Why , it seems only yesterday that I was buttoning Amy 's pinafore , and pulling your hair when you teased . Mercy me , how time does fly ! '' `` As one of the children is older than yourself , you need n't talk so like a grandma . I flatter myself I 'm a ` gentleman growed ' as Peggotty said of David , and when you see Amy , you 'll find her rather a precocious infant , '' said Laurie , looking amused at her maternal air . `` You may be a little older in years , but I 'm ever so much older in feeling , Teddy . Women always are , and this last year has been such a hard one that I feel forty . '' `` Poor Jo ! We left you to bear it alone , while we went pleasuring . You are older . Here 's a line , and there 's another . Unless you smile , your eyes look sad , and when I touched the cushion , just now , I found a tear on it . You 've had a great deal to bear , and had to bear it all alone . What a selfish beast I 've been ! '' and Laurie pulled his own hair , with a remorseful look . But Jo only turned over the traitorous pillow , and answered , in a tone which she tried to make more cheerful , `` No , I had Father and Mother to help me , and the dear babies to comfort me , and the thought that you and Amy were safe and happy , to make the troubles here easier to bear . I am lonely , sometimes , but I dare say it 's good for me , and ... '' `` You never shall be again , '' broke in Laurie , putting his arm about her , as if to fence out every human ill . `` Amy and I ca n't get on without you , so you must come and teach ` the children ' to keep house , and go halves in everything , just as we used to do , and let us pet you , and all be blissfully happy and friendly together . '' `` If I should n't be in the way , it would be very pleasant . I begin to feel quite young already , for somehow all my troubles seemed to fly away when you came . You always were a comfort , Teddy , '' and Jo leaned her head on his shoulder , just as she did years ago , when Beth lay ill and Laurie told her to hold on to him .
He looked down at her , wondering if she remembered the time , but XXXXX was smiling to herself , as if in truth her troubles had all vanished at his coming .
Amy Beth David Father Jo Laurie Mother left pinafore years