She never alluded to a certain person , but she thought of him a good deal , dreamed dreams more than ever , and once Jo , rummaging her sister 's desk for stamps , found a bit of paper scribbled over with the words , ` Mrs. John Brooke ' , whereat she groaned tragically and cast it into the fire , feeling that Laurie 's prank had hastened the evil day for her . CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO PLEASANT MEADOWS Like sunshine after a storm were the peaceful weeks which followed . The invalids improved rapidly , and Mr. March began to talk of returning early in the new year . Beth was soon able to lie on the study sofa all day , amusing herself with the well-beloved cats at first , and in time with doll 's sewing , which had fallen sadly behind-hand . 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 .
XXXXX it , and the Alpine maid , From Laurie and from Jo .
Accept approached cast fallen groaned issuing laboured made prevail worked