Where are those jolly little books we used to read , Jo ? ` Insect Architecture ' or some such name , all about ants having battles , and bees having queens , and crickets eating holes in our clothes and stealing milk , and larks of that sort . '' `` In the garret at home . I 'll have them sent out , and we will plunge into Natural History with a will , '' said Mrs. Jo , ready for any thing . `` Wo n't it be hard to write about such things ? '' asked Nat , who hated compositions . `` At first , perhaps ; but you will soon like it . If you think that hard , how would you like to have this subject given to you , as it was to a girl of thirteen : A conversation between Themistocles , Aristides , and Pericles on the proposed appropriation of funds of the confederacy of Delos for the ornamentation of Athens ? '' said Mrs. Jo . The boys groaned at the mere sound of the long names , and the gentlemen laughed at the absurdity of the lesson . `` Did she write it ? '' asked Demi , in an awe-stricken tone . `` Yes , but you can imagine what a piece of work she make of it , though she was rather a bright child . '' `` I 'd like to have seen it , '' said Mr. Bhaer . `` Perhaps I can find it for you ; I went to school with her , '' and Mrs. Jo looked so wicked that every one knew who the little girl was . Hearing of this fearful subject for a composition quite reconciled the boys to the thought of writing about familiar things . Wednesday afternoon was appointed for the lectures , as they preferred to call them , for some chose to talk instead of write . Mr. Bhaer promised a portfolio in which the written productions should be kept , and Mrs. Bhaer said she would attend the course with great pleasure . Then the dirty-handed society went off the wash , followed by the Professor , trying to calm the anxiety of Rob , who had been told by Tommy that all water was full of invisible pollywogs . `` I like your plan very much , only do n't be too generous , Teddy , '' said Mrs. Bhaer , when they were left alone .
`` You know most of the XXXXX have got to paddle their own canoes when they leave us , and too much sitting in the lap of luxury will unfit them for it . ''
Hearing anxiety boys composition course gentlemen girl portfolio school society