The feeling recalled Nan , for he had never known that tender thrill when thinking of her , and the old friendship seemed rather a prosaic affair beside this delightful mingling of romance , surprise , love , and fun . ' I declare , I feel as if a weight was off me , but what the dickens will Nan say when she knows it ! ' he exclaimed with a chuckle . ` Knows what ? ' asked a clear voice that made both start and turn , for there was Nan calmly surveying them from the doorway . Anxious to put Tom out of suspense and see how Nan would take the news , Mrs Jo answered quickly : ` Tom 's engagement to Dora West . ' ` Really ? ' and Nan looked so surprised that Mrs Jo was afraid she might be fonder of her old playmate than she knew ; but her next words set the fear at rest , and made everything comfortable and merry at once . ' I knew my prescription would work wonders if he only took it long enough . Dear old Tom , I 'm so glad . Bless you ! bless you ! ' And she shook both his hands with hearty affection . ` It was an accident , Nan . I did n't mean to , but I 'm always getting into messes , and I could n't seem to get out of this any other way . Mother Bhaer will tell you all about it . I must go and make myself tidy . Going to tea with Demi . See you later . ' Stammering , blushing , and looking both sheepish and gratified , Tom suddenly bolted , leaving the elder lady to enlighten the younger at length , and have another laugh over this new sort of courtship , which might well be called accidental .
XXXXX was deeply interested , for she knew Dora , thought her a nice little thing , and predicted that in time she would make Tom an excellent wife , since she admired and ` appreciated ' him so much . '
Bhaer Demi Jo Nan Tom West accident engagement playmate tea