LITTLE WOMEN LETTERS

FROM THE

HOUSE OF ALCOTT

Frontispiece.
Orchard House, the Alcott Homestead.

Copyright, 1914,
By John S. P. Alcott.

All rights reserved

Published, September, 1914

Set up and electrotyped by J. S. Cushing Co., Norwood, Mass., U.S.A.
Presswork by S. J. Parkhill & Co., Boston, Mass., U.S.A.

[Pg v]

FOREWORD

Next to the joy of giving to the Alcott-lovingpublic "Little Women" as a play,is the privilege and pleasure of offeringthis book of letters, revealing the childhoodand home life of the beloved LittleWomen.

May they bring help and happiness tomany mothers and inspiration and loveto many children.

[Pg vii]

CONTENTS

chapter page

• The "Really, Truly" True 1
• The Alcott Boy; The Alcott Man 10
• The Alcott Children 28
• The Alcott Baby Book 39
• Letters and Conversations with Children 59
• The Mother's Influence 98
• Children's Diaries 122
• Girlhood and Womanhood 140
• Friendships and Beliefs 162

• Chronology 195

[Pg ix]

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

• Orchard House, the Alcott Homestead Frontispiece
•  page
• A. Bronson Alcott at the age of 53, fromthe portrait by Mrs. Hildreth ...