TRY FIRST: AND THEN ASK: AND TRY PATIENTLY TILL YOU HAVE TRIED YOUR BEST: AND YOU WILL NOT NEED TO ASK AT ALL. Trying is the only Schoolmaster whose Scholars always Succeed. Your Father. Cottage, Feb. 2nd. Little May, the youngest, was the pet, not only of the Alcott household, but of all the Alcott kin. This quaint little dolly letter, written to her by her Uncle Junius, has been framed and hangs to-day in the library of May Alcott's nephew, John: Gift of Junius S. Alcott to Abby. A Little Face once smiling woke to greet, the day, with sport and play, Hands) on her Birthday, in shaking (Hands with her sisters, and, her visitors, that, came, to, chime, a, happy, time, with, Lizzy, To, give, you, pleasure, uncle, gives, this, treasure, to you, so, sweet, So, keep, it, neat, and please, my, Brother, & your Mother, by always, finding that, by, minding, you are, the kindest, little girl, that, that, ever stood d, in, (Shoes) (Shoes) CHAPTER VI THE MOTHER'S INFLUENCE UPON the lives of all four of her daughters the mother's influence rested like a benediction. It is felt in her letters; it is reflected in the journals of her girls and in the musings of Bronson Alcott, as set down in his voluminous journals. And the mother spirit hovers over Orchard House, where "Little Women" was written and lived. While letters to Anna from her mother are missing, Anna's journal shows how vital was Mrs. Alcott's power in the upbuilding of her noble character. Louisa in "Little Women" has said that the girls gave their hearts into their mother's keeping, their souls into their father's. Anna's letters bear eloquent testimony to the strong, helpful, cheery influence of the mother upon the child. Among the first was this letter, written by Anna when she was five years old and visiting Mr. Alcott's family at Wolcott: