Look at these , will you , ma'am ? That 's the way we spent our time when we were n't playing tennis ' ; and Tom pulled a handful of pictures from his pocket , displaying several in which he was conspicuous , either holding a sun-umbrella over a very pretty young lady on the rocks , reposing at her feet in the grass , or perched on a piazza railing with other couples in seaside costumes and effective attitudes . ` This is she of course ? ' asked Mrs Jo , pointing to the much-ruffled damsel with the jaunty hat , coquettish shoes , and racquet in her hand . ` That 's Dora . Is n't she lovely ? ' cried Tom , forgetting his tribulations for a moment and speaking with lover-like ardour . ` Very nice little person to look at . Hope she is not a Dickens Dora ? That curly crop looks like it . ' ` Not a bit ; she 's very smart ; can keep house , and sew , and do lots of things , I assure you , ma'am . All the girls like her , and she 's sweet-tempered and jolly , and sings like a bird , and dances beautifully , and loves books . Thinks yours are splendid , and made me talk about you no end . ' ` That last sentence is to flatter me and win my help to get you out of the scrape . Tell me first how you got in ' ; and Mrs Jo settled herself to listen with interest , never tired of boys ' affairs . Tom gave his head a rousing rub all over to clear his wits , and plunged into his story with a will . ` Well , we 've met her before , but I did n't know she was there . Demi wanted to see a fellow , so we went , and finding it nice and cool rested over Sunday . Found some pleasant people and went out rowing ; I had Dora , and came to grief on a confounded rock . She could swim , no harm done , only the scare and the spoilt gown .
She took it well , and we XXXXX friendly at once -- could n't help it , scrambling into that beast of a boat while the rest laughed at us .
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