LITTLE WOMEN.

"They all drew to the fire, mother in the big chair, with Beth at her feet"

(See page 9) Frontispiece

LITTLE WOMEN

OR

Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy

BY

LOUISA M. ALCOTT

AUTHOR OF "LITTLE MEN," "AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL"
"SPINNING-WHEEL STORIES," ETC.

With more than 200 illustrations by Frank T. Merrill
and a picture of the Home of the Little Women
by Edmund H. Garrett

BOSTON
LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the years 1868 and 1869, by

LOUISA M. ALCOTT,

In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

Copyright, 1880,

By LOUISA M. ALCOTT.

Copyright, 1896,

By JOHN S. P. ALCOTT.

BOSTON

Alfred Mudge & Son Inc. Printers

"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.

Part First.

CHAPTER PAGE

• I. Playing Pilgrims 7
• II. A Merry Christmas 15
• III. The Laurence Boy 29
• IV. Burdens 43
• V. Being Neighborly 58
• VI. Beth finds the Palace Beautiful 73
• VII. Amy's Valley of Humiliation 82
• VIII. Jo meets Apollyon 91
• IX. Meg goes to Vanity Fair 104
• X. The P. C. and P. O. 124
• XI. Experiments 134
• XII. Camp Laurence 147
• XIII. Castles in the Air 172
• XIV. Secrets 184
• XV. A Telegram 195
• XVI. Letters 206
• XVII. Little Faithful 216
• XVIII. Dark Days 225
• XIX. Amy's Will 234
• XX. Confidential 246
• XXI. Laurie makes Mischief, and Jo makes Peace 254
• XXII. Pleasant Meadows 269
• XXIII. Aunt March settles the Question 277

Part Second.

• XXIV. Gossip 293
• XXV. The First Wedding