“It’s one of them horrid telegraph things, mum,” she said, handing it as if she was afraid it would explode and do some damage.

At the word “telegraph,” Mrs. March snatched it, read the two lines it contained, and dropped back into her chair as white as if the little paper had sent a bullet to her heart. Laurie dashed downstairs for water, while Meg and Hannah supported her, and Jo read aloud, in a frightened voice⁠—