After the life in California , it was sweet and restful to be here , with these familiar faces round him , helping him to forget much that he regretted , and to resolve to deserve more entirely the confidence of these good fellows , the respect of these innocent girls . So there was riding , rowing , and picnicking by day , music , dancing , and plays by night ; and everyone said there had not been so gay a vacation for years . Bess kept her promise , and let the dust gather on her beloved clay while she went pleasuring with her mates or studied music with her father , who rejoiced over the fresh roses in her cheeks and the laughter which chased away the dreamy look she used to wear . Josie quarrelled less with Ted ; for Dan had a way of looking at her which quelled her instantly , and had almost as good an effect upon her rebellious cousin . But Octoo did even more for the lively youth , who found that her charms entirely eclipsed those of the bicycle which had been his heart 's delight before . Early and late he rode this untiring beast , and began to gain flesh -- to the great joy of his mother , who feared that her beanstalk was growing too fast for health . Demi , finding business dull , solaced his leisure by photographing everybody he could induce to sit or stand to him , producing some excellent pictures among many failures ; for he had a pretty taste in grouping , and endless patience . He might be said to view the world through the lens of his camera , and seemed to enjoy himself very much squinting at his fellow beings from under a bit of black cambric . Dan was a treasure to him ; for he took well , and willingly posed in his Mexican costume , with horse and hound , and all wanted copies of these effective photographs . Bess , also , was a favourite sitter ; and Demi received a prize at the Amateur Photographic Exhibition for one of his cousin with all her hair about her face , which rose from the cloud of white lace draping the shoulders . These were freely handed round by the proud artist ; and one copy had a tender little history yet to be told . Nat was snatching every minute he could get with Daisy before the long parting ; and Mrs Meg relented somewhat , feeling sure that absence would quite cure this unfortunate fancy . Daisy said little ; but her gentle face was sad when she was alone , and a few quiet tears dropped on the handkerchiefs she marked so daintily with her own hair . She was sure Nat would not forget her ; and life looked rather forlorn without the dear fellow who had been her friend since the days of patty-pans and confidences in the willow-tree . She was an old-fashioned daughter , dutiful and docile , with such love and reverence for her mother that her will was law ; and if love was forbidden , friendship must suffice . So she kept her little sorrow to herself , smiled cheerfully at Nat , and made his last days of home-life very happy with every comfort and pleasure she could give , from sensible advice and sweet words to a well-filled work-bag for his bachelor establishment and a box of goodies for the voyage . Tom and Nan took all the time they could spare from their studies to enjoy high jinks at Plumfield with their old friends ; for Emil 's next voyage was to be a long one , Nat 's absence was uncertain , and no one ever knew when Dan would turn up again . They all seemed to feel that life was beginning to grow serious ; and even while they enjoyed those lovely summer days together they were conscious that they were children no longer , and often in the pauses of their fun talked soberly of their plans and hopes , as if anxious to know and help one another before they drifted farther apart on their different ways . A few weeks were all they had ; then the Brenda was ready , Nat was to sail from New York , and Dan went along to see him off ; for his own plans fermented in his head , and he was eager to be up and doing . A farewell dance was given on Parnassus in honour of the travellers , and all turned out in their best array and gayest spirits .
George and Dolly came with the latest Harvard airs and graces , radiant to behold , in dress-suits and ` crushed hats ' , as XXXXX called the especial pride and joy of their boyish souls .
California Daisy Dan Josie Nat Tom York beanstalk work-bag years