Jo's Boys - Bibliotecadigital.puc-campinas.edu.br

Chapter 18 126mates, who welcomed her with faces full of tender pride and tearful eye. A prudent sister detained him,however, and in a moment he was able to listen with composure to the President's remarks.They were worth listening to, for Mr Bhaer spoke like a father to the children whom he was dismissing to thebattle of life; and his tender, wise, and helpful words lingered in their hearts long after the praise wasforgotten. Then came other exercises peculiar to Plumfield, and the end. Why the roof did not fly off when thesturdy lungs of the excited young men pealed out the closing hymn will for ever be a mystery; but it remainedfirm, and only the fading garlands vibrated as the waves of music rolled up and died away, leaving sweetechoes to haunt the place for another year.Dinners and spreads consumed the afternoon, and at sunset came a slight lull as everyone sought some briefrepose before the festivities of the evening began. The President's reception was one of the enjoyable things instore, also dancing on Parnassus, and as much strolling, singing, and flirting, as could be compressed into afew hours by youths and maidens just out of school.Carriages were rolling about, and gay groups on piazzas, lawns, and window-seats idly speculated as to whothe distinguished guests might be. The appearance of a very dusty vehicle loaded with trunks at Mr Bhaer'shospitably open door caused much curious comment among the loungers, especially as two ratherforeign-looking gentlemen sprang out, followed by two young ladies, all four being greeted with cries of joyand much embracing by the Bhaers. Then they all disappeared into the house, the luggage followed, and thewatchers were left to wonder who the mysterious strangers were, till a fair collegian declared that they mustbe the Professor's nephews, one of whom was expected on his wedding journey.She was right; Franz proudly presented his blonde and buxom bride, and she was hardly kissed and blessedwhen Emil led up his bonny English Mary, with the rapturous announcement:'Uncle, Aunt Jo, here's another daughter! Have you room for my wife, too?'There could be no doubt of that; and Mary was with difficulty rescued from the glad embraces of her newrelatives, who, remembering all the young pair had suffered together, felt that this was the natural and happyending of the long voyage so perilously begun.'But why not tell us, and let us be ready for two brides instead of one?' asked Mrs Jo, looking as usual ratherdemoralizing in a wrapper and crimping-pins, having rushed down from her chamber, where she waspreparing for the labours of the evening.'Well, I remembered what a good joke you all considered Uncle Laurie's marriage, and I thought I'd give youanother nice little surprise,' laughed Emil. 'I'm off duty, and it seemed best to take advantage of wind and tide,and come along as convoy to the old boy here. We hoped to get in last night, but couldn't fetch it, so here weare in time for the end of the jollification, anyway.''Ah, my sons, it is too feeling-full to see you both so happy and again in the old home. I haf no words tooutpour my gratitude, and can only ask of the dear Gott in Himmel to bless and keep you all,' cried ProfessorBhaer, trying to gather all four into his arms at once, while tears rolled down his cheeks, and his English failedhim.An April shower cleared the air and relieved the full hearts of the happy family; then of course everyonebegan to talk--Franz and Ludmilla in German with uncle, Emil and Mary with the aunts; and round this groupgathered the young folk, clamouring to hear all about the wreck, and the rescue, and the homeward voyage. Itwas a very different story from the written one; and as they listened to Emil's graphic words, with Mary's softvoice breaking in now and then to add some fact that brought out the courage, patience, and self-sacrifice heso lightly touched upon, it became a solemn and pathetic thing to see and hear these happy creatures tell of