"Dear me, how romantic!" exclaimed Meg.
"How stupid!" stated Jo. "Let him be a musician if he desires to, and now not plague his lifestyles out sending him to college, when he hates to go."
"That's why he has such good-looking black eyes and pretty manners, I assume. Italians are continually great," said Meg, who was a little sentimental.
"What do you know approximately his eyes and his manners? You never spoke to him, hardly," cried Jo, who changed into not sentimental.
"I saw him on the birthday party, and what you tell suggests that he is aware of how to behave. That became a pleasing little speech about the drugs Mother despatched him."
"He meant the blanc mange, I suppose."
"How silly you're, baby! He meant you, of course."
"Did he?" And Jo opened her eyes as if it had in no way befell to her earlier than.
"I in no way noticed one of these woman! You don't know a praise when you get it," stated Meg, with the air of a young woman who knew all approximately the problem.
"I suppose they are high-quality nonsense, and I'll thank you no longer to be silly and destroy my amusing. Laurie's a pleasing boy and I like him, and I won't have any sentimental stuff approximately compliments and such rubbish. We'll all be top to him due to the fact he hasn't were given any mom, and he may additionally come over and spot us, mayn't he, Marmee?"
"Yes, Jo, your little buddy could be very welcome, and I desire Meg will understand that kids need to be youngsters so long as they could."
"I do not call myself a baby, and I'm no longer in my young adults but," observed Amy. "What do you assert, Beth?"
"I become considering our 'Pilgrim's Progress'," replied Beth, who had now not heard a word. "How we were given out of the Slough and through the Wicket Gate by resolving to be accurate, and up the steep hill by trying, and that maybe the house over there, complete of notable matters, is going to be our Palace Beautiful."
"We have got to get by means of the lions first," said Jo, as though she rather favored the possibility.
CHAPTER SIX
BETH FINDS THE PALACE BEAUTIFUL
The large residence did show a Palace Beautiful, though it took a while for all to get in, and Beth located it very tough to skip the lions. Old Mr. Laurence changed into the most important one, but after he had known as, said some thing humorous or type to every one of the ladies, and talked over antique times with their mom, nobody felt plenty fearful of him, except timid Beth. The different lion turned into the reality that they had been terrible and Laurie rich, for this made them shy of accepting favors which they could not return. But, after a while, they discovered that he taken into consideration them the benefactors, and couldn't do sufficient to show how thankful he turned into for Mrs. March's motherly welcome, their pleased society, and the comfort he took in that humble home of theirs. So they soon forgot their pride and interchanged kindnesses without preventing to suppose which became the extra.
All sorts of exceptional matters befell about that point, for the new friendship flourished like grass in spring. Every one liked Laurie, and he privately informed his teach that "the Marches were frequently extremely good women." With the delightful enthusiasm of kids, they took the solitary boy into their midst and made an awful lot of him, and he found some thing very charming in the harmless companionship of these simple-hearted girls. Never having recognised mother or sisters, he become short to experience the affects they brought approximately him, and their busy, lively ways made him ashamed of the indolent existence he led. He became tired of books, and observed people so thrilling now that Mr. Brooke turned into obliged to make very unsatisfactory reports, for Laurie turned into continually playing truant and walking over to the Marches'.
"Never thoughts, allow him take a holiday, and make it up afterward," stated the vintage gentleman. "The good girl next door says he's reading too hard and needs young society, entertainment, and exercising. I suspect she is proper, and that I've been coddling the fellow as if I'd been his grandmother. Let him do what he likes, as long as he's glad. He can not get into mischief in that little nunnery over there, and Mrs. March is doing greater for him than we can."
What true instances that they had, to be sure. Such plays and tableaux, such sleigh rides and skating frolics, such nice evenings in the antique parlor, and now after which such gay little parties on the extremely good house. Meg may want to walk inside the conservatory on every occasion she liked and experience bouquets, Jo browsed over the brand new library voraciously, and convulsed the vintage gentleman along with her criticisms, Amy copied pix and enjoyed splendor to her coronary heart's content material, and Laurie performed 'lord of the manor' inside the most delightful style.
But Beth, though craving for the grand piano, couldn't pluck up courage to go to the 'Mansion of Bliss', as Meg referred to as it. She went as soon as with Jo, but the vintage gentleman, no longer being aware about her disease, stared at her so tough from below his heavy eyebrows, and stated "Hey!" so loud, that he nervous her so much her 'toes chattered on the ground', she by no means told her mom, and she or he ran away, putting forward she might by no means go there any greater, not even for the pricey piano. No persuasions or enticements ought to conquer her fear, until, the reality coming to Mr. Laurence's ear in a few mysterious manner, he set approximately mending subjects. During one of the brief calls he made, he artfully led the verbal exchange to song, and talked away about notable singers whom he had visible, excellent organs he had heard, and instructed such fascinating anecdotes that Beth determined it impossible to live in her remote nook, but crept closer and nearer, as if interested. At the returned of his chair she stopped and stood listening, along with her terrific eyes wide open and her cheeks crimson with excitement of this unusual overall performance. Taking no more be aware of her than if she have been a fly, Mr. Laurence talked on about Laurie's classes and instructors. And presently, as though the idea had just occurred to him, he said to Mrs. March...
"The boy neglects his song now, and I'm glad of it, for he changed into getting too fond of it. But the piano suffers for need of use. Wouldn't some of your girls like to run over, and practice on it now after which, simply to hold it in music, you realize, ma'am?"
Beth took a step forward, and pressed her arms tightly collectively to preserve from clapping them, for this become an impossible to resist temptation, and the idea of practising on that exquisite instrument quite took her breath away. Before Mrs. March should respond, Mr. Laurence went on with an extraordinary little nod and smile...
"They needn't see or communicate to everybody, but run in at any time. For I'm shut up in my observe at the opposite quit of the residence, Laurie is out a exceptional deal, and the servants are in no way close to the drawing room after 9 o'clock."
Here he rose, as though going, and Beth made up her thoughts to talk, for that remaining association left not anything to be preferred. "Please, tell the younger women what I say, and in the event that they don't care to return, why, by no means mind." Here a bit hand slipped into his, and Beth appeared up at him with a face complete of gratitude, as she said, in her earnest but timid way...
"Oh sir, they do care, very very a great deal!"
"Are you the musical woman?" he asked, with none startling "Hey!" as he looked down at her very kindly.
"I'm Beth. I adore it dearly, and I'll come, in case you are pretty positive no person will listen me, and be disturbed," she brought, fearing to be rude, and trembling at her very own boldness as she spoke.
"Not a soul, my expensive. The house is empty 1/2 the day, so come and drum away as tons as you like, and I shall be obliged to you."
"How kind you're, sir!"
Beth blushed like a rose under the friendly look he wore, however she become no longer worried now, and gave the hand a thankful squeeze because she had no words to thank him for the treasured present he had given her. The old gentleman softly stroked the hair off her forehead, and, stooping down, he kissed her, a
nnouncing, in a tone few people ever heard...
"I had a touch lady as soon as, with eyes like those. God bless you, my pricey! Good day, madam." And away he went, in a remarkable hurry.
Beth had a rapture together with her mother, after which rushed up to impart the superb news to her family of invalids, as the ladies have been no longer domestic. How blithely she sang that evening, and how all of them laughed at her because she woke Amy in the night time by way of gambling the piano on her face in her sleep. Next day, having visible both the young and old gentleman out of the residence, Beth, after or 3 retreats, pretty were given in at the aspect door, and made her way as noiselessly as any mouse to the drawing room in which her idol stood. Quite by using twist of fate, of path, a few pretty, easy music lay at the piano, and with trembling palms and frequent stops to concentrate and appearance approximately, Beth at ultimate touched the super instrument, and straightway forgot her fear, herself, and the whole thing else however the unspeakable satisfaction which the track gave her, for it was like the voice of a beloved buddy.
She stayed till Hannah came to take her domestic to dinner, however she had no urge for food, and could most effective sit down and smile upon every body in a popular kingdom of beatitude.
After that, the little brown hood slipped via the hedge almost each day, and the awesome drawing room turned into haunted via a tuneful spirit that got here and went unseen. She in no way knew that Mr. Laurence opened his examine door to pay attention the old-fashioned airs he preferred. She never saw Laurie mount shield in the hall to warn the servants away. She by no means suspected that the workout books and new songs which she found inside the rack had been put there for her especial benefit, and whilst he talked to her approximately track at domestic, she handiest thought how type he changed into to inform things that helped her so much. So she enjoyed herself heartily, and found, what isn't the case, that her granted desire become all she had hoped. Perhaps it become due to the fact she changed into so thankful for this blessing that a more become given her. At any charge she deserved each.
"Mother, I'm going to work Mr. Laurence a pair of slippers. He is so kind to me, I ought to thank him, and I do not know every other way. Can I do it?" asked Beth, some weeks after that eventful name of his.
"Yes, expensive. It will please him very tons, and be a nice manner of thanking him. The ladies will help you about them, and I pays for the making up," answered Mrs. March, who took peculiar pride in granting Beth's requests because she so seldom requested whatever for herself.
After many critical discussions with Meg and Jo, the sample was selected, the materials sold, and the slippers began. A cluster of grave yet cheerful pansies on a deeper red floor was stated very suitable and quite, and Beth labored away early and overdue, with occasional lifts over hard elements. She become a nimble little needlewoman, and that they had been completed earlier than anybody got tired of them. Then she wrote a quick, simple notice, and with Laurie's help, were given them smuggled onto the take a look at table one morning earlier than the antique gentleman changed into up.
When this pleasure become over, Beth waited to peer what could show up. All day surpassed and a part of the next earlier than any acknowledgement arrived, and she or he was beginning to fear she had angry her crochety buddy. On the afternoon of the second day, she went out to do an errand, and give poor Joanna, the invalid doll, her day by day workout. As she got here up the road, on her go back, she saw three, sure, four heads popping in and out of the parlor windows, and the moment they noticed her, numerous palms have been waved, and numerous completely happy voices screamed...
"Here's a letter from the antique gentleman! Come short, and read it!"
"Oh, Beth, he is sent you..." commenced Amy, gesticulating with unseemly power, however she were given no in addition, for Jo quenched her with the aid of slamming down the window.
Beth hurried on in a flutter of suspense. At the door her sisters seized and bore her to the parlor in a triumphal procession, all pointing and all pronouncing at once, "Look there! Look there!" Beth did appearance, and grew to become light with delight and wonder, for there stood a little cabinet piano, with a letter lying on the smooth lid, directed like a sign board to "Miss Elizabeth March."
"For me?" gasped Beth, preserving onto Jo and feeling as if she ought to tumble down, it turned into such an overwhelming thing altogether.
"Yes, eager about you, my valuable! Isn't it high-quality of him? Don't you suspect he is the dearest antique man inside the global? Here's the important thing within the letter. We didn't open it, however we're loss of life to understand what he says," cried Jo, hugging her sister and supplying the be aware.
"You examine it! I cannot, I experience so queer! Oh, it's miles too cute!" and Beth concealed her face in Jo's apron, quite disillusioned by means of her present.
Jo opened the paper and commenced to snigger, for the primary words she noticed were...
"Miss March: "Dear Madam—"
"How satisfactory it sounds! I want someone would write to me so!" said Amy, who thought the old skool cope with very elegant.
"'I have had many pairs of slippers in my existence, but I by no means had any that ideal me so well as yours,'" continues Jo. "'Heart's-ease is my preferred flower, and these will usually job my memory of the mild giver. I want to pay my money owed, so I recognize you will allow 'the vintage gentleman' to ship you some thing which as soon as belonged to the little grand daughter he lost. With hearty thank you and fine wishes, I stay "'Your grateful friend and humble servant, 'JAMES LAURENCE'."
"There, Beth, this is an honor to be pleased with, I'm sure! Laurie advised me how fond Mr. Laurence was once of the child who died, and the way he saved all her little things cautiously. Just assume, he's given you her piano. That comes of getting massive blue eyes and loving music," stated Jo, looking to soothe Beth, who trembled and appeared more excited than she had ever been before.
"See the foxy brackets to keep candles, and the first-rate green silk, puckered up, with a gold rose in the middle, and the pretty rack and stool, all complete," brought Meg, opening the tool and showing its beauties.
"'Your humble servant, James Laurence'. Only consider his writing that to you. I'll tell the women. They'll assume it's super," said Amy, much impressed with the aid of the notice.
"Try it, honey. Let's listen the sound of the toddler pianny," stated Hannah, who always took a percentage in the own family joys and sorrows.
So Beth attempted it, and all people stated it the maximum brilliant piano ever heard. It had obviously been newly tuned and put in apple-pie order, however, perfect because it turned into, I think the real charm lay within the happiest of all happy faces which leaned over it, as Beth lovingly touched the lovely black and white keys and pressed the brilliant pedals.
"You'll must cross and thank him," said Jo, through way of a joke, for the idea of the child's really going in no way entered her head.
"Yes, I mean to. I bet I'll cross now, earlier than I get anxious thinking about it." And, to the utter amazement of the assembled circle of relatives, Beth walked deliberately down the garden, via the hedge, and in at the Laurences' door.
"Well, I want I might also die if it ain't the queerest aspect I ever see! The pianny has grew to become her head! She'd in no way have gone in her proper mind," cried Hannah, staring after her, at the same time as the ladies had been rendered quite speechless by using the miracle.
They could had been nonetheless greater surprised if they had visible what Beth did later on. If you will agree with me, she went and knocked on the have a look at door before she gave herself time to suppose, and whilst a gruff voice called out, "are available!" she did pass in, proper up to Mr. Laurence, who seemed pretty greatly surprised, and held out her hand, saying, with best a small quaver in her voice, "I came to thank you, sir, for..." But she didn't finish, for he regarded so friendly that she forgot her speech and, best remembering that he had lost the little lady he cherished, she
put each palms spherical his neck and kissed him.
If the roof of the house had abruptly flown off, the old gentleman wouldn't were greater astonished. But he preferred it. Oh, pricey, sure, he liked it amazingly! And changed into so touched and thrilled by means of that confiding little kiss that each one his crustiness vanished, and he simply set her on his knee, and laid his wrinkled cheek in opposition to her rosy one, feeling as though he had were given his personal little granddaughter returned again. Beth ceased to fear him from that second, and sat there speaking to him as cozily as though she had acknowledged him all her life, for love casts out fear, and gratitude can triumph over pride. When she went domestic, he walked with her to her own gate, shook arms cordially, and touched his hat as he marched lower back again, looking very stately and erect, like a good-looking, soldierly old gentleman, as he turned into.
When the women saw that overall performance, Jo began to bounce a jig, by way of manner of expressing her satisfaction, Amy almost fell out of the window in her surprise, and Meg exclaimed, with up-lifted fingers, "Well, I do trust the world is coming to an quit."
Little Women Page 8