`` If God spares Beth , I never will complain again , '' whispered Meg earnestly . `` If god spares Beth , I 'll try to love and serve Him all my life , '' answered Jo , with equal fervor . `` I wish I had no heart , it aches so , '' sighed Meg , after a pause . `` If life is often as hard as this , I do n't see how we ever shall get through it , '' added her sister despondently . Here the clock struck twelve , and both forgot themselves in watching Beth , for they fancied a change passed over her wan face . The house was still as death , and nothing but the wailing of the wind broke the deep hush . Weary Hannah slept on , and no one but the sisters saw the pale shadow which seemed to fall upon the little bed . An hour went by , and nothing happened except Laurie 's quiet departure for the station . Another hour , still no one came , and anxious fears of delay in the storm , or accidents by the way , or , worst of all , a great grief at Washington , haunted the girls . It was past two , when Jo , who stood at the window thinking how dreary the world looked in its winding sheet of snow , heard a movement by the bed , and turning quickly , saw Meg kneeling before their mother 's easy chair with her face hidden . A dreadful fear passed coldly over Jo , as she thought , `` Beth is dead , and Meg is afraid to tell me . '' She was back at her post in an instant , and to her excited eyes a great change seemed to have taken place . The fever flush and the look of pain were gone , and the beloved little face looked so pale and peaceful in its utter repose that Jo felt no desire to weep or to lament . Leaning low over this dearest of her sisters , she kissed the damp forehead with her heart on her lips , and softly whispered , `` Good-by , my Beth . Good-by ! '' As if awaked by the stir , Hannah started out of her sleep , hurried to the bed , looked at Beth , felt her hands , listened at her lips , and then , throwing her apron over her head , sat down to rock to and fro , exclaiming , under her breath , `` The fever 's turned , she 's sleepin ' nat ` ral , her skin 's damp , and she breathes easy . Praise be given ! Oh , my goodness me ! '' Before the girls could believe the happy truth , the doctor came to confirm it . He was a homely man , but they thought his face quite heavenly when he smiled and said , with a fatherly look at them , `` Yes , my dears , I think the little girl will pull through this time .
Keep the house quiet , let her sleep , and when she wakes , give her ... '' What they were to give , neither XXXXX , for both crept into the dark hall , and , sitting on the stairs , held each other close , rejoicing with hearts too full for words .
Praise added felt heard listened passed saw sighed think throwing