| The lawn was the reception room, and for several minutes a lively scene was enacted thereMeg was grateful to see that Miss Kate, though twenty, was dressed with a simplicity which American girls would do well to imitate, and who was much flattered by MrNed's assurances that he came especially to see herJo understood why Laurie `primmed up his mouth' when speaking of Kate, for that young lady had a standoff-don't-touch-me air, which contrasted strongly with the free and easy demeanor of the other girlsBeth took an observation of the new boys and decided that the lame one was not `dreadful', but gentle and feeble, and she would be kind to him on that accountAmy found Grace a well-mannered, merry, little person, and after staring dumbly at one another for a few minutes, they suddenly became very good friends
Tents, lunch, and croquet utensils having been sent on beforehand, the party was soon embarked, and the two boats pushed off together, leaving MrLaurence waving his hat on the shoreLaurie and Jo rowed one boat, MrBrooke and Ned the other, while Fred rolex sea dweller Vaughn, the riotous twin, did his best to upset both by paddling about in a wherry like a disturbed water bugJo's funny hat deserved a vote of thanks, for it was of general utilityIt broke the ice in the beginning by producing a laugh, it created quite a refreshing breeze, flapping to and fro as she rowed, and would make an excellent umbrella for the whole party, if a shower came up, she saidMiss Kate decided that she was `odd', but rather clever, and smiled upon her from afar
Meg, in the other boat, was delightfully situated, face to face with the rowers, who both admired the prospect and feathered their oars with uncommon `skill and dexterity'Brooke was a grave, silent young man, with handsome brown eyes and a pleasant voiceMeg liked his quiet manners and considered him a walking encyclopedia of useful knowledgeHe never talked to her much, but he looked at her a good deal, and she felt sure that he did not regard her with aversionNed, being in college, of course put on all the airs which freshmen think it their bounden duty to assumeHe was not very tiffany bracelet wise, but very good-natured, and altogether an excellent person to carry on a picnicSallie 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 arrivedA 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 companyThe tent is for your especial benefit and that oak is your drawing room, this is the messroom and the third is the camp kitchenNow, 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 eightBrooke chose Meg, Kate, and FredLaurie took Sallie, Jo, and NedThe English played well, but the Americans played better, miu miu bags and contested every inch of the ground as strongly as if the spirit of `76 inspired themJo and Fred had several skirmishes and once narrowly escaped high wordsJo was through the last wicket and had missed the stroke, which failure ruffled her a good dealFred was close behind her and his turn came before hersHe gave a stroke, his ball hit the wicket, and stopped an inch on the wrong sideNo one was very near, and running up to examine, he gave it a sly nudge with his toe, which put it just an inch on the right side
"I'm through! Now, Miss Jo, I'll settle you, and get in first," cried the young gentleman, swinging his mallet for another blowIt's my turn now," said Jo sharply
"Upon my word, I didn't move itIt rolled a bit, perhaps, but that is allowedSo, stand off please, and let me have a go at the stake
"We don't cheat in America, but you can, if you choose," said Jo angrily
"Yankees are a deal the most tricky, everybody knowsThere you go!" returned Fred, croqueting her ball far away
Jo opened her lips to say something rude, but checked herself in balenciaga most popular bag time, colored up to her forehead and stood a minute, hammering down a wicket with all her might, while Fred hit the stake and declared himself out with much exultationShe went off to get her ball, and was a long time finding it among the bushes, but she cameback, looking cool and quiet, and waited her turn patientlyIt took several strokes to regain the place she had lost, and when she got there, the other side had nearly won, for Kate's ball was the last but one and lay near the stake
"By George, it's all up with us! Goodbye, KateMiss Jo owes me one, so you are finished," cried Fred excitedly, as they all drew near to see the finish
"Yankees have a trick of being generous to their enemies," said Jo, with a look that made the lad redden, "especially when they beat them," she added, as, leaving Kate's ball untouched, she won the game by a clever stroke
Laurie threw up his hat, then remembered that it wouldn't do to exult over the defeat of his guests, and stopped in the middle of the cheer to whisper to his friend, "Good for you, Jo! He did cheat, I chanel silver clutch bag saw |
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