Mr。Marchtoldhowhehadlongedtosurprisethem，andhow，whenthefineweathercame，hehadbeenallowedbyhisdoctor，totakeadvantageofit，howdevotedBrookehadbeen，andhowhewasaltogetheramostestimableanduprightyoungman。WhyMr。Marchpausedaminutejustthere，andafteraglanceatMeg，whowasviolentlypokingthefire，lookedathiswifewithaninquiringliftoftheeyebrows，Ileaveyoutoimagine。AlsowhyMrs。
Marchgentlynoddedherheadandasked，ratherabruptly，ifhewouldn’tliketohavesomethingtoeat。Josawandunderstoodthelook，andshestalkedgrimlyawaytogetwineandbeeftea，mutteringtoherselfassheslammedthedoor，“Ihateestimableyoungmenwithbrowneyes!“
ThereneverwassuchaChristmasdinnerastheyhadthatday。
Thefatturkeywasasighttobehold，whenHannahsenthimup，stuffed，browned，anddecorated。Sowastheplumpudding，whichmeltedinone’smouth，likewisethejellies，inwhichAmyreveledlikeaflyinahoneypot。Everythingturnedoutwell，whichwasamercy，Hannahsaid，“Formymindwasthatflustered，Mum，thatit’samerrycleIdidn’troastthepudding，andstufftheturkeywithraisins，letalonebilin’ofitinacloth。“
Mr。Laurenceandhisgrandsondinedwiththem，alsoMr。