"So I did! Well, I am happy, and I won't fret, but it does seem as if the more one gets the more one wants, doesn't it? There now, the 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 from the half-filled trunk to the many times pressed and mended white tarlatan, which she called her `ball dress' with an important air
The next day was fine, and Meg departed in style for a fortnight of novelty and pleasureMarch had consented to the visit rather reluctantly, fearing that Margaret would come back more discontented than she wentBut she begged so hard, and Sallie had promised to take good care of her, and a little pleasure seemed so delightful after a winter of irksome work that the mother yielded, and the daughter went to take her first taste of fashionable life
The Moffats were very fashionable, and simple Meg was rather daunted, at first, by the splendor of the house and the elegance of its occupantsBut they were kindly people, in spite of the frivolous life they led, and soon put their guest at her easePerhaps Meg felt, without understanding why, that they were not particularly cultivated or intelligent people, and that all their gilding could not quite conceal the ordinary material of which http://www.irluxury.com/categorys_3_Monogram-Canvas_1.html" target="_blank they were madeIt certainly was agreeable to fare sumptuously, drive in a fine carriage, wear her best frock every day, and do nothing but enjoy herselfIt 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, crimp her hair, take in her dresses, and talk about the fashions as well as she couldThe more she saw of Annie Moffat's pretty things, the more she envied her and sighed to be richHome now looked bare and dismal as she thought of it, work grew harder than ever, and she felt that she was a very destitute and much-injured girl, in spite of the new gloves and silk stockings
She had not much time for repining, however, for the three young girls were busily employed in `having a good time'They shopped, walked, rode, and called all day, went to theaters and operas or frolicked at home in the evening, for Annie had many friends and knew how to entertain themHer older sisters were very fine young ladies, and one was engaged, which was extremely interesting and romantic, Meg thoughtMoffat was a fat, jolly old gentleman, who knew her father, and MrsMoffat, a fat, jolly old lady, who took as great a fancy to Meg as her daughter had doneEveryone petted her, and `Daisey', as they called http://www.culuxury.com" target="_blank her, was in a fair way to have her head turned
When the evening for the small party came, she found that the poplin wouldn't do at all, for the other girls were putting on thin dresses and making themselves very fine indeedSo out came the tarlatan, looking older, limper, and shabbier than ever beside Sallie's crisp new oneMeg saw the girls glance at it and then at one another, and her cheeks began to burn, for with all her gentleness she was very proudNo 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 armsBut in their kindness Meg saw only pity for her poverty, and her heart felt very heavy as she stood by herself, while the others laughed, chattered, and flew about like gauzy butterfliesThe hard, bitter feeling was getting pretty bad, when the maid brought in a box of flowersBefore she could speak, Annie had the cover off, and all were exclaiming at the lovely roses, heath, and fern within
"It's for Belle, of course, George always sends her some, but these are altogether ravishing," cried Annie, with a great sniff
"They are for Miss March, the man saidAnd here's a note," put in the maid, holding it to Meg
"What fun! Who are they from? Didn't know you had a lover," cried the girls, http://www.naluxury.com/scategory_25_Gucci-Watches.html" target="_blank fluttering about Meg in a high state of curiosity and surprise
"The note is from Mother, and the flowers from Laurie," said Meg simply, yet much gratified that he had not forgotten her
"Oh, indeed!" said Annie with a funny look, as Meg slipped the note into her pocket as a sort of talisman against envy, vanity, and false pride, for the few loving words had done her good, and the flowers cheered her up by their beauty
Feeling almost happy again, she laid by a few ferns and roses for herself, and quickly made up the rest in dainty bouquets for the breasts, hair, or skirts of her friends, offering them so prettily that Clara, the elder sister, told her she was `the sweetest little thing she ever saw', and they looked quite charmed with her small attentionSomehow the kind act finished her despondency, and when all the rest went to show themselves to MrsMoffat, she saw a happy, bright-eyed face in the mirror, as she laid her ferns against her rippling hair and fastened the roses in the dress that didn't strike her as so very shabby now
She enjoyed herself very much that evening, for she danced to her heart's contentEveryone was very kind, and she had three complimentsAnnie made her sing, and some one said she had a remarkably fine voiceMajor Lincoln asked who `the fresh little http://www.enluxury.com/scategory_21_Tiffany-Jewelry.html" target="_blank girl with the beautiful eyes' was, and MrMoffat insisted on dancing with her because she `didn't dawdle, but had some spring in her', as he gracefully expressed itSo altogether she had a very nice time, till she overheard a bit of conversation, which disturbed her extremelyShe was sitting just inside the conservatory, waiting for her partner to bring her an ice, when she heard a voice ask on the other side of the flowery wall
"How old is he?"
"Sixteen or seventeen, I should say," replied another voice
"It would be a grand thing for one of those girls, wouldn't it? Sallie says they are very intimate now, and the old man quite dotes on themhas made her plans, I dare say, and will play her cards well, early as it isThe girl evidently doesn't think of it yet," said Mrs
"She told that fib about her momma, as if she did know, and colored up when the flowers came quite prettilyPoor thing! She'd be so nice if she was only got up in styleDo you think she'd be offended if we offered to lend her a dress for Thursday?" asked another voice
"She's proud, but I don't believe she'd mind, for that dowdy tarlatan is all she has gotShe 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 much flushed and rather http://www.snluxury.com/scategory_28_Omega-Watches.html" target="_blank agitate