Bab Bab 21 · THANKSGIVING

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Chapter 21. THANKSGIVING

This yearly festival was always kept at Plumfield in the good

old-fashioned way, and nothing was allowed to interfere with it. For

days beforehand, the little girls helped Asia and Mrs. Jo in store-room

and kitchen, making pies and puddings, sorting fruit, dusting dishes,

and being very busy and immensely important. The boys hovered on the

outskirts of the forbidden ground, sniffing the savory odors, peeping

in at the mysterious performances, and occasionally being permitted to

taste some delicacy in the process of preparation.

Something more than usual seemed to be on foot this year, for the girls

were as busy up-stairs as down, so were the boys in school-room and

barn, and a general air of bustle pervaded the house. There was a great

hunting up of old ribbons and finery, much cutting and pasting of gold

paper, and the most remarkable quantity of straw, gray cotton, flannel,

and big black beads, used by Franz and Mrs. Jo. Ned hammered at strange

machines in the workshop, Demi and Tommy went about murmuring to

themselves as if learning something. A fearful racket was heard in

Emil's room at intervals, and peals of laughter from the nursery when

Rob and Teddy were sent for and hidden from sight whole hours at a time.

But the thing that puzzled Mr. Bhaer the most was what became of Rob's

big pumpkin. It had been borne in triumph to the kitchen, where a dozen

golden-tinted pies soon after appeared. It would not have taken more

than a quarter of the mammoth vegetable to make them, yet where was the

rest? It disappeared, and Rob never seemed to care, only chuckled when

it was mentioned, and told his father, “To wait and see,” for the fun of

the whole thing was to surprise Father Bhaer at the end, and not let him

know a bit about what was to happen.

He obediently shut eyes, ears, and mouth, and went about trying not

to see what was in plain sight, not to hear the tell-tale sounds that

filled the air, not to understand any of the perfectly transparent

mysteries going on all about him. Being a German, he loved these simple

domestic festivals, and encouraged them with all his heart, for they

made home so pleasant that the boys did not care to go elsewhere for

fun.

When at last the day came, the boys went off for a long walk, that they

might have good appetites for dinner; as if they ever needed them! The

girls remained at home to help set the table, and give last touches to

various affairs which filled their busy little souls with anxiety. The

school-room had been shut up since the night before, and Mr. Bhaer was

forbidden to enter it on pain of a beating from Teddy, who guarded the

door like a small dragon, though he was dying to tell about it, and

nothing but his father's heroic self-denial in not listening, kept him

from betraying a grand secret.

“It's all done, and it's perfectly splendid,” cried Nan, coming out at

last with an air of triumph.

“The—you know—goes beautifully, and Silas knows just what to do now,”

added Daisy, skipping with delight at some unspeakable success.

“I'm blest if it ain't the 'cutest thing I ever see, them critters in

particular,” said Silas, who had been let into the secret, went off

laughing like a great boy.

“They are coming; I hear Emil roaring 'Land lubbers lying down below,'

so we must run and dress,” cried Nan, and up-stairs they scampered in a

great hurry.

The boys came trooping home with appetites that would have made the big

turkey tremble, if it had not been past all fear. They also retired to

dress; and for half-an-hour there was a washing, brushing, and prinking

that would have done any tidy woman's heart good to see. When the bell

rang, a troop of fresh-faced lads with shiny hair, clean collars, and

Sunday jackets on, filed into the dining-room, where Mrs. Jo, in her

one black silk, with a knot of her favorite white chrysanthemums in her

bosom, sat at the head of the table, “looking splendid,” as the boys

said, whenever she got herself up. Daisy and Nan were as gay as a posy

bed in their new winter dresses, with bright sashes and hair ribbons.

Teddy was gorgeous to behold in a crimson merino blouse, and his best

button boots, which absorbed and distracted him as much as Mr. Toot's

wristbands 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 little thanksgiving

all to themselves, and without a word, for one heart said to the other,

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

The clatter of knives and forks prevented much conversation for a few

minutes, and Mary Ann with an amazing pink bow in her hair “flew round”

briskly, handing plates and ladling out gravy. Nearly every one had

contributed to the feast, so the dinner was a peculiarly interesting

ones to the eaters of it, who beguiled the pauses by remarks on their

own productions.

“If these are not good potatoes I never saw any,” observed Jack, as he

received his fourth big mealy one.

“Some of my herbs are in the stuffing of the turkey, that's why it's so

nice,” said Nan, taking a mouthful with intense satisfaction.

“My ducks are prime any way; Asia said she never cooked such fat ones,”

added Tommy.

“Well, our carrots are beautiful, ain't they, and our parsnips will

be ever so good when we dig them,” put in Dick, and Dolly murmured his

assent from behind the bone he was picking.

“I helped make the pies with my pumpkin,” called out Robby, with a 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 lately promoted to

jacket and trousers he felt a new and manly interest in the institutions

of his country.

“See who can answer that question,” and Mr. Bhaer nodded to one or two

of his best history boys.

“I know,” said Demi, “the Pilgrims made it.”

“What for?” asked Rob, without waiting to learn who the Pilgrims were.

“I forget,” and Demi subsided.

“I believe it was because they were starved once, and so when they had a

good harvest, they said, 'We will thank God for it,' and they had a day

and called it Thanksgiving,” said Dan, who liked the story of the brave

men who suffered so nobly for their faith.

“Good! I didn't think you would remember any thing but natural history,”

and Mr. Bhaer tapped gently on the table as applause for his pupil.

Dan looked pleased; and Mrs. Jo said to her son, “Now do you understand

about it, Robby?”

“No, I don't. I thought pil-grins were a sort of big bird that lived on

rocks, and I saw pictures of them in Demi's book.”

“He means penguins. Oh, isn't he a little goosey!” and Demi laid back 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 general smile

that went round the table at his mistake.

“Well, I will;” and, after a pause to collect his ideas, Demi delivered

the following sketch of the Pilgrim Fathers, which would have made even

those grave gentlemen smile if they could have heard 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 this country. 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't enough

to eat, and they went to church with guns, and ever so many died, and

they got out of the ships on a rock, and it's called Plymouth Rock, and

Aunt Jo saw it and touched it. The Pilgrims killed all the Indians,

and got rich; and hung the witches, and were very good; and some of the

greatest great-grandpas came in the ships. One was the Mayflower; and

they made Thanksgiving, and we have it always, and I like it. Some more

turkey, please.”

“I think Demi will be an historian, there is such order and clearness in

his account of events;” and Uncle Fritz's eyes laughed at Aunt Jo, as he

helped the descendant of the Pilgrims to his third bit of turkey.

“I thought you must eat as much as ever you could on Thanksgiving.

But Franz says you mustn't even then;” and Stuffy looked as if he had

received bad news.

“Franz is right, so mind your knife and fork, and be moderate, or else

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

than being moderate,” said Stuffy, who leaned to the popular belief that

Thanksgiving must be kept by coming as near apoplexy as possible, and

escaping with merely a fit of indigestion or a headache.

“Now, my 'pilgrims' amuse yourselves quietly till tea-time, for you will

have enough excitement this evening,” said Mrs. Jo, as they rose from

the table after a protracted sitting, finished by drinking every 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 long gay drive,

leaving Mrs. Jo to rest and finish sundry small affairs in peace.

An early and light tea was followed by more brushing of hair and washing

of hands; then the flock waited impatiently for the company to come.

Only the family was expected; for these small revels were strictly

domestic, and such being the case, sorrow was not allowed to sadden the

present festival. All came; Mr. and Mrs. March, with Aunt Meg, so sweet

and lovely, in spite of her black dress and the little widow's cap that

encircled her tranquil face. Uncle Teddy and Aunt Amy, with the Princess

looking more fairy-like than ever, in a sky-blue gown, and a great

bouquet of hot-house flowers, which she divided among the boys, sticking

one in each button-hole, making them feel peculiarly elegant and

festive. One strange face appeared, and Uncle Teddy led the unknown

gentleman up to the Bhaers, saying,

“This is Mr. Hyde; he has been inquiring about Dan, and I ventured to

bring him to-night, that he might see how much the boy has improved.”

The Bhaers received him cordially, for Dan's sake, pleased that the lad

had been remembered. But, after a few minutes' chat, they were 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 up when he caught

sight of his friend; pleasanter still to see Mr. Hyde's surprise and

satisfaction in Dan's improved manners and appearance, and pleasantest

of all to watch the two sit talking in a corner, forgetting the

differences of age, culture, and position, in the one subject which

interested both, as man and boy compared notes, 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 a curtain

made of two bed-covers. The children had already vanished; but stifled

laughter, and funny little exclamations from behind the curtain,

betrayed their whereabouts. The entertainment began with a spirited

exhibition of gymnastics, led by Franz. The six elder lads, in blue

trousers and red shirts, made a fine display of muscle with dumb-bells,

clubs, and weights, keeping time to the music of the piano, played by

Mrs. Jo behind the scenes. Dan was so energetic in this exercise, that

there was some danger of his knocking down his neighbors, like so many

nine-pins, or sending his bean-bags whizzing among the audience; for he

was excited by Mr. Hyde's presence, and a burning desire to do honor to

his teachers.

“A fine, strong lad. If I go on my trip to South America, in a year or

two, I shall be tempted to ask you to lend him to me, Mr. Bhaer,” said

Mr. Hyde, whose interest in Dan was much increased by the report he had

just heard of him.

“You shall have him, and welcome, though we shall miss our young

Hercules very much. It would do him a world of good, and I am sure he

would serve his friend faithfully.”

Dan heard both question and answer, and his heart leaped with joy at the

thought of travelling in a new country with Mr. Hyde, and swelled with

gratitude for the kindly commendation which rewarded his efforts to be

all these friends desired to see him.

After the gymnastics, Demi and Tommy spoke the old school dialogue,

“Money makes the mare go.” Demi did very well, but Tommy was capital

as the old farmer; for he imitated Silas in a way that convulsed the

audience, and caused Silas himself to laugh so hard that Asia had

to slap him on the back, as they stood in the hall enjoying the fun

immensely.

Then Emil, who had got his breath by this time, gave them a sea-song

in costume, with a great deal about “stormy winds,” “lee shores,” and

a rousing chorus of “Luff, boys, luff,” which made the room ring; after

which Ned performed a funny Chinese dance, and hopped about like a large

frog in a pagoda hat. As this was the only public exhibition ever held

at Plumfield, a few exercises in lightning-arithmetic, spelling,

and reading were given. Jack quite amazed the public by his rapid

calculations on the blackboard. Tommy won in the spelling match, and

Demi read a little French fable 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't

know it,” said Demi, who had gone to get his mother's kiss, and stayed

by her to explain the mystery when it should be revealed.

Goldilocks had been carried off by Aunt Jo, to the great amazement of

her papa, who quite outdid Mr. Bhaer in acting wonder, suspense, and

wild impatience to know “what was going to happen.”

At last, after much rustling, hammering, and very audible directions

from the stage manager, the curtain rose to soft music, and Bess was

discovered sitting on a stool beside a brown paper fire-place. A dearer

little Cinderella was never seen; for the gray gown was very ragged, the

tiny shoes all worn, the face so pretty under the bright hair, and the

attitude so dejected, it brought tears, as well as smiles, to the fond

eyes looking at the baby actress. She sat quite still, till a voice

whispered, “Now!” then she sighed a funny little sigh, and said, “Oh

I wish I tood go to the ball!” so naturally, that her father clapped

frantically, and her mother called out, “Little darling!” These highly

improper expressions of feeling caused 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 a door, and,

with some difficulty, the fairy godmother got herself and her pointed

hat through. It was Nan, in a red cloak, a cap, and a 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,” returned Cinderella,

tugging at her brown gown.

“No, no; you must say, 'How can I go in my rags?'” said the godmother in

her own voice.

“Oh yes, so I mus';” and the Princess said it, quite undisturbed by her

forgetfulness.

“I change your rags into a splendid dress, because you are good,” said

the godmother in her stage tones; and deliberately unbuttoning the brown

pinafore, she displayed a gorgeous sight.

The little Princess really was pretty enough to turn the heads of any

number of small princes, for her mamma had dressed her like a tiny court

lady, in a rosy silk train with satin under-skirt, and bits of bouquets

here and there, quite lovely to behold. The godmother put a crown, with

pink and white feathers drooping from it, on her head, and gave her

a pair of silver paper slippers, which she put on, and then stood up,

lifting her skirts to show them to the audience, saying, with pride, “My

dlass ones, ain't they pitty?”

She was so charmed with them, that she was with difficulty recalled to

her part, and made to say,

“But I have no toach, Dodmother.”

“Behold it!” and Nan waved her wand with such a flourish, that she

nearly knocked off the crown of the Princess.

Then appeared the grand triumph of the piece. First, a rope was seen to

flap on the floor, to tighten with a twitch as Emil's voice was heard

to say, “Heave, ahoy!” and Silas's gruff one to reply, “Stiddy,

now, stiddy!” A shout of laughter followed, for four large gray rats

appeared, rather shaky as to their legs, and queer as to their tails,

but quite fine about the head, where black beads shone in the most

lifelike manner. They drew, or were intended to appear as if they did,

a magnificent coach made of half the mammoth pumpkin, mounted on the

wheels of Teddy's wagon, painted yellow to match the gay carriage.

Perched on a seat in front sat a jolly little coachman in a white

cotton-wool wig, cocked hat, scarlet breeches, and laced coat, who

cracked a long whip and jerked the red reins so energetically, that the

gray steeds reared finely. It was Teddy, and he beamed upon the company

so affably that 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 engage

him on the spot.” The coach stopped, the godmother lifted in the

Princess, and she was trundled away in state, kissing her hand to the

public, with her glass shoes sticking up in front, and her pink train

sweeping the ground behind, for, elegant as the coach was, I regret to

say that her Highness was rather a tight fit.

The next scene was the ball, and here Nan and Daisy appeared as gay as

peacocks in all sorts of finery. Nan was especially good as the proud

sister, and crushed many imaginary ladies as she swept about the

palace-hall. The Prince, in solitary state upon a somewhat unsteady

throne, sat gazing about him from under an imposing crown, as he played

with his sword and admired the rosettes in his shoes. When Cinderella

came in he jumped up, and exclaimed, with more warmth than elegance,

“My gracious! who is that?” and immediately led the lady out to dance,

while the sisters scowled and turned up their noses in the corner.

The stately jig executed by the little couple was very pretty, for the

childish faces were so earnest, the costumes so gay, and the steps so

peculiar, that they looked like the dainty quaint figures painted on

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 finished the dance with

much grace and spirit, considering that neither knew what the other was

about.

“Drop your shoe,” whispered Mrs. Jo's voice as the lady was about to sit

down.

“Oh, I fordot!” and, taking off one of the silvery slippers, Cinderella

planted it carefully in the middle of the stage, said to Rob, “Now you

must try and tatch me,” and ran away, while the Prince, picking up the

shoe, obediently trotted after her.

The third scene, as everybody knows, is where the herald comes to try

on the shoe. Teddy, still in coachman's dress, came in blowing a tin

fish-horn melodiously, and the proud sisters each tried to put on the

slipper. Nan insisted on playing cut off her toe with a carving-knife,

and performed that operation so well that the herald was alarmed, and

begged her to be “welly keerful.” Cinderella then was called, and came

in with the pinafore half on, slipped her foot into 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. It was not long, for the

Prince ran in, dropped upon his knees, and kissed the hand of Goldilocks

with great ardor, while the herald blew a blast that nearly deafened the

audience. The curtain had no chance to fall, for the Princess ran off

the stage to her father, crying, “Didn't I do well?” while the Prince

and herald had a fencing-match with the tin horn and wooden sword.

“It was beautiful!” said every one; and, when the raptures had a little

subsided, Nat came out with his violin in his hand.

“Hush! hush!” cried all the children, and silence followed, for

something in the boy's bashful manner and appealing eyes make every one

listen kindly.

The Bhaers thought he would play some of the old airs he knew so well,

but, to their surprise, they heard a new and lovely melody, so softly,

sweetly played, that they could hardly believe it could be Nat. It was

one of those songs without words that touch the heart, and sing of all

tender home-like hopes and joys, soothing and cheering those who listen

to its simple music. Aunt Meg leaned her head on Demi's shoulder,

Grandmother wiped her eyes, and Mrs. 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 own way,”

answered Laurie, leaning down to answer her.

When Nat made his bow and was about to go, he was called back by many

hands, and had to play again. He did so with such a happy face, that

it was good to see him, for he did his best, and gave them the gay old

tunes that set the feet to dancing, and made quietude impossible.

“Clear the floor!” cried Emil; and in a minute the chairs were pushed

back, the older people put safely in corners and the children gathered

on the stage.

“Show your manners!” called Emil; and the boys pranced up to the ladies,

old and young; with polite invitations to “tread the mazy,” as dear Dick

Swiveller has it. The small lads nearly came to blows for the Princess,

but she chose Dick, like a kind, little gentlewoman as she was, and let

him lead her proudly to her place. Mrs. Jo was not allowed to decline;

and Aunt Amy filled Dan with unspeakable delight by refusing Franz and

taking him. Of course Nan and Tommy, Nat and Daisy paired off, while

Uncle Teddy went and got Asia, who was longing to “jig it,” and felt

much elated by the honor done her. Silas and Mary Ann had a private

dance in the hall; and for half-an-hour Plumfield was at its merriest.

The party wound up with a grand promenade of all the young folks, headed

by the pumpkin-coach with the Princess and driver inside, and the rats

in a wildly frisky state.

While the children enjoyed this final frolic, the elders sat in the

parlor looking on as they talked together of the little people with the

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 the future of

my boys,” she answered, smiling as she made room for him.

“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 if

they are honest men. But I will confess that I do expect a little glory

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 the best sense of the

word. The others will do well, I hope, especially my last two boys, for,

after hearing Nat play to-night, I really think he has genius.”

“Too soon to say; talent he certainly has, and there is no doubt that

the boy can soon earn his bread by the work he loves. Build him up for

another year or so, and then I will take him off your hands, and launch

him properly.”

“That is such a pleasant prospect for poor Nat, who came to me six

months ago so friendless and forlorn. Dan's future is already plain

to me. Mr. Hyde will want him soon, and I mean to give him a brave and

faithful little servant. Dan is one who can serve well if the wages are

love and confidence, and he has the energy to carve out his own future

in his own way. Yes, I am very happy over our success with these boys

one so weak, and one so wild; both so much 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 work

sometimes,” said Laurie, stroking her thin cheek with a look of more

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 pity me,

Teddy;” and she glanced about the room with eyes full of a sincere

content.

“Yes, your plan seems to work better and better every year,” he said,

with an emphatic nod of approval toward the cheery scene before him.

“How can it fail to work well when I have so much help from you all?”

answered Mrs. Jo, looking gratefully at her most generous patron.

“It is the best joke of the family, this school of yours and its

success. So unlike the future we planned for you, and yet so suited to

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 all manner

of fun of me and my inspirations. Didn't you predict that having girls

with the boys would be a dead failure? Now see how well it works;” and

she pointed to the happy group of lads and lassies dancing, singing, and

chattering together with every sign of kindly good fellowship.

“I give in, and when my Goldilocks is old enough I'll send her to you.

Can I say more than that?”

“I shall be so proud to have your little treasure trusted to me. But

really, Teddy, the effect of these girls has been excellent. I know you

will laugh at me, but I don't mind, I'm used to it; so I'll tell you

that one of my favorite fancies is to look at my family as a small

world, to watch the progress of my little men, and, lately, to see how

well the influence of my little women works upon them. Daisy is the

domestic element, and they all feel the charm of her quiet, womanly

ways. Nan is the restless, energetic, strong-minded one; they admire her

courage, and give her a fair chance to work out her will, seeing that

she has sympathy as well as strength, and the power to do much in their

small world. Your Bess is the lady, full of natural refinement, grace,

and beauty. She polishes them unconsciously, and fills her place as any

lovely woman may, using her gentle influence to lift and hold them above

the coarse, rough things of life, and keep them gentlemen in the best

sense of the fine old word.”

“It is not always the ladies who do that best, Jo. It is sometimes the

strong brave woman who stirs up the boy and makes a man of him;” and

Laurie bowed to her with a significant laugh.

“No; I think the graceful woman, whom the boy you allude to married, has

done more for him than the wild Nan of his youth; or, better still, the

wise, motherly woman who watched over him, as Daisy watches over Demi,

did more to make him what he is;” and Jo turned toward her mother, who

sat a little apart with Meg, looking so full of the sweet dignity and

beauty of old age, that Laurie gave her a glance of filial respect and

love as he replied, in serious earnest,

“All three did much for him, and I can understand how well these little

girls will help your lads.”

“Not more than the lads help them; it is mutual, I assure you. Nat does

much for Daisy with his music; Dan can manage Nan better than any of

us; and Demi teaches your Goldilocks so easily and well that Fritz calls

them Roger Ascham and Lady Jane Grey. Dear me! if men and women would

only trust, understand, and help one another as my children do, what a

capital place the world would be!” and Mrs. Jo's eyes grew absent, as if

she was looking at a new and charming state of society in which people

lived as happily and innocently 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 possibility by the

success of her small experiment,” said Mr. March, pausing as he passed

to say an encouraging word, for the good man never lost 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 these

children a home in which they can be taught a few simple things which

will help to make life less hard to them when they go out to fight their

battles in the world. Honesty, courage, industry, faith in God, their

fellow-creatures, and themselves; that is all I try for.”

“That is every thing. Give them these helps, then let them go to work

out their life as men and women; and whatever their success or failure

is, I think they will remember and bless your efforts, my good son and

daughter.”

The Professor had joined them, and as Mr. March spoke he gave a hand

to each, and left them with a look that was a blessing. As Jo and her

husband stood together for a moment talking quietly, and feeling that

their summer work had been well done if father approved, Mr. Laurie

slipped into the hall, said a word to the children, and all of a sudden

the whole flock pranced into the room, 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 and his

wife were taken prisoner by many arms, and half hidden by the bouquet of

laughing young faces which surrounded them, proving that one plant had

taken root and blossomed beautifully in all the little gardens. For love

is a flower that grows in any soil, works its sweet miracles undaunted

by autumn frost or winter snow, blooming fair and fragrant all the year,

and blessing those who give and those who receive.