It was a rather pretty little picture , for the sisters sat together in the shady nook , with sun and shadow flickering over them , the aromatic wind lifting their hair and cooling their hot cheeks , and all the little wood people going on with their affairs as if these were no strangers but old friends . Meg sat upon her cushion , sewing daintily with her white hands , and looking as fresh and sweet as a rose in her pink dress among the green . Beth was sorting the cones that lay thick under the hemlock near by , for she made pretty things with them . Amy was sketching a group of ferns , and Jo was knitting as she read aloud . A shadow passed over the boy 's face as he watched them , feeling that he ought to go away because uninvited ; yet lingering because home seemed very lonely and this quiet party in the woods most attractive to his restless spirit . He stood so still that a squirrel , busy with its harvesting , ran down a pine close beside him , saw him suddenly and skipped back , scolding so shrilly that Beth looked up , espied the wistful face behind the birches , and beckoned with a reassuring smile . `` May I come in , please ? Or shall I be a bother ? '' he asked , advancing slowly . Meg lifted her eyebrows , but Jo scowled at her defiantly and said at once , `` Of course you may . We should have asked you before , only we thought you would n't care for such a girl 's game as this . '' `` I always like your games , but if Meg does n't want me , I 'll go away . '' `` I 've no objection , if you do something . It 's against the rules to be idle here , '' replied Meg gravely but graciously . `` Much obliged . I 'll do anything if you 'll let me stop a bit , for it 's as dull as the Desert of Sahara down there . Shall I sew , read , cone , draw , or do all at once ? Bring on your bears . I 'm ready . '' And Laurie sat down with a submissive expression delightful to behold .
`` Finish this story while I set my heel , '' XXXXX Jo , handing him the book .
've advancing espied go lay lifted like looked said stop