`` Upon my word , here 's a state of things ! '' cried the old lady , taking the seat of honor prepared for her , and settling the folds of her lavender moire with a great rustle . `` You ought n't to be seen till the last minute , child . '' `` I 'm not a show , Aunty , and no one is coming to stare at me , to criticize my dress , or count the cost of my luncheon . I 'm too happy to care what anyone says or thinks , and I 'm going to have my little wedding just as I like it . John , dear , here 's your hammer . '' And away went Meg to help ` that man ' in his highly improper employment . Mr. Brooke did n't even say , `` Thank you , '' but as he stooped for the unromantic tool , he kissed his little bride behind the folding door , with a look that made Aunt March whisk out her pocket handkerchief with a sudden dew in her sharp old eyes . A crash , a cry , and a laugh from Laurie , accompanied by the indecorous exclamation , `` Jupiter Ammon ! Jo 's upset the cake again ! '' caused a momentary flurry , which was hardly over when a flock of cousins arrived , and ` the party came in ' , as Beth used to say when a child . `` Do n't let that young giant come near me , he worries me worse than mosquitoes , '' whispered the old lady to Amy , as the rooms filled and Laurie 's black head towered above the rest . `` He has promised to be very good today , and he can be perfectly elegant if he likes , '' returned Amy , and gliding away to warn Hercules to beware of the dragon , which warning caused him to haunt the old lady with a devotion that nearly distracted her . There was no bridal procession , but a sudden silence fell upon the room as Mr. March and the young couple took their places under the green arch . Mother and sisters gathered close , as if loath to give Meg up . The fatherly voice broke more than once , which only seemed to make the service more beautiful and solemn . The bridegroom 's hand trembled visibly , and no one heard his replies . But Meg looked straight up in her husband 's eyes , and said , `` I will ! '' with such tender trust in her own face and voice that her mother 's heart rejoiced and Aunt March sniffed audibly . Jo did not cry , though she was very near it once , and was only saved from a demonstration by the consciousness that Laurie was staring fixedly at her , with a comical mixture of merriment and emotion in his wicked black eyes .
Beth kept her face hidden on her mother 's shoulder , but XXXXX stood like a graceful statue , with a most becoming ray of sunshine touching her white forehead and the flower in her hair .
Ammon Amy Aunty Beth Jo John Laurie Meg Mother crash