I do n't let the girls hev coffee only once a week , accordin to your wish , and keep em on plain wholesome vittles . Amy does well without frettin , wearin her best clothes and eatin sweet stuff . Mr. Laurie is as full of didoes as usual , and turns the house upside down frequent , but he heartens the girls , so I let em hev full swing . The old gentleman sends heaps of things , and is rather wearin , but means wal , and it aint my place to say nothin . My bread is riz , so no more at this time . I send my duty to Mr. March , and hope he 's seen the last of his Pewmonia . Yours respectful , Hannah Mullet Head Nurse of Ward No. 2 , All serene on the Rappahannock , troops in fine condition , commisary department well conducted , the Home Guard under Colonel Teddy always on duty , Commander in Chief General Laurence reviews the army daily , Quartermaster Mullet keeps order in camp , and Major Lion does picket duty at night . A salute of twenty-four guns was fired on receipt of good news from Washington , and a dress parade took place at headquarters . Commander in chief sends best wishes , in which he is heartily joined by ... COLONEL TEDDY Dear Madam : The little girls are all well . Beth and my boy report daily . Hannah is a model servant , and guards pretty Meg like a dragon . Glad the fine weather holds . Pray make Brooke useful , and draw on me for funds if expenses exceed your estimate . Do n't let your husband want anything . Thank God he is mending . Your sincere friend and servant , JAMES LAURENCE CHAPTER SEVENTEEN LITTLE FAITHFUL For a week the amount of virtue in the old house would have supplied the neighborhood . It was really amazing , for everyone seemed in a heavenly frame of mind , and self-denial was all the fashion . Relieved of their first anxiety about their father , the girls insensibly relaxed their praiseworthy efforts a little , and began to fall back into old ways . They did not forget their motto , but hoping and keeping busy seemed to grow easier , and after such tremendous exertions , they felt that Endeavor deserved a holiday , and gave it a good many . Jo caught a bad cold through neglect to cover the shorn head enough , and was ordered to stay at home till she was better , for Aunt March did n't like to hear people read with colds in their heads .
XXXXX liked this , and after an energetic rummage from garret to cellar , subsided on the sofa to nurse her cold with arsenicum and books .
Amy Beth Brooke Guard Jo Nurse didoes first frettin self-denial