Learn English Through Story Level 1 | Graded Reader Level 1 | English Story| The Little Women

the March sisters the place was a small town in Massachusetts North America it was a cold evening in December 1862 snow was falling softly in the living room of a small house four sisters were sitting by the fire their names were Meg Joe Beth and Amy March Meg was 16 years old Joe was 15 Beth was 13 years old and Amy was 12 their mother Mrs March was not in the house she was visiting a poor sick family their father Mr March was far away from home it was war time Mr March was working in

a hospital for soldiers the four sisters were knitting with wool they were knitting socks for the soldiers they worked and they talked we are poor said Meg the eldest girl it is terrible Meg was very pretty she had large eyes and soft brown hair other girls have lots of pretty things said Amy the youngest girl Amy had golden hair and blue eyes I hate girls work and girls things said Joe she was tall and thin she had beautiful long red hair I don't want to stay at home she said I want to fight in the

war then Beth spoke yes we are poor she said but we are lucky too we have father and mother and we have each other Beth was very shy she was afraid of strangers but she loved her family very much yes we have each other said Joe and the girl were happy again it's 6:00 said Meg be quick everybody mother is coming we must get supper ready Joe brought more wood for the fire Meg lit the lamps Beth and Amy put the food on the table the door opened and Mrs March came into the room Mrs

March was not beautiful but she was very kind and good her daughters had a special name for her they called her marmy how are you my dears said Mrs March did you have a good day yes thank you marmy replied the Four Sisters come sit down by the fire marmy said Meg supper is ready after supper Mrs March said girls I have a wonderful surprise everybody was excited is it a letter from father asked Joe yes replied Mrs March father has a Christmas message for all of you the girls read their father's letter chapter 2

a wonderful Christmas a few days later it was Christmas day on Christmas morning the girls woke early each girl had one present a book from their mother they ran downstairs they wanted to thank her but Mrs March was not there a special Christmas breakfast was on the table there was lots of food and everybody was hungry but the girls waited for their mother they waited nearly an hour at last their mother came home Merry Christmas marmy the girl shouted come sit down let's eat breakfast Merry Christmas little daughters said Mrs March listen I have something

to tell you there is a poor woman Mrs hmel she lives in the town she has seven children one is a baby the Hummel's house is very cold and they have no food will you give them a Christmas present will you give them your breakfast all the girls were very hungry for a moment nobody spoke then Joe said yes we will marmy let's take the food to them now it was early morning and it was cold the girls walked quickly through the snow They Carried baskets of food and wood for the fire the humel family

lived in one small room the room was in a house near a river the windows of the room were broken and there was no fire Mrs hmel lay in her bed she was Ill the baby was crying and the children were cold and hungry the Hummel children saw the March sisters and the baskets of food they shouted happily thank you thank you they shouted the girls made a fire and they put the food on the table Mrs March made some tea soon the room was warm the hungry children ate the food and they laughed later

Mrs March and her daughters went home they had bread and milk for breakfast but they were very happy the March sisters often acted in plays Joe wrote the plays the girls acted in a small room at the top of the house they put on brightly colored clothes and they enjoyed themselves on Christmas evening the girls acted in a play all their friends came everybody enjoyed the play later their friends went home and the girls had a lovely surprise Mrs march called to them supper is ready she said the girls ran downstairs they saw lots of

delicious food on the table sweets fruit and ice cream where did this lovely food come from marmy Amy asked Mrs March smiled old Mr Lawrence sent it she replied old Mr Lawrence our neighbor asked Meg she was surprised but we don't know him she said he heard about your breakfast said Mrs March he has sent you a special Christmas supper the girls looked at each other this is a wonderful Christmas Beth said chapter 3 Lori next to the March's small house there was a large house the sisters called this house the Lawrence house it belonged

to their neighbor Mr Lawrence Mr Lawrence was old and he was very rich his house was very beautiful he lived in the house with his grandson his grandson was 15 the same age as Joe sometimes the March sisters saw Mr Lawrence's grandson but the boy was always alone a few days after Christmas Joe was in her garden she was wearing boots and an old coat Joe was busy she was sweeping snow from the path with a broom Joe looked up at the Lawrence house she saw a face looking out of a window it was Mr

Lawrence's grandson the boy is sad he is lonely thought Joe then she had an idea she took some snow and she made a ball with it she threw the ball at the window the boy laughed and he opened the window hello called Joe are you ill I was Ill last week said the boy I'm better now but I'm very bored I am not doing anything I'll visit you said Joe yes please come said the boy a few minutes later Joe knocked on the door of the Laurence house she was carrying a small basket the basket

was full of apples and cakes the boy opened the door and Joe gave him the basket these things are for you she said they are from my mother thank you very much said the boy please come in my name is Lori and you're Joe aren't you yes said Joe she was very surprised how do you know my name name I know your name said Lori I know all your sisters names you call to each other in your garden sometimes I see you with your mother Lori said sadly I have no mother my parents are dead

so I live here with my grandfather but my grandfather is not at home today Lori is Rich but he's very lonely thought Joe I am poor but I have a family and I have a happy home please visit us said Joe we are neighbors let's be friends too Joe and Lori talked all afternoon Joe talked about her family Lori talked about his life he did not go to school a teacher Mr Brook came to the house every day Mr Brooke taught Lori his lesson come into our library said Lori we have many fine books in

the library the library was a beautiful room with big Windows there were hundreds of interesting books on the shelves there were many fine pictures on the walls what a wonderful room said Joe suddenly Lori and Joe heard a noise grandfather has come home said Lori I must go to him please stay here Lori went out of the library Joe stood by the fire there was a picture of old Mr Lawrence on the wall Joe looked at the picture the door of the library opened but she did not turn round Lori she said Mr Lawrence your

grandfather is not handsome but he has a kind face I like him thank you said a voice Joe turned around quickly Mr Lawrence was standing near the door oh she said I am sorry so I'm not handsome asked Mr Lawrence well no sir but I have a kind face yes you do sir replied Joe Mr Lawrence laughed I knew your grandfather he said he was a good man now have some tea Lori was very happy Lori and Joe drank tea and they talked Mr Lawrence watched them my grandson is happy he thought he was lonely

he must have some friends later Joe went home she told her mother and her sisters about the Lawrence's beautiful house marmy please let la visit us she said yes dear replied Mrs March your new friend Lori will be welcome in our house chapter 4 a present for Beth Lori and the March sisters became good friends they visited each other often they had many happy days together everybody liked Lori and his grandfather Meg Joe and Amy all went to the Lawrence house Meg loved flowers and Gardens she liked the garden at the Lawrence house very much

it was Winter and there were no flowers but there was snow on the trees they were very beautiful Joe wrote plays and stories and she loved books she liked the library at the Lawrence house Amy liked the library too she painted pictures she liked the paintings on the library walls but Beth did not visit the Lawrence house she was very shy she was afraid of old Mr Lawrence Beth did not go to school she learned her lessons at home Beth's life was quiet but she was very happy she helped her mother with the housework she

learned her lessons every day Beth loved music the marches had a piano but it was very old Beth tried to play the piano but the music did not sound very good one day Mr Lawrence spoke to Mrs March do your daughters play the piano he asked Beth plays the piano Mrs March replied I have a beautiful piano said Mr Lawrence but nobody plays it now will Beth come to my house will she play the piano Beth is very shy Mrs March said Lori and I are often out of the house said Mr Lawrence Beth must

come then we will not hear her playing the piano Miss March told Beth the news Beth was very happy and excited she wanted to play Mr Lawrence's piano the next day Beth went to the Lawrence house the house was very quiet good thought Beth everybody is out of the house the piano was in the living room Beth walked very quietly into the room she touched the piano how beautiful it is she thought some pages of music were lying on top of the piano Beth looked at the pages the music was not difficult so she started

to play Beth played the piano for many hours she enjoyed herself very much after that she went to the Lawrence house every day sometimes Mr Lawrence was in the house he often listened to the music but Beth never saw him a few weeks passed one day Beth spoke to her mother Mary she said I want to thank Mr Lawrence he has been very kind I will give him a present shall I knit a pair of slippers for him yes Beth replied Mrs March that's a very good idea Beth bought some wool and she made a

beautiful pair of slippers she took them to the Lawrence house Mr Lawrence was away from home so Beth wrote a short note she put the note and the slippers on a table then she went home oh thought Beth Mr Lawrence did not like the slippers the next morning Beth walked by the river she was sad later she went home her sister were waiting they were very excited Beth Beth come quickly they called you have a present come and see they took Beth into the living room in the middle of the room was a beautiful little

piano on top of the piano there was an envelope open the envelope Beth said Joe please open it for me said Beth Joe open opened the envelope she pulled out a note she read it to her mother and sisters Beth was very excited Mr Lawrence has given me this piano she said I am very lucky Beth sat down at the piano and started to play the piano sounded beautiful but suddenly she stopped playing I must thank Mr Lawrence now she said Beth was not shy anymore she ran quickly to the Lawrence house and went inside

Mr Lawrence was in the library Beth ran to him and she kissed him then she said Dear Mr Lawrence thank you so much for my beautiful piano Beth was not afraid of Mr Lawrence anymore chapter 5 Amy in trouble it was Saturday afternoon Meg and Joe were in their bedroom they were putting on their coats they were going out Amy came into the bedroom where are you going she asked don't ask questions said Joe we're going to the theater with Lori said Meg we're going to see a play Oh said Amy I want to come

with you please no said Joe you are too young I'm not too young she said I'm 12 years old please please let me come with you Joe often became angry very quickly she became very angry with Amy no Amy she said we will not take you with us please go away Amy started to cry at that moment Lori arrived at the house Meg Joe are you ready he shouted we're coming Joe replied Joe and Meg ran downstairs Amy stopped crying you'll be sorry Joe March she shouted Joe and Meg had a wonderful time at the

theater they returned home in the evening Amy was reading a book she did not ask them questions about the play the next day Meg Beth and Amy were sitting in the living room they were sitting by the fire suddenly Joe ran into the room she was very upset where is my book of stories she asked her sisters have you seen it Joe often wrote stories she wrote them all in a little book but today she could not find her book I haven't seen your book said Meg have you seen it Beth no said Beth Amy

was very quiet she did not say anything Amy where is my book of stories asked Joe I don't know replied Amy yes you do know said Joe tell me immediately where is it you'll never see it again again said Amy why not asked Joe I burnt it said Amy you didn't let me come to the theater yesterday so I threw your Book of Stories on the fire Joe was very angry she held Amy's arms and shouted at her you bad bad girl Joe shouted I wrote those stories for father now they are gone forever suddenly

Amy was sorry she started to cry please forgive me Joe Amy said I'm very very sorry tears fell from her eyes I'll never forgive you said Joe never Joe did not speak to Amy again that day she was very angry and upset the next day the weather was very cold there was a river near the March's house the river had Frozen it was Ice Lori came to the March's house he was carrying a pair of ice skates let's go to the river Joe he said we'll skate on the ice all right replied Joe she went

to a cupboard and she took out her ice skates Amy watched her sister after a few minutes Joe and Lori left the house I want to skate too too Amy said to Meg take your ice skates and run after Joe said Meg Joe will enjoy herself she will soon be happy ask her to be your friend again that is a good idea said Amy she ran after Joe and Lori the river was not far away soon she saw Joe and Lori skating on the ice the ice was very thin in the middle of the river

Joe heard Lor 's words but Amy did not hear Lori she skated to the middle of the river suddenly there was a loud crack the Ice broke Amy was in the Water Joe was terribly afraid but she followed Lori they pulled Amy from the river Amy was not hurt but she was very cold and frightened Joe and Lori took Amy home Mrs March carried Amy upstairs to her bedroom she took off the little girl's wet clothes and she wrapped her in a blanket then she carried her downstairs to the living room Amy fell asleep by

the warm fire will Amy be all right marmy asked Joe Yes dear replied her mother Amy was in trouble but she will be all right now she isn't hurt Joe started to cry I was angry with Amy said Joe she burnt my book of stories but now I am very sorry sometimes I become angry too quickly what shall I do marmy please help me don't cry Joe said Mrs March remember this day you won't become angry again I will remember said Joe at that moment Amy opened her eyes and she smiled she held out her

arms towards Joe the two sisters did not speak but they kissed and they put their arms around each other they were friends again winter soon passed spring came and then summer Mrs March and her daughters were happy but they all wanted to see Mr March again soon chapter six Meg loses a glove Meg the eldest March sister was a very pretty girl her friends often invited her to parties Meg enjoyed the parties but sometimes she was sad she was sad because her family was poor Meg's friends lived in fine houses they had beautiful clothes but

Meg did not have beautiful clothes and lovely things one day in July Meg was at a friend's house she heard a conversation two women were talking her friend's mother and another woman they were talking about Meg Meg March is a kind and lovely girl said one woman but her family is poor the marches live near the Lawrence's said the other woman the lawrences are very rich does Mrs March have marriage plans for her daughters will one of them marry Mr Lawrence's grandson Meg heard these words and she was very upset I like Lori very much

she thought but I do not want to marry him we don't think about Lorie's money he is our best friend Meg went home she spoke to her mother marmy do you have marriage plans for for us she asked marriage plans said Mrs March Meg told her mother all about the women's conversation Mrs March was very angry those women are very foolish she said my daughters are beautiful and good and happy they will marry good husbands but good men are not always rich men Mrs March said love is more important than money don't marry a rich

man without love Meg marry a poor man with love then you will be happy you're right marmy Meg said I'll always remember your words the next day a letter arrived for Joe Joe read the letter to her sisters a picnic that will be exciting said Amy please marmy we want to go on the picnic very well go on the picnic said Mrs March you will have a good time the next day was warm and sunny Lori and his new friends walked to the river the March girls met them there they all brought baskets of food

they put the baskets into the two small boats the March sisters sat in the boats Lori and his friends rode the boats on the river then they got out and they found a good place for the picnic everybody was hungry and the food was delicious later Joe Lori Beth and Amy talked to Lor's friends and they played games Meg was reading a German book she did not understand some of the words Mr Brooke Lorie's teacher was a quiet young man he had brown eyes and a kind face he often looked at Meg but Meg did

not see him looking at her you're a very good teacher Mr Brooke said Meg thank you replied Mr Brooke I enjoy my work Lori is a very good student everybody had a good time at the picnic at last they had to go home the next day Meg was looking for her gloves I've lost a glove she said have you seen it Joe no I haven't seen it replied Joe did you lose it at the picnic I'll ask Lori later Joe said to Lori Meg has lost a glove Lori started to laugh I know where her

glove is he said where is it asked Joe I will tell you said Lori but don't tell Meg I won't tell Meg said Joe the glove is in John Brook's pocket said Lori Joe did not understand what do you mean she said why is the glove in John Brook's pocket Meg dropped her glove and John Brook found it said Lori he put the glove in his pocket he looks at it every day John is in love with Meg isn't that wonderful but Joe was angry and upset no she said it isn't wonderful it's terrible news

Mr Brooke will marry Meg he will take her away from us no I am not happy I am very unhappy chapter 7 a telegram Summer and Autumn passed it was November the weather was cold and wet one afternoon the March sisters were sitting in their living room Meg looked out of the window she watched the rain November is a terrible month she said it is cold and wet nothing ever happens our lives are very boring B Ing and we have no money Amy was painting a picture one day I'll be a famous artist she said

I'll travel to Italy I'll paint beautiful pictures then I'll sell the pictures and we will have lots of money I'm going to write books said Joe I'll be rich and famous too that is my dream what is your dream Beth I'm very happy now said Beth I shall stay at home with marmy and father Meg looked out of the window again suddenly she said there's Lori he's coming to the front door a few moments later Lori came into the room he was holding a small envelope in his hand he was worried and upset what is

it Lori said Joe is something wrong where is Mrs March said Lori I have come from the post office Lori held up the envelope this is a telegram for your mother it's from Washington he said at that moment Mrs March came into the room Lori gave her the telegram Mrs March opened it and she read it quickly then she sat down in a chair her face was white I must go to Washington said Mrs March I will go on the train tomorrow morning Joe run to the post office send a telegram to the hospital send

this reply I will come immediately Meg Beth Amy come and help me I have to pack my case the three girls started to help their mother Joe put on her hat and she went out Lori went home Mrs March went to her desk in the living room she opened a drawer there was some money in the drawer she looked at the money there was not very much I have to buy a train ticket she thought will the girls have enough money for food a few minutes later there was a knock on the front door Meg

opened the door old Mr Lawrence and Mr Brook Lor's teacher were standing outside Lori told us the bad news about your father said Mr Lawrence I'm very sorry will your mother go to Washington yes said Meg she will go to Washington tomorrow morning she must not go alone said Mr Lawrence a friend must go with her I'm an old man I am not strong I can't go with her but John Brooke is a young man he can go to Washington with your mother Mr Brooke looked at Meg and he smiled his face was very kind

don't worry about your mother he said I'll take care of her Meg was very pleased thank you very very much she said soon everything was ready for Mrs March's Journey evening came but Joe had not returned Mrs March was worried where is Joe she said it's very late at last Joe came home she walked into the kitchen and she put some money on the table this money is for your journey marmy she said Mrs March looked at the money then she looked at Joe she was very surprised 2 $5 she said Joe where did you

get this money Joe did not answer she took off her hat everybody looked at her Joe's hair was very short your hair your beautiful red hair said Meg oh Joe what have you done many women want long red hair said Joe I went to the barber shop the barber cup my hair then I sold him my hair he gave me $25 for it I wanted to help Mar me and father tears fell from Mrs March's eyes Joe you are good and kind she said that night Megan Joe could not sleep Joe was thinking about her

hair Meg was thinking about Mr Brooke both girls were worrying about their father the next morning Mr Lawrence's Carriage came to the March's house Mr Brooke was sitting inside the carriage Mrs March kissed her daughters and she said goodbye then she got into the carriage the sun Shone on the sad faces of the March sisters goodbye dear marmy they said goodbye chapter 8 Beth is ill Mrs March was in Washington the Four Sisters worked very hard they did the housework every day they were worried about their father and mother but the girls were very kind

to each other and they wrote to their mother every day soon a letter arrived from Mrs March the girls were happy and soon Meg Joe and Amy forgot about the housework Beth did not forget she did her own work and she did her sister's work too one afternoon Beth Meg and Joe were talking Amy was not at home Meg said Beth please will you visit the Hummel family marmy often visits them marmy is not here we must visit the Hummels I'm sorry Beth I'm very tired today said Meg Joe must go to the Hummel's house

I can't go said Joe I'm going to meet Lori I can't visit the Hummels today you must go yourself Beth I visited the Hummels every day this week said Beth the baby is ill and I am very worried oh said Meg Amy will come home soon then she must visit the Hummels an hour passed but Amy did not come home Meg and Joe went upstairs Meg looked at a new dress Joe wrote a story they forgot about the Hummel Beth waited at last she put on her coat she put some food in a basket and

she went out Meg and Joe did not see her leaving later Beth returned she did not speak to anybody she went upstairs to her mother's bedroom and she shut the door an hour later Joe found Beth Beth was sitting on her mother's bed her face was white and she was crying she was holding a bottle of medicine what is wrong Joe asked oh Joe the baby is dead said Beth which baby asked Joe the Hummel baby replied Beth I went to the hml's house this afternoon the baby was very ill Mrs hmel went to get

the doctor I held the baby in my arms but it died oh Beth that is terrible said Joe what happened next Mrs hmel came back with the doctor said Beth the doctor looked at the baby he said this baby had scarlet fever scarlet fever said Joe yes Beth said the doctor gave me this medicine he said go home immediately drink some of this and now I have a headache and I'm very hot suddenly Joe was afraid has Beth got scarlet fever she thought it is a very dangerous illness don't worry Beth Joe said I'll tell

Meg we will get Mary's doctor Meg was very worried Beth went to the Hummel's house every day she said to Joe we must get Dr bangs immediately Dr bangs came and he looked at Beth then the doctor spoke to Meg and Joe Beth has Scarlet fever he said who will take care of her we will said Meg Joe and I have had scarlet fever we are safe has Amy had scarlet fever asked Dr bangs Amy hasn't had the fever replied Meg she will not be safe here she must stay with Father's aunt aunt March good

said Dr bangs take care of Beth I'll come again tomorrow the doctor left the house Joe spoke to Meg we must write to marmy she said we must tell her about Beth no said Meg marmy is taking care of Father she can't come home now marmy must stay in Washington we must not tell her about Beth Joe started to cry Washington is many miles away she said we were wrong Meg we didn't visit the Hummels Beth went there every day and now she has scarlet fever oh Meg what are we going to do Meg put

her arms around Joe don't cry Joe she said Beth has scarlet fever but she will get better soon now we must take care of her the next next day Amy went to Aunt March's house Meg and Joe took care of Beth chapter n news from Washington Beth was very ill the days passed and she did not get better Beth could not eat she slept for many hours sometimes she was awake but she could not remember things sometimes she called Joe Meg sometimes she called Meg Joe Beth said her mother's name again and again Joe and

Meg were worried and Afraid One morning the two girls were talking let's send a telegram to marmy said Joe let's tell her about Beth now then she will come home all right said Meg she sat down and she wrote the words for a telegram I'll take this to the post office this afternoon said Meg but that afternoon a letter arrived from Mrs March there was bad news in the letter Mr March was very ill again Meg and Joe read the letter they looked at each other we must not send the telegram to Mary said Meg

Beth is ill but father is ill too marmy must stay with him she can't come home now a week later it was the first day of December the weather was very cold the wind blew all day and snow fell in the morning Dr bangs visited the house he looked at Beth for a long time then he spoke to Meg and Joe Beth is very very ill he said your mother must have come home immediately I will come back tonight Meg said Joe we must send the telegram to Mary Joe put on her coat and hat

and she ran outside Lori was walking towards the house he was holding a letter in his hand he was very happy and excited I have good news he said this letter is from John Brooke your father is getting better now but what's wrong Joe where are you going I'm going to send a telegram to marmy replied Joe Dr bangs visited Beth she is very very ill Joe started to cry Lori held Joe's hand dear Joe he said grandfather and I will always help you please remember that yes said Joe you are our good friends thank

you very much I must tell you something said Lori last week grandfather and I were talking about Beth we were very worried about her we sent a telegram to your mother we told her about Beth's illness today I received this letter from John Brooke your mother will be here early tomorrow morning then everything will be all right Joe was happy again she stopped crying Lori she said you're a wonderful friend thank you Joe ran inside the house she told Meg the good news Meg was very happy too the afternoon passed slowly Beth lay in her

bed her eyes were closed she did not eat or speak sometimes she drank some water Meg and Joe Sat by her bed the wind blew and the snow fell at last night came Meg and Joe watched Beth they waited for Mrs March and they waited for Dr bangs old Mr Lawrence and Lori waited too they sat downstairs in the living room they they sat by the fire the hours passed at 2:00 in the morning Joe went to the window she looked out at the Garden there was thick snow everywhere the world is sad and lonely

tonight she thought suddenly she heard a noise she turned round Meg was crying Beth has died thought Joe Beth has died and Meg cannot tell me she went to the bed and looked down at Beth Beth was quiet her eyes were closed then the door opened and Dr bangs came into the room Beth is dead Joe said quietly Dr bangs looked at Beth he held her hands then he smiled no he said Beth isn't dead she's sleeping she's going to be all right there is no more danger Meg and Joe put their arms around each

other and they cried they were very very happy soon it was morning the sisters heard the sound of a carriage in the street then Lori called from the living room girls girls your mother is here Mrs March had come home chapter 10 the best Christmas present Amy was unhappy at Aunt March's house she wanted to see her family Aunt March was an old lady she did not like young girls sometimes she was angry with Amy every evening Amy had to read to Aunt March but she did not like Aunt March's book books they were not

very interesting one evening Aunt March spoke to Amy I have had a letter from your mother she said she has come home she will take you home tomorrow Amy was very happy soon the four sisters were together again and every day Beth was stronger one day A letter came from Washington it was from John Brooke Mrs March read the letter girls girls I have wonderful news she said Mr Brooke is going to bring father home it was a week before Christmas the March sisters were very busy and excited they made Christmas presents and they cooked

delicious food for Christmas day in the evening Joe spoke to her mother marmy she said I must tell you something John Brooke loves Meg in the summer Meg lost a glove John Brooke found it and he put it in his pocket isn't that terrible marmy why is it terrible asked Mrs March John Brook will marry Meg replied Joe he'll take her away from us listen Joe said Mrs March John Brook is a good young man he was very kind and helpful in Washington John Brook must not marry Meg Joe said Meg must not marry a

poor man money is not important Reed Mrs March John is good and kind he loves Meg very much but Meg is Young she is only 17 they must wait please don't be sad Joe Mrs March said one day you will leave this house too you will meet a good man and you will marry him no mother cried Joe I'll never marry anybody I want to be a famous writer at last it was Christmas day everybody had some presents everybody was happy in the afternoon Lori and old Mr Lawrence came came to the March's house they

brought presents everybody talked and everybody laughed then somebody knocked at the front door Lori went to the door a moment later he came back into the living room he was very excited here is another Christmas present for the March family he said a tall man was standing behind Lori everybody looked looked at the man for a moment they did not speak then the girls shouted together father all the sisters ran to their father they put their arms around him everybody was talking and crying this is the best Christmas present said Amy then another man came

into the room it was John Brooke Meg ran to towards him I'm very happy to see you John she said thank you you have brought father home to us later everybody ate Christmas dinner then the lawrences and John Brook went home the March family Sat by the fire Mr March looked at the faces of his four happy daughters my dears he said this year has been very long and difficult you you had to work very hard I left home and you were girls now you have grown up you are four fine women chapter 11 a

happy ending the marches were together again every day Mr March and Beth were stronger Lori and old Mr Lawrence often visited the marches but John Brook did not come with them Meg was sad she wanted to see Jon very much I don't understand she thought why doesn't Jon visit us one afternoon Meg and Joe were talking Joe saw an umbrella by the front door whose umbrella is that she asked I've never seen it before it's John Brook's umbrella replied Meg he left it here on Christmas day he has forgotten it Meg said Joe do you

like John Brook do you love him are you going to marry him no no Meg said I'm too young for marriage please don't ask me these questions Joe then you don't love him said Joe oh I don't know said Meg Joe looked out of the window Meg John Brook is outside now she said he is coming to the front door you don't love him Meg he must go away please tell him Meg ran to the stairs she wanted to hide in her bedroom but it was too late John Brook came into the house good afternoon

John said do you have my umbrella I left it here he smiled then he said how is your father he's very well thank you said Joe we'll bring him Joe went upstairs and Meg started to follow but John Brook stopped her please don't go Meg he said I must say something to you oh said Meg let's talk in the living room John and Meg went into the living room Meg sat down and John Brook sat beside her he held her hand and dearest Meg he said I love you I am poor but I can work

hard I can make a good home for you please Meg will you be my wife at first Meg did not speak then she said I don't know John please Meg said John Brook will you marry me suddenly the door opened and Aunt March came into the room Meg and John were very surprised Aunt March was surprised too good afternoon Meg she said where is your father then she looked at John Brooke who is this young man Aunt March this is John Brook Meg said John is father's friend John Brook said Aunt March why are you

here young man what are you talking about out Aunt March said Meg quietly John Brook wants to marry me Aunt March looked angrily at John Brooke then she said young man Mrs March has spoken about you you are poor you have no money Meg must marry a man with money Meg was very angry Aunt March she said johon is poor but he is a good man and I love him John Brook smiled and his eyes were bright dearest Meg he said do you love me will you marry me yes I will said Meg Meg said

Aunt March you are a very foolish girl you will never get any money from me goodbye she turned around and went quickly out of the room Meg and John told the March family their good news it's wonderful news said Mr and Mrs March congratulations congratulations said Amy and Beth together Joe said nothing she was not happy later Lori and Mr Lawrence came to the house they congratulated Meg and John but Lori looked at Joe's face what's wrong Joe asked Lori aren't you happy no said Joe Meg is my dear sister and my dear friend now

John Brooke will take her away Joe said Lori you love Meg she is your sister but Jon loves her too Meg will be happy with Jon and Joe I'll always be your friend that's true said Joe thank you Lori Joe looked around the room she looked at her family Mr and Mrs March were talking together Amy was sitting on the floor near Meg and John Beth was talking to old Mr Lawrence suddenly Joe was not sad anymore she turned to Lori you are right Lori she said one day Meg will marry John but she will

will always be my sister we will always love each other that's right Joe said Lori Joe went over to Meg she held Meg's hands and she kissed her face congratulations dearest Meg she said I am very happy for you and congratulations John you are our brother now Welcome to our family