Tender Troubles

           "Jo,I’manxiousaboutBeth."

           "Why,Mother,shehasseemedunusuallywellsincethebabiescame."

           "It’snotherhealththattroublesmenow,it’sherspirits.I’msurethereissomethingonhermind,andIwantyoutodiscoverwhatitis."

           "Whatmakesyouthinkso,Mother?"

           "Shesitsaloneagooddeal,anddoesn’ttalktoherfatherasmuchassheused.Ifoundhercryingoverthebabiestheotherday.Whenshesings,thesongsarealwayssadones,andnowandthenIseealookinherfacethatIdon’tunderstand.Thisisn’tlikeBeth,anditworriesme."

           "Haveyouaskedheraboutit?"

           "Ihavetriedonceortwice,butsheeitherevadedmyquestionsorlookedsodistressedthatIstopped.Ineverforcemychildren’sconfidence,andIseldomhavetowaitforlong."

           Mrs.MarchglancedatJoasshespoke,butthefaceoppositeseemedquiteunconsciousofanysecretdisquietudebutBeth’s,andaftersewingthoughtfullyforaminute,Josaid,"Ithinksheisgrowingup,andsobeginstodreamdreams,andhavehopesandfearsandfidgets,withoutknowingwhyorbeingabletoexplainthem.Why,Mother,Beth’seighteen,butwedon’trealizeit,andtreatherlikeachild,forgettingshe’sawoman."

           "Sosheis.Dearheart,howfastyoudogrowup,"returnedhermotherwithasighandasmile.