The rest of the family , being of a dramatic turn , played their parts equally well , and Miss Eliott found them a most hilarious set , for it was impossible to control entirely the merriment which possessed them . The remodeled lunch being gaily partaken of , the studio and garden visited , and art discussed with enthusiasm , Amy ordered a buggy -LRB- alas for the elegant cherry-bounce -RRB- , and drove her friend quietly about the neighborhood till sunset , when ` the party went out ' . As she came walking in , looking very tired but as composed as ever , she observed that every vestige of the unfortunate fete had disappeared , except a suspicious pucker about the corners of Jo 's mouth . `` You 've had a loverly afternoon for your drive , dear , '' said her mother , as respectfully as if the whole twelve had come . `` Miss Eliott is a very sweet girl , and seemed to enjoy herself , I thought , '' observed Beth , with unusual warmth . `` Could you spare me some of your cake ? I really need some , I have so much company , and I ca n't make such delicious stuff as yours , '' asked Meg soberly . `` Take it all . I 'm the only one here who likes sweet things , and it will mold before I can dispose of it , '' answered Amy , thinking with a sigh of the generous store she had laid in for such an end as this . `` It 's a pity Laurie is n't here to help us , '' began Jo , as they sat down to ice cream and salad for the second time in two days . A warning look from her mother checked any further remarks , and the whole family ate in heroic silence , till Mr. March mildly observed , `` salad was one of the favorite dishes of the ancients , and Evelyn ... '' Here a general explosion of laughter cut short the ` history of salads ' , to the great surprise of the learned gentleman . `` Bundle everything into a basket and send it to the Hummels . Germans like messes . I 'm sick of the sight of this , and there 's no reason you should all die of a surfeit because I 've been a fool , '' cried Amy , wiping her eyes . `` I thought I should have died when I saw you two girls rattling about in the what-you-call-it , like two little kernels in a very big nutshell , and Mother waiting in state to receive the throng , '' sighed Jo , quite spent with laughter . `` I 'm very sorry you were disappointed , dear , but we all did our best to satisfy you , '' said Mrs. March , in a tone full of motherly regret . `` I am satisfied . I 've done what I undertook , and it 's not my fault that it failed . I comfort myself with that , '' said Amy with a little quiver in her voice . `` I thank you all very much for helping me , and I 'll thank you still more if you wo n't allude to it for a month , at least . ''
No one did for several months , but the word ` fete ' always produced a general smile , and XXXXX 's birthday gift to Amy was a tiny coral lobster in the shape of a charm for her watch guard .
Amy Beth Eliott Hummels Jo Laurie Meg month partaken pucker