Partners

Jo!

Jo!

Jo, have you got the curling papers?

Ugh!

There was a whole box full in the dresser on the landing!

Marmee left them and said we were to share them!

Amy, what use do you suppose I have for curling papers?

Sorry.

I forgot.

Beth! Beth!

"Marmee, I wish you could see how well your troop of

"little women have marshalled themselves.

"It would do Father more good than all the medicine in Washington.

"Mr Brooke was a hero to telegraph as soon as you arrived.

"Just to know that the news was not the worst was enough to send us

"wild with happiness,

"and back to our posts in the house like soldiers."

Beth! Beth!

Have you seen the curling papers?

Marmee said I was to start doing my own hair.

No, and Marmee also said you shouldn't put papers in on weekdays.

Marmee isn't here.

"You wouldn't find a single fault in us, I promise."

The curling papers!

I knew someone had taken them!

Where are you going?

On Thursday, I'm going to stay at Annie Moffat's.

You didn't say!

I only just got permission from Mr Laurence. Hm.

Marmee entrusted him with all such matters.

Marmee also told us to be indigent about our work.

How can you be indigent when you abandon your poor pupils

to go gallivanting off at somebody's mansion?

The word is diligent. Not indigent!

And my poor pupils are going to the ocean, with their parents,

because there's scarlet fever in town.

There's going to be a ball. Annie's sister Belle just got engaged!

A ball at the Moffats'...

It's all going to be so elegant!

Would you like to be engaged?

Oh, I'd like to be married, one day.

Well, you won't catch many husbands in this shabby old tarlatan!

Marmee always said the first one of us

to get to go to a ball would wear that violet silk dress,

the one she keeps wrapped up in the special paper.

There isn't time to make it over.

This shabby old tarlatan will have to do.

Hm. Well, you might ruin it, anyway.

Like when you turned the sleeves on my old dress

and they came out bluer than the bodice.

Oh, I was a figure of fun at school for days!

And it's bad enough that I owe at least a dozen pickled limes!

Are pickled limes still the fashion?

Yes. Even though Mr Davis has forbidden them.

And I am dreadfully in debt, because I can't return them.

You know what it's like to be socially disadvantaged.

Will 25 cents buy enough pickled limes to restore your dignity?

FOOTSTEPS

Mrs March?

I asked the landlady of the boarding house to make up a jug of beef tea.

She packed it up with some toast, and a little fruit.

Mr March isn't able to eat anything.

But you are.

And you must.

CHATTERING AND LAUGHING

Good morning, Mary.

I came in early this morning for extra algebra. Oh, pickled limes!

You're brave. Mr Davis took his coffee way too strong this morning.

He's as nervous as a witch, and as cross as a bear!

Amy March has pickled limes!

I might have known you'd smell them from across the yard.

- You could always smell mine. - Flat nose or no flat nose.

I wanted to wear white tonight,

but Mother said that was for debutantes and brides - I've been

a debutante already, and we're already planning my wedding gown!

Oh, these flowers you've brought from the Laurences' -

they're delicious, Meg!

The young man of the house is clearly out to spoil you!

Sallie, I think you'll find it was the old man of the house.

Mr Laurence knows I like to share.

And that is just one of the many very delightful things about you.

And although we all think that there couldn't

really be a much prettier version of you...

You have the loveliest arms of all of us,

and almost the smallest waist.

I only have that half-inch less because of my new corset!

You would look so adorable in a brand-new gown, with French heels

to match it, and maybe one of these flowers in a little silver holder.

But I don't have any of those things.

And I can't complain, or apologise,

because that's just the way things are.

Well. Not necessarily.

Did you see Meg's face when we left her at the Moffats'?

It's odd knowing your sister's at somebody else's house

surrounded by things she'd love to have, but can't afford to buy.

Can't afford to buy now.

She may marry a man who will make her very happy.

Ned Moffat and the Gardiner boys are going to that ball.

That isn't funny, Teddy!

I've felt so... rumpled in my mind ever since you told me

that Brooke had taken Meg's glove

and kept it in his pocket.

Ned Moffat and the Gardiner boys aren't all bad.

They just like a harmless lark now and then,

and... so do I.

Going to town and playing billiards

and drinking whiskey aren't harmless.

Because if you run wild, Marmee will

put a stop to all of our good times.

I see. In which case I'd better be a double-distilled saint.

Why can't you just be grateful for all the chances that you have?

The chance to study! The chance to go to college!

The chance to spend years of your life with books, and ideas!

You say it as though I might enjoy it.

I'd enjoy it.

Are you going to deliver lectures all the way home?

Because if you are, I'm going to walk someplace where I can take a bus.

I just worry about you, Laurie,

because you've got such a strong will that

if you ever go the wrong way it won't be possible to stop you!

Whilst you, of course, are always entirely open to reason,

and never afraid to admit you're in the wrong!

I meant what I said! I'll take the bus.

No. I'll take the bus.

SHE GASPS

GIGGLING

Young ladies, my eye is upon you.

If you would be good enough to return your attention to the

front of the class, I'd like you all to direct your attention to

this map of the Dutch East Indies.

Miss Kingsley, what is the object of your interest?

The map of the Dutch East Indies, sir.

I think the object of her interest is the parcel in Miss March's desk.

And would Miss March like to enlighten us

as to the contents of that parcel?

No, sir, I would not.

Pickled limes!

Yes.

Pick them up.

Out the window.

What?

Out the window, now, two at a time!

GASPS

And you'll remain there until recess.

I am never going back there.

And I'm not going to make you!

If I had my way, that vicious animal would be arrested!

Jail would be too good for him.

He made me throw two dozen perfectly good limes out the window!

That's not why he should be punished, Amy.

And if he had to punish you, he shouldn't have done it this way!

All I could think about was Marmee's face!

And how disappointed she would be when she finds out.

Beth, would you please go and play some piano?

Music might set us back to rights.

SHE PLAYS

Why in the name of Christopher Columbus

are you playing Land Of The Leal, Beth?

Because it's Father and Marmee's favourite!

CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS

MUSIC STOPS

May I take you in to supper, Miss March?

Oh, quelle dommage!

I already have someone on my card for that!

I thought so! Reuben Gardiner.

I'm not so easily rebuffed, you bewitching little minx. Oh!

May I put my name down for the Lancers?

If you are very, very good, I might just accept you for the Quadrille.

It really is the last one left!

I-I am going to be very naughty and ask you to excuse me.

A family friend has just arrived and will expect my company.

I don't care to disappoint him!

Oh.

That family friend. So it's true, what everyone says, then?

Everyone?

Including my mother.

"Mrs March has made her plans!" she said.

HE SIGHS

Made what plans?

SHE SIGHS

Stop fanning yourself - it isn't even hot!

I brought you a glass of Champagne, and an ice cream.

I've had so much Champagne I've already started the headache

I'll wake up with in the morning.

How dare people even think that Marmee "has plans"?

That she's plotting for us to make a match?

She's not that sort of woman.

And I'll make my own match, thank you very much.

I dare say I will, one day.

But I'm certainly not going to plan, and scheme,

and have Marmee's integrity called into question!

Meg, why don't you just eat your ice cream?

Because my feet burn so in these borrowed shoes

that I'd rather just stick them right in it!

Oh! Don't tell Jo I let them dress me up.

She doesn't like anything to do with romance, or flirting.

I know.

She might change her mind.

Mm.

Mm!