I 'm not going to grind three mortal years and have nothing to show for it . Till then , -- ' ` I 'll never desert Mrs Micawber , ' interrupted Teddy , with a gurgling sob . Tom immediately rolled him off the step into the wet grass below ; and by the time this slight skirmish was over , the jingle of teaspoons suggested refreshments of a more agreeable sort . In former times the little girls waited on the boys , to save confusion ; now the young men flew to serve the ladies , young and old ; and that slight fact showed plainly how the tables were turned by time . And what a pleasant arrangement it was ! Even Josie sat still , and let Emil bring her berries ; enjoying her young lady-hood , till Ted stole her cake , when she forgot manners , and chastised him with a rap on the knuckles . As guest of honour , Dan was only allowed to wait on Bess , who still held the highest place in this small world . Tom carefully selected the best of everything for Nan , to be crushed by the remark : ' I never eat at this hour ; and you will have a nightmare if you do . ' So , dutifully curbing the pangs of hunger , he gave the plate to Daisy , and chewed rose-leaves for his supper . When a surprising quantity of wholesome nourishment had been consumed , someone said , ` Let 's sing ! ' and a tuneful hour followed . Nat fiddled , Demi piped , Dan strummed the old banjo , and Emil warbled a doleful ballad about the wreck of the Bounding Betsey ; then everybody joined in the old songs till there was very decidedly ` music in the air ' ; and passers-by said , as they listened smiling : ` Old Plum is gay tonight ! ' When all had gone Dan lingered on the piazza , enjoying the balmy wind that blew up from the hayfields , and brought the breath of flowers from Parnassus ; and as he leaned there romantically in the moonlight , Mrs Jo came to shut the door . ` Dreaming dreams , Dan ? ' she asked , thinking the tender moment might have come . Imagine the shock when , instead of some interesting confidence or affectionate word , Dan swung round , saying bluntly : ' I was wishing I could smoke . ' Mrs Jo laughed at the downfall of her hopes , and answered kindly : ` You may , in your room ; but do n't set the house afire . ' Perhaps Dan saw a little disappointment in her face , or the memory of the sequel of that boyish frolic touched his heart ; for he stooped and kissed her , saying in a whisper : ` Good night , mother . ' And Mrs Jo was half satisfied . Chapter 5 .
VACATION Everyone was glad of a holiday next morning , and all lingered over the breakfast-table , till Mrs XXXXX suddenly exclaimed : ` Why , there 's a dog ! '
Bess Dan Demi Jo Josie Micawber Parnassus Tom hour years