Josie was a prominent figure in the plot , as she listened at keyholes , peeped into notes , and popped in and out at all the most inopportune moments , with her nose in the air , her hands in her apron-pockets , and curiosity pervading her little figure from the topmost bow of her jaunty cap to the red heels of her slippers . All went smoothly ; and the capricious Marquise , after tormenting the devoted Baron to her heart 's content , owned herself conquered in the war of wits , and was just offering the hand he had fairly won , when a crash startled them , and a heavily decorated side-scene swayed forward , ready to fall upon Alice . Demi saw it and sprung before her to catch and hold it up , standing like a modern Samson with the wall of a house on his back . The danger was over in a moment , and he was about to utter his last speech , when the excited young scene-shifter , who had flown up a ladder to repair the damage , leaned over to whisper ` All right ' , and release Demi from his spread-eagle attitude : as he did so , a hammer slipped out of his pocket , to fall upon the upturned face below , inflicting a smart blow and literally knocking the Baron 's part out of his head . ' A quick curtain , ' robbed the audience of a pretty little scene not down on the bill ; for the Marquise flew to staunch the blood with a cry of alarm : ` Oh ! John , you are hurt ! Lean on me ' -- which John gladly did for a moment , being a trifle dazed yet quite able to enjoy the tender touch of the hands busied about him and the anxiety of the face so near his own ; for both told him something which he would have considered cheaply won by a rain of hammers and the fall of the whole college on his head . Nan was on the spot in a moment with the case that never left her pocket ; and the wound was neatly plastered up by the time Mrs Jo arrived , demanding tragically : ` Is he too much hurt to go on again ? If he is , my play is lost ! ' ` I 'm all the fitter for it , Aunty ; for here 's a real instead of a painted wound . I 'll be ready ; do n't worry about me . ' And catching up his wig , Demi was off , with only a very eloquent look of thanks to the Marquise , who had spoilt her gloves for his sake , but did not seem to mind it at all , though they reached above her elbows , and were most expensive . ` How are your nerves , Fletcher ? ' asked Mr Laurie as they stood together during the breathless minute before the last bell rings . ` About as calm as yours , Beaumont , ' answered Mrs Jo , gesticulating wildly to Mrs Meg to set her cap straight . ` Bear up , partner ! I 'll stand by you whatever comes ! ' ' I feel that it ought to go ; for , though it 's a mere trifle , a good deal of honest work and truth have gone into it . Does n't Meg look the picture of a dear old country woman ? ' She certainly did , as she sat in the farmhouse kitchen by a cheery fire , rocking a cradle and darning stockings , as if she had done nothing else all her life .
Grey hair , skilfully drawn lines on the forehead , and a plain gown , with cap , little shawl , and check apron , changed her into a comfortable , motherly creature who found favour the moment the curtain XXXXX up and discovered her rocking , darning , and crooning an old song .
's Does Lean asked being lost robbed rocking stood went