The P.C. and P.O.

           Asspringcameon,anewsetofamusementsbecamethefashion,andthelengtheningdaysgavelongafternoonsforworkandplayofallsorts.Thegardenhadtobeputinorder,andeachsisterhadaquarterofthelittleplottodowhatshelikedwith.Hannahusedtosay,"I’dknowwhicheachofthemgardingsbelongedto,efIsee’eminChiny,"andsoshemight,forthegirls’tastesdifferedasmuchastheircharacters.Meg’shadrosesandheliotrope,myrtle,andalittleorangetreeinit.Jo’sbedwasneveraliketwoseasons,forshewasalwaystryingexperiments.Thisyearitwastobeaplantationofsunflowers,theseedsofwhichcheerfullandaspiringplantweretofeedAuntCockle-topandherfamilyofchicks.Bethhadold-fashionedfragrantflowersinhergarden,sweetpeasandmignonette,larkspur,pinks,pansies,andsouthernwood,withchickweedforthebirdsandcatnipforthepussies.Amyhadabowerinhers,rathersmallandearwiggy,butveryprettytolookat,withhoneysuckleandmorning-glorieshangingtheircoloredhornsandbellsingracefulwreathsalloverit,tallwhitelilies,delicateferns,andasmanybrilliant,picturesqueplantsaswouldconsenttoblossomthere.

           Gardening,walks,rowsontheriver,andflowerhuntsemployedthefinedays,andforrainyones,theyhadhousediversions,someold,somenew,allmoreorlessoriginal.Oneofthesewasthe‘P.C.’,forassecretsocietieswerethefashion,itwasthoughtpropertohaveone,andasallofthegirlsadmiredDickens,theycalledthemselvesthePickwickClub.