Well , we have tried not to waste our holiday , but each has had a task and worked at it with a will . The vacation is nearly over , the stints are all done , and we are ever so glad that we did n't dawdle . '' `` Yes , I should think so , '' and Laurie thought regretfully of his own idle days . `` Mother likes to have us out-of-doors as much as possible , so we bring our work here and have nice times . For the fun of it we bring our things in these bags , wear the old hats , use poles to climb the hill , and play pilgrims , as we used to do years ago . We call this hill the Delectable Mountain , for we can look far away and see the country where we hope to live some time . '' Jo pointed , and Laurie sat up to examine , for through an opening in the wood one could look cross the wide , blue river , the meadows on the other side , far over the outskirts of the great city , to the green hills that rose to meet the sky . The sun was low , and the heavens glowed with the splendor of an autumn sunset . Gold and purple clouds lay on the hilltops , and rising high into the ruddy light were silvery white peaks that shone like the airy spires of some Celestial City . `` How beautiful that is ! '' said Laurie softly , for he was quick to see and feel beauty of any kind . `` It 's often so , and we like to watch it , for it is never the same , but always splendid , '' replied Amy , wishing she could paint it . `` Jo talks about the country where we hope to live sometime -- the real country , she means , with pigs and chickens and haymaking . It would be nice , but I wish the beautiful country up there was real , and we could ever go to it , '' said Beth musingly . `` There is a lovelier country even than that , where we shall go , by-and-by , when we are good enough , '' answered Meg with her sweetest voice . `` It seems so long to wait , so hard to do . I want to fly away at once , as those swallows fly , and go in at that splendid gate . '' `` You 'll get there , Beth , sooner or later , no fear of that , '' said Jo . `` I 'm the one that will have to fight and work , and climb and wait , and maybe never get in after all . '' `` You 'll have me for company , if that 's any comfort .
I shall have to do a deal of traveling before I come in sight of your Celestial XXXXX .
Amy City Jo Laurie Meg Mother Mountain days haymaking stints