Amy was in a fair way to be spoiled , for everyone petted her , and her small vanities and selfishnesses were growing nicely . One thing , however , rather quenched the vanities . She had to wear her cousin 's clothes . Now Florence 's mama had n't a particle of taste , and Amy suffered deeply at having to wear a red instead of a blue bonnet , unbecoming gowns , and fussy aprons that did not fit . Everything was good , well made , and little worn , but Amy 's artistic eyes were much afflicted , especially this winter , when her school dress was a dull purple with yellow dots and no trimming . `` My only comfort , '' she said to Meg , with tears in her eyes , `` is that Mother does n't take tucks in my dresses whenever I 'm naughty , as Maria Parks 's mother does . My dear , it 's really dreadful , for sometimes she is so bad her frock is up to her knees , and she ca n't come to school . When I think of this deggerredation , I feel that I can bear even my flat nose and purple gown with yellow sky-rockets on it . '' Meg was Amy 's confidant and monitor , and by some strange attraction of opposites Jo was gentle Beth 's . To Jo alone did the shy child tell her thoughts , and over her big harum-scarum sister Beth unconsciously exercised more influence than anyone in the family . The two older girls were a great deal to one another , but each took one of the younger sisters into her keeping and watched over her in her own way , ` playing mother ' they called it , and put their sisters in the places of discarded dolls with the maternal instinct of little women . `` Has anybody got anything to tell ? It 's been such a dismal day I 'm really dying for some amusement , '' said Meg , as they sat sewing together that evening . `` I had a queer time with Aunt today , and , as I got the best of it , I 'll tell you about it , '' began Jo , who dearly loved to tell stories . `` I was reading that everlasting Belsham , and droning away as I always do , for Aunt soon drops off , and then I take out some nice book , and read like fury till she wakes up . I actually made myself sleepy , and before she began to nod , I gave such a gape that she asked me what I meant by opening my mouth wide enough to take the whole book in at once . '' `` I wish I could , and be done with it , '' said I , trying not to be saucy . `` Then she gave me a long lecture on my sins , and told me to sit and think them over while she just ` lost ' herself for a moment . She never finds herself very soon , so the minute her cap began to bob like a top-heavy dahlia , I whipped the Vicar of Wakefield out of my pocket , and read away , with one eye on him and one on Aunt . I 'd just got to where they all tumbled into the water when I forgot and laughed out loud .
Aunt woke up and , being more good-natured after her nap , told me to read a bit and show what frivolous work I preferred to the worthy and instructive XXXXX .
Amy Belsham Florence Wakefield day deggerredation evening gape selfishnesses sky-rockets