`` None of them . She heard of a young horse at the farm house over the river , and though a lady had never ridden him , she resolved to try , because he was handsome and spirited . Her struggles were really pathetic . There was no one to bring the horse to the saddle , so she took the saddle to the horse . My dear creature , she actually rowed it over the river , put it on her head , and marched up to the barn to the utter amazement of the old man ! '' `` Did she ride the horse ? '' `` Of course she did , and had a capital time . I expected to see her brought home in fragments , but she managed him perfectly , and was the life of the party . '' `` Well , I call that plucky ! '' and young Mr. Lamb turned an approving glance upon Amy , wondering what his mother could be saying to make the girl look so red and uncomfortable . She was still redder and more uncomfortable a moment after , when a sudden turn in the conversation introduced the subject of dress . One of the young ladies asked Jo where she got the pretty drab hat she wore to the picnic and stupid Jo , instead of mentioning the place where it was bought two years ago , must needs answer with unnecessary frankness , `` Oh , Amy painted it . You ca n't buy those soft shades , so we paint ours any color we like . It 's a great comfort to have an artistic sister . '' `` Is n't that an original idea ? '' cried Miss Lamb , who found Jo great fun . `` That 's nothing compared to some of her brilliant performances . There 's nothing the child ca n't do . Why , she wanted a pair of blue boots for Sallie 's party , so she just painted her soiled white ones the loveliest shade of sky blue you ever saw , and they looked exactly like satin , '' added Jo , with an air of pride in her sister 's accomplishments that exasperated Amy till she felt that it would be a relief to throw her cardcase at her . `` We read a story of yours the other day , and enjoyed it very much , '' observed the elder Miss Lamb , wishing to compliment the literary lady , who did not look the character just then , it must be confessed .
Any mention of her ` works ' always had a bad effect upon XXXXX , who either grew rigid and looked offended , or changed the subject with a brusque remark , as now .
Amy Jo Lamb Mr. Sallie boots cardcase color course picnic