`` Fly at me again . I rather liked it , '' said Laurie , looking mischievous , a thing he had not done for a fortnight . `` No , thank you . I 'll do it by proxy , when your grandpa comes . Do n't tease , but go home and rest , for you 'll be up half the night . Bless you , Teddy , bless you ! '' Jo had backed into a corner , and as she finished her speech , she vanished precipitately into the kitchen , where she sat down upon a dresser and told the assembled cats that she was `` happy , oh , so happy ! '' while Laurie departed , feeling that he had made a rather neat thing of it . `` That 's the interferingest chap I ever see , but I forgive him and do hope Mrs. March is coming right away , '' said Hannah , with an air of relief , when Jo told the good news . Meg had a quiet rapture , and then brooded over the letter , while Jo set the sickroom in order , and Hannah `` knocked up a couple of pies in case of company unexpected '' . A breath of fresh air seemed to blow through the house , and something better than sunshine brightened the quiet rooms . Everything appeared to feel the hopeful change . Beth 's bird began to chirp again , and a half-blown rose was discovered on Amy 's bush in the window . The fires seemed to burn with unusual cheeriness , and every time the girls met , their pale faces broke into smiles as they hugged one another , whispering encouragingly , `` Mother 's coming , dear ! Mother 's coming ! '' Every one rejoiced but Beth . She lay in that heavy stupor , alike unconscious of hope and joy , doubt and danger . It was a piteous sight , the once rosy face so changed and vacant , the once busy hands so weak and wasted , the once smiling lips quite dumb , and the once pretty , well-kept hair scattered rough and tangled on the pillow . All day she lay so , only rousing now and then to mutter , `` Water ! '' with lips so parched they could hardly shape the word .
All XXXXX Jo and Meg hovered over her , watching , waiting , hoping , and trusting in God and Mother , and all day the snow fell , the bitter wind raged , and the hours dragged slowly by .
Amy Beth Mother burn cheeriness day fortnight grandpa night right