exclaimed Meg . `` How silly ! '' said Jo . `` Let him be a musician if he wants to , and not plague his life out sending him to college , when he hates to go . '' `` That 's why he has such handsome black eyes and pretty manners , I suppose . Italians are always nice , '' said Meg , who was a little sentimental . `` What do you know about his eyes and his manners ? You never spoke to him , hardly , '' cried Jo , who was not sentimental . `` I saw him at the party , and what you tell shows that he knows how to behave . That was a nice little speech about the medicine Mother sent him . '' `` He meant the blanc mange , I suppose . '' `` How stupid you are , child ! He meant you , of course . '' `` Did he ? '' And Jo opened her eyes as if it had never occurred to her before . `` I never saw such a girl ! You do n't know a compliment when you get it , '' said Meg , with the air of a young lady who knew all about the matter . `` I think they are great nonsense , and I 'll thank you not to be silly and spoil my fun . Laurie 's a nice boy and I like him , and I wo n't have any sentimental stuff about compliments and such rubbish . We 'll all be good to him because he has n't got any mother , and he may come over and see us , may n't he , Marmee ? ''
`` Yes , XXXXX , your little friend is very welcome , and I hope Meg will remember that children should be children as long as they can . ''
Italians Jo Laurie Marmee Meg Mother eyes mange manners speech