Little Women

oom one Saturday afternoon, and finding them getting ready t

ls shouldn't ask question

us. 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,

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

ere whispering and laughing together, on the sofa, last night

hering.' Amy held her tongue, but used her e

she cried, adding resolutely, `and I shall go, for Mother said I might se

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

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

believe Mother would mind, if we

e herself where she isn't wanted,' said Jo, crossly, for she disliked the trouble of overseeing a fidgety child, when she wanted to enjoy herself. Her tone and manner ang

at 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 s

s hurried down, leaving their sister wailing; for now and then she forgot her grown-up ways, and acted like a spoilt child. Just as the

' returned Jo, s

r "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, Jo irritated Amy, and semi-occasional explosions occurred, of which both were much ashamed afterwards. 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 towards the bureau; for, in their last quarrel, Amy had soothed her feelin

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

ised; Amy poked the fire, and said nothing. Jo saw

you've

I hav

w where it

, I d

the shoulders and looking fierce enough

t it, don't know where it

ou'd better tell at once, or I'll mak

ever see your silly old book again,' c

hy n

urnt i

finish before Father got home! Have you really burnt it?' said Jo, turni

make you pay for being so cros

her, and she shook Amy till her teeth chattered i

er can write it again and I'll ne

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

ad 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

ooking so grim and unapproachable, that

e me, Jo; I'm ve

s Jo's stern answer; and from tha

ment, 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

ood-night kiss, Mrs. M

pon your anger; forgive each other, hel

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

bed, and there was no merry or

umbled herself, to feel more injured than ever, and to plume herself on her superior virtue in a way w

idgets, Meg was pensive, Beth would look grieved and wistful when she got home, and Amy kept making remarks about p

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

ation: `There! she promised I should go next time, for this is the last

w, 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

earing over the hill. It was not far to the river, but both were ready before Amy reached them. Jo saw her coming, and turned her ba

mping her feet and blowing her fingers, as she tried to put her skates on; but Jo never turned, and went slowly zigzagging down the river, taking a bitter, unhappy sort of satisfaction in her sister's troubles. She had cheri

her ice in the middle of the river. For a minute Jo stood still, with a strange feeling at her heart; then she resolved to go on, but something held 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

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

while I get off these confounded skates,' cried Laurie, wrapping his coat roun

le 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 r

rsefully at the golden head, which might have been swept

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

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

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

ssible to conquer your fault,' said Mrs. March, drawing the blowzy head to her

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

ill 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 moment

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

omforted 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

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

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

t before I know what I'm about; and the more I say the worse I get, till it's a pleasure

other used t

interrupted Jo, w

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

er! What hel

me that I must try to practise 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, whe

as good as you, I shall be sati

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

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

ver 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 m

t is my greatest happiness and pride to feel that my

ht I'd gri

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

ry when he went, and never complain now, or see

roubles 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 o

or in 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

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

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

t straight to Jo's heart. Neither said a word, but they hugged one another close, in

room one Saturday afternoon, and finding them getting ready t

ls shouldn't ask question

us. 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,

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

ere whispering and laughing together, on the sofa, last night

hering.' Amy held her tongue, but used her e

she cried, adding resolutely, `and I shall go, for Mother said I might se

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

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

believe Mother would mind, if we

e herself where she isn't wanted,' said Jo, crossly, for she disliked the trouble of overseeing a fidgety child, when she wanted to enjoy herself. Her tone and manner ang

at 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 s

s hurried down, leaving their sister wailing; for now and then she forgot her grown-up ways, and acted like a spoilt child. Just as the

' returned Jo, s

r "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, Jo irritated Amy, and semi-occasional explosions occurred, of which both were much ashamed afterwards. 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 towards the bureau; for, in their last quarrel, Amy had soothed her feelin

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

ised; Amy poked the fire, and said nothing. Jo saw

you've

I hav

w where it

, I d

the shoulders and looking fierce enough

t it, don't know where it

ou'd better tell at once, or I'll mak

ever see your silly old book again,' c

hy n

urnt i

finish before Father got home! Have you really burnt it?' said Jo, turni

make you pay for being so cros

her, and she shook Amy till her teeth chattered i

er can write it again and I'll ne

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

ad 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

ooking so grim and unapproachable, that

e me, Jo; I'm ve

s Jo's stern answer; and from tha

ment, 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

ood-night kiss, Mrs. M

pon your anger; forgive each other, hel

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

bed, and there was no merry or

umbled herself, to feel more injured than ever, and to plume herself on her superior virtue in a way w

idgets, Meg was pensive, Beth would look grieved and wistful when she got home, and Amy kept making remarks about p

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

ation: `There! she promised I should go next time, for this is the last

w, 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

earing over the hill. It was not far to the river, but both were ready before Amy reached them. Jo saw her coming, and turned her ba

mping her feet and blowing her fingers, as she tried to put her skates on; but Jo never turned, and went slowly zigzagging down the river, taking a bitter, unhappy sort of satisfaction in her sister's troubles. She had cheri

her ice in the middle of the river. For a minute Jo stood still, with a strange feeling at her heart; then she resolved to go on, but something held 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

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

while I get off these confounded skates,' cried Laurie, wrapping his coat roun

le 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 r

rsefully at the golden head, which might have been swept

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

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

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

ssible to conquer your fault,' said Mrs. March, drawing the blowzy head to her

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

ill 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 moment

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

omforted 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

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

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

t before I know what I'm about; and the more I say the worse I get, till it's a pleasure

other used t

interrupted Jo, w

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

er! What hel

me that I must try to practise 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, whe

as good as you, I shall be sati

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

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

ver 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 m

t is my greatest happiness and pride to feel that my

ht I'd gri

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

ry when he went, and never complain now, or see

roubles 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 o

or in 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

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

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

t straight to Jo's heart. Neither said a word, but they hugged one another close, in