No one wanted to go to bed when at ten o'clock Mrs. March put by the last finished job , and said , `` Come girls . '' Beth went to the piano and played the father 's favorite hymn . All began bravely , but broke down one by one till Beth was left alone , singing with all her heart , for to her music was always a sweet consoler . `` Go to bed and do n't talk , for we must be up early and shall need all the sleep we can get . Good night , my darlings , '' said Mrs. March , as the hymn ended , for no one cared to try another . They kissed her quietly , and went to bed as silently as if the dear invalid lay in the next room . Beth and Amy soon fell asleep in spite of the great trouble , but Meg lay awake , thinking the most serious thoughts she had ever known in her short life . Jo lay motionless , and her sister fancied that she was asleep , till a stifled sob made her exclaim , as she touched a wet cheek ... `` Jo , dear , what is it ? Are you crying about father ? '' `` No , not now . '' `` What then ? '' `` My ... My hair ! '' burst out poor Jo , trying vainly to smother her emotion in the pillow . It did not seem at all comical to Meg , who kissed and caressed the afflicted heroine in the tenderest manner . `` I 'm not sorry , '' protested Jo , with a choke . `` I 'd do it again tomorrow , if I could . It 's only the vain part of me that goes and cries in this silly way . Do n't tell anyone , it 's all over now . I thought you were asleep , so I just made a little private moan for my one beauty . How came you to be awake ? ''
`` I ca n't sleep , I 'm so anxious , '' said XXXXX .
Amy Beth Jo Meg consoler darlings hair left o'clock tomorrow