“Ichangeyourragsintoasplendiddress，becauseyouaregood，“saidthegodmotherinherstagetones；anddeliberatelyunbuttoningthebrownpinafore，shedisplayedagorgeoussight。
ThelittlePrincessreallywasprettyenoughtoturntheheadsofanynumberofsmallprinces，forhermammahaddressedherlikeatinycourtlady，inarosysilktrainwithsatinunder-skirt，andbitsofbouquetshereandthere，quitelovelytobehold。Thegodmotherputacrown，withpinkandwhitefeathersdroopingfromit，onherhead，andgaveherapairofsilverpaperslippers，whichsheputon，andthenstoodup，liftingherskirtstoshowthemtotheaudience，saying，withpride，“Mydlassones，ain’ttheypitty？“
Shewassocharmedwiththem，thatshewaswithdifficultyrecalledtoherpart，andmadetosay­；
“ButIhavenotoach，Dodmother。“
“Beholdit!“andNanwavedherwandwithsuchaflourish，thatshenearlyknockedoffthecrownofthePrincess。
Thenappearedthegrandtriumphofthepiece。First，aropewasseentoflaponthefloor，totightenwithatwitchasEmil’svoicewasheardtosay，“Heave，ahoy!“andSilas’sgruffonetoreply，“Stiddy，now，stiddy!“
Ashoutoflaughterfollowed，forfourlargegrayratsappeared，rathershakyastotheirlegs，andqueerastotheirtails，butquitefineaboutthehead，whereblackbeadsshoneinthemostlifelikemanner。Theydrew，orwereintendedtoappearasiftheydid，amagnificentcoachmadeofhalfthemammothpumpkin，mountedonthewheelsofTeddy’swagon，paintedyellowtomatchthegaycarriage。Perchedonaseatinfrontsatajollylittlecoachmaninawhitecotton-woolwig，cockedhat，scarletbreeches，andlacedcoat，whocrackedalongwhipandjerkedtheredreinssoenergetically，thatthegraysteedsrearedfinely。ItwasTeddy，andhebeameduponthecompanysoaffablythattheygavehimaroundalltohimself；andUncleLauriesaid，“IfIcouldfindassoberacoachmanasthatone，Iwouldengagehimonthespot。“Thecoachstopped，thegodmotherliftedinthePrincess，andshewastrundledawayinstate，kissingherhandtothepublic，withherglassshoesstickingupinfront，andherpinktrainsweepingthegroundbehind，for，elegantasthecoachwas，IregrettosaythatherHighnesswasratheratightfit。
Thenextscenewastheball，andhereNanandDaisyappearedasgayaspeacocksinallsortsoffinery。Nanwasespeciallygoodastheproudsister，andcrushedmanyimaginaryladiesasshesweptaboutthepalace-hall。
ThePrince，insolitarystateuponasomewhatunsteadythrone，satgazingabouthimfromunderanimposingcrown，asheplayedwithhisswordandadmiredtherosettesinhisshoes。WhenCinderellacameinhejumpedup，andexclaimed，withmorewarmththanelegance，­；
“Mygracious!whoisthat？“andimmediatelyledtheladyouttodance，whilethesistersscowledandturneduptheirnosesinthecorner。
Thestatelyjigexecutedbythelittlecouplewasverypretty，forthechildishfacesweresoearnest，thecostumessogay，andthestepssopeculiar，thattheylookedlikethedaintyquaintfigurespaintedonaWatteaufan。
ThePrincess’strainwasverymuchinherway，andtheswordofPrinceRobnearlytrippedhimupseveraltimes。Buttheyovercametheseobstaclesremarkablywell，andfinishedthedancewithmuchgraceandspirit，consideringthatneitherknewwhattheotherwasabout。
“Dropyourshoe，“whisperedMrs。Jo’svoiceastheladywasabouttositdown。
“Oh，Ifordot!“and，takingoffoneofthesilveryslippers，Cinderellaplanteditcarefullyinthemiddleofthestage，saidtoRob，“Nowyoumusttryandtatchme，“andranaway，whilethePrince，pickinguptheshoe，obedientlytrottedafterher。
Thethirdscene，aseverybodyknows，iswheretheheraldcomestotryontheshoe。Teddy，stillincoachman’sdress，cameinblowingatinfish-hornmelodiously，andtheproudsisterseachtriedtoputontheslipper。Naninsistedonplayingcutoffhertoewithacarving-knife，andperformedthatoperationsowellthattheheraldwasalarmed，andbeggedhertobe“wellykeerful。“Cinderellathenwascalled，andcameinwiththepinaforehalfon，slippedherfootintotheslipper，andannounced，withsatisfaction，­；
“IamthePinsiss。“
Daisywept，andbeggedpardon；butNan，wholikedtragedy，improveduponthestory，andfellinafainting-fituponthefloor，wheresheremainedcomfortablyenjoyingtherestoftheplay。Itwasnotlong，forthePrinceranin，droppeduponhisknees，andkissedthehandofGoldilockswithgreatardor，whiletheheraldblewablastthatnearlydeafenedtheaudience。
Thecurtainhadnochancetofall，forthePrincessranoffthestagetoherfather，crying，“Didn’tIdowell？“whilethePrinceandheraldhadafencing-matchwiththetinhornandwoodensword。
“Itwasbeautiful!“saideveryone；and，whentheraptureshadalittlesubsided，Natcameoutwithhisviolininhishand。
“Hush!hush!“criedallthechildren，andsilencefollowed，forsomethingintheboy’sbashfulmannerandappealingeyesmakeeveryonelistenkindly。
TheBhaersthoughthewouldplaysomeoftheoldairsheknewsowell，but，totheirsurprise，theyheardanewandlovelymelody，sosoftly，sweetlyplayed，thattheycouldhardlybelieveitcouldbeNat。Itwasoneofthosesongswithoutwordsthattouchtheheart，andsingofalltenderhome-likehopesandjoys，soothingandcheeringthosewholistentoitssimplemusic。AuntMegleanedherheadonDemi’sshoulder，Grandmotherwipedhereyes，andMrs。JolookedupatMr。Laurie，saying，inachokywhisper，­；
“Youcomposedthat。“
“Iwantedyourboytodoyouhonor，andthankyouinhisownway，“answeredLaurie，leaningdowntoanswerher。
WhenNatmadehisbowandwasabouttogo，hewascalledbackbymanyhands，andhadtoplayagain。Hedidsowithsuchahappyface，thatitwasgoodtoseehim，forhedidhisbest，andgavethemthegayoldtunesthatsetthefeettodancing，andmadequietudeimpossible。
“Clearthefloor!“criedEmil；andinaminutethechairswerepushedback，theolderpeopleputsafelyincornersandthechildrengatheredonthestage。
“Showyourmanners!“calledEmil；andtheboyspranceduptotheladies，oldandyoung；withpoliteinvitationsto“treadthemazy，“asdearDickSwivellerhasit。ThesmallladsnearlycametoblowsforthePrincess，butshechoseDick，likeakind，littlegentlewomanasshewas，andlethimleadherproudlytoherplace。Mrs。Jowasnotallowedtodecline；
andAuntAmyfilledDanwithunspeakabledelightbyrefusingFranzandtakinghim。OfcourseNanandTommy，NatandDaisypairedoff，whileUncleTeddywentandgotAsia，whowaslongingto“jigit，“andfeltmuchelatedbythehonordoneher。SilasandMaryAnnhadaprivatedanceinthehall；
andforhalf-an-hourPlumfieldwasatitsmerriest。
Thepartywoundupwithagrandpromenadeofalltheyoungfolks，headedbythepumpkin-coachwiththePrincessanddriverinside，andtheratsinawildlyfriskystate。
Whilethechildrenenjoyedthisfinalfrolic，theelderssatintheparlorlookingonastheytalkedtogetherofthelittlepeoplewiththeinterestofparentsandfriends。
“Whatareyouthinkingof，allbyyourself，withsuchahappyface，sisterJo？“askedLaurie，sittingdownbesideheronthesofa。
“Mysummer’swork，Teddy，andamusingmyselfbyimaginingthefutureofmyboys，“sheanswered，smilingasshemaderoomforhim。
“Theyarealltobepoets，painters，andstatesmen，famoussoldiers，oratleastmerchantprinces，Isuppose。“
“No，IamnotasaspiringasIoncewas，andIshallbesatisfiediftheyarehonestmen。ButIwillconfessthatIdoexpectalittlegloryandacareerforsomeofthem。Demiisnotacommonchild，andIthinkhewillblossomintosomethinggoodandgreatinthebestsenseoftheword。Theotherswilldowell，Ihope，especiallymylasttwoboys，for，afterhearingNatplayto-night，Ireallythinkhehasgenius。“
“Toosoontosay；talenthecertainlyhas，andthereisnodoubtthattheboycansoonearnhisbreadbytheworkheloves。Buildhimupforanotheryearorso，andthenIwilltakehimoffyourhands，andlaunchhimproperly。“
“ThatissuchapleasantprospectforpoorNat，whocametomesixmonthsagosofriendlessandforlorn。Dan’sfutureisalreadyplaintome。Mr。
Hydewillwanthimsoon，andImeantogivehimabraveandfaithfullittleservant。Danisonewhocanservewellifthewagesareloveandconfidence，andhehastheenergytocarveouthisownfutureinhisownway。Yes，Iamveryhappyoveroursuccesswiththeseboys­；onesoweak，andonesowild；bothsomuchbetternow，andsofullofpromise。“
“Whatmagicdidyouuse，Jo？“
“Ionlylovedthem，andletthemseeit。Fritzdidtherest。“
“Dearsoul!youlookasif’onlyloving’hadbeenratherhardworksometimes，“
saidLaurie，strokingherthincheekwithalookofmoretenderadmirationthanhehadevergivenherasagirl。
“I’mafadedoldwoman，butI’maveryhappyone；sodon’tpityme，Teddy；“andsheglancedabouttheroomwitheyesfullofasincerecontent。
“Yes，yourplanseemstoworkbetterandbettereveryyear，“hesaid，withanemphaticnodofapprovaltowardthecheeryscenebeforehim。
“HowcanitfailtoworkwellwhenIhavesomuchhelpfromyouall？“
answeredMrs。Jo，lookinggratefullyathermostgenerouspatron。
“Itisthebestjokeofthefamily，thisschoolofyoursanditssuccess。
Sounlikethefutureweplannedforyou，andyetsosuitedtoyouafterall。Itwasaregularinspiration，Jo，“saidLaurie，dodgingherthanksasusual。
“Ah!butyoulaughedatitinthebeginning，andstillmakeallmanneroffunofmeandmyinspirations。Didn’tyoupredictthathavinggirlswiththeboyswouldbeadeadfailure？Nowseehowwellitworks；“andshepointedtothehappygroupofladsandlassiesdancing，singing，andchatteringtogetherwitheverysignofkindlygoodfellowship。
“Igivein，andwhenmyGoldilocksisoldenoughI’llsendhertoyou。
CanIsaymorethanthat？“
“Ishallbesoproudtohaveyourlittletreasuretrustedtome。Butreally，Teddy，theeffectofthesegirlshasbeenexcellent。Iknowyouwilllaughatme，butIdon’tmind，I’musedtoit；soI’lltellyouthatoneofmyfavoritefanciesistolookatmyfamilyasasmallworld，towatchtheprogressofmylittlemen，and，lately，toseehowwelltheinfluenceofmylittlewomenworksuponthem。Daisyisthedomesticelement，andtheyallfeelthecharmofherquiet，womanlyways。Nanistherestless，energetic，strong-mindedone；theyadmirehercourage，andgiveherafairchancetoworkoutherwill，seeingthatshehassympathyaswellasstrength，andthepowertodomuchintheirsmallworld。YourBessisthelady，fullofnaturalrefinement，grace，andbeauty。Shepolishesthemunconsciously，andfillsherplaceasanylovelywomanmay，usinghergentleinfluencetoliftandholdthemabovethecoarse，roughthingsoflife，andkeepthemgentlemeninthebestsenseofthefineoldword。“
“Itisnotalwaystheladieswhodothatbest，Jo。Itissometimesthestrongbravewomanwhostirsuptheboyandmakesamanofhim；“andLauriebowedtoherwithasignificantlaugh。
“No；Ithinkthegracefulwoman，whomtheboyyoualludetomarried，hasdonemoreforhimthanthewildNanofhisyouth；or，betterstill，thewise，motherlywomanwhowatchedoverhim，asDaisywatchesoverDemi，didmoretomakehimwhatheis；“andJoturnedtowardhermother，whosatalittleapartwithMeg，lookingsofullofthesweetdignityandbeautyofoldage，thatLauriegaveheraglanceoffilialrespectandloveashereplied，inseriousearnest，­；
“Allthreedidmuchforhim，andIcanunderstandhowwelltheselittlegirlswillhelpyourlads。“
“Notmorethantheladshelpthem；itismutual，Iassureyou。NatdoesmuchforDaisywithhismusic；DancanmanageNanbetterthananyofus；
andDemiteachesyourGoldilockssoeasilyandwellthatFritzcallsthemRogerAschamandLadyJaneGrey。Dearme!ifmenandwomenwouldonlytrust，understand，andhelponeanotherasmychildrendo，whatacapitalplacetheworldwouldbe!“andMrs。Jo’seyesgrewabsent，asifshewaslookingatanewandcharmingstateofsocietyinwhichpeoplelivedashappilyandinnocentlyasherflockatPlumfield。
“Youaredoingyourbesttohelponthegoodtime，mydear。Continuetobelieveinit，toworkforit，andtoproveitspossibilitybythesuccessofhersmallexperiment，“saidMr。March，pausingashepassedtosayanencouragingword，forthegoodmanneverlosthisfaithinhumanity，andstillhopedtoseepeace，good-will，andhappinessreignupontheearth。
“Iamnotsoambitiousasthat，father。Ionlywanttogivethesechildrenahomeinwhichtheycanbetaughtafewsimplethingswhichwillhelptomakelifelesshardtothemwhentheygoouttofighttheirbattlesintheworld。Honesty，courage，industry，faithinGod，theirfellow-creatures，andthemselves；thatisallItryfor。“
“Thatiseverything。Givethemthesehelps，thenletthemgotoworkouttheirlifeasmenandwomen；andwhatevertheirsuccessorfailureis，Ithinktheywillrememberandblessyourefforts，mygoodsonanddaughter。“
TheProfessorhadjoinedthem，andasMr。Marchspokehegaveahandtoeach，andleftthemwithalookthatwasablessing。AsJoandherhusbandstoodtogetherforamomenttalkingquietly，andfeelingthattheirsummerworkhadbeenwelldoneiffatherapproved，Mr。Laurieslippedintothehall，saidawordtothechildren，andallofasuddenthewholeflockprancedintotheroom，joinedhandsanddancedaboutFatherandMotherBhaer，singingblithely­；“Summerdaysareover，Summerworkisdone；
HarvestshavebeengatheredGaylyonebyone。
Nowthefeastiseaten，Finishedistheplay；
ButoneriteremainsforOurThanksgiving-day。
“BestofalltheharvestInthedearGod’ssight，ArethehappychildrenInthehometo-night；
AndwecometoofferThankswherethanksaredue，Withgratefulheartsandvoices，Father，mother，untoyou。“WiththelastwordsthecirclenarrowedtillthegoodProfessorandhiswifeweretakenprisonerbymanyarms，andhalfhiddenbythebouquetoflaughingyoungfaceswhichsurroundedthem，provingthatoneplanthadtakenrootandblossomedbeautifullyinallthelittlegardens。Forloveisaflowerthatgrowsinanysoil，worksitssweetmiraclesundauntedbyautumnfrostorwintersnow，bloomingfairandfragrantalltheyear，andblessingthosewhogiveandthosewhoreceive。THEEND