Christmas won'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 don'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.

Nothing remained but loneliness and grief.

...and clung more closely to the dear human love, from which our Father never means us to be weaned, but through which He draws us closer to Himself.

The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely.

Girls could do most things as well as boys, and some things better.

Watch and pray, dear, never get tired of trying, and never think it is impossible to conquer your fault.

But buds will be roses, and kittens, cats - more's the pity.