cried eagerly:

'Don't mind us! I know you're busy, but just let me take your hand
and then we'll go.'

Giving herself up for lost, Mrs Jo turned and presented her hand like
a tea-tray, submitting to have it heartily shaken, as the matron
said, with somewhat alarming hospitality:

'If ever you come to Oshkosh, your feet won't be allowed to touch the
pavement; for you'll be borne in the arms of the populace, we shall
be so dreadful glad to see you.'

Mentally resolving never to visit that effusive town, Jo responded as
cordially as she could; and having written her name in the albums,
provided each visitor with a memento, and kissed them all round, they
at last departed, to call on 'Longfeller, Holmes, and the rest'--who
were all out, it is devoutly to be hoped.

'You villain, why didn't you give me a chance to whip away? Oh, my
dear, what fibs you told that man! I hope we shall be forgiven our
sins in this line, but I don't know what is to become of us if we
don't dodge. So many against one isn't fair play.' And Mrs Jo hung up
her apron in the hall closet, with a groan at the trials of her lot.

'More people coming up the avenue! Better dodge while the coast is
clear! I'll head them off!' cried Teddy, looking back from the steps,
as he was departing to school.

Mrs Jo flew upstairs, and having locked her door, calmly viewed a