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Bethdidhavethefever,andwasmuchsickerthananyonebutHannahandthedoctorsuspected.
Thegirlsknewnothingaboutillness,andMr.Laurencewasnotallowedtoseeher,soHannahhadeverythingherownway,andbusyDr.Bangsdidhisbest,butleftagooddealtotheexcellentnurse.
Megstayedathome,lestsheshouldinfecttheKings,andkepthouse,feelingveryanxiousandalittleguiltywhenshewrotelettersinwhichnomentionwasmadeofBeth'sillness.
Shecouldnotthinkitrighttodeceivehermother,butshehadbeenbiddentomindHannah,andHannahwouldn'thearof'Mrs.Marchbein'told,andworriedjustforsechatrifle.'
JodevotedherselftoBethdayandnight,notahardtask,forBethwasverypatient,andboreherpainuncomplaininglyaslongasshecouldcontrolherself.
Buttherecameatimewhenduringthefeverfitsshebegantotalkinahoarse,brokenvoice,toplayonthecoverletasifonherbelovedlittlepiano,andtrytosingwithathroatsoswollenthattherewasnomusicleft,atimewhenshedidnotknowthefamiliarfacesaroundher,butaddressedthembywrongnames,andcalledimploringlyforhermother.
ThenJogrewfrightened,Megbeggedtobeallowedtowritethetruth,andevenHannahsaidshe'wouldthinkofit,thoughtherewasnodangeryet'.
AletterfromWashingtonaddedtotheirtrouble,forMr.Marchhadhadarelapse,andcouldnotthinkofcominghomeforalongwhile.
Howdarkthedaysseemednow,howsadandlonelythehouse,andhowheavyweretheheartsofthesistersastheyworkedandwaited,whiletheshadowofdeathhoveredovertheoncehappyhome.
ThenitwasthatMargaret,sittingalonewithtearsdroppingoftenonherwork,felthowrichshehadbeeninthingsmorepreciousthananyluxuriesmoneycouldbuy––inlove,protection,peace,andhealth,therealblessingsoflife.
ThenitwasthatJo,livinginthedarkenedroom,withthatsufferinglittlesisteralwaysbeforehereyesandthatpatheticvoicesoundinginherears,learnedtoseethebeautyandthesweetnessofBeth'snature,tofeelhowdeepandtenderaplaceshefilledinallhearts,andtoacknowledgetheworthofBeth'sunselfishambitiontoliveforothers,andmakehomehappybythatexerciseofthosesimplevirtueswhichallmaypossess,andwhichallshouldloveandvaluemorethantalent,wealth,orbeauty.
AndAmy,inherexile,longedeagerlytobeathome,thatshemightworkforBeth,feelingnowthatnoservicewouldbehardorirksome,andremembering,withregretfulgrief,howmanyneglectedtasksthosewillinghandshaddoneforher.
Lauriehauntedthehouselikearestlessghost,andMr.Laurencelockedthegrandpiano,becausehecouldnotbeartoberemindedoftheyoungneighborwhousedtomakethetwilightpleasantforhim.EveryonemissedBeth.
Themilkman,baker,grocer,andbutcherinquiredhowshedid,poorMrs.HummelcametobegpardonforherthoughtlessnessandtogetashroudforMinna,theneighborssentallsortsofcomfortsandgoodwishes,andeventhosewhoknewherbestweresurprisedtofindhowmanyfriendsshylittleBethhadmade.
MeanwhileshelayonherbedwitholdJoannaatherside,foreveninherwanderingsshedidnotforgetherforlornprotege.
Shelongedforhercats,butwouldnothavethembrought,lesttheyshouldgetsick,andinherquiethoursshewasfullofanxietyaboutJo.
ShesentlovingmessagestoAmy,badethemtellhermotherthatshewouldwritesoon,andoftenbeggedforpencilandpapertotrytosayaword,thatFathermightnotthinkshehadneglectedhim.
Butsooneventheseintervalsofconsciousnessended,andshelayhourafterhour,tossingtoandfro,withincoherentwordsonherlips,orsankintoaheavysleepwhichbroughthernorefreshment.
Dr.Bangscametwiceaday,Hannahsatupatnight,Megkeptatelegraminherdeskallreadytosendoffatanyminute,andJoneverstirredfromBeth'sside.
ThefirstofDecemberwasawintrydayindeedtothem,forabitterwindblew,snowfellfast,andtheyearseemedgettingreadyforitsdeath.
WhenDr.Bangscamethatmorning,helookedlongatBeth,heldthehothandinbothhisownforaminute,andlaiditgentlydown,saying,inalowvoicetoHannah,"IfMrs.Marchcanleaveherhusbandshe'dbetterbesentfor."
Hannahnoddedwithoutspeaking,forherlipstwitchednervously,Megdroppeddownintoachairasthestrengthseemedtogooutofherlimbsatthesoundofthosewords,andJo,standingwithapalefaceforaminute,rantotheparlor,snatchedupthetelegram,andthrowingonherthings,rushedoutintothestorm.
Shewassoonback,andwhilenoiselesslytakingoffhercloak,Lauriecameinwithaletter,sayingthatMr.Marchwasmendingagain.
Joreaditthankfully,buttheheavyweightdidnotseemliftedoffherheart,andherfacewassofullofmiserythatLaurieaskedquickly,"Whatisit?IsBethworse?"
"I'vesentforMother,"saidJo,tuggingatherrubberbootswithatragicexpression.
"Goodforyou,Jo!Didyoudoitonyourownresponsibility?"askedLaurie,asheseatedherinthehallchairandtookofftherebelliousboots,seeinghowherhandsshook.
"No.Thedoctortoldusto."
"Oh,Jo,it'snotsobadasthat?"criedLaurie,withastartledface.
"Yes,itis.Shedoesn'tknowus,shedoesn'teventalkabouttheflocksofgreendoves,asshecallsthevineleavesonthewall.
Shedoesn'tlooklikemyBeth,andthere'snobodytohelpusbearit.
Motherandfatherbothgone,andGodseemssofarawayIcan'tfindHim."
AsthetearsstreamedfastdownpoorJo'scheeks,shestretchedoutherhandinahelplesssortofway,asifgropinginthedark,andLaurietookitinhis,whisperingaswellashecouldwithalumpinhisthroat,"I'mhere.Holdontome,Jo,dear!"
Shecouldnotspeak,butshedid'holdon',andthewarmgraspofthefriendlyhumanhandcomfortedhersoreheart,andseemedtoleadhernearertotheDivinearmwhichalonecouldupholdherinhertrouble.
Laurielongedtosaysomethingtenderandcomfortable,butnofittingwordscametohim,sohestoodsilent,gentlystrokingherbentheadashermotherusedtodo.
Itwasthebestthinghecouldhavedone,farmoresoothingthanthemosteloquentwords,forJofelttheunspokensympathy,andinthesilencelearnedthesweetsolacewhichaffectionadministerstosorrow.
Soonshedriedthetearswhichhadrelievedher,andlookedupwithagratefulface.
"Thankyou,Teddy,I'mbetternow.Idon'tfeelsoforlorn,andwilltrytobearitifitcomes."
"Keephopingforthebest,thatwillhelpyou,Jo.Soonyourmotherwillbehere,andtheneverythingwillbeallright."
"I'msogladFatherisbetter.Nowshewon'tfeelsobadaboutleavinghim.Oh,me!
Itdoesseemasifallthetroublescameinaheap,andIgottheheaviestpartonmyshoulders,"sighedJo,spreadingherwethandkerchiefoverherkneestodry.
"Doesn'tMegpullfair?"askedLaurie,lookingindignant.
"Oh,yes,shetriesto,butshecan'tloveBethyasIdo,andshewon'tmissherasIshall.Bethismyconscience,andIcan'tgiveherup.Ican't!Ican't!"
DownwentJo'sfaceintothewethandkerchief,andshecrieddespairingly,forshehadkeptupbravelytillnowandnevershedatear.
Lauriedrewhishandacrosshiseyes,butcouldnotspeaktillhehadsubduedthechokyfeelinginhisthroatandsteadiedhislips.
Itmightbeunmanly,buthecouldn'thelpit,andIamgladofit.
Presently,asJo'ssobsquieted,hesaidhopefully,"Idon'tthinkshewilldie.
She'ssogood,andwealllovehersomuch,Idon'tbelieveGodwilltakeherawayyet."
"Thegoodanddearpeoplealwaysdodie,"groanedJo,butshestoppedcrying,forherfriend'swordscheeredherupinspiteofherowndoubtsandfears.
"Poorgirl,you'rewornout.Itisn'tlikeyoutobeforlorn.Stopabit.I'llheartenyouupinajiffy."
Lauriewentofftwostairsatatime,andJolaidherweariedheaddownonBeth'slittlebrownhood,whichnoonehadthoughtofmovingfromthetablewheresheleftit.
Itmusthavepossessedsomemagic,forthesubmissivespiritofitsgentleownerseemedtoenterintoJo,andwhenLauriecamerunningdownwithaglassofwine,shetookitwithasmile,andsaidbravely,"Idrink––HealthtomyBeth!
Youareagooddoctor,Teddy,andsuchacomfortablefriend.HowcanIeverpayyou?"
sheadded,asthewinerefreshedherbody,asthekindwordshaddonehertroubledmind.
"I'llsendmybill,by–and–by,andtonightI'llgiveyousomethingthatwillwarmthecocklesofyourheartbetterthanquartsofwine,"saidLaurie,beamingatherwithafaceofsuppressedsatisfactionatsomething.
"Whatisit?"criedJo,forgettingherwoesforaminuteinherwonder.
"Itelegraphedtoyourmotheryesterday,andBrookeansweredshe'dcomeatonce,andshe'llbeheretonight,andeverythingwillbeallright.Aren'tyougladIdidit?"
Lauriespokeveryfast,andturnedredandexcitedallinaminute,forhehadkepthisplotasecret,forfearofdisappointingthegirlsorharmingBeth.
Jogrewquitewhite,flewoutofherchair,andthemomenthestoppedspeakingsheelectrifiedhimbythrowingherarmsroundhisneck,andcryingout,withajoyfulcry,"Oh,Laurie!Oh,Mother!Iamsoglad!"
Shedidnotweepagain,butlaughedhysterically,andtrembledandclungtoherfriendasifshewasalittlebewilderedbythesuddennews.
Laurie,thoughdecidedlyamazed,behavedwithgreatpresenceofmind.
Hepattedherbacksoothingly,andfindingthatshewasrecovering,followeditupbyabashfulkissortwo,whichbroughtJoroundatonce.
Holdingontothebanisters,sheputhimgentlyaway,sayingbreathlessly,"Oh,don't!
Ididn'tmeanto,itwasdreadfulofme,butyouweresuchadeartogoanddoitinspiteofHannahthatIcouldn'thelpflyingatyou.
Tellmeallaboutit,anddon'tgivemewineagain,itmakesmeactso."
"Idon'tmind,"laughedLaurie,ashesettledhistie.
"Why,youseeIgotfidgety,andsodidGrandpa.
WethoughtHannahwasoverdoingtheauthoritybusiness,andyourmotheroughttoknow.
She'dneverforgiveusifBeth...Well,ifanythinghappened,youknow.
SoIgotgrandpatosayitwashightimewedidsomething,andoffIpeltedtotheofficeyesterday,forthedoctorlookedsober,andHannahmosttookmyheadoffwhenIproposedatelegram.
Inevercanbeartobe'lordedover',sothatsettledmymind,andIdidit.
Yourmotherwillcome,Iknow,andthelatetrainisinattwoA.M.Ishallgoforher,andyou'veonlygottobottleupyourrapture,andkeepBethquiettillthatblessedladygetshere."
"Laurie,you'reanangel!HowshallIeverthankyou?"
"Flyatmeagain.Iratherlikedit,"saidLaurie,lookingmischievous,athinghehadnotdoneforafortnight.
"No,thankyou.I'lldoitbyproxy,whenyourgrandpacomes.Don'ttease,butgohomeandrest,foryou'llbeuphalfthenight.Blessyou,Teddy,blessyou!"
Johadbackedintoacorner,andasshefinishedherspeech,shevanishedprecipitatelyintothekitchen,whereshesatdownuponadresserandtoldtheassembledcatsthatshewas"happy,oh,sohappy!"
whileLauriedeparted,feelingthathehadmadearatherneatthingofit.
"That'stheinterferingestchapIeversee,butIforgivehimanddohopeMrs.Marchiscomingrightaway,"saidHannah,withanairofrelief,whenJotoldthegoodnews.
Meghadaquietrapture,andthenbroodedovertheletter,whileJosetthesickroominorder,andHannah"knockedupacoupleofpiesincaseofcompanyunexpected".
Abreathoffreshairseemedtoblowthroughthehouse,andsomethingbetterthansunshinebrightenedthequietrooms.
Everythingappearedtofeelthehopefulchange.
Beth'sbirdbegantochirpagain,andahalf–blownrosewasdiscoveredonAmy'sbushinthewindow.
Thefiresseemedtoburnwithunusualcheeriness,andeverytimethegirlsmet,theirpalefacesbrokeintosmilesastheyhuggedoneanother,whisperingencouragingly,"Mother'scoming,dear!Mother'scoming!"EveryonerejoicedbutBeth.
Shelayinthatheavystupor,alikeunconsciousofhopeandjoy,doubtanddanger.
Itwasapiteoussight,theoncerosyfacesochangedandvacant,theoncebusyhandssoweakandwasted,theoncesmilinglipsquitedumb,andtheoncepretty,well–kepthairscatteredroughandtangledonthepillow.
Alldayshelayso,onlyrousingnowandthentomutter,"Water!"
withlipssoparchedtheycouldhardlyshapetheword.
AlldayJoandMeghoveredoverher,watching,waiting,hoping,andtrustinginGodandMother,andalldaythesnowfell,thebitterwindraged,andthehoursdraggedslowlyby.
Butnightcameatlast,andeverytimetheclockstruck,thesisters,stillsittingoneithersideofthebed,lookedateachotherwithbrighteningeyes,foreachhourbroughthelpnearer.
Thedoctorhadbeenintosaythatsomechange,forbetterorworse,wouldprobablytakeplaceaboutmidnight,atwhichtimehewouldreturn.
Hannah,quitewornout,laydownonthesofaatthebed'sfootandfellfastasleep,Mr.Laurencemarchedtoandfrointheparlor,feelingthathewouldratherfacearebelbatterythanMrs.March'scountenanceassheentered.
Laurielayontherug,pretendingtorest,butstaringintothefirewiththethoughtfullookwhichmadehisblackeyesbeautifullysoftandclear.
Thegirlsneverforgotthatnight,fornosleepcametothemastheykepttheirwatch,withthatdreadfulsenseofpowerlessnesswhichcomestousinhourslikethose.
"IfGodsparesBeth,Ineverwillcomplainagain,"whisperedMegearnestly.
"IfgodsparesBeth,I'lltrytoloveandserveHimallmylife,"answeredJo,withequalfervor.
"IwishIhadnoheart,itachesso,"sighedMeg,afterapause.
"Iflifeisoftenashardasthis,Idon'tseehowweevershallgetthroughit,"addedhersisterdespondently.
Heretheclockstrucktwelve,andbothforgotthemselvesinwatchingBeth,fortheyfanciedachangepassedoverherwanface.
Thehousewasstillasdeath,andnothingbutthewailingofthewindbrokethedeephush.
WearyHannahslepton,andnoonebutthesisterssawthepaleshadowwhichseemedtofalluponthelittlebed.
Anhourwentby,andnothinghappenedexceptLaurie'squietdepartureforthestation.
Anotherhour,stillnoonecame,andanxiousfearsofdelayinthestorm,oraccidentsbytheway,or,worstofall,agreatgriefatWashington,hauntedthegirls.
Itwaspasttwo,whenJo,whostoodatthewindowthinkinghowdrearytheworldlookedinitswindingsheetofsnow,heardamovementbythebed,andturningquickly,sawMegkneelingbeforetheirmother'seasychairwithherfacehidden.
AdreadfulfearpassedcoldlyoverJo,asshethought,"Bethisdead,andMegisafraidtotellme."
Shewasbackatherpostinaninstant,andtoherexcitedeyesagreatchangeseemedtohavetakenplace.
Thefeverflushandthelookofpainweregone,andthebelovedlittlefacelookedsopaleandpeacefulinitsutterreposethatJofeltnodesiretoweeportolament.
Leaninglowoverthisdearestofhersisters,shekissedthedampforeheadwithherheartonherlips,andsoftlywhispered,"Goodby,myBeth.Goodby!"
Asifawakedbythestir,Hannahstartedoutofhersleep,hurriedtothebed,lookedatBeth,feltherhands,listenedatherlips,andthen,throwingherapronoverherhead,satdowntorocktoandfro,exclaiming,underherbreath,"Thefever'sturned,she'ssleepin'nat'ral,herskin'sdamp,andshebreatheseasy.Praisebegiven!Oh,mygoodnessme!"
Beforethegirlscouldbelievethehappytruth,thedoctorcametoconfirmit.
Hewasahomelyman,buttheythoughthisfacequiteheavenlywhenhesmiledandsaid,withafatherlylookatthem,"Yes,mydears,Ithinkthelittlegirlwillpullthroughthistime.
Keepthehousequiet,lethersleep,andwhenshewakes,giveher..."
Whattheyweretogive,neitherheard,forbothcreptintothedarkhall,and,sittingonthestairs,heldeachotherclose,rejoicingwithheartstoofullforwords.
WhentheywentbacktobekissedandcuddledbyfaithfulHannah,theyfoundBethlying,assheusedtodo,withhercheekpillowedonherhand,thedreadfulpallorgone,andbreathingquietly,asifjustfallenasleep.
"IfMotherwouldonlycomenow!"saidJo,asthewinternightbegantowane.
"See,"saidMeg,comingupwithawhite,half–openedrose,"IthoughtthiswouldhardlybereadytolayinBeth'shandtomorrowifshe––wentawayfromus.
Butithasblossomedinthenight,andnowImeantoputitinmyvasehere,sothatwhenthedarlingwakes,thefirstthingsheseeswillbethelittlerose,andMother'sface."
Neverhadthesunrisensobeautifully,andneverhadtheworldseemedsolovelyasitdidtotheheavyeyesofMegandJo,astheylookedoutintheearlymorning,whentheirlong,sadvigilwasdone.
"Itlookslikeafairyworld,"saidMeg,smilingtoherself,asshestoodbehindthecurtain,watchingthedazzlingsight.
"Hark!"criedJo,startingtoherfeet.
Yes,therewasasoundofbellsatthedoorbelow,acryfromHannah,andthenLaurie'svoicesayinginajoyfulwhisper,"Girls,she'scome!She'scome!"
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