Mr。LaurencecamehurryingbackwithBeth，bringingeverycomfortthekindoldgentlemancouldthinkoffortheinvalid，andfriendliestpromisesofprotectionforthegirlsduringthemother’sabsence，whichcomfortedherverymuch。Therewasnothinghedidn’toffer，fromhisowndressinggowntohimselfasescort。Butthelastwasimpossible。Mrs。Marchwouldnothearoftheoldgentleman’sundertakingthelongjourney，yetanexpressionofreliefwasvisiblewhenhespokeofit，foranxietyillfitsonefortraveling。
Hesawthelook，knithisheavyeyebrows，rubbedhishands，andmarchedabruptlyaway，sayinghe’dbebackdirectly。Noonehadtimetothinkofhimagaintill，asMegranthroughtheentry，withapairofrubbersinonehandandacupofteaintheother，shecamesuddenlyuponMr。Brooke。
“I’mverysorrytohearofthis，MissMarch，“hesaid，inthekind，quiettonewhichsoundedverypleasantlytoherperturbedspirit。“Icametooffermyselfasescorttoyourmother。
Mr。
LaurencehascommissionsformeinWashington，anditwillgivemerealsatisfactiontobeofservicetoherthere。“