I do thank him , for it 's true ; and if you , Robin , do half as much for your brother as Papa has for me , your life wo n't be a failure , ' said Mrs Jo heartily . ` I 'm very glad to see you helping one another . It 's the right way , and we ca n't begin too soon to try to understand the needs , virtues , and failings of those nearest us . Love should not make us blind to faults , nor familiarity make us too ready to blame the shortcomings we see . So work away , my sonnies , and give us more surprises of this sort as often as you like . ' ` The liebe Mutter has said all . I too am well pleased at the friendly brother-warmth I find . It is good for everyone ; long may it last ! ' and Professor Bhaer nodded at the boys , who looked gratified , but rather at a loss how to respond to these flattering remarks . Rob wisely kept silent , fearing to say too much ; but Ted burst out , finding it impossible to help telling something : ` The fact is I 've been finding out what a brave good chap Bobby is , and I 'm trying to make up for all the bother I 've been to him . I knew he was awfully wise , but I thought him rather soft , because he liked books better than larks , and was always fussing about his conscience . But I begin to see that it is n't the fellows who talk the loudest and show off best that are the manliest . No , sir ! quiet old Bob is a hero and a trump , and I 'm proud of him ; so would you be if you knew all about it . ' Here a look from Rob brought Ted up with a round turn ; he stopped short , grew red , and clapped his hand on his mouth in dismay . ` Well , are we not to `` know all about it '' ? ' asked Mrs Jo quickly ; for her sharp eye saw signs of danger and her maternal heart felt that something had come between her and her sons . ` Boys , ' she went on solemnly , ' I suspect that the change we talk about is not altogether the effect of growing up , as we say . It strikes me that Ted has been in mischief and Rob has got him out of some scrape ; hence the lovely mood of my bad boy and the sober one of my conscientious son , who never hides anything from his mother . ' Rob was as red as Ted now , but after a moment 's hesitation he looked up and answered with an air of relief : ` Yes , mother , that 's it ; but it 's all over and no harm done , and I think we 'd better let it be , for a while at least .
I did feel guilty to keep XXXXX from you , but now you know so much I shall not worry and you need n't either .
Mutter anything boys familiarity hand larks look scrape shortcomings something