Jo sighed , and proceeded to burst the buttons off her glove , in doing up her cuff , but at last both were ready , and sailed away , looking as ` pretty as picters ' , Hannah said , as she hung out of the upper window to watch them . `` Now , Jo dear , the Chesters consider themselves very elegant people , so I want you to put on your best deportment . Do n't make any of your abrupt remarks , or do anything odd , will you ? Just be calm , cool , and quiet , that 's safe and ladylike , and you can easily do it for fifteen minutes , '' said Amy , as they approached the first place , having borrowed the white parasol and been inspected by Meg , with a baby on each arm . `` Let me see . ` Calm , cool , and quiet ' , yes , I think I can promise that . I 've played the part of a prim young lady on the stage , and I 'll try it off . My powers are great , as you shall see , so be easy in your mind , my child . '' Amy looked relieved , but naughty Jo took her at her word , for during the first call she sat with every limb gracefully composed , every fold correctly draped , calm as a summer sea , cool as a snowbank , and as silent as the sphinx . In vain Mrs. Chester alluded to her ` charming novel ' , and the Misses Chester introduced parties , picnics , the opera , and the fashions . Each and all were answered by a smile , a bow , and a demure `` Yes '' or `` No '' with the chill on . In vain Amy telegraphed the word ` talk ' , tried to draw her out , and administered covert pokes with her foot . Jo sat as if blandly unconscious of it all , with deportment like Maud 's face , ` icily regular , splendidly null ' . `` What a haughty , uninteresting creature that oldest Miss March is ! '' was the unfortunately audible remark of one of the ladies , as the door closed upon their guests . Jo laughed noiselessly all through the hall , but Amy looked disgusted at the failure of her instructions , and very naturally laid the blame upon Jo . `` How could you mistake me so ? I merely meant you to be properly dignified and composed , and you made yourself a perfect stock and stone . Try to be sociable at the Lambs ' . Gossip as other girls do , and be interested in dress and flirtations and whatever nonsense comes up .
They move in the best society , are valuable persons for us to know , and I would n't fail to make a good impression there for XXXXX . ''
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