18 Little Women Read By Stephanie Poppins

Welcome to Sleep Stories with Steph,

Your go-to podcast that offers you a calm and relaxing transition into a great night's sleep.

It is time to relax and fully let go.

There is nothing you need to be doing now,

And nowhere you need to go.

Close your eyes and feel yourself sink into the support beneath you and let all the worries of the day drift away.

This is your time and your space.

Take a deep breath in through your nose and let it out with a long sigh.

There is nothing you need to be doing now,

And nowhere you need to go.

Happy listening.

Chapter 9 continued.

Meg was sitting just inside the conservatory,

Waiting for her partner to bring her an ice,

When she heard a voice ask on the other side of the flowery wall,

How old is he?

16 or 17,

I should say,

Replied another one.

It would be a grand thing for one of those girls,

Wouldn't it?

Sally said they're very intimate now and the old man quite dotes on them.

Mrs.

M's made her plans,

I dare say,

And will play her cards well early as it is.

The girl evidently doesn't think yet of it.

She told that fib about her mama's if she did know,

And coloured up when the flowers came quite prettily.

Poor thing.

She'd be so nice if she'd only got up in style.

Do you think she'd be offended if we offered to lend her a dress for Thursday?

She's proud,

But I don't believe she'd mind,

For that dowdy topleton's all she's got.

She may tear it tonight,

And that'll be a good excuse for offering a decent one.

We'll see.

I'll ask young Lawrence as a compliment to her,

And we'll have fun about it afterwards.

Here Meg's partner appeared to find her looking much flushed and rather agitated.

Meg was proud,

And her pride was useful just then,

For it helped hide her mortification,

Anger and disgust at what she'd just heard.

She'd tried to forget the gossip of her friends,

But she could not,

And she kept repeating to herself,

Mrs M has made her plans.

But it was no use.

She did her best to seem gay,

But she was ready to cry and rush home to tell her troubles and ask for advice.

She was very glad when it was all over,

And she was quiet in her bed where she could think and wonder and fume till her head ached.

Those foolish yet well-meant words had opened a new world to Meg,

And much disturbed the peace of the old one in which till now she'd lived as happily as a child.

Her innocent friendship with Laurie was spoiled by the silly speeches.

Her faith in her mother was a little shaken by the worldly plans attributed to her by Mrs Moffat,

And the sensible resolution to be contented with a simple wardrobe which suited a poor man's daughter was weakened by the unnecessary pity of girls who thought a shabby dress one of the greatest calamities under heaven.

Poor Meg.

She had a restless night and got up heavy-eyed,

Unhappy and half-resentful towards her friend.

Everybody dawdled that morning.

It was noon before the girls found energy enough even to take up their worsted work.

Something in the manner of her friends struck Meg at once.

They were treating her with more respect.

They took quite a tender interest in what she said and looked at her with eyes that plainly betrayed curiosity.

All this surprised and flattered her,

Though she did not understand it at all until Miss Bell looked up from her writing and said,

Daisy dear,

I've sent an invitation to your friend Mr Lawrence for Thursday.

We should like to know him and it's only a proper compliment to you.

Meg coloured,

But a mischievous fancy to tease the girls made her reply demurely,

You are very kind,

But I'm afraid he won't come.

Why not,

Should he?

Asked Miss Bell.

He's too old.

My child,

What do you mean?

What is his age?

Nearly seventy,

I believe.

Meg started counting stitches to hide the merriment in her eyes.

You sly creature,

Of course we meant the young man.

There isn't any,

Laurie's only a little boy.

Meg laughed at the queer look which the sisters exchanged.

About your age,

Nan said.

Nearer my sister Jo's,

I'm seventeen in August.

Then she tossed her head.

It's very nice of him to send you flowers,

Isn't it?

Yes,

He often does to all of us,

For their house is full and we're so fond of them,

Said Meg.

My mother and old Mr Lawrence are friends,

You know,

So it's quite natural we children should play together.

She hoped nobody would say anything more.

It's evident Daisy isn't out yet,

Said Miss Clara to Bell with a nod.

Quite a pastoral state of innocence all round,

Returned Miss Bell with a shrug.

I'm going out to get some little matters for my girls.

Can I do anything for you,

Young ladies?

Asked Mrs Moffat,

Lumbering in like an elephant.

No,

Thank you,

Ma'am,

Replied Sally.

I've got my new pink silk for Thursday and I don't want a thing.

Nor I,

Began Meg.

Then she stopped because it occurred to her she did want several things and she could not have them.

What shall you wear?

Asked Sally.

My old white one again,

If I can mend it,

Fit to be seen,

Said Meg,

Trying to speak quite easily,

But feeling very uncomfortable.

Why don't you send home for another?

Ha!

Said Sally,

Who was not an observing young lady.

I haven't got any other.

It cost Meg an effort to say that,

But Sally did not see it and exclaimed in amiable surprise.

Oh,

How funny!

What is the use of having a lot of dresses when she isn't out?

Said Bell,

Breaking in kindly.

There's no need of sending home,

Daisy,

Even if you had a dozen,

For I've got a sweet blue silk laid away which I've outgrown.

You shall wear it to please me,

Won't you,

Dear?

You're very kind,

But I don't mind my old dress if you don't,

Said Meg.

It does well enough for a little girl like me.

Now do let me please myself by dressing you up in style.

I admire to do it and you'd be a regular little beauty with a touch here and there.

I shan't let anyone see you till you're done then we'll burst open like Cinderella and her godmother going to the ball,

Said Bell in her persuasive tone.

Meg couldn't refuse such an offer so kindly made.

And on the Thursday evening,

Bell shut herself up with her maid and between them they turned Meg into a fine lady.

They crimped and curled her hair,

They polished her neck and arms with some fragrant powder,

Touched her lips with coralline salve to make them redder and Hortense would have added a souped-sorrel rouge if Meg had not rebelled.

They laced her into a sky-blue dress which was so tight she could hardly breathe and so low in the neck that modest Meg blushed at herself in the mirror.

A set of silver filigree was added bracelets,

Necklace,

Brooch and even earrings.

A cluster of tea,

Rosebuds at the bosom and a ruche reconciled Meg to the display of her pretty white shoulders and a pair of high-heeled blue silk boots satisfied the last wish of her heart.

A laced handkerchief,

A plumy fan and a bouquet in a silver holder finished her off and Miss Bell surveyed her with the satisfaction of a little girl with a newly-dressed doll.

Come and show yourself,

Said Miss Bell leading the way to the room where the others were waiting.

As Meg went rustling after her with her long skirts trailing her earrings tinkling her curls waving and her heart beating she felt as if her fun had really begun at last for the mirror had plainly told her she was a little beauty.

Her friends repeated the pleasing phrase enthusiastically and for several minutes she stood like the jackdaw in the fable enjoying her borrowed plumes while the rest chattered like a party of magpies.

I'm afraid to go down,

I feel so queer and stiff and half-dressed,

She said to Sally as the bell rang and Mrs Moffat sent to ask the young ladies to appear at once.

You don't look a bit like yourself,

Said Sally,

But you're very nice I'm nowhere beside you,

For Bell has heaps of taste and you're quite French,

I assure you Let your flowers hang,

Don't be so careful of them and be sure you don't trip.

Keeping that warning carefully in mind Margaret got safely downstairs and sailed into the drawing rooms where the Moffats and a few early guests were assembled.

She very soon discovered there's a charm about fine clothes which attracts a certain class of people and secures their respect.

Several young ladies who had taken no notice of her before were very affectionate all of a sudden.

Several young gentlemen who had only stared at her at the other party,

Now not only stared but asked to be introduced and said all manner of foolish but agreeable things.

And several old ladies who sat on sofas and criticised the rest of the party inquired who she was with an air of interest Daisy March Mrs Moffat replied Father,

A colonel in the army,

One of our first families but reserves of fortune,

You know Dear me,

Said one old lady putting up her glass for another observation The queer feeling did not pass away but Meg imagined herself acting the new part of a fine lady and so got on pretty well The tight dress though gave her a side ache The train kept getting under her feet and she was in constant fear lest her earring should fly off and get lost or broken She was just flirting her fan and laughing at the feeble jokes of a young gentleman who tried to be witty when she suddenly stopped laughing and looked confused Just opposite she saw Laurie He was staring at her with undisguised surprise and disapproval He bowed and smiled yet something in his honest eyes made her blush and wish she had her old dress on Then to complete her confusion she saw Belle nudge Annie and both glance from her She said hello to Laurie who she was happy to see looked unusually boyish and shy Silly creatures to put such thoughts into my head I won't care for it,

She said to herself or let it change me a bit She rustled across the room to shake hands with him I'm glad you've come I was afraid you wouldn't She said with her most grown up air Joe wanted me to come and tell her how you look so I did,

Answered Laurie without turning his eyes upon her although he half smiled at her maternal tone What shall you tell her?

Asked Meg,

Full of curiosity I shall say I didn't know you for you look so grown up and unlike yourself I'm quite afraid of you he said,

Fumbling at his glove button How absurd,

The girls just dress me up for fun I'd rather like it Wouldn't Joe stare if she saw me?

Said Meg,

Bent on making Laurie say whether he thought her improved or not I think she would,

Returned Laurie gravely Don't you like me so?

No,

I don't was the blunt reply Why not?

Laurie glanced at her frizzled head bare shoulders and fantastically trimmed dress with an expression that abashed her more than his answer which had not a particle of his usual politeness about it I don't like fuss and feathers That was altogether too much from a lad younger than herself and Meg walked away saying petulantly You are the rudest boy I ever saw