asked Jo , with a satisfied air as they walked away . `` Nothing could have been worse , '' was Amy 's crushing reply . `` What possessed you to tell those stories about my saddle , and the hats and boots , and all the rest of it ? '' `` Why , it 's funny , and amuses people . They know we are poor , so it 's no use pretending that we have grooms , buy three or four hats a season , and have things as easy and fine as they do . '' `` You need n't go and tell them all our little shifts , and expose our poverty in that perfectly unnecessary way . You have n't a bit of proper pride , and never will learn when to hold your tongue and when to speak , '' said Amy despairingly . Poor Jo looked abashed , and silently chafed the end of her nose with the stiff handkerchief , as if performing a penance for her misdemeanors . `` How shall I behave here ? '' she asked , as they approached the third mansion . `` Just as you please . I wash my hands of you , '' was Amy 's short answer . `` Then I 'll enjoy myself . The boys are at home , and we 'll have a comfortable time . Goodness knows I need a little change , for elegance has a bad effect upon my constitution , '' returned Jo gruffly , being disturbed by her failure to suit . An enthusiastic welcome from three big boys and several pretty children speedily soothed her ruffled feelings , and leaving Amy to entertain the hostess and Mr. Tudor , who happened to be calling likewise , Jo devoted herself to the young folks and found the change refreshing . She listened to college stories with deep interest , caressed pointers and poodles without a murmur , agreed heartily that `` Tom Brown was a brick , '' regardless of the improper form of praise , and when one lad proposed a visit to his turtle tank , she went with an alacrity which caused Mamma to smile upon her , as that motherly lady settled the cap which was left in a ruinous condition by filial hugs , bearlike but affectionate , and dearer to her than the most faultless coiffure from the hands of an inspired Frenchwoman . Leaving her sister to her own devices , Amy proceeded to enjoy herself to her heart 's content . Mr. Tudor 's uncle had married an English lady who was third cousin to a living lord , and Amy regarded the whole family with great respect , for in spite of her American birth and breeding , she possessed that reverence for titles which haunts the best of us -- that unacknowledged loyalty to the early faith in kings which set the most democratic nation under the sun in ferment at the coming of a royal yellow-haired laddie , some years ago , and which still has something to do with the love the young country bears the old , like that of a big son for an imperious little mother , who held him while she could , and let him go with a farewell scolding when he rebelled . But even the satisfaction of talking with a distant connection of the British nobility did not render Amy forgetful of time , and when the proper number of minutes had passed , she reluctantly tore herself from this aristocratic society , and looked about for Jo , fervently hoping that her incorrigible sister would not be found in any position which should bring disgrace upon the name of March .
It might have been worse , but XXXXX considered it bad .
American Amy British English Frenchwoman Tudor hugs minutes poodles third