Amy’s Valley of Humiliation

           "Thatboyisaperfectcyclops,isn’the?"saidAmyoneday,asLaurieclatteredbyonhorseback,withaflourishofhiswhipashepassed.

           "Howdareyousayso,whenhe’sgotbothhiseyes?Andveryhandsomeonestheyare,too,"criedJo,whoresentedanyslightingremarksaboutherfriend.

           "Ididn’tsayanythingabouthiseyes,andIdon’tseewhyyouneedfireupwhenIadmirehisriding."

           "Oh,mygoodness!Thatlittlegoosemeansacentaur,andshecalledhimaCyclops,"exclaimedJo,withaburstoflaughter.

           "Youneedn’tbesorude,it’sonlya‘lapseoflingy’,asMr.Davissays,"retortedAmy,finishingJowithherLatin."IjustwishIhadalittleofthemoneyLauriespendsonthathorse,"sheadded,asiftoherself,yethopinghersisterswouldhear.

           "Why?"askedMegkindly,forJohadgoneoffinanotherlaughatAmy’ssecondblunder.

           "Ineeditsomuch.I’mdreadfullyindebt,anditwon’tbemyturntohavetheragmoneyforamonth."

           "Indebt,Amy?Whatdoyoumean?"AndMeglookedsober.

           "Why,Ioweatleastadozenpickledlimes,andIcan’tpaythem,youknow,tillIhavemoney,forMarmeeforbademyhavinganythingchargedattheshop."

           "Tellmeallaboutit.Arelimesthefashionnow?Itusedtobeprickingbitsofrubbertomakeballs."AndMegtriedtokeephercountenance,Amylookedsograveandimportant.

           "Why,yousee,thegirlsarealwaysbuyingthem,andunlessyouwanttobethoughtmean,youmustdoittoo.