Little Women - 912 Freedom Library

Little WomenBeth had a rapture with her mother, and then rushedup to impart the glorious news to her family of invalids, asthe girls were not home. How blithely she sang thatevening, and how they all laughed at her because shewoke Amy in the night by playing the piano on her facein her sleep. Next day, having seen both the old andyoung gentleman out of the house, Beth, after two orthree retreats, fairly got in at the side door, and made herway as noiselessly as any mouse to the drawing roomwhere her idol stood. Quite by accident, of course, somepretty, easy music lay on the piano, and with tremblingfingers and frequent stops to listen and look about, Beth atlast touched the great instrument, and straightway forgother fear, herself, and everything else but the unspeakabledelight which the music gave her, for it was like the voiceof a beloved friend.She stayed till Hannah came to take her home todinner, but she had no appetite, and could only sit andsmile upon everyone in a general state of beatitude.After that, the little brown hood slipped through thehedge nearly every day, and the great drawing room washaunted by a tuneful spirit that came and went unseen.She never knew that Mr. Laurence opened his study doorto hear the old-fashioned airs he liked. She never saw105 of 861