Hummel came to beg pardon for her thoughtlessness and to get a shroud for Minna, the neighbors sent all sorts of comforts and good wishes, and even those who knew her best were surprised to find how many friends shy little Beth had made
Meanwhile she lay on her bed with old Joanna at her side, for even in her wanderings she did not forget her forlorn protegeShe longed for her cats, but would not have them brought, lest they should get sick, and in her quiet hours she was full of anxiety about JoShe sent loving messages to Amy, bade them tell her mother that she would write soon, and often begged for pencil and paper to try to say a word, that Father might not think she had neglected himBut soon even these intervals of consciousness ended, and she lay hour after hour, tossing to and fro, with incoherent words on her lips, or sank into a heavy sleep which brought her no refreshmentBangs came twice a day, Hannah sat up at night, Meg kept a telegram in her desk all ready to send off at any minute, and Jo never stirred from Beth's side
The first of December was a wintry day indeed to them, for a bitter wind blew, snow fell fast, and the year seemed getting ready for its deathBangs came that morning, he looked long http://www.ooluxury.com/category_27_Chanel-Watches_1.html" target="_blank at Beth, held the hot hand in both his own for a minute, and laid it gently down, saying, in a low voice to Hannah, "If MrsMarch can leave her husband she'd better be sent for
Hannah nodded without speaking, for her lips twitched nervously, Meg dropped down into a chair as the strength seemed to go out of her limbs at the sound of those words, and Jo, standing with a pale face for a minute, ran to the parlor, snatched up the telegram, and throwing on her things, rushed out into the stormShe was soon back, and while noiselessly taking off her cloak, Laurie came in with a letter, saying that MrMarch was mending againJo read it thankfully, but the heavy weight did not seem lifted off her heart, and her face was so full of misery that Laurie asked quickly, "What is it? Is Beth worse?"
"I've sent for Mother," said Jo, tugging at her rubber boots with a tragic expression
"Good for you, Jo! Did you do it on your own responsibility?" asked Laurie, as he seated her in the hall chair and took off the rebellious boots, seeing how her hands shookThe doctor told us to
"Oh, Jo, it's not so bad as that?" cried Laurie, with a startled faceShe doesn't know us, she doesn't even talk about the flocks of green doves, as she http://www.irluxury.com/scategory_21_Tiffany-Jewelry.html" target="_blank calls the vine leaves on the wallShe doesn't look like my Beth, and there's nobody to help us bear itMother and father both gone, and God seems so far away I can't find Him
As the tears streamed fast down poor Jo's cheeks, she stretched out her hand in a helpless sort of way, as if groping in the dark, and Laurie took it in his, whispering as well as he could with a lump in his throat, "I'm hereHold on tome, Jo, dear!"
She could not speak, but she did `hold on', and the warm grasp of the friendly human hand comforted her sore heart, and seemed to lead her nearer to the Divine arm which alone could uphold her in her trouble
Laurie longed to say something tender and comfortable, but no fitting words came to him, so he stood silent, gently stroking her bent head as her mother used to doIt was the best thing he could have done, far more soothing than the most eloquent words, for Jo felt the unspoken sympathy, and in the silence learned the sweet solace which affection administers to sorrowSoon she dried the tears which had relieved her, and looked up with a grateful face
"Thank you, Teddy, I'm better nowI don't feel so forlorn, and will try to bear it if it comes
"Keep hoping for the best, that will help you, http://www.ooluxury.com/categorys_94_Chanel-Purse_1.html" target="_blank JoSoon your mother will be here, and then everything will be all right
"I'm so glad Father is betterNow she won't feel so bad about leaving himOh, me! It does seem as if all the troubles came in a heap, and I got the heaviest part on my shoulders," sighed Jo, spreading her wet handkerchief over her knees to dry
"Doesn't Meg pull fair?" asked Laurie, looking indignant
"Oh, yes, she tries to, but she can't love Bethy as I do, and she won't miss her as I shallBeth is my conscience, and I can't give her upI can't! I can't!"
Down went Jo's face into the wet handkerchief, and she cried despairingly, for she had kept up bravely till now and never shed a tearLaurie drew his hand across his eyes, but could not speak till he had subdued the choky feeling in his throat and steadied his lipsIt might be unmanly, but he couldn't help it, and I am glad of itPresently, as Jo's sobs quieted, he said hopefully, "I don't think she will dieShe's so good, and we all love her so much, I don't believe God will take her away yet
"The good and dear people always do die," groaned Jo, but she stopped crying, for her friend's words cheered her up in spite of her own doubts and fears
"Poor girl, you're worn outIt isn't like you to http://www.enluxury.com/category_10_Mulberry_1.html" target="_blank be forlornI'll hearten you up in a jiffy
Laurie went off two stairs at a time, and Jo laid her wearied head down on Beth's little brown hood, which no one had thought of moving from the table where she left itIt must have possessed some magic, for the submissive spirit of its gentle owner seemed to enter into Jo, and when Laurie came running down with a glass of wine, she took it with a smile, and said bravely, "I drink-- Health to my Beth! You are a good doctor, Teddy, and such a comfortable friendHow can I ever pay you?" she added, as the wine refreshed her body, as the kind words had done her troubled mind
"I'll send my bill, by-and-by, and tonight I'll give you some- thing that will warm the cockles of your heart better than quarts of wine," said Laurie, beaming at her with a face of suppressed satisfaction at something
"What is it?" cried Jo, forgetting her woes for a minute in her wonder
"I telegraphed to your mother yesterday, and Brooke answered she'd come at once, and she'll be here tonight, and everything will be all rightAren't you glad I did it?"
Laurie spoke very fast, and turned red and excited all in a minute, for he had kept his plot a secret, for fear of disappointing the girls or harming http://www.muluxury.com/search_0_0_0_chanel white_1.html" target="_blank Be