She explained and then asked anxiously , `` What about Beth ? '' `` I 'm sorry I spoke , but as I did , I 'll tell you . She felt so ill one day that she told Jo she wanted to give her piano to Meg , her cats to you , and the poor old doll to Jo , who would love it for her sake . She was sorry she had so little to give , and left locks of hair to the rest of us , and her best love to Grandpa . She never thought of a will . '' Laurie was signing and sealing as he spoke , and did not look up till a great tear dropped on the paper . Amy 's face was full of trouble , but she only said , `` Do n't people put sort of postscripts to their wills , sometimes ? '' `` Yes , ` codicils ' , they call them . '' `` Put one in mine then , that I wish all my curls cut off , and given round to my friends . I forgot it , but I want it done though it will spoil my looks . '' Laurie added it , smiling at Amy 's last and greatest sacrifice . Then he amused her for an hour , and was much interested in all her trials . But when he came to go , Amy held him back to whisper with trembling lips , `` Is there really any danger about Beth ? '' `` I 'm afraid there is , but we must hope for the best , so do n't cry , dear . '' And Laurie put his arm about her with a brotherly gesture which was very comforting . When he had gone , she went to her little chapel , and sitting in the twilight , prayed for Beth , with streaming tears and an aching heart , feeling that a million turquoise rings would not console her for the loss of her gentle little sister . CHAPTER TWENTY CONFIDENTIAL I do n't think I have any words in which to tell the meeting of the mother and daughters . Such hours are beautiful to live , but very hard to describe , so I will leave it to the imagination of my readers , merely saying that the house was full of genuine happiness , and that Meg 's tender hope was realized , for when Beth woke from that long , healing sleep , the first objects on which her eyes fell were the little rose and Mother 's face . Too weak to wonder at anything , she only smiled and nestled close in the loving arms about her , feeling that the hungry longing was satisfied at last . Then she slept again , and the girls waited upon their mother , for she would not unclasp the thin hand which clung to hers even in sleep .
Hannah had ` dished up ' an astonishing breakfast for the traveler , finding it impossible to vent her excitement in any other way , and XXXXX and Jo fed their mother like dutiful young storks , while they listened to her whispered account of Father 's state , Mr. Brooke 's promise to stay and nurse him , the delays which the storm occasioned on the homeward journey , and the unspeakable comfort Laurie 's hopeful face had given her when she arrived , worn out with fatigue , anxiety , and cold .
Beth Grandpa Jo Laurie Meg Mother day first hours postscripts