The next day was Sunday, and a goodly troop of young and old setforth to church. - some driving, some walking, all enjoying the lovelyweather and the happy quietude which comes to refresh us when thework and worry of the week are over. Daisy had a headache; and AuntJo remained at home to keep her company, knowing very well that theworst ache was in the tender heart struggling dutifully against thelove that grew stronger as the parting drew nearer.

'Daisy knows my wishes, and I trust her. You must keep an eye on Nat,and let him clearly understand that there is to be no "lovering", orI shall forbid the letter-writing. I hate to seem cruel, but it istoo soon for my dear girl to bind herself in any way,' said Mrs Meg,as she rustled about in her best grey silk, while waiting for Demi,who always escorted his pious mother to church as a peace-offeringfor crossing her wishes in other things.

'I will, dear; I'm lying in wait for all three boys today, like anold spider; and I will have a good talk with each. They know Iunderstand them, and they always open their hearts sooner or later.You look like a nice, plump little Quakeress, Meg; and no one willbelieve that big boy is your son,' added Mrs Jo, as Demi came inshining with Sunday neatness, from his well-blacked boots to hissmooth brown head.

'You flatter me, to soften my heart toward your boy. I know yourways, Jo, and I don't give in. Be firm, and spare me a scene by andby. As for John, as long as he is satisfied with his old mother, Idon't care what people think,' answered Mrs Meg, accepting with asmile the little posy of sweet peas and mignonette Demi brought her.

Then, having buttoned her dove-coloured gloves with care, she tookher son's arm and went proudly away to the carriage, where Amy andBess waited, while Jo called after them, just as Marmee used to do:

'Girls, have you got nice pocket-handkerchiefs?' They all smiled atthe familiar words, and three white banners waved as they drove away,leaving the spider to watch for her first fly. She did not wait long.Daisy was lying down with a wet cheek on the little hymnbook out ofwhich she and Nat used to sing together; so Mrs Jo strolled about thelawn, looking very like a wandering mushroom with her large buffumbrella.

Dan had gone for a ten-mile stroll; and Nat was supposed to haveaccompanied him, but presently came sneaking back, unable to tearhimself away from the Dovecote or lose a moment of nearness to hisidol that last day. Mrs Jo saw him at once, and beckoned him to arustic seat under the old elm, where they could have theirconfidences undisturbed, and both keep an eye on a certainwhite-curtained window, half hidden in vines.

'Nice and cool here. I'm not up to one of Dan's tramps today - it's sowarm, and he goes so like a steam-engine. He headed for the swampwhere his pet snakes used to live, and I begged to be excused,' saidNat, fanning himself with his straw hat, though the day was notoppressive.

'I'm glad you did. Sit and rest with me, and have one of our good oldtalks. We've both been so busy lately, I feel as if I didn't halfknow your plans; and I want to,' answered Mrs Jo, feeling sure thatthough they might start with Leipzig they would bring up atPlumfield,

'You are very kind, and there's nothing I'd like better. I don'trealize I'm going so far - suppose I shan't till I get afloat. It's asplendid start, and I don't know how I can ever thank Mr Laurie forall he's done, or you either,' added Nat, with a break in his voice;for he was a tender-hearted fellow, and never forgot a kindness.

'You can thank us beautifully by being and doing all we hope andexpect of you, my dear. In the new life you are going to there willbe a thousand trials and temptations, and only your own wit andwisdom to rely on. That will be the time to test the principles wehave tried to give you, and see how firm they are. Of course, youwill make mistakes - we all do; but don't let go of your conscienceand drift along blindly. Watch and pray, dear Nat; and while yourhand gains skill, let your head grow wiser, and keep your heart asinnocent and warm as it is now.'

'I'll try, Mother Bhaer, my very best to be a credit to you. I know Ishall improve in my music - can't help it there; but I never shall bevery wise, I'm afraid. As for my heart, you know, I leave it behindme in good keeping.'

As he spoke, Nat's eyes were fixed on the window with a look of loveand longing that made his quiet face both manly and sad - plainlyshowing how strong a hold this boyish affection had upon him.

'I want to speak of that; and I know you will forgive what seemshard, because I do most heartily sympathize with you,' said Mrs Jo,glad to have her say.

'Yes, do talk about Daisy! I think of nothing but leaving and losingher. I have no hope - I suppose it is too much to ask; only I can'thelp loving her, wherever I am!' cried Nat, with a mixture ofdefiance and despair in his face that rather startled Mrs Jo.

'Listen to me and I'll try to give you both comfort and good advice.We all know that Daisy is fond of you, but her mother objects, andbeing a good girl she tries to obey. Young people think they nevercan change, but they do in the most wonderful manner, and very fewdie of broken hearts.' Mrs Jo smiled as she remembered another boywhom she had once tried to comfort, and then went soberly on whileNat listened as if his fate hung upon her lips.

'One of two things will happen. You will find someone else to love,or, better still, be so busy and happy in your music that you will bewilling to wait for time to settle the matter for you both. Daisywill perhaps forget when you are gone, and be glad you are onlyfriends. At any rate it is much wiser to have no promises made; thenboth are free, and in a year or two may meet to laugh over the littleromance nipped in the bud.'

'Do you honestly think that?' asked Nat, looking at her so keenlythat the truth had to come; for all his heart was in those frank blueeyes of his.

'No, I don't!' answered Mrs Jo. 'Then if you were in my place, whatwould you do?' he added, with a tone of command never heard in hisgentle voice before.

'Bless me! the boy is in dead earnest, and I shall forget prudence insympathy I'm afraid,' thought Mrs Jo, surprised and pleased by theunexpected manliness Nat showed.

'I'll tell you what I should do. I'd say to myself:

"I'll prove that my love is strong and faithful, and make Daisy'smother proud to give her to me by being not only a good musician butan excellent man, and so command respect and confidence. This I willtry for; and if I fail, I shall be the better for the effort, andfind comfort in the thought that I did my best for her sake."'

'That is what I meant to do. But I wanted a word of hope to give mecourage,' cried Nat, firing up as if the smouldering spark was setablaze by a breath of encouragement. 'Other fellows, poorer andstupider than I, have done great things and come to honour. Why maynot I, though I'm nothing now? I know Mrs Brooke remembers what Icame from, but my father was honest though everything went wrong; andI have nothing to be ashamed of though I was a charity boy. I neverwill be ashamed of my people or myself, and I'll make other folksrespect me if I can.'

'Good! that's the right spirit, Nat. Hold to it and make yourself aman. No one will be quicker to see and admire the brave work than mysister Meg. She does not despise your poverty or your past; butmothers are very tender over their daughters, and we Marches, thoughwe have been poor, are, I confess, a little proud of our good family.We don't care for money; but a long line of virtuous ancestors issomething to desire and to be proud of.'

'Well, the Blakes are a good lot. I looked 'em up, and not one wasever in prison, hanged, or disgraced in any way. We used to be richand honoured years ago, but we've died out and got poor, and fatherwas a street musician rather than beg; and I'll be one again beforeI'll do the mean things some men do and pass muster.'

Nat was so excited that Mrs Jo indulged in a laugh to calm him, andboth went on more quietly.

'I told my sister all that and it pleased her. I am sure if you dowell these next few years that she will relent and all be happilysettled, unless that wonderful change, which you don't believepossible, should occur. Now, cheer up; don't be lackadaisical andblue. Say good-bye cheerfully and bravely, show a manly front, andleave a pleasant memory behind you. We all wish you well and hopemuch for you. Write to me every week and I'll send a good, gossipyanswer. Be careful what you write to Daisy; don't gush or wail, forsister Meg will see the letters; and you can help your cause verymuch by sending sensible, cheery accounts of your life to us all.'

'I will; I will; it looks brighter and better already, and I won'tlose my one comfort by any fault of my own. Thank you so much, MotherBhaer, for taking my side. I felt so ungrateful and mean and crushedwhen I thought you all considered me a sneak who had no business tolove such a precious girl as Daisy. No one said anything, but I knewhow you felt, and that Mr Laurie sent me off partly to get me out ofthe way. Oh dear, life is pretty tough sometimes, isn't it?' And Nattook his head in both hands as if it ached with the confusion ofhopes and fears, passions and plans that proved boyhood was past andmanhood had begun.

'Very tough, but it is that very struggle with obstacles which doesus good. Things have been made easy for you in many ways, but no onecan do everything. You must paddle your own canoe now, and learn toavoid the rapids and steer straight to the port you want to reach. Idon't know just what your temptations will be for you have no badhabits and seem to love music so well, nothing can lure you from it.I only hope you won't work too hard.'

'I feel as if I could work like a horse, I'm so eager to get on; but I'll take care. Can't waste time being sick, and you've given medoses enough to keep me all right, I guess.' Nat laughed as heremembered the book of directions Mrs Jo had written for him toconsult on all occasions.

She immediately added some verbal ones on the subject of foreignmesses, and having mounted one of her pet hobbies, was in full gallopwhen Emil was seen strolling about on the roof of the old house, thatbeing his favourite promenade; for there he could fancy himselfwalking the deck, with only blue sky and fresh air about him.

'I want a word with the Commodore, and up there we shall be nice andquiet. Go and play to Daisy: it will put her to sleep and do you bothgood. Sit in the porch, so I can keep an eye on you as I promised';and with a motherly pat on the shoulder Mrs Jo left Nat to hisdelightful task and briskly ascended to the house-top, not up thetrellis as of old but by means of the stairs inside.

Emerging on the platform she found Emil cutting his initials afreshin the wood-work and singing 'Pull for the Shore', like the tunefulmariner he was.

'Come aboard and make yourself at home, Aunty,' he said, with aplayful salute. 'I'm just leaving a P.P.C. in the old place, so whenyou fly up here for refuge you'll remember me.'

'Ah, my dear, I'm not likely to forget you. It doesn't need E. B. H.cut on all the trees and railings to remind me of my sailor boy'; andMrs Jo took the seat nearest the blue figure astride the balustrade,not quite sure how to begin the little sermon she wanted to preach.

'Well, you don't pipe your eye and look squally when I sheer off asyou used to, and that's a comfort. I like to leave port in fairweather and have a jolly send-off all round. Specially this time, forit will be a year or more before we drop anchor here again,' answeredEmil, pushing his cap back, and glancing about him as if he loved oldPlum and would be sorry never to see it any more.

'You have salt water enough without my adding to it. I'm going to bequite a Spartan mother, and send my sons to battle with no wailing,only the command:

"With your shield or on it",' said Mrs Jo cheerfully, adding after apause: 'I often wish I could go too, and some day I will, when youare captain and have a ship of your own - as I've no doubt you willbefore long, with Uncle Herman to push you on.'

'When I do I'll christen her the Jolly Jo and take you as first mate.It would be regular larks to have you aboard, and I'd be a proud manto carry you round the world you've wanted to see so long and nevercould,' answered Emil, caught at once by this splendid vision.

'I'll make my first voyage with you and enjoy myself immensely inspite of seasickness and all the stormy winds that blow. I've alwaysthought I'd like to see a wreck, a nice safe one with all saved aftergreat danger and heroic deeds, while we clung like Mr Pillicoddy tomain-top jibs and lee scuppers.'

'No wrecks yet, ma'am, but we'll try to accommodate customers.Captain says I'm a lucky dog and bring fair weather, so we'll savethe dirty weather for you if you want it,' laughed Emil, digging atthe ship in full sail which he was adding to his design.

'Thanks, I hope you will. This long voyage will give you newexperiences, and being an officer, you will have new duties andresponsibilities. Are you ready for them? You take everything sogaily, I've been wondering if you realized that now you will have notonly to obey but to command also, and power is a dangerous thing. Becareful that you don't abuse it or let it make a tyrant of you.'

'Right you are, ma'am. I've seen plenty of that, and have got mybearings pretty well, I guess. I shan't have very wide swing withPeters over me, but I'll see that the boys don't get abused when he'sbowsed up his jib. No right to speak before, but now I won't standit.'

'That sounds mysteriously awful; could I ask what nautical torture"bowsing jibs" is?' asked Mrs Jo, in a tone of deep interest.

'Getting drunk. Peters can hold more grog than any man I ever saw; hekeeps right side up, but is as savage as a norther, and makes thingslively all round. I've seen him knock a fellow down with a belayingpin, and couldn't lend a hand. Better luck now, I hope.' And Emilfrowned as if he already trod the quarter-deck, lord of all hesurveyed.

'Don't get into trouble, for even Uncle Herman's favour won't coverinsubordination, you know. You have proved yourself a good sailor;now be a good officer, which is a harder thing, I fancy. It takes afine character to rule justly and kindly; you will have to put byyour boyish ways and remember your dignity. That will be excellenttraining for you, Emil, and sober you down a bit. No more skylarkingexcept here, so mind your ways, and do honour to your buttons,' saidMrs Jo, tapping one of the very bright brass ones that ornamented thenew suit Emil was so proud of.

'I'll do my best. I know my time for skirmshander (chaff) is over,and I must steer a straighter course; but don't you fear, Jack ashoreis a very different craft from what he is with blue water under hiskeel. I had a long talk with Uncle last night and got my orders; Iwon't forget 'em nor all I owe him. As for you, I'll name my firstship as I say, and have your bust for the figurehead, see if Idon't,' and Emil gave his aunt a hearty kiss to seal the vow, whichproceeding much amused Nat, playing softly in the porch of theDovecote.

'You do me proud, Captain. But, dear, I want to say one thing andthen I'm done; for you don't need much advice of mine after my goodman has spoken. I read somewhere that every inch of rope used in theBritish Navy has a strand of red in it, so that wherever a bit of itis found it is known. That is the text of my little sermon to you.Virtue, which means honour, honesty, courage, and all that makescharacter, is the red thread that marks a good man wherever he is.Keep that always and everywhere, so that even if wrecked bymisfortune, that sign shall still be found and recognized. Yours is arough life, and your mates not all we could wish, but you can be agentleman in the true sense of the word; and no matter what happensto your body, keep your soul clean, your heart true to those who loveyou, and do your duty to the end.'

As she spoke Emil had risen and stood listening with his cap off anda grave, bright look as if taking orders from a superior officer;when she ended, he answered briefly, but heartily:

'Please God, I will!'

'That's all; I have little fear for you, but one never knows when orhow the weak moment may come, and sometimes a chance word helps us,as so many my dear mother spoke come back to me now for my owncomfort and the guidance of my boys,' said Mrs Jo, rising; for thewords had been said and no more were needed.

'I've stored 'em up and know where to find 'em when wanted. Often andoften in my watch I've seen old Plum, and heard you and Uncle talkingso plainly, I'd have sworn I was here. It is a rough life, Aunty, buta wholesome one if a fellow loves it as I do, and has an anchor towindward as I have. Don't worry about me, and I'll come home nextyear with a chest of tea that will cheer your heart and give youideas enough for a dozen novels. Going below? All right, steady inthe gangway! I'll be along by the time you've got out the cake-box.Last chance for a good old lunch ashore.'

Mrs Jo descended laughing, and Emil finished his ship whistlingcheerfully, neither dreaming when and where this little chat on thehouse-top would return to the memory of one of them.

Dan was harder to catch, and not until evening did a quiet momentcome in that busy family; when, while the rest were roaming about,Mrs Jo sat down to read in the study, and presently Dan looked in atthe window.

'Come and rest after your long tramp; you must be tired,' she called,with an inviting nod towards the big sofa where so many boys hadreposed - as much as that active animal ever does.

'Afraid I shall disturb you'; but Dan looked as if he wanted to stayhis restless feet somewhere.

'Not a bit; I'm always ready to talk, shouldn't be a woman if I werenot,' laughed Mrs Jo, as Dan swung himself in and sat down with anair of contentment very pleasant to see.

'Last day is over, yet somehow I don't seem to hanker to be off.Generally, I'm rather anxious to cut loose after a short stop. Odd,ain't it?' asked Dan, gravely picking grass and leaves out of hishair and beard; for he had been lying on the grass, thinking manythoughts in the quiet summer night.

'Not at all; you are beginning to get civilized. It's a good sign,and I'm glad to see it,' answered Mrs Jo promptly. 'You've had yourswing, and want a change. Hope the farming will give it to you,though helping the Indians pleases me more: it is so much better towork for others than for one's self alone.'

'So 'tis,' assented Dan heartily. 'I seem to want to root somewhere and have folks of my own to take care of. Tired of my own company, I suppose, now I've seen so much better. I'm a rough, ignorant lot, andI've been thinking maybe I've missed it loafing round creation,instead of going in for education as the other chaps did. Hey?'

He looked anxiously at Mrs Jo; and she tried to hide the surprisethis new outburst caused her; for till now Dan had scorned books andgloried in his freedom.

'No; I don't think so in your case. So far I'm sure the free life wasbest. Now that you are a man you can control that lawless naturebetter; but as a boy only great activity and much adventure couldkeep you out of mischief. Time is taming my colt, you see, and Ishall yet be proud of him, whether he makes a pack-horse of himselfto carry help to the starving or goes to ploughing as Pegasus did.'

Dan liked the comparison, and smiled as he lounged in thesofa-corner, with the new thoughtfulness in his eyes.

'Glad you think so. The fact is it's going to take a heap of tamingto make me go well in harness anywhere. I want to, and I try now andthen, but always kick over the traces and run away. No lives lostyet; but I shouldn't wonder if there was some time, and a generalsmash-up.'

'Why, Dan, did you have any dangerous adventures during this lastabsence? I fancied so, but didn't ask before, knowing you'd tell meif I could help in any way. Can I?' And Mrs Jo looked anxiously athim; for a sudden lowering expression had come into his face, and heleaned forward as if to hide it.

'Nothing very bad; but 'Frisco isn't just a heaven on earth, you know,and it's harder to be a saint there than here,' he answered slowly; then, as if he had made up his mind to ''fess', as the children used to say, he sat up, and added rapidly, in a half-defiant,half-shamefaced way, 'I tried gambling, and it wasn't good for me.'

'Was that how you made your money?'

'Not a penny of it! That's all honest, if speculation isn't a biggersort of gambling. I won a lot; but I lost or gave it away, and cutthe whole concern before it got the better of me.'

'Thank heaven for that! Don't try it again; it may have the terriblefascination for you it has for so many. Keep to your mountains andprairies, and shun cities, if these things tempt you, Dan. Betterlose your life than your soul, and one such passion leads to worsesins, as you know better than I.'

Dan nodded, and seeing how troubled she was, said, in a lighter tone,though still the shadow of that past experience remained:

'Don't be scared; I'm all right now; and a burnt dog dreads the fire.I don't drink, or do the things you dread; don't care for 'em; but Iget excited, and then this devilish temper of mine is more than I canmanage. Fighting a moose or a buffalo is all right; but when youpitch into a man, no matter how great a scamp he is, you've got tolook out. I shall kill someone some day; that's all I'm afraid of. Ido hate a sneak!' And Dan brought his fist down on the table with ablow that made the lamp totter and the books skip.

'That always was your trial, Dan, and I can sympathize with you; forI've been trying to govern my own temper all my life, and haven'tlearnt yet,' said Mrs Jo, with a sigh. 'For heaven's sake, guard yourdemon well, and don't let a moment's fury ruin all your life. As Isaid to Nat, watch and pray, my dear boy. There is no other help orhope for human weakness but God's love and patience.'

Tears were in Mrs Jo's eyes as she spoke; for she felt this deeply,and knew how hard a task it is to rule these bosom sins of ours. Danlooked touched, also uncomfortable, as he always did when religion ofany sort was mentioned, though he had a simple creed of his own, andtried to live up to it in his blind way.

'I don't do much praying; don't seem to come handy to me; but I canwatch like a redskin, only it's easier to mount guard over a lurkinggrizzly than my own cursed temper. It's that I'm afraid of, if Isettle down. I can get on with wild beasts first-rate; but men rileme awfully, and I can't take it out in a free fight, as I can with abear or a wolf. Guess I'd better head for the Rockies, and stay therea spell longer - till I'm tame enough for decent folks, if I ever am.'And Dan leaned his rough head on his hands in a despondent attitude.

'Try my sort of help, and don't give up. Read more, study a little,and try to meet a better class of people, who won't "rile", butsoothe and strengthen you. We don't make you savage, I'm sure; foryou have been as meek as a lamb, and made us very happy.'

'Glad of it; but I've felt like a hawk in a hen-house all the same,and wanted to pounce and tear more than once. Not so much as I used,though,' added Dan, after a short laugh at Mrs Jo's surprised face.'I'll try your plan, and keep good company this bout if I can; but aman can't pick and choose, knocking about as I do.'

'Yes, you can this time; for you are going on a peaceful errand andcan keep clear of temptation if you try. Take some books and read;that's an immense help; and books are always good company if you havethe right sort. Let me pick out some for you.' And Mrs Jo made abee-line to the well-laden shelves, which were the joy of her heartand the comfort of her life.

'Give me travels and stories, please; don't want any pious works,can't seem to relish 'em, and won't pretend I do,' said Dan,following to look over her head with small favour at the long linesof well-worn volumes.

Mrs Jo turned short round, and putting a hand on either broadshoulder, looked him in the eye, saying soberly:

'Now, Dan, see here; never sneer at good things or pretend to beworse than you are. Don't let false shame make you neglect thereligion without which no man can live. You needn't talk about it ifyou don't like, but don't shut your heart to it in whatever shape itcomes. Nature is your God now; she has done much for you; let her domore, and lead you to know and love a wiser and more tender teacher,friend, and comforter than she can ever be. That is your only hope;don't throw it away, and waste time; for sooner or later you willfeel the need of Him, and He will come to you and hold you up whenall other help fails.'

Dan stood motionless, and let her read in his softened eyes the dumbdesire that lived in his heart, though he had no words to tell it,and only permitted her to catch a glimpse of the divine spark whichsmoulders or burns clearly in every human soul. He did not speak; andglad to be spared some answer which should belie his real feelings,Mrs Jo hastened to say, with her most motherly smile:

'I saw in your room the little Bible I gave you long ago; it was wellworn outside, but fresh within, as if not much read. Will you promiseme to read a little once a week, dear, for my sake? Sunday is a quietday everywhere, and this book is never old nor out of place. Beginwith the stories you used to love when I told them to you boys. Davidwas your favourite, you remember? Read him again; he'll suit you evenbetter now, and you'll find his sins and repentance useful readingtill you come to the life and work of a diviner example than he. Youwill do it, for love of mother Bhaer, who always loved her"firebrand" and hoped to save him?'

'I will,' answered Dan, with a sudden brightening of face that waslike a sunburst through a cloud, full of promise though soshort-lived and rare.

Mrs Jo turned at once to the books and began to talk of them, knowingwell that Dan would not hear any more just then. He seemed relieved;for it was always hard for him to show his inner self, and he tookpride in hiding it as an Indian does in concealing pain or fear.

'Hallo, here's old Sintram! I remember him; used to like him and histantrums, and read about 'em to Ted. There he is riding ahead withDeath and the Devil alongside.'

As Dan looked at the little picture of the young man with horse andhound going bravely up the rocky defile, accompanied by thecompanions who ride beside most men through this world, a curiousimpulse made Mrs Jo say quickly:

'That's you, Dan, just you at this time! Danger and sin are near youin the life you lead; moods and passions torment you; the bad fatherleft you to fight alone, and the wild spirit drives you to wander upand down the world looking for peace and self-control. Even thehorse and hound are there, your Octoo and Don, faithful friends,unscared by the strange mates that go with you. You have not got thearmour yet, but I'm trying to show you where to find it. Rememberthe mother Sintram loved and longed to find, and did find when hisbattle was bravely fought, his reward well earned? You can recollectyour mother; and I have always felt that all the good qualities youpossess come from her. Act out the beautiful old story in this as inthe other parts, and try to give her back a son to be proud of.'

Quite carried away by the likeness of the quaint tale to Dan's lifeand needs, Mrs Jo went on pointing to the various pictures whichillustrated it, and when she looked up was surprised to see howstruck and interested he seemed to be. Like all people of histemperament he was very impressionable, and his life among huntersand Indians had made him superstitious; he believed in dreams, likedweird tales, and whatever appealed to the eye or mind, vividlyimpressed him more than the wisest words. The story of poor,tormented Sintram came back clearly as he looked and listened,symbolizing his secret trials even more truly than Mrs Jo knew; andjust at that moment this had an effect upon him that never wasforgotten. But all he said was:

'Small chance of that. I don't take much stock in the idea of meetingfolks in heaven. Guess mother won't remember the poor little brat sheleft so long ago; why should she?'

'Because true mothers never forget their children; and I know she wasone, from the fact that she ran away from the cruel husband, to saveher little son from bad influences. Had she lived, life would havebeen happier for you, with this tender friend to help and comfortyou. Never forget that she risked everything for your sake, and don'tlet it be in vain.'

Mrs Jo spoke very earnestly, knowing that this was the one sweetmemory of Dan's early life, and glad to have recalled it at thismoment; for suddenly a great tear splashed down on the page whereSintram kneels at his mother's feet, wounded, but victorious over sinand death. She looked up, well pleased to have touched Dan to theheart's core, as that drop proved; but a sweep of the arm brushedaway the tell-tale, and his beard hid the mate to it, as he shut thebook, saying with a suppressed quiver in his strong voice:

'I'll keep this, if nobody wants it. I'll read it over, and maybe itwill do me good. I'd like to meet her anywhere, but don't believe Iever shall.'

'Keep it and welcome. My mother gave it to me; and when you read ittry to believe that neither of your mothers will ever forget you.'

Mrs Jo gave the book with a caress; and simply saying: 'Thanks; goodnight,' Dan thrust it into his pocket, and walked straight away tothe river to recover from this unwonted mood of tenderness and confidence.

Next day the travellers were off. All were in good spirits, and acloud of handkerchiefs whitened the air as they drove away in the oldbus, waving their hats to everyone and kissing their hands,especially to mother Bhaer, who said in her prophetic tone as shewiped her eyes, when the familiar rumble died away:

'I have a feeling that something is going to happen to some of them,and they will never come back to me, or come back changed. Well, Ican only say, God be with my boys!'

And He was.