Little Women by Louisa May Alcott chapter 17 Little Faithful For a week the amount of virtue in the old house Would have supplied the neighborhood it was really amazing for everyone seemed to be in a heavenly frame of mind and Self-denial was all the fashion relieved of their first anxiety about their father the girls insensibly relaxed their praiseworthy efforts a little and Began to fall back into old ways They did not forget their motto but hoping and keeping busy seemed to grow easier and after such tremendous exertions They felt that endeavor deserved a holiday and gave it a good many Joe caught a bad cold through neglect to cover the shorn head enough and Was ordered to stay at home till she was better For aunt March didn't like to hear people read with colds in their heads Joe liked this and after an energetic rummage from Garrett to cellar Subsided on the sofa to nurse her cold with books Amy found that housework and art did not go well together and returned to her mud pies Meg went daily to her pupils and sewed or thought she did at home But much time was spent in writing long letters to her mother or reading the Washington dispatches over and over Beth kept on With only slight relapses into idleness or grieving All the little duties were faithfully done each day and many of her sisters also for they were forgetful and The house seemed like a clock Whose pendulum was gone a visiting?
When her heart got heavy with longings for mother or fears for father She went away into a certain closet hit her face in the folds of the dear old gown and Made her little moan and prayed her little prayer quietly by herself Nobody knew what cheered her up after a sober fit but everyone felt how sweet and helpful Beth was and Fell into a way of going to her for comfort or advice in their small affairs all were unconscious that this experience was a test of character and when the first excitement was over Felt that they had done well and deserved praise So they did But their mistake was in ceasing to do well and They learned this lesson through much anxiety and regret Meg I wish you'd go and see the Hummels.
You know mother told us not to forget them sit Beth Ten days after miss March's departure I'm too tired to go this afternoon replied Meg rocking comfortably as she sewed Can't you Joe asked Beth?
Too stormy for me with my cold.
I Thought it was almost well.
It's winter and it's cold Well,
It's well enough for me to go out with Laurie,
But not well enough to go to the Hummels said Joe laughing but looking ashamed of her inconsistency Why don't you go yourself asked Meg?
I have been every day But the baby is sick and I don't know what to do for it Miss Hummel goes away to work And Lachen takes care of it But it gets sicker and sicker I think you or Hannah ought to go Beth spoke earnestly and Meg promised she would go tomorrow Ask Hannah for some nice little mess and take it round Beth The air will do you good said Joe adding apologetically I'd go but I want to finish my writing My head aches and I'm tired So I thought maybe some of you would go said Beth Amy will be in presently and she will run down for us suggested Meg So Beth lay down on the sofa and others returned to their work and the Hummels were forgotten An hour passed Amy did not come Meg went to her room to try on a new dress Joe was absorbed in her story And Hannah was sound asleep before the kitchen fire When Beth Quietly put on her hood Filled her basket with odds and ends for the poor children And went out into the chilly air With a heavy head And a grieved look in her patient eyes It was late when she came back And no one saw her creep upstairs and shut herself into her mother's room Half an hour later Joe went to mother's closet for something And there found little Beth Sitting on the medicine chest Looking very grave With red eyes and a camphor bottle in her hand Christopher Columbus,
What's the matter?
Cried Joe As Beth put out her hand as if to warn her off and asked quickly You've had the scarlet fever,
Haven't you?
Years ago when Meg did why?
Then I'll tell you Oh Joe,
The baby's dead What baby?
Miss Hummels It died in my lap before she got home Cried Beth with a sob My poor dear how dreadful for you I ought to have gone said Joe Taking her sister in her arms as she sat down in her mother's big chair With a remorseful face It was dreadful Joe only so sad.
I saw in a minute.
It was sicker But Lachan said her mother had gone for a doctor So I took baby and let Lottie rest It seemed to sleep But all of a sudden it gave a little cry and trembled And then lay very still I tried to warm its feet and Lottie gave it some milk But it didn't stir And I knew it was dead Don't cry dear.
What did you do?
I just sat and held it softly till miss Hummel came with the doctor He said it was dead and looked at Heinrich and Minnie who have sore throats I Scarlet fever ma'am ought to have called me before he said crossly Miss Hummel told him she was poor and had tried to cure the baby herself But now it was too late And she could only ask him to help the others and trust to charity for his pay He smiled then and was kinder but it was very sad and I cried with them till he turned around all of the sadness And told me to go home and take belladonna right away Or i'd have the fever No,
You won't cry joe hugging her close with the frightful look Oh beth,
If you should be sick,
I shall never forgive myself.
What shall we do?
Don't be frightened.
I guess I shouldn't have it badly I looked in mother's book and saw that she had a fever I guess I shouldn't have it badly.
I looked in mother's book and saw that it begins with a headache sore throat And queer feelings like mine.
So I did take some belladonna and I feel better said beth Laying her cold hands on her hot forehead and trying to look well If mother was only at home exclaimed joe Seizing the book And feeling that washington was an immense way off She read a page Looked at beth felt her head peeped into her throat And then said gravely You've been over the baby every day for more than a week And among the others who are going to have it So i'm afraid you're gonna have it too beth I'll call hannah.
She knows all about the sickness Don't let amy come.
She's never had it and I should hate to give it to her Can't you and meg have it over again?
Asked beth anxiously I guess not Don't care if I do serve me right selfish pig To let you go and stay writing rubbish myself muttered joe as she went to consult hannah The good soul was wide awake in a minute and took the lead at once Assuring that there was no need to worry Everyone had scarlet fever and if rightly treated nobody died All of which joe believed and felt much relieved as they went up to call meg Now i'll tell you what we'll do said hannah when she had examined and questioned beth We will have dr.
Bangs just to have a good look at you dear And see that we start right Then we'll send amy off to aunt march's for a spell To keep her out of harm's way And one of you girls can stay at home and amuse beth for a day or two I shall stay of course i'm oldest said meg looking anxious and self-reproachful I shall because it's my fault.
She's sick I told mother I'd do the errands and I haven't said joe decidedly Which will you have beth?
There ain't no need but one said hannah Joe,
Please And beth leaned her head against her sister was a contented look Which effectually settled that point?
I'll go and tell amy said meg feeling a little hurt yet rather relieved on the whole For she did not like nursing and joe did amy rebelled outright Impassionately declared that she had rather have the fever of a man than a woman Rather have the fever than go to aunt march meg reasoned pleaded and commanded all in vain Amy protested that she would not go and meg left her in despair to ask hannah what should be done Before she came back.
Lori walked into the parlor to find amy sobbing with her head in the sofa cushions She told her story expecting to be consoled But lori only put his hands in his pockets and walked about the room Whistling softly as he knit his brows in deep thought Presently he sat down beside her and said in his most wheedlesome tone Now be a sensible little woman and do as they say No,
Don't cry.
But here what a jolly plan i've got You go to aunt marches and i'll come and take you out every day driving or walking and we'll have a capital time Won't that be better than moping here?
I don't wish to be sent off as if I was in the way began amy in an injured voice Bless your heart child.
It's to keep you well You don't want to be sick.
Do you?
No,
I'm sure I don't but I dare say I shall be for i've been with beth all the time That's the very reason you ought to go away at once so that you may escape it Change of air and care will keep you.
Well,
I dare say Or if it does not entirely you will have the fever more likely I advise you to be off as soon as you can for scarlet fever is no joke miss But it's dull at aunt marches and she's so cross at amy looking rather frightened It won't be dull with me popping in every day to tell you how beth is and take you out gallivanting The old lady likes me and i'll be as sweet as possible to her so she won't peck at us.
Whatever we do Will you take me out in the trotting wagon with puck On my honor as a gentleman And come every single day See if I don't And bring me back the minute beth as well the identical minute And go to the theater truly a dozen theaters if we may Well,
I guess I will said amy slowly Good girl Call meg and tell her you'll give in said lori with an approving pat which annoyed amy more than the giving in Meg and joe came running down to behold the miracle which had been wrought and amy feeling very precious and self-sacrificing promised to go If the doctor said beth was going to be ill How is the little dear asked lori For beth was his special pet and he felt more anxious about her than he liked to show She is lying down on mother's bed and feels better The baby's death troubled her but I dare say she's only got cold Hannah says she thinks so but she looks so worried and that makes me fidgety answered meg What a trying world it is said joe Rumbling up her hair in a fretful way No sooner do we get out of one trouble than another one comes down There doesn't seem to be anything to hold on to when mother's gone So i'm all at sea Well,
Don't make a porcupine of yourself.
It isn't becoming Settle your wig joe and tell me if I shall telegraph your mother or do anything Asked lori who never had been reconciled to the lost of his friends one beauty That is what troubles me said meg I think we ought to tell her if beth is really ill But hannah says we mustn't for mother can't leave father and it will only make them anxious Beth won't be sick long and hannah knows just what to do And mother said we are to mind her So I suppose we must But it doesn't seem quite right to me Hmm.
Well,
I can't say Suppose you ask grandfather after the doctor has been We will Joe go and get dr.
Bangs at once commanded meg.
We can't decide anything till he has been Stay where you are.
Joe.
I'm erin boy to this establishment said lori taking up his cap I'm afraid you are busy began meg No,
I've done my lessons for the day Do you study in vacation time asked joe?
I followed the good example.
My neighbors sent me was lori's answer as he swung himself out of the room I have great hopes for my boy observed joe watching him fly over the fence with an approving smile He does very well for a boy Was meg's somewhat ungracious answer For the subject did not interest her Dr.
Bangs came Said beth had symptoms of the fever But he thought she would have it lightly Though she was not sure He would have it lightly Though he looked sober over the humble story Amy was ordered off at once and provided with something to ward off danger She departed in a great state with joe and lori as escort Aunt march received them with her usual hospitality What do you want now?
She asked looking sharply over her spectacles while the parrot sitting on the back of her chair called out Go away.
No boys allowed here Lori retired to the window and joe told her story No more than I expected If you are allowed to go poking about among poor folks Amy can stay and make herself useful if she isn't sick,
Which i've no doubt she will be She looks like it now Don't cry child.
It worries me to hear people sniff Amy was on the point of crying But lori slyly pulled the parrot's tail which caused polly to utter an astonished croak and call out Bless my boots In such a funny way That she laughed instead What do you hear from your mother asked the old lady gruffly Father is a much better reply joe trying to keep sober Oh,
Is he?
Well,
That won't last long.
I fancy March never had any stamina was the cheerful reply Ha ha never say die take a pinch of snuff.
Goodbye.
Goodbye Squalled polly dancing on her perch and clawing at the old lady's cap as lori tweaked him in the rear Hold your tongue you disrespectful old bird And joe you'd better go at once It isn't proper to be gadding about so late with a rattle-paddled boy like Hold your tongue you disrespectful old bird cried polly Tumbling out the chair with the bounce and running to peck the tattle-pated boy Who was shaking with laughter at the last speech?
I don't think I can bear it But i'll try Thought amy as she was left alone with aunt march Get along you fright Screamed polly And at that rude speech Amy could not restrain a sniff And that is the end of our story this evening Until next time
