Laurie devoted himself to the little ones , rode his small daughter in a bushel-basket , took Daisy up among the bird 's nests , and kept adventurous Rob from breaking his neck . Mrs. March and Meg sat among the apple piles like a pair of Pomonas , sorting the contributions that kept pouring in , while Amy with a beautiful motherly expression in her face sketched the various groups , and watched over one pale lad , who sat adoring her with his little crutch beside him . Jo was in her element that day , and rushed about , with her gown pinned up , and her hat anywhere but on her head , and her baby tucked under her arm , ready for any lively adventure which might turn up . Little Teddy bore a charmed life , for nothing ever happened to him , and Jo never felt any anxiety when he was whisked up into a tree by one lad , galloped off on the back of another , or supplied with sour russets by his indulgent papa , who labored under the Germanic delusion that babies could digest anything , from pickled cabbage to buttons , nails , and their own small shoes . She knew that little Ted would turn up again in time , safe and rosy , dirty and serene , and she always received him back with a hearty welcome , for Jo loved her babies tenderly . At four o'clock a lull took place , and baskets remained empty , while the apple pickers rested and compared rents and bruises . Then Jo and Meg , with a detachment of the bigger boys , set forth the supper on the grass , for an out-of-door tea was always the crowning joy of the day . The land literally flowed with milk and honey on such occasions , for the lads were not required to sit at table , but allowed to partake of refreshment as they liked -- freedom being the sauce best beloved by the boyish soul . They availed themselves of the rare privilege to the fullest extent , for some tried the pleasing experiment of drinking milk while standing on their heads , others lent a charm to leapfrog by eating pie in the pauses of the game , cookies were sown broadcast over the field , and apple turnovers roosted in the trees like a new style of bird . 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 XXXXX suddenly began to sing .
Beth Daisy Demi Professor bushel-basket edibles grandchild o'clock turnovers wheelbarrow