A peal of laughter from Jo , Amy , Mrs. March , Hannah , and John caused him to open them the next minute , to find himself invested with two babies instead of one . No wonder they laughed , for the expression of his face was droll enough to convulse a Quaker , as he stood and stared wildly from the unconscious innocents to the hilarious spectators with such dismay that Jo sat down on the floor and screamed . `` Twins , by Jupiter ! '' was all he said for a minute , then turning to the women with an appealing look that was comically piteous , he added , `` Take 'em quick , somebody ! I 'm going to laugh , and I shall drop 'em . '' Jo rescued his babies , and marched up and down , with one on each arm , as if already initiated into the mysteries of babytending , while Laurie laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks . `` It 's the best joke of the season , is n't it ? I would n't have told you , for I set my heart on surprising you , and I flatter myself I 've done it , '' said Jo , when she got her breath . `` I never was more staggered in my life . Is n't it fun ? Are they boys ? What are you going to name them ? Let 's have another look . Hold me up , Jo , for upon my life it 's one too many for me , '' returned Laurie , regarding the infants with the air of a big , benevolent Newfoundland looking at a pair of infantile kittens . `` Boy and girl . Are n't they beauties ? '' said the proud papa , beaming upon the little red squirmers as if they were unfledged angels . `` Most remarkable children I ever saw . Which is which ? '' and Laurie bent like a well-sweep to examine the prodigies .
`` XXXXX put a blue ribbon on the boy and a pink on the girl , French fashion , so you can always tell .
Amy Hannah Jo John Laurie Newfoundland Quaker babytending minute squirmers