I wish we could wash from our hearts and souls The stains of the week away , And let water and air by their magic make Ourselves as pure as they . Then on the earth there would be indeed , A glorious washing day ! Along the path of a useful life , Will heart 's - ease ever bloom . The busy mind has no time to think Of sorrow or care or gloom . And anxious thoughts may be swept away , As we bravely wield a broom . I am glad a task to me is given , To labor at day by day , For it brings me health and strength and hope , And I cheerfully learn to say , `` Head , you may think , Heart , you may feel , But , Hand , you shall work alway ! '' Dear Mother , There is only room for me to send my love , and some pressed pansies from the root I have been keeping safe in the house for Father to see . I read every morning , try to be good all day , and sing myself to sleep with Father 's tune . I ca n't sing ` LAND OF THE LEAL ' now , it makes me cry . Everyone is very kind , and we are as happy as we can be without you . Amy wants the rest of the page , so I must stop . I did n't forget to cover the holders , and I wind the clock and air the rooms every day . Kiss dear Father on the cheek he calls mine . Oh , do come soon to your loving ... LITTLE BETH Ma Chere Mamma , We are all well I do my lessons always and never corroberate the girls -- Meg says I mean contradick so I put in both words and you can take the properest . Meg is a great comfort to me and lets me have jelly every night at tea its so good for me Jo says because it keeps me sweet tempered . Laurie is not as respeckful as he ought to be now I am almost in my teens , he calls me Chick and hurts my feelings by talking French to me very fast when I say Merci or Bon jour as Hattie King does . The sleeves of my blue dress were all worn out , and Meg put in new ones , but the full front came wrong and they are more blue than the dress . I felt bad but did not fret I bear my troubles well but I do wish Hannah would put more starch in my aprons and have buckwheats every day . Ca n't she ? Did n't I make that interrigation point nice ?
XXXXX says my punchtuation and spelling are disgraceful and I am mortyfied but dear me I have so many things to do , I ca n't stop .
Amy LEAL Laurie Mamma Meg Merci Mother contradick night respeckful