Daisy 's voice broke there ; and a sudden rustle , followed by a soft murmur , seemed to tell that she was in her mother 's arms , seeking and finding comfort there . Alice heard no more , and shut her window with a guilty feeling but a shining face ; for the proverb about listeners failed here , and she had learned more than she dared to hope . Things seemed to change suddenly ; she felt that her heart was large enough for both love and duty ; she knew now that she would be welcomed by mother and sister ; and the memory of Daisy 's less happy fate , Nat 's weary probation , the long delay , and possible separation for ever -- all came before her so vividly that prudence seemed cruelty ; self-sacrifice , sentimental folly ; and anything but the whole truth , disloyalty to her lover . As she thought thus , the half-blown rose went to join the bud ; and then , after a pause , she slowly kissed the perfect rose , and added it to the tell-tale group , saying to herself with a sort of sweet solemnity , as if the words were a vow : ` I 'll love and work and wait with and for my John . ' It was well for her that Demi was absent when she stole down to join the guests who soon began to flow through the house in a steady stream . The new brightness which touched her usually thoughtful face was easily explained by the congratulations she received as orator , and the slight agitation observable , when a fresh batch of gentlemen approached soon passed , as none of them noticed the flowers she wore over a very happy heart . Demi meantime was escorting certain venerable personages about the college , and helping his grandfather entertain them with discussion of the Socratic method of instruction , Pythagoras , Pestalozzi , Froebel , and the rest , whom he devoutly wished at the bottom of the Red Sea , and no wonder , for his head and his heart were full of love and roses , hopes and fears . He piloted the ` potent , grave , and reverend seigniors ' safely down to Plumfield at last , and landed them before his uncle and aunt Bhaer , who were receiving in state , the one full of genuine delight in all men and things , the other suffering martyrdom with a smile , as she stood shaking hand after hand , and affecting utter unconsciousness of the sad fact that ponderous Professor Plock had camped upon the train of her state and festival velvet gown . With a long sigh of relief Demi glanced about him for the beloved girl . Most persons would have looked some time before any particular angel could be discovered among the white-robed throng in parlours , hall , and study ; but his eye went -- like the needle to the pole -- to the corner where a smooth dark head , with its braided crown , rose like a queen 's , he thought , above the crowd which surrounded her . Yes , she has a flower at her throat ; one , two , oh , blessed sight ! he saw it all across the room , and gave a rapturous sigh which caused Miss Perry 's frizzled crop to wave with a sudden gust . He did not see the rose , for it was hidden by a fold of lace ; and it was well , perhaps , that bliss came by instalments , or he might have electrified the assembled multitude by flying to his idol , there being no Daisy to clutch him by the coat-tail . A stout lady , thirsting for information , seized him at that thrilling moment , and he was forced to point out celebrities with a saintly patience which deserved a better reward than it received ; for a certain absence of mind and incoherence of speech at times caused the ungrateful dowager to whisper to the first friend she met after he had escaped : ' I saw no wine at any of the spreads ; but it is plain that young Brooke has had too much . Quite gentlemanly , but evidently a trifle intoxicated , my dear . ' Ah , so he was ! but with a diviner wine than any that ever sparkled at a class-day lunch , though many collegians know the taste of it ; and when the old lady was disposed of , he gladly turned to find the young one , bent on having a single word . He saw her standing by the piano now , idly turning over music as she talked with several gentlemen . Hiding his impatience under an air of scholastic repose , Demi hovered near , ready to advance when the happy moment came , wondering meantime why elderly persons persisted in absorbing young ones instead of sensibly sitting in corners with their contemporaries . The elderly persons in question retired at length , but only to be replaced by two impetuous youths who begged Miss Heath to accompany them to Parnassus and join the dance .
XXXXX thirsted for their blood , but was appeased by hearing George and Dolly say , as they lingered a moment after her refusal : ` Really , you know , I 'm quite converted to co-education and almost wish I 'd remained here .
Daisy Demi Perry Pestalozzi Plock Plumfield Pythagoras coat-tail parlours unconsciousness