I 've heard that the people who love best are often blindest to such things . If they do n't see it , you will tell them for me . I do n't want any secrets , and it 's kinder to prepare them . Meg has John and the babies to comfort her , but you must stand by Father and Mother , wo n't you Jo ? '' `` If I can . But , Beth , I do n't give up yet . I 'm going to believe that it is a sick fancy , and not let you think it 's true . '' said Jo , trying to speak cheerfully . Beth lay a minute thinking , and then said in her quiet way , `` I do n't know how to express myself , and should n't try to anyone but you , because I ca n't speak out except to my Jo . I only mean to say that I have a feeling that it never was intended I should live long . I 'm not like the rest of you . I never made any plans about what I 'd do when I grew up . I never thought of being married , as you all did . I could n't seem to imagine myself anything but stupid little Beth , trotting about at home , of no use anywhere but there . I never wanted to go away , and the hard part now is the leaving you all . I 'm not afraid , but it seems as if I should be homesick for you even in heaven . '' Jo could not speak , and for several minutes there was no sound but the sigh of the wind and the lapping of the tide . A white-winged gull flew by , with the flash of sunshine on its silvery breast . Beth watched it till it vanished , and her eyes were full of sadness . A little gray-coated sand bird came tripping over the beach ` peeping ' softly to itself , as if enjoying the sun and sea .
It came quite close to XXXXX , and looked at her with a friendly eye and sat upon a warm stone , dressing its wet feathers , quite at home .
Beth Father Jo John Meg Mother minute minutes people things