英语版 小妇人

第一章:四姐妹"Christmaswon'tbeChristmaswithoutanypresents,"saidJocrossly."It'ssoawfultobepoor!"agreedMeg,lookingatherolddress."It'snotrightforsomegirlstohaveprettythings,andotherstohavenothingatall,"saidlittleAmy."We'vegotFatherandMother,andeachother,"saidBethgently.Thefouryoungfacesroundthefirecheeredupastheythoughtofthis,butthenJosaidsadly,"Wehaven'tgotFather,andwewon'thavehimforalongtime."Shedidn'tsay"perhapsnever,"buteachsilentlythoughtit,rememberingthathewasawayatthewarintheSouth.ThenMegsaid,"Mothersaysweshouldn'tspendmoneyonpresentswhenourmenarefightingawar.""Wecan'texpectanythingfromMotheroreachother,"saidJo,"butweonlyhaveadollareach,andthatwon'thelpthearmymuch.Let'seachbuyourselveswhatwewant,andhavealittlefun.Weworkhardtoearnit.""Ido,teachingthoseawfulchildren,"saidMeg."Whataboutme?"saidJo."I'mshutupalldayworkingforaterribleoldlady,whogivesmedifferentorderseveryfiveseconds!""Ithinkwashingcupsandplatesandkeepingthingstidyistheworstworkintheworld,"saidBeth."Myhandsgettootiredtoplaymymusic.""Ihavetogotoschoolwithgirlswholaughatmydressesandsaycruelthingsbecausemyfatherisn'trich,"saidAmy."IwishwehadthemoneyFatherlostwhenwewerelittle,Jo,"saidMeg."IwishIwasaboy,"saidJo."ThenIcouldgoandfightbesideFather!"Megwassixteenandverypretty,withlargeeyesandsoftbrownhair,andwhitehands.FifteenyearoldJowasverytallandthin.Herlong,dark--redhairwasusuallypushedupoutoftheway.Bethwasthirteen,averyshygirlwhoseemedtoliveinahappyworldofherown.Amywastheyoungest,butthoughtherselftobethemostimportant.Shehadblueeyes,andyellowhairwhichcurledontohershoulders.Atsixo'clock,BethputapairofslippersbythefiretowarmandMeglitthelamp.Amygotoutofthecomfortablechairwithoutbeingasked,andJoforgothowtiredshewasandheldtheslippersclosertothefire."Theseareold,"shesaid."Motherneedsanewpair.""I'llgethersomewithmydollar,"saidBeth."No,Ishall!"criedAmy."I'mtheoldest--"beganMeg."I'mthemanofthefamilynowFatherisaway,andIshallbuythem,"saidJo."Let'seachgethersomethingandnotgetanythingforourselves,"saidBeth."That'sakindidea!"saidJo."Whatshallweget?"Everyonethoughtforamoment,thenMegsaid,"I'llgiveheranicepairofgloves.""Thebestarmyslippers,"saidJo."Somehandkerchiefs,"saidBeth."Alittlebottleofperfume,"saidAmy."Itwon'tcostmuch,soI'llhavesomemoneylefttobuysomethingforme.""We'llletMotherthinkwe'regettingthingsforourselves,andthensurpriseher,"saidJo.MrsMarcharrivedhomesoonafter.Shetookoffherwetthingsandputonherwarmslippers.Megmadethetea,Jobroughtwoodforthefire,Bethwasquietandbusy,andAmygaveorders."I'vegotaletterfromFather!"criedMrsMarch.Itwasalettertocheerthemup,andthespecialmessageforthegirlscameattheend:Givethemallmyloveandakiss.Ithinkofthemeveryday.Iknowtheywillbelovingchildrentoyou,andthatwhenIcomeback,Iwillbeprouderthaneverofmylittlewomen.AteardroppedofftheendofJo'snose.Amyhidherfaceonhermother'sshoulder."I'mselfish,"shecried,"butI'lltrytobebetter.""Weallwill!"criedMeg."IthinktoomuchaboutthewayIlook,andhatetowork,butIwon'tanymore.""AndI'lltrytobea'littlewoman',"saidJo,"andnotberoughandwild."Bethsaidnothing,butshebegantoworkhardatabluearmygloveshewasmaking.Sothefourgirlsdecidedthattheywouldalltryveryhardtobegood.Theywouldneverbecross,orlazy,orselfish--andtheywouldallhelpeachother.Theytalkedovertheirplanthatevening,whiletheymadesheetsforAuntMarch.Thenatnineo'clocktheystoppedtosingasong.Bethplayedtheoldpiano,andMegandhermotherledthesinging.Joalwayssanginthewrongplace,butthegirlsnevergottoooldtosingtogether.第二章:快乐的圣诞节JowasthefirsttowakeuponChristmasmorningbutsoontheywereallawakeandtheywentdownstairs.Where'sMother?askedMegIdon’tknow,saidoldHannah.ShehadlivedwiththefamilysinceMegwasborn,andwasmorelikeafriendthanaservant.SomepoorwomancametothedoorandyourmotherwentofftoseewhatwasneededShe’llbebacksoon,"saidMeg.Shelookedatthepresentsforhermotherwhichwereinabasketunderachair,readytobringoutattherighttime.WhereisAmy'sbottleofperfume?Shewenttoputsomeprettypaperroundit,Ithink,saidJo.Suddenly,theyheardtheoutsidedoorclose.Here'sMother!Hidethebasket,quick!saidJo.ButitwasAmy.Shecameinquickly.Wherehaveyoubeen,andwhat'sthatbehindyou?askedMegIrantotheshopandchangedthelittlebottleofperfumeforabigone,saidAmy.Ispentallmymoneytogetit,andI'mnotgoingtobeselfishanymore!Megsmiledproudlyandputherarmsaroundhersister.Thentherewasanotherbangfromtheoutsidedoor,andthebasketwaspushedbackunderthechair.Thegirlstothetable,readyfortheirbreakfast.HappyChristmas,Mother!theyshouted.HappyChristmas,littledaughters!"saidMrsMarch.Thenthesmiledisappearedfromherface."Girls,listen.Notfarawayisapoorwoman,MrsHummel,withanewbaby.Hersixchildrenareinonebed,tryingtokeeptheyhavenowoodforafire.Thereisnothingtoeatandtheyarehungryandcold.WillyougivethemyourbreakfastasaChristmaspresent?Foraminutenoonespoke.ThenJosaid,"Mother,I'msogladyoucamebackbeforewebegantoeat!Andthegirlsquicklybegantoputtheirbreakfastinabasket.Iknewyouwoulddoit,saidMrsMarch,smiling.ShetookthegirlsandHannahtoacold,miserablelittleroominanoldbuilding,wheretheyfoundasickmother,acryingbaby,andagroupofchildrenwithwhitefrightenedfaces.Thechildrenwereonthebedunderablanket,tryingtokeepwarm.Thewomanalmostcriedwithhappinesswhenshesawthegirls.Hannah,whohadbroughtwood,madeafire.MrsMarchgavethemotherteaandhotfood,thenshedressedthelittlebabygently.Thegirlsputthechildrenroundthefireandfedthemlikehungrybirds.Itwasaveryhappymeal,althoughthegirlsatenoneofit.ButnoonewashappierthanthosehungryyoungladieswhogaveawaytheirbreakfastonChristmasmorning.MrsMarchwassurprisedandpleasedwhenshesawherpresentslater.Therewasalotoflaughingandkissingandexplaining.Then,fortherestoftheday,thegirlswerebusy.Jolikedtowriteplays,andthefourofthemweregoingtoactonethatevening.Theyhadlearnedtheirwords,andhadworkedhardtomakestrangeandwonderfulclothesforallthedifferentcharactersintheplay.OnChristmasnight,someothergirlscametowatch.Atfirst,therewasalotofwhisperingandlaughingfromthefoursistersbehindthecurtains.Thenthecurtainsopenedandtheplaybegan.ItwasanexcitingstoryaboutHugo(actedbyJowearingablackbeard!),beautifulZaraandbraveRoderigo.Therewerealsotwoghosts,acruelking,andatallcastlemadeofpaperandwool-whichunfortunatelyfelldownjustasRoderigoandZarawereescapingfromit.Therewerescreamsoflaughterfromeveryone,buttheactorpickedthemselvesupandcarriedonthroughmoredangersandmysteriesuntilthehappyendingwasreached.Allthevisitorslovedtheplay,andaftertheexcitementandfuncameasurpriseforeveryone.wouldtheyoungladlesliketostayforsupper?askedHannah.Andwhenthegirlssawthesuppertable,theycouldnotbelievetheireyes!Therewasice-cream,cake,fruit,andFrenchchocolate!Andinthemiddleofthetablewereflowersforeachofthefouractors.Wherediditallcomefrom?"askedAmy.FromFatherChristmas,perhaps?saidBeth.Motherdidit,saidMeg.AuntMarchsentit.saidJo.You'reallwrong,laughedMrsMarch."OldMrLaurencesentit.TheLaurenceboy'sgrandfather?saidMeg.Butwedon’tknowhim.Hannahtoldhisservantaboutyourbreakfastparty,andthatpleasedhim,"saidMrsMarch.Heknewmyfathermanyyearsago,andhesentmeanotethisafternoonaskingifhecouldsendmychildrenafewsmallChristmaspresents.Theideacamefromthatboy,Iknowitdid!"saidJo.I'msurehewantstoknowus,buthe'sshy,andMegwon’tletmespeaktohimwhenwepasshiminthestreet.Shesaysthatit'snotatallpoliteforyoungladiestointroducethemselvestostrangers.Youmeanthepeoplewholiveinthebighousenextdoor,don’tyou?"saidoneoftheothergirls.MymotherknowsoldMrLaurence.Shesayshekeepshisgrandsoninthehousewhentheboyisn’tridingorwalkingwithhistutor,andmakeshimstudyveryhard.Weinvitedtheboytoourpartybuthedidn’tcome.Thatboyneedstohavesomefun,saidJo.第三章:劳伦斯家的男孩Look!"saidMeg,excitedly,adayortwolater.ShewavedapieceofpaperatJo.AninvitationtoaNewYear'spartyatSallieGardiner'shouse,andit'sforbothofus.Mothersayswecango,butwhatshallwewear?Ourbestcottondresses,saidJo,becausewehaven’tgotanythingelse.Yoursisasgoodasnew,butminehasaburnandaholeintheback.Thenyoumustkeepyourbackoutofsight,"saidMeg.I'llhaveanewribbonformyhair,andmynewslippers.Andmyglovesareallright.Minearestained,soI’llhavetogowithoutit.Youmustwearglovestoadance,Jo!criedMeg.Thenwe’lleachwearonegoodoneandcarryabadone,saidJo.Meglookedworried.Allright,butyouwillbehavenicely,won’tyou?Don’tstare,orputyourhandsbehindyourback.OnNewYearsEve,thetwoyoungersisterswatchedthetwooldergirlsgetreadyfortheparty.Therewasalotofrunningupanddown,andlaughingandtalking.Megwantedsomecurlsaroundherface,soJobegantoworkonthepaperedendsofMegshairwithapairofhottongs.Shouldtheysmokelikethat?askedBeth.It'sthewetnessdrying,saidJo.Whatastrangeburningsmell!"saidAmy.I'lltakethepapersoffnow,saidJo,andyou’llseelotsoflittlecurls.Shetookthepapersoff-and,toherhorror,theburnthairoffwiththem!Oh,oh!Whathaveyoudonetomyhair!criedMeg.alwaysgetthingswrong,saidJounhappily.I’msosorry.Isupposethetongsweretoohot.Don’tworry,AmytoldMeg,whowascrying.Justtieyourribbonsothattheendscomeontoyourforeheadalittle,anditwilllookquitefashionable.Atlast,MegandJowerereadyandwentofftotheGardiner’shousewhereMrsGardinerwelcomedthemkindly.MegimmediatelybegantoenjoyherselfwithSallie,butJowasn’tinterestedingirlishtalkandstoodwithherbackcarefullyagainstwall,watchingthedancing.SoonMegwasaskedtodance,thenJosawabigred-hairedboycomingtowardsherandshequicklywentthroughadoorintoasmallroom.Unfortunately,anothershypersonwasalreadyhidingthereandshefoundherselflookingatLaurenceboy.Ohdear.Didn’tknowanyonewashere！”Josaid.Theboylaughed.Don’tgo.IcameinherebecauseIdon’tknowanypeople,butIthinkI’veseenyoubefore,"hesaid,Youlivenearus,don’tyou?Nextdoor,"saidJo."WeenjoyedyourniceChristmaspresent.Mygrandfathersentit,MissMarch.Butyougaveyourgrandfathertheidea,didn’tyou,MrLaurence?I'mnotMrLaurence,onlyLaurie,hesaid.AndI'mnotMissMarch,onlyJo,shesaid.Doyoulikeparties?Sometimes,heanswered.I’vebeenabroadalotrecently,andIdon’tknowhowyoudothingshere.Abroad!"saidJo."OhdidyougotoParis?Wewenttherelastwinter.CanyouspeakFrench?sheasked.HesaidsomethinginFrench,andJolistenedcarefully.Youasked,Whoistheyoungladyintheprettyslippers?"It'smysister,Meg,andyouknewitwas!Doyouthinksheispretty?Yes,hesaid.Shelookssofreshandquiet.ThispleasedJoverymuch,andsoonthetwoofthemweretalkingeasily,likeoldfriends.Ihearyou'realwaysstudyinghard,"saidJo."Areyougoingtocollegesoon?Notforayearortwo,hesaid."I'msixteennextmonth,andIwon’tgobeforeI'mseventeen.IwishIwasgoingtocollege,saidJo.Ihateeventheideaofit!"saidLaurie.Jowantedtoknowwhy,buthelookedsoseriousthatinsteadofaskingshesaid,Whydon’tyougoanddance?Iwillifyou'llcometoo,"Heanswered.Ican’tbecause-Jostopped.Becausewhat?Youwon’ttell?Never.I'veabadhabitofstandingnearafire,andIburnmydresses,saidJo."Ihavetokeepstillsothatnoonewillseetheburnonthisone.Laughifyoulike.ButLauriedidn’tlaugh.Nevermindthat,hesaidgently."Pleasecome.Josmiled.Allright,shesaid.Thankyou.Whenthemusicstopped,theysatdownandbegantotalk,butJosawMegwavingather.Shewentoverandfollowedhersisterintoasideroom.I’veturnedmyfootoverandhurtmyankle,saidMeg."Ican’twalkonit,andIdon’tknowhowI'mgoingtogethome.I'mnotsurprisedyouturnedyourfootoverinthosestupidhighshoes,saidJo.You'llhavetogetacarriageorstayhereallnight.Acarriagewillcostalot,saidMeg,andIcan’tstayhereforthenightbecausethehouseisfull.I'lljustrestuntilHannahcomestofetchus,thendothebestIcan.They’regoinginforsuppernow,saidJo."I’llstaywithyou.No,runandbringmesomecoffee,saidMeg.Jofoundthecoffee,butimmediatelydroppedsomedownthefrontofherdress.ShewascleaningitoffwithMegsglovewhenafriendlyvoicespoketoher.CanIhelp?saidLaurie.Hehadacupofcoffeeinonehandandaplatewithacakeonitintheother.IwastryingtogetsomethingforMeg,saidJo.AndIwaslookingforsomeonetogivethisto,hesaid.HefetchedmorecoffeeandacakeforJo,thenthethreeofthemhadahappytimetalkingtogetheruntilHannaharrived.Megcompletelyforgotaboutherfootandstoodupquickly.Shecriedoutwithpain,andwhenLauriesawthatshecouldnotwalk,heimmediatelyofferedtotakethemhomeinhisgrandfather'scarriage.Butyoucan’twanttogohomeyet,saidJo.Ialwaysgoearly,saidLaurie.Hesatwiththedriver,andthetwogirlssatwithHannahinsidethecarriageandtalkedexcitedlyabouttheparty.Ihadawonderfultime,didyou?saidJo.Yes,untilIhurtmyself,saidMeg.Sallie’sfriend,AnnieMoffat,hasaskedmetogoandstaywithherforaweekinthespring,whenSalliedoes.JotoldMegheradventures,andthentheywerehome.TheythankedLaurieandwentquietlyintothehouse,hopingtowakenoone.Butassoonastheyopenedbedroomdoor,twolittlevoicescriedout:Tellusabouttheparty!Tellusabouttheparty!第四章:隔壁的房子It'ssonicetogotopartiesanddrivehomeincarriages.saidMea,thenextmorning."Otherpeoplelivelikethatallthetime,andIwishwecould.Iwishwewererich.Well,werenot,saidJo.Sowemustdoourworkwithasmile,thewayMotherdoes.MrMarchhadlostmostofhismoneyhelpingafriend.Whenthetwooldergirlsdiscoveredthis,theywantedtodosomethingtoearnsomemoneyforthefamily,andassoonastheywereoldenough,theyfoundwork.Meggotajobteachingfoursmallchildren.Itwashardforhertobepoorbecauseshecouldrememberthetimewhentheirhomehadbeenbeautiful,witheverythingtheywanted.AndeverydayatMrsKing’shouseshesawprettydresses,andheardtalkofpartiesandthetheatre-allthethingswhichMegloved.JowenttoAuntMarch,whoneededsomeonetofetchandcarrythings,andreadtoher.Shewasadifficultoldladywhocomplainedalot,butJodidherbest.Bethwasmuchtooshytogotoschoolwithotherchildren,soshestudiedathomewithherfather.Whenhewentaway,andhermotherwasbusywithwarwork,BethcontinuedtostudybyherselfandhelpedHannahkeepthehometidyfortheothers.Shealsospentlong,quiethoursalone,talkingtoherdollsorplayingtheoldpianoBethlovedmusicand,althoughthefamilycouldnotaffordmusiclessonsoragoodpianoforher,shetriedhardtomakeherselfabettermusician.Amydrewthemostbeautifulpicturesandwantedtobeafamouspainteroneday.Shewasafavoritewitheveryone,exceptwhenshecomplainedabouthavingtowearhercousinsoldclothesbecausehermothercouldnotaffordtobuynewonesforher.Oneafternoonaweekortwolater,JowentoutsidetoclearthesnowawayfromsomeofthegardensothatBethcouldwalktherewhenthesuncameout.Shelookedacrosstothehousenextdoor-abigstonehousewithlovelythingsinsidethatJooccasionallysawthroughtheopencurtainsatthewindows.Butitseemedalonelylifelesskindofhouse,asnochildrenplayedoutside,nomotherlyfacesmiledatthewindows,andnotmanypeoplewentinandout,excepttheoldgentlemanandhisgrandson.ShehadnotseentheLaurenceboylatelyandwonderedifhewasaway,butsuddenlyshesawhimlookingoutofanupstairswindow.Shethrewupahandfulofsoftshowandcalledout,Areyouill?Laurieopenedthewindow"I'malmostbetter,thankyou,"hesaid."I’vehadabadcold.Whatdoyoufindtodo?saidJo.Nothing,hesaid.Theywon’tletme.Whydon’tyougetsomeonetocomeandseeyou.Idontknowanyone.Youknowus.saidJo.SoIdo!"laughedLaurie.Willyoucome,please?I'llcomeifMotherwillletmeI'llgoandaskher.ShutthewindowandwaituntilIcome.LauriewasexcitedandbegantogetreadyforJo'svisit.Hebrushedhishairandtriedtomakehisroomtidy.Soonafter,heheardvoicesdownstairs,thenasurprisedservantranuptohisroom.There'sayoungladytoseeyou,sir,shesaid.Amomentlater,JoappearedwithaboxinonehandandBeth'sthreesmallcatsintheother."Mothersendsherlove,"shesaid."Megaskedmetobringsomeofhercake,andBeththoughtyouwouldliketoplaywithhercats.Isn’tshefunny?"Laurielaughed.Howkindyouallare,hesaid.ShallIreadtoyou?"saidJo.

I'drathertalk."hesaidIcantalkallday,saidJo,smiling.BethsaysIneverknowwhentostory.IsBeththeonewhostaysathome?Yes,that'sBeth.She'sagoodgirl.TheprettyoneisMeg,andthecurly-hairedoneisAmy,isthatright?hesaidLaurie'sfacebecamered."Ihearyoucallingtoeachother,andyoualwaysseemtobehavingsomuchfun.Sometimes,intheevenings,youforgettocloseyourcurtainsandIcanseeyousittingroundthefirewithyourmother.Ihaven’tgotamother.Josawthesadnessinhiseyes.Whydon’tyoucomeoverandseeus?Wouldyourgrandfatherletyou?Perhaps,ifyourmotheraskedhim,saidLaurie.Hespendsalotoftimeamonghisbooks,andMrBrooke,mytutor,doesn’tlivehere.SoIhaven’tanyonetogooutwith,Doyoulikeyourschool?Idon’tgotoschool.Igoouttowork-tomyaunts,saidJo.Shedescribedthedifficultoldladyandmadehimlaughwithherstories.Shetoldhimallabouthersistertheplaystheyacted,andtheirhopesandfearsfortheirfather.Thentheytalkedaboutbooks,andJodiscoveredthatLaurielovedthemasmuchasshedid.Comeandseeourlibrary,hesaid."Grandfatherisout,soyouneedn’tbeafraid.I'mnotafraidofanything,repliedJo.Hetookherdowntoaroomwherethewallswerecoveredwithbooksandpictures.Youshouldbethehappiestboyintheworld!"saidJo,sittinginabigarmchairandlookinground.Apersoncan’tliveonbooks.hesaid.Suddenly,abellrang.Jojumpedupoutofthechair.It'syourgrandfather!"shesaid.Whatifitis?saidLaurie,withasmile.You'renotafraidofanything,remember?PerhapsIamalittlebitafraidofhim,Josaid.Theservantcameinatthatmoment.Thedoctorisheretoseeyou,sir.shesaidtoLaurie.CanIleaveyouforaminuteortwo,Jo?hesaid.Yes,I'mveryhappyhere,saidJo.HewentawayandJowasstaringatalargepictureoftheoldgentlemanwhenthedooropenedagainwithoutturning,shesaid,"Iwon’tbeafraidofhim,becausehe'sgotkindeyes,althoughhismouthlookshardandcold.He'snotashandsomeasmygrandfather,butIlikehim.Thankyou,"saidadeepvoicebehindher.Sheturnedquickly-andsawoldMrLaurence.Jo'sfaceturnedabrightredandshewantedtorunaway.Buttheoldman'seyeslookedkinderthanthoseinthepictureandseemedtohaveasmileinthem.Soyou’renotafraidofme,eh?hesaid.Notmuch.Sir.ButI'mnotashandsomeasyourgrandfather.Notquite,sir.Butyoulikeme."Helaughedandshookhandswithher.Now,whathaveyoubeendoingwithmygrandson?tryingtocheerhimup,sir,saidJo.Heseemsabitlonely.Thencomeandhavesometeawithus.LauriewasverysurprisedtoseeJowithhisgrandfather,butwassoontalkingandlaughinghappilywithJo.Theoldmanwatchedthetwoyoungpeopleandnoticedthechangeinhisgrandson.She'sright,hethought.Theboydoesneedcheeringup.Aftertea,theywentintoaroomwheretherewasalargeandbeautifulpiano.Doyouplay?JoaskedLaurie.Sometimesheanswered.Playnow.IwanttohearitsoIcantellBeth.SoLaurieplayedandJolistened.Afterwards,MrLaurencesaid,"Heplaysquitewell,butIwanthimtodowellinmoreimportantthings.Now,Ihopeyou'llcomeagain.Heshookhandswithher.Goodnight,JoLauriewalkedtothedoorwithher.Hedoesn’tliketohearmeplay,hesaid.whynot?saidJo.I'lltellyouoneday,hesaid.WhenJotoldthefamilyofherafternoon'sadventures,theyallwantedtogoandvisitthebighouse.Mother,whydoesn’tMrLaurenceliketohearLaurieplaythepiano?askedJo.Laurie'sfathermarriedanItalianlady,amusician,saidMrsMarch.Theoldmandidn’tlikeher,andneversawhissonaftertheyweremarried.LauriewasborninItalybuthisparentsdiedwhenhewasachild,andhisgrandfatherbroughthimhome.LaurielovesmusicandIexpecthisgrandfatherisafraidhe’llwanttobeamusicianlikehismother.Laurieshouldbeamusicianifhewantstobe,saidJo.Sendinghimtocollegewilljustmakehimunhappy.第五章:白丝的惊喜Laurieandthefourgirlsweresoongreatfriends.MrBrookecomplainedtotheoldgentlemanthathisstudentwasalwaysrunningacrosstoseeMarches.Lethimhaveabitofaholiday,saidMrLaurence.Hecancatchupwithhisstudieslater.Whatgoodtimestheyhad!Writingandactingplays,happyeveningsattheMarches,andlittlepartiesatthebighouse.OnlyBethwastooshytogothere.WhenMrLaurenceheardaboutBeth'sshyness,hecametohaveteawiththeirmotheroneday,andbegantotalkaboutmusicandgreatsingershehadheard.Bethfounditimpossibletostayinhercornerandcametolisten.Lauriehasn’tmuchtimeforhismusic,MrLaurencetoldMrsMarch,"sothepianoisnotusedveryoften.Wouldanyofyourgirlsliketoplayitsometimes?Theyneedn’tseeorspeaktoanyone,andI'llbeinmystudy.Hegotuptogo.Butiftheydon’twanttocome.Atthismoment,alittlehandtouchedhisown.ItwasBeth's.I-Iwanttocome,shesaid,hervoiceshaking.Verymuch.You'rethemusicalgirl,saidMrLaurence,gently.I'mBeth.Yes.Ilovemusic.andIshall.Thenextday,Bethwaiteduntiltheoldandtheyounggentlemenbothwentout,thensheranacrosstothebighouseandfoundherwaytotheroomwiththebeautifulpiano.Assoonasshebegantoplay,sheforgotherfearsimmediatelyinthedelightwhichthemusicgaveher.Afterthat,Bethwenteveryday.SheneverknewthatMrLaurenceoftenopenedhisstudydoortohearherplaying,orthatLauriestoodinthehalltokeeptheservantsawayfromtheshylittlegirl.Butshewassogratefulthatsheaskedhermotherandsisterstohelphermaketheoldgentlemanapairofslippers.Afterseveraldayscarefulsewing,theslipperswerefinished.ThenBethwroteashortletterand,withLaurie'shelp,leftitwiththeslippersintheoldman'sstudyonemorning,beforehewas.Thenextday,Bethwentoutforawalk,andwhenshecamebacktheotherswerewaitingforher.Here'saletterforyou,Beth!theycalledout."Comeandreadit!"Shehurriedtothehouseandtheytookherintothefrontroom."Lookthere!everyonewassayingatonce.Bethlooked-andgotthebiggestsurpriseofherlife!Fortheretendalovelylittlepiano,withaletteronthetopofit,addressedto:MissElizabethMarch.You-youreadit,Jo,whisperedBeth.Ican’t.SoJoopenedtheletterandbegantoread.DearMissMarch,sheread,"Ihavehadmanypairsofslippersbutnonewhichhavepleasedmesomuchasyours.Ishouldliketothankyouforyourkindnessbysendingyousomethingthatoncebelongedtomylittlegranddaughter,whodied.Withmanythanks.Iamyourgoodfriend,JamesLaurence.Joputanarmaroundhersister.Nowtryit,Beth,shesaid.Bethsatdownandbegantoplay,andeveryonethoughtitwasthemostperfectpianotheyhadeverheard.You’llhavetogoandthankhim,saidJo,withasmile,knowingthatBethwasmuchtooshytodoanythinglikethat.ButBethsurprisedthemall."Ildoitatonce,shesaidbravely,andawayshewalked,throughthegardenandintothebighousenextdoor.Shewentuptotheoldgentleman'sstudyandknockedonthedoor.Comein.saidMrLaurence.Bethwentin."Icametosaythankyou,sir,shebegan,inherquietlittlevoice.Buthelookedsofriendlythatsheranandputbothherarmsaroundhisneckandkissed.Theoldgentlemanwassosurprisedthathenearlyfelloffhischair.Buthewasverypleasedindeedbythatshylittlekiss,andsoonthetwoofthemweretalkinglikeoldfriends.Later,hewalkedhomewithBeth.Thegirls,watchingwithgreatinterestfromthewindow,couldnotbelievetheireyes.Well,Megsaid,Idobelievetheworldiscomingtoanend.第六章:艾米遇到麻烦Whereareyougoing?AmyaskedMegandJooneafternoon.Iwanttocome,too.Youcant,dear,you'renotinvited,saidMeg.You'regoingsomewherewithLaurie,Iknowyouare.Yes,weare,saidJo."Nowstopannoying.You'regoingtothetheatre!Amysaidsuddenly.IwanttogoWithyou!Wecouldtakeher,Isuppose,beganMeg.No,Laurieonlyinvitedus,saidJo.Ishallgo,shoutedAmy.MegsaysIcan.Youjuststaywhereyouare!saidJo,ang.I'makeyousorryforthis,JoMarch!Amyshouted,asMegandJoleftthehouse.Thetwooldersistersenjoyedthemselvesatthetheatre,butJocouldn’tstopworryingasshewonderedwhatAmywoulddotomakehersorry.Shefoundoutthenextafternoon.Beth,AmyandMegweresittingtogetherwhenJoranintotheroom.Hasanyonetakenmynotebook?"Joasked.MegandBethsaid"Noatonce,butAmysaidnothing.Amy,you'vegotit,saidJo.No,Ihaven’t,saidAmy.That’salie!saidJo.Tellmethetruthorlmakeyou.Dowhatyoulike,