16 Confidential

CHAPTER 16 Confidential Mrs. March did not leave Beth's side after returning home that morning. Meg and Jo were able to sleep peacefully now that their mother was home. The next day was bright and cheerful. Laurie went to see Amy at Aunt March's. Amy had been wishing and wishing that her sister would get better. Even though she almost worried herself sick, she also did her

best to be brave. Aunt March had been keeping her busy, but she was still very homesick, and longed to be back in the familiar warmth of her family. Laurie smiled as told her the good news. She tried hard to conceal her longing to go home and see her mother. But Beth was still sick so she had to settle for writing a note. Much to her surprise and delight, her mother arrived at Aunt March's just as she was putting pen to paper. Amy sat on Marmee's lap, relating her hardships. Her mother kissed her in return. That day, Aunt March had given Amy a turquoise ring. Amy asked her mother if she could keep it. Marmee replied, "I think you might be too young." "But I'd like to wear it, to remind me of something." "Of Aunt March?"

Amy shook her head. "No, to remind me not to be selfish." She explained, "Being selfish is my worst fault. Beth isn't selfish and that's why everyone loves her. I want to be better, yet I often forget. But I could if I had something to remind me." Marmee said, "Well, do your best, dear. And wear your ring. Now, I must get back to Beth. You'll be home soon enough." Later that evening back at home, Jo slipped upstairs to talk to her mother. The burden of Laurie's secret had become too heavy. She told her mother about Meg's lost glove. After she finished, her mother asked, "Do you think Meg cares for Mr. Brooke?" Jo responded, "Christopher Columbus! I don't know anything about love. Meg doesn't act like the heroines in my books. She doesn't faint and she has all her wits." "Then you think she's not interested in

John?" Jo cried, "Who?" "Mr. Brooke. I call him John now, since he was so kind to us at the hospital." "Oh no!" Jo groaned. "You'll let Meg marry him just because he's been kind to Father." Marmee quietly explained that John Brooke was an honorable young man. He had already spoken to Mr. March about his feelings toward Meg. He had asked Meg's father's permission to work hard for her—to make something of himself. Although he was an excellent man, Meg's parents still couldn't agree to her becoming engaged while she was only seventeen. Jo complained, "I wish I could marry her myself just to keep her in the family." Marmee smiled. Then, she asked Jo not to mention anything to Meg. She first wanted to see how Meg felt about Mr. Brooke.

"Mercy me!" Jo cried. "My heart will break if he comes back with a fortune and Meg falls in love with him." "Jo, dear," Marmee began, "I want all my girls to have homes of their own in time. But Meg is still very young, and it will be some time before John can make a home for her." "Wouldn't it be better if Meg married a rich man?" "Money is a useful part of life, but so are love and virtue. Being rich with love is always better than having a fortune." Mrs. March encouraged Jo to leave these matters to time, which would settle all questions of love and marriage. Jo listened carefully, even though it made her terribly sad to think of losing her Meg. The secret weighed heavily upon Jo the next

day. Meg noticed the change in her sister, though she didn't say anything. She learned long ago that the best way to get Jo to talk was not to ask questions. Only this time Jo remained quiet, assuming a cold manner. This annoyed Meg, which made Jo even more disagreeable. Meg took comfort in her mother and soon ignored poor Jo. Laurie became Jo's only escape. There was one problem. He knew she had a secret and constantly tried to find out what it was. Jo never told him, but Laurie figured it had to be about Meg and Mr. Brooke. Finally, he set up his own bit of mischief. For a couple of days, Meg was out of sorts. Jo assumed the worst—that Meg had fallen in love with Mr. Brooke. "What shall we do?" she groaned to her mother.