[Illustration: LITTLE WOMEN MEG, JO, BETH, AND AMY LOUISA M. ALCOTT]
[Illustration: "They all drew to the fire, mother in the big chair, with Beth at her feet" (See page 9) FRONTISPIECE]
LITTLE WOMEN OR Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy
AUTHOR OF "LITTLE MEN," "AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL" "SPINNING-WHEEL STORIES," ETC.
_With more than 200 illustrations by Frank T. Merrill and a picture of the Home of the Little Women by Edmund H. Garrett_
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the years 1868 and 1869, by LOUISA M. ALCOTT, In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.
_Copyright, 1880_, BY LOUISA M. ALCOTT.
_Copyright, 1896_, BY JOHN S. P. ALCOTT.
BOSTON ALFRED MUDGE & SON INC. PRINTERS
"_Go then, my little Book, and show to all That entertain and bid thee welcome shall, What thou dost keep close shut up in thy breast; And wish what thou dost show them may be blest To them for good, may make them choose to be Pilgrims better, by far, than thee or me. Tell them of Mercy; she is one Who early hath her pilgrimage begun. Yea, let young damsels learn of her to prize The world which is to come, and so be wise; For little tripping maids may follow God Along the ways which saintly feet have trod._"
XXI. LAURIE MAKES MISCHIEF, AND JO MAKES PEACE
XXIII. AUNT MARCH SETTLES THE QUESTION
[Illustration: Tail-piece to Contents]
[Illustration: List of illustrations.]
[The Illustrations, designed by FRANK T. MERRILL, drawn, engraved, and printed under the supervision of GEORGE T. ANDREW.]
They all drew to the fire, mother in the big chair, with Beth at her feet
Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents
Beth put a pair of slippers down to warm
I used to be so frightened when it was my turn to sit in the big chair
How you used to play Pilgrim's Progress
No one but Beth could get much music out of the old piano
At nine they stopped work and sung as usual
Out came Meg with gray horse-hair hanging about her face
The lovers kneeling to receive Don Pedro's blessing
Eating apples and crying over the "Heir of Redclyffe"
Jo undertook to pinch the papered locks
The kitten stuck like a burr just out of reach
Mr. Laurence often opened his study door
She put both arms around his neck and kissed him
Amy bore without flinching several tingling blows
Holding a hand of each, Mrs. March said, &c.
Jo threw open the door of the closet
Amy capped the climax by putting a clothes-pin on her nose 151
He went prancing down a quiet street
A stunning blow from the big Greek lexicon
It was rather a pretty little picture
Jo laid herself on the sofa and affected to read