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.

The young people were playing that still more absorbing game in which hearts are always trumps.

…it is so much better to work for others than for one's self alone.

…Jo loved a few persons very dearly and dreaded to have their affection lost or lessened in any way.

Liberty is a better husband than love to many of us.

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

Now I'm beginning to live a little and feel less like a sick oyster at low tide.