John quietly set apart a little sum , that he might enjoy the pleasure of keeping the invalid supplied with the fruit she loved and longed for . Old Hannah never wearied of concocting dainty dishes to tempt a capricious appetite , dropping tears as she worked , and from across the sea came little gifts and cheerful letters , seeming to bring breaths of warmth and fragrance from lands that know no winter . Here , cherished like a household saint in its shrine , sat Beth , tranquil and busy as ever , for nothing could change the sweet , unselfish nature , and even while preparing to leave life , she tried to make it happier for those who should remain behind . The feeble fingers were never idle , and one of her pleasures was to make little things for the school children daily passing to and fro , to drop a pair of mittens from her window for a pair of purple hands , a needlebook for some small mother of many dolls , penwipers for young penmen toiling through forests of pothooks , scrapbooks for picture-loving eyes , and all manner of pleasant devices , till the reluctant climbers of the ladder of learning found their way strewn with flowers , as it were , and came to regard the gentle giver as a sort of fairy godmother , who sat above there , and showered down gifts miraculously suited to their tastes and needs . If Beth had wanted any reward , she found it in the bright little faces always turned up to her window , with nods and smiles , and the droll little letters which came to her , full of blots and gratitude . The first few months were very happy ones , and Beth often used to look round , and say `` How beautiful this is ! '' as they all sat together in her sunny room , the babies kicking and crowing on the floor , mother and sisters working near , and father reading , in his pleasant voice , from the wise old books which seemed rich in good and comfortable words , as applicable now as when written centuries ago , a little chapel , where a paternal priest taught his flock the hard lessons all must learn , trying to show them that hope can comfort love , and faith make resignation possible . Simple sermons , that went straight to the souls of those who listened , for the father 's heart was in the minister 's religion , and the frequent falter in the voice gave a double eloquence to the words he spoke or read . It was well for all that this peaceful time was given them as preparation for the sad hours to come , for by-and-by , Beth said the needle was ` so heavy ' , and put it down forever . Talking wearied her , faces troubled her , pain claimed her for its own , and her tranquil spirit was sorrowfully perturbed by the ills that vexed her feeble flesh . Ah me ! Such heavy days , such long , long nights , such aching hearts and imploring prayers , when those who loved her best were forced to see the thin hands stretched out to them beseechingly , to hear the bitter cry , `` Help me , help me ! '' and to feel that there was no help . A sad eclipse of the serene soul , a sharp struggle of the young life with death , but both were mercifully brief , and then the natural rebellion over , the old peace returned more beautiful than ever . With the wreck of her frail body , Beth 's soul grew strong , and though she said little , those about her felt that she was ready , saw that the first pilgrim called was likewise the fittest , and waited with her on the shore , trying to see the Shining Ones coming to receive her when she crossed the river . Jo never left her for an hour since Beth had said `` I feel stronger when you are here . '' She slept on a couch in the room , waking often to renew the fire , to feed , lift , or wait upon the patient creature who seldom asked for anything , and ` tried not to be a trouble ' . All day she haunted the room , jealous of any other nurse , and prouder of being chosen then than of any honor her life ever brought her . Precious and helpful hours to Jo , for now her heart received the teaching that it needed . Lessons in patience were so sweetly taught her that she could not fail to learn them , charity for all , the lovely spirit that can forgive and truly forget unkindness , the loyalty to duty that makes the hardest easy , and the sincere faith that fears nothing , but trusts undoubtingly .
Often when she woke Jo found Beth reading in her well-worn little book , heard her singing softly , to beguile the sleepless night , or saw her lean her face upon her hands , while slow tears dropped through the transparent fingers , and Jo would lie watching her with thoughts too deep for tears , feeling that XXXXX , in her simple , unselfish way , was trying to wean herself from the dear old life , and fit herself for the life to come , by sacred words of comfort , quiet prayers , and the music she loved so well .
Beth Hannah day fro godmother left penwipers pothooks scrapbooks unkindness