Summary — Chapter 39: Lazy Laurence
Although Laurie originally intends to spend a week in
Nice, he ends up staying for a month in order to enjoy Amy’s company.
While he is there, Amy becomes more and more distressed at his laziness
and bad humor. One day, they go for a drive to a scenic hilltop
villa so that Amy can sketch. While there, Amy decides to lecture
Laurie, telling him that he should be more attentive to his grandfather
and that he should find a way to keep himself busy. Soon,
she figures out that Jo has refused his marriage proposal, and she
becomes somewhat more sympathetic. Still, she tells him not to waste
his talents by sitting around moping. The next morning, she gets
a note saying that he has heeded her advice and is on his way to
see his grandfather. Although she will miss him, she is pleased
that he has taken her advice.
Summary — Chapter 40: The Valley of the Shadow
Because of Beth’s failing health, the family sets up a
lovely room for her. In it they place her piano, Amy’s sketches,
and other beautiful things. Meg also brings the babies over to brighten
Beth’s days. As time passes, Beth gets weaker, but she is not afraid
of death. Jo writes a poem about all Beth has meant to her, which
pleases Beth, who worries that her life has been useless. Before
Beth dies, she asks Jo to take care of their parents. Beth passes
away peacefully.
Summary — Chapter 41: Learning to Forget
Laurie is more active when he returns to Switzerland.
He spends some time in Austria working on a requiem and an opera.
He tries to make Jo his heroine, but she seems ill fit to be his
artistic muse, or inspiration, so he begins to imagine a blonde
damsel, although he does not name her. Laurie also begins to correspond
with Amy frequently. When Fred Vaughn finally proposes, Amy turns
him down because she does not want to marry for money. Amy and Laurie
find out about Beth’s death at nearly the same time, and Laurie
goes to comfort Amy. They begin to spend much time together and
fall in love. One day, Laurie and Amy are boating on a river. Laurie
is doing the rowing, and Amy asks to help, telling him that he looks tired.
They begin to row smoothly together, and Laurie asks Amy if she
will always row in the same boat as him—that is, if she will marry
him. Amy responds that she will.
Summary — Chapter 42: All Alone
Jo grows lonely at home, although she tries to make life
easier for Marmee, Mr. March, and Hannah. One day, she confides
to her father how much she misses Beth. Word arrives that
Amy and Laurie are engaged, and Marmee is worried about how Jo will
take the news. Jo is calm, though, and pleased that they are in
love. She does wish that she could find a love of her own, but she
does not begrudge Amy Laurie’s affections. Jo begins to write more,
and finds a style that is all her own. It has more truth in it than
her previous sensationalist writing, and magazines publish many
of her stories. She begins to think about Professor Bhaer sentimentally,
hoping that he will come for her.
Summary — Chapter 43: Surprises
Laurie comes into the house, surprising Jo. He tells her
that he and Amy have married so that they could come home
together without a chaperone. He tells Jo that she was right about
her being unsuitable for him, and that he is happy to have Amy as
his wife and Jo as his sister. With Amy, Laurie, and Mr. Laurence
home, everyone celebrates all day and into the night. Mr. Laurence
asks Jo to be his “girl” now that Beth is gone. As the family revels,
Mr. Bhaer arrives unexpectedly. He says that he is in town on some
business. Jo warmly greets him. Everyone likes him very much. Jo
notices that he is all dressed up as if he were courting. After
a long evening, he asks if he may come back, as he is in town for
a few days. Jo gladly tells him that he may.
Summary — Chapter 44: My Lord and Lady
Amy and Laurie display their happiness at every moment,
relishing each other’s company. They discuss Mr. Bhaer, whom they
think Jo will marry, and decide that they want to help the impoverished Bhaer
financially. They also discuss the kind of philanthropy that they
would like to practice, and conclude that they will support people
who are ambitious and in need of money. In talking about all the good
they will do, they feel closer than ever.
