No one minded it but herself , and it was doing its best to grow , but Amy felt deeply the want of a Grecian nose , and drew whole sheets of handsome ones to console herself . `` Little Raphael , '' as her sisters called her , had a decided talent for drawing , and was never so happy as when copying flowers , designing fairies , or illustrating stories with queer specimens of art . Her teachers complained that instead of doing her sums she covered her slate with animals , the blank pages of her atlas were used to copy maps on , and caricatures of the most ludicrous description came fluttering out of all her books at unlucky moments . She got through her lessons as well as she could , and managed to escape reprimands by being a model of deportment . She was a great favorite with her mates , being good-tempered and possessing the happy art of pleasing without effort . Her little airs and graces were much admired , so were her accomplishments , for besides her drawing , she could play twelve tunes , crochet , and read French without mispronouncing more than two-thirds of the words . She had a plaintive way of saying , `` When Papa was rich we did so-and-so , '' which was very touching , and her long words were considered ` perfectly elegant ' by the girls . Amy was in a fair way to be spoiled , for everyone petted her , and her small vanities and selfishnesses were growing nicely . One thing , however , rather quenched the vanities . She had to wear her cousin 's clothes . Now Florence 's mama had n't a particle of taste , and Amy suffered deeply at having to wear a red instead of a blue bonnet , unbecoming gowns , and fussy aprons that did not fit . Everything was good , well made , and little worn , but Amy 's artistic eyes were much afflicted , especially this winter , when her school dress was a dull purple with yellow dots and no trimming . `` My only comfort , '' she said to Meg , with tears in her eyes , `` is that Mother does n't take tucks in my dresses whenever I 'm naughty , as Maria Parks 's mother does . My dear , it 's really dreadful , for sometimes she is so bad her frock is up to her knees , and she ca n't come to school . When I think of this deggerredation , I feel that I can bear even my flat nose and purple gown with yellow sky-rockets on it . '' Meg was Amy 's confidant and monitor , and by some strange attraction of opposites Jo was gentle Beth 's . To Jo alone did the shy child tell her thoughts , and over her big harum-scarum sister Beth unconsciously exercised more influence than anyone in the family . The two older girls were a great deal to one another , but each took one of the younger sisters into her keeping and watched over her in her own way , ` playing mother ' they called it , and put their sisters in the places of discarded dolls with the maternal instinct of little women . `` Has anybody got anything to tell ? It 's been such a dismal day I 'm really dying for some amusement , '' said Meg , as they sat sewing together that evening .
`` I had a queer time with Aunt today , and , as I got the best of it , I 'll tell you about it , '' began XXXXX , who dearly loved to tell stories .
Amy Beth Florence Jo Meg Mother day evening reprimands tucks