`` Well , in a year or two I 'll send for you , and we 'll dig in the Forum for relics , and carry out all the plans we 've made so many times . '' `` Thank you . I 'll remind you of your promise when that joyful day comes , if it ever does , '' returned Jo , accepting the vague but magnificent offer as gratefully as she could . There was not much time for preparation , and the house was in a ferment till Amy was off . Jo bore up very well till the last flutter of blue ribbon vanished , when she retired to her refuge , the garret , and cried till she could n't cry any more . Amy likewise bore up stoutly till the steamer sailed . Then just as the gangway was about to be withdrawn , it suddenly came over her that a whole ocean was soon to roll between her and those who loved her best , and she clung to Laurie , the last lingerer , saying with a sob ... `` Oh , take care of them for me , and if anything should happen ... '' `` I will , dear , I will , and if anything happens , I 'll come and comfort you , '' whispered Laurie , little dreaming that he would be called upon to keep his word . So Amy sailed away to find the Old World , which is always new and beautiful to young eyes , while her father and friend watched her from the shore , fervently hoping that none but gentle fortunes would befall the happy-hearted girl , who waved her hand to them till they could see nothing but the summer sunshine dazzling on the sea . CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE OUR FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT London Dearest People , Here I really sit at a front window of the Bath Hotel , Piccadilly . It 's not a fashionable place , but Uncle stopped here years ago , and wo n't go anywhere else . However , we do n't mean to stay long , so it 's no great matter . Oh , I ca n't begin to tell you how I enjoy it all ! I never can , so I 'll only give you bits out of my notebook , for I 've done nothing but sketch and scribble since I started . I sent a line from Halifax , when I felt pretty miserable , but after that I got on delightfully , seldom ill , on deck all day , with plenty of pleasant people to amuse me . Everyone was very kind to me , especially the officers . Do n't laugh , Jo , gentlemen really are very necessary aboard ship , to hold on to , or to wait upon one , and as they have nothing to do , it 's a mercy to make them useful , otherwise they would smoke themselves to death , I 'm afraid . Aunt and Flo were poorly all the way , and liked to be let alone , so when I had done what I could for them , I went and enjoyed myself . Such walks on deck , such sunsets , such splendid air and waves ! It was almost as exciting as riding a fast horse , when we went rushing on so grandly . I wish Beth could have come , it would have done her so much good .
As for XXXXX , she would have gone up and sat on the maintop jib , or whatever the high thing is called , made friends with the engineers , and tooted on the captain 's speaking trumpet , she 'd have been in such a state of rapture .
Amy Flo Jo Laurie Uncle World day garret relics year