Nobody will want lamb and green peas after this splendid pow-wow , ' said Mrs Jo , surveying the picturesque confusion of the long hall , where people lay about on the rugs , all more or less bedecked with feathers , moccasins , or beads . ` Moose noses , buffalo tongues , bear steaks , and roasted marrow-bones would be the thing , but I do n't mind a change ; so bring on your baa-baa and green meat , ' answered Dan from the box , where he sat in state like a chief among his tribe , with the great hound at his feet . The girls began to clear up , but made little headway ; for everything they touched had a story , and all were thrilling , comical , or wild ; so they found it hard to settle to their work , till Dan was carried off by Mr Laurie . This was the beginning of the summer holiday , and it was curious to see what a pleasant little stir Dan 's and Emil 's coming made in the quiet life of the studious community ; for they seemed to bring a fresh breeze with them that enlivened everyone . Many of the collegians remained during vacation ; and Plumfield and Parnassus did their best to make these days pleasant for them , since most came from distant States , were poor , and had few opportunities but this for culture or amusement . Emil was hail-fellow-well-met with men and maids , and went rollicking about in true sailor fashion ; but Dan stood rather in awe of the ` fair girl-graduates ' , and was silent when among them , eyeing them as an eagle might a flock of doves . He got on better with the young men , and was their hero at once . Their admiration for his manly accomplishments did him good ; because he felt his educational defects keenly , and often wondered if he could find anything in books to satisfy him as thoroughly as did the lessons he was learning from Nature 's splendidly illustrated volume . In spite of his silence , the girls found out his good qualities , and regarded ` the Spaniard ' , as they named him , with great favour ; for his black eyes were more eloquent than his tongue , and the kind creatures tried to show their friendly interests in many charming ways . He saw this , and endeavoured to be worthy of it -- curbing his free speech , toning down his rough manners , and watching the effect of all he said and did , anxious to make a good impression . The social atmosphere warmed his lonely heart , the culture excited him to do his best , and the changes which had taken place during his absence , both in himself and others , made the old home seem like a new world . 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 .
XXXXX , 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 .
Bess Josie Moose Octoo States cambric girl-graduates headway marrow-bones years