` Especially the hospital scene , where you find the wounded son . Why , mother , do you know when we did that at last rehearsal my face was wet with real tears as you cried over me . It will bring down the house ; but do n't forget to wipe 'em off , or I shall sneeze , ' said Demi , laughing at the recollection of his mother 's hit . ' I wo n't ; but it almost broke my heart to see you so pale and dreadful . I hope there will never be another war in my time , for I should have to let you go ; and I never want to live through the same experience we had with father . ' ` Do n't you think Alice does the part better than Daisy would ? Daisy has n't a bit of the actress in her , and Alice puts life into the dullest words she speaks . I think the Marquise is just perfect in our piece , ' said Demi , strolling about the room as if the warmth of the fire sent a sudden colour to his face . ` So do I . She is a dear girl , and I 'm proud and fond of her . Where is she tonight ? ' ` Pegging away at her Greek , I suppose . She usually is in the evening . More 's the pity , ' added Demi , in a low tone , as he stared intently at the book-case , though he could n't read a title . ` Now , there is a girl after my own heart . Pretty , well-bred , well-educated , and yet domestic , a real companion as well as help-meet for some good and intelligent man . I hope she will find one . ' ` So do I , ' muttered Demi . Mrs Meg had taken up her work again , and was surveying a half-finished buttonhole with so much interest that her son 's face escaped her eye . He shed a beaming smile upon the rows of poets , as if even in their glass prison they could sympathize and rejoice with him at the first rosy dawn of the great passion which they knew so well .
But XXXXX was a wise youth , and never leaped before looking carefully .
Alice Daisy Demi Greek book-case buttonhole evening fire first war