` Come girls , we must be goin ' , if we want to get through today . You can leave your albums and have them sent when Mrs Bhaer has written a sentiment in 'em . We are a thousand times obliged . Give our best love to your ma , and tell her we are so sorry not to see her . ' Just as Mrs. Erastus Kingsbury Parmalee uttered the words her eye fell upon a middle-aged woman in a large checked apron , with a handkerchief tied over her head , busily dusting an end room which looked like a study . ` One peep at her sanctum since she is out , ' cried the enthusiastic lady , and swept across the hall with her flock before Teddy could warn his mother , whose retreat had been cut off by the artist in front , the reporter at the back of the house -- for he had n't gone and the ladies in the hall . ` They 've got her ! ' thought Teddy , in comical dismay . ` No use for her to play housemaid since they 've seen the portrait . ' Mrs Jo did her best , and being a good actress , would have escaped if the fatal picture had not betrayed her . Mrs Parmalee paused at the desk , and regardless of the meerschaum that lay there , the man 's slippers close by , and a pile of letters directed to ` Prof. F. Bhaer ' , she clasped her hands , exclaiming impressively : ` Girls , this is the spot where she wrote those sweet , those moral tales which have thrilled us to the soul ! Could I -- ah , could I take one morsel of paper , an old pen , a postage stamp even , as a memento of this gifted woman ? ' ` Yes 'm , help yourselves , ' replied the maid , moving away with a glance at the boy , whose eyes were now full of merriment he could not suppress . The oldest girl saw it , guessed the truth , and a quick look at the woman in the apron confirmed her suspicion . Touching her mother , she whispered : ` Ma , it 's Mrs Bhaer herself . I know it is . ' ` No ? yes ? it is ! Well , I do declare , how nice that is ! '
And hastily pursuing the unhappy woman , who was making for the door , Mrs Parmalee XXXXX eagerly : ` Do n't mind us !
's clasped cried cut exclaiming fell sent thought thrilled wrote