14 Happier days(3)

　　There never was a Christmas dinner like the one they had that day． Mr Laurence and his grandson ate with them， and so did Mr Brooke．Jo gave the tutor many black looks and would not speak to him， which amused Laurie．
　　The guests left early and the happy family sat together around the fire．
　　'A year ago we were complaining about the awful Christmas we expected to have，do you remember？'said Jo．
　　'It's been quite a good year，'said Meg， thinking about Mr Brooke．
　　'I think it's been a hard one，'said Amy．
　　'I'm glad it's over， because we've got Father back，'whispered Beth，who was sitting on his knee．
　　'I've discovered several things about you young ladies today，'said Mr March．
　　'Oh，tell us what they are！'cried Meg．
'Here's one，'he said， taking her hand． It had a small burn on the back and two or three little hard places on the front．

往年的圣诞节晚餐从来都没有像他们那天吃过的那样。劳伦斯先生和他的孙子同他们一起吃的饭，布鲁克先生也去了。琼给了这位家庭教师许多的白眼，不肯跟他讲话，这让罗瑞觉得很有意思。
　　客人们很早就离开了，快乐的一家围坐在炉火边。
　　“一年以前我们曾抱怨我们将要度过的那个糟糕的圣诞节，你们还记得吗？”琼说。
　　“这一年真好，”麦格说道，心里想着布鲁克先生。
　　“我觉得这一年过得很艰辛，”艾米说。
　　“我很高兴它终于结束了，因为父亲回来了，”贝斯轻声说，她坐在他的膝头。
　　“今天我发现了你们这些年轻姑娘的一些事。”马奇先生说。
　　“噢，告诉我们是什么？”麦格喊道。
　　“这儿有一个，”他说，说着拿起她的手。那手背上有一小块烫痕，手心上有两三块硬块。