“I planned to spend mine in new music," said Beth, with a little sigh, which no one heard but the hearth brush and kettle-holder.”

“There are many Beths in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind.”

“I'd never realized how bad that house needed music until I heard it, I knew right then that big houses need music more than little ones.”

“Come oh come ye tea-thirsty restless ones -- the kettle boils, bubbles and sings, musically.”

“Though that's faulty logic because I did cry during Gandalf's death when I read Lord of the Rings for the first time, which is said to be comparable for boys to Beth's death in Little Women for girls.”

“It was, as the song said, ‘call to arms music,’ and seemed to have little to do with Scotland and New Year. It was fighting music. Stevie didn’t want to fight anyone. But it was also beautiful music.”