Маленькие женщины / Little Women. Уровень 3

But your absurd words are as bad as Jo's slang.”

“If Jo is a tomboy and Amy a goose, what am I, please?” asked Beth.

“You're a dear, and nothing else,” answered Meg warmly, and no one contradicted her.

We will take this moment to give the reader a little sketch of the four sisters. Margaret, the eldest of the four, was sixteen, and very pretty, with large eyes and soft brown hair. Fifteen-year-old Jo was very tall, thin, and brown. She had sharp, gray eyes, which appeared to see everything.

Her long, thick hair was usually bundled into a net. Elizabeth, or Beth, as everyone called her, was a rosy, smooth-haired, bright-eyed girl of thirteen, with a shy manner and a timid voice. Her father called her �Little Miss Tranquility'. Amy, though the youngest, was a most important person, in her own opinion at least. Pale and slender, with blue eyes, and yellow hair curling on her shoulders, she was carrying herself like a young lady mindful of her manners.

The clock struck six and Beth put a pair of slippers down to warm. The sight of the old shoes had a good effect upon the girls – it reminded them that Mother was coming.

“They are quite worn out. Marmee[2 - Marmee – мамочка] must have a new pair.”

“I thought I'd get her a pair with my dollar,” said Beth.

“No, I shall!” cried Amy.

“I'm the oldest,” began Meg, but Jo cut in with a decided, “I'm the man of the family[3 - the man of the family – глава семьи] now Papa is away, and I shall provide the slippers.

”

“I'll tell you what we'll do,” said Beth, “let's each get her something for Christmas, and not get anything for ourselves.”

“What will we get?” exclaimed Jo.

Everyone thought for a minute, then Meg announced, “I shall give her a nice pair of gloves.”

“Army shoes, best to be had,” cried Jo.

“Some handkerchiefs, all hemmed,” said Beth.

“I'll get a little bottle of cologne.

She likes it, and it won't cost much, so I'll have some left to buy my pencils,” added Amy.

“How will we give the things?” asked Meg.

“Put them on the table, and bring her in and see her open them.” answered Jo.

“Glad to find you so merry, my girls,” said a cheery voice at the door, and the girls turned to welcome their Mother. She was not elegantly dressed, but a noble-looking woman.