Little Women

MRS. MARCH

So you're going to Washington?

MAN:

Yes, Ma'am. My son is sick in a hospital there.

MRS. MARCH

Oh. This will be an anxious Christmas for you. I think this one

will do. Let's try this. Is it your only son?

MAN:

No, Ma'am. I had four, two were killed. One is a prisoner.

MRS. MARCH

You've done a great deal for your country, sir.

MAN:

Oh, not a might more than I ought to, Ma'am. I'd go myself if I

was any use. Thank you for the overcoat.

MRS. MARCH

Wait a minute. I hope you find him better.

MAN:

Thank you, Ma'am. God bless you. Merry Christmas. Merry

Christmas.

MRS. MARCH

Merry Christmas.

(00:
03:22)**

SHOP ASSISTANT:

Oh, Mrs. March. Will you sign this so I can get it off? Why,

what's the matter?

MRS. MARCH

When I see things like that poor old man it makes me ashamed to

think how little I do.

SHOP ASSISTANT:

But, my dear, you're doing all you can here. And your husband is

there.

MRS. MARCH

Yes, I know. His last son is lying ill miles away waiting to say

goodbye to him, forever perhaps, while I have my four girls to

comfort me.

SHOP ASSISTANT:

And a real comfort they are too, aren't they?

MRS. MARCH

I couldn't bear it without them. Meg and Joe are working, you

know?

SHOP ASSISTANT:

Yes?

MRS. MARCH

Meg is a nursery governess.

SHOP ASSISTANT:

Oh.

(at the Nursery)**

CHILD ONE:

Merry Christmas.

CHILD TWO:

Merry Christmas.

CHILD TWO:

Merry Christmas.

(00:
04:15)**

MEG:

Remember Lilly, Santa Claus is watching you.

CHILD FOUR:

Come on Tony, let's go over to the blackboard.

(at Aunt March's)**

JO:

We know as well what are the baneful fruits of selfishness and

self- indulgence. Bad habits take root with fearful rapidity even

in the richest natures. They grow and ripen and bear their fruit

like southern vines and weeds. Al_c Almost in a single day and

night. Crush them. Pluck them out pitterlously from their very

first appearance and do not weary of the labor of plucking them

out again and again.

(00:
05:06)**

(Bird talks)**

(00:
05:15)**

AUNT MARCH:

Hold your tongue! Disrespectful old bird. Go on, Josephine_c.

Josephine? Uh! Where you off to, Miss?

JO:

Oh, I didn't think you'd mind. It was nearly time to leave and

the girls all said they'd be home early so we could rehearse my

play for Christmas.

AUNT MARCH:

Never a thought about my Christmas. Flying off without a word of

cheer or greeting to your poor old aunt.

JO:

Oh, I'm sorry, Aunt March. Merry Christmas.

AUNT MARCH:

Merry Christmas. Here! It's a dollar for each. Well, take 'em.

JO:

Thank you, Auntie.

AUNT MARCH:

Never mind thanking me. Just spend it wisely. That's all I ask.

Although it's more than I can expect when you're so much like

your father, waltzing off to war and lettin' other folks look

after his family.

JO:

There's nobody looking after us, and we don't ask favors from

anybody. And I'm very proud of Father. And you should be too.

AUNT MARCH:

Hoity Toity. Don't you be impertinent, miss!

JO:

Oh, I'm sorry, Auntie.

AUNT MARCH:

It isn't preachers that's going to win this war. It's fighters.

JO:

Yes, Auntie. Can I go now?

AUNT MARCH:

Oh, go on. Did you clean Polly's cage today?

JO:

Yes, Auntie.

AUNT MARCH:

Did you wash those tea cups and put them away, carefully?

JO:

Yes, Auntie.

AUNT MARCH:

You didn't break any?

JO:

No, Auntie.

AUNT MARCH:

What about the teaspoons?

JO:

I polished them.

AUNT MARCH:

Oh, very well then. Just a minute. Come back here. Look at this.

You haven't dusted properly. I want this stair rail dusted and

polished before you leave here.

JO:

Yes, Auntie.

(00:
07:30)**

(Children singing in the classroom)**

(00:
08:03)**

MR. DAVIS

Thank you very much Ladies. And now I wish you all a very merry

Christmas.

CHILDREN:

Merry Christmas. Good-bye.

MR. DAVIS

School is dismissed.

GIRL:

Margaret.

MR. DAVIS

Amy March, you may close the door.

CIKLD 1/B

That'll teach her not to cut up Didoes.

CIKLD 2/B

Just serves that stuck up Amy March right.

CIKLD 3/B

What's he gonna do to her?

MR. DAVIS

I can see there's nothing for me to do but stop by and show you

mother how, instead of doing your sums, you cover your slate with

sketches_c and most uncomplimentary sketches.

AMY:

Oh, please Mr. Davis. I'll never do it again, sir. And she'd be

so disappointed in me. Please, please.

MR. DAVIS

Well, I should hate to spoil her Christmas. And for that reason

alone, young lady, I shall overlook it.

AMY:

Oh, thank you, Mr. Davis.

MR. DAVIS

You may go.

AMY:

Oh, thank you, Mr. Davis. Thank you very much indeed. Thank you,

sir.0:
9:30

CHILDREN:

Here she is. What did he do? What did you say? O, come on. Tell

us. What happened?

AMY:

I just said that if I ever told my mother the way he treated me

she'd take me out of his old school. She's never been

reconsiliated any way, since my father lost his money. And she's

had to suffer the degaridation of me being with a lot of ill-

mannered girls who stick their noses into refined people's

business.

(Beth singing at the piano at home)**

(00:
10:33)**

BETH:

Oh, Hello. Little tiny little thing. I'll tell you a long story_c

Oh, Hannah, is it tea time? I'll set the table.

HANNAH:

Thank you, Beth. It will be a help to me 'cause my bread's

raised. Girls're getting home early.

BETH:

Are they coming?

HANNAH:

Just passed the Laurence house.

JO:

Christopher Columbus.

MEG:

Joe! Don't use such dreadful expressions. Here comes old Mr.

Laurence. What if he should hear you?

JO:

I don't care. I like good strong words that mean something. Oh,

bother. Now we're gonna have to speak to him.

MR. LAURENCE

How do you do?

AMY:

Makes my knees chatter just to look at him.

JO:

I feel sorry for that poor boy shut up all alone with such an old

ogre for a grandfather. Oh, look. There he is.

AMY:

Where?

MEG:

Don't point, Joe. He'll think you're waving at him.

JO:

He's gone anyway. Well, what if he does? Hey! Hey!

MEG:

Jo!

LAURIE:

Hey! Hey! Hey!

(Jo runs indoors. The girls all chatter at once)**

(00:
11:43)**

BETH:

Jo.

JO:

Merry Christmas from Aunt March.

BETH:

For me?

JO:

Yes, darling. For you.

AMY:

We got one, too.

MEG:

What are you going to do with it, dear?

BETH:

I don't know. Marmee said we oughtn't spend money for pleasure,

when our men are suffering so in the army.

JO:

A dollar couldn't do the army much good, so I'm going to buy

Undine and Sintram. I've wanted it long enough.

MEG:

I'm sure Marmee would approve if I got some new gloves. I've

darned my old ones until I can hardly get them on. And she always

says that a real lady is known by her neat gloves and boots.

AMY:

I should get a nice box of Faber's drawing pencils. I really need

them.

BETH:

Then _c Then I'd like to spend mine for some new music. That is,

if you don't think Marmee would mind.

JO:

Let's each buy what we want and have a little fun. I'm sure we

work hard enough.

MEG:

Well, I know I do. It's not the work I mind so much. It's having

to tell Flo King how pretty she looks in things I know would look

as well on me.

JO:

Well, what would you do if you were shut up all day with a fussy

old crosspatch who flies off the handle every move you make.

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