<p class="h2"><SPAN name="V" id="V"></SPAN>V.</p>
<p class="h2a">BEING NEIGHBORLY.</p>
<div class="figleft"> <SPAN name="b034.png" id="b034.png"></SPAN>
<ANTIMG src="images/b034.png" width-obs="200" height-obs="355" alt="Being Neighborly" title="Being Neighborly" /></div>
<p>"What in the world are you going to do
now, Jo?" asked Meg, one snowy afternoon,
as her sister came tramping
through the hall, in rubber boots, old
sack and hood, with a broom in one
hand and a shovel in the other.</p>
<p class="indent">"Going out for exercise," answered
Jo, with a mischievous twinkle in her
eyes.</p>
<p class="indent">"I should think two long walks this
morning would have been enough!
It's cold and dull out; and I advise
you to stay, warm and dry, by the fire,
as I do," said Meg, with a shiver.</p>
<p class="indent">"Never take advice! Can't keep
still all day, and, not being a pussycat,
I don't like to doze by the fire.
I like adventures, and I'm going to
find some."</p>
<p class="indent">Meg went back to toast her feet and read "Ivanhoe"; and Jo
began to dig paths with great energy. The snow was light, and with
her broom she soon swept a path all round the garden, for Beth to
walk in when the sun came out; and the invalid dolls needed air.
Now, the garden separated the Marches' house from that of Mr. Laurence.
Both stood in a suburb of the city, which was still country-like,
with groves and lawns, large gardens, and quiet streets. A low
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 59]</span>
hedge parted the two estates. On one side was an old, brown house,
looking rather bare and shabby, robbed of the vines that in summer
covered its walls, and the flowers which then surrounded it. On the
other side was a stately stone mansion, plainly betokening every sort
of comfort and luxury, from the big coach-house and well-kept grounds
to the conservatory and the glimpses of lovely things one caught
between the rich curtains. Yet it seemed a lonely, lifeless sort of
house; for no children frolicked on the lawn, no motherly face ever
smiled at the windows, and few people went in and out, except the
old gentleman and his grandson.</p>
<p class="indent">To Jo's lively fancy, this fine house seemed a kind of enchanted
palace, full of splendors and delights, which no one enjoyed. She
had long wanted to behold these hidden glories, and to know the
"Laurence boy," who looked as if he would like to be known, if he
only knew how to begin. Since the party, she had been more eager
than ever, and had planned many ways of making friends with him;
but he had not been seen lately, and Jo began to think he had gone
away, when she one day spied a brown face at an upper window, looking
wistfully down into their garden, where Beth and Amy were snow-balling
one another.</p>
<p class="indent">"That boy is suffering for society and fun," she said to herself.
"His grandpa does not know what's good for him, and keeps him
shut up all alone. He needs a party of jolly boys to play with, or
somebody young and lively. I've a great mind to go over and tell
the old gentleman so!"</p>
<p class="indent">The idea amused Jo, who liked to do daring things, and was
always scandalizing Meg by her queer performances. The plan of
"going over" was not forgotten; and when the snowy afternoon
came, Jo resolved to try what could be done. She saw Mr. Laurence
drive off, and then sallied out to dig her way down to the hedge,
where she paused, and took a survey. All quiet,—curtains down at
the lower windows; servants out of sight, and nothing human visible
but a curly black head leaning on a thin hand at the upper
window.</p>
<p class="indent">"There he is," thought Jo, "poor boy! all alone and sick this
dismal day. It's a shame! I'll toss up a snow-ball, and make him
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 60]</span>
look out, and then say a kind word to
him."</p>
<p class="indent">Up went a handful of soft snow,
and the head turned at once, showing
a face which lost its listless look in
a minute, as the big eyes brightened
and the mouth began to
smile. Jo nodded and laughed,
and flourished her broom as she
called out,—</p>
<p class="indent">"How do you do? Are you
sick?"</p>
<div class="figleft"> <SPAN name="b035.png" id="b035.png"></SPAN>
<ANTIMG src="images/b035.png" width-obs="311" height-obs="700" alt="Laurie opened the window" title="Laurie opened the window" /></div>
<p class="indent">Laurie opened the window,
and croaked out as hoarsely as
a raven,—</p>
<p class="indent">"Better, thank you. I've
had a bad cold, and been shut
up a week."</p>
<p class="indent">"I'm sorry. What do you
amuse yourself with?"</p>
<p class="indent">"Nothing; it's as dull as
tombs up here."</p>
<p class="indent">"Don't you read?"</p>
<p class="indent">"Not much; they won't let
me."</p>
<p class="indent">"Can't somebody read
to you?"</p>
<p class="indent">"Grandpa does,
sometimes; but my
books don't interest
him, and I hate to
ask Brooke all the
time."</p>
<p class="indent">"Have some one
come and see you,
then."</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum">[Pg 61]</span>
"There isn't any one I'd like to see. Boys make such a row,
and my head is weak."</p>
<p class="indent">"Isn't there some nice girl who'd read and amuse you? Girls are
quiet, and like to play nurse."</p>
<p class="indent">"Don't know any."</p>
<p class="indent">"You know us," began Jo, then laughed, and stopped.</p>
<p class="indent">"So I do! Will you come, please?" cried Laurie.</p>
<p class="indent">"I'm not quiet and nice; but I'll come, if mother will let me.
I'll go ask her. Shut that window, like a good boy, and wait till I
come."</p>
<p class="indent">With that, Jo shouldered her broom and marched into the house,
wondering what they would all say to her. Laurie was in a flutter
of excitement at the idea of having company, and flew about
to get ready; for, as Mrs. March said, he was "a little gentleman,"
and did honor to the coming guest by brushing his curly pate, putting
on a fresh collar, and trying to tidy up the room, which, in spite of
half a dozen servants, was anything but neat. Presently there came
a loud ring, then a decided voice, asking for "Mr. Laurie," and a
surprised-looking servant came running up to announce a young
lady.</p>
<p class="indent">"All right, show her up, it's Miss Jo," said Laurie, going to the
door of his little parlor to meet Jo, who appeared, looking rosy and
kind and quite at her ease, with a covered dish in one hand and
Beth's three kittens in the other.</p>
<p class="indent">"Here I am, bag and baggage," she said briskly. "Mother sent
her love, and was glad if I could do anything for you. Meg wanted
me to bring some of her blanc-mange; she makes it very nicely, and
Beth thought her cats would be comforting. I knew you'd laugh at
them, but I couldn't refuse, she was so anxious to do something."</p>
<p class="indent">It so happened that Beth's funny loan was just the thing; for, in
laughing over the kits, Laurie forgot his bashfulness, and grew sociable
at once.</p>
<p class="indent">"That looks too pretty to eat," he said, smiling with pleasure, as
Jo uncovered the dish, and showed the blanc-mange, surrounded by
a garland of green leaves, and the scarlet flowers of Amy's pet
geranium.</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum">[Pg 62]</span>
"It isn't anything, only they all felt kindly, and wanted to show it.
Tell the girl to put it away for your tea: it's so simple, you can eat
it; and, being soft, it will slip down without hurting your sore throat.
What a cosy room this is!"</p>
<p class="indent">"It might be if it was kept nice; but the maids are lazy, and I
don't know how to make them mind. It worries me, though."</p>
<p class="indent">"I'll right it up in two minutes; for it only needs to have the
hearth brushed, so,—and the things made straight on the mantelpiece
so,—and the books put here, and the bottles there, and your
sofa turned from the light, and the pillows plumped up a bit. Now,
then, you're fixed."</p>
<p class="indent">And so he was; for, as she laughed and talked, Jo had whisked
things into place, and given quite a different air to the room. Laurie
watched her in respectful silence; and when she beckoned him to
his sofa, he sat down with a sigh of satisfaction, saying gratefully,—</p>
<p class="indent">"How kind you are! Yes, that's what it wanted. Now please
take the big chair, and let me do something to amuse my company."</p>
<p class="indent">"No; I came to amuse you. Shall I read aloud?" and Jo looked
affectionately toward some inviting books near by.</p>
<p class="indent">"Thank you; I've read all those, and if you don't mind, I'd
rather talk," answered Laurie.</p>
<p class="indent">"Not a bit; I'll talk all day if you'll only set me going. Beth
says I never know when to stop."</p>
<p class="indent">"Is Beth the rosy one, who stays at home a good deal, and sometimes
goes out with a little basket?" asked Laurie, with interest.</p>
<p class="indent">"Yes, that's Beth; she's my girl, and a regular good one she is,
too."</p>
<p class="indent">"The pretty one is Meg, and the curly-haired one is Amy, I
believe?"</p>
<p class="indent">"How did you find that out?"</p>
<p class="indent">Laurie colored up, but answered frankly, "Why, you see, I often
hear you calling to one another, and when I'm alone up here, I can't
help looking over at your house, you always seem to be having such
good times. I beg your pardon for being so rude, but sometimes
you forget to put down the curtain at the window where the flowers
are; and when the lamps are lighted, it's like looking at a picture to
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 63]</span>
see the fire, and you all round the table with your mother; her face
is right opposite, and it looks so sweet behind the flowers, I can't
help watching it. I haven't got any mother, you know;" and
Laurie poked the fire to hide a little twitching of the lips that he
could not control.</p>
<p class="indent">The solitary, hungry look in his eyes went straight to Jo's warm
heart. She had been so simply taught that there was no nonsense in
her head, and at fifteen she was as innocent and frank as any child.
Laurie was sick and lonely; and, feeling how rich she was in home-love
and happiness, she gladly tried to share it with him. Her
face was very friendly and her sharp voice unusually gentle as she
said,—</p>
<p class="indent">"We'll never draw that curtain any more, and I give you leave to
look as much as you like. I just wish, though, instead of peeping,
you'd come over and see us. Mother is so splendid, she'd do you
heaps of good, and Beth would sing to you if <i>I</i> begged her to, and
Amy would dance; Meg and I would make you laugh over our funny
stage properties, and we'd have jolly times. Wouldn't your grandpa
let you?"</p>
<p class="indent">"I think he would, if your mother asked him. He's very kind,
though he does not look so; and he lets me do what I like, pretty
much, only he's afraid I might be a bother to strangers," began
Laurie, brightening more and more.</p>
<p class="indent">"We are not strangers, we are neighbors, and you needn't think
you'd be a bother. We <i>want</i> to know you, and I've been trying to
do it this ever so long. We haven't been here a great while, you
know, but we have got acquainted with all our neighbors but you."</p>
<p class="indent">"You see grandpa lives among his books, and doesn't mind much
what happens outside. Mr. Brooke, my tutor, doesn't stay here, you
know, and I have no one to go about with me, so I just stop at home
and get on as I can."</p>
<p class="indent">"That's bad. You ought to make an effort, and go visiting everywhere
you are asked; then you'll have plenty of friends, and pleasant
places to go to. Never mind being bashful; it won't last long if you
keep going."</p>
<p class="indent">Laurie turned red again, but wasn't offended at being accused of
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 64]</span>
bashfulness; for there was so much good-will in Jo, it was impossible
not to take her blunt speeches as kindly as they were meant.</p>
<p class="indent">"Do you like your school?" asked the boy, changing the subject,
after a little pause, during which he stared at the fire, and Jo looked
about her, well pleased.</p>
<p class="indent">"Don't go to school; I'm a business man—girl, I mean. I go
to wait on my great-aunt, and a dear, cross old soul she is, too,"
answered Jo.</p>
<p class="indent">Laurie opened his mouth to ask another question; but remembering
just in time that it wasn't manners to make too many inquiries
into people's affairs, he shut it again, and looked uncomfortable. Jo
liked his good breeding, and didn't mind having a laugh at Aunt
March, so she gave him
a lively description of
the fidgety old lady, her
fat poodle, the parrot
that talked Spanish, and
the library where she
revelled. Laurie enjoyed
that immensely;
and when she told about
the prim old gentleman
who came once to woo
Aunt March, and, in the
middle of a fine speech,
how Poll had tweaked
his wig off to his great
dismay, the boy lay
back and laughed till
the tears ran down his
cheeks, and a maid
popped her head in to
see what was the matter.</p>
<div class="figleft"> <SPAN name="b036.png" id="b036.png"></SPAN>
<ANTIMG src="images/b036.png" width-obs="400" height-obs="524" alt="Poll tweaked off his wig" title="Poll tweaked off his wig" /></div>
<p class="indent">"Oh! that does me no end of good. Tell on, please," he said,
taking his face out of the sofa-cushion, red and shining with merriment.</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum">[Pg 65]</span>
Much elated with her success, Jo did "tell on," all about their
plays and plans, their hopes and fears for father, and the most interesting
events of the little world in which the sisters lived. Then
they got to talking about books; and to Jo's delight, she found that
Laurie loved them as well as she did, and had read even more than
herself.</p>
<p class="indent">"If you like them so much, come down and see ours. Grandpa
is out, so you needn't be afraid," said Laurie, getting up.</p>
<p class="indent">"I'm not afraid of anything," returned Jo, with a toss of the head.</p>
<p class="indent">"I don't believe you are!" exclaimed the boy, looking at her
with much admiration, though he privately thought she would have
good reason to be a trifle afraid of the old gentleman, if she met him
in some of his moods.</p>
<p class="indent">The atmosphere of the whole house being summer-like, Laurie led
the way from room to room, letting Jo stop to examine whatever
struck her fancy; and so at last they came to the library, where she
clapped her hands, and pranced, as she always did when especially
delighted. It was lined with books, and there were pictures and
statues, and distracting little cabinets full of coins and curiosities, and
sleepy-hollow chairs, and queer tables, and bronzes; and, best of all,
a great open fireplace, with quaint tiles all round it.</p>
<p class="indent">"What richness!" sighed Jo, sinking into the depth of a velvet
chair, and gazing about her with an air of intense satisfaction.
"Theodore Laurence, you ought to be the happiest boy in the world,"
she added impressively.</p>
<p class="indent">"A fellow can't live on books," said Laurie, shaking his head, as
he perched on a table opposite.</p>
<p class="indent">Before he could say more, a bell rung, and Jo flew up, exclaiming
with alarm, "Mercy me! it's your grandpa!"</p>
<p class="indent">"Well, what if it is? You are not afraid of anything, you know,"
returned the boy, looking wicked.</p>
<p class="indent">"I think I am a little bit afraid of him, but I don't know why I
should be. Marmee said I might come, and I don't think you're
any the worse for it," said Jo, composing herself, though she kept her
eyes on the door.</p>
<p class="indent">"I'm a great deal better for it, and ever so much obliged. I'm
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 66]</span>
only afraid you are very tired talking to me; it was <i>so</i> pleasant, I
couldn't bear to stop," said Laurie gratefully.</p>
<p class="indent">"The doctor to see you, sir," and the maid beckoned as she
spoke.</p>
<p class="indent">"Would you mind if I left you for a minute? I suppose I must
see him," said Laurie.</p>
<p class="indent">"Don't mind me. I'm as happy as a cricket here," answered Jo.</p>
<p class="indent">Laurie went away, and his guest amused herself in her own way.
She was standing before a fine portrait of the old gentleman, when
the door opened again, and, without turning, she said decidedly,
"I'm sure now that I shouldn't be afraid of him, for he's got kind
eyes, though his mouth is grim, and he looks as if he had a tremendous
will of his own. He isn't as handsome as <i>my</i> grandfather, but
I like him."</p>
<p class="indent">"Thank you, ma'am," said a gruff voice behind her; and there,
to her great dismay, stood old Mr. Laurence.</p>
<p class="indent">Poor Jo blushed till she couldn't blush any redder, and her heart
began to beat uncomfortably fast as she thought what she had said.
For a minute a wild desire to run away possessed her; but that was
cowardly, and the girls would laugh at her: so she resolved to stay,
and get out of the scrape as she could. A second look showed her
that the living eyes, under the bushy gray eyebrows, were kinder even
than the painted ones; and there was a sly twinkle in them, which lessened
her fear a good deal. The gruff voice was gruffer than ever,
as the old gentleman said abruptly, after that dreadful pause, "So
you're not afraid of me, hey?"</p>
<p class="indent">"Not much, sir."</p>
<p class="indent">"And you don't think me as handsome as your grandfather?"</p>
<p class="indent">"Not quite, sir."</p>
<p class="indent">"And I've got a tremendous will, have I?"</p>
<p class="indent">"I only said I thought so."</p>
<p class="indent">"But you like me, in spite of it?"</p>
<p class="indent">"Yes, I do, sir."</p>
<p class="indent">That answer pleased the old gentleman; he gave a short laugh,
shook hands with her, and, putting his finger under her chin, turned
up her face, examined it gravely, and let it go, saying, with a nod,
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 67]</span>
"You've got your grandfather's spirit, if you haven't his face. He
<i>was</i> a fine man, my dear; but, what is better, he was a brave and
an honest one, and I
was proud to be his
friend."</p>
<div class="figright"> <SPAN name="b037.png" id="b037.png"></SPAN>
<ANTIMG src="images/b037.png" width-obs="400" height-obs="577" alt="Putting his finger under her chin" title="Putting his finger under her chin" /></div>
<p class="indent">"Thank you, sir;"
and Jo was quite comfortable
after that, for
it suited her exactly.</p>
<p class="indent">"What have you
been doing to this boy
of mine, hey?" was
the next question,
sharply put.</p>
<p class="indent">"Only trying to be
neighborly, sir;" and
Jo told how her visit
came about.</p>
<p class="indent">"You think he needs
cheering up a bit, do
you?"</p>
<p class="indent">"Yes, sir; he seems
a little lonely, and
young folks would do
him good perhaps.
We are only girls, but
we should be glad to help if we could, for we don't forget the splendid
Christmas present you sent us," said Jo eagerly.</p>
<p class="indent">"Tut, tut, tut! that was the boy's affair. How is the poor woman?"</p>
<p class="indent">"Doing nicely, sir;" and off went Jo, talking very fast, as she told
all about the Hummels, in whom her mother had interested richer
friends than they were.</p>
<p class="indent">"Just her father's way of doing good. I shall come and see your
mother some fine day. Tell her so. There's the tea-bell; we have
it early, on the boy's account. Come down, and go on being
neighborly."</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum">[Pg 68]</span>
"If you'd like to have me, sir."</p>
<p class="indent">"Shouldn't ask you, if I didn't;" and Mr. Laurence offered her
his arm with old-fashioned courtesy.</p>
<p class="indent">"What <i>would</i> Meg say to this?" thought Jo, as she was marched
away, while her eyes danced with fun as she imagined herself telling
the story at home.</p>
<p class="indent">"Hey! Why, what the dickens has come to the fellow?" said the
old gentleman, as Laurie came running down stairs, and brought up
with a start of surprise at the astonishing sight of Jo arm-in-arm with
his redoubtable grandfather.</p>
<p class="indent">"I didn't know you'd come, sir," he began, as Jo gave him a
triumphant little glance.</p>
<p class="indent">"That's evident, by the way you racket down stairs. Come to
your tea, sir, and behave like a gentleman;" and having pulled the
boy's hair by way of a caress, Mr. Laurence walked on, while Laurie
went through a series of comic evolutions behind their backs, which
nearly produced an explosion of laughter from Jo.</p>
<p class="indent">The old gentleman did not say much as he drank his four cups of
tea, but he watched the young people, who soon chatted away like
old friends, and the change in his grandson did not escape him.
There was color, light, and life in the boy's face now, vivacity in his
manner, and genuine merriment in his laugh.</p>
<p class="indent">"She's right; the lad <i>is</i> lonely. I'll see what these little girls
can do for him," thought Mr. Laurence, as he looked and listened.
He liked Jo, for her odd, blunt ways suited him; and she seemed
to understand the boy almost as well as if she had been one herself.</p>
<p class="indent">If the Laurences had been what Jo called "prim and poky," she
would not have got on at all, for such people always made her shy
and awkward; but finding them free and easy, she was so herself, and
made a good impression. When they rose she proposed to go, but
Laurie said he had something more to show her, and took her away
to the conservatory, which had been lighted for her benefit. It
seemed quite fairylike to Jo, as she went up and down the walks,
enjoying the blooming walls on either side, the soft light, the damp
sweet air, and the wonderful vines and trees that hung above her,—while
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 69]</span>
her new friend cut the finest flowers till his hands were full;
then he tied them up, saying, with the happy look Jo liked to see,
"Please give these to your mother, and tell her I like the medicine
she sent me very much."</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <SPAN name="b038.png" id="b038.png"></SPAN> <ANTIMG src="images/b038.png" width-obs="467" height-obs="400" alt="Please give these to your mother" title="Please give these to your mother" /></div>
<p class="indent">They found Mr. Laurence standing before the fire in the great
drawing-room, but Jo's attention was entirely absorbed by a grand
piano, which stood open.</p>
<p class="indent">"Do you play?" she asked, turning to Laurie with a respectful
expression.</p>
<p class="indent">"Sometimes," he answered modestly.</p>
<p class="indent">"Please do now. I want to hear it, so I can tell Beth."</p>
<p class="indent">"Won't you first?"</p>
<p class="indent">"Don't know how; too stupid to learn, but I love music dearly."</p>
<p class="indent">So Laurie played, and Jo listened, with her nose luxuriously buried
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 70]</span>
in heliotrope and tea-roses. Her respect and regard for the "Laurence
boy" increased very much, for he played remarkably well, and
didn't put on any airs. She wished Beth could hear him, but she
did not say so; only praised him till he was quite abashed, and his
grandfather came to the rescue. "That will do, that will do, young
lady. Too many sugar-plums are not good for him. His music isn't
bad, but I hope he will do as well in more important things. Going?
Well, I'm much obliged to you, and I hope you'll come again.
My respects to your mother. Good-night, Doctor Jo."</p>
<p class="indent">He shook hands kindly, but looked as if something did not please
him. When they got into the hall, Jo asked Laurie if she had said
anything amiss. He shook his head.</p>
<p class="indent">"No, it was me; he doesn't like to hear me play."</p>
<p class="indent">"Why not?"</p>
<p class="indent">"I'll tell you some day. John is going home with you, as I
can't."</p>
<p class="indent">"No need of that; I am not a young lady, and it's only a
step. Take care of yourself, won't you?"</p>
<p class="indent">"Yes; but you will come again, I hope?"</p>
<p class="indent">"If you promise to come and see us after you are well."</p>
<p class="indent">"I will."</p>
<p class="indent">"Good-night, Laurie!"</p>
<p class="indent">"Good-night, Jo, good-night!"</p>
<p class="indent">When all the afternoon's adventures had been told, the family
felt inclined to go visiting in a body, for each found something very
attractive in the big house on the other side of the hedge. Mrs.
March wanted to talk of her father with the old man who had not
forgotten him; Meg longed to walk in the conservatory; Beth sighed
for the grand piano; and Amy was eager to see the fine pictures and
statues.</p>
<p class="indent">"Mother, why didn't Mr. Laurence like to have Laurie play?"
asked Jo, who was of an inquiring disposition.</p>
<p class="indent">"I am not sure, but I think it was because his son, Laurie's father,
married an Italian lady, a musician, which displeased the old man,
who is very proud. The lady was good and lovely and accomplished,
but he did not like her, and never saw his son after he married.
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 71]</span>
They both died when Laurie was a little child, and then his grandfather
took him home. I fancy the boy, who was born in Italy, is
not very strong, and the old man is afraid of losing him, which makes
him so careful. Laurie comes naturally by his love of music, for he
is like his mother, and I dare say his grandfather fears that he may
want to be a musician; at any rate, his skill reminds him of the
woman he did not like, and so he 'glowered,' as Jo said."</p>
<p class="indent">"Dear me, how romantic!" exclaimed Meg.</p>
<p class="indent">"How silly!" said Jo. "Let him be a musician, if he wants to,
and not plague his life out sending him to college, when he hates to
go."</p>
<p class="indent">"That's why he has such handsome black eyes and pretty manners,
I suppose. Italians are always nice," said Meg, who was a little
sentimental.</p>
<p class="indent">"What do you know about his eyes and his manners? You never
spoke to him, hardly," cried Jo, who was <i>not</i> sentimental.</p>
<p class="indent">"I saw him at the party, and what you tell shows that he knows
how to behave. That was a nice little speech about the medicine
mother sent him."</p>
<p class="indent">"He meant the blanc-mange, I suppose."</p>
<p class="indent">"How stupid you are, child! He meant you, of course."</p>
<p class="indent">"Did he?" and Jo opened her eyes as if it had never occurred to
her before.</p>
<p class="indent">"I never saw such a girl! You don't know a compliment when
you get it," said Meg, with the air of a young lady who knew all
about the matter.</p>
<p class="indent">"I think they are great nonsense, and I'll thank you not to be silly,
and spoil my fun. Laurie's a nice boy, and I like him, and I won't
have any sentimental stuff about compliments and such rubbish.
We'll all be good to him, because he hasn't got any mother, and he
<i>may</i> come over and see us, mayn't he, Marmee?"</p>
<p class="indent">"Yes, Jo, your little friend is very welcome, and I hope Meg
will remember that children should be children as long as they
can."</p>
<p class="indent">"I don't call myself a child, and I'm not in my teens yet," observed
Amy. "What do you say, Beth?"</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum">[Pg 72]</span>
"I was thinking about our 'Pilgrim's Progress,'" answered Beth,
who had not heard a word. "How we got out of the Slough and
through the Wicket Gate by resolving to be good, and up the steep
hill by trying; and that maybe the house over there, full of splendid
things, is going to be our Palace Beautiful."</p>
<p class="indent">"We have got to get by the lions, first," said Jo, as if she rather
liked the prospect.</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <SPAN name="b039.png" id="b039.png"></SPAN> <ANTIMG src="images/b039.png" width-obs="259" height-obs="200" alt="Tail-piece" title="Tail-piece" /></div>
<hr class="hr2" />
<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 73]</span></p>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />