In the cold gray dawn the sisters lit their lamp and readtheir chapter with an earnestness never felt before. For nowthe shadow of a real trouble had come, the little books were fullof help and comfort, and as they dressed, they agreed to say goodbyecheerfully and hopefully, and send their mother on her anxiousjourney unsaddened by tears or complaints from them. Everythingseemed very strange when they went down, so dim and still outside,so full of light and bustle within. Breakfast at that early hourseemed odd, and even Hannah's familiar face looked unnatural as sheflew about her kitchen with her nightcap on. The big trunk stoodready in the hall, Mother's cloak and bonnet lay on the sofa, andMother herself sat trying to eat, but looking so pale and wornwith sleeplessness and anxiety that the girls found it very hardto keep their resolution. Meg's eyes kept filling in spite ofherself, Jo was obliged to hide her face in the kitchen rollermore than once, and the little girls wore a grave, troubledexpression, as if sorrow was a new experience to them.

Nobody talked much, but as the time drew very near and theysat waiting for the carriage, Mrs. March said to the girls, whowere all busied about her, one folding her shawl, another smoothingout the strings of her bonnet, a third putting on her overshoes,and a fourth fastening up her travelling bag . . .

"Children, I leave you to Hannah's care and Mr. Laurence'sprotection. Hannah is faithfulness itself, and our good neighborwill guard you as if you were his own. I have no fears for you,yet I am anxious that you should take this trouble rightly. Don'tgrieve and fret when I am gone, or think that you can be idle andcomfort yourselves by being idle and trying to forget. Go on withyour work as usual, for work is a blessed solace. Hope and keep busy,and whatever happens, remember that you never can be fatherless."

"Yes, Mother."

"Meg, dear, be prudent, watch over your sisters, consultHannah, and in any perplexity, go to Mr. Laurence. Be patient, Jo,don't get despondent or do rash things, write to me often, and bemy brave girl, ready to help and cheer all. Beth, comfort yourselfwith your music, and be faithful to the little home duties, and you,Amy, help all you can, be obedient, and keep happy safe at home."

"We will, Mother! We will!"

The rattle of an approaching carriage made them all start andlisten. That was the hard minute, but the girls stood it well. Noone cried, no one ran away or uttered a lamentation, though theirhearts were very heavy as they sent loving messages to Father,remembering, as they spoke that it might be too late to deliver them.They kissed their mother quietly, clung about her tenderly, andtried to wave their hands cheerfully when she drove away.

Laurie and his grandfather came over to see her off, and Mr.Brooke looked so strong and sensible and kind that the girlschristened him 'Mr. Greatheart' on the spot.

"Goodby, my darlings! God bless and keep us all!" whisperedMrs. March, as she kissed one dear little face after the other,and hurried into the carriage.

As she rolled away, the sun came out, and looking back, shesaw it shining on the group at the gate like a good omen. Theysaw it also, and smiled and waved their hands, and the last thingshe beheld as she turned the corner was the four bright faces, andbehind them like a bodyguard, old Mr. Laurence, faithful Hannah,and devoted Laurie.

"How kind everyone is to us!" she said, turning to find freshproof of it in the respectful sympathy of the young man's face.

"I don't see how they can help it," returned Mr. Brooke,laughing so infectiously that Mrs. March could not help smiling.And so the journey began with the good omens of sunshine, smiles,and cheerful words.

"I feel as if there had been an earthquake," said Jo, as theirneighbors went home to breakfast, leaving them to rest and refreshthemselves.

"It seems as if half the house was gone," added Meg forlornly.

Beth opened her lips to say something, but could only point tothe pile of nicely mended hose which lay on Mother's table, showingthat even in her last hurried moments she had thought and workedfor them. It was a little thing, but it went straight to theirhearts, and in spite of their brave resolutions, they all brokedown and cried bitterly.

Hannah wisely allowed them to relieve their feelings, andwhen the shower showed signs of clearing up, she came to therescue, armed with a coffeepot.

"Now, my dear young ladies, remember what your ma said, anddon't fret. Come and have a cup of coffee all round, and thenlet's fall to work and be a credit to the family."

Coffee was a treat, and Hannah showed great tact in making itthat morning. No one could resist her persuasive nods, or thefragrant invitation issuing from the nose of the coffee pot. Theydrew up to the table, exchanged their handkerchiefs for napkins,and in ten minutes were all right again.

"'Hope and keep busy', that's the motto for us, so let's seewho will remember it best. I shall go to Aunt March, as usual.Oh, won't she lecture though!" said Jo, as she sipped withreturning spirit.

"I shall go to my Kings, though I'd much rather stay at homeand attend to things here," said Meg, wishing she hadn't made hereyes so red.

"No need of that. Beth and I can keep house perfectly well,"put in Amy, with an important air.

"Hannah will tell us what to do, and we'll have everythingnice when you come home," added Beth, getting out her mop and dishtub without delay.

"I think anxiety is very interesting," observed Amy, eatingsugar pensively.

The girls couldn't help laughing, and felt better for it,though Meg shook her head at the young lady who could findconsolation in a sugar bowl.

The sight of the turnovers made Jo sober again; and when thetwo went out to their daily tasks, they looked sorrowfully backat the window where they were accustomed to see their mother'sface. It was gone, but Beth had remembered the little householdceremony, and there she was, nodding away at them like arosyfaced mandarin.

"That's so like my Beth!" said Jo, waving her hat, with agrateful face. "Goodbye, Meggy, I hope the Kings won't straintoday. Don't fret about Father, dear," she added, as they parted.

"And I hope Aunt March won't croak. Your hair is becoming,and it looks very boyish and nice," returned Meg, trying not tosmile at the curly head, which looked comically small on her tallsister's shoulders.

"That's my only comfort." And, touching her hat a la Laurie,away went Jo, feeling like a shorn sheep on a wintry day.

News from their father comforted the girls very much, forthough dangerously ill, the presence of the best and tenderest ofnurses had already done him good. Mr. Brooke sent a bulletin everyday, and as the head of the family, Meg insisted on reading thedispatches, which grew more cheerful as the week passed. At first,everyone was eager to write, and plump envelopes were carefullypoked into the letter box by one or other of the sisters, who feltrather important with their Washington correspondence. As one ofthese packets contained characteristic notes from the party, we willrob an imaginary mail, and read them.

My dearest Mother:

It is impossible to tell you how happy your last letter madeus, for the news was so good we couldn't help laughing and cryingover it. How very kind Mr. Brooke is, and how fortunate that Mr.Laurence's business detains him near you so long, since he is souseful to you and Father. The girls are all as good as gold. Johelps me with the sewing, and insists on doing all sorts of hardjobs. I should be afraid she might overdo, if I didn't know her'moral fit' wouldn't last long. Beth is as regular about her tasksas a clock, and never forgets what you told her. She grieves aboutFather, and looks sober except when she is at her little piano. Amyminds me nicely, and I take great care of her. She does her ownhair, and I am teaching her to make buttonholes and mend her stockings.She tries very hard, and I know you will be pleased with herimprovement when you come. Mr. Laurence watches over us like amotherly old hen, as Jo says, and Laurie is very kind and neighborly.He and Jo keep us merry, for we get pretty blue sometimes, and feellike orphans, with you so far away. Hannah is a perfect saint. Shedoes not scold at all, and always calls me Miss Margaret, which isquite proper, you know, and treats me with respect. We are allwell and busy, but we long, day and night, to have you back. Givemy dearest love to Father, and believe me, ever your own . . .

MEG

This note, prettily written on scented paper, was a greatcontrast to the next, which was scribbled on a big sheet of thinforeign paper, ornamented with blots and all manner of flourishesand curly-tailed letters.

My precious Marmee:

Three cheers for dear Father! Brooke was a trump to telegraphright off, and let us know the minute he was better. I rushed upgarret when the letter came, and tried to thank god for being sogood to us, but I could only cry, and say, "I'm glad! I'm glad!"Didn't that do as well as a regular prayer? For I felt a greatmany in my heart. We have such funny times, and now I can enjoythem, for everyone is so desperately good, it's like living in anest of turtledoves. You'd laugh to see Meg head the table andtry to be motherish. She gets prettier every day, and I'm in lovewith her sometimes. The children are regular archangels, and I - well, I'm Jo, and never shall be anything else. Oh, I must tellyou that I came near having a quarrel with Laurie. I freed my mindabout a silly little thing, and he was offended. I was right, butdidn't speak as I ought, and he marched home, saying he wouldn'tcome again till I begged pardon. I declared I wouldn't and got mad.It lasted all day. I felt bad and wanted you very much. Laurie andI are both so proud, it's hard to beg pardon. But I thought he'dcome to it, for I was in the right. He didn't come, and just atnight I remembered what you said when Amy fell into the river. Iread my little book, felt better, resolved not to let the sun seton my anger, and ran over to tell Laurie I was sorry. I met himat the gate, coming for the same thing. We both laughed, beggedeach other's pardon, and felt all good and comfortable again.

I made a 'pome' yesterday, when I was helping Hannah wash,and as Father likes my silly little things, I put it in to amusehim. Give him my lovingest hug that ever was, and kiss yourselfa dozen times for your . . .

TOPSY-TURVY JO

Dear Mother,

There is only room for me to send my love, and some pressedpansies from the root I have been keeping safe in the house forFather to see. I read every morning, try to be good all day, andsing myself to sleep with Father's tune. I can't sing 'LAND OFTHE LEAL' now, it makes me cry. Everyone is very kind, and we areas happy as we can be without you. Amy wants the rest of the page,so I must stop. I didn't forget to cover the holders, and I windthe clock and air the rooms every day.

Kiss dear Father on the cheek he calls mine. Oh, do come soonto your loving . . .

LITTLE BETH

Ma Chere Mamma,

We are all well I do my lessons always and never corroberatethe girls - Meg says I mean contradick so I put in both words andyou can take the properest. Meg is a great comfort to me and letsme have jelly every night at tea its so good for me Jo says becauseit keeps me sweet tempered. Laurie is not as respeckful as he oughtto be now I am almost in my teens, he calls me Chick and hurts myfeelings by talking French to me very fast when I say Merci or Bonjour as Hattie King does. The sleeves of my blue dress were allworn out, and Meg put in new ones, but the full front came wrongand they are more blue than the dress. I felt bad but did not fretI bear my troubles well but I do wish Hannah would put more starchin my aprons and have buckwheats every day. Can't she? Didn't Imake that interrigation point nice? Meg says my punchtuation andspelling are disgraceful and I am mortyfied but dear me I have somany things to do, I can't stop. Adieu, I send heaps of love toPapa. Your affectionate daughter . . .

AMY CURTIS MARCH

Dear Mis March,

I jes drop a line to say we git on fust rate. The girls isclever and fly round right smart. Miss Meg is going to make aproper good housekeeper. She hes the liking for it, and gits thehang of things surprisin quick. Jo doos beat all for goin ahead,but she don't stop to cal'k'late fust, and you never know whereshe's like to bring up. She done out a tub of clothes on Monday,but she starched 'em afore they was wrenched, and blued a pinkcalico dress till I thought I should a died a laughin. Beth is thebest of little creeters, and a sight of help to me, bein soforehanded and dependable. She tries to learn everything, and reallygoes to market beyond her years, likewise keeps accounts, with myhelp, quite wonderful. We have got on very economical so fur. Idon't let the girls hev coffee only once a week, accordin to yourwish, and keep em on plain wholesome vittles. Amy does wellwithout frettin, wearin her best clothes and eatin sweet stuff.Mr. Laurie is as full of didoes as usual, and turns the house upsidedown frequent, but he heartens the girls, so I let em hev fullswing. The old gentleman sends heaps of things, and is ratherwearin, but means wal, and it aint my place to say nothin. Mybread is riz, so no more at this time. I send my duty to Mr.March, and hope he's seen the last of his Pewmonia.

Yours respectful,

Hannah Mullet

Head Nurse of Ward No. 2,

All serene on the Rappahannock, troops in fine condition,commisary department well conducted, the Home Guard under ColonelTeddy always on duty, Commander in Chief General Laurence reviewsthe army daily, Quartermaster Mullet keeps order in camp, and MajorLion does picket duty at night. A salute of twenty-four guns wasfired on reciept of good news from Washington, and a dress paradetook place at headquarters. Commander in chief sends best wishes,in which he is heartily joined by . . .

COLONEL TEDDY

Dear Madam:

The little girls are all well. Beth and my boy report daily.Hannah is a model servant, and guards pretty Meg like a dragon.Glad the fine weather holds. Pray make Brooke useful, and drawon me for funds if expenses exceed your estimate. Don't let yourhusband want anything. Thank God he is mending.

Your sincere friend and servant,JAMES LAURENCE