Lastly , Mr. Bhaer was dressed in a new suit of black , which made him look more like a gentleman than ever . His bushy hair had been cut and smoothly brushed , but did n't stay in order long , for in exciting moments , he rumpled it up in the droll way he used to do , and Jo liked it rampantly erect better than flat , because she thought it gave his fine forehead a Jove-like aspect . Poor Jo , how she did glorify that plain man , as she sat knitting away so quietly , yet letting nothing escape her , not even the fact that Mr. Bhaer actually had gold sleeve-buttons in his immaculate wristbands . `` Dear old fellow ! He could n't have got himself up with more care if he 'd been going a-wooing , '' said Jo to herself , and then a sudden thought born of the words made her blush so dreadfully that she had to drop her ball , and go down after it to hide her face . The maneuver did not succeed as well as she expected , however , for though just in the act of setting fire to a funeral pyre , the Professor dropped his torch , metaphorically speaking , and made a dive after the little blue ball . Of course they bumped their heads smartly together , saw stars , and both came up flushed and laughing , without the ball , to resume their seats , wishing they had not left them . Nobody knew where the evening went to , for Hannah skillfully abstracted the babies at an early hour , nodding like two rosy poppies , and Mr. Laurence went home to rest . The others sat round the fire , talking away , utterly regardless of the lapse of time , till Meg , whose maternal mind was impressed with a firm conviction that Daisy had tumbled out of bed , and Demi set his nightgown afire studying the structure of matches , made a move to go . `` We must have our sing , in the good old way , for we are all together again once more , '' said Jo , feeling that a good shout would be a safe and pleasant vent for the jubilant emotions of her soul . They were not all there . But no one found the words thougtless or untrue , for Beth still seemed among them , a peaceful presence , invisible , but dearer than ever , since death could not break the household league that love made disoluble . The little chair stood in its old place . The tidy basket , with the bit of work she left unfinished when the needle grew ` so heavy ' , was still on its accustomed shelf . The beloved instrument , seldom touched now had not been moved , and above it Beth 's face , serene and smiling , as in the early days , looked down upon them , seeming to say , `` Be happy . I am here . '' `` Play something , Amy . Let them hear how much you have improved , '' said Laurie , with pardonable pride in his promising pupil . But Amy whispered , with full eyes , as she twirled the faded stool , `` Not tonight , dear . I ca n't show off tonight . ''
But she did show something better than brilliancy or skill , for she sang XXXXX 's songs with a tender music in her voice which the best master could not have taught , and touched the listener 's hearts with a sweeter power than any other inspiration could have given her .
Amy Beth Demi Meg Professor days disoluble escape evening wristbands