Then, sitting in Beth's little chair close beside him, Jo told
her troubles, -- the resentful sorrow for her loss, the fruitless
efforts that discouraged her, the want of faith that made life
look so dark, and all the sad bewilderment which we call despair.
She gave him entire confidence, he gave her the help she needed,
and both found consolation in the act; for the time had come
when they could talk together not only as father and daughter,
but as man and woman, able and glad to serve each other with
mutual sympathy as well as mutual love. Happy, thoughtful
times there in the old study which Jo called "the church of one
member," and from which she came with fresh courage, re-
covered cheerfulness, and a more submissive spirit; for the
parents who had taught one child to meet death without fear,
were trying now to teach another to accept life without despond-
ency or distrust, and to use its beautiful opportunities with
gratitude and power.

Other helps had Jo, -- humble, wholesome duties and delights
that would not be denied their part in serving her, and which
she slowly learned to see and value. Brooms and dishcloths
never could be as distasteful as they once had been, for Beth
had presided over both; and something of her housewifely spirit
seemed to linger round the little mop and the old brush, that
was never thrown away. As she used them, Jo found herself
humming the songs Beth used to hum, imitating Beth's orderly
ways, and giving the little touches here and there that kept
everything fresh and cosey, which was the first step toward mak-
ing home happy, though she didn't know it, till Hannah said
with an approving squeeze of the hand, --

"You thoughtful creter, you're determined we sha'n't miss
that dear lamb ef you can help it. We don't say much, but
we see it, and the Lord will bless you for't, see ef He don't."

As they sat sewing together, Jo discovered how much im-
proved her sister Meg was; how well she could talk, how much
she knew about good, womanly impulses, thoughts, and feelings,
how happy she was in husband and children, and how much
they were all doing for each other.

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