There was ice cream , actually two dishes of it , pink and white , and cake and fruit and distracting French bonbons and , in the middle of the table , four great bouquets of hot house flowers . It quite took their breath away , and they stared first at the table and then at their mother , who looked as if she enjoyed it immensely . `` Is it fairies ? '' asked Amy . `` Santa Claus , '' said Beth . `` Mother did it . '' And Meg smiled her sweetest , in spite of her gray beard and white eyebrows . `` Aunt March had a good fit and sent the supper , '' cried Jo , with a sudden inspiration . `` All wrong . Old Mr. Laurence sent it , '' replied Mrs. March . `` The Laurence boy 's grandfather ! What in the world put such a thing into his head ? We do n't know him ! '' exclaimed Meg . `` Hannah told one of his servants about your breakfast party . He is an odd old gentleman , but that pleased him . He knew my father years ago , and he sent me a polite note this afternoon , saying he hoped I would allow him to express his friendly feeling toward my children by sending them a few trifles in honor of the day . I could not refuse , and so you have a little feast at night to make up for the bread-and-milk breakfast . '' `` That boy put it into his head , I know he did ! He 's a capital fellow , and I wish we could get acquainted .
He looks as if he 'd like to know us but he 's bashful , and Meg is so prim she wo n't let me speak to him when we pass , '' said XXXXX , as the plates went round , and the ice began to melt out of sight , with ohs and ahs of satisfaction .
Amy Beth Hannah Jo Laurence Meg Mother afternoon bonbons trifles