said Mrs. March gratefully , as her eyes went from her husband 's letter to Beth 's smiling face , and her hand carressed the brooch made of gray and golden , chestnut and dark brown hair , which the girls had just fastened on her breast . Now and then , in this workaday world , things do happen in the delightful storybook fashion , and what a comfort it is . Half an hour after everyone had said they were so happy they could only hold one drop more , the drop came . Laurie opened the parlor door and popped his head in very quietly . He might just as well have turned a somersault and uttered an Indian war whoop , for his face was so full of suppressed excitement and his voice so treacherously joyful that everyone jumped up , though he only said , in a queer , breathless voice , `` Here 's another Christmas present for the March family . '' Before the words were well out of his mouth , he was whisked away somehow , and in his place appeared a tall man , muffled up to the eyes , leaning on the arm of another tall man , who tried to say something and could n't . Of course there was a general stampede , and for several minutes everybody seemed to lose their wits , for the strangest things were done , and no one said a word . Mr. March became invisible in the embrace of four pairs of loving arms . Jo disgraced herself by nearly fainting away , and had to be doctored by Laurie in the china closet . Mr. Brooke kissed Meg entirely by mistake , as he somewhat incoherently explained . And Amy , the dignified , tumbled over a stool , and never stopping to get up , hugged and cried over her father 's boots in the most touching manner . Mrs. March was the first to recover herself , and held up her hand with a warning , `` Hush ! Remember Beth . '' But it was too late . The study door flew open , the little red wrapper appeared on the threshold , joy put strength into the feeble limbs , and Beth ran straight into her father 's arms . Never mind what happened just after that , for the full hearts overflowed , washing away the bitterness of the past and leaving only the sweetness of the present . It was not at all romantic , but a hearty laugh set everybody straight again , for Hannah was discovered behind the door , sobbing over the fat turkey , which she had forgotten to put down when she rushed up from the kitchen . As the laugh subsided , Mrs. March began to thank Mr. Brooke for his faithful care of her husband , at which Mr. Brooke suddenly remembered that Mr. March needed rest , and seizing Laurie , he precipitately retired . Then the two invalids were ordered to repose , which they did , by both sitting in one big chair and talking hard . Mr. March told how he had longed to surprise them , and how , when the fine weather came , he had been allowed by his doctor to take advantage of it , how devoted Brooke had been , and how he was altogether a most estimable and upright young man .
Why Mr. March paused a minute just there , and after a glance at XXXXX , who was violently poking the fire , looked at his wife with an inquiring lift of the eyebrows , I leave you to imagine .
Amy Beth Brooke Hannah Jo March Meg brooch hour minutes