` Well , are we not to `` know all about it '' ? ' asked Mrs Jo quickly ; for her sharp eye saw signs of danger and her maternal heart felt that something had come between her and her sons . ` Boys , ' she went on solemnly , ' I suspect that the change we talk about is not altogether the effect of growing up , as we say . It strikes me that Ted has been in mischief and Rob has got him out of some scrape ; hence the lovely mood of my bad boy and the sober one of my conscientious son , who never hides anything from his mother . ' Rob was as red as Ted now , but after a moment 's hesitation he looked up and answered with an air of relief : ` Yes , mother , that 's it ; but it 's all over and no harm done , and I think we 'd better let it be , for a while at least . I did feel guilty to keep anything from you , but now you know so much I shall not worry and you need n't either . Ted 's sorry , I do n't mind , and it has done us both good . ' Mrs Jo looked at Ted , who winked hard but bore the look like a man ; then she turned to Rob , who smiled at her so cheerfully that she felt reassured ; but something in his face struck her , and she saw what it was that made him seem older , graver , yet more lovable than ever . It was the look pain of mind , as well as body , brings , and the patience of a sweet submission to some inevitable trial . Like a flash she guessed that some danger had been near her boy , and the glances she had caught between the two lads and Nan confirmed her fears . ` Rob , dear , you have been ill , hurt , or seriously troubled by Ted ? Tell me at once ; I will not have any secrets now . Boys sometimes suffer all their lives from neglected accidents or carelessness . Fritz , make them speak out ! ' Mr Bhaer put down his papers and came to stand before them , saying in a tone that quieted Mrs Jo , and gave the boys courage : ` My sons , give us the truth . We can bear it ; do not hold it back to spare us . Ted knows we forgive much because we love him , so be frank , all two . ' Ted instantly dived among the sofa pillows and kept there , with only a pair of scarlet ears visible , while Rob in a few words told the little story , truthfully , but as gently as he could , hastening to add the comfortable assurance that Don was not mad , the wound nearly well , and no danger would ever come of it . But Mrs Jo grew so pale he had to put his arms about her , and his father turned and walked away , exclaiming : ` Ach Himmel ! ' in a tone of such mingled pain , relief , and gratitude , that Ted pulled an extra pillow over his head to smother the sound .
They were all right in a minute ; but such news is always a shock , even if the peril is past , and Mrs Jo hugged her boy close till his father came and took him away , saying with a strong shake of both hands and a quiver in his voice : ` To be in danger of one 's life tries a man 's mettle , and you XXXXX it well ; but I can not spare my good boy yet ; thank Gott , we keep him safe ! '
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