`` I beg your pardon . I did n't see the name distinctly . Never mind , I can walk . I 'm used to plodding in the mud , '' returned Jo , winking hard , because she would have died rather than openly wipe her eyes . Mr. Bhaer saw the drops on her cheeks , though she turned her head away . The sight seemed to touch him very much , for suddenly stooping down , he asked in a tone that meant a great deal , `` Heart 's dearest , why do you cry ? '' Now , if Jo had not been new to this sort of thing she would have said she was n't crying , had a cold in her head , or told any other feminine fib proper to the occasion . Instead of which , that undignified creature answered , with an irrepressible sob , `` Because you are going away . '' `` Ach , mein Gott , that is so good ! '' cried Mr. Bhaer , managing to clasp his hands in spite of the umbrella and the bundles , `` Jo , I haf nothing but much love to gif you . I came to see if you could care for it , and I waited to be sure that I was something more than a friend . Am I ? Can you make a little place in your heart for old Fritz ? '' he added , all in one breath . `` Oh , yes ! '' said Jo , and he was quite satisfied , for she folded both hands over his arm , and looked up at him with an expression that plainly showed how happy she would be to walk through life beside him , even though she had no better shelter than the old umbrella , if he carried it . It was certainly proposing under difficulties , for even if he had desired to do so , Mr. Bhaer could not go down upon his knees , on account of the mud . Neither could he offer Jo his hand , except figuratively , for both were full . Much less could he indulge in tender remonstrations in the open street , though he was near it . So the only way in which he could express his rapture was to look at her , with an expression which glorified his face to such a degree that there actually seemed to be little rainbows in the drops that sparkled on his beard .
If he had not loved XXXXX very much , I do n't think he could have done it then , for she looked far from lovely , with her skirts in a deplorable state , her rubber boots splashed to the ankle , and her bonnet a ruin .
Ach Bhaer Fritz Gott Jo dearest fib rainbows remonstrations something