`` Only good . That is all and every thing , '' said Mr. Bhaer , who had overheard the last few words , and guessed what was going on the minds of the lads . `` Let me tell you a little about John Brooke , and you will see why men honor him , and why he was satisfied to be good rather than rich or famous . He simply did his duty in all things , and did it so cheerfully , so faithfully , that it kept him patient and brave , and happy through poverty and loneliness and years of hard work . He was a good son , and gave up his own plans to stay and live with his mother while she needed him . He was a good friend , and taught Laurie much beside his Greek and Latin , did it unconsciously , perhaps , by showing him an example of an upright man . He was a faithful servant , and made himself so valuable to those who employed him that they will find it hard to fill his place . He was a good husband and father , so tender , wise , and thoughtful , that Laurie and I learned much of him , and only knew how well he loved his family , when we discovered all he had done for them , unsuspected and unassisted . '' Mr. Bhaer stopped a minute , and the boys sat like statues in the moonlight until he went on again , in a subdued , but earnest voice : `` As he lay dying , I said to him , ` Have no care for Meg and the little ones ; I will see that they never want . ' Then he smiled and pressed my hand , and answered , in his cheerful way , ` No need of that ; I have cared for them . ' And so he had , for when we looked among his papers , all was in order , not a debt remained ; and safely put away was enough to keep Meg comfortable and independent . Then we knew why he had lived so plainly , denied himself so many pleasures , except that of charity , and worked so hard that I fear he shortened his good life . He never asked help for himself , though often for others , but bore his own burden and worked out his own task bravely and quietly . No one can say a word of complaint against him , so just and generous and kind was he ; and now , when he is gone , all find so much to love and praise and honor , that I am proud to have been his friend , and would rather leave my children the legacy he leaves his than the largest fortune ever made . Yes ! Simple , generous goodness is the best capital to found the business of this life upon . It lasts when fame and money fail , and is the only riches we can take out of this world with us . Remember that , my boys ; and if you want to earn respect and confidence and love follow in the footsteps of John Brooke . '' When Demi returned to school , after some weeks at home , he seemed to have recovered from his loss with the blessed elasticity of childhood , and so he had in a measure ; but he did not forget , for his was a nature into which things sank deeply , to be pondered over , and absorbed into the soil where the small virtues were growing fast . He played and studied , worked and sang , just as before , and few suspected any change ; but there was one and Aunt Jo saw it for she watched over the boy with her whole heart , trying to fill John 's place in her poor way .
He seldom spoke of his loss , but Aunt XXXXX often heard a stifled sobbing in the little bed at night ; and when she went to comfort him , all his cry was , `` I want my father !
Brooke Demi Greek Jo John Laurie Meg independent minute weeks