` Worse than that , ' groaned Tom . ` Not poisoned some trusting soul who asked you to prescribe , I hope ? ' ` Worse than that . ' ` You have n't let Demi catch any horrid thing and left him behind , have you ? ' ` Worse even than that . ' ' I give it up . Tell me quick ; I hate to wait for bad news . ' Having got his listener sufficiently excited , Tom launched his thunderbolt in one brief sentence , and fell back to watch the effect . ` I 'm engaged ! ' Mrs Jo 's proof-sheets flew wildly about as she clasped her hands , exclaiming in dismay : ` If Nan has yielded , I 'll never forgive her ! ' ` She has n't ; it 's another girl . ' Tom 's face was so funny as he said the words , that it was impossible to help laughing ; for he looked both sheepish and pleased , besides very much perplexed and worried . ` I 'm glad , very glad indeed ! Do n't care who it is ; and I hope you 'll be married soon . Now tell me all about it , ' commanded Mrs Jo , so much relieved that she felt ready for anything . ` What will Nan say ? ' demanded Tom , rather taken aback at this view of his predicament . ` She will be rejoiced to get rid of the mosquito who has plagued her so long . Do n't worry about Nan . Who is this `` other girl '' ? '
` XXXXX has n't written about her ? '
Demi Jo Nan Tom left mosquito poisoned proof-sheets soul thunderbolt