Lover of Mine • Little Women

Twenty Six

Chapter Twenty Six:

"We must hurry." Elouise exclaimed grabbing ahold of Laurie's hand, both jumping off the train onto the grass. They ran around the back of the train, climbing onto the platform. "The sooner we get to Marmee, the sooner we can get her to Beth."

When they reached the end of the platform, Elouise came to a stop.

Marmee and Mr Brooke we're running towards them, one train ticket and her luggage in hand.

"Elouise!" Marmee gasped spotting her, "And Laurie! What are you two doing here?"

Elouise pursed her lips, "To fetch you. I thought it would be quicker than waiting for a letter to get to you."

Marmee stopped in front of her, pulling her into a hug. "Oh dear, you're filthy. What happened?"

"Chickens need personal space." She said, remembering the chickens charge at her. She had shrieked and tumbled to the ground, Laurie had tried to catch her but fell with her. "How did you know to come home?"

"They phoned me."

Laurie made a noise, nodding. He nudged her arm, "They phoned her."

"That... that would have been good to think of."

"Yes." Laurie nodded, "A brilliant idea."

Marmee looked between them, "Well, we better hurry. You will tell me of your adventure on the train."

Laurie nodded, rushing to the booth. Marmee took Elouise by the hand, "It means a great deal that you care for my girls like this. Rushing here without a second thought, my my, thank you very much."

Mr Brooke coughed, "I must get back to your husband, Mrs March."

The woman turned and smiled at him, "Thank you for everything."

He nodded, turning and walking away.

Marmee pulled Elouise along as they made their way towards Laurie at the ticket booth. "Now, tell me how you got here."

Elouise pursed her lips, "Well, you see... we hid in the last train cabin. Moments before we began to move someone added dozens of chickens, I'm still not sure why."

"Elouise!" Marmee gasped, "I cannot believe you did that. Or, how you managed to drag Laurie with you."

"I'm not exactly sure either." Laurie joined their stride towards another train, he handed her a ticket. "But this time will be more comfortable, I presume."

"You're not allowed to run around this way." Elouise pointed out, "Or have dance lessons."

"This way has no chickens."

Marmee shook her head, "The things you've gotten into."

The woman boarded first, followed by Elouise and Laurie. The train ride back was quiet and tense, nobody said a word the entire way.

•••

Elouise had never seen Marmee move as fast as she did as she stormed into her house, running up the stairs and to Beth's bedroom. They followed in behind, wanting to see how the girl was doing.

"You were right to send for me, my girls— but you've been very good nurses indeed." Marmee knelt next to her daughter, feeling her forehead.

"It's mostly been Jo, she's hardly slept."

Jo looked panicked, "I didn't know what else to do."

Hannah stood by the end of the bed, Marmee looked to her with worried eyes. "Hannah, go make a clear broth and Jo get ice— we need to cool her."