While these internal revolutions were going on , her external life had been as busy and uneventful as usual , and if she sometimes looked serious or a little sad no one observed it but Professor Bhaer . He did it so quietly that Jo never knew he was watching to see if she would accept and profit by his reproof , but she stood the test , and he was satisfied , for though no words passed between them , he knew that she had given up writing . Not only did he guess it by the fact that the second finger of her right hand was no longer inky , but she spent her evenings downstairs now , was met no more among newspaper offices , and studied with a dogged patience , which assured him that she was bent on occupying her mind with something useful , if not pleasant . He helped her in many ways , proving himself a true friend , and Jo was happy , for while her pen lay idle , she was learning other lessons besides German , and laying a foundation for the sensation story of her own life . It was a pleasant winter and a long one , for she did not leave Mrs. Kirke till June . Everyone seemed sorry when the time came . The children were inconsolable , and Mr. Bhaer 's hair stuck straight up all over his head , for he always rumpled it wildly when disturbed in mind . `` Going home ? Ah , you are happy that you haf a home to go in , '' he said , when she told him , and sat silently pulling his beard in the corner , while she held a little levee on that last evening . She was going early , so she bade them all goodbye overnight , and when his turn came , she said warmly , `` Now , Sir , you wo n't forget to come and see us , if you ever travel our way , will you ? I 'll never forgive you if you do , for I want them all to know my friend . '' `` Do you ? Shall I come ? '' he asked , looking down at her with an eager expression which she did not see . `` Yes , come next month . Laurie graduates then , and you 'd enjoy commencement as something new . '' `` That is your best friend , of whom you speak ? '' he said in an altered tone . `` Yes , my boy Teddy . I 'm very proud of him and should like you to see him . ''
XXXXX looked up then , quite unconscious of anything but her own pleasure in the prospect of showing them to one another .
Bhaer German Jo Kirke Laurie evening evenings overnight right second