Chapter 26
I don't think much of your old Homer. Give me Napoleon or Grant for
my hero.'
Josie's scorn was as funny as if a humming-bird scolded at an
ostrich, and everyone laughed as she sniffed at the immortal poet and
criticized the gods.
'Napoleon's Juno had a nice time; didn't she? That's just the way
girls argue--first one way and then the other,' jeered Ted.
'Like Johnson's young lady, who was "not categorical, but all
wiggle-waggle",' added Uncle Laurie, enjoying the battle immensely.
'I was only speaking of them as soldiers. But if you come to the
woman side of it, wasn't Grant a kind husband and Mrs Grant a happy
woman? He didn't threaten to whip her if she asked a natural
question; and if Napoleon did do wrong about Josephine, he could
fight, and didn't want any Minerva to come fussing over him. They
were a stupid set, from dandified Paris to Achilles sulking in his
ships, and I won't change my opinion for all the Hectors and
Agamemnons in Greece,' said Josie, still unconquered.
'You can fight like a Trojan, that's evident; and we will be the two
obedient armies looking on while you and Ted have it out,' began
Uncle Laurie, assuming the attitude of a warrior leaning on his
spear.
'I fear we must give it up, for Pallas is about to descend and carry
off our Hector,' said Mr March, smiling, as Jo came to remind her son
that suppertime was near.
'We will fight it out later when there are no goddesses to
interfere,' said Teddy, as he turned away with unusual alacrity,
remembering the treat in store.
'Conquered by a muffin, by Jove!' called Josie after him, exulting in
an opportunity to use the classical exclamation forbidden to her sex.
But Ted shot a Parthian arrow as he retired in good order by
replying, with a highly virtuous expression:
'Obedience is a soldier's first duty.'
Bent on her woman's privilege of having the last word, Josie ran
after him, but never uttered the scathing speech upon her lips, for a
very brown young man in a blue suit came leaping up the steps with a
cheery 'Ahoy! ahoy! where is everybody?'