It was late when she came back, and no one saw her creep upstairs and shut herself into her mother's room.
Half an hour after, Jo went to 'Mother's closet' for something, and there found little Beth sitting on the medicine chest, looking very grave, with red eyes and a camphor bottle in her hand.
"Christopher Columbus! What's the matter ?" cried Jo, as Beth put out her hand as if to warn her off, and asked quickly.

.

.
"You've had the scarlet fever, haven't you ?" "Years ago, when Meg did.

Why ?" "Then I'll tell you.

Oh, Jo, the baby's dead!" "What baby ?" "Mrs.Hummel's.