Preface

by Louisa May Alcott

　　These stories were written for my own amusement during a period ofenforced seclusion. The flowers which were my solace and pleasuresuggested titles for the tales and gave an interest to the work.If my girls find a little beauty or sunshine in these commonblossoms, their old friend will not have made her Garland in vain.L.M. ALCOTT.SEPTEMBER, 1887.