` No use for her to play housemaid since they 've seen the portrait . ' Mrs Jo did her best , and being a good actress , would have escaped if the fatal picture had not betrayed her . Mrs Parmalee paused at the desk , and regardless of the meerschaum that lay there , the man 's slippers close by , and a pile of letters directed to ` Prof. F. Bhaer ' , she clasped her hands , exclaiming impressively : ` Girls , this is the spot where she wrote those sweet , those moral tales which have thrilled us to the soul ! Could I -- ah , could I take one morsel of paper , an old pen , a postage stamp even , as a memento of this gifted woman ? ' ` Yes 'm , help yourselves , ' replied the maid , moving away with a glance at the boy , whose eyes were now full of merriment he could not suppress . The oldest girl saw it , guessed the truth , and a quick look at the woman in the apron confirmed her suspicion . Touching her mother , she whispered : ` Ma , it 's Mrs Bhaer herself . I know it is . ' ` No ? yes ? it is ! Well , I do declare , how nice that is ! ' And hastily pursuing the unhappy woman , who was making for the door , Mrs Parmalee cried eagerly : ` Do n't mind us ! I know you 're busy , but just let me take your hand and then we 'll go . ' Giving herself up for lost , Mrs Jo turned and presented her hand like a tea-tray , submitting to have it heartily shaken , as the matron said , with somewhat alarming hospitality : ` If ever you come to Oshkosh , your feet wo n't be allowed to touch the pavement ; for you 'll be borne in the arms of the populace , we shall be so dreadful glad to see you . ' Mentally resolving never to visit that effusive town , Jo responded as cordially as she could ; and having written her name in the albums , provided each visitor with a memento , and kissed them all round , they at last departed , to call on ` Longfeller , Holmes , and the rest ' -- who were all out , it is devoutly to be hoped . ` You villain , why did n't you give me a chance to whip away ? Oh , my dear , what fibs you told that man ! I hope we shall be forgiven our sins in this line , but I do n't know what is to become of us if we do n't dodge . So many against one is n't fair play . '
And Mrs XXXXX hung up her apron in the hall closet , with a groan at the trials of her lot .
Bhaer Holmes Jo Longfeller Parmalee fibs housemaid meerschaum postage tea-tray