and listen. That was the hard minute, but the girls stood it
well: no one cried, no one ran away or uttered a lamentation,
though their hearts were very heavy as they sent loving mes-
sages to father, remembering, as they spoke, that it might be
too late to deliver them. They kissed their mother quietly,
clung about her tenderly, and tried to wave their hands cheer-
fully 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
girls christened him "Mr. Greatheart" on the spot.

"Good-by, my darlings!; God bless and keep us all!"
whispered Mrs. 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, she
saw it shining on the group at the gate, like a good omen.
They saw it also, and smiled and waved their hands; and the
last thing she beheld, as she turned the corner, was the four
bright faces, and behind them, like a body-guard, old Mr. Laur-
ence, faithful Hannah, and devoted Laurie.

"How kind every one is to us!" she said, turning to find
fresh proof 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 smil-
ing; and so the long journey began with the good omens of
sunshine, smiles, and cheerful words.

"I feel as if there had been an earthquake," said Jo, as their
neighbors went home to breakfast, leaving them to rest and
refresh themselves.

"It seems as if half the house was gone," added Meg for-
lornly.

Beth opened her lips to say something, but could only point
to the vile of nicely-mended hose which lay on mother's table,
showing that even in her last hurried moments she had thought
and worked for them. It was a little thing, but it went straight

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