Little women. Маленькие женщины. Адаптированная книга на английском

They looked at the stage and saw flowers in pots. Jo played a man who went into the forest to save the girl and then met a witch.

The guests heard some noise when the girls prepared for the next part of the performance. But then, a big tower appeared on the stage. The performance continued, but suddenly, the bed closed and all the guests fell down. Sisters came to save the guests, although everyone was laughing. Then Hannah appeared and asked little ladies to go downstairs for dinner.

It was a surprise for sisters too.

“It’s from Santa Claus”, said Beth.

“No”, said mother. “Old Mr. Laurence sent it. Hannah told his servants how you helped a poor family with breakfast and he sent this as a present for you.”

“I think his grandson told him to do this. We don’t know him, but I think he is nice. I often see him when we pass the street. I want to be friends with him.

“You mean that old mister and boy who live in the big house near here?” asked one of the girls. “My mother knows old Mr. Laurence, she says he is very proud and doesn’t like talking to other neighbours. He makes his grandson study a lot.”

“I like his manners, he looks like a gentleman. He brought these flowers himself. I don’t mind* if you want to be friends with him”, said Mother.

“I wish we could send flowers to father. I think he isn’t having such a merry Christmas”, said Beth.

__________

*stocking – носок, который дети вешают на Рождество, чтобы Санта Клаус положил в них подарки

*I don’t mind – я не против

Chapter 3

Jo was reading a book when suddenly Meg called her and showed her an invitation card from Mrs. Gardiner for a New Year’s Eve.

“But what should we wear?” asked Meg.

“What a silly question. You know that we don’t have new fashionable dresses so we can only wear our old dresses.”

“I wish I had silk dresses. Mother says I will get one when I’m eighteen.

“Your dress looks new, but I burned mine at the back, and one of my gloves is spoiled with lemonade.”

The girls decided that Meg should give Jo one of her gloves. They both would have only one glove and wouldn’t wear it but keep in hand. Also, Jo shouldn’t dance but stand near the wall so people wouldn’t see her burned back of the dress.

Meg wrote to Mrs. Gardiner, saying thanks for invitation.