.

WAITING.
'My wife, I have bad news for thee,' said Professor Bhaer, coming in one day early in January.
'Please tell it at once.

I can't bear to wait, Fritz,' cried Mrs Jo, dropping her work and standing up as if to take the shot bravely.
'But we must wait and hope, heart's-dearest.

Come and let us bear it together.

Emil's ship is lost, and as yet no news of him.' It was well Mr Bhaer had taken his wife into his strong arms, for she looked ready to drop, but bore up after a moment, and sitting by her good man, heard all that there was to tell.