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 Jo , who dearly loved to tell stories . `` I was reading that everlasting Belsham , and droning away as I always do , for Aunt soon drops off , and then I take out some nice book , and read like fury till she wakes up . I actually made myself sleepy , and before she began to nod , I gave such a gape that she asked me what I meant by opening my mouth wide enough to take the whole book in at once . '' `` I wish I could , and be done with it , '' said I , trying not to be saucy . `` Then she gave me a long lecture on my sins , and told me to sit and think them over while she just ` lost ' herself for a moment . She never finds herself very soon , so the minute her cap began to bob like a top-heavy dahlia , I whipped the Vicar of Wakefield out of my pocket , and read away , with one eye on him and one on Aunt . I 'd just got to where they all tumbled into the water when I forgot and laughed out loud . Aunt woke up and , being more good-natured after her nap , told me to read a bit and show what frivolous work I preferred to the worthy and instructive Belsham . I did my very best , and she liked it , though she only said ... '' ' I do n't understand what it 's all about . Go back and begin it , child . ' '' `` Back I went , and made the Primroses as interesting as ever I could . Once I was wicked enough to stop in a thrilling place , and say meekly , ` I 'm afraid it tires you , ma'am . Sha n't I stop now ? ' '' `` She caught up her knitting , which had dropped out of her hands , gave me a sharp look through her specs , and said , in her short way , ` Finish the chapter , and do n't be impertinent , miss ' . '' `` Did she own she liked it ? ''
asked XXXXX .
Amy Belsham Beth Jo Meg Sha dahlia day gape specs