Hannah is a model servant , and guards pretty Meg like a dragon . Glad the fine weather holds . Pray make Brooke useful , and draw on me for funds if expenses exceed your estimate . Do n't let your husband want anything . Thank God he is mending . Your sincere friend and servant , JAMES LAURENCE CHAPTER SEVENTEEN LITTLE FAITHFUL For a week the amount of virtue in the old house would have supplied the neighborhood . It was really amazing , for everyone seemed in a heavenly frame of mind , and self-denial was all the fashion . Relieved of their first anxiety about their father , the girls insensibly relaxed their praiseworthy efforts a little , and began to fall back into old ways . They did not forget their motto , but hoping and keeping busy seemed to grow easier , and after such tremendous exertions , they felt that Endeavor deserved a holiday , and gave it a good many . Jo caught a bad cold through neglect to cover the shorn head enough , and was ordered to stay at home till she was better , for Aunt March did n't like to hear people read with colds in their heads . Jo liked this , and after an energetic rummage from garret to cellar , subsided on the sofa to nurse her cold with arsenicum and books . Amy found that housework and art did not go well together , and returned to her mud pies . Meg went daily to her pupils , and sewed , or thought she did , at home , but much time was spent in writing long letters to her mother , or reading the Washington dispatches over and over . Beth kept on , with only slight relapses into idleness or grieving . All the little duties were faithfully done each day , and many of her sisters ' also , for they were forgetful , and the house seemed like a clock whose pendulum was gone a-visiting . When her heart got heavy with longings for Mother or fears for Father , she went away into a certain closet , hid her face in the folds of a dear old gown , and made her little moan and prayed her little prayer quietly by herself . Nobody knew what cheered her up after a sober fit , but everyone felt how sweet and helpful Beth was , and fell into a way of going to her for comfort or advice in their small affairs . All were unconscious that this experience was a test of character , and when the first excitement was over , felt that they had done well and deserved praise . So they did , but their mistake was in ceasing to do well , and they learned this lesson through much anxiety and regret . `` Meg , I wish you 'd go and see the Hummels .
You know XXXXX told us not to forget them . ''
Amy Brooke Endeavor Jo Mother arsenicum day garret self-denial week