Nature is your God now ; she has done much for you ; let her do more , and lead you to know and love a wiser and more tender teacher , friend , and comforter than she can ever be . That is your only hope ; do n't throw it away , and waste time ; for sooner or later you will feel the need of Him , and He will come to you and hold you up when all other help fails . ' Dan stood motionless , and let her read in his softened eyes the dumb desire that lived in his heart , though he had no words to tell it , and only permitted her to catch a glimpse of the divine spark which smoulders or burns clearly in every human soul . He did not speak ; and glad to be spared some answer which should belie his real feelings , Mrs Jo hastened to say , with her most motherly smile : ' I saw in your room the little Bible I gave you long ago ; it was well worn outside , but fresh within , as if not much read . Will you promise me to read a little once a week , dear , for my sake ? Sunday is a quiet day everywhere , and this book is never old nor out of place . Begin with the stories you used to love when I told them to you boys . David was your favourite , you remember ? Read him again ; he 'll suit you even better now , and you 'll find his sins and repentance useful reading till you come to the life and work of a diviner example than he . You will do it , for love of mother Bhaer , who always loved her `` firebrand '' and hoped to save him ? ' ' I will , ' answered Dan , with a sudden brightening of face that was like a sunburst through a cloud , full of promise though so short-lived and rare . Mrs Jo turned at once to the books and began to talk of them , knowing well that Dan would not hear any more just then . He seemed relieved ; for it was always hard for him to show his inner self , and he took pride in hiding it as an Indian does in concealing pain or fear . ` Hallo , here 's old Sintram ! I remember him ; used to like him and his tantrums , and read about 'em to Ted . There he is riding ahead with Death and the Devil alongside . ' As Dan looked at the little picture of the young man with horse and hound going bravely up the rocky defile , accompanied by the companions who ride beside most men through this world , a curious impulse made Mrs Jo say quickly : ` That 's you , Dan , just you at this time ! Danger and sin are near you in the life you lead ; moods and passions torment you ; the bad father left you to fight alone , and the wild spirit drives you to wander up and down the world looking for peace and self-control . Even the horse and hound are there , your Octoo and Don , faithful friends , unscared by the strange mates that go with you . You have not got the armour yet , but I 'm trying to show you where to find it .
Remember the mother XXXXX loved and longed to find , and did find when his battle was bravely fought , his reward well earned ?
Bible Dan David Hallo Jo Sintram Ted burns comforter diviner