They remembered it, and joined in the plaintive chorus, which fitly expressed his own emotions: 'Oh my heart is sad and weary Everywhere I roam, Longing for the old plantation And for the old folks at home.' 'Now I feel better,' said Mrs Jo, as they all trooped down the hill soon after.

'Some of our boys are failures, but I think this one is going to be a success, and patient Daisy a happy girl at last.

Nat is your work, Fritz, and I congratulate you heartily.' 'Ach, we can but sow the seed and trust that it falls on good ground.
I planted, perhaps, but you watched that the fowls of the air did not devour it, and brother Laurie watered generously; so we will share the harvest among us, and be glad even for a small one, heart's-dearest.' 'I thought the seed had fallen on very stony ground with my poor Dan; but I shall not be surprised if he surpasses all the rest in the real success of life, since there is more rejoicing over one repentant sinner than many saints,' answered Mrs Jo, still clinging fast to her black sheep although a whole flock of white ones trotted happily before her.
It is a strong temptation to the weary historian to close the present tale with an earthquake which should engulf Plumfield and its environs so deeply in the bowels of the earth that no youthful Schliemann could ever find a vestige of it.

But as that somewhat melodramatic conclusion might shock my gentle readers, I will refrain, and forestall the usual question, 'How did they end ?' by briefly stating that all the marriages turned out well.

The boys prospered in their various callings; so did the girls, for Bess and Josie won honours in their artistic careers, and in the course of time found worthy mates.