This yearly festival was always kept at Plumfield in the goodold-fashioned way, and nothing was allowed to interfere with it.For days beforehand, the little girls helped Asia and Mrs. Jo instore-room and kitchen, making pies and puddings, sorting fruit,dusting dishes, and being very busy and immensely important. Theboys hovered on the outskirts of the forbidden ground, sniffing thesavory odors, peeping in at the mysterious performances, andoccasionally being permitted to taste some delicacy in the processof preparation.

Something more than usual seemed to be on foot this year, for thegirls were as busy up-stairs as down, so were the boys inschool-room and barn, and a general air of bustle pervaded thehouse. There was a great hunting up of old ribbons and finery,much cutting and pasting of gold paper, and the most remarkablequantity of straw, gray cotton, flannel, and big black beads, usedby Franz and Mrs. Jo. Ned hammered at strange machines in theworkshop, Demi and Tommy went about murmuring to themselvesas if learning something. A fearful racket was heard in Emil's roomat intervals, and peals of laughter from the nursery when Rob andTeddy were sent for and hidden from sight whole hours at a time.But the thing that puzzled Mr. Bhaer the most was what became ofRob's big pumpkin. It had been borne in triumph to the kitchen,where a dozen golden-tinted pies soon after appeared. It would nothave taken more than a quarter of the mammoth vegetable to makethem, yet where was the rest? It disappeared, and Rob neverseemed to care, only chuckled when it was mentioned, and told hisfather, "To wait and see," for the fun of the whole thing was tosurprise Father Bhaer at the end, and not let him know a bit aboutwhat was to happen.

He obediently shut eyes, ears, and mouth, and went about tryingnot to see what was in plain sight, not to hear the tell-tale soundsthat filled the air, not to understand any of the perfectly transparentmysteries going on all about him. Being a German, he loved thesesimple domestic festivals, and encouraged them with all his heart,for they made home so pleasant that the boys did not care to goelsewhere for fun.

When at last the day came, the boys went off for a long walk, thatthey might have good appetites for dinner; as if they ever neededthem! The girls remained at home to help set the table, and givelast touches to various affairs which filled their busy little soulswith anxiety. The school-room had been shut up since the nightbefore, and Mr. Bhaer was forbidden to enter it on pain of abeating from Teddy, who guarded the door like a small dragon,though he was dying to tell about it, and nothing but his father'sheroic self-denial in not listening, kept him from betraying a grandsecret.

"It's all done, and it's perfectly splendid," cried Nan, coming out atlast with an air of triumph.

"The you know goes beautifully, and Silas knows just what to donow," added Daisy, skipping with delight at some unspeakablesuccess.

"I'm blest if it ain't the 'cutest thing I ever see, them critters inparticular," said Silas, who had been let into the secret, went offlaughing like a great boy.

"They are coming; I hear Emil roaring 'Land lubbers lying downbelow,' so we must run and dress," cried Nan, and up-stairs theyscampered in a great hurry.

The boys came trooping home with appetites that would havemade the big turkey tremble, if it had not been past all fear. Theyalso retired to dress; and for half-an-hour there was a washing,brushing, and prinking that would have done any tidy woman'sheart good to see. When the bell rang, a troop of fresh-faced ladswith shiny hair, clean collars, and Sunday jackets on, filed into thedining-room, where Mrs. Jo, in her one black silk, with a knot ofher favorite white chrysanthemums in her bosom, sat at the head ofthe table, "looking splendid," as the boys said, whenever she gotherself up. Daisy and Nan were as gay as a posy bed in their newwinter dresses, with bright sashes and hair ribbons. Teddy wasgorgeous to behold in a crimson merino blouse, and his best buttonboots, which absorbed and distracted him as much as Mr. Toot'swristbands did on one occasion.

As Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer glanced at each other down the long table,with those rows of happy faces on either side, they had a littlethanksgiving all to themselves, and without a word, for one heartsaid to the other,

"Our work has prospered, let us be grateful and go on."

The clatter of knives and forks prevented much conversation for afew minutes, and Mary Ann with an amazing pink bow in her hair"flew round" briskly, handing plates and ladling out gravy. Nearlyevery one had contributed to the feast, so the dinner was apeculiarly interesting ones to the eaters of it, who beguiled thepauses by remarks on their own productions.

"If these are not good potatoes I never saw any," observed Jack, ashe received his fourth big mealy one.

"Some of my herbs are in the stuffing of the turkey, that's why it'sso nice," said Nan, taking a mouthful with intense satisfaction.

"My ducks are prime any way; Asia said she never cooked such fatones," added Tommy.

"Well, our carrots are beautiful, ain't they, and our parsnips will beever so good when we dig them," put in Dick, and Dollymurmured his assent from behind the bone he was picking.

"I helped make the pies with my pumpkin," called out Robby, witha laugh which he stopped by retiring into his mug.

"I picked some of the apples that the cider is made of," said Demi.

"I raked the cranberries for the sauce," cried Nat.

"I got the nuts," added Dan, and so it went on all round the table.

"Who made up Thanksgiving?" asked Rob, for being latelypromoted to jacket and trousers he felt a new and manly interest inthe institutions of his country.

"See who can answer that question," and Mr. Bhaer nodded to oneor two of his best history boys.

"I know," said Demi, "the Pilgrims made it."

"What for?" asked Rob, without waiting to learn who the Pilgrimswere.

"I forget," and Demi subsided.

"I believe it was because they were starved once, and so when theyhad a good harvest, they said, 'We will thank God for it,' and theyhad a day and called it Thanksgiving," said Dan, who liked thestory of the brave men who suffered so nobly for their faith.

"Good! I didn't think you would remember any thing but naturalhistory," and Mr. Bhaer tapped gently on the table as applause forhis pupil.

Dan looked pleased; and Mrs. Jo said to her son, "Now do youunderstand about it, Robby?"

"No, I don't. I thought pil-grins were a sort of big bird that lived onrocks, and I saw pictures of them in Demi's book."

"He means penguins. Oh, isn't he a little goosey!" and Demi laidback in his chair and laughed aloud.

"Don't laugh at him, but tell him all about it if you can," said Mrs.Bhaer, consoling Rob with more cranberry sauce for the generalsmile that went round the table at his mistake.

"Well, I will;" and, after a pause to collect his ideas, Demidelivered the following sketch of the Pilgrim Fathers, which wouldhave made even those grave gentlemen smile if they could haveheard it.

"You see, Rob, some of the people in England didn't like the king,or something, so they got into ships and sailed away to thiscountry. It was all full of Indians, and bears, and wild creatures,and they lived in forts, and had a dreadful time."

"The bears?" asked Robby, with interest.

"No; the Pilgrims, because the Indians troubled them. They hadn'tenough to eat, and they went to church with guns, and ever somany died, and they got out of the ships on a rock, and it's calledPlymouth Rock, and Aunt Jo saw it and touched it. The Pilgrimskilled all the Indians, and got rich; and hung the witches, and werevery good; and some of the greatest great-grandpas came in theships. One was the Mayflower; and they made Thanksgiving, andwe have it always, and I like it. Some more turkey, please."

"I think Demi will be an historian, there is such order andclearness in his account of events;" and Uncle Fritz's eyes laughedat Aunt Jo, as he helped the descendant of the Pilgrims to his thirdbit of turkey.

"I thought you must eat as much as ever you could onThanksgiving. But Franz says you mustn't even then;" and Stuffylooked as if he had received bad news.

"Franz is right, so mind your knife and fork, and be moderate, orelse you won't be able to help in the surprise by and by," said Mrs.Jo.

"I'll be careful; but everybody does eat lots, and I like it better thanbeing moderate," said Stuffy, who leaned to the popular belief thatThanksgiving must be kept by coming as near apoplexy aspossible, and escaping with merely a fit of indigestion or aheadache.

"Now, my 'pilgrims' amuse yourselves quietly till tea-time, for youwill have enough excitement this evening," said Mrs. Jo, as theyrose from the table after a protracted sitting, finished by drinkingevery one's health in cider.

"I think I will take the whole flock for a drive, it is so pleasant;then you can rest, my dear, or you will be worn out this evening,"added Mr. Bhaer; and as soon as coats and hats could be put on,the great omnibus was packed full, and away they went for a longgay drive, leaving Mrs. Jo to rest and finish sundry small affairs inpeace.

An early and light tea was followed by more brushing of hair andwashing of hands; then the flock waited impatiently for thecompany to come. Only the family was expected; for these smallrevels were strictly domestic, and such being the case, sorrow wasnot allowed to sadden the present festival. All came; Mr. and Mrs.March, with Aunt Meg, so sweet and lovely, in spite of her blackdress and the little widow's cap that encircled her tranquil face.Uncle Teddy and Aunt Amy, with the Princess looking morefairy-like than ever, in a sky-blue gown, and a great bouquet ofhot-house flowers, which she divided among the boys, sticking onein each button-hole, making them feel peculiarly elegant andfestive. One strange face appeared, and Uncle Teddy led theunknown gentleman up to the Bhaers, saying

"This is Mr. Hyde; he has been inquiring about Dan, and I venturedto bring him to-night, that he might see how much the boy hasimproved."

The Bhaers received him cordially, for Dan's sake, pleased that thelad had been remembered. But, after a few minutes' chat, theywere glad to know Mr. Hyde for his own sake, so genial, simple,and interesting was he. It was pleasant to see the boy's face light upwhen he caught sight of his friend; pleasanter still to see Mr.Hyde's surprise and satisfaction in Dan's improved manners andappearance, and pleasantest of all to watch the two sit talking in acorner, forgetting the differences of age, culture, and position, inthe one subject which interested both, as man and boy comparednotes, and told the story of their summer life.

"The performance must begin soon, or the actors will go to sleep,"said Mrs. Jo, when the first greetings were over.

So every one went into the school-room, and took seats before acurtain made of two bed-covers. The children had alreadyvanished; but stifled laughter, and funny little exclamations frombehind the curtain, betrayed their whereabouts. The entertainmentbegan with a spirited exhibition of gymnastics, led by Franz. Thesix elder lads, in blue trousers and red shirts, made a fine displayof muscle with dumb-bells, clubs, and weights, keeping time to themusic of the piano, played by Mrs. Jo behind the scenes. Dan wasso energetic in this exercise, that there was some danger of hisknocking down his neighbors, like so many nine-pins, or sendinghis bean-bags whizzing among the audience; for he was excited byMr. Hyde's presence, and a burning desire to do honor to histeachers.

"A fine, strong lad. If I go on my trip to South America, in a yearor two, I shall be tempted to ask you to lend him to me, Mr.Bhaer," said Mr. Hyde, whose interest in Dan was much increasedby the report he had just heard of him.

"You shall have him, and welcome, though we shall miss ouryoung Hercules very much. It would do him a world of good, and Iam sure he would serve his friend faithfully."

Dan heard both question and answer, and his heart leaped with joyat the thought of travelling in a new country with Mr. Hyde, andswelled with gratitude for the kindly commendation whichrewarded his efforts to be all these friends desired to see him.

After the gymnastics, Demi and Tommy spoke the old schooldialogue, "Money makes the mare go." Demi did very well, butTommy was capital as the old farmer; for he imitated Silas in away that convulsed the audience, and caused Silas himself to laughso hard that Asia had to slap him on the back, as they stood in thehall enjoying the fun immensely.

Then Emil, who had got his breath by this time, gave them asea-song in costume, with a great deal about "stormy winds," "leeshores," and a rousing chorus of "Luff, boys, luff," which made theroom ring; after which Ned performed a funny Chinese dance, andhopped about like a large frog in a pagoda hat. As this was the onlypublic exhibition ever held at Plumfield, a few exercises inlightning-arithmetic, spelling, and reading were given. Jack quiteamazed the public by his rapid calculations on the blackboard.Tommy won in the spelling match, and Demi read a little Frenchfable so well that Uncle Teddy was charmed.

"Where are the other children?" asked every one as the curtain fell,and none of the little ones appeared.

"Oh, that is the surprise. It's so lovely, I pity you because you don'tknow it," said Demi, who had gone to get his mother's kiss, andstayed by her to explain the mystery when it should be revealed.

Goldilocks had been carried off by Aunt Jo, to the greatamazement of her papa, who quite outdid Mr. Bhaer in actingwonder, suspense, and wild impatience to know "what was goingto happen."

At last, after much rustling, hammering, and very audibledirections from the stage manager, the curtain rose to soft music,and Bess was discovered sitting on a stool beside a brown paperfire-place. A dearer little Cinderella was never seen; for the graygown was very ragged, the tiny shoes all worn, the face so prettyunder the bright hair, and the attitude so dejected, it brought tears,as well as smiles, to the fond eyes looking at the baby actress. Shesat quite still, till a voice whispered, "Now!" then she sighed afunny little sigh, and said, "Oh I wish I tood go to the ball!" sonaturally, that her father clapped frantically, and her mother calledout, "Little darling!" These highly improper expressions of feelingcaused Cinderella to forget herself, and shake her head at them,saying, reprovingly, "You mustn't 'peak to me."

Silence instantly prevailed, and three taps were heard on the wall.Cinderella looked alarmed, but before she could remember to say,"What is dat?" the back of the brown paper fire-place opened like adoor, and, with some difficulty, the fairy godmother got herselfand her pointed hat through. It was Nan, in a red cloak, a cap, anda wand, which she waved as she said decidedly,

"You shall go to the ball, my dear."

"Now you must pull and show my pretty dress," returnedCinderella, tugging at her brown gown.

"No, no; you must say, 'How can I go in my rags?' " said thegodmother in her own voice.

"Oh yes, so I mus';" and the Princess said it, quite undisturbed byher forgetfulness.

"I change your rags into a splendid dress, because you are good,"said the godmother in her stage tones; and deliberatelyunbuttoning the brown pinafore, she displayed a gorgeous sight.

The little Princess really was pretty enough to turn the heads ofany number of small princes, for her mamma had dressed her likea tiny court lady, in a rosy silk train with satin under-skirt, and bitsof bouquets here and there, quite lovely to behold. The godmotherput a crown, with pink and white feathers drooping from it, on herhead, and gave her a pair of silver paper slippers, which she puton, and then stood up, lifting her skirts to show them to theaudience, saying, with pride, "My dlass ones, ain't they pitty?"

She was so charmed with them, that she was with difficultyrecalled to her part, and made to say

"But I have no toach, Dodmother."

"Behold it!" and Nan waved her wand with such a flourish, thatshe nearly knocked off the crown of the Princess.

Then appeared the grand triumph of the piece. First, a rope wasseen to flap on the floor, to tighten with a twitch as Emil's voicewas heard to say, "Heave, ahoy!" and Silas's gruff one to reply,"Stiddy, now, stiddy!" A shout of laughter followed, for four largegray rats appeared, rather shaky as to their legs, and queer as totheir tails, but quite fine about the head, where black beads shonein the most lifelike manner. They drew, or were intended to appearas if they did, a magnificent coach made of half the mammothpumpkin, mounted on the wheels of Teddy's wagon, paintedyellow to match the gay carriage. Perched on a seat in front sat ajolly little coachman in a white cotton-wool wig, cocked hat,scarlet breeches, and laced coat, who cracked a long whip andjerked the red reins so energetically, that the gray steeds rearedfinely. It was Teddy, and he beamed upon the company so affablythat they gave him a round all to himself; and Uncle Laurie said,"If I could find as sober a coachman as that one, I would engagehim on the spot." The coach stopped, the godmother lifted in thePrincess, and she was trundled away in state, kissing her hand tothe public, with her glass shoes sticking up in front, and her pinktrain sweeping the ground behind, for, elegant as the coach was, Iregret to say that her Highness was rather a tight fit.

The next scene was the ball, and here Nan and Daisy appeared asgay as peacocks in all sorts of finery. Nan was especially good asthe proud sister, and crushed many imaginary ladies as she sweptabout the palace-hall. The Prince, in solitary state upon asomewhat unsteady throne, sat gazing about him from under animposing crown, as he played with his sword and admired therosettes in his shoes. When Cinderella came in he jumped up, andexclaimed, with more warmth than elegance,

"My gracious! who is that?" and immediately led the lady out todance, while the sisters scowled and turned up their noses in thecorner.

The stately jig executed by the little couple was very pretty, for thechildish faces were so earnest, the costumes so gay, and the stepsso peculiar, that they looked like the dainty quaint figures paintedon a Watteau fan. The Princess's train was very much in her way,and the sword of Prince Rob nearly tripped him up several times.But they overcame these obstacles remarkably well, and finishedthe dance with much grace and spirit, considering that neitherknew what the other was about.

"Drop your shoe," whispered Mrs. Jo's voice as the lady was aboutto sit down.

"Oh, I fordot!" and, taking off one of the silvery slippers,Cinderella planted it carefully in the middle of the stage, said toRob, "Now you must try and tatch me," and ran away, while thePrince, picking up the shoe, obediently trotted after her.

The third scene, as everybody knows, is where the herald comes totry on the shoe. Teddy, still in coachman's dress, came in blowinga tin fish-horn melodiously, and the proud sisters each tried to puton the slipper. Nan insisted on playing cut off her toe with acarving-knife, and performed that operation so well that the heraldwas alarmed, and begged her to be "welly keerful." Cinderella thenwas called, and came in with the pinafore half on, slipped her footinto the slipper, and announced, with satisfaction,

"I am the Pinsiss."

Daisy wept, and begged pardon; but Nan, who liked tragedy,improved upon the story, and fell in a fainting-fit upon the floor,where she remained comfortably enjoying the rest of the play. Itwas not long, for the Prince ran in, dropped upon his knees, andkissed the hand of Goldilocks with great ardor, while the heraldblew a blast that nearly deafened the audience. The curtain had nochance to fall, for the Princess ran off the stage to her father,crying, "Didn't I do well?" while the Prince and herald had afencing-match with the tin horn and wooden sword.

"It was beautiful!" said every one; and, when the raptures had alittle subsided, Nat came out with his violin in his hand.

"Hush! hush!" cried all the children, and silence followed, forsomething in the boy's bashful manner and appealing eyes makeevery one listen kindly.

The Bhaers thought he would play some of the old airs he knew sowell, but, to their surprise, they heard a new and lovely melody, sosoftly, sweetly played, that they could hardly believe it could beNat. It was one of those songs without words that touch the heart,and sing of all tender home-like hopes and joys, soothing andcheering those who listen to its simple music. Aunt Meg leanedher head on Demi's shoulder, Grandmother wiped her eyes, andMrs. Jo looked up at Mr. Laurie, saying, in a choky whisper,

"You composed that."

"I wanted your boy to do you honor, and thank you in his ownway," answered Laurie, leaning down to answer her.

When Nat made his bow and was about to go, he was called backby many hands, and had to play again. He did so with such a happyface, that it was good to see him, for he did his best, and gave themthe gay old tunes that set the feet to dancing, and made quietudeimpossible.

"Clear the floor!" cried Emil; and in a minute the chairs werepushed back, the older people put safely in corners and thechildren gathered on the stage.

"Show your manners!" called Emil; and the boys pranced up to theladies, old and young; with polite invitations to "tread the mazy,"as dear Dick Swiveller has it. The small lads nearly came to blowsfor the Princess, but she chose Dick, like a kind, littlegentlewoman as she was, and let him lead her proudly to her place.Mrs. Jo was not allowed to decline; and Aunt Amy filled Dan withunspeakable delight by refusing Franz and taking him. Of courseNan and Tommy, Nat and Daisy paired off, while Uncle Teddywent and got Asia, who was longing to "jig it," and felt muchelated by the honor done her. Silas and Mary Ann had a privatedance in the hall; and for half-an-hour Plumfield was at itsmerriest.

The party wound up with a grand promenade of all the youngfolks, headed by the pumpkin-coach with the Princess and driverinside, and the rats in a wildly frisky state.

While the children enjoyed this final frolic, the elders sat in theparlor looking on as they talked together of the little people withthe interest of parents and friends.

"What are you thinking of, all by yourself, with such a happy face,sister Jo?" asked Laurie, sitting down beside her on the sofa.

"My summer's work, Teddy, and amusing myself by imagining thefuture of my boys," she answered, smiling as she made room forhim.

"They are all to be poets, painters, and statesmen, famous soldiers,or at least merchant princes, I suppose."

"No, I am not as aspiring as I once was, and I shall be satisfied ifthey are honest men. But I will confess that I do expect a littleglory and a career for some of them. Demi is not a common child,and I think he will blossom into something good and great in thebest sense of the word. The others will do well, I hope, especiallymy last two boys, for, after hearing Nat play to-night, I really thinkhe has genius."

"Too soon to say; talent he certainly has, and there is no doubt thatthe boy can soon earn his bread by the work he loves. Build him upfor another year or so, and then I will take him off your hands, andlaunch him properly."

"That is such a pleasant prospect for poor Nat, who came to me sixmonths ago so friendless and forlorn. Dan's future is already plainto me. Mr. Hyde will want him soon, and I mean to give him abrave and faithful little servant. Dan is one who can serve well ifthe wages are love and confidence, and he has the energy to carveout his own future in his own way. Yes, I am very happy over oursuccess with these boys one so weak, and one so wild; both somuch better now, and so full of promise."

"What magic did you use, Jo?"

"I only loved them, and let them see it. Fritz did the rest."

"Dear soul! you look as if 'only loving' had been rather hard worksometimes," said Laurie, stroking her thin cheek with a look ofmore tender admiration than he had ever given her as a girl.

"I'm a faded old woman, but I'm a very happy one; so don't pityme, Teddy;" and she glanced about the room with eyes full of asincere content.

"Yes, your plan seems to work better and better every year," hesaid, with an emphatic nod of approval toward the cheery scenebefore him.

"How can it fail to work well when I have so much help from youall?" answered Mrs. Jo, looking gratefully at her most generouspatron.

"It is the best joke of the family, this school of yours and itssuccess. So unlike the future we planned for you, and yet so suitedto you after all. It was a regular inspiration, Jo," said Laurie,dodging her thanks as usual.

"Ah! but you laughed at it in the beginning, and still make allmanner of fun of me and my inspirations. Didn't you predict thathaving girls with the boys would be a dead failure? Now see howwell it works;" and she pointed to the happy group of lads andlassies dancing, singing, and chattering together with every sign ofkindly good fellowship.

"I give in, and when my Goldilocks is old enough I'll send her toyou. Can I say more than that?"

"I shall be so proud to have your little treasure trusted to me. Butreally, Teddy, the effect of these girls has been excellent. I knowyou will laugh at me, but I don't mind, I'm used to it; so I'll tell youthat one of my favorite fancies is to look at my family as a smallworld, to watch the progress of my little men, and, lately, to seehow well the influence of my little women works upon them.Daisy is the domestic element, and they all feel the charm of herquiet, womanly ways. Nan is the restless, energetic, strong-mindedone; they admire her courage, and give her a fair chance to workout her will, seeing that she has sympathy as well as strength, andthe power to do much in their small world. Your Bess is the lady,full of natural refinement, grace, and beauty. She polishes themunconsciously, and fills her place as any lovely woman may, usingher gentle influence to lift and hold them above the coarse, roughthings of life, and keep them gentlemen in the best sense of thefine old word."

"It is not always the ladies who do that best, Jo. It is sometimes thestrong brave woman who stirs up the boy and makes a man ofhim;" and Laurie bowed to her with a significant laugh.

"No; I think the graceful woman, whom the boy you allude tomarried, has done more for him than the wild Nan of his youth; or,better still, the wise, motherly woman who watched over him, asDaisy watches over Demi, did more to make him what he is;" andJo turned toward her mother, who sat a little apart with Meg,looking so full of the sweet dignity and beauty of old age, thatLaurie gave her a glance of filial respect and love as he replied, inserious earnest,

"All three did much for him, and I can understand how well theselittle girls will help your lads."

"Not more than the lads help them; it is mutual, I assure you. Natdoes much for Daisy with his music; Dan can manage Nan betterthan any of us; and Demi teaches your Goldilocks so easily andwell that Fritz calls them Roger Ascham and Lady Jane Grey. Dearme! if men and women would only trust, understand, and help oneanother as my children do, what a capital place the world wouldbe!" and Mrs. Jo's eyes grew absent, as if she was looking at a newand charming state of society in which people lived as happily andinnocently as her flock at Plumfield.

"You are doing your best to help on the good time, my dear.Continue to believe in it, to work for it, and to prove its possibilityby the success of her small experiment," said Mr. March, pausingas he passed to say an encouraging word, for the good man neverlost his faith in humanity, and still hoped to see peace, good-will,and happiness reign upon the earth.

"I am not so ambitious as that, father. I only want to give thesechildren a home in which they can be taught a few simple thingswhich will help to make life less hard to them when they go out tofight their battles in the world. Honesty, courage, industry, faith inGod, their fellow-creatures, and themselves; that is all I try for."

"That is every thing. Give them these helps, then let them go towork out their life as men and women; and whatever their successor failure is, I think they will remember and bless your efforts, mygood son and daughter."

The Professor had joined them, and as Mr. March spoke he gave ahand to each, and left them with a look that was a blessing. As Joand her husband stood together for a moment talking quietly, andfeeling that their summer work had been well done if fatherapproved, Mr. Laurie slipped into the hall, said a word to thechildren, and all of a sudden the whole flock pranced into theroom, joined hands and danced about Father and Mother Bhaer,singing blithely

"Summer days are over,

Summer work is done;

Harvests have been gathered

Gayly one by one.

Now the feast is eaten,

Finished is the play;

But one rite remains for

Our Thanksgiving-day.

"Best of all the harvest

In the dear God's sight,

Are the happy children

In the home to-night;

And we come to offer

Thanks where thanks are due,

With grateful hearts and voices,

Father, mother, unto you."

With the last words the circle narrowed till the good Professor andhis wife were taken prisoner by many arms, and half hidden by thebouquet of laughing young faces which surrounded them, provingthat one plant had taken root and blossomed beautifully in all thelittle gardens. For love is a flower that grows in any soil, works itssweet miracles undaunted by autumn frost or winter snow,blooming fair and fragrant all the year, and blessing those whogive and those who receive.