Chapter 53
'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.'