Jo started up , revived the blaze , and crept to the bedside , hoping Beth slept . `` Not asleep , but so happy , dear . See , I found this and read it . I knew you would n't care . Have I been all that to you , Jo ? '' she asked , with wistful , humble earnestness . '' Oh , Beth , so much , so much ! '' and Jo 's head went down upon the pillow beside her sister 's . `` Then I do n't feel as if I 'd wasted my life . I 'm not so good as you make me , but I have tried to do right . And now , when it 's too late to begin even to do better , it 's such a comfort to know that someone loves me so much , and feels as if I 'd helped them . '' `` More than any one in the world , Beth . I used to think I could n't let you go , but I 'm learning to feel that I do n't lose you , that you 'll be more to me than ever , and death ca n't part us , though it seems to . '' `` I know it can not , and I do n't fear it any longer , for I 'm sure I shall be your Beth still , to love and help you more than ever . You must take my place , Jo , and be everything to Father and Mother when I 'm gone . They will turn to you , do n't fail them , and if it 's hard to work alone , remember that I do n't forget you , and that you 'll be happier in doing that than writing splendid books or seeing all the world , for love is the only thing that we can carry with us when we go , and it makes the end so easy . '' `` I 'll try , Beth . '' and then and there Jo renounced her old ambition , pledged herself to a new and better one , acknowledging the poverty of other desires , and feeling the blessed solace of a belief in the immortality of love . So the spring days came and went , the sky grew clearer , the earth greener , the flowers were up fairly early , and the birds came back in time to say goodbye to Beth , who , like a tired but trustful child , clung to the hands that had led her all her life , as Father and Mother guided her tenderly through the Valley of the Shadow , and gave her up to God . Seldom except in books do the dying utter memorable words , see visions , or depart with beatified countenances , and those who have sped many parting souls know that to most the end comes as naturally and simply as sleep .
As XXXXX had hoped , the ` tide went out easily ' , and in the dark hour before dawn , on the bosom where she had drawn her first breath , she quietly drew her last , with no farewell but one loving look , one little sigh .
Beth Father Jo Mother Shadow countenances days head right spring