`` Love has done much for our little girl , '' said her mother softly . `` She has had a good example before her all her life , my dear , '' Mr. March whispered back , with a loving look at the worn face and gray head beside him . Daisy found it impossible to keep her eyes off her ` pitty aunty ' , but attached herself like a lap dog to the wonderful chatelaine full of delightful charms . Demi paused to consider the new relationship before he compromised himself by the rash acceptance of a bribe , which took the tempting form of a family of wooden bears from Berne . A flank movement produced an unconditional surrender , however , for Laurie knew where to have him . `` Young man , when I first had the honor of making your acquaintance you hit me in the face . Now I demand the satisfaction of a gentleman , '' and with that the tall uncle proceeded to toss and tousle the small nephew in a way that damaged his philosophical dignity as much as it delighted his boyish soul . `` Blest if she ai n't in silk from head to foot ; ai n't it a relishin ' sight to see her settin ' there as fine as a fiddle , and hear folks calling little Amy ` Mis . Laurence ! ' '' muttered old Hannah , who could not resist frequent `` peeks '' through the slide as she set the table in a most decidedly promiscuous manner . Mercy on us , how they did talk ! first one , then the other , then all burst out together -- trying to tell the history of three years in half an hour . It was fortunate that tea was at hand , to produce a lull and provide refreshment -- for they would have been hoarse and faint if they had gone on much longer . Such a happy procession as filed away into the little dining room ! Mr. March proudly escorted Mrs. Laurence . Mrs. March as proudly leaned on the arm of ` my son ' . 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 .
XXXXX , who was handed about like refreshments , returned to the parlor on Father Laurence 's arm .
Amy Daisy Demi Laurie aunty left merino sips tarts trespass