At first , everyone was eager to write , and plump envelopes were carefully poked into the letter box by one or other of the sisters , who felt rather important with their Washington correspondence . As one of these packets contained characteristic notes from the party , we will rob an imaginary mail , and read them . My dearest Mother : It is impossible to tell you how happy your last letter made us , for the news was so good we could n't help laughing and crying over it . How very kind Mr. Brooke is , and how fortunate that Mr. Laurence 's business detains him near you so long , since he is so useful to you and Father . The girls are all as good as gold . Jo helps me with the sewing , and insists on doing all sorts of hard jobs . I should be afraid she might overdo , if I did n't know her ` moral fit ' would n't last long . Beth is as regular about her tasks as a clock , and never forgets what you told her . She grieves about Father , and looks sober except when she is at her little piano . Amy minds me nicely , and I take great care of her . She does her own hair , and I am teaching her to make buttonholes and mend her stockings . She tries very hard , and I know you will be pleased with her improvement when you come . Mr. Laurence watches over us like a motherly old hen , as Jo says , and Laurie is very kind and neighborly . He and Jo keep us merry , for we get pretty blue sometimes , and feel like orphans , with you so far away . Hannah is a perfect saint . She does not scold at all , and always calls me Miss Margaret , which is quite proper , you know , and treats me with respect . We are all well and busy , but we long , day and night , to have you back . Give my dearest love to Father , and believe me , ever your own ... MEG This note , prettily written on scented paper , was a great contrast to the next , which was scribbled on a big sheet of thin foreign paper , ornamented with blots and all manner of flourishes and curly-tailed letters . My precious Marmee : Three cheers for dear Father ! Brooke was a trump to telegraph right off , and let us know the minute he was better .
I rushed up garret when the XXXXX came , and tried to thank god for being so good to us , but I could only cry , and say , `` I 'm glad !
MEG blots business hen letter news packets paper saint sorts