LITTLE WOMEN

SUMMARY OF THE STORY

"The first of june, and the King family is going on holiday tomorrow!" said Meg. "I'm free for three months!" Aunt March went away for her holiday today too. Next day, Meg appeared at ten o'clock and ate breakfast alone. It was a lonely meal and the room was untidy, because Beth had not cleaned it. Jo went to the river with Laurie, then sat in the apple tree and read a book. Beth went to her piano, glad that she did not have to wash the cups and plates. Amy sat in the garden to draw. She went for a walk, got caught in the rain and came home very wet. Everyone said that it had been a delightful but unusually long day. The week seemed to get longer and longer with nothing much to do, and by Friday the girls were glad that it was nearly over. Mrs March gave Hannah a holiday, and when the girls got up Saturday, there was no breakfast ready, no fire in the kitchen, and no mother waiting for them. They had to look after themselves. They prepared the table. But the cooking was poor. Some days later, all four girls went on a picnic with Laurie and his tutor, Mr Brooke, and some other young people. It was a sunny day and they had their picnic on a hill, under some tree.

delightful:非常にうれしい　Everyone said that it had been a delightful but unusually long day.

tutor: 家庭教師　　　　　I work as a private tutor to elementary school children./ Some days later, all four girls went on a picnic with Laurie and his tutor, Mr Brook, and some other young people.

LITTLE WOMEN

A SUMMARY OF THE STORY

"It's hard for her to forgive you, Amy," said Meg. It was not far to the river, but Jo and Laurie were already skating when Amy arrived. Laurie was carefully skating along the edge of the ice and didn't see the younger girl. Amy skated out towards the smmother ice in the middle ofthe river. Jo saw Amy crash through the ice into the cold water. Jo tried to call Laurie, but her voice was gone, and for a second she could only stand and stare at the little bule hood of Amy's coat above the black water. Laurie skated past her. Jo fetched some wood and pulled it across the ice, while Laurie held Amy's head above the water. They got her out. Amy opend her eyes and held out Jo's arm, with a smile that went straight to Jo's heart. Neither of them said a word. but they held each other close, and everything was forgiven and forgotten. Annie Moffat did not forget her promised invitation, and one April day Meg went to stay at the Moffat's large house. Mr Moffat was a fat, friendly gentleman; and Mrs Moffat was a fat, friendly lady. They were all very kind to Meg and did their best to make her feel at home. At the party Meg got a lettter from Mother and flowers from Laurie. Her mother's loving words and Laurie's kindness made Meg feel much happier and she enjoyed the party very much.



hood:ずきん　 For a second she could stand and stare at the little bule hood of Amy's coat above the black water.

disappear:見えなくなる　He disappeared round the first bend in the river.

invitation:招待　Annie Moffat did not forget her promised invitation.

LITTLEWOMEN

A SUMMARY OF THE STORY

Laurie and the four girls were soon great friends.Brooke complained to the old gentleman that his student was always running across to see the Marches.The next day, Beth waited until the old and the young gentlemen both went out, then she ran across to the big house and found her way to the room with the besutiful piano. As soon as she began to play, she forgot her fears immediately in the delight which the music gave her. Beth went everyday. The next day, Beth went out for a walk, and when she came back the others were waiting for her. She was gaved a letter by everyone. She hurried to the house and they took her into the front room. "Look there!" everyone was saying at once. Beth looked and got the biggest surprise of her life. There was a lovely little piano. Beth sat down and beganto play, and everyone thought it was the most perfect piano they had ever heard. It was Mr Laurence that present her a piano. Beth thanked him. " Where are you going?" Amy asked Meg and Jo one afternoon. Amy wanted to come too, but Meg said " you can't. you're not invited." Jo quarreled with Amy. Next day, Jo wanted to get out of the house, so she picked up her skates and went next door to ask Laurie to take her skating. Amy heard them. " Jo promised to take me with her next time!" she complained.....



catch up with~:追いつく　　He can catch up with his studies later.
annoy:いらいらする　　　　 "Mow stop annoying us."
suppose:思う　　　　　　　　　"We could take her, I suppose.

LITTLE WOMEN

The house next door

A SUMMARY OF THE STORY
"It's so nice to go to parties and drive home in carriages," said Meg, the next morning. Mr March had lost most of his money helping a friend. When the two older girls discovered this, they wanted to do something to earn some money for the family, amd as soon as they were old enough, they found work. Meg got a job teaching four small children. It was hard for her to be poor because she could remenber the time when their home had been beautiful, with everything they wanted. And everyday at Mrs King's house she saw pretty dresses, and heard talk of parties and the theatre-all the things which Meg loved. Jo went to Aunt March,who needed someone to fetch and carry things, and read to her. She was a difficult old lady who complained a lot, but Jo did her best. When Jo told the family of her afternoon's adventures, they all wanted to go and visit the big house. " Mother, why doesn't Mr Laurence like to hear Laurie play the piano?" asked Jo. "Laurie's father married an Italian lady, a musician," said Mrs March." The old man didn't like her, and never saw his son after they were married. Laurie was born in Italy, but his parents died when he was a child, and his grandfather brought him home. Laurie loves music and I expect his grandfather is afraid he'll want to be a musician like his mother." "Laurie should be a musician if he wants to be," said Jo. "Sending him to college will just make him unhapy."...


carriages:馬車　　It's so nice to go to parties and drive home in carriages.

fetch:連れてくる　Jo went to Aunt March,who needed someone to fetch.

LITTLE WOMEN

A HAPPY CHRISTMAS

A SUMMARY OF THE STORY
"Where is Mother?" asked Meg. "I don't know," said old Hannah. She had lived with the family scince Meg was born, and was more like a friend than a servant. "Some poor women came to the door and your mother went off to see what was needed." Then there was another bang from the outside door. The girls ran to the table."Happy Christmas, Mother!" they shouted. "Happy Christmas, little daughters!" said Mrs March. Then the smile dissapeared from her face."Girls, listen. Not far away is a poor woman, Mrs Hummel, with a new baby. Her six children are in one bed, trying to keep warm, as they have no wood for a fire. There is nothing to eat and they are hungry and cold. Will you give them your breakfast as a Chreistmas present?" "OK" they said. It was a very happy meal, altought the girls are none of it. But no one was happier than those hungry young ladies who gave away their breakfast on Christmas morning. On Christmas night, "Would the young ladies like to stay for supper?" asked Hannah. And when the girls saw the supper table, they could not bilieve their eyes! There was ice-cream, cake, fruit,and French chocolate! And in the middle of the table were flowers for each of the four actors.....


none:誰も～ない　althought the girls none of it./ None of us can fly.