The Life and Adventures of Josephine March

My name is Josephine March. But I dislike that name, so everyody calls me "Jo"-- it's much more boyish. My absolute greatest and dearest wish is to become a famous author one day and put the name "March" on the role of fame. I live in the suburbs of New England with my four sisters: Meg, the eldest; My Bethy, a most musically gifted child; Amy, the artisic one, and Mother. Father is away where the fighting is, and we hope to have him home soon. I am the man of the house while he is away, but goodness knows I'd rather be a soldier myself and serve my country. We are poor, and used to be rich, before Father lost his money helping a dear friend. Speaking of friends, my best friend in the entire world is my boy Laurie (You can see him here!), and he lives in the grand mansion next door with his grandfather, Mr. Lawrence. And what a wonderful place it is, so full of luxurious comforts and marvelous novels! I love to read novels. I will sit for hours in our attic with my friend Scrabbles the rat, eating apples and having such wonderful adventures--Chhristopher Columbus! Look at me ramble!

In the picture there, that's us four girls sitting by the fire, where we usually do before Marmie (that's what we call Mother) comes home. Meg sewing in Marmie's armchair, my good girl Beth on her right sewing dutifully away, little Amy choosing to chatter and watch Meg from her stool instead of sew, and that's me stretched out on the rug. I have the most unfortunate habit, Meg says, of propping myself up in the most unladylike fashion.

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