Pick me up, and let us go on again." 'Wasn't that sweet now, after I'd upset her for the second time?
It touched me to the heart; and I said I'd like to go on for ever with such an angel to steer for, and--well I don't know what I did say; but you might have knocked me down with a feather when she put her arm round my neck and whispered: "Tom, dear, with you I'm not afraid of any lions in the path." She might have said donkeys; but she was in earnest, and she spared my feelings.

Very nice of the dear girl; but there I am with two sweethearts on my hands, and in a deuce of a scrape.' Finding it impossible to contain herself another moment, Mrs Jo laughed till the tears ran down her cheeks at this characteristic episode; and after one reproachful look, which only added to her merriment, Tom burst into a jolly roar that made the room ring.
'Tommy Bangs! Tommy Bangs! who but you could ever get into such a catastrophe ?' said Mrs Jo, when she recovered her breath.
'Isn't it a muddle all round, and won't everyone chaff me to death about it?
I shall have to quit old Plum for a while,' answered Tom, as he mopped his face, trying to realize the full danger of his position.
'No, indeed; I'll stand by you, for I think it the best joke of the season.

But tell me how things ended.

Is it really serious, or only a summer flirtation?
I don't approve of them, but boys and girls will play with edged tools and cut their fingers.' 'Well, Dora considers herself engaged, and wrote to her people at once.
I couldn't say a word when she took it all in solemn earnest and seemed so happy.

She's only seventeen, never liked anyone before, and is sure all will be all right; as her father knows mine, and we are both well off.