And Mr. Bhaer cleared his throat with a gratified `` Hem ! '' as he stepped into the corner where Jo stood , saying ... `` You will sing with me ? We go excellently well together . '' A pleasing fiction , by the way , for Jo had no more idea of music than a grasshopper . But she would have consented if he had proposed to sing a whole opera , and warbled away , blissfully regardless of time and tune . It did n't much matter , for Mr. Bhaer sang like a true German , heartily and well , and Jo soon subsided into a subdued hum , that she might listen to the mellow voice that seemed to sing for her alone . Know ` st thou the land where the citron blooms , used to be the Professor 's favorite line , for ` das land ' meant Germany to him , but now he seemed to dwell , with peculiar warmth and melody , upon the words ... There , oh there , might I with thee , O , my beloved , go and one listener was so thrilled by the tender invitation that she longed to say she did know the land , and would joyfully depart thither whenever he liked . The song was considered a great success , and the singer retired covered with laurels . But a few minutes afterward , he forgot his manners entirely , and stared at Amy putting on her bonnet , for she had been introduced simply as ` my sister ' , and no one had called her by her new name since he came . He forgot himself still further when Laurie said , in his most gracious manner , at parting ... `` My wife and I are very glad to meet you , sir . Please remember that there is always a welcome waiting for you over the way . '' Then the Professor thanked him so heartily , and looked so suddenly illuminated with satisfaction , that Laurie thought him the most delightfully demonstrative old fellow he ever met . `` I too shall go , but I shall gladly come again , if you will gif me leave , dear madame , for a little business in the city will keep me here some days . '' He spoke to Mrs. March , but he looked at Jo , and the mother 's voice gave as cordial an assent as did the daughter 's eyes , for Mrs. March was not so blind to her children 's interest as Mrs. Moffat supposed . `` I suspect that is a wise man , '' remarked Mr. March , with placid satisfaction , from the hearthrug , after the last guest had gone . `` I know he is a good one , '' added Mrs. March , with decided approval , as she wound up the clock . `` I thought you 'd like him , '' was all Jo said , as she slipped away to her bed . She wondered what the business was that brought Mr. Bhaer to the city , and finally decided that he had been appointed to some great honor , somewhere , but had been too modest to mention the fact . If she had seen his face when , safe in his own room , he looked at the picture of a severe and rigid young lady , with a good deal of hair , who appeared to be gazing darkly into futurity , it might have thrown some light upon the subject , especially when he turned off the gas , and kissed the picture in the dark . CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR MY LORD AND LADY `` Please , Madam Mother , could you lend me my wife for half an hour ?
The luggage has come , and I 've been making hay of XXXXX 's Paris finery , trying to find some things I want , '' said Laurie , coming in the next day to find Mrs. Laurence sitting in her mother 's lap , as if being made ` the baby ' again .
Amy Bhaer German Jo Moffat Mother futurity hearthrug hour minutes