One afternoon in October, Jo took the bus into town. From the bus stop, she walked up to a building on a busy street. She was so nervous that she ran in and out of the building several times. On the fourth time, she finally walked up the stairs. Ten minutes later, she came out. Laurie, who happened to see her from the beginning, was waiting for her. “What are you doing here?” she asked, surprised.
“I’m waiting for you. I have a secret to tell you. But first tell me yours,” he said.
“Okay, but don’t tell anybody. I’ve given two of my stories to the newspaper. I’ll find out next week if they’ll be printed.”
“Jo March, the famous writer!” Laurie said excitedly.
Jo was happy. “What’s your secret?”
Do you remember the glove that Meg lost at the picnic last summer? Well, I know who has it,” smiled Laurie.
Laurie whispered a name in Jo’s ear. She looked displeased.
“I saw it in his pocket. But remember that you mustn’t tell anyone.”
“Aren’t you pleased?” asked Laurie.
“The idea of someone taking Meg away doesn’t please me,” Jo said seriously.
Jo brought the newspaper into the house and began to read it.
“Is there anything interesting in the paper?” asked Meg.
“Just a story,” said Jo.
“Read it aloud,” said Amy. “It might be funny.”
Jo read it very quickly. It was a story about two lovers named Viola and Angelo. Most of the characters died in the end, but the girl enjoyed it. Meg even cried during the sad parts.
“Who wrote it?” asked Beth.
Jo’s eyes were bright and shining
“I did,” she said.
Meg was surprised, “you?”
“It’s wonderful,” said Amy.
“I knew it was yours,” cried Beth. She hugged Jo and said, “Oh, I’m so proud.”
Mrs. March was also very proud when they told her about the story. That evening, there was no happier or prouder family than the Marches.
It was a dull November afternoon, and Mrs.March and the girls were sitting with Laurie.
Suddenly, Hannah hurried in to the room with a telegram. Mrs. March read it and dropped it to the floor. Her hands were shaking, and her face was white. Jo picked it up and read it to the others in a frightened voice.
The girls cried together while Hannah prepared Mrs.March’s things for the long trip.
“How can I help?” asked Laurie
“Please send a telegram to tell the doctor that I’m coming as soon as possible,” said Mrs.March.
“The next train leaves early in the morning. Jo, give me a pen and paper. I must write Aunt March a note asking to borrow some money for the journey.”
Mr.Brooke came to their house as they were busy helping their mother prepare.
“I’m sorry to hear the bad news,” Mr.Brooke said gently.
“Mr.Laurence thinks it would be a good idea,if I travel with Mrs.March.”
“How kind!” Meg said. “I’d be happy to know there is someone to take care of Mother. Thank you so much,” she said’ holding his hand and looking into his warm,brown eyes.
Jo went out to buy something and returned late in the afternoon. Then she gave her mother some money. “That’s to help make Father well and to bring him home.”
“Twenty-five dollars!” said Mrs.March.
“How did you get this?” Jo took off her hat.
“Where is yours beautiful hair?” cried Amy.
All of Jo’s thick, red hair was cut off. She had sold her hair to a wig-maker.
All of the women began to cry at Jo’s sacrifice.
“Don’t cry,” said Jo. “I really wanted to help. And it will grow back soon. In the meantime, it’ll be easier to keep tidy.”
But that night the other girls heard Jo crying a little bit.
“The selfish part of me cry for my hair,” said Jo. “I’ll be all right in the morning.”
While Mother and Mr.Brooke were away, Meg and Jo went back to their jobs. Beth and Amy helped Hannanh keep the house clean. Everyone tried very hard to work, be good, and be helpful. When news of their father first came, it said that he was dangerously ill, but slowly starting to get better.
Ten days after Mother left, Beth came home late one night. She had been visiting Mrs. Hummel’s sick baby at their house. She went straight into Mother’s room and closed the door.
Half an hour later, Jo cam in. Beth looked very sick.
“What’s wrong with you?” asked Jo.
Beth put her hand out to keep her away.
“You’ve had scarlet fever before, haven’t you?” she said.
“Yes, years ago Meg and I both got it,” Jo answered. “But why do you ask that?”
“Oh, Jo,” cried Beth, “Mrs. Hummel was out, and her baby died in my arms.”
JO put her arms around Beth, “Oh, how terrible! What did you do?”
“I just held it until Mrs. Hummel returned with the doctor. Her children Heinrich and Minna were getting sick, too. The doctor said it was scarlet fever. He told me to come home and take medicine quickly, or I’ll catch it too.”
“I’ll get Hannah,” said Jo.
“Don’t let Amy come up here,” said Beth.
“She hasn’t had scarlet fever, and I don’t want to give it to her.”
Later they sent Amy to stay with Aunt March for her protection. As Beth became sicker, everyone worried about her. They decided not to tell Mrs. March about her in their letters. Beth’s sickness became so bad that she didn’t know who, and she called out for her mother.
The girls got a letter from Mother saying that Father had gotten worse, so she wouldn’t come home for a long time. The girls worked hard while the shadow of death was over their house. Meg began to understand that she had been rich in the truly important things, such as love, peace, and good health.
Jo thought about how unselfish Beth was and that she had always lived for others. Amy was sad and lonely at Aunt March’s house and just wanted to help Beth.
On December first, the doctor came to see Beth. He looked at her and quietly said, “I think someone should tell Mrs.March to come home now.”
Jo ran out into the snow to send a telegram. When she got back, Laurie brought a letter from Mr.Brooke that said Mr.March was getting better again.
Jo did not seem to be happy at this good news and then began to cry, “Beth doesn’t recognize us anymore. I sent a telegram to Mother.”
Laurie held her hand and said, “Don’t worry. Mr.Brooke said that your mother would be back tonight and would take care of everything.”
Jo hugged Laurie
For the rest of the day, the hours went slowly. The doctor said a change, for better or for worse, would come very soon. No one was able to sleep while they waited.
At two o’clock Jo stood at the window while Laurie went to the station to get Mrs.March. She turned to see Meg Kneeling by Beth’s bed. She feared that Beth was dead. She ran to the bed.
There was a change. Beth’s fever was gone. The color was coming back to her cheeks. Meg and Jo hugged each other. They were too happy to speak. Then they heard the door open, and Laurie shouted, “She here she’s here”
When Beth woke up, she saw her mother’s face and smiled. Mrs. March held her little hand. Hannah made breakfast for everyone while Mother told the girls about their father’s recovery. Mr. Brooke was still with him and had promised to stay until he was better.
At Aunt March’s house, Amy was beginning to write a letter to her mother, but when she looked out the window, she saw her mother coming toward the house. Amy was so happy to see her.
“ Everyone loves Beth because she’s unselfish,” said Amy. “If I was sick, people wouldn’t feel so bad for me. I’m going to try to be more like Beth.”
That night, Jo spoke with her mother, “I want to tell you something,”she said.
“Is it about Meg?’ asked Mrs.March.
“Yes, you guessed so easily,” remarked Jo. She told all about Meg’s lost glove.
“Do you think Meg might be interested in John?” Mother asked.
“Who is John?” asked Jo.
“Mr. Brooke… John Brooke,” said Mother.
“I began calling him John because we became good friends at the hospital.”
“Oh my!” exclaimed Jo. “He helped you take care of Father, and now you’re going to give Meg to him if he wants her.”
“Don’t be angry,” said Mother. “John told us that he loves Meg. He said he would save enough money to buy a comfortable house before he asks her to marry him. But Father and I decided that we don’t want her to marry until she’s at least twenty.”