Never forgetting that by birth she was a gentlewoman , she cultivated her aristocratic tastes and feelings , so that when the opportunity came she might be ready to take the place from which poverty now excluded her . `` My lady , '' as her friends called her , sincerely desired to be a genuine lady , and was so at heart , but had yet to learn that money can not buy refinement of nature , that rank does not always confer nobility , and that true breeding makes itself felt in spite of external drawbacks . `` I want to ask a favor of you , Mamma , '' Amy said , coming in with an important air one day . `` Well , little girl , what is it ? '' replied her mother , in whose eyes the stately young lady still remained ` the baby ' . `` Our drawing class breaks up next week , and before the girls separate for the summer , I want to ask them out here for a day . They are wild to see the river , sketch the broken bridge , and copy some of the things they admire in my book . They have been very kind to me in many ways , and I am grateful , for they are all rich and I know I am poor , yet they never made any difference . '' `` Why should they ? '' and Mrs. March put the question with what the girls called her ` Maria Theresa air ' . `` You know as well as I that it does make a difference with nearly everyone , so do n't ruffle up like a dear , motherly hen , when your chickens get pecked by smarter birds . The ugly duckling turned out a swan , you know . '' and Amy smiled without bitterness , for she possessed a happy temper and hopeful spirit . Mrs. March laughed , and smoothed down her maternal pride as she asked , `` Well , my swan , what is your plan ? '' `` I should like to ask the girls out to lunch next week , to take them for a drive to the places they want to see , a row on the river , perhaps , and make a little artistic fete for them . '' `` That looks feasible . What do you want for lunch ? Cake , sandwiches , fruit , and coffee will be all that is necessary , I suppose ? '' `` Oh , dear , no ! We must have cold tongue and chicken , French chocolate and ice cream , besides .
The girls are used to such things , and I XXXXX my lunch to be proper and elegant , though I do work for my living . ''
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