Page 791 - LITTLE WOMEN

Little Women

and had just managed to call up a smile when there came a
knock at the porch door.
She opened with hospitable haste, and started as if
another ghost had come to surprise her, for there stood a

tall bearded gentleman, beaming on her from the darkness
like a midnight sun.
‘Oh, Mr. Bhaer, I am so glad to see you!’ cried Jo, with
a clutch, as if she feared the night would swallow him up
before she could get him in.
‘And I to see Miss Marsch, but no, you haf a party,’ and
the Professor paused as the sound of voices and the tap of
dancing feet came down to them.
‘No, we haven’t, only the family. My sister and friends
have just come home, and we are all very happy. Come
in, and make one of us.’
Though a very social man, I think Mr. Bhaer would
have gone decorously away, and come again another day,
but how could he, when Jo shut the door behind him, and
bereft him of his hat? Perhaps her face had something to
do with it, for she forgot to hide her joy at seeing him,
and showed it with a frankness that proved irresistible to
the solitary man, whose welcome far exceeded his boldest
hopes.

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