31 Little Women Read By Stephanie Poppins

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Chapter 18 Dark Days Beth did have the fever and was much sicker than anyone but Hannah and the doctor suspected.

The girls knew nothing about the illness and Mr Lawrence was not allowed to see her so Hannah had everything all her own way and busy Dr Bangs did his best but left a good deal to the excellent nurse.

Meg stayed at home lest she should infect the kings and kept house feeling very anxious and a little guilty when she wrote letters in which no mention was made of the illness.

She could not think it right to deceive their mother but she had been bidden to mind Hannah and Hannah wouldn't hear of Mrs March being told.

There came a time when during the fever fits Beth began to talk in a hoarse broken voice to play on the coverlet as if on her beloved little piano and try and sing with a voice so swollen there was no music left.

A time when she did not know the familiar faces round her but addressed them by wrong names and called imploringly for her mother.

Then Jo grew frightened,

Meg begged to be allowed to write the truth and even Hannah said she would think of it although there's no danger yet.

A letter from Washington added to their trouble but Mr March had had a relapse.

He could not think of coming home for a long while.

How dark the day seemed now,

How sad and lonely the house and how heavy were the hearts of the sisters as they worked and waited while the shadow of death hovered over the happy home once more.

Then it was Margaret sitting alone with tears dropping on her work who felt how rich she had been in things more precious than any luxuries money could buy.

And then it was Jo living in the darkened room with that suffering little sister always before her eyes and that pathetic voice sounding in her ears who learned to see the beauty and sweetness of Beth's nature.

To feel how deep and tender a place she filled in all their hearts and to acknowledge the worth of Beth's unselfish ambition to live for others and make home happy by the exercise of those simple virtues which all may possess.

And then it was Amy in her exile who longed eagerly to be at home that she might work for Beth feeling now that no service would be hard or irksome and remembering with regretful grief how many neglected tasks those willing hands had done for her.

Laurie haunted the house like a restless ghost and Mr Lawrence locked the grand piano because he could not bear to be reminded of the young neighbour who used to make the twilight pleasant.

Everyone missed Beth.

The milkman,

Baker,

Grocer,

Butcher enquired how she did and poor Mrs Hummel came to beg pardon for her thoughtlessness and get a shroud for Mina.

The neighbour 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 wandering she did not forget her forlorn protégé.

She 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 Joe.

She sent loving messages to Amy,

Bade them tell her mother she'd write soon and often begged for pencil and paper to try and say a word that father might not think she had neglected him.

Dr Bangs came twice a day,

Hannah sat up all night,

Meg kept a telegram in her desk all ready to send off at any minute and Joe never stirred from Beth's side.

The 1st of December was a wintry day,

A bitter wind blew,

Snow fell fast and the year seemed getting ready for its death.

When Dr Bangs came that morning he looked long at Beth,

Held the hot hand in both his a minute and laid it down gently saying,

If Mrs March can leave her husband,

She 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 and Joe,

After standing with a pale face for a minute,

Ran to the parlour,

Snatched up the telegram and throwing on her things rushed out into the storm.

She was soon back and while noiselessly taking off her cloak,

Laurie came in with a letter saying Mr March was mending again.

Joe read it thankfully but the heavy weight did not seem lifted off her heart.

What is it?

Asked Laurie quickly.

Is Beth worse?

I've sent for mother,

Said Joe tugging at her rubber boots with a tragical expression.

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 hand shook.

No,

The doctor told us to.

Oh Joe,

It's not so bad as that,

He cried with a startled face.

Yes,

It is.

She doesn't know us.

She doesn't even talk about the flocks of green doves as she calls the vine leaves on the wall.

She doesn't look like my Beth and there's nobody to help us bear it.

Mother and father both gone and God seems so far away I can't find him.

As the tears streamed fast down poor Joe'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 here,

Hold on to me Joe dear.

She could not speak but she did hold on and the warm grasp of the friendly human hand comforted her sore heart.

Laurie longed to say something tender and comfortable but no fitting words came so he stood silent,

Gently stroking her bent head as her mother used to do.

It was the best thing he could have done,

Far more soothing than the most eloquent words for Joe felt the unspoken sympathy and in the silence she learned the sweet solace which affection administers to sorrow.

Soon she dried the tears which had relieved her and looked up with a grateful face.

Thanks Teddy,

I'm better now.

I don't feel so forlorn and I'll try to bear it if it comes.

Keep hoping for the best,

That'll help you Joe.

Soon your mother will be here and everything will be alright,

He soothed.

I'm so glad father's better,

Now she won't feel so bad about leaving him.

Oh my,

It does seem as if all the troubles come in a heap had I got the heaviest part on my shoulders,

Sighed Joe,

Spreading her wet handkerchief over her knees to dry.

Does Meg pull far?

Asked Laurie,

Looking indignant.

Yeah,

She tries to but she can't love Bethy as I do and she won't miss her as I shall.

Beth is my conscience and I can't give her up,

I just can't.

And down went Joe's face into the wet handkerchief again.

She had kept up bravely till now.

Laurie drew his hand across his eyes but could not speak until he subdued the choking feeling in his throat.

It might be unmanly but he couldn't help it and I'm glad of it.

Presently as Joe sobs quietly he said hopefully,

I don't think she'll die,

She's so good,

We all love her so much,

I don't believe God will take her yet.

The good and dear people always do die,

Groaned Joe.

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 out.

It isn't like you to be forlorn,

Stop a bit and I'll harden you up in a jiffy.

Laurie went off two stairs at a time and Joe laid her wearied head down on Beth's little brown hood which no one had thought of moving from the table.

It must have possessed some magic.

For the submissive spirit of its gentle owner seemed to enter into Joe.

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're a good doctor Teddy and such a comfortable friend,

How can I ever pay you?

I'll send in my bill by and by,

He said,

And tonight I'll give you something that will warm the cockles of your heart better than quarts of wine.

What is it?

Cried Joe,

Forgetting her woes for a moment.

I telegraphed your mother yesterday and Brooke answered she'd come at once and she'll be here tonight and everything will be alright.

Aren't you glad I did it?

Laurie spoke very fast and turned red and excited all at the same time.

He'd kept this plot a secret for fear of disappointing the girls or harming Beth.

Joe grew quite white,

Flew out of her chair and the moment he stopped speaking she electrified him by throwing her arms round his neck.

Oh Laurie,

Oh mother,

I'm so glad.

She did not weep again but laughed hysterically and trembled and clung to her friend as if she were a little bewildered by the sudden news.

Laurie,

Though decidedly amazed,

Behaved with great presence of mind.

He patted her back soothingly and finding she was recovering,

Followed it up by a bashful kiss or two which brought Joe round at once.

Holding on to the banister she put him gently away saying,

Don't,

I didn't mean to.

It was dreadful of me but you were such a dear to go and do it in spite of Hannah.

I couldn't help flying at you.

Tell me all about it then and don't give me wine again,

Laurie.

It makes me act stupidly.

I don't mind,

Laughed Laurie as he settled his tie.

I got fidgety and so did Grandpa and we thought Hannah was over doing the authority business and your mother ought to know.

She would never forgive us if anything happened,

You know.