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。