`` 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 . Annie made her sing , and some one said she had a remarkably fine voice . Major Lincoln asked who ` the fresh little girl with the beautiful eyes ' was , and Mr. Moffat insisted on dancing with her because she ` did n't dawdle , but had some spring in her ' , as he gracefully expressed it . So altogether she had a very nice time , till she overheard a bit of conversation , which disturbed her extremely . She was sitting just inside the conservatory , waiting for her partner to bring her an ice , when she heard a voice ask on the other side of the flowery wall ... `` How old is he ? '' `` Sixteen or seventeen , I should say , '' replied another voice . `` It would be a grand thing for one of those girls , would n't it ? Sallie says they are very intimate now , and the old man quite dotes on them . '' `` Mrs. M. has made her plans , I dare say , and will play her cards well , early as it is .
The girl evidently does n't think of it yet , '' said Mrs. XXXXX .
Annie Clara Laurie Lincoln Meg Moffat Mother Sallie evening talisman