Try it . He likes fun , and this way is better than talking . I 'll carry it up , and teach him his duty . '' Mr. Laurence gave her a sharp look , and put on his spectacles , saying slowly , `` You 're a sly puss , but I do n't mind being managed by you and Beth . Here , give me a bit of paper , and let us have done with this nonsense . '' 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 keyhole 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 . `` No , he was pretty mild , on the whole . '' `` 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 . `` Do n't talk that way , turn over a new leaf and begin again , Teddy , my son . '' `` I keep turning over new leaves , and spoiling them , as I used to spoil my copybooks , and I make so many beginnings there never will be an end , '' he said dolefully . `` 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 . `` 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 . Everyone 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 XXXXX 's prank had hastened the evil day for her .
Amy Beth Jo Laurence Laurie Meg deuce impossibilities left puss