It used to be pricking bits of rubber to make balls . '' And Meg tried to keep her countenance , Amy looked so grave and important . `` Why , you see , the girls are always buying them , and unless you want to be thought mean , you must do it too . It 's nothing but limes now , for everyone is sucking them in their desks in schooltime , and trading them off for pencils , bead rings , paper dolls , or something else , at recess . If one girl likes another , she gives her a lime . If she 's mad with her , she eats one before her face , and does n't offer even a suck . They treat by turns , and I 've had ever so many but have n't returned them , and I ought for they are debts of honor , you know . '' `` How much will pay them off and restore your credit ? '' asked Meg , taking out her purse . `` A quarter would more than do it , and leave a few cents over for a treat for you . Do n't you like limes ? '' `` Not much . You may have my share . Here 's the money . Make it last as long as you can , for it is n't very plenty , you know . '' `` Oh , thank you ! It must be so nice to have pocket money ! I 'll have a grand feast , for I have n't tasted a lime this week . I felt delicate about taking any , as I could n't return them , and I 'm actually suffering for one . '' Next day Amy was rather late at school , but could not resist the temptation of displaying , with pardonable pride , a moist brown-paper parcel , before she consigned it to the inmost recesses of her desk .
During the next few minutes the rumor that Amy March had got twenty-four delicious XXXXX -LRB- she ate one on the way -RRB- and was going to treat circulated through her ` set ' , and the attentions of her friends became quite overwhelming .
Amy Meg cents lime limes pride quarter recesses schooltime temptation