LittleWomen小妇人Page6AbouttheAuthorLouisaMayAlcottwasborninGermantown,Pennsylvaniain1832.Shewasthesecondoffourdaughters.Herfatherwasateacherandhegaveherlessonsathome.TheAlcottfamilyoftenmovedhousewhenLouisawasgrowingup,butAlcott'shappiestyearswereinthesmalltownofConcord,Massachusetts.LittleWomenissetintheAlcottfamilyhomethere.Alcottstartedworkwhenshewasstillyoungbecausethefamilywasn'trich.Shedidmanyjobsincludingteachinganddressmaking,butshewantedtobeawriter.Herfirstpublishedworkwasapoemin1852.Thiswasthebeginningofherwritingcareer.In1861theAmericanCivilWarstarted.AlcottwantedtohelpsoshewenttoWashingtontoworkasanurse.AfterthewarAlcottspentayearinEuropeasthecompanionofaninvalid.WhiletheywereinSwitzerland,shehadashortloveaffairwithaPolishsoldier,LadislasWisniewski.ShelaterusedhimasthemodelforLaurieinLittleWomen,whichwaspublishedin1868.Thebookwasaninstantsuccesssoshewroteasequel.ShethenwrotetwomorebooksabouttheMarchfamily:LittleMen(1871)andJo'sBoys(1886).Alcottnevermarriedandshediedattheageof56inBoston.Page7AbouttheBookLittleWomenissetinNewEnglandduringtheAmericanCivilWar(1861-65).ThenovelfollowsthelivesofthefourMarchsisters-Meg,Jo,Beth,andAmy-andisbasedontheauthor'sownexperiencesofgrowingupwithherthreesisters.Themainthemeinthestoryistheimportanceoffamily.Otherthemesincludetheneedtoworkandself-improvement.Whenthestorybeginsthesistersarecomplainingbecausetheyarepoorandhavetowork.Theirmothersaysthattheymustn'tspendmoneyonpleasurebecausethereisawarandeverybodymusthelp.Theirfatherisinthearmy.Intheletterstheirfathersendshomehetellshisdaughterstoworkhardandnottowastetheirtime.Theymusttrytoacceptthebadthingsintheirlivesandstaycheerful.Hewantstobeproudofthemwhenhecomeshome.Thegirlsdecidetomakeanefforttoimprovethemselvesbecausetheyloveandmisstheirfatherverymuch.Alcottwasinterestedinwomen'srightsand,throughthefourMarchsisters,sheexploresfourdifferentwaysofbeingawomaninthosedays.Megleavesthefamilytogetmarriedandhaveanewfamily.Bethdevotesherselftolookingafterherownfamily.Amyfocusesonherselfandherownpleasure.AndJo,likeAlcottherself,triestohaveacareerinwritingandcareforherfamilyatthesametime.Page131THEMARCHSISTERS1关于作者路易莎·梅·奥尔科特于1832年出生于宾夕法尼亚州的日耳曼敦。她是四个女儿中的老二。她的父亲是一名教师，他在家给她上课。路易莎成长过程中，奥尔科特一家经常搬家，但奥尔科特最快乐的时光是在马萨诸塞州的小镇康科德度过的。《小妇人》的故事发生在奥尔科特一家的家中。奥尔科特很小的时候就开始工作，因为家里并不富裕。她做过很多工作，包括教学和服装制作，但她想成为一名作家。她在1852年发表的第一部作品是一首诗。这是她写作生涯的开始。1861年，美国内战爆发。奥尔科特想要帮忙，所以她去了华盛顿当护士。战争结束后，奥尔科特作为一个病人的伴侣在欧洲呆了一年。他们在瑞士的时候，她和一个名叫拉迪斯拉斯·维希涅夫斯基的波兰士兵有过一段短暂的恋情。后来，她以他为原型，在1868年出版的《小妇人》中扮演劳里。这本书一出版就大获成功，所以她又写了续集。之后，她又写了两本关于马奇一家的书:《小男人》(1871)和《乔的男孩》(1886)。奥尔科特从未结婚，56岁时在波士顿去世。关于这本书《小妇人》以美国内战(1861-65)期间的新英格兰为背景。这部小说讲述了马奇家的四姐妹——梅格、乔、贝丝和艾米的生活，并根据作者自己和她的三姐妹一起成长的经历写成。这个故事的主题是家庭的重要性。其他主题包括工作和自我提高的需要。故事开始时，姐妹们在抱怨，因为她们很穷，必须工作。他们的母亲说他们不应该把钱花在享乐上，因为有一场战争，每个人都必须帮忙。他们的父亲在里。在父亲寄回家的信中，他告诉女儿们要努力工作，不要浪费时间。他们必须努力接受生活中不好的事情，并保持乐观。当他回家的时候，他想以他们为荣。女孩们决定努力提高自己，因为她们非常爱和想念她们的父亲。奥尔科特对妇女权利很感兴趣，通过马奇四姐妹，她探索了当时作为一个女人的四种不同方式。梅格离开家去结婚，有了一个新的家庭。贝丝致力于照顾自己的家庭。艾米只关注她自己和她自己的快乐。和奥尔科特一样，乔也在努力从事写作工作，同时照顾家人。1马奇姐妹ItwasDecemberandthesnowwasfallingquietlyoutside.ThefourMarchsistersweresittingaroundthefireintheparlor.Theywereknittingsocksforsoldiers.Therewasawarandeveryonehadtohelp.Megwastheoldestofthefoursisters.Shewassixteen.Shewasveryprettyandshelovedprettyclothes.Jowasfifteen.Shewasverytallandthin.ShewasdifferentfromMeg.Shedidn'tcareaboutdressesorhairstyles.Shewasatomboy.Bethwasthirteen.Shewasveryshyandquietandsheseemedtoliveinahappyworldofherown.Theyoungest,Amy,lookedlikeasnowprincesswithherblueeyesandblondehair.Shelovedbeautifulthingsandshewasalittlevain.Shealsothoughtthatshewasaveryimportantperson.'Christmasisn'tChristmaswithoutanypresents,'Josaidsadly.'Ihatebeingpoor!'Megsaid,lookingatherolddress.'Somegirlshavelotsofnicethings,andothergirlshavenothingatall,'saidAmy.'Idon'tthinkit'sfair.''Butwe'vegotFatherandMother,andeachother,'saidBeth.Thefoursisterslookedhappyforamomentwhentheyrememberedthis.ThenJosaid,'Butwehaven'tgotFather.'Theirsmilessuddenlydisappeared.MrMarchwasfarawaywiththesoldiers.'Mothersaysourmenaresufferingandwemustn'tspendmoneyforpleasure,'Megsaid.'That'swhywecan'thavepresentsthisyear.'Page14'Well,eachofushasadollartospend,'saidJo.'Whatcanthearmydowithfourdollars?Nothing!Idon'texpectanythingfromMotherbutI'dliketobuyabookformyself.'Jolovedreadingandshehadapassionforbooks.'Iwanttospendmineonsomenewmusic,'saidBeth.Sheplayedthepianoandshelovedsinging.I'mgoingtobuyaboxofdrawingpencils.Ireallyneedthem,'saidAmy.Shewantedtobeanartist.'Motherdidn'tsayanythingaboutspendingourownmoney,'criedJo.'Weworkhardforitsolet'sbuywhatwewantandhavealittlefun.'Itwastrue.Thetwooldersistershadjobs.MegworkedasateacherfortheKingfamilyandJolookedafterAuntMarch,theirfather'srich,bad-temperedoldaunt.BethandAmyhelpedwiththehousework.Justthentheclockstrucksix.Bethgotupandputhermother'sslippersnearthefiretowarm.'Thoseslippersareveryold,'saidJo.'Motherneedssomenewones.''Icanbuyapairforherwithmydollar,'saidBeth.'No,I'mtheoldest,'Megsaid.'Iwanttobuytheslippersforher.''No,it'smyjob,'saidJo.'FathertoldmetotakecareofMotherwhilehewasaway.'212月，外面正下着雪。马奇四姐妹围坐在客厅的火炉旁。他们在为士兵织袜子。有一场战争，每个人都得帮忙。梅格是四姐妹中最大的。她十六岁。她很漂亮，她喜欢漂亮的衣服。乔是十五岁。她又高又瘦。她和梅格不一样。她不在乎衣服和发型。她是个假小子。贝丝13岁。她很害羞，很安静，似乎生活在自己的幸福世界里。最小的艾米长着一双蓝眼睛和一头金发，看上去就像一位白雪公主。她喜欢美丽的东西，有点爱慕虚荣。她还认为自己是一个非常重要的人。“没有礼物圣诞节就不是圣诞节，”乔忧伤地说。“我讨厌贫穷!”梅格看着她的旧衣服说。“有些女孩有很多好东西，有些女孩什么都没有，”艾米说。“我认为这不公平。”“但是我们有爸爸妈妈，还有彼此，”贝丝说。四姐妹想起了这一点，一时显得很高兴。然后乔说:“可我们没有爸爸呀。”他们的笑容突然消失了。马奇先生和士兵们在很远的地方。“妈妈说我们的男人在受苦，我们不能花钱寻欢作乐，”梅格说。“这就是我们今年不能收到礼物的原因。”“好吧，我们每人有一美元，”乔说。“用四块钱能做什么?没有什么!我不指望从妈妈那里得到什么，但我想给自己买本书。”乔喜欢读书，她酷爱读书。“我想把我的钱花在买些新音乐上，”贝丝说。她弹钢琴，她喜欢唱歌。我打算买一盒绘画铅笔。“我真的需要它们，”艾米说。她想成为一名艺术家。“妈妈没说过要花我们自己的钱，”乔嚷道。“我们努力工作，所以让我们买我们想要的东西，找点乐子。”这是真的。两个姐姐都有工作。梅格在金家当教师，乔照顾马奇姑姑，他们父亲富有的、坏脾气的老姑姑。贝丝和艾米帮着做家务。就在这时，钟敲了六下。贝丝站起来，把妈妈的拖鞋放在火边取暖。“那些拖鞋很旧了，”乔说。“妈妈需要一些新的。”“我可以用我的钱给她买一双，”贝丝说。“不，我最大，”梅格说。“我想给她买拖鞋。”“不，这是我的工作，”乔说。“爸爸要我在他不在的时候照顾妈妈。”'Ihaveanidea,'saidBeth.'Let'snotspendourmoneyonourselves.Let'sgetsomepresentsforMother.'Hersistersthoughtthatthiswasaverygoodidea.Page15'I'mgoingtogiveherapairofgloves,'saidMeglookingatherownprettyhands.Theyweresmallandwhite.'Andyou,Jo?''Somenewslippers!'criedJo.'I'mgoingtomakehersomehandkerchiefs,'saidBethquietly.'AndI'mgoingtogiveherabottleofperfume,'saidAmy.Theyallagreedtogoshoppingforthepresentsthenextday.“我有个主意，”贝丝说。“我们不要把钱花在自己身上。我们给妈妈买些礼物吧。”她的姐妹们认为这是一个非常好的主意。“我打算给她一副手套，”梅格看着自己漂亮的手说。它们又小又白。“而你,乔?”“一些新拖鞋!”乔喊道。“我想给她做一些手帕，”贝丝平静地说。“我还要给她买瓶香水，”艾米说。他们都同意第二天去买礼物。Whatdoes\"Butwehaven'tgotFather\"mean?Howmuchmoneydotheyhaveforpresents?Whatdoes\"shehadapassionforbooks\"mean?Whatpresentswilleachofthembuyfortheirmom?Atthatmomentahappyvoicecalled,'Hello,mydears!'ItwasMrsMarch.Thegirlsjumpedupandrantothefrontdoor.Whileshewastakingoffherwetcloakandshoesandputtingonthewarmslippers,MrsMarchtalkedtoherdaughtersabouttheirday.'Howisyourcold,Meg?Jo,youlooktired.Didanyonecalltoday,Beth?Amy,baby,comeandgivemeakiss.'Thenthegirlsquicklypreparedthetablefortheeveningmealandtheyallsatdowntoeat.TherewasahappysmileonMrsMarch'sface.'I'vegotasurpriseforyouaftersupper,'shesaid.'Hooray!'shoutedBeth.'AletterfromFather!''Yes!'saidMrsMarch.'Anicelongletter.'Page16Theletterwasverycheerfulandfullofinterestingdescriptionsoflifeinthearmy.Attheendofthelettertherewasaspecialmessageforthegirls.Hetoldthemtobegoodtotheirmotherandtoworkhard.Hewantedtobeproudofthemwhenhecameback.Thegirlscriedwhentheirmotherreadthelastpartbecausetheylovedandmissedtheirfatheralot.Theywantedtomakehimhappysoeachonemadeapromisetobeabetterpersoninthefuture.Beforetheywenttobed,Bethplayedsomesongsontheoldpianointheparlorandtheyallsang.Page172AMERRYCHRISTMASJowasthefirsttowakeuponChristmasmorning.Whenhersisterswereawaketoo,theyallwentdowntothekitchen.Theirmotherwasn'ttherebutHannah,theirservant,was.'Yourmotherwentoutearly,'shesaid.'Apoorboycametothedooraskingforfood.Shewassorryforhimandshewantedtohelphim.Shewenttoseehisfamily.'Whiletheywerewaitingfortheirmothertocomeback,thegirlsputtheirpresentsforherinabasket.Soontheyheardthesoundofakeyinthefrontdoor.3这时一个幸福的声音喊道:“你们好，亲爱的!是马奇太太。女孩们跳起来跑到前门。马奇太太一边脱下湿斗篷和鞋子，换上暖和的拖鞋，一边和她的女儿们谈论这一天的事情。“你感冒怎么样了，梅格?”乔，你看起来很累。今天有人打电话来吗，贝丝?艾米，宝贝，过来吻我一下。”然后，女孩们很快地准备好了桌子，大家都坐下来吃晚饭。马奇太太的脸上露出了幸福的微笑。“晚饭后我有个惊喜要给你，”她说。“万岁!”“贝丝喊道。“父亲的来信!”“是的!马奇太太说。“一封漂亮的长信。”信中内容很愉快，而且充满了关于生活的有趣描述。在信的结尾有一封特别写给女孩们的信。他告诉他们要对妈妈好，要努力工作。当他回来的时候，他想以他们为荣。当她们的母亲读到最后一部分时，女孩们哭了，因为她们非常爱和想念她们的父亲。她们想让他开心，所以每个人都承诺将来会成为一个更好的人。睡觉前，贝丝在客厅的那架旧钢琴上弹了几首歌，大家都唱了起来。2圣诞快乐圣诞节早晨，乔是第一个醒来的。姐妹们也醒了，她们都下楼到厨房去了。他们的母亲不在，但他们的仆人汉娜在。“你妈妈很早就出去了，”她说。“一个穷孩子到门口讨吃的。她为他感到难过，想帮助他。她去看他的家人了。”在等妈妈回来的时候，女孩们把送给她的礼物放在一个篮子里。不久，他们听到了用钥匙打开前门的声音。'Mother'shere!'criedJo.'Hidethebasketbehindthesofa!Quick!\"Thentheyallrushedintothehalltogreettheirmother.'MerryChristmas,Mother!'theycried.'MerryChristmas,littledaughters!'MrsMarchsaidinherhappyvoice.Shehuggedthemallandkissedthem.Thenshesuddenlybecameveryserious.'Comeandsitdown,girls.Iwanttosaysomethingbeforewestartbreakfast.'TheyallsatdownatthebreakfasttableandMrsMarchcontinued.'Iwenttoseeapoorwomanthismorning.HernameisMrsHummel.Shelivesnearhereinoneroomwithhersevenchildren.Oneofthemisonlyababy.Theyarecoldandhungrybecausetheydon'thaveafireoranyfood.Theoldestboycametoaskmeforhelp.Girls,canwegivethemourbreakfastasaChristmaspresent?'Page18Thesisterslookedatthegoodfoodonthetable.Theywereallhungry.Foraminutenobodyspoke.ThenJosaid,'I'msogladyoucamebackbeforewestartedeating,Mother!'Megputthebreadonabigplatewithoutsayinganything.'CanIhelpcarrythethingstothepoorchildren?'askedBeth.'Iwanttotakethecreamandthemuffins,'saidAmy.Theywereherfavoritethings.MrsMarchsmiled.'Let'sallgotogether,'shesaid.ThegirlsandHannahputontheirhatsandcloaksandtheywentoutintothesnowystreet.TheywereshockedwhentheysawtheHummels'room.Thewindowwasbrokenandtherewasnofire.Itwasverycold.MrsHummel,thebabyandagroupofpalechildrenweretryingtokeepwarmunderoneoldblanket.Thechildren'seyesopenedwideandtheirbluelipssmiledwhentheysawthegirls.MrsHummelcriedwithjoy.Hannahmadeafireandputherowncloakoverthebrokenwindow.Thegirlsputthefoodonthetableandsoonthechildrenwereeatingithungrily.MrsMarchgavethemothersomehotsoupanddressedthelittlebaby.'Angels!You'reangels!'MrsHummelcalledtothemastheyleft.ThatChristmasmorningthegirlshadbreadandmilkforbreakfastbuttheyweren'tsad.'I'mgladthatwehelpedthosepoorpeople,'saidMeg.'Itwastherightthingtodo.'Page20AfterbreakfastthegirlsgavetheirmotherherChristmaspresents.Theyexplainedthereasonforeachoneandtherewasalotoflaughingandkissing.MrsMarchimmediatelyputsomeperfumeononeofthehandkerchiefsandputitintoherpocket.Thensheputontheslippersandthegloves.'Perfect!'shesaid.4“母亲在这里!”乔喊道。“把篮子藏在沙发后面！快!”然后他们都冲进大厅去迎接他们的母亲。“妈妈,圣诞快乐!”他们嚷道。“圣诞快乐，孩子们!”马奇太太用快乐的声音说。她拥抱他们，亲吻他们。然后她突然严肃起来。“姑娘们，过来坐下。吃早饭前我有话要说。”他们都坐在早餐桌旁，马奇太太继续说。“今天早晨我去看了一个可怜的女人。她的名字是哈梅尔夫人。她和七个孩子住在附近的一个房间里。其中一个还只是个婴儿。他们又冷又饿，因为他们没有火，也没有任何食物。最大的男孩来找我帮忙。孩子们，我们能把我们的早餐送给他们做圣诞礼物吗?”姐妹俩看着桌上丰盛的食物。他们都饿了。有一分钟没有人说话。然后乔说:我很高兴你在我们开始吃饭之前回来，妈妈!”梅格什么也没说就把面包放在一个大盘子里。“我能帮着把东西拿给那些可怜的孩子们吗?”贝丝问。“我想带上奶油和松饼，”艾米说。那是她最喜欢的东西。马奇太太笑了。“我们一起走吧，”她说。姑娘们和汉娜戴上帽子，穿上斗篷，走到白雪覆盖的街道上。当他们看到哈梅尔家的房间时，都惊呆了。窗户被打破了，也没有生火。天气很冷。哈梅尔太太、婴儿和一群脸色苍白的孩子在一条旧毯子下面取暖。当孩子们看到女孩们时，他们的眼睛睁得大大的，蓝色的嘴唇露出了微笑。哈梅尔太太高兴得叫了起来。汉娜生了火，把自己的斗篷罩在破窗户上。女孩们把食物放在桌子上，很快孩子们就狼吞虎咽地吃了起来。马奇太太给了母亲一些热汤，并给婴儿穿好衣服。“天使!”你是天使!他们离开时，哈梅尔太太对他们喊道。那个圣诞节的早晨，女孩们早餐吃的是面包和牛奶，但她们并不悲伤。“我很高兴我们帮助了那些穷人，”梅格说。“这么做是正确的。”早饭后，姑娘们把圣诞礼物送给了母亲。他们解释了每一个原因，大家笑了起来，亲吻了起来。马奇太太立即在一块手帕上涂了些香水，放进了口袋。然后她穿上拖鞋和手套。“完美!”她说。Thegirlsspenttherestofthedaypreparingaplay.Thesistersoftenperformedplaysfortheirfriendsandtheywereverygoodatmakingcostumesandprops.Adozengirlsarrivedaboutsixo'clockandtooktheirplacesonthebedinthebigbedroom.Theplaywasagreatsuccess.Everybodyenjoyeditverymuch.ThegirlswerestilllaughingandclappingwhenHannahcameinandsaid,'Supperisready.'Asurprisewaswaitingforthemonthediningroomtable-dishesoficecream,pinkandwhite,freshfruit,cakesandrealFrenchchocolates.Andinthemiddleofallthisdeliciousfoodtherewerefourvasesofbeautifulflowers.Thegirlscouldn'tbelievetheireyes.'Didthefairiesbringthesupper?'askedAmy.'No!SantaClausbroughtit,'saidBeth.'Motherdidit,'Megsaid.'No!AuntMarchsentit!'criedJo.'Youareallwrong,'saidMrsMarch.'OldMrLaurencesentit.'女孩们用那天剩下的时间准备一出戏。这对姐妹经常为她们的朋友表演戏剧，她们非常擅长制作服装和道具。大约六点钟，十几个姑娘到了，她们在大卧室的床上就座。这出戏非常成功。每个人都很喜欢。姑娘们还在鼓掌大笑，这时汉娜走了进来，说:“晚饭准备好了。”一个惊喜在餐厅里等着他们，盘子里有冰激凌，粉色和白色的，新鲜的水果，蛋糕和真正的法国巧克力。在所有这些美味的食物中间有四瓶美丽的花。女孩们简直不敢相信自己的眼睛。“仙女们带来晚餐了吗?”艾米问。“不!是圣诞老人带来的，”贝丝说。“是妈妈做的，”梅格说。“不!马奇太太送来的!”乔喊道。“你们都错了，”马奇太太说。“是劳伦斯老先生送来的。”Writeashortdescriptionofaspecialmealthatyouandyourfamilyhave.Saywhenandwhyyouhaveitandwhatyoueatanddrink.Page21'TheLaurenceboy'sgrandfather!'exclaimedMeg.'Whydidhedothat?Wedon'tknowhim!''HannahtoldoneofhisservantsthestoryoftheHummels.MrLaurencewassorrytohearaboutyourpoorChristmasbreakfastsohedecidedtogiveyouasurprise.''Mymothersayshe'sveryproud,'saidoneofthegirlsatthetable.'Shesaysthathedoesn'tlikemixingwithhisneighbors.Hisgrandsonhastostayinthehouseandstudyallday.Weinvitedhimtoapartyonce,buthedidn'tcome.He'sveryshy.''I'mgoingtotalktohimoneday,'saidJo.'Heneedstohavesomefun.I'mgoingtoinvitehimtoournextplay!'“劳伦斯男孩的爷爷!”梅格喊道。“他为什么要那样做?”我们不认识他!”汉娜把哈梅尔一家的故事告诉了他的一个仆人。劳伦斯老先生听说你可怜的圣诞早餐很难过，所以他决定给你一个惊喜。”“我妈妈说他很骄傲，”餐桌上的一个女孩说。她说他不喜欢和邻居们混在一起。他的孙子不得不整天呆在家里学习。我们曾邀请他参加一次聚会，但他没来。他很害羞。”“有一天我会跟他说的，”乔说。他需要找点乐子。我还要邀请他来看我们下一场戏!”Page223THELAURENCEBOY'Jo!Jo!Whereareyou?'Megshoutedfromthebottomofthestairs.'I'mintheattic!'answeredJo.Shewassittingonanoldsofanexttoasmallwindow.Thiswasherfavoriteplaceinthehouse.Shewenttheretobealoneandtoread.WhenMegappeared,sheclosedherbookandlookedup.'WehaveaninvitationfromMrsGardinertoadanceonNewYear'sEve!'criedMegexcitedly.'Ohdear!WhatamIgoingtowear?''Youroldcottondressisalright,'repliedJo.'Youcanwearthat.''I'dlovetohaveasilkdress,'saidMegsadly.'MothersaysIcanhaveonewhenI'meighteen.Butit'saverylongtimetowait.'53劳伦斯家的男孩“乔!乔!你在哪里?”梅格在楼梯底下喊道。“我在阁楼上!”乔回答说。她坐在一扇小窗旁的一张旧沙发上。这是她最喜欢的地方。她去那里是为了独处和读书。梅格出现时，合上书抬起头来。“加德纳太太请我们参加新年夜的舞会!”梅格兴奋地叫道。“哦,亲爱的!我穿什么好呢?”“你的旧棉连衣裙挺好的，”乔回答。“你可以穿着它。”“我很想有一件丝绸连衣裙，”梅格悲哀地说。“妈妈说我十八岁时可以有一个。但要等很长时间。”OnNewYear'sEve,BethandAmyhelpedtheiroldersistersgetreadyfortheparty.Thegirlslookedveryniceintheirsimpledresses.Meg'swasasilvercolorandJo'swasdarkred.Megborrowedhermother'spearlpintodecorateherdress.Joputafloweronhers.'Haveagoodtime,mydears!'saidMrsMarch.'Don'teattoomuch,andcomehomeateleven.'Theywereclosingthegardengatewhentheirmothercriedfromawindow,'Girls!Haveyoubothgotcleanhandkerchiefs?''Yes,yes.AndMegputsomeperfumeonhers,'criedJo,andsheandMeglaughedallthewaytotheGardiners'house.Page23Whentheyarrivedtheywerefeelingabitshybecausetheydidn'toftengotoparties.ButsoonsomegirlsstartedtalkingtoMeg,andthensomeboysaskedhertodance.Jostoodonherownatoneendoftheroom.Shedidn'tliketalkingtogirls.Agroupofboysnearherwastalkingaboutice-skating.Shewantedtojointhembutitwasn'tpoliteforagirltotalkaboutsportwithboys.Shebegantofeelbored.Thenaboywithredhairstartedtowalktowardsher.Suddenlyshefeltveryshy.'Oh,no!'shethought.'He'sgoingtoaskmetodance.'新年前夜，贝丝和艾米帮助她们的姐姐为晚会做准备。女孩们穿着简单的连衣裙看起来很漂亮。梅格的连衣裙是银色的，而乔的则是深红色。梅格借了她母亲的珍珠别针来装饰她的连衣裙。乔在她的连衣裙上放了一朵花。“玩得开心点，亲爱的!”马奇太太说。“别吃太多，11点回家。”他们正关着花园的门，母亲从窗口叫道:“姑娘们!你们俩都有干净手帕吗?”“是的,是的。梅格还在她的手帕上抹了些香水，”乔叫道，她和梅格在去加德纳家的路上一路笑着。当他们到达时，他们感到有点害羞，因为他们不经常参加聚会。但很快一些女孩开始和梅格说话，然后一些男孩请她跳舞。乔独自站在房间的一头。她不喜欢和女孩子说话。她身边的一群男孩正在谈论滑冰。她想加入他们，但一个女孩和男孩谈论运动是不礼貌的。她开始感到无聊。然后一个红头发的男孩开始向她走来。她突然感到很害羞。“哦,不!”她想。“他要请我跳舞了。”Whatkindofpartiesdoyougoto?Areyourpartiesdifferentfromthisone?Why?Shelookedaroundforahidingplace.Therewasalargeheavycurtainbehindher.Shelifteditquicklyandslippedbehindit.Whenthecurtaindropped,shefoundherselffacetofacewiththe'Laurenceboy'!Sheturnedredwithembarrassment.'Sorry!'shesaid.'Ididn'tknowthatyouwerehere.'Shestartedtoleavebuttheboylaughedandsaidinapleasantvoice,'Stayifyoulike.Don'tworryaboutme.IonlycameherebecauseIdon'tknowmanypeople.Iwasbored.''Iwas,too.'Jotriedtobepoliteandrelaxed.她四处寻找藏身之处。她身后有一个又大又沉的帷幕。她迅速提起它，溜到它后面。帷幕落下后，她发现自己正面对着“劳伦斯家的男孩”!她窘得满脸通红。“对不起!”她说。“我不知道你在这儿。”她准备离开，但男孩笑了，并用愉快的声音说:“你愿意就留下吧。”别为我担心。我来这里只是因为我认识的人不多。我是无聊。”“我也是。”乔尽量表现得礼貌而轻松。Page24'Youlivenearus,don'tyou?'shesaid.'Isawyoutheotherday.''Yes.Nextdoor.'Andthentheybothlaughed.'WehadagoodtimeatChristmas.ThankyouforyourniceChristmaspresent.''Grandfathersentit.''Butyougavehimtheidea,didn'tyou,MrLaurence?''I'mnotMrLaurence,MissMarch.I'monlyLaurie.''AndIamnotMissMarch.I'monlyJo,'shereplied.6“你住在我们附近，是不是?”她说。“前几天我还看见你的。”“是的。隔壁。”然后他们都笑了。“圣诞节我们玩得很开心。谢谢你漂亮的圣诞礼物。”“爷爷寄的。”“可那是你给他出的主意，是吗，劳伦斯老先生?”“我不是劳伦斯老先生，马奇小姐。我叫劳里。”“我也不是马奇小姐。我叫乔，”她回答。SoontheyforgottheirshynessandwerechattinghappilyaboutLaurie'stravelstoforeigncountries.Theybegantofeellikeoldfriends.ThenLaurieaskedJotodance.HetaughtheranewGermandanceandtheyhadalotoffun.Lauriewasagooddancer.LauriewastellingJoaboutastudents'festivalinHeidelbergwhenshesuddenlysawMeg.Hersisterwassittingonasofaandholdingherfoot.Shelookedpale.Joimmediatelywenttoseewhatwaswrong.'It'smyankle,'saidMeg.'Thatstupidhighheelonmyshoebroke.Ican'tstandorwalkverywell.HowamIgoingtogethome?'Jowentoutsideandlookedforacarriagebutthereweren'tany.'Youcanhavemygrandfather'scarriage,'saidLaurie.'Butit'sstillearly!'saidJo.'Doyoureallywanttogohomenow?''Oh,yes,'repliedLaurie.'Ialwaysleavepartiesearly.'SoJoacceptedhiskindofferbecauseitwasanemergency.ThentheywenttofindMeg.Page25WhentheyarrivedattheMarches'house,JoandMegthankedLaurieandsaidgoodnight.TheyopenedthefrontdoorveryquietlybutBethandAmywerestillawake.'Tellusabouttheparty!'theycriedfromthetopofthestairs.JoandMegdescribedthemostexcitingmomentsoftheeveningandthenthetwoyoungersisterswenttobedhappily.LaterJoputabandageonMeg'sfootandbrushedhersister'shair.'Thankyou,Jo,'Megsaid.'Ifeellikeareallady.''Wedon'thavesilkdressesandbeautifulshoes,'saidJo.'ButI'msurethatweenjoyourselvesasmuchasrealladiesdo.'很快他们就忘记了羞涩，愉快地聊着劳里的国外之行。他们开始觉得像老朋友了。然后劳里请乔跳舞。他教她一种新的德国舞蹈，他们玩得很开心。劳里舞跳得很好。劳里正在给乔讲在海德堡举行的学生节，这时她突然看见了梅格。她姐姐坐在沙发上，抱着她的脚。她看起来苍白。乔马上去看是怎么回事。“我的脚踝受伤了，”梅格说。“我鞋上那愚蠢的高后跟坏了。我不能很好地站立或行走。我怎么回家啊?”乔出去找马车，可是找不到。“你可以用我爷爷的马车，”劳里说。“可现在时间还早!”乔说。“你真想现在回家吗?”“哦，是的，”劳里回答。“我总是早早地离开派对。”所以乔接受了他的好意因为情况紧急。然后他们去找梅格。他们来到马奇家时，乔和梅格向劳里道谢并道了晚安。他们轻轻地打开前门，但贝丝和艾米还没睡。“给我们讲讲舞会的事!”他们在楼梯顶上叫道。乔和梅格描述了当晚最激动人心的时刻，然后两个妹妹高高兴兴地去睡觉了。后来乔给梅格的脚缠上绷带，又给她姐姐梳头。“谢谢你，乔，”梅格说。“我觉得自己像个真正的淑女。”“我们没有丝绸裙子和漂亮的鞋子，”乔说。“不过我敢肯定，我们像真正的贵妇人一样玩得很开心。”Page2GOODNEIGHBORSTheMarches'housewasbetweentwolargehouses.Ononesidetherewasanoldbrownhouse.Ontheothersidetherewasalargestonemansion.ThiswasthehomeofoldMrLaurenceandhisgrandson,Laurie.Itwasaverygrandhouseandtheroomslookedverycomfortablebehindtheheavysilkcurtainsatthewindows.Butitwasahousewithoutlife.TheMarches'housewasdifferent.Itwasalwaysbusyandfullofnoiseandpeople.AfewdaysafterthepartyJosawLaurieagain.Hewasstandingatanupstairswindowinthemansionandlookingdownattheirgarden.BethandAmywereplayinginthesnow.Theywerethrowingsnowballsandhavingalotoffun.Laurie'sfacewasverysad.'Poorboy!'shethought.'He'sallalone.It'sashame!Heneedssomefriends.'Shecouldn'tstopthinkingabouthim.Shewantedtogoandseehimbuthowcouldshegotohishousewithoutaninvitation?74好邻居马奇家的房子在两幢大房子之间。一边是一座棕色的老房子。对面是一座巨大的石头豪宅。这是劳伦斯老先生和他孙子劳里的家。这是一所非常豪华的房子，窗户上厚重的丝绸窗帘后面的房间看上去非常舒适。但这是一座没有生命的房子。马奇家的房子就不同了。它总是很繁忙，充满了噪音和人群。聚会后的几天，乔又见到了劳里。他站在豪宅楼上的一个窗口，俯视着他们的花园。贝丝和艾米在雪里玩。他们在扔雪球，玩得很开心。劳里的脸很悲伤。“可怜的孩子!”她想。“他是独自一人。这是一件遗憾的事!他需要一些朋友。”她情不自禁想起了他。她很想去看看他，可是没有得到邀请，她怎么能去他家呢?Thenonesnowyafternoon,whileshewaslookingoutofthewindow,shesawMrLaurence.Hewasgettingintohiscarriage.Hewasgoingout.Thisgaveheranidea.'Laurieisaloneinthehouse,'shethought.'Perhapshe'slookingoutofhiswindow.'Sheputonherhatandanoldcoatandtookabroomandashovelfromthekitchen.Page27'Whatareyougoingtodo,Jo?'askedMegwhenshesawhersisterinthehall.'Iwanttogetsomeexercise,'answeredJowithasmile.'I'mgoingtoclearthegardenpath.'Lauriewasstandingatthewindowagain.Hewasn'tlookingathersoshethrewasnowballtogethisattention.Whenthesnowhittheglass,heturnedhisheadimmediatelyandabigsmilechangedhispale,sadface.Jolaughedandshouted,'Howareyou?Areyouill?'Laurieopenedthewindowandsaid,'I'mbetternow,thankyou.IhadabadcoldandIhadtostayinsideforaweek.'Page28'I'msorry,'saidJo.'Areyoubored?''Yes,very,'hereplied.'Don'tyourfriendscometovisityou?''No.ButIdon'twanttoseeanybody.Boysarenoisyandtheygivemeaheadache.''Girlsarequiet.''Idon'tknowanygirls.''Youknowus.''That'strue!Canyoucomeandvisitme?'criedLaurie.'Please!'I'mnotquietbutI'dliketocome,'repliedJo.'ButImustaskMotherfirst.'Shepickedupherbroomandranintothehouse.然后在一个下雪的下午，她往窗外看时，看到了劳伦斯老先生。他正在上他的马车。他要出去。这给了她一个主意。“劳里一个人在房子里，”她想。“也许他正往窗外看呢。”她戴上帽子，穿上一件旧外套，从厨房里拿出一把扫帚和一把铁锹。“你打算干什么，乔?”梅格在大厅看见她妹妹时问道。“我想锻炼身体，”乔笑着回答。“我要清扫花园小路。”劳里又站在窗前。他没有看她，所以她扔雪球来引起他的注意。当雪打在玻璃上时，他立刻转过头来，一个大大的微笑改变了他苍白、悲伤的脸。乔笑着嚷道:“你怎么样?你生病了吗?”劳里打开窗户说:“我现在好多了，谢谢你。”我得了重感冒，不得不在屋里呆了一个星期。”“对不起，”乔说。“你很无聊吗?”“是的，非常，”他回答。“你的朋友们不来看你吗?”“没有。但我谁也不想见。男孩子们太吵了，他们让我头疼。”“女孩安静。”“我不认识女孩子。”“你知道我们。”“这是真的!你能来看我吗?”劳里喊道。“请!”“我不安静，可我愿意来，”乔回答。“但我得先问问妈妈。”她拿起扫帚跑进了房子。WhichofthefollowingwordscanbeusedtodescribeJo?□shy□lonely□lovely□talkativeWhyshouldLauriestayinsideforaweek?HowdidJogetLaurie'sattentionwhenshewantedtohelphim?Afewminuteslatershereturnedandrangthebellonthedoorofthemansion.Aservantanswereditandtookherupstairs.'HereIam!'shesaidbrightly.'MothersendsherloveandMeggavemethisblancmangeforyou.''Thatlooksdelicious,'Lauriesaid.HewasveryhappytoseeJo.几分钟后，她回来了，按了按豪宅的门铃。一个仆人接了，把她带到楼上。“我在这里!”她欢快地说。“妈妈给了她的爱，梅格给了我这个牛奶冻，都给你。”“看起来很好吃，”劳里说。他很高兴看到乔。Page29'Pleasesitdown,'Lauriesaidandpointedtoacomfortable“请坐，”劳里说，指着一张舒服的扶手椅。armchair.Jolookedaround.Therewerelotsofbooksontheshelves.乔看了看四周。书架上有很多书。8'Whatacozyroom!'shesaid.'Icanreadtoyouifyoulike.'“多舒服的房间啊!”她说。“如果你愿意，我可以读给你听。”'No,let'stalk,'repliedLaurie.“不，让我们谈谈，”劳里回答。'Alright,'saidJo.'Icantalkforhours.BethsaysIneverknow“好吧,”乔说。“我能讲上几个小时。贝丝说我总是不知whentostop.'道什么时候该停下来。”'WhichsisterisBeth?Doesshesometimescarryabrown“哪个妹妹是贝丝?”她出去的时候有时会提一个棕色的篮basketwhenshegoesout?'askedLaurie.子吗?”劳里问。'Yes.She'sveryshy.Shedoesn'tgooutmuch.Shelovesbeing“是的。她很害羞。她不常出去。她喜欢待在家里。”athome.''AndMegisveryprettyandAmyhaslovelyblondehair,'“梅格很漂亮，艾米有可爱的金发，”劳里接着说。Lauriecontinued.'Yes!'saidJoinasurprisedvoice.'Howdoyouknowthat?'“是的!”乔惊讶地说道。“你怎么知道的?”'Youcalleachother'snameswhenyouareinthegarden.Ican“你们在花园里互相称呼对方的名字。我在房间里就能听hearyoufrommyroom.Sometimesyouforgettoclosethe到你的声音。有时你忘了拉上窗帘，我能看到你和你妈妈curtainsandIcanseeyouallaroundthetablewithyour坐在桌子周围。她有一张非常和善的脸。我喜欢看她。你mother.Shehasaverykindface.Ilikelookingather.I知道，我没有妈妈。”haven'tgotamother,youknow.'Jofeltsadwhensheheardthis.乔听了这些话感到很难过。'Whydon'tyoucomeandvisitus?'shesaidsuddenly.'Itisn't“你为什么不来看看我们呢?”她突然说。“你老是呆在这goodforyoutostayinthishouseallthetime.'个房子里对你不好。”'Thankyou.I'dliketocomeverymuch,'saidLaurie.'We“谢谢你。“我很想来，”劳里说。“除了你，我们都认识我knowallourneighborsexceptyou,'Josaid.'I'mgladwe're们的邻居，”乔说。“我很高兴我们现在是朋友。”friendsnow.'Shetoldhimaboutalltheinterestingthingsinherlife-her她告诉他她生活中所有有趣的事情—她的戏剧，她的计plays,herplansandherpassionforbooks.Laurielovedbooks划和她对书籍的热爱。劳里也喜欢书，主动向她展示家里too,andofferedtoshowherthelibraryinthehouse.的图书馆。Page30Thelibrarywasawonderfulroom.Jolovedit.'Howmarvelous!'shesighed.'Allthosebooks!''Apersonneedsmorethanbooks,'saidLaurie.Justthenthebellrangandamaidcamein.'Thedoctorisheretoseeyou,sir,'shesaid.'I'msorry,Jo,butImustseehim,'saidLaurie.'Waitformehere,please.'Page31HewentawayandJowalkedaroundtheroom.ShewasstandinginfrontofaportraitofoldMrLaurencewhensheheardasoundbehindher.ShethoughtitwasLauriesoshesaid,'Ilikehim.He'sgotkindeyes,butheisn'tashandsomeasmygrandfather.''Thankyou,ma'am,'saidadeepvoice.Sheturnedroundquickly.OldMrLaurencewasstandingnearthedoor.'SoIamnotashandsomeasyourgrandfather?''No,sir,'shereplied.Herfacewasred.'Butyoulikemeanyway?''Yes,Ido,sir.'Theoldgentlemanlaughedandsaid,'Yourgrandfatherwasagoodman,mydear.Hewasalsoabraveandanhonestone,andIwasproudtobehisfriend.''Thankyou,sir.'9图书馆是一个漂亮的房间。乔爱它。“真了不起!”她叹了口气。“所有这些书!”“一个人需要的不只是书，”劳里说。正在这时铃响了，一个女仆走了进来。“医生来看您了，先生，”她说。“对不起，乔，我必须见他，”劳里说。“请在这儿等我。”他走了，乔在房间里踱来踱去。她正站在劳伦斯老先生的画像前，突然听到身后有声音。她以为是劳里，就说:“我喜欢他。他有一双和善的眼睛，但他没有我爷爷英俊。”“谢谢您，夫人，”一个深沉的声音说。她很快转过身来。劳伦斯老先生站在门边。“所以我不如你爷爷英俊?”“没有，先生，”她回答。她的脸涨红了。“可你还是喜欢我?”“是的，先生。”老先生笑着说:“你的爷爷是个好人，亲爱的。他也是一个勇敢而诚实的人，我很自豪能成为他的朋友。”“谢谢你,先生。”Jobegantofeellessshy.'IcametoseeLaurie,sir.Isawhimatthewindow.HelookedverysadandIwantedtocheerhimup.''Doyouthinkheislonely?''Yes,sir.We'reonlygirls,butwearehappytohelpifwecan.'乔开始觉得不那么害羞了。“我来见劳里，先生。我在窗口看见他。”他看起来很伤心，我想让他高兴起来。”“你觉得他孤独吗?”“是的，先生。我们只是女孩子，但如果能帮上忙我们也很乐意。”Abellranginaroomdownstairs.楼下一个房间里响起了铃声。'That'stheteabell,'MrLaurencesaid.'Pleasestayandhave“那是茶铃，”劳伦斯老先生说。“请留下来和我们一起喝teawithus.'茶。”Hewasgladthathisgrandsonhadafriend.他很高兴孙子有了一个朋友。Page325ASURPRISEFORBETH5给贝丝的一个惊喜ThenewfriendshipbetweentheMarchfamilyandthe在接下来的几周里，马家和劳伦斯家之间的新友谊越来越Laurencefamilybecamestrongerandstrongerduringthe牢固。在乔参观了石头豪宅之后，劳伦斯老先生经常去看followingweeks.OldMrLaurenceoftenwenttoseeMrs望马奇太太。他喜欢她的陪伴和快乐。MarchafterJo'svisittothestonemansion.Heenjoyedhercompanyandhercheerfulness.Theyoungpeoplewentice-skatingandsleighing,andspent年轻人去滑冰和滑雪，在一起度过了许多愉快的夜晚。每manypleasanteveningstogether.EverybodylikedLaurie,and个人都喜欢劳里，劳里告诉他的家庭教师布鲁克先生，马LaurietoldMrBrooke,histutor,thattheMarchgirlswere奇家的女孩“棒极了”。他对书感到厌倦。他想和年轻人在'splendid'.Hewastiredofbooks.Hewantedtobewithyoung一起。他开始把大部分时间花在马奇一家身上，也不去上people.HebegantospendmostofhistimewiththeMarch课。布鲁克先生担心他的进步。familyandhedidn'tgotohislessons.MrBrookewasworriedabouthisprogress.'Don'tworry,Brooke!'MrLaurencesaid.'MrsMarchisdoing“别担心,布鲁克!劳伦斯老先生说。“马奇太太为他做的比moreforhimthanwecan.'我们多。”Sometimesthegirlsvisitedthestonemansion.Lauriewas有时女孩们会参观石头豪宅。劳里非常高兴地向他们展示veryhappytoshowthemallthelovelythingsinthehouse.房子里所有可爱的东西。梅格喜欢看暖房里的花。乔在图Megenjoyedlookingattheflowersintheconservatory.Jo书馆看书，艾米则临摹图片。readthebooksinthelibraryandAmycopiedthepictures.OnlyBethstayedaway.ShewasafraidofMrLaurence.She只有贝丝没有来。她害怕劳伦斯老先生。她知道图书馆里knewthattherewasagrandpianointhelibraryandshe有一架大钢琴，她想弹它，但她太害怕了，不敢走到屋里wantedtoplayitbutshewastooafraidtogotothehouse.去。听到这些话，劳伦斯老先生试图找到一个解决这个问Whenheheardthis,MrLaurencetriedtofindawayof题的办法。solvingthisproblem.DuringoneofhisvisitstoMrsMarch,hestartedtalkingabout一次去看望马奇太太时，他开始谈论音乐。贝丝静静地坐music.Bethwassittingquietlyinacorner.在角落里。Page33'Laurieisn'tplayingthepianomuchthesedays,'MrLaurence“这些天劳里不怎么弹钢琴，”劳伦斯老先生对马奇太太toldMrsMarch.'Thisisn'tgoodfortheinstrument.Would说。“这对乐器不好。你的女儿们要不要偶尔练习一下?你yourgirlsliketopracticeonitnowandthen?Justtokeepitin知道，夫人，只是为了让它保持音准。”tune,youknow,ma'am.'Bethmovedalittleclosertohimtolistentotheconversation.贝丝走近他一点，听着他们的谈话。'Theydon'tneedtoseeorspeaktoanyone,'continuedMr“他们不需要见任何人或跟任何人说话，”劳伦斯老先生接Laurence.'I'malwaysinmystudyinanotherpartofthe着说。“我总是在房子另一头的书房里。”house.'Hestoodupandwenttothedoor.他站起来，向门口走去。'Imustgonow,butpleasetelltheyoungladieswhatIsaid.“我现在得走了，请把我的话告诉小姐们。再见!”Goodbye!'Bethranuptohimandtouchedhisarm.贝丝跑到他跟前，碰了碰他的胳膊。'I'mBeth,'shesaidshyly.'Ilovemusic.I'dlovetocomebutI“我是贝丝，”她害羞地说。“我喜欢音乐。我很愿意来，don'twanttodisturbyou.'但不想打扰你。”10MrLaurencesmiledather.'Thelibraryisusuallyempty,mydear,'hesaidgently.'Comeandplaywhenyoulike.''Thankyou,Sir!'Afterthat,Bethwenttoplaythepianointhemansionnearlyeveryday.MrLaurencelovedlisteningtoher.Heopenedhisstudydoortohearthesongsbetter,butBethneverknewthat.劳伦斯老先生朝她笑了笑。“图书室通常是空的，亲爱的，”他温柔地说。“你想玩就来玩吧。”“谢谢你,先生!”从那以后，贝丝几乎每天都去那座豪宅弹钢琴。劳伦斯老先生喜欢听她说话。他打开书房的门以便更好地听歌，但贝丝从来不知道这一点。WhywasBethafraidtoplaythegrandpiano?HowdidMr.LaurencemakeBethplaythepiano?Page34Afewweeksafterherfirstvisittothemansion,Bethsaidtohermother,'I'mgoingtomakeapairofslippersforMrLaurence,Mother.Iwanttothankhim,andIdon'tknowanotherway.'Whentheslipperswereready,shewroteashortnotetotheoldgentlemanandaskedLaurietoputthemonhisgrandfather'sdesk.TwodayslaterBethhadthebiggestsurpriseofherlife.AsmallpianoarrivedattheMarches'house!Therewasaletterforherwithit.Joreaditaloud.DearMissMarch,Iliketheslippersverymuch.Theyfitmeperfectlyandtheyareverycomfortable.Ihopeyoulikethepiano.Itbelongedtomylittlegranddaughter.She'sdeadnowbutwhenIseeyou,Irememberher.Thankyouandbestwishes,Yourgratefulfriend,JAMESLAURENCEItwasabeautifullittlepiano.Bethsatdownandplayeditimmediately.'It'sperfect!'shesighed.'Imustgoandthankhim.'Andshewalkedoutofthehouseandintothestonemansion.HersisterswereverysurprisedbecauseBethwasusuallyveryshy.MrLaurencewasalsosurprisedwhensheopenedhisstudydoorandranuptohim.'Icametothankyou,sir...'Butshedidn'tfinish.Whenshesawhisfriendlyfaceandsherememberedhislittlegranddaughter,sheputherarmsaroundhisneckandkissedhimonthecheek.Shewasn'tafraidofhimanymoreandafterthattheybecamebestfriends.在贝丝拜访这座豪宅的几个星期后，她对母亲说:“我打算给劳伦斯老先生做一双拖鞋，妈妈。”我想感谢他，我不知道还有什么别的办法。”拖鞋准备好后，她给老先生写了一张便条，让劳里把拖鞋放在爷爷的桌子上。两天后，贝丝有了她一生中最大的惊喜。马奇家收到了一架小钢琴!里面还有她的一封信。乔大声读着。亲爱的小姐,我非常喜欢这双拖鞋。它们非常适合我，而且非常舒适。我希望你喜欢钢琴。它是我的小孙女的。她现在已经死了，但当我看到你，我就会想起她。谢谢你，并致以良好的祝愿。你的感激的朋友,詹姆斯•劳伦斯那是一架漂亮的小钢琴。贝丝坐下来，马上弹奏起来。“这是完美的!”她叹了口气。“我得去谢谢他。”她走出房子，走进了石头豪宅。她的姐妹们很惊讶，因为贝丝通常都很害羞。当她打开劳伦斯老先生书房的门跑向他时，劳伦斯老先生也很吃惊。“我是来感谢您的，先生……但她没有说完。当她看到他那张友好的脸，想起了他的小孙女，便搂着他的脖子亲吻他的脸颊。她不再害怕他了，从那以后，他们成了最好的朋友。Page366DREAMS116梦想Winterturnedtospringandspringturnedtosummer.Thegirlsworkedinthegarden,wentforlongwalksandpickedflowers.JooftenwentrowingontheriverwithLaurie.OnedayanEnglishfamilyvisitedhim.Laurieorganizedapicnicinthefieldforthem.HealsoinvitedthefourMarchsisters.Theyhadaverygoodtime.MrBrookewasthere,too.HewasespeciallykindtoMegandtalkedtoheralotthatafternoon.Meglikedhimverymuch.Sometimesthatsummer,whenitwasveryhot,thegirlswalkedtothetopofthehillneartheirhouse.Itwascoolunderthetreesandtherewasawonderfulviewovertheriverfromthetop.OnedayLauriefollowedthem.Hehidbehindatreeandwatchedthem.AsquirrelsuddenlyrandownthetreetrunkandBethlookedup.ShesawLaurieandwaved.'CanIjoinyou?'Laurieaskedshyly.'Ofcourse!'saidMeg.'Comeandsitdown!''WecallthishilltheDelectableMountain,'Jotoldhim.Becausewecanlookfarawayandseethecountryofourdreams.'冬天变成了春天，春天变成了夏天。姑娘们在花园里干活，出去长时间散步，摘花。乔经常和劳里在河上划船。一天，一个英国家庭来拜访他。劳里为他们组织了一次野外野餐。他还邀请了马奇四姐妹。他们玩得很开心。布鲁克先生也在那里。他对梅格特别好，那天下午他跟她说了很多话。梅格非常喜欢他。那年夏天，有时天气很热，女孩们会走到房子附近的山顶上。树下很凉爽，从山顶可以看到河上的美景。一天，劳里跟着他们。他躲在树后看着他们。一只松鼠突然从树干上跑下来，贝丝抬头看了看。她看见劳里，就挥了挥手。“我能加入你们吗?”劳里害羞地问。“当然!”梅格说。“过来坐下!”“我们称这座小山为‘悦人之山’，”乔对他说。因为我们可以远眺，看到我们梦想的国家。”WhichofthefoursistersdoesMr.Brookelikemost?□Beth□Meg□Jo□AmyDoesLauriewanttobeabusinessmanlikehisgrandfather?WhatdoesJowanttobe?Page37'Ihavelotsofdreams,'saidLaurie.Helaydownandlookedupatthesky.'Tellusaboutyourfavoriteone,Laurie,'Megsaid.'Onlyifyoutellmeaboutyours,'theboyreplied.Thegirlsagreed,soLauriebegan.'Iwanttotravelaroundtheworldandseelotsofplaces.ThenI'dliketobecomeafamousmusician.Grandfatherwantsmetogotocollegeandthenbecomeabusinessmanlikehim.ButIdon'tcareaboutmoneyorbusiness.Ijustwanttoenjoymyself.''Whydon'tyougetonashipandsailaway?'saidJo.'No,Jo,'saidMegquickly.'Thatisn'tright.Laurie,youmustdowhatyourgrandfatherwants.Helovesyou.'Page38'Perhapsyou'reright,Meg,'Lauriesaid.'Mygrandfatherisoldandhedoesn'thaveanyoneelse.Heonlyhasme.Tellusaboutyourfavoritedream,Meg!''I'dlikealovelyhouse,fullofallkindsofnicethings-goodfood,prettyclothesandlovelyfurniture,'Megsaid.'Andlotsofmoney,ofcourse.I'dalsoliketohelppeople.Iwanttobeagoodperson.''Andwhataboutahusbandandsomebeautifulchildreninyourlovelyhouse?'saidJo,laughing.MeglookedatLaurieandherfaceturnedred.'Isupposeyouwanthorsesandpensandbooksinyourhouse,Jo!'shereplied.12“我有很多梦，”劳里说。他躺下，仰望天空。“跟我们说说你最喜欢的梦想，劳里，”梅格说。“除非你告诉我你的梦想，”劳里回答道。姑娘们都同意了，于是劳里开始说。“我想环游世界，看很多地方。然后我想成为一个著名的音乐家。爷爷想让我上大学，然后像他一样成为一个商人。但我不在乎钱和生意。我只想享受生活。”“你为什么不乘船远航呢?”乔说。“不，乔，”梅格很快地说。“这不是正确的。劳里，你必须按你爷爷说的做。他爱你。”“也许你是对的，梅格，”劳里说。“我爷爷老了，他没有别的亲人。他只有我。告诉我们你最喜欢的梦，梅格!”“我想要一个漂亮的房子，里面要有各种各样的好东西——好的食物、漂亮的衣服和漂亮的家具，”梅格说。“当然还有很多钱。我也想帮助别人。我想做个好人。”“在你可爱的房子里有个丈夫和几个漂亮的孩子怎么样?”乔笑着说。梅格看着劳里，她的脸变红了。“我猜你家里需要马、笔和书，乔!”她回答。'You'reright!LotsofArabianhorsesandroomsfullofbooks,'saidJo.'Iwanttowritebooksandberichandfamous.Iwanttodosomethingimportantinmylife.That'smyfavoritedream.Andyours,Beth?'IdreamaboutstayingathomewithFatherandMotherforeverandlookingafterthefamily,'saidBethquietly.'Isthatall?'askedLaurie.'NowIhavemylittlepiano,Idon'twantanythingelse.''Ihavelotsofdreams,'saidAmy.'Butmyfavoriteoneistobeanartist.I'dliketogotoRomeandpaintwonderfulpictures.Iwanttobethebestartistintheworld.''Let'smeetagainintenyearsandseehowmanyofushavegotourwishes,'saidJo.Shewasalwaysreadywithaplan.Page397ATELEGRAMNovemberwascold,wetandgrey.'Novemberistheworstmonthoftheyear,'Megsaidgrumpily.Shewaslookingoutofoneoftheparlorwindows.'Nothingpleasanteverhappensinthisfamily,'shecontinued.'Weworkallthetimeandwehaveverylittlefun.'Ohdear!Youaren'tveryhappytoday,'saidJo.“你是对的!有许多阿拉伯马和装满书的房间，”乔说。“我想写书，发财成名。我想在我的生命中做一些重要的事情。那是我最喜欢的梦。你的梦想呢,贝丝?”“我梦想永远呆在家里和爸爸妈妈在一起照顾一家人，”贝丝平静地说。“就这些吗?”劳里问。“现在我有了我的小钢琴，我什么也不要了。”“我有很多梦，”艾米说。“但我最喜欢的是当一名艺术家。我想去罗马画一些精彩的画。我想成为世界上最好的艺术家。”“我们十年后再见面吧，看看我们中有多少人实现了愿望，”乔说。她总是有个计划。7一份电报十一月是寒冷、潮湿和灰暗的。“十一月是一年中最糟糕的月份，”梅格生气地说。她从客厅的一扇窗户往外看。“这个家从来没有发生过什么愉快的事，”她接着说。“我们整天都在工作，却很少有乐趣。“哦,亲爱的!“你今天不太高兴，”乔说。DidMeglikeNovember?Why?WhydidBethsmile?WhatdidLauriecomefor?Bethwassittingatanotherwindow.Shewassmiling.'Twopleasantthingsaregoingtohappenrightnow,'shesaid.'MotheriscomingdownthegardenpathandLaurieiscrossingthegarden.Helooksexcitedaboutsomething.'MrsMarchcameinfirstandaskedherusualquestion,'IstherealetterfromFather,girls?'ThenLauriearrivedandasked,'Wouldyouliketocomeforadrive?It'sagreyday,buttheairisn'tbad.I'mgoingtotakeMrBrookehome.Comeon,Jo!Whataboutyou,Beth?''Oh,yes!'theybothrepliedtogether.'I'mbusy,'saidMeg.'I'llcome,too!'criedAmy.Page40JustthenHannahcamein.Shewascarryingaletter.'It'soneofthosehorridtelegrams,'shesaid.WhenMrsMarchheardtheword'telegram',shetookitquicklyfromHannah.Shereaditandsatdownsuddenlyinherchair.Herfacewaswhite.LaurierantogetsomewaterforherwhileJoreadthetelegramaloud.ThegirlswentandstoodaroundMrsMarch'schairinsilence.Lauriequietlylefttheroom.Thiswasthefamily'sprivatemomentofgrief.MrsMarchsoonrecoveredfromtheshock.Sheheldoutherarmstoherdaughtersandsaid,'Imustgotohimimmediately.Perhapsit'salreadytoolate!Youmusthelpme,girls!'13贝丝坐在另一个窗口。她微笑着。她说，现在将会发生两件令人愉快的事情。“妈妈正沿着花园的小路走过来，劳里正穿过花园。他看起来对什么事很兴奋。”马奇太太先走进来，问了个老问题:“女儿们，有父亲来的信吗?”这时劳里来了，他问:“你愿意开车兜风吗?天气阴沉，但空气还不错。我要送布鲁克先生回家。来吧,乔!你呢，贝丝?”“哦,好的!”他们俩齐声回答。“我忙着呢，”梅格说。“我也来!”艾米喊道。就在这时汉娜进来了。她带着一封信。“这是一封可怕的电报，”她说。马奇太太一听到“电报”这个词，就赶紧从汉娜手里接过。她读着信，突然在椅子上坐了下来。她的脸色苍白。劳里跑去给她弄点水来，乔则大声读着电报。姑娘们走过去，默默地站在马奇太太的椅子周围。劳里悄悄地离开了房间。这是这个家庭的悲痛时刻。马奇太太很快从这一打击中恢复过来。她向女儿们伸出双臂说:“我必须马上去找他。也许已经太迟了!你们必须帮助我，姑娘们!”AMERICANTELEGRAPHCOMPANYMrsMarch.Yourhusbandisveryill.Comeimmediately.S.Hale.BlankHospitalWashington.Thegirlsstartedtocry.Hannahwascrying,too.Forafewminutestheroomwasfullofthesoundoftheirsobs.ThenMrsMarchdriedhereyesandsaid,'Wemustbecalm.Imustmakeaplan.Where'sLaurie?''Here,ma'am,'hesaid,runningintotheroom.'WhatcanIdotohelp?''SendatelegramtoMrHale.SaythatI'mgoingtotakethefirsttraintomorrowmorning.'Page42'Anythingelse?'askedLaurie.'Yes.PleasetakethisnotetoAuntMarch,'saidMrsMarch.Shequicklywrotesomethingandgaveittohim.FiveminuteslaterLauriegallopedpastthewindowonhishorse.ThenMrsMarchmadealistandgaveittoJo.'Gototownandbuythesethings,Jo.Imusttakeextrafoodandclothesforyourfather.Beth,goandtellMrLaurencethatI'mleavingtomorrow.Amy,tellHannahtobringtheblacktrunktomybedroom.Meg,comeandhelpmepack,please.'MrLaurencecamebackwithBeth.HebroughtaboxoffoodandsomegoodwineforMrMarch.AlittlelaterMrBrookearrived.'I'mverysorrytohearaboutyourfather,MissMarch,'hesaid,whenMegopenedthedoor.Hespokeinaquietandkindway.Megimmediatelybegantofeelbetter.Shelookedupintohisbrowneyesandforamomentsheforgotallherproblems.'I'mgoingtoWashington,tomorrow,too,'hecontinued.'IhavetodoafewthingsforMrLaurence.Soifyourmotheragrees,wecantraveltogether.Icankeephercompanyandhelpherwithherbags.''Thankyouvery,verymuch,MrBrooke!'repliedMeg.'It'salongjourney.'EverythingwasreadywhenLauriereturned.HebroughtanoteandsomemoneyfromAuntMarch.Theafternoonpassedslowly.Megandhermothersewed,BethandAmypreparedsupperandHannahdidtheironing.ItwasdarkwhenJofinallyarrivedhome.Shehadaverystrangeexpressiononherface.Sheputsomemoneyinhermother'shandandsaid.ThisisforFather.Buysomethingniceforhimandbringhimhome!'女孩们开始哭泣。汉娜也在哭。过了几分钟，房间里就充满了他们的呜咽声。然后马奇太太擦干眼泪说:“我们必须冷静。我必须制定一个计划。劳里在哪儿?”“在这儿，夫人，”他说着跑进了房间。“我能帮上什么忙吗?”“给黑尔先生发封电报。就说我明天早晨乘第一班火车去。”“还有别的事吗?”劳里问。“是的。请把这张条子带给马奇姑姑，”马奇太太说。她很快写了些东西给了他。五分钟后，劳里骑着马从窗口疾驰而过。然后马奇太太列了一个单子给了乔。“去镇上把这些东西买下来，乔。我必须为你父亲多带些吃的和穿的。贝丝，去告诉劳伦斯老先生我明天就要走了。艾米，告诉汉娜把黑色的箱子搬到我卧室来。梅格，过来帮我收拾，谢谢。”劳伦斯老先生和贝丝一起回来了。他给马奇先生带来一盒食物和一些好酒。不一会儿，布鲁克先生来了。“你父亲的事我很难过，马奇小姐，”当梅格打开门时他说。他说话的方式安静而亲切。梅格立刻感觉好些了。她抬起头来望着他那双棕色的眼睛，一时忘记了所有的烦恼。“我明天也要去华盛顿，”他接着说。“我得为劳伦斯老先生做些事。所以如果你妈妈同意，我们可以一起去。我可以陪着她，帮她提包。”“非常、非常感谢你，布鲁克先生!”梅格说。“路途很长。”劳里回来时，一切都准备好了。他从马奇姑姑那里带来一张字条和一些钱。下午过得很慢。梅格和妈妈做针线活，贝丝和艾米准备晚饭，汉娜熨衣服。乔终于到家时天已经黑了。她脸上有一种很奇怪的表情。她把一些钱放在她母亲的手里说。这是给父亲的。给他买点好东西，把他带回家来!”Page43'Twenty-fivedollars!Mydear,wheredidyougetit?'saidMrs“25美元!亲爱的，你从哪儿弄来的?”马奇太太用惊讶的Marchinasurprisedvoice.声音说。14'Iearnedit,'repliedJo,takingoffherhat.Everybodyintheroomgasped.Jo'shairwasasshortasaboy's.'Yourhair!Youcutyourbeautifulhair!'criedhermother.'Itwasn'tnecessarytodothat!'Shetouchedherdaughter'sheadandkissedher.'Youdon'tlooklikemyJoanymore.ButIloveyouthesame!''Whydidyoudoit?'askedAmy.Shecouldn'timaginecuttingherownprettyhair.'IwantedtodosomethingforFather,'repliedJo.MrsMarchlookedatherandsmiled.Sheunderstoodandshewasproudofherdaughter.Page44ThateveningBethplayedherfather'sfavoritehymnbeforetheywenttobed.Attheendofittheywereallcrying.'Gotobed,mydears,'saidMrsMarch.'Youneedtosleepbecausewemustgetupearlytomorrow.'BethandAmysoonfellasleepbutMegwasawakeforalongtime.ShethoughtJowasasleepbutthenJosobbedverysoftly.'Jo!You'recrying!'saidMeg.'AreyouworriedaboutFather?''No,notnow.''Whythen?''Myhair!'Megsmiledandkissedhersister.'Andyou,Meg?Can'tyousleep?''I'mthinkingaboutFather,'repliedMeg.Butwhentheclockstruckmidnight,theywereallasleep.OnlyMrsMarchwasstillawake.Shemovedquietlyfrombedtobed,lookingtenderlyateachsleepingface.Thenshewenttothewindowandlookedatthecold,wetnight.Suddenlythemooncameoutfrombehindthecloudsandshonelikeabrightface.Itseemedtowhisperinthesilence,Don'tworry!Thereisalwaysalightbehindtheclouds.'“是我挣的，”乔答道，摘下她的帽子。房间里的每个人都倒抽了一口冷气。乔的头发和男孩子的一样短。“你的头发!你剪了你漂亮的头发!”她母亲喊道。“没有必要这样做!”她摸了摸女儿的头，吻了她一下。“你看起来不像我的乔了。可我同样爱你!”“你为什么要这样做?”艾米问。她无法想象剪掉自己漂亮的头发。“我想为爸爸做点事，”乔回答。马奇太太看着她，笑了。她理解她，也为她的女儿感到骄傲。那天晚上，上床睡觉前，贝丝弹奏了父亲最喜欢的赞美诗。最后他们都哭了。“去睡觉吧，亲爱的，”马奇太太说。“你需要睡觉，因为明天我们得早起。”贝丝和艾米很快就睡着了，但梅格很长时间没睡着。她以为乔睡着了，可后来乔很轻地抽泣起来。“乔!你哭了!”梅格说。“你担心爸爸吗?”“不,不是现在。”“为什么呢?”“我的头发!”梅格笑了，吻了吻她妹妹。“而你,梅格?你睡不着吗?”“我在想爸爸，”梅格回答。但当午夜钟声敲响时，他们都睡着了。只有马奇太太还醒着。她静静地从一张床走到另一张床，温柔地看着每一张熟睡的脸。然后她走到窗前，看着这寒冷潮湿的夜晚。突然，月亮从云层后面钻了出来，像一张明亮的脸。它似乎在寂静中低语:“别担心!”乌云后面总有一线光明。”Page468WITHOUTMOTHERThenextdaywasalsocoldandgrey.Nobodytalkedmuchduringbreakfast.MrsMarchwaspaleandtired.Thegirlstriedtohidetheirtears.ThenMrBrookearrivedwiththecarriageanditwastimeforMrsMarchtoleave.Shekissedherdaughtersonebyoneandsaid,'Keepbusy,mydears,andneverlosehope!''Yes,Mother.''Meg,lookafteryoursisters.Ifyouneedhelp,askHannahorMrLaurence.Jo,bepatientandcheerful,andwritetomeoften.BethandAmy,helpwiththehouseworkandbeobedient.''Yes,Mother!Don'tworry!'Shegotintothecarriageandopenedthewindow.158没有母亲第二天也是阴冷的。早餐时没有人多说话。马奇太太脸色苍白，疲惫不堪。女孩们竭力隐藏她们的眼泪。后来布鲁克先生驾着马车来了，马奇太太也该走了。她一个接一个地吻着她的女儿们说:“忙起来吧，我亲爱的，永远不要失去希望!”“是的,妈妈。”“梅格，照顾好你的妹妹们。如果你需要帮助，找汉娜或劳伦斯老先生。乔，要有耐心，要开朗，经常给我写信。贝丝和艾米，帮着做家务，要听话。”“是的,妈妈!别担心!”她走进马车，打开窗户。'Goodbye,mydears!'shecalledasitdroveaway.Thegirlswavedtheirhandscheerfullyuntilthecarriageturnedthecorner.Then,withsadfacesandheavyhearts,theywentbackinside.'Thehouseseemsveryemptynow,'saidMeg.'Ourmottois\"Hopeandkeepbusy\saidJobrightly.Shewastryingtoforgethowsadshewasfeeling.'SoI'mgoingtogoandseeAuntMarch.Whataboutyou,Meg?''I'mgoingtoteachtheKingchildren,'repliedMeg.'AndAmyandIaregoingtohelpHannahwiththehousework,'saidBeth.'Ithinkanxietyisveryinteresting,'Amysaidseriously.Herremarkmadehersisterslaugh,andtheyallstartedtofeelalittlebetter.Page47AletterarrivedeverydayfromMrBrookewithnewsabouttheirfather'shealth.Hewasdangerouslyill,MrBrookewrote,buthewasslowlygettingbetter.MrsMarchwasagoodnurseandMrMarchwasveryhappythatshewasthere.“再见,我亲爱的!”马车离去时她喊道。姑娘们高高兴兴地挥手，直到马车拐过街角。然后，他们带着悲伤的表情和沉重的心情回到屋里。“房子现在好像很空，”梅格说。“我们的座右铭是‘充满希望，保持忙碌’，”乔欢快地说。她试图忘记她是多么伤心。“所以我要去见马奇姑姑。你呢，梅格?”“我要去教金家的孩子们，”梅格回答。“艾米和我打算帮汉娜做些家务，”贝丝说。“我觉得焦虑很有趣，”艾米严肃地说。她的话逗得她的姐姐们笑了起来，她们都开始觉得好点了。布鲁克先生每天都会来信，告诉他们父亲的健康状况。他病得很重，布鲁克先生写道，但他在慢慢地好转。马奇太太是位好护士，马奇先生很高兴她在那儿。·Matchthepeople(a-e)withwho,orwhat,theyhavetolookafter(1-5).□dentist1sickpeople□babysitter2sickanimals□doctor3people'steeth□vet4plantsdener5smallchildren·Wouldyouliketodooneofthesejobs?·Ifso,whichone?·Ifnot,whatkindofjobwouldyouliketodo?Telltheclass.Foraweekthegirlskepttotheirmottoandworkedhard.ThenJogotabadcoldandhadtostayathome.Shedidn'tmindthisatallbecauseshedidn'tlikegoingtoAuntMarch's.Shewashappytolieonthesofaalldaywithherbooksandmedicine.Amygotboredwithdoinghouseworksoshetookoutherpencilsanddrawingbookagain.MegwenttoteachtheKingchildreneveryday,andsewed.ShespenttherestofhertimewritinglongletterstohermotherandreadingthelettersfromMrBrooke.OnlyBethcontinuedtolookafterthehouse.Shedidherownjobsandhersisters'jobs,too.Shenevercomplained.AndeverydayshetooksomefoodtotheHummelfamily.一个星期以来，女孩们坚持她们的座右铭，努力地学习。然后乔得了重感冒，不得不呆在家里。她对此一点也不介意，因为她不喜欢去马奇姑姑家。她很高兴整天和书、药一起躺在沙发上。艾米厌倦了做家务，于是又拿出铅笔和画册。梅格每天去教金家的孩子们做针线活。其余的时间，她给母亲写长信，读布鲁克先生来的信。只有贝丝继续照看房子。她做她自己的工作，也做她姐姐们的工作。她从不抱怨。每天她都给哈梅尔一家带些食物。Page48Oneday,abouttendaysaftertheirmother'sdeparture,BethwenttoMegandsaid,'CanyougoandseetheHummelfamilytoday,Meg?I'vegotaheadacheandIfeeltired.''I'msorry,Beth,'hersisterreplied.'IwanttofinishthislettertoMother.'16一天，大约在她们母亲离开后10天，贝丝来对梅格说:“你今天能去看望哈梅尔一家吗，梅格?我头疼，感觉很累。”“对不起，贝丝，”她姐姐回答说。“我要把给妈妈的这封信写完。”Bethlayonthesofa.Anhourpassed.Thenshequietlyputonhercloak,filledherbasketwithfoodforthepoorchildren,andwentoutintothecoldair.Itwaslatewhenshecameback.Shewentstraightupstairstohermother'sroomandclosedthedoor.Halfanhourafter,Jofoundherthere.Hereyeswereredandtherewasaworriedexpressiononherface.Shewasholdingabottleofmedicineinherhand.Page49'ChristopherColumbus!What'sthematter?'criedJo.'Didyouhavescarletfeverwhenyouwereyounger,Jo?'sheasked.'Yes,MegandIhaditatthesametime.Why?''Thebaby'sdead,Jo!''Whatbaby?''MrsHummel's.Itdiedbeforeshegotbackfromwork,'criedBethwithasob.'Mypoordarling!Howawfulforyou!'saidJo.'Itwasn'tawful,Jo.Onlyverysad!''Don'tcry,dear!Whatdidyoudo?''Ijustsatandheldit.ThenMrsHummelcamewiththedoctor.'Scarletfever,ma'am,'hesaid.Hewasangry.'Whydidn'tyoucallmebefore?'heaskedMrsHummel.Shetoldhimshewaspoor.Thenhetoldmetogohomeandtakesomemedicineimmediately.''Oh,Beth!''Don'tbefrightened!IreadaboutscarletfeverinMother'sbook.ItooksomeofthismedicineandIfeelalittlebetternow,'saidBethputtinghercoldhandsonherhotforehead.贝丝躺在沙发上。一个小时过去了。然后她静静地披上斗篷，在篮子里装满了给贫困孩子们吃的食物，然后出去到寒冷的空气中。她回来时已经很晚了。她径直上楼来到母亲的房间，关上了门。半小时后，乔发现她在那儿。她的眼睛红红的，脸上有一种担心的表情。她手里拿着一瓶药。“哥伦布!有什么事吗?”乔喊道。“你年轻的时候得过猩红热吗，乔?”她问。“是的，梅格和我同时得的。为什么?”“孩子死了，乔!”“什么宝贝?”“哈梅尔夫人的。在她下班回来之前它就死了，”贝丝抽泣着喊道。“我可怜的亲爱的!这对你太可怕了!”乔说。“那并不可怕，乔。只是很难过!”“别哭了,亲爱的!你做了什么?”“我只是坐着拿着它。然后哈梅尔太太带着医生来了。“猩红热，太太，”他说。他很生气。“你以前为什么不打电话给我?”他问哈梅尔太太。她告诉他她很穷。然后他让我马上回家吃点药。”“哦,贝丝!”“不要害怕!我在妈妈的书里读到过猩红热。我吃了些这种药，现在感觉好点了，”贝丝把冰冷的手放在滚烫的额头上说。Useyourdictionarytofindoutwhatthesechildhoodillnessesare.Whichdidyouhaveasachild?Tick(√).□chickenpox□measles□mumps□GermanmeaslesWhatmustyoudowhenyouhaveoneoftheseillnesses?Page50Jopickedupthebookandreadapage.ThenshelookedatBeth'sthroat.Itwasveryred.'I'mgoingtoaskHannahwhattodo.Sheknowsaboutillnesses,'saidJo.'TellAmynottocomenearme!'saidBethanxiously.'Shemustn'tcatchit,too.'JowenttofindHannah.AfterlookingatBeth'sthroatandaskinghersomequestions,Hannahsaid,'WemustcallDoctorBangs,Jo.Don'tworry!It'sprobablyonlyabadcold.AmymustgotoAuntMarch'sforafewdaysandoneofyougirlscanstayathomeandkeepBethcompany.Whodoyouwant,Beth?''Jo,please.'Amydidn'twanttogotoAuntMarch's.Shewantedtostaywithherfamily.WhenLauriearrivedalittlelatershewassobbingonthesofa.Shetoldhimthenews.'WhydoIhavetogoaway?'sheaskedbetweensobs.17乔拿起书读了一页。然后她看了看贝丝的喉咙。它非常红。“我去问问汉娜怎么办。她了解疾病，”乔说。“告诉艾米别走近我!”贝丝担心地说。“她不可以感染上它。”乔去找汉娜。汉娜检查了贝丝的喉咙并问了她几个问题后说:“我们必须请邦斯医生，乔。别担心!可能只是重感冒。艾米必须到马奇姑姑家去住几天，你们一个人可以呆在家里陪贝丝。你想要谁，贝丝?”“乔吧。”艾米不想去马奇姑姑家。她想和家人待在一起。过了一会儿，劳里来了，她正坐在沙发上哭泣。她把消息告诉了他。“为什么我必须离开?”她抽泣着问。'Youdon'twantscarletfever,doyou?'repliedLaurie.'Listen!“你不会想要猩红热吧?”劳里回答。“听话！去马奇姑姑GotoAuntMarch'sandIpromisetovisityoueverydayand家吧，我答应每天都去看你，并坐我的马车带你去兜风。”takeyouforadriveinmycarriage.'Sofinallysheagreedtogo.最后她同意去了。Page529DARKDAYSBethhadscarletfever,andshewasveryill.ShewasworsethanHannahorthedoctorexpected.JoandMegdidn'tknowmuchaboutlookingafterillpeoplesoHannahlookedafterBeth.Shewasanexcellentnurse.Johelped.ShesatnexttoBeth'sbeddayandnightandwatchedher.Thedoctorcametwiceaday,butBethdidn'tgetbetter.Shegotworse.MegwantedtowriteandtelltheirmothertocomehomebutHannahsaid,'No,don'tsayanythingtoyourmotheryet.Wedon'twanttoworryher.'AletterarrivedfromWashington.Theirfatherwasillagain.Theirmotherhadtostayandlookafterhim.Shecouldn'tcomehome.Thedaysseemedverydarknowandthehouseseemedempty.Itwasveryquiet.Nobodylaughed.Nobodysang.MegandJoworkedandwaitedwithheavyhearts.Theymissedtheirsweet,unselfishlittlesister.Everybodymissedthelittlegirl.MrLaurencelockedhisgrandpianobecausenobodycametoplayit.Themilkman,thebaker,thegrocerandthebutcherallaskedabouther.Theneighborssentallkindsofnicethingsforherandtheirgoodwishes.EvenpoorMrsHummelcametothehousetosaysorry.ThegirlsweresurprisedtodiscoverhowmanyfriendsshylittleBethhad.OnthefirstdayofDecemberacoldwindblewanditsnowed.Page53DoctorBangscamethefollowingmorning.HelookedatBethandheldherhothandinhis.ThenheturnedtoHannahandsaidinalowvoice,'TellMrsMarchtocomehome.'Jorandownstairs,wroteashorttelegramtohermotherandwentoutintothesnowstormtosendit.Shewassoonback.Whileshewastakingoffhercloak,LauriecamewithaletterfromMrBrooke.ItsaidthatMrMarchwasgettingbetteragain.Jowashappytohearthisbutshecouldn'tsmile.'Whatisit,Jo?'Laurieasked.'IsBethworse?''DoctorBangstoldustosendforMother.''Oh,Jo.I'mverysorry,'criedLaurie.TearsstartedtorundownJo'scheeks.Laurietookherhandandwhispered,'I'mhere.Holdontome,Jo,dear!'Shecouldn'tspeak.Sheheldherfriend'shandandcried.Afterafewminutesshebegantofeelbetter.ShedriedhertearsandlookedatLauriewithagratefulface.'Thankyou,Laurie,'shesaid.'Youareagoodfriend.''Jo,Ihavesomethingtotellyou.Somethingnice,'Lauriesaid.'Isentatelegramtoyourmotheryesterday.She'sonherwayhomeatthismoment.DidIdotherightthing?'JothrewherarmsaroundLaurie'sneck.1黑暗的日子贝丝得了猩红热，病得很重。她的情况比汉娜和医生预想的还要糟。乔和梅格不太懂照顾病人，所以是汉娜照顾贝丝。她是一位优秀的护士。乔帮忙。她日日夜夜坐在贝丝的床边看着她。医生每天来两次，但是贝丝没有好转。她变得更糟。梅格想写信叫她们的妈妈回家来，可汉娜说:“不行，先别跟你妈妈说。我们不想让她担心。”华盛顿那边来了一封信。他们的父亲又病了。他们的母亲不得不留下来照顾他。她不能回家了。现在天似乎很黑，房子似乎空了。非常安静。没有人笑。没有人唱歌。梅格和乔工作着，怀着沉重的心情等待着。他们想念他们可爱、无私的小妹妹。每个人都想念这个小女孩。劳伦斯老先生锁上了他的大钢琴，因为没人来弹。送奶工、面包师、杂货店老板和肉店老板都问及过贝丝。邻居们给她送去了各种各样的好东西，并送上了他们的祝福。就连可怜的哈梅尔太太也到家里来道歉。女孩们惊奇地发现害羞的小贝丝有那么多朋友。12月的第一天，刮起了寒风，下起了雪。邦斯大夫第二天早上来了。他看着贝丝，把她滚烫的手握在自己的手里。然后他转向汉娜低声说:“告诉马奇太太回家来。”乔跑下楼给母亲写了一封短电报，然后冒着暴风雪出去寄了出去。她很快就回来了。她脱斗篷时，劳里带来了布鲁克先生的一封信。信上说马奇先生的病又好了。听到这些话，乔很高兴，可她笑不出来。“什么事，乔?”劳里问。“贝丝更糟?”“邦斯大夫让我们叫妈妈来。”“哦，乔。我很抱歉，”劳里喊道。泪水顺着乔的脸颊流了下来。劳里握住她的手，小声说:“我在这儿。抓着我，乔，亲爱的!”她不能说话。她握住劳里的手哭了起来。几分钟后，她开始感觉好些了。她擦干眼泪，感激地看着劳里。“谢谢你，劳里，”她说。“你真是个好朋友。”“乔，我有事要告诉你。好事，”劳里说。“我昨天给你母亲发了一封电报。她现在正在回家的路上。我做的对吗?”乔伸出双臂搂住劳里的脖子。'Oh,Laurie!Oh,Mother!'shecriedhappily.'Yes,youdid.I“哦,劳里!哦,妈妈!”她高兴地叫道。“嗯，你做得对。我amsoglad!'真高兴!”Completethesentences.Agoodfriendis________________________.Agoodfriendalways_______________________.Shareyourideaswiththeotherstudentsintheclass.Page54Fortherestofthedayabreathoffreshairseemedtoblowthroughthehouse.Somethingbetterthansunshinebrightenedthequietrooms.Whenthegirlsmet,theirpalefacesbrokeintosmiles.Theyhuggedoneanotherandwhispered,'Mother'scoming!Mother'scoming!'Thesnowcontinuedtofallallday.Thehourspassedveryslowly.ThedoctorcameandtoldthemtoexpectachangeinBeth'scondition,forbetterorworse,ataboutmidnight.Hannahlaydownonthesofaandfellfastasleep.MrLaurencewalkedanxiouslyupanddowntheparlor.Laurielayontherugandlookedintothefire.Thegirlsdidn'tsleepatallthatnight.Thehousewasveryquietbutoutsidethewindwaswhistlinginthetrees.JustaftermidnightLauriewenttothestationtopickupMrsMarch.Itwassnowinghard.TwohourslaterJowaslookingoutofthewindowofBeth'sroomwhensheheardanoise.Shelookedround.Megwassittingonthefloorwithherhandsoverherface.Hannahwasstillasleep.'Beth'sdeadandMeg'safraidtotellme,'Jothought.Sherantothebed.Beth'sfacewasverypaleandpeaceful.Therewasnosignofsufferingonitanymore.Jokissedhersister'sheadandwhisperedsoftly,'Goodbye,myBeth.Goodbye,mydarling!'ThenHannahwokeup.ShehurriedtothebedandlookedatBeth.Sheheldthesmallhandsinherlargeonesandputhereartothepalelips.ThenshelookedupandsmiledatJo.'She'ssleeping,'shewhispered.'She'sbreathingeasilynow!She'sgoingtogetbetter!'Page55Alittlelaterthedoctorarrived.Aftershakingthesnowoffhiscoat,hewentupstairstolookatBeth.'Yes,mydears,'hesaid.'Thelittlegirlisgoingtogetbetter.'MegandJosatonthestairsandhuggedeachother.ThentheyhuggedHannah.Veryearlythenextmorningtheworldoutsidewaswhiteandfrozen,butMegfoundawhiteroseinthegarden.WhenBethopenedhereyeslaterthatmorning,thefirstthingsshesawwerehermother'sfaceandthewhiterosenexttoherbed.Shesmiledandfellasleepagain.这一天剩下的时间里，一股新鲜空气似乎吹进了房子。比阳光更好的东西使安静的房间更明亮。当女孩们见面时，她们苍白的脸上突然露出了笑容。他们互相拥抱着低声说:“妈妈要回来了!妈妈要回来了!”雪持续下了一整天。时间过得很慢。医生来了，告诉他们贝丝的病情在午夜左右会有所好转或恶化。汉娜躺在沙发上很快就睡着了。劳伦斯老先生在客厅里焦急地走来走去。劳里躺在地毯上，看着炉火。女孩们那天晚上根本没睡。房子里很安静，但外面的风在树林里呼啸。午夜刚过，劳里去车站接马奇太太。雪下得很大。两个小时后，乔正从贝丝房间的窗户往外看，这时她听到了一点响声。她向四周看了看。梅格坐在地上，双手捂着脸。汉娜还在睡觉。“贝丝死了，梅格不敢告诉我，”乔想。她跑到床前。贝丝的脸色苍白而平静。它再也没有痛苦的迹象了。乔吻了吻她妹妹的头，轻轻地低声说:“再见，我的贝丝。再见,亲爱的!”然后汉娜醒了。她匆匆走到床边看着贝丝。她用两只大手捧着两只小手，把耳朵贴在苍白的嘴唇上。然后她抬起头对乔微笑。“她在睡觉，”她低声说。“她现在呼吸顺畅了!她会好起来的!”过了一会儿医生来了。他把外套上的雪抖掉后，上楼看了看贝丝。“是的，亲爱的，”他说。“小姑娘会好起来的。”梅格和乔坐在楼梯上互相拥抱。然后他们拥抱了汉娜。第二天大清早，外面的世界一片雪白，冰封了，可梅格在花园里发现了一朵白玫瑰。那天早上晚些时候，当贝丝睁开眼睛时，她首先看到的是她母亲的脸和床边的那朵白玫瑰。她微笑着又睡着了。Page5610ALOSTGLOVE1910一只丢失的手套Thefollowingdaywasstrangebutitwasveryhappy.MrsMarchdidn'twanttomovefromBeth'sside,soHannahpreparedawonderfulbreakfastandtookitupstairstoher.Whileshewaseatingit,MrsMarchtalkedtoJoandMegabouttheirfather,andabouttheterriblejourneyhomethroughthesnowstormwithLaurie.AfterbreakfastMegandJosleptforanhourortwobecausetheywereverytired.IntheafternoonMrsMarchwenttoAuntMarch's.Amycriedwithjoywhenshesawhermother.Shewassohappytoseeheragain.Theysatforawhileandtalked.''AtfirstIwassad,'saidAmy.'ButLauriecameeveryday.Hewasverykind.IhadalotoftimetothinkandIthoughtaboutmyself.IknowthatI'mselfishbutI'mgoingtotryhardtobedifferent.Bethisn'tselfish,andeveryonelovesher.I'mgoingtotryandbelikeBeth.''I'mverypleased,Amy,'MrsMarchsaid.'Youcancomehomesoonbutyoumustbepatientforabitlonger.NowImusthurrybacktoBeth.'ThateveningwhileMegwaswritingtoherfather,JowentupstairstoBeth'sroom.Therewasaworriedlookonherface.'What'sthematter,dear?'askedMrsMarch.'Iwanttotellyousomething,Mother.''AboutMeg?''Howdidyouknow?Yes,it'sabouther.It'salittlething,butitworriesme.'Page57'Bethisasleepnow,'saidMrsMarch.'Sitdownandtellmeallaboutit.''Well,'beganJo,'lastsummerMegleftapairofglovesattheLaurence'shouse.Lauriesentonlyoneofthemback.HethinksthatMrBrookehastheotherone.HetoldmethatMrBrookelikesMeg.Buthedoesn'twanttosayanythingtoherbecausesheisveryyoungandheispoor.Isn'tthatterrible?''DoesMeglikehim?'askedMrsMarch,withananxiouslook.'Goodnessme!Idon'tknow.Idon'tknowanythingaboutlove!'criedJo.'Instoriesgirlsinloveareusuallynervous.Theydon'teatandbecomethinandtheydosillythings.Megeatsanddrinksandsleepslikeanormalperson.''PerhapsMegisnotinterestedinJohn,then?''Who?'criedJo,surprised.'MrBrooke.Istartedcallinghim\"John\"atthehospital,andhelikesit,'saidMrsMarch.WhenshesawJo'sshockedface,shecontinued,'Mydear,don'tbeangry.Hewasverykindtome,andtoFather,tooand,yes,Ilikehimalot.He'sanexcellentyoungman.HetalkedtousaboutMeg.Helovesherbuthedidn'twanttotellherwithoutgettingourpermissionfirst.Hewantstomarryheroneday.Butthismustbeasecretbetweenyouandme.Don'tsayanythingtoMegaboutit!Ican'tagreetoamarriageyet.Meg'stooyoung.'Page5820第二天有点奇怪，但很开心。马奇太太不愿离开贝丝身边，所以汉娜做了一顿丰盛的早餐，拿到楼上给她。马奇太太边吃边对乔和梅格谈起他们的父亲，以及和劳里一起冒着暴风雪回家的可怕旅程。早饭后，梅格和乔睡了一两个小时，因为她们太累了。下午马奇太太去了马奇姑姑家。艾米看到她妈妈时高兴得哭了。她很高兴再次见到她。他们坐下来聊了一会儿。”“开始我很难过，”艾米说。可劳里每天都来。他非常善良。我有很多时间去思考，并且考虑了我自己。我知道我很自私，但我要努力与众不同。贝丝不自私，每个人都爱她。我要努力像贝丝一样。”“我很高兴，艾米，”马奇太太说。“你很快就可以回家了，但你必须再多等一会儿。现在我得赶紧回贝丝那儿去。”那天晚上梅格在给父亲写信时，乔上楼到了贝丝的房间。她脸上有一种担心的神色。“怎么了，亲爱的?”马奇太太问。“我想告诉你一些事，妈妈。”“关于梅格?”“你怎么知道的?是的，是关于她的。这是件小事，但让我担心。”“贝丝现在睡着了，”马奇太太说。“坐下告诉我怎么回事。”“嗯，”乔开始说，“去年夏天梅格把一副手套留在了劳伦斯家。劳里只送了一个回来。他认为布鲁克先生有另一个。他告诉我布鲁克先生喜欢梅格。但他不想对她说什么，因为她很年轻，而他很穷。难道不可怕吗?”“梅格喜欢他吗?”马奇太太带着焦虑的神情问。“天哪!我不知道。我对爱情一无所知!”乔喊道。在故事中，恋爱中的女孩通常都很紧张。她们不吃，变瘦，做傻事。梅格吃、喝、睡和正常人一样。”“那么也许梅格对约翰不感兴趣?”“谁?”乔惊讶地叫道。“布鲁克先生。我在医院开始叫他‘约翰’，他喜欢这样，”马奇太太说。当她看到乔震惊的脸时，她接着说:“亲爱的，别生气。他对我很好，对爸爸也很好，是的，我很喜欢他。他是个很优秀的年轻人。他跟我们说了梅格的事。他爱她，但他不想在没有得到我们允许的情况下告诉她。他希望有一天能娶她。但这必须是你我之间的秘密。别把这事告诉梅格!我还不能同意结婚。梅格太年轻了。”'Buthewantstotakeherawayfromus!Hecan'tdothat,Mother!ThisisMeg'shome.Shemuststayherewithus.'MrsMarchsighed.Jocontinued.'Let'ssendhimaway,Mother.Let'snotsayanythingaboutthistoMeg.Thenwecanallbehappytogetherforeverandever.''Jo,itisnaturalandrightforchildrentoleavetheirfamiliesandmakehomesoftheirown,'saidMrsMarch.'ButI'dliketokeepmygirlsforaslongaspossible.MegisonlyseventeenandJohncan'tgiveherahomeyet.Twentyisagoodageforhertogetmarried.YourfatherandIagreeaboutthat.IfMegandJohnloveeachother,theycanwaitandtesttheirlovewhiletheyarewaiting.''Butisn'titbetterforhertomarryarichman?'askedJo.'Moneyisagoodandusefulthing,Jo,'MrsMarchreplied.'Butit'sbettertobehappythanrichinlife.Johnhasagoodheart,andagoodman'sheartisbetterthanafortune.''Iunderstand,Mother,andIagreewithyou.Butit'sapitythatwehavetogrowupandourliveshavetochange.'“但是他想把她从我们身边带走！他不能那样做，妈妈!这是梅格的家。她必须留在这里和我们在一起。”马奇太太叹了口气。乔继续说。“我们把他送走吧，妈妈。我们别跟梅格说这事。这样我们就可以永远幸福地在一起了。”“乔，孩子们离开家庭，建立自己的家，这是很自然也很正确的，”马奇太太说。“但我想让我的女儿们呆得越久越好。梅格只有17岁，约翰还不能给她一个家。她二十岁是结婚的好年龄。你父亲和我都同意。如果梅格和约翰相爱，他们可以在等待的过程中等待并考验他们的爱情。”“但是让她嫁给一个有钱人不是更好吗?”乔问。“钱是好的而且有用的东西，乔，”马奇太太回答。“但生活快乐总比富有好。约翰有一颗善良的心，而一颗善良的心胜过一笔财富。”“我理解，妈妈，我也同意你。但遗憾的是，我们必须长大，我们的生活必须改变。”WhatismoreimportanttoapersoninMrsMarch'seyes,agoodheartorafortune?Howdoyouknowheropinion?Page59JustthenMegopenedthedoorandcameinquietly.Shewascarryingthelettertoherfather.ShegaveittoMrsMarchtoread.'Whatwereyoutwotalkingabout,Jo?'sheasked.'Nothing,Meg.Comeon.Let'sgotobed.'MrsMarchgaveMegherletterandsaid,'That'saveryniceletter,dear.PleasesendmylovetoJohn.''Doyoucallhim\"John\"?'askedMeg,smiling.'Yes,dear.He'slikeasontous,andwelikehimalot,'repliedMrsMarch.'I'mgladbecauseIthinkthatheisverylonely,'saidMeg.'Goodnight,Motherdear.I'msoveryhappythatyouarehere.'Afterkissingherdaughtergoodnight,MrsMarchthought,'She'sreadytofallinlovewithhim.'正在这时梅格打开门，轻轻地走了进来。她正拿着寄给父亲的信。她把信给马奇太太看。“你们俩在说些什么，乔?”她问。“没什么,梅格。来吧。咱们上床睡觉吧。”马奇太太把信给梅格说:“这是封很好的信，亲爱的。请代我向约翰问好。”“你叫他‘约翰’吗?”梅格笑着问。“是的,亲爱的。他就像我们的儿子一样，我们都很喜欢他。”马奇太太说。“我很高兴，因为我觉得他很孤独，”梅格说。“晚安，亲爱的妈妈。我很高兴你能来。在和女儿吻别后，马奇太太想:“她准备爱上他了。”Page6011LAURIE'SLETTERSMegknewthatJohadasecret.Shecouldseeitinherface.Lauriealsoknew.HeaskedhertotellhimbutJorefusedtosayanything.ThismadeLaurieangry.'It'saboutMegandMrBrooke,'hethought,andhedecidedtodiscoverhersecret.Afewdayspassed.ThensuddenlytherewasachangeinMeg.Shelookedworriedallthetimeandshedidn'tsayverymuch.Shewasnervous.'It'slove,'saidJotohermother.'Whatcanwedo?''Nothing,'repliedMrsMarch.'WemustwaitforFathertoarrive.'2111劳里的信梅格知道乔有个秘密。她能从她脸上看出来。劳里也知道。他让乔告诉他，但乔什么也不肯说。这使劳里很生气。“是梅格和布鲁克先生的事，”他想，决定发现她的秘密。几天过去了。然后梅格突然有了变化。她看起来一直很担心，也没说多少话。她很紧张。“这是爱情，”乔对她妈妈说。“我们该怎么办?”“没什么，”马奇太太回答。“我们得等爸爸来。”ThenextdaytherewasaletterinthepostboxforMeg.Jobroughtitinandgaveittohersister.Thenshesatdownnexttohermotherandcontinuedherknitting.SuddenlyMrsMarchandJoheardastrangesound.Theylookedup.ItwasMeg.Herfacewaswhiteandshelookedfrightened.'Whatisit,dear?'criedhermother.'Oh,Jo!Whydidyoudoit?'criedMeg.'What?Ididn'tdoanything,'repliedJo,confused.'Youdid!Youandthatboy!Yousenttheletter!'AndMegtookanotherletteroutofherpocketandthrewitatJo.JoandMrsMarchreadit.ItwasalovelettertoMegfromJohnBrooke.Hesaidthathewantedtomarryher.'Laurie!Thevillain!'criedJo.'HewasangrybecauseIdidn'ttellhimmysecret.'Shewantedtogoandfindhimimmediately.Page62MrsMarchstoppedher.'Wait,Jo!'shesaid.'Meg!Didyoureplytotheletter?''Yes,'saidMegsadly.'Whatdidyousay?''ItoldhimthatIamtooyoungtothinkaboutmarriage.IsaidhemustspeaktoFatherbecauseIdon'twantanysecrets.Iaskedhimtobemyfriend.'MrsMarchsmiledandJolaughed.'ThenIreceivedthisnotefromhimtoday,'continuedMeg.'Hesaysthathedidn'tsendmealetter.HesaysitwasprobablyoneofJo'stricks.'Jotookthenoteandlookedatitcarefully.'It'salright,Meg.MrBrookedidn'twritethisnote.Lauriedid,'shesaid.'GoandaskLaurietocomehere,Jo,'saidMrsMarch.'Iwanttotalktohim.'WhileJowasoutoftheroom,MrsMarchtoldMegaboutMrBrooke'sfeelingsforher.'Doyoulovehim,Meg?'sheasked.'I'mnotinterestedinloveatthemoment,'repliedMegnervously.'Pleasedon'ttellJohnabouttheletters.AndtellJoandLaurienottosayanything.'LaurieknewthathewasintroublebecauseMrsMarchlookedveryserious.Shesentthegirlsawayandclosedtheparlordoor.Whentheycameouthalfanhourlater,Laurielookedveryunhappy.Jofeltsorryforhim.HeapologizedtoMegandpromisednevertotellMrBrookeaboutthelettersornote.Megacceptedhisapologyandtheywereallfriendsagain.第二天，邮箱里有一封梅格的信。乔把它拿进来递给她姐姐。然后她坐在妈妈旁边继续织毛衣。突然，马奇太太和乔听到一种奇怪的声音。他们抬起头。这是梅格。她脸色苍白，看上去很害怕。“怎么了，亲爱的?”她母亲喊道。“哦,乔!你为什么这么做?”梅格嚷道。“什么?“我什么也没做，”乔迷惑地回答。“你做的!你和那个男孩!你把信寄出去了!”梅格从她口袋里掏出另一封信扔给乔。乔和马奇太太读了它。这是约翰·布鲁克写给梅格的一封情书。他说他想娶她。“劳里!恶棍!”乔喊道。“他生气是因为我没有告诉他我的秘密。”乔想马上去找他。马奇太太拦住了她。“等等,乔!”她说。“梅格!你回信了吗?”“是的，”梅格悲伤地说。“你说了什么?”“我告诉他，我还太年轻，还不能考虑结婚的事。我说他必须告诉父亲，因为我不想隐瞒。我请求他做我的朋友。”马奇太太笑了，乔笑了。“然后我今天收到了他的条子，”梅格接着说。“他说他没有给我寄过信。他说那可能是乔的一个诡计。”乔拿过纸条，仔细地看了看。“没事了，梅格。这张条子不是布鲁克先生写的。是劳里干的，”她说。“去叫劳里到这儿来，乔，”马奇太太说。“我想和他谈谈。”乔不在房间时，马奇太太告诉了梅格布鲁克先生对她的感情。“你爱他吗，梅格?”她问。“目前我对爱情不感兴趣，”梅格紧张地回答。“请不要把信的事告诉约翰。告诉乔和劳里什么也别说。”劳里知道他有麻烦了，因为马奇太太看上去很严肃。她把姑娘们打发走，关上了客厅的门。半小时后他们出来时，劳里看上去很不高兴。乔为他感到难过。他向梅格道歉，并保证永远不会告诉布鲁克先生那些信和便条的事。梅格接受了他的道歉，他们又成了朋友。Page6312ASPECIALCHRISTMASPRESENT2212一份特别的圣诞礼物Theweatherwasverygoodthatwinter.ChristmasDaywassunnyandbright,soJoandLauriewentintothegardenandmadeasnowmanforBeth.Theyputflowersandfreshfruitforherinitshand.JobroughtherdownstairstoseeitandBethlaughedatitsfunnyface.Shewasmuchbetterbutshewasstillverythinandweak.Afterthattherewerepresentsforeveryone.LaterthatmorningLauriecameback.Therewasamysterioussmileonhisfacewhenheopenedtheparlordoor.'Here'sanotherChristmaspresentfortheMarchfamily!'hesaid.Hedisappearedbehindthedoorandatallmanwalkedintotheroom.ItwasMrMarch!Suddenlytheparlorwasfullofconfusionandnoise.Meg,JoandAmyallrantotheirfatherandhuggedandkissedhimagainandagain.ThenMrsMarchhuggedandkissedhim.Everyonewastalkingatthesametime.'Hush!RememberBeth!'MrsMarchsaid.'Bethwassleepingupstairs.'Butitwastoolate.Bethwasalreadyatthedoor.Shestopped,lookedatthesceneandthensheranstraightintothearmsofherfather.ItwasthehappiestChristmastheycouldremember.Hannahcookedafatturkeyandtherewasplumpuddingandjelly.Everythingwasdelicious.MrLaurence,MrBrookeandLaurieatewiththemandafterdinnertheyallsangsongsandtoldstoriesaboutthepast.Aftertheguestsleft,theMarchfamilysattogetheraroundthefire.Page65MrMarchlookedatthefouryoungfacesaroundhimwithsatisfaction.'Itwasadifficultyearformylittlegirls,Iknow,'hesaidtothem.'Butyouwereverybrave.'HetookMeg'shandsinhis.'Meg,yourwhitehandsarenowroughandredwithhardwork.Theywereprettybeforebuttheyareprettiertomenow.I'mproudofyou.'ThenhelookedatJo.'Youweremynoisy,wildboy!'hesaid.'ButnowIcanseeagood,strongwomanwithatenderheartinfrontofme.I'mveryhappy.''WhataboutBeth?'askedAmy.'Beth!Dear,goodlittleBeth!'saidMrMarch.Helookedathersmall,thinbodyandheldhertightly.'Wenearlylosther.NowI'mgoingtokeephersafeforever.'ThenitwasAmy'sturn.'IwatchedAmytoday,'MrMarchsaid.'Sheiskinderandmorehelpfulthanshewas.Shethinksmoreaboutotherpeopleandlessaboutherself.Iamproudtohaveadaughterlikeher.I'mproudofallmywonderfullittlewomen!'那年冬天天气很好。圣诞节阳光明媚，乔和劳里走进花园，给贝丝堆了一个雪人。他们把鲜花和新鲜的水果放在她的手中。乔带她下楼去看它，贝丝嘲笑着它那张滑稽的脸。她好多了，但还是很瘦很虚弱。之后给每个人都准备了礼物。那天上午晚些时候，劳里回来了。当他打开客厅的门时，脸上露出了神秘的微笑。“这儿有给马奇一家的另一份圣诞礼物!”他说。他消失在门后，一个高个子男人走进了房间。是马奇先生!客厅里突然充满了混乱和嘈杂。梅格、乔和艾米都跑向她们的父亲，一次又一次地拥抱、亲吻他。然后马奇太太拥抱他，吻他。每个人都在同时说话。“嘘!想想贝丝!”马奇太太说。“贝丝在楼上睡觉。”但已经太迟了。贝丝已经到了门口。她停了下来，看了看眼前的情景，然后径直扑进了父亲的怀里。这是他们记忆中最快乐的圣诞节。汉娜煮了一只肥火鸡，还有葡萄干布丁和果冻。一切都很好吃。劳伦斯老先生、布鲁克先生和劳里和他们一起吃饭。晚饭后，他们都唱着歌，讲着过去的故事。客人们走后，马奇一家围坐在火炉旁。马奇先生满意地看着他周围的四张年轻的脸。“我知道，对我的女儿们来说，这是艰难的一年，”他对她们说。“但是你们很勇敢。他把梅格的手握在自己手里。“梅格，你白皙的双手由于劳作变得又红又粗糙了。它们以前很漂亮，但现在对我来说更漂亮了。我为你感到骄傲。”然后他看着乔。“你是我吵闹的野孩子!”他说。“但现在我看到一个善良、坚强的女人，有一颗温柔的心在我面前。我很高兴。”“贝丝呢?”艾米问。“贝丝!亲爱的、善良的小贝丝!”马奇先生说。他看着她瘦小的身体，紧紧地搂着她。“我们差点失去了她。现在我要永远保护她。”然后就轮到艾米了。“今天我看了艾米，”马奇先生说。她比以前更善良，更乐于助人。她多为别人着想，少为自己着想。我很自豪有一个像她这样的女儿。我为我所有了不起的小妇人感到骄傲!”Page6613AVISITFROMAUNTMARCH2313马奇姑姑的来访MrMarchandBethspentthenextdayintheparlor.MrMarchsatinabigarmchairandBethlayonthesofa.MrsMarch,Meg,JoandAmydidn'tdoanyhouseworkthatmorning.Theyonlywantedtolookaftertheirtwoinvalids.SometimesMrandMrsMarchlookedateachotheranxiouslyandthentheylookedatMeg.Megwasquiet.ShejumpedwhenthebellrangandherfaceturnedredwhensheheardJohnBrooke'sname.Intheafternoonwhentheywerealonetogether,JoaskedMeg,'WhenMrBrookespeakstoyouaboutgettingmarried,whatareyougoingtosaytohim?''I'mgoingtosaythatIagreewithFather.I'mtooyoungtogetengaged,'Megreplied.'ThenI'mgoingtoaskhimifwecanbefriends.''Idon'tbelieveyou,'saidJo.Suddenlytheyheardanoiseinthehallandthentherewasataponthedoor.JoopeneditandMrBrookewalkedin.'Goodafternoon,'hesaid.'Icameformyumbrella.Ileftithereyesterday.'Thegirls'facesturnedred.MrBrookewasalittleconfused.'Err…Andhowisyourfather?'heasked.'He'swell,'Josaidquickly.'I'mgoingtotellhimyou'rehere.'Andsheranout.'I'msurethatMotherwouldliketoseeyou,too,'saidMeg,andshestooduptogo.'Pleasestay,Meg.Don'tbeafraidofme,'MrBrookesaidquickly.Page67Megwantedtobefriendlysosheputoutherhandandsaid,'HowcanIbe?YouweresokindtoFatherinWashington.HowcanIthankyouforthat?''Saythatyoulovemealittlebit,Meg,'herepliedtenderly.'Iloveyousoverymuch.'Megfeltconfusedandhappyatthesametime.Shedidn'tknowwhattodo.'I'mtooyoung,'shesaid.'Icanwaitandperhapsyoucanlearntoloveme...'马奇先生和贝丝第二天呆在客厅里。马奇先生坐在一张大扶手椅上，贝丝躺在沙发上。马奇太太、梅格、乔和艾米那天早上什么家务活也没做。他们只想照顾他们的两个病人。有时马奇先生和马奇太太焦虑地互相看了一眼，然后又看着梅格。梅格是安静的。铃响时她跳了起来，听到约翰·布鲁克的名字时她的脸变红了。下午他们俩单独在一起时，乔问梅格:“当布鲁克先生对你说要结婚的事时，你打算对他说什么?”“我要说我同意爸爸的看法。我太年轻了，不能订婚，”梅格回答。“然后我要去问他我们能不能做朋友。”“我不相信你，”乔说。突然，他们听到大厅里有响声，然后是敲门声。乔打开门，布鲁克先生走了进来。“下午好，”他说。“我来取伞。我昨天忘在这儿了。”女孩们的脸都变红了。布鲁克先生有点糊涂了。“呃…你父亲好吗?”他问。“他还好，”乔很快地说。“我去告诉他你来了。”她跑了出去。“我肯定妈妈也想见到你，”梅格说，她站起身要走。“梅格,请留下来。别怕我，”布鲁克先生很快地说。梅格想表示友好，所以她伸出手说，“我怎么能这样呢？你在华盛顿对父亲太好了。为此我该怎么感谢你呢?”“说你爱我一点点，梅格，”他温柔地回答。“我非常爱你。”梅格既感到困惑又感到快乐。她不知道该怎么办。“我太小了，”她说。“我可以等，也许你可以学着爱我……”Page68JustatthatmomentAuntMarcharrived.SheknewaboutMrMarch'sarrivalandshewantedtoseehernephew.Shewentstraighttotheparlorandopenedthedoor.Thetwoyoungpeoplewereverysurprised.MegturnedwhitethenredandMrBrookequicklydisappearedintothestudy.'What'sgoingonhere?'theoldladycried.'Whatwasthatyoungmansayingtoyou?''Nothing,AuntMarch.MrBrookecametogethisumbrella.He'soneoffather'sfriends.''Brooke!TheLaurenceboy'stutor!'saidAuntMarchloudly.'NowIunderstand.Jotoldmeeverything.Ihopeyouaren'tgoingtomarryhim!'24正在这时，马奇姑姑来了。她知道马奇先生的到来，她想见她的侄子。她径直走进客厅，打开了门。这两个年轻人非常惊讶。梅格脸色先是白了又红了，布鲁克先生很快消失在了书房里。“这里发生了什么事?”老太太喊道。“那个年轻人对你说了什么?”“没什么,马奇姑姑。布鲁克先生来拿他的伞。他是父亲的一个朋友。”“布鲁克!那男孩的家庭教师!”马奇姑姑大声说。“现在我明白了。乔把一切都告诉我了。我希望你不要嫁给他!”'Hush,Aunt!He'sinthenextroom,'saidMeg.Shewantedtogoandfindhermotherbuttheoldladystoppedher.'Stayhereandlistentome!'shesaid.'Don'tmarrythatman.Hehasn'tgotanymoneyandIrefusetogiveyouanyofmymoneyifyoumarryhim.'ThismadeMegangry.Suddenlyshefeltbraveandindependent.'Idon'twantyourmoney,Aunt!'shereplied.'Anditisn'tyourbusinesswhoImarry!'AuntMarchwasshocked.Megwasusuallyaveryquietandpolitegirl.'Mydear,'shesaid,inamorefriendlytone.'Thismanhasn'tgotanyrichrelations.''No,buthehasmanygoodfriends.''Andhehasn'tgotagoodjob.''Oh,notyet,butMrLaurenceisgoingtohelphim,'Megreplied.Page69Meglookedveryserious.'Johnisagoodman,Aunt.Andhe'sgotlotsoftalent.He'shard-working,energeticandbrave.MotherandFatherlikeandrespecthim.I'mproudthathelovesme.''Heknowsthatyouhavegotrichrelations,dear,'repliedtheoldlady.'That'swhyhelovesyou!''AuntMarch,howcanyousaythat?'criedMeg.'Itisn'ttrue.Andanyway,I'mnotafraidofbeingpoor.I'mpoornowandI'mhappy.IknowthatIcanbehappywithJohnbecausehelovesme,andI...'Megstoppedsuddenly.Whatwasshesaying?DidshereallyloveJohn?AndwasJohnlisteninginthenextroom?AuntMarchwasangrywithMeg.Shewantedarichandimportanthusbandforherprettyniece,notapoormanwithnofuture.'I'mverydisappointedinyou,Meg!'shesaid.'Don'texpectanythingfrommewhenyougetmarried!'AndshewalkedoutandslammedthedoorinMeg'sface.Megdidn'tknowwhethertolaughorcry.Butbeforeshecoulddecide,MrBrookecamein.Hetookherhandsinhis.'Thankyoufordefendingme,Meg.NowIknowyoulovemealittlebit.''Yes,John.Ido,'shewhispered.“嘘，姑姑!他在隔壁房间，”梅格说。她想去找她的母亲，但老太太阻止了她。“呆在这儿听我说!”她说。“不要嫁给那个男人。他没有钱，如果你嫁给他，我也不会把我的钱给你。”这使梅格很生气。她突然感到勇敢和。“我不要你的钱，姑姑!”她回答。“我嫁给谁也不关你的事!”马奇姑姑很震惊。梅格通常是一个非常安静有礼貌的女孩。“亲爱的，”她用一种更友好的语气说。“这个人没有什么有钱的亲戚。”“是的，但他有许多好朋友。”“而且他还没有找到一份好工作。”“哦，现在没有，可劳伦斯老先生会帮助他的，”梅格回答道。梅格看上去很严肃。“约翰是个好人，姑姑。他很有天赋。他工作努力，精力充沛，勇敢。妈妈和爸爸喜欢他，尊敬他。我为他爱我感到骄傲。”“他知道你有有钱的亲戚，亲爱的，”老太太回答说。“这就是他爱你的原因!”“马奇姑姑，您怎么能这么说?”梅格嚷道。“这不是真的。无论如何，我并不害怕贫穷。我现在很穷，但我很快乐。我知道和约翰在一起会很幸福，因为他爱我，而且我……”梅格突然停了下来。她在说什么?她真的爱约翰吗?约翰在隔壁听吗?马奇姑姑对梅格很生气。她想为她漂亮的侄孙女找一个有钱有势的丈夫，而不是一个没有前途的穷人。“我对你很失望，梅格!”她说。“你结婚时不要期望从我这里得到任何东西!”她走出去，当着梅格的面砰地关上了门。梅格不知道该笑还是该哭。但她还没作决定，布鲁克先生走了进来。他握住她的手。“谢谢你为我辩护，梅格。现在我知道你有那么一点爱我。”“是的，约翰。是的，”她低声说。Whodoyouagreewith?AuntMarchorMeg?Page70FiveminuteslaterJowenttolookforhersister.Shegaspedwithsurprisewhensheopenedtheparlordoor.MegwassittingonMrBrooke'skneeandshelookedveryhappy!WhenshesawJo,shejumpedupimmediatelyandlookedabitshy.ButMrBrookelaughed.'SisterJo!'hesaid.'Congratulateus!'25五分钟后，乔去找她的妹妹。当她打开客厅的门时，她惊讶地喘着气。梅格坐在布鲁克先生的膝盖上，她看起来非常高兴!当她看到乔时，她立刻跳了起来，看上去有点害羞。但布鲁克先生笑了。“乔妹妹!”他说。“祝贺我们!”Jowashorrified.Sheturnedandranupthestairs.Hermotherandfatherwereinthebedroom.'Please!Godownstairsquickly!'shecried.'MrBrookeisbehavingverybadlyandMeglikesit!'MrandMrsMarchhurrieddowntotheparlorandJotoldBethandAmythenews.Theythoughtitwasveryexciting.ThatafternoonMrBrookespoketoMeg'sparentsabouthisplansforthefuture.Theywereintheparlorforalongtime.MrBrookehadveryclearideasandfinallyMrandMrsMarchagreetothemarriage.ThateveningMrBrookestayedforsupper.EverybodyexceptJowasveryhappy.'Youcan'tsaythatnothingpleasanteverhappensinthisfamilynow,Meg,'SaidAmy.'No,Ican't,'repliedMegsmiling.'Butthreeyears!It'salongtimetowait.'Amywaslookingforwardtoaweddinginthefamily.'Itisn't,'Megwasseriousnow.'IhavealotofthingstolearnbeforeIgetmarried.'ThenLaurieandMrLaurencearrived.LauriegaveMegabouquetofflowersandMrBrookeinvitedthembothtothewedding.Page72Later,wheneveryoneelsewastalkingandlaughing,LauriewenttospeaktoJo.Shewassittingonherowninacorneroftheroom.'What'sthematter,Jo?'hesaid.'Youdon'tlookveryhappy.''I'msadbecauseI'mgoingtolosemybestfriend,'shereplied,andsigheddeeply.'Butyou'vegotme,'Lauriesaid.I'myourfriend,too,youknow.''Iknow,Laurie.Thankyou.Andyou'reaverygoodfriend.'Shelookedaroundtheroomatherfamilyandfriends.Theywereallhappy.Itwasapleasantsightandshestartedtosmile.Shedidn'twanttothinkaboutthefuture.Shewantedtoenjoythemomentandrememberitforever.乔吓坏了。她转身跑上楼梯。她的父母在卧室里。“请!快下楼!”她哭了。“布鲁克先生的行为很恶劣，梅格喜欢这样！”马奇夫妇急忙下楼来到客厅，乔把这个消息告诉了贝丝和艾米。他们觉得很刺激。那天下午布鲁克先生和梅格的父母谈了他未来的计划。他们在客厅里待了很长时间。布鲁克先生的想法很明确，最后马奇先生和马奇太太同意了这桩婚事。那天晚上布鲁克先生留下来吃晚饭。除了乔，每个人都很高兴。“你现在不能说这个家没发生过什么愉快的事了，梅格，”艾米说。“不，我不能，”梅格笑着回答。“但三年！要等很久了。”艾米正期待着家里举行婚礼。“不是的，”梅格现在是认真的了。“结婚前我还有很多东西要学。”这时劳里和劳伦斯老先生来了。劳里送给梅格一束花，布鲁克先生邀请他们俩参加婚礼。后来，当大家都有说有笑时，劳里走过去对乔说话。她独自坐在房间的一个角落里。“怎么了，乔?”他说。“你看起来不太高兴。”“我很难过，因为我就要失去我最好的朋友了，”她答道，深深地叹了口气。“可你有我呀，”劳里说。“我也是你的朋友，你知道的。”“我知道，劳里。谢谢你！你是我的好朋友。她环视了一下房间里的家人和朋友。他们都很高兴。这是一个令人愉快的景象，她开始微笑。她不想去考虑未来。她想享受这一刻，并永远记住它。26
