asked Laurie , as he seated her in the hall chair and took off the rebellious boots , seeing how her hands shook . `` No . The doctor told us to . '' `` Oh , Jo , it 's not so bad as that ? '' cried Laurie , with a startled face . `` Yes , it is . She does n't know us , she does n't even talk about the flocks of green doves , as she calls the vine leaves on the wall . She does n't look like my Beth , and there 's nobody to help us bear it . Mother and father both gone , and God seems so far away I ca n't find Him . '' As the tears streamed fast down poor Jo 's cheeks , she stretched out her hand in a helpless sort of way , as if groping in the dark , and Laurie took it in his , whispering as well as he could with a lump in his throat , `` I 'm here . Hold on to me , Jo , dear ! '' She could not speak , but she did ` hold on ' , and the warm grasp of the friendly human hand comforted her sore heart , and seemed to lead her nearer to the Divine arm which alone could uphold her in her trouble . Laurie longed to say something tender and comfortable , but no fitting words came to him , so he stood silent , gently stroking her bent head as her mother used to do . It was the best thing he could have done , far more soothing than the most eloquent words , for Jo felt the unspoken sympathy , and in the silence learned the sweet solace which affection administers to sorrow . Soon she dried the tears which had relieved her , and looked up with a grateful face . `` Thank you , Teddy , I 'm better now . I do n't feel so forlorn , and will try to bear it if it comes . '' `` Keep hoping for the best , that will help you , Jo . Soon your mother will be here , and then everything will be all right . '' `` I 'm so glad Father is better .
Now she wo n't XXXXX so bad about leaving him .
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