Chapter 13 A Telegram The girls were in disagreeable moods on a dull November afternoon.
Then Marmy arrived home and Lori came over, cheering them a little.
Lori asked, I'm taking Mr. Brooke home.
Does anyone want to come for a ride?
Beth and Joe said they'd love to go.
Is there anything I can do for you, Madam Mother?
Lori asked Mrs. March.
Before Marmy could answer, the doorbell rang and Hannah entered the living room with a puzzled look.
She said, It's one of those horrid telegraph things, ma'am.
As Mrs. March quickly read it, her face turned white and she fell back into her chair.
Lori ran to get a glass of water as Joe read, Mrs. March, your husband is very ill.
Come at once.
S. Hale, Washington Hospital Suddenly the family's whole world had changed.
The terrible news shocked everyone.
Mrs. March held the girls tightly as she said, I'll go at once, but it may already be too late.
Sounds of sobbing filled the room.
The first to recover, Hannah sat up and said, No more crying.
I'll go get your things ready, ma'am.
Marmee said quietly, She's right, girls.
Let's be calm.
I need to think.
Each girl tried her hardest to be calm.
Marmee was still pale but stood steadily.
She thought for a minute and then said, Where's Lori?
Right here, he said, hurrying from the next room.
How can I help?
Marmy said, please send a telegram saying I will come at once.
The next train to Washington leaves early in the morning.
Lori nodded.
Is there anything else?
The horses are ready.
I can go anywhere or do anything.
He looked ready to fly to the moon if it would help.
Marmee replied, perhaps you could leave a note at Aunt March's.
Joe, hand me a pen and paper.
Joe did as she was asked.
She felt terribly helpless knowing that the money for the train trip would have to be borrowed from Aunt March.
She wished that she could add something of her own.
With note in hand, Laurie rushed out the front door and down the street as if his life depended upon it.
Soon Marmee put the girls to work.
Beth's job was to fetch old bottles of wine from Mr. Lawrence for her father.
The elderly gentleman came back with Beth, bringing everything he could think of for an invalid.
He even asked if he could accompany Mrs. March.
Knowing that Mr Lawrence was not fit for the long journey, Marmee thanked him and said that she would be fine on her own, even if she didn't feel that way.
No one gave it a second thought when Mr. Lawrence bid them a hasty goodbye.
That is, until Meg answered the door to find Mr. Brooke.
I've come to see if your mother will allow me to escort her to Washington, he said, lowering his lovely brown eyes.
Meg smiled warmly.
How kind you are.
It will be such a relief for my mother.
Thank you so much.
Lori returned with the money from Aunt March.
The girls kept as busy as possible under the awful circumstances.
They all tried hard not to think about their father and held back their tears.
As the afternoon wore on, Meg noticed that Joe was missing.
She finally arrived, wearing a peculiar expression, then passed her mother a handful of bills saying Here, that's my contribution.
Marmy gasped, Joe, where did you get twenty-five dollars?
She answered, Don't worry, Marmy, I earned it fair and square.
I only sold what was mine.
Then Jo took off her hat to reveal that her long, wavy hair was cut short.
Marmy cried, "'Your hair!
Your beautiful hair!'
"'I've sold it,' said Jo.
"'It'll be good for me.
I was becoming far too vain.'
Amy sighed.
"'It was your best feature.
What made you do it?'
She couldn't imagine such a sacrifice.
I was desperate to help Father.
That was all I could do.
Mrs. March looked lovingly at her daughter and said, Thank you very much, my dearest daughter.
