So busy was she with her card full of refractory figures that she did not observe a newcomer , who entered without stopping the vehicle , till a masculine voice said , `` Good morning , Miss March , '' and , looking up , she beheld one of Laurie 's most elegant college friends . Fervently hoping that he would get out before she did , Amy utterly ignored the basket at her feet , and congratulating herself that she had on her new traveling dress , returned the young man 's greeting with her usual suavity and spirit . They got on excellently , for Amy 's chief care was soon set at rest by learning that the gentleman would leave first , and she was chatting away in a peculiarly lofty strain , when the old lady got out . In stumbling to the door , she upset the basket , and -- oh horror ! -- the lobster , in all its vulgar size and brilliancy , was revealed to the highborn eyes of a Tudor ! `` By Jove , she 's forgotten her dinner ! '' cried the unconscious youth , poking the scarlet monster into its place with his cane , and preparing to hand out the basket after the old lady . `` Please do n't -- it 's -- it 's mine , '' murmured Amy , with a face nearly as red as her fish . `` Oh , really , I beg pardon . It 's an uncommonly fine one , is n't it ? '' said Tudor , with great presence of mind , and an air of sober interest that did credit to his breeding . Amy recovered herself in a breath , set her basket boldly on the seat , and said , laughing , `` Do n't you wish you were to have some of the salad he 's going to make , and to see the charming young ladies who are to eat it ? '' Now that was tact , for two of the ruling foibles of the masculine mind were touched . The lobster was instantly surrounded by a halo of pleasing reminiscences , and curiosity about ` the charming young ladies ' diverted his mind from the comical mishap . `` I suppose he 'll laugh and joke over it with Laurie , but I sha n't see them , that 's a comfort , '' thought Amy , as Tudor bowed and departed . She did not mention this meeting at home -LRB- though she discovered that , thanks to the upset , her new dress was much damaged by the rivulets of dressing that meandered down the skirt -RRB- , but went through with the preparations which now seemed more irksome than before , and at twelve o'clock all was ready again . Feeling that the neighbors were interested in her movements , she wished to efface the memory of yesterday 's failure by a grand success today , so she ordered the ` cherry bounce ' , and drove away in state to meet and escort her guests to the banquet . `` There 's the rumble , they 're coming ! I 'll go onto the porch and meet them . It looks hospitable , and I want the poor child to have a good time after all her trouble , '' said Mrs. March , suiting the action to the word .
But after one glance , she retired , with an indescribable expression , for looking quite lost in the big carriage , sat XXXXX and one young lady .
Amy Jove Laurie Tudor brilliancy cane congratulating first fish o'clock