第二章　圣诞快乐

圣诞节一早，天刚蒙蒙亮，乔第一个醒了。壁炉上没挂着礼物长袜，她一阵惆怅，就像很久以前的一次。不过那一次，是她的小袜子由于塞满了吃的东西而掉在了地上。接着，她记起了母亲的诺言，便把手摸到枕头底下，拿到一本深红色封面的小书。这本书她很熟悉，书中的古老故事讲的是最完美的人生。乔觉得，这本书能真正引导朝圣者踏上漫漫人生路。她一声“圣诞快乐”吵醒了美格，让她看看枕头下有什么。美格找到了一本绿封面的书，里面是相同的图画，还有母亲写的祝福语，因而，唯一的礼物在她们看来显得弥足珍贵。不一会儿，贝丝和艾美也醒了，一番翻寻，也找到了她们的小书——一本灰褐色，还有一本蓝色。大家都坐起来，端详着，谈论着。东方射出缕缕红霞，宣告新的一天开始了。

尽管玛格丽特有点虚荣，秉性却温和虔诚，这也不知不觉地影响着妹妹们，特别是乔。乔跟她特别亲，姐姐提建议时总是和颜悦色的，所以她言听计从。

“妹妹们，”美格正色道，看看旁边的一头乱发，再瞧瞧隔壁房间戴睡帽的两个小头。“妈妈要我们阅读这些宝书，珍爱它们，重视它们，我们说做就做。我们曾经深信不疑，但爸爸离开了，战祸搞得我们心神不宁，许多事情也就荒废了。你们随意吧，反正我打算把宝书放在桌子上，每天一醒来就读一点点。我清楚，读宝书对我有好处，能帮助我度过每一天。”

她打开新书读起来。乔搂住她，脸贴脸，也读开了，不得安宁的脸上，出现了少有的平静表情。

“美格有多好哇！过来，艾美，我们跟着做吧。我帮助你认生词。我们不懂的，让她们讲解。”贝丝悄声说，被漂亮的宝书所吸引，为姐姐的榜样所感染。

“我的宝书蓝封面，我喜欢。”艾美说。书页轻轻翻动，两个房间里都静静的。冬日阳光爬进来，向聪明的脑袋和认真的脸蛋问候圣诞节。

“妈妈在哪里？”半小时后，美格问。她和乔跑下楼找母亲，感谢圣诞礼物。

“天知道。有个穷棒子跑来讨饭，妈妈马上就去了，说是去看看人家缺什么。从来没见过这样的女人，把吃的、喝的、穿的和烧的都送给别人。”汉娜回应道。美格一出世，汉娜就跟这家子一起过，尽管只是仆人，可全家人都把她当朋友。

“我想马上会回来的。你先煎饼，把东西都备好。”美格说。她要把篮子里收集的礼物检查一遍。礼物放在沙发底下，到时候要拿出来。“哎，艾美买的古龙香水哪里去了？”看到小瓶子不见了，她就问。

“她刚才拿出去了，说要系上一根丝带什么的。”乔回答。她正在满屋子跳舞，要把硬实的新军鞋穿柔软。

“我的手帕真漂亮，是不是！汉娜替我洗的，还熨平了呢。上面的标记字样是我自己绣的。”贝丝说着，自豪地看着不太工整的字母，这活可花了她不少工夫。

“哎哟！完了，她把‘马奇太太’绣成了‘妈妈’。太滑稽了！”乔拿起一块手帕叫了起来。

“这不行吗？我想这样绣比较好，因为美格的首字母是M. M.，和马奇太太的一样。这些手帕我只想妈妈一个人用。”贝丝说着，显得心烦意乱。

“乖乖，没关系，主意不错——还想得挺周到的。现在可没人会弄错了。我相信，妈妈会很高兴的。”美格一边对乔皱皱眉头，一边笑着对贝丝说。

“妈妈来了。把篮子藏好，快点！”乔大声叫了起来。这时门砰地一响，过道里传来了脚步声。

艾美急匆匆跑进来，看到姐姐们都在等她，显得不好意思。

“到哪里去了？背后藏的什么？”美格问道。看到艾美头戴风帽，身穿大衣，她感到十分惊讶，一向懒惰的艾美，竟然这么早出门。

“别笑我，乔！我不想大家这么早知道。我只是想把这小瓶香水换成大的。用掉了所有的钱。我是真的努力在做，可不想再那么自私了。”

说着，艾美拿出一个精致的香水瓶，这是用先前的那个便宜货换的。她努力克服自私，显得真挚而谦逊。美格当场就一把抱住她，乔宣布她是“将牌”，贝丝则跑到窗口，摘了一朵漂亮无比的蔷薇，来装饰这瓶名贵香水。

“你们知道，今天早上读书，谈到要做个好孩子，我就为我的礼物感到惭愧。于是，我一起床就跑到街上，去换了这瓶香水。现在，我很高兴，我的礼物最漂亮。”

临街的门又砰地一响，她们把篮子迅速放到沙发下，然后坐到桌边，等着吃早餐。

“圣诞快乐，妈咪！永远快乐！谢谢你送的书。我们已经读了一下，以后每天都读一点。”她们齐声叫道。

“圣诞快乐，小宝贝们！你们马上就开始读，我很高兴，希望能持之以恒。趁我们还没坐下，我想先说几句。离这儿不远，躺着一个贫苦妇女和刚出生的婴儿。没有生火，六个小孩挤在一张床上，才不至于冻僵。也没有吃的。最大的那个男孩跑来告诉我，他们又冷又饿。宝贝们，愿意把早餐送给他们做圣诞礼物吗？”

她们等了个把钟头，也都特别饿，好一会儿没人说话。也就那么一会儿，乔就迫不及待地说：

“真巧，你来的是时候，我们还没开始吃呢！”

“我可以帮手把东西拿过去，送给那些可怜的小孩吗？”贝丝急切地问。

“我来拿奶油和松饼。”艾美接上去说，一副英雄模样。她放弃了自己喜欢吃的东西。

美格已经在把荞麦面糊盖上，并把面包放到一个大盘子里。

“我早就想到了，你们会愿意的。”马奇太太满意地笑着，“你们都去帮忙，我们回来再吃早饭，面包加牛奶，正餐时再补回来。”

她们很快就准备好，然后队伍就出发了。幸亏天色还早，她们走后街，几乎没人看到，也就没人笑话这支奇怪的队伍。

这是一户可怜的人家。屋子里空空的，没有生火，窗户破败。床上被褥破烂不堪，躺着病弱的母亲和啼哭不止的婴儿。一群孩子脸色苍白，肚里空空，挤在一条旧被子里抱团取暖。

看见姑娘们进来，一个个眼睛睁得大大的，冻得发紫的嘴唇边露出了笑容！

“哎呀，我的天哪！善良天使来看望我们了！”贫苦女人用德语欢呼起来。

“是滑稽天使，还戴着风帽和手套。”乔逗得他们哈哈大笑。

好像真的是善良天使下凡，不久就显灵了。汉娜带来了柴火，生起火，用旧帽子和自己的斗篷挡住了破烂的窗户。马奇太太把茶和稀粥递给产妇，答应以后常来帮助她们，产妇深感欣慰。马奇太太又轻轻地给宝宝们穿衣服，好像那是亲生骨肉。同时，姑娘们摆好桌子，让孩子们围在炉火边，喂他们吃，就像喂一群饥饿的小鸟。姑娘们又说又笑，费了好大劲才听懂那些滑稽而不标准的英语。

“这太好了！小天使！”可怜的小家伙们边吃边喊，冻得发紫的手伸到火炉边取暖。

姑娘们从未被人称过小天使，感觉非常顺耳。特别是乔，自打出娘胎以来一直被认为是桑丘[1]式的仆人，因而分外得意。早餐什么也没捞到，但感觉很愉快。她们离开了，留下了温暖给别人，我相信，全城都找不到比这四个小姑娘更开心的人。她们自己挨饿，送出早餐，心甘情愿在圣诞节早上只吃面包和牛奶。

“这叫做爱邻人胜于爱自己。我就喜欢这样。”美格说。趁母亲在楼上替可怜的胡梅尔一家翻找衣物，她们把礼物摆了出来。

这次摆放的礼物并不壮观，但小小礼包却寄托了姑娘们深深的爱。高颈的花瓶竖立在桌子中央，里面插满了红玫瑰、白菊花，还有一串蔓藤点缀，桌子上平添了几分雅致。

“来了！贝丝，开始弹！艾美，开门！为妈妈欢呼三声！”乔欢跃着喊道，美格则把妈妈引到上座。

贝丝弹起了最欢快的进行曲，艾美猛地一把推开门，美格则庄严地护送母亲。马奇太太既惊讶又感动，仔细端详礼物、阅读附在上面的字条时，脸上带着笑容，眼里噙满泪水。她立刻穿上军鞋，把散发着艾美买的古龙香水味道的一块新手帕收入口袋，把蔷薇花戴在胸前，还宣布漂亮的手套十分合手。

屋子里一片欢声笑语，大家互相亲吻着，说明着原委。方式简朴，却充满深情，增添了家庭过节的快乐，这种温馨也让人久久难忘。然后，她们又投入了工作。

一早上先是慈善活动，后是赠送仪式，占用了大量时间。剩下的几个小时就只能专门用来准备圣诞夜庆祝了。

姑娘们太小，不可能常去戏院看戏，家里又不是很有钱，请不起剧团上门演出。俗话说，需求是发明之母，于是，她们就开动脑筋，也就因地制宜，土法上马了。她们的某些制作可谓巧夺天工，纸板糊的吉他啦，老式黄油碟包上锡纸充当古董灯罩啦，老棉絮缝制豪华长袍啦，从泡菜工场搞来了马口铁边角料，挂在上面亮闪闪的，盔甲同样利用打罐头盖子的方块边角料覆盖上。家具翻上躺下是常有的事，那个大房间就是演戏的地方，上演过许许多多天真烂漫的欢庆活动。

绅士免入，乔也就尽兴地女扮男装，心满意足地蹬上朋友送的咖啡色皮靴，而朋友是通过一位认识男演员的女士把它曲线搞到手的。这双皮靴、一把钝头旧花剑、画家曾经用来画画的一件开衩马甲，就是乔主要的宝藏，每场必露面。戏班子比较小，所以两个主要演员必须一场次扮演多个角色。煞费苦心地排练三四个不同角色，快速化妆更衣，还要照看舞台，真是难为她们了。这对于记忆力倒是绝佳的操练。无伤大雅的娱乐，占据了大量空闲时间。不然的话，成天无所事事，孤独无聊，就会去找不那么有益的玩伴了。

圣诞夜，十来个姑娘挤上了床，这可算是正厅前排的座位。她们所面对的，是黄蓝相间的印花布帷幕。此刻她们是满心期待，捧场的心情溢于言表。幕后一片窸窸窣窣，窃窃私语，一缕油灯的青烟飘在空中。偶尔还有艾美的笑声，要紧关头总会歇斯底里地发作。此后铃声大作，帷幕快速拉开，“悲剧”开演了。

戏单只有一份，规定阴森森的森林表现为几棵花盆灌木，地上要铺设绿呢地毯，远处有个山洞。山洞以晾衣架为洞顶，几个五斗橱为墙体，有一个火势正旺的小壁炉，上面搁着黑锅子，老女巫俯身伺候着。舞台上黑糊糊的，壁炉的火光效果不错，特别是水壶盖子揭开时，冒出的蒸汽可是货真价实的。留出时间让起初的躁动平息下来，接着反角雨果大摇大摆地上场，腰里别着一把佩剑叮当作响，头戴帽边耷拉的帽子，蓄着黑胡子，披着神秘的斗篷，足蹬皮靴。大动作踱步之后，他拍一下额头，放声乱唱起来，唱他恨罗得里戈，唱他爱莎拉，唱他决意杀死情敌，横刀夺爱。雨果的破嗓门不时为情不自禁的号叫所打断，特别引人入胜。观众一等他停顿换气，便喝彩鼓掌。他以惯受好评的神态鞠了躬，溜到洞穴边，吆喝着“嗨嗬，伙计！我需要汝！”命令海格上台。

美格上，灰色的马鬃挂在面孔两边，披着红黑相间的袍子，拄着拐杖，斗篷上标着神秘教义的符号。雨果索要一杯魔药，要让莎拉爱慕他，再来一杯要灭掉罗得里戈。海格以戏剧旋律歌唱，把两者都答应下来，并且着手呼唤精灵把春药拿来：

来呀来，缥缈仙子！

命汝速速离家！

能酿魔力迷药否？

出自蔷薇，饱承雨露。

快快以精灵的神速，

送来急需的芬芳迷药。

浓郁，速效，强力，

精灵，急急如律令！

轻柔的音乐响起，洞穴深处出现了云白色的小个子，翅膀金光闪闪，金发的脑袋箍着蔷薇花环。它挥舞魔杖，唱道：

我来了，

出自缥缈之家，

银色月亮的地方；

快把魔药拿去，

妥善使用，

以免魔力稍纵即逝！

精灵把金闪闪的小瓶子丢在女巫的脚边，随之消失了。海格再吟一曲，唤来又一个鬼魂——它并不可爱；砰的一声，丑陋的黑小鬼出来了，干咳着应答，给雨果扔了黑瓶子，冷笑着消失了。雨果唱出答谢词，把魔药塞进皮靴，下台。海格告诉观众，雨果曾经杀死了她的几个仙家朋友，而她现在诅咒他是为了复仇，她打算挫败他的计划。落幕了，观众休息，一边吃糖果，一边就戏文品头论足。

好一阵锤打声，幕布没有动。再次开幕时，大家看到舞台木工活是个杰作，也就不肯对开演拖延窃窃私语了。真是鬼斧神工啊。一幢木楼直抵天花板，中间开了窗口，里面点着油灯。白色帷幕后，莎拉身披漂亮的蓝色饰银连衣裙，等待罗得里戈的出现。他一身盛装，帽子插着羽饰，披着红色斗篷，耳边是栗色垂卷绺发式，挎着吉他，皮靴当然少不了。他在木楼底下下跪，以撩人心魄的歌喉唱起了小夜曲。莎拉回应着，来回对唱之后，同意一起私奔。剧情的高潮来了。罗得里戈拿出一副五级绳梯，把一头扔上去，请莎拉下楼。她小心翼翼地从百叶窗里爬下来，搭上了情郎的肩头，准备优雅地跳下来。“哎唷！莎拉真可怜！”她居然忘记自己的裙裾了。裙裾在窗口勾住，木楼摇摇摆摆向前倾，哗地垮塌，把一对怨偶埋在废墟里。

众人尖叫着，只见皮靴从废墟中乱踢出来，金头露面了，一边喊着：“我早就说过的！早就说过的！”残酷的老爷堂彼得罗临危不惧，冲进来拖出女儿，一边匆匆地旁白：

“别笑啦！要装作一切正常！”——他命令罗得里戈站起来，恼羞成怒地判处他流放，不准再回本国。罗得里戈尽管被木楼砸得晕头转向，却不买老绅士的账，身体岿然不动。无所畏惧的榜样令莎拉热血沸腾，她也不买老爷子的账。于是，老爷子下令把两人投入城堡深处的牢狱。矮胖的家丁拿来了锁链，把他们带走，表情惊恐万状，显然忘记了台词。

第三幕是城堡内大厅。海格上，来解救情侣，结果雨果。她听到雨果走近，就躲起来。她看见他把魔药倒入两杯葡萄酒，并命令战战兢兢的下人：“送给牢房的囚犯，告诉他们，我马上到。”下人把雨果拉到一边耳语，海格趁机换掉酒杯，新换上的这两杯无毒。“伙计”费迪南多把酒杯带走，海格就把要给罗得里戈的毒酒放回去。雨果唱久了觉得口渴，便喝下了毒酒，于是头脑错乱，大肆抓捏蹬腿之后，倒地死去了。同时，海格以魔力四射的婉转歌喉，向他揭示了事情的经过。

这确实是激动人心的场面。不过某些人认为，大量长头发突然落地，有损反角死亡的效果。众人喊他来幕前亮相，他便彬彬有礼地出来，还领着海格。大家认为，她的唱腔很了不起，胜过了其他演出加起来的效果。

第四幕表现罗得里戈得知莎拉抛弃了自己，绝望至极，打算自杀。正当匕首刺向心口之际，窗口下面传来迷人的歌声，告诉他莎拉没有变心，但处境危险，如愿意搭救她的话，可以办到。钥匙扔进来了，打开牢门，他欣喜若狂地挣脱锁链，冲出去搜救心上人。

第五幕开始时，莎拉和堂彼得罗剧烈争吵。父亲要求她进修道院，但她坚决不从。催人泪下的恳求不果，她准备晕倒，这时只见罗得里戈闯进来，向她求婚。老爷子不肯，嫌他家境贫寒。他们大声吆喝，指手画脚，难以达成协议。小伙子正打算把精疲力竭的姑娘背走，下人战战兢兢地进来，送来海格的信件和口袋。海格已经神秘失踪，她告诉这帮人，如果老头子让小两口不开心，她就把巨万财产传给他们，并且让老头子不得好死。口袋打开了，成斗的马口铁钱币倾倒在舞台上，一片金光闪闪，富丽堂皇。“古板老爷”见状，彻底回心转意，他毫无怨言地答应了。大家齐声欢唱，有情人以十分浪漫的优雅姿势，跪下接受老爷子的祝福，帷幕落在他们身上。

雷鸣般的掌声响起，却令人意外地戛然而止。“正厅前排”是吊床搭的，突然间卷起，把热情的观众困住了。罗得里戈和堂彼得罗赶快前来救驾，所有人都被拉了出来，毫无损伤，但许多人笑得说不出话来。闹剧尚未结束，汉娜就进来了，宣布道：“马奇太太请客喽，小姐们下楼赴宴！”

真是喜出望外，连这帮喜欢演戏的姑娘也没想到。面对满桌的东西，她们互相看看，又惊又喜。母亲做点吃的款待她们，倒也有可能，但自从告别了富裕的日子，这么好的东西连听都没有听说过。有冰淇淋——共两盘，红的一盘，白的一盘——还有蛋糕、水果和诱人的法国夹心软糖。桌子中央还放着四大束美丽的温室鲜花。

姑娘们别提多惊讶了，看看桌面，又看看母亲。此刻，母亲是满面春风。

“是仙女送来的吗？”艾美问。

“是圣诞老人吧。”贝丝说。

“是妈妈做的。”美格还没卸去演戏用的白胡子白眉毛，脸上露出了最甜美的笑。

“马奇姑婆一时心血来潮，送点心来了。”乔灵机一动喊道。

“你们都错了，是劳伦斯老先生送的。”马奇太太回答说。

“小伙子劳伦斯的爷爷！他怎么会想到的？我们根本不熟悉！”美格大声道。

“汉娜把你们早餐会的事告诉了他家的仆人。他是一位古怪的老绅士，可他听了很高兴。他过去认识你的外公。今天下午，他给我送来一张字条，写得很客气。他说，希望我允许他给孩子们送一些小礼物过节，表达一下他的心意。我想却之不恭，所以你们晚上就有了一顿小小的宴席，弥补面包加牛奶的早餐。”

“肯定是那男孩出的主意。我知道肯定是他！很棒的小伙子，真想认识认识他。他好像也想认识我们的。但他很害羞，美格又一本正经，路上碰到了，也不让我跟他说话。”乔说。姑娘们把盘子递来递去，大嚼冰淇淋，“唏哈唏哈”的吃得津津有味。

“你们说的是不是隔壁大房子里的人？”一位姑娘问，“妈妈认识劳伦斯老先生的，说他很傲慢，不喜欢与邻居来往。他把孙子关在屋子里，逼他用功读书，只是偶尔才让他和家庭教师一起骑马或散步。我们邀请他参加宴会，也没来。妈妈说，男孩为人很好，但从来不跟我们女孩子说话。”

“有一次，我家的猫不见了，是他送回来的。我们隔着篱笆聊天，聊的都是板球一类的东西，而且聊得棒极了——他看到美格过来就走开了。我打算什么时候真正去结识他。他需要开心，我相信他一定需要。”乔斩钉截铁地说。

“他很有礼貌，像一位小绅士，我喜欢。所以我不反对你认识他，要看机会的。他亲自送来了花，我本来应该让进来的，就是不知道你们在楼上干什么。他走的时候听到你们有玩头，好像在想些什么，显然他没什么可玩的。”

“妈妈，幸亏没让他进来！”乔望着自己的靴子，笑着说，“可我们以后会演另一出，那出他就能看了。或许他还会参加演戏呢，那不是很有趣？”

“从来都没见过这么漂亮的花！真是太美了！”美格兴致勃勃地端详着花束。

“这些花真可爱，可是依我看，贝丝送的花更香。”马奇太太说着，闻闻插在腰带上快要枯萎的花朵。

贝丝依偎到母亲身旁，轻轻地说：“希望能把我这束花献给爸爸。恐怕他圣诞节过得没有我们这么快乐吧。”

* * *

[1]西班牙名著《堂吉诃德》中的人物，没有文化，是盲目服从的典型。

CHAPTER 2 A MERRY CHRISTMAS

JO WAS the first to wake in the gray dawn of Christmas morning. No stockings hung at the fireplace, and for a moment she felt as much disappointed as she did long ago, when her little sock fell down because it was crammed so full of goodies. Then she remembered her mother's promise and, slipping her hand under her pillow, drew out a little crimson-covered book. She knew it very well, for it was that beautiful old story of the best life ever lived, and Jo felt that it was a true guidebook for any pilgrim going on a long journey. She woke Meg with a “Merry Christmas, ”and bade her see what was under her pillow. A green-covered book appeared, with the same picture inside, and a few words written by their mother, which made their one present very precious in their eyes. Presently Beth and Amy woke to rummage and find their little books also, one dove-colored, the other blue, and all sat looking at and talking about them, while the east grew rosy with the coming day.

In spite of her small vanities, Margaret had a sweet and pious nature, which unconsciously influenced her sisters, especially Jo, who loved her very tenderly, and obeyed her because her advice was so gently given.

“Girls, ” said Meg seriously, looking from the tumbled head beside her to the two little nightcapped ones in the room beyond, “Mother wants us to read and love and mind these books, and we must begin at once. We used to be faithful about it, but since Father went away and all this war trouble unsettled us, we have neglected many things. You can do as you please, but I shall keep my book on the table here and read a little every morning as soon as I wake, for I know it will do me good and help me through the day.”

Then she opened her new book and began to read. Jo put her arm round her and, leaning cheek to cheek, read also, with the quiet expression so seldom seen on her restless face.

“How good Meg is! Come, Amy, let's do as they do. I'll help you with the hard words, and they'll explain things if we don't understand, ”whispered Beth, very much impressed by the pretty books and her sisters' example.

“I'm glad mine is blue, ” said Amy. And then the rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned, and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting.

“Where is Mother? ” asked Meg, as she and Jo ran down to thank her for their gifts, half an hour later.

“Goodness only knows. Some poor creeter came a-beggin', and your ma went straight off to see what was needed.There never was such a woman for givin' away vittles and drink, clothes and firin', ” replied Hannah, who had lived with the family since Meg was born, and was considered by them all more as a friend than a servant.

“She will be back soon, I think, so fry your cakes, and have everything ready, ” said Meg, looking over the presents which were collected in a basket and kept under the sofa, ready to be produced at the proper time.“Why, where is Amy's bottle of cologne? ” she added, as the little flask did not appear.

“She took it out a minute ago, and went off with it to put a ribbon on it, or some such notion, ” replied Jo, dancing about the room to take the first stiffness off the new army slippers.

“How nice my handkerchiefs look, don't they? Hannah washed and ironed them for me, and I marked them all myself, ” said Beth, looking proudly at the somewhat uneven letters which had cost her such labor.

“Bless the child! She's gone and put ‘Mother' on them instead of ‘M. March'. How funny! ” cried Jo, taking one up.

“Isn't that right? I thought it was better to do it so, because Meg's initials are M.M., and I don't want anyone to use these but Marmee, ” said Beth, looking troubled.

“It's all right, dear, and a very pretty idea, quite sensible too, for no one can ever mistake now. It will please her very much, I know, ” said Meg, with a frown for Jo and a smile for Beth.

“There's Mother. Hide the basket, quick! ” cried Jo, as a door slammed and steps sounded in the hall.

Amy came in hastily, and looked rather abashed when she saw her sisters all waiting for her.

“Where have you been, and what are you hiding behind you? ” asked Meg, surprised to see, by her hood and cloak, that lazy Amy had been out so early.

“Don't laugh at me, Jo! I didn't mean anyone should know till the time came.I only meant to change the little bottle for a big one,and I gave all my money to get it, and I'm truly trying not to be selfish any more.”

As she spoke, Amy showed the handsome flask which replaced the cheap one, and looked so earnest and humble in her little effort to forget herself that Meg hugged her on the spot, and Jo pronounced her “a trump”, while Beth ran to the window, and picked her finest rose to ornament the stately bottle.

“You see I felt ashamed of my present, after reading and talking about being good this morning, so I ran round the corner and changed it the minute I was up, and I'm so glad, for mine is the handsomest now.”

Another bang of the street door sent the basket under the sofa, and the girls to the table, eager for breakfast.

“Merry Christmas, Marmee! Many of them! Thank you for our books. We read some, and mean to every day, ” they all cried in chorus.

“Merry Christmas, little daughters! I'm glad you began at once, and hope you will keep on. But I want to say one word before we sit down. Not far away from here lies a poor woman with a little newborn baby. Six children are huddled into one bed to keep from freezing, for they have no fire. There is nothing to eat over there, and the oldest boy came to tell me they were suffering hunger and cold. My girls, will you give them your breakfast as a Christmas present? ”

They were all unusually hungry, having waited nearly an hour, and for a minute no one spoke—only a minute, for Jo exclaimed impetuously, “I'm so glad you came before we began! ”

“May I go and help carry the things to the poor little children? ” asked Beth eagerly.

“I shall take the cream and the muffins, ” added Amy, heroically giving up the article she most liked.

Meg was already covering the buckwheats, and piling the bread into one big plate.

“I thought you'd do it, ” said Mrs. March, smiling as if satisfied. “You shall all go and help me, and when we come back we will have bread and milk for breakfast, and make it up at dinnertime.”

They were soon ready, and the procession set out. Fortunately it was early, and they went through back streets, so few people saw them, and no one laughed at the queer party.

A poor, bare, miserable room it was, with broken windows, no fire, ragged bedclothes, a sick mother, wailing baby, and a group of pale, hungry children cuddled under one old quilt, trying to keep warm.

How the big eyes stared and the blue lips smiled as the girls went in!

“Ach,mein Gott!It is good angels come to us! ”said the poor woman, crying for joy.

“Funny angels in hoods and mittens, ” said Jo, and set them laughing.

In a few minutes it really did seem as if kind spirits had been at work there. Hannah, who had carried wood, made a fire, and stopped up the broken panes with old hats and her own cloak. Mrs. March gave the mother tea and gruel, and comforted her with promises of help, while she dressed the little baby as tenderly as if it had been her own. The girls meantime spread the table, set the children round the fire, and fed them like so many hungry birds, laughing, talking, and trying to understand the funny broken English.

“Das ist gut!”“Die Engel-kinder! ”cried the poor things as they ate and warmed their purple hands at the comfortable blaze.

The girls had never been called angel children before, and thought it very agreeable, especially Jo, who had been considered a “Sancho” ever since she was born. That was a very happy breakfast, though they didn't get any of it. And when they went away, leaving comfort behind, I think there were not in all the city four merrier people than the hungry little girls who gave away their breakfasts and contented themselves with bread and milk on Christmas morning.

“That's loving our neighbor better than ourselves, and I like it, ”said Meg, as they set out their presents while their mother was upstairs collecting clothes for the poor Hummels.

Not a very splendid show, but there was a great deal of love done up in the few little bundles, and the tall vase of red roses, white chrysanthemums, and trailing vines, which stood in the middle, gave quite an elegant air to the table.

“She's coming! Strike up, Beth! Open the door, Amy! Three cheers for Marmee! ” cried Jo, prancing about while Meg went to conduct Mother to the seat of honor.

Beth played her gayest march, Amy threw open the door, and Meg enacted escort with great dignity. Mrs. March was both surprised and touched, and smiled with her eyes full as she examined her presents and read the little notes which accompanied them. The slippers went on at once, a new handkerchief was slipped into her pocket, well scented with Amy's cologne, the rose was fastened in her bosom, and the nice gloves were pronounced “a perfect fit”.

There was a good deal of laughing and kissing and explaining, in the simple, loving fashion which makes these home festivals so pleasant at the time, so sweet to remember long afterward, and then all fell to work.

The morning charities and ceremonies took so much time that the rest of the day was devoted to preparations for the evening festivities. Being still too young to go often to the theater, and not rich enough to afford any great outlay for private performances, the girls put their wits to work, and necessity being the mother of invention, made whatever they needed. Very clever were some of their productions, pasteboard guitars, antique lamps made of old-fashioned butter boats covered with silver paper, gorgeous robes of old cotton, glittering with tin spangles from a pickle factory, and armor covered with the same useful diamond shaped bits left in sheets when the lids of preserve pots were cut out. The big chamber was the scene of many innocent revels.

No gentleman were admitted, so Jo played male parts to her heart's content and took immense satisfaction in a pair of russet-leather boots given her by a friend, who knew a lady who knew an actor. These boots, an old foil, and a slashed doublet once used by an artist for some picture, were Jo's chief treasures and appeared on all occasions. The smallness of the company made it necessary for the two principal actors to take several parts apiece, and they certainly deserved some credit for the hard work they did in learning three or four different parts, whisking in and out of various costumes, and managing the stage besides. It was excellent drill for their memories, a harmless amusement, and employed many hours which otherwise would have been idle, lonely, or spent in less profitable society.

On Christmas night, a dozen girls piled onto the bed which was the dress circle, and sat before the blue and yellow chintz curtains in a most flattering state of expectancy. There was a good deal of rustling and whispering behind the curtain, a trifle of lamp smoke, and an occasional giggle from Amy, who was apt to get hysterical in the excitement of the moment.Presently a bell sounded,the curtains flew apart,and the Operatic Tragedy began.

“A gloomy wood, ” according to the one playbill, was represented by a few shrubs in pots, green baize on the floor, and a cave in the distance. This cave was made with a clotheshorse for a roof, bureaus for walls, and in it was a small furnace in full blast, with a black pot on it and an old witch bending over it. The stage was dark and the glow of the furnace had a fine effect, especially as real steam issued from the kettle when the witch took off the cover. A moment was allowed for the first thrill to subside, then Hugo, the villain, stalked in with a clanking sword at his side, a slouching hat, black beard, mysterious cloak, and the boots. After pacing to and fro in much agitation, he struck his forehead, and burst out in a wild strain, singing of his hatred for Roderigo, his love for Zara, and his pleasing resolution to kill the one and win the other. The gruff tones of Hugo's voice, with an occasional shout when his feelings overcame him, were very impressive, and the audience applauded the moment he paused for breath. Bowing with the air of one accustomed to public praise, he stole to the cavern and ordered Hagar to come forth with a commanding, “What ho, minion! I need thee! ”

Out came Meg, with gray horsehair hanging about her face, a red and black robe, a staff, and cabalistic signs upon her cloak. Hugo demanded a potion to make Zara adore him, and one to destroy Roderigo. Hagar, in a fine dramatic melody, promised both, and proceeded to call up the spirit who would bring the love philter.

Hither, hither, from thy home,

Airy sprite, I bid thee come!

Born of roses, fed on dew,

Charms and potions canst thou brew?

Bring me here, with elfin speed,

The fragrant philter which I need.

Make it sweet and swift and strong,

Spirit, answer now my song!

A soft strain of music sounded, and then at the back of the cave appeared a little figure in cloudy white, with glittering wings, golden hair, and a garland of roses on its head. Waving a wand, it sang,

Hither I come,

From my airy home,

Afar in the silver moon.

Take the magic spell,

And use it well,

Or its power will vanish soon!

And dropping a small, gilded bottle at the witch's feet, the spirit vanished. Another chant from Hagar produced another apparition, not a lovely one, for with a bang an ugly black imp appeared and, having croaked a reply, tossed a dark bottle at Hugo and disappeared with a mocking laugh. Having warbled his thanks and put the potions in his boots, Hugo departed, and Hagar informed the audience that as he had killed a few of her friends in times past, she had cursed him, and intends to thwart his plans, and be revenged on him. Then the curtain fell, and the audience reposed and ate candy while discussing the merits of the play.

A good deal of hammering went on before the curtain rose again, but when it became evident what a masterpiece of stage carpentering had been got up, no one murmured at the delay. It was truly superb! A tower rose to the ceiling, halfway up appeared a window with a lamp burning at it, and behind the white curtain appeared Zara in a lovely blue and silver dress, waiting for Roderigo. He came in gorgeous array, with plumed cap, red cloak, chestnut lovelocks, a guitar, and the boots, of course. Kneeling at the foot of the tower, he sang a serenade in melting tones. Zara replied and, after a musical dialogue, consented to fly. Then came the grand effect of the play. Roderigo produced a rope ladder, with five steps to it, threw up one end, and invited Zara to descend. Timidly she crept from her lattice, put her hand on Roderigo's shoulder, and was about to leap gracefully down when“Alas! Alas for Zara! ” she forgot her train. It caught in the window, the tower tottered, leaned forward, fell with a crash, and buried the unhappy lovers in the ruins!

A universal shriek arose as the russet boots waved wildly from the wreck and a golden head emerged, exclaiming, “I told you so! I told you so! ” With wonderful presence of mind, Don Pedro, the cruel sire, rushed in, dragged out his daughter, with a hasty aside—

“Don't laugh! Act as if it was all right! ”—and, ordering Roderigo up, banished him from the kingdom with wrath and scorn. Though decidedly shaken by the fall from the tower upon him, Roderigo defied the old gentleman and refused to stir. This dauntless example fired Zara: she also defied her sire, and he ordered them both to the deepest dungeons of the castle. A stout little retainer came in with chains and led them away, looking very much frightened and evidently forgetting the speech he ought to have made.

Act third was the castle hall, and here Hagar appeared, having come to free the lovers and finish Hugo. She hears him coming and hides, sees him put the potions into two cups of wine and bid the timid little servant,“Bear them to the captives in their cells, and tell them I shall come anon.”The servant takes Hugo aside to tell him something, and Hagar changes the cups for two others which are harmless. Ferdinando, the “minion”, carries them away, and Hagar puts back the cup which holds the poison meant for Roderigo. Hugo, getting thirsty after a long warble, drinks it, loses his wits, and after a good deal of clutching and stamping, falls flat and dies, while Hagar informs him what she has done in a song of exquisite power and melody.

This was a truly thrilling scene, though some persons might have thought that the sudden tumbling down of a quantity of long red hair rather marred the effect of the villain's death. He was called before the curtain, and with great propriety appeared, leading Hagar, whose singing was considered more wonderful than all the rest of the performance put together.

Act fourth displayed the despairing Roderigo on the point of stabbing himself because he has been told that Zara has deserted him. Just as the dagger is at his heart, a lovely song is sung under his window, informing him that Zara is true but in danger, and he can save her if he will. A key is thrown in, which unlocks the door, and in a spasm of rapture he tears off his chains and rushes away to find and rescue his ladylove.

Act fifth opened with a stormy scene between Zara and Don Pedro. He wishes her to go into a convent, but she won't hear of it, and after a touching appeal, is about to faint when Roderigo dashes in and demands her hand. Don Pedro refuses, because he is not rich. They shout and gesticulate tremendously but cannot agree, and Rodrigo is about to bear away the exhausted Zara, when the timid servant enters with a letter and a bag from Hagar, who has mysteriously disappeared. The latter informs the party that she bequeaths untold wealth to the young pair and an awful doom to Don Pedro, if he doesn't make them happy. The bag is opened, and several quarts of tin money shower down upon the stage till it is quite glorified with the glitter. This entirely softens the “stern sire”. He consents without a murmur, all join in a joyful chorus, and the curtain falls upon the lovers kneeling to receive Don Pedro's blessing in attitudes of the most romantic grace.

Tumultuous applause followed but received an unexpected check, for the cot bed, on which the “dress circle” was built, suddenly shut up and extinguished the enthusiastic audience. Roderigo and Don Pedro flew to the rescue, and all were taken out unhurt, though many were speechless with laughter. The excitement had hardly subsided when Hannah appeared, with “Mrs. March's compliments, and would the ladies walk down to supper.”

This was a surprise even to the actors, and when they saw the table, they looked at one another in rapturous amazement. It was like Marmee to get up a little treat for them, but anything so fine as this was unheard of since the departed days of plenty. There was ice cream, actually two dishes of it, pink and white, and cake and fruit and distracting French bonbons and, in the middle of the table, four great bouquets of hothouse flowers.

It quite took their breath away, and they stared first at the table and then at their mother, who looked as if she enjoyed it immensely.

“Is it fairies? ” asked Amy.

“It's Santa Claus, ” said Beth.

“Mother did it.” And Meg smiled her sweetest, in spite of her gray beard and white eyebrows.

“Aunt March had a good fit and sent the supper, ” cried Jo, with a sudden inspiration.

“All wrong. Old Mr. Laurence sent it, ” replied Mrs. March.

“The Laurence boy's grandfather! What in the world put such a thing into his head? We don't know him! ” exclaimed Meg.

“Hannah told one of his servants about your breakfast party. He is an odd old gentleman, but that pleased him. He knew my father years ago, and he sent me a polite note this afternoon, saying he hoped I would allow him to express his friendly feeling toward my children by sending them a few trifles in honor of the day. I could not refuse, and so you have a little feast at night to make up for the bread-and-milk breakfast.”

“That boy put it into his head, I know he did! He's a capital fellow, and I wish we could get acquainted. He looks as if he'd like to know us but he's bashful, and Meg is so prim she won't let me speak to him when we pass, ” said Jo, as the plates went round, and the ice began to melt out of sight, with ohs and ahs of satisfaction.

“You mean the people who live in the big house next door, don't you? ” asked one of the girls. “My mother knows old Mr. Laurence, but says he's very proud and doesn't like to mix with his neighbors. He keeps his grandson shut up, when he isn't riding or walking with his tutor, and makes him study very hard. We invited him to our party, but he didn't come. Mother says he's very nice, though he never speaks to us girls.”

“Our cat ran away once, and he brought her back, and we talked over the fence, and were getting on capitally, all about cricket, and so on, when he saw Meg coming, and walked off. I mean to know him some day, for he needs fun, I'm sure he does, ” said Jo decidedly.

“I like his manners, and he looks like a little gentleman, so I've no objection to your knowing him, if a proper opportunity comes. He brought the flowers himself, and I should have asked him in, if I had been sure what was going on upstairs. He looked so wistful as he went away, hearing the frolic and evidently having none of his own.”

“It's a mercy you didn't, Mother! ” laughed Jo, looking at her boots.“But we'll have another play sometime that he can see. Perhaps he'll help act. Wouldn't that be jolly? ”

“I never had such a fine bouquet before! How pretty it is! ” And Meg examined her flowers with great interest.

“They are lovely. But Beth's roses are sweeter to me, ”said Mrs. March, smelling the half-dead posy in her belt.

Beth nestled up to her, and whispered softly, “I wish I could send my bunch to Father. I'm afraid he isn't having such a merry Christmas as we are.”