Jo 's desk up here was an old tin kitchen which hung against the wall . In it she kept her papers , and a few books , safely shut away from Scrabble , who , being likewise of a literary turn , was fond of making a circulating library of such books as were left in his way by eating the leaves . From this tin receptacle Jo produced another manuscript , and putting both in her pocket , crept quietly downstairs , leaving her friends to nibble on her pens and taste her ink . She put on her hat and jacket as noiselessly as possible , and going to the back entry window , got out upon the roof of a low porch , swung herself down to the grassy bank , and took a roundabout way to the road . Once there , she composed herself , hailed a passing omnibus , and rolled away to town , looking very merry and mysterious . If anyone had been watching her , he would have thought her movements decidedly peculiar , for on alighting , she went off at a great pace till she reached a certain number in a certain busy street . Having found the place with some difficulty , she went into the doorway , looked up the dirty stairs , and after standing stock still a minute , suddenly dived into the street and walked away as rapidly as she came . This maneuver she repeated several times , to the great amusement of a black-eyed young gentleman lounging in the window of a building opposite . On returning for the third time , Jo gave herself a shake , pulled her hat over her eyes , and walked up the stairs , looking as if she were going to have all her teeth out . There was a dentist 's sign , among others , which adorned the entrance , and after staring a moment at the pair of artificial jaws which slowly opened and shut to draw attention to a fine set of teeth , the young gentleman put on his coat , took his hat , and went down to post himself in the opposite doorway , saying with a smile and a shiver , `` It 's like her to come alone , but if she has a bad time she 'll need someone to help her home . '' In ten minutes Jo came running downstairs with a very red face and the general appearance of a person who had just passed through a trying ordeal of some sort . When she saw the young gentleman she looked anything but pleased , and passed him with a nod . But he followed , asking with an air of sympathy , `` Did you have a bad time ? '' `` Not very . '' `` You got through quickly . '' `` Yes , thank goodness ! '' `` Why did you go alone ? '' `` Did n't want anyone to know . '' `` You 're the oddest fellow I ever saw . How many did you have out ? ''
XXXXX looked at her friend as if she did not understand him , then began to laugh as if mightily amused at something .
Jo Scrabble alighting goodness left minute omnibus others sign third