Надо перевести as young readers like to know 'how people look', we will take this moment to give them a little sketch of the four sisters, who sat knitting away in the twilight while the december snow fell quietly outside and the fire crackled cheerfully within. it was a comfortable old room, though the carpet was faded and the furniture very plain; for a good picture or two hung on the walls, books filled the shelves, chrysanthemums and christmas roses bloomed in the windows and a pleasant atmosphere of home-peace filled the room. meg, the eldest1 of the four, was sixteen, and very pretty, being plump and fair, with large eyes, plenty of soft, brown hair, a sweet mouth and white hands of which she was rather vain. fifteen-year-old jo was very tall, thin and brown, and reminded one of a colt2; for she never seemed to know what to do with her long limbs, which were very much in her way. she had a decisive mouth, a comical nose and sharp, grey eyes, which appeared to sec everything, and could be fierce, funny or thoughtful. her long, thick hair was her one beauty; but it was usually bundled in a net, to be out of her way. jo had round shoulders, big hands and feet, a fly-away look to her clothes and the uncomfortable appearance of a girl who was rapidly shooting up into a woman and didn't like it. elizabeth - or beth, as everyone called her was a rosy, smooth-haired, bright-eyed girl of thirteen, with a shy manner, a timid voice and a peaceful expression, which was seldom disturbed. her father called her 'little miss tranquillity', and the name suited her excellently; for she seemed to live in a happy world of her own, only venturing out to meet the few whom she trusted and loved. amy, though the youngest, was a most important person - in her own opinion at least. a regular snow-maiden, with blue eyes and yellow hair curling on her shoulders, pale and slender, and carrying herself like a young lady mindful of her manners. what the characters of the four sisters were, we will leave to be found out. the clock struck six; and, having swept up the hearth3, beth put a pair of slippers down to warm. somehow the sight of the old shoes had a good effect upon the girls; for mother was coming, and everyone brightened to welcome her. meg stopped lecturing and lighted the lamp, amy got out of the armchair without being asked, and jo forgot how tired she was as she sat up to hold the slippers nearer to the fire. 'they are quite worn out; mother must have a new pair.' t thought i'd get her some with my dollar,' said beth. 'no, i shall! ' cried amy. 'i'm the oldest,' began meg, but jo cut in with a decided: 'i'm the man of the family now that papa is away, and i shall provide the slippers, for he told me to take special care of mother while he was gone.' 'i'll tell you what we'll do,' said beth; 'let's each get her something for christmas, and not get anything for ourselves.'
