Daisy 's head lay in her lap , and Demi held her hand , looking often at her , with eyes so like his father 's , and a little gesture that seemed to say , `` Do n't be troubled , mother ; I am here ; '' and all about her were friends to lean upon and love ; so patient , pious Meg put by her heavy grief , feeling that her best help would be to live for others , as her John had done . That evening , as the Plumfield boys sat on the steps , as usual , in the mild September moonlight , they naturally fell to talking of the event of the day . Emil began by breaking out , in his impetuous way , `` Uncle Fritz is the wisest , and Uncle Laurie the jolliest , but Uncle John was the best ; and I 'd rather be like him than any man I ever saw . '' `` So would I . Did you hear what those gentlemen said to Grandpa to-day ? I would like to have that said of me when I was dead ; '' and Franz felt with regret that he had not appreciated Uncle John enough . `` What did they say ? '' asked Jack , who had been much impressed by the scenes of the day . `` Why , one of the partners of Mr. Laurence , where Uncle John has been ever so long , was saying that he was conscientious almost to a fault as a business man , and above reproach in all things . Another gentleman said no money could repay the fidelity and honesty with which Uncle John had served him , and then Grandpa told them the best of all . Uncle John once had a place in the office of a man who cheated , and when this man wanted uncle to help him do it , uncle would n't , though he was offered a big salary . The man was angry and said , ` You will never get on in business with such strict principles ; ' and uncle answered back , ' I never will try to get on without them , ' and left the place for a much harder and poorer one . '' `` Good ! '' cried several of the boys warmly , for they were in the mood to understand and value the little story as never before . `` He was n't rich , was he ? '' asked Jack . `` No . '' `` He never did any thing to make a stir in the world , did he ? '' `` No . '' `` He was only good ? ''
`` That 's all ; '' and XXXXX found himself wishing that Uncle John had done something to boast of , for it was evident that Jack was disappointed by his replies .
Demi Emil Franz Fritz Grandpa Jack Laurie Meg evening left