`` Bless her heart ! She pities him , so she is good to him , '' said Jo , beaming at her from the croquet ground . `` I always said she was a little saint , '' added Meg , as if there could be no further doubt of it . `` I have n't heard Frank laugh so much for ever so long , '' said Grace to Amy , as they sat discussing dolls and making tea sets out of the acorn cups . `` My sister Beth is a very fastidious girl , when she likes to be , '' said Amy , well pleased at Beth 's success . She meant ` facinating ' , but as Grace did n't know the exact meaning of either word , fastidious sounded well and made a good impression . An impromptu circus , fox and geese , and an amicable game of croquet finished the afternoon . At sunset the tent was struck , hampers packed , wickets pulled up , boats loaded , and the whole party floated down the river , singing at the tops of their voices . Ned , getting sentimental , warbled a serenade with the pensive refrain ... Alone , alone , ah ! Woe , alone , and at the lines ... We each are young , we each have a heart , Oh , why should we stand thus coldly apart ? he looked at Meg with such a lackadiasical expression that she laughed outright and spoiled his song . `` How can you be so cruel to me ? '' he whispered , under cover of a lively chorus . `` You 've kept close to that starched-up Englishwoman all day , and now you snub me . '' `` I did n't mean to , but you looked so funny I really could n't help it , '' replied Meg , passing over the first part of his reproach , for it was quite true that she had shunned him , remembering the Moffat party and the talk after it . Ned was offended and turned to Sallie for consolation , saying to her rather pettishly , `` There is n't a bit of flirt in that girl , is there ? '' `` Not a particle , but she 's a dear , '' returned Sallie , defending her friend even while confessing her shortcomings . `` She 's not a stricken deer anyway , '' said Ned , trying to be witty , and succeeding as well as very young gentlemen usually do . On the lawn where it had gathered , the little party separated with cordial good nights and good-byes , for the Vaughns were going to Canada . As the four sisters went home through the garden , Miss Kate looked after them , saying , without the patronizing tone in her voice , `` In spite of their demonstrative manners , American girls are very nice when one knows them . ''
`` I quite agree with you , '' XXXXX Mr. Brooke .
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