`` I 'll testify that you tried to do it , '' said Laurie with a grateful look . `` And I 've succeeded beyond my hopes , for here you are , a steady , sensible businessman , doing heaps of good with your money , and laying up the blessings of the poor , instead of dollars . But you are not merely a businessman , you love good and beautiful things , enjoy them yourself , and let others go halves , as you always did in the old times . I am proud of you , Teddy , for you get better every year , and everyone feels it , though you wo n't let them say so . Yes , and when I have my flock , I 'll just point to you , and say ` There 's your model , my lads ' . '' Poor Laurie did n't know where to look , for , man though he was , something of the old bashfulness came over him as this burst of praise made all faces turn approvingly upon him . `` I say , Jo , that 's rather too much , '' he began , just in his old boyish way . `` You have all done more for me than I can ever thank you for , except by doing my best not to disappoint you . You have rather cast me off lately , Jo , but I 've had the best of help , nevertheless . So , if I 've got on at all , you may thank these two for it , '' and he laid one hand gently on his grandfather 's head , and the other on Amy 's golden one , for the three were never far apart . `` I do think that families are the most beautiful things in all the world ! '' burst out Jo , who was in an unusually up-lifted frame of mind just then . `` When I have one of my own , I hope it will be as happy as the three I know and love the best . If John and my Fritz were only here , it would be quite a little heaven on earth , '' she added more quietly . And that night when she went to her room after a blissful evening of family counsels , hopes , and plans , her heart was so full of happiness that she could only calm it by kneeling beside the empty bed always near her own , and thinking tender thoughts of Beth . It was a very astonishing year altogether , for things seemed to happen in an unusually rapid and delightful manner . Almost before she knew where she was , Jo found herself married and settled at Plumfield . Then a family of six or seven boys sprung up like mushrooms , and flourished surprisingly , poor boys as well as rich , for Mr. Laurence was continually finding some touching case of destitution , and begging the Bhaers to take pity on the child , and he would gladly pay a trifle for its support . In this way , the sly old gentleman got round proud Jo , and furnished her with the style of boy in which she most delighted . Of course it was uphill work at first , and Jo made queer mistakes , but the wise Professor steered her safely into calmer waters , and the most rampant ragamuffin was conquered in the end .
How XXXXX did enjoy her ` wilderness of boys ' , and how poor , dear Aunt March would have lamented had she been there to see the sacred precincts of prim , well-ordered Plumfield overrun with Toms , Dicks , and Harrys !
Amy Bhaers Jo Laurie Professor bashfulness destitution evening first year