I suspect that the real attraction was a large library of fine books , which was left to dust and spiders since Uncle March died . Jo remembered the kind old gentleman , who used to let her build railroads and bridges with his big dictionaries , tell her stories about queer pictures in his Latin books , and buy her cards of gingerbread whenever he met her in the street . The dim , dusty room , with the busts staring down from the tall bookcases , the cozy chairs , the globes , and best of all , the wilderness of books in which she could wander where she liked , made the library a region of bliss to her . The moment Aunt March took her nap , or was busy with company , Jo hurried to this quiet place , and curling herself up in the easy chair , devoured poetry , romance , history , travels , and pictures like a regular bookworm . But , like all happiness , it did not last long , for as sure as she had just reached the heart of the story , the sweetest verse of a song , or the most perilous adventure of her traveler , a shrill voice called , `` Josy-phine ! Josy-phine ! '' and she had to leave her paradise to wind yarn , wash the poodle , or read Belsham 's Essays by the hour together . Jo 's ambition was to do something very splendid . What it was , she had no idea as yet , but left it for time to tell her , and meanwhile , found her greatest affliction in the fact that she could n't read , run , and ride as much as she liked . A quick temper , sharp tongue , and restless spirit were always getting her into scrapes , and her life was a series of ups and downs , which were both comic and pathetic . But the training she received at Aunt March 's was just what she needed , and the thought that she was doing something to support herself made her happy in spite of the perpetual `` Josy-phine ! '' Beth was too bashful to go to school . It had been tried , but she suffered so much that it was given up , and she did her lessons at home with her father . Even when he went away , and her mother was called to devote her skill and energy to Soldiers ' Aid Societies , Beth went faithfully on by herself and did the best she could . She was a housewifely little creature , and helped Hannah keep home neat and comfortable for the workers , never thinking of any reward but to be loved . Long , quiet days she spent , not lonely nor idle , for her little world was peopled with imaginary friends , and she was by nature a busy bee . There were six dolls to be taken up and dressed every morning , for Beth was a child still and loved her pets as well as ever . Not one whole or handsome one among them , all were outcasts till Beth took them in , for when her sisters outgrew these idols , they passed to her because Amy would have nothing old or ugly . Beth cherished them all the more tenderly for that very reason , and set up a hospital for infirm dolls . No pins were ever stuck into their cotton vitals , no harsh words or blows were ever given them , no neglect ever saddened the heart of the most repulsive , but all were fed and clothed , nursed and caressed with an affection which never failed .
One forlorn fragment of dollanity had belonged to XXXXX and , having led a tempestuous life , was left a wreck in the rag bag , from which dreary poorhouse it was rescued by Beth and taken to her refuge .
Amy Belsham Beth Hannah Jo Josy-phine bookworm gingerbread left spiders