`` How can you be so cruel to me ? '' he whispered , under cover of a lively chorus . `` You 've kept close to that starched-up Englishwoman all day , and now you snub me . '' `` I did n't mean to , but you looked so funny I really could n't help it , '' replied Meg , passing over the first part of his reproach , for it was quite true that she had shunned him , remembering the Moffat party and the talk after it . Ned was offended and turned to Sallie for consolation , saying to her rather pettishly , `` There is n't a bit of flirt in that girl , is there ? '' `` Not a particle , but she 's a dear , '' returned Sallie , defending her friend even while confessing her shortcomings . `` She 's not a stricken deer anyway , '' said Ned , trying to be witty , and succeeding as well as very young gentlemen usually do . On the lawn where it had gathered , the little party separated with cordial good nights and good-byes , for the Vaughns were going to Canada . As the four sisters went home through the garden , Miss Kate looked after them , saying , without the patronizing tone in her voice , `` In spite of their demonstrative manners , American girls are very nice when one knows them . '' `` I quite agree with you , '' said Mr. Brooke . CHAPTER THIRTEEN CASTLES IN THE AIR Laurie lay luxuriously swinging to and fro in his hammock one warm September afternoon , wondering what his neighbors were about , but too lazy to go and find out . He was in one of his moods , for the day had been both unprofitable and unsatisfactory , and he was wishing he could live it over again . The hot weather made him indolent , and he had shirked his studies , tried Mr. Brooke 's patience to the utmost , displeased his grandfather by practicing half the afternoon , frightened the maidservants half out of their wits by mischievously hinting that one of his dogs was going mad , and , after high words with the stableman about some fancied neglect of his horse , he had flung himself into his hammock to fume over the stupidity of the world in general , till the peace of the lovely day quieted him in spite of himself . Staring up into the green gloom of the horse-chestnut trees above him , he dreamed dreams of all sorts , and was just imagining himself tossing on the ocean in a voyage round the world , when the sound of voices brought him ashore in a flash . Peeping through the meshes of the hammock , he saw the Marches coming out , as if bound on some expedition . `` What in the world are those girls about now ? '' thought Laurie , opening his sleepy eyes to take a good look , for there was something rather peculiar in the appearance of his neighbors . Each wore a large , flapping hat , a brown linen pouch slung over one shoulder , and carried a long staff . Meg had a cushion , Jo a book , Beth a basket , and Amy a portfolio . All walked quietly through the garden , out at the little back gate , and began to climb the hill that lay between the house and river .
`` Well , that 's cool , '' said XXXXX to himself , `` to have a picnic and never ask me !
American Amy Jo Laurie Meg Ned Vaughns afternoon day meshes