But the man can work now and care for his old parents . He was in despair , sick and poor , and too proud to beg ; and our dear boy found it out , and took every penny he had , and never told even his mother till she made him . ' Alice did not hear what Daisy answered , for she was busy with her own emotions -- happy ones now , to judge from the smile that shone in her eyes and the decided gesture with which she put the little bud in her bosom , as if she said : ` He deserves some reward for that good deed , and he shall have it . ' Mrs Meg was speaking , and still of John , when she could hear again : ` Some people would call it unwise and reckless , when John has so little ; but I think his first investment a safe and good one , for `` he who giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord '' ; and I was so pleased and proud , I would n't spoil it by offering him a penny . ' ` It is his having nothing to offer that keeps him silent , I think . He is so honest , he wo n't ask till he has much to give . But he forgets that love is everything . I know he 's rich in that ; I see and feel it ; and any woman should be glad to get it . ' ` Right , dear . I felt just so , and was willing to work and wait with and for my John . ' ` So she will be , and I hope they will find it out . But she is so dutiful and good , I 'm afraid she wo n't let herself be happy . You would like it , mother ? ' ` Heartily ; for a better , nobler girl does n't live . She is all I want for my son ; and I do n't mean to lose the dear , brave creature if I can help it . Her heart is big enough for both love and duty ; and they can wait more happily if they do it together -- for wait they must , of course . ' ` I 'm so glad his choice suits you , mother , and he is spared the saddest sort of disappointment . ' Daisy 's voice broke there ; and a sudden rustle , followed by a soft murmur , seemed to tell that she was in her mother 's arms , seeking and finding comfort there . Alice heard no more , and shut her window with a guilty feeling but a shining face ; for the proverb about listeners failed here , and she had learned more than she dared to hope . Things seemed to change suddenly ; she felt that her heart was large enough for both love and duty ; she knew now that she would be welcomed by mother and sister ; and the memory of Daisy 's less happy fate , Nat 's weary probation , the long delay , and possible separation for ever -- all came before her so vividly that prudence seemed cruelty ; self-sacrifice , sentimental folly ; and anything but the whole truth , disloyalty to her lover .
As she thought thus , the half-blown rose went to join the bud ; and then , after a pause , she slowly kissed the perfect rose , and added it to the tell-tale group , saying to herself with a sort of sweet solemnity , as if the words were a vow : ` I 'll love and work and wait with and for my XXXXX . '
Alice Daisy John Meg Nat Right first lendeth love people