Mr. March looked at the four young faces around him with satisfaction.
"It was a difficult year for my little girls, I know," he said to them.
"But you were very brave." He took Meg's hands in his.
"Meg, your white hands are now rough and red with hard work. They were pretty before but they are prettier to me now. I' m proud of you."
Then he looked at Jo.
"You were my noisy, wild boy!" he said. "But now I can see a good, strong woman with a tender heart in front of me. I'm very happy."
"What about Beth?" asked Amy.
"Beth! Dear, good little Beth!" said Mr. March. He looked at her small, thin body and held her tightly.
"We nearly lost her. Now I'm going to keep her safe forever. "
Then it was Amy's turn.
"I watched Amy today," Mr. March said. "She is kinder and more helpful than she was. She thinks more about other people and less about herself. I am proud to have a daughter like her. I'm proud of all my wonderful little women!"
