Tom and Ted are going to shower bushels of ashes down and roll barrels of stones about . We wanted a dark man for the Egyptian ; and you will be gorgeous in red and white shawls . Wo n't he , Aunt Jo ? ' This deluge of words made Dan clap his hands over his ears ; and before Mrs Bhaer could answer her impetuous niece the Laurences , with Meg and her family , arrived , soon followed by Tom and Nan , and all sat down to listen to Dan 's adventures -- told in brief yet effective manner , as the varying expressions of interest , wonder , merriment , and suspense painted on the circle of faces round him plainly showed . The boys all wanted to start at once for California and make fortunes ; the girls could hardly wait for the curious and pretty things he had picked up for them in his travels ; while the elders rejoiced heartily over the energy and good prospects of their wild boy . ` Of course you will want to go back for another stroke of luck ; and I hope you will have it . But speculation is a dangerous game , and you may lose all you 've won , ' said Mr Laurie , who had enjoyed the stirring tale as much as any of the boys , and would have liked to rough it with Dan as well as they . ` I 've had enough of it , for a while at least ; too much like gambling . The excitement is all I care for , and it is n't good for me . I have a notion to try farming out West . It 's grand on a large scale ; and I feel as if steady work would be rather jolly after loafing round so long . I can make a beginning , and you can send me your black sheep to stock my place with . I tried sheep-farming in Australia , and know something about black ones , any way . ' A laugh chased away the sober look in Dan 's face as he ended ; and those who knew him best guessed that he had learned a lesson there in San Francisco , and dared not try again . ` That is a capital idea , Dan ! ' cried Mrs Jo , seeing great hope in this desire to fix himself somewhere and help others . ` We shall know where you are , and can go and see you , and not have half the world between us . I 'll send my Ted for a visit . He 's such a restless spirit , it would do him good . With you he would be safe while he worked off his surplus energies and learned a wholesome business . '
` I 'll use the `` shubble and de hoe '' like a good one , if I get a chance out there ; but the Speranza mines sound rather jollier , ' said XXXXX , examining the samples of ore Dan had brought for the Professor .
Bhaer Dan Egyptian Jo Laurences Laurie Meg Ted Tom West