Isn't he great fun ?' And Nan departed, laughing over the joke with such genuine satisfaction that it was evident no sentimental regrets disturbed her 'maiden meditation, fancy-free'.
'I shall have my eye on Demi, but won't say a word.

Meg likes to manage her children in her own way, and a very good way it is.

But the dear Pelican will be somewhat ruffled if her boy has caught the epidemic which seems to have broken out among us this summer.' Mrs Jo did not mean the measles, but that more serious malady called love, which is apt to ravage communities, spring and autumn, when winter gaiety and summer idleness produce whole bouquets of engagements, and set young people to pairing off like the birds.

Franz began it, Nat was a chronic and Tom a sudden case; Demi seemed to have the symptoms; and worst of all, her own Ted had only the day before calmly said to her: 'Mum, I think I should be happier if I had a sweetheart, like the other boys.' If her cherished son had asked her for dynamite to play with, she would hardly have been more startled, or have more decidedly refused the absurd request.
'Well, Barry Morgan said I ought to have one and offered to pick me out a nice one among our set.

I asked Josie first, and she hooted at the idea, so I thought I'd let Barry look round.