whispered Jo , as she met them at the door with a smile of welcome , and no change in her gentle manner , except more gentleness . `` Dear Jo , the love that has blest me for ten happy years supports me still . It could not die , and John is more my own than ever , '' whispered Meg ; and in her eyes the tender trust was so beautiful and bright , that Jo believed her , and thanked God for the immortality of love like hers . They were all there father and mother , Uncle Teddy , and Aunt Amy , old Mr. Laurence , white-haired and feeble now , Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer , with their flock , and many friends , come to do honor to the dead . One would have said that modest John Brooke , in his busy , quiet , humble life , had had little time to make friends ; but now they seemed to start up everywhere , old and young , rich and poor , high and low ; for all unconsciously his influence had made itself widely felt , his virtues were remembered , and his hidden charities rose up to bless him . The group about his coffin was a far more eloquent eulogy than any Mr. March could utter . There were the rich men whom he had served faithfully for years ; the poor old women whom he cherished with his little store , in memory of his mother ; the wife to whom he had given such happiness that death could not mar it utterly ; the brothers and sisters in whose hearts he had made a place for ever ; the little son and daughter , who already felt the loss of his strong arm and tender voice ; the young children , sobbing for their kindest playmate , and the tall lads , watching with softened faces a scene which they never could forget . A very simple service , and very short ; for the fatherly voice that had faltered in the marriage-sacrament now failed entirely as Mr. March endeavored to pay his tribute of reverence and love to the son whom he most honored . Nothing but the soft coo of Baby Josy 's voice up-stairs broke the long hush that followed the last Amen , till , at a sign from Mr. Bhaer , the well-trained boyish voices broke out in a hymn , so full of lofty cheer , that one by one all joined in it , singing with full hearts , and finding their troubled spirits lifted into peace on the wings of that brave , sweet psalm . As Meg listened , she felt that she had done well ; for not only did the moment comfort her with the assurance that John 's last lullaby was sung by the young voices he loved so well , but in the faces of the boys she saw that they had caught a glimpse of the beauty of virtue in its most impressive form , and that the memory of the good man lying dead before them would live long and helpfully in their remembrance . Daisy 's head lay in her lap , and Demi held her hand , looking often at her , with eyes so like his father 's , and a little gesture that seemed to say , `` Do n't be troubled , mother ; I am here ; '' and all about her were friends to lean upon and love ; so patient , pious Meg put by her heavy grief , feeling that her best help would be to live for others , as her John had done . That evening , as the Plumfield boys sat on the steps , as usual , in the mild September moonlight , they naturally fell to talking of the event of the day . Emil began by breaking out , in his impetuous way , `` Uncle Fritz is the wisest , and Uncle Laurie the jolliest , but Uncle John was the best ; and I 'd rather be like him than any man I ever saw . '' `` So would I . Did you hear what those gentlemen said to Grandpa to-day ? I would like to have that said of me when I was dead ; '' and Franz felt with regret that he had not appreciated Uncle John enough . `` What did they say ? '' asked Jack , who had been much impressed by the scenes of the day . `` Why , one of the partners of Mr. Laurence , where Uncle John has been ever so long , was saying that he was conscientious almost to a fault as a business man , and above reproach in all things . Another gentleman said no money could repay the fidelity and honesty with which Uncle John had served him , and then Grandpa told them the best of all .
Uncle XXXXX once had a place in the office of a man who cheated , and when this man wanted uncle to help him do it , uncle would n't , though he was offered a big salary .
Amen Bhaer Daisy Emil Grandpa Jo John Laurence Teddy years