It was late when she came back , and no one saw her creep upstairs and shut herself into her mother 's room . Half an hour after , Jo went to ` Mother 's closet ' for something , and there found little Beth sitting on the medicine chest , looking very grave , with red eyes and a camphor bottle in her hand . `` Christopher Columbus ! What 's the matter ? '' cried Jo , as Beth put out her hand as if to warn her off , and asked quickly ... `` You 've had the scarlet fever , have n't you ? '' `` Years ago , when Meg did . Why ? '' `` Then I 'll tell you . Oh , Jo , the baby 's dead ! '' `` What baby ? '' `` Mrs. Hummel 's . It died in my lap before she got home , '' cried Beth with a sob . `` My poor dear , how dreadful for you ! I ought to have gone , '' said Jo , taking her sister in her arms as she sat down in her mother 's big chair , with a remorseful face . `` It was n't dreadful , Jo , only so sad ! I saw in a minute it was sicker , but Lottchen said her mother had gone for a doctor , so I took Baby and let Lotty rest . It seemed asleep , but all of a sudden if gave a little cry and trembled , and then lay very still . I tried to warm its feet , and Lotty gave it some milk , but it did n't stir , and I knew it was dead . '' `` Do n't cry , dear ! What did you do ? ''
`` I just sat and held it softly till Mrs. XXXXX came with the doctor .
Baby Beth Columbus Hummel Jo Lottchen Lotty Meg Mother hour