Wear your ring , dear , and do your best . I think you will prosper , for the sincere wish to be good is half the battle . Now I must go back to Beth . Keep up your heart , little daughter , and we will soon have you home again . '' That evening while Meg was writing to her father to report the traveler 's safe arrival , Jo slipped upstairs into Beth 's room , and finding her mother in her usual place , stood a minute twisting her fingers in her hair , with a worried gesture and an undecided look . `` What is it , deary ? '' asked Mrs. March , holding out her hand , with a face which invited confidence . `` I want to tell you something , Mother . '' `` About Meg ? '' `` How quickly you guessed ! Yes , it 's about her , and though it 's a little thing , it fidgets me . '' `` Beth is asleep . Speak low , and tell me all about it . That Moffat has n't been here , I hope ? '' asked Mrs. March rather sharply . `` No . I should have shut the door in his face if he had , '' said Jo , settling herself on the floor at her mother 's feet . `` Last summer Meg left a pair of gloves over at the Laurences ' and only one was returned . We forgot about it , till Teddy told me that Mr. Brooke owned that he liked Meg but did n't dare say so , she was so young and he so poor . Now , is n't it a dreadful state of things ? ''
`` Do you think XXXXX cares for him ? ''
Beth Brooke Jo Laurences Meg Moffat Mother Teddy left minute