“Wakeup，Demi，dear!Iwantyou。“
“Why，I’vejustgonetobed；itcan’tbemorningyet；“andDemiblinkedlikealittleowlashewakedfromhisfirstsoundsleep。
“It’sonlyten，butyourfatherisill，andwemustgotohim。OmylittleJohn!mypoorlittleJohn!“andAuntJolaidherheaddownonthepillowwithasobthatscaredsleepfromDemi’seyesandfilledhisheartwithfearandwonder；forhedimlyfeltwhyAuntJocalledhim“John，“
andweptoverhimasifsomelosshadcomethatlefthimpoor。Heclungtoherwithoutaword，andinaminuteshewasquitesteadyagain，andsaid，withatenderkissasshesawhistroubledface，­；
“Wearegoingtosaygood-bytohim，mydarling，andthereisnotimetolose；sodressquicklyandcometomeinmyroom。ImustgotoDaisy。“
“Yes，Iwill；“andwhenAuntJowasgone，littleDemigotupquietly，dressedasifinadream，andleavingTommyfastasleepwentawaythroughthesilenthouse，feelingthatsomethingnewandsorrowfulwasgoingtohappen­；somethingthatsethimapartfromtheotherboysforatime，andmadetheworldseemasdarkandstillandstrangeasthosefamiliarroomsdidinthenight。AcarriagesentbyMr。Lauriestoodbeforethedoor。Daisywassoonready，andthebrotherandsisterheldeachotherbythehandallthewayintotown，astheydroveswiftlyandsilentlywithauntandunclethroughtheshadowyroadstosaygood-bytofather。
NoneoftheboysbutFranzandEmilknewwhathadhappened，andwhentheycamedownnextmorning，greatwastheirwondermentanddiscomfort，forthehouseseemedforlornwithoutitsmasterandmistress。BreakfastwasadismalmealwithnocheeryMrs。Jobehindtheteapots；andwhenschool-timecame，FatherBhaer’splacewasempty。Theywanderedaboutinadisconsolatekindofwayforanhour，waitingfornewsandhopingitwouldbeallrightwithDemi’sfather，forgoodJohnBrookewasmuchbelovedbytheboys。
Teno’clockcame，andnoonearrivedtorelievetheiranxiety。Theydidnotfeellikeplaying，yetthetimedraggedheavily，andtheysataboutlistlessandsober。Allatonce，Franzgotup，andsaid，inhispersuasiveway，­；
“Lookhere，boys!let’sgointoschoolanddoourlessonsjustasifUnclewashere。Itwillmakethedaygofaster，andwillpleasehim，I
know。“
“Butwhowillhearussaythem？“askedJack。
“Iwill；Idon’tknowmuchmorethanyoudo，butI’mtheoldesthere，andI’lltrytofillUncle’splacetillhecomes，ifyoudon’tmind。“
Somethinginthemodest，seriouswayFranzsaidthisimpressedtheboys，for，thoughthepoorlad’seyeswereredwithquietcryingforUncleJohninthatlongsadnight，therewasanewmanlinessabouthim，asifhehadalreadybeguntofeelthecaresandtroublesoflife，andtriedtotakethembravely。
“Iwill，forone，“andEmilwenttohisseat，rememberingthatobediencetohissuperiorofficerisaseaman’sfirstduty。
Theothersfollowed；Franztookhisuncle’sseat，andforanhourorderreigned。Lessonswerelearnedandsaid，andFranzmadeapatient，pleasantteacher，wiselyomittingsuchlessonsashewasnotequalto，andkeepingordermorebytheunconsciousdignitythatsorrowgavehimthanbyanywordsofhisown。Thelittleboyswerereadingwhenastepwasheardinthehall，andeveryonelookeduptoreadthenewsinMr。Bhaer’sfaceashecamein。ThekindfacetoldtheminstantlythatDemihadnofathernow，foritwaswornandpale，andfulloftendergrief，whichlefthimnowordswithwhichtoanswerRob，asherantohim，saying，reproachfully，­；
“Whatmadeyougoandleavemeinthenight，papa？“
Thememoryoftheotherfatherwhohadlefthischildreninthenight，nevertoreturn，madeMr。Bhaerholdhisownboyclose，and，foraminute，hidehisfaceinRobby’scurlyhair。Emillaidhisheaddownonhisarms，Franz，wenttoputhishandonhisuncle’sshoulder，hisboyishfacepalewithsympathyandsorrow，andtheotherssatsostillthatthesoftrustleofthefallingleavesoutsidewasdistinctlyheard。
Robdidnotclearlyunderstandwhathadhappened，buthehatedtoseepapaunhappy，soheliftedupthebenthead，andsaid，inhischirpylittlevoice，­；
“Don’tcry，meinVater!wewereallsogood，wedidourlessons，withoutyou，andFranzwasthemaster。“
Mr。Bhaerlookedupthen，triedtosmile，andsaidinagratefultonethatmadetheladsfeellikesaints，“Ithankyouverymuch，myboys。Itwasabeautifulwaytohelpandcomfortme。Ishallnotforgetit，Iassureyou。“
“Franzproposedit，andwasafirst-ratemaster，too，“saidNat；andtheothersgaveamurmurofassentmostgratifyingtotheyoungdominie。
Mr。BhaerputRobdown，and，standingup，puthisarmroundhistallnephew’sshoulder，ashesaid，withalookofgenuinepleasure，­；
“Thismakesmyharddayeasier，andgivesmeconfidenceinyouall。
Iamneededthereintown，andmustleaveyouforsomehours。Ithoughttogiveyouaholiday，orsendsomeofyouhome，butifyouliketostayandgoonasyouhavebegun，Ishallbegladandproudofmygoodboys。“
“We’llstay；““We’drather；““Franzcanseetous；“criedseveral，delightedwiththeconfidenceshowninthem。
“Isn’tMarmarcominghome？“askedRob，wistfully；forhomewithout“Marmar“
wastheworldwithoutthesuntohim。
“Weshallbothcometo-night；butdearAuntMegneedsMothermorethanyoudonow，andIknowyouliketolendherforalittlewhile。“
“Well，Iwill；butTeddy’sbeencryingforher，andheslappedNursey，andwasdreadfulnaughty，“answeredRob，asifthenewsmightbringmotherhome。
“Whereismylittleman？“askedMr。Bhaer。
“Dantookhimout，tokeephimquiet。He’sallrightnow，“saidFranz，pointingtothewindow，throughwhichtheycouldseeDandrawingbabyinhislittlewagon，withthedogsfrolickingabouthim。
“Iwon’tseehim，itwouldonlyupsethimagain；buttellDanIleaveTeddyinhiscare。YouolderboysItrusttomanageyourselvesforaday。
Franzwilldirectyou，andSilasisheretooverseematters。Sogood-bytillto-night。“
“JusttellmeawordaboutUncleJohn，“saidEmil，detainingMr。Bhaer，ashewasabouthurryingawayagain。
“Hewasonlyillafewhours，anddiedashehaslived，socheerfully，sopeacefully，thatitseemsasintomarthebeautyofitwithanyviolentorselfishgrief。Wewereintimetosaygood-by：andDaisyandDemiwereinhisarmsashefellasleeponAuntMeg’sbreast。Nomorenow，Icannotbearit，“andMr。Bhaerwenthastilyawayquitebowedwithgrief，forinJohnBrookehehadlostbothfriendandbrother，andtherewasnoonelefttotakehisplace。
Allthatdaythehousewasverystill；thesmallboysplayedquietlyinthenursery；theothers，feelingasifSundayhadcomeinthemiddleoftheweek，spentitinwalking，sittinginthewillow，oramongtheirpets，alltalkingmuchof“UncleJohn，“andfeelingthatsomethinggentle，just，andstrong，hadgoneoutoftheirlittleworld，leavingasenseoflossthatdeepenedeveryhour。Atdusk，Mr。andMrs。Bhaercamehomealone，forDemiandDaisyweretheirmother’sbestcomfortnow，andcouldnotleaveher。PoorMrs。Joseemedquitespent，andevidentlyneededthesamesortofcomfort，forherfirstwords，asshecameupthestairs，were，“Whereismybaby？“
“HereIis，“answeredalittlevoice，asDanputTeddyintoherarms，adding，asshehuggedhimclose，“MyDannytookedtareofmeallday，andIwasdood。“
Mrs。Joturnedtothankthefaithfulnurse，butDanwaswavingofftheboys，whohadgatheredinthehalltomeether，andwassaying，inalowvoice，“Keepback；shedon’twanttobebotheredwithusnow。“
“No，don’tkeepback。Iwantyouall。Comeinandseeme，myboys。I’veneglectedyouallday，“andMrs。Joheldoutherhandstothemastheygatheredroundandescortedherintoherownroom，sayinglittle，butexpressingmuchbyaffectionatelooksandclumsylittleeffortstoshowtheirsorrowandsympathy。
“Iamsotired，IwillliehereandcuddleTeddy，andyoushallbringmeinsometea，“shesaid，tryingtospeakcheerfullyfortheirsakes。
Ageneralstampedeintothedining-roomfollowed，andthesupper-tablewouldhavebeenravagedifMr。Bhaerhadnotinterfered。Itwasagreedthatonesquadshouldcarryinthemother’stea，andanotherbringitout。
Thefournearestanddearestclaimedthefirsthonor，soFranzboretheteapot，Emilthebread，Robthemilk，andTeddyinsistedoncarryingthesugarbasin，whichwaslighterbyseverallumpswhenitarrivedthanwhenitstarted。Somewomenmighthavefounditannoyingatsuchatimetohaveboyscreakinginandout，upsettingcupsandrattlingspoonsinviolenteffortstobequietandhelpful；butitsuitedMrs。Jo，becausejustthenherheartwasverytender；andrememberingthatmanyofherboyswerefatherlessormotherless，sheyearnedoverthem，andfoundcomfortintheirblunderingaffection。Itwasthesortoffoodthatdidhermoregoodthantheverythickbread-and-butterthattheygaveher，andtheroughCommodore’sbrokenwhisper，­；
“Bearup，Aunty，it’sahardblow；butwe’llweatheritsomehow；“cheeredhermorethanthesloppycuphebroughther，fullofteaasbitterasifsomesalttearofhisownhaddroppedintoitontheway。Whensupperwasover，aseconddeputationremovedthetray；andDansaid，holdingouthisarmsforsleepylittleTeddy，­；
“Letmeputhimtobed，you’resotired，Mother。“
“Willyougowithhim，lovey？“askedMrs。Joofhersmalllordandmaster，wholayonherarmamongthesofa-pillows。
“TorseIwill；“andhewasproudlycarriedoffbyhisfaithfulbearer。
“IwishIcoulddosomething，“saidNat，withasigh，asFranzleanedoverthesofa，andsoftlystrokedAuntJo’shotforehead。
“Youcan，dear。Goandgetyourviolin，andplaymethesweetlittleairsUncleTeddysentyoulast。Musicwillcomfortmebetterthananythingelseto-night。“
Natflewforhisfiddle，and，sittingjustoutsideherdoor，playedashehadneverdonebefore，fornowhisheartwasinit，andseemedtomagnetizehisfingers。Theotherladssatquietlyuponthesteps，keepingwatchthatnonew-comershoulddisturbthehouse；Franzlingeredathispost；andso，soothed，served，andguardedbyherboys，poorMrs。Josleptatlast，andforgothersorrowforanhour。
Twoquietdays，andonthethirdMr。Bhaercameinjustafterschool，withanoteinhishand，lookingbothmovedandpleased。
“Iwanttoreadyousomething，boys，“hesaid；andastheystoodroundhimhereadthis：­；
“DEARBROTHERFRITZ，­；Ihearthatyoudonotmeantobringyourflocktoday，thinkingthatImaynotlikeit。Pleasedo。ThesightofhisfriendswillhelpDemithroughthehardhour，andIwanttheboystohearwhatfathersaysofmyJohn。Itwilldothemgood，Iknow。Iftheywouldsingoneofthesweetoldhymnsyouhavetaughtthemsowell，Ishouldlikeitbetterthananyothermusic，andfeelthatitwasbeautifullysuitedtotheoccasion。Pleaseaskthem，withmylove。MEG。“
“Willyougo？“andMr。Bhaerlookedatthelads，whoweregreatlytouchedbyMrs。Brooke’skindwordsandwishes。
“Yes，“theyanswered，likeoneboy；andanhourlatertheywentawaywithFranztobeartheirpartinJohnBrooke’ssimplefuneral。
Thelittlehouselookedasquiet，sunny，andhome-likeaswhenMegentereditasabride，tenyearsago，onlythenitwasearlysummer，androseblossomedeverywhere；nowitwasearlyautumn，anddeadleavesrustledsoftlydown，leavingthebranchesbare。Thebridewasawidownow；butthesamebeautifulserenityshoneinherface，andthesweetresignationofatrulypioussoulmadeherpresenceaconsolationtothosewhocametocomforther。
“OMeg!howcanyoubearitso？“whisperedJo，asshemetthematthedoorwithasmileofwelcome，andnochangeinhergentlemanner，exceptmoregentleness。
“DearJo，thelovethathasblestmefortenhappyyearssupportsmestill。Itcouldnotdie，andJohnismoremyownthanever，“whisperedMeg；andinhereyesthetendertrustwassobeautifulandbright，thatJobelievedher，andthankedGodfortheimmortalityoflovelikehers。
Theywereallthere­；fatherandmother，UncleTeddy，andAuntAmy，oldMr。Laurence，white-hairedandfeeblenow，Mr。andMrs。Bhaer，withtheirflock，andmanyfriends，cometodohonortothedead。OnewouldhavesaidthatmodestJohnBrooke，inhisbusy，quiet，humblelife，hadhadlittletimetomakefriends；butnowtheyseemedtostartupeverywhere，­；oldandyoung，richandpoor，highandlow；forallunconsciouslyhisinfluencehadmadeitselfwidelyfelt，hisvirtueswereremembered，andhishiddencharitiesroseuptoblesshim。ThegroupabouthiscoffinwasafarmoreeloquenteulogythananyMr。Marchcouldutter。Thereweretherichmenwhomhehadservedfaithfullyforyears；thepooroldwomenwhomhecherishedwithhislittlestore，inmemoryofhismother；thewifetowhomhehadgivensuchhappinessthatdeathcouldnotmaritutterly；thebrothersandsistersinwhoseheartshehadmadeaplaceforever；thelittlesonanddaughter，whoalreadyfeltthelossofhisstrongarmandtendervoice；
theyoungchildren，sobbingfortheirkindestplaymate，andthetalllads，watchingwithsoftenedfacesascenewhichtheynevercouldforget。Averysimpleservice，andveryshort；forthefatherlyvoicethathadfalteredinthemarriage-sacramentnowfailedentirelyasMr。Marchendeavoredtopayhistributeofreverenceandlovetothesonwhomhemosthonored。
NothingbutthesoftcooofBabyJosy’svoiceup-stairsbrokethelonghushthatfollowedthelastAmen，till，atasignfromMr。Bhaer，thewell-trainedboyishvoicesbrokeoutinahymn，sofullofloftycheer，thatonebyonealljoinedinit，singingwithfullhearts，andfindingtheirtroubledspiritsliftedintopeaceonthewingsofthatbrave，sweetpsalm。