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[Illustration: _The good Professor and his wife were taken prisoner by many arms. See page 354. Frontispiece._]
Life at Plumfield with Jo’s Boys _A Sequel to “Little Women”_
_With Illustrations in Color by_ Reginald Birch
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by LOUISA M. ALCOTT, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
_Copyright, 1899, 1913,_ BY JOHN S. P. ALCOTT.
_Copyright, 1901,_ BY LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY.
TO FREDDY AND JOHNNY The Little Men TO WHOM SHE OWES SOME OF THE BEST AND HAPPIEST HOURS OF HER LIFE, THIS BOOK IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED BY THEIR LOVING “AUNT WEEDY.”
The good Professor and his wife were taken prisoner by many arms _Frontispiece_
Miss Smith accompanied herself with a vigor which made the old desk rattle 136
All were glad to gather round the hearth, as the evenings grew longer 312
“Please, sir, is this Plumfield?” asked a ragged boy of the man who opened the great gate at which the omnibus left him.
“Mr. Laurence. I have got a letter for the lady.”
“All right; go up to the house, and give it to her; she’ll see to you, little chap.”
The man spoke pleasantly, and the boy went on, feeling much cheered by the words. Through the soft spring rain that fell on sprouting grass and budding trees, Nat saw a large square house before him,--a hospitable-looking house, with an old-fashioned porch, wide steps, and lights shining in many windows. Neither curtains nor shutters hid the cheerful glimmer; and, pausing a moment before he rang, Nat saw many little shadows dancing on the walls, heard the pleasant hum of young voices, and felt that it was hardly possible that the light and warmth and comfort within could be for a homeless “little chap” like him.
“I hope the lady _will_ see to me,” he thought; and gave a timid rap with the great bronze knocker, which was a jovial griffin’s head.
A rosy-faced servant-maid opened the door, and smiled as she took the letter which he silently offered. She seemed used to receiving strange boys, for she pointed to a seat in the hall, and said, with a nod,--