For a fortnight , the Professor came and went with lover-like regularity . Then he stayed away for three whole days , and made no sign , a proceeding which caused everybody to look sober , and Jo to become pensive , at first , and then -- alas for romance -- very cross . `` Disgusted , I dare say , and gone home as suddenly as he came . It 's nothing to me , of course , but I should think he would have come and bid us goodbye like a gentleman , '' she said to herself , with a despairing look at the gate , as she put on her things for the customary walk one dull afternoon . `` You 'd better take the little umbrella , dear . It looks like rain , '' said her mother , observing that she had on her new bonnet , but not alluding to the fact . `` Yes , Marmee , do you want anything in town ? I 've got to run in and get some paper , '' returned Jo , pulling out the bow under her chin before the glass as an excuse for not looking at her mother . `` Yes , I want some twilled silesia , a paper of number nine needles , and two yards of narrow lavender ribbon . Have you got your thick boots on , and something warm under your cloak ? '' `` I believe so , '' answered Jo absently . `` If you happen to meet Mr. Bhaer , bring him home to tea . I quite long to see the dear man , '' added Mrs. March . Jo heard that , but made no answer , except to kiss her mother , and walk rapidly away , thinking with a glow of gratitude , in spite of her heartache , `` How good she is to me ! What do girls do who have n't any mothers to help them through their troubles ? '' The dry-goods stores were not down among the counting-houses , banks , and wholesale warerooms , where gentlemen most do congregate , but Jo found herself in that part of the city before she did a single errand , loitering along as if waiting for someone , examining engineering instruments in one window and samples of wool in another , with most unfeminine interest , tumbling over barrels , being half-smothered by descending bales , and hustled unceremoniously by busy men who looked as if they wondered ` how the deuce she got there ' . A drop of rain on her cheek recalled her thoughts from baffled hopes to ruined ribbons . For the drops continued to fall , and being a woman as well as a lover , she felt that , though it was too late to save her heart , she might her bonnet . Now she remembered the little umbrella , which she had forgotten to take in her hurry to be off , but regret was unavailing , and nothing could be done but borrow one or submit to a drenching . She looked up at the lowering sky , down at the crimson bow already flecked with black , forward along the muddy street , then one long , lingering look behind , at a certain grimy warehouse , with ` Hoffmann , Swartz , & Co. ' over the door , and said to herself , with a sternly reproachful air ... `` It serves me right !
what business had I to put on all my best things and come philandering down here , hoping to see the XXXXX ?
Bhaer Professor afternoon counting-houses days deuce first fortnight heartache loitering