`` Where 's the use of looking nice , when no one sees me but those cross midgets , and no one cares whether I 'm pretty or not ? '' she muttered , shutting her drawer with a jerk . `` I shall have to toil and moil all my days , with only little bits of fun now and then , and get old and ugly and sour , because I 'm poor and ca n't enjoy my life as other girls do . It 's a shame ! '' So Meg went down , wearing an injured look , and was n't at all agreeable at breakfast time . Everyone seemed rather out of sorts and inclined to croak . Beth had a headache and lay on the sofa , trying to comfort herself with the cat and three kittens . Amy was fretting because her lessons were not learned , and she could n't find her rubbers . Jo would whistle and make a great racket getting ready . Mrs. March was very busy trying to finish a letter , which must go at once , and Hannah had the grumps , for being up late did n't suit her . `` There never was such a cross family ! '' cried Jo , losing her temper when she had upset an inkstand , broken both boot lacings , and sat down upon her hat . `` You 're the crossest person in it ! '' returned Amy , washing out the sum that was all wrong with the tears that had fallen on her slate . `` Beth , if you do n't keep these horrid cats down cellar I 'll have them drowned , '' exclaimed Meg angrily as she tried to get rid of the kitten which had scrambled up her back and stuck like a burr just out of reach . Jo laughed , Meg scolded , Beth implored , and Amy wailed because she could n't remember how much nine times twelve was . `` Girls , girls , do be quiet one minute ! I must get this off by the early mail , and you drive me distracted with your worry , '' cried Mrs. March , crossing out the third spoiled sentence in her letter . There was a momentary lull , broken by Hannah , who stalked in , laid two hot turnovers on the table , and stalked out again . These turnovers were an institution , and the girls called them ` muffs ' , for they had no others and found the hot pies very comforting to their hands on cold mornings .
XXXXX never forgot to make them , no matter how busy or grumpy she might be , for the walk was long and bleak .
Amy Beth Hannah Jo days drowned lacings mornings muffs rubbers