They 'll think it 's splendid , '' said Amy , much impressed by the note . `` Try it , honey . Let 's hear the sound of the baby pianny , '' said Hannah , who always took a share in the family joys and sorrows . So Beth tried it , and everyone pronounced it the most remarkable piano ever heard . It had evidently been newly tuned and put in apple-pie order , but , perfect as it was , I think the real charm lay in the happiest of all happy faces which leaned over it , as Beth lovingly touched the beautiful black and white keys and pressed the bright pedals . `` You 'll have to go and thank him , '' said Jo , by way of a joke , for the idea of the child 's really going never entered her head . `` Yes , I mean to . I guess I 'll go now , before I get frightened thinking about it . '' And , to the utter amazement of the assembled family , Beth walked deliberately down the garden , through the hedge , and in at the Laurences ' door . `` Well , I wish I may die if it ai n't the queerest thing I ever see ! The pianny has turned her head ! She 'd never have gone in her right mind , '' cried Hannah , staring after her , while the girls were rendered quite speechless by the miracle . They would have been still more amazed if they had seen what Beth did afterward . If you will believe me , she went and knocked at the study door before she gave herself time to think , and when a gruff voice called out , `` come in ! '' she did go in , right up to Mr. Laurence , who looked quite taken aback , and held out her hand , saying , with only a small quaver in her voice , `` I came to thank you , sir , for ... '' But she did n't finish , for he looked so friendly that she forgot her speech and , only remembering that he had lost the little girl he loved , she put both arms round his neck and kissed him . If the roof of the house had suddenly flown off , the old gentleman would n't have been more astonished . But he liked it . Oh , dear , yes , he liked it amazingly ! And was so touched and pleased by that confiding little kiss that all his crustiness vanished , and he just set her on his knee , and laid his wrinkled cheek against her rosy one , feeling as if he had got his own little granddaughter back again . Beth ceased to fear him from that moment , and sat there talking to him as cozily as if she had known him all her life , for love casts out fear , and gratitude can conquer pride .
When she went home , he walked with her to her own gate , shook hands cordially , and XXXXX his hat as he marched back again , looking very stately and erect , like a handsome , soldierly old gentleman , as he was .
's Try ai believe die get knocked said seen touched