He was tired of books , and found people so interesting now that Mr. Brooke was obliged to make very unsatisfactory reports , for Laurie was always playing truant and running over to the Marches ' . `` Never mind , let him take a holiday , and make it up afterward , '' said the old gentleman . `` The good lady next door says he is studying too hard and needs young society , amusement , and exercise . I suspect she is right , and that I 've been coddling the fellow as if I 'd been his grandmother . Let him do what he likes , as long as he is happy . He ca n't get into mischief in that little nunnery over there , and Mrs. March is doing more for him than we can . '' What good times they had , to be sure . Such plays and tableaux , such sleigh rides and skating frolics , such pleasant evenings in the old parlor , and now and then such gay little parties at the great house . Meg could walk in the conservatory whenever she liked and revel in bouquets , Jo browsed over the new library voraciously , and convulsed the old gentleman with her criticisms , Amy copied pictures and enjoyed beauty to her heart 's content , and Laurie played ` lord of the manor ' in the most delightful style . But Beth , though yearning for the grand piano , could not pluck up courage to go to the ` Mansion of Bliss ' , as Meg called it . She went once with Jo , but the old gentleman , not being aware of her infirmity , stared at her so hard from under his heavy eyebrows , and said `` Hey ! '' so loud , that he frightened her so much her ` feet chattered on the floor ' , she never told her mother , and she ran away , declaring she would never go there any more , not even for the dear piano . No persuasions or enticements could overcome her fear , till , the fact coming to Mr. Laurence 's ear in some mysterious way , he set about mending matters . During one of the brief calls he made , he artfully led the conversation to music , and talked away about great singers whom he had seen , fine organs he had heard , and told such charming anecdotes that Beth found it impossible to stay in her distant corner , but crept nearer and nearer , as if fascinated . At the back of his chair she stopped and stood listening , with her great eyes wide open and her cheeks red with excitement of this unusual performance . Taking no more notice of her than if she had been a fly , Mr. Laurence talked on about Laurie 's lessons and teachers . And presently , as if the idea had just occurred to him , he said to Mrs. March ... `` The boy neglects his music now , and I 'm glad of it , for he was getting too fond of it . But the piano suffers for want of use . Would n't some of your girls like to run over , and practice on it now and then , just to keep it in tune , you know , ma'am ? '' Beth took a step forward , and pressed her hands tightly together to keep from clapping them , for this was an irresistible temptation , and the thought of practicing on that splendid instrument quite took her breath away .
Before Mrs. March could reply , Mr. XXXXX went on with an odd little nod and smile ... `` They need n't see or speak to anyone , but run in at any time .
Brooke Jo Laurence Laurie Meg coddling evenings nunnery right sleigh