旧式女孩 英文版 An Old-fashioned Girl
露意莎.梅.奥尔科特 Louisa May Alcott
Preface
AS a preface is the only place where an author can with proprietyexplain a purpose or apologize for shortcomings, I venture to availmyself of the privilege to make a statement for the benefit of myreaders.
As the first part of "An Old-Fashioned Girl" was written in 1869,the demand for a sequel, in beseeching little letters that maderefusal impossible, rendered it necessary to carry my heroineboldly forward some six or seven years into the future. Thedomestic nature of the story makes this audacious proceedingpossible; while the lively fancies of my young readers will supplyall deficiencies, and overlook all discrepancies.
This explanation will, I trust, relieve those well-regulated minds,who cannot conceive of such literary lawlessness, from thebewilderment which they suffered when the same experiment wastried in a former book.
The "Old-Fashioned Girl" is not intended as a perfect model, but asa possible improvement upon (Page) the Girl of the Period, whoseems sorrowfully ignorant or ashamed of the good old fashionswhich make woman truly beautiful and honored, and, through her,render home what it should be,-a happy place, where parents andchildren, brothers and sisters, learn to love and know and help oneanother.
If the history of Polly's girlish experiences suggests a hint orinsinuates a lesson, I shall feel that, in spite of many obstacles, Ihave not entirely neglected my duty toward the little men andwomen, for whom it is an honor and a pleasure to write, since inthem I have always found my kindest patrons, gentlest critics,warmest friends.
L. M. A.