I must get over this first . They 'd see and smell and feel the prison taint on me , if I went now , and I could n't look them in the face and hide the truth . I ca n't lose Ted 's love , Mother Bhaer 's confidence , and the respect of the girls , for they did respect my strength , anyway ; but now they would n't touch me . ' And poor Dan looked with a shudder at the brown fist he clenched involuntarily as he remembered what it had done since a certain little white hand had laid in it confidingly . ` I 'll make 'em proud of me yet ; and no one shall ever know of this awful year . I can wipe it out , and I will , so help me God ! ' And the clenched hand was held up as if to take a solemn oath that this lost year should yet be made good , if resolution and repentance could work the miracle . Chapter 16 . IN THE TENNIS-COURT Athletic sports were in high favour at Plumfield ; and the river where the old punt used to wabble about with a cargo of small boys , or echo to the shrill screams of little girls trying to get lilies , now was alive with boats of all kinds , from the slender wherry to the trim pleasure-craft , gay with cushions , awnings , and fluttering pennons . Everyone rowed , and the girls as well as the youths had their races , and developed their muscles in the most scientific manner . The large , level meadow near the old willow was now the college playground , and here baseball battles raged with fury , varied by football , leaping , and kindred sports fitted to split the fingers , break the ribs , and strain the backs of the too ambitious participants . The gentler pastimes of the damsels were at a safe distance from this Champ de Mars ; croquet mallets clicked under the elms that fringed the field , rackets rose and fell energetically in several tennis-courts , and gates of different heights were handy to practise the graceful bound by which every girl expected to save her life some day when the mad bull , which was always coming but never seemed to arrive , should be bellowing at her heels . One of these tennis grounds was called ` Jo 's Court ' , and here the little lady ruled like a queen ; for she was fond of the game , and being bent on developing her small self to the highest degree of perfection , she was to be found at every leisure moment with some victim hard at it . On a certain pleasant Saturday afternoon she had been playing with Bess and beating her ; for , though more graceful , the Princess was less active than her cousin , and cultivated her roses by quieter methods . ` Oh dear ! you are tired , and every blessed boy is at that stupid baseball match . ` What shall I do ? ' sighed Josie , pushing back the great red hat she wore , and gazing sadly round her for more worlds to conquer . ` I 'll play presently , when I 'm a little cooler . But it is dull work for me , as I never win , ' answered Bess , fanning herself with a large leaf .
XXXXX was about to sit down beside her on the rustic seat and wait , when her quick eye saw afar off two manly forms arrayed in white flannel ; their blue legs seemed bearing them towards the battle going on in the distance ; but they never reached the fray ; for with a cry of joy , Jo raced away to meet them , bent on securing this heaven-sent reinforcement .
Athletic Bhaer Jo Josie Mars Plumfield Princess afternoon wherry year