Page 523 - LITTLE WOMEN

Little Women

‘I’ll try not to, but I’m always possessed to burst out
with some particularly blunt speech or revolutionary
sentiment before her. It’s my doom, and I can’t help it.’
They found Aunt Carrol with the old lady, both

absorbed in some very interesting subject, but they
dropped it as the girls came in, with a conscious look
which betrayed that they had been talking about their
nieces. Jo was not in a good humor, and the perverse fit
returned, but Amy, who had virtuously done her duty,
kept her temper and pleased everybody, was in a most
angelic frame of mind. This amiable spirit was felt at once,
and both aunts ‘my deared’ her affectionately, looking
what they afterward said emphatically, ‘That child
improves every day.’
‘Are you going to help about the fair, dear?’ asked Mrs.
Carrol, as Amy sat down beside her with the confiding air
elderly people like so well in the young.
‘Yes, Aunt. Mrs. Chester asked me if I would, and I
offered to tend a table, as I have nothing but my time to
give.’
‘I’m not,’ put in Jo decidedly. ‘I hate to be patronized,
and the Chesters think it’s a great favor to allow us to help
with their highly connected fair. I wonder you consented,
Amy, they only want you to work.’

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