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Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Part 1

Chapter 1

Playing Pilgrims

Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents, Grumbled Joe lying on the rug.

It's so dreadful to be poor, side-meg, looking down at her old dress.

I don't think it's fair for some girls to have plenty of pretty things,

and other girls nothing at all, added little Amy, with an injured sniff.

We've got father and mother in each other, said Beth, contentedly, from her corner.

The four young faces on which the firelight shone, brightened at the cheerful words,

but darkened again, as Joe said sadly,

We haven't got father, and shall not have him for a long time.

She didn't say, perhaps never, but each silently added it,

thinking a father far away, where the fighting was.

Nobody spoke for a minute. Then Meg said in an altered tone,

You know the reason mother proposed not having any presents this Christmas,

was because it was going to be a hard winter for everyone,

and she thinks we ought not to spend money for pleasure,

...