A Telegram

           "Novemberisthemostdisagreeablemonthinthewholeyear,"saidMargaret,standingatthewindowonedullafternoon,lookingoutatthefrostbittengarden.

           "That’sthereasonIwasborninit,"observedJopensively,quiteunconsciousoftheblotonhernose.

           "Ifsomethingverypleasantshouldhappennow,weshouldthinkitadelightfulmonth,"saidBeth,whotookahopefulviewofeverything,evenNovember.

           "Idaresay,butnothingpleasanteverdoeshappeninthisfamily,"saidMeg,whowasoutofsorts."Wegogrubbingalongdayafterday,withoutabitofchange,andverylittlefun.Wemightaswellbeinatreadmill."

           "Mypatience,howblueweare!"criedJo."Idon’tmuchwonder,poordear,foryouseeothergirlshavingsplendidtimes,whileyougrind,grind,yearinandyearout.Oh,don’tIwishIcouldmanagethingsforyouasIdoformyheroines!You’reprettyenoughandgoodenoughalready,soI’dhavesomerichrelationleaveyouafortuneunexpectedly.Thenyou’ddashoutasanheiress,scorneveryonewhohasslightedyou,goabroad,andcomehomemyLadySomethinginablazeofsplendorandelegance."

           "Peopledon’thavefortuneslefttheminthatstylenowadays,menhavetoworkandwomenmarryformoney.It’sadreadfullyunjustworld,"saidMegbitterly.

           "JoandIaregoingtomakefortunesforyouall.Justwaittenyears,andseeifwedon’t,"saidAmy,whosatinacornermakingmudpies,asHannahcalledherlittleclaymodelsofbirds,fruit,andfaces.