Chapter 6.
Amy's Valley of Humiliation Amy always used the wrong words.
It was one of her most endearing quirks.
One day, Lori rode by on horseback.
She watched and then proclaimed that he was the perfect Cyclops.
"'What do you mean?'
Joe asked.
"'He's got two handsome eyes.'
She resented anyone saying mean things about her dear friend.
Amy retorted, I didn't say anything about his eyes.
I was just admiring his riding.
Joe laughed out loud.
You meant to say centaur.
Amy didn't like Joe's teasing.
She sulked for a minute about the misspoken word and then said quietly I wish I had a little of the money that Lori spends on that horse.
Meg asked, why?
Amy admitted she was in a lot of debt.
She owed at least a dozen pickled limes to her schoolmates.
Meg tried to be sympathetic and asked if limes were the fashion at school these days.
Amy explained how the limes were traded between friends for pencils, beads, and paper dolls.
"'If a girl likes you, it's considered a great honor if she gives you a lime.
If she doesn't favor you, then she'll just eat one in front of your face.'
"'I've had so many, but I haven't returned them, and I really should.'
Meg took out her purse and gave Amy money to buy the limes.
Amy thanked her profusely.
Now she could show the girls at school that she was a good, fashionable friend.
Amy was late for school the next day because she stopped to buy 25 delicious limes.
At school, when word got around, Amy's friends showered her with attention.
Even Jenny Snow, who had made very mean remarks about Amy's limeless state, was nice to Amy.
Not that it mattered, for Amy never forgot a slight.
She promptly informed Jenny that she wouldn't be getting any of her treasures.
That morning, a special visitor to school praised Amy's beautifully drawn maps.
When Amy puffed up like a proud peacock, Jenny became jealous.
No sooner had the guest left than Jenny told the teacher, Mr Davis, that Amy had pickled limes in her desk.
Now Mr. Davis had outlawed limes, threatening a swift punishment to anyone who disobeyed him.
He was a good teacher, but didn't understand little girls.
He had no patience for manners or upset feelings.
On top of that, he had woken up on the wrong side of the bed that morning, so when he heard the word limes from Jenny's lips, anger seeped into his stern face.
"'Young ladies, your attention, please!'
A hush fell upon the room as all fifty girls stared at the teacher.
Miss March, come here, please.
Amy rose but felt afraid since she had broken the rules.
Bring the limes that you have under your desk.
Now even more scared, Amy shook out half a dozen limes into her desk and took the rest to Mr. Davis.
She hoped he would relent when he smelled their delicious aroma, but Mr. Davis hated the smell.
It only added to his anger.
Is that all of them?
Amy stammered.
Not quite.
Bring me the rest immediately.
Amy obeyed.
Are you sure there are no more?
Mr. Davis asked.
I never lie, sir.
Fine.
Now take these disgusting things and throw them out the window.
The entire class gasped.
The promise of a special treat was forever lost.
Burning with shame.
Amy made a dozen trips to and from the window, each time tossing her plump juicy limes onto the street.
When she finished, the teacher said, Hold out your hand, Miss March.
Amy was startled.
She had been one of Mr Davis's favorites and hoped that he would not go any further in his punishment.
She put her hands behind her and, before she knew it, a soft hiss escaped her lips.
Further irritated, Mr. Davis repeated, Your hand, Miss March.
A Proud Amy threw back her head, held out her palm, and received the blows without flinching.
This was the first time in her life she had been struck, and Amy felt the disgrace deeply within her proud little soul.
Now, stand on the platform until recess.
How dreadful.
To face the whole school, friends and enemies alike, with fresh shame seemed almost too hard to bear.
Fixing her eyes on the stove at the back of the room, Amy stood still and took her punishment.
Her heart ached.
Her hand stung.
But nothing hurt as much as the thought of going home, telling her family and facing their disappointment.
The fifteen minutes seemed like a lifetime.
When recess was called, Amy gave Mr. Davis an indignant look that he wouldn't forget.
She marched to the back of the room, gathered her things, and left for home, vowing never to return.
For the rest of the morning, Amy was inconsolable.
She was still upset in the afternoon when her mother and sisters arrived home.
They tended to Amy's sore hand and wounded soul.
Even old Hannah proclaimed Mr. Davis a villain.
At school.
No one noticed that Amy had left hours ago until Joe appeared with a note from Mrs March.
She took the rest of her sister's things and left.
From now on, Mrs. March told Amy, she could study at home with Beth.
Good, I wish everyone could leave and ruin his school.
Oh, to think of those beautiful limes.
Marmee replied, You did break the rules and deserve to be punished.
Amy cried, Do you mean you're happy at the way I was disgraced?
No, of course not.
I don't think teachers should hit children.
But you are becoming conceited, and you need to remember how to be modest.
Exactly, Lori cried.
He had been in the corner playing chess with Joe.
I once knew a girl who had great musical talent and composed delightful songs.
She never knew how good she was.
Beth thought for a second.
"'I wish I knew such a girl.
Maybe she could help me.'
Lori said, "'You do know her, and she helps you better than anyone.'
His dark eyes sparkled with mischief.
Beth blushed terribly when she realized he was talking about her.
Joe let him win the game as payment for his praise of her shy sister.
Later, no amount of prodding could get Beth to play the piano.
Lori sang and played instead.
After he left, Amy asked why Lori wasn't conceited, despite all his fine achievements.
Mrs. March replied that even though Lori was very accomplished, he used his talents modestly.
Amy thought long and hard over this comment, taking it very much to heart.
