I know it , and I hope I shall be able to pull them through and land them safely ; but it 's an awful responsibility , for they will come to me and insist that I can make their poor little loves run smoothly . I like it , though , and Meg is such a mush of sentiment she revels in the prospect , ' answered Jo , feeling pretty easy about her own boys , whose youth made them safe for the present . ` I 'm afraid she wo n't revel when our Nat begins to buzz too near her Daisy . Of course you see what all that means ? As musical director I am also his confidante , and would like to know what advice to give , ' said Laurie soberly . ` Hush ! you forget that child , ' began Jo , nodding towards Bess , who was at work again . ` Bless you ! she 's in Athens , and does n't hear a word . She ought to leave off , though , and go out . My darling , put the baby to sleep , and go for a run . Aunt Meg is in the parlour ; go and show her the new pictures till we come , ' added Laurie , looking at his tall girl as Pygmalion might have looked at Galatea ; for he considered her the finest statue in the house . ` Yes , papa ; but please tell me if it is good ' ; and Bess obediently put down her tools , with a lingering glance at the bust . ` My cherished daughter , truth compels me to confess that one cheek is plumper than the other ; and the curls upon its infant brow are rather too much like horns for perfect grace ; otherwise it rivals Raphael 's Chanting Cherubs , and I 'm proud of it . ' Laurie was laughing as he spoke ; for these first attempts were so like Amy 's early ones , it was impossible to regard them as soberly as the enthusiastic mamma did . ` You ca n't see beauty in anything but music , ' answered Bess , shaking the golden head that made the one bright spot in the cool north lights of the great studio . ` Well , I see beauty in you , dear . And if you are not art , what is ? I wish to put a little more nature into you , and get you away from this cold clay and marble into the sunshine , to dance and laugh as the others do . I want a flesh-and-blood girl , not a sweet statue in a grey pinafore , who forgets everything but her work . '
As he spoke , two dusty hands came round his neck , and XXXXX said earnestly , punctuating her words with soft touches of her lips : ' I never forget you , papa ; but I do want to do something beautiful that you may be proud of me by and by .
Amy Athens Bess Galatea Jo Meg first mush parlour pinafore