Upon completion, she sends it to Professor Bhaer. A saddened Jo retreats to the comfort of the attic, writing her life story. Jo is called home for eighteen-year-old Beth, who finally dies of the after-effects of scarlet fever (presumably rheumatic heart disease) that plagued her for the past four years. He asks Amy to wait for him in a letter while he works in London for his grandfather and makes himself worthy. In return, he bitterly rebukes her for courting one of his wealthy college friends to marry into money. Disappointed to find he has become dissolute and irresponsible, she scolds him for pursuing her merely to become part of the March family. There she meets Friedrich Bhaer, a German professor who challenges and stimulates her intellectually, introducing her to opera and philosophy, and encouraging her to write better stories than the lurid Victorian melodramas she has penned so far. Crushed, Jo departs for New York City to pursue writing and experience life. She has been Aunt March's companion and wishes to further her artistic training in Europe. Jo is disappointed when Aunt March decides to take 17-year-old Amy with her to Europe instead of her. Graduating from college, Laurie proposes to Jo (now 19) and asks her to go to London with him but, seeing him more as a brother than a lover, she refuses. March surprises them, returning home from the war.ДЇour years pass Meg (now 20) and John marry, and Beth's health is worsening. Laurence gives his daughter's piano to Beth, Meg accepts John Brooke's proposal and Mr. Beth gets worse, so Marmee returns home, nursing her to recovery in time for Christmas, but the illness has severely weakened her. Prior to Beth's illness, Jo had been Aunt March's companion for several years, and although she didn't enjoy it, she hoped she would take her to Europe. He promises to kiss her before she dies if she becomes ill. Amy laments to Laurie that she may die without ever being kissed. Awaiting Marmee's return, Meg and Jo, who both previously survived scarlet fever, send Amy away to live safely with their Aunt March. While she is away, Beth continues visiting a struggling immigrant family, providing food and firewood. March is wounded, Jo sells her hair so Marmee can go by train to nurse him back to health. Laurence mentors Beth, whose exquisite piano-playing reminds him of his deceased daughter, and Meg falls in love with Laurie's tutor John Brooke.

Laurence's grandson Theodore ('Laurie') moves in, becoming a close friend of the Marches, particularly Jo. The girls revel in performing Jo's romantic plays in their attic theater. Their father is fighting in the war and, with their strong-willed mother, Marmee (pronounced 'Mahmee') they struggle with major and minor problems in 19th century New England. The March sisters: responsible Meg, tempestuous Jo, tender Beth, and romantic Amy, are growing up in Concord, MA during and after the American Civil War.

Little women names