Sleep Story: Little Women Ch 19

Enjoy this sleep story to help you drift off into a peaceful slumber. Tonight we read Chapter 19 of the timeless classic, Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott. This chapter describes Amy's experience living with Aunt March while Beth is ill. This audio is perfect for children or adults who want to relax, discover magic or find adventure before a great night's sleep. This beautiful photo was captured in Colorado by Oliver Pierce.

Transcript

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Chapter 19 Amy's Will While these things were happening at home Amy was having a hard time at Aunt March's She felt her exile deeply and for the first time in her life Realized how much she was beloved and petted at home Aunt March never petted anyone She did not approve of it,

But she meant to be kind For the well-behaved little girl pleased her very much an aunt March had a soft place in her old heart for her nephew's children Though she didn't think it proper to confess it She really did her best to make Amy happy But dear me What mistake she made?

Some old people keep young at heart in spite of wrinkles and gray hairs Can sympathize with children's little cares and joys?

Make them feel at home And can hide wise lessons under pleasant plays Giving and receiving friendship in the sweetest way But Aunt March had not this gift And she worried Amy very much with her rules and orders her prim ways and long prosy talks Finding the child more docile and amiable than her sister The old lady felt it her duty to try and counteract as far as possible the bad effects of home freedom and indulgence So she took Amy by the hand and taught her as she herself had been taught 60 years ago a process which carried dismay to Amy's soul And made her feel like a fly in the web of a very strict spider She had to wash the cups every morning And polish up the old-fashioned spoons the fat silver teapot and the glasses till they shone Then she must dust the room And what a trying job that was Not a speck escaped Aunt March's eye And all the furniture had claw legs and much carving Which was never dusted to suit Then Polly had to be fed the lapdog combed and a dozen trips upstairs and down to get things or deliver orders for the old lady Who was very lame and seldom left her big chair After these tiresome labors she must do her lessons Which was a daily trial of every virtue she possessed Then she was allowed one hour for exercise Then she was allowed one hour for exercise or play And didn't she enjoy it?

Lori came every day And wheedled Aunt March till Amy was allowed to go out with him When they walked and rode they had a capital time After dinner,

She had to read aloud and sit still while the old lady slept Which she usually did for an hour as she dropped off over the first page Then patchwork or towels appeared and Amy sewed with outward meekness and inward rebellion till dusk When she was allowed to amuse herself as she liked till tea time The evenings were the worst of all For Aunt March fell to telling long stories about her youth Which were so unutterably dull That Amy was always ready to go to bed Intending to cry over her hard fate But usually going to sleep before she had squeezed out more than a tear or two If it had not been for Lori And old Esther the maid She felt that she could not have got through that dreadful time The parrot alone was enough to drive her distracted For he soon felt that she did not admire him And revenged himself by being as mischievous as possible He pulled her hair whenever she came near him Upset his bread and milk to plague her when she had newly cleaned his cage Made mop bark by pecking at him while madam dozed Called her names before company and behaved in all respects Like a reprehensible old bird Then she could not endure the dog A fat cross beast who snarled and yelped at her when she made his toilet And who lay on his back with all his legs in the air And a most idiotic expression of countenance when he wanted something to eat Which was about a dozen times a day The cook was bad tempered The old coachman was deaf And Esther the only one who ever took any notice of the young lady Esther was a French woman Who had lived with madam as she called her mistress for many years And who rather tyrannized over the old lady Who could not get along without her Her real name was Estelle But Aunt March ordered her to change it And she obeyed On condition that she was never asked to change her religion She took a fancy to mademoiselle And amused her very much with odd stories of her life in France When Amy sat with her while she Got up madame's laces she also allowed her to roam about the great house And examine the curious and pretty things stored away In the big wardrobes and the ancient chests For Aunt March hoarded like a magpie Amy's chief delight was an Indian cabinet Full of queer drawers Little pigeon holes and secret places In which she kept all sorts of ornaments Some precious Some merely curious All more or less antique To examine and arrange these things gave Amy great satisfaction Especially the jewel cases In which on velvet cushions reposed the ornaments Which had adorned a bell forty years ago There was the garnet set which Aunt March wore when she came out The pearls her father gave her on her wedding day Her lover's diamonds The jet morning rings and pins The queer lockets With portraits of dead friends and weeping willows made of hair and silk The baby bracelets her one little daughter had worn Uncle March's big watch With the red seal so many childish hands had played with And in a box all by itself Lay Aunt March's wedding ring Too small now for her fat finger But put carefully away like the most precious jewel Of them all Which would Mademoiselle choose if she had her will?

Asked Esther,

Who always sat near to watch over and lock up the valuables I like the diamonds best,

But there is no necklace among them And I'm fond of necklaces They are so becoming I should choose this if I might Replied Amy Looking with great admiration at a string of gold and ebony beads From which hung a heavy cross of the same I too covet that,

But not as a necklace Ah no,

To me it is a rosary And as such I should use it like a good Catholic,

Said Esther Eyeing the handsome thing wistfully Is it meant to use as you use a string of a good smelling wooden beads Hanging over the glass?

Asked Amy Truly yes,

To pray with It would be pleasing to the saints if one used so fine a rosary as this Instead of wearing it as a necklace You seem to take a great deal of comfort in your prayers,

Esther And always come down looking quiet and satisfied I wish I could If Mademoiselle was a Catholic She would find true comfort But as that is not to be It would be well if you went apart each day to meditate and pray As did the good mistress whom I served before,

Madem She had a little chapel And in it found solace meant for much trouble Would it be right for me to do so?

Asked Amy,

Who in her loneliness felt the need of help of some sort And found that she was apt to forget her little book Now that Beth was not here to remind her of it It would be excellent and charming And I shall gladly arrange the little dressing room for you if you like it Say nothing to Madem But when she sleeps,

Go you And sit alone a while to think good thoughts And pray the dear God preserve your sister Esther was truly pious And quite sincere in her advice For she had an affectionate heart And felt much for the sisters in their anxiety Amy liked the idea And gave her leave to arrange the light closet next her room Hoping it would do her good I wish I knew where all these pretty things would go when Aunt March dies She said,

As she slowly replaced the shining rosary And shut the jewel cases one by one To you and your sisters,

I know it Madem confides in me I witnessed her will And it is to be so Whispered Esther smiling How nice!

But I wish she'd let us have them now Procrastination is not agreeable Observed Amy,

Taking a last look at the diamonds It is too soon yet for the young ladies to wear these things The first one who is ready will have the pearls Madam has said it And I have a fancy that the little turquoise ring will be given to you when you go For madam approves your good behavior And charming manners Do you think so?

Oh,

I'll be a lamb If I can only have that lovely ring It's ever so much prettier than Kitty Bryant's I do like Aunt March after all And Amy tried on the blue ring with a delighted face and a firm resolve to earn it From that day she was a model of obedience And the old lady complacently admired the success of her training Esther fitted up the closet with the little table Placed a footstool before it And over it a picture taken from one of the shut-up rooms She thought it was of no great value But being appropriate she borrowed it Well knowing that madam would never know it Nor care if she did It was however a very valuable copy of one of the most famous pictures of the world And Amy's beauty loving eyes were never tired of looking up at the sweet face of the divine mother While her tender thoughts of her kept her busy On the table she laid her little testament and hymn book Kept a vase always full of the best flowers Lori brought her And came every day to sit alone thinking good thoughts And praying the dear God to preserve her sister Esther had given her a rosary of black beads with a silver cross But Amy hung it up and did not use it Feeling doubtful as to its fitness for protestant prayers The little girl was very sincere in all this For being left alone outside the safe home nest She felt the need of some kind hand to hold by so sorely That she instinctively turned to the strong and tender friend Whose fatherly love most closely surrounds his little children She missed her mother's help to understand and rule herself But having been taught where to look She did her best to find the way and walk in it confidingly But Amy was a young pilgrim and just now her burden seemed very heavy She tried to forget herself to keep cheerful and be satisfied with doing right Though no one saw or praised her for it In her first effort at being good,

Very good She decided to make her will as Aunt March had done So that if she did fall ill or die Her possessions might be justly and generously divided It cost her a pain even to think of giving up the little treasures Which in her eyes were as precious as the old lady's jewels During one of her play hours She wrote out the important document as well as she could With some help from Esther as to certain legal terms And when the good-natured Frenchwoman had signed her name Amy felt relieved and laid it by to show Laurie Whom she wanted as a second witness As it was a rainy day She went upstairs to amuse herself in one of the large chambers And took Polly with her for company In this room there was a wardrobe full of old-fashioned costumes With which Esther allowed her to play And it was her favorite amusement to array herself In the dresses and parade up and down before the long mirror Making stately curtsies and sweeping her train about With a rustle which delighted her ears So busy she was on this day that she did not hear Laurie's ring Nor see his face peeping in at her As she gravely promenaded to and fro Flirting her fan and tossing her head On which she wore a great pink turban Contrasting oddly with her blue dress and yellow quilted petticoat She was obliged to walk carefully For she had on high-heeled shoes And as Laurie told Joe afterward It was a comical sight to see her mince along in her gay suit With Polly sidling and bridling just behind her Imitating her as well as he could And occasionally stopping to laugh or exclaim Ain't we fine?

Get along you fright Hold your tongue Kiss me dear Ha ha!

Having with difficulty restrained an explosion of merriment Lest it should offend her majesty Laurie tapped and was graciously received Sit down and rest while I put these things away Then I want to consult you about a very serious matter Said Amy when she had shown her splendor And driven Polly into a corner That bird is the trial of my life She continued,

Removing the pink mountain from her head While Laurie seated himself astride a chair Yesterday when Aunt was asleep and I was trying to be still Polly began to squall and flap about in his cage So I went to let him out and found a big spider in there I poked it out and it ran under the bookcase Polly marched straight after it Stooped down and peeped under the bookcase Saying in his funny way with the cock of his eye Come out and take a walk my dear I couldn't help laughing which made Polly swear And Aunt woke up and scolded us both Did the spider accept the old fellow's invitation?

Asked Laurie yawning Yes,

Out it came and away ran Polly frightened to death And scrambled up on Aunt's chair Calling out catcher,

Catcher,

Catcher As I chased the spider That's a lie Oh,

Lore!

Cried the parrot pecking at Laurie's toes I'd wring your neck if you were mine you old torment Cried Laurie shaking his fist at the bird Who put his head on one side and gravely croaked Bless your buttons dear Now I'm ready said Amy Shutting the wardrobe and taking a piece of paper out of her pocket I want you to read that please And tell me if it isn't legal and all right I felt I ought to do it for life is uncertain And I don't want any ill feeling over my tomb Laurie bit his lips and turning a little from the pensive speaker Read the following document with praiseworthy gravity Considering the spelling My last will and testament I,

Amy Curtis March,

Being in my sane mind Go give and bequeath all my earthly property,

Viz,

To wit,

Namely To my father my best pictures,

Sketches,

Maps,

And works of art,

Including frames Also my hundred dollar to do what he likes with To my mother all my clothes,

Except the blue apron with pockets Also my likeness and my medal with much love To my dear sister Margaret I give my turquoise ring,

If I get it Also my green box and the doves on it Also my piece of real lace for her neck And my sketch of her as a memorial of her little girl To Joe I leave my breast pin,

The one mended with sealing wax Also my bronze inkstand,

She lost the cover And my most precious plaster rabbit Because I'm so sorry I burned up her story To Beth,

If she lives after me,

I give my dolls and the little burrow My fan,

My linen collars,

And my new slippers if she can wear them Being thin when she gets well And I herewith also leave her my regret that I ever made fun of old Joanna To my friend and neighbor Theodore Lawrence I bequeath my paper mache portfolio My clay model of a horse,

Though he did say it had an any neck Also in return for his great kindness in the hour of affliction Any one of my artistic works he likes Notre Dame is the best To our venerable benefactor Mr.

Lawrence I leave my purple box with a looking glass in it Which will be nice for his pens and remind him of the departed girl Who thanks him for his favors to her family,

Especially Beth I wish my favorite playmate Kitty Bryant to have the blue silk apron And my gold bead ring with a kiss To Hannah,

I give the band box she wanted And all the patchwork I leave Hoping she will remember me when it you see And now,

Having disposed of my most valuable property I hope all will be satisfied and not blame the dead I forgive everyone and trust we may all meet when the trump shall sound Amen To this will and testament I set my hand and seal On this 20th day of November,

1861 Amy Curtis March Witness Estelle Valnor Theodore Lawrence The last name was written in pencil And Amy explained that he was to rewrite it in ink And seal it up for her properly What's put it into your head?

Did anyone tell you about Beth's giving away her things?

Asked Laurie soberly As Amy laid a bit of red tape With sealing wax,

A paper,

And a standish before him She explained and then said anxiously What about Beth?

I'm sorry I spoke,

But as I did I'll tell you She felt so ill one day that she told Joe She wanted to give her piano to Meg,

Her cats to you And the poor old doll to Joe,

Who would love it for her sake She was very sorry she had so little to give And left locks of hair to the rest of us And her best love to Grandpa She never thought of a will Laurie was signing and sealing And Amy was writing Laurie was signing and sealing as he spoke And did not look up till a great tear dropped on the paper Amy's face was full of trouble But she only said Don't people put sort of postscripts to their wills sometimes?

Yes?

Put one in mine then That I wish all my curls cut off And given round to my friends I forgot it But I want it done though it will spoil my looks Laurie added it,

Smiling at Amy's last and greatest sacrifice Then he amused her for an hour And was much interested in all her trials But when he came to go Amy held back with a whisper Is there really any danger about Beth?

I'm afraid there is But we must hope for the best,

So don't cry dear And Laurie put his arm about her with a brotherly gesture Which was very comforting When he had gone She went to her little chapel And sitting in the twilight prayed for Beth With streaming tears and an aching heart Feeling that a million turquoise rings Would not console her for the loss Of her gentle little sister And that is the end of our story this evening Until next time Sweet dreams

Reviews

Magnificent and enlightening 🙏🏽🥰
Wish theses were easier to find the next chapter

I love this book, your voice draws me in the story and helps me to relax. Thank you !!

This was my favorite childhood book. I’m loving it again. I finished chapter 19. How many more chapters do we have to look forward to hearing? Thank you, Hilary for your lovely reading bringing these stories to life. ❤️

Wise lessons learned by a young girl make me wish I was so wise! I love the reference to the importance of meditation in this story. And speaking of stories and meditation I thank you for giving me the gift of joy, peace, and sleep which I so desperately need.

Thank you Hilary! Lovely as always, very soothing.