The Laurence Boy

           "Jo!Jo!Whereareyou?"criedMegatthefootofthegarretstairs.

           "Here!"answeredahuskyvoicefromabove,and,runningup,MegfoundhersistereatingapplesandcryingovertheHeirofRedclyffe,wrappedupinacomforteronanoldthree-leggedsofabythesunnywindow.ThiswasJo’sfavoriterefuge,andhereshelovedtoretirewithhalfadozenrussetsandanicebook,toenjoythequietandthesocietyofapetratwholivednearbyanddidn’tmindheraparticle.AsMegappeared,Scrabblewhiskedintohishole.Joshookthetearsoffhercheeksandwaitedtohearthenews.

           "Suchfun!Onlysee!AregularnoteofinvitationfromMrs.Gardinerfortomorrownight!"criedMeg,wavingthepreciouspaperandthenproceedingtoreaditwithgirlishdelight.

           "‘Mrs.GardinerwouldbehappytoseeMissMarchandMissJosephineatalittledanceonNewYear’sEve.’Marmeeiswillingweshouldgo,nowwhatshallwewear?"

           "What’stheuseofaskingthat,whenyouknowweshallwearourpoplins,becausewehaven’tgotanythingelse?"answeredJowithhermouthfull.

           "IfIonlyhadasilk!"sighedMeg."MothersaysImaywhenI’meighteenperhaps,buttwoyearsisaneverlastingtimetowait."

           "I’msureourpopslooklikesilk,andtheyareniceenoughforus.Yoursisasgoodasnew,butIforgottheburnandthetearinmine.WhatevershallIdo?Theburnshowsbadly,andIcan’ttakeanyout."

           "Youmustsitstillallyoucanandkeepyourbackoutofsight.Thefrontisallright.