One Saturday afternoon, Amy found her sisters Meg and Jo getting well dressed. They were going to the theater with their friend Laurie. Amy wanted to go, too.
"I can't take you, dear, because you aren't invited," began Meg, but Jo cut in impatiently. "You can't go, Amy. Laurie invited only Meg and me. "
Amy cried," You'll be sorry for this, Jo. "
While Jo and Meg were at the theater, Amy burned up Jo's book of writings. Jo's loving work of several years was gone in the fire.
That night, Mother asked Jo to forgive (原谅) her sister, but Jo refused.
The next day, Jo went to the river with Laurie to skate on the ice. Amy followed them. Jo saw her coming but turned away. Laurie was carefully skating and didn't see Amy. He warned Jo to stay away from the middle of the river. The ice there was thin. Jo heard him, but Amy did not. Jo realized that Amy probably hadn't heard, but she said nothing. "Let Amy look after herself," Jo thought.
Something turned Jo round. She happened to see Amy throw up her hands and go down. The ice broke. Jo tried to call Laurie, but her voice was gone, and for a second she could only stand there. Suddenly, Laurie skated past her and shouted," Bring a rail (横杆), Jo. Quick, quick!" Jo fetched some wood and pulled it across the ice. Together they got Amy out.
When Mother had put Amy to bed, Jo asked," Are you sure she is alive?"
"Quite safe, dear," replied her mother.
"Mother, I get angry so easily. Today, without Laurie, it might have been too late. Oh. Mother, what shall I do?"
I get angry nearly every day of my life," said Mrs, March. "But I've learned to regulate it. I've learned to stop myself saying the angry words, and you must try to do the same, my dear. "
Jo looked at Amy in her bed and gave her a big kiss. Amy opened her eyes and held out her arms. They held each other close.
(Adapted from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott)
