This belief strengthened daily . She valued his esteem , she coveted his respect , she wanted to be worthy of his friendship , and just when the wish was sincerest , she came near to losing everything . It all grew out of a cocked hat , for one evening the Professor came in to give Jo her lesson with a paper soldier cap on his head , which Tina had put there and he had forgotten to take off . `` It 's evident he does n't look in his glass before coming down , '' thought Jo , with a smile , as he said `` Goot efening , '' and sat soberly down , quite unconscious of the ludicrous contrast between his subject and his headgear , for he was going to read her the Death of Wallenstein . She said nothing at first , for she liked to hear him laugh out his big , hearty laugh when anything funny happened , so she left him to discover it for himself , and presently forgot all about it , for to hear a German read Schiller is rather an absorbing occupation . After the reading came the lesson , which was a lively one , for Jo was in a gay mood that night , and the cocked hat kept her eyes dancing with merriment . The Professor did n't know what to make of her , and stopped at last to ask with an air of mild surprise that was irresistible ... `` Mees Marsch , for what do you laugh in your master 's face ? Haf you no respect for me , that you go on so bad ? '' `` How can I be respectful , Sir , when you forget to take your hat off ? '' said Jo . Lifting his hand to his head , the absent-minded Professor gravely felt and removed the little cocked hat , looked at it a minute , and then threw back his head and laughed like a merry bass viol . `` Ah ! I see him now , it is that imp Tina who makes me a fool with my cap . Well , it is nothing , but see you , if this lesson goes not well , you too shall wear him . '' But the lesson did not go at all for a few minutes because Mr. Bhaer caught sight of a picture on the hat , and unfolding it , said with great disgust , `` I wish these papers did not come in the house . They are not for children to see , nor young people to read . It is not well , and I haf no patience with those who make this harm . '' Jo glanced at the sheet and saw a pleasing illustration composed of a lunatic , a corpse , a villain , and a viper . She did not like it , but the impulse that made her turn it over was not one of displeasure but fear , because for a minute she fancied the paper was the Volcano . It was not , however , and her panic subsided as she remembered that even if it had been and one of her own tales in it , there would have been no name to betray her .
She had betrayed herself , however , by a look and a blush , for though an absent man , the XXXXX saw a good deal more than people fancied .
Haf Jo Professor Schiller Tina Volcano daily efening evening left