Meg Goes to Vanity Fair

           "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.