Was n't it love among the roses ! '' Laurie seemed to forget Jo for a minute , and Jo was glad of it , for the fact that he told her these things so freely and so naturally assured her that he had quite forgiven and forgotten . She tried to draw away her hand , but as if he guessed the thought that prompted the half-involuntary impulse , Laurie held it fast , and said , with a manly gravity she had never seen in him before ... `` Jo , dear , I want to say one thing , and then we 'll put it by forever . As I told you in my letter when I wrote that Amy had been so kind to me , I never shall stop loving you , but the love is altered , and I have learned to see that it is better as it is . Amy and you changed places in my heart , that 's all . I think it was meant to be so , and would have come about naturally , if I had waited , as you tried to make me , but I never could be patient , and so I got a heartache . I was a boy then , headstrong and violent , and it took a hard lesson to show me my mistake . For it was one , Jo , as you said , and I found it out , after making a fool of myself . Upon my word , I was so tumbled up in my mind , at one time , that I did n't know which I loved best , you or Amy , and tried to love you both alike . But I could n't , and when I saw her in Switzerland , everything seemed to clear up all at once . You both got into your right places , and I felt sure that it was well off with the old love before it was on with the new , that I could honestly share my heart between sister Jo and wife Amy , and love them dearly . Will you believe it , and go back to the happy old times when we first knew one another ? '' `` I 'll believe it , with all my heart , but , Teddy , we never can be boy and girl again . The happy old times ca n't come back , and we must n't expect it . We are man and woman now , with sober work to do , for playtime is over , and we must give up frolicking . I 'm sure you feel this . I see the change in you , and you 'll find it in me . I shall miss my boy , but I shall love the man as much , and admire him more , because he means to be what I hoped he would . We ca n't be little playmates any longer , but we will be brother and sister , to love and help one another all our lives , wo n't we , Laurie ? '' He did not say a word , but took the hand she offered him , and laid his face down on it for a minute , feeling that out of the grave of a boyish passion , there had risen a beautiful , strong friendship to bless them both .
Presently XXXXX said cheerfully , for she did n't want the coming home to be a sad one , `` I ca n't make it true that you children are really married and going to set up housekeeping .
Amy Jo Laurie Switzerland first heart heartache minute playtime right