said Meg impatiently . `` You said the other day that you 'd be perfectly happy if you could only go to Annie Moffat 's , '' observed Beth in her quiet way . `` So I did ! Well , I am happy , and I wo n't fret , but it does seem as if the more one gets the more one wants , does n't it ? There now , the trays are ready , and everything in but my ball dress , which I shall leave for Mother to pack , '' said Meg , cheering up , as she glanced from the half-filled trunk to the many times pressed and mended white tarlaton , which she called her ` ball dress ' with an important air . The next day was fine , and Meg departed in style for a fortnight of novelty and pleasure . Mrs. March had consented to the visit rather reluctantly , fearing that Margaret would come back more discontented than she went . But she begged so hard , and Sallie had promised to take good care of her , and a little pleasure seemed so delightful after a winter of irksome work that the mother yielded , and the daughter went to take her first taste of fashionable life . The Moffats were very fashionable , and simple Meg was rather daunted , at first , by the splendor of the house and the elegance of its occupants . But they were kindly people , in spite of the frivolous life they led , and soon put their guest at her ease . Perhaps Meg felt , without understanding why , that they were not particularly cultivated or intelligent people , and that all their gilding could not quite conceal the ordinary material of which they were made . It certainly was agreeable to fare sumptuously , drive in a fine carriage , wear her best frock every day , and do nothing but enjoy herself . It suited her exactly , and soon she began to imitate the manners and conversation of those about her , to put on little airs and graces , use French phrases , crimp her hair , take in her dresses , and talk about the fashions as well as she could . The more she saw of Annie Moffat 's pretty things , the more she envied her and sighed to be rich . Home now looked bare and dismal as she thought of it , work grew harder than ever , and she felt that she was a very destitute and much-injured girl , in spite of the new gloves and silk stockings . She had not much time for repining , however , for the three young girls were busily employed in ` having a good time ' . They shopped , walked , rode , and called all day , went to theaters and operas or frolicked at home in the evening , for Annie had many friends and knew how to entertain them . Her older sisters were very fine young ladies , and one was engaged , which was extremely interesting and romantic , Meg thought . Mr. Moffat was a fat , jolly old gentleman , who knew her father , and Mrs. Moffat , a fat , jolly old lady , who took as great a fancy to Meg as her daughter had done . Everyone petted her , and ` Daisey ' , as they called her , was in a fair way to have her head turned .
When the XXXXX for the small party came , she found that the poplin would n't do at all , for the other girls were putting on thin dresses and making themselves very fine indeed .
Annie Meg Mother Sallie day evening first fortnight gilding repining