We took a swim in the pond , and came by the wood , '' said Jack , looking alarmed , as well he might . `` Call Mr. Bhaer , get the lanterns , and tell Silas I want him . '' That was all Mrs. Jo said , but they knew what she meant , and flew to obey her orders . In ten minutes , Mr. Bhaer and Silas were off to the wood , and Franz tearing down the road on old Andy to search the great pasture . Mrs. Jo caught up some food from the table , a little bottle of brandy from the medicine-closet , took a lantern , and bidding Jack and Emil come with her , and the rest not stir , she trotted away on Toby , never stopping for hat or shawl . She heard some one running after her , but said not a word till , as she paused to call and listen , the light of her lantern shone on Dan 's face . `` You here ! I told Jack to come , '' she said , half-inclined to send him back , much as she needed help . `` I would n't let him ; he and Emil had n't had any supper , and I wanted to come more than they did , '' he said , taking the lantern from her and smiling up in her face with the steady look in his eyes that made her feel as if , boy though he was , she had some one to depend on . Off she jumped , and ordered him on to Toby , in spite of his pleading to walk ; then they went on again along the dusty , solitary road , stopping every now and then to call and hearken breathlessly for little voices to reply . When they came to the great pasture , other lights were already flitting to and fro like will-o ' - the-wisps , and Mr. Bhaer 's voice was heard shouting , `` Nan ! Rob ! Rob ! Nan ! '' in every part of the field . Silas whistled and roared , Dan plunged here and there on Toby , who seemed to understand the case , and went over the roughest places with unusual docility . Often Mrs. Jo hushed them all , saying , with a sob in her throat , `` The noise may frighten them , let me call ; Robby will know my voice ; '' and then she would cry out the beloved little name in every tone of tenderness , till the very echoes whispered it softly , and the winds seemed to waft it willingly ; but still no answer came . The sky was overcast now , and only brief glimpses of the moon were seen , heat-lightening darted out of the dark clouds now and then , and a faint far-off rumble as of thunder told that a summer-storm was brewing . `` O my Robby ! my Robby ! ''
mourned poor Mrs. Jo , wandering up and down like a pale ghost , while XXXXX kept beside her like a faithful fire-fly .
Andy Dan Franz Jo Nan Robby Toby medicine-closet summer-storm will-o