It 's like the tide , Jo , when it turns , it goes slowly , but it ca n't be stopped . '' `` It shall be stopped , your tide must not turn so soon , nineteen is too young , Beth . I ca n't let you go . I 'll work and pray and fight against it . I 'll keep you in spite of everything . There must be ways , it ca n't be too late . God wo n't be so cruel as to take you from me , '' cried poor Jo rebelliously , for her spirit was far less piously submissive than Beth 's . Simple , sincere people seldom speak much of their piety . It shows itself in acts rather than in words , and has more influence than homilies or protestations . Beth could not reason upon or explain the faith that gave her courage and patience to give up life , and cheerfully wait for death . 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 XXXXX , wo n't you Jo ? ''
Beth Father Jo Mother day first homilies influence left protestations