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 Jo 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 . Having no top to its head , she tied on a neat little cap , and as both arms and legs were gone , she hid these deficiencies by folding it in a blanket and devoting her best bed to this chronic invalid . If anyone had known the care lavished on that dolly , I think it would have touched their hearts , even while they laughed . She brought it bits of bouquets , she read to it , took it out to breathe fresh air , hidden under her coat , she sang it lullabies and never went to bed without kissing its dirty face and whispering tenderly , `` I hope you 'll have a good night , my poor dear . '' Beth had her troubles as well as the others , and not being an angel but a very human little girl , she often ` wept a little weep ' as Jo said , because she could n't take music lessons and have a fine piano . She loved music so dearly , tried so hard to learn , and practiced away so patiently at the jingling old instrument , that it did seem as if someone -LRB- not to hint Aunt March -RRB- ought to help her .
Nobody did , however , and nobody saw XXXXX wipe the tears off the yellow keys , that would n't keep in tune , when she was all alone .
Amy Belsham Beth Essays Hannah Jo dollanity left lullabies morning