Burdens

           "Oh,dear,howharditdoesseemtotakeupourpacksandgoon,"sighedMegthemorningaftertheparty,fornowtheholidayswereover,theweekofmerrymakingdidnotfitherforgoingoneasilywiththetasksheneverliked.

           "IwishitwasChristmasorNewYear’sallthetime.Wouldn’titbefun?"answeredJo,yawningdismally.

           "Weshouldn’tenjoyourselveshalfsomuchaswedonow.Butitdoesseemsonicetohavelittlesuppersandbouquets,andgotoparties,anddrivehome,andreadandrest,andnotwork.It’slikeotherpeople,youknow,andIalwaysenvygirlswhodosuchthings,I’msofondofluxury,"saidMeg,tryingtodecidewhichoftwoshabbygownswastheleastshabby.

           "Well,wecan’thaveit,sodon’tletusgrumblebutshoulderourbundlesandtrudgealongascheerfullyasMarmeedoes.I’msureAuntMarchisaregularOldManoftheSeatome,butIsupposewhenI’velearnedtocarryherwithoutcomplaining,shewilltumbleoff,orgetsolightthatIshan’tmindher."

           ThisideatickledJo’sfancyandputheringoodspirits,butMegdidn’tbrighten,forherburden,consistingoffourspoiledchildren,seemedheavierthanever.Shehadnotheartenougheventomakeherselfprettyasusualbyputtingonablueneckribbonanddressingherhairinthemostbecomingway.

           "Where’stheuseoflookingnice,whennooneseesmebutthosecrossmidgets,andnoonecareswhetherI’mprettyornot?"shemuttered,shuttingherdrawerwithajerk.