Mrs. March was very busy trying to finish a letter , which must go at once , and Hannah had the grumps , for being up late did n't suit her . `` There never was such a cross family ! '' cried Jo , losing her temper when she had upset an inkstand , broken both boot lacings , and sat down upon her hat . `` You 're the crossest person in it ! '' returned Amy , washing out the sum that was all wrong with the tears that had fallen on her slate . `` Beth , if you do n't keep these horrid cats down cellar I 'll have them drowned , '' exclaimed Meg angrily as she tried to get rid of the kitten which had scrambled up her back and stuck like a burr just out of reach . Jo laughed , Meg scolded , Beth implored , and Amy wailed because she could n't remember how much nine times twelve was . `` Girls , girls , do be quiet one minute ! I must get this off by the early mail , and you drive me distracted with your worry , '' cried Mrs. March , crossing out the third spoiled sentence in her letter . There was a momentary lull , broken by Hannah , who stalked in , laid two hot turnovers on the table , and stalked out again . These turnovers were an institution , and the girls called them ` muffs ' , for they had no others and found the hot pies very comforting to their hands on cold mornings . Hannah never forgot to make them , no matter how busy or grumpy she might be , for the walk was long and bleak . The poor things got no other lunch and were seldom home before two . `` Cuddle your cats and get over your headache , Bethy . Goodbye , Marmee . We are a set of rascals this morning , but we 'll come home regular angels . Now then , Meg ! '' And Jo tramped away , feeling that the pilgrims were not setting out as they ought to do . They always looked back before turning the corner , for their mother was always at the window to nod and smile , and wave her hand to them . Somehow it seemed as if they could n't have got through the day without that , for whatever their mood might be , the last glimpse of that motherly face was sure to affect them like sunshine .
`` If Marmee shook her fist instead of kissing her hand to us , it would serve us right , for more ungrateful wretches than we are were never seen , '' cried XXXXX , taking a remorseful satisfaction in the snowy walk and bitter wind .
Amy Beth Bethy Jo drowned grumps inkstand muffs third turnovers