If she only would get quite strong and cheerful again , I should n't have a wish in the world . '' `` Happy woman ! I 've got heaps . '' `` My dear , what are they ? '' `` I 'll settle Bethy 's troubles , and then I 'll tell you mine . They are not very wearing , so they 'll keep . '' and Jo stitched away , with a wise nod which set her mother 's heart at rest about her for the present at least . While apparently absorbed in her own affairs , Jo watched Beth , and after many conflicting conjectures , finally settled upon one which seemed to explain the change in her . A slight incident gave Jo the clue to the mystery , she thought , and lively fancy , loving heart did the rest . She was affecting to write busily one Saturday afternoon , when she and Beth were alone together . Yet as she scribbled , she kept her eye on her sister , who seemed unusually quiet . Sitting at the window , Beth 's work often dropped into her lap , and she leaned her head upon her hand , in a dejected attitude , while her eyes rested on the dull , autumnal landscape . Suddenly some one passed below , whistling like an operatic blackbird , and a voice called out , `` All serene ! Coming in tonight . '' Beth started , leaned forward , smiled and nodded , watched the passer-by till his quick tramp died away , then said softly as if to herself , `` How strong and well and happy that dear boy looks . '' `` Hum ! '' said Jo , still intent upon her sister 's face , for the bright color faded as quickly as it came , the smile vanished , and presently a tear lay shining on the window ledge . Beth whisked it off , and in her half-averted face read a tender sorrow that made her own eyes fill . Fearing to betray herself , she slipped away , murmuring something about needing more paper . `` Mercy on me , Beth loves Laurie ! ''
she XXXXX , sitting down in her own room , pale with the shock of the discovery which she believed she had just made .
fill keep kept loves read said started tell vanished whisked