Like a confiding child , she asked no questions , but left everything to God and nature , Father and Mother of us all , feeling sure that they , and they only , could teach and strengthen heart and spirit for this life and the life to come . She did not rebuke Jo with saintly speeches , only loved her better for her passionate affection , and clung more closely to the dear human love , from which our Father never means us to be weaned , but through which He draws us closer to Himself . She could not say , `` I 'm glad to go , '' for life was very sweet for her . She could only sob out , `` I try to be willing , '' while she held fast to Jo , as the first bitter wave of this great sorrow broke over them together . By and by Beth said , with recovered serenity , `` You 'll tell them this when we go home ? '' `` I think they will see it without words , '' sighed Jo , for now it seemed to her that Beth changed every day . `` Perhaps not . I 've heard that the people who love best are often blindest to such things . If they do n't see it , you will tell them for me . I do n't want any secrets , and it 's kinder to prepare them . Meg has John and the babies to comfort her , but you must stand by Father and Mother , wo n't you Jo ? '' `` If I can . But , Beth , I do n't give up yet . I 'm going to believe that it is a sick fancy , and not let you think it 's true . '' said Jo , trying to speak cheerfully . Beth lay a minute thinking , and then said in her quiet way , `` I do n't know how to express myself , and should n't try to anyone but you , because I ca n't speak out except to my Jo . I only mean to say that I have a feeling that it never was intended I should live long . I 'm not like the rest of you . I never made any plans about what I 'd do when I grew up . I never thought of being married , as you all did .
I could n't seem to imagine myself anything but stupid little XXXXX , trotting about at home , of no use anywhere but there .
Beth Father Jo John Meg Mother day first left minute