`` Well , they can eat beef and bread and butter , if they are hungry , only it 's mortifying to have to spend your whole morning for nothing , '' thought Jo , as she rang the bell half an hour later than usual , and stood , hot , tired , and dispirited , surveying the feast spread before Laurie , accustomed to all sorts of elegance , and Miss Crocker , whose tattling tongue would report them far and wide . Poor Jo would gladly have gone under the table , as one thing after another was tasted and left , while Amy giggled , Meg looked distressed , Miss Crocker pursed her lips , and Laurie talked and laughed with all his might to give a cheerful tone to the festive scene . Jo 's one strong point was the fruit , for she had sugared it well , and had a pitcher of rich cream to eat with it . Her hot cheeks cooled a trifle , and she drew a long breath as the pretty glass plates went round , and everyone looked graciously at the little rosy islands floating in a sea of cream . Miss Crocker tasted first , made a wry face , and drank some water hastily . Jo , who refused , thinking there might not be enough , for they dwindled sadly after the picking over , glanced at Laurie , but he was eating away manfully , though there was a slight pucker about his mouth and he kept his eye fixed on his plate . Amy , who was fond of delicate fare , took a heaping spoonful , choked , hid her face in her napkin , and left the table precipitately . `` Oh , what is it ? '' exclaimed Jo , trembling . `` Salt instead of sugar , and the cream is sour , '' replied Meg with a tragic gesture . Jo uttered a groan and fell back in her chair , remembering that she had given a last hasty powdering to the berries out of one of the two boxes on the kitchen table , and had neglected to put the milk in the refrigerator . She turned scarlet and was on the verge of crying , when she met Laurie 's eyes , which would look merry in spite of his heroic efforts . The comical side of the affair suddenly struck her , and she laughed till the tears ran down her cheeks . So did everyone else , even ` Croaker ' as the girls called the old lady , and the unfortunate dinner ended gaily , with bread and butter , olives and fun . `` I have n't strength of mind enough to clear up now , so we will sober ourselves with a funeral , '' said Jo , as they rose , and Miss Crocker made ready to go , being eager to tell the new story at another friend 's dinner table . They did sober themselves for Beth 's sake . Laurie dug a grave under the ferns in the grove , little Pip was laid in , with many tears by his tender-hearted mistress , and covered with moss , while a wreath of violets and chickweed was hung on the stone which bore his epitaph , composed by Jo while she struggled with the dinner . Here lies Pip March , Who died the 7th of June ; Loved and lamented sore , And not forgotten soon . At the conclusion of the ceremonies , Beth retired to her room , overcome with emotion and lobster , but there was no place of repose , for the beds were not made , and she found her grief much assuaged by beating up the pillows and putting things in order . Meg helped Jo clear away the remains of the feast , which took half the afternoon and left them so tired that they agreed to be contented with tea and toast for supper .
Laurie took XXXXX to drive , which was a deed of charity , for the sour cream seemed to have had a bad effect upon her temper .
Amy Beth Crocker Meg afternoon first left morning powdering pucker