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

Chapter 18 128'And it was, my dear, it was! Captain Hardy testifies to that, and here is your reward'; and Mrs Jo kissed Marywith a maternal tenderness which betrayed that she liked the English rose better than the blue-eyed GermanKornblumen, sweet and modest though it was.Emil surveyed the little ceremony with complacency, saying, as he looked about the room which he neverthought to see again: 'Odd, isn't it, how clearly trifles come back to one in times of danger? As we floatedthere, half-starved, and in despair, I used to think I heard the bells ringing here, and Ted tramping downstairs,and you calling, "Boys, boys, it's time to get up!" I actually smelt the coffee we used to have, and one night Inearly cried when I woke from a dream of Asia's ginger cookies. I declare, it was one of the bitterestdisappointments of my life to face hunger with that spicy smell in my nostrils. If you've got any, do give meone!'A pitiful murmur broke from all the aunts and cousins, and Emil was at once borne away to feast on thedesired cookies, a supply always being on hand. Mrs Jo and her sister joined the other group, glad to hearwhat Franz was saying about Nat.'The minute I saw how thin and shabby he was, I knew that something was wrong; but he made light of it, andwas so happy over our visit and news that I let him off with a brief confession, and went to ProfessorBaumgarten and Bergmann. From them I learned the whole story of his spending more money than he oughtand trying to atone for it by unnecessary work and sacrifice. Baumgarten thought it would do him good, sokept his secret till I came. It did him good, and he's paid his debts and earned his bread by the sweat of hisbrow, like an honest fellow.''I like that much in Nat. It is, as I said, a lesson, and he learns it well. He proves himself a man, and hasdeserved the place Bergmann offers him,' said Mr Bhaer, looking well pleased as Franz added some factsalready recorded.'I told you, Meg, that he had good stuff in him, and love for Daisy would keep him straight. Dear lad, I wish Ihad him here this moment!' cried Mrs Jo, forgetting in delight the doubts and anxieties which had troubled herfor months past.'I am very glad, and suppose I shall give in as I always do, especially now that the epidemic rages so amongus. You and Emil have set all their heads in a ferment, and Josie will be demanding a lover before I can turnround,' answered Mrs Meg, in a tone of despair.But her sister saw that she was touched by Nat's trials, and hastened to add the triumphs, that the victorymight be complete, for success is always charming.'This offer of Herr Bergmann is a good one, isn't it?' she asked, though Mr Laurie had already satisfied her onthat point when Nat's letter brought the news.'Very fine in every way. Nat will get capital drill in Bachmeister's orchestra, see London in a delightful way,and if he suits come home with them, well started among the violins. No great honour, but a sure thing and astep up. I congratulated him, and he was very jolly over it, saying, like the true lover he is: "Tell Daisy; besure and tell her all about it." I'll leave that to you, Aunt Meg, and you can also break it gently to her that theold boy had a fine blond beard. Very becoming; hides his weak mouth, and gives a noble air to his big eyesand "Mendelssohnian brow", as a gushing girl called it. Ludmilla has a photo of it for you.'This amused them; and they listened to many other interesting bits of news which kind Franz, even in his ownhappiness, had not forgotten to remember for his friend's sake. He talked so well, and painted Nat's patient andpathetic shifts so vividly, that Mrs Meg was half won; though if she had learned of the Minna episode and thefiddling in beer-gardens and streets, she might not have relented so soon. She stored up all she heard,