asked her mother , beginning to look sober . `` Twelve or fourteen in the class , but I dare say they wo n't all come . '' `` Bless me , child , you will have to charter an omnibus to carry them about . '' `` Why , Mother , how can you think of such a thing ? Not more than six or eight will probably come , so I shall hire a beach wagon and borrow Mr. Laurence 's cherry-bounce . '' -LRB- Hannah 's pronunciation of char-a-banc . -RRB- `` All of this will be expensive , Amy . '' `` Not very . I 've calculated the cost , and I 'll pay for it myself . '' `` Do n't you think , dear , that as these girls are used to such things , and the best we can do will be nothing new , that some simpler plan would be pleasanter to them , as a change if nothing more , and much better for us than buying or borrowing what we do n't need , and attempting a style not in keeping with our circumstances ? '' `` If I ca n't have it as I like , I do n't care to have it at all . I know that I can carry it out perfectly well , if you and the girls will help a little , and I do n't see why I ca n't if I 'm willing to pay for it , '' said Amy , with the decision which opposition was apt to change into obstinacy . Mrs. March knew that experience was an excellent teacher , and when it was possible she left her children to learn alone the lessons which she would gladly have made easier , if they had not objected to taking advice as much as they did salts and senna . `` Very well , Amy , if your heart is set upon it , and you see your way through without too great an outlay of money , time , and temper , I 'll say no more . Talk it over with the girls , and whichever way you decide , I 'll do my best to help you . '' `` Thanks , Mother , you are always so kind . '' and away went Amy to lay her plan before her sisters . Meg agreed at once , and promised her aid , gladly offering anything she possessed , from her little house itself to her very best saltspoons . But Jo frowned upon the whole project and would have nothing to do with it at first . `` 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 XXXXX , who , being called from the tragic climax of her novel , was not in the best mood for social enterprises .
Jo Laurence Meg cherry-bounce first left omnibus saltspoons senna sixpence