`` 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 . '' `` He meant the blanc mange , I suppose . '' `` How stupid you are , child ! He meant you , of course . '' `` Did he ? '' And Jo opened her eyes as if it had never occurred to her before . `` I never saw such a girl ! You do n't know a compliment when you get it , '' said Meg , with the air of a young lady who knew all about the matter . `` 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 wo n't have any sentimental stuff about compliments and such rubbish . We 'll all be good to him because he has n't got any mother , and he may come over and see us , may n't he , Marmee ? '' `` Yes , Jo , your little friend is very welcome , and I hope Meg will remember that children should be children as long as they can . '' `` I do n't call myself a child , and I 'm not in my teens yet , '' observed Amy . `` What do you say , Beth ? '' `` 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 . '' `` We have got to get by the lions first , '' said Jo , as if she rather liked the prospect . CHAPTER SIX BETH FINDS THE PALACE BEAUTIFUL The big house did prove a Palace Beautiful , though it took some time for all to get in , and Beth found it very hard to pass the lions . Old Mr. Laurence was the biggest 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 him , except timid Beth .
The other lion was the fact that they were poor and XXXXX rich , for this made them shy of accepting favors which they could not return .
Amy Beth Jo Laurence Laurie Marmee Meg Mother first mange