cried Laurie , sitting up with sudden energy . `` I ought to be satisfied to please Grandfather , and I do try , but it 's working against the grain , you see , and comes hard . He wants me to be an India merchant , as he was , and I 'd rather be shot . I hate tea and silk and spices , and every sort of rubbish his old ships bring , and I do n't care how soon they go to the bottom when I own them . Going to college ought to satisfy him , for if I give him four years he ought to let me off from the business . But he 's set , and I 've got to do just as he did , unless I break away and please myself , as my father did . If there was anyone left to stay with the old gentleman , I 'd do it tomorrow . '' Laurie spoke excitedly , and looked ready to carry his threat into execution on the slightest provocation , for he was growing up very fast and , in spite of his indolent ways , had a young man 's hatred of subjection , a young man 's restless longing to try the world for himself . `` I advise you to sail away in one of your ships , and never come home again till you have tried your own way , '' said Jo , whose imagination was fired by the thought of such a daring exploit , and whose sympathy was excited by what she called ` Teddy 's Wrongs ' . `` That 's not right , Jo . You must n't talk in that way , and Laurie must n't take your bad advice . You should do just what your grandfather wishes , my dear boy , '' said Meg in her most maternal tone . `` Do your best at college , and when he sees that you try to please him , I 'm sure he wo n't be hard on you or unjust to you . As you say , there is no one else to stay with and love him , and you 'd never forgive yourself if you left him without his permission . Do n't be dismal or fret , but do your duty and you 'll get your reward , as good Mr. Brooke has , by being respected and loved . '' `` What do you know about him ? '' asked Laurie , grateful for the good advice , but objecting to the lecture , and glad to turn the conversation from himself after his unusual outbreak . `` Only what your grandpa told us about him , how he took good care of his own mother till she died , and would n't go abroad as tutor to some nice person because he would n't leave her . And how he provides now for an old woman who nursed his mother , and never tells anyone , but is just as generous and patient and good as he can be . '' `` So he is , dear old fellow ! ''
said XXXXX heartily , as Meg paused , looking flushed and earnest with her story .
Brooke India Jo Laurie Meg grandpa left right subjection years