Mother's friend Mrs. Kirke sent a telegram asking Jo to come right away, saying her room was ready and waiting for her.
Now it was time for Jo to spread her wings and fly just like the birds she had always envied and admired.
But having to explain that to Beth was harder than she thought.
"What if I never see you again?" cried Beth.
"I'm coming back after the winter, Beth," Jo comforted her sister.
"I'm sorry if I sound selfish, but I can't bear it if you leave too," said Beth.
After Jo had made many more reassurances and promises, Beth finally gave in and wished her the best of luck with this new chapter in her life.
Upstairs in her sanctuary, Jo collected her writing materials and her writer's smock.
She intended to complete her novel during her "expedition," as she called it, since each day would be an adventure.
Within a few days, Jo was packed and ready to depart for New York City.
Her family and friends waited downstairs to say good-bye to her.
"Jo, be careful because John says New York is a very dangerous place,
so you ought to walk with your head up and alert, never go out alone, and always carry an umbrella," warned Meg.
"An umbrella? For what?" laughed Father.
"For protection, just in case, you know . . . as a weapon," Meg stammered.
"We're very proud of you, darling, and we want you to have lots of adventures, but we are counting the days till you return," said Mother.
Beth didn't say anything. She just hugged Jo tightly for a long time.
"I'll carry your bags to the carriage," Laurie said, picking up the light luggage before Jo could protest.
Outside, Laurie waited for her while she said her final farewells to her family.
Then when she approached, he burst out, "You're not planning on returning, are you?"
"Don't make a scene, Laurie. Of course I'm coming back," Jo said, glancing back to see if Beth was watching them.
"Well, I'll let you go this time, Jo March, but if for some crazy reason you decide to stay in New York, I'm coming to get you," Laurie threatened.
Hugging her dearest friend, Jo whispered in his ear, "Look after sweet Beth, will you? You're all she has now."
"I will, Jo. I'll look after her," promised Laurie.
Jo stepped up into the carriage and soon she was on her way to New York.
Meanwhile, many exciting events were unfolding in the life of Amy March, as she continued her tour of Europe.
Aunt March had rented a beautiful villa in Nice, France, where the scenery was breathtaking.
Every morning, Amy had to pinch herself as a reminder that she wasn't dreaming but was truly in the most romantic country in the world.
While Aunt March napped in the afternoon, Amy went out by herself, carrying just a sketchbook and her parasol, which no European girl left home without.
She would wander along the beach until she found a spot that she wanted to draw.
With so many beautiful scenes everywhere, her sketchbook was soon filled.
One particular afternoon while Amy was drawing a little girl playing in the ocean, a well-dressed young man carefully approached her.
Speaking in French, he asked, "May I see what's making you smile so much?"
During the short time she had been in Europe, Amy had already learned a few expressions in French, German, and Italian.
So she fluently answered the young man's question and showed him her drawing.
He made all sorts of lovely compliments in rapid French that Amy didn't understand, but she nodded and smiled as if she did.
"I'm sorry," Amy finally admitted when she could no longer fake it. "My French is very limited."
"Oh! You're American! So am I!" the young man exclaimed. "I'm Fred. What's your name?"
Amy introduced herself, and soon the two of them were having a lively conversation.
Across the Atlantic Ocean, Jo had just arrived in New York City after an exceptionally tiring but fascinating journey,
during which she'd discovered landscapes that she had never seen before.
"Oh, my gracious me!" Jo gasped as she gazed around at her surroundings.
Nothing could prepare her for the experience of New York City, where swarms of people bustled about on busy streets lined with building after building.
Jo felt dizzy with excitement just thinking about the opportunities before her to explore all that the city had to offer.
Mrs. Kirke's home was on a quiet street with large trees planted in a row in front of each house.
"Jo! Welcome to New York!" Mrs. Kirke called out happily when she opened the door to let Jo in.
Mrs. Kirke was a few years younger than Mother, but had the same warm, inviting smile, which instantly reminded Jo how much she already missed her family.
"The girls are at the park now and will be home in a few minutes, so I'll show you around the house," Mrs. Kirke said, taking one of Jo's suitcases.
Everything in the house was well organized and clean.
Once Jo saw her room, she knew her stay at the Kirkes' home would be a pleasant one.
Located on the top floor of the house, Jo's room had one large window that boasted a fabulous view of the city in the distance.
In front of the window was a large oak desk, where Jo could work on her novel and look outside whenever she wanted.
Just standing there inspired Jo to pull out her paper and start writing immediately.
"I hope you are happy here, Jo," Mrs. Kirke was saying.
"We want you to feel as if this is your home."
"Thank you, Mrs. Kirke," Jo said gratefully. "I am already falling in love with it."
"Oh, before I forget," added Mrs. Kirke. "We have a tenant who rents the floor beneath you.
I'll introduce you later. His name is Friedrich Bauer but we call him Professor.
Oh, I hear the girls returning. Would you like to meet them now, Jo?"
"Yes, I would," said Jo, following her downstairs.
Back at the March home, Laurie was keeping his promise to Jo by making sure that Beth did not get too lonely.
They sat for a few hours while Beth played the piano and they laughed as they chatted about old times.
"I'm going back to school in two days, Beth," Laurie told her.
"Will you be okay without your sisters and me around?"
Smiling, Beth reassured him that she would be fine.
"I have Meg, Mother, Father, Mr. Laurence, and of course, my beloved piano to occupy my days," she said.
"Do you think Jo will come back a different person?" Laurie asked cautiously.
Beth thought for a moment then replied rather sadly, "Yes, but change is inevitable.
We must all face the truth and accept that nothing can stay the same forever."
"I don't want things to ever change," Laurie said childishly.
Neither one of them, however, could have predicted how much their lives were going to be transformed.