`` That 's loving our neighbor better than ourselves , and I like it , '' said Meg , as they set out their presents while their mother was upstairs collecting clothes for the poor Hummels . Not a very splendid show , but there was a great deal of love done up in the few little bundles , and the tall vase of red roses , white chrysanthemums , and trailing vines , which stood in the middle , gave quite an elegant air to the table . `` She 's coming ! Strike up , Beth ! Open the door , Amy ! Three cheers for Marmee ! '' cried Jo , prancing about while Meg went to conduct Mother to the seat of honor . Beth played her gayest march , Amy threw open the door , and Meg enacted escort with great dignity . Mrs. March was both surprised and touched , and smiled with her eyes full as she examined her presents and read the little notes which accompanied them . The slippers went on at once , a new handkerchief was slipped into her pocket , well scented with Amy 's cologne , the rose was fastened in her bosom , and the nice gloves were pronounced a perfect fit . There was a good deal of laughing and kissing and explaining , in the simple , loving fashion which makes these home festivals so pleasant at the time , so sweet to remember long afterward , and then all fell to work . The morning charities and ceremonies took so much time that the rest of the day was devoted to preparations for the evening festivities . Being still too young to go often to the theater , and not rich enough to afford any great outlay for private performances , the girls put their wits to work , and necessity being the mother of invention , made whatever they needed . Very clever were some of their productions , pasteboard guitars , antique lamps made of old-fashioned butter boats covered with silver paper , gorgeous robes of old cotton , glittering with tin spangles from a pickle factory , and armor covered with the same useful diamond shaped bits left in sheets when the lids of preserve pots were cut out . The big chamber was the scene of many innocent revels . No gentleman were admitted , so Jo played male parts to her heart 's content and took immense satisfaction in a pair of russet leather boots given her by a friend , who knew a lady who knew an actor . These boots , an old foil , and a slashed doublet once used by an artist for some picture , were Jo 's chief treasures and appeared on all occasions . The smallness of the company made it necessary for the two principal actors to take several parts apiece , and they certainly deserved some credit for the hard work they did in learning three or four different parts , whisking in and out of various costumes , and managing the stage besides . It was excellent drill for their memories , a harmless amusement , and employed many hours which otherwise would have been idle , lonely , or spent in less profitable society . On Christmas night , a dozen girls piled onto the bed which was the dress circle , and sat before the blue and yellow chintz curtains in a most flattering state of expectancy .
There was a good deal of rustling and whispering behind the curtain , a trifle of lamp smoke , and an occasional giggle from XXXXX , who was apt to get hysterical in the excitement of the moment .
Amy Beth Jo Mother chintz doublet hours morning pasteboard spangles