PART 2
Nan and Nat both stood silent at the top of the stairs as they listened to Mrs. Jo showing the doctor out. Finally Nat spoke. "Do--do you really think that Emil is going to die?"
"You heard what they said," asserted Nan, almost angrily. "Nothing can be done. They're not even going to tell him. Just act like nothing is wrong, and in a few days he'll--he'll--" Nan stopped, unable to finish.
Both of them turned suddenly as they heard Mrs. Jo climb the stairs.
"Well, what are you two up to?" asked Mrs. Jo pleasantly, as she reached the top of the staircase.
"We were checking on Emil," mumbled Nat.
Jo was concerned at their forlorn looks. Both of them stood frowning, and neither of them made any eye contact. "Is everything alright?"
"Emil's hot. He wants another compress," Nan explained softly, trying not to let her emotions show.
Jo paused for a moment, waiting to see if Nan or Nat would explain anything further. Finally deciding that they intended to maintain their reserve, she turned to leave. "Well… I'll go make another compress then."
"Mrs. Jo--" began Nat, hesitantly, glancing at Nan. "Is Emil okay?"
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine," Jo assured them with a smile. "It might be nice if he had some company though. Why don't you go find the others and see what you can think of to cheer him up?"
Nan and Nat smiled agreeably as Mrs. Jo headed down the hall. As soon as she was out of hearing range, Nan pulled Nat aside. "See? She said everything will be fine, not that Emil will be fine. C'mon. We've got to go tell the others."
Meg Brooke stood at the fabric counter at Mr. Gerson's store. The blue gingham would make such a cute new dress for Daisy, but she wondered whether Daisy wouldn't prefer the stripes…
"Mrs. Brooke!" Meg turned to find Mrs. Moffat, who started in before Meg even had a chance to greet her. "I was hoping to run into you! I'm curious to hear the family's consensus about your sister's upcoming nuptials. I think it's so grand that she's marrying again, though so soon after her husband's death… Well, even if he is a bit beneath her, I think it's a good match, as much for--"
"I'm sorry. Are you speaking of Jo?" asked Meg, utterly confused.
"Of course!" Mrs. Moffat exclaimed, surprised Meg didn't immediately guess her meaning. "As if you'd never suspected that there was something between she and Mr. Riley. Why, the whole town has been speculating about it, though no one would have guessed anything would happen this soon. Surely, you're not surprised?"
"I'm afraid you've been misinformed," Meg firmly stated. "My sister and Mr. Riley are nothing more than friends. I don't know what could have given you any impression otherwise."
"Well, I just saw Mr. Riley at the post office and he practically admitted to me that he was about to propose," Mrs. Moffat said matter-of-factly. "He was picking up a package from a prominent jewelry store in Boston, which he admitted was for your sister. Of course, it was the engagement ring."
"Well, I--I," faltered Meg, "I don't know what you saw exactly, but, well, it just couldn't--I'm sure there's some other explanation."
"I think the explanation is obvious."
Meg frowned. "I hope you haven't shared this information with anyone but--"
"Mrs. Brooke! How do you do? I just heard the wonderful news about Mrs. Bhaer! You must congratulate her for me," interrupted a neighbor, who, with a smile and a nod to Mrs. Moffat, continued on her way.
Meg was stunned. "There's--there's been some mistake… I have to talk to Jo--no, Amy--no, I don't know…"
"Well," began Mrs. Moffat, "I find it very surprising that this would be happening and you know nothing about it, unless, of course, Mr. Riley is being somewhat presumptuous about their relationship. Well, I'm just going to head over to Plumfield this minute and find out exactly what is going on."
And she was out the door before Meg could pick her jaw off the floor.
"Emil is dying?" Dan asked skeptically, obviously doubting Nan and Nat's story. The other children sitting around the room also looked unconvinced.
"Is this why you called us all in here?" demanded Bess with an air of disdain. "I don't know what you think you heard, but Aunt Jo just told Asia that Emil has the flu, which is rarely a life-threatening condition."
"This is serious," insisted Nan. "The doctor told Mrs. Jo that nothing could be done. They're just going to make him comfortable and let him live out his last few days happily."
"Then why doesn't she say anything to us?" argued Bess. "Why did she tell Asia that he was fine?"
"She doesn't want him to find out," explained Nan. "She's probably afraid we'd accidentally say something, or we'd act so sad around him that he'd figure out."
Bess, Dan, and the others still looked unsure. "C'mon, you guys," pleaded Nan. "Why would I make up something like this? Nat heard it too."
"She's right," agreed Nat. "The doctor said--" Nat stopped suddenly as they heard Asia calling for Mrs. Jo in the hall outside.
"Yes, Asia?"
"There's a man here to see you. He wants to talk to you about sending his son here to Plumfield."
"A new student? Well, I hardly think we have room… I really can't discuss it now, Asia. Would you tell him that if he comes back next week I will see what we can work out?"
"Yes ma'am. I'll tell him."
All of the children sitting around the room now looked more confused than ever. "You don't think she meant that--that we don't have any room now, but… we will next week?" asked Bess with a nervous laugh. Nan and Nat looked at them expectantly, as they all started to take in the reality of the situation. Dan turned and looked out the window; Tommy fiddled with his shoelaces; a tear slipped down Bess's cheek; everyone was silent.
Finally Dan turned around. "So what are we going to do?"
"Nick?" called Jo, as she peered into the barn.
"Back here!"
Jo followed the sound of his voice into the barn. "Thank you for going to Amy's for me. I just couldn't leave Emil with the doctor here."
Nick appeared suddenly, carrying a huge armload of odds and ends. "No problem. How is Emil?"
"He's fine. Just the flu. Can I help you with that?" asked Jo, reaching to take something.
"I've got it. I'm just cleaning some of this old junk out of the back. I'll go through it and see what's still usable, what's not."
"Let me get the door--" In her effort to help, Jo got in Nick's way, and he stumbled. Everything he was carrying ended up at Jo's feet, with a cloud of dust and dirt enveloping them. They both coughed and sputtered, waving their arms to clear the dust from the air.
"I'm sorry! Are you okay?" asked Nick, reaching out to help her.
"Yes, I--Ouch!" She reached her hand up to her face, wincing in pain. "I think I got something in my eye!"
Nick tried to pull her hand away. "Let me see."
"No, it's--ouch! It really hurts."
Nick took her away from the mess, into better light. "Hold still." She relaxed, and he gently pulled her hand down.
"Open your eye. Slowly," he directed, cupping her face in his hands. She did so, blinking several times due to the pain, and he placed his thumb near the corner of her eye to try and remove the dirt particle.
"Ow!" She winced in pain and tried to pull away.
"I'm sorry," he said gently. "I'm trying to be careful, but it may hurt. Now hold still, and try not to blink. It'll only take a second. Try to relax. Look up at the ceiling."
Jo bit her lip and followed each of his instructions. She took a deep breath and focused her eyes upwards, resting her hands on his chest to steady herself. Nick used his thumb gently, and with a couple flicks the offending particle was gone.
"Better?" he inquired, her face still cupped in his hands.
"Yes, I think so." She blinked a couple times. Their eyes met, and Jo was suddenly conscious of the closeness and intimacy of their stance.
At that moment, Mrs. Moffat walked into the barn. "Mrs. Bhaer?"
PART 3
