How could you ? When will you stop such romping ways ? '' said Meg reprovingly , as she settled her cuffs and smoothed her hair , with which the wind had taken liberties . `` Never till I 'm stiff and old and have to use a crutch . Do n't try to make me grow up before my time , Meg . It 's hard enough to have you change all of a sudden . Let me be a little girl as long as I can . '' As she spoke , Jo bent over the leaves to hide the trembling of her lips , for lately she had felt that Margaret was fast getting to be a woman , and Laurie 's secret made her dread the separation which must surely come some time and now seemed very near . He saw the trouble in her face and drew Meg 's attention from it by asking quickly , `` Where have you been calling , all so fine ? '' `` At the Gardiners ' , and Sallie has been telling me all about Belle Moffat 's wedding . It was very splendid , and they have gone to spend the winter in Paris . Just think how delightful that must be ! '' `` Do you envy her , Meg ? '' said Laurie . `` I 'm afraid I do . '' `` I 'm glad of it ! '' muttered Jo , tying on her hat with a jerk . `` Why ? '' asked Meg , looking surprised . `` Because if you care much about riches , you will never go and marry a poor man , '' said Jo , frowning at Laurie , who was mutely warning her to mind what she said .
`` I shall never ' XXXXX and marry ' anyone , '' observed Meg , walking on with great dignity while the others followed , laughing , whispering , skipping stones , and ` behaving like children ' , as Meg said to herself , though she might have been tempted to join them if she had not had her best dress on .
Do care envy go looking marry muttered said spoke taken