It will do them good , I know . If they would sing one of the sweet old hymns you have taught them so well , I should like it better than any other music , and feel that it was beautifully suited to the occasion . Please ask them , with my love . `` MEG . '' `` Will you go ? '' and Mr. Bhaer looked at the lads , who were greatly touched by Mrs. Brooke 's kind words and wishes . `` Yes , '' they answered , like one boy ; and an hour later they went away with Franz to bear their part in John Brooke 's simple funeral . The little house looked as quiet , sunny , and home-like as when Meg entered it as a bride , ten years ago , only then it was early summer , and rose blossomed everywhere ; now it was early autumn , and dead leaves rustled softly down , leaving the branches bare . The bride was a widow now ; but the same beautiful serenity shone in her face , and the sweet resignation of a truly pious soul made her presence a consolation to those who came to comfort her . `` O Meg ! how can you bear it so ? '' 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 XXXXX 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 .
Amy Bhaer Brooke John March Meg Teddy eulogy up-stairs years