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 . Tom was quite satisfied with the tremendous effect his engagement produced in the little community at Plumfield . ` It was paralysing , ' as Demi said ; and astonishment left most of Tom 's mates little breath for chaff . That he , the faithful one , should turn from the idol to strange goddesses , was a shock to the romantic and a warning to the susceptible . It was comical to see the airs our Thomas put on ; for the most ludicrous parts of the affair were kindly buried in oblivion by the few who knew them , and Tom burst forth as a full-blown hero who had rescued the maiden from a watery grave , and won her gratitude and love by his daring deed . Dora kept the secret , and enjoyed the fun when she came to see Mother Bhaer and pay her respects to the family generally . Everyone liked her at once , for she was a gay and winning little soul ; fresh , frank , and so happy , it was beautiful to see her innocent pride in Tom , who was a new boy , or man rather ; for with this change in his life a great change took place in him . Jolly he would always be , and impulsive , but he tried to become all that Dora believed him , and his best side came uppermost for everyday wear . It was surprising to see how many good traits Tom had ; and his efforts to preserve the manly dignity belonging to his proud position as an engaged man was very comical . So was the entire change from his former abasement and devotion to Nan to a somewhat lordly air with his little betrothed ; for Dora made an idol of him , and resented the idea of a fault or a flaw in her Tom . This new state of things suited both , and the once blighted being bloomed finely in the warm atmosphere of appreciation , love , and confidence . He was very fond of the dear girl , but meant to be a slave no longer , and enjoyed his freedom immensely , quite unconscious that the great tyrant of the world had got hold of him for life . To his father 's satisfaction he gave up his medical studies , and prepared to go into business with the old gentleman , who was a flourishing merchant , ready now to make the way smooth and smile upon his marriage with Mr West 's well-endowed daughter . The only thorn in Tom 's bed of roses was Nan 's placid interest in his affairs , and evident relief at his disloyalty . He did not want her to suffer , but a decent amount of regret at the loss of such a lover would have gratified him ; a slight melancholy , a word of reproach , a glance of envy as he passed with adoring Dora on his arm , seemed but the fitting tribute to such years of faithful service and sincere affection . But Nan regarded him with a maternal sort of air that nettled him very much , and patted Dora 's curly head with a worldlywise air worthy of the withered spinster , Julia Mills , in David Copperfield . It took some time to get the old and the new emotions comfortably adjusted , but Mrs Jo helped him , and Mr Laurie gave him some wise advice upon the astonishing gymnastic feats the human heart can perform , and be all the better for it if it only held fast to the balancing-pole of truth and common sense .
At last our Tommy got his bearings , and as autumn came on XXXXX saw but little of him ; for his new lode star was in the city , and business kept him hard at work .
Bhaer Demi Jo Mills Plumfield Thomas chaff escape goddesses spinster