` Pleasant ! it 's all that kept me alive , I do believe ; yes , I 'd rather have done it than be made president or any other big bug in the world . No one knows what a comfort it is to think I 've saved twenty men to more than pay for -- ' There Dan stopped short , having evidently spoken out of some strong emotion to which his hearer had no key . ' I thought you 'd feel so . It is a splendid thing to save life at the risk of one 's own , as you did , and nearly lose it , ' began Mrs Jo , wishing he had gone on with that impulsive speech which was so like his old manner . ' `` He that loseth his life shall gain it '' , ' muttered Dan , staring at the cheerful fire which lighted the room , and shone on his thin face with a ruddy glow . Mrs Jo was so startled at hearing such words from his lips that she exclaimed joyfully : ` Then you did read the little book I gave you , and kept your promise ? ' ' I read it a good deal after a while . I do n't know much yet , but I 'm ready to learn ; and that 's something . ' ` It 's everything . Oh , my dear , tell me about it ! I know something lies heavy on your heart ; let me help you bear it , and so make the burden lighter . ' ' I know it would ; I want to tell ; but some things even you could n't forgive ; and if you let go of me , I 'm afraid I ca n't keep afloat . ' ` Mothers can forgive anything ! Tell me all , and be sure that I will never let you go , though the whole world should turn from you . ' Mrs Jo took one of the big wasted hands in both of hers and held it fast , waiting silently till that sustaining touch warmed poor Dan 's heart , and gave him courage to speak . Sitting in his old attitude , with his head in his hands , he slowly told it all , never once looking up till the last words left his lips . ` Now you know ; can you forgive a murderer , and keep a jail-bird in your house ? ' Her only answer was to put her arms about him , and lay the shorn head on her breast , with eyes so full of tears they could but dimly see the hope and fear that made his own so tragical . That was better than any words ; and poor Dan clung to her in speechless gratitude , feeling the blessedness of mother love -- that divine gift which comforts , purifies , and strengthens all who seek it .
Two or three great , bitter drops were hidden in the little woollen shawl where XXXXX 's cheek rested , and no one ever knew how soft and comfortable it felt to him after the hard pillows he had known so long .
Dan Jo blessedness burden emotion fire head jail-bird left loseth