Such a weary search ! But now some inexplicable instinct seemed to lead the anxious mother , for presently Dan uttered a cry , and caught up a little shining object lying in the path . It was the cover of the new tin pail , dropped in the first alarm of being lost . Mrs. Jo hugged and kissed it as if it were a living thing ; and when Dan was about to utter a glad shout to bring the others to the spot , she stopped him , saying , as she hurried on , `` No , let me find them ; I let Rob go , and I want to give him back to his father all myself . '' A little farther on Nan 's hat appeared , and after passing the place more than once , they came at last upon the babes in the wood , both sound asleep . Dan never forgot the little picture on which the light of his lantern shone that night . He thought Mrs. Jo would cry out , but she only whispered , `` Hush ! '' as she softly lifted away the apron , and saw the little ruddy face below . 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. XXXXX ; and Dan , getting upon the wall , sent a joyful word `` Found ! ''
Dan Jo Marmar Nan Rob Teddy first night penitence to-night