`` Look under your pillows Christmas morning , and you will find your guidebook , '' replied Mrs. March . They talked over the new plan while old Hannah cleared the table , then out came the four little work baskets , and the needles flew as the girls made sheets for Aunt March . It was uninteresting sewing , but tonight no one grumbled . They adopted Jo 's plan of dividing the long seams into four parts , and calling the quarters Europe , Asia , Africa , and America , and in that way got on capitally , especially when they talked about the different countries as they stitched their way through them . At nine they stopped work , and sang , as usual , before they went to bed . No one but Beth could get much music out of the old piano , but she had a way of softly touching the yellow keys and making a pleasant accompaniment to the simple songs they sang . Meg had a voice like a flute , and she and her mother led the little choir . Amy chirped like a cricket , and Jo wandered through the airs at her own sweet will , always coming out at the wrong place with a croak or a quaver that spoiled the most pensive tune . They had always done this from the time they could lisp ... Crinkle , crinkle , ` ittle ` tar , and it had become a household custom , for the mother was a born singer . The first sound in the morning was her voice as she went about the house singing like a lark , and the last sound at night was the same cheery sound , for the girls never grew too old for that familiar lullaby . CHAPTER TWO A MERRY CHRISTMAS Jo was the first to wake in the gray dawn of Christmas morning . No stockings hung at the fireplace , and for a moment she felt as much disappointed as she did long ago , when her little sock fell down because it was crammed so full of goodies . Then she remembered her mother 's promise and , slipping her hand under her pillow , drew out a little crimson-covered book . She knew it very well , for it was that beautiful old story of the best life ever lived , and Jo felt that it was a true guidebook for any pilgrim going on a long journey . She woke Meg with a `` Merry Christmas , '' and bade her see what was under her pillow . A green-covered book appeared , with the same picture inside , and a few words written by their mother , which made their one present very precious in their eyes . Presently Beth and Amy woke to rummage and find their little books also , one dove-colored , the other blue , and all sat looking at and talking about them , while the east grew rosy with the coming day . In spite of her small vanities , Margaret had a sweet and pious nature , which unconsciously influenced her sisters , especially Jo , who loved her very tenderly , and obeyed her because her advice was so gently given . `` Girls , '' said Meg seriously , looking from the tumbled head beside her to the two little night-capped ones in the room beyond , `` Mother wants us to read and love and mind these books , and we must begin at once . We used to be faithful about it , but since Father went away and all this war trouble unsettled us , we have neglected many things .
You can do as you please , but I shall keep my book on the table here and read a little every XXXXX as soon as I wake , for I know it will do me good and help me through the day . ''
America Amy Asia Beth Europe Jo crinkle first morning war