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。