LITTLE WOMEN

By Matt Buchanan

CAST OF CHARACTERS

YOUNG JO – Swara Joshi VO- Jinia Banerji

YOUNG AMY- Anushka P. VO – Ira Bhatia
YOUNG BETH – Joana A. VO – Hetvi B.
YOUNG MEG – Nandita P. VO- Nihaarika B
MARMEE – Kshama VO – Shirley Henry
HANNAH – Samiksha H. VO- Lysha C
YOUNG LAURIE- Mahi Yadav VO – Anvee S.
MR. LAURENCE – Anvee P. VO- Norah Z.
MR. MARCH – Sandhya K. VO- Siya Nigvekar
NARRATOR 1 – Jenny S.
NARRATOR 2 –
NARRATOR 3 -

2
 SCENE ONE
Living room scene
Props: a table and chair for Jo front right, small table with
chairs around centre stage, cupboard, book shelf etc

AT RISE:
JO enters carrying her journal and ink and pen SHE is writing. MEG, BETH and
AMY enter and sit by the centre table Meg doing needle work. Beth cleaning
Marmee’s slippers and Amy just sitting.

Narrator: It was cold that December evening, but it was warm beside the fire in
the little March Family house.(Spotlight on Jo) Out of the four girls who sat in
that small but cozy living room, Jo March, who was fifteen, was the tomboy and
the tartar of the family. As usual she was the first to say what everyone was
thinking.
Jo: (Joins the others by the table) Christmas won't be Christmas without any
presents.
AMY: I don't think it's fair for some girls to have plenty of pretty things, and other
girls nothing at all.
BETH: We've got Father and Mother, and each other.
JO: We haven't got Father, and we won’t have him for a long time. Not until the war
ends.
MEG: You know the reason Mother proposed not having any presents this
Christmas was because it’s going to be a hard winter for everyone. We ought
not to spend money for pleasure, when our men are suffering so in the army.
We can't do much, but we can make our little sacrifices.
JO: But I don't think the3 little we’d spend would do any good. We've each got a
dollar, and the army wouldn't be much helped by that. I agree not to expect
anything from Mother or you, but I did want to buy a book for myself.
Beth (quietly) I planned to spend mine on new music.
AMY: I shall get a nice box of drawing pencils.
JO: Mother didn't say anything about our money, and she won't want us to give
up everything. Let's each buy what we want, and have a little fun. I'm sure we
work hard enough to earn it.
 LITTLE WOMEN

MEG: I know I do—teaching those tiresome children nearly all day. (to
audience)(Freeze)Spotlight on Meg.
Narrator: Meg March, who was sixteen, sometimes wished she could be a part of
the elite society and enjoy the leisure it offers. But with Mr. March far away in
the army, all the girls had to make sacrifices. Meg worked as a Governess, and
Jo spent her days as paid companion to their cantankerous Aunt March.
JO: How would you like to be shut up for hours with a fussy old lady?
BETH: It's naughty to fret, but I think washing dishes and keeping things tidy is
the worst work in the world. My hands get so stiff, I can't practice piano well at
all. (to audience) (Freeze)Spotlight on Beth.
Narrator: Elizabeth March or Beth as she was called, was the musician of the
family. She was too shy to thrive at school, and did her studies at home as best
she could. With her two older sisters away at their jobs and little Amy off at
school, it fell to Beth to be the homemaker of the family, but if she complained
this once, it was a rarity.
AMY: At least you don't have to go to school with impertinent girls, who plague
you if you don't know your lessons, and laugh at your dresses, and label your
father if he isn't rich.
JO: (laughing) If you mean libel, I'd say so, and not talk about labels as if Papa
was a pickle bottle.
AMY: I know what I mean, and you needn't be satirical about it! (to
audience)(freeze) Spotlight on Amy
Narrator: Twelve-year-old Amy March was the baby of the family, and she really
did her best at school, but she was better at drawing than at vocabulary and
her school masters always complained about that.
To Be Acted: The clock struck nine and, having finished cleaning the slippers;
Beth puts the pair of slippers down.
4
JO: (picks up the slippers and holds them before the Audience) These are quite
worn out. Marmee must have a new pair.
BETH: I thought I'd get her some with my dollar.
AMY: No, I shall!
MEG: I'm the oldest—
JO: I'm the man of the family now that Papa is away, and I shall provide the
slippers.
 BY MATT BUCHANAN

BETH: Let's each get her something, and not get anything for ourselves.

They pause in thought.

MEG: I shall give her a nice pair of gloves.

JO: Army shoes, best to be had!
BETH: Some handkerchiefs, all hemmed.
AMY: I'll get a little bottle of cologne. She likes it, and it won't cost much, so I'll
have some left to buy my pencils.
JO: Let’s let Marmee think we are getting things for ourselves, and then surprise
her. We must go shopping tomorrow afternoon.

MARMEE: (entering) Glad to find you so merry, my girls. There was so much to
do, getting the boxes ready to go tomorrow, that I didn't come home to
dinner. Has anyone called, Beth? How is your cold, Meg? Jo, you look tired to
death( pats Jo).
To Be Acted: (The girls rush to hug her)(. SHE addresses the audience as SHE
sits down. The girls scurry around, and then join her. The girls flew about, trying
to make things comfortable, each in her own way. Meg arranged the tea table.
Jo set chairs, dropping, over-turning, and clattering everything she touched).
Marmee:(to the girls) I've got a treat for you.

BETH and AMY clap their hands.

5
 LITTLE WOMEN

JO: A letter! A letter! Three cheers for Father!

MARMEE: Yes, a nice long letter. He is well, and he sends all sorts of loving
wishes for Christmas, and a special message to you girls.
Narrator: Letters were all the March women had of their father that hard
winter, but as hard as his absence was to bear, they knew his trials were much
worse. Yet this was a cheerful, hopeful letter, full of lively descriptions of camp
life, marches, and military news, and only at the end did the writer's heart over-
flow with fatherly love and longing for the little girls at home.
MARMEE: (reading) Give them all my dear love and a kiss. Tell them I think of
them by day, pray for them by night, and find my best comfort in their affection
at all times. A year seems very long to wait before I see them, but I know they
will remember all I said to them, that they will be loving children to you, do their
duty faithfully, and conquer themselves so beautifully that when I come back to
them I may be fonder and prouder than ever of my little women.
AMY: I am a selfish girl! But I'll truly try to be better, so he won't be disappointed
in me.
MEG: I think too much of my looks and hate to work, but I won't any more.
JO: I'll try and be what he loves to call me—a “little woman”—and not be rough
and wild, but do my duty here instead of wanting to be somewhere else.
To Be Acted and Narrated: Beth said nothing, but wiped away her tears with
the Needle Work cloth and began to stitch with all her might.

The girls hug MARMEE,Wish her goodnight yawning, and exit. MARMEE pauses
for a second, reading over some part of the letter to herself, then smiles and
exits. Lights out.
SCENE TWO
6
Dining Room
Props: Long Table, cloth, Basket with bread and some other Breakfast
things, Chairs, Cupboard etc

Lights on. HANNAH enters the Dining Room. Spotlight on Hannah

Narrator: Hannah had lived with the family since Meg was born, and was
considered, by them all, more as a friend than a servant.
 BY MATT BUCHANAN

The girls enter. MEG carries a basket of gifts for marmee.

MEG: Where’s Mother?

HANNAH: Goodness only knows. Some poor creature came a- beggin', and your
Ma went straight off to see what was needed. There never was a woman like
her for giving.
JO: Here she comes! Hide the basket, quick!

MARMEE enters in her outdoor things.

GIRLS: Merry Christmas, Marmee! (Together)

MARMEE: Merry Christmas, little daughters. Come, gather close. I want to say a
word before we sit down. Not far away from here lies a poor woman with a little
newborn baby. Six children are huddled into one bed to keep from freezing,
because they have no fire. There is nothing to eat over there. My girls, will you
give them your breakfasts as a Christmas present?

Pause, as they contemplate going hungry.

JO: I'm so glad you came before we started to eat!

BETH: May I go and help carry the things to the poor little children?
AMY: I shall take the cream and the muffins.
MARMEE: (pleased) I thought you'd do it! You shall all go and help me.
To be Acted: (During the following, the girls scramble around putting together
baskets of food, and carry them off.)
Lights Off
Std 5 Dance
SCENE 3
7
Dining Room
Lights off. Blue Curtain Closes. Arrange the Long table with lots of treats from Mr.
Lawrence. Other props. Lights on. Girls enter. Front centre stage.
Narrator: It was a very happy breakfast, and when they went away, leaving
comfort behind, I think there were not, in all the city, four merrier people than
the hungry little girls who gave away their breakfast on Christmas morning.
Jo: That was a great morning, wasn’t it.
Beth: Yes.
Meg: Indeed sharing has taught us the true meaning of Christmas.
Amy: Hear hear! (Blue curtains open) Girls surprised
 LITTLE WOMEN

A table laden with food is visible and by it HANNAH and MARMEE.

AMY: Is it fairies who gave that?

BETH: Santa Claus.
MEG: Mother did it.
JO: Aunt March had a good fit and sent the supper.
MARMEE: All wrong. Old Mr. Laurence sent it.
MEG: The Laurence boy's grandfather?! What in the world put such a thing into
his head?
MARMEE: Hannah told one of his servants about your breakfast party. He knew
my father years ago, and he sent me a polite note this afternoon, expressing
his friendly feeling toward our family.

JO: That boy put it into his head, I know he did! He's a capital fellow, and I wish
we could get acquainted. He looks as if he'd like to know us but he's bashful, and
Meg is so prim she won't let me speak to him when we pass. (MEG sticks her
tongue out at JO, the girls settle down to enjoy the treat).
Narrator: “The Laurence boy,” as the girls had taken to calling him, was destined
to become one of their closest friends, but although he lived next door, he and the
girls were to have their first real meeting in another place altogether. It happened a
few days after Christmas, when Jo and Meg received an invitation from their friend
Sally for a little dance on New Year's Eve.

SCENE 4
Ballroom
(People standing about and
8 talking- Std 9 students. Meg and Jo enter)

Sally: (std 9 student) Welcome Meg, Jo. So glad you could come.
(to her friends) Oh, we all know lovely Meg. And this is her sister, Josephine.
(Dance music begins)
BOY GUEST: (std 9 student) May I have this dance, Meg?
 BY MATT BUCHANAN

They whirl away, joined by most of the others. JO is not asked to dance and SHE
looks on.
Lights off.
Std 9 Dance
Lights off.
SCENE 5
Ballroom scene in the background (screen) with low music. Jo walks in and bumps
into Laurie
Narrator: Meg knew Sallie and was at ease very soon, but Jo felt as much out of
place as a colt in a flower garden. She saw a big redheaded youth
approaching her corner, and, fearing he meant to dance with her, she slipped
into another room.
Jo: (to LAURIE) Dear me, I didn't know anyone was here!
LAURIE: (a little shy) Don't mind me, stay if you like. I only came here because I
don't know many people and felt rather strange at first, you know.
JO: You live near us, don't you?
LAURIE: Next door. (laughing) I’ve seen you ever so many times.
And how is your cat, Miss March?
JO: Nicely, thank you, Mr. Laurence. But I am not Miss March, I'm only Jo.
LAURIE: I'm not Mr. Laurence, I'm only Laurie.
JO: Laurie Laurence. What an odd name.
LAURIE: My first name is Theodore, but I don't like it, because the fellows called
me Dora, so I made them say Laurie instead.
JO: I hate being called Josephine, too. How did you make the boys stop calling
you Dora?
LAURIE: I thrashed ‘em.
JO: I can't thrash Aunt March, so I suppose I shall have to bear it.
LAURIE: Don't you like to 9
dance, Miss Jo?
JO: I can't, because I told Meg I wouldn't – (breaks off)

MEG calls out frantically from the background. Comes in limping.

MEG: Jo! JO!

JO: (to MEG) All right! (to LAURIE) I’m sorry. Will you excuse me?
 LITTLE WOMEN

HE bows and withdraws to another corner. MEG speaks in a harsh whisper.

MEG: I've sprained my ankle. That stupid high heel turned. I don't know how I'm
ever going to get home.
JO: I knew you'd hurt your feet with those silly shoes. Maybe Mr.
Laurence—
MEG: No! Don't ask or tell anyone.
LAURIE: (entering, to audience) “Can I help you?” (In a friendly voice, and there
was Laurie, with a full cup in one hand and a plate of ice in the other.)
LAURIE: Please let me take you home. It's on my way, you know, and it’s
starting to rain.
JO: It's so early! You can't mean to go yet?
LAURIE: I always go early. I do, truly! (to audience)
Meg: Thank you ever so much.
Narrator: And that settled that. Soon “The Laurence boy” would be practically
one of the family.
Laurie and Jo help Meg off the stage. Lights off. Music.
Narrator: After that the family found themselves eager to go and visit Mr.
Lawrence and Laurie in their mansion. Mrs. March wanted to talk about her father
with the old man who had not forgotten him. Meg longed to walk in the
conservatory. Beth sighed for the grand piano, and Amy for the fine pictures and
statues. Everyone liked Laurie, but Beth, though yearning for the grand piano,
could not pluck up the courage to go to the “Mansion of Bliss,” as Meg called it.
She went once with Jo, but Mr. Lawrence, not being aware of Beth’s timidity,
stared at her so hard from under his heavy eyebrows, and said, “Hey!” so loudly,
that she ran away, declaring she would never go there any more, not even for
10
the dear piano.
SCENE 6
Living Room
Mr. Lawrence, Marmee, Beth hanging back timidly. Lights on.
Narrator: No persuasions or enticements could overcome Beth’s fear, until Mr.
Lawrence heard about it in some mysterious way and he set about mending
matters.
.
BY MATT BUCHANAN

Mr. Lawrence: (to MARMEE) You know, Laurie neglects his music now, and the
piano suffers for want of use. Wouldn't some of your girls like to run over and
practice on it now and then, just to keep it in tune, you know, ma'am?
(Though still terrified, BETH involuntarily takes a step forward. But MR.
LAURENCE pretends not to notice.) They needn't see or speak to anyone—
just run in any time. I'm shut up in my study at the other end of the house,
Laurie is out a great deal, and the servants are never near the drawing room
after nine o'clock. (rising to leave) Please, tell the young ladies what I say, and
if they don't care to come—
BETH: (quietly slips her hand into his, and speaks very softly) Oh sir, they do
care, very much!
MR. LAURENCE: Are you the musical girl?
BETH: I'm Beth. I love it dearly, and I'll come, if you are quite sure nobody will
hear me, and be disturbed.
MR. LAURENCE: Not a soul, my dear. The house is empty half the day, so come
and drum away as much as you like.
BETH: How kind you are, sir!
MR. LAURENCE: (gazes into her face for a moment, then bends and softly kisses
her on the forehead) I had a little girl once, with eyes like those. God bless you,
my dear! (to MARMEE) Good day, madam. (exits in a great hurry)
Lights off.
Narrator : After that, Beth visited the mansion nearly every day, and the great
drawing room was haunted by a tuneful spirit that came and went unseen. She
never knew that Mr. Laurence opened his study door to hear the old- fashioned
tunes she played.
Lights on.
11
Beth: (to MARMEE) Mother, I'm going to make Mr. Laurence a pair of slippers.
He is so kind to me, always, and I must thank him, and I don't know any other
way. Can I do it?
MARMEE: Yes, dear. It will please him very much, and be a nice way of
thanking him.
Lightsoff Add piano prop to the scene.
Narrator: Beth toiled away day and night to make a beautiful pair of slippers for
the old gentleman who had become her friend. Then she wrote a simple note, and
with Laurie's help, got her slippers smuggled onto the study table one morning,
and waited to see what would happen. All day passed, and part of the next, and
she was beginning to fear she had offended her crotchety friend. On the afternoon
of the second day, she went out to do an errand, and on her return,( lights on) she
saw three, yes, four heads popping in and out of the parlor windows, and the
moment they saw her, several hands were waved, and several joyful voices
screamed—
MEG: Here's a letter from the old gentleman! Come quick, and read it!
AMY: Oh, Beth, he's sent you—
JO: (claps her hand over AMY’s mouth) Come on! Look there! Look there!
Narrator: Beth did look, and turned pale with delight and surprise, for there stood
a little cabinet piano, with a letter lying on the glossy lid, addressed to Miss
Elizabeth March.
Beth: (To Jo) For me?
JO: (hugging her) Yes, all for you, my precious! Isn't it splendid of him? Don't you
think he's the dearest old man in the world? Here's the letter.
BETH: You read it! I can't! Oh, it is too lovely! (Buries her head in Jo’s apron)
JO: (reads) “Miss March: Dear Madam—“
AMY: How nice it sounds! I wish someone would write to me like that!
JO: “I have had many pairs of slippers in my life, but never any that suited me so
well as yours. Blue is my favorite colour, and these will always remind me of
the gentle giver. I like to pay my debts, so I know you will allow ‘the old
gentleman’ to send you something which once belonged to the little
granddaughter he lost. With hearty thanks and best wishes, I remain your
grateful friend and humble servant, James Laurence.”

12
 BY MATT BUCHANAN

JO: (teasing) You'll have to go and thank him.

BETH: Yes, I guess I'll go now, before I get frightened thinking about it. (to
audience) And, to the utter amazement of the assembled family, Beth walked
deliberately down the garden, through the hedge, and towards the Lawrences’
mansion.
Lights off. Std 6 Dance
Mid Dance:
Beth: (to Mr. Lawrence) I came to thank you, sir, for the piano.
MR. LAURENCE: Not at all my dear, not at all!
(Takes Beth’s arm and walks her off the stage. Dance continues)

Lights off.
SCENE 7
Living Room

Narrator: Growing up is never easy, and sometimes older sisters can make the
waiting worse. (MEG and JO enter, deep in conversation, dressed for going
out.)
Amy: Girls, where are you going?
JO: Never mind. Little girls shouldn't ask questions. AMY: Do tell me! I
should think you might let me go, too. MEG: I can't, dear, because you
aren't invited.
JO: Now, Meg, be quiet or you will spoil it all. You can't go, Amy, so don't be a
baby.
13
.

AMY: I know! I know! You're going to the theater to see The Seven Castles! I
shall go, too. Mother said I could see it, and I've got my rag money. It was
mean not to tell me in time. (sits on the floor and starts to pull on her boots)
MEG: (weakening) Suppose we take her?
JO: If she goes I’m not, and if I don't, Laurie won't like it, and it will be very rude,
after he invited only us, to go and drag in Amy. I should think she'd hate to
poke in where she isn't wanted.
AMY: (begins to cry) You don’t care about anybody but yourselves!
MEG: Now, Amy, be sensible, dear—
LAURIE: (enters cheerfully, unaware of the strife) Ready, ladies?

HE offers them each an arm, and the three exit without looking back at AMY.
Just as they disappear, SHE leaps up and shouts.

AMY: You'll be sorry for this, Jo March, see if you aren’t.

JO:Fiddlesticks!
Lights off.

Narrator: When they got home, they found Amy reading in the parlor. She
assumed an injured air as they came in, and never lifted her eyes from her
book or asked a single question. Jo decided that Amy had forgiven and
forgotten her wrongs. There, Jo was mistaken. The next instant she made a
discovery that produced a tempest.
Lights on. Jo looking frantically for her journal.
JO: Has anyone taken my book? (seeing AMY) Amy, you've got it!
AMY: No, I haven't.
JO: You know where it is, then!
AMY: No, I don't. 14
JO: (taking AMY by the shoulders and shaking her) That's a fib!
AMY: It isn't. I haven't got it, I don't know where it is now, and I don't care.
JO: You know something about it, and you'd better tell at once.
AMY: Scold as much as you like, you'll never see your silly old book again.
JO: Why not?
AMY: I burned it up.
JO: What! My little book I was so fond of, and worked over, and meant to finish
before Father got home? Have you really burned it?
AMY: I told you I'd make you pay for being so cross yesterday, and I have, so—
JO: (shaking her violently) You wicked, wicked girl! I never can write it again, and
I'll never forgive you as long as I live.

MEG and BETH pull them apart, MEG comforting AMY and BETH trying to
soothe JO, but JO storms off. Lights off

Narrator: Jo's book was the pride of her heart, and was regarded by her family as
a literary sprout of great promise. Amy’s bonfire had consumed the loving work
of several years. It seemed a small loss to others, but to Jo it was a dreadful
calamity, and she felt that it never could be made up to her. Beth mourned as
for a departed kitten, and Meg refused to defend her favorite sister. Mrs. March
looked stern and grave, until Amy felt that no one would love her ‘til she had
asked pardon for the act which she now regretted more than anyone.

Lightson.
JO enters as if on her way somewhere else. SHE sees AMY and stops dead.

AMY: Please forgive me, Jo. I'm very, very sorry.

JO: I will never forgive you. (AMY runs off in tears. The others follow, leaving JO.
Lights off.

15
Narrator: Nothing seemed to go right the next day. Everyone was cross, and Jo
decided that only Laurie could be cheerful enough to take her out of herself. It was
a bitterly cold day for the time of year, and as it was probably the last day of ice
on the river, she invited him to go skating. Naturally, Amy had to tag along. Jo
decided to just ignore her. (lights on project on screen)
LAURIE: (calling from offstage) Keep near the shore. It isn't safe in the middle.
JO: (calling offstage) Amy, did you hear— (pause; hardening her heart) Never
mind.

After a long pause, we hear AMY scream in terror, followed by LAURIE’s voice
from offstage.

LAURIE: Bring a rail. Quick, quick! Amy has fallen through the ice.
JO: Amy! (Jo runs across with a rail, lights off)

SCENE 8
Bedroom
Amy lying on the bed with blanket. Some chairs, Cupboard, etc. Others
huddled around.
Lights on

JO: Are you sure she’s safe?

MARMEE: Quite safe, dear. She’s not hurt, and won't even take cold, I think.
JO: Mother, if she should die, it would be my fault. It's my dreadful temper! I try to
cure it, I think I have, and then it breaks out worse than ever. Oh, Mother, what
shall I do?

16
 LITTLE WOMEN

HANNAH, MEG and BETH exit.

MARMEE: Watch and pray, dear. Never get tired of trying, and never think it is
impossible.
JO: You don't know how bad it is! It seems as if I could do anything when I'm in a
passion. I'm afraid I’ll do something dreadful some day. Oh, Mother, help me,
do help me!
MARMEE: Jo, dear, we all have our temptations, and it often takes us all our
lives to conquer them. You think your temper is the worst in the world, but mine
used to be just like it.
JO: Yours, Mother? Why, you are never angry!
MARMEE: I am angry nearly every day of my life, Jo, but I have learned not to
show it, and I still hope to learn not to feel it, though it may take me another
forty years.

JO squeezes MARMEE’s hand in silence for a moment. Then MARMEE exits,

leaving JO alone with AMY. SHE gazes down at the sleeping figure, and strokes
her hair.

JO: I let the sun go down on my anger. I wouldn't forgive you, and if it hadn't
been for Laurie, it might have been too late! How could I be so wicked?

After another pause, AMY opens her eyes and holds out her arms to JO. They
embrace warmly as the lights go off
Std 7 Dance.
Lights off.
17
 SCENE 9
Living Room

A bell rings. A moment later, HANNAH enters with a telegram.

HANNAH: It's one of them horrid telegraph things, mum.

Worried, MARMEE snatches the telegram and reads it. It is brief, and as SHE
finishes it SHE seems to lose all of her strength. SHE wavers on her feet, and
JO rushes forward with a chair just in time to prevent her sinking to the floor. JO
takes the telegram from her hands and with a glance at her sisters, reads.

JO: “Mrs. March: Your husband is very ill. Come at once.”

Silence for a long moment. MARMEE takes the telegram from JO, reads it silently
a second time, then holds out her arms for her daughters.

MARMEE: I shall go at once, but it may be too late. Oh, children, children, help
me to bear it!

A long embrace. HANNAH stands slightly apart, equally moved. Finally SHE
breaks the silence.

18
 BY MATT BUCHANAN

HANNAH: The Lord keep the dear man! I won't waste no time a- cryin', but get
your things ready. (bustles out, wiping away tears with her apron )
MARMEE: She's right. There's no time for tears now. Be calm, girls, and let me
think. Where's Laurie?
LAURIE: (entering) Here, ma'am. Oh, let me do something.
MARMEE: Send a telegram saying I will come at once. The next train goes early
in the morning. Now go, dear, but don't kill yourself riding at a desperate pace.
(Laurie exits) Jo, run to the rooms and tell Mrs. King that I can't come to work
today. (JO exits.) Beth, go ask Mr. Laurence for a couple of bottles of wine.
I'm not too proud to beg for Father. (BETH exits.) Amy, tell Hannah to get
down the black trunk, and Meg, come and help me find my things. I'm half
bewildered.

AMY exits as MEG puts her hands on MARMEE’s shoulders and both exit. Lights
off..

SCENE 10
Living Room
Lights on. Everyone waiting anxiously.
Narrator: Everything was arranged by the time Laurie returned. The short
afternoon wore away but, still, Jo did not come. They began to get anxious, and
Laurie went off to find her, for no one knew what Jo might take into her head.

HE exits, and a moment later JO enters. SHE is wearing a bonnet. Without a

word, SHE hands MARMEE a purse of money.

MARMEE: Twenty-five dollars! Jo, I hope you haven't done anything rash?
JO: No, it's mine honestly.
19 I didn't beg, borrow, or steal it. I earned it, and I don't
think you'll blame me, for I only sold what was my own.

JO takes off the bonnet, revealing short-cropped hair.

 LITTLE WOMEN

MARMEE: Your hair! Your beautiful hair! Oh, Jo, how could you?
Your one beauty.
JO: (pretending indifference) It will be good for my vanity, I was getting too proud
of my hair. It will do my brains good to have that mop off.
BETH: (hugging her) She doesn't look like my Jo any more, but I love her dearly
for it!
AMY: Didn't you feel dreadful when the first cut came?
JO: I never snivel over trifles like that. I will confess, though, I felt strange when I
saw the dear old hair laid out on the table.

MARMEE: (touching Jo’s head) Go to bed and don't talk, for we must be up early
and we need all the sleep we can get. Good night, my darlings. (As the girls
exit, one by one.
Lights off. Meg on the stage holding a letter. Spotlight on.

MEG: My dearest Mother: It is impossible to tell you how happy your last letter
made us, for the news that you sent about papa was so good we couldn't help
laughing and crying over it. The girls are all as good as gold. Jo helps me with
the sewing, and insists on doing all sorts of hard jobs. I’d be afraid she might
overdo, if I didn't know her “moral fit” won’t last long. Beth is as regular about
her tasks as a clock, and never forgets what you told her. Amy minds me
nicely, and I take great care of her. Laurence watches over us like a motherly
old hen, as Jo says, and Laurie is very kind and neighborly. Hannah is a perfect
saint. She does not scold at all, and always calls me Miss Margaret, which is
quite proper, you know.20
We are all well and busy, but we long, day and night, to
have you back.
Give my love to Father and believe me, ever your own— Meg.
Lights off.
 SCENE 11
Living Room

Lights come up to reveal MEG, JO and BETH sitting and working together.

BETH: Meg, I wish you'd go and see the Hummels. You know Mother told us
not to forget them.
MEG: I'm too tired to go this afternoon.
BETH: Can't you, Jo?
JO: Too stormy for me with my cold.
BETH: I thought it was almost well.
JO: (laughing a little uncomfortably) It's well enough for me to go out with Laurie,
but not well enough to go to the Hummels.
MEG: Why don't you go yourself?
BETH: I have been every day, but the baby is sick, and I don't know what to do
for it. Mrs. Hummel goes away to work, and her oldest daughter takes care of
it. But it gets sicker and sicker.
MEG: I’ll go see tomorrow, honey. I promise.
JO: Ask Hannah for some nice little treat, and take it round, Beth.
The air will do you good. I'd go, but I want to finish my writing.
BETH: My head aches and I'm tired, so I thought maybe some of you would go.
MEG: Amy will be in presently, and she’ll run down for us.

During the following, everyone but BETH exits, leaving her alone.

Narrator: So Beth lay down on the sofa, the others returned to their work, and
the Hummels were forgotten. An hour passed. Amy did not come. Meg went to
her room to try on a new dress, Jo was absorbed in her story, and Hannah was
21
sound asleep before the kitchen fire, when Beth quietly put on her hood, and
went out into the chilly air.( Beth leaves).

Lightsoff.
 SCENE 12
Bedroom
Beth Enters. Lights on.

Narrator: It was late when she came back, and no one saw her creep upstairs
and shut herself into her mother's room. Half an hour later, Jo went to “Mother's
room for something, and found little Beth sitting on the bed, looking very grave,
with red eyes and a camphor bottle in her hand.
Jo: (to BETH) Christopher Columbus! What's the matter?
BETH: Stay away! (Pause) You've had the scarlet fever, haven't you?
JO: Years ago, when Meg did. Why?
BETH: Oh, Jo, the baby's dead!
JO: What baby?
BETH: Mrs. Hummel's. She died in my lap before Mrs. Hummel got home.
JO: (embracing her) My poor dear, how dreadful for you! I ought to have gone.
BETH: It wasn't dreadful, Jo, only so sad! The baby was sicker and--- (Starts to
cry)
JO: Don't cry, dear! What did you do?
BETH: I just sat and held her softly till Mrs. Hummel came with the doctor. He
said she was dead. (gruffly) He said it was Scarlet fever, and told me to go
home and take belladonna right away.
JO: Oh, Beth, if you’re sick I’ll never forgive myself!
BETH: I guess I won't have it badly. I looked in Mother's book, and saw that it
begins with headache and a sore throat like mine, so I took some belladonna,
and I feel better.
JO: (feeling her forehead) I'll call Hannah. She knows all about sickness.
BETH: Don't let Amy come! She never had it, and I should hate to give it to her.

22
 BY MATT BUCHANAN

Narrator: Hannah, that good soul, was awake in a minute, and took the lead at
once, assuring that there was no need to worry—everyone had scarlet fever.
(MEG and HANNAH enter, Hannah speaks to the girls. )
Hannah: Now I'll tell you what we'll do. We’ll have Dr. Bangs, just to take a look
at you, dear, and see that we start right. We'll send Amy off to Aunt March's for
a spell, to keep her out of harm's way, and one of you girls can stay at home
and amuse Beth for a day or two.
MEG: I shall stay, of course. I'm oldest.
JO: I shall, because it's my fault she is sick. I told Mother I'd do the errands, and I
haven't.
MEG: I'll go and tell Amy.
Lights off. They Exit.
JO and Meg enter, Beth remains on the bed.

Narrator: Jo devoted herself to Beth day and night—not a hard task, for Beth was
very patient, and bore her pain uncomplainingly as long as she could control
herself. But there came a time when, during the fever fits, she began to talk in a
hoarse voice, to play on the coverlet as if on her little piano, and to try to sing
with a throat so swollen that there was no music left—a time when she did not
know the familiar faces around her, and called imploringly for her mother.
(Spotlight on Meg Crying)Then it was that Meg felt how rich she had been in
things more precious than any luxuries money could buy.
(Spotlight on Jo looking Sadly and lovingly at Beth) Then it was that Jo
learned to see the beauty and the sweetness of Beth's nature, and to
acknowledge the worth of Beth's unselfish ambition to live for others.

Lights on. HANNAH enters.

23
JO still sits with BETH Meg Standing near them.
 BY MATT BUCHANAN

HANNAH: Dr. Bangs came this morning, he looked at Beth, and said, “If Mrs.
March can leave her husband, she'd better be sent for.” (All sit quietly and
watch over the sleeping BETH.)
Narrator: The girls never forgot that night. No sleep came to them as they kept
their watch while Beth fought for her life.
MEG: If God spares Beth, I never will complain again.
JO: If God spares Beth, I'll try to love and serve Him all my life.
MEG: I wish I had no heart, it aches so.

Pause. HANNAH sleeps. JO moves restlessly to stare out a “window.” We hear a

clock strike the hour of two. MEG, who is watching BETH closely, suddenly
moves forward and looks concerned. The movement attracts JO’s attention, and
SHE too moves close. SHE stares at the peaceful face for a moment, then bends
to kiss her forehead. Her voice is barely audible.

JO: Goodbye, my Beth. Goodbye.

HANNAH awakens. SHE moves to BETH, feels her forehead, and puts her ear
close to her lips to listen for her breath. Then SHE falls to the floor and sits
rocking. The girls obviously think the worst has happened until they can
understand what HANNAH is saying.

HANNAH: The fever's turned! She's sleepin' natural, her skin's damp, and she
breathes easy! Praise be given to the Lord! Oh, my goodness me!

The girls and HANNAH hug each other in silent celebration, careful not to wake
BETH.

JO: If Mother would only24come now!

 LITTLE WOMEN

The sound of a door slamming offstage, and LAURIE’s voice comes to us from
without.

LAURIE: Girls, she's come! She's come!

After a moment’s pause, MARMEE and Laurie enter and, from the faces that
greet her, knows instantly the BETH will be well. She opens her arms to MEG and
JO, as LAURIE beams. As the embrace is broken and MARMEE moves to the
bedside
MARMEE: Oh my Darling girl. May God keep you safe always.(taking Beth’s
hand and kissing it)
Lights off.
SCENE 13
Living Room
Beth, Amy, Jo, Meg, Marmee and Mr. Lawrence sitting around and
conversing, laughing etc .Hannah standing and listening, smiling.
Narrator: Now and then, in this workaday world, things do happen in storybook
fashion. They did that Christmas too. Everyone was so happy that Beth was
recovering wonderfully. Things were finally looking up for the March sisters. But
that was not the only Christmas present they got that year, there was another
Christmas present for the March family!

And with a grand gesture LAURIE ushers in MR. MARCH, leaning heavily on a
walking stick. After a moment’s stunned silence, all five March women rush to
embrace him. Even HANNAH weeps as SHE respectfully greets MR. MARCH—
even though SHE has a turkey in one hand!

Everyone sits around the25table, BETH on MR. MARCH’s knee.

 LITTLE WOMEN

JO: Just a year ago we were groaning over the dismal Christmas we expected to
have. Do you remember?
MEG: Rather a pleasant year on the whole!

BETH: I'm glad it's over, because we've got you back, father.
MR. MARCH: Well, I've made several discoveries today.
MEG: Oh, tell us what they are!
MR. MARCH: Here is one. (takes her hand) I remember a time when this hand
was white and smooth, and your first care was to keep it so. It was very pretty
then, but to me it is much prettier now, for in these seeming blemishes I read a
little history. This hardened palm has earned something better than blisters,
and I'm sure the sewing done by these pricked fingers will last a long time; so
much good will went into the stitches. I'm proud to shake this good, industrious
hand, and I hope I shall not soon be asked to give it away.
BETH: What about Jo? Please say something nice, for she has tried so hard and
been so good to me.
MR. MARCH: Her face is rather thin and pale just now, with watching and anxiety,
but I like to look at it, for it has grown gentle. She takes care of a certain little
person in a motherly way that delights me. I rather miss my wild girl, but if I get
a strong, helpful, tenderhearted woman in her place, I shall feel quite satisfied. I
don't know whether the shearing sobered our black sheep, but I do know that in
all Washington I couldn't find anything beautiful enough to be bought with the
five-and-twenty dollars my good girl sent me.
AMY: Now, Beth.

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 LITTLE WOMEN

MR. MARCH: There's so little of her, I'm afraid to say much, for fear she will slip
away altogether, though she is not so shy as she used to be. (stops for a
moment, overcome) I've got you safe, my Beth, and I'll keep you so, please
God. (There is a silent pause before MR. MARCH turns to AMY and continues.)
And I observed that Amy gave Meg her place tonight at dinner, ran errands for
her mother all the afternoon, and has waited on everyone with patience and
good humor. She does not fret much nor look in the mirror, so I conclude that
she has learned to think of other people more and of herself less, and has
decided to try and mold her character as carefully as she molds her little clay
figures. I am glad of this, for though I should be very proud of a graceful statue
made by her, I shall be infinitely prouder of a lovable daughter with a talent for
making life beautiful to herself and others. (SHE hugs him)
Narrator:

Lights off. Std 8 Dance

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