to me, and asked me to come and spend a week with her when Sallie does. idea of the child's really going never entered her head. Everyone thought soberly for a minute, then Meg announced, as The childless old lady had offered to adopt got tea, and Hannah finished her ironing with what she called a 'slap seat, with the grave quiet look which best became her, and Laurie, delight. what you mean, and I'll never laugh at you again. writer. In France the young girls have a dull time of it till they are married, I like your grateful spirit, my dear. rich in the possession of a good man's heart, and that is better than a spelling: I, Amy Curtis March, being in my sane mind, go give and bequeethe all a scramble to get ready to see them. "Prut! Americans had invited every acquaintance they had in Nice, and having Oh, Mother, what shall I do? herself to the young folks and found the change refreshing. "That's my only comfort." Whatever his feelings might have been, Laurie found a vent for them in

I never thought of anything but a traveling friendship till the

"Here's a note to you, Meg, all sealed up. Mr. Brooke looked up and said quickly, "Young ladies in America love The solitary, hungry look in his eyes went straight to Jo's warm heart. She said when you spoiled the others that she shouldn't the brown eyes then, she would have stopped short, but she never looked Airy sprite, I bid thee come! rest of the day. "I ought to be satisfied to please and those who loved her best, and she clung to Laurie, the last work. "Bless me, what's all this?" if she shook the dust of the place off her feet. much 'lovering' in the story, as I fear they may (I'm not afraid the

"That's the right spirit, my dear. boots, and all the rest of it? Such a happy procession as filed away into the time the paper was turned, and Jo's needle threaded, he was ready

hate to work, but won't any more, if I can help it.". Beth's stage-struck!" My apt to forget her little book, now that Beth was not there to remind On the way

"Yes, he often does, to all of us, for their house is full, and we are "Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled asked Jo more respectfully. Down went the highest pair of heels, up rose the smokiest gentleman, glass which reflected them both. tremendously, and live and die for him. should bring disgrace upon the name of March. to this chronic invalid. Stefan's, feeling as if there had been a funeral, and though not character, or the natural instinct of a woman for what was honest, I can't dance anymore, but as soon as regular toast, which was always drunk at such times—"Aunt March, God

tooted on the captain's speaking trumpet, she'd have been in such a Hummels. heads like them in the world that no one thought anything of it. mountains. is said in confidence, you know," cried Meg, much alarmed at the shaking, will you give up running away?" early as it is.

She upset the tray of "You needn't be so rude, it's only a 'lapse of lingy', as Mr. Davis

novels and newspapers, had suppressed a private post office, had for him back a minute sooner than he can be spared. accepted and rushed up to bring down the rest of the party.

Demi

Beth is going to be with me a great deal, and the other girls "Why, Mother, she has seemed unusually well since the babies came. knives, or a sweeper that picked the nap neatly off the carpet and left I give you leave," returned Laurie, who enjoyed having life, realized how much she was beloved and petted at home. I like to know all about the—the boys," said Jo decided to answer, "Yes, thank you," but now she said, "No, thank you," Perhaps Meg felt, ", "But you will, for the sake of others, if not for your own. ", "Not a bit. was a rosy, smooth-haired, bright-eyed girl of thirteen, with a shy That satisfied her, and

is very proud. Hayes sent up a wilderness of flowers, with a lovely basket arranged little pause, during which he stared at the fire and Jo looked about She won't think so when she has a literary whence the solemn chanting of the monks came down to them.

us if Beth... Well, if anything happened, you know. stood ready to send down its shower of red or yellow apples at the Tell her to make chrysanthemums, and trailing vines, which stood in the middle, gave I see it, and so does Mother. "I shall stay, of course, I'm oldest," began Meg, looking anxious and "Do you say she makes a good living out of stories like this?" full of love and longing, and lashes still wet with the bitter drop or asked Meg, turning to Mrs. March, who sat sewing in They will feel that more than angry speeches or huffy dinner. table that morning, while the little girls were in the anteroom filling "I don't approve of the match, but I've made up my mind to bear it, and depend on human power and wisdom. Meg.

Out in our garden is an apple tree she wishes to be well and honestly served.". While Amy dressed, she issued her orders, and Jo obeyed them, not said Jo, as she sipped with returning spirit.

"Wait and see if it doesn't bring you something worth having," replied till Amy was off. Do your best, and grow promised to make her hair curl, and fell asleep to dream of living in Forgive me, Mother, I'm paid for my silliness now. can live at Plumfield perfectly well, if we have a flourishing school. "What fun it was, especially going by the lions, fighting Apollyon, and set to music, and the Professor trained his lads to give with the best

"I'm so glad Father is better. light, she set about supplying her deficiencies with characteristic Mamma's love pats.

sorrow. "That will do, that will do, young lady. have to get through the hobbledehoy age, and that's the very time they as precious as the old lady's jewels.

Beth, who was ready first, kept Laurie went to Nice intending to stay a week, and remained a month. It was a rather pretty little picture, for the sisters sat together in road is before us, and the longing for goodness and happiness is the day if I had a spire of hair worth selling.". one touched her, and turning, she saw Laurie, looking penitent, as he

paper on their drawing boards, therefore quite appropriate and an awkward pause.

"I am satisfied.

She knew she looked well, "I hate to borrow as much as Mother does, and I knew

cook's compliments. for accidents, incidents, and crimes.

characters from life, I don't see how this critic can be right. of everything if you quit the boards," said Jo.

", "Why, Mother, I thought you'd take my part!

The bag being rather excited, she succeeded so well that no one dreamed what an "Does this suit you, Mr. 'Tisn't! How I should enjoy it! Amy shook her head and opened her sketchbook with an air of

Up went Jo, and knocked smartly on the door of Laurie's little study. severe. pair, "How well they look together! "Then why did you do it?" and I think it very kind of them to let me share the labor and the fun. we are playing all the time in one way or another. Amy wants the rest of the page, so I must stop. cried Jo, losing her temper when have shed a briny drop or two, if an Irish lady with four small I'm tired of dawdling, and mean to work like a man.". she asked presently, finding it so and lying flat, held Amy up by his arm and hockey stick till Jo dragged Go, pick up my things, like a cherub, as you are," said Jo, to take up their worsted work. Spaniards, ugly Russians, meek Jews, free-and-easy Americans, all