Little Women Page #5

Christopher Columbus!

For me?

Isn't it the most beautiful piano

you've ever seen?

Look, this came with it.

- Quick, read it. See what he says.

- I'll read it.

"To Miss Elizabeth March. Dear Madam."

How elegant.

"I've had many pairs of slippers in my life,

but none that suited me as well as yours.

"I like to pay my debts, so I know

you will allow me to send you something...

"...that belonged

to the little granddaughter I lost.

"With hearty thanks and best wishes...

"...I remain your grateful friend

and humble servant, James Laurence."

Oh, Bethie!

- Isn't he a really sweet old man?

- Look at these lovely brackets.

Look, it opens!

- You'll have to thank him.

- Yes.

I'll go right now.

Well, I wish I may die!

She'd never have gone in her right mind.

Come in.

I came to thank you, sir.

"But when the piece began, the dogs,

the dames and private ends went mad...

"...and bit the man.

"Around from the neighboring streets

the wondering neighbors ran...

"...and swore the dog'd lost his wits

to bite so good a man.

"The wound seemed sore and sad

to every Christian eye...

"...and while they swore

the dog was mad..."

Look, Marmee.

Ms. March!

Ms. March. It's one of them

telegraph things, ma'am.

It's Father.

He's in the hospital.

I must go to Washington at once.

Put those in the corner, dear.

What on earth is keeping Jo?

This is all packed, Marmee.

- I don't believe I've forgotten a thing.

- Thank you, dear.

While I'm away, don't forget the Hummel's.

- We won't.

- We'll do our best, Marmee.

Here we are. Here's some excellent port

for your husband.

- Thank you. How generous.

- I hope you find this dressing gown useful.

Everything's arranged

and Brooke will go with you.

There's no need. I'll be fine.

He's all prepared.

He has commissions for me in Washington.

- He'll be of help to you on the journey.

- How thoughtful of you.

It's such a relief to know that Marmee

will have someone to take care of her.

Thank you, very, very much.

Not at all, Miss Margaret.

My kind friend, I can't thank you...

Laurie's outside with the carriage.

We'll wait for you.

The train leaves in an hour.

Here, ma'am, you'll need this.

- I couldn't.

- Please, Marmee, take it.

Where is Jo?

- Jo, what kept you?

- Jo, whatever took you so long?

Here's the money from Aunt March.

And there's my contribution.

$25. Where did you get it?

- My dear!

- It's mine, honestly.

I only sold what belonged to me.

Your hair!

Jo, you shouldn't have done it.

Aunt March croaked, as she always does,

when asked for nine pence.

Marmee, she only sent you

just money enough for the ticket.

I knew you would need more...

...so I happened to be going past

a barber shop...

...and I saw some tails of hair

hanging in the window...

...with the prices marked on them...

...and I thought it would do my brain good

to have my mop cut off.

And so I did.

Thank you, dearie.

Are you ready, Marmee?

We'll have to hurry to catch...

Christopher Columbus!

Well, it's boyish, becoming,

and easy to keep in order.

- Marmee, you'll miss your train.

- Yes, Marmee, come on.

- Now, girls, go on with your work as usual.

- We will, Marmee.

Can't we go to the train with you,

Marmee?

No, I want you all to stay here

and comfort each other.

Meg, dear, watch over your sisters.

Be patient, Jo.

Jo, don't do anything rash.

Beth, dear, help all you can.

Amy, be obedient.

No, I want you to stay here.

I want to carry away a picture in my mind

of my brave little women to take to Father.

- Goodbye, my darlings.

- Goodbye, Marmee.

God bless us and keep us all.

Jo, are you awake?

Jo, you're crying.

No, I'm not.

Don't cry, dear.

Father will be all right

and Mr. Brooke will take care of Marmee.

I'm not crying because of that.

What then?

My hair.

"Yet 'tis whispered that when the gondolas

glide through those fatal waters...

"...they still run crimson with the blood

of Lady Viella and her gallant lover...

"...slain by the phantom hand.

"The End."

It gives me the shivers.

I'm pins and needles all over.

It's so exciting and so sad. Who wrote it?

Your sister.

- Really, Jo?

- What?

Let me see.

- And I knew it all the time.

- Isn't that wonderful?

Here it is:
"By Miss Josephine March."

Oh, Jo! I can't believe it!

Beth!

Jo's written a story and it's in the paper.

Isn't that marvelous?

- Really?

- Look!

Don't come near me.

Something's wrong with Beth.

What is it?

- I don't know.

- Where is she?

In Marmee's cupboard.

What's wrong? What's going on?

Darling, what is it?

Bethie, what is it?

- What's wrong, Bethie?

- What is it?

The baby's dead.

- What baby?

- Mrs. Hummel's.

It died in my lap...

...before she got back with the doctor, Jo.

Now, there, there.

The doctor said it was scarlet fever.

- Scarlet fever!

- Hannah!

You don't think I'll get it, do you, Jo?

Oh, no, Bethie, of course you won't.

But Amy must keep away

'cause she's never had it.

How does it start, Jo?

With a sort of a headache and sore throat...

...and queer feelings all over?

I don't remember.

Laurie, give me that doctor's book.

Jo, I think we'd better get her to bed.

Come along, Bethie.

I'll find out what to do.

- I'll be all right.

- Of course you'll be all right.

Here it is.

Go get Dr. Bangs, will you, Mr. Laurie?

Have him come over as soon as he can.

You stay down here, Amy. You're to go off

to Aunt March's for a spell, just in case.

I won't! I'll stay right here with Beth.

Be quiet for once, Amy!

I'm not going to be sent away.

I advise you to go, Amy.

Scarlet fever's no joke.

Well, I don't care!

I'd rather get scarlet fever and die

than go to Aunt March's.

Now, Amy, be a good girl. I'll pop around

there every day and tell you how Beth is.

I'll tell you what. Every day,

I'll come and take you out driving.

- Well, yes.

- That's our girl.

Oh, Bethie, if you should really be ill,

I'll never forgive myself.

I let you go to the Hummel's every day

when I should've gone.

No, it's my fault.

I'm the oldest and I should've gone.

I promised Marmee I'd look after you.

Don't you think we ought to telegraph her?

No, we mustn't.

She can't leave your father and

it'll only make her all the more anxious.

Please don't telegraph, Jo.

Hannah knows just what to do.

I feel better already.

If Mrs. March can leave her husband,

we'd better send for her.

The girls had the telegram all ready,

but I wouldn't let them send it.

And now, the poor lady.

Oh, Mother.

What if she shouldn't get here in time?

Is it that bad?

She doesn't know me.

She doesn't look like my Beth.

How are we going to bear it?

Mother and Father, they seem so far away.

I'm here.

Hold on to me.

Jo, dear.

Poor Jo. You're all worn out.

What does the doctor say?

We're sending for Marmee.

If she were only here.

She will be. Grandfather and I got fidgety

and thought your mother ought to know.

She'd just never forgive us if Beth...

Well, if anything happened...

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