` But if you marry and settle somewhere , as I hope you will , you must have something to begin with , my son . So be prudent and invest your money ; do n't give it away , for rainy days come to all of us , and dependence would be very hard for you to bear , ' answered Mrs Jo with a sage air , though she liked to see that the money-making fever had not seized her lucky boy yet . Dan shook his head , and glanced about the room as if he already found it rather confined and longed for all out-of-doors again . ` Who would marry a jack-o ' - lantern like me ? Women like a steady-going man ; I shall never be that . ' ` My dear boy , when I was a girl I liked just such adventurous fellows as you are . Anything fresh and daring , free and romantic , is always attractive to us womenfolk . Do n't be discouraged ; you 'll find an anchor some day , and be content to take shorter voyages and bring home a good cargo . ' ` What should you say if I brought you an Indian squaw some day ? ' asked Dan , with a glimmer of mischief in the eyes that rested on a marble bust of Galatea gleaming white and lovely in the corner . ` Welcome her heartily , if she was a good one . Is there a prospect of it ? ' and Mrs Jo peered at him with the interest which even literary ladies take in love affairs . ` Not at present , thank you . I 'm too busy `` to gallivant '' , as Ted calls it . How is the boy ? ' asked Dan , skilfully turning the conversation , as if he had had enough of sentiment . Mrs Jo was off at once , and expatiated upon the talents and virtues of her sons till they came bursting in and fell upon Dan like two affectionate young bears , finding a vent for their joyful emotions in a sort of friendly wrestling-match ; in which both got worsted , of course , for the hunter soon settled them . The Professor followed , and tongues went like mill-clappers while Mary lighted up and cook devoted herself to an unusually good supper , instinctively divining that this guest was a welcome one . After tea Dan was walking up and down the long rooms as he talked , with occasional trips into the hall for a fresher breath of air , his lungs seeming to need more than those of civilized people .
In one of these XXXXX he saw a white figure framed in the dark doorway , and paused to look at it .
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