soon were surprised to see how well off they were. One dis-
covered that money could n't keep shame and sorrow out of
rich people's houses; another that, though she was poor, she
was a great deal happier, with her youth, health, and good
spirits, than a certain fretful, feeble old lady, who could n't
enjoy her comforts; a third that, disagreeable as it was to help
get dinner, it was harder still to have to go begging for it;
and the fourth, that even carnelian rings were not so valuable
as good behavior. So they agreed to stop complaining, to enjoy
the blessings already possessed, and try to deserve them, lest
they should be taken away entirely, instead of increased; and I
believe they were never disappointed, or sorry that they took
the old woman's advice."

"Now, Marmee, that is very cunning of you to turn our
own stories against us, and give us a sermon instead of a
romance!" cried Meg.

"I like that kind of sermon. It's the sort father used to
tell us," said Beth thoughtfully, putting the needles straight on
Jo's cushion.

"I don't complain near as much as the others do, and I shall
be more careful than ever now; for I've had warning from
Susie's downfall," said Amy morally.

"We needed that lesson, and we won't forget it. If we do,
you just say to us, as old Chloe did in 'Uncle Tom,' 'Tink
ob yer marcies, chillen! tink ob yer marcies!' " added Jo, who
could not, for the life of her, help getting a morsel of fun out
of the little sermon, though she took it to heart as much as any
of them.

"WHAT in the world are you going to do now, Jo?" asked
Meg, one snowy afternoon as her sister came tramping through

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