One thing, however, rather quenched the vanities.

She had to wear her cousin's clothes.

Now Florence's mama hadn't a particle of taste, and Amy suffered deeply at having to wear a red instead of a blue bonnet, unbecoming gowns, and fussy aprons that did not fit.

Everything was good, well made, and little worn, but Amy's artistic eyes were much afflicted, especially this winter, when her school dress was a dull purple with yellow dots and no trimming.
"My only comfort," she said to Meg, with tears in her eyes, "is that Mother doesn't take tucks in my dresses whenever I'm naughty, as Maria Parks's mother does.

My dear, it's really dreadful, for sometimes she is so bad her frock is up to her knees, and she can't come to school.
When I think of this _deggerredation_, I feel that I can bear even my flat nose and purple gown with yellow sky-rockets on it." Meg was Amy's confidant and monitor, and by some strange attraction of opposites Jo was gentle Beth's.