`` I could have run faster , only I was afraid of spilling Bess , '' screamed Daisy . `` Hi ! go long ! '' cried the princess , giving such a flourish with her whip that the horses ran away , and were seen no more . `` My precious child ! come away from this ill-mannered crew before you are quite spoilt . Good-by , Jo ! Next time I come , I shall expect to find the boys making patchwork . '' `` It would n't hurt them a bit . I do n't give in , mind you ; for my experiments always fail a few times before they succeed . Love to Amy and my blessed Marmee , '' called Mrs. Jo , as the carriage drove away ; and the last Mr. Laurie saw of her , she was consoling Daisy for her failure by a ride in the wheelbarrow , and looking as if she liked it . Great was the excitement all the week about the repairs in the carriage-house , which went briskly on in spite of the incessant questions , advice , and meddling of the boys . Old Gibbs was nearly driven wild with it all , but managed to do his work nevertheless ; and by Friday night the place was all in order roof mended , shelves up , walls whitewashed , a great window cut at the back , which let in a flood of sunshine , and gave them a fine view of the brook , the meadows , and the distant hills ; and over the great door , painted in red letters , was `` The Laurence Museum . '' All Saturday morning the boys were planning how it should be furnished with their spoils , and when Mr. Laurie arrived , bringing an aquarium which Mrs. Amy said she was tired of , their rapture was great . The afternoon was spent in arranging things , and when the running and lugging and hammering was over , the ladies were invited to behold the institution . It certainly was a pleasant place , airy , clean , and bright . A hop-vine shook its green bells round the open window , the pretty aquarium stood in the middle of the room , with some delicate water plants rising above the water , and gold-fish showing their brightness as they floated to and fro below . On either side of the window were rows of shelves ready to receive the curiosities yet to be found . Dan 's tall cabinet stood before the great door which was fastened up , while the small door was to be used . On the cabinet stood a queer Indian idol , very ugly , but very interesting ; old Mr. Laurence sent it , as well as a fine Chinese junk in full sail , which had a conspicuous place on the long table in the middle of the room .
Above , swinging in a loop , and looking as if she was alive , hung Polly , who died at an advanced age , had been carefully stuffed , and was no presented by Mrs. XXXXX .
Amy Chinese Gibbs Jo Laurence Laurie afternoon aquarium curiosities fro