And away he went, in a great hurry
Beth had a rapture with her mother, and then rushed up to impart the glorious news to her family of invalids, as the girls were not homeHow blithely she sang that evening, and how they all laughed at her because she woke Amy in the night by playing the piano on her face in her sleepNext day, having seen both the old and young gentleman 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 stoodQuite by accident, of course, some pretty, easy music lay on the piano, and with trembling fingers and frequent stops to listen and look about, Beth at last touched the great instrument, and straightway forgot her fear, herself, and everything else but the unspeakable delight which the music gave her, for it was like the voice of a beloved friend
She stayed till Hannah came to take her home to dinner, but she had no appetite, and could only sit and smile upon everyone in a general state of beatitude
After that, the little brown hood slipped through the hedge nearly every day, and the great drawing room was haunted by a http://www.culuxury.com/category_6_Fendi_1.html" target="_blank tuneful spirit that came and went unseenShe never knew that MrLaurence opened his study door to hear the old-fashioned airs he likedShe never saw Laurie mount guard in the hall to warn the servants awayShe 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 tell things that helped her so muchSo she enjoyed herself heartily, and found, what isn't always the case, that her granted wish was all she had hopedPerhaps it was because she was so grateful for this blessing that a greater was given herAt any rate she deserved both"Mother, I'm going to work MrLaurence a pair of slippersHe is so kind to me, I must thank him, and I don't know any other wayCan I do it?" asked Beth, a few weeks after that eventful call of hisIt will please him very much, and be a nice way of thanking himThe girls will help you about them, and I will pay for the making up," replied MrsMarch, who took peculiar pleasure in granting Beth's requests because she so seldom asked anything for herself
After many serious discussions with Meg and Jo, http://www.muluxury.com/scategory_30_Cartier-Watches.html" target="_blank the pattern was chosen, the materials bought, and the slippers begunA cluster ofgrave yet cheerful pansies on a deeper purple ground was pronounced very appropriate and pretty, and beth worked away early and late, with occasional lifts over hard partsShe was a nimble little needlewoman, and they were finished before anyone got tired of themThen she wrote a short, simple note, and with Laurie's help, got them smuggled onto the study table one morning before the old gentleman was up
When this excitement was over, Beth waited to see what would happenAll day passed a a part of the next before any acknowledgement arrived, and she was beginning to fear she had offended her crochety friendOn the afternoon of the second day, she went out to do an errand, and give poor Joanna, the invalid doll, her daily exerciseAs she came up the street, on her return, she saw three, yes, four heads popping in and out of the parlor windows, and the moment they saw her, several hands were waved, and several joyful voices screamed
"Here's a letter from the old gentleman! Come quick, and read it!"
"Oh, Beth, he's sent you began Amy, gesticulating with unseemly energy, but she got no http://www.naluxury.com/scategory_21_Tiffany-Jewelry.html" target="_blank further, for Jo quenched her by slamming down the window
Beth hurried on in a flutter of suspenseAt the door her sisters seized and bore her to the parlor in a triumphal procession, all pointing and all saying at once, "Look there! Look there!" Beth did look, and turned pale with delight and surprise, for there stood a little cabinet piano, with a letter lying on the glossy lid, directed like a sign board to "Miss Elizabeth March
"For me?" gasped Beth, holding onto Jo and feeling as if she should tumble down, it was such an overwhelming thing altogether
"Yes, all for you, my precious! Isn't it splendid of him? Don't you think he's the dearest old man in the world? Here's the key in the letterWe didn't open it, but we are dying to know what he says," cried Jo, hugging her sister and offering the note
"You read it! I can't, I feel so queer! Oh, it is too lovely!" and Beth hid her face in Jo's apron, quite upset by her present
Jo opened the paper and began to laugh, for the first worked she saw were
"Miss March:
"Dear Madam--"
"How nice it sounds! I wish someone would write to me so!" said Amy, who thought the old-fashioned address very elegant
"`I http://www.snluxury.com/scategory_28_Omega-Watches.html" target="_blank have had many pairs of slippers in my life, but I never had any that suited me so well as yours, '" continues Jo"`Heartsease is my favorite flower, and these will always remind me of the gentle giverI like to pay my debts, so I know you will allow `the old gentleman' to send you something which once belonged to the little grand daughter he lostWith hearty thanks and best wishes, I remain "`Your grateful friend and humble servant,"
`JAMES LAURENCE'
"There, Beth, that's an honor to be proud of, I'm sure! Laurie told me how fond Mraurence used to be of the child who died, and how he kept all her little things carefullyJust think, he's given you her pianoThat comes of having big blue eyes and loving music," said Jo, trying to soothe Beth, who trembled and looked more excited than she had ever been before
"See the cunning brackets to hold candles, and the nice green sild, puckered up, with a gold rose in the middle, and the pretty rack and stool, all complete," added Meg, opening the instrument and displaying its beauties
"`Your humble servant, James Laurence'Only think of his writing that to youThey'll think it's splendid," said Amy, much impressed by the http://www.snluxury.com/scategory_25_Gucci-Watches.html" target="_blank not