Chapter 39
'They've got her!' thought Teddy, in comical dismay. 'No use for her
to play housemaid since they've seen the portrait.'
Mrs Jo did her best, and being a good actress, would have escaped if
the fatal picture had not betrayed her. Mrs Parmalee paused at the
desk, and regardless of the meerschaum that lay there, the man's
slippers close by, and a pile of letters directed to 'Prof. F.
Bhaer', she clasped her hands, exclaiming impressively: 'Girls, this
is the spot where she wrote those sweet, those moral tales which have
thrilled us to the soul! Could I--ah, could I take one morsel of
paper, an old pen, a postage stamp even, as a memento of this gifted
woman?'
'Yes'm, help yourselves,' replied the maid, moving away with a glance
at the boy, whose eyes were now full of merriment he could not
suppress.
The oldest girl saw it, guessed the truth, and a quick look at the
woman in the apron confirmed her suspicion. Touching her mother, she
whispered: 'Ma, it's Mrs Bhaer herself. I know it is.'
'No? yes? it is! Well, I do declare, how nice that is!' And hastily
pursuing the unhappy woman, who was making for the door, Mrs Parmalee
cried eagerly:
'Don't mind us! I know you're busy, but just let me take your hand
and then we'll go.'
Giving herself up for lost, Mrs Jo turned and presented her hand like
a tea-tray, submitting to have it heartily shaken, as the matron
said, with somewhat alarming hospitality:
'If ever you come to Oshkosh, your feet won't be allowed to touch the
pavement; for you'll be borne in the arms of the populace, we shall
be so dreadful glad to see you.'
Mentally resolving never to visit that effusive town, Jo responded as
cordially as she could; and having written her name in the albums,
provided each visitor with a memento, and kissed them all round, they
at last departed, to call on 'Longfeller, Holmes, and the rest'--who
were all out, it is devoutly to be hoped.
'You villain, why didn't you give me a chance to whip away? Oh, my
dear, what fibs you told that man! I hope we shall be forgiven our