We 'll have lettuce and make a salad . I do n't know how , but the book tells . I 'll have blanc mange and strawberries for dessert , and coffee too , if you want to be elegant . '' `` Do n't try too many messes , Jo , for you ca n't make anything but gingerbread and molasses candy fit to eat . I wash my hands of the dinner party , and since you have asked Laurie on your own responsibility , you may just take care of him . '' `` I do n't want you to do anything but be civil to him and help to the pudding . You 'll give me your advice if I get in a muddle , wo n't you ? '' asked Jo , rather hurt . `` Yes , but I do n't know much , except about bread and a few trifles . You had better ask Mother 's leave before you order anything , '' returned Meg prudently . `` Of course I shall . I 'm not a fool . '' And Jo went off in a huff at the doubts expressed of her powers . `` Get what you like , and do n't disturb me . I 'm going out to dinner and ca n't worry about things at home , '' said Mrs. March , when Jo spoke to her . `` I never enjoyed housekeeping , and I 'm going to take a vacation today , and read , write , go visiting , and amuse myself . '' The unusual spectacle of her busy mother rocking comfortably and reading early in the morning made Jo feel as if some unnatural phenomenon had occurred , for an eclipse , an earthquake , or a volcanic eruption would hardly have seemed stranger . `` Everything is out of sorts , somehow , '' she said to herself , going downstairs . `` There 's Beth crying , that 's a sure sign that something is wrong in this family . If Amy is bothering , I 'll shake her . ''
Feeling very much out of XXXXX herself , Jo hurried into the parlor to find Beth sobbing over Pip , the canary , who lay dead in the cage with his little claws pathetically extended , as if imploring the food for want of which he had died .
Everything anything dinner eclipse huff leave mother powers sorts stranger