Welcome to Sleep Stories with Steph,
Your go-to podcast that offers you a calm and relaxing transition into a great night's sleep.
It is time to relax and fully let go.
There is nothing you need to be doing now,
And nowhere you need to go.
Close your eyes and feel yourself sink into the support beneath you and let all the worries of the day drift away.
This is your time and your space.
Take a deep breath in through your nose and let it out with a long sigh.
There is nothing you need to be doing now,
And nowhere you need to go.
Happy listening.
Chapter One Continued The clock struck six,
And having swept up the half,
Beth put a pair of slippers down to warm.
Somehow,
The sight of the old shoes had a good effect upon the girls,
For Mother was coming and everyone brightened to welcome her.
Meg stopped lecturing and lighted the lamp.
Amy got out of the easy chair without being asked,
And Jo forgot how tired she was as she sat up to hold the slippers nearer to the blaze.
They're quite worn out,
Mummy must have a new pair.
I thought I'd get her some with my dollar,
Said Beth.
No,
I shall,
Cried Amy.
I'm the oldest,
Began Meg,
But Jo cut in with a decided,
I'm the man of the family now Papa's away and I shall provide the slippers,
For he told me to take special care of Mother while he was gone.
I'll tell you what we'll do,
Said Beth,
Let's each get her something for Christmas and not get anything for ourselves.
That's just like you,
Dear,
What will we get?
Exclaimed Jo.
Everyone thought soberly for a minute,
Then Meg announced as if the idea was suggested by the sight of her own pretty hands,
I shall give her a nice pair of gloves.
Army shoes,
Best to be had,
Cried Jo.
Some handkerchiefs,
All hemmed,
Said Beth.
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,
Added Amy.
How will we give the things?
Asked Meg.
Put them on the table and bring her in and see her open the bundles,
Don't you remember how we used to do it on our birthdays?
Answered Jo.
I used to be so frightened when it was my turn to sit in the big chair with a crown on and see you all come marching round to give the presents with a kiss,
Said Beth.
I liked the things and the kisses but it was dreadful to have you all looking at me while I opened the bundles.
Let Marmy think,
We're getting things for ourselves and then we'll surprise her,
Said Jo.
We must go shopping tomorrow afternoon,
Meg,
There's so much to do about the play for Christmas night.
Then she marched up and down with her hands behind her back and her nose in the air.
I don't mean to act any more after this time,
I'm getting too old for such things,
Observed Meg,
Who was as much a child as ever about dressing up frolics.
You won't stop,
I know,
As long as you can trail round in a white gown with your hair down and wear gold paper jewellery,
Said Jo.
You're the best actress we've got and there'll be an end of everything if you quit the boards.
We ought to rehearse tonight.
Come here Amy and do that fainting scene,
For you were stiff as a poker at that.
I can't help it,
I never saw anyone faint and I don't choose to make myself all black and blue,
Tumbling flat as you do,
Jo.
If I can go down easily,
I'll drop,
But if I can't,
I'll fall into a chair and be graceful.
I don't care if Hugo does come at me with a pistol.
Amy was not gifted with dramatic power,
But was chosen because she was small enough to be borne out shrieking by the villain of the piece.
Do it this way.
Clasp your hands so,
Said Jo,
And stagger across the room crying frantically,
Roderigo save me,
Save me.
Then away went Jo with a melodramatic scream which was truly thrilling.
Amy followed her,
But she poked her hands out stiffly before her and jerked herself along as if she went by machinery.
And her owl was more suggestive of pins being run into her than of fear and anguish.
Jo gave a despairing groan and Meg laughed outright,
Whilst Beth let her bread burn as she watched the fun with interest.
It's no use,
Do the best you can when the time comes,
And if the audience laugh,
Don't blame me,
Said Jo.
I don't see how you can write and act such splendid things,
Jo,
Exclaimed Beth.
You're a regular Shakespeare.
She firmly believed her sisters were gifted with wonderful genius in all things.
Not quite,
Replied Jo modestly.
I do think the witch's curse and operatic tragedy is rather a nice thing.
But I'd like to try Macbeth,
If only we had a trapdoor for Banquo.
I always wanted to do the killing part.
Is that a dagger I see before me,
She muttered,
Rolling her eyes and clutching at the air.
No,
It's the toasting fork with Mother's shoe on it instead of the bread.
Beth's gone stage struck,
Cried Meg,
And the rehearsal ended in a general burst of laughter.
Glad to find you so merry,
My girls,
Said a cheery voice at the door.
And then actors and audience turned to welcome a tall,
Motherly lady with a can-I-help-you look about her,
Which was truly delightful.
She was not elegantly dressed,
But a noble looking woman,
And the children thought the grey cloak and unfashionable bonnet covered the most splendid mother in the world.
Well,
Dearies,
And how have you got on today?
There was so much to do,
Getting the boxes ready to go tomorrow.
I hadn't had time to come home to dinner.
Has anyone called,
Beth?
How is your cold,
Meg?
Jo,
You look tired to death.
Come and kiss me,
Baby.
While making these maternal enquiries,
Mrs Marsh got her wet things off,
Her warm slippers on,
And sitting down in the easy chair,
Drew Amy to her lap,
Preparing to enjoy the happiest hour of her busy day.
The girls flew about,
Trying to make things comfortable each in her own way.
Meg arranged the tea table.
Jo brought wood and set chairs,
Dropping over,
Turning and clattering everything she touched.
Beth trotted to and fro between parlour and kitchen,
Quiet and busy,
While Amy gave directions to everyone as she sat with her hands folded.
As they gathered about the table,
Mrs Marsh said,
With a particularly happy face,
I've got a treat for you all after supper.
A quick,
Bright smile went round like a streak of sunshine.
Beth clapped her hands,
Regardless of the biscuit she held,
And Jo tossed up her napkin,
Crying,
A letter,
A letter!
Three cheers for father!
Yes,
Said her mother,
It's a nice long letter.
He is well,
And he thinks he shall get through the cold season better than we feared.
He sends all sorts of loving wishes for Christmas,
And a special message to you girls,
Said Mrs Marsh,
Patting her pocket as if she'd got treasure there.
I think it was so splendid of father to go as chaplain when he was too old to be drafted,
Said Meg warmly.
Don't I wish I could go as a drummer,
Said Jo,
Or a nurse so I could be near him and help him.
You must be very disagreeable to sleep in a tent and eat all sorts of bad-tasting things and drink out of a tin mug,
Sighed Amy.
When will he come home,
Marmy?
Asked Beth,
With a little quiver in her voice.
Not for many months,
Dear,
Unless he's sick.
He'll stay and do his work faithfully as long as he can,
And we won't ask for him back a minute sooner than he can be spared.
Now come and hear the letter.
They all drew to the fire,
Mother in the big chair with Beth at her feet,
Meg and Amy perched on either arm of the chair,
And Jo leaning on the back,
Where no one would be able to see any sign of emotion if the letter should happen to be touching.
Very few letters were written in those hard times that were not touching,
Especially those which father sent home.
In this one,
Little was said of the hardships endured,
The dangers faced or the homesickness conquered.
It was a cheerful,
Hopeful letter,
Full of lively descriptions of camp life,
Marches and military news.
Only at the end did the writer's heart overflow with fatherly love and longing for the little girls at home.
Give them all my dear love and a kiss,
He said,
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 remind them while we wait we may all work so that these hard days need not be wasted.
I know they will remember all I said to them,
That they will be loving children to you,
Will do their duty faithfully,
Fight their bosom enemies bravely,
And conquer themselves so beautifully,
That when I come back to them,
I may be fonder and prouder than ever of my little women.
