I knew it was silly , but they flattered me and said I was a beauty , and quantities of nonsense , so I let them make a fool of me . '' `` Is that all ? '' asked Jo , as Mrs. March looked silently at the downcast face of her pretty daughter , and could not find it in her heart to blame her little follies . `` No , I drank champagne and romped and tried to flirt , and was altogether abominable , '' said Meg self-reproachfully . `` There is something more , I think . '' And Mrs. March smoothed the soft cheek , which suddenly grew rosy as Meg answered slowly ... `` Yes . It 's very silly , but I want to tell it , because I hate to have people say and think such things about us and Laurie . '' Then she told the various bits of gossip she had heard at the Moffats ' , and as she spoke , Jo saw her mother fold her lips tightly , as if ill pleased that such ideas should be put into Meg 's innocent mind . `` Well , if that is n't the greatest rubbish I ever heard , '' cried Jo indignantly . `` Why did n't you pop out and tell them so on the spot ? '' `` I could n't , it was so embarrassing for me . I could n't help hearing at first , and then I was so angry and ashamed , I did n't remember that I ought to go away . '' `` Just wait till I see Annie Moffat , and I 'll show you how to settle such ridiculous stuff . The idea of having ` plans ' and being kind to Laurie because he 's rich and may marry us by-and-by ! Wo n't he shout when I tell him what those silly things say about us poor children ? '' And Jo laughed , as if on second thoughts the thing struck her as a good joke . `` If you tell Laurie , I 'll never forgive you ! She must n't , must she , Mother ? '' said Meg , looking distressed . `` No , never repeat that foolish gossip , and forget it as soon as you can , '' said Mrs. March gravely .
`` I was very unwise to let you go among people of whom I know so little , kind , I dare say , but worldly , ill-bred , and full of these vulgar ideas about young XXXXX .
beauty gossip hearing joke people plans something spot thing things