I never knew how good and generous and tender he was till now , for he lets me read his heart , and I find it full of noble impulses and hopes and purposes , and am so proud to know it 's mine . He says he feels as if he ` could make a prosperous voyage now with me aboard as mate , and lots of love for ballast ' . I pray he may , and try to be all he believes me , for I love my gallant captain with all my heart and soul and might , and never will desert him , while God lets us be together . Oh , Mother , I never knew how much like heaven this world could be , when two people love and live for one another ! '' `` And that 's our cool , reserved , and worldly Amy ! Truly , love does work miracles . How very , very happy they must be ! '' and Jo laid the rustling sheets together with a careful hand , as one might shut the covers of a lovely romance , which holds the reader fast till the end comes , and he finds himself alone in the workaday world again . By-and-by Jo roamed away upstairs , for it was rainy , and she could not walk . A restless spirit possessed her , and the old feeling came again , not bitter as it once was , but a sorrowfully patient wonder why one sister should have all she asked , the other nothing . It was not true , she knew that and tried to put it away , but the natural craving for affection was strong , and Amy 's happiness woke the hungry longing for someone to ` love with heart and soul , and cling to while God let them be together ' . Up in the garret , where Jo 's unquiet wanderings ended stood four little wooden chests in a row , each marked with its owners name , and each filled with relics of the childhood and girlhood ended now for all . Jo glanced into them , and when she came to her own , leaned her chin on the edge , and stared absently at the chaotic collection , till a bundle of old exercise books caught her eye . She drew them out , turned them over , and relived that pleasant winter at kind Mrs. Kirke 's . She had smiled at first , then she looked thoughtful , next sad , and when she came to a little message written in the Professor 's hand , her lips began to tremble , the books slid out of her lap , and she sat looking at the friendly words , as they took a new meaning , and touched a tender spot in her heart . `` Wait for me , my friend . I may be a little late , but I shall surely come . '' `` Oh , if he only would ! So kind , so good , so patient with me always , my dear old Fritz . I did n't value him half enough when I had him , but now how I should love to see him , for everyone seems going away from me , and I 'm all alone . ''
And holding the little paper fast , as if it were a promise yet to be fulfilled , XXXXX laid her head down on a comfortable rag bag , and cried , as if in opposition to the rain pattering on the roof .
Amy Fritz Jo Kirke Mother Professor first garret girlhood relics