By Louisa May Alcott
Chapter 1: Playing Pilgrims Part 1 (Below) and Part 2
Chapter 2: A Merry Christmas Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 3: The Laurence Boy Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 4: Burdens Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 5: Being Neighborly Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 6: Beth Finds the Palace Beautiful Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 7: Amy’s Valley of Humiliation Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 8: Jo Meets Apollyon Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 9: Meg Goes to Vanity Fair Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 10: The P.C. and the P.O. Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 11: Experiments Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 12: Camp Laurence Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 13: Castles in the Air Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 14: Secrets Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 15: A Telegram Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 16: Letters Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 17: Little Faithful Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 18: Dark Days Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 19: Amy’s Will Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 20: Confidential Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 21: Laurie Makes Mischief, and Jo Makes Peace Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 22: Pleasant Meadows Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 23: Aunt March Settles the Question Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 24: Gossip Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 25: The First Wedding Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 26: Artistic Attempts Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 27: Literary Lessons Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 28: Domestic Experiences Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 29: Calls Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 30: Consequences Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 31: Our Foreign Correspondent Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 32: Tender Troubles Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 33: Jo’s Journal Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 34: Friend Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 35: Heartache Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 36: Beth’s Secret Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 37: New Impressions Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 38: On the Shelf Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 39: Lazy Laurence Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 40: The Valley of the Shadow Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 41: Learning to Forget Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 42: All Alone Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 43: Surprises Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 44: My Lord and Lady Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 45: Daisy and Demi Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 46: Under the Umbrella Part 1 and Part 2
Chapter 47: Harvest Time Part 1 and Part 2
* * * * *
CHAPTER 1
PLAYING PILGRIMS – Part 1
“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,” grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.
“It’s so dreadful to be poor!” sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress.
“I don’t think it’s fair for some girls to have plenty of pretty things, and other girls nothing at all,” added little Amy, with an injured sniff.
“We’ve got Father and Mother, and each other,” said Beth contentedly from her corner.
The four young faces on which the firelight shone brightened at the cheerful words, but darkened again as Jo said sadly, “We haven’t got Father, and shall not have him for a long time.” She didn’t say “perhaps never,” but each silently added it, thinking of Father far away, where the fighting was.
Nobody spoke for a minute; then Meg said in an altered tone, “You know the reason Mother proposed not having any presents this Christmas was because it is going to be a hard winter for everyone; and she thinks we ought not to spend money for pleasure, when our men are suffering so in the army. We can’t do much, but we can make our little sacrifices, and ought to do it gladly. But I am afraid I don’t,” and Meg shook her head, as she thought regretfully of all the pretty things she wanted.
