` She 's much obliged , ma'am , and she 'd like an old gown or a pair of stockings of yours to put in a rug she 's making . Got a vest of Emerson 's , she says , and a pair of Mr. Holmes 's trousers , and a dress of Mrs Stowe 's . She must be crazy ! ' ` Give her that old red shawl , then I shall make a gay show among the great ones in that astonishing rug . Yes , they are all lunatics , these lion-hunters ; but this seems to be a harmless maniac , for she does n't take my time , and gives me a good laugh , ' said Mrs Jo , returning to her work after a glance from the window , which showed her a tall , thin lady in rusty black , skipping wildly to and fro on the lawn in pursuit of the lively insect she wanted . No more interruptions till the light began to fade , then Mary popped her head in to say a gentleman wished to see Mrs Bhaer , and would n't take no for an answer . ` He must . I shall not go down . This has been an awful day , and I wo n't be disturbed again , ' replied the harassed authoress , pausing in the midst of the grand finale of her chapter . ' I told him so , ma'am ; but he walked right in as bold as brass . I guess he 's another crazy one , and I declare I 'm ` most afraid of him , he 's so big and black , and cool as cucumbers , though I will say he 's good-looking , ' added Mary , with a simper ; for the stranger had evidently found favour in her sight despite his boldness . ` My day has been ruined , and I will have this last half-hour to finish . Tell him to go away ; I wo n't go down , ' cried Mrs Jo , fiercely . Mary went ; and listening , in spite of herself , her mistress heard first a murmur of voices , then a cry from Mary , and remembering the ways of reporters , also that her maid was both pretty and timid , Mrs Bhaer flung down her pen and went to the rescue . Descending with her most majestic air she demanded in an awe-inspiring voice , as she paused to survey the somewhat brigandish intruder , who seemed to be storming the staircase which Mary was gallantly defending : ` Who is this person who insists on remaining when I have declined to see him ? ' ` I 'm sure I do n't know , ma'am . He wo n't give no name , and says you 'll be sorry if you do n't see him , ' answered Mary , retiring flushed and indignant from her post . ` Wo n't you be sorry ? ' asked the stranger , looking up with a pair of black eyes full of laughter , the flash of white teeth through a long beard , and both hands out as he boldly approached the irate lady . Mrs Jo gave one keen look , for the voice was familiar ; then completed Mary 's bewilderment by throwing both arms round the brigand 's neck , exclaiming joyfully : ` My dearest boy , where did you come from ? '
` California , on purpose to see you , Mother XXXXX .
Bhaer Emerson Holmes Mary Stowe authoress cucumbers fro lunatics simper