I will confess , though , I felt queer when I saw the dear old hair laid out on the table , and felt only the short rough ends of my head . It almost seemed as if I 'd an arm or leg off . The woman saw me look at it , and picked out a long lock for me to keep . I 'll give it to you , Marmee , just to remember past glories by , for a crop is so comfortable I do n't think I shall ever have a mane again . '' Mrs. March folded the wavy chestnut lock , and laid it away with a short gray one in her desk . She only said , `` Thank you , deary , '' but something in her face made the girls change the subject , and talk as cheerfully as they could about Mr. Brooke 's kindness , the prospect of a fine day tomorrow , and the happy times they would have when Father came home to be nursed . No one wanted to go to bed when at ten o'clock Mrs. March put by the last finished job , and said , `` Come girls . '' Beth went to the piano and played the father 's favorite hymn . All began bravely , but broke down one by one till Beth was left alone , singing with all her heart , for to her music was always a sweet consoler . `` Go to bed and do n't talk , for we must be up early and shall need all the sleep we can get . Good night , my darlings , '' said Mrs. March , as the hymn ended , for no one cared to try another . They kissed her quietly , and went to bed as silently as if the dear invalid lay in the next room . Beth and Amy soon fell asleep in spite of the great trouble , but Meg lay awake , thinking the most serious thoughts she had ever known in her short life . Jo lay motionless , and her sister fancied that she was asleep , till a stifled sob made her exclaim , as she touched a wet cheek ... `` Jo , dear , what is it ? Are you crying about father ? '' `` No , not now . '' `` What then ? '' `` My ... My hair ! '' burst out poor Jo , trying vainly to smother her emotion in the pillow . It did not seem at all comical to Meg , who kissed and caressed the afflicted heroine in the tenderest manner .
`` I 'm not sorry , '' protested XXXXX , with a choke .
Amy Beth Brooke Father Jo Marmee consoler left mane o'clock