Маленькие женщины / Little Women. Уровень 3

“Where's the use of looking nice, when no one sees me, and no one cares whether I'm pretty or not? I will grow old and ugly and sour, because I'm poor and can't enjoy my life as other girls do. It's a shame!”

She went down, wearing an injured look.

During breakfast everyone seemed rather out of sorts[9 - out of sorts – не в порядке]. Jo laughed, Meg scolded, Beth implored, and Amy cried because she couldn't remember how much nine times twelve was. Mrs. March was very busy trying to finish a letter, which must go at once[10 - must go at once – должно быть отправлено как можно быстрее].

“Girls, girls, do be quiet one minute! I must get this off by the early mail, and you distract me,” cried Mrs. March, crossing out the third spoiled sentence in her letter.

There was a momentary lull, broken by Hannah, who walked in, laid two hot turnovers on the table, and walked out again.

“Cuddle your cats and get over your headache, Bethy. Goodbye, Marmee.

Let's go, Meg!” And Jo walked out of the room.

Once outside, Jo turned to Meg.

“More ungrateful wretches than we are were never seen.”

“Don't use such dreadful expressions,” replied Meg

“I like good strong words that mean something,” replied Jo.

“Call yourself any names you like, but I am not a wretch and I don't choose to be called so.”

“You're a blighted being, and decidedly cross today because you can't sit in the lap of luxury[11 - in the lap of luxury – в роскоши] all the time.

Poor dear, just wait till I make my fortune, and you shall revel in carriages and ice cream and high-heeled slippers, and posies, and red-headed boys to dance with.”

“How ridiculous you are, Jo!” But Meg laughed at the nonsense and felt better in spite of herself[12 - in spite of herself – наперекор себе].

Jo gave her sister an encouraging pat on the shoulder as they parted for the day, each going a different way.

When Mr.

March lost his property in trying to help an unfortunate friend, the two oldest girls begged to be allowed to do something toward their own support, at least. Margaret found a place as nursery governess and felt rich with her small salary. She found poverty harder to bear. She seldom complained, but a sense of injustice made her feel bitter toward everyone sometimes.

Jo happened to suit Aunt March, who was lame and needed an active person to wait upon her.