girls of that age, and cannot be treated like a child. She is so very
precious to me, I feel as if I wanted to keep her always as pure and
beautiful as the marble she loves so well.'

Amy spoke regretfully as she looked about the lovely room where she
had spent so many happy hours with this dear child of hers.

'"Turn and turn about is fair play", as we used to say when we all
wanted to ride on Ellen Tree or wear the russet boots,' said Jo
briskly; 'so you must share your girl between you, and see who will
do the most for her.'

'We will,' answered the fond parents, laughing at the recollections
Jo's proverb brought up to them.

'How I did use to enjoy bouncing on the limbs of that old apple-tree!
No real horse ever gave me half the pleasure or the exercise,' said
Amy, looking out of the high window as if she saw the dear old
orchard again and the little girls at play there.

'And what fun I had with those blessed boots!' laughed Jo. 'I've got
the relics now. The boys reduced them to rags; but I love them still,
and would enjoy a good theatrical stalk in them if it were possible.'

'My fondest memories twine about the warming-pan and the sausage.
What larks we had! And how long ago it seems!' said Laurie, staring
at the two women before him as if he found it hard to realize that
they ever had been little Amy and riotous Jo.

'Don't suggest that we are growing old, my Lord. We have only