Little Women - 912 Freedom Library

Little Women‘How old is he?’‘Sixteen or seventeen, I should say,’ replied anothervoice.‘It would be a grand thing for one of those girls,wouldn’t it? Sallie says they are very intimate now, and theold man quite dotes on them.’‘Mrs. M. has made her plans, I dare say, and will playher cards well, early as it is. The girl evidently doesn’tthink of it yet,’ said Mrs. Moffat.‘She told that fib about her momma, as if she didknow, and colored up when the flowers came quiteprettily. Poor thing! She’d be so nice if she was only gotup in style. Do you think she’d be offended if we offeredto lend her a dress for Thursday?’ asked another voice.‘She’s proud, but I don’t believe she’d mind, for thatdowdy tarlatan is all she has got. She may tear it tonight,and that will be a good excuse for offering a decent one.’Here Meg’s partner appeared, to find her looking muchflushed and rather agitated. She was proud, and her pridewas useful just then, for it helped her hide hermortification, anger, and disgust at what she had justheard. For, innocent and unsuspicious as she was, shecould not help understanding the gossip of her friends. Shetried to forget it, but could not, and kept repeating to152 of 861