“I’dtakeitmanfully，andberespectedificouldn’tbeloved，“saidAmy，withthedecisionofonewhoknewnothingaboutit。
Now，Laurieflatteredhimselfthathehadborneitremarkablywell，makingnomoan，askingnosympathy，andtakinghistroubleawaytoliveitdownalone。Amy’slectureputtheMatterinanewlight，andforthefirsttimeitdidlookweakandselfishtoloseheartatthefirstfailure，andshuthimselfupinmoodyindifference。Hefeltasifsuddenlyshakenoutofapensivedreamandfounditimpossibletogotosleepagain。Presentlyhesatupandaskedslowly，“DoyouthinkJowoulddespisemeasyoudo？“
“Yes，ifshesawyounow。Shehateslazypeople。Whydon’tyoudosomethingsplendid，andmakeherloveyou？“
“Ididmybest，butitwasnouse。“
“Graduatingwell，youmean？Thatwasnomorethanyououghttohavedone，foryourgrandfather’ssake。Itwouldhavebeenshamefultofailafterspendingsomuchtimeandmoney，wheneveryoneknewthatyoucoulddowell。“
“Ididfail，saywhatyouwill，forJowouldn’tloveme，“
beganLaurie，leaninghisheadonhishandinadespondentattitude。
“No，youdidn’t，andyou’llsaysointheend，foritdidyougood，andprovedthatyoucoulddosomethingifyoutried。
Ifyou’donlysetaboutanothertaskofsomesort，you’dsoonbeyourhearty，happyselfagain，andforgetyourtrouble。“
“That’simpossible。“
“Tryitandsee。Youneedn’tshrugyourshoulders，andthink，`Muchsheknowsaboutsuchthings’。Idon’tpretendtobewise，butIamobserving，andIseeagreatdealmorethanyou’dimagine。I’minterestedinotherpeople’sexperiencesandinconsistencies，andthoughIcan’texplain，Irememberandusethemformyownbenefit。LoveJoallyourdays，ifyouchoose，butdon’tletitspoilyou，forit’swickedtothrowawaysomanygoodgiftsbecauseyoucan’thavetheoneyouwant。There，Iwon’tlectureanymore，forIknowyou’llwakeupandbeamaninspiteofthathardheartedgirl。“
Neitherspokeforseveralminutes。Lauriesatturningthelittleringonhisfinger，andAmyputthelasttouchestothehastysketchshehadbeenworkingatwhileshetalked。
Presentlysheputitonhisknee，merelysaying，“Howdoyoulikethat？“
Helookedandthenhesmiled，ashecouldnotwellhelpdoing，foritwascapitallydone，thelong，lazyfigureonthegrass，withlistlessface，half-shuteyes，andonehandholdingacigar，fromwhichcamethelittlewreathofsmokethatencircledthedreamer’shead。
“Howwellyoudraw!“hesaid，withagenuinesurpriseandpleasureatherskill，adding，withahalf-laugh，“Yes，that’sme。“
“Asyouare。Thisisasyouwere。“AndAmylaidanothersketchbesidetheoneheheld。
Itwasnotnearlysowelldone，buttherewasalifeandspiritinitwhichatonedformanyfaults，anditrecalledthepastsovividlythatasuddenchangesweptovertheyoungman’sfaceashelooked。OnlyaroughsketchofLaurietamingahorse。Hatandcoatwereoff，andeverylineoftheactivefigure，resoluteface，andcommandingattitudewasfullofenergyandmeaning。Thehandsomebrute，justsubdued，stoodarchinghisneckunderthetightlydrawnrein，withonefootimpatientlypawingtheground，andearsprickedupasiflisteningforthevoicethathadmasteredhim。Intheruffledmane。Therider’sbreezyhairanderectattitude，therewasasuggestionofsuddenlyarrestedmotion，ofstrength，courage，andyouthfulbuoyancythatcontrastedsharplywiththesupinegraceofthe`DOLCEFARNIENTE’sketch。Lauriesaidnothingbutashiseyewentfromonetotheother，Amysayhimflushupandfoldhislipstogetherasifhereadandacceptedthelittlelessonshehadgivenhim。Thatsatisfiedher，andwithoutwaitingforhimtospeak，shesaid，inhersprightlyway……
“Don’tyourememberthedayyouplayedRareywithPuck，andwealllookedon？MegandBethwerefrightened，butJoclappedandpranced，andIsatonthefenceanddrewyou。I
foundthatsketchinmyportfoliotheotherday，toucheditup，andkeptittoshowyou。“
“Muchobliged。You’veimprovedimmenselysincethen，andIcongratulateyou。MayIventuretosuggestin`ahoneymoonparadise’thatfiveo’clockisthedinnerhouratyourhotel？“
Laurieroseashespoke，returnedthepictureswithasmileandabowandlookedathiswatch，asiftoremindherthatevenmorallecturesshouldhaveanend。Hetriedtoresumehisformereasy，indifferentair，butitwasanaffectationnow，fortherousinghadbeenmoreeffaciousthanhewouldconfess。Amyfelttheshadeofcoldnessinhismanner，andsaidtoherself……
“Now，I’veoffendedhim。Well，ifitdoeshimgood，I’mglad，ifitmakeshimhateme，I’msorry，butit’strue，andIcan’ttakebackawordofit。“
Theylaughedandchattedallthewayhome，andlittleBaptist，upbehind，thoughtthatmonsieurandmadamoisellewereincharmingspirits。Butbothfeltillatease。Thefriendlyfranknesswasdisturbed，thesunshinehadashadowoverit，anddespitetheirapparentgaiety，therewasasecretdiscontentintheheartofeach。
“Shallweseeyouthisevening，monfrere？“askedAmy，astheypartedatheraunt’sdoor。
“UnfortunatelyIhaveanengagement。Aurevoir，madamoiselle。“
AndLauriebentasiftokissherhand，intheforeignfashion，whichbecamehimbetterthanmanymen。SomethinginhisfacemadeAmysayquicklyandwarmly……
“No，beyourselfwithme，Laurie，andpartinthegoodoldway。
I’dratherhaveaheartyEnglishhandshakethanallthesentimentalsalutationsinFrance。“
“Goodbye，dear。“Andwiththesewords，utteredinthetonesheliked，Laurielefther，afterahandshakealmostpainfulinitsheartiness。
Nextmorning，insteadoftheusualcall，Amyreceivedanotewhichmadehersmileatthebeginningandsighattheend。
MyDearMentor，Pleasemakemyadieuxtoyouraunt，andexultwithinyourself，for`LazyLaurence’hasgonetohisgrandpa，likethebestofboys。Apleasantwintertoyou，andmaythegodsgrantyouablissfulhoneymoonatValrosa!IthinkFredwouldbebenefitedbyarouser。Tellhimso，withmycongratulations。
Yoursgratefully，Telemachus“Goodboy!I’mgladhe’sgone，“saidAmy，withanapprovingsmile。
Thenextminuteherfacefellassheglancedabouttheemptyroom，adding，withaninvoluntarysigh，“Yes，Iamglad，buthowIshallmisshim。“
Whenthefirstbitternesswasover，thefamilyacceptedtheinevitable，andtriedtobearitcheerfully，helpingoneanotherbytheincreasedaffectionwhichcomestobindhouseholdstenderlytogetherintimesoftrouble。Theyputawaytheirgrief，andeachdidhisorherparttowardmakingthatlastyearahappyone。
ThepleasantestroominthehousewassetapartforBeth，andinitwasgatheredeverythingthatshemostloved，flowers，pictures，herpiano，thelittleworktable，andthebelovedpussies。Father’sbestbooksfoundtheirwaythere，Mother’seasychair，Jo’sdesk，Amy’sfinestsketches，andeverydayMegbroughtherbabiesonalovingpilgrimage，tomakesunshineforAuntyBeth。Johnquietlysetapartalittlesum，thathemightenjoythepleasureofkeepingtheinvalidsuppliedwiththefruitshelovedandlongedfor。OldHannahneverweariedofconcoctingdaintydishestotemptacapriciousappetite，droppingtearsassheworked，andfromacrosstheseacamelittlegiftsandcheerfulletters，seemingtobringbreathsofwarmthandfragrancefromlandsthatknownowinter。
Here，cherishedlikeahouseholdsaintinitsshrine，satBeth，tranquilandbusyasever，fornothingcouldchangethesweet，unselfishnature，andevenwhilepreparingtoleavelife，shetriedtomakeithappierforthosewhoshouldremainbehind。Thefeeblefingerswereneveridle，andoneofherpleasureswastomakelittlethingsfortheschoolchildrendailypassingtoandfro，todropapairofmittensfromherwindowforapairofpurplehands，aneedlebookforsomesmallmotherofmanydolls，penwipersforyoungpenmentoilingthroughforestsofpothooks，scrapbooksforpicture-lovingeyes，andallmannerofpleasantdevices，tillthereluctantclimbersoftheladderoflearningfoundtheirwaystrewnwithflowers，asitwere，andcametoregardthegentlegiverasasortoffairygodmother，whosatabovethere，andshowereddowngiftsmiraculouslysuitedtotheirtastesandneeds。IfBethhadwantedanyreward，shefounditinthebrightlittlefacesalwaysturneduptoherwindow，withnodsandsmiles，andthedrolllittleletterswhichcametoher，fullofblotsandgratitude。
Thefirstfewmonthswereveryhappyones，andBethoftenusedtolookround，andsay“Howbeautifulthisis!“astheyallsattogetherinhersunnyroom，thebabieskickingandcrowingonthefloor，motherandsistersworkingnear，andfatherreading，inhispleasantvoice，fromthewiseoldbookswhichseemedrichingoodandcomfortablewords，asapplicablenowaswhenwrittencenturiesago，alittlechapel，whereapaternalpriesttaughthisflockthehardlessonsallmustlearn，tryingtoshowthemthathopecancomfortlove，andfaithmakeresignationpossible。Simplesermons，thatwentstraighttothesoulsofthosewholistened，forthefather’sheartwasintheminister’sreligion，andthefrequentfalterinthevoicegaveadoubleeloquencetothewordshespokeorread。
Itwaswellforallthatthispeacefultimewasgiventhemaspreparationforthesadhourstocome，forby-and-by，Bethsaidtheneedlewas`soheavy’，andputitdownforever。Talkingweariedher，facestroubledher，painclaimedherforitsown，andhertranquilspiritwassorrowfullyperturbedbytheillsthatvexedherfeebleflesh。Ahme!Suchheavydays，suchlong，longnights，suchachingheartsandimploringprayers，whenthosewholovedherbestwereforcedtoseethethinhandsstretchedouttothembeseechingly，tohearthebittercry，“Helpme，helpme!“
andtofeelthattherewasnohelp。Asadeclipseoftheserenesoul，asharpstruggleoftheyounglifewithdeath，butbothweremercifullybrief，andthenthenaturalrebellionover，theoldpeacereturnedmorebeautifulthanever。Withthewreckofherfrailbody，Beth’ssoulgrewstrong，andthoughshesaidlittle，thoseaboutherfeltthatshewasready，sawthatthefirstpilgrimcalledwaslikewisethefittest，andwaitedwithherontheshore，tryingtoseetheShiningOnescomingtoreceiveherwhenshecrossedtheriver。
JoneverleftherforanhoursinceBethhadsaid“Ifeelstrongerwhenyouarehere。“Shesleptonacouchintheroom，wakingoftentorenewthefire，tofeed，lift，orwaituponthepatientcreaturewhoseldomaskedforanything，and`triednottobeatrouble’。Alldayshehauntedtheroom，jealousofanyothernurse，andprouderofbeingchosenthenthanofanyhonorherlifeeverbroughther。PreciousandhelpfulhourstoJo，fornowherheartreceivedtheteachingthatitneeded。Lessonsinpatienceweresosweetlytaughtherthatshecouldnotfailtolearnthem，charityforall，thelovelyspiritthatcanforgiveandtrulyforgetunkindness，theloyaltytodutythatmakesthehardesteasy，andthesincerefaiththatfearsnothing，buttrustsundoubtingly。
OftenwhenshewokeJofoundBethreadinginherwell-wornlittlebook，heardhersingingsoftly，tobeguilethesleeplessnight，orsawherleanherfaceuponherhands，whileslowtearsdroppedthroughthetransparentfingers，andJowouldliewatchingherwiththoughtstoodeepfortears，feelingthatBeth，inhersimple，unselfishway，wastryingtoweanherselffromthedearoldlife，andfitherselfforthelifetocome，bysacredwordsofcomfort，quietprayers，andthemusicshelovedsowell。
SeeingthisdidmoreforJothanthewisestsermons，thesaintliesthymns，themostferventprayersthatanyvoicecouldutter。Forwitheyesmadeclearbymanytears，andaheartsoftenedbythetenderestsorrow，sherecognizedthebeautyofhersister’slife——uneventful，unambitious，yetfullofthegenuinevirtueswhich`smellsweet，andblossominthedust’，theself-forgetfulnessthatmakesthehumblestonearthrememberedsoonestinheaven，thetruesuccesswhichispossibletoall。
OnenightwhenBethlookedamongthebooksuponhertable，tofindsomethingtomakeherforgetthemortalwearinessthatwasalmostashardtobearaspain，assheturnedtheleavesofheroldfavorite，Pilgrims’sProgress，shefoundalittlepaper，scribbledoverinJo’shand。Thenamecaughthereyeandtheblurredlookofthelinesmadehersurethattearshadfallenonit。
“PoorJo!She’sfastasleep，soIwon’twakehertoaskleave。Sheshowsmeallherthings，andIdon’tthinkshe’llmindifIlookatthis“，thoughtBeth，withaglanceathersister，wholayontherug，withthetongsbesideher，readytowakeuptheminutethelogfellapart。
MYBETH
SittingpatientintheshadowTilltheblessedlightshallcome，AsereneandsaintlypresenceSanctifiesourtroubledhome。
EarthlyjoysandhopesandsorrowsBreaklikeripplesonthestrandOfthedeepandsolemnriverWhereherwillingfeetnowstand。
Omysister，passingfromme，Outofhumancareandstrife，Leaveme，asagift，thosevirtuesWhichhavebeautifiedyourlife。
Dear，bequeathmethatgreatpatienceWhichhaspowertosustainAcheerful，uncomplainingspiritInitsprison-houseofpain。
Giveme，forIneeditsorely，Ofthatcourage，wiseandsweet，WhichhasmadethepathofdutyGreenbeneathyourwillingfeet。
Givemethatunselfishnature，ThatwithcharitydevineCanpardonwrongforlove’sdearsake——
Meekheart，forgivememine!
ThusourpartingdailylosethSomethingofitsbitterpain，Andwhilelearningthishardlesson，Mygreatlossbecomesmygain。
ForthetouchofgriefwillrenderMywildnaturemoreserene，Givetolifenewaspirations，Anewtrustintheunseen。
Henceforth，safeacrosstheriver，IshallseeforevermoreAbeloved，householdspiritWaitingformeontheshore。
Hopeandfaith，bornofmysorrow，Guardianangelsshallbecome，AndthesistergonebeforemeBytheirhandsshallleadmehome。
Blurredandblotted，faultyandfeebleasthelineswere，theybroughtalookofinexpressiblecomforttoBeth’sface，forheroneregrethadbeenthatshehaddonesolittle，andthisseemedtoassureherthatherlifehadnotbeenuseless，thatherdeathwouldnotbringthedespairshefeared。Asshesatwiththepaperfoldedbetweenherhands，thecharredlogfellasunder。Jostartedup，revivedtheblaze，andcrepttothebedside，hopingBethslept。
“Notasleep，butsohappy，dear。See，Ifoundthisandreadit。
Iknewyouwouldn’tcare。HaveIbeenallthattoyou，Jo？“sheasked，withwistful，humbleearnestness。
“OH，Beth，somuch，somuch!“AndJo’sheadwentdownuponthepillowbesidehersister’s。
“ThenIdon’tfeelasifI’dwastedmylife。I’mnotsogoodasyoumakeme，butIhavetriedtodoright。Andnow，whenit’stoolatetobegineventodobetter，it’ssuchacomforttoknowthatsomeonelovesmesomuch，andfeelsasifI’dhelpedthem。“
“Morethananyoneintheworld，Beth。IusedtothinkI
couldn’tletyougo，butI’mlearningtofeelthatIdon’tloseyou，thatyou’llbemoretomethanever，anddeathcan’tpartus，thoughitseemsto。“
“Iknowitcannot，andIdon’tfearitanylonger，forI’msureIshallbeyourBethstill，toloveandhelpyoumorethanever。Youmusttakemyplace，Jo，andbeeverythingtoFatherandMotherwhenI’mgone。Theywillturntoyou，don’tfailthem，andifit’shardtoworkalone，rememberthatIdon’tforgetyou，andthatyou’llbehappierindoingthatthanwritingsplendidbooksorseeingalltheworld，forloveistheonlythingthatwecancarrywithuswhenwego，anditmakesthegoeasy。“