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Jack and Jill
by Louisa May Alcott
To the schoolmates of ELLSWORTH DEVENS；
Whose lovely character will not soon be forgotten；
This Village Story is affectionately inscribed by their friend；
L。M。A。
1880
Contents
Chapter 1 The Catastrophe
Chapter 2 Two Penitents
Chapter 3 Ward No。 I
Chapter 4 Ward No。 2
Chapter 5 Secrets
Chapter 6 Surprises
Chapter 7 Jill's Mission
Chapter 8 Merry and Molly
Chapter 9 The Debating Club
Chapter 10 The Dramatic Club
Chapter 11 〃Down Brakes〃
Chapter 12 The Twenty…second of February
Chapter 13 Jack Has a Mystery
Chapter 14 And Jill Finds it out
Chapter 15 Saint Lucy
Chapter 16 Up at Merry's
Chapter 17 Down at Molly's
Chapter 18 May Baskets
Chapter 19 Good Templars
Chapter 20 A Sweet Memory
Chapter 21 Pebbly Beach
Chapter 22 A Happy Day
Chapter 23 Cattle Show
Chapter 24 Down the River
Jack and Jill
Jack and Jill went up the hill
To coast with fun and laughter；
Jack fell down and broke his crown；
And Jill came tumbling after。
Chapter 1 The Catastrophe
〃Clear the lulla！〃 was the general cry on a bright December
afternoon； when all the boys and girls of Harmony Village were
out enjoying the first good snow of the season。 Up and down three
long coasts they went as fast as legs and sleds could carry them。
One smooth path led into the meadow； and here the little folk
congregated； one swept across the pond； where skaters were
darting about like water…bugs； and the third； from the very top of
the steep hill； ended abruptly at a rail fence on the high bank above
the road。 There was a group of lads and lasses sitting or leaning on
this fence to rest after an exciting race； and； as they reposed； they
amused themselves with criticising their mates； still absorbed in
this most delightful of out…door sports。
〃Here comes Frank Minot； looking as solemn as a judge；〃 cried
one； as a tall fellow of sixteen spun by； with a set look about the
mouth and a keen sparkle of the eyes； fixed on the distant goal
with a do…or…die expression。
〃Here's Molly Loo
And little Boo？
sang out another； and down came a girl with flying hair； carrying a
small boy behind her； so fat that his short legs stuck out from the
sides； and his round face looked over her shoulder like a full
moon。
〃There's Gus Burton； doesn't he go it？〃 and such a very long boy
whizzed by； that it looked almost as if his heels were at the top of
the hill when his head was at the bottom！
〃Hurrah for Ed Devlin！〃 and a general shout greeted a sweet…faced
lad； with a laugh on his lips； a fine color on his brown cheek； and a
gay word for every girl he passed。
〃Laura and Lotty keep to the safe coast into the meadow； and
Molly Loo is the only girl that dares to try this long one to the
pond。 I wouldn't for the world； the ice can't be strong yet； though it
is cold enough to freeze one's nose off；〃 said a timid damsel； who
sat hugging a post and screaming whenever a mischievous lad
shook the fence。
〃No； she isn't here's Jack and Jill going like fury。〃
〃Clear the track
For jolly Jack！〃
sang the boys； who had rhymes and nicknames for nearly
everyone。
Down came a gay red sled； bearing a boy who seemed all smile
and sunshine； so white were his teeth； so golden was his hair； so
bright and happy his whole air。 Behind him clung a little gypsy of
a girl； with black eyes and hair； cheeks as red as her hood； and a
face full of fun and sparkle； as she waved Jack's blue tippet like a
banner with one hand； and held on with the other。
〃Jill goes wherever Jack does； and he lets her。 He's such a
good…natured chap； he can't say No。〃
〃To a girl；〃 slyly added one of the boys； who had wished to borrow
the red sled； and had been politely refused because Jill wanted it。
〃He's the nicest boy in the world； for he never gets mad；〃 said the
timid young lady； recalling the many times Jack had shielded her
from the terrors which beset her path to school； in the shape of
cows； dogs； and boys who made faces and called her 〃Fraidcat。〃
〃He doesn't dare to get mad with Jill； for she'd take his head off in
two minutes if he did；〃 growled Joe Flint； still smarting from the
rebuke Jill had given him for robbing the little ones of their safe
coast because he fancied it。
〃She wouldn't！ she's a dear！ You needn't sniff at her because she is
poor。 She's ever so much brighter than you are； or she wouldn't
always be at the head of your class； old Joe；〃 cried the girls；
standing by their friend with a unanimity which proved what a
favorite she was。
Joe subsided with as scornful a curl to his nose as its chilly state
permitted； and Merry Grant introduced a subject of general interest
by asking abruptly；
〃Who is going to the candy…scrape to…night？〃
〃All of us。 Frank invited the whole set； and we shall have a tiptop
time。 We always do at the Minots'；〃 cried Sue； the timid trembler。
〃Jack said there was a barrel of molasses in the house； so there
would be enough for all to eat and some to carry away。 They know
how to do things handsomely〃； and the speaker licked his lips； as if
already tasting the feast in store for him。
〃Mrs。 Minot is a mother worth having；〃 said Molly Loo； coming up
with Boo on the sled； and she knew what it was to need a mother；
for she had none； and tried to care for the little brother with
maternal love and patience。
〃She is just as sweet as she can be！〃 declared Merry；
enthusiastically。
〃Especially when she has a candy…scrape；〃 said Joe； trying to be
amiable； lest he should be left out of the party。
Whereat they all laughed； and went gayly away for a farewell
frolic； as the sun was setting and the keen wind nipped fingers and
toes as well as noses。
Down they went； one after another； on the various coasts solemn
Frank； long Gus； gallant Ed； fly…away Molly Loo； pretty Laura and
Lotty； grumpy Joe； sweet…faced Merry with Sue shrieking wildly
behind her； gay Jack and gypsy Jill； always together one and all
bubbling over with the innocent jollity born of healthful exercise。
People passing in the road below looked up and smiled
involuntarily at the red…cheeked lads and lasses； filling the frosty
air with peals of laughter and cries of triumph as they flew by in
every conceivable attitude； for the fun was at its height now； and
the oldest and gravest observers felt a glow of pleasure as they
looked； remembering their own young days。
〃Jack； take me down that coast。 Joe said I wouldn't dare to do it； so
I must；〃 commanded Jill； as they paused for breath after the long
trudge up hill。 Jill； of course； was not her real name； but had been
given because of her friendship with Jack； who so admired Janey
Pecq's spirit and fun。
〃I guess I wouldn't； It is very bumpy and ends