Mary had seen so much of the world that she was unusually lively foran English girl; while her various accomplishments made her a mostagreeable companion. Much good sense gave her ballast; and the lateexperiences of danger and happiness added a sweet gravity at times,which contrasted well with her natural gaiety. Mrs Jo was quitesatisfied with Emil's choice, and felt sure this true and tenderpilot would bring him safe to port through fair or stormy weather.

 

　　She had feared that Franz would settle down into a comfortable,moneymaking burgher, and be content with that; but she soon saw thathis love of music and his placid Ludmilla put much poetry into hisbusy life, and kept it from being too prosaic. So she felt at restabout these boys, and enjoyed their visit with real, maternalsatisfaction; parting with them in September most regretfully, yethopefully, as they sailed away to the new life that lay before them.

 

　　Demi's engagement was confided to the immediate family only, as bothwere pronounced too young to do anything but love and wait. Theywere so happy that time seemed to stand still for them, and after ablissful week they parted bravely--Alice to home duties, with a hopethat sustained and cheered her through many trials; and John to hisbusiness, full of a new ardour which made all things possible whensuch a reward was offered.

 

　　Daisy rejoiced over them, and was never tired of hearing herbrother's plans for the future. Her own hope soon made her what sheused to be--a cheery, busy creature, with a smile, kind word, andhelping hand for all; and as she went singing about the house again,her mother felt that the right remedy for past sadness had beenfound. The dear Pelican still had doubts and fears, but kept themwisely to herself, preparing sundry searching tests to be appliedwhen Nat came home, and keeping a sharp eye on the letters fromLondon; for some mysterious hint had flown across the sea, andDaisy's content seemed reflected in Nat's present cheerful state ofmind.

 

　　Having passed through the Werther period, and tried a little Faust--of which experience he spoke to his Marguerite as if it had includedan acquaintance with Mephistopheles, Blocksburg, and Auerbach'swine-cellar--he now felt that he was a Wilhelm Meister, serving hisapprenticeship to the great masters of life. As she knew the truth ofhis small sins and honest repentance, Daisy only smiled at themixture of love and philosophy he sent her, knowing that it wasimpossible for a young man to live in Germany without catching theGerman spirit.

 

　　'His heart is all right; and his head will soon grow clear when hegets out of the fog of tobacco, beer, and metaphysics he's beenliving in. England will wake up his common sense, and good salt airblow his little follies all away,' said Mrs Jo, much pleased with thegood prospects of her violinist--whose return was delayed tillspring, to his private regret, but professional advancement.

 

　　Josie had a month with Miss Cameron at the seaside, and threw herselfso heartily into the lesson given her that her energy, promise, andpatience laid the foundation of a friendship which was of infinitevalue to her in the busy, brilliant years to come; for little Jo'sinstincts were right; and the dramatic talent of the Marches was toblossom by and by into an actress, virtuous, and beloved.

 

　　Tom and his Dora were peacefully ambling altar-ward; for Bangs seniorwas so afraid his son would change his mind again and try a thirdprofession, that he gladly consented to an early marriage, as a sortof anchor to hold the mercurial Thomas fast. Aforesaid Thomas couldnot complain of cold shoulders now; for Dora was a most devoted andadoring little mate, and made life so pleasant to him that his giftfor getting into scrapes seemed lost, and he bade fair to become athriving man, with undeniable talent for the business he had chosen.

 

　　'We shall be married in the autumn, and live with my father for awhile. The governor is getting on, you know, and my wife and I mustlook after him. Later we shall have an establishment of our own,' wasa favourite speech of his about this time, and usually received withsmiles; for the idea of Tommy Bangs at the head of an 'establishment'

 

　　was irresistibly funny to all who knew him.

 

　　Things were in this flourishing condition, and Mrs Jo was beginningto think her trials were over for that year, when a new excitementcame. Several postal cards had arrived at long intervals from Dan,who gave them 'Care of M. Mason, etc.', as his address. By thismeans he was able to gratify his longing for home news, and to sendbrief messages to quiet their surprise at his delay in settling. Thelast one, which came in September, was dated 'Montana', and simplysaid:

 

　　Here at last, trying mining again; but not going to stay long. Allsorts of luck. Gave up the farm idea. Tell plans soon. Well, busy,and very happy. D. K.

 

　　If they had known what the heavy dash under 'happy' meant, thatpostal would have been a very eloquent bit of pasteboard; for Dan wasfree, and had gone straight away to the liberty he panted for.

 

　　Meeting an old friend by accident, he obliged him at a pinch byacting as overseer for a time, finding the society even of roughminers very sweet, and something in the muscular work wonderfullypleasant, after being cooped up in the brush-shop so long. He lovedto take a pick and wrestle with rock and earth till he wasweary--which was very soon; for that year of captivity had told uponhis splendid physique. He longed to go home, but waited week afterweek to get the prison taint off him and the haggard look out of hisface. Meanwhile he made friends of masters and men; and as no oneknew his story, he took his place again in the world gratefully andgladly--with little pride now, and no plans but to do some goodsomewhere, and efface the past.

 

　　Mrs Jo was having a grand clearing-out of her desk one October day,while the rain poured outside, and peace reigned in her mansion.

 

　　Coming across the postals, she pondered over them, and then put themcarefully away in the drawer labelled 'Boys' Letters', saying toherself, as she bundled eleven requests for autographs into thewaste-paper basket:

 

　　'It is quite time for another card, unless he is coming to tell hisplans. I'm really curious to know what he has been about all thisyear, and how he's getting on now.'

 

　　That last wish was granted within an hour; for Ted came rushing in,with a newspaper in one hand, a collapsed umbrella in the other, anda face full of excitement, announcing, all in one breathless jumble:

 

　　'Mine caved in--twenty men shut up--no way out--wives crying-- waterrising--Dan knew the old shaft--risked his life--got 'em out --mostkilled--papers full of it--I knew he'd be a hero--hurray for oldDan!'

 

　　'What? Where? When? Who? Stop roaring, and let me read!' commandedhis mother, entirely bewildered.

 

　　Relinquishing the paper, Ted allowed her to read for herself, withfrequent interruptions from him--and Rob, who soon followed, eagerfor the tale. It was nothing new; but courage and devotion alwaysstir generous hearts, and win admiration; so the account was bothgraphic and enthusiastic; and the name of Daniel Kean, the brave manwho saved the lives of others at the risk of his own, was on manylips that day. Very proud were the faces of these friends as theyread how their Dan was the only one who, in the first panic of theaccident, remembered the old shaft that led into the mine--walled up,but the only hope of escape, if the men could be got out before therising water drowned them; how he was lowered down alone, telling theothers to keep back till he saw if it was safe; how he heard the poorfellows picking desperately for their lives on the other side, and byknocks and calls guided them to the right spot; then headed therescue party, and working like a hero, got the men out in time. Onbeing drawn up last of all, the worn rope broke, and he had aterrible fall, being much hurt, but was still alive. How the gratefulwomen kissed his blackened face and bloody hands, as the men bore himaway in triumph, and the owners of the mine promised a handsomereward, if he lived to receive it!

 

　　'He must live; he shall, and come home to be nursed as soon as he canstir, if I go and bring him myself! I always knew he'd do somethingfine and brave, if he didn't get shot or hung for some wild prankinstead,' cried Mrs Jo, much excited.

 

　　'Do go, and take me with you, Mum. I ought to be the one, Dan's sofond of me and I of him,' began Ted, feeling that this would be anexpedition after his own heart.

 

　　Before his mother could reply, Mr Laurie came in, with almost as muchnoise and flurry as Teddy the second, exclaiming as he waved theevening paper:

 

　　'Seen the news, Jo? What do you think? Shall I go off at once, andsee after that brave boy?'

 

　　'I wish you would. But the thing may not be all true--rumour lies so.

 

　　Perhaps a few hours will bring an entirely new version of the story.'

 

　　'I've telephoned to Demi for all he can find out; and if it's true,I'll go at once. Should like the trip. If he's able, I'll bring himhome; if not, I'll stay and see to him. He'll pull through. Dan willnever die of a fall on his head. He's got nine lives, and not losthalf of them yet.'

 

　　'If you go, uncle, mayn't I go with you? I'm just spoiling for ajourney; and it would be such larks to go out there with you, and seethe mines and Dan, and hear all about it, and help. I can nurse.

 

　　Can't I, Rob?' cried Teddy, in his most wheedlesome tones.

 

　　'Pretty well. But if mother can't spare you, I'm ready if uncle needsanyone,' answered Rob, in his quiet way, looking much fitter for thetrip than excitable Ted.

 

　　'I can't spare either of you. My boys get into trouble, unless I keepthem close at home. I've no right to hold the others; but I won't letyou out of my sight, or something will happen. Never saw such a year,with wrecks and weddings and floods and engagements, and every sortof catastrophe!' exclaimed Mrs Jo.

 

　　'If you deal in girls and boys, you must expect this sort of thing,ma'am. The worst is over, I hope, till these lads begin to go off.

 

　　Then I'll stand by you; for you'll need every kind of support andcomfort, specially if Ted bolts early,' laughed Mr Laurie, enjoyingher lamentations.

 

　　'I don't think anything can surprise me now; but I am anxious aboutDan, and feel that someone had better go to him. It's a rough placeout there, and he may need careful nursing. Poor lad, he seems to geta good many hard knocks! But perhaps he needs them as "a mellerin'

 

　　process", as Hannah used to say.'

 

　　'We shall hear from Demi before long, and then I'll be off.' Withwhich cheerful promise Mr Laurie departed; and Ted, finding hismother firm, soon followed, to coax his uncle to take him.

 

　　Further inquiry confirmed and added interest to the news. Mr Lauriewas off at once; and Ted went into town with him, still vainlyimploring to be taken to his Dan. He was absent all day; but hismother said, calmly:

 

　　'Only a fit of the sulks because he is thwarted. He's safe with Tomor Demi, and will come home hungry and meek at night. I know him.'

 

　　But she soon found that she could still be surprised; for eveningbrought no Ted, and no one had seen him. Mr Bhaer was just settingoff to find his lost son, when a telegram arrived, dated at one ofthe way-stations on Mr Laurie's route:

 

　　Found Ted in the cars. Take him along. Write tomorrow.

 

　　T. LAURENCE'Ted bolted sooner than you expected, mother. Never mind--uncle willtake good care of him, and Dan be very glad to see him,' said Rob, asMrs Jo sat, trying to realize that her youngest was actually on hisway to the wild West.

 

　　'Disobedient boy! He shall be severely punished, if I ever get himagain. Laurie winked at this prank; I know he did. Just like him.

 

　　Won't the two rascals have a splendid time? Wish I was with them!

 

　　Don't believe that crazy boy took e............