English
"Idothinkitwasthemostfortunatethingintheworldthatthosechildrenshouldhavethemeaslesjustnow,"saidMeg,oneAprilday,asshestoodpackingthe'goabroady'trunkinherroom,surroundedbyhersisters.
"AndsoniceofAnnieMoffatnottoforgetherpromise.Awholefortnightoffunwillberegularlysplendid,"repliedJo,lookinglikeawindmillasshefoldedskirtswithherlongarms.
"Andsuchlovelyweather,I'msogladofthat,"addedBeth,tidilysortingneckandhairribbonsinherbestbox,lentforthegreatoccasion.
"IwishIwasgoingtohaveafinetimeandwearallthesenicethings,"saidAmywithhermouthfullofpins,assheartisticallyreplenishedhersister'scushion.
"Iwishyouwereallgoing,butasyoucan't,IshallkeepmyadventurestotellyouwhenIcomeback.
I'msureit'stheleastIcandowhenyouhavebeensokind,lendingmethingsandhelpingmegetready,"saidMeg,glancingroundtheroomattheverysimpleoutfit,whichseemednearlyperfectintheireyes.
"WhatdidMothergiveyououtofthetreasurebox?"
askedAmy,whohadnotbeenpresentattheopeningofacertaincedarchestinwhichMrs.Marchkeptafewrelicsofpastsplendor,asgiftsforhergirlswhenthepropertimecame.
"Apairofsilkstockings,thatprettycarvedfan,andalovelybluesash.Iwantedthevioletsilk,butthereisn'ttimetomakeitover,soImustbecontentedwithmyoldtarlaton."
"Itwilllookniceovermynewmuslinskirt,andthesashwillsetitoffbeautifully.
IwishIhadn'tsmashedmycoralbracelet,foryoumighthavehadit,"saidJo,wholovedtogiveandlend,butwhosepossessionswereusuallytoodilapidatedtobeofmuchuse.
"Thereisalovelyold–fashionedpearlsetinthetreasurechest,butMothersaidrealflowersweretheprettiestornamentforayounggirl,andLauriepromisedtosendmeallIwant,"repliedMeg.
"Now,letmesee,there'smynewgraywalkingsuit,justcurlupthefeatherinmyhat,Beth,thenmypoplinforSundayandthesmallparty,itlooksheavyforspring,doesn'tit?Thevioletsilkwouldbesonice.Oh,dear!"
"Nevermind,you'vegotthetarlatonforthebigparty,andyoualwayslooklikeanangelinwhite,"saidAmy,broodingoverthelittlestoreoffineryinwhichhersouldelighted.
"Itisn'tlow–necked,anditdoesn'tsweepenough,butitwillhavetodo.
Mybluehousedresslookssowell,turnedandfreshlytrimmed,thatIfeelasifI'dgotanewone.
Mysilksacqueisn'tabitthefashion,andmybonnetdoesn'tlooklikeSallie's.
Ididn'tliketosayanything,butIwassadlydisappointedinmyumbrella.
ItoldMotherblackwithawhitehandle,butsheforgotandboughtagreenonewithayellowishhandle.
It'sstrongandneat,soIoughtnottocomplain,butIknowIshallfeelashamedofitbesideAnnie'ssilkonewithagoldtop,"sighedMeg,surveyingthelittleumbrellawithgreatdisfavor.
"Changeit,"advisedJo.
"Iwon'tbesosilly,orhurtMarmee'sfeelings,whenshetooksomuchpainstogetmythings.
It'sanonsensicalnotionofmine,andI'mnotgoingtogiveuptoit.
Mysilkstockingsandtwopairsofnewglovesaremycomfort.Youareadeartolendmeyours,Jo.
Ifeelsorichandsortofelegant,withtwonewpairs,andtheoldonescleanedupforcommon."
AndMegtookarefreshingpeepatherglovebox.
"AnnieMoffathasblueandpinkbowsonhernightcaps.Wouldyouputsomeonmine?"sheasked,asBethbroughtupapileofsnowymuslins,freshfromHannah'shands.
"No,Iwouldn't,forthesmartcapswon'tmatchtheplaingownswithoutanytrimmingonthem.Poorfolksshouldn'trig,"saidJodecidedly.
"IwonderifIshalleverbehappyenoughtohavereallaceonmyclothesandbowsonmycaps?"saidMegimpatiently.
"Yousaidtheotherdaythatyou'dbeperfectlyhappyifyoucouldonlygotoAnnieMoffat's,"observedBethinherquietway.
"SoIdid!Well,Iamhappy,andIwon'tfret,butitdoesseemasifthemoreonegetsthemoreonewants,doesn'tit?
Therenow,thetraysareready,andeverythinginbutmyballdress,whichIshallleaveforMothertopack,"saidMeg,cheeringup,assheglancedfromthehalf–filledtrunktothemanytimespressedandmendedwhitetarlaton,whichshecalledher'balldress'withanimportantair.
Thenextdaywasfine,andMegdepartedinstyleforafortnightofnoveltyandpleasure.
Mrs.Marchhadconsentedtothevisitratherreluctantly,fearingthatMargaretwouldcomebackmorediscontentedthanshewent.
Butshebeggedsohard,andSalliehadpromisedtotakegoodcareofher,andalittlepleasureseemedsodelightfulafterawinterofirksomeworkthatthemotheryielded,andthedaughterwenttotakeherfirsttasteoffashionablelife.
TheMoffatswereveryfashionable,andsimpleMegwasratherdaunted,atfirst,bythesplendorofthehouseandtheeleganceofitsoccupants.
Buttheywerekindlypeople,inspiteofthefrivolouslifetheyled,andsoonputtheirguestatherease.
PerhapsMegfelt,withoutunderstandingwhy,thattheywerenotparticularlycultivatedorintelligentpeople,andthatalltheirgildingcouldnotquiteconcealtheordinarymaterialofwhichtheyweremade.
Itcertainlywasagreeabletofaresumptuously,driveinafinecarriage,wearherbestfrockeveryday,anddonothingbutenjoyherself.
Itsuitedherexactly,andsoonshebegantoimitatethemannersandconversationofthoseabouther,toputonlittleairsandgraces,useFrenchphrases,crimpherhair,takeinherdresses,andtalkaboutthefashionsaswellasshecould.
ThemoreshesawofAnnieMoffat'sprettythings,themoresheenviedherandsighedtoberich.
Homenowlookedbareanddismalasshethoughtofit,workgrewharderthanever,andshefeltthatshewasaverydestituteandmuch–injuredgirl,inspiteofthenewglovesandsilkstockings.
Shehadnotmuchtimeforrepining,however,forthethreeyounggirlswerebusilyemployedin'havingagoodtime'.
Theyshopped,walked,rode,andcalledallday,wenttotheatersandoperasorfrolickedathomeintheevening,forAnniehadmanyfriendsandknewhowtoentertainthem.
Heroldersisterswereveryfineyoungladies,andonewasengaged,whichwasextremelyinterestingandromantic,Megthought.
Mr.Moffatwasafat,jollyoldgentleman,whoknewherfather,andMrs.Moffat,afat,jollyoldlady,whotookasgreatafancytoMegasherdaughterhaddone.
Everyonepettedher,and'Daisey',astheycalledher,wasinafairwaytohaveherheadturned.
Whentheeveningforthesmallpartycame,shefoundthatthepoplinwouldn'tdoatall,fortheothergirlswereputtingonthindressesandmakingthemselvesveryfineindeed.
Sooutcamethetarlatan,lookingolder,limper,andshabbierthaneverbesideSallie'scrispnewone.
Megsawthegirlsglanceatitandthenatoneanother,andhercheeksbegantoburn,forwithallhergentlenessshewasveryproud.
Noonesaidawordaboutit,butSallieofferedtodressherhair,andAnnietotiehersash,andBelle,theengagedsister,praisedherwhitearms.
ButintheirkindnessMegsawonlypityforherpoverty,andherheartfeltveryheavyasshestoodbyherself,whiletheotherslaughed,chattered,andflewaboutlikegauzybutterflies.
Thehard,bitterfeelingwasgettingprettybad,whenthemaidbroughtinaboxofflowers.
Beforeshecouldspeak,Anniehadthecoveroff,andallwereexclaimingatthelovelyroses,heath,andfernwithin.
"It'sforBelle,ofcourse,Georgealwayssendshersome,butthesearealtogetherravishing,"criedAnnie,withagreatsniff.
"TheyareforMissMarch,themansaid.Andhere'sanote,"putinthemaid,holdingittoMeg.
"Whatfun!Whoaretheyfrom?Didn'tknowyouhadalover,"criedthegirls,flutteringaboutMeginahighstateofcuriosityandsurprise.
"ThenoteisfromMother,andtheflowersfromLaurie,"saidMegsimply,yetmuchgratifiedthathehadnotforgottenher.
"Oh,indeed!"saidAnniewithafunnylook,asMegslippedthenoteintoherpocketasasortoftalismanagainstenvy,vanity,andfalsepride,forthefewlovingwordshaddonehergood,andtheflowerscheeredherupbytheirbeauty.
Feelingalmosthappyagain,shelaidbyafewfernsandrosesforherself,andquicklymadeuptherestindaintybouquetsforthebreasts,hair,orskirtsofherfriends,offeringthemsoprettilythatClara,theeldersister,toldhershewas'thesweetestlittlethingsheeversaw',andtheylookedquitecharmedwithhersmallattention.
Somehowthekindactfinishedherdespondency,andwhenalltherestwenttoshowthemselvestoMrs.Moffat,shesawahappy,bright–eyedfaceinthemirror,asshelaidherfernsagainstherripplinghairandfastenedtherosesinthedressthatdidn'tstrikeherassoveryshabbynow.
Sheenjoyedherselfverymuchthatevening,forshedancedtoherheart'scontent.
Everyonewasverykind,andshehadthreecompliments.
Anniemadehersing,andsomeonesaidshehadaremarkablyfinevoice.
MajorLincolnaskedwho'thefreshlittlegirlwiththebeautifuleyes'was,andMr.Moffatinsistedondancingwithherbecauseshe'didn'tdawdle,buthadsomespringinher',ashegracefullyexpressedit.
Soaltogethershehadaverynicetime,tillsheoverheardabitofconversation,whichdisturbedherextremely.
Shewassittingjustinsidetheconservatory,waitingforherpartnertobringheranice,whensheheardavoiceaskontheothersideoftheflowerywall...
"Howoldishe?"
"Sixteenorseventeen,Ishouldsay,"repliedanothervoice.
"Itwouldbeagrandthingforoneofthosegirls,wouldn'tit?Salliesaystheyareveryintimatenow,andtheoldmanquitedotesonthem."
"Mrs.M.hasmadeherplans,Idaresay,andwillplayhercardswell,earlyasitis.Thegirlevidentlydoesn'tthinkofityet,"saidMrs.Moffat.
"Shetoldthatfibabouthermomma,asifshedidknow,andcoloredupwhentheflowerscamequiteprettily.Poorthing!
She'dbesoniceifshewasonlygotupinstyle.
Doyouthinkshe'dbeoffendedifweofferedtolendheradressforThursday?"askedanothervoice.
"She'sproud,butIdon'tbelieveshe'dmind,forthatdowdytarlatonisallshehasgot.Shemaytearittonight,andthatwillbeagoodexcuseforofferingadecentone."
HereMeg'spartnerappeared,tofindherlookingmuchflushedandratheragitated.
Shewasproud,andherpridewasusefuljustthen,forithelpedherhidehermortification,anger,anddisgustatwhatshehadjustheard.
For,innocentandunsuspiciousasshewas,shecouldnothelpunderstandingthegossipofherfriends.
Shetriedtoforgetit,butcouldnot,andkeptrepeatingtoherself,"Mrs.M.hasmadeherplans,""thatfibabouthermamma,"and"dowdytarlaton,"tillshewasreadytocryandrushhometotellhertroublesandaskforadvice.
Asthatwasimpossible,shedidherbesttoseemgay,andbeingratherexcited,shesucceededsowellthatnoonedreamedwhataneffortshewasmaking.
Shewasverygladwhenitwasalloverandshewasquietinherbed,whereshecouldthinkandwonderandfumetillherheadachedandherhotcheekswerecooledbyafewnaturaltears.
Thosefoolish,yetwellmeantwords,hadopenedanewworldtoMeg,andmuchdisturbedthepeaceoftheoldoneinwhichtillnowshehadlivedashappilyasachild.
HerinnocentfriendshipwithLauriewasspoiledbythesillyspeechesshehadoverheard.
HerfaithinhermotherwasalittleshakenbytheworldlyplansattributedtoherbyMrs.Moffat,whojudgedothersbyherself,andthesensibleresolutiontobecontentedwiththesimplewardrobewhichsuitedapoorman'sdaughterwasweakenedbytheunnecessarypityofgirlswhothoughtashabbydressoneofthegreatestcalamitiesunderheaven.
PoorMeghadarestlessnight,andgotupheavy–eyed,unhappy,halfresentfultowardherfriends,andhalfashamedofherselffornotspeakingoutfranklyandsettingeverythingright.
Everybodydawdledthatmorning,anditwasnoonbeforethegirlsfoundenergyenougheventotakeuptheirworstedwork.
SomethinginthemannerofherfriendsstruckMegatonce.
Theytreatedherwithmorerespect,shethought,tookquiteatenderinterestinwhatshesaid,andlookedatherwitheyesthatplainlybetrayedcuriosity.
Allthissurprisedandflatteredher,thoughshedidnotunderstandittillMissBellelookedupfromherwriting,andsaid,withasentimentalair...
"Daisy,dear,I'vesentaninvitationtoyourfriend,Mr.Laurence,forThursday.Weshouldliketoknowhim,andit'sonlyapropercomplimenttoyou."
Megcolored,butamischievousfancytoteasethegirlsmadeherreplydemurely,"Youareverykind,butI'mafraidhewon'tcome."
"Whynot,Cherie?"askedMissBelle.
"He'stooold."
"Mychild,whatdoyoumean?Whatishisage,Ibegtoknow!"criedMissClara.
"Nearlyseventy,Ibelieve,"answeredMeg,countingstitchestohidethemerrimentinhereyes.
"Youslycreature!Ofcoursewemeanttheyoungman,"exclaimedMissBelle,laughing.
"Thereisn'tany,Laurieisonlyalittleboy."AndMeglaughedalsoatthequeerlookwhichthesistersexchangedasshethusdescribedhersupposedlover.
"Aboutyourage,"Nansaid.
"NearermysisterJo's;IamseventeeninAugust,"returnedMeg,tossingherhead.
"It'sveryniceofhimtosendyouflowers,isn'tit?"saidAnnie,lookingwiseaboutnothing.
"Yes,heoftendoes,toallofus,fortheirhouseisfull,andwearesofondofthem.
MymotherandoldMr.Laurencearefriends,youknow,soitisquitenaturalthatwechildrenshouldplaytogether,"andMeghopedtheywouldsaynomore.
"It'sevidentDaisyisn'toutyet,"saidMissClaratoBellewithanod.
"Quiteapastoralstateofinnocenceallround,"returnedMissBellewithashrug.
"I'mgoingouttogetsomelittlemattersformygirls.CanIdoanythingforyou,youngladies?"askedMrs.Moffat,lumberinginlikeanelephantinsilkandlace.
"No,thankyou,ma'am,"repliedSallie."I'vegotmynewpinksilkforThursdayanddon'twantathing."
"NorI..."beganMeg,butstoppedbecauseitoccurredtoherthatshedidwantseveralthingsandcouldnothavethem.
"Whatshallyouwear?"askedSallie.
"Myoldwhiteoneagain,ifIcanmenditfittobeseen,itgotsadlytornlastnight,"saidMeg,tryingtospeakquiteeasily,butfeelingveryuncomfortable.
"Whydon'tyousendhomeforanother?"saidSallie,whowasnotanobservingyounglady.
"Ihaven'tgotanyother."ItcostMeganefforttosaythat,butSalliedidnotseeitandexclaimedinamiablesurprise,"Onlythat?
Howfunny..."Shedidnotfinishherspeech,forBelleshookherheadatherandbrokein,sayingkindly...
"Notatall.Whereistheuseofhavingalotofdresseswhensheisn'toutyet?
There'snoneedofsendinghome,Daisy,evenifyouhadadozen,forI'vegotasweetbluesilklaidaway,whichI'veoutgrown,andyoushallwearittopleaseme,won'tyou,dear?"
"Youareverykind,butIdon'tmindmyolddressifyoudon't,itdoeswellenoughforalittlegirllikeme,"saidMeg.
"Nowdoletmepleasemyselfbydressingyouupinstyle.
Iadmiretodoit,andyou'dbearegularlittlebeautywithatouchhereandthere.
Ishan'tletanyoneseeyoutillyouaredone,andthenwe'llburstuponthemlikeCinderellaandhergodmothergoingtotheball,"saidBelleinherpersuasivetone.
Megcouldn'trefusetheoffersokindlymade,foradesiretoseeifshewouldbe'alittlebeauty'aftertouchingupcausedhertoacceptandforgetallherformeruncomfortablefeelingstowardtheMoffats.
OntheThursdayevening,Belleshutherselfupwithhermaid,andbetweenthemtheyturnedMegintoafinelady.
Theycrimpedandcurledherhair,theypolishedherneckandarmswithsomefragrantpowder,touchedherlipswithcorallinesalvetomakethemredder,andHortensewouldhaveadded'asoupconofrouge',ifMeghadnotrebelled.
Theylacedherintoasky–bluedress,whichwassotightshecouldhardlybreatheandsolowintheneckthatmodestMegblushedatherselfinthemirror.
Asetofsilverfilagreewasadded,bracelets,necklace,brooch,andevenearrings,forHortensetiedthemonwithabitofpinksilkwhichdidnotshow.
Aclusteroftea–rosebudsatthebosom,andaruche,reconciledMegtothedisplayofherpretty,whiteshoulders,andapairofhigh–heeledsilkbootssatisfiedthelastwishofherheart.
Alacehandkerchief,aplumyfan,andabouquetinashoulderholderfinishedheroff,andMissBellesurveyedherwiththesatisfactionofalittlegirlwithanewlydresseddoll.
"Mademoiselleischarmante,tresjolie,isshenot?"criedHortense,claspingherhandsinanaffectedrapture.
"Comeandshowyourself,"saidMissBelle,leadingthewaytotheroomwheretheotherswerewaiting.
AsMegwentrustlingafter,withherlongskirtstrailing,herearringstinkling,hercurlswaving,andherheartbeating,shefeltasifherfunhadreallybegunatlast,forthemirrorhadplainlytoldherthatshewas'alittlebeauty'.
Herfriendsrepeatedthepleasingphraseenthusiastically,andforseveralminutesshestood,likeajackdawinthefable,enjoyingherborrowedplumes,whiletherestchatteredlikeapartyofmagpies.
"WhileIdress,doyoudrillher,Nan,inthemanagementofherskirtandthoseFrenchheels,orshewilltripherselfup.
Takeyoursilverbutterfly,andcatchupthatlongcurlontheleftsideofherhead,Clara,anddon'tanyofyoudisturbthecharmingworkofmyhands,"saidBelle,asshehurriedaway,lookingwellpleasedwithhersuccess.
"Youdon'tlookabitlikeyourself,butyouareverynice.
I'mnowherebesideyou,forBellehasheapsoftaste,andyou'requiteFrench,Iassureyou.
Letyourflowershang,don'tbesocarefulofthem,andbesureyoudon'ttrip,"returnedSallie,tryingnottocarethatMegwasprettierthanherself.
Keepingthatwarningcarefullyinmind,MargaretgotsafelydownstairsandsailedintothedrawingroomswheretheMoffatsandafewearlyguestswereassembled.
Sheverysoondiscoveredthatthereisacharmaboutfineclotheswhichattractsacertainclassofpeopleandsecurestheirrespect.
Severalyoungladies,whohadtakennonoticeofherbefore,wereveryaffectionateallofasudden.
Severalyounggentlemen,whohadonlystaredatherattheotherparty,nownotonlystared,butaskedtobeintroduced,andsaidallmanneroffoolishbutagreeablethingstoher,andseveraloldladies,whosatonthesofas,andcriticizedtherestoftheparty,inquiredwhoshewaswithanairofinterest.
SheheardMrs.Moffatreplytooneofthem...
"DaisyMarch––fatheracolonelinthearmy––oneofourfirstfamilies,butreversesoffortune,youknow;intimatefriendsoftheLaurences;sweetcreature,Iassureyou;myNedisquitewildabouther."
"Dearme!"saidtheoldlady,puttingupherglassforanotherobservationofMeg,whotriedtolookasifshehadnotheardandbeenrathershockedatMrs.Moffat'sfibs.
The'queerfeeling'didnotpassaway,butsheimaginedherselfactingthenewpartoffineladyandsogotonprettywell,thoughthetightdressgaveheraside–ache,thetrainkeptgettingunderherfeet,andshewasinconstantfearlestherearringsshouldflyoffandgetlostorbroken.
Shewasflirtingherfanandlaughingatthefeeblejokesofayounggentlemanwhotriedtobewitty,whenshesuddenlystoppedlaughingandlookedconfused,forjustopposite,shesawLaurie.
Hewasstaringatherwithundisguisedsurprise,anddisapprovalalso,shethought,forthoughhebowedandsmiled,yetsomethinginhishonesteyesmadeherblushandwishshehadherolddresson.
Tocompleteherconfusion,shesawBellenudgeAnnie,andbothglancefromhertoLaurie,who,shewashappytosee,lookedunusuallyboyishandshy.
"Sillycreatures,toputsuchthoughtsintomyhead.Iwon'tcareforit,orletitchangemeabit,"thoughtMeg,andrustledacrosstheroomtoshakehandswithherfriend.
"I'mgladyoucame,Iwasafraidyouwouldn't."shesaid,withhermostgrown–upair.
"Jowantedmetocome,andtellherhowyoulooked,soIdid,"answeredLaurie,withoutturninghiseyesuponher,thoughhehalfsmiledathermaternaltone.
"Whatshallyoutellher?"askedMeg,fullofcuriositytoknowhisopinionofher,yetfeelingillateasewithhimforthefirsttime.
"IshallsayIdidn'tknowyou,foryoulooksogrown–upandunlikeyourself,I'mquiteafraidofyou,"hesaid,fumblingathisglovebutton.
"Howabsurdofyou!Thegirlsdressedmeupforfun,andIratherlikeit.Wouldn'tJostareifshesawme?"saidMeg,bentonmakinghimsaywhetherhethoughtherimprovedornot.
"Yes,Ithinkshewould,"returnedLauriegravely.
"Don'tyoulikemeso?"askedMeg.
"No,Idon't,"wasthebluntreply.
"Whynot?"inananxioustone.
Heglancedatherfrizzledhead,bareshoulders,andfantasticallytrimmeddresswithanexpressionthatabashedhermorethanhisanswer,whichhadnotaparticleofhisusualpolitenessinit.
"Idon'tlikefussandfeathers."
Thatwasaltogethertoomuchfromaladyoungerthanherself,andMegwalkedaway,sayingpetulantly,"YouaretherudestboyIeversaw."
Feelingverymuchruffled,shewentandstoodataquietwindowtocoolhercheeks,forthetightdressgaveheranuncomfortablybrilliantcolor.
Asshestoodthere,MajorLincolnpassedby,andaminuteaftersheheardhimsayingtohismother...
"Theyaremakingafoolofthatlittlegirl.Iwantedyoutoseeher,buttheyhavespoiledherentirely.She'snothingbutadolltonight."
"Oh,dear!"sighedMeg."IwishI'dbeensensibleandwornmyownthings,thenIshouldnothavedisgustedotherpeople,orfeltsouncomfortableandashamedofmyself."
Sheleanedherforeheadonthecoolpane,andstoodhalfhiddenbythecurtains,nevermindingthatherfavoritewaltzhadbegun,tillsomeonetouchedher,andturning,shesawLaurie,lookingpenitent,ashesaid,withhisverybestbowandhishandout...
"Pleaseforgivemyrudeness,andcomeanddancewithme."
"I'mafraiditwillbetoodisagreeabletoyou,"saidMeg,tryingtolookoffendedandfailingentirely.
"Notabitofit,I'mdyingtodoit.Come,I'llbegood.Idon'tlikeyourgown,butIdothinkyouarejustsplendid."Andhewavedhishands,asifwordsfailedtoexpresshisadmiration.
Megsmiledandrelented,andwhisperedastheystoodwaitingtocatchthetime,"Takecaremyskirtdoesn'ttripyouup.It'stheplagueofmylifeandIwasagoosetowearit."
"Pinitroundyourneck,andthenitwillbeuseful,"saidLaurie,lookingdownatthelittleblueboots,whichheevidentlyapprovedof.
Awaytheywentfleetlyandgracefully,forhavingpracticedathome,theywerewellmatched,andtheblitheyoungcouplewereapleasantsighttosee,astheytwirledmerrilyroundandround,feelingmorefriendlythaneveraftertheirsmalltiff.
"Laurie,Iwantyoutodomeafavor,willyou?"saidMeg,ashestoodfanningherwhenherbreathgaveout,whichitdidverysoonthoughshewouldnotownwhy.
"Won'tI!"saidLaurie,withalacrity.
"Pleasedon'ttellthemathomeaboutmydresstonight.Theywon'tunderstandthejoke,anditwillworryMother."
"Thenwhydidyoudoit?"saidLaurie'seyes,soplainlythatMeghastilyadded...
"Ishalltellthemmyselfallaboutit,and'fess'toMotherhowsillyI'vebeen.ButI'dratherdoitmyself.Soyou'llnottell,willyou?"
"IgiveyoumywordIwon't,onlywhatshallIsaywhentheyaskme?"
"JustsayIlookedprettywellandwashavingagoodtime."
"I'llsaythefirstwithallmyheart,buthowabouttheother?
Youdon'tlookasifyouwerehavingagoodtime.Areyou?"
AndLaurielookedatherwithanexpressionwhichmadeheranswerinawhisper...
"No,notjustnow.Don'tthinkI'mhorrid.Ionlywantedalittlefun,butthissortdoesn'tpay,Ifind,andI'mgettingtiredofit."
"HerecomesNedMoffat.Whatdoeshewant?"saidLaurie,knittinghisblackbrowsasifhedidnotregardhisyounghostinthelightofapleasantadditiontotheparty.
"Heputhisnamedownforthreedances,andIsupposehe'scomingforthem.Whatabore!"saidMeg,assumingalanguidairwhichamusedLaurieimmensely.
Hedidnotspeaktoheragaintillsuppertime,whenhesawherdrinkingchampagnewithNedandhisfriendFisher,whowerebehaving'likeapairoffools',asLauriesaidtohimself,forhefeltabrotherlysortofrighttowatchovertheMarchesandfighttheirbattleswheneveradefenderwasneeded.
"You'llhaveasplittingheadachetomorrow,ifyoudrinkmuchofthat.
Iwouldn't,Meg,yourmotherdoesn'tlikeit,youknow,"hewhispered,leaningoverherchair,asNedturnedtorefillherglassandFisherstoopedtopickupherfan.
"I'mnotMegtonight,I'm'adoll'whodoesallsortsofcrazythings.TomorrowIshallputawaymy'fussandfeathers'andbedesperatelygoodagain,"sheansweredwithanaffectedlittlelaugh.
"Wishtomorrowwashere,then,"mutteredLaurie,walkingoff,ill–pleasedatthechangehesawinher.
Megdancedandflirted,chatteredandgiggled,astheothergirlsdid.
AftersuppersheundertooktheGerman,andblunderedthroughit,nearlyupsettingherpartnerwithherlongskirt,andrompinginawaythatscandalizedLaurie,wholookedonandmeditatedalecture.
Buthegotnochancetodeliverit,forMegkeptawayfromhimtillhecametosaygoodnight.
"Remember!"shesaid,tryingtosmile,forthesplittingheadachehadalreadybegun.
"Silencealamort,"repliedLaurie,withamelodramaticflourish,ashewentaway.
ThislittlebitofbyplayexcitedAnnie'scuriosity,butMegwastootiredforgossipandwenttobed,feelingasifshehadbeentoamasqueradeandhadn'tenjoyedherselfasmuchassheexpected.
Shewassickallthenextday,andonSaturdaywenthome,quiteusedupwithherfortnight'sfunandfeelingthatshehad'satinthelapofluxury'longenough.
"Itdoesseempleasanttobequiet,andnothavecompanymannersonallthetime.
Homeisaniceplace,thoughitisn'tsplendid,"saidMeg,lookingaboutherwitharestfulexpression,asshesatwithhermotherandJoontheSundayevening.
"I'mgladtohearyousayso,dear,forIwasafraidhomewouldseemdullandpoortoyouafteryourfinequarters,"repliedhermother,whohadgivenhermanyanxiouslooksthatday.
Formotherlyeyesarequicktoseeanychangeinchildren'sfaces.
Meghadtoldheradventuresgaylyandsaidoverandoverwhatacharmingtimeshehadhad,butsomethingstillseemedtoweighuponherspirits,andwhentheyoungergirlsweregonetobed,shesatthoughtfullystaringatthefire,sayinglittleandlookingworried.
AstheclockstrucknineandJoproposedbed,Megsuddenlyleftherchairand,takingBeth'sstool,leanedherelbowsonhermother'sknee,sayingbravely...
"Marmee,Iwantto'fess'."
"Ithoughtso.Whatisit,dear?"
"ShallIgoaway?"askedJodiscreetly.
"Ofcoursenot.Don'tIalwaystellyoueverything?Iwasashamedtospeakofitbeforetheyoungerchildren,butIwantyoutoknowallthedreadfulthingsIdidattheMoffats'."
"Weareprepared,"saidMrs.March,smilingbutlookingalittleanxious.
"Itoldyoutheydressedmeup,butIdidn'ttellyouthattheypowderedandsqueezedandfrizzled,andmademelooklikeafashion–plate.LauriethoughtIwasn'tproper.
Iknowhedid,thoughhedidn'tsayso,andonemancalledme'adoll'.
Iknewitwassilly,buttheyflatteredmeandsaidIwasabeauty,andquantitiesofnonsense,soIletthemmakeafoolofme."
"Isthatall?"askedJo,asMrs.Marchlookedsilentlyatthedowncastfaceofherprettydaughter,andcouldnotfinditinherhearttoblameherlittlefollies.
"No,Idrankchampagneandrompedandtriedtoflirt,andwasaltogetherabominable,"saidMegself–reproachfully.
"Thereissomethingmore,Ithink."AndMrs.Marchsmoothedthesoftcheek,whichsuddenlygrewrosyasMegansweredslowly...
"Yes.It'sverysilly,butIwanttotellit,becauseIhatetohavepeoplesayandthinksuchthingsaboutusandLaurie."
ThenshetoldthevariousbitsofgossipshehadheardattheMoffats',andasshespoke,Josawhermotherfoldherlipstightly,asifillpleasedthatsuchideasshouldbeputintoMeg'sinnocentmind.
"Well,ifthatisn'tthegreatestrubbishIeverheard,"criedJoindignantly."Whydidn'tyoupopoutandtellthemsoonthespot?"
"Icouldn't,itwassoembarrassingforme.Icouldn'thelphearingatfirst,andthenIwassoangryandashamed,Ididn'trememberthatIoughttogoaway."
"JustwaittillIseeAnnieMoffat,andI'llshowyouhowtosettlesuchridiculousstuff.
Theideaofhaving'plans'andbeingkindtoLauriebecausehe'srichandmaymarryusby–and–by!
Won'theshoutwhenItellhimwhatthosesillythingssayaboutuspoorchildren?"
AndJolaughed,asifonsecondthoughtsthethingstruckherasagoodjoke.
"IfyoutellLaurie,I'llneverforgiveyou!Shemustn't,mustshe,Mother?"saidMeg,lookingdistressed.
"No,neverrepeatthatfoolishgossip,andforgetitassoonasyoucan,"saidMrs.Marchgravely.
"IwasveryunwisetoletyougoamongpeopleofwhomIknowsolittle,kind,Idaresay,butworldly,ill–bred,andfullofthesevulgarideasaboutyoungpeople.
IammoresorrythanIcanexpressforthemischiefthisvisitmayhavedoneyou,Meg."
"Don'tbesorry,Iwon'tletithurtme.
I'llforgetallthebadandrememberonlythegood,forIdidenjoyagreatdeal,andthankyouverymuchforlettingmego.
I'llnotbesentimentalordissatisfied,Mother.
IknowI'masillylittlegirl,andI'llstaywithyoutillI'mfittotakecareofmyself.
Butitisnicetobepraisedandadmired,andIcan'thelpsayingIlikeit,"saidMeg,lookinghalfashamedoftheconfession.
"Thatisperfectlynatural,andquiteharmless,ifthelikingdoesnotbecomeapassionandleadonetodofoolishorunmaidenlythings.
Learntoknowandvaluethepraisewhichisworthhaving,andtoexcitetheadmirationofexcellentpeoplebybeingmodestaswellaspretty,Meg."
Margaretsatthinkingamoment,whileJostoodwithherhandsbehindher,lookingbothinterestedandalittleperplexed,foritwasanewthingtoseeMegblushingandtalkingaboutadmiration,lovers,andthingsofthatsort.
AndJofeltasifduringthatfortnighthersisterhadgrownupamazingly,andwasdriftingawayfromherintoaworldwhereshecouldnotfollow.
"Mother,doyouhave'plans',asMrs.Moffatsaid?"askedMegbashfully.
"Yes,mydear,Ihaveagreatmany,allmothersdo,butminediffersomewhatfromMrs.Moffat's,Isuspect.
Iwilltellyousomeofthem,forthetimehascomewhenawordmaysetthisromanticlittleheadandheartofyoursright,onaveryserioussubject.
Youareyoung,Meg,butnottooyoungtounderstandme,andmothers'lipsarethefittesttospeakofsuchthingstogirlslikeyou.
Jo,yourturnwillcomeintime,perhaps,solistentomy'plans'andhelpmecarrythemout,iftheyaregood."
Jowentandsatononearmofthechair,lookingasifshethoughttheywereabouttojoininsomeverysolemnaffair.
Holdingahandofeach,andwatchingthetwoyoungfaceswistfully,Mrs.Marchsaid,inherseriousyetcheeryway...
"Iwantmydaughterstobebeautiful,accomplished,andgood.Tobeadmired,loved,andrespected.
Tohaveahappyyouth,tobewellandwiselymarried,andtoleaduseful,pleasantlives,withaslittlecareandsorrowtotrythemasGodseesfittosend.
Tobelovedandchosenbyagoodmanisthebestandsweetestthingwhichcanhappentoawoman,andIsincerelyhopemygirlsmayknowthisbeautifulexperience.
Itisnaturaltothinkofit,Meg,righttohopeandwaitforit,andwisetoprepareforit,sothatwhenthehappytimecomes,youmayfeelreadyforthedutiesandworthyofthejoy.
Mydeargirls,Iamambitiousforyou,butnottohaveyoumakeadashintheworld,marryrichmenmerelybecausetheyarerich,orhavesplendidhouses,whicharenothomesbecauseloveiswanting.
Moneyisaneedfulandpreciousthing,andwhenwellused,anoblething,butIneverwantyoutothinkitisthefirstoronlyprizetostrivefor.
I'dratherseeyoupoormen'swives,ifyouwerehappy,beloved,contented,thanqueensonthrones,withoutself–respectandpeace."
"Poorgirlsdon'tstandanychance,Bellesays,unlesstheyputthemselvesforward,"sighedMeg.
"Thenwe'llbeoldmaids,"saidJostoutly.
"Right,Jo.Betterbehappyoldmaidsthanunhappywives,orunmaidenlygirls,runningabouttofindhusbands,"saidMrs.Marchdecidedly.
"Don'tbetroubled,Meg,povertyseldomdauntsasincerelover.
SomeofthebestandmosthonoredwomenIknowwerepoorgirls,butsolove–worthythattheywerenotallowedtobeoldmaids.Leavethesethingstotime.
Makethishomehappy,sothatyoumaybefitforhomesofyourown,iftheyareofferedyou,andcontentedhereiftheyarenot.Onethingremember,mygirls.
Motherisalwaysreadytobeyourconfidant,Fathertobeyourfriend,andbothofushopeandtrustthatourdaughters,whethermarriedorsingle,willbetheprideandcomfortofourlives."
"Wewill,Marmee,wewill!"criedboth,withalltheirhearts,asshebadethemgoodnight.
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