Dora loves you and thinks you love her . Nan does not care for you , and you only care for her as a friend , though you have tried to do more . It is my opinion , Tom , that you love Dora , or are on the way to it ; for in all these years I 've never seen you look or speak about Nan as you do about Dora . Opposition has made you obstinately cling to her till accident has shown you a more attractive girl . Now , I think you had better take the old love for a friend , the new one for a sweetheart , and in due time , if the sentiment is genuine , marry her . ' If Mrs Jo had any doubts about the matter , Tom 's face would have proved the truth of her opinion ; for his eyes shone , his lips smiled , and in spite of dust and sunburn a new expression of happiness quite glorified him as he stood silent for a moment , trying to understand the beautiful miracle which real love works when it comes to a young man 's heart . ` The fact is I meant to make Nan jealous , for she knows Dora , and I was sure would hear of our doings . I was tired of being walked on , and I thought I 'd try to break away and not be a bore and a laughing-stock any more , ' he said slowly , as if it relieved him to pour out his doubts and woes and hopes and joys to his old friend . ' I was regularly astonished to find it so easy and so pleasant . I did n't mean to do any harm , but drifted along beautifully , and told Demi to mention things in his letters to Daisy , so Nan might know . Then I forgot Nan altogether , and saw , heard , felt , cared for no one but Dora , till the donkey -- bless his old heart ! -- pitched her into my arms and I found she loved me . Upon my soul , I do n't see why she should ! I 'm not half good enough . ' ` Every honest man feels that when an innocent girl puts her hand in his . Make yourself worthy of her , for she is n't an angel , but a woman with faults of her own for you to bear , and forgive , and you must help one another , ' said Mrs Jo , trying to realize that this sober youth was her scapegrace Tommy . ` What troubles me is that I did n't mean it when I began , and was going to use the dear girl as an instrument of torture for Nan . It was n't right , and I do n't deserve to be so happy . If all my scrapes ended as well as this , what a state of bliss I should be in ! ' and Tom beamed again at the rapturous prospect .
` My dear boy , it is not a scrape , but a very sweet experience suddenly dawning upon you , ' answered Mrs XXXXX , speaking very soberly ; for she saw he was in earnest .
Demi Dora Jo Nan Tom Tommy accident right woes years