Music Welcome to Snewscast, the podcast designed to help you fall asleep. Find us at snewscast.com and if you enjoy our show, please share us with a friend. This episode is brought to you by a flash of sunshine. Tonight we'll read the next chapter of Good Wives, written by Luisa May Alcott titled Beth Secret. This is also known as the second half of the little women novel and is considered the 36th chapter as part of that work as a whole. In the last chapter, Laurie graduates with honors and invites Joe to celebrate with him, but during their walk, he finally confesses his love for her, hoping she'll reciprocate. Joe, though fond of him, gently but firmly declines, explaining she cannot love him in

the way he desires, and believes they are unsuited for marriage.

Despite Laurie's disappointment and insistence, Joe holds to her decision, urging him to move

on, though it pains them both. Let's get cozy. Close your eyes. Relax your body into the softness of your bed.

Now, take a few deep breaths.

When Joe came home that spring, she had been struck with the change in Beth. No one spoke of it, or seemed aware of it, for it come too gradually to startle those who saw her daily. But to eyes sharpened by absence, it was very plain, and a heavy weight fell on Joe's heart as she saw her sister's face. It was no paler, and but little thinner than in the autumn. Yet there was a strange transparent look about it, as if the mortal was being slowly refined away, and the immortal shining through the frail flesh with an indescribably pathetic beauty. Joe saw and felt it, but said nothing at the time, and soon the first impression lost much of its power.

For Beth seemed happy, no one appeared to doubt that she was better, and, presently, in other cares, Joe for a time forgot her fear. But when Laurie was gone and peace prevailed again, the vague anxiety returned and haunted her. She had confessed her sins and been forgiven. But when she showed her savings and proposed the mountain trip, Beth had thanked her heartily, but begged not to go so far away from home. Another little visit to the seashore would suit her better, and as grandma could not be prevailed upon to leave the babies, Joe took Beth down to the quiet place where she could live much in the open air and let the fresh sea breezes blow a little color into her pale cheeks. It was not a fashionable place, but even among the pleasant people there, the girls made few friends, preferring to live for one another. Beth was too shy to enjoy society, and Joe too wrapped up in her to care for anyone else. So they were all in all to each other, and came and went quite unconscious of the interest they excite it in those about them, who watched with sympathetic eyes the strong sister and the feeble one always together, as if they felt instinctively that a long separation was not far away. They did feel it, yet neither spoke of it. For often between ourselves and those nearest and dearest to us there exists a reserve which it is very hard to overcome. Joe felt as if a veil had fallen between her heart and baths. But when she put out her hand to lift it up, there seemed something sacred in the silence. And she waited for bath to speak. wondered and was thankful also that her parents did not seem to see what she saw. And during the quiet weeks, when the shadow grew so plain to her, she said nothing of it to those at home, believing that it would tell itself when Beth came back no better. She wondered still more if her sister really guessed the hard truth, and what thoughts were passing through her mind during the long hours when she lay on the warm rocks with her head in Joe's lap while the winds blew healthfully over her and the sea-made music at her feet. One day Beth told her, Joe thought she was asleep. She lay so still, and, putting down her book, sat looking at her with wistful eyes, trying to see signs of hope in the faint color on Beth's cheeks. she could not find enough to satisfy her for the cheeks were very thin and the hands seemed too feeble to hold even the rosy little shells they had been gathering. It came to her then more bitterly than ever that Beth was slowly drifting away from her, and her arms instinctively tightened their hold upon the dearest treasure she possessed. For a minute, her eyes were too dim for seeing, and, one they cleared, Beth was looking up at her so tenderly that there was hardly any need for her to say, Joe, dear, I'm glad you know it. I've tried to tell you, but I couldn't. There was no answer except her sister's cheek against her own, not even tears, for when most deeply moved, Joe did not cry. She was the weaker then, and Beth tried to comfort and sustain her with her arms about her.

And the soothing words she whispered in her ear. I've known it for a good while, dear, and now I'm used to it. It isn't hard to think of or to bear. to see it so and don't be troubled about me, because it's best. Indeed it is. Is this what made you so unhappy in the autumn Beth? You did not feel it then, and keep it to yourself so long, did you? Ask Joe, Refusing to see or say that it was best. But glad to know that Laurie had no part in Beth's trouble. Yes, I gave up hoping then, but I didn't like to own it. I tried to think it was a sick fancy, and would not let it trouble anyone. But when I saw you all so well and strong and full of happy plans, it was hard to feel that I could never be like you. And then I was miserable, Joe. Oh, Beth. And you didn't tell me? Didn't let me comfort and help you? How could you shut me out and bear it all alone? Joe's voice was full of tender reproach, and her heart ached to think of the solitary struggle that must have gone on while Beth learned to say goodbye to health, love, and life, and take up her cross so cheerfully. Perhaps it was wrong, but I tried to do right. I wasn't sure, no one said anything, and I hoped I was mistaken. It would have been selfish to frighten you all when Marmy was so anxious about Meg and Amy away. And you so happy with Laurie, at least I thought so then. And I thought that You loved him, Beth, and I went away because I couldn't. Cryed Joe, glad to say all the truth. Beth looked so amazed at the idea that Joe smiled in spite of her pain and added softly. And you didn't, Deary. was afraid it was so, and imagined your poor little heart full of love-lornity all that while. Why, Joe, how could I, when he was so fond of you? You asked Beth as innocently as a child.

I do love him dearly.

He is so good to me. How can I help it? But he never could be anything to me but my brother. I hope he truly will be sometime. Not through me, said Joe decidedly. Amy is left for him, and they would suit excellently, but I have no heart for such things now. I don't care what becomes of anybody but you, Beth. You must get well. I want to, oh so much, I try, but every day I lose a little and feel more sure that I shall never gain it back. It's like the tide, Joe, when it turns and goes slowly, but it can't be stopped. It shall be stopped. Your tide must not turn so soon. 19 is too young. Beth, I can't let you go. I'll work and pray and fight against it. I'll keep you in spite of everything. There must be ways. It can't be too late. God won't be so cruel as to take you from me. Cryed poor Joe rebelliously. For her spirit was far less piously submissive than baths. Simple, sincere people seldom speak much of their piety. It shows itself in acts rather than in words and has more influence than homilies or protestations. Beth could not reason upon or explain the faith that gave her courage and patience to give up life and cheerfully wait for death. Like a confiding child, she asked no questions, but left everything to God and nature.

Father. Like a confiding child, she asked no questions, but left everything to God and nature, father and mother of us all, feeling sure that they, and they only, could teach and strengthen heart and spirit for this life and the life to come. She did not rebuke Joe with saintly speeches, only loved her better for her passionate affection, and clung more closely to the dear human love from which our father never means us to be weaned, but through which he draws us closer to himself. She could not say, I'm glad to go, for life was very sweet to her. She could only saw about, I tried to be willing, while she held fast to Joe. the first bitter wave of this great sorrow broke over them together. Buy and buy, Beth said, with recovered serenity. You'll tell them this when we go home. I think they will see it without words. Side Joe. For now it seemed to her that Beth changed every day. Perhaps not. I've heard that the people who love best are often blindest to such things. If they don't see it, you will tell them for me. I don't want any secrets, and it's kinder to prepare them. Meg has John and the babies to comfort her, but you must stand by Father and Mother, won't you, Joe? If I can, but Beth, I don't give up yet. I'm going to believe that it is a sick fancy and not let you think it's true," said Joe, trying to speak cheerfully. Beth lay a minute thinking and then said in her quiet way, I don't know how to express myself, and I shouldn't try to anyone but you, because I can't speak out except to my Joe. I only mean to say that I have a feeling that it never was intended I should live long. I'm not like the rest of you. I never made any plans about what I do when I grew up. I never thought about being married as you all did. I couldn't seemed to imagine myself anything but stupid little Beth trotting about at home of no use anywhere but there. I never wanted to go away, and the hard part now is the leaving you all. I'm not afraid, but it seems as if I should be homesick for you, even in heaven. Joe could not speak, and for several minutes there was no sound but the sigh of the wind and the lapping of the tide. A white-winged gall flew by, with the flash of sunshine on its silvery breast. Beth watched it till it vanished, and her eyes were full of sadness. A little grey-coated sandbird came tripping over the beach, peeping softly to itself as if enjoying the sun and sea. It came quite close to Beth, looked at her with a friendly eye, and sat upon a warm stone, dressing its wet feathers quite at home. Beth smiled and felt comforted for the tiny things seemed to offer its small friendship and remind her that a pleasant world was still to be enjoyed. Dear little bird, see Joe how tame it is? I like peeps better than the goals. They are not so wild and handsome, but they seem happy confiding little things. I used to call them my birds last summer, and mother said they reminded her of me, busy, quaker-colored creatures, always near the shore, and always chirping that contented little song of theirs. You are the gold, Joe, strong and wild, fond of the storm and the wind, flying far out to sea, and happy all alone. Meg is the turtle dove, and Amy is like the lark she writes about, trying to get up among the clouds, but always dropping down into its nest again. Dear little girl, she's so ambitious, but her heart is good and tender, and no matter how high she flies, she never will forget home. I hope I shall see her again, but she seems so far away. is coming in the spring and I mean that you shall be all ready to see and enjoy her. I'm going to have you well and rosy by that time. Begin, Joe. Feeling that of all the changes in Beth, the talking change was the greatest. For it seemed to cost no effort now, and she thought aloud in a way quite unlike Bashful Beth. Joe dear, don't hope anymore. It won't do any good. I'm sure of that. We won't be miserable, but enjoy being together while we wait. We'll have happy times for.

F. I'm sure of that. We won't be miserable, but enjoy being together while we wait. We'll have happy times, for I don't suffer much, and I think the tide will go out easily if you help me. Jo-lean down to kiss the tranquil face. And with that silent kiss, she dedicated herself soul and body to Beth. She was right. There was no need of any words when they got home. For father and mother saw plainly now what they had prayed to be saved from seeing. Tired with her short journey, Beth went at once to bed, saying how glad she was to be at home. And when Joe went down, she found that she would be spared the hard task of telling Beth's secret. Her father stood, leaning his head on the mantle piece, did not turn as she came in. But her mother stretched out her arms as if for

help. And Joe went to comfort her without a word. Thank you. Yn yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n y