She was affecting to write busily one Saturday afternoon , when she and Beth were alone together . Yet as she scribbled , she kept her eye on her sister , who seemed unusually quiet . Sitting at the window , Beth 's work often dropped into her lap , and she leaned her head upon her hand , in a dejected attitude , while her eyes rested on the dull , autumnal landscape . Suddenly some one passed below , whistling like an operatic blackbird , and a voice called out , `` All serene ! Coming in tonight . '' Beth started , leaned forward , smiled and nodded , watched the passer-by till his quick tramp died away , then said softly as if to herself , `` How strong and well and happy that dear boy looks . '' `` Hum ! '' said Jo , still intent upon her sister 's face , for the bright color faded as quickly as it came , the smile vanished , and presently a tear lay shining on the window ledge . Beth whisked it off , and in her half-averted face read a tender sorrow that made her own eyes fill . Fearing to betray herself , she slipped away , murmuring something about needing more paper . `` Mercy on me , Beth loves Laurie ! '' she said , sitting down in her own room , pale with the shock of the discovery which she believed she had just made . `` I never dreamed of such a thing . What will Mother say ? I wonder if her ... '' there Jo stopped and turned scarlet with a sudden thought . `` If he should n't love back again , how dreadful it would be . He must . I 'll make him ! '' and she shook her head threateningly at the picture of the mischievous-looking boy laughing at her from the wall . `` Oh dear , we are growing up with a vengeance .
Here 's Meg married and a mamma , Amy flourishing away at Paris , and XXXXX in love .
Beth Jo Laurie Mother afternoon blackbird landscape paper shock something