"I do think it was the most fortunate thing in the world that thosechildren should have the measles just now," said Meg, one April day, asshe stood packing the 'go abroady' trunk in her room, surrounded by hersisters.
"And so nice of Annie Moffat not to forget her promise. A wholefortnight of fun will be regularly splendid," replied Jo, looking like awindmill as she folded skirts with her long arms.
"And such lovely weather, I'm so glad of that," added Beth, tidilysorting neck and hair ribbons in her best box, lent for the great occasion.
"I wish I was going to have a fine time and wear all these nice things,"said Amy with her mouth full of pins, as she artistically replenished hersister's cushion.
"I wish you were all going, but as you can't, I shall keep my adventuresto tell you when I come back. I'm sure it's the least I can do when you havebeen so kind, lending me things and helping me get ready," said Meg,glancing round the room at the very simple outfit, which seemed nearlyperfect in their eyes.
"What did Mother give you out of the treasure box?" asked Amy, whohad not been present at the opening of a certain cedar chest in which Mrs.March kept a few relics of past splendor, as gifts for her girls when theproper time came.
"A pair of silk stockings, that pretty carved fan, and a lovely blue sash.I wanted the violet silk, but there isn't time to make it over, so I must becontented with my old tarlaton."
"It will look nice over my new muslin skirt, and the sash will set it offbeautifully. I wish I hadn't smashed my coral bracelet, for you might havehad it," said Jo, who loved to give and lend, but whose possessions wereusually too dilapidated to be of much use.
"There is a lovely old-fashioned pearl set in the treasure chest, butMother said real flowers were the prettiest ornament for a young girl, andLaurie 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 hat, Beth,then my poplin for Sunday and the small party, it looks heavy for spring,doesn't it? The violet silk would be so nice. Oh, dear!"
"Never mind, you've got the tarlaton for the big party, and you alwayslook like an angel in white," said Amy, brooding over the little store offinery in which her soul delighted.
"It isn't low-necked, and it doesn't sweep enough, but it will have to do.My blue housedress looks so well, turned and freshly trimmed, that I feelas if I'd got a new one. My silk sacque isn't a bit the fashion, and mybonnet doesn't look like Sallie's. I didn't like to say anything, but I wassadly disappointed in my umbrella. I told Mother black with a whitehandle, but she forgot and bought a green one with a yellowish handle. It'sstrong and neat, so I ought not to complain, but I know I shall feelashamed of it beside Annie's silk one with a gold top," sighed Meg,surveying the little umbrella with great disfavor.
"Change it," advised Jo.
"I won't be so silly, or hurt Marmee's feelings, when she took so muchpains to get my things. It's a nonsensical notion of mine, and I'm not goingto give up to it. My silk stockings and two pairs of new gloves are mycomfort. You are a dear to lend me yours, Jo. I feel so rich and sort ofelegant, with two new pairs, and the old ones cleaned up for common."And Meg took a refreshing peep at her glove box.
"Annie Moffat has blue and pink bows on her nightcaps. Would you putsome on mine?" she asked, as Beth brought up a pile of snowy muslins,fresh from Hannah's hands.
"No, I wouldn't, for the smart caps won't match the plain gowns withoutany trimming on them. Poor folks shouldn't rig," said Jo decidedly.
"I wonder if I shall ever be happy enough to have real lace on myclothes and bows on my caps?" said Meg impatiently.
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Little women
Teen Fiction"Little Women" by Louisa May Alcoll Clarification The original story and all its rights belong to Louisa May Alcott, under no point of view we want to keep the credits of this story, we only share it for Wattpad. Little Women is the story of the Ma...
