`` We have got to get by the lions first , '' said Jo , as if she rather liked the prospect . CHAPTER SIX BETH FINDS THE PALACE BEAUTIFUL The big house did prove a Palace Beautiful , though it took some time for all to get in , and Beth found it very hard to pass the lions . Old Mr. Laurence was the biggest one , but after he had called , said something funny or kind to each one of the girls , and talked over old times with their mother , nobody felt much afraid of him , except timid Beth . 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 XXXXX , but the old gentleman , not being aware of her infirmity , stared at her so hard from under his heavy eyebrows , and said `` Hey ! ''
Amy Beth Bliss Jo benefactors coddling evenings right sleigh tableaux