`` Why in the world should you spend your money , worry your family , and turn the house upside down for a parcel of girls who do n't care a sixpence for you ? I thought you had too much pride and sense to truckle to any mortal woman just because she wears French boots and rides in a coupe , '' said Jo , who , being called from the tragic climax of her novel , was not in the best mood for social enterprises . `` I do n't truckle , and I hate being patronized as much as you do ! '' returned Amy indignantly , for the two still jangled when such questions arose . `` The girls do care for me , and I for them , and there 's a great deal of kindness and sense and talent among them , in spite of what you call fashionable nonsense . You do n't care to make people like you , to go into good society , and cultivate your manners and tastes . I do , and I mean to make the most of every chance that comes . You can go through the world with your elbows out and your nose in the air , and call it independence , if you like . That 's not my way . '' When Amy had whetted her tongue and freed her mind she usually got the best of it , for she seldom failed to have common sense on her side , while Jo carried her love of liberty and hate of conventionalities to such an unlimited extent that she naturally found herself worsted in an argument . Amy 's definition of Jo 's idea of independence was such a good hit that both burst out laughing , and the discussion took a more amiable turn . Much against her will , Jo at length consented to sacrifice a day to Mrs. Grundy , and help her sister through what she regarded as ' a nonsensical business ' . The invitations were sent , nearly all accepted , and the following Monday was set apart for the grand event . Hannah was out of humor because her week 's work was deranged , and prophesied that `` ef the washin ' and ironin ' war n't done reg ` lar , nothin ' would go well anywheres '' . This hitch in the mainspring of the domestic machinery had a bad effect upon the whole concern , but Amy 's motto was ` Nil desperandum ' , and having made up her mind what to do , she proceeded to do it in spite of all obstacles . To begin with , Hannah 's cooking did n't turn out well . The chicken was tough , the tongue too salty , and the chocolate would n't froth properly . Then the cake and ice cost more than Amy expected , so did the wagon , and various other expenses , which seemed trifling at the outset , counted up rather alarmingly afterward . Beth got a cold and took to her bed . Meg had an unusual number of callers to keep her at home , and Jo was in such a divided state of mind that her breakages , accidents , and mistakes were uncommonly numerous , serious , and trying .
If it was not fair on Monday , the young ladies were to come on Tuesday , an arrangement which aggravated Jo and XXXXX to the last degree .
Amy Grundy Hannah Jo anywheres breakages conventionalities mainspring war washin