It was her favorite way of spending the hour of dusk . No one disturbed her , and she used to lie there on Beth 's little red pillow , planning stories , dreaming dreams , or thinking tender thoughts of the sister who never seemed far away . Her face looked tired , grave , and rather sad , for tomorrow was her birthday , and she was thinking how fast the years went by , how old she was getting , and how little she seemed to have accomplished . Almost twenty-five , and nothing to show for it . Jo was mistaken in that . There was a good deal to show , and by-and-by she saw , and was grateful for it . `` An old maid , that 's what I 'm to be . A literary spinster , with a pen for a spouse , a family of stories for children , and twenty years hence a morsel of fame , perhaps , when , like poor Johnson , I 'm old and ca n't enjoy it , solitary , and ca n't share it , independent , and do n't need it . Well , I need n't be a sour saint nor a selfish sinner , and , I dare say , old maids are very comfortable when they get used to it , but ... '' and there Jo sighed , as if the prospect was not inviting . It seldom is , at first , and thirty seems the end of all things to five-and-twenty . But it 's not as bad as it looks , and one can get on quite happily if one has something in one 's self to fall back upon . At twenty-five , girls begin to talk about being old maids , but secretly resolve that they never will be . At thirty they say nothing about it , but quietly accept the fact , and if sensible , console themselves by remembering that they have twenty more useful , happy years , in which they may be learning to grow old gracefully . Do n't laugh at the spinsters , dear girls , for often very tender , tragic romances are hidden away in the hearts that beat so quietly under the sober gowns , and many silent sacrifices of youth , health , ambition , love itself , make the faded faces beautiful in God 's sight . Even the sad , sour sisters should be kindly dealt with , because they have missed the sweetest part of life , if for no other reason . And looking at them with compassion , not contempt , girls in their bloom should remember that they too may miss the blossom time . That rosy cheeks do n't last forever , that silver threads will come in the bonnie brown hair , and that , by-and-by , kindness and respect will be as sweet as love and admiration now . Gentlemen , which means boys , be courteous to the old maids , no matter how poor and plain and prim , for the only chivalry worth having is that which is the readiest to pay deference to the old , protect the feeble , and serve womankind , regardless of rank , age , or color . Just recollect the good aunts who have not only lectured and fussed , but nursed and petted , too often without thanks , the scrapes they have helped you out of , the tips they have given you from their small store , the stitches the patient old fingers have set for you , the steps the willing old feet have taken , and gratefully pay the dear old ladies the little attentions that women love to receive as long as they live . The bright-eyed girls are quick to see such traits , and will like you all the better for them , and if death , almost the only power that can part mother and son , should rob you of yours , you will be sure to find a tender welcome and maternal cherishing from some Aunt Priscilla , who has kept the warmest corner of her lonely old heart for ` the best nevvy in the world ' .
XXXXX must have fallen asleep -LRB- as I dare say my reader has during this little homily -RRB- , for suddenly Laurie 's ghost seemed to stand before her , a substantial , lifelike ghost , leaning over her with the very look he used to wear when he felt a good deal and did n't like to show it .
Beth Jo Johnson Priscilla fall first independent spinsters womankind years