IfithadnotbeenforLaurie，andoldEsther，themaid，shefeltthatshenevercouldhavegotthroughthatdreadfultime。Theparrotalonewasenoughtodriveherdistracted，forhesoonfeltthatshedidnotadmirehim，andrevengedhimselfbybeingasmischievousaspossible。Hepulledherhairwhenevershecamenearhim，upsethisbreadandmilktoplagueherwhenshehadnewlycleanedhiscage，madeMopbarkbypeckingathimwhileMadamdozed，calledhernamesbeforecompany，andbehavedinallrespectslikeanreprehensibleoldbird。Thenshecouldnotendurethedog，afat，crossbeastwhosnarledandyelpedatherwhenshemadehistoilet，andwholayonhisbackwithallhislegsintheairandamostidioticexpressionofcountenancewhenhewantedsomethingtoeat，whichwasaboutadozentimesaday。Thecookwasbad-tempered，theoldcoachmanwasdeaf，andEsthertheonlyonewhoevertookanynoticeoftheyounglady。
　　EstherwasaFrenchwoman，whohadlivedwith`Madame’，asshecalledhermistress，formanyyears，andwhorathertyrannizedovertheoldlady，whocouldnotgetalongwithouther。
　　HerrealnamewasEstelle，butAuntMarchorderedhertochangeit，andsheobeyed，onconditionthatshewasneveraskedtochangeherreligion。ShetookafancytoMademoiselle，andamusedherverymuchwithoddstoriesofherlifeinFrance，whenAmysatwithherwhileshegotupMadam’slaces。Shealsoallowedhertoroamaboutthegreathouse，andexaminethecuriousandprettythingsstoredawayinthebigwardrobesandtheancientchests，forAuntMarchhoardedlikeamagpie。Amy’schiefdelightwasanIndiancabinet，fullofqueerdrawers，littlepigeonholes，andsecretplaces，inwhichwerekeptallsortsofornaments，someprecious，somemerelycurious，allmoreorlessantique。
　　ToexamineandarrangethesethingsgaveAmygreatsatisfaction，especiallythejewelcases，inwhichonvelvetcushionsreposedtheornamentswhichhadadornedabellefortyyearsago。TherewasthegarnetsetwhichAuntMarchworewhenshecameout，thepearlsherfathergaveheronherweddingday，herlover’sdiamonds，thejetmourningringsandpins，thequeerlockets，withportraitsofdeadfriendsandweepingwillowsmadeofhairinside，thebabybraceletsheronelittledaughterhadworn，UncleMarch’sbigwatch，withtheredsealsomanychildishhandshadplayedwith，andinaboxallbyitselflayAuntMarch’sweddingring，toosmallnowforherfatfinger，butputcarefullyawaylikethemostpreciousjewelofthemall。
　　“WhichwouldMademoisellechooseifshehadherwill？“askedEsther，woalwayssatneartowatchoverandlockupthevaluables。
　　“Ilikethediamondsbest，butthereisnonecklaceamongthem，andI’mfondofnecklaces，theyaresobecoming。IshouldchoosethisifImight，“repliedAmy，lookingwithgreatadmirationatastringofgoldandebonybeadsfromwhichhungaheavycrossofthesame。
　　“I，too，covetthat，butnotasanecklace。Ah，no!Tomeitisarosary，andassuchIshoulduseitlikeagoodcatholic，“saidEsther，eyeingthehandsomethingwistfully。
　　“Isitmeanttouseasyouusethestringofgood-smellingwoodenbeadshangingoveryourglass？“askedAmy。
　　“Truly，yes，topraywith。Itwouldbepleasingtothesaintsifoneusedsofinearosaryasthis，insteadofwearingitasavainbijou。“
　　“Youseemtotakeagreatdealofcomfortinyourprayers，Esther，andalwayscomedownlookingquietandsatisfied。IwishIcould。“
　　“IfMademoisellewasaCatholic，shewouldfindtruecomfort，butasthatisnottobe，itwouldbewellifyouwentaparteachdaytomeditateandpray，asdidthegoodmistresswhomIservedbeforeMadame。Shehadalittlechapel，andinitfoundsolacementformuchtrouble。“
　　“Woulditberightformetodosotoo？“askedAmy，whoinherlonelinessfelttheneedofhelpofsomesort，andfoundthatshewasapttoforgetherlittlebook，nowthatBethwasnottheretoremindherofit。
　　“Itwouldbeexcellentandcharming，andIshallgladlyarrangethelittledressingroomforyouifyoulikeit。SaynothingtoMadame，butwhenshesleepsgoyouandsitaloneawhiletothinkgoodthoughts，andpraythedearGodpreserveyoursister。“
　　Estherwastrulypious，andquitesincereinheradvice，forshehadanaffectionateheart，andfeltmuchforthesistersintheiranxiety。Amylikedtheidea，andgaveherleavetoarrangethelightclosetnextherroom，hopingitwoulddohergood。
　　“IwishIknewwherealltheseprettythingswouldgowhenAuntMarchdies，“shesaid，assheslowlyreplacedtheshiningrosaryandshutthejewelcasesonebyone。
　　“Toyouandyoursisters。Iknowit，Madameconfidesinme。
　　Iwitnessedherwill，anditistobeso，“whisperedEsthersmiling。
　　“Hownice!ButIwishshe’dletushavethemnow。
　　Procrastinationisnotagreeable，“observedAmy，takingalastlookatthediamonds。
　　“Itistoosoonyetfortheyoungladiestowearthesethings。
　　Thefirstonewhoisaffiancedwillhavethepearls，Madamehassaidit，andIhaveafancythatthelittleturquoiseringwillbegiventoyouwhenyougo，forMadameapprovesyourgoodbehaviorandcharmingmanners。“
　　“Doyouthinkso？Oh，I’llbealamb，ifIcanonlyhavethatlovelyring!It’seversomuchprettierthanKittyBryant’s。
　　IdolikeAuntMarchafterall。“AndAmytriedontheblueringwithadelightedfaceandafirmresolvetoearnit。
　　Fromthatdayshewasamodelofobedience，andtheoldladycomplacentlyadmiredthesuccessofhertraining。Estherfitteduptheclosetwithalittletable，placedafootstoolbeforeit，andoveritapicturetakenfromoneoftheshut-uprooms。Shethoughtitwasofnogreatvalue，but，beingappropriate，sheborrowedit，wellknowingthatMadamewouldneverknowit，norcareifshedid。Itwas，however，averyvaluablecopyofoneofthefamouspicturesoftheworld，andAmy’sbeauty-lovingeyeswerenevertiredoflookingupatthesweetfaceoftheDivineMother，whilehertenderthoughtsofherownwerebusyatherheart。Onthetableshelaidherlittletestamentandhymnbook，keptavasealwaysfullofthebestflowersLauriebroughther，andcameeverydayto`sitalone’thinkinggoodthoughts，andprayingthedearGodtopreservehersister。Estherhadgivenherarosaryofblackbeadswithasilvercross，butAmyhungitupanddidnotuseit，feelingdoubtfulastoitsfitnessforProtestantprayers。
　　Thelittlegirlwasverysincereinallthis，forbeingleftaloneoutsidethesafehomenest，shefelttheneedofsomekindhandtoholdbysosorelythatsheinstinctivelyturnedtothestrongandtenderFriend，whosefatherlylovemostcloselysurroundsHislittlechildren。Shemissedhermother’shelptounderstandandruleherself，buthavingbeentaughtwheretolook，shedidherbesttofindthewayandwalkinitconfidingly。ButAmywasayoungpilgrim，andjustnowherburdenseemedveryheavy。
　　Shetriedtoforgetherself，tokeepcheerful，andbesatisfiedwithdoingright，thoughnoonesaworpraisedherforit。Inherfirsteffortatbeingvery，verygood，shedecidedtomakeherwill，asAuntMarchhaddone，sothatifshedidfallillanddie，herpossessionsmightbejustlyandgenerouslydivided。Itcostherapangeventothinkofgivingupthelittletreasureswhichinhereyeswereaspreciousastheoldlady’sjewels。
　　Duringoneofherplayhoursshewroteouttheimportantdocumentaswellasshecould，withsomehelpfromEstherastocertainlegalterms，andwhenthegood-naturedFrenchwomanhadsignedhername，AmyfeltrelievedandlaiditbytoshowLaurie，whomshewantedasasecondwitness。Asitwasarainyday，shewentupstairstoamuseherselfinoneofthelargechambers，andtookPollywithherforcompany。Inthisroomtherewasawardrobefullofold-fashionedcostumeswithwhichEstherallowedhertoplay，anditwasherfavoriteamusementtoarrayherselfinthefadedbrocades，andparadeupanddownbeforethelongmirror，makingstatelycurtsies，andsweepinghertrainaboutwitharustlewhichdelightedherears。SobusywassheonthisdaythatshedidnothearLaurie’sringnorseehisfacepeepinginatherasshegravelypromenadedtoandfro，flirtingherfanandtossingherhead，onwhichsheworeagreatpinkturban，contrastingoddlywithherbluebrocadedressandyellowquiltedpetticoat。Shewasobligedtowalkcarefully，forshehadonhighheeledshoes，and，asLaurietoldJoafterward，itwasacomicalsighttoseehermincealonginhergaysuit，withPollysidilngandbridlingjustbehindher，imitatingheraswellashecould，andoccasionallystoppingtolaughorexclaim，“Ain’twefine？
　　Getalong，youfright!Holdyourtongue!Kissme，dear!
　　Ha!Ha!“
　　Havingwithdifficultyrestrainedanexplosionofmerriment，lestitshouldoffendhermajesty，Laurietappedandwasgraciouslyreceived。
　　“SitdownandrestwhileIputthesethingsaway，thenIwanttoconsultyouaboutaveryseriousmatter，“saidAmy，whenshehadshownhersplendoranddrivenPollyintoacorner。“Thatbirdisthetrialofmylife，“shecontinued，removingthepinkmountainfromherhead，whileLaurieseatedhimselfastrideachair。
　　“Yesterday，whenAuntwasasleepandIwastryingtobeasstillasamouse，Pollybegantosquallandflapaboutinhiscage，soIwenttolethimout，andfoundabigspiderthere。Ipokeditout，anditranunderthebookcase。Pollymarchedstraightafterit，stoopeddownandpeepedunderthebookcase，saying，inhisfunnyway，withacockofhiseye，`Comeoutandtakeawalk，mydear。’Icouldn’thelplaughing，whichmadePollswear，andAuntwokeupandscoldedusboth。“
　　“Didthespideraccepttheoldfellow’sinvitation？“askedLaurie，yawning。
　　“Yes，outitcame，andawayranPolly，frightenedtodeath，andscrambleduponAunt’schair，callingout，`Catchher!Catchher!
　　Catchher!’asIchasedthespider。“
　　“That’salie!Oh，lor!“criedtheparrot，peckingatLaurie’stoes。
　　“I’dwringyourneckifyouweremine，youoldtorment，“criedLaurie，shakinghisfistatthebird，whoputhisheadononesideandgravelycroaked，“Allyluyer!Blessyourbuttons，dear!“
　　“NowI’mready，“saidAmy，shuttingthewardrobeandtakingapieceofpaperoutofherpocket。“Iwantyoutoreadthat，please，andtellmeifitislegalandright。IfeltIoughttodoit，forlifeisuncertainandIdon’twantanyillfeelingovermytomb。“
　　Lauriebithislips，andturningalittlefromthepensivespeaker，readthefollowingdocument，withpraiseworthygravity，consideringthespelling：
　　MYLASTWILLANDTESTIMENT
　　I，AmyCurtisMarch，beinginmysanemind，gogiveandbequeetheallmyearthlyproperty——viz。towit：——namelyTomyfather，mybestpictures，sketches，maps，andworksofart，includingframes。Alsomy$100，todowhathelikeswith。
　　Tomymother，allmyclothes，excepttheblueapronwithpockets——alsomylikeness，andmymedal，withmuchlove。
　　TomydearsisterMargaret，IgivemyturkquoiseringifI
　　getit，alsomygreenboxwiththedovesonit，alsomy；pieceofreallaceforherneck，andmysketchofherasamemorialofher’littlegirl’。
　　ToJoIleavemybreastpin，theonemendedwithsealingwax，alsomybronzeinkstand——shelostthecover——andmymostpreciousplasterrabbit，becauseIamsorryIburnedupherstory。
　　ToBethifshelivesaftermeIgivemydollsandthelittlebureau，myfan，mylinencollarsandmynewslippersifshecanwearthembeingthinwhenshegetswell。AndIherewithalsoleavehermyregretthatIevermadefunofoldJoanna。
　　TomyfriendandneighborTheodoreLaurenceIbequeethemypapermashayportfolio，myclaymodelofahorsethoughhedidsayithadn’tanyneck。Alsoinreturnforhisgreatkindnessinthehourofafflictionanyoneofmyartisticworkshelikes，NoterDameisthebest。
　　ToourvenerablebenefactorMr。LaurenceIleavemypurpleboxwithalookingglassinthecoverwhichwillbeniceforhispensandremindhimofthedepartedgirlwhothankshimforhisfavorstoherfamily，especiallyBeth。
　　IwishmyfavoriteplaymateKittyBryanttohavethebluesilkapronandmygold-beadringwithakiss。
　　ToHannahIgivethebandboxshewantedandallthepatchworkIleavehopingshe`willrememberme，whenityousee’。
　　AndnowhavingdisposedofmymostvaluablepropertyIhopeallwillbesatisfiedandnotblamethedead。Iforgiveeveryone，andtrustwemayallmeetwhenthetrumpshallsound。Amen。
　　TothiswillandtestimentIsetmyhandandsealonthis20thdayofNov。AnniDomino1861。
　　AmyCurtisMarchWitnesses：
　　EstelleValnor，TheodoreLaurence。
　　Thelastnamewaswritteninpencil，andAmyexplainedthathewastorewriteitininkandsealitupforherproperly。
　　“Whatputitintoyourhead？DidanyonetellyouaboutBeth’sgivingawayherthings？“askedLauriesoberly，asAmylaidabitofredtape，withsealingwax，ataper，andastandishbeforehim。
　　Sheexplainedandthenaskedanxiously，“WhataboutBeth？“
　　“I’msorryIspoke，butasIdid，I’lltellyou。ShefeltsoillonedaythatshetoldJoshewantedtogiveherpianotoMeg，hercatstoyou，andthepoorolddolltoJo，whowouldloveitforhersake。Shewassorryshehadsolittletogive，andleftlocksofhairtotherestofus，andherbestlovetoGrandpa。Sheneverthoughtofawill。“
　　Lauriewassigningandsealingashespoke，anddidnotlookuptillagreatteardroppedonthepaper。Amy’sfacewasfulloftrouble，butsheonlysaid，“Don’tpeopleputsortofpostscriptstotheirwills，sometimes？“
　　“Yes，`codicils’，theycallthem。“
　　“Putoneinminethen，thatIwishallmycurlscutoff，andgivenroundtomyfriends。Iforgotit，butIwantitdonethoughitwillspoilmylooks。“
　　Laurieaddedit，smilingatAmy’slastandgreatestsacrifice。
　　Thenheamusedherforanhour，andwasmuchinterestedinallhertrials。Butwhenhecametogo，Amyheldhimbacktowhisperwithtremblinglips，“IstherereallyanydangeraboutBeth？“
　　“I’mafraidthereis，butwemusthopeforthebest，sodon’tcry，dear。“AndLaurieputhisarmaboutherwithabrotherlygesturewhichwasverycomforting。
　　Whenhehadgone，shewenttoherlittlechapel，andsittinginthetwilight，prayedforBeth，withstreamingtearsandanachingheart，feelingthatamillionturquoiseringswouldnotconsoleherforthelossofhergentlelittlesister。