Little Women

S TO VA

ren should have the measles just now," said Meg, one April day, as she st

e fortnight of fun will be regularly splendid," replied Jo, lo

added Beth, tidily sorting neck and hair ribbo

hese nice things," said Amy with her mouth full of pin

'm sure it's the least I can do when you have been so kind, lending me things and helping me get ready,"

en present at the opening of a certain cedar chest in which Mrs. March kept a

ly blue sash. I wanted the violet silk, but there isn't time

wish I hadn't smashed my coral bracelet, for you might have had it," said Jo, who loved

and Laurie promised to send me all I want," replied Meg. "Now, let me see, there's my new gray walking suit, just curl up the feather in my

you always look like an angel in white," said Amy, brooding

ion, and my bonnet doesn't look like Sallie's. I didn't like to say anything, but I was sadly disappointed in my umbrella. I told Mother black with a white handle, but she forgot and bought a green one with a

it," adv

m not going to give up to it. My silk stockings and two pairs of new gloves are my comfort. You are a dear to lend me yours, Jo. I feel

Would you put some on mine?" she asked, as Beth brought

h the plain gowns without any trimming on them

gh to have real lace on my clothes and

ectly happy if you could only go to Annie

trays are ready, and everything in but my ball dress, which I shall leave for Mother to pack," said Meg, cheering up, as she glanced

ing that Margaret would come back more discontented than she went. But she begged so hard, and Sallie had promised to take good care of her, and a littl

eir gilding could not quite conceal the ordinary material of which they were made. It certainly was agreeable to fare sumptuously, drive in a fine carriage, wear her best frock every day, and do nothing but enjoy herself. It suited her exactly, and soon she began to imitate the manners and conversation of those about her, to put on little airs and graces, use French phrases,

ing, for Annie had many friends and knew how to entertain them. Her older sisters were very fine young ladies, and one was engaged, which was extremely interesting and romantic, Meg thought. Mr. Moffat was a fat, jolly old ge

at one another, and her cheeks began to burn, for with all her gentleness she was very proud. No one said a word about it, but Sallie offered to dress her hair, and Annie to tie her sash, and Belle, the engaged sister, praised her white arms. But in their kindness Meg saw only pity for her poverty, and her heart felt

sends her some, but these are altogether r

an said. And here's a note," pu

had a lover," cried the girls, fluttering abou

s from Laurie," said Meg simply, yet muc

ocket as a sort of talisman against envy, vanity, and false pride, for the few

the elder sister, told her she was 'the sweetest little thing she ever saw', and they looked quite charmed with her small attention. Somehow the kind act finished her despondency, and when all the rest went to

who 'the fresh little girl with the beautiful eyes' was, and Mr. Moffat insisted on dancing with her because she 'didn't dawdle, but had some spring in her', as he gracefully expressed it. So altogether she had a very nice time, t

old i

n, I should say," re

ls, wouldn't it? Sallie says they are very inti

play her cards well, early as it is. The girl ev

me quite prettily. Poor thing! She'd be so nice if she was only got up in style. Do you th

wdy tarlaton is all she has got. She may tear it tonight,

y and rush home to tell her troubles and ask for advice. As that was impossible, she did her best to seem gay, and being rather excited, she succeeded so well that no one dreamed what an effort she was making. She was very glad when it was all over and she was quiet in her bed, where she could think and wonder and fume till her head ached and her hot cheeks were cooled by a few natural tears. Those foolish, yet well meant words, had opened a new world to Meg, and much disturbed the peace of the

was noon before the girls found energy enough even to take up their worsted work. Something in the manner of her friends struck Meg at once. They treated her with more respect, she thought, took quite a tender interest in wh

nd, Mr. Laurence, for Thursday. We should like to

se the girls made her reply demurely, "You

erie?" asked

too

n? What is his age, I beg

swered Meg, counting stitches t

we meant the young man," ex

Meg laughed also at the queer look which the sisters

ur age,"

m seventeen in August," ret

you flowers, isn't it?" said An

f them. My mother and old Mr. Laurence are friends, you know, so it is quite nat

t out yet," said Miss Cl

innocence all round," retur

. Can I do anything for you, young ladies?" asked Mrs.

llie. "I've got my new pink silk f

se it occurred to her that she did want

you wear?" a

een, it got sadly torn last night," said Meg, trying

another?" said Sallie, who wa

see it and exclaimed in amiable surprise, "Only that? How funny..." She did not

s no need of sending home, Daisy, even if you had a dozen, for I've got a sweet blue si

old dress if you don't, it does well eno

tle beauty with a touch here and there. I shan't let anyone see you till you are done, and then we'll b

she would be 'a little beauty' after touching up caused her to accept

. They laced her into a sky-blue dress, which was so tight she could hardly breathe and so low in the neck that modest Meg blushed at herself in the mirror. A set of silver filagree was added, bracelets, necklace, brooch, and even earrings, for Hortense tied them on with a bit of pink silk which did not show. A cluster of tea-rose buds at

e, is she not?" cried Hortense, clasp

ss Belle, leading the way to the

ad really begun at last, for the mirror had plainly told her that she was 'a little beauty'. Her friends repeated the pleasing phrase enthusiastica

lf up. Take your silver butterfly, and catch up that long curl on the left side of her head, Clara, and don't any of

ps of taste, and you're quite French, I assure you. Let your flowers hang, don't be so careful of the

in class of people and secures their respect. Several young ladies, who had taken no notice of her before, were very affectionate all of a sudden. Several young gentlemen, who had only stared at her at the other party, now not only stared, but asked t

, but reverses of fortune, you know; intimate friends of the Lauren

ache, the train kept getting under her feet, and she was in constant fear lest her earrings should fly off and get lost or broken. She was flirting her fan and laughing at the feeble jokes of a young gentleman who tried to be witty, when she suddenly stopped laughing and looked confused, for just opposite, she saw Laurie. He was star

't care for it, or let it change me a bit," thought Meg, a

raid you wouldn't." she said

so I did," answered Laurie, without turning his eyes

curiosity to know his opinion of her, yet fe

grown-up and unlike yourself, I'm quite afraid

ather like it. Wouldn't Jo stare if she saw me?" said Meg, b

e would," return

like me so?

t," was the

in an anx

ly trimmed dress with an expression that abashed her more than h

ke fuss and

r than herself, and Meg walked away, saying pe

, for the tight dress gave her an uncomfortably brilliant color. As she stood ther

wanted you to see her, but they have spoiled

rn my own things, then I should not have disgusted other

minding that her favorite waltz had begun, till some one touched her, and turning, sh

rudeness, and come

eable to you," said Meg, trying to

't like your gown, but I do think you are just splendid." And h

g to catch the time, "Take care my skirt doesn't trip you u

useful," said Laurie, looking down at the lit

l matched, and the blithe young couple were a pleasant sight to see, as they twirl

Meg, as he stood fanning her when her breath gave ou

aid Laurie,

my dress tonight. They won't understan

aid Laurie's eyes, so plain

ss' to Mother how silly I've been. But I'd rath

on't, only what shall I

pretty well and was

don't look as if you were having a good time. Are you?" And Laurie l

only wanted a little fun, but this sort doesn

knitting his black brows as if he did not regard his yo

se he's coming for them. What a bore!" said Meg, as

riend Fisher, who were behaving 'like a pair of fools', as Laurie said to himself, for he felt a bro

't, Meg, your mother doesn't like it, you know," he whispered, leaning over her

ings. Tomorrow I shall put away my 'fuss and feathers' and be des

ttered Laurie, walking off, ill-pl

ed through it, nearly upsetting her partner with her long skirt, and romping in a way that scandalized Laurie, who looked

to smile, for the splitting

d Laurie, with a melodramat

e had been to a masquerade and hadn't enjoyed herself as much as she expected. She was sick all the next day, and on Sa

. Home is a nice place, though it isn't splendid," said Meg, looking about her w

to you after your fine quarters," replied her mother, who had given her many anxiou

ts, and when the younger girls were gone to bed, she sat thoughtfully staring at the fire, saying little and looking worried. As the clock st

I want to

so. What is

way?" asked J

hamed to speak of it before the younger children, but I want

Mrs. March, smiling but

fashion-plate. Laurie thought I wasn't proper. I know he did, though he didn't say so, and one man called me 'a doll'. I kne

at the downcast face of her pretty daughter, and coul

tried to flirt, and was altogether abo

s. March smoothed the soft cheek, which su

it, because I hate to have people say an

s', and as she spoke, Jo saw her mother fold her lips tightly, as if

ever heard," cried Jo indignantly. "Why didn

't help hearing at first, and then I was so angry an

' and being kind to Laurie because he's rich and may marry us by-and-by! Won't he shout when I tell him what those s

give you! She mustn't, must she, Mo

e to let you go among people of whom I know so little, kind, I dare say, but worldly, ill-bred, and full of these vu

ch for letting me go. I'll not be sentimental or dissatisfied, Mother. I know I'm a silly little girl, and I'll stay with you till I'm fit to ta

ad one to do foolish or unmaidenly things. Learn to know and value the praise which is worth h

r it was a new thing to see Meg blushing and talking about admiration, lovers, and things of that sort. And Jo felt as if du

ans', as Mrs. Moffat sai

ord may set this romantic little head and heart of yours right, on a very serious subject. You are young, Meg, but not too young to understand me, and mothers' lips are

bout to join in some very solemn affair. Holding a hand of each, and watching

ncerely hope my girls may know this beautiful experience. It is natural to think of it, Meg, right to hope and wait for it, and wise to prepare for it, so that when the happy time comes, you may feel ready for the duties and worthy of the joy. My dear girls, I am ambitious for you, but not to have you make a dash in the world, marry rich men merely because the

ce, Belle says, unless they put

old maids," s

women I know were poor girls, but so love-worthy that they were not allowed to be old maids. Leave these things to time. Make this home happy, so that you may be fit for homes of your own, if they are offered you, and contented here if

ied both, with all their heart