Meg was Amy’s confidante and monitor, and, by some strange attraction of opposites, Jo was gentle Beth’s. To Jo alone did the shy child tell her thoughts; and over her big harum-scarum sister Beth unconsciously exercised more influence than anyone in the family. The two elder girls were a great deal to one another, but each took one of the younger into her keeping, and watched over her in her own way; ‘playing mother’ they called it, and put their sisters in the places of discarded dolls, with the maternal instincts of little women.

‘Has anybody got anything to tell? It’s been such a dismal day I’m really dying for some amusement,’ said Meg, as they sat sewing together that evening.

‘I had a queer time with aunt today, and, as I got the best of it, I’ll tell you about it,’ began Jo, who dearly loved to tell stories. ‘I was reading that everlasting Belsham, and droning away as I always do, for aunt soon drops off, and then I take out some nice book, and read like fury till she wakes up. I actually made myself sleepy; and, before she began to nod, I gave such a gape that she asked me what I meant by opening my mouth wide enough to take the whole book in at once.

‘“I wish I could and be done with it,” said I, trying not to be saucy.

‘Then she gave me a long lecture on my sins, and told me to sit and think them over while she just “lost” herself for a moment. She never finds herself very soon; so the minute her cap began to bob, like a top-heavy dahlia, I whipped the Vicar of Wakefield out of my pocket, and read away, with one eye on him, and one on aunt. I’d just got to where they all tumbled into the water, when I forgot, and laughed out loud. Aunt woke up; and, being more good-natured after her nap, told me to read a bit, and show what frivolous work I preferred to the worthy and instructive Belsham. I did my very best, and she liked it, though she only said:

‘“I don’t understand what it’s all about. Go back and begin it, child.”

‘Back I went, and made the Primroses as interesting as ever I could. Once I was wicked enough to stop in a thrilling place, and say meekly, “I’m afraid it tires you, ma’am; shan’t I stop now?”

‘She caught up her knitting, which had dropped out of her hands, gave me a sharp look through her specs, and said, in her short way:

‘“Finish the chapter, and don’t be impertinent, miss.”’

‘Did she own she liked it?’ asked Meg.

‘Oh, bless you, no! but she let old Belsham rest; and, when I ran back after my gloves this afternoon, there she was, so hard at the Vicar that she didn’t hear me laugh as I danced a jig in the hall, because of the good time coming. What a pleasant life she might have, if she only chose. I don’t envy her much, in spite of her money, for after all, rich people have about as many worries as poor ones, I think,’ added Jo.

‘That reminds me,’ said Meg, ‘that I’ve got something to tell. It isn’t funny, like Jo’s story, but I thought about it a good deal as I came home. At the Kings’ today I found everybody in a flurry, and one of the children said that her oldest brother had done something dreadful, and papa had sent him away. I heard Mrs King crying and Mr King talking very loud, and Grace and Ellen turned away their faces when they passed me, so I shouldn’t see how red their eyes were. I didn’t ask any questions, of course; but I felt so sorry for them, and was rather glad I hadn’t any wild brothers to do wicked things and disgrace the family.’

‘I think being disgraced in school is a great deal tryinger than anything bad boys can do,’ said Amy, shaking her head, as if her experience of life had been a deep one. ‘Susie Perkins came to school today with a lovely red carnelian ring; I wanted it dreadfully, and wished I was her with all my might. Well, she drew a picture of Mr Davis, with a monstrous nose and a hump, and the words, “Young ladies, my eye is upon you!” coming out of his mouth in a balloon thing. We were laughing over it, when all of a sudden his eye was on us, and he ordered Susie to bring up her slate. She was parry-lized with fright, but she went, and oh, what do you think he did? He took her by the ear – the ear! just fancy how horrid! – and led her to the recitation platform, and made her stand there half an hour, holding that slate so everyone could see it.’

‘Didn’t the girls laugh at the picture?’ asked Jo, who relished the scrape.

‘Laugh! Not one! They sat as still as mice; and Susie cried quarts, I know she did. I didn’t envy her then; for I felt that millions of carnelian rings wouldn’t have made me happy after that. I never, never should have got over such an agonizing mortification.’ And Amy went on with her work, in the proud consciousness of virtue, and the successful utterance of two long words in a breath.

‘I saw something that I liked this morning, and I meant to tell it at dinner, but I forgot,’ said Beth, putting Jo’s topsy-turvy basket in order as she talked. ‘When I went to get some oysters for Hannah, Mr Laurence was in the fish-shop; but he didn’t see me, for I kept behind a barrel, and he was busy with Mr Cutter, the fish-man. A poor woman came in, with a pail and a mop, and asked Mr Cutter if he would let her do some scrubbing for a bit of fish, because she hadn’t any dinner for her children, and had been disappointed of a day’s work. Mr Cutter was in a hurry, and said “No,” rather crossly; so she was going away, looking hungry and sorry, when Mr Laurence hooked up a big fish with the crooked end of his cane, and held it out to her. She was so glad and surprised, she took it right in her arms, and thanked him over and over. He told her to “go along and cook it”, and she hurried off, so happy! Wasn’t it good of him? Oh, she did look so funny, hugging the big, slippery fish, and hoping Mr Laurence’s bed in heaven would be “aisy”.’

When they had laughed at Beth’s story, they asked their mother for one; and, after a moment’s thought, she said soberly:

‘As I sat cutting out blue flannel jackets today, at the rooms, I felt very anxious about Father, and thought how lonely and helpless we should be if anything happened to him. It was not a wise thing to do; but I kept on worrying till an old man came in, with an order for some clothes. He sat down near me, and I began to talk to him; for he looked poor and tired and anxious.

‘“Have you sons in the army?” I asked; for the note he brought was not to me.

‘“Yes, ma’am. I had four, but two were killed, one is a prisoner, and I’m going to the other, who is very sick in a Washington hospital,” he answered, quietly.

‘“You have done a great deal for your country, sir,” I said, feeling respect now instead of pity.

‘“Not a mite more than I ought, ma’am. I’d go myself, if I was any use; as I ain’t, I give my boys, and give ’em free.”

‘He spoke so cheerfully, looked so sincere, and seemed so glad to give his all, that I was ashamed of myself. I’d given one man, and thought it too much, while he gave four without grudging them. I had all my girls to comfort me at home; and his last son was waiting, miles away, to say “good-bye” to him, perhaps! I felt so rich, so happy, thinking of my blessings, that I made him a nice bundle, gave him some money, and thanked him heartily for the lesson he had taught me.’

‘Tell another story, Mother – one with a moral to it, like this. I like to think about them afterwards, if they are real, and not too preachy,’ said Jo, after a minute’s silence.

Mrs March smiled, and began at once; for she had told stories to this little audience for many years, and knew how to please them.

‘Once upon a time, there were four girls, who had enough to eat and drink and wear, a good many comforts and pleasures, kind friends and parents, who loved them dearly, and yet they were not contented.’ (Here the listeners stole sly looks at one another, and began to sew diligently.) ‘These girls were anxious to be good, and made many excellent resolutions; but they did not keep them very well, and were constantly saying, “If we only had this,” or “If we could only do that,” quite forgetting how much they already had, and how many pleasant things they actually could do. So they asked an old woman what spell they could use to make them happy, and she said, “When you feel discontented, think over your blessings and be grateful.”’ (Here Jo looked up quickly, as if about to speak, but changed her mind, seeing that the story was not done yet.)