But it does seem so nice to have little suppers and bouquets , and go to parties , and drive home , and read and rest , and not work . It 's like other people , you know , and I always envy girls who do such things , I 'm so fond of luxury , '' said Meg , trying to decide which of two shabby gowns was the least shabby . `` Well , we ca n't have it , so do n't let us grumble but shoulder our bundles and trudge along as cheerfully as Marmee does . I 'm sure Aunt March is a regular Old Man of the Sea to me , but I suppose when I 've learned to carry her without complaining , she will tumble off , or get so light that I sha n't mind her . '' This idea tickled Jo 's fancy and put her in good spirits , but Meg did n't brighten , for her burden , consisting of four spoiled children , seemed heavier than ever . She had not heart enough even to make herself pretty as usual by putting on a blue neck ribbon and dressing her hair in the most becoming way . `` Where 's the use of looking nice , when no one sees me but those cross midgets , and no one cares whether I 'm pretty or not ? '' she muttered , shutting her drawer with a jerk . `` I shall have to toil and moil all my days , with only little bits of fun now and then , and get old and ugly and sour , because I 'm poor and ca n't enjoy my life as other girls do . It 's a shame ! '' So Meg went down , wearing an injured look , and was n't at all agreeable at breakfast time . Everyone seemed rather out of sorts and inclined to croak . Beth had a headache and lay on the sofa , trying to comfort herself with the cat and three kittens . Amy was fretting because her lessons were not learned , and she could n't find her rubbers . Jo would whistle and make a great racket getting ready . Mrs. March was very busy trying to finish a letter , which must go at once , and Hannah had the grumps , for being up late did n't suit her . `` There never was such a cross family ! '' cried Jo , losing her temper when she had upset an inkstand , broken both boot lacings , and sat down upon her hat . `` You 're the crossest person in it ! '' returned Amy , washing out the sum that was all wrong with the tears that had fallen on her slate .
`` Beth , if you do n't keep these horrid cats down cellar I 'll have them drowned , '' exclaimed XXXXX angrily as she tried to get rid of the kitten which had scrambled up her back and stuck like a burr just out of reach .
Amy Beth Hannah Marmee Meg days grumps inkstand midgets rubbers