It 's too bad , but it ca n't be helped . So you must try to be contented with making your name boyish , and playing brother to us girls , '' said Beth , stroking the rough head with a hand that all the dish washing and dusting in the world could not make ungentle in its touch . `` As for you , Amy , '' continued Meg , `` you are altogether too particular and prim . Your airs are funny now , but you 'll grow up an affected little goose , if you do n't take care . I like your nice manners and refined ways of speaking , when you do n't try to be elegant . But your absurd words are as bad as Jo 's slang . '' `` If Jo is a tomboy and Amy a goose , what am I , please ? '' asked Beth , ready to share the lecture . `` You 're a dear , and nothing else , '' answered Meg warmly , and no one contradicted her , for the ` Mouse ' was the pet of the family . As young readers like to know ` how people look ' , we will take this moment to give them a little sketch of the four sisters , who sat knitting away in the twilight , while the December snow fell quietly without , and the fire crackled cheerfully within . It was a comfortable room , though the carpet was faded and the furniture very plain , for a good picture or two hung on the walls , books filled the recesses , chrysanthemums and Christmas roses bloomed in the windows , and a pleasant atmosphere of home peace pervaded it . Margaret , the eldest of the four , was sixteen , and very pretty , being plump and fair , with large eyes , plenty of soft brown hair , a sweet mouth , and white hands , of which she was rather vain . Fifteen-year-old Jo was very tall , thin , and brown , and reminded one of a colt , for she never seemed to know what to do with her long limbs , which were very much in her way . She had a decided mouth , a comical nose , and sharp , gray eyes , which appeared to see everything , and were by turns fierce , funny , or thoughtful . Her long , thick hair was her one beauty , but it was usually bundled into a net , to be out of her way . Round shoulders had Jo , big hands and feet , a flyaway look to her clothes , and the uncomfortable appearance of a girl who was rapidly shooting up into a woman and did n't like it . Elizabeth , or Beth , as everyone called her , was a rosy , smooth-haired , bright-eyed girl of thirteen , with a shy manner , a timid voice , and a peaceful expression which was seldom disturbed . Her father called her ` Little Miss Tranquility ' , and the name suited her excellently , for she seemed to live in a happy world of her own , only venturing out to meet the few whom she trusted and loved . Amy , though the youngest , was a most important person , in her own opinion at least . A regular snow maiden , with blue eyes , and yellow hair curling on her shoulders , pale and slender , and always carrying herself like a young lady mindful of her manners .
What the characters of the four XXXXX were we will leave to be found out .
beauty father girls name readers sisters slang touch way words