“Jo!Jo!Whereareyou？“criedMegatthefootofthegarretstairs。
“Here!“answeredahuskyvoicefromabove，and，runningup，MegfoundhersistereatingapplesandcryingovertheHeirofRedclyffe，wrappedupinacomforteronanoldthree-leggedsofabythesunnywindow。ThiswasJo’sfavoriterefuge，andhereshelovedtoretirewithhalfadozenrussetsandanicebook，toenjoythequietandthesocietyofapetratwholivednearbyanddidn’tmindheraparticle。AsMegappeared，Scrabblewhiskedintohishole。Joshookthetearsoffhercheeksandwaitedtohearthenews。
“Suchfun!Onlysee!AregularnoteofinvitationfromMrs。
Gardinerfortomorrownight!“criedMeg，wavingthepreciouspaperandthenproceedingtoreaditwithgirlishdelight。
“`Mrs。GardinerwouldbehappytoseeMissMarchandMissJosephineatalittledanceonNewYear’sEve。’Marmeeiswillingweshouldgo，nowwhatshallwewear？“