The man was angry and said , ` You will never get on in business with such strict principles ; ' and uncle answered back , ' I never will try to get on without them , ' and left the place for a much harder and poorer one . '' `` Good ! '' cried several of the boys warmly , for they were in the mood to understand and value the little story as never before . `` He was n't rich , was he ? '' asked Jack . `` No . '' `` He never did any thing to make a stir in the world , did he ? '' `` No . '' `` He was only good ? '' `` That 's all ; '' and Franz found himself wishing that Uncle John had done something to boast of , for it was evident that Jack was disappointed by his replies . `` Only good . That is all and every thing , '' said Mr. Bhaer , who had overheard the last few words , and guessed what was going on the minds of the lads . `` Let me tell you a little about John Brooke , and you will see why men honor him , and why he was satisfied to be good rather than rich or famous . He simply did his duty in all things , and did it so cheerfully , so faithfully , that it kept him patient and brave , and happy through poverty and loneliness and years of hard work . He was a good son , and gave up his own plans to stay and live with his mother while she needed him . He was a good friend , and taught Laurie much beside his Greek and Latin , did it unconsciously , perhaps , by showing him an example of an upright man . He was a faithful servant , and made himself so valuable to those who employed him that they will find it hard to fill his place . He was a good husband and father , so tender , wise , and thoughtful , that Laurie and I learned much of him , and only knew how well he loved his family , when we discovered all he had done for them , unsuspected and unassisted . '' Mr. Bhaer stopped a minute , and the boys sat like statues in the moonlight until he went on again , in a subdued , but earnest voice : `` As he lay dying , I said to him , ` Have no care for Meg and the little ones ; I will see that they never want . ' Then he smiled and pressed my hand , and answered , in his cheerful way , ` No need of that ; I have cared for them . '
And so he had , for when we looked among his papers , all was in order , not a debt remained ; and safely put away was enough to keep XXXXX comfortable and independent .
Bhaer Brooke Franz Greek Jack John Laurie Meg left years