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 Jo 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 . Both were far from home , had money enough to waste , and were as inexperienced , curious , and credulous as most lads of their age . Not fond of books , therefore without the safeguard which keeps many studious fellows out of harm ; one self-indulgent , indolent , and so used to luxury that pampering of the senses was an easy thing ; the other vain , as all comely boys are , full of conceit , and so eager to find favour in the eyes of his comrades that he was ready for anything which would secure it . These traits and foibles made both peculiarly liable to the temptations which assail pleasure-loving and weak-willed boys . Mrs Jo knew them well , and had dropped many a warning word since they went to college ; but till lately they seemed not to understand some of her friendly hints ; now she was sure they would , and meant to speak out : for long experience with boys made her both bold and skilful in handling some of the dangers usually left to silence , till it is too late for anything but pity and reproach . ` I 'm going to talk to you like a mother , because yours are far away ; and there are things that mothers can manage best , if they do their duty , ' she solemnly began from the depths of the sunbonnet . ` Great Scott ! We 're in for it now ! '
thought Dolly , in secret dismay ; while Stuffy got the XXXXX blow by trying to sustain himself with another mug of beer .
Jo Silas conceit dears first jugs left pampering right vivandiere