Now，theoldsofawasaregularpatriarchofasofa——long，broad，well—cushioned，andlow，atrifleshabby，aswellitmightbe，forthegirlshadsleptandsprawledonitasbabies，fishedovertheback，rodeonthearms，andhadmenageriesunderitaschildren，andrestedtiredheads，dreameddreams，andlistenedtotendertalkonitasyoungwomen。Theyalllovedit，foritwasafamilyrefuge，andonecornerhadalwaysbeenJo’sfavoriteloungingplace。Amongthemanypillowsthatadornedthevenerablecouchwasone，hard，round，coveredwithpricklyhorsehair，andfurnishedwithaknobbybuttonateachend。Thisrepulsivepillowwasherespecialproperty，beingusedasaweaponofdefense，abarricade，orasternpreventiveoftoomuchslumber。
Laurieknewthispillowwell，andhadcausetoregarditwithdeepaversion，havingbeenunmercifullypummeledwithitinformerdayswhenrompingwasallowed，andnowfrequentlydebarredbyitfromtheseathemostcovetednexttoJointhesofacorner。If`thesausage’asthecalledit，stoodonend，itwasasignthathemightapproachandrepose，butifitlayflatacrossthesofa，woetoman，woman，orchildwhodareddisturbit！ThateveningJoforgottobarricadehercorner，andhadnotbeeninherseatfiveminutes，beforeamassiveformappearedbesideher，andwithbotharmsspreadoverthesofaback，bothlonglegsstretchedoutbeforehim，Laurieexclaimed，withasighofsatisfaction……
\"Now，thisisfillingattheprice。\"
\"Noslang，\"snappedJo，slammingdownthepillow。Butitwastoolate，therewasnoroomforit，andcoastingontothefloor，itdisappearedinamostmysteriousmanner。
\"Come，Jo，don’tbethorny。Afterstudyinghimselftoaskeletonalltheweek，afellowdeservespettingandoughttogetit。\"