So the weeks went heavily by till suddenly , like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky , came the news , ` All safe , letters on the way . ' Then up went the flag , out rang the college bells , bang went Teddy 's long-unused cannon , and a chorus of happy voices cried ` Thank God ' , as people went about , laughing , crying , and embracing one another in a rapture of delight . By and by the longed-for letters came , and all the story of the wreck was told ; briefly by Emil , eloquently by Mrs Hardy , gratefully by the captain , while Mary added a few tender words that went straight to their hearts and seemed the sweetest of all . Never were letters so read , passed round , admired , and cried over as these ; for Mrs Jo carried them in her pocket when Mr Bhaer did not have them in his , and both took a look at them when they said their prayers at night . Now the Professor was heard humming like a big bee again as he went to his classes , and the lines smoothed out of Mother Bhaer 's forehead , while she wrote this real story to anxious friends and let her romances wait . Now messages of congratulation flowed in , and beaming faces showed everywhere . Rob amazed his parents by producing a poem which was remarkably good for one of his years , and Demi set it to music that it might be sung when the sailor boy returned . Teddy stood on his head literally , and tore about the neighbourhood on Octoo , like a second Paul Revere -- only his tidings were good . But best of all , little Josie lifted up her head as the snowdrops did , and began to bloom again , growing tall and quiet , with the shadow of past sorrow to tone down her former vivacity and show that she had learned a lesson in trying to act well her part on the real stage , where all have to take their share in the great drama of life . Now another sort of waiting began ; for the travellers were on their way to Hamburg , and would stay there awhile before coming home , as Uncle Hermann owned the Brenda , and the captain must report to him . Emil must remain to Franz 's wedding , deferred till now because of the season of mourning , so happily ended . These plans were doubly welcome and pleasant after the troublous times which went before , and no spring ever seemed so beautiful as this one ; for , as Teddy put it : ` Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious by these sons of Bhaer ! ' Franz and Emil being regarded in the light of elder brothers by the real ` sons of Bhaer ' . There was great scrubbing and dusting among the matrons as they set their houses in order not only for Class Day , but to receive the bride and groom , who were to come to them for the honeymoon trip . Great plans were made , gifts prepared , and much joy felt at the prospect of seeing Franz again ; though Emil , who was to accompany them , would be the greater hero . Little did the dear souls dream what a surprise was in store for them , as they innocently laid their plans and wished all the boys could be there to welcome home their eldest and their Casablanca . While they wait and work so happily , let us see how our other absent boys are faring as they too wait and work and hope for better days . Nat was toiling steadily along the path he had wisely chosen , though it was by no means strewn with flowers -- quite thorny was it , in fact , and hard to travel , after the taste of ease and pleasure he had got when nibbling at forbidden fruit . But his crop of wild oats was a light one , and he resolutely reaped what he had sowed , finding some good wheat among the tares . He taught by day ; he fiddled night after night in the dingy little theatre , and he studied so diligently that his master was well pleased , and kept him in mind as one to whom preferment was due , if any chance occurred .
Gay friends forgot him ; but the old ones XXXXX fast , and cheered him up when Heimweh and weariness made him sad .
Thank chosen deferred finding kept put rang stood welcome wished