He made no answer ; but other eyes saw and understood why he looked as if he would have liked to spring up and rush away for one of his long races up the hill , as he used to do when the longing for liberty grew uncontrollable . Moved by a sudden impulse , Mrs Jo caught up her work-basket and went to join her neighbours , feeling that a non-conductor might be needed ; for Dan looked like a thundercloud full of electricity . ` What shall we read , Aunty ? Dan does n't seem to care . You know his taste ; tell me something quiet and pleasant and short . Josie will be back soon , ' said Bess , still turning over the books piled on the centre-table . Before Mrs Jo could answer , Dan pulled a shabby little volume from under his pillow , and handing it to her said : ` Please read the third one ; it 's short and pretty -- I 'm fond of it . ' The book opened at the right place , as if the third story had been often read , and Bess smiled as she saw the name . ` Why , Dan , I should n't think you 'd care for this romantic German tale . There is fighting in it ; but it is very sentimental , if I remember rightly . ' ' I know it ; but I 've read so few stories , I like the simple ones best . Had nothing else to read sometimes ; I guess I know it all by heart , and never seem to be tired of those fighting fellows , and the fiends and angels and lovely ladies . You read `` Aslauga 's Knight '' , and see if you do n't like it . Edwald was rather too soft for my fancy ; but Froda was first-rate and the spirit with the golden hair always reminded me of you . ' As Dan spoke Mrs Jo settled herself where she could watch him in the glass , and Bess took a large chair facing him , saying , as she put up her hands to retie the ribbon that held the cluster of thick , soft curls at the back of her head : ' I hope Aslauga 's hair was n't as troublesome as mine , for it 's always tumbling down . I 'll be ready in a minute . ' ` Do n't tie it up ; please let it hang . I love to see it shine that way . It will rest your head , and be just right for the story , Goldilocks , ' pleaded Dan , using the childish name and looking more like his boyish self than he had done for many a day . Bess laughed , shook down her pretty hair , and began to read , glad to hide her face a little ; for compliments made her shy , no matter who paid them .
Dan listened intently on ; and Mrs XXXXX , with eyes that went often from her needle to the glass , could see , without turning , how he enjoyed every word as if it had more meaning for him than for the other listeners .
Aunty Bess Dan Edwald German Goldilocks Jo fiends minute thundercloud