I see half a dozen at least , ' called sister Ann from the hall door . ` No ! a dozen , I do believe ; Aunty , look out ; they are all coming ! What shall we do ? ' And Josie quailed at the idea of facing the black throng rapidly approaching . ` Mercy on us , there are hundreds ! Run and put a tub in the back entry for their umbrellas to drip into . Tell them to go down the hall and leave them , and pile their hats on the table ; the tree wo n't hold them all . No use to get mats ; my poor carpets ! ' And down went Mrs Jo to prepare for the invasion , while Josie and the maids flew about dismayed at the prospect of so many muddy boots . On they came , a long line of umbrellas , with splashed legs and flushed faces underneath ; for the gentlemen had been having a good time all over the town , undisturbed by the rain . Professor Bhaer met them at the gate , and was making a little speech of welcome , when Mrs Jo , touched by their bedraggled state , appeared at the door , beckoning them in . Leaving their host to orate bareheaded in the wet , the young men hastened up the steps , merry , warm , and eager , clutching off their hats as they came , and struggling with their umbrellas , as the order was passed to march in and stack arms . Tramp , tramp , tramp , down the hall went seventy-five pairs of boots ; soon seventy-five umbrellas dripped sociably in the hospitable tub , while their owners swarmed all over the lower part of the house ; and seventy-five hearty hands were shaken by the hostess without a murmur , though some were wet , some very warm , and nearly all bore trophies of the day 's ramble . One impetuous party flourished a small turtle as he made his compliments ; another had a load of sticks cut from noted spots ; and all begged for some memento of Plumfield . A pile of cards mysteriously appeared on the table , with a written request for autographs ; and despite her morning vow , Mrs Jo wrote everyone , while her husband and boys did the honours of the house . Josie fled to the back parlour , but was discovered by exploring youths , and mortally insulted by one of them , who innocently inquired if she was Mrs Bhaer . The reception did not last long , and the end was better than the beginning ; for the rain ceased , and a rainbow shone beautifully over them as the good fellows stood upon the lawn singing sweetly for a farewell . A happy omen , that bow of promise arched over the young heads , as if Heaven smiled upon their union , and showed them that above the muddy earth and rainy skies the blessed sun still shone for all . Three cheers , and then away they went , leaving a pleasant recollection of their visit to amuse the family as they scraped the mud off the carpets with shovels and emptied the tub half-full of water .
` Nice , honest , hard-working fellows , and I do n't begrudge my half-hour at all ; but I must finish , so do n't let anyone disturb me till tea-time , ' said Mrs Jo , leaving Mary to shut up the house ; for papa and the boys had gone off with the guests , and XXXXX had run home to tell her mother about the fun at Aunt Jo 's .
Ann Aunty Bhaer Jo Josie Plumfield autographs half-full honours parlour