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 John . ' It was well for her that Demi was absent when she stole down to join the guests who soon began to flow through the house in a steady stream . The new brightness which touched her usually thoughtful face was easily explained by the congratulations she received as orator , and the slight agitation observable , when a fresh batch of gentlemen approached soon passed , as none of them noticed the flowers she wore over a very happy heart . Demi meantime was escorting certain venerable personages about the college , and helping his grandfather entertain them with discussion of the Socratic method of instruction , Pythagoras , Pestalozzi , Froebel , and the rest , whom he devoutly wished at the bottom of the Red Sea , and no wonder , for his head and his heart were full of love and roses , hopes and fears . He piloted the ` potent , grave , and reverend seigniors ' safely down to Plumfield at last , and landed them before his uncle and aunt Bhaer , who were receiving in state , the one full of genuine delight in all men and things , the other suffering martyrdom with a smile , as she stood shaking hand after hand , and affecting utter unconsciousness of the sad fact that ponderous Professor Plock had camped upon the train of her state and festival velvet gown .
With a long sigh of relief XXXXX glanced about him for the beloved girl .
Alice Daisy Demi Froebel Nat Pestalozzi Plumfield Right Socratic seigniors