` So I understood ; and that is what I want to speak about . Ted had a sudden desire to learn French in that way , from something you said , Dolly ; so I went myself , and was quite satisfied that it was no place for a decent boy . Your men were out in full force ; and I was glad to see that some of the younger ones looked as ashamed as I felt . The older fellows enjoyed it , and when we came out were waiting to take those painted girls to supper . Did you ever go with them ? ' ` Once . ' ` Did you like it ? ' ` No 'm ; I -- I came away early , ' stammered Dolly , with a face as red as his splendid tie . ` I 'm glad you have not lost the grace of blushing yet ; but you will soon , if you keep up this sort of study and forget to be ashamed . The society of such women will unfit you for that of good ones , and lead you into trouble and sin and shame . Oh , why do n't the city fathers stop that evil thing , when they know the harm it does ? It made my heart ache to see those boys , who ought to be at home and in their beds , going off for a night of riot which would help to ruin some of them for ever . ' The youths looked scared at Mrs Jo 's energetic protest against one of the fashionable pleasures of the day , and waited in conscience-stricken silence -- Stuffy glad that he never went to those gay suppers , and Dolly deeply grateful that he ` came away early ' . With a hand on either shoulder , and all the terrors smoothed from her brow , Mrs Jo went on in her most motherly tone , anxious to do for them what no other woman would , and do it kindly : ` My dear boys , if I did n't love you , I would not say these things . I know they are not pleasant ; but my conscience wo n't let me hold my peace when a word may keep you from two of the great sins that curse the world and send so many young men to destruction . You are just beginning to feel the allurement of them , and soon it will be hard to turn away . Stop now , I beg of you , and not only save yourselves but help others by a brave example . Come to me if things worry you ; do n't be afraid or ashamed ; I have heard many sadder confessions than any you are ever likely to bring me , and been able to comfort many poor fellows , gone wrong for want of a word in time . Do this , and you will be able to kiss your mothers with clean lips , and by and by have the right to ask innocent girls to love you . ' ` Yes 'm , thank you .
I suppose you 're right ; but it 's pretty hard work to toe the mark when ladies give you wine and gentlemen take their daughters to see Aimee , ' said XXXXX , foreseeing tribulations ahead though he knew it was time to ` pull up ' .
Dolly French Jo Ted brow night right shame terrors yourselves