`` They are lovely . But Beth 's roses are sweeter to me , '' said Mrs. March , smelling the half-dead posy in her belt . Beth nestled up to her , and whispered softly , `` I wish I could send my bunch to Father . I 'm afraid he is n't having such a merry Christmas as we are . '' CHAPTER THREE THE LAURENCE BOY `` Jo ! Jo ! Where are you ? '' cried Meg at the foot of the garret stairs . `` Here ! '' answered a husky voice from above , and , running up , Meg found her sister eating apples and crying over the Heir of Redclyffe , wrapped up in a comforter on an old three-legged sofa by the sunny window . This was Jo 's favorite refuge , and here she loved to retire with half a dozen russets and a nice book , to enjoy the quiet and the society of a pet rat who lived near by and did n't mind her a particle . As Meg appeared , Scrabble whisked into his hole . Jo shook the tears off her cheeks and waited to hear the news . `` Such fun ! Only see ! A regular note of invitation from Mrs. Gardiner for tomorrow night ! '' cried Meg , waving the precious paper and then proceeding to read it with girlish delight . '' ` Mrs. Gardiner would be happy to see Miss March and Miss Josephine at a little dance on New Year 's Eve . ' Marmee is willing we should go , now what shall we wear ? '' `` What 's the use of asking that , when you know we shall wear our poplins , because we have n't got anything else ? ''
answered XXXXX with her mouth full .
Beth Jo Josephine Meg Redclyffe Scrabble comforter poplins posy russets