` I 'll keep it for you till you decide . You are such an impetuous lad you 'll give it to the first beggar that gets hold of you . I 'll turn it over while you are prospecting , and hand it back when you are ready to invest , shall I ? ' asked Mr Laurie , who had learned wisdom since the days of his own extravagant youth . ` Thanky , sir , I 'd be glad to get rid of it . You just hold on till I say the word ; and if anything happens to me this time , keep it to help some other scamp as you helped me . This is my will , and you all witness it . Now I feel better . ' And Dan squared his shoulders as if relieved of a burden , after handing over the belt in which he carried his little fortune . No one dreamed how much was to happen before Dan came to take his money back , nor how nearly that act was his last will and testament ; and while Mr Laurie was explaining how he would invest it , a cheery voice was heard singing : ` Oh , Peggy was a jolly lass , Ye heave ho , boys , ye heave ho ! She never grudged her Jack a glass , Ye heave ho , boys , ye heave ho ! And when he sailed the raging main , She faithful was unto her swain , Ye heave ho , boys , ye heave ho ! ' Emil always announced his arrival in that fashion , and in a moment he came hurrying in with Nat , who had been giving lessons in town all day . It was good to see the latter beam at his friend as he nearly shook his hand off ; better still to see how Dan gratefully remembered all he owed Nat , and tried to pay the debt in his rough way ; and best of all to hear the two travellers compare notes and reel off yarns to dazzle the land-lubbers and home-keepers . After this addition the house would not contain the gay youngsters , so they migrated to the piazza and settled on the steps , like a flock of night-loving birds . Mr March and the Professor retired to the study , Meg and Amy went to look after the little refection of fruit and cake which was to come , and Mrs Jo and Mr Laurie sat in the long window listening to the chat that went on outside . ` There they are , the flower of our flock ! ' she said , pointing to the group before them . ` The others are dead or scattered , but these seven boys and four girls are my especial comfort and pride . Counting Alice Heath , my dozen is made up , and my hands are full trying to guide these young lives as far as human skill can do it . '
` When we remember how different they are , from what some of them came , and the home influences about others , I think we may XXXXX pretty well satisfied so far , ' answered Mr Laurie soberly , as his eyes rested on one bright head among the black and brown ones , for the young moon shone alike on all . '
announced dreamed feel gets invest pointing prospecting remembered see turn