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Jo's Boys - Chapter 2 - Parnassus
Episode 229th September 2023 • Bite at a Time Books • Bree Carlile
00:00:00 00:35:13

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Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads the second chapter of Jo's Boys.

Come with us as we release one bite a day of one of your favorite classic novels, plays & short stories. Bree reads these classics like she reads to her daughter, one chapter a day. If you love books or audiobooks and want something to listen to as you're getting ready, driving to work, or as you're getting ready for bed, check out Bite at a Time Books!

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San the book and let's see what we can find.

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Take it chapter by chapter, one bite at a time so many adventures and mountains we can climb.

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Take it word for word, like by line.

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One bite at a time.

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My name is Brie Carlyle and I love to read and wanted to share my passion with listeners like you.

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Be sure to follow my show on your favorite podcast platform so you get all the new episodes.

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You can find most of our links in the show notes, but also our website Bytetimebooks.com includes all of the links for our show, including to our patreon to support the show, and YouTube, where we have special behind the narration of the episodes.

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We're part of the bite at a Time books Productions network.

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If you'd also like to hear what inspired your favorite classic authors to write their novels and what was going on in the world at the time, check out the Bite at a Time Books Behind the Story podcast.

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Wherever you listen to podcasts, please note while we try to keep the text as close to the original as possible.

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Some words have been changed to honor.

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The marginalized communities who've identified the words as harmful and to stay in alignment with Bite at a Time book's brand values.

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Today we'll be continuing Joe's Boys by Louisa May Alcott chapter Two Parnassus it was well named, and the muses seemed to be at home that day, for as the newcomers went up the slope, appropriate sights and sounds greeted them.

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Passing an open window, they looked in upon a library presided over by Cleo, Calliope and Urania.

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Mapomin and Thalia were disporting themselves in the hall, where some young people were dancing and rehearsing a play.

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Urato was walking in the garden with.

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Her lover, and in the music room, Phoebus himself was drilling a tuneful choir.

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A mature Apollo was our old friend Lori Mccumly, and genial as ever, for time had ripened the freakish boy into a noble man.

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Care and sorrow, as well as ease and happiness, had done much for him, and the responsibility of carrying out his grandfather's wishes had been a duty most faithfully performed.

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Prosperity suits some people, and they blossom best in a glow of sunshine.

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Others need the shade and are the sweeter for a touch of frost.

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Laurie was one of the former sort, and Amy was another.

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So life had been a kind of poem to them since they married not only harmonious and happy, but earnest, useful and rich in the beautiful benevolence which can do so much when wealth and wisdom go hand in hand with charity.

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Her house was full of unaustentatious beauty and comfort, and here the art loving host and hostess attracted and entertained artists of all kinds.

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Lori had music enough now and was.

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A generous patron to the class he.

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Most liked to help.

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Amy had her proteges among ambitious young painters and sculptors and found her own art doubled dear as her daughter grew old enough to share its labors and delights with her.

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For she was one of those who.

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Proved that women can be faithful wives.

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And mothers without sacrificing the special gift bestowed upon them for their own development and the good of others.

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Her sisters knew where to find her, and Joe went at once to the studio where mother and daughter worked together.

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Bess was busy with the bust of.

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A little child, while her mother added the last touches to a fine head of her husband.

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Time seemed to have stood still with Amy, for happiness had kept her young, and prosperity given her the culture she needed a stately, graceful woman who showed.

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How elegant simplicity could be made by.

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The taste with which she chose her dress and the grace with which she wore it.

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As someone said, I never know what Mrs.

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Lawrence has on, but I always receive the impression that she is the best dressed lady in the room.

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It was evident that she adored her daughter, and well she might, for the beauty she had longed for seemed to her fond eyes at least, to be impersonated in this younger self.

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Thass inherited her mother's Diana like figure, blue eyes, fair skin and golden hair tied up in the same classic knot of also a never ending source of joy to Amy.

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She had her father's handsome nose and mouth cast in a feminine mold.

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The severe simplicity of a long linen pinafore suited her, and she worked away with the entire absorption of the true artist unconscious of the loving eyes upon her, till Aunt Jo came in exclaiming eagerly, my dear girls, stop your mud.

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Pies and hear the news.

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Both artists dropped to their tools and greeted the irrepressible woman Cordially.

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Though genius had been burning splendidly and her coming spoiled a precious hour.

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They were in the full tide of gossip when Lori, who had been summoned by Meg, arrived and sitting down between the sisters with no barricade anywhere, listened with interest to the news of Franz and Emile.

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The epidemic has broke out, and now it will rage and ravage your flock.

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Be prepared for every sort of romance and rashness for the next ten years.

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Joe, your boys are going up and will plunge headlong into a sea of worse scrapes than any of you have.

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Had yet, said Lori, enjoying her look of mingled delight and despair.

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I know it, and I hope I.

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Shall be able to pull them through and land them safely, but it's an awful responsibility, for they will come to me and insist that I can make their poor little loves run smoothly.

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I like it, though, and Meg is such a mush of sentiment.

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She revels in the prospect, answered Joe, feeling pretty easy about her own boys, whose youth made them safe for the present.

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I'm afraid she won't revel when our Nat begins to buz too near her daisy.

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Of course, you see what all that means.

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As musical director, I'm also his confidant and would like to know what advice.

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To give, said Lori soberly.

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Hush, you forget that child, began Joe, nodding towards Bess, who was at work again.

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Bless you.

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She's in Athens and doesn't hear a word.

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She ought to leave off, though, and go out.

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My darling, put the baby to sleep and go for a run.

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Aunt Meg is in the parlor.

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Go and show her the new pictures.

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Till we come, added Lori, looking at his tall girl as Pygmalion might have looked at Galatea, for he considered her.

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The finest statue in the house.

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Yes, Papa, but please tell me if it is good.

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And Beth obediently put down her tools with a lingering glance at the bust.

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My cherished daughter, truth compels me to confess that one cheek is plumper than the other, and the curls upon its infant brow are rather too much like horns for the perfect grace.

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Otherwise it rivals Raphael's, chanting Cherubs, and.

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I'm proud of it.

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Lori was laughing as he spoke, for.

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These first attempts were so like Amy's.

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Early ones, it was impossible to regard.

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Them as soberly as the enthusiastic Mama did.

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You can't see beauty in anything but.

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Music, answered Bess, shaking the golden head that made the one bright spot in the cool north lights of the great studio.

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Well, I see beauty in you, dear, and if you're not art, what is?

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I wish to put a little more nature into you and get you away from this cold clay and marble into the sunshine to dance and laugh as the others do.

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I want a flesh and blood girl, not a sweet statue and a gray pinafore who forgets everything but her work.

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As he spoke, two dusty hands came round his neck, and Beth said earnestly, punctuating her words with soft touches of her lips.

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I never forget you, Papa, but I do want to do something beautiful that.

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You may be proud of me.

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By and by, Mama often tells me to stop, but when we get in here, we forget there's any world outside.

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We are so busy and so happy.

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Now I'll go and run and sing and be a girl to please you.

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And throwing away the apron, Bess vanished.

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From the room, seeming to take all.

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The light with her.

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I'm glad you said that.

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The dear child is too much absorbed in her artistic dreams for one so young.

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It is my fault, but I sympathize.

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So deeply in it all, I forget.

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To be wise, sighed Amy, carefully covering the baby with a wet towel.

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I think this power of living in our children is one of the sweetest.

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Things in the world.

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But I try to remember what Marmy once said to Meg that fathers should.

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Have their share in the education of both girls and boys.

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So I leave Ted to his father all I can.

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And Fritz, lends me Rob, whose quiet ways are as restful and good for.

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Me as Ted's tempests are for his father.

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Now I advise you, Amy, to let Bess drop the mud pies for a.

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Time and take up music with Lori.

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Then she won't be one sided and.

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He won't be jealous.

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Here, here a Daniel, a very Daniel.

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Cried Lori, well pleased.

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I thought you'd lend a hand, Joe.

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And say a word for me.

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I am a little jealous of Amy and want more of a share in my girl.

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Come, my lady, let me have her this summer, and next year when we go to Rome, I'll give her up to you and high art.

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Isn't that a fair bargain?

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I agree, but in trying your hobby.

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Nature with music thrown in, don't forget that though only 15, our Bess is older than most girls of that age and cannot be treated like a child.

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She is so very precious to me.

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I feel as if I wanted to keep her always as pure and beautiful as the marble she loves so well.

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Amy spoke regretfully as she looked about the lovely room where she had spent.

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So many happy hours with this dear child of hers.

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Turn and turn about is fair play.

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As we used to say when we.

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All wanted to ride on Ellen tree.

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Or wear the russet boots, said Joe briskly.

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So you must share your girl between.

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You and see who will do the most for her.

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We will, answered the fond parents, laughing at the recollections Joe's proverb brought up to them how I did used to enjoy bouncing on the limbs of that old apple tree.

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No real horse ever gave me half.

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The pleasure or the exercise, said Amy, looking out of the high window as.

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If she saw the dear old orchard.

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Again, and the little girls at play there.

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And what fun I had with those.

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Blessed boots, laughed Joe.

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I've got the relics now.

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The boys reduced them to rags, but.

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I love them still, and would enjoy a good theatrical stock in them if it were possible.

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My fondest memories twine about the warming pan in the sausage.

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What larks we had, and how long.

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Ago it seems, said Lori, staring at the two women before him as if.

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He found it hard to realize that.

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They ever had been little Amy and riotous Joe.

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Don't suggest that we are growing old, my lord.

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We have only bloomed.

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And a very nice bouquet we make with our buds about us, answered Mrs.

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Amy, shaking out the folds of her rosy muslin with much the air of dainty satisfaction.

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The girl used to show in a new dress, not to mention our thorns and dead leaves, added Jo with a sigh.

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For life had never been very easy.

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To her and even now she had her troubles both within and without.

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Come and have a dish of tea, old dear, and see what the young folks are about.

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You are tired and want to be.

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Stayed with flaggins and comforted with apples.

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Said Lori, offering an arm to each sister and leading them away to afternoon.

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Tea which floated freely on pernassus as.

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The nectar of old.

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They found Meg in the summer parlor an airy and delightful room full now of afternoon sunshine and the rustle of trees for the three long windows opened on the garden.

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The great music room was at one.

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End, and at the other, in a.

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Deep alcove hung with purple curtains.

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A little household shrine had been made.

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Three portraits hung there.

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Two marble busts stood in the corners.

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And a couch, an oval table with its urn of flowers were the only articles of furniture the nook contained the busts were John Brooke and Beth Amy's work both excellent likenesses and both full.

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Of the placid beauty which always recalls.

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A saying that clay represents life plaster, death, marble, immortality.

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On the right, as it became the founder of the house hung the portrait.

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Of Mr.

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Lawrence with its expression of mingled pride and benevolence as fresh and attractive as when he caught the girl Joe admiring it.

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Opposite was Aunt March, a legacy to Amy in an imposing turban, immense sleeves.

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And long mittens decorously crossed on the.

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Front of her plum colored satin gown.

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Time had mellowed the severity of her aspect and the fixed regard of the handsome old gentleman.

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Opposite seemed to account for the amiable.

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Simper on lips that had not uttered a sharp word for years.

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In a place of honor with the sunshine warm upon it and a green garland always round it was Marmi's beloved face painted with grateful skill by a great artist whom she had befriended when poor and unknown.

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So beautifully lifelike was it that it.

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Seemed to smile down upon her daughter.

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Saying cheerfully be happy I am with you.

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Still the three sisters stood a moment looking up at the beloved picture with eyes full of tender reverence and the longing that never left them for this noble mother had been so much to them that no one could ever fill her place.

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Only two years since she had gone away to live and love anew leaving such a sweet memory behind her that it was both an inspiration and a comforter to all the household.

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They felt this as they drew closer to one another and Lori put it into words as he said earnestly I.

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Can ask nothing better for my child than that she may be a woman like our mother.

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Please God she shall be if I can do it, for I owe the best I have to this dear saint.

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Just then a fresh voice began to.

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Sing ave Maria in the music room and bess unconsciously echoed her father's prayer for her as she dutifully obeyed his wishes.

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The soft sound of the air Marmi used to sing led the listeners back into the world again from that momentary reaching after the loved and lost as.

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They sat down together near the open.

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Windows, enjoying the music while Lori brought them tea, making the little service pleasant by the tender care he gave to it.

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Matt came in with Demi, soon followed by Ted and Josie, the professor and.

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His faithful Rob, all anxious to hear.

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More about the boys.

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The rattle of cups and tongues grew brisk, and the setting sun saw a.

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Cheerful company resting in the bright room.

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After the varied labors of the day.

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Professor Bear was grey now, but robust and genial as ever, for he had.

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The work he loved and did it.

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So heartily that the whole college felt his beautiful influence.

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Rob was as much like him as it was possible for a boy to.

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Be, and was already called the young professor he so adored, study, and closely imitated his honored father in all ways.

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Well, heart's dearest, we go to have our boys again old too, and may.

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Rejoice greatly, said Mr.

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Bear, seating himself beside Joe with a beaming face and a handshake of congratulation.

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Oh, Fritz, I'm so delighted about a meal, and, if you approve, about Franz also.

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Did you know Ludmilla?

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Is it a wise match?

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Asked Mrs.

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Jo, handing him her cup of tea and drawing closer as if she welcomed her refuge and joy as well as sorrow.

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It all goes well.

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I saw the matron when I went over to place Franz.

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A child then, but most sweet and charming.

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Blumenthal is satisfied, I think, and the boy will be happy.

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He is too German to be content.

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Away from Voderland, so we shall have.

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Him as a link between the new.

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And the old, and that pleases me much.

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And Emil?

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He is to be second mate next voyage.

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Isn't that fine?

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I'm so happy that both your boys have done well.

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You gave up so much for them and their mother.

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You make light of it, dear.

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But I never forget it, said Joe, with her hand in his, as sentimentally as if she was a girl again, and their Fritz had come a wooing.

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He laughed his cheery laugh and whispered.

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Behind her fan, if I had not come to America for the poor lads, I never should have found my Joe.

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The hard times are very sweet now, and I bless God for all I seem to lose because I gained the blessing of my life.

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Spooning.

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Spooning.

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Here's an awful flirtation on the sly.

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Cried Teddy, peering over the fan, just to that interesting moment, much to his mother's confusion and his father's amusement, for.

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The professor never was ashamed of the.

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Fact that he still considered his wife the dearest woman in the world.

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Rob promptly ejected his brother from one.

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Window to see him skip in at the other, while Mrs.

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Joe shut her.

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Fan and held it, ready to wrap.

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Her unruly boy's knuckles if he came near her again.

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Matt approached an answer to Mr.

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Bear's Beckoning teaspoon and stood before them with a face full of the respectful affection.

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He felt for the excellent man who.

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Had done so much for him.

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I have the letters ready for thee, my son.

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They're two old friends of mine in.

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Lebzig, who will befriend thee in that new life?

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It is well to have them, for thou wilt be heartbroken with Heimway at the first Nat, and need comforting, said.

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The professor, giving him several letters.

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Thanks, sir.

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Yes, I expect to be pretty lonely till I get started, and my music in the hope of getting on, will.

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Cheer me up, answered that who both.

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Longed and dreaded to leave all these.

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Friends behind him and make new ones.

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He was a man now, but the blue eyes were as honest as ever, the mouth, still a little weak in spite of the carefully cherished mustache over it, and the broad forehead, more plainly than ever, betrayed the music loving nature of the youth.

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Modest, affectionate and dutiful.

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Nat was considered a pleasant, though not.

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A brilliant success by Mrs.

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Jo.

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She loved and trusted him and was sure he would do his best, but.

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Did not expect that he would be.

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Great in any way, unless the stimulus.

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Of foreign training and self dependence made.

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Him a better artist and a stronger man than now seemed likely.

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I've marked all your things, or rather Daisy did.

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And as soon as your books are collected, we can see about the packing.

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Said Mrs.

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Jo, who was so used.

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To fitting boys off for all quarters of the globe that a trip to the North Pole would not have been.

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Too much for her.

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Nat grew red at the mention of that name.

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Or was it the last glow of.

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Sunset on his rather pale cheek, and his heart beat happily at the thought of the dear girl working ends and bees on his humble socks and handkerchiefs.

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For Nat adored Daisy, and the cherished dream of his life was to earn.

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A place for himself as a musician.

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And win this angel for his wife.

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This hope did more for him than the professor's counsels, Mrs.

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Jo's care or.

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Mr.

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Lori's generous help.

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For her sake he worked, waited and hoped, finding courage and patience in the dream of that happy future when Daisy should make a little home for him and he fiddle a fortune into her lap.

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Mrs Jo knew this, and though he.

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Was not exactly the man she would.

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Have chosen for her niece, she felt that Nat would always need just the wise and loving care Daisy could give him.

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And that without it there was danger of his being one of the amiable.

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And aimless men who fail for want.

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Of the right pilot to steer them.

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Safely through the world.

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Mrs.

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Meg decidedly frowned upon the poor.

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Boy'S love and would not hear of.

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Giving her dear girl to any but the best man to be found on.

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The face of the earth.

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She was very kind, but as firm as such gentle souls can be, and.

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Nat fled for comfort to Mrs.

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Jo.

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Who always espoused the interests of her boys heartily.

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A new set of anxieties was beginning.

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Now that the aforesaid boys were growing.

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Up, and she foresaw no end of worry, as well as amusement in the love affairs already budding in her flock.

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Mrs.

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Meg was usually her best ally.

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And advisor, for she loved romances as well now as when a blooming girl herself.

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But in this case, she hardened her heart and would not hear a word of entreaty.

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Nat was not man enough, never would be.

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No one knew his family.

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A musician's life was a hard one.

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Daisy was too young.

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Five or six years hence, when time.

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Had proved both, perhaps.

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Let us see what absence will do for him.

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And that was the end of it.

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For when the maternal pelican was roused.

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She could be very firm, though for her precious children she would have plucked her last feather and given the last drop of her blood.

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Mrs.

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Jo was thinking of this as she looked at Nat while he talked with her husband about Leipzig, and she resolved to have a clear understanding with him before he went.

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She was used to confidences and talked freely with her boys about the trials and temptations that beset all lives in the beginning, and so often mar them for want of the right word at the right moment.

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This is the first duty of parents.

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And no false delicacy should keep them.

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From the watchful care, the gentle warning.

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Which makes self knowledge and self control.

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The compass and pilot of the young as they leave the safe harbor of home.

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Plato and his disciples approach announced irreverent.

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Teddy as Mr.

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March came in with several young men and women about him.

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For the wise old man was universally.

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Beloved and ministered so beautifully to his flock that many of them thanked him.

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All their lives for the help given to both hearts and souls.

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Bess went to him at once, for since Marmi died, grandpa Paw was her special care.

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And it was sweet to see the golden head bend over the silver one as she rolled out his easy chair and waited on him with tender alacrity.

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Aesthetic tea always on tap.

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Here, sir, will you have a flowing bowl or a bit of ambrosia?

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Asked Lori, who was wandering about with a sugar basin in one hand and a plate of cake in the other.

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For sweetening cups and feeding the hungry was work.

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He loved neither.

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Thanks.

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This child has taken care of me.

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And Mr.

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March turned to Bess, who.

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Sat on one arm of his chair.

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Holding a glass of fresh milk.

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Long may she live to do it, sir, and I be here to see this pretty contradiction of the song that youth and age cannot live together, answered.

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Lori, smiling at the pair crabbed.

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Age, Papa, that makes all the difference.

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In the world, said bess quickly, for she loved poetry and read the best.

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Wouldst thou see fresh roses grow in a reverend bed of snow?

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Quoted Mr March as Josie came and perched on the other arm, looking like.

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A very thorny little rose, for she had been having a hot discussion with.

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Ted, and had got the worst of it.

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Grandpa, must women always obey men and.

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Say they are the wisest just because.

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They are the strongest?

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She cried, looking fiercely at her cousin.

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Who came stalking up with a provoking.

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Smile on the boyish face.

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It was always very comical atop that tall figure.

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Well, my dear, that is the old fashioned belief, and it will take some time to change it.

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But I think the woman's hour has.

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Struck, and it looks to me as.

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If the boys must do their best, for the girls are abreast now and may reach the goal first, answered Mr.

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March, surveying with paternal satisfaction the bright faces of the young women, who were among the best students in the college.

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The poor Adalantans are sadly distracted and delayed by the obstacles thrown in their way.

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Not golden apples by any means, but I think they will stand a fair chance when they've learned to run better.

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Laughed Uncle Lori, stroking Josie's breezy hair, which stood up like the fur of an angry kitten.

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Whole barrels of apples won't stop me.

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When I start, and a dozen Teds.

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Won'T trip me up, though they may try.

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I'll show him that a woman can.

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Act as well, if not better than a man.

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It has been done, and will be again, and I'll never own that my brain isn't as good as his, though.

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It may be smaller, cried the excited young person.

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If you shake your head in that violent way, you'll addle what brains you have got, and I'd take care of him if I were you.

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Began teasing Ted.

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What started this civil war?

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Asked Grandpa PA, with a gentle emphasis.

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On the adjective, which caused the combatants to calm their ardy a little.

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Why, we were pegging away at the Iliad and came to where Zeus tells Juno not to inquire into his plans or he'll whip her.

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And Joe was disgusted because Juno meekly hushed up.

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I said it was all right, and agreed with the old fellow that women didn't know much and ought to obey.

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Men, explained Ted, to the great amusement.

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Of his hearers goddesses, may do as.

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They like, but those Greek and Trojan women were poor spirited things if they minded men who couldn't fight their own battles and had to be hustled off by palace and Venus and Juno when they were going to get beaten.

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The idea of two armies stopping and sitting down while a pair of heroes flung stones at one another.

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I don't think much of your old Homer.

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Give me Napoleon or Grant for my hero.

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Josie's Scorn was as funny as if a hummingbird scolded an ostrich, and everyone laughed as she sniffed at the immortal poet and criticized the gods, Napoleon's.

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Juno had a nice time, didn't she?

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That's just the way girls argue, first one way and then the other.

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Jeered, Ted.

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Like Johnson's young lady, who was not categorical but all wiggle waggle, added Uncle Lori, enjoying the battle immensely.

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I was only speaking of them as soldiers, but if you come to the woman's side of it, wasn't Grant a kind husband and Mrs.

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Grant a happy woman?

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He didn't threaten to whip her if she asked a natural question.

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And if Napoleon did do wrong about Josephine, he could fight, and didn't want any Minerva to come fussing over him.

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They were a stupid set from Dandified Paris to Achilles, sulking in his ships.

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And I won't change my opinion.

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For all the Hectors and Agamendnons in.

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Greece, said Josie, still unconquered, you can fight like a Trojan, that's evident.

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And we'll be the two obedient armies looking on while you and Ted have it out, began Uncle Lori, assuming the attitude of a warrior leaning on his spear.

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I fear we must give it up.

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Her palace is about to descend and.

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Carry off our Hector, said Mr.

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March, smiling as Jo came to remind her son that supper time was near.

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We will fight it out later, when there are no goddesses to interfere, said Teddy, as he turned away with unusual alacrity, remembering the treat in store, conquered.

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By a muffin by Jove called Josie after him, exulting in an opportunity to.

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Use the classical exclamation forbidden to her sex.

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But Ted shot a Parthian arrow as.

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He retired, in good order by replying with a highly virtuous expression obedience is.

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A soldier's first duty.

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Bent on her woman's privilege of having.

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The last word, josie ran after him, but never uttered the scathing speech upon her lips, for a very brown young.

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Man in a blue suit came leaping up the steps with a cheery ahoy.

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Ahoy.

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Where is everybody?

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A meal a meal.

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Cried Josie, and in a moment Ted.

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Was upon him, and the late enemies ended their fray in a joyful welcome to the newcomer.

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Muffins were forgotten and towing their cousin.

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Like two fussy little tugs with a fine merchant man.

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The children returned to the parlor, where Emile kissed all the women and shook.

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Hands with all the men except his uncle.

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Him he embraced in the good old.

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German style, to the great delight of the observers.

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Didn't think I could get off today, but found I could, and steered straight for old Plum.

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Not a soul there, so I luft and bore away.

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For Parnassus, and here is every man jack of you.

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Bless your hearts.

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How glad I am to see you all.

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Exclaimed the sailor boy, beaming at them.

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As he stood with his legs apart, as if he still felt the rocking.

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Deck under his feet.

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You ought to shiver your timbers, not Bless our hearts, Emil, it's not nautical at all.

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Oh, how nice and shippy and tari.

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You do smell, said Josie, sniffing at him with great enjoyment of the fresh.

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Sea odors he brought with him.

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This was her favorite cousin, and she was his pet, so she knew that.

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The bulging pockets of the blue jacket.

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Contained treasures for her, at least.

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Vast my hearty, and let me take soundings before you dive, laughed Emile, understanding her affectionate caresses and holding her off.

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With one hand, while with the other.

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He rummaged out sundry, foreign little boxes.

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And parcels marked with different names, and.

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Handed them round with appropriate remarks, which caused much laughter, for Emile was a wag.

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There's a houser that will hold our little cockboat still about five minutes, he.

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Said, throwing a necklace of pretty pink coral over Josie's head.

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And here's something the mermaid sent to.

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Undeen, he added, handing Bess a string of pearly shells on a silver chain.

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I thought Daisy would like a fiddle, and Nat can find her a bow.

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Continued the sailor with a laugh as.

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He undid a dainty filigree brooch in.

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The shape of a violin.

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I know she will, and I'll take it to her, answered Nat as he.

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Vanished, glad of an errand, and sure that he could find Daisy, though Emil had missed her.

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Emile chuckled and handed out a quaintly carved bear whose head opened, showing a capacious ink stand.

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This he presented with a scrape to Aunt Joe.

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Know your fondness for these fine animals.

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I brought this one to your pen.

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Very good, Commodore.

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Try again, said Mrs.

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Jo, much pleased.

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With her gift, which caused the professor to prophesy works of Shakespeare from its depths.

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So great would be the inspiration of the beloved Bruin, as Aunt Meg will wear caps in spite of her youth.

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I got Ludmilla to get me some bits of lace.

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Hope you like them.

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And out of a soft paper came some filmy things, one of which soon.

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Lay like a net of snowflakes on.

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Mrs.

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Meg's pretty hair.

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I couldn't find anything swell enough for Aunt Amy because she has everything she wants, so I brought a little picture that always makes me think of her.

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When Bess was a baby and he.

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Handed her an oval ivory locket, on which was painted a golden haired madonna with a rosy child folded in her blue mantle.

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How lovely.

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Cried everyone, and Aunt Amy at once.

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Hung it about her neck on the.

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Blue ribbon from Bess's hair charmed with.

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Her gift, for it recalled the happiest.

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Year of her life.

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Now I flatter myself, I've got just the thing for NAN.

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Neat but not gaudy.

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A sort of sign, you see.

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And very appropriate for a doctor, said Emile, proudly, displaying a pair of lava.

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Earrings shaped like little skulls.

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Horrid and Bess, who hated ugly things, turned her eyes to her own pretty shells.

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She won't wear earrings, said Josie.

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Well, she'll enjoy punching your ears then.

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She's never so happy as when she's overhauling her fellow creatures and going for them with a knife, answered Emil undisturbed.

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I've got a lot of plunder for you fellows in my chest.

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But I knew I should have no peace till my cargo for the girls was unloaded.

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Now, tell me all the news.

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And seated on Amy's best marble topped.

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Table, the sailor swung his legs and.

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Talked at the rate of ten knots.

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An hour, till Aunt Joe carried them.

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All off to a grand family tea.

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In honor of the Commodore.

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Thank you for joining Bite at a.

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Time Books today while we read a bite of one of your favorite classics.

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Again, my name is Brie Carlyle, and.

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I hope you come back tomorrow for the next bite of Joe's boys.

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Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter at Bite at a Timebooks.com and check out the shop.

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You can check out the show notes or our website, Byteathimebooks.com, for the rest of the links for our show.

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We'd love to hear from you on social media as well.

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SA, and see what we can find.

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Take it chapter by chapter, one at a time.

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So many adventures and mountains we can climb.

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Take it word for word, line by line, one bite at a time.

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Close.

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