The other lion was the fact that they were poor and Laurie rich , for this made them shy of accepting favors which they could not return . But , after a while , they found that he considered them the benefactors , and could not do enough to show how grateful he was for Mrs. March 's motherly welcome , their cheerful society , and the comfort he took in that humble home of theirs . So they soon forgot their pride and interchanged kindnesses without stopping to think which was the greater . All sorts of pleasant things happened about that time , for the new friendship flourished like grass in spring . Every one liked Laurie , and he privately informed his tutor that `` the Marches were regularly splendid girls . '' With the delightful enthusiasm of youth , they took the solitary boy into their midst and made much of him , and he found something very charming in the innocent companionship of these simple-hearted girls . Never having known mother or sisters , he was quick to feel the influences they brought about him , and their busy , lively ways made him ashamed of the indolent life he led . 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 XXXXX found it impossible to stay in her distant corner , but crept nearer and nearer , as if fascinated .
Amy Beth Bliss Brooke Laurence Laurie Meg benefactors right tableaux