He clung to her without a word , and in a minute she was quite steady again , and said , with a tender kiss as she saw his troubled face , `` We are going to say good-by to him , my darling , and there is no time to lose ; so dress quickly and come to me in my room . I must go to Daisy . '' `` Yes , I will ; '' and when Aunt Jo was gone , little Demi got up quietly , dressed as if in a dream , and leaving Tommy fast asleep went away through the silent house , feeling that something new and sorrowful was going to happen something that set him apart from the other boys for a time , and made the world seem as dark and still and strange as those familiar rooms did in the night . A carriage sent by Mr. Laurie stood before the door . Daisy was soon ready , and the brother and sister held each other by the hand all the way into town , as they drove swiftly and silently with aunt and uncle through the shadowy roads to say good-by to father . None of the boys but Franz and Emil knew what had happened , and when they came down next morning , great was their wonderment and discomfort , for the house seemed forlorn without its master and mistress . Breakfast was a dismal meal with no cheery Mrs. Jo behind the teapots ; and when school-time came , Father Bhaer 's place was empty . They wandered about in a disconsolate kind of way for an hour , waiting for news and hoping it would be all right with Demi 's father , for good John Brooke was much beloved by the boys . Ten o'clock came , and no one arrived to relieve their anxiety . They did not feel like playing , yet the time dragged heavily , and they sat about listless and sober . All at once , Franz got up , and said , in his persuasive way , `` Look here , boys ! let 's go into school and do our lessons just as if Uncle was here . It will make the day go faster , and will please him , I know . '' `` But who will hear us say them ? '' asked Jack . `` I will ; I do n't know much more than you do , but I 'm the oldest here , and I 'll try to fill Uncle 's place till he comes , if you do n't mind . '' Something in the modest , serious way Franz said this impressed the boys , for , though the poor lad 's eyes were red with quiet crying for Uncle John in that long sad night , there was a new manliness about him , as if he had already begun to feel the cares and troubles of life , and tried to take them bravely . `` I will , for one , '' and Emil went to his seat , remembering that obedience to his superior officer is a seaman 's first duty . The others followed ; Franz took his uncle 's seat , and for an hour order reigned . Lessons were learned and said , and Franz made a patient , pleasant teacher , wisely omitting such lessons as he was not equal to , and keeping order more by the unconscious dignity that sorrow gave him than by any words of his own .
The little boys were reading when a step was heard in the hall , and every one looked up to read the news in Mr. XXXXX 's face as he came in .
Bhaer Demi Jack Laurie Tommy Uncle first night o'clock school-time