I know I shall be stout ; but you wo n't keep still long enough to get much flesh on your bones , dear ; and Amy will always keep her lovely figure . She looks about eighteen tonight , in her white gown and roses , ' answered Meg , busily pinning up one sister 's torn frills , while her eyes fondly followed the other 's graceful movements ; for Meg still adored Amy in the old fashion . It was one of the family jokes that Jo was getting fat , and she kept it up , though as yet she had only acquired a matronly outline , which was very becoming . They were laughing over the impending double chins , when Mr Laurie came off duty for a moment . ` Repairing damages as usual , Jo ? You never could take a little gentle exercise without returning in rags . Come and have a quiet stroll with me and cool off before supper . I 've a series of pretty tableaux to show you while Meg listens to the raptures of lisping Miss Carr , whom I made happy by giving her Demi for a partner . ' As he spoke , Laurie led Jo to the music-room , nearly empty now after a dance which sent the young people into garden and hall . Pausing before the first of the four long windows that opened on a very wide piazza , he pointed to a group outside , saying : ` The name of this is `` Jack Ashore '' . ' A pair of long , blue legs , ending in very neat pumps , hung from the veranda roof among the vines ; and roses , gathered by unseen hands , evidently appertaining to aforesaid legs , were being dropped into the laps of several girls perched like a flock of white birds on the railing below ; while a manly voice ` fell like a falling star ' , as it sung this pensive ditty to a most appreciative audience : MARY 'S DREAM The moon had climbed the eastern hill Which rises o'er the sands of Dee , And from its highest summit shed A silver light on tower and tree , When Mary laid her down to sleep -LRB- Her thoughts on Sandy far at sea -RRB- ; When soft and low a voice was heard , Saying , ` Mary , weep no more for me . ' She from her pillow gently raised Her head , to see who there might be , And saw young Sandy , shivering stand With visage pale and hollow e ` e. ` Oh Mary dear , cold is my clay ; It lies beneath the stormy sea ; Far , far from thee , I sleep in death . Dear Mary , weep no more for me . ` Three stormy nights and stormy days We tossed upon the raging main . And long we strove our bark to save ; But all our striving was in vain . E'en then , when terror chilled my blood , My heart was filled with love of thee . The storm is past , and I 'm at rest ; So , Mary , weep no more for me . ` Oh maiden dear , yourself prepare ; We soon shall meet upon that shore Where love is free from doubt and care , And you and I shall part no more . ' Loud crew the cock , the shadow fled ; No more her Sandy did she see ; But soft the passing spirit said , ` Sweet Mary , weep no more for me . ' ` The constant jollity of that boy is worth a fortune to him .
He 'll never sink with such a buoyant spirit to keep him afloat through life , ' said Mrs XXXXX , as the roses were tossed back with much applause when the song ended .
Carr Dee E'en Jo Mary Meg Sandy nights storm tableaux