If all my scrapes ended as well as this , what a state of bliss I should be in ! ' and Tom beamed again at the rapturous prospect . ` My dear boy , it is not a scrape , but a very sweet experience suddenly dawning upon you , ' answered Mrs Jo , speaking very soberly ; for she saw he was in earnest . ` Enjoy it wisely and be worthy of it , for it is a serious thing to accept a girl 's love and trust , and let her look up to you for tenderness and truth in return . Do n't let little Dora look in vain , but be a man in all things for her sake , and make this affection a blessing to you both . ' ` I 'll try . Yes , I do love her , only I ca n't believe it just yet . Wish you knew her . Dear little soul , I long to see her already ! She cried when we parted last night and I hated to go . ' Tom 's hand went to his cheek as if he still felt the rosy little seal Dora had set upon his promise not to forget her , and for the first time in his happy-go-lucky life Tommy Bangs understood the difference between sentiment and sentimentality . The feeling recalled Nan , for he had never known that tender thrill when thinking of her , and the old friendship seemed rather a prosaic affair beside this delightful mingling of romance , surprise , love , and fun . ' I declare , I feel as if a weight was off me , but what the dickens will Nan say when she knows it ! ' he exclaimed with a chuckle . ` Knows what ? ' asked a clear voice that made both start and turn , for there was Nan calmly surveying them from the doorway . Anxious to put Tom out of suspense and see how Nan would take the news , Mrs Jo answered quickly : ` Tom 's engagement to Dora West . ' ` Really ? ' and Nan looked so surprised that Mrs Jo was afraid she might be fonder of her old playmate than she knew ; but her next words set the fear at rest , and made everything comfortable and merry at once . ' I knew my prescription would work wonders if he only took it long enough .
Dear old XXXXX , I 'm so glad .
Bangs Dora Jo Nan Tom West first night seal weight