`` 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 Meg 's innocent mind . `` Well , if that is n't the greatest rubbish I ever heard , '' cried Jo indignantly . `` Why did n't you pop out and tell them so on the spot ? '' `` I could n't , it was so embarrassing for me . I could n't help hearing at first , and then I was so angry and ashamed , I did n't remember that I ought to go away . '' `` Just wait till I see Annie Moffat , and I 'll show you how to settle such ridiculous stuff .
The idea of having ` plans ' and being kind to XXXXX because he 's rich and may marry us by-and-by !
Jo Laurie Meg Moffat Moffats beauty first hearing self-reproachfully things