A restless spirit possessed her , and the old feeling came again , not bitter as it once was , but a sorrowfully patient wonder why one sister should have all she asked , the other nothing . It was not true , she knew that and tried to put it away , but the natural craving for affection was strong , and Amy 's happiness woke the hungry longing for someone to ` love with heart and soul , and cling to while God let them be together ' . Up in the garret , where Jo 's unquiet wanderings ended stood four little wooden chests in a row , each marked with its owners name , and each filled with relics of the childhood and girlhood ended now for all . Jo glanced into them , and when she came to her own , leaned her chin on the edge , and stared absently at the chaotic collection , till a bundle of old exercise books caught her eye . She drew them out , turned them over , and relived that pleasant winter at kind Mrs. Kirke 's . She had smiled at first , then she looked thoughtful , next sad , and when she came to a little message written in the Professor 's hand , her lips began to tremble , the books slid out of her lap , and she sat looking at the friendly words , as they took a new meaning , and touched a tender spot in her heart . `` Wait for me , my friend . I may be a little late , but I shall surely come . '' `` Oh , if he only would ! So kind , so good , so patient with me always , my dear old Fritz . I did n't value him half enough when I had him , but now how I should love to see him , for everyone seems going away from me , and I 'm all alone . '' And holding the little paper fast , as if it were a promise yet to be fulfilled , Jo laid her head down on a comfortable rag bag , and cried , as if in opposition to the rain pattering on the roof . Was it all self-pity , loneliness , or low spirits ? Or was it the waking up of a sentiment which had bided its time as patiently as its inspirer ? Who shall say ? CHAPTER FORTY-THREE SURPRISES Jo was alone in the twilight , lying on the old sofa , looking at the fire , and thinking . It was her favorite way of spending the hour of dusk . No one disturbed her , and she used to lie there on Beth 's little red pillow , planning stories , dreaming dreams , or thinking tender thoughts of the sister who never seemed far away . Her face looked tired , grave , and rather sad , for tomorrow was her birthday , and she was thinking how fast the years went by , how old she was getting , and how little she seemed to have accomplished . Almost twenty-five , and nothing to show for it .
XXXXX was mistaken in that .
Amy Beth Jo Kirke Professor fire first garret girlhood twilight