never,” sobbed Nan, quite lost in a sea of penitence and
thankfulness.
“Call them now, and let us get home,” said Mrs. Jo; and Dan,
getting upon the wall, sent a joyful word “Found!” ringing over the
field.
How the wandering lights came dancing from all sides, and
gathered round the little group among the sweet fern bushes! Such
a hugging, and kissing, and talking, and crying, as went on must
have amazed the glowworms, and evidently delighted the
mosquitoes, for they hummed frantically, while the little moths
came in flocks to the party, and the frogs croaked as if they could
not express their satisfaction loudly enough.
Then they set out for home, a queer party, for Franz rode on to tell
the news; Dan and Toby led the way; then came Nan in the strong
arms of Silas, who considered her “the smartest little baggage he
ever saw,” and teased her all the way home about her pranks. Mrs.
Bhaer would let no one carry Rob but himself, and the little fellow,
refreshed by sleep, sat up, and chattered gayly, feeling himself a
hero, while his mother went beside him holding on to any pat of
his precious little body that came handy, and never tired of hearing
him say, “I knew Marmar would come,” or seeing him lean down
to kiss her, and put a plump berry into her mouth, “‘Cause he
picked ’em all for her.”
The moon shone out just as they reached the avenue, and all the
boys came shouting to meet them, so the lost lambs were borne in
triumph and safety, and landed in the dining-room, where the
unromantic little things demanded supper instead of preferring
kisses and caresses. They were set down to bread and milk, while
the entire household stood round to gaze upon them. Nan soon
recovered her spirits, and recounted her perils with a relish now
that they were all over. Rob seemed absorbed in his food, but put
down his spoon all of a sudden, and set up a doleful roar.
“My precious, why do you cry?” asked his mother, who still hung
over him.
“I’m crying ’cause I was lost,” bawled Rob, trying to squeeze out a
tear, and failing entirely.
“But you are found now. Nan says you didn’t cry out in the field,
and I was glad you were such a brave boy.”
“I was so busy being frightened I didn’t have any time then. But I
want to cry now, ’cause I don’t like to be lost,” explained Rob,
struggling with sleep, emotion, and a mouthful of bread and milk.
The boys set up such a laugh at this funny way of making up for
lost time, that Rob stopped to look at them, and the merriment was
so infectious, that after a surprised stare he burst out into a merry,
“Ha, ha!” and beat his spoon upon the table as if he enjoyed the
joke immensely.
“It is ten o’clock; into bed, every man of you,” said Mr. Bhaer,
looking at his watch.
“And, thank Heaven! there will be no empty ones to-night,” added
Mrs. Bhaer, watching, with full eyes, Robby going up in his
father’s arms, and Nan escorted by Daisy and Demi, who
considered her the most interesting heroine of their collection.
“Poor Aunt Jo is so tired she ought to be carried up herself,” said
gentle Franz, putting his arm round her as she paused at the
stair-foot, looking quite exhausted by her fright and long walk.
“Let’s make an arm-chair,” proposed Tommy.
“No, thank you, my lads; but somebody may lend me a shoulder to
lean on,” answered Mrs. Jo.
“Me! me!” and half-a-dozen jostled one another, all eager to be
chosen, for there was something in the pale motherly face that
touched the warm hearts under the round jackets.
Seeing that they considered it an honor, Mrs. Jo gave it to the one
who had earned it, and nobody grumbled when she put her arm on
Dan’s broad shoulder, saying, with a look that made him color up
with pride and pleasure,
“He found the children; so I think he must help me up.”
Dan felt richly rewarded for his evening’s work, not only that he