Little friend , wear this for my sake . It is fit for a mermaid , and will remind you of your first dive . May the next bring up a better jewel , and leave no bitter water on your lips ! ' As she spoke , Miss Cameron took from the lace at her throat a pretty pin of aquamarine , and fastened it like an order on Josie 's proud bosom ; then lifting the happy little face , she kissed it very tenderly , and watched it go smiling away with eyes that seemed to see into a future full of the trials and the triumphs which she knew so well . Bess expected to see Josie come flying in , all raptures and excitement , or drowned in tears of disappointment , but was surprised at the expression of calm content and resolution which she wore . Pride and satisfaction , and a new feeling of responsibility both sobered and sustained her , and she felt that any amount of dry study and long waiting would be bearable , if in the glorious future she could be an honour to her profession and a comrade to the new friend whom she already adored with girlish ardour . She told her little story to a deeply interested audience , and all felt that Miss Cameron 's advice was good . Mrs Amy was relieved at the prospect of delay ; for she did not want her niece to be an actress and hoped the fancy would die out . Uncle Laurie was full of charming plans and prophecies and wrote one of his most delightful notes to thank their neighbour for her kindness ; while Bess , who loved art of all kinds , fully sympathized with her cousin 's ambitious hopes , only wondering why she preferred to act out her visions rather than embody them in marble . That first interview was not the last ; for Miss Cameron was really interested , and had several memorable conversations with the Laurences , while the girls sat by , drinking in every word with the delight all artists feel in their own beautiful world , and learning to see how sacred good gifts are , how powerful , and how faithfully they should be used for high ends , each in its own place helping to educate , refine , and refresh . Josie wrote reams to her mother ; and when the visit ended rejoiced her heart by bringing her a somewhat changed little daughter , who fell to work at the once-detested books with a patient energy which surprised and pleased everyone . The right string had been touched , and even French exercises and piano practice became endurable , since accomplishments would be useful by and by ; dress , manners , and habits were all interesting now , because ` mind and body , heart and soul , must be cultivated ' , and while training to become an ` intelligent , graceful , healthy girl ' , little Josie was unconsciously fitting herself to play her part well on whatever stage the great Manager might prepare for her . Chapter 9 . THE WORM TURNS Two very superior bicycles went twinkling up the road to Plumfield one September afternoon , bearing two brown and dusty riders evidently returning from a successful run , for though their legs might be a trifle weary , their faces beamed as they surveyed the world from their lofty perches with the air of calm content all wheelmen wear after they have learned to ride ; before that happy period anguish of mind and body is the chief expression of the manly countenance . ` Go ahead and report , Tom ; I 'm due here . See you later , ' said Demi , swinging himself down at the door of the Dovecote . ` Do n't peach , there 's a good fellow . Let me have it out with Mother Bhaer first , ' returned Tom , wheeling in at the gate with a heavy sigh . Demi laughed , and his comrade went slowly up the avenue , devoutly hoping that the coast was clear ; for he was the bearer of tidings which would , he thought , convulse the entire family with astonishment and dismay . To his great joy Mrs Jo was discovered alone in a grove of proof-sheets , which she dropped , to greet the returning wanderer cordially .
But after the XXXXX glance she saw that something was the matter , recent events having made her unusually sharp-eyed and suspicious .
Bess Cameron Dovecote Josie Laurie Tom aquamarine first neighbour proof-sheets