` He is growing up , heart 's - dearest , and being a precocious plant , he begins to bloom early . I also see a change in my Robchen . He is more manly and serious than ever , and is seldom far from me , as if his love for the old papa was growing with his growth . Our boys will often surprise us in this way , Jo , and we can only rejoice over them and leave them to become what Gott pleases . ' As the Professor spoke , his eyes rested proudly on the brothers , who came walking up the steps together , Ted 's arm over Rob 's shoulder as he listened attentively to some geological remarks Rob was making on a stone he held . Usually , Ted made fun of such tastes , and loved to lay boulders in the student 's path , put brickbats under his pillow , gravel in his shoes , or send parcels of dirt by express to ` Prof. R. M. Bhaer ' . Lately , he had treated Rob 's hobbies respectfully , and had begun to appreciate the good qualities of this quiet brother whom he had always loved but rather undervalued , till his courage under fire won Ted 's admiration , and made it impossible to forget a fault , the consequences of which might have been so terrible . The leg was still lame , though doing well , and Ted was always offering an arm as support , gazing anxiously at his brother , and trying to guess his wants ; for regret was still keen in Ted 's soul , and Rob 's forgiveness only made it deeper . A fortunate slip on the stairs gave Rob an excuse for limping , and no one but Nan and Ted saw the wound ; so the secret was safe up to this time . ` We are talking about you , my lads . Come in and tell us what good fairy has been at work while we were gone . Or is it because absence sharpens our eyes , that we find such pleasant changes when we come back ? ' said Mrs Jo , patting the sofa on either side , while the Professor forgot his piles of letters to admire the pleasing prospect of his wife in a bower of arms , as the boys sat down beside her , smiling affectionately , but feeling a little guilty ; for till now ` Mum ' and ` Vater ' knew every event in their boyish lives . ` Oh , it 's only because Bobby and I have been alone so much ; we are sort of twins . I stir him up a bit , and he steadies me a great deal . You and father do the same , you know . Nice plan . I like it ' ; and Ted felt that he had settled the matter capitally . ` Mother wo n't thank you for comparing yourself to her , Ted . I 'm flattered at being like father in any way .
I try to be , ' answered XXXXX , as they laughed at Ted 's compliment . '
Bhaer Bobby Gott Jo Mother Professor Rob Ted Vater brickbats