[11] “You’rethecrossestpersoninit!” returnedAmy, washingoutthesumthatwasallwrongwiththetearsthathadfallenonherslate.
[12] “Beth, ifyoudon’tkeepthesehorridcatsdowncellarI’llhavethemdrowned,”exclaimedMegangrilyasshetriedtogetridofthekittenwhichhadscrambledupherbackandstucklikeaburrjustoutofreach.
[13] Jolaughed, Megscolded, Bethimplored, andAmywailedbecauseshecouldn’trememberhowmuchninetimestwelvewas.
[14] “Girls, girls, dobequietoneminute! Imustgetthisoffbytheearlymail, andyoudrivemedistractedwithyourworry,” , crossingoutthethirdspoiledsentenceinherletter.
[15] Therewasamomentarylull, brokenbyHannah, whostalkedin, laidtwohotturnoversonthetable, , andthegirlscalledthem “muffs”, fortheyhadnoothersandfoundthehotpiesverycomfortingtotheirhandsoncoldmornings.
[16] Hannahneverforgottomakethem, nomatterhowbusyorgrumpyshemightbe, .
[17] “Cuddleyourcatsandgetoveryourheadache, , , butwe’, Meg!” AndJotrampedaway, feelingthatthepilgrimswerenotsettingoutastheyoughttodo.
[18] Theyalwayslookedbackbeforeturningthecorner, fortheirmotherwasalwaysatthewindowtonodandsmile, ’thavegotthroughthedaywithoutthat, forwhatevertheirmoodmightbe, thelastglimpseofthatmotherlyfacewassuretoaffectthemlikesunshine.
[19] “IfMarmeeshookherfistinsteadofkissingherhandtous, itwouldserveusright, formoreungratefulwretchesthanwearewereneverseen,” criedJo, takingaremorsefulsatisfactioninthesnowywalkandbitterwind.“Don’tusesuchdreadfulexpressions,” repliedMegfromthedepthsoftheveilinwhichshehadshroudedherselflikeanunsickoftheworld.
