The berry-stained lips were half-open as the breath came and went , the yellow hair lay damp on the hot forehead , and both the chubby hands held fast the little pail still full . The sight of the childish harvest , treasured through all the troubles of that night for her , seemed to touch Mrs. Jo to the heart , for suddenly she gathered up her boy , and began to cry over him , so tenderly , yet so heartily , that he woke up , and at first seemed bewildered . Then he remembered , and hugged her close , saying with a laugh of triumph , `` I knew you 'd come ! O Marmar ! I did want you so ! '' For a moment they kissed and clung to one another , quite forgetting all the world ; for no matter how lost and soiled and worn-out wandering sons may be , mothers can forgive and forget every thing as they fold them in their fostering arms . Happy the son whose faith in his mother remains unchanged , and who , through all his wanderings , has kept some filial token to repay her brave and tender love . Dan meantime picked Nan out of her bush , and , with a gentleness none but Teddy ever saw in him before , he soothed her first alarm at the sudden waking , and wiped away her tears ; for Nan also began to cry for joy , it was so good to see a kind face and feel a strong arm round her after what seemed to her ages of loneliness and fear . `` My poor little girl , do n't cry ! You are all safe now , and no one shall say a word of blame to-night , '' said Mrs. Jo , taking Nan into her capacious embrace , and cuddling both children as a hen might gather her lost chickens under her motherly wings . `` It was my fault ; but I am sorry . I tried to take care of him , and I covered him up and let him sleep , and did n't touch his berries , though I was so hungry ; and I never will do it again truly , never , never , '' sobbed Nan , quite lost in a sea of penitence and thankfulness . `` Call them now , and let us get home , '' said Mrs. Jo ; and Dan , getting upon the wall , sent a joyful word `` Found ! '' ringing over the field . How the wandering lights came dancing from all sides , and gathered round the little group among the sweet fern bushes ! Such a hugging , and kissing , and talking , and crying , as went on must have amazed the glowworms , and evidently delighted the mosquitoes , for they hummed frantically , while the little moths came in flocks to the party , and the frogs croaked as if they could not express their satisfaction loudly enough . Then they set out for home , a queer party , for Franz rode on to tell the news ; Dan and Toby led the way ; then came Nan in the strong arms of Silas , who considered her `` the smartest little baggage he ever saw , '' and teased her all the way home about her pranks . Mrs. Bhaer would let no one carry Rob but himself , and the little fellow , refreshed by sleep , sat up , and chattered gayly , feeling himself a hero , while his mother went beside him holding on to any pat of his precious little body that came handy , and never tired of hearing him say , `` I knew Marmar would come , '' or seeing him lean down to kiss her , and put a plump berry into her mouth , '' 'Cause he picked 'em all for her . '' The moon shone out just as they reached the avenue , and all the boys came shouting to meet them , so the lost lambs were borne in triumph and safety , and landed in the dining-room , where the unromantic little things demanded supper instead of preferring kisses and caresses . They were set down to bread and milk , while the entire household stood round to gaze upon them .
XXXXX soon recovered her spirits , and recounted her perils with a relish now that they were all over .
Bhaer Dan Franz Nan Rob Silas Toby first penitence to-night