CHAPTER THIRTY CONSEQUENCES Mrs. Chester 's fair was so very elegant and select that it was considered a great honor by the young ladies of the neighborhood to be invited to take a table , and everyone was much interested in the matter . Amy was asked , but Jo was not , which was fortunate for all parties , as her elbows were decidedly akimbo at this period of her life , and it took a good many hard knocks to teach her how to get on easily . The ` haughty , uninteresting creature ' was let severely alone , but Amy 's talent and taste were duly complimented by the offer of the art table , and she exerted herself to prepare and secure appropriate and valuable contributions to it . Everything went on smoothly till the day before the fair opened , then there occurred one of the little skirmishes which it is almost impossible to avoid , when some five-and-twenty women , old and young , with all their private piques and prejudices , try to work together . May Chester was rather jealous of Amy because the latter was a greater favorite than herself , and just at this time several trifling circumstances occurred to increase the feeling . Amy 's dainty pen-and-ink work entirely eclipsed May 's painted vases -- that was one thorn . Then the all conquering Tudor had danced four times with Amy at a late party and only once with May -- that was thorn number two . But the chief grievance that rankled in her soul , and gave an excuse for her unfriendly conduct , was a rumor which some obliging gossip had whispered to her , that the March girls had made fun of her at the Lambs ' . All the blame of this should have fallen upon Jo , for her naughty imitation had been too lifelike to escape detection , and the frolicsome Lambs had permitted the joke to escape . No hint of this had reached the culprits , however , and Amy 's dismay can be imagined , when , the very evening before the fair , as she was putting the last touches to her pretty table , Mrs. Chester , who , of course , resented the supposed ridicule of her daughter , said , in a bland tone , but with a cold look ... `` I find , dear , that there is some feeling among the young ladies about my giving this table to anyone but my girls . As this is the most prominent , and some say the most attractive table of all , and they are the chief getters-up of the fair , it is thought best for them to take this place . I 'm sorry , but I know you are too sincerely interested in the cause to mind a little personal disappointment , and you shall have another table if you like . '' Mrs. Chester fancied beforehand that it would be easy to deliver this little speech , but when the time came , she found it rather difficult to utter it naturally , with Amy 's unsuspicious eyes looking straight at her full of surprise and trouble . Amy felt that there was something behind this , but could not guess what , and said quietly , feeling hurt , and showing that she did , `` Perhaps you had rather I took no table at all ? '' `` Now , my dear , do n't have any ill feeling , I beg . It 's merely a matter of expediency , you see , my girls will naturally take the lead , and this table is considered their proper place . I think it very appropriate to you , and feel very grateful for your efforts to make it so pretty , but we must give up our private wishes , of course , and I will see that you have a good place elsewhere . Would n't you like the flower table ? The little girls undertook it , but they are discouraged . You could make a charming thing of it , and the flower table is always attractive you know . ''
`` Especially to gentlemen , '' added May , with a look which enlightened XXXXX as to one cause of her sudden fall from favor .
Amy Chester Jo Lambs Tudor akimbo before escape getters-up piques