When Dr. Bangs came that morning , he looked long at Beth , held the hot hand in both his own for a minute , and laid it gently down , saying , in a low voice to Hannah , `` If Mrs. March can leave her husband she 'd better be sent for . '' Hannah nodded without speaking , for her lips twitched nervously , Meg dropped down into a chair as the strength seemed to go out of her limbs at the sound of those words , and Jo , standing with a pale face for a minute , ran to the parlor , snatched up the telegram , and throwing on her things , rushed out into the storm . She was soon back , and while noiselessly taking off her cloak , Laurie came in with a letter , saying that Mr. March was mending again . Jo read it thankfully , but the heavy weight did not seem lifted off her heart , and her face was so full of misery that Laurie asked quickly , `` What is it ? Is Beth worse ? '' `` I 've sent for Mother , '' said Jo , tugging at her rubber boots with a tragic expression . `` Good for you , Jo ! Did you do it on your own responsibility ? '' asked Laurie , as he seated her in the hall chair and took off the rebellious boots , seeing how her hands shook . `` No . The doctor told us to . '' `` Oh , Jo , it 's not so bad as that ? '' cried Laurie , with a startled face . `` Yes , it is . She does n't know us , she does n't even talk about the flocks of green doves , as she calls the vine leaves on the wall . She does n't look like my Beth , and there 's nobody to help us bear it . Mother and father both gone , and God seems so far away I ca n't find Him . '' As the tears streamed fast down poor Jo 's cheeks , she stretched out her hand in a helpless sort of way , as if groping in the dark , and Laurie took it in his , whispering as well as he could with a lump in his throat , `` I 'm here . Hold on to me , Jo , dear ! '' She could not speak , but she did ` hold on ' , and the warm grasp of the friendly human hand comforted her sore heart , and seemed to lead her nearer to the Divine arm which alone could uphold her in her trouble .
XXXXX longed to say something tender and comfortable , but no fitting words came to him , so he stood silent , gently stroking her bent head as her mother used to do .
Beth Hannah Jo Laurie March Meg Mother minute morning storm