demanded Jo , diving for the pillow . He fled at once , and the minute it was well , `` Up with the bonnets of bonnie Dundee , '' she slipped away to return no more till the young gentleman departed in high dudgeon . Jo lay long awake that night , and was just dropping off when the sound of a stifled sob made her fly to Beth 's bedside , with the anxious inquiry , `` What is it , dear ? '' `` I thought you were asleep , '' sobbed Beth . `` Is it the old pain , my precious ? '' `` No , it 's a new one , but I can bear it , '' and Beth tried to check her tears . `` Tell me all about it , and let me cure it as I often did the other . '' `` You ca n't , there is no cure . '' There Beth 's voice gave way , and clinging to her sister , she cried so despairingly that Jo was frightened . `` Where is it ? Shall I call Mother ? '' `` No , no , do n't call her , do n't tell her . I shall be better soon . Lie down here and ` poor ' my head . I 'll be quiet and go to sleep , indeed I will . '' Jo obeyed , but as her hand went softly to and fro across Beth 's hot forehead and wet eyelids , her heart was very full and she longed to speak . But young as she was , Jo had learned that hearts , like flowers , can not be rudely handled , but must open naturally , so though she believed she knew the cause of Beth 's new pain , she only said , in her tenderest tone , `` Does anything trouble you , deary ? '' `` Yes , Jo , '' after a long pause . `` Would n't it comfort you to tell me what it is ? '' `` Not now , not yet . ''
`` Then I wo n't ask , but remember , Bethy , that XXXXX and Jo are always glad to hear and help you , if they can . ''
Beth Dundee Jo Mother Shall dudgeon forehead heart night tone