"Here's a scrape! Do let me bring that wicked boy over to explain and be lecturedI can't rest till I get hold of him And Jo made for the door again
"Hush! Let me handle this, for it is worse than I thoughtMargaret, tell me the whole story," commanded MrsMarch, sitting down by Meg, yet keeping hold of Jo, lest she should fly off
"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 MrBrooke, so I thought you wouldn't mind if I kept my little secret for a few daysI'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 doForgive me, Mother, I'm paid for my silliness nowI never can look him in the face again
"What did you say to him?' asked Mrs
"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 fatherI was very grateful for his kindness, and would be his http://www.naluxury.com/categorys_19_Mahina_1.html" target="_blank friend, but nothing more, for a long whileMarch smiled, as if well pleased, and Jo clapped her hands, exclaiming, with a laugh, "You are almost equal to Caroline Percy, who was a pattern of prudence! Tell on, MegWhat did he say to that?"
"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 liberties with our namesIt's very kind and respectful, but think how dreadful for me!"
Meg leaned against her mother, looking the image of despair, and Jo tramped about the room, calling Laurie namesAll 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 lettersTeddy wrote both, and keeps yours to crow over me with because I wouldn't tell him my secret
"Don't have any secrets, JoTell it to Mother and keep out of trouble, as I should have done," said Meg warningly
"Bless you, child! Mother told meI'll comfort Meg while you go and get LaurieI shall sift the matter to the http://www.snluxury.com/categorys_105_Chanel-Earrings_1.html" target="_blank bottom, and put a stop to such pranks at once Away ran Jo, and MrsMarch gently told Meg MrBrooke's real feelings"Now, dear, what are your own? Do you love him enough to wait till her can make a home for you, or will you keep yourself quite free for the present?"
"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 doesn't know anything about this nonsense, don't tell him, and make Jo and Laurie hold their tonguesI won't be deceived and plagued and made a fool ofIt's a shame!"
Seeing Meg's usually gentle temper was roused and her pride hurt by this mischievous joke, MrsMarch soothed her by promises of entire silence and great discretion for the futureThe instant Laurie's step was heard in the hall, Meg fled into the study, and MrsMarch received the culprit aloneJo had not told him why he was wanted, fearing he wouldn't come, but he knew the minute he saw MrsMarch's face, and stood twirling his hat with a guilty air which convicted him at onceJo was dismissed, but http://www.ooluxury.com/search_0_0_0_chanel black_1.html" target="_blank chose to march up and down the hall like a sentinel, having some fear that the prisoner might boltThe sound of voices in the parlor rose and fell for half an hour, but what happened during that interview the girls never knew
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 factMeg received his humble apology, and was much comforted by the assurance that Brooke knew nothing of the joke
"I'll never tell him to my dying day, wild horses shan'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
"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 hid her maidenly confusion under a gravely reproachful air
"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 http://www.enluxury.com/categorys_105_Chanel-Earrings_1.html" target="_blank and 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 MrsMarch'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
Jo stood aloof, meanwhile, trying to harden her heart against him, and succeeding only in primming up her face into an expression of entire disapprobationLaurie looked at her once or twice, but as she 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
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 TeddyAfter resisting for some time, she yielded to the impulse, and armed with a book to return, went over to the big houseLaurence in?" asked Jo, of a housemaid, who was coming http://www.ttluxury.com/categorys_28_Aqua-Terra-_1.html" target="_blank downstai