Won't he, Aunt Jo ?' This deluge of words made Dan clap his hands over his ears; and before Mrs Bhaer could answer her impetuous niece the Laurences, with Meg and her family, arrived, soon followed by Tom and Nan, and all sat down to listen to Dan's adventures--told in brief yet effective manner, as the varying expressions of interest, wonder, merriment, and suspense painted on the circle of faces round him plainly showed.

The boys all wanted to start at once for California and make fortunes; the girls could hardly wait for the curious and pretty things he had picked up for them in his travels; while the elders rejoiced heartily over the energy and good prospects of their wild boy.
'Of course you will want to go back for another stroke of luck; and I hope you will have it.

But speculation is a dangerous game, and you may lose all you've won,' said Mr Laurie, who had enjoyed the stirring tale as much as any of the boys, and would have liked to rough it with Dan as well as they.
'I've had enough of it, for a while at least; too much like gambling.
The excitement is all I care for, and it isn't good for me.

I have a notion to try farming out West.

It's grand on a large scale; and I feel as if steady work would be rather jolly after loafing round so long.