She looked up , well pleased to have touched Dan to the heart 's core , as that drop proved ; but a sweep of the arm brushed away the tell-tale , and his beard hid the mate to it , as he shut the book , saying with a suppressed quiver in his strong voice : ` I 'll keep this , if nobody wants it . I 'll read it over , and maybe it will do me good . I 'd like to meet her anywhere , but do n't believe I ever shall . ' ` Keep it and welcome . My mother gave it to me ; and when you read it try to believe that neither of your mothers will ever forget you . ' Mrs Jo gave the book with a caress ; and simply saying : ` Thanks ; good night , ' Dan thrust it into his pocket , and walked straight away to the river to recover from this unwonted mood of tenderness and confidence . Next day the travellers were off . All were in good spirits , and a cloud of handkerchiefs whitened the air as they drove away in the old bus , waving their hats to everyone and kissing their hands , especially to mother Bhaer , who said in her prophetic tone as she wiped her eyes , when the familiar rumble died away : ' I have a feeling that something is going to happen to some of them , and they will never come back to me , or come back changed . Well , I can only say , God be with my boys ! ' And He was . Chapter 7 . THE LION AND THE LAMB When the boys were gone a lull fell upon Plumfield , and the family scattered to various places for brief outings , as August had come and all felt the need of change . The Professor took Mrs Jo to the mountains . The Laurences were at the seashore , and there Meg 's family and the Bhaer boys took turns to visit , as someone must always be at home to keep things in order . Mrs Meg , with Daisy , was in office when the events occurred which we are about to relate . Rob and Ted were just up from Rocky Nook , and Nan was passing a week with her friend as the only relaxation she allowed herself . Demi was off on a run with Tom , so Rob was man of the house , with old Silas as general overseer . The sea air seemed to have gone to Ted 's head , for he was unusually freakish , and led his gentle aunt and poor Rob a life of it with his pranks . Octoo was worn out with the wild rides he took , and Don openly rebelled when ordered to leap and show off his accomplishments ; while the girls at college were both amused and worried by the ghosts who haunted the grounds at night , the unearthly melodies that disturbed their studious hours , and the hairbreadth escapes of this restless boy by flood and field and fire . Something happened at length which effectually sobered Ted and made a lasting impression on both the boys ; for sudden danger and a haunting fear turned the Lion into a lamb and the Lamb into a lion , as far as courage went .
On the first of September -- the boys never forgot the date -- after a pleasant tramp and good luck with their fishing , the brothers were lounging in the barn ; for XXXXX had company , and the lads kept out of the way . '
Bhaer Daisy Dan Nan Octoo Rob fire night quiver week