Wonder what she will say to Tom . Is n't he great fun ? ' And Nan departed , laughing over the joke with such genuine satisfaction that it was evident no sentimental regrets disturbed her ` maiden meditation , fancy-free ' . ' I shall have my eye on Demi , but wo n't say a word . Meg likes to manage her children in her own way , and a very good way it is . But the dear Pelican will be somewhat ruffled if her boy has caught the epidemic which seems to have broken out among us this summer . ' Mrs Jo did not mean the measles , but that more serious malady called love , which is apt to ravage communities , spring and autumn , when winter gaiety and summer idleness produce whole bouquets of engagements , and set young people to pairing off like the birds . Franz began it , Nat was a chronic and Tom a sudden case ; Demi seemed to have the symptoms ; and worst of all , her own Ted had only the day before calmly said to her : ` Mum , I think I should be happier if I had a sweetheart , like the other boys . ' If her cherished son had asked her for dynamite to play with , she would hardly have been more startled , or have more decidedly refused the absurd request . ` Well , Barry Morgan said I ought to have one and offered to pick me out a nice one among our set . I asked Josie first , and she hooted at the idea , so I thought I 'd let Barry look round . You say it steadies a fellow , and I want to be steady , ' explained Ted in a serious tone , which would have convulsed his parent at any other time . ` Good lack ! What are we coming to in this fast age when babes and boys make such demands and want to play with one of the most sacred things in life ? ' exclaimed Mrs Jo , and having in a few words set the matter in its true light , sent her son away to wholesome baseball and Octoo for a safe sweetheart . Now , here was Tom 's bomb-shell to explode in their midst , carrying widespread destruction , perhaps ; for though one swallow does not make a summer , one engagement is apt to make several , and her boys were , most of them , at the inflammable age when a spark ignites the flame , which soon flickers and dies out , or burns warm and clear for life . Nothing could be done about it but to help them make wise choices , and be worthy of good mates . But of all the lessons Mrs Jo had tried to teach her boys , this great one was the hardest ; for love is apt to make lunatics of even saints and sages , so young people can not be expected to escape the delusions , disappointments , and mistakes , as well as the delights , of this sweet madness . ' I suppose it is inevitable , since we live in America , so I wo n't borrow trouble , but hope that some of the new ideas of education will produce a few hearty , happy , capable , and intelligent girls for my lads . Lucky for me that I have n't the whole twelve on my hands , I should lose my wits if I had , for I foresee complications and troubles ahead worse than Tom 's boats , bicycles , donkeys , and Doras , ' meditated Mrs Jo , as she went back to her neglected proof-sheets .
XXXXX was quite satisfied with the tremendous effect his engagement produced in the little community at Plumfield .
Barry Doras Franz Morgan Nat Pelican Tom burns delusions proof-sheets