Little Women

ggest one; but after he had called, said something funny or kind to each one of the girls, and talked over old times with their mother, nobody felt much afraid of

he was for Mrs. March's motherly welcome, their cheerful society, and the comfort he took in that humble home of t

took the solitary boy into their midst, and made much of him, and he found something very charming in the innocent companionship of these simple-hearted girls. Never having known mother or sisters, he was quick to feel the influences they brought about him; and

eeds young society, amusement, and exercise. I suspect she is right, and that I've been coddling the fellow as if I'd been his grandmother. Let him do

y little parties at the great house. Meg could walk in the conservatory whenever she liked, and revel in bouquets; Jo browsed over the new library voraciously, and convuls

any more, not even for the dear piano. No persuasions or enticements could overcome her fears, till the fact coming to Mr. Laurence's ear in some mysterious way, he set about mending matters. During one of the brief calls he made, he artfully led the conversation to music, and talked away about great singers whom he had seen, fine organs he had heard, and told such charming anecdotes that Beth found it impossible to sta

of it. But the piano suffers for want of use. Wouldn't some of your girls like to r

s was an irresistible temptation; and the thought of practising on that splendid instrument quite took

hut up in my study at the other end of the house, Laurie is out a great d

d. `Please tell the young ladies what I say; and if they don't care to come, why, never mind.' Here a little hand sl

ey do care, ve

ked, without any startling `Hey!' a

sure nobody will hear me - and be disturbed,' she added, fear

half the day; so come and drum away as much

ind you

grateful squeeze, because she had no words to thank him for the precious gift he had given her. The old gentleman

e these. God bless you, my dear! Good day,

Next day, having seen both the old and the young gentlemen out of the house, Beth, after two or three retreats, fairly got in at the side-door and made her way, as noiselessly as any mouse, to the drawing room where her idol stood. Quite by accident of course, some pretty, easy music lay on

nner; but she had no appetite, and could only sit an

er saw Laurie mount guard in the hall to warn the servants away; she never suspected that the exercise-books and new songs which she found in the rack were put there for her especial benefit; and when he talked to her about music at home, she only thought how kind he was to

so kind to me, I must thank him, and I don't know any other way. C

ll help you about them, and I will pay for the making up,' replied Mrs. March, who took pec

nd was pronounced very appropriate and pretty; and Beth worked away early and late, with occasional lifts over hard parts. She was a nimble little needle-woman, and they were finished

e had offended her crotchety friend. On the afternoon of the second day, she went out to do an errand, and give poor Joanna, the invalid doll, her daily exercise. As she came up the st

m the old gentleman! C

ating with unseemly energy; but she got no furthe

n, all pointing, and all saying at once, `Look there! look there!' Beth did look, and turned pale with delight and surprise; for

and feeling as if she should tumble down, i

dearest old man in the world? Here's the key in the letter. We didn't open it, but we

h, it is too lovely!' and Beth hid her face

d began to laugh, for the

ISS

ar Ma

uld write to me so!' said Amy, who thoug

flower, and these will always remind me of the gentle giver. I like to pay my debts; so I know you will allow `the old gentleman' to send you somet

ES LAU

died, and how he kept all her little things carefully. Just think, he's given you her piano. That comes of having big blue e

ered up, with a gold rose in the middle, and the pretty rack and stool, al

his writing that to you. I'll tell the girls. They'll th

the baby pianny,' said Hannah, who always

ed and put in apple-pie order; but perfect as it was, I think the real charm of it lay in the happiest of all happy

Jo, by way of a joke; for the idea of the

out it.' And, to the utter amazement of the assembled family, Beth walked de

has turned her head! She'd never have gone in her right mind,' cried Hannah, s

uff voice called out, `Come in!' she did go in, right up to Mr. Laurence, who looked quite taken aback, and held out her hand, saying, with only a small quaver in her voice, `I came to thank you, sir

ling as if he had got his own little granddaughter back again. Beth ceased to fear him from that moment and sat there talking to him as cosily as if she had known him all her life; for love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride. When she went home, he walked with her to her own gate, shook hands cordially, and touched his hat as he m