`` Me likes to be sick . '' `` I do n't want to have you , so run away and help Daisy make patty cakes . '' He reluctantly departs , but his wrongs weigh upon his spirit , and by-and-by when an opportunity comes to redress them , he outwits Mamma by a shrewd bargain . `` Now you have been good children , and I 'll play anything you like , '' says Meg , as she leads her assistant cooks upstairs , when the pudding is safely bouncing in the pot . `` Truly , Marmar ? '' asks Demi , with a brilliant idea in his well-powdered head . `` Yes , truly . Anything you say , '' replies the shortsighted parent , preparing herself to sing , `` The Three Little Kittens '' half a dozen times over , or to take her family to `` Buy a penny bun , '' regardless of wind or limb . But Demi corners her by the cool reply ... `` Then we 'll go and eat up all the raisins . '' Aunt Dodo was chief playmate and confidante of both children , and the trio turned the little house topsy-turvy . Aunt Amy was as yet only a name to them , Aunt Beth soon faded into a pleasantly vague memory , but Aunt Dodo was a living reality , and they made the most of her , for which compliment she was deeply grateful . But when Mr. Bhaer came , Jo neglected her playfellows , and dismay and desolation fell upon their little souls . Daisy , who was fond of going about peddling kisses , lost her best customer and became bankrupt . Demi , with infantile penetration , soon discovered that Dodo like to play with ` the bear-man ' better than she did him , but though hurt , he concealed his anguish , for he had n't the heart to insult a rival who kept a mine of chocolate drops in his waistcoat pocket , and a watch that could be taken out of its case and freely shaken by ardent admirers . Some persons might have considered these pleasing liberties as bribes , but Demi did n't see it in that light , and continued to patronize the ` the bear-man ' with pensive affability , while Daisy bestowed her small affections upon him at the third call , and considered his shoulder her throne , his arm her refuge , his gifts treasures surpassing worth . Gentlemen are sometimes seized with sudden fits of admiration for the young relatives of ladies whom they honor with their regard , but this counterfeit philoprogenitiveness sits uneasily upon them , and does not deceive anybody a particle . Mr. Bhaer 's devotion was sincere , however likewise effective -- for honesty is the best policy in love as in law . He was one of the men who are at home with children , and looked particularly well when little faces made a pleasant contrast with his manly one . His business , whatever it was , detained him from day to day , but evening seldom failed to bring him out to see -- well , he always asked for Mr. March , so I suppose he was the attraction . The excellent papa labored under the delusion that he was , and reveled in long discussions with the kindred spirit , till a chance remark of his more observing grandson suddenly enlightened him .
Mr. XXXXX came in one evening to pause on the threshold of the study , astonished by the spectacle that met his eye .
Beth Bhaer Demi Jo Marmar Meg affability bear-man raisins third