Let them hear how much you have improved , '' said Laurie , with pardonable pride in his promising pupil . But Amy whispered , with full eyes , as she twirled the faded stool , `` Not tonight , dear . I ca n't show off tonight . '' But she did show something better than brilliancy or skill , for she sang Beth 's songs with a tender music in her voice which the best master could not have taught , and touched the listener 's hearts with a sweeter power than any other inspiration could have given her . The room was very still , when the clear voice failed suddenly at the last line of Beth 's favorite hymn . It was hard to say ... Earth hath no sorrow that heaven can not heal ; and Amy leaned against her husband , who stood behind her , feeling that her welcome home was not quite perfect without Beth 's kiss . `` Now , we must finish with Mignon 's song , for Mr. Bhaer sings that , '' said Jo , before the pause grew painful . And Mr. Bhaer cleared his throat with a gratified `` Hem ! '' as he stepped into the corner where Jo stood , saying ... `` You will sing with me ? We go excellently well together . '' A pleasing fiction , by the way , for Jo had no more idea of music than a grasshopper . But she would have consented if he had proposed to sing a whole opera , and warbled away , blissfully regardless of time and tune . It did n't much matter , for Mr. Bhaer sang like a true German , heartily and well , and Jo soon subsided into a subdued hum , that she might listen to the mellow voice that seemed to sing for her alone . Know ` st thou the land where the citron blooms , used to be the Professor 's favorite line , for ` das land ' meant Germany to him , but now he seemed to dwell , with peculiar warmth and melody , upon the words ... There , oh there , might I with thee , O , my beloved , go and one listener was so thrilled by the tender invitation that she longed to say she did know the land , and would joyfully depart thither whenever he liked . The song was considered a great success , and the singer retired covered with laurels . But a few minutes afterward , he forgot his manners entirely , and stared at Amy putting on her bonnet , for she had been introduced simply as ` my sister ' , and no one had called her by her new name since he came . He forgot himself still further when Laurie said , in his most gracious manner , at parting ... `` My wife and I are very glad to meet you , sir . Please remember that there is always a welcome waiting for you over the way . '' Then the Professor thanked him so heartily , and looked so suddenly illuminated with satisfaction , that Laurie thought him the most delightfully demonstrative old fellow he ever met . `` I too shall go , but I shall gladly come again , if you will gif me leave , dear madame , for a little business in the city will keep me here some days . ''
He spoke to Mrs. March , but he looked at XXXXX , and the mother 's voice gave as cordial an assent as did the daughter 's eyes , for Mrs. March was not so blind to her children 's interest as Mrs. Moffat supposed .
Amy Beth Bhaer Jo Laurie Mignon Professor brilliancy days grasshopper