Light gloves , a cane , and -- oh , bitter drop in the cup of joy ! -- an ignominious straw hat , not to mention a choice floweret in the buttonhole , and a festoon of watchguard below , finished off this impressive boy . ` How 's that for style ? ' he asked , appearing to his mother and cousins whom he was to escort to the hall on this particular occasion . A shout of laughter greeted him , followed by exclamations of horror ; for he had artfully added the little blond moustache he often wore when acting . It was very becoming , and seemed the only balm to heal the wound made by the loss of the beloved hat . ` Take it off this moment , you audacious boy ! What would your father say to such a prank on this day when we must all behave our best ? ' said Mrs Jo , trying to frown , but privately thinking that among the many youths about her none were so beautiful and original as her long son . ` Let him wear it , Aunty ; it 's so becoming . No one will ever guess he is n't eighteen at least , ' cried Josie , to whom disguise of any sort was always charming . ` Father wo n't observe it ; he 'll be absorbed in his big-wigs and the girls . No matter if he does , he 'll enjoy the joke and introduce me as his oldest son . Rob is nowhere when I 'm in full fig ' ; and Ted took the stage with a tragic stalk , like Hamlet in a tail-coat and choker . ` My son , obey me ! ' and when Mrs Jo spoke in that tone her word was law . Later , however , the moustache appeared , and many strangers firmly believed that there were three young Bhaers . So Ted found one ray of joy to light his gloom . Mr Bhaer was a proud and happy man when , at the appointed hour , he looked down upon the parterre of youthful faces before him , thinking of the ` little gardens ' in which he had hopefully and faithfully sowed good seed years ago , and from which this beautiful harvest seemed to have sprung . Mr March 's fine old face shone with the serenest satisfaction , for this was the dream of his life fulfilled after patient waiting ; and the love and reverence in the countenances of the eager young men and women looking up at him plainly showed that the reward he coveted was his in fullest measure .
Laurie always effaced himself on these occasions as much as courtesy would permit ; for everyone XXXXX gratefully in ode , poem , and oration of the founder of the college and noble dispenser of his beneficence .
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