Thetentisforyourespecialbenefitandthatoakisyourdrawingroom，thisisthemessroomandthethirdisthecampkitchen。
Now，let’shaveagamebeforeitgetshot，andthenwe’llseeaboutdinner。“
Frank，Beth，Amy，andGracesatdowntowatchthegameplayedbytheothereight。Mr。BrookechoseMeg，Kate，andFred。
LaurietookSallie，Jo，andNed。TheEnglishplayedwell，buttheAmericansplayedbetter，andcontestedeveryinchofthegroundasstronglyasifthespiritof`76inspiredthem。JoandFredhadseveralskirmishesandoncenarrowlyescapedhighwords。
Jowasthroughthelastwicketandhadmissedthestroke，whichfailureruffledheragooddeal。Fredwasclosebehindherandhisturncamebeforehers。Hegaveastroke，hisballhitthewicket，andstoppedaninchonthewrongside。Noonewasverynear，andrunninguptoexamine，hegaveitaslynudgewithhistoe，whichputitjustaninchontherightside。
“I’mthrough!Now，MissJo，I’llsettleyou，andgetinfirst，“criedtheyounggentleman，swinginghismalletforanotherblow。
“Youpushedit。Isawyou。It’smyturnnow，“saidJosharply。
“Uponmyword，Ididn’tmoveit。Itrolledabit，perhaps，butthatisallowed。So，standoffplease，andletmehaveagoatthestake。“
“Wedon’tcheatinAmerica，butyoucan，ifyouchoose，“saidJoangrily。
“Yankeesareadealthemosttricky，everybodyknows。Thereyougo!“returnedFred，croquetingherballfaraway。
Joopenedherlipstosaysomethingrude，butcheckedherselfintime，coloreduptoherforeheadandstoodaminute，hammeringdownawicketwithallhermight，whileFredhitthestakeanddeclaredhimselfoutwithmuchexultation。Shewentofftogetherball，andwasalongtimefindingitamongthebushes，butshecameback，lookingcoolandquiet，andwaitedherturnpatiently。Ittookseveralstrokestoregaintheplaceshehadlost，andwhenshegotthere，theothersidehadnearlywon，forKate’sballwasthelastbutoneandlaynearthestake。
“ByGeorge，it’sallupwithus!Goodbye，Kate。MissJoowesmeone，soyouarefinished，“criedFredexcitedly，astheyalldrewneartoseethefinish。
“Yankeeshaveatrickofbeinggeneroustotheirenemies，“
saidJo，withalookthatmadetheladredden，“especiallywhentheybeatthem，“sheadded，as，leavingKate’sballuntouched，shewonthegamebyacleverstroke。
Lauriethrewuphishat，thenrememberedthatitwouldn’tdotoexultoverthedefeatofhisguests，andstoppedinthemiddleofthecheertowhispertohisfriend，“Goodforyou，Jo!Hedidcheat，Isawhim。Wecan’ttellhimso，buthewon’tdoitagain，takemywordforit。“
Megdrewheraside，underpretenseofpinningupaloosebraid，andsaidapprovingly，“Itwasdreadfullyprovoking，butyoukeptyourtemper，andI’msoglad，Jo。“
“Don’tpraiseme，Meg，forIcouldboxhisearsthisminute。
IshouldcertainlyhaveboiledoverifIhadn’tstayedamongthenettlestillIgotmyrageundercontrolenoughtoholdmytongue……
It’ssimmeringnow，soIhopehe’llkeepoutofmyway，“returnedJo，bitingherlipsasshegloweredatFredfromunderherbighat。
“Timeforlunch，“saidMr。Brooke，lookingathiswatch。
“Commissarygeneral，willyoumakethefireandgetwater，whileMissMarch，MissSallie，andIspreadthetable？Whocanmakegoodcoffee？“
“Jocan，“saidMeg，gladtorecommendhersister。SoJo，feelingthatherlatelessonsincookeryweretodoherhonor，wenttopresideoverthecoffeepot，whilethechildrencollecteddrysticks，andtheboysmadeafireandgotwaterfromaspringnearby。MissKatesketchedandFranktalkedtoBeth，whowasmakinglittlematsofbraidedrushestoserveasplates。
Thecommanderinchiefandhisaidessoonspreadthetableclothwithaninvitingarrayofeatablesanddrinkables，prettilydecoratedwithgreenleaves。Joannouncedthatthecoffeewasready，andeveryonesettledthemselvestoaheartymeal，foryouthisseldomdyspeptic，andexercisedevelopswholesomeappetites。
Averymerrylunchitwas，foreverythingseemedfreshandfunny，andfrequentpealsoflaughterstartledavenerablehorsewhofednearby。Therewasapleasinginequalityinthetable，whichproducedmanymishapstocupsandplates，acornsdroppedinthemilk，littleblackantspartookoftherefreshmentswithoutbeinginvited，andfuzzycaterpillarsswungdownfromthetreetoseewhatwasgoingon。Threewhite-headedchildrenpeepedoverthefence，andanobjectionabledogbarkedatthemfromtheothersideoftheriverwithallhismightandmain。
“There’ssalthere，“saidLaurie，ashehandedJoasaucerofberries。
“Thankyou，Ipreferspiders，“shereplied，fishinguptwounwarylittleoneswhohadgonetoacreamydeath。“Howdareyouremindmeofthathorriddinnerparty，whenyour’sissoniceineveryway？’addedJo，astheybothlaughedandateoutofoneplate，thechinahavingrunshort。
“Ihadanuncommonlygoodtimethatday，andhaven’tgotoverityet。Thisisnocredittome，youknow，Idon’tdoanything。It’syouandMegandBrookewhomakeitallgo，andI’mnoendobligedtoyou。whatshallwedowhenwecan’teatanymore？“askedLaurie，feelingthathistrumpcardhadbeenplayedwhenlunchwasover。
“Havegamestillit’scooler。IbroughtAuthors，andIdaresayMissKateknowssomethingnewandnice。Goandaskher。
She’scompany，andyououghttostaywithhermore。“
“Aren’tyoucompanytoo？Ithoughtshe’dsuitBrooke，buthekeepstalkingtoMeg，andKatejuststaresatthemthroughthatridiculousglassofhers’。I’mgoing，soyouneedn’ttrytopreachpropriety，foryoucan’tdoit，Jo。“
MissKatedidknowseveralnewgames，andasthegirlswouldnot，andtheboyscouldnot，eatanymore，theyalladjournedtothedrawingroomtoplayRig-marole。
“Onepersonbeginsastory，anynonsenseyoulike，andtellsaslongashepleases，onlytakingcaretostopshortatsomeexcitingpoint，whenthenexttakesitupanddoesthesame。It’sveryfunnywhenwelldone，andmakesaperfectjumbleoftragicalcomicalstufftolaughover。Pleasestartit，Mr。Brooke，“saidKate，withacommandingair，whichsurprisedMeg，whotreatedthetutorwithasmuchrespectasanyothergentleman。
Lyingonthegrassatthefeetofthetwoyoungladies，Mr。
Brookeobedientlybeganthestory，withthehandsomebrowneyessteadilyfixeduponthesunshinyriver。
“Onceonatime，aknightwentoutintotheworldtoseekhisfortune，forhehadnothingbuthisswordandhisshield。
Hetraveledalongwhile，nearlyeight-and-twentyyears，andhadahardtimeofit，tillhecametothepalaceofagoodoldking，whohadofferedarewardtoanyonewhocouldtameandtrainafinebutunbrokencolt，ofwhichhewasveryfond。Theknightagreedtotry，andgotonslowlybutsurely，forthecoltwasagallantfellow，andsoonlearnedtolovehisnewmaster，thoughhewasfreakishandwild。Everyday，whenhegavehislessonstothispetoftheking’s，theknightrodehimthroughthecity，andasherode，helookedeverywhereforacertainbeautifulface，whichhehadseenmanytimesinhisdreams，butneverfound。Oneday，ashewentprancingdownaquietstreet，hesawatthewindowofaruinouscastlethelovelyface。Hewasdelighted，inquiredwholivedinthisoldcastle，andwastoldthatseveralcaptiveprincesseswerekepttherebyaspell，andspunalldaytolayupmoneytobuytheirliberty。Theknightwishedintenselythathecouldfreethem，buthewaspoorandcouldonlygobyeachday，watchingforthesweetfaceandlongingtoseeitoutinthesunshine。Atlastheresolvedtogetintothecastleandaskhowhecouldhelpthem。Hewentandknocked。Thegreatdoorflewopen，andhebeheld……“
“Aravishinglylovelylady，whoexclaimed，withacryofrapture，`Atlast!Atlast!’“continuedKate，whohadreadFrenchnovels，andadmiredthestyle。“`Tisshe!’criedCountGustave，andfellatherfeetinanecstasyofjoy。`Oh，rise!’
shesaid，extendingahandofmarblefairness。`Never!TillyoutellmehowImayrescueyou，’sworetheknight，stillkneeling。
`Alas，mycruelfatecondemnsmetoremainheretillmytyrantisdestroyed。’`Whereisthevillain？’`Inthemauvesalon。Go，braveheart，andsavemefromdespair。’`Iobey，andreturnvictoriousordead!’Withthesethrillingwordsherushedaway，andflingingopenthedoorofthemauvesalon，wasabouttoenter，whenhereceived……“
“AstunningblowfromthebigGreeklexicon，whichanoldfellowinablackgownfiredathim，“saidNed。“Instantly，SirWhat’s-his-namerecoveredhimself，pitchedthetyrantoutofthewindow，andturnedtojointhelady，victorious，butwithabumponhisbrow，foundthedoorlocked，toreupthecurtains，madearopeladder，gothalfwaydownwhentheladderbroke，andhewentheadfirstintothemoat，sixtyfeetbelow。Couldswimlikeaduck，paddledroundthecastletillhecametoalittledoorguardedbytwostoutfellows，knockedtheirheadstogethertilltheycrackedlikeacoupleofnuts，then，byatriflingexertionofhisprodigiousstrength，hesmashedinthedoor，wentupapairofstonestepscoveredwithdustafootthick，toadsasbigasyourfist，andspidersthatwouldfrightenyouintohysterics，MIssMarch。Atthetopofthesestepshecameplumpuponasightthattookhisbreathawayandchilledhisblood……“
“Atallfigure，allinwhitewithaveiloveritsfaceandalampinitswastedhand，“wentonMeg。“Itbeckoned，glidingnoiselesslybeforehimdownacorridorasdarkandcoldasanytomb。Shadowyeffigiesinarmorstoodoneitherside，adeadsilencereigned，thelampburnedblue，andtheghostlyfigureeverandanonturneditsfacetowardhim，showingtheglitterofawfuleyesthroughitswhiteveil。Theyreachedacurtaineddoor，behindwhichsoundedlovelymusic。Hesprangforwardtoenter，butthespecterpluckedhimback，andwavedthreateninglybeforehima……“
“Snuffbox，“saidJo，inasepulchraltone，whichconvulsedtheaudience。“`Thankee，’saidtheknightpolitely，ashetookapinchandsneezedseventimessoviolentlythathisheadfelloff。`Ha!
Ha!’laughedtheghost，andhavingpeepedthroughthekeyholeattheprincessesspinningawayfordearlife，theevilspiritpickeduphervictimandputhiminalargetinbox，wheretherewereelevenotherknightspackedtogetherwithouttheirheads，likesardines，whoallroseandbeganto……“
“Danceahornpipe，“cutinFred，asJopausedforbreath，“and，astheydanced，therubbishyoldcastleturnedtoaman-of-warinfullsail。`Upwiththejib，reefthetops’lhalliards，helmhardalee，andmantheguns!’roaredthecaptain，asaPortuguesepiratehoveinsight，withaflagblackasinkflyingfromherforemast。
`Goinandwin，myhearties!’saysthecaptain，andatremendousfightbegan。OfcoursetheBritishbeat，theyalwaysdo。“
“No，theydon’t!“criedJo，aside。
“Havingtakenthepiratecaptainprisoner，sailedslapovertheschooner，whosedeckswerepiledhighwithdeadandwhoseleescuppersranblood，fortheorderhadbeen`Cutlasses，anddiehard!’`Bosun’smate，takeabightoftheflying-jibsheet，andstartthisvillainifhedoesn’tconfesshissinsdoublequick，’saidtheBritishcaptain。ThePortugueseheldhistonguelikeabrick，andwalkedtheplank，whilethejollytarscheeredlikemad。Buttheslydogdived，cameupundertheman-of-war，scuttledher，anddownshewent，withallsailset，`Tothebottomofthesea，sea，sea’where……“
“Oh，gracious!WhatshallIsay？“criedSallie，asFredendedhisrigmarole，inwhichhehadjumbledtogetherpell-mellnauticalphrasesandfactsoutofoneofhisfavoritebooks。
“Well，theywenttothebottom，andanicemermaidwelcomedthem，butwasmuchgrievedonfindingtheboxofheadlessknights，andkindlypickledtheminbrine，hopingtodiscoverthemysteryaboutthem，forbeingawoman，shewascurious。By-and-byadivercamedown，andthemermaidsaid，`I’llgiveyouaboxofpearlsifyoucantakeitup，’forshewantedtorestorethepoorthingstolife，andcouldn’traisetheheavyloadherself。Sothediverhoisteditup，andwasmuchdisappointedonopeningittofindnopearls。Heleftitinagreatlonelyfield，whereitwasfoundbya……“
“Littlegoosegirl，whokeptahundredfatgeeseinthefield，“
saidAmy，whenSallie’sinventiongaveout。“Thelittlegirlwassorryforthem，andaskedanoldwomanwhatsheshoulddotohelpthem。`Yourgeesewilltellyou，theyknoweverything。’saidtheoldwoman。Sosheaskedwhatsheshouldusefornewheads，sincetheoldoneswerelost，andallthegeeseopenedtheirhundredmouthsandscreamed……“
“`Cabbages!’“continuedLauriepromptly。“`Justthething，’
saidthegirl，andrantogettwelvefineonesfromhergarden。
Sheputthemon，theknightsrevivedatonce，thankedher，andwentontheirwayrejoicing，neverknowingthedifference，forthereweresomanyotherheadslikethemintheworldthatnoonethoughtanythingofit。TheknightinwhomI’minterestwentbacktofindtheprettyface，andlearnedthattheprincesseshadspunthemselvesfreeandallgoneandmarried，butone。Hewasinagreatstateofmindatthat，andmountingthecolt，whostoodbyhimthroughthickandthin，rushedtothecastletoseewhichwasleft。Peepingoverthehedge，hesawthequeenofhisaffectionspickingflowersinhergarden。`Willyougivemearose？’saidhe。`Youmustcomeandgetit。Ican’tcometoyou，itisn’tproper，’saidshe，assweetashoney。Hetriedtoclimboverthehedge，butitseemedtogrowhigherandhigher。Thenhetriedtopushthrough，butitgrewthickerandthicker，andhewasindespair。Sohepatientlybroketwigaftertwigtillhehadmadealittleholethroughwhichhepeeped，sayingimploringly，`Letmein!Letmein!’Buttheprettyprincessdidnotseemtounderstand，forshepickedherrosesquietly，andlefthimtofighthiswayin。Whetherhedidornot，Frankwilltellyou。“
“Ican’t。I’mnotplaying，Ineverdo，“saidFrank，dismayedatthesentimentalpredicamentoutofwhichhewastorescuetheabsurdcouple。BethhaddisappearedbehindJo，andGracewasasleep。
“Sothepoorknightistobeleftstickinginthehedge，ishe？“askedMr。Brooke，stillwatchingtheriver，andplayingwiththewildroseinhisbuttonhole。
“Iguesstheprincessgavehimaposy，andopenedthegateafterawhile，“saidLaurie，smilingtohimself，ashethrewacornsathistutor。
“Whatapieceofnonsensewehavemade!Withpracticewemightdosomethingquiteclever。DoyouknowTruth？“
“Ihopeso，“saidMegsoberly。
“Thegame，Imean？“
“whatisit？“saidFred。
“Why，youpileupyourhands，chooseanumber，anddrawoutinturn，andthepersonwhodrawsatthenumberhastoanswertrulyanyquestionputbytherest。It’sgreatfun。“
“Let’stryit，“saidJo，wholikednewexperiments。
MissKateandMr。Booke，Meg，andNeddeclined，butFred，Sallie，Jo，andLauriepiledanddrew，andthelotfelltoLaurie。
“Whoareyourheroes？“askedJo。
“GrandfatherandNapoleon。“
“Whichladyheredoyouthinkprettiest？“saidSallie。
“Margaret。“
“Whichdoyoulikebest？“fromFred。
“Jo，ofcourse。“
“Whatsillyquestionsyouask!“AndJogaveadisdainfulshrugastherestlaughedatLaurie’smatter-of-facttone。
“Tryagain。Truthisn’tabadgame，“saidFred。
“It’saverygoodoneforyou，“retortedJoinalowvoice。
Herturncamenext。
“Whatisyourgreatestfault？’askedFred，bywayoftestinginherthevirtuehelackedhimself。
“Aquicktemper。“
“Whatdoyoumostwishfor？“saidLaurie。
“Apairofbootlacings，“returnedJo，guessinganddefeatinghispurpose。
“Notatrueanswer。Youmustsaywhatyoureallydowantmost。“
“Genius。Don’tyouwishyoucouldgiveittome，Laurie？“
Andsheslylysmiledinhisdisappointedface。
“Whatvirtuesdoyoumostadmireinaman？“askedSallie。
“Courageandhonesty。“
“Nowmyturn，“saidFred，ashishandcamelast。
“Let’sgiveittohim，“whisperedLaurietoJo，whonoddedandaskedatonce……
“Didn’tyoucheatatcroquet？’
“Well，yes，alittlebit。“
“Good!Didn’tyoutakeyourstoryoutofTHESEALION？“