<p class="h2"><SPAN name="XXI" id="XXI"></SPAN>XXI.</p>
<p class="h2a">LAURIE MAKES MISCHIEF, AND JO MAKES PEACE.</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">Jo's</span> face was a study next day, for the secret rather weighed upon
her, and she found it hard not to look mysterious and important.
Meg observed it, but did not trouble herself to make inquiries, for she
had learned that the best way to manage Jo was by the law of contraries,
so she felt sure of being told everything if she did not ask. She
was rather surprised, therefore, when the silence remained unbroken,
and Jo assumed a patronizing air, which decidedly aggravated Meg,
who in her turn assumed an air of dignified reserve, and devoted herself
to her mother. This left Jo to her own devices; for Mrs. March
had taken her place as nurse, and bade her rest, exercise, and amuse
herself after her long confinement. Amy being gone, Laurie was her
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 255]</span>
only refuge; and, much as she enjoyed his society, she rather dreaded
him just then, for he was an incorrigible tease, and she feared he
would coax her secret from her.</p>
<p class="indent">She was quite right, for the mischief-loving lad no sooner suspected
a mystery than he set himself to find it out, and led Jo a trying life
of it. He wheedled, bribed, ridiculed, threatened, and scolded;
affected indifference, that he might surprise the truth from her;
declared he knew, then that he didn't care; and, at last, by dint of
perseverance, he satisfied himself that it concerned Meg and Mr.
Brooke. Feeling indignant that he was not taken into his tutor's
confidence, he set his wits to work to devise some proper retaliation
for the slight.</p>
<p class="indent">Meg meanwhile had apparently forgotten the matter, and was
absorbed in preparations for her father's return; but all of a sudden
a change seemed to come over her, and, for a day or two, she was
quite unlike herself. She started when spoken to, blushed when
looked at, was very quiet, and sat over her sewing, with a timid,
troubled look on her face. To her mother's inquiries she answered
that she was quite well, and Jo's she silenced by begging to be let
alone.</p>
<p class="indent">"She feels it in the air—love, I mean—and she's going very fast.
She's got most of the symptoms,—is twittery and cross, doesn't eat,
lies awake, and mopes in corners. I caught her singing that song
he gave her, and once she said 'John,' as you do, and then turned as
red as a poppy. Whatever shall we do?" said Jo, looking ready for
any measures, however violent.</p>
<p class="indent">"Nothing but wait. Let her alone, be kind and patient, and
father's coming will settle everything," replied her mother.</p>
<p class="indent">"Here's a note to you, Meg, all sealed up. How odd! Teddy
never seals mine," said Jo, next day, as she distributed the contents
of the little post-office.</p>
<p class="indent">Mrs. March and Jo were deep in their own affairs, when a sound
from Meg made them look up to see her staring at her note, with a
frightened face.</p>
<p class="indent">"My child, what is it?" cried her mother, running to her, while Jo
tried to take the paper which had done the mischief.</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum">[Pg 256]</span>
"It's all a mistake—he didn't send it. O Jo, how could you do
it?" and Meg hid her face in her hands, crying as if her heart was
quite broken.</p>
<p class="indent">"Me! I've done nothing! What's she talking about?" cried Jo,
bewildered.</p>
<p class="indent">Meg's mild eyes kindled with anger as she pulled a crumpled note
from her pocket, and threw it at Jo, saying reproachfully,—</p>
<p class="indent">"You wrote it, and that bad boy helped you. How could you be
so rude, so mean, and cruel to us both?"</p>
<p class="indent">Jo hardly heard her, for she and her mother were reading the note,
which was written in a peculiar hand.</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <SPAN name="b108.png" id="b108.png"></SPAN> <ANTIMG src="images/b108.png" width-obs="400" height-obs="463" alt="Jo and her mother were reading the note" title="Jo and her mother were reading the note" /></div>
<p><span class="pagenum">[Pg 257]</span></p>
<div class="blockquote">
<p>"<span class="smcap">My Dearest Margaret</span>,—</p>
<p class="indent">"I can no longer restrain my passion, and must know my fate
before I return. I dare not tell your parents yet, but I think they
would consent if they knew that we adored one another. Mr. Laurence
will help me to some good place, and then, my sweet girl, you
will make me happy. I implore you to say nothing to your family
yet, but to send one word of hope through Laurie to</p>
<p class="right">"Your devoted <span class="smcap">John</span>."</p>
</div>
<p class="indent">"Oh, the little villain! that's the way he meant to pay me for keeping
my word to mother. I'll give him a hearty scolding, and bring
him over to beg pardon," cried Jo, burning to execute immediate
justice. But her mother held her back, saying, with a look she seldom
wore,—</p>
<p class="indent">"Stop, Jo, you must clear yourself first. You have played so many
pranks, that I am afraid you have had a hand in this."</p>
<p class="indent">"On my word, mother, I haven't! I never saw that note before,
and don't know anything about it, as true as I live!" said Jo, so
earnestly that they believed her. "If I <i>had</i> taken a part in it I'd
have done it better than this, and have written a sensible note. I
should think you'd have known Mr. Brooke wouldn't write such stuff
as that," she added, scornfully tossing down the paper.</p>
<p class="indent">"It's like his writing," faltered Meg, comparing it with the note in
her hand.</p>
<p class="indent">"O Meg, you didn't answer it?" cried Mrs. March quickly.</p>
<p class="indent">"Yes, I did!" and Meg hid her face again, overcome with shame.</p>
<p class="indent">"Here's a scrape! <i>Do</i> let me bring that wicked boy over to
explain, and be lectured. I can't rest till I get hold of him;" and Jo
made for the door again.</p>
<p class="indent">"Hush! let me manage this, for it is worse than I thought. Margaret,
tell me the whole story," commanded Mrs. March, sitting down
by Meg, yet keeping hold of Jo, lest she should fly off.</p>
<p class="indent">"I received the first letter from Laurie, who didn't look as if he
knew anything about it," began Meg, without looking up. "I was worried
at first, and meant to tell you; then I remembered how you liked
Mr. Brooke, so I thought you wouldn't mind if I kept my little secret
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 258]</span>
for a few days. I'm so silly that I liked to think no one knew; and,
while I was deciding what to say, I felt like the girls in books, who
have such things to do. Forgive me, mother, I'm paid for my silliness
now; I never can look him in the face again."</p>
<p class="indent">"What did you say to him?" asked Mrs. March.</p>
<p class="indent">"I only said I was too young to do anything about it yet; that I
didn't wish to have secrets from you, and he must speak to father. I
was very grateful for his kindness, and would be his friend, but nothing
more, for a long while."</p>
<p class="indent">Mrs. March smiled, as if well pleased, and Jo clapped her hands,
exclaiming, with a laugh,—</p>
<p class="indent">"You are almost equal to Caroline Percy, who was a pattern of
prudence! Tell on, Meg. What did he say to that?"</p>
<p class="indent">"He writes in a different way entirely, telling me that he never
sent any love-letter at all, and is very sorry that my roguish sister, Jo,
should take such liberties with our names. It's very kind and respectful,
but think how dreadful for me!"</p>
<p class="indent">Meg leaned against her mother, looking the image of despair, and
Jo tramped about the room, calling Laurie names. All of a sudden
she stopped, caught up the two notes, and, after looking at them
closely, said decidedly, "I don't believe Brooke ever saw either of
these letters. Teddy wrote both, and keeps yours to crow over me
with, because I wouldn't tell him my secret."</p>
<p class="indent">"Don't have any secrets, Jo; tell it to mother, and keep out of
trouble, as I should have done," said Meg warningly.</p>
<p class="indent">"Bless you, child! Mother told me."</p>
<p class="indent">"That will do, Jo. I'll comfort Meg while you go and get Laurie.
I shall sift the matter to the bottom, and put a stop to such pranks at
once."</p>
<p class="indent">Away ran Jo, and Mrs. March gently told Meg Mr. Brooke's real
feelings. "Now, dear, what are your own? Do you love him enough
to wait till he can make a home for you, or will you keep yourself quite
free for the present?"</p>
<p class="indent">"I've been so scared and worried, I don't want to have anything
to do with lovers for a long while,—perhaps never," answered Meg
petulantly. "If John <i>doesn't</i> know anything about this nonsense,
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 259]</span>
don't tell him, and make Jo and Laurie hold their tongues. I won't
be deceived and plagued and made a fool of,—it's a shame!"</p>
<p class="indent">Seeing that Meg's usually gentle temper was roused and her pride
hurt by this mischievous joke, Mrs. March soothed her by promises
of entire silence, and great discretion for the future. The instant
Laurie's step was heard in the hall, Meg fled into the study, and Mrs.
March received the culprit alone. Jo had not told him why he was
wanted, fearing he wouldn't come; but he knew the minute he saw
Mrs. March's face, and stood twirling his hat, with a guilty air which
convicted him at once. Jo was dismissed, but chose to march up and
down the hall like a sentinel, having some fear that the prisoner might
bolt. The sound of voices in the parlor rose and fell for half an
hour; but what happened during that interview the girls never knew.</p>
<p class="indent">When they were called in, Laurie was standing by their mother,
with such a penitent face that Jo forgave him on the spot, but did
not think it wise to betray the fact. Meg received his humble apology,
and was much comforted by the assurance that Brooke knew
nothing of the joke.</p>
<p class="indent">"I'll never tell him to my dying day,—wild horses sha'n't drag it
out of me; so you'll forgive me, Meg, and I'll do anything to show
how out-and-out sorry I am," he added, looking very much ashamed
of himself.</p>
<p class="indent">"I'll try; but it was a very ungentlemanly thing to do. I didn't
think you could be so sly and malicious, Laurie," replied Meg, trying
to hide her maidenly confusion under a gravely reproachful air.</p>
<p class="indent">"It was altogether abominable, and I don't deserve to be spoken
to for a month; but you will, though, won't you?" and Laurie folded
his hands together with such an imploring gesture, as he spoke in his
irresistibly persuasive tone, that it was impossible to frown upon him,
in spite of his scandalous behavior. Meg pardoned him, and Mrs.
March's grave face relaxed, in spite of her efforts to keep sober, when
she heard him declare that he would atone for his sins by all sorts of
penances, and abase himself like a worm before the injured damsel.</p>
<p class="indent">Jo stood aloof, meanwhile, trying to harden her heart against him, and
succeeding only in primming up her face into an expression of entire
disapprobation. Laurie looked at her once or twice, but, as she
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 260]</span>
showed no sign of relenting, he felt injured, and turned his back on
her till the others were done with him, when he made her a low bow,
and walked off without a word.</p>
<p class="indent">As soon as he had gone, she wished she had been more forgiving;
and when Meg and her mother went upstairs, she felt lonely, and
longed for Teddy. After resisting for some time, she yielded to the
impulse, and, armed with a book to return, went over to the big
house.</p>
<p class="indent">"Is Mr. Laurence in?" asked Jo, of a housemaid, who was coming
down stairs.</p>
<p class="indent">"Yes, miss; but I don't believe he's seeable just yet."</p>
<p class="indent">"Why not? is he ill?"</p>
<p class="indent">"La, no, miss, but he's had a scene with Mr. Laurie, who is in one
of his tantrums about something, which vexes the old gentleman, so I
dursn't go nigh him."</p>
<p class="indent">"Where is Laurie?"</p>
<p class="indent">"Shut up in his room, and he won't answer, though I've been a-tapping.
I don't know what's to become of the dinner, for it's ready,
and there's no one to eat it."</p>
<p class="indent">"I'll go and see what the matter is. I'm not afraid of either of
them."</p>
<p class="indent">Up went Jo, and knocked smartly on the door of Laurie's little
study.</p>
<p class="indent">"Stop that, or I'll open the door and make you!" called out the
young gentleman, in a threatening tone.</p>
<p class="indent">Jo immediately knocked again; the door flew open, and in she
bounced, before Laurie could recover from his surprise. Seeing that
he really <i>was</i> out of temper, Jo, who knew how to manage him, assumed
a contrite expression, and going artistically down upon her
knees, said meekly, "Please forgive me for being so cross. I came
to make it up, and can't go away till I have."</p>
<p class="indent">"It's all right. Get up, and don't be a goose, Jo," was the cavalier
reply to her petition.</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <SPAN name="b109.png" id="b109.png"></SPAN> <ANTIMG src="images/b109.png" width-obs="400" height-obs="472" alt="Get up and don't be a goose" title="Get up and don't be a goose" /></div>
<p class="indent">"Thank you; I will. Could I ask what's the matter? You don't
look exactly easy in your mind."</p>
<p class="indent">"I've been shaken, and I won't bear it!" growled Laurie indignantly.</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum">[Pg 261]</span>
"Who did it?" demanded Jo.</p>
<p class="indent">"Grandfather; if it had been
any one else I'd have—" and
the injured youth finished his sentence
by an energetic gesture of
the right arm.</p>
<p class="indent">"That's nothing; I often shake
you, and you don't mind," said Jo
soothingly.</p>
<p class="indent">"Pooh! you're a girl, and it's fun; but I'll allow no man to shake
<i>me</i>."</p>
<p class="indent">"I don't think any one would care to try it, if you looked as much
like a thunder-cloud as you do now. Why were you treated so?"</p>
<p class="indent">"Just because I wouldn't say what your mother wanted me for.
I'd promised not to tell, and of course I wasn't going to break my
word."</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum">[Pg 262]</span>
"Couldn't you satisfy your grandpa in any other way?"</p>
<p class="indent">"No; he <i>would</i> have the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth. I'd have told my part of the scrape, if I could without
bringing Meg in. As I couldn't, I held my tongue, and bore the
scolding till the old gentleman collared me. Then I got angry, and
bolted, for fear I should forget myself."</p>
<p class="indent">"It wasn't nice, but he's sorry, I know; so go down and make
up. I'll help you."</p>
<p class="indent">"Hanged if I do! I'm not going to be lectured and pummelled
by every one, just for a bit of a frolic. I <i>was</i> sorry about Meg, and
begged pardon like a man; but I won't do it again, when I wasn't
in the wrong."</p>
<p class="indent">"He didn't know that."</p>
<p class="indent">"He ought to trust me, and not act as if I was a baby. It's no
use, Jo; he's got to learn that I'm able to take care of myself, and
don't need any one's apron-string to hold on by."</p>
<p class="indent">"What pepper-pots you are!" sighed Jo. "How do you mean
to settle this affair?"</p>
<p class="indent">"Well, he ought to beg pardon, and believe me when I say I can't
tell him what the fuss's about."</p>
<p class="indent">"Bless you! he won't do that."</p>
<p class="indent">"I won't go down till he does."</p>
<p class="indent">"Now, Teddy, be sensible; let it pass, and I'll explain what I can.
You can't stay here, so what's the use of being melodramatic?"</p>
<p class="indent">"I don't intend to stay here long, any way. I'll slip off and take
a journey somewhere, and when grandpa misses me he'll come
round fast enough."</p>
<p class="indent">"I dare say; but you ought not to go and worry him."</p>
<p class="indent">"Don't preach. I'll go to Washington and see Brooke; it's gay
there, and I'll enjoy myself after the troubles."</p>
<p class="indent">"What fun you'd have! I wish I could run off too," said Jo,
forgetting her part of Mentor in lively visions of martial life at the
capital.</p>
<p class="indent">"Come on, then! Why not? You go and surprise your father,
and I'll stir up old Brooke. It would be a glorious joke; let's do it,
Jo. We'll leave a letter saying we are all right, and trot off at once.
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 263]</span>
I've got money enough; it will do you good, and be no harm, as
you go to your father."</p>
<p class="indent">For a moment Jo looked as if she would agree; for, wild as the
plan was, it just suited her. She was tired of care and confinement,
longed for change, and thoughts of her father blended temptingly
with the novel charms of camps and hospitals, liberty and fun. Her
eyes kindled as they turned wistfully toward the window, but they fell
on the old house opposite, and she shook her head with sorrowful
decision.</p>
<p class="indent">"If I was a boy, we'd run away together, and have a capital time;
but as I'm a miserable girl, I must be proper, and stop at home.
Don't tempt me, Teddy, it's a crazy plan."</p>
<p class="indent">"That's the fun of it," began Laurie, who had got a wilful fit on
him, and was possessed to break out of bounds in some way.</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum">[Pg 264]</span>
"Hold your tongue!" cried Jo, covering her ears. "'Prunes and
prisms' are my doom, and I may as well make up my mind to it. I
came here to moralize, not to hear about things that make me skip
to think of."</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <SPAN name="b110.png" id="b110.png"></SPAN> <ANTIMG src="images/b110.png" width-obs="417" height-obs="400" alt=""Hold your tongue!" cried Jo, covering her ears" title=""Hold your tongue!" cried Jo, covering her ears" /></div>
<p class="indent">"I know Meg would wet-blanket such a proposal, but I thought
you had more spirit," began Laurie insinuatingly.</p>
<p class="indent">"Bad boy, be quiet! Sit down and think of your own sins, don't
go making me add to mine. If I get your grandpa to apologize for
the shaking, will you give up running away?" asked Jo seriously.</p>
<p class="indent">"Yes, but you won't do it," answered Laurie, who wished "to
make up," but felt that his outraged dignity must be appeased first.</p>
<p class="indent">"If I can manage the young one I can the old one," muttered Jo,
as she walked away, leaving Laurie bent over a railroad map, with
his head propped up on both hands.</p>
<p class="indent">"Come in!" and Mr. Laurence's gruff voice sounded gruffer than
ever, as Jo tapped at his door.</p>
<p class="indent">"It's only me, sir, come to return a book," she said blandly, as
she entered.</p>
<p class="indent">"Want any more?" asked the old gentleman, looking grim and
vexed, but trying not to show it.</p>
<p class="indent">"Yes, please. I like old Sam so well, I think I'll try the second
volume," returned Jo, hoping to propitiate him by accepting a second
dose of Boswell's "Johnson," as he had recommended that lively
work.</p>
<p class="indent">The shaggy eyebrows unbent a little, as he rolled the steps toward
the shelf where the Johnsonian literature was placed. Jo skipped up,
and, sitting on the top step, affected to be searching for her book, but
was really wondering how best to introduce the dangerous object of
her visit. Mr. Laurence seemed to suspect that something was brewing
in her mind; for, after taking several brisk turns about the room,
he faced round on her, speaking so abruptly that "Rasselas" tumbled
face downward on the floor.</p>
<p class="indent">"What has that boy been about? Don't try to shield him. I
know he has been in mischief by the way he acted when he came
home. I can't get a word from him; and when I threatened to
shake the truth out of him he bolted upstairs, and locked himself into
his room."</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum">[Pg 265]</span>
"He did do
wrong, but we forgave
him, and all
promised not to say a
word to any one," began
Jo reluctantly.</p>
<p class="indent">"That won't do; he
shall not shelter himself
behind a promise from you soft-hearted
girls. If he's done anything amiss,
he shall confess, beg pardon, and be
punished. Out with it, Jo, I won't be kept in the dark."</p>
<p class="indent">Mr. Laurence looked so alarming and spoke so sharply that Jo
would have gladly run away, if she could, but she was perched aloft
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 266]</span>
on the steps, and he stood at the foot, a lion in the path, so she had
to stay and brave it out.</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <SPAN name="b111.png" id="b111.png"></SPAN> <ANTIMG src="images/b111.png" width-obs="400" height-obs="538" alt="He stood at the foot, like a lion in the path" title="He stood at the foot, like a lion in the path" /></div>
<p class="indent">"Indeed, sir, I cannot tell; mother forbade it. Laurie has confessed,
asked pardon, and been punished quite enough. We don't keep
silence to shield him, but some one else, and it will make more trouble
if you interfere. Please don't; it was partly my fault, but it's all
right now; so let's forget it, and talk about the 'Rambler,' or something
pleasant."</p>
<p class="indent">"Hang the 'Rambler!' come down and give me your word that
this harum-scarum boy of mine hasn't done anything ungrateful or
impertinent. If he has, after all your kindness to him, I'll thrash
him with my own hands."</p>
<p class="indent">The threat sounded awful, but did not alarm Jo, for she knew the
irascible old gentleman would never lift a finger against his grandson,
whatever he might say to the contrary. She obediently descended,
and made as light of the prank as she could without betraying Meg or
forgetting the truth.</p>
<p class="indent">"Hum—ha—well, if the boy held his tongue because he promised,
and not from obstinacy, I'll forgive him. He's a stubborn
fellow, and hard to manage," said Mr. Laurence, rubbing up his hair
till it looked as if he had been out in a gale, and smoothing the frown
from his brow with an air of relief.</p>
<p class="indent">"So am I; but a kind word will govern me when all the king's
horses and all the king's men couldn't," said Jo, trying to say a
kind word for her friend, who seemed to get out of one scrape only to
fall into another.</p>
<p class="indent">"You think I'm not kind to him, hey?" was the sharp answer.</p>
<p class="indent">"Oh, dear, no, sir; you are rather too kind sometimes, and then just
a trifle hasty when he tries your patience. Don't you think you are?"</p>
<p class="indent">Jo was determined to have it out now, and tried to look quite placid,
though she quaked a little after her bold speech. To her great
relief and surprise, the old gentleman only threw his spectacles on to
the table with a rattle, and exclaimed frankly,—</p>
<p class="indent">"You're right, girl, I am! I love the boy, but he tries my patience
past bearing, and I don't know how it will end, if we go on so."</p>
<p class="indent">"I'll tell you, he'll run away." Jo was sorry for that speech the
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 267]</span>
minute it was made; she meant to warn him that Laurie would not bear
much restraint, and hoped he would be more forbearing with the lad.</p>
<p class="indent">Mr. Laurence's ruddy face changed suddenly, and he sat down,
with a troubled glance at the picture of a handsome man, which hung
over his table. It was Laurie's father, who <i>had</i> run away in his youth,
and married against the imperious old man's will. Jo fancied he remembered
and regretted the past, and she wished she had held her
tongue.</p>
<p class="indent">"He won't do it unless he is very much worried, and only threatens
it sometimes, when he gets tired of studying. I often think
I should like to, especially since my hair was cut; so, if you ever
miss us, you may advertise for two boys, and look among the ships
bound for India."</p>
<p class="indent">She laughed as she spoke, and Mr. Laurence looked relieved, evidently
taking the whole as a joke.</p>
<p class="indent">"You hussy, how dare you talk in that way? Where's your respect
for me, and your proper bringing up? Bless the boys and girls!
What torments they are; yet we can't do without them," he said,
pinching her cheeks good-humoredly. "Go and bring that boy down
to his dinner, tell him it's all right, and advise him not to put on
tragedy airs with his grandfather. I won't bear it."</p>
<p class="indent">"He won't come, sir; he feels badly because you didn't believe
him when he said he couldn't tell. I think the shaking hurt his feelings
very much."</p>
<p class="indent">Jo tried to look pathetic, but must have failed, for Mr. Laurence
began to laugh, and she knew the day was won.</p>
<p class="indent">"I'm sorry for that, and ought to thank him for not shaking me, I
suppose. What the dickens does the fellow expect?" and the old gentleman
looked a trifle ashamed of his own testiness.</p>
<p class="indent">"If I were you, I'd write him an apology, sir. He says he won't
come down till he has one, and talks about Washington, and goes
on in an absurd way. A formal apology will make him see how foolish
he is, and bring him down quite amiable. Try it; he likes fun,
and this way is better than talking. I'll carry it up, and teach him
his duty."</p>
<p class="indent">Mr. Laurence gave her a sharp look, and put on his spectacles, saying
<span class="pagenum">[Pg 268]</span>
slowly, "You're a sly puss, but I don't mind being managed by
you and Beth. Here, give me a bit of paper, and let us have done
with this nonsense."</p>
<p class="indent">The note was written in the terms which one gentleman would use
to another after offering some deep insult. Jo dropped a kiss on the
top of Mr. Laurence's bald head, and ran up to slip the apology under
Laurie's door, advising him, through the key-hole, to be submissive,
decorous, and a few other agreeable impossibilities. Finding the
door locked again, she left the note to do its work, and was going
quietly away, when the young gentleman slid down the banisters,
and waited for her at the bottom, saying, with his most virtuous expression
of countenance, "What a good fellow you are, Jo! Did you
get blown up?" he added, laughing.</p>
<p class="indent">"No; he was pretty mild, on the whole."</p>
<p class="indent">"Ah! I got it all round; even you cast me off over there, and I
felt just ready to go to the deuce," he began apologetically.</p>
<p class="indent">"Don't talk in that way; turn over a new leaf and begin again,
Teddy, my son."</p>
<p class="indent">"I keep turning over new leaves, and spoiling them, as I used to
spoil my copy-books; and I make so many beginnings there never
will be an end," he said dolefully.</p>
<p class="indent">"Go and eat your dinner; you'll feel better after it. Men always
croak when they are hungry," and Jo whisked out at the front door
after that.</p>
<p class="indent">"That's a 'label' on my 'sect,'" answered Laurie, quoting Amy, as
he went to partake of humble-pie dutifully with his grandfather, who
was quite saintly in temper and overwhelmingly respectful in manner
all the rest of the day.</p>
<p class="indent">Every one thought the matter ended and the little cloud blown
over; but the mischief was done, for, though others forgot it, Meg
remembered. She never alluded to a certain person, but she thought
of him a good deal, dreamed dreams more than ever; and once Jo,
rummaging her sister's desk for stamps, found a bit of paper scribbled
over with the words, "Mrs. John Brooke;" whereat she groaned
tragically, and cast it into the fire, feeling that Laurie's prank had
hastened the evil day for her.</p>
<hr class="hr2" />
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum">[Pg 269]</span></p>
<div class="figcenter"> <SPAN name="b112.png" id="b112.png"></SPAN> <ANTIMG src="images/b112.png" width-obs="643" height-obs="400" alt="Beth was soon able to lie on the study sofa all day" title="Beth was soon able to lie on the study sofa all day" /></div>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />
1 of 2
2 of 2
Previous
Next
Update Required
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.