and Mrs. Jo 's eyes grew absent , as if she was looking at a new and charming state of society in which people lived as happily and innocently as her flock at Plumfield . `` You are doing your best to help on the good time , my dear . Continue to believe in it , to work for it , and to prove its possibility by the success of her small experiment , '' said Mr. March , pausing as he passed to say an encouraging word , for the good man never lost his faith in humanity , and still hoped to see peace , good-will , and happiness reign upon the earth . `` I am not so ambitious as that , father . I only want to give these children a home in which they can be taught a few simple things which will help to make life less hard to them when they go out to fight their battles in the world . Honesty , courage , industry , faith in God , their fellow-creatures , and themselves ; that is all I try for . '' `` That is every thing . Give them these helps , then let them go to work out their life as men and women ; and whatever their success or failure is , I think they will remember and bless your efforts , my good son and daughter . '' The Professor had joined them , and as Mr. March spoke he gave a hand to each , and left them with a look that was a blessing . As Jo and her husband stood together for a moment talking quietly , and feeling that their summer work had been well done if father approved , Mr. Laurie slipped into the hall , said a word to the children , and all of a sudden the whole flock pranced into the room , joined hands and danced about Father and Mother Bhaer , singing blithely , `` Summer days are over , Summer work is done ; Harvests have been gathered Gayly one by one . Now the feast is eaten , Finished is the play ; But one rite remains for Our Thanksgiving-day . `` Best of all the harvest In the dear God 's sight , Are the happy children In the home to-night ; And we come to offer Thanks where thanks are due , With grateful hearts and voices , Father , mother , unto you . '' With the last words the circle narrowed till the good Professor and his wife were taken prisoner by many arms , and half hidden by the bouquet of laughing young faces which surrounded them , proving that one plant had taken root and blossomed beautifully in all the little gardens . CHAPTER ONE PLAYING PILGRIMS `` Christmas wo n't be Christmas without any presents , '' grumbled Jo , lying on the rug . `` It 's so dreadful to be poor ! '' sighed Meg , looking down at her old dress . `` I do n't think it 's fair for some girls to have plenty of pretty 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 have n't got Father , and shall not have him for a long time . '' She did n't say `` perhaps never , '' but each silently added it , thinking of Father far away , where the fighting was .
Nobody spoke for a minute ; then XXXXX 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 .
Amy Beth Bhaer Gayly Jo Laurie Meg Thanksgiving-day left to-night