Pride goes before a fall , and the revengeful Snow turned the tables with disastrous success . No sooner had the guest paid the usual stale compliments and bowed himself out , than Jenny , under pretense of asking an important question , informed Mr. Davis , the teacher , that Amy March had pickled limes in her desk . Now Mr. Davis had declared limes a contraband article , and solemnly vowed to publicly ferrule the first person who was found breaking the law . This much-enduring man had succeeded in banishing chewing gum after a long and stormy war , had made a bonfire of the confiscated novels and newspapers , had suppressed a private post office , had forbidden distortions of the face , nicknames , and caricatures , and done all that one man could do to keep half a hundred rebellious girls in order . Boys are trying enough to human patience , goodness knows , but girls are infinitely more so , especially to nervous gentlemen with tyrannical tempers and no more talent for teaching than Dr. Blimber . Mr. Davis knew any quantity of Greek , Latin , algebra , and ologies of all sorts so he was called a fine teacher , and manners , morals , feelings , and examples were not considered of any particular importance . It was a most unfortunate moment for denouncing Amy , and Jenny knew it . Mr. Davis had evidently taken his coffee too strong that morning , there was an east wind , which always affected his neuralgia , and his pupils had not done him the credit which he felt he deserved . Therefore , to use the expressive , if not elegant , language of a schoolgirl , `` He was as nervous as a witch and as cross as a bear '' . The word ` limes ' was like fire to powder , his yellow face flushed , and he rapped on his desk with an energy which made Jenny skip to her seat with unusual rapidity . `` Young ladies , attention , if you please ! '' At the stern order the buzz ceased , and fifty pairs of blue , black , gray , and brown eyes were obediently fixed upon his awful countenance . `` Miss March , come to the desk . '' Amy rose to comply with outward composure , but a secret fear oppressed her , for the limes weighed upon her conscience . `` Bring with you the limes you have in your desk , '' was the unexpected command which arrested her before she got out of her seat . `` Do n't take all . '' whispered her neighbor , a young lady of great presence of mind . Amy hastily shook out half a dozen and laid the rest down before Mr. Davis , feeling that any man possessing a human heart would relent when that delicious perfume met his nose . Unfortunately , Mr. Davis particularly detested the odor of the fashionable pickle , and disgust added to his wrath . `` Is that all ? ''
`` Not quite , '' stammered XXXXX .
Amy Blimber Davis Greek March fire first limes morning war