` And it was , my dear , it was ! Captain Hardy testifies to that , and here is your reward ' ; and Mrs Jo kissed Mary with a maternal tenderness which betrayed that she liked the English rose better than the blue-eyed German Kornblumen , sweet and modest though it was . Emil surveyed the little ceremony with complacency , saying , as he looked about the room which he never thought to see again : ` Odd , is n't it , how clearly trifles come back to one in times of danger ? As we floated there , half-starved , and in despair , I used to think I heard the bells ringing here , and Ted tramping downstairs , and you calling , `` Boys , boys , it 's time to get up ! '' I actually smelt the coffee we used to have , and one night I nearly cried when I woke from a dream of Asia 's ginger cookies . I declare , it was one of the bitterest disappointments of my life to face hunger with that spicy smell in my nostrils . If you 've got any , do give me one ! ' A pitiful murmur broke from all the aunts and cousins , and Emil was at once borne away to feast on the desired cookies , a supply always being on hand . Mrs Jo and her sister joined the other group , glad to hear what Franz was saying about Nat . ` The minute I saw how thin and shabby he was , I knew that something was wrong ; but he made light of it , and was so happy over our visit and news that I let him off with a brief confession , and went to Professor Baumgarten and Bergmann . From them I learned the whole story of his spending more money than he ought and trying to atone for it by unnecessary work and sacrifice . Baumgarten thought it would do him good , so kept his secret till I came . It did him good , and he 's paid his debts and earned his bread by the sweat of his brow , like an honest fellow . ' ' I like that much in Nat . It is , as I said , a lesson , and he learns it well . He proves himself a man , and has deserved the place Bergmann offers him , ' said Mr Bhaer , looking well pleased as Franz added some facts already recorded . ' I told you , Meg , that he had good stuff in him , and love for Daisy would keep him straight . Dear lad , I wish I had him here this moment ! ' cried Mrs Jo , forgetting in delight the doubts and anxieties which had troubled her for months past . ' I am very glad , and suppose I shall give in as I always do , especially now that the epidemic rages so among us .
You and XXXXX have set all their heads in a ferment , and Josie will be demanding a lover before I can turn round , ' answered Mrs Meg , in a tone of despair .
Asia Bergmann Emil English Hardy Jo Kornblumen Meg Nat Ted