said Jo , enjoying the innocent revelation as much as the Professor . '' 'T is n't in mine head , it 's in mine mouf , '' answered literal Demi , putting out his tongue , with a chocolate drop on it , thinking she alluded to confectionery , not ideas . `` Thou shouldst save some for the little friend . Sweets to the sweet , mannling , '' and Mr. Bhaer offered Jo some , with a look that made her wonder if chocolate was not the nectar drunk by the gods . Demi also saw the smile , was impressed by it , and artlessy inquired . . . `` Do great boys like great girls , to , ` Fessor ? '' Like young Washington , Mr. Bhaer ` could n't tell a lie ' , so he gave the somewhat vague reply that he believed they did sometimes , in a tone that made Mr. March put down his clothesbrush , glance at Jo 's retiring face , and then sink into his chair , looking as if the ` precocious chick ' had put an idea into his head that was both sweet and sour . Why Dodo , when she caught him in the china closet half an hour afterward , nearly squeezed the breath out of his little body with a tender embrace , instead of shaking him for being there , and why she followed up this novel performance by the unexpected gift of a big slice of bread and jelly , remained one of the problems over which Demi puzzled his small wits , and was forced to leave unsolved forever . CHAPTER FORTY-SIX UNDER THE UMBRELLA While Laurie and Amy were taking conjugal strolls over velvet carpets , as they set their house in order , and planned a blissful future , Mr. Bhaer and Jo were enjoying promenades of a different sort , along muddy roads and sodden fields . `` I always do take a walk toward evening , and I do n't know why I should give it up , just because I happen to meet the Professor on his way out , '' said Jo to herself , after two or three encounters , for though there were two paths to Meg 's whichever one she took she was sure to meet him , either going or returning . He was always walking rapidly , and never seemed to see her until quite close , when he would look as if his short-sighted eyes had failed to recognize the approaching lady till that moment . Then , if she was going to Meg 's he always had something for the babies . If her face was turned homeward , he had merely strolled down to see the river , and was just returning , unless they were tired of his frequent calls . Under the circumstances , what could Jo do but greet him civilly , and invite him in ? If she was tired of his visits , she concealed her weariness with perfect skill , and took care that there should be coffee for supper , `` as Friedrich -- I mean Mr. Bhaer -- does n't like tea . '' By the second week , everyone knew perfectly well what was going on , yet everyone tried to look as if they were stone-blind to the changes in Jo 's face . They never asked why she sang about her work , did up her hair three times a day , and got so blooming with her evening exercise . And no one seemed to have the slightest suspicion that Professor Bhaer , while talking philosophy with the father , was giving the daughter lessons in love .
XXXXX could n't even lose her heart in a decorous manner , but sternly tried to quench her feelings , and failing to do so , led a somewhat agitated life .
Bhaer Dodo Jo Meg Washington artlessy confectionery day hour mouf