Chapter 5.
Being Neighborly The winter day had brought a great snowfall.
As Meg read by the fire with a book, Joe took a broom and shovel outside to clear the walkways, in case Beth wanted to get some fresh air.
With too much energy to sit by the fire.
Joe loved to be outdoors getting exercise, no matter what the weather.
In fact, today she had decided to find out more about the lonely Lawrence boy.
Joe loved to do daring things, so she threw a snowball at Lori's window.
He opened the window and smiled down at Joe, who waved her broom, yelling, Hello!
Are you sick?
In a raspy voice, Lori answered, I've had a bad cold and I've been inside all week.
What have you been doing to keep busy?
Nothing much.
Lori hadn't been allowed to read.
When Joe suggested that his friends should come to visit, Lori said that boys were too noisy.
What about a girl then?
Someone to play nurse and read to you?
I don't know any.
You know me, Joe laughed.
What a great idea.
Joe went back into her house to ask her mother's permission, while Lori straightened his room and brushed his hair.
When Joe appeared on his doorstep, she brought lots of goodies.
Meg made a cake, Amy gathered flowers, and Beth sent her three kittens.
The gifts were just the right things to help Lori relax.
Joe sat in a big chair and Lori lay on the sofa.
She asked if she could read a book to him, but Lori said he'd rather talk.
And they did.
They talked about Joe's family, and Lori admitted that he enjoyed looking into their house from his window.
Lori described his tutor, Mr. Brooke.
Then he talked about his grandfather.
Joe explained that she didn't go to school and worked for her Aunt March.
She confided her fears for her father.
When Lori discovered that Joe loved books as much as he did, he invited her to tour the spectacular house and, of course, to stop at the fabulous library.
In the midst of their tour, a bell rang.
Joe said, it must be your grandfather.
Don't tell me you're afraid of him, Lori asked.
Maybe a little, but I don't know why. the maid came in and told Laurie the doctor had arrived.
While Laurie was being examined in another room, Joe stayed in the library and stood in front of a fine portrait of the elder Mr Lawrence.
Thinking she was alone.
She said in a loud whisper I shouldn't be scared of him, for he's got kind eyes, though his mouth is a little grim and he looks like he must have tremendous will.
He isn't as handsome as my grandfather, but I like him.
Well, thank you, young lady. said a voice from behind her, and there stood old Mr. Lawrence.
Well, poor Jo blushed until she couldn't blush any longer.
For a minute she thought she'd run away, but remained.
Another look at the old man showed her that his eyes were even kinder than the painted one's.
After a very long pause, the old gentleman asked gruffly, So, you're not afraid of me?
Joe said softly, Not much, sir.
But you do like me, despite my bad features.
Joe replied, Oh, yes, sir.
Mr Lawrence was pleased with her answer and made Jo happy by saying that she had her grandfather's spirit.
She explained that she came over to be neighborly, and they agreed that Lori needed cheering up.
She put her arm through Mr. Lawrence's, and they joined Lori in the parlor for tea.
Soon Joe and Lori were again chatting like old friends and Mr Lawrence decided she was a very good influence on the boy.
Joe admired the grand piano.
After tea, she persuaded Lori to play, and she only wished that Beth could have heard.
Joe gushed about how well Lori played until his grandfather stopped the compliments and gave her a rushed goodbye.
When they got to the front hall, Joe asked if she had done something to upset Mr. Lawrence.
Laurie said that his grandfather didn't like to hear him play the piano.
He would tell her the reason another time.
They promised to visit each other again.
Joe sprinted home to tell her family about the wonderful day she had being a good neighbor.
Now each of her sisters had a different reason to explore the house next door.
Meg wanted to see the greenhouse.
Amy was interested in the fine paintings and statues, and Beth longed to play the grand piano.
Joe had made a good friend in Lori and was happy she had made him feel so much better.
Beth called the big house Palace Beautiful, though it took her some time to get up the nerve to visit.
She was still afraid of old Mr. Lawrence, even though he had put the other girls at ease.
At first they were shy because they couldn't repay material favors, but in a matter of weeks they had forgotten their pride, and the friendship between Laurie and the March sisters grew full like grass in the spring.
Lori told his tutor, Mr. Brooke, that the girls were all splendid.
He often missed his lessons so he could go off with them.
Lori had never had a mother or sisters, and he rejoiced in the comfort and fun of the girls' companionship.
Luckily his grandfather thought this was a good idea and told Mr Brooke not to worry if Lori missed a lesson or two.
He said, let him take a holiday.
He needs good friends and exercise.
I think I've been coddling him too much lately anyway.
What fun the group had.
They skated, went on sleigh rides, made music, and put on plays.
Soon everyone except shy Beth treated the Lawrence mansion like a second home.
Just as they anticipated, Meg often went to the greenhouse.
Joe browsed in the library, and Amy copied the paintings.
But as much as she longed to, Beth couldn't find the courage to go next door and play the grand piano.
A little birdie named Joe had told Mr. Lawrence about Beth's love of music.
He set about to help her overcome her shyness.
While visiting Marmy one day, he rambled on about the great musicians and wonderful singers he had seen.
This coaxed Beth out of her corner, and she stood listening.
Still pretending he didn't notice the timid little girl.
He said Lori neglects his music these days.
That wonderful piano just sits there, dying to be used.
If your girls want to practice on it, just to keep it in tune, I'd be grateful.
Beth stepped forward with her hands clasped tightly in excitement.
Mr. Lawrence smiled and continued.
They needed see anyone and no one would bother them.
So please let the girls know what I've said, if any of them would care.
Beth slipped her little hand in his and exclaimed, Oh, they do care very much, sir.
Are you the musical girl? he asked.
I'm Beth.
I love music very much, and I'll come to play the piano if you're sure that I won't bother anyone.
Mr. Lawrence replied, The house sits empty most afternoons.
There's no chance you will bother anyone, so come and play as much as you like.
It would make me very happy.
Beth blushed.
She was still scared, but felt much better.
She squeezed Mr. Lawrence's hand because she had no words to thank him for his precious gift.
The old man stroked her hair and kissed her forehead.
He said in a soft voice, I once had a little girl with eyes like yours.
Bless you.
After a hasty goodbye to Mrs. March, Mr. Lawrence left.
Beth was ecstatic.
She ran right upstairs to tell her dolls what had happened because her sisters weren't home.
The next day, Beth watched as both Lori and his grandfather left their house.
After two or three tries, she finally managed to get herself into the mansion.
She slipped quietly into the parlor room and stood in awe, staring at the beautiful piano.
Someone had left music on the piano.
With trembling fingers, she finally touched the great instrument and her fear washed away.
She sat down and played to her heart's content until Hannah came to take her home for dinner.
After this experience, Beth came to play the piano nearly every day.
She never suspected that Mr Lawrence left new songs and exercise books for her, that he opened his study door to listen, or that Lori made sure that no one interrupted her.
She was so grateful for this blessing that she asked her mother if she could make Mr Lawrence a pair of slippers and things.
Of course, Mrs. March agreed.
Meg and Joe helped choose the pattern and materials and Beth began the work.
She was a very good seamstress and the slippers were done in no time.
She wrote a short note and got Lurie to smuggle the slippers onto his grandfather's study table one morning so he could see them when he woke up.
Beth waited to see what would happen.
Two days passed, and she still heard nothing, so she worried that she might have upset her friend.
On the afternoon of the second day, Beth went to run an errand.
When she returned, her sisters and Hannah were excitedly waiting by the front door.
"'Come quickly!
There's a letter for you,' Joe said."
Amy began, oh, Beth, he's sent.
Jo clamped her hand over Amy's mouth, not wanting her to ruin the wonderful surprise.
When Beth stepped into the parlor, she paled with both delight and surprise.
Standing in front of her was a little cabinet piano with a letter on top addressed to Miss Elizabeth March.
Beth gasped.
For me.
She held tightly to Joe for fear she might faint on the spot.
Yes, it's for you, Joe squealed.
Isn't it wonderful of him?
He's the dearest old man in the world.
She tried to hand Beth the letter and the key for the piano, but Beth shook her head.
She was too excited, so Joe opened it and read.
Miss March, I've had many slippers in my life, but none that have suited me as well as yours.
I want to give you something in return.
This once belonged to the little granddaughter whom I lost.
Great thanks and best wishes.
Your friend, James Lawrence.
An honor, Joe said.
Lori told me how fond Mr Lawrence was of his granddaughter who had died and how he took such care of her things.
Now he's given you her piano.
Only after Beth sat down to play the instrument did she feel better.
Everyone exclaimed it was the most remarkable piano they had ever heard.
And how wonderful the girls felt watching their beloved sister lovingly touch the beautiful keys and press the shiny pedals.
You'll have to thank him, Joe said, not thinking shy Beth would ever do such a thing.
Yes, I guess I'll go now before I get too scared.
Much to the shock of her family, a miracle happened.
Beth walked out the door, through the garden, and into the Lawrence house.
Then she marched in and knocked on the study door.
A gruff voice called out.
Beth went to Mr Lawrence, held out her hand and said with a quivering voice to say thank you.
But she couldn't finish.
He looked so kind and friendly that she threw her arms around his neck.
She thought about the little girl he had lost and kissed his cheek.
Mr. Lawrence was so touched by Beth's warmth that all his crustiness melted away.
He set her upon his knee as if he had his granddaughter back again.
Beth lost her fears and spoke to him as if she had known him her whole life.
When she went home he walked her to the door, shook her hand and smiled as he tipped his hat in an elegant goodbye gesture.
Her sisters couldn't believe the performance.
Joe danced a jig.
Amy nearly fell out of the window as she watched, and Meg exclaimed I do believe the world is coming to an end.
