Page 507 - LITTLE WOMEN

Little Women

dress yourself nicely, and come and help me do the civil.
You can talk so well, look so aristocratic in your best
things, and behave so beautifully, if you try, that I’m
proud of you. I’m afraid to go alone, do come and take

care of me.’
‘You’re an artful little puss to flatter and wheedle your
cross old sister in that way. The idea of my being
aristocratic and well-bred, and your being afraid to go
anywhere alone! I don’t know which is the most absurd.
Well, I’ll go if I must, and do my best. You shall be
commander of the expedition, and I’ll obey blindly, will
that satisfy you?’ said Jo, with a sudden change from
perversity to lamblike submission.
‘You’re a perfect cherub! Now put on all your best
things, and I’ll tell you how to behave at each place, so
that you will make a good impression. I want people to
like you, and they would if you’d only try to be a little
more agreeable. Do your hair the pretty way, and put the
pink rose in your bonnet. It’s becoming, and you look too
sober in your plain suit. Take your light gloves and the
embroidered handkerchief. We’ll stop at Meg’s, and
borrow her white sunshade, and then you can have my
dove-colored one.’

506 of 861