work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and
prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it
well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few
regrets, and life become a beautiful success, in spite of poverty."

"We'll remember, mother!" and they did.

BETH was post-mistress, for, being most at home, she could
attend to it regularly, and dearly liked the daily task of unlock-
ing the little door and distributing the mail. One July day
she came in with her hands full, and went about the house leav-
ing letters and parcels, like the penny post.

"Here 's your posy, mother! Laurie never forgets that,"
she said, putting the fresh nosegay in the vase that stood in
"Marmee's corner," and was kept supplied by the affectionate
boy.

"Miss Meg March, one letter and a glove," continued Beth,
delivering the articles to her sister, who sat near her mother,
stitching wristbands.

"Why, I left a pair over there, and here is only one," said
Meg, looking at the gray cotton glove.

"Didn't you drop the other in the garden?"

"No, I 'm sure I didn't; for there was only one in the office."

"I hate to have odd gloves! Never mind, the other may be
found. My letter is only a translation of the German song I
wanted; I think Mr. Brooke did it, for that isn't Laurie's
writing."

Mrs. March glanced at Meg, who was looking very pretty in
her gingham morning-gown, with the little curls blowing about
her forehead, and very womanly, as she sat sewing at her little
work-table, full of tidy white rolls; so unconscious of the
thought in her mother's mind as she sewed and sung, while

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