"Alcott, Louisa May - Little Women" - читать интересную книгу автора (Alcott Louisa May)

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

"We've got Father and Mother, and 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 Jo 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 of 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 is going to be a hard winter for everyone; and she thinks we
ought not to spend money for pleasure, when our men are suffering so in the
army. We can't do much, but we can make our little sacrifices, and ought to
do it gladly. But I am afraid I don't" And Meg shook her head,as she
thought regretfully of all the pretty things she wanted.

"But I don't think the little we should spend would do any good. We've
each got a dollar, and the army wouldn't be much helped by our giving that.
I agree not to expect anything from Mother or you, but I do want to buy
UNDINE AND SINTRAM for myself. I've wanted it so long," said Jo, who was a
bookworm.

"I planned to spend mine in new music," said Beth, with a little sigh,
which no one heard but the hearth brush and kettle holder.

"I shall get a nice box of Faber's drawing pencils. I really need
them," said Amy decidedly.

"Mother didn't say anything about our money, and she won't wish us to
give up everything. Let's each buy what we want, and have a little fun. I'm
sure we work hard enough to earn it," cried Jo, examining the heels of her
shoes in a gentlemanly manner.

"I know I do -- mdash; teaching those tiresome children nearly all
day, when I'm longing to enjoy myself at home," began Meg, in the
complaining tone again.

"You don't have half such a hard time as I do," said Jo. "How would
you like to be shut up for hours with a nervous, fussy old lady, who keeps
you trotting, is never satisfied, and worries you till you you're ready to
fly out the window or cry?"

"It's naughty to fret, but I do think washing dishes and keeping
things tidy is the worst work in the world. It makes me cross, and my hands
get so stiff, I can't practice well at all." And Beth looked at her rough
hands with a sigh that any one could hear that time.