The house was still as death , and nothing but the wailing of the wind broke the deep hush . Weary Hannah slept on , and no one but the sisters saw the pale shadow which seemed to fall upon the little bed . An hour went by , and nothing happened except Laurie 's quiet departure for the station . Another hour , still no one came , and anxious fears of delay in the storm , or accidents by the way , or , worst of all , a great grief at Washington , haunted the girls . It was past two , when Jo , who stood at the window thinking how dreary the world looked in its winding sheet of snow , heard a movement by the bed , and turning quickly , saw Meg kneeling before their mother 's easy chair with her face hidden . A dreadful fear passed coldly over Jo , as she thought , `` Beth is dead , and Meg is afraid to tell me . '' She was back at her post in an instant , and to her excited eyes a great change seemed to have taken place . The fever flush and the look of pain were gone , and the beloved little face looked so pale and peaceful in its utter repose that Jo felt no desire to weep or to lament . Leaning low over this dearest of her sisters , she kissed the damp forehead with her heart on her lips , and softly whispered , `` Good-by , my Beth . Good-by ! '' As if awaked by the stir , Hannah started out of her sleep , hurried to the bed , looked at Beth , felt her hands , listened at her lips , and then , throwing her apron over her head , sat down to rock to and fro , exclaiming , under her breath , `` The fever 's turned , she 's sleepin ' nat ` ral , her skin 's damp , and she breathes easy . Praise be given ! Oh , my goodness me ! '' Before the girls could believe the happy truth , the doctor came to confirm it . He was a homely man , but they thought his face quite heavenly when he smiled and said , with a fatherly look at them , `` Yes , my dears , I think the little girl will pull through this time . Keep the house quiet , let her sleep , and when she wakes , give her ... '' What they were to give , neither heard , for both crept into the dark hall , and , sitting on the stairs , held each other close , rejoicing with hearts too full for words . When they went back to be kissed and cuddled by faithful Hannah , they found Beth lying , as she used to do , with her cheek pillowed on her hand , the dreadful pallor gone , and breathing quietly , as if just fallen asleep . `` If Mother would only come now ! '' said Jo , as the winter night began to wane . `` See , '' said Meg , coming up with a white , half-opened rose , `` I thought this would hardly be ready to lay in Beth 's hand tomorrow if she -- went away from us .
But it has blossomed in the night , and now I mean to put it in my vase here , so that when the darling wakes , the first thing she sees will be the little rose , and XXXXX 's face . ''
Hannah Jo Laurie Mother accidents hour night ral sleepin storm