She forbade him to come out here while she stayed , and packed him off with Demi . I like old Tom , but he is a regular noodle about Nan , ' added Rob , as he went away to help his father with the accumulated letters . ` I 'll do it ! ' said Mrs Jo decidedly . ` That girl 's career shall not be hampered by a foolish boy 's fancy . In a moment of weariness she may give in , and then it 's all over . Wiser women have done so and regretted it all their lives . Nan shall earn her place first , and prove that she can fill it ; then she may marry if she likes , and can find a man worthy of her . ' But Mrs Jo 's help was not needed ; for love and gratitude can work miracles , and when youth , beauty , accident , and photography are added , success is sure ; as was proved in the case of the unsuspecting but too susceptible Thomas . Chapter 8 . JOSIE PLAYS MERMAID While the young Bhaers were having serious experiences at home , Josie was enjoying herself immensely at Rocky Nook ; for the Laurences knew how to make summer idleness both charming and wholesome . Bess was very fond of her little cousin ; Mrs Amy felt that whether her niece was an actress or not she must be a gentlewoman , and gave her the social training which marks the well-bred woman everywhere ; while Uncle Laurie was never happier than when rowing , riding , playing , or lounging with two gay girls beside him . Josie bloomed like a wild flower in this free life , Bess grew rosy , brisk , and merry , and both were great favourites with the neighbours , whose villas were by the shore or perched on the cliffs along the pretty bay . One crumpled rose-leaf disturbed Josie 's peace , one baffled wish filled her with a longing which became a mania , and kept her as restless and watchful as a detective with a case to ` work up ' . Miss Cameron , the great actress , had hired one of the villas and retired thither to rest and ` create ' a new part for next season . She saw no one but a friend or two , had a private beach , and was invisible except during her daily drive , or when the opera-glasses of curious gazers were fixed on a blue figure disporting itself in the sea . The Laurences knew her , but respected her privacy , and after a call left her in peace till she expressed a wish for society -- a courtesy which she remembered and repaid later , as we shall see . But Josie was like a thirsty fly buzzing about a sealed honey-pot , for this nearness to her idol was both delightful and maddening . She pined to see , hear , talk with , and study this great and happy woman who could thrill thousands by her art , and win friends by her virtue , benevolence , and beauty . This was the sort of actress the girl meant to be , and few could object if the gift was really hers ; for the stage needs just such women to purify and elevate the profession which should teach as well as amuse .
If kindly Miss XXXXX had known what passionate love and longing burned in the bosom of the little girl whom she idly observed skipping over the rocks , splashing about the beach , or galloping past her gate on a Shetland pony , she would have made her happy by a look or a word .
Cameron Josie Nook Rob Thomas accident first opera-glasses rose-leaf rowing