Little Women - 912 Freedom Library

Little Womenknew that in his native city he had been a man muchhonored and esteemed for learning and integrity, till acountryman came to see him. He never spoke of himself,and in a conversation with Miss Norton divulged thepleasing fact. From her Jo learned it, and liked it all thebetter because Mr. Bhaer had never told it. She felt proudto know that he was an honored Professor in Berlin,though only a poor language-master in America, and hishomely, hard-working life was much beautified by thespice of romance which this discovery gave it. Anotherand a better gift than intellect was shown her in a mostunexpected manner. Miss Norton had the entree intomost society, which Jo would have had no chance ofseeing but for her. The solitary woman felt an interest inthe ambitious girl, and kindly conferred many favors ofthis sort both on Jo and the Professor. She took them withher one night to a select symposium, held in honor ofseveral celebrities.Jo went prepared to bow down and adore the mightyones whom she had worshiped with youthful enthusiasmafar off. But her reverence for genius received a severeshock that night, and it took her some time to recoverfrom the discovery that the great creatures were only menand women after all. Imagine her dismay, on stealing a616 of 861