And hastily pursuing the unhappy woman , who was making for the door , Mrs Parmalee cried eagerly : ` Do n't mind us ! I know you 're busy , but just let me take your hand and then we 'll go . ' Giving herself up for lost , Mrs Jo turned and presented her hand like a tea-tray , submitting to have it heartily shaken , as the matron said , with somewhat alarming hospitality : ` If ever you come to Oshkosh , your feet wo n't be allowed to touch the pavement ; for you 'll be borne in the arms of the populace , we shall be so dreadful glad to see you . ' Mentally resolving never to visit that effusive town , Jo responded as cordially as she could ; and having written her name in the albums , provided each visitor with a memento , and kissed them all round , they at last departed , to call on ` Longfeller , Holmes , and the rest ' -- who were all out , it is devoutly to be hoped . ` You villain , why did n't you give me a chance to whip away ? Oh , my dear , what fibs you told that man ! I hope we shall be forgiven our sins in this line , but I do n't know what is to become of us if we do n't dodge . So many against one is n't fair play . ' And Mrs Jo hung up her apron in the hall closet , with a groan at the trials of her lot . ` More people coming up the avenue ! Better dodge while the coast is clear ! I 'll head them off ! ' cried Teddy , looking back from the steps , as he was departing to school . Mrs Jo flew upstairs , and having locked her door , calmly viewed a young ladies ' seminary camp on the lawn , and being denied the house , proceed to enjoy themselves by picking the flowers , doing up their hair , eating lunch , and freely expressing their opinion of the place and its possessors before they went . A few hours of quiet followed , and she was just settling down to a long afternoon of hard work , when Rob came home to tell her that the Young Men 's Christian Union would visit the college , and two or three of the fellows whom she knew wanted to pay their respects to her on the way . ` It is going to rain , so they wo n't come , I dare say ; but father thought you 'd like to be ready , in case they do call . You always see the boys , you know , though you harden your heart to the poor girls , ' said Rob , who had heard from his brother about the morning visitations . ` Boys do n't gush , so I can stand it . The last time I let in a party of girls one fell into my arms and said , `` Darling , love me ! '' I wanted to shake her , ' answered Mrs Jo , wiping her pen with energy .
` You may be sure the fellows wo n't do it , but they will want autographs , so you 'd better be prepared with a few dozen , ' said XXXXX , laying out a quire of notepaper , being a hospitable youth and sympathizing with those who admired his mother .
Longfeller Oshkosh Parmalee Rob Union afternoon fibs morning possessors tea-tray