Маленькі жінки

           Marchwrotethatheshouldsoonbewiththem,thenBethfeltuncommonlywellthatmorning,and,beingdressedinhermother’sgift,asoftcrimsonmerinowrapper,wasborneinhightriumphtothewindowtobeholdtheofferingofJoandLaurie.TheUnquenchableshaddonetheirbesttobeworthyofthename,forlikeelvestheyhadworkedbynightandconjuredupacomicalsurprise.Outinthegardenstoodastatelysnowmaiden,crownedwithholly,bearingabasketoffruitandflowersinonehand,agreatrollofmusicintheother,aperfectrainbowofanAfghanroundherchillyshoulders,andaChristmascarolissuingfromherlipsonapinkpaperstreamer.

           TheJungfrautoBeth

           Godblessyou,dearQueenBess!

           Maynothingyoudismay,

           Buthealthandpeaceandhappiness

           Beyours,thisChristmasday.

           Here’sfruittofeedourbusybee,

           Andflowersforhernose.

           Here’smusicforherpianee,

           Anafghanforhertoes,

           AportraitofJoanna,see,

           ByRaphaelNo.2,

           Wholabouredwithgreatindustry

           Tomakeitfairandtrue.

           Acceptaribbonred,Ibeg,

           ForMadamPurrer’stail,

           AndicecreammadebylovelyPeg,

           AMontBlancinapail.

           Theirdearestlovemymakerslaid

           Withinmybreastofsnow.

           Acceptit,andtheAlpinemaid,

           FromLaurieandfromJo.

           HowBethlaughedwhenshesawit,howLaurieranupanddowntobringinthegifts,andwhatridiculousspeechesJomadeasshepresentedthem.