Do n't tell anyone , it 's all over now . I thought you were asleep , so I just made a little private moan for my one beauty . How came you to be awake ? '' `` I ca n't sleep , I 'm so anxious , '' said Meg . `` Think about something pleasant , and you 'll soon drop off . '' `` I tried it , but felt wider awake than ever . '' `` What did you think of ? '' `` Handsome faces -- eyes particularly , '' answered Meg , smiling to herself in the dark . `` What color do you like best ? '' `` Brown , that is , sometimes . Blue are lovely . '' Jo laughed , and Meg sharply ordered her not to talk , then amiably promised to make her hair curl , and fell asleep to dream of living in her castle in the air . The clocks were striking midnight and the rooms were very still as a figure glided quietly from bed to bed , smoothing a coverlet here , settling a pillow there , and pausing to look long and tenderly at each unconscious face , to kiss each with lips that mutely blessed , and to pray the fervent prayers which only mothers utter . As she lifted the curtain to look out into the dreary night , the moon broke suddenly from behind the clouds and shone upon her like a bright , benignant face , which seemed to whisper in the silence , `` Be comforted , dear soul ! There is always light behind the clouds . '' CHAPTER SIXTEEN LETTERS In the cold gray dawn the sisters lit their lamp and read their chapter with an earnestness never felt before . For now the shadow of a real trouble had come , the little books were full of help and comfort , and as they dressed , they agreed to say goodbye cheerfully and hopefully , and send their mother on her anxious journey unsaddened by tears or complaints from them . Everything seemed very strange when they went down , so dim and still outside , so full of light and bustle within . Breakfast at that early hour seemed odd , and even Hannah 's familiar face looked unnatural as she flew about her kitchen with her nightcap on . The big trunk stood ready in the hall , Mother 's cloak and bonnet lay on the sofa , and Mother herself sat trying to eat , but looking so pale and worn with sleeplessness and anxiety that the girls found it very hard to keep their resolution .
Meg 's eyes kept filling in spite of herself , XXXXX was obliged to hide her face in the kitchen roller more than once , and the little girls wore a grave , troubled expression , as if sorrow was a new experience to them .
Brown Hannah Jo Meg Mother hour midnight night nightcap sleeplessness