Chapter I: Foreword

NEXT to the joy of giving to the Alcott-loving public "Little Women" as a play, is the privilege and pleasure of offering this book of letters, revealing the childhood and home life of the beloved Little Women.

May they bring help and happiness to many mothers and inspiration and love to many children.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. THE "REALLY, TRULY" TRUE 1

II. THE ALCOTT BOY; THE ALCOTT MAN 10

III. THE ALCOTT CHILDREN 28

IV. THE ALCOTT BABY BOOK 39

V. LETTERS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN 59

VI. THE MOTHER'S INFLUENCE 98

VII. CHILDREN'S DIARIES 122

VIII. GIRLHOOD AND WOMANHOOD 140

IX. FRIENDSHIPS AND BELIEFS 162

CHRONOLOGY 195

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Orchard House, the Alcott Homestead _Frontispiece_

PAGE

A. Bronson Alcott at the age of 53, from
the portrait by Mrs. Hildreth 54

Facsimile of Mr. Alcott's Letter to
Louisa, Nov. 29, 1839 82

Facsimile of Mr. Alcott's Letter to Louisa, June 21, 1840 86

Facsimile of Mr. Alcott's Letter to Elizabeth, 1840 92

Abigail May, Mrs. A. Bronson Alcott, from a
Daguerreotype 106

Anna Bronson Alcott, from a Daguerreotype 122

Abba May Alcott, from a Photograph 142

Louisa May Alcott, from a Daguerreotype 160

LITTLE WOMEN
LETTERS FROM THE HOUSE
OF ALCOTT