Her once active limbs were so stiff and feeble that Jo took her for a daily airing about the house in her strong arms . Meg cheerfully blackened and burned her white hands cooking delicate messes for ` the dear ' , while Amy , a loyal slave of the ring , celebrated her return by giving away as many of her treasures as she could prevail on her sisters to accept . As Christmas approached , the usual mysteries began to haunt the house , and Jo frequently convulsed the family by proposing utterly impossible or magnificently absurd ceremonies , in honor of this unusually merry Christmas . Laurie was equally impracticable , and would have had bonfires , skyrockets , and triumphal arches , if he had had his own way . After many skirmishes and snubbings , the ambitious pair were considered effectually quenched and went about with forlorn faces , which were rather belied by explosions of laughter when the two got together . Several days of unusually mild weather fitly ushered in a splendid Christmas Day . Hannah ` felt in her bones ' that it was going to be an unusually fine day , and she proved herself a true prophetess , for everybody and everything seemed bound to produce a grand success . To begin with , Mr. March wrote that he should soon be with them , then Beth felt uncommonly well that morning , and , being dressed in her mother 's gift , a soft crimson merino wrapper , was borne in high triumph to the window to behold the offering of Jo and Laurie . The Unquenchables had done their best to be worthy of the name , for like elves they had worked by night and conjured up a comical surprise . Out in the garden stood a stately snow maiden , crowned with holly , bearing a basket of fruit and flowers in one hand , a great roll of music in the other , a perfect rainbow of an Afghan round her chilly shoulders , and a Christmas carol issuing from her lips on a pink paper streamer . THE JUNGFRAU TO BETH God bless you , dear Queen Bess ! May nothing you dismay , But health and peace and happiness Be yours , this Christmas day . Here 's fruit to feed our busy bee , And flowers for her nose . Here 's music for her pianee , An afghan for her toes , A portrait of Joanna , see , By Raphael No. 2 , Who laboured with great industry To make it fair and true . Accept a ribbon red , I beg , For Madam Purrer 's tail , And ice cream made by lovely Peg , A Mont Blanc in a pail . Their dearest love my makers laid Within my breast of snow . Accept it , and the Alpine maid , From Laurie and from Jo . How Beth laughed when she saw it , how Laurie ran up and down to bring in the gifts , and what ridiculous speeches Jo made as she presented them . `` I 'm so full of happiness , that if Father was only here , I could n't hold one drop more , '' said Beth , quite sighing with contentment as Jo carried her off to the study to rest after the excitement , and to refresh herself with some of the delicious grapes the ` Jungfrau ' had sent her . `` So am I , '' added Jo , slapping the pocket wherein reposed the long-desired Undine and Sintram .
`` I 'm sure I am , '' echoed XXXXX , poring over the engraved copy of the Madonna and Child , which her mother had given her in a pretty frame .
Amy Bess Father Jo Joanna Jungfrau airing morning night pianee