Do n't stop to quirk your little finger and simper over your plate , Amy , '' cried Jo , choking on her tea and dropping her bread , butter side down , on the carpet in her haste to get at the treat . Beth ate no more , but crept away to sit in her shadowy corner and brood over the delight to come , till the others were ready . `` I think it was so splendid in Father to go as chaplain when he was too old to be drafted , and not strong enough for a soldier , '' said Meg warmly . `` Do n't I wish I could go as a drummer , a vivan -- what 's its name ? Or a nurse , so I could be near him and help him , '' exclaimed Jo , with a groan . `` It must be very disagreeable to sleep in a tent , and eat all sorts of bad-tasting things , and drink out of a tin mug , '' sighed Amy . `` When will he come home , Marmee ? '' asked Beth , with a little quiver in her voice . `` Not for many months , dear , unless he is sick . He will stay and do his work faithfully as long as he can , and we wo n't ask for him back a minute sooner than he can be spared . Now come and hear the letter . '' They all drew to the fire , Mother in the big chair with Beth at her feet , Meg and Amy perched on either arm of the chair , and Jo leaning on the back , where no one would see any sign of emotion if the letter should happen to be touching . Very few letters were written in those hard times that were not touching , especially those which fathers sent home . In this one little was said of the hardships endured , the dangers faced , or the homesickness conquered . It was a cheerful , hopeful letter , full of lively descriptions of camp life , marches , and military news , and only at the end did the writer 's heart over-flow with fatherly love and longing for the little girls at home . `` Give them all of my dear love and a kiss . Tell them I think of them by day , pray for them by night , and find my best comfort in their affection at all times . A year seems very long to wait before I see them , but remind them that while we wait we may all work , so that these hard days need not be wasted . I know they will remember all I said to them , that they will be loving children to you , will do their duty faithfully , fight their bosom enemies bravely , and conquer themselves so beautifully that when I come back to them I may be fonder and prouder than ever of my little women . '' Everybody sniffed when they came to that part .
XXXXX was n't ashamed of the great tear that dropped off the end of her nose , and Amy never minded the rumpling of her curls as she hid her face on her mother 's shoulder and sobbed out , `` I am a selfish girl !
Amy Father Jo Meg Mother choking minute night over-flow quiver