Hoping to impress the lesson more deeply , Mrs. March , who had a good deal of humor , resolved to finish off the trial in an appropriate manner , so she gave Hannah a holiday and let the girls enjoy the full effect of the play system . When they got up on Saturday morning , there was no fire in the kitchen , no breakfast in the dining room , and no mother anywhere to be seen . `` Mercy on us ! What has happened ? '' cried Jo , staring about her in dismay . Meg ran upstairs and soon came back again , looking relieved but rather bewildered , and a little ashamed . `` Mother is n't sick , only very tired , and she says she is going to stay quietly in her room all day and let us do the best we can . It 's a very queer thing for her to do , she does n't act a bit like herself . But she says it has been a hard week for her , so we must n't grumble but take care of ourselves . '' `` That 's easy enough , and I like the idea , I 'm aching for something to do , that is , some new amusement , you know , '' added Jo quickly . In fact it was an immense relief to them all to have a little work , and they took hold with a will , but soon realized the truth of Hannah 's saying , `` Housekeeping ai n't no joke . '' There was plenty of food in the larder , and while Beth and Amy set the table , Meg and Jo got breakfast , wondering as they did why servants ever talked about hard work . `` I shall take some up to Mother , though she said we were not to think of her , for she 'd take care of herself , '' said Meg , who presided and felt quite matronly behind the teapot . So a tray was fitted out before anyone began , and taken up with the cook 's compliments . The boiled tea was very bitter , the omelet scorched , and the biscuits speckled with saleratus , but Mrs. March received her repast with thanks and laughed heartily over it after Jo was gone . `` Poor little souls , they will have a hard time , I 'm afraid , but they wo n't suffer , and it will do them good , '' she said , producing the more palatable viands with which she had provided herself , and disposing of the bad breakfast , so that their feelings might not be hurt , a motherly little deception for which they were grateful . Many were the complaints below , and great the chagrin of the head cook at her failures . `` Never mind , I 'll get the dinner and be servant , you be mistress , keep your hands nice , see company , and give orders , '' said Jo , who knew still less than Meg about culinary affairs . This obliging offer was gladly accepted , and Margaret retired to the parlor , which she hastily put in order by whisking the litter under the sofa and shutting the blinds to save the trouble of dusting . Jo , with perfect faith in her own powers and a friendly desire to make up the quarrel , immediately put a note in the office , inviting Laurie to dinner .
`` You 'd better see what you have got before you think of having company , '' said XXXXX , when informed of the hospitable but rash act .
Jo Laurie Margaret Meg Mother day fire morning repast saleratus