I am content with what I have , Little be it , or much . And , Lord ! Contentment still I crave , Because Thou savest such . Fulness to them a burden is , That go on pilgrimage . Here little , and hereafter bliss , Is best from age to age ! CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE AUNT MARCH SETTLES THE QUESTION Like bees swarming after their queen , mother and daughters hovered about Mr. March the next day , neglecting everything to look at , wait upon , and listen to the new invalid , who was in a fair way to be killed by kindness . As he sat propped up in a big chair by Beth 's sofa , with the other three close by , and Hannah popping in her head now and then ` to peek at the dear man ' , nothing seemed needed to complete their happiness . But something was needed , and the elder ones felt it , though none confessed the fact . Mr. and Mrs. March looked at one another with an anxious expression , as their eyes followed Meg . Jo had sudden fits of sobriety , and was seen to shake her fist at Mr. Brooke 's umbrella , which had been left in the hall . Meg was absent-minded , shy , and silent , started when the bell rang , and colored when John 's name was mentioned . Amy said , `` Everyone seemed waiting for something , and could n't settle down , which was queer , since Father was safe at home , '' and Beth innocently wondered why their neighbors did n't run over as usual . Laurie went by in the afternoon , and seeing Meg at the window , seemed suddenly possessed with a melodramatic fit , for he fell down on one knee in the snow , beat his breast , tore his hair , and clasped his hands imploringly , as if begging some boon . And when Meg told him to behave himself and go away , he wrung imaginary tears out of his handkerchief , and staggered round the corner as if in utter despair . `` What does the goose mean ? '' said Meg , laughing and trying to look unconscious . `` He 's showing you how your John will go on by-and-by . Touching , is n't it ? '' answered Jo scornfully . `` Do n't say my John , it is n't proper or true , '' but Meg 's voice lingered over the words as if they sounded pleasant to her .
`` Please do n't plague me , XXXXX , I 've told you I do n't care much about him , and there is n't to be anything said , but we are all to be friendly , and go on as before . ''
Amy Brooke Father Hannah Jo John Meg afternoon left peek