`` Good night , Laurie ! '' `` Good night , Jo , good night ! '' When all the afternoon 's adventures had been told , the family felt inclined to go visiting in a body , for each found something very attractive in the big house on the other side of the hedge . Mrs. March wanted to talk of her father with the old man who had not forgotten him , Meg longed to walk in the conservatory , Beth sighed for the grand piano , and Amy was eager to see the fine pictures and statues . `` Mother , why did n't Mr. Laurence like to have Laurie play ? '' asked Jo , who was of an inquiring disposition . `` I am not sure , but I think it was because his son , Laurie 's father , married an Italian lady , a musician , which displeased the old man , who is very proud . The lady was good and lovely and accomplished , but he did not like her , and never saw his son after he married . They both died when Laurie was a little child , and then his grandfather took him home . I fancy the boy , who was born in Italy , is not very strong , and the old man is afraid of losing him , which makes him so careful . Laurie comes naturally by his love of music , for he is like his mother , and I dare say his grandfather fears that he may want to be a musician . At any rate , his skill reminds him of the woman he did not like , and so he ` glowered ' as Jo said . '' `` Dear me , how romantic ! '' exclaimed Meg . `` How silly ! '' said Jo . `` Let him be a musician if he wants to , and not plague his life out sending him to college , when he hates to go . '' `` That 's why he has such handsome black eyes and pretty manners , I suppose . Italians are always nice , '' said Meg , who was a little sentimental . `` What do you know about his eyes and his manners ?
You never spoke to him , hardly , '' cried XXXXX , who was not sentimental .
Amy Beth Italian Italians Italy Jo Laurence Meg Mother afternoon