Assuming various costumes , actors and actresses soon joined their guests , to sip bounteous draughts of praise with their coffee , and cool their modest blushes with ice-cream . Mrs Meg was a proud and happy woman when Miss Cameron came to her as she sat by Josie , with Demi serving both , and said , so cordially that it was impossible to doubt the sincerity of her welcome words : ` Mrs Brooke , I no longer wonder where your children get their talent . I make my compliments to the Baron and next summer you must let me have little `` Dolly '' as a pupil when we are at the beach . ' One can easily imagine how this offer was received , as well as the friendly commendation bestowed by the same kind critic on the work of Beaumont and Fletcher , who hastened to explain that this trifle was only an attempt to make nature and art go hand in hand , with little help from fine writing or imposing scenery . Everybody was in the happiest mood , especially ` little Dolly ' , who danced like a will-o ' - the-wisp with light-footed Mercury and Apollo as he promenaded with the Marquise on his arm , who seemed to have left her coquetry in the green room with her rouge . When all was over , Mrs Juno said to Jove , to whose arm she clung as they trudged home along the snowy paths : ` Fritz dear , Christmas is a good time for new resolutions , and I 've made one never to be impatient or fretful with my beloved husband again . I know I am , though you wo n't own it ; but Laurie 's fun had some truth in it , and I felt hit in a tender spot . Henceforth I am a model wife , else I do n't deserve the dearest , best man ever born ' ; and being in a dramatic mood , Mrs Juno tenderly embraced her excellent Jove in the moonlight , to the great amusement of sundry lingerers behind them . So all three plays might be considered successes , and that merry Christmas night a memorable one in the March family ; for Demi got an unspoken question answered , Josie 's fondest wish was granted , and , thanks to Professor Owlsdark 's jest , Mrs Jo made Professor Bhaer 's busy life quite a bed of roses by the keeping of her resolution . A few days later she had her reward for this burst of virtue in Dan 's letter , which set her fears at rest and made her very happy , though she was unable to tell him so , because he sent her no address . Chapter 15 . WAITING ` My wife , I have bad news for thee , ' said Professor Bhaer , coming in one day early in January . ` Please tell it at once . I ca n't bear to wait , Fritz , ' cried Mrs Jo , dropping her work and standing up as if to take the shot bravely . ` But we must wait and hope , heart 's - dearest . Come and let us bear it together . Emil 's ship is lost , and as yet no news of him . ' It was well Mr Bhaer had taken his wife into his strong arms , for she looked ready to drop , but bore up after a moment , and sitting by her good man , heard all that there was to tell . Tidings had been sent to the shipowners at Hamburg by some of the survivors , and telegraphed at once by Franz to his uncle . As one boat-load was safe , there was hope that others might also escape , though the gale had sent two to the bottom .
A swift-sailing steamer had brought these scanty XXXXX , and happier ones might come at any hour ; but kind Franz had not added that the sailors reported the captain 's boat as undoubtedly wrecked by the falling mast , since the smoke hid its escape , and the gale soon drove all far asunder .
Chapter Everybody guests man mood news plays reward rouge uncle