Any girl reader who has suffered like afflictions will sympathize with poor Amy and wish her well through her task . There was great indignation at home when she told her story that evening . Her mother said it was a shame , but told her she had done right . Beth declared she would n't go to the fair at all , and Jo demanded why she did n't take all her pretty things and leave those mean people to get on without her . `` Because they are mean is no reason why I should be . I hate such things , and though I think I 've a right to be hurt , I do n't intend to show it . They will feel that more than angry speeches or huffy actions , wo n't they , Marmee ? '' `` That 's the right spirit , my dear . A kiss for a blow is always best , though it 's not very easy to give it sometimes , '' said her mother , with the air of one who had learned the difference between preaching and practicing . In spite of various very natural temptations to resent and retaliate , Amy adhered to her resolution all the next day , bent on conquering her enemy by kindness . She began well , thanks to a silent reminder that came to her unexpectedly , but most opportunely . As she arranged her table that morning , while the little girls were in the anteroom filling the baskets , she took up her pet production , a little book , the antique cover of which her father had found among his treasures , and in which on leaves of vellum she had beautifully illuminated different texts . As she turned the pages rich in dainty devices with very pardonable pride , her eye fell upon one verse that made her stop and think . Framed in a brilliant scrollwork of scarlet , blue and gold , with little spirits of good will helping one another up and down among the thorns and flowers , were the words , `` Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself . '' `` I ought , but I do n't , '' thought Amy , as her eye went from the bright page to May 's discontented face behind the big vases , that could not hide the vacancies her pretty work had once filled . Amy stood a minute , turning the leaves in her hand , reading on each some sweet rebuke for all heartburnings and uncharitableness of spirit . Many wise and true sermons are preached us every day by unconscious ministers in street , school , office , or home . Even a fair table may become a pulpit , if it can offer the good and helpful words which are never out of season . Amy 's conscience preached her a little sermon from that text , then and there , and she did what many of us do not always do , took the sermon to heart , and straightway put it in practice . A group of girls were standing about May 's table , admiring the pretty things , and talking over the change of saleswomen .
They dropped their voices , but XXXXX knew they were speaking of her , hearing one side of the story and judging accordingly .
Amy Beth anteroom evening heartburnings minute morning scrollwork thyself uncharitableness