The little girls had a private tea party , and Ted roved among the edibles at his own sweet will . When no one could eat any more , the Professor proposed the first regular toast , which was always drunk at such times -- `` Aunt March , God bless her ! '' A toast heartily given by the good man , who never forgot how much he owed her , and quietly drunk by the boys , who had been taught to keep her memory green . `` Now , Grandma 's sixtieth birthday ! Long life to her , with three times three ! '' That was given with a will , as you may well believe , and the cheering once begun , it was hard to stop it . Everybody 's health was proposed , from Mr. Laurence , who was considered their special patron , to the astonished guinea pig , who had strayed from its proper sphere in search of its young master . Demi , as the oldest grandchild , then presented the queen of the day with various gifts , so numerous that they were transported to the festive scene in a wheelbarrow . Funny presents , some of them , but what would have been defects to other eyes were ornaments to Grandma 's -- for the children 's gifts were all their own . Every stitch Daisy 's patient little fingers had put into the handkerchiefs she hemmed was better than embroidery to Mrs. March . Demi 's miracle of mechanical skill , though the cover would n't shut , Rob 's footstool had a wiggle in its uneven legs that she declared was soothing , and no page of the costly book Amy 's child gave her was so fair as that on which appeared in tipsy capitals , the words -- `` To dear Grandma , from her little Beth . '' During the ceremony the boys had mysteriously disappeared , and when Mrs. March had tried to thank her children , and broken down , while Teddy wiped her eyes on his pinafore , the Professor suddenly began to sing . Then , from above him , voice after voice took up the words , and from tree to tree echoed the music of the unseen choir , as the boys sang with all their hearts the little song that Jo had written , Laurie set to music , and the Professor trained his lads to give with the best effect . This was something altogether new , and it proved a grand success , for Mrs. March could n't get over her surprise , and insisted on shaking hands with every one of the featherless birds , from tall Franz and Emil to the little quadroon , who had the sweetest voice of all . After this , the boys dispersed for a final lark , leaving Mrs. March and her daughters under the festival tree . `` I do n't think I ever ought to call myself ` unlucky Jo ' again , when my greatest wish has been so beautifully gratified , '' said Mrs. Bhaer , taking Teddy 's little fist out of the milk pitcher , in which he was rapturously churning . `` And yet your life is very different from the one you pictured so long ago . Do you remember our castles in the air ? '' asked Amy , smiling as she watched Laurie and John playing cricket with the boys . `` Dear fellows !
It does my heart good to see them forget business and frolic for a day , '' answered XXXXX , who now spoke in a maternal way of all mankind .
Beth Bhaer Demi Emil Franz Jo edibles grandchild pinafore sixtieth