Part 1
They all drew to the fire, mother in the big chair, with Beth at her feet; Meg and Amy perched on either arm of the chair, and Jo leaning on the back.—Page 12.
LITTLE WOMEN
OR,
MEG, JO, BETH AND AMY
BY LOUISA M. ALCOTT
ILLUSTRATED BY MAY ALCOTT
BOSTON
ROBERTS BROTHERS
1869
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by
LOUISA M. ALCOTT,
In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.
Stereotyped by Innes & Regan,
55 Water Street, Boston
Presswork by John Wilson and Son.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Playing Pilgrims
7
CHAPTER II.
A Merry Christmas
23
CHAPTER III.
The Laurence Boy
39
CHAPTER IV.
Burdens
54
CHAPTER V.
Being Neighborly
71
CHAPTER VI.
Beth finds the Palace Beautiful
88
CHAPTER VII.
Amy's Valley of Humiliation
98
CHAPTER VIII.
Jo meets Apollyon
108
CHAPTER IX.
Meg goes to Vanity Fair
124
CHAPTER X.
The P. C. and P. O.
147
CHAPTER XI.
Experiments
158
CHAPTER XII.
Camp Laurence
174
CHAPTER XIII.
Castles in the Air
202
CHAPTER XIV.
Secrets
216
CHAPTER XV.
A Telegram
230
CHAPTER XVI.
Letters
242
CHAPTER XVII.
Little Faithful
254
CHAPTER XVIII.
Dark Days
265
CHAPTER XIX.
Amy's Will
277
CHAPTER XX.
Confidential
289
CHAPTER XXI.
Laurie makes Mischief, and Jo makes Peace
299
CHAPTER XXII.
Pleasant Meadows
316
CHAPTER XXIII.
Aunt March settles the Question
326
PREFACE.
"Go then, my little Book, and show to all
That entertain, and bid thee welcome shall,
What thou dost keep close shut up in thy breast;
And wish what thou dost show them may be blest
To them for good, may make them choose to be
Pilgrims better, by far, than thee or me.
Tell them of Mercy; she is one
Who early hath her pilgrimage begun.
Yea, let young damsels learn of her to prize
The world which is to come, and so be wise;
For little tripping maids may follow God
Along the ways which saintly feet have trod."
ADAPTED FROM JOHN BUNYAN.