Little Women

ETS A

oom one Saturday afternoon, and finding them getting ready t

s shouldn't ask question

Amy bridled up at this insult, and determined to find out the secret, if she teased for an hour. Turning to Meg, who never refused her anything very long, sh

broke in impatiently, "Now, Meg, be quiet or you will spoil it

ere whispering and laughing together on the sofa last night

do be still, and

sed her eyes, and saw Meg

she cried, adding resolutely, "and I shall go, for Mother said I might s

t wish you to go this week, because your eyes are not well enough yet to bear the ligh

I've been sick with this cold so long, and shut up, I'm dying for some fun. D

elieve Mother would mind, if we

only us, to go and drag in Amy. I should think she'd hate to poke herself where she isn't wanted," said

saying, in her most aggravating way, "I shall go. Meg says I may

t will spoil our pleasure. Or he'll get another seat for you, and that isn't proper when you weren't asked. You shan't st

hurried down, leaving their sister wailing. For now and then she forgot her grown-up ways and acted like a spoiled child. Just as t

returned Jo, s

'sorry for it'. She and Amy had had many lively skirmishes in the course of their lives, for both had quick tempers and were apt to be violent when fairly roused. Amy teased Jo, and Jo irritated Amy, and semioccasional explosions occurred, of which both were much ashamed afterward. Although the oldest, Jo had the least self-control, and had hard times trying to curb the fiery spirit which was continua

if Beth had not been there to inquire and receive a glowing description of the play. On going up to put away her best hat, Jo's first look was toward the bureau, for in their last quarrel Amy had soothed her feelings

Meg, Beth, and Amy were sitting together, late in the afternoon, when Jo burst in

rised. Amy poked the fire and said nothing. Jo sa

ou've g

I hav

where it

I d

the shoulders, and looking fierce enough

it, don't know where it

'd better tell at once, or I'll make

ver see your silly old book again," c

y n

rned

nish before Father got home? Have you really burned it?" said Jo, turnin

ake you pay for being so cros

er, and she shook Amy till her teeth chattered in

can write it again, and I'll nev

herself, and with a parting box on her sister's ear, she rushed out of

d worked over them patiently, putting her whole heart into her work, hoping to make something good enough to print. She had just copied them with great care, and had destroyed the old manuscript, so that Amy's bonfire had consumed the loving work of several years. It seemed a small loss to others, but to Jo it

oking so grim and unapproachable that i

me, Jo. I'm ve

Jo's stern answer, and from tha

nt and healed the breach. It was not a happy evening, for though they sewed as usual, while their mother read aloud from Bremer, Scott, or Edgeworth, something was wanting, and the sweet home peace was disturbed. They felt this most when singing time

tly, "My dear, don't let the sun go down upon your anger. Fo

y weakness, and she felt so deeply injured that she really couldn't quite forgive yet. So she winked hard, shook her

ed, and there was no merry or

rly exasperating. Jo still looked like a thunder cloud, and nothing went well all day. It was bitter cold in the morning, she dropped her precious turnover in the gutter, Aunt March had an attack of the fidgets, Meg was

ng. He is always kind and jolly, and will put me to r

ates, and looked out with

or this is the last ice we shall have. But it

, and I guess she will, if you try her at the right minute," said Meg. "Go after them. Don't say anything till Jo has got good-natured

nd after a flurry to get ready, she ran after the

her coming, and turned her back. Laurie did not see, for he was carefully skati

ore we begin to race," Amy heard him say, as he shot away, l

slowly zigzagging down the river, taking a bitter, unhappy sort of satisfaction in her sister's troubles. She had cherished her anger till it gre

was struggling to her feet and did not catch a word. Jo glanced over h

heard or not, let her

d and turned her round, just in time to see Amy throw up her hands and go down, with a sudden crash of rotten ice, the splash of water, and a cry that made Jo's heart stand still with fear. She tried to call Laurie, but her voice was gone. She tried to rush

rail. Qui

ying Laurie, who was quite self-possessed, and lying flat, held Amy up by his arm and hockey stick t

hile I get off these confounded skates," cried Laurie, wrapping his coat roun

Jo had scarcely spoken but flown about, looking pale and wild, with her things half off, her dress torn, and her hands cut and bruised by ice and rails and ref

sefully at the golden head, which might have been swept

cold, I think, you were so sensible in covering and ge

beside the bed in a passion of penitent tears, telling all that had happened, bitterly condemning her hardnes

e, and then it breaks out worse than ever. Oh, Mother, wh

ssible to conquer your fault," said Mrs. March, drawing the blowzy head to h

passion. I get so savage, I could hurt anyone and enjoy it. I'm afraid I shall do something dre

l never know another like it. Jo, dear, we all have our temptations, some far greater than yours, and it often takes

ever angry!" And for the momen

. I am angry nearly every day of my life, Jo, but I have learned not to show it, and I

mforted at once by the sympathy and confidence given her. The knowledge that her mother had a fault like hers, and tried to mend it, made her ow

out of the room sometimes, when Aunt March scolds or people worry you

out against my will, I just go away for a minute, and give myself a little shake for being so weak and w

before I know what I'm about, and the more I say the worse I get, till it's a pleasure

ther used t

interrupted Jo, wi

a good many bitter tears over my failures, for in spite of my efforts I never seemed to get on. Then your father came, and I was so happy that I found it easy to be good. But by-and-by, w

! What helpe

that I must try to practice all the virtues I would have my little girls possess, for I was their example. It was easier to try for your sakes than for my own. A startled or surprised look from one of you when

as good as you, I shall be sat

lls it, or it may sadden, if not spoil your life. You have had a warning. Remember it, and try with heart an

sed to see Father sometimes put his finger on his lips, and look at you with a very kind but sober f

er forgot it, but saved me from many a shar

said too much, she whispered anxiously, "Was it wrong to watch you and to speak of it? I didn't me

is my greatest happiness and pride to feel that my

t I'd gri

s him, how much I owe him, and how faithfully I should watch

when he went, and never complain now, or seem

oubles and temptations of your life are beginning and may be many, but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on

that sad yet happy hour, she had learned not only the bitterness of remorse and despair, but the sweetness of self-denial and self-control, and led by her mo

o begin at once to mend her fault, Jo looked up with a

n for Laurie, it might have been too late! How could I be so wicked?" said Jo, half alo

straight to Jo's heart. Neither said a word, but they hugged one another close, in