Dear Marmee and Beth,

I'm going to write you a regular volume, for I've got heapsto tell, though I'm not a fine young lady traveling on the continent.When I lost sight of Father's dear old face, I felt atrifle blue, and might have shed a briny drop or two, if anIrish lady with four small children, all crying more or less,hadn't diverted my mind, for I amused myself by dropping gingerbreadnuts over the seat every time they opened their mouths to roar.

Soon the sun came out, and taking it as a good omen, Icleared up likewise and enjoyed my journey with all my heart.

Mrs. Kirke welcomed me so kindly I felt at home at once,even in that big house full of strangers. She gave me a funnylittle sky parlor - all she had, but there is a stove in it, and anice table in a sunny window, so I can sit here and write wheneverI like. A fine view and a church tower opposite atone forthe many stairs, and I took a fancy to my den on the spot.The nursery, where I am to teach and sew, is a pleasant room nextMrs. Kirke's private parlor, and the two little girls are prettychildren, rather spoiled, I fancy, but they took to me aftertelling them The Seven Bad Pigs, and I've no doubt I shall makea model governess.

I am to have my meals with the children, if I prefer it tothe great table, and for the present I do, for I am bashful,though no one will believe it.

"Now, my dear, make yourself at home," said Mrs. K. in hermotherly way, "I'm on the drive from morning to night, as youmay suppose with such a family, but a great anxiety will be offmy mind if I know the children are safe with you. My rooms arealways open to you, and your own shall be as comfortable as Ican make it. There are some pleasant people in the house if youfeel sociable, and your evenings are always free. Come to meif anything goes wrong, and be as happy as you can. There's thetea bell, I must run and change my cap." And off she bustled,leaving me to settle myself in my new nest.

As I went downstairs soon after, I saw something I liked.The flights are very long in this tall house, and as I stoodwaiting at the head of the third one for a little servant girlto lumber up, I saw a gentleman come along behind her, take theheavy hod of coal out of her hand, carry it all the way up, putit down at a door near by, and walk away, saying, with a kindnod and a foreign accent, "It goes better so. The little backis too young to haf such heaviness."

Wasn't it good of him? I like such things, for as Fathersays, trifles show character. When I mentioned it to Mrs. K.,that evening, she laughed, and said, "That must have beenProfessor Bhaer, he's always doing things of that sort."

Mrs. K. told me he was from Berlin, very learned and good,but poor as a church mouse, and gives lessons to support himselfand two little orphan nephews whom he is educating here, accordingto the wishes of his sister, who married an American. Nota very romantic story, but it interested me, and I was glad tohear that Mrs. K. lends him her parlor for some of his scholars.There is a glass door between it and the nursery, and I mean topeep at him, and then I'll tell you how he looks. He's almostforty, so it's no harm, Marmee.

After tea and a go-to-bed romp with the little girls, Iattacked the big workbasket, and had a quiet evening chattingwith my new friend. I shall keep a journal-letter, and send itonce a week, so goodnight, and more tomorrow.

Tuesday Eve

Had a lively time in my seminary this morning, for thechildren acted like Sancho, and at one time I really thought Ishould shake them all round. Some good angel inspired me totry gymnastics, and I kept it up till they were glad to sit downand keep still. After luncheon, the girl took them out for awalk, and I went to my needlework like little Mabel 'with awilling mind'. I was thanking my stars that I'd learned tomake nice buttonholes, when the parlor door opened and shut,and someone began to hum, Kennst Du Das Land, like a big bumblebee.It was dreadfully improper, I know, but I couldn'tresist the temptation, and lifting one end of the curtainbefore the glass door, I peeped in. Professor Bhaer was there,and while he arranged his books, I took a good look at him. Aregular German - rather stout, with brown hair tumbled all overhis head, a bushy beard, good nose, the kindest eyes I eversaw, and a splendid big voice that does one's ears good, afterour sharp or slipshod American gabble. His clothes were rusty,his hands were large, and he hadn't a really handsome featurein his face, except his beautiful teeth, yet I liked him, forhe had a fine head, his linen was very nice, and he lookedlike a gentleman, though two buttons were off his coat andthere was a patch on one shoe. He looked sober in spite ofhis humming, till he went to the window to turn the hyacinthbulbs toward the sun, and stroke the cat, who received himlike an old friend. Then he smiled, and when a tap came atthe door, called out in a loud, brisk tone, "Herein!"

I was just going to run, when I caught sight of a morsel ofa child carrying a big book, and stopped, to see what was goingon.

"Me wants me Bhaer," said the mite, slamming down her bookand running to meet him.

"Thou shalt haf thy Bhaer. Come, then, and take a goothug from him, my Tina," said the Professor, catching her upwith a laugh, and holding her so high over his head that shehad to stoop her little face to kiss him.

"Now me mus tuddy my lessin," went on the funny littlething. So he put her up at the table, opened the great dictionaryshe had brought, and gave her a paper and pencil, andshe scribbled away, turning a leaf now and then, and passingher little fat finger down the page, as if finding a word,so soberly that I nearly betrayed myself by a laugh, whileMr. Bhaer stood stroking her pretty hair with a fatherly lookthat made me think she must be his own, though she looked moreFrench than German.

Another knock and the appearance of two young ladies sentme back to my work, and there I virtuously remained through allthe noise and gabbling that went on next door. One of the girlskept laughing affectedly, and saying, "Now Professor," in acoquettish tone, and the other pronounced her German with anaccent that must have made it hard for him to keep sober.

Both seemed to try his patience sorely, for more than onceI heard him say emphatically, "No, no, it is not so, you hafnot attend to what I say," and once there was a loud rap, asif he struck the table with his book, followed by the despairingexclamation, "Prut! It all goes bad this day."

Poor man, I pitied him, and when the girls were gone, tookjust one more peep to see if he survived it. He seemed to havethrown himself back in his chair, tired out, and sat there withhis eyes shut till the clock struck two, when he jumped up, puthis books in his pocket, as if ready for another lesson, andtaking little Tina who had fallen asleep on the sofa in hisarms, he carried her quietly away. I fancy he has a hard lifeof it. Mrs. Kirke asked me if I wouldn't go down to the fiveo'clock dinner, and feeling a little bit homesick, I thoughtI would, just to see what sort of people are under the sameroof with me. So I made myself respectable and tried to slipin behind Mrs. Kirke, but as she is short and I'm tall, myefforts at concealment were rather a failure. She gave me aseat by her, and after my face cooled off, I plucked up courageand looked about me. The long table was full, and every one intent on getting their dinner, the gentlemen especially,who seemed to be eating on time, for they bolted in everysense of the word, vanishing as soon as they were done. Therewas the usual assortment of young men absorbed in themselves,young couples absorbed in each other, married ladies in theirbabies, and old gentlemen in politics. I don't think I shallcare to have much to do with any of them, except one sweetfacedmaiden lady, who looks as if she had something in her.

Cast away at the very bottom of the table was the Professor,shouting answers to the questions of a very inquisitive,deaf old gentleman on one side, and talking philosophy witha Frenchman on the other. If Amy had been here, she'd haveturned her back on him forever because, sad to relate, he hada great appetite, and shoveled in his dinner in a manner whichwould have horrified 'her ladyship'. I didn't mind, for I like'to see folks eat with a relish', as Hannah says, and the poorman must have needed a deal of food after teaching idiots all day.

As I went upstairs after dinner, two of the young menwere settling their hats before the hall mirror, and I heardone say low to the other, "Who's the new party?"

"Governess, or something of that sort."

"What the deuce is she at our table for?"

"Friend of the old lady's."

"Handsome head, but no style."

"Not a bit of it. Give us a light and come on."

I felt angry at first, and then I didn't care, for a governessis as good as a clerk, and I've got sense, if I haven'tstyle, which is more than some people have, judging from theremarks of the elegant beings who clattered away, smoking likebad chimneys. I hate ordinary people!

Thursday

Yesterday was a quiet day spent in teaching, sewing, andwriting in my little room, which is very cozy, with a light andfire. I picked up a few bits of news and was introduced to theProfessor. It seems that Tina is the child of the Frenchwomanwho does the fine ironing in the laundry here. The little thinghas lost her heart to Mr. Bhaer, and follows him about the houselike a dog whenever he is at home, which delights him, as he isvery fond of children, though a 'bacheldore'. Kitty and MinnieKirke likewise regard him with affection, and tell all sorts ofstories about the plays he invents, the presents he brings, andthe splendid tales he tells. The younger men quiz him, it seems,call him Old Fritz, Lager Beer, Ursa Major, and make all mannerof jokes on his name. But he enjoys it like a boy, Mrs. Kirkesays, and takes it so good-naturedly that they all like him inspite of his foreign ways.

The maiden lady is a Miss Norton, rich, cultivated, andkind. She spoke to me at dinner today (for I went to tableagain, it's such fun to watch people), and asked me to comeand see her at her room. She has fine books and pictures,knows interesting persons, and seems friendly, so I shall makemyself agreeable, for I do want to get into good society, onlyit isn't the same sort that Amy likes.

I was in our parlor last evening when Mr. Bhaer came inwith some newspapers for Mrs. Kirke. She wasn't there, butMinnie, who is a little old woman, introduced me very prettily."This is Mamma's friend, Miss March."

"Yes, and she's jolly and we like her lots," added Kitty,who is an 'enfant terrible'.

We both bowed, and then we laughed, for the prim introductionand the blunt addition were rather a comical contrast.

"Ah, yes, I hear these naughty ones go to vex you, MeesMarsch. If so again, call at me and I come," he said, with athreatening frown that delighted the little wretches.

I promised I would, and he departed, but it seems as if Iwas doomed to see a good deal of him, for today as I passedhis door on my way out, by accident I knocked against it withmy umbrella. It flew open, and there he stood in his dressinggown, with a big blue sock on one hand and a darning needlein the other. He didn't seem at all ashamed of it, for whenI explained and hurried on, he waved his hand, sock and all,saying in his loud, cheerful way . . .

"You haf a fine day to make your walk. Bon voyage, Mademoiselle."

I laughed all the way downstairs, but it was a little pathetic,also to think of the poor man having to mend his own clothes.The German gentlemen embroider, I know, but darning hose isanother thing and not so pretty.

Saturday

Nothing has happened to write about, except a call on MissNorton, who has a room full of pretty things, and who was verycharming, for she showed me all her treasures, and asked me ifI would sometimes go with her to lectures and concerts, as herescort, if I enjoyed them. She put it as a favor, but I'm sureMrs. Kirke has told her about us, and she does it out of kindnessto me. I'm as proud as Lucifer, but such favors from suchpeople don't burden me, and I accepted gratefully.

When I got back to the nursery there was such an uproarin the parlor that I looked in, and there was Mr. Bhaer downon his hands and knees, with Tina on his back, Kitty leadinghim with a jump rope, and Minnie feeding two small boys withseedcakes, as they roared and ramped in cages built of chairs.

"We are playing nargerie," explained Kitty.

"Dis is mine effalunt!" added Tina, holding on by theProfessor's hair.

"Mamma always allows us to do what we like Saturday afternoon,when Franz and Emil come, doesn't she, Mr. Bhaer?"said Minnie.

The 'effalunt' sat up, looking as much in earnest as anyof them, and said soberly to me, "I gif you my wort it is so,if we make too large a noise you shall say Hush! to us, and wego more softly."

I promised to do so, but left the door open and enjoyed thefun as much as they did, for a more glorious frolic I neverwitnessed. They played tag and soldiers, danced and sang,and when it began to grow dark they all piled onto the sofa aboutthe Professor, while he told charming fairy stories of the storkson the chimney tops, and the little 'koblods', who ride thesnowflakes as they fall. I wish Americans were as simple andnatural as Germans, don't you?

I'm so fond of writing, I should go spinning on forever ifmotives of economy didn't stop me, for though I've used thinpaper and written fine, I tremble to think of the stamps thislong letter will need. Pray forward Amy's as soon as you canspare them. My small news will sound very flat after hersplendors, but you will like them, I know. Is Teddy studyingso hard that he can't find time to write to his friends? Takegood care of him for me, Beth, and tell me all about the babies,and give heaps of love to everyone. From your faithful Jo.

P.S. On reading over my letter, it strikes me as ratherBhaery, but I am always interested in odd people, and I reallyhad nothing else to write about. Bless you!

DECEMBER

My Precious Betsey,

As this is to be a scribble-scrabble letter, I direct it toyou, for it may amuse you, and give you some idea of my goingson, for though quiet, they are rather amusing, for which, oh,be joyful! After what Amy would call Herculaneum efforts, inthe way of mental and moral agriculture, my young ideas beginto shoot and my little twigs to bend as I could wish. They arenot so interesting to me as Tina and the boys, but I do my dutyby them, and they are fond of me. Franz and Emil are jollylittle lads, quite after my own heart, for the mixture ofGerman and American spirit in them produces a constant state ofeffervescence. Saturday afternoons are riotous times, whetherspent in the house or out, for on pleasant days they all go towalk, like a seminary, with the Professor and myself to keeporder, and then such fun!

We are very good friends now, and I've begun to takelessons. I really couldn't help it, and it all came about insuch a droll way that I must tell you. To begin at the beginning,Mrs. Kirke called to me one day as I passed Mr. Bhaer's roomwhere she was rummaging.

"Did you ever see such a den, my dear? Just come andhelp me put these books to rights, for I've turned everythingupside down, trying to discover what he has done with the sixnew handkerchiefs I gave him not long ago."

I went in, and while we worked I looked about me, for itwas 'a den' to be sure. Books and papers everywhere, a brokenmeerschaum, and an old flute over the mantlepiece as if donewith, a ragged bird without any tail chirped on one windowseat, and a box of white mice adorned the other. Half-finishedboats and bits of string lay among the manuscripts. Dirtylittle boots stood drying before the fire, and traces of thedearly beloved boys, for whom he makes a slave of himself,were to be seen all over the room. After a grand rummagethree of the missing articles were found, one over the birdcage, one covered with ink, and a third burned brown, havingbeen used as a holder.

"Such a man!" laughed good-natured Mrs. K., as she put therelics in the rag bay. "I suppose the others are torn up torig ships, bandage cut fingers, or make kite tails. It's dreadful,but I can't scold him. He's so absent-minded and goodnatured,he lets those boys ride over him roughshod. I agreed to dohis washing and mending, but he forgets to give out his thingsand I forget to look them over, so he comes to a sad pass sometimes."

"Let me mend them," said I. "I don't mind it, and he needn'tknow. I'd like to, he's so kind to me about bringing my lettersand lending books."

So I have got his things in order, and knit heels into twopairs of the socks, for they were boggled out of shape with hisqueer darns. Nothing was said, and I hoped he wouldn't find itout, but one day last week he caught me at it. Hearing thelessons he gives to others has interested and amused me so muchthat I took a fancy to learn, for Tina runs in and out, leavingthe door open, and I can hear. I had been sitting near thisdoor, finishing off the last sock, and trying to understand whathe said to a new scholar, who is as stupid as I am. The girlhad gone, and I thought he had also, it was so still, and I wasbusily gabbling over a verb, and rocking to and fro in a mostabsurd way, when a little crow made me look up, and there wasMr. Bhaer looking and laughing quietly, while he made signs toTina not to betray him.

"So!" he said, as I stopped and stared like a goose, "youpeep at me, I peep at you, and this is not bad, but see, I amnot pleasanting when I say, haf you a wish for German?"

"Yes, but you are too busy. I am too stupid to learn," Iblundered out, as red as a peony.

"Prut! We will make the time, and we fail not to find thesense. At efening I shall gif a little lesson with much gladness,for look you, Mees Marsch, I haf this debt to pay." Andhe pointed to my work 'Yes,' they say to one another, these sokind ladies, 'he is a stupid old fellow, he will see not what wedo, he will never observe that his sock heels go not in holesany more, he will think his buttons grow out new when they fall,and believe that strings make theirselves.' "Ah! But I haf aneye, and I see much. I haf a heart, and I feel thanks for this.Come, a little lesson then and now, or - no more good fairy worksfor me and mine."

Of course I couldn't say anything after that, and as itreally is a splendid opportunity, I made the bargain, and webegan. I took four lessons, and then I stuck fast in a grammaticalbog. The Professor was very patient with me, but it musthave been torment to him, and now and then he'd look at mewith such an expression of mild despair that it was a toss-upwith me whether to laugh or cry. I tried both ways, and whenit came to a sniff or utter mortification and woe, he justthrew the grammar on to the floor and marched out of the room.I felt myself disgraced and deserted forever, but didn't blamehim a particle, and was scrambling my papers together, meaningto rush upstairs and shake myself hard, when in he came, asbrisk and beaming as if I'd covered myself in glory.

He spoke so kindly, and opened Hans Andersons's fairytales so invitingly before me, that I was more ashamed thanever, and went at my lesson in a neck-or-nothing style thatseemed to amuse him immensely. I forgot my bashfulness, andpegged away (no other word will express it) with all my might,tumbling over long words, pronouncing according to inspirationof the minute, and doing my very best. When I finished readingmy first page, and stopped for breath, he clapped his hands andcried out in his hearty way, "Das ist gut! Now we go well! Myturn. I do him in German, gif me your ear." And away he went,rumbling out the words with his strong voice and a relish whichwas good to see as well as hear. Fortunately the story was _TheConstant Tin Soldier_, which is droll, you know, so I could laugh,and I did, though I didn't understand half he read, for I couldn'thelp it, he was so earnest, I so excited, and the whole thing socomical.

After that we got on better, and now I read my lessonspretty well, for this way of studying suits me, and I can seethat the grammar gets tucked into the tales and poetry as onegives pills in jelly. I like it very much, and he doesn't seemtired of it yet, which is very good of him, isn't it? I meanto give him something on Christmas, for I dare not offer money.Tell me something nice, Marmee.

I'm glad Laurie seems so happy and busy, that he has givenup smoking and lets his hair grow. You see Beth manages himbetter than I did. I'm not jealous, dear, do your best, onlydon't make a saint of him. I'm afraid I couldn't like himwithout a spice of human naughtiness. Read him bits of myletters. I haven't time to write much, and that will do justas well. Thank Heaven Beth continues so comfortable.

JANUARY

A Happy New Year to you all, my dearest family, which ofcourse includes Mr. L. and a young man by the name of Teddy.I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your Christmas bundle,for I didn't get it till night and had given up hoping. Yourletter came in the morning, but you said nothing about aparcel, meaning it for a surprise, so I was disappointed,for I'd had a 'kind of feeling' that you wouldn't forget me.I felt a little low in my mind as I sat up in my room aftertea, and when the big, muddy, battered-looking bundle wasbrought to me, I just hugged it and pranced. It was sohomey and refreshing that I sat down on the floor and readand looked and ate and laughed and cried, in my usual absurdway. The things were just what I wanted, and all the betterfor being made instead of bought. Beth's new 'ink bib' wascapital, and Hannah's box of hard gingerbread will be atreasure. I'll be sure and wear the nice flannels you sent,Marmee, and read carefully the books Father has marked. Thankyou all, heaps and heaps!

Speaking of books reminds me that I'm getting rich in thatline, for on New Year's Day Mr. Bhaer gave me a fine Shakespeare.It is one he values much, and I've often admired it,set up in the place of honor with his German Bible, Plato,Homer, and Milton, so you may imagine how I felt when he broughtit down, without its cover, and showed me my own name in it,"from my friend Friedrich Bhaer".

"You say often you wish a library. Here I gif you one, forbetween these lids (he meant covers) is many books in one. Readhim well, and he will help you much, for the study of characterin this book will help you to read it in the world and paint itwith your pen."

I thanked him as well as I could, and talk now about 'mylibrary', as if I had a hundred books. I never knew how muchthere was in Shakespeare before, but then I never had a Bhaerto explain it to me. Now don't laugh at his horrid name. Itisn't pronounced either Bear or Beer, as people will say it,but something between the two, as only Germans can give it.I'm glad you both like what I tell you about him, and hope youwill know him some day. Mother would admire his warm heart,Father his wise head. I admire both, and feel rich in my new'friend Friedrich Bhaer'.

Not having much money, or knowing what he'd like, I gotseveral little things, and put them about the room, where hewould find them unexpectedly. They were useful, pretty, orfunny, a new standish on his table, a little vase for hisflower, he always has one, or a bit of green in a glass, tokeep him fresh, he says, and a holder for his blower, sothat he needn't burn up what Amy calls 'mouchoirs'. I madeit like those Beth invented, a big butterfly with a fat body,and black and yellow wings, worsted feelers, and bead eyes.It took his fancy immensely, and he put it on his mantlepieceas an article of virtue, so it was rather a failure after all.Poor as he is, he didn't forget a servant or a child in thehouse, and not a soul here, from the French laundrywoman toMiss Norton forgot him. I was so glad of that.

They got up a masquerade, and had a gay time New Year'sEve. I didn't mean to go down, having no dress. But at thelast minute, Mrs. Kirke remembered some old brocades, and MissNorton lent me lace and feathers. So I dressed up as Mrs.Malaprop, and sailed in with a mask on. No one knew me, for Idisguised my voice, and no one dreamed of the silent, haughtyMiss March (for they think I am very stiff and cool, most ofthem, and so I am to whippersnappers) could dance and dress,and burst out into a 'nice derangement of epitaphs, like anallegory on the banks of the Nile'. I enjoyed it very much,and when we unmasked it was fun to see them stare at me. Iheard one of the young men tell another that he knew I'd beenan actress, in fact, he thought he remembered seeing me atone of the minor theaters. Meg will relish that joke. Mr.Bhaer was Nick Bottom, and Tina was Titania, a perfect littlefairy in his arms. To see them dance was 'quite a landscape',to use a Teddyism.

I had a very happy New Year, after all, and when I thoughtit over in my room, I felt as if I was getting on a little inspite of my many failures, for I'm cheerful all the time now,work with a will, and take more interest in other people thanI used to, which is satisfactory. Bless you all! Ever yourloving . . . Jo