'Always that

　　'Always that, mein Sohn, seventy time seven, if needs be, else I amnot worthy the name you give me. The punishment has come; I can giveno greater. Let it not be in vain. It will not with the help of themother and the All Father. Room here for both, always!'

　　The good Professor opened his arms and embraced his boys like a trueGerman, not ashamed to express by gesture or by word the fatherlyemotions an American would have compressed into a slap on theshoulder and a brief 'All right'.

　　Mrs Jo sat and enjoyed the prospect like a romantic soul as she was,and then they had a quiet talk together, saying freely all that wasin their hearts, and finding much comfort in the confidence whichcomes when love casts out fear. It was agreed that nothing be saidexcept to Nan, who was to be thanked and rewarded for her courage,discretion, and fidelity.

　　'I always knew that girl had the making of a fine woman in her, andthis proves it. No panics and shrieks and faintings and fuss, butcalm sense and energetic skill. Dear child, what can I give or do toshow my gratitude?' said Mrs Jo enthusiastically.

　　'Make Tom clear out and leave her in peace,' suggested Ted, almosthimself again, though a pensive haze still partially obscured hisnative gaiety.

　　'Yes, do! he frets her like a mosquito. She forbade him to come outhere while she stayed, and packed him off with Demi. I like old Tom,but he is a regular noodle about Nan,' added Rob, as he went away tohelp his father with the accumulated letters.

　　'I'll do it!' said Mrs Jo decidedly. 'That girl's career shall not behampered by a foolish boy's fancy. In a moment of weariness she maygive in, and then it's all over. Wiser women have done so andregretted it all their lives. Nan shall earn her place first, andprove that she can fill it; then she may marry if she likes, and canfind a man worthy of her.'

　　But Mrs Jo's help was not needed; for love and gratitude can workmiracles, and when youth, beauty, accident, and photography areadded, success is sure; as was proved in the case of the unsuspectingbut too susceptible Thomas.
Chapter 8 Josie Plays Mermaid
While the young Bhaers were having serious experiences at home, Josiewas enjoying herself immensely at Rocky Nook; for the Laurences knewhow to make summer idleness both charming and wholesome. Bess wasvery fond of her little cousin; Mrs Amy felt that whether her niecewas an actress or not she must be a gentlewoman, and gave her thesocial training which marks the well-bred woman everywhere; whileUncle Laurie was never happier than when rowing, riding, playing, orlounging with two gay girls beside him. Josie bloomed like a wildflower in this free life, Bess grew rosy, brisk, and merry, and bothwere great favourites with the neighbours, whose villas were by theshore or perched on the cliffs along the pretty bay.

　　One crumpled rose-leaf disturbed Josie's peace, one baffled wishfilled her with a longing which became a mania, and kept her asrestless and watchful as a detective with a case to 'work up'. MissCameron, the great actress, had hired one of the villas and retiredthither to rest and 'create' a new part for next season. She saw noone but a friend or two, had a private beach, and was invisibleexcept during her daily drive, or when the opera-glasses of curiousgazers were fixed on a blue figure disporting itself in the sea. TheLaurences knew her, but respected her privacy, and after a call lefther in peace till she expressed a wish for society--a courtesy whichshe remembered and repaid later, as we shall see.