` Do n't worry , Mum dear , nothing ever happens to the old fellow . He 'll turn up all right , and come stalking in some day with a gold-mine in one pocket and a prairie in the other , as jolly as a grig , ' said Ted , who was in no haste to deliver Octoo to her rightful owner . ` Perhaps he has gone to Montana and given up the farm plan . He seemed to like Indians best , I thought ' ; and Rob went to help his mother with her pile of letters and his cheerful suggestions . ' I hope so , it would suit him best . But I am sure he would have told us his change of plan and sent for some money to work with . No , I feel in my prophetic bones that something is wrong , ' said Mrs Jo , looking as solemn as Fate in a breakfast-cap . ` Then we shall hear ; ill news always travels fast . Do n't borrow trouble , Jo , but hear how well Nat is getting on . I 'd no idea the boy would care for anything but music . My good friend Baumgarten has launched him well , and it will do him good if he lose not his head . A good lad , but new to the world , and Leipzig is full of snares for the unwary . Gott be with him ! ' The Professor read Nat 's enthusiastic account of certain literary and musical parties he had been to , the splendours of the opera , the kindness of his new friends , the delight of studying under such a master as Bergmann , his hopes of rapid gain , and his great gratitude to those who had opened this enchanted world to him . ` That , now , is satisfactory and comfortable . I felt that Nat had unsuspected power in him before he went away ; he was so manly and full of excellent plans , ' said Mrs Jo , in a satisfied tone . ` We shall see . He will doubtless get his lesson and be the better for it . That comes to us all in our young days . I hope it will not be too hard for our good Jungling , ' answered the Professor , with a wise smile , remembering his own student life in Germany .
He was XXXXX ; and Nat was already getting his lesson in life with a rapidity which would have astonished his friends at home .
Bergmann Germany Indians Jo Leipzig Montana Rob breakfast-cap days right