Meg had told her adventures gayly and said over and over what a charming time she had had , but something still seemed to weigh upon her spirits , and when the younger girls were gone to bed , she sat thoughtfully staring at the fire , saying little and looking worried . As the clock struck nine and Jo proposed bed , Meg suddenly left her chair and , taking Beth 's stool , leaned her elbows on her mother 's knee , saying bravely ... `` Marmee , I want to ` fess ' . '' `` I thought so . What is it , dear ? '' `` Shall I go away ? '' asked Jo discreetly . `` Of course not . Do n't I always tell you everything ? I was ashamed to speak of it before the younger children , but I want you to know all the dreadful things I did at the Moffats ' . '' `` We are prepared , '' said Mrs. March , smiling but looking a little anxious . `` I told you they dressed me up , but I did n't tell you that they powdered and squeezed and frizzled , and made me look like a fashion-plate . Laurie thought I was n't proper . I know he did , though he did n't say so , and one man called me ' a doll ' . I knew it was silly , but they flattered me and said I was a beauty , and quantities of nonsense , so I let them make a fool of me . '' `` Is that all ? '' asked Jo , as Mrs. March looked silently at the downcast face of her pretty daughter , and could not find it in her heart to blame her little follies . `` No , I drank champagne and romped and tried to flirt , and was altogether abominable , '' said Meg self-reproachfully . `` There is something more , I think . '' And Mrs. March smoothed the soft cheek , which suddenly grew rosy as Meg answered slowly ... `` Yes . It 's very silly , but I want to tell it , because I hate to have people say and think such things about us and Laurie . ''
Then she told the various bits of gossip she had heard at the Moffats ' , and as she spoke , Jo saw her mother fold her lips tightly , as if ill pleased that such ideas should be put into XXXXX 's innocent mind .
Beth Jo Laurie Meg Moffats doll fire left self-reproachfully spirits