The old gentleman took Jo , with a whispered , `` You must be my girl now , '' and a glance at the empty corner by the fire , that made Jo whisper back , `` I 'll try to fill her place , sir . '' The twins pranced behind , feeling that the millennium was at hand , for everyone was so busy with the newcomers that they were left to revel at their own sweet will , and you may be sure they made the most of the opportunity . Did n't they steal sips of tea , stuff gingerbread ad libitum , get a hot biscuit apiece , and as a crowning trespass , did n't they each whisk a captivating little tart into their tiny pockets , there to stick and crumble treacherously , teaching them that both human nature and a pastry are frail ? Burdened with the guilty consciousness of the sequestered tarts , and fearing that Dodo 's sharp eyes would pierce the thin disguise of cambric and merino which hid their booty , the little sinners attached themselves to ` Dranpa ' , who had n't his spectacles on . Amy , who was handed about like refreshments , returned to the parlor on Father Laurence 's arm . The others paired off as before , and this arrangement left Jo companionless . She did not mind it at the minute , for she lingered to answer Hannah 's eager inquiry . `` Will Miss Amy ride in her coop -LRB- coupe -RRB- , and use all them lovely silver dishes that 's stored away over yander ? '' `` Should n't wonder if she drove six white horses , ate off gold plate , and wore diamonds and point lace every day . Teddy thinks nothing too good for her , '' returned Jo with infinite satisfaction . `` No more there is ! Will you have hash or fishballs for breakfast ? '' asked Hannah , who wisely mingled poetry and prose . `` I do n't care , '' and Jo shut the door , feeling that food was an uncongenial topic just then . She stood a minute looking at the party vanishing above , and as Demi 's short plaid legs toiled up the last stair , a sudden sense of loneliness came over her so strongly that she looked about her with dim eyes , as if to find something to lean upon , for even Teddy had deserted her . If she had known what birthday gift was coming every minute nearer and nearer , she would not have said to herself , `` I 'll weep a little weep when I go to bed . It wo n't do to be dismal now . '' Then she drew her hand over her eyes , for one of her boyish habits was never to know where her handkerchief was , and had just managed to call up a smile when there came a knock at the porch door . She opened with hospitable haste , and started as if another ghost had come to surprise her , for there stood a tall bearded gentleman , beaming on her from the darkness like a midnight sun . `` Oh , Mr. Bhaer , I am so glad to see you ! ''
cried XXXXX , with a clutch , as if she feared the night would swallow him up before she could get him in .
Amy Bhaer Jo Laurence day fishballs left sun tarts yander