CHAPTER ONE 

PLAYING PILGRIMS 

"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 four young faces on which the firelight shone brightened at the cheerful words, but darkened again as Jo said sadly, "We haven't got Father, and shall not have him for a long time." She didn't say "perhaps never," but each silently added it, thinking of Father far away, where the fighting was. 

Nobody spoke for a minute; then Meg said in an altered tone, "You know the reason Mother proposed not having any presents this Christmas was because it is going to be a hard winter for everyone; and she thinks we ought not to spend money for pleasure, when our men are suffering so in the army. We can't do much, but we can make our little sacrifices, and ought to do it gladly. But I am afraid I don't," and Meg shook her head, as she thought regretfully of all the pretty things she wanted. 

"But I don't think the little we should spend would do any good. We've each got a dollar, and the army wouldn't be much helped by our giving that. I agree not to expect anything from Mother or you, but I do want to buy _Undine and Sintran_ for myself. I've wanted it so long," said Jo, who was a bookworm. 
What holiday are they discussing?
What might they have to give up that holiday?
Which sister is wearing a dress that is not new?
what does she not like being?
who is lying on the floor?
Who suggested they not buy each other gifts that year?
what is one of her reasons for suggesting this?
does she agree with spending money for nice things?
for what reason?
do they know anyone who is serving in the military?
who is that?
is he nearby?
which sister feels insulted some girls have lots of nice things?
how much money does each girl have?
what does Jo want to purchase with it?
does she like to read?
does she think her money would help the military?
is Meg happy to sacrifice this holiday?
what does she think upon with regret?
are the girls afraid their dad might not come home from the war?
Christmas
Christmas
presents
presents
Meg
Meg
poor
 poor
Jo
 Jo
Mother
 Mother
it is going to be a hard winter
it is going to be a hard winter 
no
not to spend money for pleasure,
men are suffering so in the army
men are suffering so in the army
yes
 Father
their Father
 Father
no
far away, where the fighting was. 
Amy,
Amy,
a dollar,
a dollar,
Undine and Sintran
Undine and Sintran
yes
 bookworm
no
army wouldn't be much helped
not really although she believes they should
to do it gladly.
all the pretty things she wanted.
all the pretty things she wanted. 

yes, but not aloud
She didn't say "perhaps never,