On some accounts , this was a relief to his friends , but the weeks before his departure were very uncomfortable , and everyone rejoiced that the ` poor , dear fellow was going away to forget his trouble , and come home happy ' . Of course , he smiled darkly at their delusion , but passed it by with the sad superiority of one who knew that his fidelity like his love was unalterable . When the parting came he affected high spirits , to conceal certain inconvenient emotions which seemed inclined to assert themselves . This gaiety did not impose upon anybody , but they tried to look as if it did for his sake , and he got on very well till Mrs. March kissed him , with a whisper full of motherly solicitude . Then feeling that he was going very fast , he hastily embraced them all round , not forgetting the afflicted Hannah , and ran downstairs as if for his life . Jo followed a minute after to wave her hand to him if he looked round . He did look round , came back , put his arms about her as she stood on the step above him , and looked up at her with a face that made his short appeal eloquent and pathetic . `` Oh , Jo , ca n't you ? '' `` Teddy , dear , I wish I could ! '' That was all , except a little pause . Then Laurie straightened himself up , said , `` It 's all right , never mind , '' and went away without another word . Ah , but it was n't all right , and Jo did mind , for while the curly head lay on her arm a minute after her hard answer , she felt as if she had stabbed her dearest friend , and when he left her without a look behind him , she knew that the boy Laurie never would come again . CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX BETH 'S SECRET When Jo came home that spring , she had been struck with the change in Beth . No one spoke of it or seemed aware of it , for it had come too gradually to startle those who saw her daily , but to eyes sharpened by absence , it was very plain and a heavy weight fell on Jo 's heart as she saw her sister 's face . It was no paler and but littler thinner than in the autumn , yet there was a strange , transparent look about it , as if the mortal was being slowly refined away , and the immortal shining through the frail flesh with an indescribably pathetic beauty . Jo saw and felt it , but said nothing at the time , and soon the first impression lost much of its power , for Beth seemed happy , no one appeared to doubt that she was better , and presently in other cares Jo for a time forgot her fear . But when Laurie was gone , and peace prevailed again , the vague anxiety returned and haunted her . She had confessed her sins and been forgiven , but when she showed her savings and proposed a mountain trip , Beth had thanked her heartily , but begged not to go so far away from home . Another little visit to the seashore would suit her better , and as Grandma could not be prevailed upon to leave the babies , Jo took Beth down to the quiet place , where she could live much in the open air , and let the fresh sea breezes blow a little color into her pale cheeks . It was not a fashionable place , but even among the pleasant people there , the girls made few friends , preferring to live for one another .
Beth was too shy to enjoy society , and XXXXX too wrapped up in her to care for anyone else .
Beth Hannah Jo daily first left littler minute right weeks