Within lie snoods that bound her hair , Slippers that have danced their last , Faded flowers laid by with care , Fans whose airy toils are past , Gay valentines , all ardent flames , Trifles that have borne their part In girlish hopes and fears and shames , The record of a maiden heart Now learning fairer , truer spells , Hearing , like a blithe refrain , The silver sound of bridal bells In the falling summer rain . Four little chests all in a row , Dim with dust , and worn by time , Four women , taught by weal and woe To love and labor in their prime . Four sisters , parted for an hour , None lost , one only gone before , Made by love 's immortal power , Nearest and dearest evermore . Oh , when these hidden stores of ours Lie open to the Father 's sight , May they be rich in golden hours , Deeds that show fairer for the light , Lives whose brave music long shall ring , Like a spirit-stirring strain , Souls that shall gladly soar and sing In the long sunshine after rain . `` It 's very bad poetry , but I felt it when I wrote it , one day when I was very lonely , and had a good cry on a rag bag . I never thought it would go where it could tell tales , '' said Jo , tearing up the verses the Professor had treasured so long . `` Let it go , it has done its duty , and I will haf a fresh one when I read all the brown book in which she keeps her little secrets , '' said Mr. Bhaer with a smile as he watched the fragments fly away on the wind . `` Yes , '' he added earnestly , `` I read that , and I think to myself , She has a sorrow , she is lonely , she would find comfort in true love . I haf a heart full , full for her . Shall I not go and say , ` If this is not too poor a thing to gif for what I shall hope to receive , take it in Gott 's name ? ' '' `` And so you came to find that it was not too poor , but the one precious thing I needed , '' whispered Jo . `` I had no courage to think that at first , heavenly kind as was your welcome to me . But soon I began to hope , and then I said , ' I will haf her if I die for it , ' and so I will ! '' cried Mr. Bhaer , with a defiant nod , as if the walls of mist closing round them were barriers which he was to surmount or valiantly knock down . Jo thought that was splendid , and resolved to be worthy of her knight , though he did not come prancing on a charger in gorgeous array . `` What made you stay away so long ? '' she asked presently , finding it so pleasant to ask confidential questions and get delightful answers that she could not keep silent . `` It was not easy , but I could not find the heart to take you from that so happy home until I could haf a prospect of one to gif you , after much time , perhaps , and hard work . How could I ask you to gif up so much for a poor old fellow , who has no fortune but a little learning ? '' `` I 'm glad you are poor .
I could n't bear a rich husband , '' said XXXXX decidedly , adding in a softer tone , `` Do n't fear poverty .
Bhaer Gott Jo charger hour hours labor snoods toils weal