With the arrival of spring, the war ends and Father is home to stay. The March's have a party to celebrate Beth's recovery and Meg's engagement. Then Jo sets off for New York with high hopes for a career as a writer.
Though Mr. Laurence seems a stern and frightening presence to timid Beth, he is touched and delighted by her music and kindness. In return, he gives her a wonderful gift, a piano that had once belonged to the daughter he had lost.
Every day Beth goes next door to play Mr. Laurence's piano. She wants to make him a pair of slippers as a gift but cannot afford the materials. Jo helps her out, giving her the money she needs to make a beautiful pair.
Jo waits impatiently after delivering her novel to the newspaper office. Laurie takes her to the office to check things out, but they are unable to learn anything until . . .
Amy goes fishing with John's young brother Tom hoping for a dinner of trout. She has a happy time but becomes very tired and falls asleep. Jo startles her from a frightful dream.
Amy and Jo have not spoken since Amy destroyed Jo's manuscript, and Amy is feeling remorseful. When Jo leaves to go ice-skating, Amy runs after her, planning to apologize. But before they work out their differences, Amy falls through the ice.
The March family receives news that Father is seriously ill. Mother immediately arranges to travel to Washington, where he is hospitalized. Desperate to raise money for Father's care, Jo sells her beautiful long hair.
The sisters know their Mother's absence is a test of their character and abilities, and they try hard to keep up their work and their spirits. But the more cheerful they try to be, the more gloomy they feel.
Meg spends a vacation with her fashionable friends Sally and Annie and enjoys the high life. When Annie's sister Bell attempts to perk up Meg's dowdy party dress and turn her into a real lady for an evening, everyone does not appreciate the results.
Jo works for her beloved but crotchety Aunt March. When her Aunt travels to a hot spring for her health, Jo gets a welcome vacation and begins to make plans.
In her Mother's absence, Beth looks after the poor Hummel family. The baby is sick, and while Mrs. Hummel hurries for a doctor, the infant dies in Beth's arms. The baby died of scarlet fever, the doctor reports. And before long, Beth is sick too.
Jo and Laurie rescue Amy from the freezing river. Jo blames herself for the accident, since her disagreement with Amy kept her from warning her sister about the thin ice. Comforted by their mother, Jo and Amy apologize and reconcile with each other.
Though Beth is feeling much better, she must remain indoors, and she longs to play in the snow. Jo and Laurie bring her presents and build a snowman for her. On Christmas Day, Father returns home accompanied by Mr. Brooke.
Though sweets are forbidden, Amy's school friends enjoy sneaking treats during recess. Amy brings candied limes for all her friends, except Jenny. Jenny reports to the teacher, who takes the limes and, to Amy's humiliation, punishes her with a cane.
Beth has scarlet fever and her worried sisters struggle with the crisis. Meg and Jo, who have already had the disease, care for Beth, while Amy is sent to stay with Aunt March. When Beth takes a turn for the worse, her sisters send an urgent telegram.
Meg's mother scolds Laurie for the hurt he caused forging a letter to Meg. To protect Meg's feelings, they agree not to tell anyone. Laurie's grandfather hears about the reprimand, and when Laurie refuses to tell him the details, Laurie is punished.