`` Father is much better , '' replied Jo , trying to keep sober . `` Oh , is he ? Well , that wo n't last long , I fancy . March never had any stamina , '' was the cheerful reply . `` Ha , ha ! Never say die , take a pinch of snuff , goodbye , goodbye ! '' squalled Polly , dancing on her perch , and clawing at the old lady 's cap as Laurie tweaked him in the rear . `` Hold your tongue , you disrespectful old bird ! And , Jo , you 'd better go at once . It is n't proper to be gadding about so late with a rattlepated boy like ... '' `` Hold your tongue , you disrespectful old bird ! '' cried Polly , tumbling off the chair with a bounce , and running to peck the ` rattlepated ' boy , who was shaking with laughter at the last speech . `` I do n't think I can bear it , but I 'll try , '' thought Amy , as she was left alone with Aunt March . `` Get along , you fright ! '' screamed Polly , and at that rude speech Amy could not restrain a sniff . CHAPTER EIGHTEEN DARK DAYS Beth did have the fever , and was much sicker than anyone but Hannah and the doctor suspected . The girls knew nothing about illness , and Mr. Laurence was not allowed to see her , so Hannah had everything her own way , and busy Dr. Bangs did his best , but left a good deal to the excellent nurse . Meg stayed at home , lest she should infect the Kings , and kept house , feeling very anxious and a little guilty when she wrote letters in which no mention was made of Beth 's illness . She could not think it right to deceive her mother , but she had been bidden to mind Hannah , and Hannah would n't hear of ` Mrs. March bein ' told , and worried just for sech a trifle . ' Jo devoted herself to Beth day and night , not a hard task , for Beth was very patient , and bore her pain uncomplainingly as long as she could control herself . But there came a time when during the fever fits she began to talk in a hoarse , broken voice , to play on the coverlet as if on her beloved little piano , and try to sing with a throat so swollen that there was no music left , a time when she did not know the familiar faces around her , but addressed them by wrong names , and called imploringly for her mother .
Then Jo grew frightened , Meg begged to be allowed to write the truth , and even XXXXX said she ` would think of it , though there was no danger yet ' .
Beth Hannah Laurence Laurie Meg day left night right snuff