Page 222 - LITTLE WOMEN

Little Women

regard her with aversion. Ned, being in college, of course
put on all the airs which freshmen think it their bounden
duty to assume. He was not very wise, but very good-
natured, and altogether an excellent person to carry on a

picnic. Sallie Gardiner was absorbed in keeping her white
pique dress clean and chattering with the ubiquitous Fred,
who kept Beth in constant terror by his pranks.
It was not far to Longmeadow, but the tent was pitched
and the wickets down by the time they arrived. A pleasant
green field, with three wide-spreading oaks in the middle
and a smooth strip of turf for croquet.
‘Welcome to Camp Laurence!’ said the young host, as
they landed with exclamations of delight.
‘Brooke is commander in chief, I am commissary
general, the other fellows are staff officers, and you, ladies,
are company. The tent is for your especial benefit and that
oak is your drawing room, this is the messroom and the
third is the camp kitchen. Now, let’s have a game before it
gets hot, and then we’ll see about dinner.’
Frank, Beth, Amy, and Grace sat down to watch the
game played by the other eight. Mr. Brooke chose Meg,
Kate, and Fred. Laurie took Sallie, Jo, and Ned. The
English played well, but the Americans played better, and
contested every inch of the ground as strongly as if the

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