Bella
"you're a dear. And nothing else."
Bella decided then and there that Beth was braver than she was. She asked Meg to include hr in what was fast becoming some kind of group lecture. Bella decided that she did not really want to know what her pet failing was in this family.
She looked around, and spying a basket with knitting things in it, took it up and started working busily. Meg and Amy were already at work. But Jo looked like she was not going to be picking her's up again anytime soon. Beth continued cleaning the hearth busily, which to be fair, needed it, and Ella didn't seem to have a basket of yarn and needles anywhere about her. Meg glanced at Jo with raised eyebrow. Jo stared back defiantly. Then, she sighed gustily, sat up, and grabbed a debilitated basket that was half-hidden behind Beth. She got her needles again and grimly set herself to the work.
Then, with an air of relief, she put them down again and grabbed the slippers that Beth had just brought out, having finished cleaning the hearth. Carefully, she held them closer to the blaze. Bella frowned at the sight of them. They looked rather tattered and worn. Jo seemed to have thought so as well, of the said rather bluntly. "These slippers are quite worn out. Mother must have new ones!"
"I thought I would get some with my dollar," Beth said from where she sat, quietly.
"No, I shall!" cried Amy.
Bella saw Meg purse her lips as though in thought, as she leaned over to light the lantern. Then she nodded and started saying firmly. "I am the oldest.." But Jo broke in with the decided. "I'm the man of the family now Papa is away and I shall provide the slippers for he told me to take special care of Mother while he was gone."
"I'll tell you what we'll do," Beth said quickly, yet in her quiet way. "Let's each get her something for Christmas and not get anything for ourselves."
"That is like you, dear! What will we get?" Jo exclaimed gratefully.
Everyone fell silent, as each girl pondered the question. Then Meg said with a start, and a glance at the rather pretty hand she has, "I shall get her some new gloves."
"But can you afford them?" Ella asked, furrowing her brow in thought.
"Simpleton!" Jo exclaimed. "We all got our dollar from Aunt March, didn't we? A dollar will get gloves. It won't do more, but it will do, and you need to think hard to find something too." Then, seeing Ella's injured expression, Jo sighed and shrugged. " I'm getting army shoes, for instance. Best to be had."
"Army shoes? I thought you were going to get slippers?"
"I am getting slippers" Jo snapped angrily. "Wake up! What's wrong with you?"
Meg frowned too, but her expression was full of sudden worry, not angry. She got up, and walked toward her, as Beth said thoughtfully. "I think I will get some handkerchiefs, all hemmed."
"I shall get some color. She likes it." Amy said, with an air of importance. "And it doesn't cost much, so I can still get some pencils."
Ella jerked back, as Meg placed a hand on her forehead. Meg had none of that, and instead went closer and put both slender hands on Ella's cheeks. As Amy finished talking, she glanced up and met Jo's questioning gaze. "Her fever is back. I had hoped that her cold had run its course, but it seems to be back. Beth, dear, go run to tell Hannah. Ask her for some willow bark tea. It helped before. Amy, please let her have the throw behind you. And please slide over so she can lay down properly. Jo, help me remember to tell Marmee and ask her for advice. I'm sure it's just because of her playing in the snow yesterday, but we must make sure. Bella? You share a room with Ella. Are you feeling okay? Sniffly or a headache?"
"I feel fine," Bella said, in surprise, as Ella looked away, her expression sulky.
Beth had flown away as soon as Meg had told her what to do. Jo nodded, looking thoughtful and a trifle guilty. Amy sighed gustily but quickly obeyed. And went out of her way to spread the blue throw over Ella's legs with an air of tenderness. Ella went red at all the attention, and her sulkiness sank into an expression of confused embarrassment. "Stop fussing. It's only a cold."
"Colds can become something more." Meg frowned. "How are you feeling?"