14 Hope and Faith

CHAPTER 14 Hope and Faith No one said much the next morning as they rose earlier than usual to a cold, gray day. They ate a quiet breakfast together. Their faces were grave as they waited for the carriage to take their mother to the station. Instructing the girls not to worry, Mrs. March told them to have hope and keep busy. All four took her advice to heart. They hugged Marmee close one last time before she and

Mr. Brooke rode away. When the carriage was quite out of view, the girls went back inside the house, remembering their new motto: "Hope and Keep Busy." Jo and Meg returned to work. Amy and Beth stayed home to help Hannah. They found relief in their routine. News about their father was also a great comfort. Mr. Brooke sent a bulletin each day—and it seemed Father was truly getting better. The days flew by as fat letters were exchanged between their home and the hospital in Washington. The letters became a wonderful lifeline during this difficult time. Ten days had passed since Marmee left for Washington. While the girls were working hard to "hope and keep busy," they also took

many breaks. That morning, Beth reminded Meg and Jo to go to the Hummels, for Mrs. March had asked them to look after the unfortunate family in her absence. Meg was too tired to go, and Jo was home from Aunt March's nursing a cold. Jo said, "Why don't you go, Beth? The walk would do you good." Beth replied, "My head aches and I'm very tired. I thought one of you would go today." Meg suggested they wait for Amy, but she didn't come home. The older girls promptly forgot about the Hummels, so Beth quietly went out in the chilly air. No one noticed when she got home, either, for she simply walked upstairs to her mother's room and shut herself inside. Jo came into the room and found her little sister looking terrible with red eyes. She exclaimed, "Christopher Columbus! What's

the matter?" Before Jo could come closer, Beth held out her hand and asked, "You've had scarlet fever, haven't you?" Jo responded, "Yes. When Meg did. We were babies. Why?" Through sobs, Beth told Jo that the Hummels' baby had died in her lap. The doctor had said it was scarlet fever, and told Beth to go right home and take the medicine because she also might get ill. Jo hugged her sister close. "No, you can't be. If you get sick, I'll never forgive myself." She felt Beth's forehead and said, "Oh Beth! I'm so afraid you will get sick. You've been over there every day this week." Jo paused for a minute to gather Beth's hands in her own. "We need to call Hannah. She'll know what to do." Hannah told Jo to get the doctor right

away. Dr. Bangs came and said that Beth definitely had symptoms of the fever, though it would be a mild case. Everyone decided that Amy, who'd never had the illness, should move in with Aunt March. But it was only after a promise of daily visits from Laurie that Amy agreed to go. Jo would stay home and nurse Beth, because Amy could now attend to their aunt. Amy almost burst into tears in Aunt March's parlor until Laurie pulled Polly the Parrot's tail and made her laugh. Once alone, she reflected, "I don't think I can bear it, but I'll try."