5 Shocking news

Chapter 5 Shocking news When Laurie went on outings with the March girls, he often brought his tutor along. John Brooke was a thoughtful man, with friendly brown eyes and a gentle presence. "Have you seen how Brooke looks at Meg?" Laurie asked Jo, one afternoon. "Meg wouldn't dream of falling in love with him," snapped Jo. "She's tired of flirting and men. Come on, let's go to the post office. I want to see if there's a new story magazine out."

There was. Laurie and Jo brought it home. Jo flung herself down and read as if she were gobbling it up. "Read it aloud," urged Meg. "We haven't heard a new story for ages." "Brilliant!" was the general opinion when Jo finished. "Who wrote it?" asked Amy. With an odd mix of solemnity and excitement in her voice, Jo replied, "Your sister!" Beth flung her arms around Jo. "Oh, you're so clever!" "The magazine editor paid me for this one and he's asked me for more stories. I'll be able to help us all." Mrs. March gazed at Jo fondly. "Your father would be so proud," she said. A sharp ring at the door interrupted them. It was a telegraph boy bearing a telegram with the stark instruction:

Jo: Mrs. March. Your husband is very ill. Come at once. Dr. Hale. Washington Hospital. Instantly, the whole world seemed to change, as the happy atmosphere collapsed around them. Mrs. March rose shakily to start packing. Laurie and Jo rushed from the house. Beth hugged her cat tightly while Amy simply stood still as a statue.

Laurie returned with John Brooke. "Would your mother like me to escort her?" he asked Meg. "It's a difficult journey, and the war makes it even harder for women to travel alone." Meg was full of gratitude. "That's so kind, John." "Grandfather sent these to help the invalid," said Laurie, squeezing some bottles of brandy into their mother's luggage, along with a warm dressing gown, bandages and a blanket.

Jo raced in excitedly, her bonnet tied tightly under her chin, and handed a purse full of money to her mother. "Aunt March sent this. She said Father was stupid to go to war when he was so old, she knew no good would come of it, and she hoped that you'd take her advice next time." Mrs. March tightened her lips, and Jo guessed that she was trying to keep her temper. But her mother only said, "Take off your bonnet, Jo."

Jo pulled it off and a cry rose from her family. Her beautiful long chestnut hair had been cut as short as a boy's. "What have you done?" gasped Amy. "I sold it," Jo said proudly. "I saw tails of hair for sale in a barber's window, so I asked him to cut mine off to get more money for Father."