Jo read till her eyes gave out and she was sick of books , got so fidgety that even good-natured Laurie had a quarrel with her , and so reduced in spirits that she desperately wished she had gone with Aunt March . Beth got on pretty well , for she was constantly forgetting that it was to be all play and no work , and fell back into her old ways now and then . But something in the air affected her , and more than once her tranquility was much disturbed , so much so that on one occasion she actually shook poor dear Joanna and told her she was ' a fright ' . Amy fared worst of all , for her resources were small , and when her sisters left her to amuse herself , she soon found that accomplished and important little self a great burden . She did n't like dolls , fairy tales were childish , and one could n't draw all the time . Tea parties did n't amount to much , neither did picnics , unless very well conducted . `` If one could have a fine house , full of nice girls , or go traveling , the summer would be delightful , but to stay at home with three selfish sisters and a grown-up boy was enough to try the patience of a Boaz , '' complained Miss Malaprop , after several days devoted to pleasure , fretting , and ennui . No one would own that they were tired of the experiment , but by Friday night each acknowledged to herself that she was glad the week was nearly done . Hoping to impress the lesson more deeply , Mrs. March , who had a good deal of humor , resolved to finish off the trial in an appropriate manner , so she gave Hannah a holiday and let the girls enjoy the full effect of the play system . When they got up on Saturday morning , there was no fire in the kitchen , no breakfast in the dining room , and no mother anywhere to be seen . `` Mercy on us ! What has happened ? '' cried Jo , staring about her in dismay . Meg ran upstairs and soon came back again , looking relieved but rather bewildered , and a little ashamed . `` Mother is n't sick , only very tired , and she says she is going to stay quietly in her room all day and let us do the best we can . It 's a very queer thing for her to do , she does n't act a bit like herself . But she says it has been a hard week for her , so we must n't grumble but take care of ourselves . '' `` That 's easy enough , and I like the idea , I 'm aching for something to do , that is , some new amusement , you know , '' added Jo quickly . In fact it was an immense relief to them all to have a little work , and they took hold with a will , but soon realized the truth of Hannah 's saying , `` Housekeeping ai n't no joke . '' There was plenty of food in the larder , and while Beth and Amy set the table , Meg and Jo got breakfast , wondering as they did why servants ever talked about hard work .
`` I shall take some up to XXXXX , though she said we were not to think of her , for she 'd take care of herself , '' said Meg , who presided and felt quite matronly behind the teapot .
Amy Boaz Hannah Joanna Laurie Mother day days ennui left