` That was only the beginning of a series of scrapes . Just my luck ! Of course after sousing the poor girl I had to be attentive to her , had n't I ? Everyone seemed to think so , and I could n't get away , and so I was lost before I knew it . It 's all Demi 's fault , he would stay there and fuss with his old photos , because the views were good and all the girls wanted to be taken . Look at these , will you , ma'am ? That 's the way we spent our time when we were n't playing tennis ' ; and Tom pulled a handful of pictures from his pocket , displaying several in which he was conspicuous , either holding a sun-umbrella over a very pretty young lady on the rocks , reposing at her feet in the grass , or perched on a piazza railing with other couples in seaside costumes and effective attitudes . ` This is she of course ? ' asked Mrs Jo , pointing to the much-ruffled damsel with the jaunty hat , coquettish shoes , and racquet in her hand . ` That 's Dora . Is n't she lovely ? ' cried Tom , forgetting his tribulations for a moment and speaking with lover-like ardour . ` Very nice little person to look at . Hope she is not a Dickens Dora ? That curly crop looks like it . ' ` Not a bit ; she 's very smart ; can keep house , and sew , and do lots of things , I assure you , ma'am . All the girls like her , and she 's sweet-tempered and jolly , and sings like a bird , and dances beautifully , and loves books . Thinks yours are splendid , and made me talk about you no end . ' ` That last sentence is to flatter me and win my help to get you out of the scrape . Tell me first how you got in ' ; and Mrs Jo settled herself to listen with interest , never tired of boys ' affairs .
XXXXX gave his head a rousing rub all over to clear his wits , and plunged into his story with a will .
Demi Dora Jo Tom ardour course damsel first sun-umbrella tribulations