小妇人 05

5 A surprise for Beth

Laurie and the four girls were soon great friends.

Mr Brooke complained to the old gentleman that his student was always running across to see the Marches.

'Let him have a bit of a holiday, 'said Mr Laurence. 'He can catch up with his studies later. '

What good times they had! Writing and acting plays, happy evenings at the Marches, and little parties at the big house.

Only Beth was too shy to go there.

When Mr Laurence heard about Beth's shyness, he came to have tea with their mother one day, and began to talk about music and great singers he had heard.

Beth found it impossible to stay in her corner and came to listen.

'Laurie hasn't much time for his music, 'Mr Laurence told Mrs March, 'so the piano is not used very often.

Would any of your girls like to play it sometimes?