We 'd better bide a wee . ' I fear me sair they 're failing baith ; For when I sit apart , They talk o ' Heaven so earnestly , It well nigh breaks my heart . So , laddie , dinna urge me now , It surely winna be ; I canna leave the auld folk yet . We 'd better bide a wee . ' The room was very still before the first verse ended ; and Alice skipped the next , fearing she could not get through ; for John 's eyes were on her , showing that he knew she sang for him and let the plaintive little ballad tell what her reply must be . He took it as she meant it , and smiled at her so happily that her heart got the better of her voice , and she rose abruptly , saying something about the heat . ` Yes , you are tired ; come out and rest , my dearest ' ; and with a masterful air Demi took her into the starlight , leaving Tom to stare after them winking as if a sky-rocket had suddenly gone off under his nose . ` Bless my soul ! the Deacon really meant business last summer and never told me . Wo n't Dora laugh ? ' And Tom departed in hot haste to impart and exult over his discovery . What was said in the garden was never exactly known ; but the Brooke family sat up very late that night , and any curious eye at the window would have seen Demi receiving the homage of his womankind as he told his little romance . Josie took great credit to herself in the matter , insisting that she had made the match ; Daisy was full of the sweetest sympathy and joy , and Mrs Meg so happy that when Jo had gone to dream of bridal veils , and Demi sat in his room blissfully playing the air of ` Bide a Wee ' , she had her talk about Nat , ending with her arms round her dutiful daughter and these welcome words as her reward : ` Wait till Nat comes home , and then my good girl shall wear white roses too . ' Chapter 20 . LIFE FOR LIFE The summer days that followed were full of rest and pleasure for young and old , as they did the honours of Plumfield to their happy guests . While Franz and Emil were busy with the affairs of Uncle Hermann and Captain Hardy , Mary and Ludmilla made friends everywhere ; for , though very unlike , both were excellent and charming girls . Mrs Meg and Daisy found the German bride a Hausfrau after their own hearts , and had delightful times learning new dishes , hearing about the semi-yearly washes and the splendid linen-room at Hamburg , or discussing domestic life in all its branches . Ludmilla not only taught , but learned , many things , and went home with many new and useful ideas in her blonde head . Mary had seen so much of the world that she was unusually lively for an English girl ; while her various accomplishments made her a most agreeable companion . Much good sense gave her ballast ; and the late experiences of danger and happiness added a sweet gravity at times , which contrasted well with her natural gaiety .
Mrs Jo was quite satisfied with XXXXX 's choice , and felt sure this true and tender pilot would bring him safe to port through fair or stormy weather .
Emil Franz Hamburg Hermann Jo Mary Meg baith first night