` Listen to me and I 'll try to give you both comfort and good advice . We all know that Daisy is fond of you , but her mother objects , and being a good girl she tries to obey . Young people think they never can change , but they do in the most wonderful manner , and very few die of broken hearts . ' Mrs Jo smiled as she remembered another boy whom she had once tried to comfort , and then went soberly on while Nat listened as if his fate hung upon her lips . ` One of two things will happen . You will find someone else to love , or , better still , be so busy and happy in your music that you will be willing to wait for time to settle the matter for you both . Daisy will perhaps forget when you are gone , and be glad you are only friends . At any rate it is much wiser to have no promises made ; then both are free , and in a year or two may meet to laugh over the little romance nipped in the bud . ' ` Do you honestly think that ? ' asked Nat , looking at her so keenly that the truth had to come ; for all his heart was in those frank blue eyes of his . ` No , I do n't ! ' answered Mrs Jo . ` Then if you were in my place , what would you do ? ' he added , with a tone of command never heard in his gentle voice before . ` Bless me ! the boy is in dead earnest , and I shall forget prudence in sympathy I 'm afraid , ' thought Mrs Jo , surprised and pleased by the unexpected manliness Nat showed . ` I 'll tell you what I should do . I 'd say to myself : `` I 'll prove that my love is strong and faithful , and make Daisy 's mother proud to give her to me by being not only a good musician but an excellent man , and so command respect and confidence . This I will try for ; and if I fail , I shall be the better for the effort , and find comfort in the thought that I did my best for her sake . '' ' ` That is what I meant to do .
But I wanted a word of hope to XXXXX me courage , ' cried Nat , firing up as if the smouldering spark was set ablaze by a breath of encouragement .
Listen added being forget give meant remembered say smiled tell