Little Women Page #9

It's no use, Jo.

I know.

Please don't tell Marmee, but I know.

You mustn't be afraid.

Doesn't it sound funny,

me saying that to you...

when you've always said it to me?

You've always reminded me

of a sea gull, Jo.

Strong and wild...

fond of the wind and storm...

and dreaming of flying out to sea.

And Marmee said

I was the cricket on the hearth...

content to stay at home.

I can't express it very well...

I guess I shouldn't even try...

except to my Jo.

But it seems

I was never intended to live very long.

I never planned what I would do

when I grew up...

like the rest of you did...

because I could never bear the thought

of leaving home.

But I'm not afraid anymore, Jo.

I've learned that I won't lose you...

that nothing can really part us,

though it seems to.

And that we'll always be a family...

even though one of us is gone.

I think that I will be homesick for you...

even in Heaven.

Dedicated...

to my sister...

Beth...

who is now...

parted from me.

If it isn't the elegant young matron?

How are the twins?

Wonderful, Jo. What's that?

My novel. Finished.

I'm sending it off.

You can read it when it comes back.

- Maybe they'll publish it.

- I'm not sending it to a publisher.

I'm sending it to Professor Bhaer.

I promised it to him once.

That's an odd thing to do.

- You write him often, don't you?

- Yes, I do.

He knows what I'm writing about.

I mean, he understands me.

Why shouldn't I write to him?

He writes me.

I think it's splendid.

We had a letter from Amy.

They're in Val Rosa now.

And she says it's paradise.

I know. She wrote me, too.

They should be on their way home soon.

I've been wondering...

how would you feel if you heard...

that Laurie was learning to care

for someone else?

Who, Meg? Amy?

Yes, Jo.

Then I wouldn't mind at all. How could I?

I wasn't sure.

Forgive me, Jo. It's just that,

you know, you seem so alone.

- I thought that if Laurie came back...

- No, it's better the way it is.

But you're right about me being alone.

I am lonely.

And who knows,

maybe if Laurie had come back...

I might have said yes.

Not that I love him any differently...

but because...

it means more to me to be loved now

than it used to.

I suppose they'll get married

and live happily ever after.

I suppose they will.

- Lf you're going to the post office, I can...

- Thank you...

but I'd rather walk.

- Goodbye, Jo.

- Goodbye, Meg.

Come in.

Who is it?

Laurie, my blessed boy!

When did you get back?

Where's Amy, your wife?

- Downstairs. We just got here.

- I can't wait to see her.

Jo, dear...

I want to say one thing,

then we'll put it by forever.

You don't need to say it, Laurie.

It was always meant to be this way...

and it would have come about anyway,

if you'd only waited.

I know. You tried so hard

to make me understand.

But you were so impatient and stubborn.

Now that everything came about

the way you wanted it...

it'll be like old times again.

No, Laurie.

The old days can never come back.

We can't be playmates any longer.

We're man and woman now...

but we can be brother and sister.

And love and help each other

for the rest of our lives.

Yes, Jo, for the rest of our lives.

Come on. I want to kiss your bride.

- Here, now.

- This will make you feel better.

Want a cookie?

There you are. There.

Wonderful tea. Wonderful.

Coming home on a day like this, after

all the money I spent on my rheumatism.

Doctors. Baths.

Where is Jo? Where are they?

I'll never forgive myself for staying away

and leaving all the burdens to you.

Oh, you're so beautiful!

And to think that only yesterday

you were such a horrid little girl.

Aunt March, Mr. Laurence!

Welcome home.

Is Miss March in?

- Miss Josephine March?

- She is. Won't you come in?

Oh, no, thank you.

She has guests.

Laurie, where are you?

Come and get your tea.

Just a minute, Jo.

Will you give this to her, please?

Thank you.

You know, in Europe,

one feels that dirt is so picturesque.

- Here you are, my lad.

- Thank you.

This is for you, Jo.

- Why, thank you, Laurie.

- Oh, it isn't from me.

Well, open it. Don't just look at it.

Jo, your book!

- Oh, can you believe...

- Published.

- Who left it?

- A man with sort of an accent.

- Where is he?

- He wouldn't come in. He went away.

No, he couldn't have.

Jo, come back.

- Where are you going?

- My little friend...

I came here to give you your book.

My friend published it. He has great hopes.

- He thinks...

- Never mind what he thinks.

- Did you like it?

- It has such truth, such simple beauty.

I cannot tell you what it gives me

in my heart.

But you were going away

without telling me.

I would never have seen you again.

Please come back.

- I couldn't intrude. You have guests.

- But they're just my family.

My sister's come home.

She's married to that boy I told you about.

Herr Laurie?

Yes, and it's the first time

we've been together in a long time.

Please, Jo.

Just one moment before...

I have a wish to ask something.

Would you...

I have no courage to think that...

but if I could hope that...

I know. I should not ask.

I have nothing to give

but my heart, which is so full...

and these empty hands.

Not empty now.

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