《小妇人》第4期_第1章 四姐妹(4)

　　'We'll let Mother think we're getting things for ourselves，and then surprise her，'said Jo．
　　Mrs March arrived home soon after． She took off her wet things and put on her warm slippers． Meg made the tea， Jo brought wood for the fire，Beth was quiet and busy，and Amy gave orders．
　　I've got a letter from Father！'cried Mrs March．
　　It was a letter to cheer them up， and the special message for the girls came at the end： Give them all my love and a kiss．I think of them every day．I know they will be loving children to you，and that when I come back，I will be prouder than ever of my little women．
　　A tear dropped off the end of Jo's nose．
　　Amy hid her face on her momer's shoulder ．'I'm selfish，'she cried，'but I'll try to be better．'
'We all will！' cried Meg．'I think too much about the way I look， and hate to work， but I won't any more．'

“咱们让妈妈觉得咱们在给自己买东西，然后让她大吃一惊，”琼说。
　　马奇太太不久就回家了。她把湿衣服脱掉，换上暖和的拖鞋。麦格泡了茶，琼给火炉拿来了木柴，白丝一声不响地忙碌着，艾米在发号施令。
　　“我拿到了爸爸的来信！”马奇太太喊道。
　　那是一封叫大家高兴起来的信，信尾是特别写给女孩子们的：“替我向她们转达我的爱和吻。我每天都在想念她们，我知道她们会成为你的好孩子。我知道等我回家时，我会比以往任何时候都更为我的小妇人们感到骄傲。”
　　艾米将脸藏在母亲的臂弯里。“我很自私自利，”她哭泣着说，“可我会努力变得好些。”
　　“我们都会的，”麦格流着泪道。“我太注重自己的外表，憎恨工作，但我以后不会了。”