Part 1: Chapter 15 Summary

After the first few days of Marmee's absence, the girls begin to fall back into their old, selfish ways. Beth begs her sisters to help her care for the poor Hummel family, but each sister is too busy or too tired to visit. Beth alone honors her mother's wish that the girls check in on the family. The Hummel baby contracts Scarlet fever and dies in Beth's arms.

When Beth herself becomes ill, the other sisters feel great remorse. Amy is sent to stay with Aunt March. Meg and Jo, who have both had mild cases of Scarlet fever, hover over their ill sister and Hannah summons a doctor.

Beth is much sicker than her sisters realize. Hannah does not allow the girls to mention the illness in letters to Mrs. March. As Beth grows weaker, a letter arrives from Washington...