Chapter 9 80'A common-sense view of the case, by all means. Dora loves you and thinks you love her. Nan does not carefor you, and you only care for her as a friend, though you have tried to do more. It is my opinion, Tom, thatyou love Dora, or are on the way to it; for in all these years I've never seen you look or speak about Nan asyou do about Dora. Opposition has made you obstinately cling to her till accident has shown you a moreattractive girl. Now, I think you had better take the old love for a friend, the new one for a sweetheart, and indue time, if the sentiment is genuine, marry her.'If Mrs Jo had any doubts about the matter, Tom's face would have proved the truth of her opinion; for his eyesshone, his lips smiled, and in spite of dust and sunburn a new expression of happiness quite glorified him ashe stood silent for a moment, trying to understand the beautiful miracle which real love works when it comesto a young man's heart.'The fact is I meant to make Nan jealous, for she knows Dora, and I was sure would hear of our doings. I wastired of being walked on, and I thought I'd try to <strong>br</strong>eak away and not be a bore and a laughing-stock any more,'he said slowly, as if it relieved him to pour out his doubts and woes and hopes and joys to his old friend. 'Iwas regularly astonished to find it so easy and so pleasant. I didn't mean to do any harm, but drifted alongbeautifully, and told Demi to mention things in his letters to Daisy, so Nan might know. Then I forgot Nanaltogether, and saw, heard, felt, cared for no one but Dora, till the donkey--bless his old heart!--pitched herinto my arms and I found she loved me. Upon my soul, I don't see why she should! I'm not half good enough.''Every honest man feels that when an innocent girl puts her hand in his. Make yourself worthy of her, for sheisn't an angel, but a woman with faults of her own for you to bear, and forgive, and you must help oneanother,' said Mrs Jo, trying to realize that this sober youth was her scapegrace Tommy.'What troubles me is that I didn't mean it when I began, and was going to use the dear girl as an instrument oftorture for Nan. It wasn't right, and I don't deserve to be so happy. If all my scrapes ended as well as this, whata state of bliss I should be in!' and Tom beamed again at the rapturous prospect.'My dear boy, it is not a scrape, but a very sweet experience suddenly dawning upon you,' answered Mrs Jo,speaking very soberly; for she saw he was in earnest. 'Enjoy it wisely and be worthy of it, for it is a seriousthing to accept a girl's love and trust, and let her look up to you for tenderness and truth in return. Don't letlittle Dora look in vain, but be a man in all things for her sake, and make this affection a blessing to you both.''I'll try. Yes, I do love her, only I can't believe it just yet. Wish you knew her. Dear little soul, I long to see heralready! She cried when we parted last night and I hated to go.' Tom's hand went to his cheek as if he still feltthe rosy little seal Dora had set upon his promise not to forget her, and for the first time in his happy-go-luckylife Tommy Bangs understood the difference between sentiment and sentimentality. The feeling recalled Nan,for he had never known that tender thrill when thinking of her, and the old friendship seemed rather a prosaicaffair beside this delightful mingling of romance, surprise, love, and fun. 'I declare, I feel as if a weight wasoff me, but what the dickens will Nan say when she knows it!' he exclaimed with a chuckle.'Knows what?' asked a clear voice that made both start and turn, for there was Nan calmly surveying themfrom the doorway.Anxious to put Tom out of suspense and see how Nan would take the news, Mrs Jo answered quickly:'Tom's engagement to Dora West.''Really?' and Nan looked so surprised that Mrs Jo was afraid she might be fonder of her old playmate than sheknew; but her next words set the fear at rest, and made everything comfortable and merry at once.'I knew my prescription would work wonders if he only took it long enough. Dear old Tom, I'm so glad. Bless
Chapter 9 81you! bless you!' And she shook both his hands with hearty affection.'It was an accident, Nan. I didn't mean to, but I'm always getting into messes, and I couldn't seem to get out ofthis any other way. Mother Bhaer will tell you all about it. I must go and make myself tidy. Going to tea withDemi. See you later.'Stammering, blushing, and looking both sheepish and gratified, Tom suddenly bolted, leaving the elder ladyto enlighten the younger at length, and have another laugh over this new sort of courtship, which might wellbe called accidental. Nan was deeply interested, for she knew Dora, thought her a nice little thing, andpredicted that in time she would make Tom an excellent wife, since she admired and 'appreciated' him somuch.'I shall miss him of course, but it will be a relief to me and better for him; dangling is so bad for a boy. Nowhe will go into business with his father and do well, and everyone be happy. I shall give Dora an elegantfamily medicine-chest for a wedding-present, and teach her how to use it. Tom can't be trusted, and is no morefit for the profession than Silas.'The latter part of this speech relieved Mrs <strong>Jo's</strong> mind, for Nan had looked about her as if she had lostsomething valuable when she began; but the medicine-chest seemed to cheer her, and the thought of Tom in asafe profession was evidently a great comfort.'The worm has turned at last, Nan, and your bond-man is free. Let him go, and give your whole mind to yourwork; for you are fitted for the profession, and will be an honour to it by and by,' she said approvingly.'I hope so. That reminds me--measles are in the village, and you had better tell the girls not to call where thereare children. It would be bad to have a run of them just as term begins. Now I'm off to Daisy. Wonder whatshe will say to Tom. Isn't he great fun?' And Nan departed, laughing over the joke with such genuinesatisfaction that it was evident no sentimental regrets disturbed her 'maiden meditation, fancy-free'.'I shall have my eye on Demi, but won't say a word. Meg likes to manage her children in her own way, and avery good way it is. But the dear Pelican will be somewhat ruffled if her boy has caught the epidemic whichseems to have <strong>br</strong>oken out among us this summer.'Mrs Jo did not mean the measles, but that more serious malady called love, which is apt to ravagecommunities, spring and autumn, when winter gaiety and summer idleness produce whole bouquets ofengagements, and set young people to pairing off like the birds. Franz began it, Nat was a chronic and Tom asudden case; Demi seemed to have the symptoms; and worst of all, her own Ted had only the day beforecalmly said to her: 'Mum, I think I should be happier if I had a sweetheart, like the other boys.' If hercherished son had asked her for dynamite to play with, she would hardly have been more startled, or havemore decidedly refused the absurd request.'Well, Barry Morgan said I ought to have one and offered to pick me out a nice one among our set. I askedJosie first, and she hooted at the idea, so I thought I'd let Barry look round. You say it steadies a fellow, and Iwant to be steady,' explained Ted in a serious tone, which would have convulsed his parent at any other time.'Good lack! What are we coming to in this fast age when babes and boys make such demands and want to playwith one of the most sacred things in life?' exclaimed Mrs Jo, and having in a few words set the matter in itstrue light, sent her son away to wholesome baseball and Octoo for a safe sweetheart.Now, here was Tom's bomb-shell to explode in their midst, carrying widespread destruction, perhaps; forthough one swallow does not make a summer, one engagement is apt to make several, and her boys were,most of them, at the inflammable age when a spark ignites the flame, which soon flickers and dies out, or
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- Page 66 and 67: Chapter 7 66'He is growing up, hear
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