She was sick all the next day , and on Saturday went home , quite used up with her fortnight 's fun and feeling that she had ` sat in the lap of luxury ' long enough . `` It does seem pleasant to be quiet , and not have company manners on all the time . Home is a nice place , though it is n't splendid , '' said Meg , looking about her with a restful expression , as she sat with her mother and Jo on the Sunday evening . `` I 'm glad to hear you say so , dear , for I was afraid home would seem dull and poor to you after your fine quarters , '' replied her mother , who had given her many anxious looks that day . For motherly eyes are quick to see any change in children 's faces . 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 XXXXX , 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 .
Beth Jo Laurie Meg Moffats day evening fire fortnight left