When the evening 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 . So out came the tarlatan , looking older , limper , and shabbier than ever beside Sallie 's crisp new one . Meg saw the girls glance at it and then at one another , and her cheeks began to burn , for with all her gentleness she was very proud . No one said a word about it , but Sallie offered to dress her hair , and Annie to tie her sash , and Belle , the engaged sister , praised her white arms . But in their kindness Meg saw only pity for her poverty , and her heart felt very heavy as she stood by herself , while the others laughed , chattered , and flew about like gauzy butterflies . The hard , bitter feeling was getting pretty bad , when the maid brought in a box of flowers . Before she could speak , Annie had the cover off , and all were exclaiming at the lovely roses , heath , and fern within . `` It 's for Belle , of course , George always sends her some , but these are altogether ravishing , '' cried Annie , with a great sniff . `` They are for Miss March , the man said . And here 's a note , '' put in the maid , holding it to Meg . `` What fun ! Who are they from ? Did n't know you had a lover , '' cried the girls , fluttering about Meg in a high state of curiosity and surprise . `` The note is from Mother , and the flowers from Laurie , '' said Meg simply , yet much gratified that he had not forgotten her . `` Oh , indeed ! '' said Annie with a funny look , as Meg slipped the note into her pocket as a sort of talisman against envy , vanity , and false pride , for the few loving words had done her good , and the flowers cheered her up by their beauty . Feeling almost happy again , she laid by a few ferns and roses for herself , and quickly made up the rest in dainty bouquets for the breasts , hair , or skirts of her friends , offering them so prettily that Clara , the elder sister , told her she was ` the sweetest little thing she ever saw ' , and they looked quite charmed with her small attention . Somehow the kind act finished her despondency , and when all the rest went to show themselves to Mrs. Moffat , she saw a happy , bright-eyed face in the mirror , as she laid her ferns against her rippling hair and fastened the roses in the dress that did n't strike her as so very shabby now . She enjoyed herself very much that evening , for she danced to her heart 's content . Everyone was very kind , and she had three compliments .
XXXXX made her sing , and some one said she had a remarkably fine voice .
Annie Belle Clara Laurie Meg Moffat Mother Sallie evening heath