Kate is older than you , Fred and Frank -LRB- twins -RRB- about my age , and a little girl -LRB- Grace -RRB- , who is nine or ten . Laurie knew them abroad , and liked the boys . I fancied , from the way he primmed up his mouth in speaking of her , that he did n't admire Kate much . '' `` I 'm so glad my French print is clean , it 's just the thing and so becoming ! '' observed Meg complacently . `` Have you anything decent , Jo ? '' `` Scarlet and gray boating suit , good enough for me . I shall row and tramp about , so I do n't want any starch to think of . You 'll come , Betty ? '' `` If you wo n't let any boys talk to me . '' `` Not a boy ! '' `` I like to please Laurie , and I 'm not afraid of Mr. Brooke , he is so kind . But I do n't want to play , or sing , or say anything . I 'll work hard and not trouble anyone , and you 'll take care of me , Jo , so I 'll go . '' `` That 's my good girl . You do try to fight off your shyness , and I love you for it . Fighting faults is n't easy , as I know , and a cheery word kind of gives a lift . Thank you , Mother , '' And Jo gave the thin cheek a grateful kiss , more precious to Mrs. March than if it had given back the rosy roundness of her youth . `` I had a box of chocolate drops , and the picture I wanted to copy , '' said Amy , showing her mail . `` And I got a note from Mr. Laurence , asking me to come over and play to him tonight , before the lamps are lighted , and I shall go , '' added Beth , whose friendship with the old gentleman prospered finely .
`` Now let 's fly round , and do double duty today , so that we can play tomorrow with free minds , '' said XXXXX , preparing to replace her pen with a broom .
Amy Beth Betty Brooke Frank Fred French Jo Meg Mother