What a bore ! '' said Meg , assuming a languid air which amused Laurie immensely . He did not speak to her again till suppertime , when he saw her drinking champagne with Ned and his friend Fisher , who were behaving ` like a pair of fools ' , as Laurie said to himself , for he felt a brotherly sort of right to watch over the Marches and fight their battles whenever a defender was needed . `` You 'll have a splitting headache tomorrow , if you drink much of that . I would n't , Meg , your mother does n't like it , you know , '' he whispered , leaning over her chair , as Ned turned to refill her glass and Fisher stooped to pick up her fan . `` I 'm not Meg tonight , I 'm ' a doll ' who does all sorts of crazy things . Tomorrow I shall put away my ` fuss and feathers ' and be desperately good again , '' she answered with an affected little laugh . `` Wish tomorrow was here , then , '' muttered Laurie , walking off , ill-pleased at the change he saw in her . Meg danced and flirted , chattered and giggled , as the other girls did . After supper she undertook the German , and blundered through it , nearly upsetting her partner with her long skirt , and romping in a way that scandalized Laurie , who looked on and meditated a lecture . But he got no chance to deliver it , for Meg kept away from him till he came to say good night . `` Remember ! '' she said , trying to smile , for the splitting headache had already begun . `` Silence a la mort , '' replied Laurie , with a melodramatic flourish , as he went away . This little bit of byplay excited Annie 's curiosity , but Meg was too tired for gossip and went to bed , feeling as if she had been to a masquerade and had n't enjoyed herself as much as she expected . She was sick all the next day , and on Saturday went home , quite used up with her fortnight 's fun and feeling that she had ` sat in the lap of luxury ' long enough . `` It does seem pleasant to be quiet , and not have company manners on all the time . Home is a nice place , though it is n't splendid , '' said Meg , looking about her with a restful expression , as she sat with her mother and Jo on the Sunday evening . `` I 'm glad to hear you say so , dear , for I was afraid home would seem dull and poor to you after your fine quarters , '' replied her mother , who had given her many anxious looks that day . For motherly eyes are quick to see any change in children 's faces .
XXXXX had told her adventures gayly and said over and over what a charming time she had had , but something still seemed to weigh upon her spirits , and when the younger girls were gone to bed , she sat thoughtfully staring at the fire , saying little and looking worried .
Fisher German Jo Laurie Meg Ned day evening right suppertime