But night came at last , and every time the clock struck , the sisters , still sitting on either side of the bed , looked at each other with brightening eyes , for each hour brought help nearer . The doctor had been in to say that some change , for better or worse , would probably take place about midnight , at which time he would return . Hannah , quite worn out , lay down on the sofa at the bed 's foot and fell fast asleep , Mr. Laurence marched to and fro in the parlor , feeling that he would rather face a rebel battery than Mrs. March 's countenance as she entered . Laurie lay on the rug , pretending to rest , but staring into the fire with the thoughtful look which made his black eyes beautifully soft and clear . The girls never forgot that night , for no sleep came to them as they kept their watch , with that dreadful sense of powerlessness which comes to us in hours like those . `` If God spares Beth , I never will complain again , '' whispered Meg earnestly . `` If god spares Beth , I 'll try to love and serve Him all my life , '' answered Jo , with equal fervor . `` I wish I had no heart , it aches so , '' sighed Meg , after a pause . `` If life is often as hard as this , I do n't see how we ever shall get through it , '' added her sister despondently . Here the clock struck twelve , and both forgot themselves in watching Beth , for they fancied a change passed over her wan face . The house was still as death , and nothing but the wailing of the wind broke the deep hush . Weary Hannah slept on , and no one but the sisters saw the pale shadow which seemed to fall upon the little bed . An hour went by , and nothing happened except Laurie 's quiet departure for the station . Another hour , still no one came , and anxious fears of delay in the storm , or accidents by the way , or , worst of all , a great grief at Washington , haunted the girls . It was past two , when Jo , who stood at the window thinking how dreary the world looked in its winding sheet of snow , heard a movement by the bed , and turning quickly , saw Meg kneeling before their mother 's easy chair with her face hidden . A dreadful fear passed coldly over Jo , as she thought , `` Beth is dead , and Meg is afraid to tell me . '' She was back at her post in an instant , and to her excited eyes a great change seemed to have taken place . The fever flush and the look of pain were gone , and the beloved little face looked so pale and peaceful in its utter repose that Jo felt no desire to weep or to lament . Leaning low over this dearest of her sisters , she kissed the damp forehead with her heart on her lips , and softly whispered , `` Good-by , my Beth . Good-by ! ''
As if awaked by the stir , Hannah started out of her sleep , hurried to the bed , looked at Beth , felt her hands , listened at her lips , and then , throwing her apron over her head , sat down to rock to and XXXXX , exclaiming , under her breath , `` The fever 's turned , she 's sleepin ' nat ` ral , her skin 's damp , and she breathes easy .
Beth Jo Laurie Meg accidents fire fro hours midnight night