternoonwhenHannahhurriedintotheroomwithatelegramMrsMarchreadit,thendroppedittothefloor,herfacewhiteandherhandsshaking.Jopickedupthetelegramandreadittotheothersinafrightenedvoice.MrsMarch:Yourhusbandisveryill.Comeatonce.S.Hale,BlankHospital,Washington.Thegirlsmovedclosetotheirmother.Alltheirhappinesshaddisappearedinamoment.shallgoatonce,saidMrsMarch,butitmaybetoolate.Oh,mychildren!Forseveralminutes,therewasonlythesoundofcrying,thenHannahhurriedawaytogetthingsreadyforthelongjourney.WheresLaurie?MrsMarchasked.Here,"saidtheboy."Oh,letmedosomething.SendatelegramandsaythatI'llcomeatonce,saidMrsMarch.Thenexttraingoesearlyinthemorning.Now,ImustwriteanotetoAuntMarchJo,givemethatpenandpaper.knewthatthemoneyforthejourneymustbeborrowedfromAuntMarch,andshetoowantedtodosomething-anything-tohelpherfather.LauriewentofftotakethenotetoAuntMarchandtosendthetelegram.Jowenttofetchsomethingsfromtheshops,andAmyandMeghelpedtheirmothertogetready.Fatherwillneedgoodfoodandwinetohelphimgetbetter,andtherewontbemuchatthehospital,saidMrsMarch.Beth,goandaskMrLaurenceforacoupleofbottlesofwine.I'mnottooproudtobegforFather.MrLaurencecamebackwithBeth.HeofferedtogowithMrsMarch,butshewouldn’tlettheoldgentlemanmakethelong,tiringjourney,althoughhecouldseethatshewouldliketohavesomebodywithher.Hewentawayagain,saying,"I'llbeback.Soonafter,MegsawMrBrookebythedoor.I'mverysorrytohearyournews,MissMarch,hesaidgently.MrLaurenceandIthinkitwillbeagoodideaifItravelwithyourmother.Howkindyouallare!"saidMeg."ItwillbesogoodtoknowthatthereissomeonetotakecareofMother.Thankyouverymuch!"Sheputoutherhandandsmiledgratefullyupintohiswarmbrowneyes.LauriecamebackwithaletterandmoneyfromAuntMarch,butJodidnotreturn.Itwaslateafternoonwhenshecamewalkinginandgavehermothersomemoney.That'stohelpmakeFathercomfortableandtobringhimhome,shesaid.twenty-fivedollars!"saidMrsMarch.Mydear,wheredidyougetit?Jotookoffherhat.hair,yourbeautifulhair!criedAmy.

17AllJo’slovely,thick,longhairwascutshort.Jo,howcouldyou?criedMeg.Mydeargirl,therewasnoneedforthis,saidMrsMarch.Shedoesn’tlooklikemyJo,butIloveherdearlyfordoingit!saidBeth,andbegantocry.Don’tcry,Beth,"saidJo.IwantedtodosomethingforFather,andsellingmyhairwastheonlythingIcouldthinkofdoing.I'llsoonhaveacurlyheadagain,whichwillbeshortandeasytokeeptidy.Butlater,whenAmyandBethwereasleepandMegwaslyingawake,sheheardJocrying.AreyoucryingaboutFather,Jo?sheasked.No,notnow.It'smyhair,criedJo."I'ddoitagain,ifIcould.ButIdidlovemyhair,andtheselfishbitofmeismakingmecry.Don’ttellanyone.I'llbeallrightinthemorning.DuringthedaysaftertheirmotherandMrBrookewentaway,MegandJowentbacktotheirjobs,andBethandAmyhelpedHannahtokeepthehousetidy.Everyonetriedveryhardtobegoodandhard-workingandhelpful.Newsoftheirfathercamethrough,atfirsttellingthemhewasdangerouslyill,butthensayinghewasslowlygettingbetter.第十一章:白丝Tendaysaftertheirmotherwentaway,BethcamehomelateafteroneofseveralvisitstoasickbabyattheHummel'shouse.Shewentstraighttohermothersroomandshutherselfinside.Halfanhourlater,Jofoundhersittingthere,lookingveryill.Beth.what'sthematter?criedJo.Bethputoutahandtokeepheraway.You'vehadscarletfever,haven’tyou?"shesaid.Yearsago,whenMegdid,"saidJo."Why?"Oh,Jo!MrsHummel'sbabyisdead,saidBeth.ItdiedinmyarmsbeforeMrsHummelgothome.MypoorBeth,howawfulforyou!"saidJo,puttinganarmaroundhersister.Whatdidyoudo?"IjustsatandheldituntilMrsHummelcamewiththedoctor.HelookedatHeinrichandMinnawhowerealsofeelingsick.It'sscarletfever,hesaid.ThenhetoldmetocomehomeandtakesomemedicinequicklyorIwouldcatchit,too.lfetchHannah.saidjo.Don’tletAmycome,saidBeth.Shehasn’thadit,andIdon’twanttogiveittoher.ItwasdecidedthatAmymustgotoAuntMarcheshouse,soLaurietookherthere.PoorAmydidnotlikethisplanatallandonlyagreedtogowhenLauriesaidhewouldvisithereverydaytobringhernewsofBeth.WhenLauriegotback,heaskedJoandMegifheoughttosendatelegramtoMrsMarch.HannahsaysMothercan’tleaveFatherandwouldonlyworry,saidMeg.ShesaysBethwon’tbesicklong,andthatsheknowswhattodo,butitdoesn’tseemright.MrLaurencewasnotallowedtoseeBeth,andMegfeltunhappywritingletterstohermothersayingnothingaboutBeth'sillnessJonursedBethnightandday,butthetimecamewhenBethdidnotknowherandcalledforhermother.Jowasfrightened,andMegbeggedtobeallowedtowritethetruth,butHannahsaidtherewasnodangeryet.ThenalettercamesayingthatMr

18Marchwasworseandcouldnotthinkofcominghomeforalongtime.Howdarkthedaysseemed.Howsadandlonely.Thesistersworkedandwaitedastheshadowofdeathlayovertheoncehappyhome.ItwasthenthatMegrealizedhowrichshehadbeeninthethingswhichreallymattered-love,peace,goodhealth.AndJo,watchingherlittlesister,thoughtabouthowunselfishBethalwayswas-livingforothersandtryingtomakehomeahappyplaceforallwhocamethere.Amy,sadandlonelyatAuntMarch'shouse,justwantedtocomehomesothatshecoulddosomethingtohelpBeth.OnthefirstdayofDecember,thedoctorcameinthemorning.HelookedatBeth,thensaidquietly,IfMrsMarchcanleaveherhusband,Ithinksheshouldcomehomenow.Jothrewonhercoatandranoutintothesnowtosendatelegram.Whenshearrivedback,LauriecamewithalettersayingthatMrMarchwasgettingbetteragainwasgoodnews,butJo'sfacewassounhappythatLaurieasked,Whatisit?IsBethworse?I'vesentforMother,"saidJo,beginningtocry."Bethdoesn’tknowusanymore.Laurieheldherhandandwhispered,I’mhere,Jo.Holdontome.Yourmotherwillbeheresoon,andtheneverythingwillbeallright.I'mgladFatherisbetter,saidJo.NowMotherwontfeelsobadaboutcominghome.You'reverytired,"saidLaurie."ButI'lltellyousomethingtocheeryouupbetterthananything.Whatisit?saidJo.Lauriesmiled.Isentatelegramtoyourmotheryesterday,andMrBrookeansweredthatshedcomeatonce.Shellbeheretonightandeverythingwillbeallright!Jothrewherarmsaroundhim."Oh,Laurie!Oh,Mother!Iamsoglad!Shedidnotcryagain,butheldontoherfriend.Hewassurprised,buthesmoothedherhairandfollowedthiswithakissortwo.Jopushedhimgentlyaway.Oh,don’t!Ididn’tmean.Ienjoyedit!"laughedLaurie,then,wenton,GrandfatherandIthoughtyourmotheroughttoknow.Shewouldn'tforgiveusifBeth-well,ifanythinghappened.Hertrainwillbeinattwoo'clockinthemorning,andI'llmeether.Allthatday,thesnowfellandthehourswentslowlyby.Thedoctorcame,thensaidhewouldcomebackaftermidnightwhenheexpectedtheretobesomechangeinBeth'scondition,forbetterorworse.HannahfellasleepinachairbesideBeth'sbedMrLaurencewaiteddownstairs,whileLaurielayonthefloorpretendingtorest.Thegirlsjustwaited,unabletosleep.Attwelveo'clock,achangeseemedtopassoverBeth'sfaceHannahslepton,butthegirlssawtheshadowwhichseemedtofalluponthelittlebed.AnhourwentbyandLaurieleftquietlyforthestation.Attwooclock,Jowasstandingatthewindow,watchingthesnow.SheheardsomethingandturnedtoseeMegkneelingbesidehermotherschair.AcoldfeelingoffearpassedoverJo.Bethisdead,"shethought.Sherantothebed.ThepainhadgonefromBeth'sface,andnowtherewasalookofpeaceinstead.Jokissedherandsoftlywhispered,"Goodbye,Beth,goodbye!HannahwokeupandlookedatBeth.Thefeversgone!"shecried.She'ssleepingandbreathingeasily.Thedoctorcamesoonafter."Ithinkshellbeallright,hesaid.Keepthehousequietandlethersleep.MegandJoheldeachotherclose,theirheartstoofullforwords.Bethwaslyingassheusedto,

19withhercheekonherhand,andbreathingquietly.IwishMotherwouldcomenow,"whisperedJo.Andamomentlater,theyheardthesoundofthedoorbelow,acryfromHannah,thenLaurie'shappyvoicesaying,"Girls,she'scome!She'scome.第十二章:爱和布鲁克先生WhenBethwokefromherlongsleep,shelookedintohermother'sfaceandsmiled.Thenshesleptagain,butMrsMarchheldontoherdaughters’thinlittlehand.HannahmadebreakfastwhileMegandJolistenedastheirmothertoldthemabouttheirfather’shealth,andMrBrooke'spromisetostaywithhim.ThenMegandJoclosedtheirtiredeyesandwereabletorestatlast.LauriewenttogivethegoodnewstoAmyatAuntMarch'shouse.He,too,wastiredafterthelongnight,andjustmanagedtofinishtellinghisstorybeforehefellasleepinthechair.Amybegantowriteashortlettertohermother,butbeforeshecouldfinishit,shesawMrsMarchcomingtowardsheraunt'shouse!Amyrantomeether.Therewereprobablymanyhappylittlegirlsinthecitythatday,butAmywasthehappiestofthemallasshesatonhermothersknee.I’vebeenthinkingalotaboutBeth,shesaid."Everyonelovesherbecausesheisn’tselfish.Peoplewouldn’tfeelhalfsobadaboutmeifIwassick,butI'dliketobelovedandmissed.I'mgoingtotryandbelikeBethasmuchasIcan.Hermotherkissedher."I'msureyouwillsucceed,"shesaid.NowImustgobacktoBeth.Bepatient,littledaughter,andwellsoonhaveyouhomeagain.ThateveningwhileMegwaswritingtoherfather,JowentupstairstoBeth'sroomandfoundhermotherbesidethebed,asthelittlegirlslept.Iwanttotellyousomething,Mother,saidJo.IsitaboutMeg?saidMrsMarch.Howquicklyyouguessed!"saidJo.Yes,it'sabouther.Lastsummer,MeglostoneofherglovesattheLaurence'spicnic,andlaterLaurietoldmethatMrBrookehadit,andkeptitinhiscoatpocket.Itfelloutonce,andLauriesawit.MrBrooketoldLauriethathelikedMegbutwasafraidtotellherbecauseshewassoyoungandhewassopoor.Isn’titallawful?DoyouthinkMeglikesandcaresabouthim?"askedMrsMarch,withaworriedlook.Don’tknowanythingaboutlove!saidJo.Doyouthinkshe'snotininterestedinJohn?saidMrsMarchWho?saidJo,staring.MrBrooke,saidhermother.IcallhimJohnbecausewebecamegoodfriendsatthehospital.Oh,dear!"saidJo.He'sbeengoodtoFather,andnowyou'llletMegmarryhim,ifshewantsto.Mydear,don’tbeangry,saidMrsMarch.JohntoldusquitehonestlythathelovedMeg,butsaidhewouldearnenoughmoneyforacomfortablehomebeforeheaskedhertomarryhim.Hewantsverymuchtomakeherlovehimifhecan.He'sanexcellentyoungman,butyourfatherandIwillnotagreetoMegmarryingbeforesheistwenty.IwanthertomarryLaurie,andberich,"saidJo."I’mafraidLaurieisn’tgrown-upenoughforMeg,saidMrsMarch.Don’tmakeplans,Jo.Lettimeandtheirownheartsbringyourfriendstogether.

20Megcameinwiththeletterforherfather.Beautifullywritten,mydear,"saidhermother,lookingattheletter."PleaseaddthatIsendmylovetoJohn.DoyoucallhimJohn?"saidMeg,smiling.Yes,he'sbeenlikeasontousandweareveryfondofhim,saidMrsMarch,watchingherdaughterclosely.I'mgladofthat,becausehe'ssolonely,wasMegsquietanswer.Goodnight,Motherdear.MrsMarchkissedhergently."ShedoesnotloveJohnyet,shethought,"butshewillsoonlearnto.第十三章:罗瑞惹麻烦琼平息事端LauriequicklyrealizedthatJowaskeepingasecretwhichsherefusedtotellhim,butheguessedthesecretwasaboutMegandMrBrooke,andwasannoyedthathistutorhadsaidnothing.Hebegantomakesomeprivateplansofhisown.Meg,meanwhile,wasbusygettingthingsreadyforherfathersreturn,butachangesuddenlyseemedtocomeoverher.Foradayortwo,shejumpedwhenshewasspokento,andtherewasaworriedlookonherface.Thenaletterarrivedforher,andafewminuteslaterMrsMarchandJosawMegstaringatitwithafrightenedface.Mychild,whatisit?"saidMrsMarch.It'samistake-hedidn’tsendit.Jo,howcouldyoudoit?Meghidherfaceinherhandsandcried.Me?I'vedonenothing,saidJo.What'sshetalkingabout?MegpulledanotherletterfromherpocketandthrewitatJo.Youwroteit,andthatbadboyhelpedyou.Howcouldyoubesocruelandmeantousboth?JoandhermotherreadtheletterwhichhadbeeninMegspocket.MydearestMeg,Icannolongerhidemyloveforyou,andmustknowyouranswerbeforeIreturn.Icannottellyourparentsyet,butIthinktheywillagreeiftheyknowthatweloveoneanother.MrLaurencewillhelpmefindagoodjob,andthen,mysweetgirl,youwillmakemehappy.Saynothingtoyourfamilyyet,butsendawordofhopetomethroughLaurie.YourlovingJohn.Thatterribleboy!saidJo.Illmakehimsorry.Buthermothersaid,"Wait,Jo.Areyousurethisisnothingtodowithyou?'Ineversawtheletterbefore!saidJo.ButMrBrookewouldn’twritestupidthingslikethat.It'slikehiswriting,saidMegunhappily,lookingatthesecondletterinherhand.Oh,Meg,youdidn’tanswerit?saidMrsmarch.Yes,Idid!criedMeg,hidingherfaceagain.Letmegetthatwickedboy!shoutedJo.MrsMarchsatbesideMeg.Tellmeeverything.Lauriebroughtthefirstletter,saidMeg.Hedidn’tseemtoknowanythingaboutit.Iwasgoingtotellyou,butIrememberedhowyoulikedMrBrookeandthoughtitwouldbeallrighttokeepmylittlesecretforawhile.NowIcanneverlookhiminthefaceagain.Whatdidyouwritetohim?askedMrsmarch.onlysaidthatIwastooyoungtodoanything,andthatIdidn’twishtohavesecretsfromyouso

21hemustspeaktoFatherIthankedhimforhiskindnessandsaidwouldbehisfriend,butnothingmore,foralongtime.MrsMarchsmiledandlookedpleased.Jolaughed.Whatdidhereplytothat?Hewritesherethatheneversentanyloveletter,andissorrythatmysisterJoshouldplaygameswithuslikethis,saidMeg."It'saverykindletter,butimaginehowawfulIfeel.Idon’tbelieveBrookesaweitherofthoseletters,saidJo."Lauriewrotethembothandhe'skeepingyoursbecauseIwon’ttellhimmysecret.GoandfetchLaurie,Jo,saidMrsMarch."Ilputastoptoallthisatonce.AwayranJo,andMrsMarchgentlytoldMegMrBrooke'srealfeelings."Now,dear,doyoulovehimenoughtowaituntilhecanmakeahomeforyou?"I'mfrightenedandworried,"answeredMeg.Idon’twantanythingtodowithloveforalongtime-perhapsnever.IfJohndoesn’tknowaboutallthis,don'ttellhim,andpleasemakeJoandLauriekeepquiet.MrsMarchtriedtocalmherdaughter,butassoonasMegheardLauriecomingbackwithJo,sheranoutoftheroom,andMrsMarchsawtheboyalone.WhenLauriesawMrsMarch'sangryface,heguessedthereason.Jowaitedoutsidetheroomas,inside,thevoicesroseandfellforhalfanhour.Butthegirlsneverknewwhatwassaid.Whentheywerecalledin,LaurieapologizedtoMeg,andtoldherthatMrBrookeknewnothingabouteitherofthetwoletters.Pleaseforgiveme,Meg,hesaid.I'lltry,saidMeg,butIdidn’tthinkyoucouldbesounkind.LaurielookedsosorrythatJowantedtoforgivehimstraightaway,butshesaidnothingandrefusedeventolookathim.Whenhewentaway,lookinghurtandunhappyJowishedshehadbeenmoreforgiving.Shecouldneverstayangryforlong,soafterawhileshehurriedovertothebighouse,takingwithherasanexcuseoneofMrLaurencesbooksthatshehadborrowed.IsMrLaurencein?"Joaskedaservant.Yes,miss,butyoucantseehim,saidtheservant.Why?Isheill?Said.No,miss,buthe'sbeenarguingwithMrLaurie."WheresLaurie?"saidJo.Hesshutinhisroom.andhewontcomeout.I'llgoandseewhat'sthematter,saidJo."I’mnotafraidofeitherofthem.ShewentupstairsandknockedonLaurie’sdoor.Stopthat!shoutedLaurie.Joimmediatelyknockedagainandthedoorflewopen.ShesteppedinsidebeforeLauriecouldstopher.I’vecometosaythatIforgiveyou,shesaid,"andIwon’tstayangrywithyou.Oh,saidLaurie.Thankyou.What'swrong?"shesaid,seeinghisunhappyface.Iwouldn’ttellGrandfatherwhyyourmotherwantedtoseemebecauseIpromisedhernottotellanyone,hesaid.ButthenGrandfathertriedtoshakethetruthoutofme,soIcameuphereandshutmyselfin.Iexpecthe'ssorryhedidthat,saidJo.Godownandsayyou'resorry.I'llhelpyou.No,Iwont!saidLaurieangrily."IwassorryaboutMeg,andIaskedhertoforgiveme,butIwontdoitagainwhenI'mnottheonewhoiswrong.HeoughttobelievemewhenIsayIcanttellhimsomething.Idon’tlikebeingshakenlikethat,andIwon’tgodownuntilheapologizes.Listen,ifIgetyourgrandfathertoapologizeforshakingyou,willyougodown?saidJo.Yes,butyouwontdoit,answeredLaurie.

22IfIcanmanagetheyoungone,thenIcanmanagetheoldone,Josaidtoherselfasshewentdownstairs.Comein!"saidMrLaurencewhensheknockedonhisdoor.It'sme,sir,saidJo.I’mreturningabook.uwantanymore?saidtheoldman,lookingannoyedbuttryingnottoshowit.Yes,please,"saidJo.AndshepretendedtolookforanotherbookwhileMrLaurencestaredathercrossly.What'sthatboybeendoing?heaskedsuddenly.Hewon’ttellme.Hediddosomethingwrongandweforgavehim,"saidJo,"butweallpromisednottosayawordtoanyor.Hemustnothidebehindapromisefromyousoft-heartedgirls,saidtheoldgentleman.Tellme,Jo.Ican’t,sir,becauseMotherhasorderedmenotto,saidJo.AndifItellyou,itwillmaketroubleforsomeoneelse,notLaurie.Thisseemedtocalmtheoldman.ThenI'llforgivehim,hesaidafteramoment.He'sadifficultboyandhardtomanage,youknow.SoamI,saidJo,butakindwordalwayshelps.YouthinkI'mnotkindtohim?"hesaidsharply.Tookind,veryoften,saidJo,alittleafraid,butjustabitquicktobeangrywithhimsometimes.Theoldgentlemanlookedalittleashamed.You'reright,Iam.AlthoughIlovetheboy,Ifindithardtobepatientwithhimsometimes.Bringhimdownandtellhimit'sallright.I'msorryIshookhim.Whynotwritehimanapology,sir?"saidJo.Hesayshewontcomedownuntilhe'sgotone.ArLaurencegaveheranothersharplook,butthensmiledandputonhisglasses.Here,givemeabitofpaper,hesaid.ThewordswerewrittenandJokissedtheoldman'scheek.ThenshewentupstairsandputtheletterunderLauriesdoor.Buthecameoutbeforeshewasgone.Welldone,Jo,hesaid.Didheshoutatyou?"No,hewasquitecalm,saidJo.Now,goandeatyourdinner.You'llbothfeelbetterafterit.Everyonethoughtthematterwasended,butalthoughothersforgotit,Megremembered.ShenevertalkedaboutLaurie'stutorbutshethoughtofhimoftenanddreamedherdreams.Andonce,whenJowaslookingforsomethinginhersister'sdesk,shefoundabitofpaperwith"MrsJohnBrooke"writtenonitoverandoveragain.Oh.Dear！saidJo.第十四章:快乐的日子ChristmasDaywasverydifferentthatyear.BethfeltmuchbetterandwascarriedtothewindowtoseethesnowmanwhichJoandLauriehadmade.Ithadabasketoffruitandflowersinonehandandanewpieceofmusicintheother.Laurieranupanddown,bringinginthepresents,andJosangafunnysong.I'msohappy!"laughedBeth,asJocarriedherbacktotheotherroomtorestafterthefun.Oh,IdowishthatFatherwasheretoo!

23Halfanhourlater,Lauriecametothehouseandopenedthedoorquietly."Here'sanotherChristmaspresentfortheMarchfamily!"hecalledout.Hemovedaway,andinhisplaceappearedatallmanholdingthearmofanothertallman,whotriedtosaysomethingbutcouldn’t.Father!"criedMegandJotogether-andMrMarchdisappearedunderlotsoflovingarmsandkisses.MrBrookekissedMeg-bymistake,ashetriedtoexplain.Suddenly,thedoortotheotherroomopened,andtherewasBeth,runningstraightintoherfather'sarmsThereweretearsofhappinessonmanyfacesbeforealltheexcitementdieddown.ThenMrsMarchthankedMrBrookefortakingcareofherhusband,andheandLaurieleftthefamilytothemselves.MrMarchandBethsatinonebigarmchair,andtheotherssataroundthem.Iwantedtosurpriseyouall,andthedoctorletMrBrookebringmehomesaidMrMarch.Johnhasbeensogoodtome.Heisanexcellentyoungman.MrMarchlookedatMeg,whowasstaringatthefire,thenhesmiledathiswife.Shesmiledback.Jounderstoodexactlywhatthesmilesweresaying,andwentouttothekitchencomplainingtoherselfabout"excellentyoungmenwithbrowneyes!ThereneverwasaChristmasdinnerliketheonetheyhadthatday.MrLaurenceandhisgrandsonatewiththem,andsodidMrBrooke.Jogavethetutormanyblacklooksandwouldnotspeaktohim,whichamusedLaurie.Theguestsleftearlyandthehappyfamilysattogetheraroundthefire.AyearagowewerecomplainingabouttheawfulChristmasweexpectedtohave,doyouremember?"saidJo.It'sbeenquiteagoodyear,saidMeg,thinkingaboutMrBrooke.Ithinkit'sbeenahardone,"saidAmy.I’mgladit'sover,becausewe'vegotFatherback,whisperedBeth,whowassittingonhisknee.I'vediscoveredseveralthingsaboutyouyoungladiestoday,saidMrMarch.Oh,telluswhattheyare!"criedMeg.Here'sone,hesaid,takingherhand.Ithadasmallburnonthebackandtwoorthreelittlehardplacesonthefront."Irememberwhenthishandwaswhiteandsmooth.Itwasprettythen,buttomeit'smuchprettiernow.I'mproudofthishard-workinghand,Meg.WhataboutJo?whisperedBeth.She'striedsohard,andhasbeenvery,verygoodtome.HesmiledandlookedatJosittingopposite."Herhairmaybeshort,butIseeayoungladynow.Herfaceisthinandwhitefromworrying,butithasgrowngentler.PerhapsI'llmissmywildgirl,butI'msureI'lllovethewarm-heartedwomanwhohastakenherplace.Jo'sfacewasredinthefirelightasshelistened.NowBeth,saidAmy.She'snotasshyassheusedtobe,saidherfatherlovingly,andheheldBethclosewhenherememberedhowneartheyhadcometolosingher.ThenhelookeddownatAmybyhisfeet.I'venoticedtodaythatAmyhashelpedeveryonepatientlyandwithasmile.She'slearnedtothinkmoreaboutotherandlessaboutherself.Bethmovedoutofherfather'sarmsandwenttothepiano.Shetouchedthekeyssoftlyandbegantosing.Soon,theothersjoinedherinahappyChristmassong.Thenextafternoon,JoandMegweresittingatthewindowwhenLauriewentby.WhenhesawMeg,hefellononekneeinthesnow,beathischest,andputouthisarmstowardsher.WhenMegtoldhimtogoaway,hepretendedtocrybeforewalkingawaylookingmiserable.

24Meglaughed.Whatwashedoing?"shesaid.HewasshowingyouhowyourJohnwillact,answeredJo,crossly.Don'tsaymyJohn,itisn'tright.ButMegsaidthewordsagainsilentlyinsideherhead.heasksyontomarryhim,you'llcryorlookstupid,insteadofsayingaloudNo,saidJo.No,Iwont,saidMeg.I'llsay,Thankyou,MrBrooke,youareverykind,butIamtooyoungtomarryyou.Pleaseletusbefriends,aswewere.don'tbelieveit."saidJo.It'strueThenI'llwalkoutoftheroomwithmyheadhigh.Meggotupandpretendedtodoit-butranbacktoherseatwhensheheardsomeoneknockonthedoor.Joopeneditwithanangrylook.Goodafternoon,saidMrBrooke."Icametogetmyumbrella,whichIleftbehindyesterday.I'llgetit,saidJo,pushingpasthim.NowMegcantellhim,shethought.ButMegwasmovingtothedoor.IexpectMotherwillwanttoseeyou,shesaid.I'llcallher.Don'tgo,hesaid."Areyouafraidofme,Meg?HowcanIbeafraidwhenyou'vebeensokindtoFather,"saidMeg."IwishIcouldthankyouforit.Youcan,hesaid.AndhetookMeg'ssmallhandinhisandlookedatherlovingly.Oh,pleasedon't,shesaid,lookingfrightened.‘Ionlywanttoknowifyoulovemealittle,Meg,hesaidgently."Iloveyousomuch.ThiswasthemomenttorepeatthewordsshehadtoldJo,butMegforgotthemall."Idon'tknow,shesaid,sosoftlythatJohnhadtomoveclosertohearherreply.Hesmiledgratefully.Willyoutrytofindout?mtooyoung,shesaid,hesitatingbutfeelingherheartbeatingratherfast.I'llwaitwhileyoulearntolikeme,hesaid.Willitbeverydifficult?NotifIchoosetolearn.shesaid.Pleasechoose,Meg.Ilovetoteach,andthisiseasierthanGerman,"saidJohn,takingherotherhand.Shelookedathimandsawthathewassmiling.HeseemedsosureofsuccessthatMegbecamealittleannoyed.Shefeltexcitedandstrange,andtakingherhandsawayfromhis,shesaid,Idon'tchoosePleasegoaway!PoorMrBrookelookedshocked.Doyoumeanthat?Yes,shesaid,ratherenjoyingthegameshewasplaying."Idon'twanttothinkaboutthesethings.It'stosoon.I'llwaituntilyou'vehadmoretime,hesaid,andlookedsounhappythatMegbegantofeelsorryforhim.ItwasatthismomentthatAuntMarchcamein.ShehadcometoseeMrMarchandwashopingtosurprisethefamily.Shedidsurprisetwoofthem.Megwithherfacebrightred,juststaredatheraunt,whileMrBrookehurriedintoanotherroom.Goodnessme,what'sallthis?"criedAuntMarch."It'sFather'sfriend,"saidMeghurriedly."I'msosurprisedtoseeyou,AuntMarch.Icanseethat,saidAuntMarch,sittingdown.Whathashesaidtomakeyourfaceturnpink?MrBrookeandIwerejust...talking,saidMeg.Brooke?Theboy’stutor?Iunderstandnow.IknowallaboutitbecauseImadeJotellme.Youhaven'tpromisedtomarryhim,haveyou,Meg?Ifyouhave,youwon'tgetonebitofmymoney,

25doyouhear?ItwasexactlythewrongthingtosayWhenMegwasorderednottomarryJohnBrooke,sheimmediatelydecidedthatShewould.I'llmarrywhoeverwantto,AuntMarch,andyoucangiveyourmoneytoanyoneyoulike!"shesaid.You'llbesorry!"saidAuntMarch.Whydon'tyoumarryarichmantohelpyourfamily.FatherandMotherlikeJohn,althoughhe'spoor,saidMeg.Besensible,Meg,saidheraunt.HeknowsIhavemoney,andthat'swhyhelikesyou,Isuspect.Don'tsaythat!"saidMeg.MyJohnwouldn'tmarryformoneyanymorethanIwould!Wellworkandwait,andI'llbehappywithhimbecausehelovesme,andMegstoppedassherememberedthatshehadtoldherJohntogoaway.AuntMarchwasveryangry.Justdon'texpectanythingfrommewhenyouaremarried!shesaid.Andshewentoutoftheroom,bangingthedoorbehindher.Megdidn'tknowwhethertolaughorcry.Beforeshecoulddecide,MrBrookecamebackinfromthenextroomandputhisarmsaroundher.OhMegcouldhearyourvoices,hesaid.Thankyouforprovingthatyoudolovemealittle.didn'tknowhowmuchuntilshesaidthosethingsaboutyou,saidMeg.SoIcanstay,andbehappy?hesaid.Yes,John,shewhispered,andhidherfaceonJohnschest.Joreturnedandfoundthemlikethat.Megjumpedandturnedround,butJohnBrookelaughedandkissedtheshockedJo,saying,SisterJo.Wishusluck.Joranupstairstofindherparents."Godownquickly!shesaid.JohnBrookeisbehavingterriblyandMeglikesit!"MrandMrsMarchlefttheroominahurry,whileJothrewherselfonthebedandtoldtheawfulnewstoBethandAmy.Butthelittlegirlsthoughtitwasallmostinterestinganddelightful.Nobodyknewwhatwassaidthatafternoon,butalotoftalkingwasdone.ThequietMrBrookemanagedtopersuadehisfriendsthathisplansweregoodandsensible,thenheproudlytookMegintosupper.EveryonelookedsohappythatJotriedtolookpleasedtoo.Aftersupper,LauriearrivedwithsomeflowersforMrsJohnBrooke",thenhefollowedJointothecorneroftheroomwhiletheotherswenttowelcomeoldMrLaurence.What'sthematter,Jo?saidLaurie.Youdon'tlookveryhappy.Nothingwilleverbethesameagain,saidJosadly."I’velostmydearestfriend.You'vegotme,saidLaurie.I'mnotgoodformuch,butIpromiseI'llalwaysbeyourfriend,Jo.knowyouwill,answeredJo,gratefully.Thendon'tbesad,hesaid."I'llbebackfromcollegeinthreeyearstime,andthenwe'llgoabroad,oronanicetripsomewhere.Wouldn'tthatcheeryou.Anythingcanhappeninthreeyears,saidJo.That'strue,saidLaurie.Don'tyouwishyouknewwhatwasgoingtohappen?Idon'tthinkso,saidJo.Itmaybesomethingsad,andeveryonelookssohappynow.Asshespoke,shelookedroundtheroom,andherfacebrightenedatthesight.FatherandMothersathappilytogether.AmywasdrawingapictureofMegandJohn,whowerelookinglovinglyateachother.Bethlayonthefloortalkingtoheroldfriend,MrLaurence.Josatinherfavoritechairwithaserious,quietlookonherface.LauriesmiledatherinthelongmirrorthatwasoppositethembothAndJosmiledback.

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