Beth said nothing , but wiped away her tears with the blue army sock and began to knit with all her might , losing no time in doing the duty that lay nearest her , while she resolved in her quiet little soul to be all that Father hoped to find her when the year brought round the happy coming home . Mrs. March broke the silence that followed Jo 's words , by saying in her cheery voice , `` Do you remember how you used to play Pilgrims Progress when you were little things ? Nothing delighted you more than to have me tie my piece bags on your backs for burdens , give you hats and sticks and rolls of paper , and let you travel through the house from the cellar , which was the City of Destruction , up , up , to the housetop , where you had all the lovely things you could collect to make a Celestial City . '' `` What fun it was , especially going by the lions , fighting Apollyon , and passing through the valley where the hob-goblins were , '' said Jo . `` I liked the place where the bundles fell off and tumbled downstairs , '' said Meg . `` I do n't remember much about it , except that I was afraid of the cellar and the dark entry , and always liked the cake and milk we had up at the top . If I was n't too old for such things , I 'd rather like to play it over again , '' said Amy , who began to talk of renouncing childish things at the mature age of twelve . `` We never are too old for this , my dear , because it is a play we are playing all the time in one way or another . Our burdens are here , our road is before us , and the longing for goodness and happiness is the guide that leads us through many troubles and mistakes to the peace which is a true Celestial City . Now , my little pilgrims , suppose you begin again , not in play , but in earnest , and see how far on you can get before Father comes home . '' `` Really , Mother ? Where are our bundles ? '' asked Amy , who was a very literal young lady . `` Each of you told what your burden was just now , except Beth . I rather think she has n't got any , '' said her mother . `` Yes , I have . Mine is dishes and dusters , and envying girls with nice pianos , and being afraid of people . '' Beth 's bundle was such a funny one that everybody wanted to laugh , but nobody did , for it would have hurt her feelings very much . `` Let us do it , '' said Meg thoughtfully . `` It is only another name for trying to be good , and the story may help us , for though we do want to be good , it 's hard work and we forget , and do n't do our best . ''
`` We were in the Slough of Despond tonight , and XXXXX came and pulled us out as Help did in the book .
Amy Beth City Father Jo Meg Mother dusters hob-goblins housetop