They move in the best society , are valuable persons for us to know , and I would n't fail to make a good impression there for anything . '' `` I 'll be agreeable . I 'll gossip and giggle , and have horrors and raptures over any trifle you like . I rather enjoy this , and now I 'll imitate what is called ' a charming girl ' . I can do it , for I have May Chester as a model , and I 'll improve upon her . See if the Lambs do n't say , ` What a lively , nice creature that Jo March is ! '' Amy felt anxious , as well she might , for when Jo turned freakish there was no knowing where she would stop . Amy 's face was a study when she saw her sister skim into the next drawing room , kiss all the young ladies with effusion , beam graciously upon the young gentlemen , and join in the chat with a spirit which amazed the beholder . Amy was taken possession of by Mrs. Lamb , with whom she was a favorite , and forced to hear a long account of Lucretia 's last attack , while three delightful young gentlemen hovered near , waiting for a pause when they might rush in and rescue her . So situated , she was powerless to check Jo , who seemed possessed by a spirit of mischief , and talked away as volubly as the lady . A knot of heads gathered about her , and Amy strained her ears to hear what was going on , for broken sentences filled her with curiosity , and frequent peals of laughter made her wild to share the fun . One may imagine her suffering on overhearing fragments of this sort of conversation . `` She rides splendidly . Who taught her ? '' `` No one . She used to practice mounting , holding the reins , and sitting straight on an old saddle in a tree . Now she rides anything , for she does n't know what fear is , and the stableman lets her have horses cheap because she trains them to carry ladies so well . She has such a passion for it , I often tell her if everything else fails , she can be a horsebreaker , and get her living so . '' At this awful speech Amy contained herself with difficulty , for the impression was being given that she was rather a fast young lady , which was her especial aversion . But what could she do ?
For the old lady was in the middle of her story , and long before it was done , XXXXX was off again , making more droll revelations and committing still more fearful blunders .
Chester Jo Lamb Lucretia March attack beholder effusion horsebreaker skim