“Here’salandscape!“thoughtLaurie，peepingthroughthebushes，andlookingwide-awakeandgood-naturedalready。
Itwasaratherprettylittlepicture，forthesisterssattogetherintheshadynook，withsunandshadowflickeringoverthem，thearomaticwindliftingtheirhairandcoolingtheirhotcheeks，andallthelittlewoodpeoplegoingonwiththeiraffairsasifthesewerenostrangersbutoldfriends。Megsatuponhercushion，sewingdaintilywithherwhitehands，andlookingasfreshandsweetasaroseinherpinkdressamongthegreen。Bethwassortingtheconesthatlaythickunderthehemlocknearby，forshemadeprettythingswiththem。Amywassketchingagroupofferns，andJowasknittingasshereadaloud。Ashadowpassedovertheboy’sfaceashewatchedthem，feelingthatheoughttogoawaybecauseuninvited，yetlingeringbecausehomeseemedverylonelyandthisquietpartyinthewoodsmostattractivetohisrestlessspirit。Hestoodsostillthatasquirrel，busywithit’sharvesting，randawnapineclosebesidehim，sawhimsuddenlyandskippedback，scoldingsoshrillythatBethlookedup，espiedthewistfulfacebehindthebirches，andbeckonedwithareassuringsmile。
“MayIcomein，please？OrshallIbeabother？“heasked，advancingslowly。
Megliftedhereyebrows，butJoscowledatherdefiantlyandsaidatonce，“Ofcourseyoumay。Weshouldhaveaskedyoubefore，onlywethoughtyouwouldn’tcareforsuchagirl’sgameasthis。“
“Ialwayslikeyourgames，butifMegdoesn’twantme，I’llgoaway。“