Unfortunately this brought all his weight on the other foot ; the straw seat of the stool gave way , and the flying Mercury came down with a crash , amid shrieks of laughter from the girls . Being accustomed to ground and lofty tumbling , he quickly recovered himself , and hopped gaily about , with one leg through the stool as he improvised a classic jig . ` Thanks for four nice little pictures . You have given me an idea , and I think some time we will get up regular tableaux of this sort and march our company round a set of dissolving views . New and striking ; I 'll propose it to our manager and give you all the glory , ' said Mrs Jo , as they strolled towards the room whence came the clash of glass and china , and glimpses of agitated black coats . Let us follow the example of our old friends and stroll about among the young people , eavesdropping , so gathering up various little threads to help in the weaving of the story . George and Dolly were at supper , and having served the ladies in their care stood in a corner absorbing nourishment of all kinds with a vain attempt to conceal hearty appetites under an air of elegant indifference . ` Good spread , this ; Laurence does things in style . First-rate coffee , but no wine , and that 's a mistake , ' said Stuffy , who still deserved his name , and was a stout youth with a heavy eye and bilious complexion . ` Bad for boys , he says . Jove ! wish he could see us at some of our wines . Do n't we just `` splice the main brace '' as Emil says , ' answered Dolly , the dandy , carefully spreading a napkin over the glossy expanse of shirt-front whereon a diamond stud shone like a lone star . His stutter was nearly outgrown ; but he , as well as George , spoke in the tone of condescension , which , with the blase airs they assumed , made a very funny contrast to their youthful faces and foolish remarks . Good-hearted little fellows both , but top-heavy with the pride of being Sophs and the freedom that college life gave them . ` Little Jo is getting to be a deuced pretty girl , is n't she ? ' said George , with a long sigh of satisfaction as his first mouthful of ice went slowly down his throat . ` H 'm -- well , fairish . The Princess is rather more to my taste . I like 'em blonde and queenly and elegant , do n't you know . '
` Yes , XXXXX is too lively ; might as well dance with a grasshopper .
Emil George Jo Princess Sophs eavesdropping fairish first shrieks tableaux