Nan dosed in vain , Daisy 's cheerful words went by like the wind , and Bess 's devices to amuse her all failed utterly . To cry in mother 's arms and talk about the wreck , which haunted her even in her sleep , was all she cared to do ; and Mrs Meg was getting anxious when Miss Cameron sent Josie a kind note bidding her learn bravely her first lesson in real tragedy , and be like the self-sacrificing heroines she loved to act . That did the little girl good , and she made an effort in which Teddy and Octoo helped her much ; for the boy was deeply impressed by this sudden eclipse of the firefly whose light and life all missed when they were gone , and lured her out every day for long drives behind the black mare , who shook her silvery bells till they made such merry music Josie could not help listening to it , and whisked her over the snowy roads at a pace which set the blood dancing in her veins and sent her home strengthened and comforted by sunshine , fresh air , and congenial society -- three aids young sufferers seldom can resist . As Emil was helping nurse Captain Hardy , safe and well , aboard the ship , all this sorrow would seem wasted ; but it was not , for it drew many hearts more closely together by a common grief , taught some patience , some sympathy , some regret for faults that lie heavy on the conscience when the one sinned against is gone , and all of them the solemn lesson to be ready when the summons comes . A hush lay over Plumfield for weeks , and the studious faces on the hill reflected the sadness of those in the valley . Sacred music sounded from Parnassus to comfort all who heard ; the brown cottage was beseiged with gifts for the little mourner , and Emil 's flag hung at half-mast on the roof where he last sat with Mrs Jo . So the weeks went heavily by till suddenly , like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky , came the news , ` All safe , letters on the way . ' Then up went the flag , out rang the college bells , bang went Teddy 's long-unused cannon , and a chorus of happy voices cried ` Thank God ' , as people went about , laughing , crying , and embracing one another in a rapture of delight . By and by the longed-for letters came , and all the story of the wreck was told ; briefly by Emil , eloquently by Mrs Hardy , gratefully by the captain , while Mary added a few tender words that went straight to their hearts and seemed the sweetest of all . Never were letters so read , passed round , admired , and cried over as these ; for Mrs Jo carried them in her pocket when Mr Bhaer did not have them in his , and both took a look at them when they said their prayers at night . Now the Professor was heard humming like a big bee again as he went to his classes , and the lines smoothed out of Mother Bhaer 's forehead , while she wrote this real story to anxious friends and let her romances wait . Now messages of congratulation flowed in , and beaming faces showed everywhere . Rob amazed his parents by producing a poem which was remarkably good for one of his years , and Demi set it to music that it might be sung when the sailor boy returned . Teddy stood on his head literally , and tore about the neighbourhood on Octoo , like a second Paul Revere -- only his tidings were good . But best of all , little Josie lifted up her head as the snowdrops did , and began to bloom again , growing tall and quiet , with the shadow of past sorrow to tone down her former vivacity and show that she had learned a lesson in trying to act well her part on the real stage , where all have to take their share in the great drama of life . Now another sort of waiting began ; for the travellers were on their way to Hamburg , and would stay there awhile before coming home , as Uncle Hermann owned the Brenda , and the captain must report to him . Emil must remain to Franz 's wedding , deferred till now because of the season of mourning , so happily ended . These plans were doubly welcome and pleasant after the troublous times which went before , and no spring ever seemed so beautiful as this one ; for , as Teddy put it : ` Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious by these sons of Bhaer ! ' Franz and Emil being regarded in the light of elder brothers by the real ` sons of Bhaer ' . There was great scrubbing and dusting among the matrons as they set their houses in order not only for Class Day , but to receive the bride and groom , who were to come to them for the honeymoon trip .
Great plans were made , gifts prepared , and much joy felt at the prospect of seeing Franz again ; though XXXXX , who was to accompany them , would be the greater hero .
Bess Demi Emil Hardy Jo Meg Nan Revere half-mast years