`` No , thank you , except call at the office , if you 'll be so kind , dear . It 's our day for a letter , and the postman has n't been . Father is as regular as the sun , but there 's some delay on the way , perhaps . '' A sharp ring interrupted her , and a minute after Hannah came in with a letter . `` It 's one of them horrid telegraph things , mum , '' she said , handling it as if she was afraid it would explode and do some damage . At the word ` telegraph ' , Mrs. March snatched it , read the two lines it contained , and dropped back into her chair as white as if the little paper had sent a bullet to her heart . Laurie dashed downstairs for water , while Meg and Hannah supported her , and Jo read aloud , in a frightened voice ... Mrs. March : Your husband is very ill . Come at once . S. HALE Blank Hospital , Washington . How still the room was as they listened breathlessly , how strangely the day darkened outside , and how suddenly the whole world seemed to change , as the girls gathered about their mother , feeling as if all the happiness and support of their lives was about to be taken from them . Mrs. March was herself again directly , read the message over , and stretched out her arms to her daughters , saying , in a tone they never forgot , `` I shall go at once , but it may be too late . Oh , children , children , help me to bear it ! '' For several minutes there was nothing but the sound of sobbing in the room , mingled with broken words of comfort , tender assurances of help , and hopeful whispers that died away in tears . Poor Hannah was the first to recover , and with unconscious wisdom she set all the rest a good example , for with her , work was panacea for most afflictions . `` The Lord keep the dear man ! I wo n't waste no time a-cryin ' , but git your things ready right away , mum , '' she said heartily , as she wiped her face on her apron , gave her mistress a warm shake of the hand with her own hard one , and went away to work like three women in one . `` She 's right , there 's no time for tears now . Be calm , girls , and let me think . '' They tried to be calm , poor things , as their mother sat up , looking pale but steady , and put away her grief to think and plan for them . `` Where 's Laurie ? ''
she asked presently , when she had collected her thoughts and decided on the XXXXX duties to be done .
Father Hannah Jo Laurie Washington a-cryin day first minutes right