Good Wives

The Second part of Little Women has been published separately as Good Wives, but in some editions both books are together. It follows the March girls into young adulthood, and starts with Meg's wedding to John Brooke. They marry a couple of years after the events of Little Women. John goes to war but is wounded and sent home, and he goes into business, working for Mr Lawrence. Laurie is now going to college, but does not like the idea of become an India Merchant like his grandfather. He enjoys socialising, as well, but wishes he could be a musician like his father, and live some of the time in Europe. However he loves his grandfather and tries to please him in hopes that the old man will be tolerant of his wish to devote himself to music. Jo has given up working for Aunt March, and stays home writing stories and making a bit of money and looking after Beth who is still frail. Amy has taken up the position as companion to the old lady, and she is taking art lessons. Meg has been preparing for her wedding. She and John have a small house near to the Marches' home and the 2 of them are very happy. However Jo is worried that Laurie is getting too fond of her; she loves him as a friend but is not interested in marriage and does not love him as a lover. Mrs March thinks that the 2 of them are not compatible. They both have quick tempers and would quarrel. The wedding takes place and Meg and John settle down to married life. Laurie asks Jo to marry him but she refuses and Old Mr Lawrence suggests that he and Laurie should go away to Europe to take his mind off things. Jo is more depressed when her aunt, Mrs Carroll, invites Amy to go to Europe as well with her cousin Florence, Jo feels that she should have been asked as she is older, but is reminded that she is always prickly with her richer relations. She decides to go away from Boston for a while. She gets a job as governess to a friend of Mrs March's in New York