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 , come with me and be made tidy , for what with heat and emotion , we are both perfect wrecks . ' Chapter 19 . WHITE ROSES While the travellers refreshed , and Mrs President struggled into her best gown , Josie ran into the garden to gather flowers for the brides . The sudden arrival of these interesting beings had quite enchanted the romantic girl , and her head was full of heroic rescues , tender admiration , dramatic situations , and feminine wonder as to whether the lovely creatures would wear their veils or not . She was standing before a great bush of white roses , culling the most perfect for the bouquets which she meant to tie with the ribbon festooned over her arm , and lay on the toilette tables of the new cousins , as a delicate attention . A step startled her , and looking up she saw her brother coming down the path with folded arms , bent head , and the absent air of one absorbed in deep thought . ` Sophy Wackles , ' said the sharp child , with a superior smile , as she sucked her thumb just pricked by a too eager pull at the thorny branches . ` What are you at here , Mischief ? '
asked Demi , with an Irvingesque start , as he felt rather than XXXXX a disturbing influence in his day-dream .
becoming congratulated folded gives heard promised recalled saw struggled talked