`` Meg , I wish you 'd go and see the Hummels . You know Mother told us not to forget them . '' said Beth , ten days after Mrs. March 's departure . `` I 'm too tired to go this afternoon , '' replied Meg , rocking comfortably as she sewed . `` Ca n't you , Jo ? '' asked Beth . `` Too stormy for me with my cold . '' `` I thought it was almost well . '' `` It 's well enough for me to go out with Laurie , but not well enough to go to the Hummels ' , '' said Jo , laughing , but looking a little ashamed of her inconsistency . `` Why do n't you go yourself ? '' asked Meg . `` I have been every day , but the baby is sick , and I do n't know what to do for it . Mrs. Hummel goes away to work , and Lottchen takes care of it . But it gets sicker and sicker , and I think you or Hannah ought to go . '' Beth spoke earnestly , and Meg promised she would go tomorrow . `` Ask Hannah for some nice little mess , and take it round , Beth , the air will do you good , '' said Jo , adding apologetically , `` I 'd go but I want to finish my writing . '' `` My head aches and I 'm tired , so I thought maybe some of you would go , '' said Beth . `` Amy will be in presently , and she will run down for us , '' suggested Meg . So Beth lay down on the sofa , the others returned to their work , and the Hummels were forgotten . An hour passed .
Amy did not come , Meg went to her room to try on a new dress , Jo was absorbed in her story , and XXXXX was sound asleep before the kitchen fire , when Beth quietly put on her hood , filled her basket with odds and ends for the poor children , and went out into the chilly air with a heavy head and a grieved look in her patient eyes .
Amy Hannah Hummel Hummels Jo Lottchen Meg Mother days hour