There is no need of that . '' Mrs. March 's warning was evidently thrown away , for five minutes later Laurie tore by the window on his own fleet horse , riding as if for his life . `` Jo , run to the rooms , and tell Mrs. King that I ca n't come . On the way get these things . I 'll put them down , they 'll be needed and I must go prepared for nursing . Hospital stores are not always good . Beth , go and ask Mr. Laurence for a couple of bottles of old wine . I 'm not too proud to beg for Father . He shall have the best of everything . Amy , tell Hannah to get down the black trunk , and Meg , come and help me find my things , for I 'm half bewildered . '' Writing , thinking , and directing all at once might well bewilder the poor lady , and Meg begged her to sit quietly in her room for a little while , and let them work . Everyone scattered like leaves before a gust of wind , and the quiet , happy household was broken up as suddenly as if the paper had been an evil spell . Mr. Laurence came hurrying back with Beth , bringing every comfort the kind old gentleman could think of for the invalid , and friendliest promises of protection for the girls during the mother 's absence , which comforted her very much . There was nothing he did n't offer , from his own dressing gown to himself as escort . But the last was impossible . Mrs. March would not hear of the old gentleman 's undertaking the long journey , yet an expression of relief was visible when he spoke of it , for anxiety ill fits one for traveling . He saw the look , knit his heavy eyebrows , rubbed his hands , and marched abruptly away , saying he 'd be back directly . No one had time to think of him again till , as Meg ran through the entry , with a pair of rubbers in one hand and a cup of tea in the other , she came suddenly upon Mr. Brooke . `` I 'm very sorry to hear of this , Miss March , '' he said , in the kind , quiet tone which sounded very pleasantly to her perturbed spirit . `` I came to offer myself as escort to your mother .
Mr. XXXXX has commissions for me in Washington , and it will give me real satisfaction to be of service to her there . ''
Amy Beth Brooke Father Hannah King Laurence Laurie Meg rubbers