If he had any sorrow , ` it sat with its head under its wing ' , and he turned only his sunny side to the world . There were lines upon his forehead , but Time seemed to have touched him gently , remembering how kind he was to others . The pleasant curves about his mouth were the memorials of many friendly words and cheery laughs , his eyes were never cold or hard , and his big hand had a warm , strong grasp that was more expressive than words . His very clothes seemed to partake of the hospitable nature of the wearer . They looked as if they were at ease , and liked to make him comfortable . His capacious waistcoat was suggestive of a large heart underneath . His rusty coat had a social air , and the baggy pockets plainly proved that little hands often went in empty and came out full . His very boots were benevolent , and his collars never stiff and raspy like other people 's . `` That 's it ! '' said Jo to herself , when she at length discovered that genuine good will toward one 's fellow men could beautify and dignify even a stout German teacher , who shoveled in his dinner , darned his own socks , and was burdened with the name of Bhaer . Jo valued goodness highly , but she also possessed a most feminine respect for intellect , and a little discovery which she made about the Professor added much to her regard for him . He never spoke of himself , and no one ever knew that in his native city he had been a man much honored and esteemed for learning and integrity , till a countryman came to see him . He never spoke of himself , and in a conversation with Miss Norton divulged the pleasing fact . From her Jo learned it , and liked it all the better because Mr. Bhaer had never told it . She felt proud to know that he was an honored Professor in Berlin , though only a poor language-master in America , and his homely , hard-working life was much beautified by the spice of romance which this discovery gave it . Another and a better gift than intellect was shown her in a most unexpected manner . Miss Norton had the entree into most society , which Jo would have had no chance of seeing but for her . The solitary woman felt an interest in the ambitious girl , and kindly conferred many favors of this sort both on Jo and the Professor . She took them with her one night to a select symposium , held in honor of several celebrities . Jo went prepared to bow down and adore the mighty ones whom she had worshiped with youthful enthusiasm afar off .
But her reverence for genius received a severe shock that XXXXX , and it took her some time to recover from the discovery that the great creatures were only men and women after all .
America Berlin Bhaer German Jo Norton Professor Time night wearer