“Well，littlegirl，whatisit？“repliedhermother，inwhoseeyesthestatelyyoungladystillremained`thebaby’。
“Ourdrawingclassbreaksupnextweek，andbeforethegirlsseparateforthesummer，Iwanttoaskthemouthereforaday。
Theyarewildtoseetheriver，sketchthebrokenbridge，andcopysomeofthethingstheyadmireinmybook。Theyhavebeenverykindtomeinmanyways，andIamgrateful，fortheyareallrichandIknowIampoor，yettheynevermadeanydifference。“
“Whyshouldthey？“AndMrs。Marchputthequestionwithwhatthegirlscalledher`MariaTheresaair’。
“YouknowaswellasIthatitdoesmakeadifferencewithnearlyeveryone，sodon’truffleuplikeadear，motherlyhen，whenyourchickensgetpeckedbysmarterbirds。Theuglyducklingturnedoutaswan，youknow。“AndAmysmiledwithoutbitterness，forshepossessedahappytemperandhopefulspirit。
Mrs。Marchlaughed，andsmootheddownhermaternalprideassheasked，“Well，myswan，whatisyourplan？“
“Ishouldliketoaskthegirlsouttolunchnextweek，totakethemforadrivetotheplacestheywanttosee，arowontheriver，perhaps，andmakealittleartisticfeteforthem。“
“Thatlooksfeasible。Whatdoyouwantforlunch？Cake，sandwiches，fruit，andcoffeewillbeallthatisnecessary，Isuppose？“
“Oh，dear，no!Wemusthavecoldtongueandchicken，Frenchchocolateandicecream，besides。Thegirlsareusedtosuchthings，andIwantmylunchtobeproperandelegant，thoughIdoworkformyliving。“
“Howmanyyoungladiesarethere？“askedhermother，beginningtolooksober。
“Twelveorfourteenintheclass，butIdaresaytheywon’tallcome。“
“Blessme，child，youwillhavetocharteranomnibustocarrythemabout。“
“Why，Mother，howcanyouthinkofsuchathing？Notmorethansixoreightwillprobablycome，soIshallhireabeachwagonandborrowMr。Laurence’scherry-bounce。“Hannah’spronunciationofcharabanc。
“Allofthiswillbeexpensive，Amy。“
“Notvery。I’vecalculatedthecost，andI’llpayforitmyself。“
“Don’tyouthink，dear，thatasthesegirlsareusedtosuchthings，andthebestwecandowillbenothingnew，thatsomesimplerplanwouldbepleasantertothem，asachangeifnothingmore，andmuchbetterforusthanbuyingorborrowingwhatwedon’tneed，andattemptingastylenotinkeepingwithourcircumstances？“
“IfIcan’thaveitasIlike，Idon’tcaretohaveitatall。
IknowthatIcancarryitoutperfectlywell，ifyouandthegirlswillhelpalittle，andIdon’tseewhyIcan’tifI’mwillingtopayforit，“saidAmy，withthedecisionwhichoppositionwasapttochangeintoobstinacy。
Mrs。Marchknewthatexperiencewasanexcellentteacher，andwhenitwaspossiblesheleftherchildrentolearnalonethelessonswhichshewouldgladlyhavemadeeasier，iftheyhadnotobjectedtotakingadviceasmuchastheydidsaltsandsenna。
“Verywell，Amy，ifyourheartissetuponit，andyouseeyourwaythroughwithouttoogreatanoutlayofmoney，time，andtemper，I’llsaynomore。Talkitoverwiththegirls，andwhicheverwayyoudecide，I’lldomybesttohelpyou。“
“Thanks，Mother，youarealwayssokind。“AndawaywentAmytolayherplanbeforehersisters。
Megagreedatonce，andpromisedtoheraid，gladlyofferinganythingshepossessed，fromherlittlehouseitselftoherverybestsaltspoons。ButJofrowneduponthewholeprojectandwouldhavenothingtodowithitatfirst。
“Whyintheworldshouldyouspendyourmoney，worryyourfamily，andturnthehouseupsidedownforaparcelofgirlswhodon’tcareasixpenceforyou？IthoughtyouhadtoomuchprideandsensetotruckletoanymortalwomanjustbecauseshewearsFrenchbootsandridesinacoupe，“saidJo，who，beingcalledfromthetragicclimaxofhernovel，wasnotinthebestmoodforsocialenterprises。
“Idon’ttruckle，andIhatebeingpatronizedasmuchasyoudo!“
returnedAmyindignantly，forthetwostilljangledwhensuchquestionsarose。“Thegirlsdocareforme，andIforthem，andthere’sagreatdealofkindnessandsenseandtalentamongthem，inspiteofwhatyoucallfashionablenonsense。Youdon’tcaretomakepeoplelikeyou，togointogoodsociety，andcultivateyourmannersandtastes。Ido，andImeantomakethemostofeverychancethatcomes。
Youcangothroughtheworldwithyourelbowsoutandyournoseintheair，andcallitindependence，ifyoulike。That’snotmyway。“
WhenAmyhadwhettedhertongueandfreedhermindsheusuallygotthebestofit，forsheseldomfailedtohavecommonsenseonherside，whileJocarriedherloveoflibertyandhateofconventionalitiestosuchanunlimitedextentthatshenaturallyfoundherselfworstedinanargument。Amy’sdefinitionofJo’sideaofindependencewassuchagoodhitthatbothburstoutlaughing，andthediscussiontookamoreamiableturn。Muchagainstherwill，JoatlengthconsentedtosacrificeadaytoMrs。Grundy，andhelphersisterthroughwhatsheregardedas`anonsensicalbusiness’。
Theinvitationsweresent，nearlyallaccepted，andthefollowingMondaywassetapartforthegrandevent。Hannahwasoutofhumorbecauseherweek’sworkwasderanged，andprophesiedthat“efthewashin’andironin’warn’tdonereg’lar，nothin’wouldgowellanywheres“。Thishitchinthemainspringofthedomesticmachineryhadabadeffectuponthewholeconcern，butAmy’smottowas`Nildesperandum’，andhavingmadeuphermindwhattodo，sheproceededtodoitinspiteofallobstacles。Tobeginwith，Hannah’scookingdidn’tturnoutwell。Thechickenwastough，thetonguetoosalt，andthechocolatewouldn’tfrothproperly。ThenthecakeandicecostmorethanAmyexpected，sodidthewagon，andvariousotherexpenses，whichseemedtriflingattheoutset，countedupratheralarminglyafterward。Bethgotacoldandtooktoherbed。Meghadanunusualnumberofcallerstokeepherathome，andJowasinsuchadividedstateofmindthatherbreakages，accidents，andmistakeswereuncommonlynumerous，serious，andtrying。
ItitwasnotfaironMonday，theyoungladiesweretocomeonTuesday，andarrangementwhichaggravatedJoandHannahtothelastdegree。OnMondaymorningtheweatherwasinthatundecidedstatewhichismoreexasperatingthanasteadypour。Itdrizzledalittle，shonealittle，blewalittle，anddidn’tmakeupitsmindtillitwastoolateforanyoneelsetomakeuptheirs。Amywasupatdawn，hustlingpeopleoutoftheirbedsandthroughtheirbreakfasts，thatthehousemightbegotinorder。Theparlorstruckheraslookinguncommonlyshabby，butwithoutstoppingtosighforwhatshehadnot，sheskillfullymadethebestofwhatshehad，arrangingchairsoverthewornplacesinthecarpet，coveringstainsonthewallswithhomemadestatuary，whichgaveanartisticairtotheroom，asdidthelovelyvasesofflowersJoscatteredabout。
Thelunchlookedcharming，andasshesurveyedit，shesincerelyhopeditwouldtastewell，andthattheborrowedglass，china，andsilverwouldgetsafelyhomeagain。Thecarriageswerepromised，MegandMotherwereallreadytodothehonors，BethwasabletohelpHannahbehindthescenes，Johadengagedtobeaslivelyandamiableasanabsentmind，andachinghead，andaverydecideddisapprovalofeverybodyandeverythingwouldallow，andasshewearilydressed，Amycheeredherselfwithanticipationsofthehappymomentwhen，lunchsafelyover，sheshoulddriveawaywithherfriendsforanafternoonofartisticdelights，forthe`cherrybounce’andthebrokenbridgewereherstrongpoints。
Thencamethehoursofsuspense，duringwhichshevibratedfromparlortoporch，whilepublicopinionvariedliketheweathercock。
A
smartshoweratelevenhadevidentlyquenchedtheenthusiasmoftheyoungladieswhoweretoarriveattwelve，fornobodycame，andattwotheexhaustedfamilysatdowninablazeofsunshinetoconsumetheperishableportionsofthefeast，thatnothingmightbelost。
“Nodoubtabouttheweathertoday，theywillcertainlycome，sowemustflyroundandbereadyforthem，“saidAmy，asthesunwokehernextmorning。Shespokebriskly，butinhersecretsoulshewishedshehadsaidnothingaboutTuesday，forherinterestlikehercakewasgettingalittlestale。
“Ican’tgetanylobsters，soyouwillhavetodowithoutsaladtoday，“saidMr。March，cominginhalfanhourlater，withanexpressionofplaciddespair。
“Usethechickenthen，thetoughnesswon’tmatterinasalad，“
advisedhiswife。
“Hannahleftitonthekitchentableaminute，andthekittensgotatit。
I’mverysorry，amy，“addedBeth，whowasstillapatronessofcats。
“ThenImusthavealobster，fortonguealonewon’tdo，“saidAmydecidedly。
“ShallIrushintotownanddemandone？“askedJo，withthemagnanimityofamartyr。
“You’dcomebringingithomeunderyourarmwithoutanypaper，justtotryme。I’llgomyself，“answeredAmy，whosetemperwasbeginningtofail。
Shroudedinathickveilandarmedwithagenteeltravelingbasket，shedeparted，feelingthatacooldrivewouldsootheherruffledspiritandfitherforthelaborsoftheday。Aftersomedelay，theobjectofherdesirewasprocured，likewiseabottleofdressingtopreventfurtherlossoftimeathome，andoffshedroveagain，wellpleasedwithherownforethought。
Astheomnibuscontainedonlyoneotherpassenger，asleepyoldlady，Amypocketedherveilandbeguiledthetediumofthewaybytryingtofindoutwhereallhermoneyhadgoneto。Sobusywasshewithhercardfullofrefractoryfiguresthatshedidnotobserveanewcomer，whoenteredwithoutstoppingthevehicle，tillamasculinevoicesaid，“Goodmorning，MissMarch，“and，lookingup，shebeheldoneofLaurie’smostelegantcollegefriends。Ferventlyhopingthathewouldgetoutbeforeshedid，Amyutterlyignoredthebasketatherfeet，andcongratulatingherselfthatshehadonhernewtravelingdress，returnedtheyoungman’sgreetingwithherusualsuavityandspirit。
Theygotonexcellently，forAmy’schiefcarewassoonsetatrestbylearningthatthegentlemanwouldleavefirst，andshewaschattingawayinapeculiarlyloftystrain，whentheoldladygotout。
Instumblingtothedoor，sheupsetthebasket，and——ohhorror!——thelobster，inallitsvulgarsizeandbrilliancy，wasrevealedtothehighborneyesofaTudor。
“ByJove，she’sforgottenherdinner!“criedtheunconsciousyouth，pokingthescarletmonsterintoitsplacewithhiscane，andpreparingtohandoutthebasketaftertheoldlady。
“Pleasedon’t——it’s——it’smine，“murmuredAmy，withafacenearlyasredasherfish。
“Oh，really，Ibegpardon。It’sanuncommonlyfineone，isn’tit？“
saidTudor，withgreatpresenceofmind，andanairofsoberinterestthatdidcredittohisbreeding。
Amyrecoveredherselfinabreath，setherbasketboldlyontheseat，andsaid，laughing，“Don’tyouwishyouweretohavesomeofthesaladhe’sgoingtomake，andtoseethecharmingyoungladieswhoaretoeatit？“
Nowthatwastact，fortwooftherulingfoiblesofthemasculinemindweretouched。Thelobsterwasinstantlysurroundedbyahaloofpleasingreminiscences，andcuriosityabout`thecharmingyoungladies’
divertedhismindfromthecomicalmishap。
“Isupposehe’lllaughandjokeoveritwithLaurie，butIshan’tseethem，that’sacomfort，“thoughtAmy，asTudorbowedanddeparted。
Shedidnotmentionthismeetingathomethoughshediscoveredthat，thankstotheupset，hernewdresswasmuchdamagedbytherivuletsofdressingthatmeandereddowntheskirt，butwentthroughwiththepreparationswhichnowseemedmoreirksomethanbefore，andattwelveo’clockallwasreadyagain。feelingthattheneighborswereinterestedinhermovements，shewishedtoeffacethememoryofyesterday’sfailurebyagrandsuccesstoday，sosheorderedthe`cherrybounce’，anddroveawayinstatetomeetandescorthergueststothebanquet。
“There’stherumble，they’recoming!I’llgoontotheporchandmeetthem。Itlookshospitable，andIwantthepoorchildtohaveagoodtimeafterallhertrouble，“saidMrs。March，suitingtheactiontotheword。Butafteroneglance，sheretired，withanindescribableexpression，forlookingquitelostinthebigcarriage，satAmyandoneyounglady。
“Run，Beth，andhelpHannahclearhalfthethingsoffthetable。
Itwillbetooabsurdtoputaluncheonfortwelvebeforeasinglegirl，“criedJo，hurryingawaytothelowerregions，tooexcitedtostopevenforalaugh。
IncameAmy，quitecalmanddelightfullycordialtotheoneguestwhohadkeptherpromise。Therestofthefamily，beingofadramaticturn，playedtheirpartsequallywell，andMissEliottfoundthemamosthilariousset，foritwasimpossibletocontrolentirelythemerrimentwhichpossessedthem。Theremodeledlunchbeinggailypartakenof，thestudioandgardenvisited，andartdiscussedwithenthusiasm，Amyorderedabuggyalasfortheelegantcherry-bounce，anddroveherfriendquietlyabouttheneighborhoodtillsunset，when`thepartywentout’。
Asshecamewalkingin，lookingverytiredbutascomposedasever，sheobservedthateveryvestigeoftheunfortunatefetehaddisappeared，exceptasuspiciouspuckeraboutthecornersofJo’smouth。
“You’vehadaloverlyafternoonforyourdrive，dear，“saidhermother，asrespectfullyasifthewholetwelvehadcome。
“MissEliottisaverysweetgirl，andseemedtoenjoyherself，Ithought，“observedBeth，withunusualwarmth。
“Couldyousparemesomeofyourcake？Ireallyneedsome，I
havesomuchcompany，andIcan’tmakesuchdeliciousstuffasyours，“
askedMegsoberly。
“Takeitall。I’mtheonlyoneherewholikessweetthings，anditwillmoldbeforeIcandisposeofit，“answeredAmy，thinkingwithasighofthegenerousstoreshehadlaidinforsuchanendasthis。
“It’sapityLaurieisn’theretohelpus，“beganJo，astheysatdowntoicecreamandsaladforthesecondtimeintwodays。
Awarninglookfromhermothercheckedanyfurtherremarks，andthewholefamilyateinheroicsilence，tillMr。Marchmildlyobserved，“saladwasoneofthefavoritedishesoftheancients，andEvelyn……“
Hereageneralexplosionoflaughtercutshortthe`historyofsalads’，tothegreatsurpriseofthelearnedgentleman。
“BundleeverythingintoabasketandsendittotheHummels。Germanslikemesses。I’msickofthesightofthis，andthere’snoreasonyoushouldalldieofasurfeitbecauseI’vebeenafool，“criedAmy，wipinghereyes。
“IthoughtIshouldhavediedwhenIsawyoutwogirlsrattlingaboutinthewhat-you-call-it，liketwolittlekernelsinaverybignutshell，andMotherwaitinginstatetoreceivethethrong，“sighedJo，quitespentwithlaughter。
“I’mverysorryyouweredisappointed，dear，butwealldidourbesttosatisfyyou，“saidMrs。March，inatonefullofmotherlyregret。
“Iamsatisfied。I’vedonewhatIundertook，andit’snotmyfaultthatitfailed。Icomfortmyselfwiththat，“saidAmywithalittlequiverinhervoice。“Ithankyouallverymuchforhelpingme，andI’llthankyoustillmoreifyouwon’talludetoitforamonth，atleast。“