Henceforth , safe across the river , I shall see forever more A beloved , household spirit Waiting for me on the shore . Hope and faith , born of my sorrow , Guardian angels shall become , And the sister gone before me By their hands shall lead me home . Blurred and blotted , faulty and feeble as the lines were , they brought a look of inexpressible comfort to Beth 's face , for her one regret had been that she had done so little , and this seemed to assure her that her life had not been useless , that her death would not bring the despair she feared . As she sat with the paper folded between her hands , the charred log fell asunder . Jo started up , revived the blaze , and crept to the bedside , hoping Beth slept . `` Not asleep , but so happy , dear . See , I found this and read it . I knew you would n't care . Have I been all that to you , Jo ? '' she asked , with wistful , humble earnestness . '' Oh , Beth , so much , so much ! '' and Jo 's head went down upon the pillow beside her sister 's . `` Then I do n't feel as if I 'd wasted my life . I 'm not so good as you make me , but I have tried to do right . And now , when it 's too late to begin even to do better , it 's such a comfort to know that someone loves me so much , and feels as if I 'd helped them . '' `` More than any one in the world , Beth . I used to think I could n't let you go , but I 'm learning to feel that I do n't lose you , that you 'll be more to me than ever , and death ca n't part us , though it seems to . '' `` I know it can not , and I do n't fear it any longer , for I 'm sure I shall be your Beth still , to love and help you more than ever . You must take my place , Jo , and be everything to Father and Mother when I 'm gone . They will turn to you , do n't fail them , and if it 's hard to work alone , remember that I do n't forget you , and that you 'll be happier in doing that than writing splendid books or seeing all the world , for love is the only thing that we can carry with us when we go , and it makes the end so easy . ''
`` I 'll try , XXXXX . ''
Beth Father Guardian Henceforth Hope Jo Mother books earnestness right