grow up an affected little goose, if you don't take care.  I
I like your nice manners and refined ways of speaking, when
you don't try to be elegant. But your absurd words are as bad
as Jo's slang."

     "If Jo is a tomboy and Amy a goose, what am I, please?"
asked Beth, ready to share the lecture.

     "You're a dear, and nothing else," answered Meg warmly, 
and no one contradicted her, for the `Mouse' was the pet of the
family.

     As young readers like to know `how people look', we will
take this moment to give them a little sketch of the four 
sisters, who sat knitting away in the twilight, while the 
December snow fell quietly without, and the fire crackled 
cheerfully within.  It was a comfortable room,though the carpet
was faded and the furniture very plain, for a good picture or
two hung on the walls, books filled the recesses, chrysanthemums
and Christmas roses bloomed in the windows, and a pleasant atmos-
phere of home peace pervaded it.

     Margaret, the eldest of the four, was sixteen, and very pretty,
being plump and fair, with large eyes, plenty of soft brown hair, a
sweet mouth, and white hands,of which she was rather vain.  Fifteen-
year-old Jo was very tall, thin, and brown, and reminded one of a
colt, for she never seemed to know what to do with her long limbs,
which were very much in her way.  She had a decided mouth, a comical
nose, and sharp, gray eyes, which appeared to see everything, and 
were by turns fierce,funny, or thoughtful.  Her long, thick hair
was her one beauty, but it was usually bundled into a net, to be
out of her way.  Round shoulders had Jo, big hands and feet, a fly-
away look to her clothes, and the uncomfortable appearance of a 
girl who was rapidly shooting up into a woman and didn't like it.
Elizabeth, or Beth, as everyone called her, was a rosy, smooth-
haired, bright-eyed girl of thirteen, with a shy manner, a timid
voice, and a ;peaceful expression which was seldom disturbed. Her
father called her `Little Miss Tranquility', and the name suited 
her excellently, for she seemed to live in a happy world of her
own, only venturing out to meet the few whom she trusted and loved.
Amy, though the youngest, was a most important person, in her own
opinion at least.  A regular snow maiden, with blue eyes, and 
yellow hair curling on her shoulders, pale and slender, and always
carrying herself like a young lady mindful of her manners. What
the characters of the four sisters were we will leave to be found
out.

     The clock struck six and, having swept up the hearth, Beth
put a pair of slippers down to warm.  Somehow the sight of the old
shoes had a good effect upon the girls, for Mother was coming, and
everyone brightened to welcome her.  Meg stopped lecturing, and 
lighted the lamp, Amy got out of the easy chair without being asked,
and Jo forgot how tired she was as she sat up to hold the slippers
nearer to the blaze.

     "They are quite worn out.  Marmee must have a new pair."

     "I thought I'd get her some with my dollar," said Beth.

     "No, I shall!" cried Amy.

     "I'm the oldest," began Meg, but Jo cut in with a decided, 
"I'm the man of the family now Papa is away, and I shall provide 
the slippers, for he told me to take special care of Mother while
he was gone."

     "I'll tell you what we'll do," said Beth, "let's each get her
something for Christmas,land not get anything for ourselves."

     "That's like you, dear!  What will we get?" exclaimed Jo.

     Everyone thought soberly for a minute, then Meg announced, as
if the idea was suggested by the sight of her own pretty hands, "I
shall give her a nice pair of gloves."

     "Army shoes, best to be had," cried Jo.

     "Some handkerchiefs, all hemmed," said Beth.

     "I'll get a little bottle of cologne.  She likes it, and it
won't cost much, so I'll have some left to buy my pencils," added
Amy.

     "How will we give the things?" asked Meg.

     "Put them on the table, and bring her in and see her open
the bundles.  Don't you remember how we used to do on our birth-
days?" answered Jo.

     "I used to be so frightened when it was my turn to sit in the
chair with the crown on, and see you all come marching round to 
give the presents, with a kiss.  I liked the things and the kisses,
but it was dreadful to have you sit looking at me while I opened 
the bundles," said Beth, who was toasting her face and the bread
for tea at the same time.

     "Let Marmee think we are getting things for ourselves, and
then surprise her.  We must go shopping tomorrow afternoon, Meg.
There is so much to do about the play for Christmas night," said 
Jo, marching up and down, with her hands behind her back, and her