“Silver Pitchers” is about three young women who, being concerned for their male loved ones’ alcohol intake, form a temperance society.

Their aim is to show their menfolk that life can be enjoyed just as well without drinking too much wine.

The three women each wear an earring – as a brooch – in the shape of a small silver pitcher as an emblem of their society.

In a sense this is a didactic tale, warning men of the dangers of overindulgence with alcohol, but it’s written in such a way that it doesn’t come across as too “preachy”.

3 stars for this story.

“Anna’s Whim” features a young lady who wishes that she could meet a man who would treat her more like a male friend, rather than pay the traditional respects and compliments to a beautiful woman such as herself.

As fate would have it, the day after Anna announces her whim to her female friend, a gentleman whom she’s known since childhood is back in town. He’s Frank by name, frank by nature. He does not bother to compliment Anna, offer an arm to lean on, or – believe it or not – even pick up her fan for her.

It’s good fun, this one, and it’s my favourite of the collection.

I rate it 4 stars.

“Transcendental Wild Oats” is about a group of people heading into “the wilds” to try living off the land with as few home comforts as possible.

Have to say that this didn’t appeal to me at all and had to give up on it.

But with respect to Ms Alcott, she is one of the most versatile authors I’ve come across, so it’s inevitable that with so many varied stories, even her greatest fans will find some they’re not keen on.

For me this is the only weak story in the collection and I rate it just 1 star.

“The Romance of a Summer Day” is a short story that includes several shorter stories, as the tale is based around a teenage girl, her uncle and his female friend, going for a long walk, and along the way they encounter various folk who have a story to share.

The teenage girl has her own story, which is alluded to intermittently, and is resolved at the end.

3 stars for this tale.

“My Rococo Watch” is a very short story about a young lady’s desire for an antique watch and the subsequent cost and problems that purchasing one incurs.

Some quality humour is in evidence here.

3 stars for this one.

“By the River” expertly blends humour and pathos. Broken in to chapters, the opening one features a 16-year-old boy – called Nat – and a 12-year-old girl – Ruth – who are unrelated orphans, raised by a farmer and his wife.

The second chapter skips ahead five years. Needless to say, the orphans being “unrelated” by blood leads to them wanting to be related by marriage.

Yet the story is not focused too much on their road to love, but more on Nat’s dream to leave the farm and live the life of a successful poet.

Can’t say much more without spoiling what happens, but the ending is unpredictable.

3 stars.

“Letty’s Tramp” is told in two chapters. The first part features 18-year-old Letty and her aunt offering charity to a passing tramp, who is a young man that’s been trying to make his luck, through which he only found the bad type.

Chapter 2 moves on a couple of years. Letty meets her tramp again, only their situations have almost been reversed.

The overall theme is that no matter how dark things seem, there’s always a ray of hope.

3 stars.

I read “Scarlet Stockings” as an individual story before reading this collection and have therefore reviewed it previously.

“Independence” is set during the centennial anniversary of America’s Independence Day. It’s a story of unexpected and forbidden love. Being an upbeat tale, love is sure to find a way.

There are some entertaining and amusing scenes in this one and I rate it 4 stars. ( )