The rattle of cups and tongues grew brisk , and the setting sun saw a cheerful company resting in the bright room after the varied labours of the day . Professor Bhaer was grey now , but robust and genial as ever ; for he had the work he loved , and did it so heartily that the whole college felt his beautiful influence . Rob was as much like him as it was possible for a boy to be , and was already called the ` young Professor ' , he so adored study and closely imitated his honoured father in all ways . ` Well , heart 's dearest , we go to have our boys again , all two , and may rejoice greatly , ' said Mr Bhaer , seating himself beside Jo with a beaming face and a handshake of congratulation . ` Oh , Fritz , I 'm so delighted about Emil , and if you approve about Franz also . Did you know Ludmilla ? Is it a wise match ? ' asked Mrs Jo , handing him her cup of tea and drawing closer , as if she welcomed her refuge in joy as well as sorrow . ` It all goes well . I saw the Madchen when I went over to place Franz . A child then , but most sweet and charming . Blumenthal is satisfied , I think , and the boy will be happy . He is too German to be content away from Vaterland , so we shall have him as a link between the new and the old , and that pleases me much . ' ` And Emil , he is to be second mate next voyage ; is n't that fine ? I 'm so happy that both your boys have done well ; you gave up so much for them and their mother . You make light of it , dear , but I never forget it , ' said Jo , with her hand in his as sentimentally as if she was a girl again and her Fritz had come a-wooing . He laughed his cheery laugh , and whispered behind her fan : ` If I had not come to America for the poor lads , I never should have found my Jo . The hard times are very sweet now , and I bless Gott for all I seemed to lose , because I gained the blessing of my life . ' ` Spooning ! spooning !
Here 's an awful flirtation on the sly , ' cried Teddy , peering over the fan just at that interesting moment , much to his mother 's confusion and his father 's amusement ; for the XXXXX never was ashamed of the fact that he still considered his wife the dearest woman in the world .
America Blumenthal Fritz German Jo Madchen Professor Vaterland labours second