`` I do n't want you to do anything but be civil to him and help to the pudding . You 'll give me your advice if I get in a muddle , wo n't you ? '' asked Jo , rather hurt . `` Yes , but I do n't know much , except about bread and a few trifles . You had better ask Mother 's leave before you order anything , '' returned Meg prudently . `` Of course I shall . I 'm not a fool . '' And Jo went off in a huff at the doubts expressed of her powers . `` Get what you like , and do n't disturb me . I 'm going out to dinner and ca n't worry about things at home , '' said Mrs. March , when Jo spoke to her . `` I never enjoyed housekeeping , and I 'm going to take a vacation today , and read , write , go visiting , and amuse myself . '' The unusual spectacle of her busy mother rocking comfortably and reading early in the morning made Jo feel as if some unnatural phenomenon had occurred , for an eclipse , an earthquake , or a volcanic eruption would hardly have seemed stranger . `` Everything is out of sorts , somehow , '' she said to herself , going downstairs . `` There 's Beth crying , that 's a sure sign that something is wrong in this family . If Amy is bothering , I 'll shake her . '' Feeling very much out of sorts herself , Jo hurried into the parlor to find Beth sobbing over Pip , the canary , who lay dead in the cage with his little claws pathetically extended , as if imploring the food for want of which he had died . `` It 's all my fault , I forgot him , there is n't a seed or a drop left . Oh , Pip ! Oh , Pip ! How could I be so cruel to you ? ''
cried XXXXX , taking the poor thing in her hands and trying to restore him .
Amy Beth Jo Meg Mother earthquake eruption left pudding trifles