Christmas was kind of a big deal at the boarding house. With so many people away from home, they were all determined to be happy during the holiday season, even if they couldn't return to their loved ones.
As soon as Thanksgiving ended, decorations started going up. It seemed to Jo that every time she went downstairs, there was something new. The felt angel she had helped Kitty and Minnie glue together sat atop the tree in the parlor. Mrs. Kirke had roped Franz and Emil into helping her string the popcorn. It became a sort of game she and the professor played. Every morning when they went down to breakfast together, the winner was the person who could spot whatever was new first. Jo was determined to win this morning, Mr. Bhaer had won the past few days and she couldn't let him get three in a row. But she held herself back from rushing, staying next to her friend. It had to be fair, or it didn't count.
When they entered the parlor, however, they were greeted with hysterical laughter, which threw her off. A group of college men, all of whom reminded Jo of Laurie, what with their cigars and talk of billiards, were looking at them. Jo glanced at the professor, who looked equally as baffled as she felt. Then she glanced up at where one of the men seemed to be pointing, where a clump of seemingly innocent mistletoe hung in the doorway.
This would be the joke of the year, many of the men thought. There was Old Fritz, who they enjoyed joking around with. The man was still a bachelor. He'd be glad for this opportunity if anything, they thought. And who would walk in with him but that dreadfully stiff March woman, who seemed awfully prudish and wouldn't join in on their fun? What an odd pair!
"Kiss her!" cried one of the men through his laughter.
The professor glanced up as well, realizing what they meant. He coughed, adjusting his glasses. "Very funny, you got us." Jo was watching him with wide eyes now. She bit her bottom lip nervously, and he glanced down at her mouth. He would love nothing more than to kiss her.
"Kiss her, you have to kiss her now! You're both under the mistletoe, it's the rule."
"Yeah," another chimed in. "We hope you like older men, Miss March!"
His stupid fantasy came to an abrupt end as he remembered who he was. An overweight professor with hardly a dollar to his name. Why on earth would she want him? There was a reason she wasn't laughing right now. The prospect of kissing him must not be funny or even remotely attractive. He gave himself a mental shake and turned away.
"Stop teasing," Mr. Bhaer walked over and shoved the man's hat down over his face. Then he joined in with their laughter and the subject was changed. Jo stood frozen under the mistletoe, alone, for what seemed like the longest moment of her life. She watched everyone else move on from the joke. Then retreated back up the stairs.