Dear lad , I wish I had him here this moment ! ' cried Mrs Jo , forgetting in delight the doubts and anxieties which had troubled her for months past . ' I am very glad , and suppose I shall give in as I always do , especially now that the epidemic rages so among us . You and Emil have set all their heads in a ferment , and Josie will be demanding a lover before I can turn round , ' answered Mrs Meg , in a tone of despair . But her sister saw that she was touched by Nat 's trials , and hastened to add the triumphs , that the victory might be complete , for success is always charming . ` This offer of Herr Bergmann is a good one , is n't it ? ' she asked , though Mr Laurie had already satisfied her on that point when Nat 's letter brought the news . ` Very fine in every way . Nat will get capital drill in Bachmeister 's orchestra , see London in a delightful way , and if he suits come home with them , well started among the violins . No great honour , but a sure thing and a step up . I congratulated him , and he was very jolly over it , saying , like the true lover he is : `` Tell Daisy ; be sure and tell her all about it . '' I 'll leave that to you , Aunt Meg , and you can also break it gently to her that the old boy had a fine blond beard . Very becoming ; hides his weak mouth , and gives a noble air to his big eyes and `` Mendelssohnian brow '' , as a gushing girl called it . Ludmilla has a photo of it for you . ' This amused them ; and they listened to many other interesting bits of news which kind Franz , even in his own happiness , had not forgotten to remember for his friend 's sake . He talked so well , and painted Nat 's patient and pathetic shifts so vividly , that Mrs Meg was half won ; though if she had learned of the Minna episode and the fiddling in beer-gardens and streets , she might not have relented so soon . She stored up all she heard , however , and , womanlike , promised herself a delicious talk with Daisy , in which she would allow herself to melt by degrees , and perhaps change the doubtful ` We shall see ' to a cordial ` He has done well ; be happy , dear ' . In the midst of this agreeable chat the sudden striking of a clock recalled Mrs Jo from romance to reality , and she exclaimed , with a clutch at her crimping-pins : ` My blessed people , you must eat and rest ; and I must dress , or receive in this disgraceful rig . Meg , will you take Ludmilla and Mary upstairs and see to them ? Franz knows the way to the dining-room .
Fritz , XXXXX with me and be made tidy , for what with heat and emotion , we are both perfect wrecks . '
asked blessed come demanding exclaimed gives hides leave melt promised