`` What put it into your head ? Did anyone tell you about Beth 's giving away her things ? '' asked Laurie soberly , as Amy laid a bit of red tape , with sealing wax , a taper , and a standish before him . She explained and then asked anxiously , `` What about Beth ? '' `` I 'm sorry I spoke , but as I did , I 'll tell you . She felt so ill one day that she told Jo she wanted to give her piano to Meg , her cats to you , and the poor old doll to Jo , who would love it for her sake . She was sorry she had so little to give , and left locks of hair to the rest of us , and her best love to Grandpa . She never thought of a will . '' Laurie was signing and sealing as he spoke , and did not look up till a great tear dropped on the paper . Amy 's face was full of trouble , but she only said , `` Do n't people put sort of postscripts to their wills , sometimes ? '' `` Yes , ` codicils ' , they call them . '' `` Put one in mine then , that I wish all my curls cut off , and given round to my friends . I forgot it , but I want it done though it will spoil my looks . '' Laurie added it , smiling at Amy 's last and greatest sacrifice . Then he amused her for an hour , and was much interested in all her trials . But when he came to go , Amy held him back to whisper with trembling lips , `` Is there really any danger about Beth ? '' `` I 'm afraid there is , but we must hope for the best , so do n't cry , dear . '' And Laurie put his arm about her with a brotherly gesture which was very comforting . When he had gone , she went to her little chapel , and sitting in the twilight , prayed for Beth , with streaming tears and an aching heart , feeling that a million turquoise rings would not console her for the loss of her gentle little sister . CHAPTER TWENTY CONFIDENTIAL I do n't think I have any words in which to tell the meeting of the mother and daughters .
Such hours are beautiful to live , but very hard to describe , so I will leave it to the imagination of my readers , merely saying that the house was full of genuine happiness , and that Meg 's tender hope was realized , for when XXXXX woke from that long , healing sleep , the first objects on which her eyes fell were the little rose and Mother 's face .
Beth Jo Meg codicils day hour left postscripts standish twilight