They are planning for the Owlsdark Marbles , and a nice muddle they will make of my gods and goddesses with no one to show them how , ' answered Mrs Jo , enjoying this scene immensely . ` Now , he 's got it ! ' ` That 's perfectly splendid ! ' ` See how long you can keep so ! ' cried the girls , as Ted managed to maintain his equilibrium a moment by resting one toe on the trellis . 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 XXXXX is getting to be a deuced pretty girl , is n't she ? '
Dolly Emil Jo Jove Laurence crash eavesdropping goddesses muddle tableaux