I haf no words to outpour my gratitude , and can only ask of the dear Gott in Himmel to bless and keep you all , ' cried Professor Bhaer , trying to gather all four into his arms at once , while tears rolled down his cheeks , and his English failed him . An April shower cleared the air and relieved the full hearts of the happy family ; then of course everyone began to talk -- Franz and Ludmilla in German with uncle , Emil and Mary with the aunts ; and round this group gathered the young folk , clamouring to hear all about the wreck , and the rescue , and the homeward voyage . It was a very different story from the written one ; and as they listened to Emil 's graphic words , with Mary 's soft voice breaking in now and then to add some fact that brought out the courage , patience , and self-sacrifice he so lightly touched upon , it became a solemn and pathetic thing to see and hear these happy creatures tell of that great danger and deliverance . ' I never hear the patter of rain now that I do n't want to say my prayers ; and as for women , I 'd like to take my hat off to every one of 'em , for they are braver than any man I ever saw , ' said Emil , with the new gravity that was as becoming to him as the new gentleness with which he treated everyone . ` If women are brave , some men are as tender and self-sacrificing as women . I know one who in the night slipped his share of food into a girl 's pocket , though starving himself , and sat for hours rocking a sick man in his arms that he might get a little sleep . No , love , I will tell , and you must let me ! ' cried Mary , holding in both her own the hand he laid on her lips to silence her . ` Only did my duty . If that torment had lasted much longer I might have been as bad as poor Barry and the boatswain . Was n't that an awful night ? ' And Emil shuddered as he recalled it . ` Do n't think of it , dear . Tell about the happy days on the Urania , when papa grew better and we were all safe and homeward bound , ' said Mary , with the trusting look and comforting touch which seemed to banish the dark and recall the bright side of that terrible experience . Emil cheered up at once , and sitting with his arm about his ` dear lass ' , in true sailor fashion told the happy ending of the tale . ` Such a jolly old time as we had at Hamburg ! Uncle Hermann could n't do enough for the captain , and while mamma took care of him , Mary looked after me . I had to go into dock for repairs ; fire hurt my eyes , and watching for a sail and want of sleep made 'em as hazy as a London fog . She was pilot and brought me in all right , you see , only I could n't part company , so she came aboard as first mate , and I 'm bound straight for glory now . ' ` Hush !
that 's silly , dear , ' whispered XXXXX , trying in her turn to stop him , with English shyness about tender topics .
Barry Bhaer Franz German London Mary days first hours night