houlder, his
boyish face pale with sympathy and sorrow, and the others sat so still
that the soft rustle of the falling leaves outside was distinctly heard.

Rob did not clearly understand what had happened, but he hated to see
papa unhappy, so he lifted up the bent head, and said, in his chirpy
little voice,

"Don't cry, mein Vater! we were all so good, we did our lessons, without
you, and Franz was the master."

Mr. Bhaer looked up then, tried to smile, and said in a grateful tone
that made the lads feel like saints, "I thank you very much, my boys.
It was a beautiful way to help and comfort me. I shall not forget it, I
assure you."

"Franz proposed it, and was a first-rate master, too," said Nat; and the
others gave a murmur of assent most gratifying to the young dominie.

Mr. Bhaer put Rob down, and, standing up, put his arm round his tall
nephew's shoulder, as he said, with a look of genuine pleasure,

"This makes my hard day easier, and gives me confidence in you all. I
am needed there in town, and must leave you for some hours. I thought
to give you a holiday, or send some of you home, but if you like to stay
and go on as you have begun, I shall be glad and proud of my good boys."

"We'll stay;" "We'd rather;" "Franz can see to us;" cried several,
delighted with the confidence shown in them.

"Isn't Marmar coming home?" asked Rob, wistfully; for home without
"Marmar" was the world without the sun to him.

"We shall both come to-night; but dear Aunt Meg needs Mother more than
you do now, and I know you like to lend her for a little while."

"Well, I will; but Teddy's been crying for her, and he slapped Nursey,
and was dreadful naughty," answered Rob, as if the news might bring
mother home.

"Where is my little man?" asked Mr. Bhaer.

"Dan took him out, to keep him quiet. He's all right now," said Franz,
pointing to the window, through which they could see Dan drawing baby in
his little wagon, with the dogs frolicking about him.

"I won't see him, it would only upset him again; but tell Dan I leave
Teddy in his care. You older boys I trust to manage yourselves for a
day. Franz will direct you, and Silas is here to over see matters. So
good-by till to-night."

"Just tell me a word about Uncle John," said Emil, detaining Mr. Bhaer,
as he was about hurrying away again.

"He was only ill a few hours, and died as he has lived, so cheerfully,
so peacefully, that it seems a sin to mar the beauty of it wi