LITTLE WOMEN JO My sisters and I remembered that winter as our childhood's coldest.

A temporary poverty had hit our family some years before. The war made fuel and lamp oil scarce. But necessity is indeed the mother of invention. Somehow in that dark time, the March family created its own light. Marmee! Marmee's home! Marmee! Marmee We've expectorated you for hours! "Expected", featherhead ! Marmee, you're frozen.

BETH All AMY JO MEG

MARMEE So many people at Hope House! BETH You finished the bundles?

MARMEE So many this year! We handed out . . . How's your cold? BETH Better

MARMEE We gave them out as fast as we made them. Now, Miss Amy, what's in my pocket? AMY Father! My Dearest family, I am well and safe." "Our battalion is encamped on the Potomac."

MARMEE "December is cold for us, so far from home." "I think of my girls day and night and find my best comforts in your affection ." "I pray your own hardships may not be too great. Give them my love." "Tell them I think of them by day, pray for them by night." AMY I'm a selfish girl.

MARMEE It's Christmas Eve. Father wouldn't want us to be sad. MARMEE To bed, Miss Amy. Merry Christmas. AMY Merry Christmas.

MARMEE Merry Christmas Meg. MEG MARMEE BETH MARMEE JO Merry Christmas Merry Christmas. I love you. My Jo . . . Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Marmee.

MARMEE Don't sit up too late. JO JO I won't. Late at night, my mind came alive with voices and friends as dear to me as my real ones. I gave myself up to it, longing for transformation. Jo, don't eat much at supper, and don't shake hands . . . Your dress!

MEG

JO MEG AMY JO MEG AMY

Oh..I know You stand too close to the fire. Just keep your back to the wall. Oh look! What cunning little heels! They're rather small. It's only one night. Will anyone notice they're from the rag bag? You have to have heels. What's that strange smell? Like burnt feathers . . . Heavens above! - You've ruined me! I'm sorry! You shouldn't have had me do it. I spoil everything. I can't go out like this. Good. I'm not going either. We'll place my bow in front. Yes, that covers it. I'll never have suitors. I'll be an old spinster. You don't need scores of suitors, you only need one. If he's the right

MEG JO MEG JO AMY BETH MEG AMY one.

GRANDMA Listen to the child ! BETH Meg won't be married right away.

MEG BETH

With Jo's help, I never will. Jo, Tell me what happens next. After the duke renounces his fortune and saves Lady Zara . . .

JO BETH JO

I don't know. It's all murder. The damsel's in distress. I love your damsels in distress. Beth, truly, I don't know if I could ever be good like Marmee. I rather crave violence. If only I could be like Father, and go to war and fight injustice. So Marmee does, in her own way. Yes . . . I want to do something different. I don't know what, I'm on the watch.

BETH JO JO

BETH You'll find it, Jo. AMY I want to go to the theatre! I never get to go anywhere JO AMY MEG JO AMY JO No. No. Where are the opera glasses? You're just hogging Laurie. Please, can't I go? Laurie only reserved four seats. Do I look shabby? It's not a coronation, just Laurie and that awful Mr. Brooke. Ask him for another ticket. -

JO

You've a cold. Rest your eyes. -

BETH We'll make ginger tea. JO You're weeks behind in algebra. I won't have an ignorant sister. Don't sulk, you look like a pigeon.

AMY You'll be sorry for this, Jo March! MEG That was rude. JO You plastered yourself on him.

MEG It's proper to take a man's arm. MARMEE How was the theatre? JO It was wonderful. I was absolutely inspired by the love scene. You look flushed. Was the theatre overcrowded?

MARMEE JO

Still sulking? Where did I put my manuscript?

AMY I didn't do it! JO I'm going to kill you !

MARMEE Jehosephat! JO How could you do this to me?

MARMEE Jo, stop it! You're hurting her. MARMEE Let her go. What's happened? -

JO

I hate you !

MARMEE Don't touch it, just let it go. JO You're dead ! You're nothing ! I never want to see you again !

MARMEE It's a great loss. You have every right to be put out. But don't let the sun go down on your anger. Forgive each other. MARMEE JO AMY JO JO Begin again tomorrow. I'll never forgive her. I'm sorry, Jo. Meg! Meg! you won't believe it! Meg, I sold "The Lost Duke of GIoucester"! Five whole dollars!

JO I'm an author . . . Beth? BETH The Hummel baby is sick. BETH I feel so strange. MEG She's hot, but she feels cold. She's thirsty, but won't drink. JO Arsenic? Belladonna? -

GRANDMA I saw the Hummels.

GRANDMA had it.

Two children are dead from scarlet fever. You and Miss Jo have But, Miss Amy . . . We must send you away.

MARMEE

Jo! Cricket, Marmee's here. Icy cold ! Jo, fetch a basin of vinegar, water, and some rags. Meg, my kit. We'll draw the fever down from her head.

JO

Beth . . .

AMY Jo, Are you ill? BETH She has refused Laurie. AMY I'm sure she can take it back. It's just a misunderstanding. JO JO Listen to him . . . I must get away. -

AMY Of course. AMY Aunt March is going to France. JO France! That's ideal !

AMY Jo, Aunt March asked me to go. JO JO JO To Europe? My Europe. When? -

AMY It was decided just today. AMY I am her companion now. She wishes me to study painting abroad and hope I might make a good match there. But perhaps she wouldn't mind if you stayed at Plumfield AMY while we're gone. JO Of course Aunt March prefers Amy. I'm ugly and I say the wrong things. I fly around throwing away good marriage proposals. I love our home, but I'm so fitful. I can't stand being here. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Marmee. There's something wrong with me. I want to change, but I can't, and I . . . I just know I'll never fit in anywhere.

MARMEE Jo, you have so many extraordinary gifts. How can you expect to lead an ordinary life? You're ready to go out and find a good use for your talents. Although I don't know what I'll do without my Jo. Go . . . and embrace your liberty. And see what wonderful things come of it.