Leaving their host to orate bareheaded in the wet , the young men hastened up the steps , merry , warm , and eager , clutching off their hats as they came , and struggling with their umbrellas , as the order was passed to march in and stack arms . Tramp , tramp , tramp , down the hall went seventy-five pairs of boots ; soon seventy-five umbrellas dripped sociably in the hospitable tub , while their owners swarmed all over the lower part of the house ; and seventy-five hearty hands were shaken by the hostess without a murmur , though some were wet , some very warm , and nearly all bore trophies of the day 's ramble . One impetuous party flourished a small turtle as he made his compliments ; another had a load of sticks cut from noted spots ; and all begged for some memento of Plumfield . A pile of cards mysteriously appeared on the table , with a written request for autographs ; and despite her morning vow , Mrs Jo wrote everyone , while her husband and boys did the honours of the house . Josie fled to the back parlour , but was discovered by exploring youths , and mortally insulted by one of them , who innocently inquired if she was Mrs Bhaer . The reception did not last long , and the end was better than the beginning ; for the rain ceased , and a rainbow shone beautifully over them as the good fellows stood upon the lawn singing sweetly for a farewell . A happy omen , that bow of promise arched over the young heads , as if Heaven smiled upon their union , and showed them that above the muddy earth and rainy skies the blessed sun still shone for all . Three cheers , and then away they went , leaving a pleasant recollection of their visit to amuse the family as they scraped the mud off the carpets with shovels and emptied the tub half-full of water . ` Nice , honest , hard-working fellows , and I do n't begrudge my half-hour at all ; but I must finish , so do n't let anyone disturb me till tea-time , ' said Mrs Jo , leaving Mary to shut up the house ; for papa and the boys had gone off with the guests , and Josie had run home to tell her mother about the fun at Aunt Jo 's . Peace reigned for an hour , then the bell rang and Mary came giggling up to say : ' A queer kind of a lady wants to know if she can catch a grasshopper in the garden . ' ' A what ? ' cried Mrs Jo , dropping her pen with a blot ; for of all the odd requests ever made , this was the oddest . ' A grasshopper , ma'am . I said you was busy , and asked what she wanted , and says she : `` I 've got grasshoppers from the grounds of several famous folks , and I want one from Plumfield to add to my collection . '' Did you ever ? ' And Mary giggled again at the idea . ` Tell her to take all there are and welcome . I shall be glad to get rid of them ; always bouncing in my face and getting in my dress , ' laughed Mrs Jo . Mary retired , to return in a moment nearly speechless with merriment . ` She 's much obliged , ma'am , and she 'd like an old gown or a pair of stockings of yours to put in a rug she 's making .
Got a vest of Emerson 's , she XXXXX , and a pair of Mr. Holmes 's trousers , and a dress of Mrs Stowe 's .
appeared blessed flourished giggled obliged rang said says shone swarmed