But if we 've got to turn the grindstone , it would be mighty nice to have some of the little dears to lend a hand . Would n't it now ? ' ` I 'd like three this minute -- one to fan me , one to kiss me , and one to give me some iced lemonade ! ' sighed Stuffy , with a yearning glance towards the house , whence no succour appeared . ` How would root-beer do ? ' asked a voice behind them , which made Dolly spring to his feet and Stuffy roll over like a startled porpoise . Sitting on the stile that crossed the wall near by was Mrs Jo , with two jugs slung over her shoulder by a strap , several tin mugs in her hand , and an old-fashioned sun-bonnet on her head . ' I knew the boys would be killing themselves with ice-water ; so I strolled down with some of my good , wholesome beer . They drank like fishes . But Silas was with me ; so my cruse still holds out . Have some ? ' ` Yes , thanks , very much . Let us pour it . ' And Dolly held the cup while Stuffy joyfully filled it ; both very grateful , but rather afraid she had heard what went before the wish she fulfilled . She proved that she had by saying , as they stood drinking her health , while she sat between them , looking like a middle-aged vivandiere , with her jugs and mugs : ' I was glad to hear you say you would like to have girls at your college ; but I hope you will learn to speak more respectfully of them before they come ; for that will be the first lesson they will teach you . ' ` Really , ma'am , I was only joking , ' began Stuffy , gulping down his beer in a hurry . ` So was I. I 'm sure I -- I 'm devoted to 'em , ' stuttered Dolly , panic-stricken ; for he saw that he was in for a lecture of some sort . ` Not in the right way . Frivolous girls may like to be called `` little dears '' and things of that sort ; but the girls who love study wish to be treated like reasonable beings , not dolls to flirt with . Yes , I 'm going to preach ; that 's my business ; so stand up and take it like men . '
Mrs XXXXX laughed ; but she was in earnest ; for by various hints and signs during the past winter she knew that the boys were beginning to ` see life ' in the way she especially disapproved .
Dolly Jo dears ice-water jugs porpoise right succour sun-bonnet vivandiere